4/5 Star List - Gay Relationships Worth Re-Reading

The awkward transition from friends to lovers is complicated with guilt over an injury. I love the large family vibe in this one, and how they handled the announcement. Without them this would have been knocked down to three stars.

Escaping into the shop of an ex-mafia while running from debt collectors. The charm of this story is in the main character's attitude toward life and how he faces the local community with kindness in the face of their judgmental reactions. The difficulties only make the relationship sweeter.

Friends to lovers, their relationship is sweet either way. However what brought this up to four stars is how their friend helps them.

A study in how self-loathing can damage relationships and the kind of persistent acceptance it takes to persuade such a person that they actually can be loved. While I don't agree with how the main character handled everything, I've observed plenty of people who think this way. It was sweet to see how he finally learned to believe in his partner's perspective as equally valid.

A straight man falls for a guy that hangs out with women to hide the fact that he's gay. My favorite part of this story is the honesty between them even when there is pain involved. It's also sweet how the main character faces himself and does his best to work things out instead of running away from his mistake.

I always enjoy stories about couples figuring out how their partner thinks. Add a family-centered back story where the conflict is about something other than being gay, supportive friends, and mutual support for each other's goals, and this gem is worth every star.

Caught up in regret and fear of losing someone precious to him again, the main character can't face his growing attraction. I love how he stumbles his way into honesty and open communication.

Best moment: Realizing that an abusive relationship damages both partners, not just the one getting hit. | A sweet story about breaking up with an abuser to be with someone who treats him well. The only downside is that he's not the one who did the breaking up and I'd have liked seeing more of the healthy relationship beyond the sex. Oh, well.

Favorite parts: Yuuto's personality and the clear respect & consent throughout. | After discovering his step brother is gay, Yuuto begins to realize that he's been attracted to him all along. Afraid of breaking up the family, he decides to live in a dorm as he finishes school. When his parents insist he live with his brother during college the two of them must eventually find a way to be honest about their feelings.

Favorite part: "If we want to be together, then we'll stay together. Isn't that enough? It's not like we're going to die over something like this." | A slow, sweet story about the relationship between a high school student and the man who gives him shelter when he falls apart after realizing he's gay.