Outer space is, well, scary, if I’m being honest. But also cool! In fiction, at least. So I have compiled a list of books that are set in space and on other planets and also gay. (A term I am using broadly, since these are mostly m/m, but there is one about a nonbinary character.) About half are romance-centric, the other half have some romance but it’s small or not the only focus. But I enjoyed all these, loved some of them, and there are a lot of unique, fun, and interesting ideas in these books!
(Side note, every time I make posts like this, I worry about using the term “lesser-known.” But a book not being widely known, not having a ton of reviews, etc. is not an indicator of quality! There are great books that just happen to fly under the radar, and I want to help people find them.)
If you know me and you notice there are some gay space books I love missing from this list, don’t worry they’ll be coming in a future post 🙂
*If you’re considering buying any of these books from Amazon US, I’d appreciate it if you use my links! It will help support this blog at no additional cost to you!*
Dali (The Dali Tamareia Missions Series) by E.M. Hamill
Starting off with the genderfluid character! These books were so thought-out in their world building with all different alien species and space adventures and had so much realism and a main character who was tough on the outside but good on the inside. The shifting gender presentation and empath abilities were interesting too.
Amazon // Goodreads // My Review
Machine Metal Magic (Mind + Machine Series) by Hanna Dare
Each book in this trilogy is about a different couple. There’s action, there’s fun, sometimes there’s angst, sometimes there’s a heist or people stranded on a strange planet. And all the books are sexy!
Amazon // Goodreads // My Review
The Sol Majestic by Ferrett Steinmetz
This one is less space adventure, more quirky take on space life. It has such an eclectic mix of ideas and characters, including food, romance, friendship, class inequality, slavery, sentient dough, time dilation, and other weird futuristic stuff.
Amazon // Goodreads // My Review
Starbound by Tess Barnett
Back to space adventure, but this time with a lot of kink! Much of this one involves (healthy, or at least called out when it’s not) BDSM, but it’s not just about that. It’s also a fun story and a sweet romance.
Amazon // Goodreads // My Review
Beauty and His Beast by Bey Deckard
A Beauty and the Beast retelling, but gay and set on a space ship! This one is sexy, light, and sweet. I also highly recommend the audiobook narrated by Michael Ferraiuolo!
Amazon // Goodreads // My Review
Starfighter (Series) by Hamlet Machine
This is a graphic novel (that can also be read free online as a webcomic). It starts out very explicit and toxic, but the story gets a lot more gripping and the romance a lot sweeter as it goes on!
Amazon // Goodreads // My Review
A Complicated Love Story Set in Space by Shaun David Hutchinson
This one is YA and one of those books that builds up a bunch of mystery before a big reveal. It has some unique ideas and ended up being thought-provoking for me. And yes, there is also a sweet romance or something you could call a complicated love story.
Amazon // Goodreads // My Review
The Disasters by M.K. England
This is also YA with a lot of action and diversity, some complicated sibling relationship, and a kind, flirty MC who is so easy to like.
Amazon // Goodreads // My Review
Chaos Station (Series) by Jenn Burke & Kelly Jensen
This 5-book series is just great all-around with a little bit of everything, including wonderful world-building and a sorta rocky but ultimately adorable second chance romance that starts with some great angst.
Amazon // Goodreads // My Review
The Raging Ones (Series) by Krista & Becca Ritchie
I loved this duology because of how much emotion it packed in and made me feel, especially in the second book! It has great characters with relationships that are sometimes fraught and sometimes beautiful, some of which are made even more powerful by empathic connections.
Amazon // Goodreads // My Review
I also think space is terrifying, but I love reading about it, so thank you for sharing these!
Glad it’s not just me lol.
I’ve been meaning to read Ferrett Steinmetz for years, and The Sol Magestic is on my TBR. Fun list!
Hopefully you’ll like it!
Sentient dough!
I think Machine Metal magic looks awesome
Yep, sentient dough! Lots of weird stuff in that book lol.
I like reading space books at times. These sound interesting.
Space is a neat setting!
I love the Chaos Station series. It’s still one of my favorites.
I’m really drawn to that The Disasters cover so I might check that one out.
Karen @For What It’s Worth
I’ll have to reread Chaos Station at some point because I don’t remember anything about it tbh lol, just that I really liked it.