Discover our list of the best authors like Onley James. Each one features strong male characters who are looking for love and find it.
Onley James is the pen name of writer Martina McAtee. James is a North Carolina native, who writes paranormal romance novels for young adults and gay romance novels). In her free time, James can be found drinking copious amounts of caffeine, preferably through Starbucks refreshers. To relieve stress, she loves to binge-watch television or scroll social media without end. In addition to writing, she runs a publishing company, 7 Sisters Publishing, producing diverse fiction works.
For more recommendations, you might also enjoy exploring best dystopian books, authors like George Orwell, best science fiction books.
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Must-Read Authors Like Onley James
1. Lily Mayne
Lily Mayne writes romance novels set in dark, dystopian settings. This English writer is responsible for the Monstrousseries of seven books, starting with Soul Eaterand ending with Lor. Mayne also has a number of short stories that are in that same collection.The Folk Trilogy is her most current project, and it currently has two books,Mortal Skin andForgotten Vows**. Layne only started writing in 2021, publishingSoul Eater*, the firstMonstrous *book, and two of its sequels that year.
“My mind wandered to the queen, and I had a flashback of an old sci-fi horror movie I’d seen once, late at night on TV when momma thought I was asleep, about a parasitic alien species that burst out of people’s chests.”
Lily Mayne, Soul Eater
2. Grae Bryan
Book cover of Roman by Grae Bryan
Grae Bryan started reading love stories when she was young, long before she should have done so. A lover of all things romance, she tends to write paranormal settings for her characters but plans to try other types of romance books.
The author lives in Arizona and enjoys reading gothic novels in her spare time. Bryan currently writes the Vampire’s Mate series, which started withRoman in 2022.
“I can provide for you. Be your … vampire sugar daddy, was it?”
Grae Bryan, Roman
3. Cora Rose
Book cover of Whit by Cora Rose
Cora Rose has a vivid imagination, and it shows in her romance novels. The author also reads voraciously, which helps her create compelling stories. Rose is a relatively new author; her first book, Whit, was published in April 2022. It is the first in theUnexpected series. Rose’s books are steamy and feature M/M romance. She also started theInevitable series in 2022, starting with a college romance called Until Him.
“I’m not interested in anyone but you! I don’t want anyone but you! Get that through your stupid, smart head!”
Cora Rose, Whit
4. Jaclyn Osborn
Book cover of A Gift Of Time by Jaclyn Osborn
Author Jaclyn Osborn is always either reading or writing. Her M/M romance novels explore all types of worlds and genres, which keeps her readers engaged. Readers will find historical, contemporary, fantasy, and paranormal romance books with Osborn. Her first book was A Gift of Time, published in 2017. Osborn has also written a few series, includingAwakening, Cadbury, Tales of Fate, Blue Harbor, and*Sons of the Fallen**.
“Sometimes a man needs to be given exactly what he asked for in order for him to realize that what he really needed was what he had all along.”
Jaclyn Osborn, A Gift of Time
5. Neve Wilder
Book cover of Center Of Gravity by Neve Wilder
Neve Wilder writes books that contain romance but can’t always be confined to one specific genre. A lover of David Bowie and good literature, she writes everything from adventurous page-turners to slow-burners filled with sexual tension. Many of her books, like the Franklin Universityand Extracurricular Activities series, are set on college campuses. HerWages of Sin books were written in collaboration with Onley James, which is part of why she has a spot on this list.*Center of Gravity**, a standalone novel, is her first book, published in 2018.
“Cracker Jack met all the qualifications of college buff from what I could see of his profile. He was an endless summer kind of golden blond, and lean, a bit of leftover sunburn on his cheeks laying over the warm, cabana boy tan beneath.”
Neve Wilder, Center of Gravity
6. Eden Finley
Book cover of Fake Out by Eden Finley
Amazon bestselling author Eden Finley writes M/M contemporary romance novels. The writer adds plenty of snark to her books even while writing the steamy scenes. Her goal is to create books that allow her readers to escape reality. Finley is from Australia and often has Australian themes in her books. Some of the series in her name include *Puckboys, Steele Brothers, Fake Boyfriend,*and Famous.One Night with Hemsworth was her first novel, published in 2016.Fake Out is one of her most popular books. Published in 2018, it tells of a man who discovers he is gay when he has to bring a fake boyfriend to his ex-girlfriend’s wedding.
