The Gay Book Club Certified Reviews

A violent, deeply emotional thriller about two fathers avenging their murdered gay sons—Razorblade Tears is part Southern noir, part reckoning, and completely unforgettable.

A taut, emotionally grounded noir where gay lives aren’t hidden—they’re central, complex, and fully realized.

Published in 1970, Fadeout is a slow-burn mystery with a groundbreaking gay detective and a tone that’s both gritty and quietly profound.

A light and lively gay mystery featuring a missing dancer, a charmingly awkward sleuth, and a dog you’ll wish you could adopt.

A sharp, heartfelt horror story that turns gay trauma into something you can fight—and maybe even survive.

A steamy, soft-edged sports romance that delivers warmth and heart, Him goes down easy—but never quite digs into the stakes beneath the surface.

A quietly radical novel of gay awakening, Maurice finds tenderness in unexpected places and dares to imagine a love that doesn’t have to end in silence.

A powerful meditation on grief and isolation, A Single Man captures with poignant clarity the profound loneliness of losing the person who mattered most.

A sharp, funny, and big-hearted rom-com about a theater kid chasing the fantasy of love, The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King shines brightest when it lets its drama king grow beyond the script he’s written for himself.

A lyrical, quietly powerful story of first love and longing, Lie With Me traces the fragile beauty of a hidden romance and the ache it leaves behind across a lifetime.

A darkly funny take on creative ambition and self-sabotage, 'I Might Be in Trouble' explores guilt, identity, and the messy lines between art and morality. Aleman’s sharp dialogue and emotional undercurrents add weight to a plot that sometimes strains credulity—but still offers moments of insight and heart.

A tender, poetic coming-of-age that sees gayness through the lens of vulnerability and cultural identity. Sáenz's lyrical prose elevates what could be a simple story into something achingly beautiful—even when it occasionally prioritizes introspection over action.

Reading Kellerman's debut in 2025 is like discovering a fascinating time capsule – dated in some ways, surprisingly progressive in others, and providing the first glimpse of what would become one of crime fiction's most significant gay characters. The psychology is rich, the mystery compelling, and watching the seeds of Alex and Milo's partnership take root is worth the occasionally slow pace.

Four college friends navigate life in New York, but as Jude's traumatic past takes center stage, "A Little Life" drowns in its own misery. Beautiful prose can't save a novel that fundamentally misunderstands gay relationships and mistakes relentless suffering for emotional depth. A disappointing marathon that left me unmoved.

Patrick is funny, guarded, and dressed for brunch—but is he ready to be the adult in the room? The Guncle delivers laughs and heart, but I found myself wanting more from its take on grief. Still, it's a charming, Palm Springs-soaked story with a strong voice and a lot of heart