If you are new to BL novels, the number of genres and reading communities can feel overwhelming. The easiest way to begin is to start with the kind of story you already enjoy.
Readers who love fantasy might enjoy magical worlds, supernatural characters or royal courts. If you prefer contemporary romance, look for workplace, sports, campus or slice-of-life stories. Readers who enjoy emotional tension may want to explore slow burn, rivals to lovers or second-chance romance.
Book descriptions are useful, but do not stop there. Check the genre, subgenres and tropes. Look for content notes if a story includes difficult themes. If a book is part of a series, check whether it can be read on its own or whether earlier instalments matter.
You can also use reader communities to discover authors and titles, but remember that one person's favourite trope may not be yours. Recommendations are starting points, not rules.
Bright Tide's bookshelf includes fantasy, historical fantasy and contemporary sports romance. Exploring a few different settings can help you work out what you want from your next BL novel.