“Space is big. You just won’t believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it’s a long way down the road to the chemist’s, but that’s just peanuts to space.”
Eden Finley, Fake Out
7. Saxon James
Book cover of Bet On Me by Saxon James
Saxon James is an Australian writer who loves to write swoony love stories, and she co-authored the Puckboys series with Eden Finley. James started her writing career with the short story “Good Times and Tan Lines,” which she published at the end of 2019. The book became the prequel to theLove’s a Gamble series, withBet on Me as the first book. James also wrote theNever Just Friends, Frat Wars**, andDivorced Men’s Club* series. In addition to romances, James writes young adult novels under the name SM James.
“Just as he turns away, I snatch his hand. But I don’t know what to say. It’s that panic again, that fear of change, and after a moment of waiting, Liam squeezes my hand and leaves. I hear his footsteps descending the stairs and a moment later the front door opens and closes, then, silence.”
Saxon James,Bet on Me
8. Riley Hart
Book cover of Of Sunlight And Stardust by Riley Hart
Riley Hart fell in love with romance at a young age, and that love bleeds into every book and story she writes. Most of her books are M/M romances, and she uses several pen names in addition to publishing under her given name. Her characters drive her stories, and they tend to be human and relatable, with flaws we can all relate to. Hart strives to make the romance feel real and genuine. The writer loves to travel with her family when she’s not writing. In 2019, she was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award for her book Of Sunlight and Stardust.
“We’re all made of sunlight and stardust. So maybe, whenever you look at the sky, from morning till nightfall, you’re connecting with them in some small way.”
Riley Hart, Of Sunlight and Stardust
9. Lark Taylor
Book cover of Devil’s Mark by Lark Taylor
Lark Taylor is a fan of romance novels and thus writes them herself. A supporter of the LGBTQ+ community and an advocate for mental health awareness, she uses her books to create happily ever afters for characters from these demographics that she wants to support. Taylor often writes M/M fantasy romance books.
Her first series, The Reckless Damned, came to market in 2022. Devil’s Mark was the first book in the series. It explored what would happen if a demon fell in love with a human. In 2023, she started Caffeine Daydreams with the novel White Noise, and she is currently working on Patience, the first book in the new Damned Connectionsseries.
“The shadows are lurking, but you’re enough to keep them away. So long as I have you at my side, I can live in the light.”
Lark Taylor, Devil’s Mark
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a great romance book?
Great romance books feature well-developed characters, emotional depth, and believable relationships. They should create genuine emotional connection between characters and readers, with satisfying character growth and relationship development.
Are romance books only for women?
No, romance books are for anyone who enjoys stories about relationships and emotional connections. While the genre has traditionally been marketed to women, many men enjoy romance books, and the genre is becoming more diverse in its readership and representation.
What are the different types of romance books?
Romance books include contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance, romantic suspense, and many subgenres. Each type offers different settings, themes, and levels of heat, allowing readers to find stories that match their preferences.
Why do people love romance books?
People love romance books for the emotional satisfaction, hope, and escape they provide. They offer stories of love, connection, and happy endings that can be comforting and uplifting in a complex world.
10. Andrea Speed
Book cover of Infected: Freefall by Andrea Speed
Andrea Speed is an award-winning author who writes M/M romance novels and horror books. A self-proclaimed “super nerd,” she enjoys writing romances with a sci-fi twist. *Infected: Freefall,*her 2011 novel, received the Rainbow Award. It is book four of the Infectedseries of 12 books and several short stories. For more, you might be interested in our round-up of authors like Susan Elizabeth Phillips).
“MRI machines sucked. They really, honestly, sucked. You lay motionless inside a cramped metal tube that made you feel like a torpedo waiting for launch, and weird noises went off around you as you fought off claustrophobia you’d never had before for an hour that seemed to last approximately one thousand years.”
Andrea Speed, Infected: Freefall
