MMF romance stands for “male male female” and is a romance in which there are three people involved, two men and a woman, and the men are just as involved with each other as they are with the woman in their relationship. It’s different than a why choose romance, in which there is a whole group, and often times the men are only platonic. It’s among my favorite subgenres of romance because the tension supplied by three people, not to mention the spice, makes for an incredible read.
There are a handful of key authors who execute this subgenre exceptionally well, each with their own stylistic take. But all these books successfully explore the dynamics of a polyamorous romance, with amazing characters and spice that will leave readers blushing.
New Camelot by Sierra Simone
The New Camelot series by Sierra Simone reimagines King Arthur as the President of the United States, and Lancelot as his vice president and best friend. This MMF romance does a fantastic job of developing the characters and their histories. These books are beautifully written with a plot that will keep you hungrily flipping pages until the very last chapter.
I read this series in 2021, and reread it this year, and it remains wandering into my mind all the time. The New Camelot Series wrecked my soul and rearranged the pieces. These books are intense and deeply emotional, as well as kinky as all hell. This is one of those series where the less I say the better. Go in blind and enjoy the ride.
Salt Kiss and Honey Cut by Sierra Simone
Set in the same world as New Camelot, the Lyonesse trilogy (the third book is coming in Spring 2025) is a retelling of the Tristan and Isolde myth from Celtic legends. In this version, Mark is an ex-CIA agent and runs a lucrative sex club for the world’s elite that hides a treasure trove of secrets. He’s engaged to Isolde, a privileged young woman with secrets of her own, who wanted nothing more than to serve the church as a nun before her family promised her in marriage to Mark. And Tristan, Mark’s virginal bodyguard can’t help but love them both.
These books are deliciously spicy, but with an equally engaging plot and characters that will make impressions that won’t fade. Sierra Simone is my personal queen of contemporary romance as a whole, but especially in the MMF category. I will forever read anything she publishes, and if you’re looking for an MMF romance and haven’t yet read Sierra Simone, run directly to the Kindle store and enjoy.
Midnight Ruin by Katee Robert
Midnight Ruin is a retelling of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, with the addition of Charon, the guard of Hades’ underworld, in their relationship. This is a contemporary romance, so none of these people are actually gods and there is no fantasy here. Instead, it’s a ruling oligarchy over a troubled city where the ruling position and side characters are subtly fashioned after their namesakes from the Greek pantheon.
Hades is the ruler of the lower city and has been hosting Eurydice under his protection since the events of Neon Gods, where Orpheus sold Eurydice out to Zeus, unaware that Zeus, the ruler of the upper city plans to hurt her. Eurydice has spent a year in the underworld, under the close watch of Hades’ second-in-command, Charon, recovering from this betrayal. They form a close relationship, and although they’ve never acted on it, there is a simmering sexual tension there, which is what this scorching MMF romance opens with. And then Orpheus grovels for forgiveness. It’s a steamy, fast-paced read with incredible spice and fascinating relationship dynamics.
Learn My Lesson by Katee Robert
What if Hades owned a sex club and Megaera didn’t have to choose between him and Hercules? Yes, this book takes Disney characters and puts them in a kinky polyamorous relationship that largely takes place inside a sex club. Yes, it is exactly as fun as it sounds.
Hercules was a childhood favorite, and I’ve long considered Hades the sexiest of the Disney villains, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a place in my heart for Hercules too. As is true of the main character in this book, and oh yeah, Hades is into Hercules too. Which makes sense, if you really think about it, or don’t, and just enjoy the entertainment that these three bring to the page.
The Beast by Katee Robert
One last Katee Robert book for this list, although there were several in close consideration for this final spot. When it comes to MMF or polyamorous romance in general, Katee Robert is the place to start. And you guessed it, in this Beauty and the Beast retelling, Belle doesn’t have to choose between Gaston and the Beast, and Gaston and the Beast are into each other as well. And Gaston is an entirely different character that doesn’t suck this time.
Despite the familiar characters, it’s a completely new story that feels vaguely familiar but is obviously a significant departure from the source material. Like all of Roberts’ work, it’s unbelievably spicy, and a quick read. Perfect for an afternoon when you just want some smut.
Keres by Sadie Kincaid
MMF romances in the dark mafia space are relatively rare, but Sadie Kincaid pulls it off with gusto. Keres follows a long-lost Moretti half-sister and her journey to revenge. Salvatore Moretti sold her mother into slavery. Keres was born as property and stayed that way until her mother was murdered and she was rescued by a mysterious man.
Now all grown up, Keres is ready to get her revenge on the people responsible for the horrors of her childhood, the Morettis. Her ticket to access the Moretti family comes in the form of two smoking hot bodyguards, Ace and Romeo. Things, naturally, do not go as planned. Now these two bodyguards have one job, to keep an eye on Keres while she attempts to exact her revenge. And from there, things get hot and complicated, a favorite combination here at The Nora Theory. Keres is delicious and emotional, spicy, sweet, and violent all at once.
The Home Wrecker by Sara Cate
The Home-wrecker is the second in The Goode Brothers series, a series of interconnected standalones following a family of brothers as they find themselves amid religious trauma, family drama, and of course, love. This book follows the middle brother in the family, Caleb, and his wife Briar. From the outside, everything seems perfect, but on the inside, everything is not as rosy as it seems. When Dean, a younger man from Caleb’s past finds himself in need of a place to stay, and Caleb and Briar have an empty apartment, he comes in and turns everything upside down.
While this story is kinky, bisexual fun, it also doesn’t shy away from difficult conversations. Religious trauma, homophobia, and marital difficulties all play a significant role. Readers will have to wait a little bit for the spice to kick in, but once it does, it will blow you away. The slow burn makes for a delicious build of tension, and it’s so satisfying when these three give in to their desires.
Give Me More by Sara Cate
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