Achillean refers to a man or male-identifying individual who is attracted to other men or male-identifying people. This describes all sexual orientations in which one man or male-identifying individual is attracted to others such as people who are gay, pansexual, bisexual, demisexual, or queer.
For Valentine’s, I have 5 Achillean Romances featuring a bi lead character which I hope you’ll enjoy, Story Quester. I’ve also tried to be diverse in my selections by picking from both comics and novels, traditional and indie authors from 3 different countries.
1) Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
Simon Snow is the worst Chosen One who’s ever been chosen.
That’s what his roommate, Baz, says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he’s probably right.
Half the time, Simon can’t even make his wand work, and the other half, he starts something on fire. His mentor’s avoiding him, his girlfriend broke up with him, and there’s a magic-eating monster running around, wearing Simon’s face. Baz would be having a field day with all this, if he were here—it’s their last year at the Watford School of Magicks, and Simon’s infuriating nemesis didn’t even bother to show up.
American novel set in Britain
2) Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
Boy meets boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love. A sweet and charming coming-of-age story that explores friendship, love, and coming out.
Shy and softhearted Charlie Spring sits next to rugby player Nick Nelson in class one morning. A warm and intimate friendship follows, and that soon develops into something more for Charlie, who doesn’t think he has a chance.
But Nick is struggling with feelings of his own, and as the two grow closer and take on the ups and downs of high school, they come to understand the surprising and delightful ways in which love works.
British webtoon turned graphic novel series
3) Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
What happens when America’s First Son falls in love with the Prince of Wales?
When his mother became President, Alex Claremont-Diaz was promptly cast as the American equivalent of a young royal. Handsome, charismatic, genius―his image is pure millennial-marketing gold for the White House. There’s only one problem: Alex has a beef with the actual prince, Henry, across the pond. And when the tabloids get hold of a photo involving an Alex-Henry altercation, U.S./British relations take a turn for the worse.
Heads of family, state, and other handlers devise a plan for damage control: staging a truce between the two rivals. What at first begins as a fake, Instragramable friendship grows deeper, and more dangerous, than either Alex or Henry could have imagined. Soon Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret romance with a surprisingly unstuffy Henry that could derail the campaign and upend two nations.
American novel set in America & Britain
4) Therapy Game by Meguru Hinohara
Recently dumped, and very straight, Shizuma tries to drink his sorrow away, only to wake up being spooned by a man!
When he explains to Minato—his drunken fling—that he doesn’t remember a thing about their night together, Minato secretly vows to seduce him again—and then dump him as revenge! But even the best-laid plans can go awry when Cupid has his way.
Japanese BL manga set in Japan *rated Mature
5) Predestined by Kat Vancil
The only thing preventing Valerian from becoming a valkyrie are the scales of his own heart.
After botching his first solo assignment, Valerian Frey is determined to prove he’s worthy of becoming a valkyrie. But his mission seems cursed from the moment Vespasien Kuromori sets foot in Corbeauvale. The new boy is infuriatingly charming, dangerously perceptive, and worst of all—he looks an awful lot like the raven-haired guy from Valerian’s cryptic visions. A guy he fears might be destined to be his soulmate.
But when the dark specter responsible for snuffing out his mortal life resurfaces in Corbeauvale, will Valerian be forced to choose between love, family, and everything he’s worked for? And when Norns are involved, do you even really have a choice?
Norse mythology and high school dance teams collide in this queer small-town romance.
American novel set in America, Europe & fantasy realms
Well, Story Quester, I hope you’ll check out these 5 picks and that your holiday is filled with some bookish 💝
