Danmei (耽美) refers to Chinese gay stories, similarly to Japanese BL.
I have a page dedicated to my favorite danmei novels, and here are the novels I might read in the future, along with some comments from friends.
Limerence (我喜欢你男朋友很久了) by Jiang Zi Bei (酱子贝)
aka "I've Liked Your Boyfriend For a Long Time"
2020 | 40 chapters + 2 extras
Fan translation: Ongoing | Official translation: Completed
Links: Books (Via Lactea) | Fan translation (LotusScribe) | Raws (JJWXC) | Novel updates
Tags: N/A
Summary:
Pei Ran discovered two things recently:
1. His boyfriend of 3 years seems to be cheating on him.
2. The way his boyfriend’s roommate looks at him isn’t quite right.
Friends have said:
- "[Limerence] is fine and fun and easy, if not particularly remarkable. I enjoyed [it]." - unforth
Riverbay Road Men’s Dormitory (江湾路7号男子宿舍) by Fei Tian Ye Xiang (非天夜翔)
2024 | 50 chapters
Fan translation: N/A | Official translation: Completed (2 vol.) | Fully available in my local library
Links: Books (Seven Seas Entertainment) | Raws (Kadokado)
Tags: modern, roomates
Official summary:
Multimillionaire movie director Zhang Yuwen has it all—fame, fortune, and a successful career. But what he really craves is to create a novel he can call true art. Passionate about this dream, he abandons the film industry to pursue writing full-time, only to hit an unexpected roadblock: his characters feel flat, lacking the authenticity he longs for. The problem? Zhang Yuwen has spent most of his life alone and hasn’t had much real-world interaction to draw from.
As a single gay man with a luxurious villa full of empty rooms, Zhang Yuwen comes up with an unconventional solution. Why not rent those rooms out to other gay men and use them as inspiration for his novel’s characters? Enter his four new roommates: Yan Jun, a single father; Chen Hong, a fitness coach; Zheng Weize, a shy young livestreamer; and Chang Jinxing, a playboy and aspiring photographer. Each brings their own unique story and quirks, giving Zhang Yuwen the perfect opportunity to study real people up close.
But as Zhang Yuwen dives deeper into their lives, one question remains: can these very different men manage to coexist long enough for him to finish his masterpiece? Or will the chaos of living together become the real story?
Friends have said:
- "Riverbay Road is a quick read; it was fine but not amazing. Warning for some biphobia and weird top/bottom discussion. It's a bit aimless and scattered, more slice of life than anything. I did like [it] enough that I finished it, and one interesting thing about it is that Fei Tian Ye Xiang is a rarity - he's a gay man writing danmei - and because Riverbay Road is in a modern setting, it feels like a glimpse of that culture (I don't know if it actually IS a glimpse, but it feels like one at least)." - unforth
- "I've not read any of Fei Tian Ye Xiang's novels, so I cannot comment but if you wanna try reading danmei written by a guy, go for it. I've friends who like them a lot!" - Neon
Wait For Me After School (放学等我) by Jiang Zi Bei (酱子贝)
2022 | 92 chapters + 3 extras
Fan translation: Completed | Official translation: N/A
Links: Fan translation (KK Translates) | Raws (JJWXC) | Novel updates
Tags: school
Summary:
Yu Fan didn’t like the sight of the new transfer student in his class.
The other party glanced at him.
Yu Fan: He’s looking for a fight.
The second glance.
Yu Fan: He’s asking if I’m scared.
Third glance.
The transfer student with his usual expressionless, iceberg-like face handed him a letter, “Classmate Yu.”
Yu Fan internally felt that this top student is annoyingly fastidious, even handing out a letter of challenge to request for a fight. He proceeded to roll up his sleeves and stand up.
“Please accept my love letter.”
Classmate Yu immediately sat back down.
>>Green tea top student gong x tsundere school tyrant shou<<
The Imperial Uncle (皇叔) by Da Feng Gua Guo (大风刮过)
2011 | 63 chapters
Fan translation: Completed (removed) | Official translation: Completed (1 vol.) | Fully available in my local library
Links: Books (Peach Flower House) | Fan translation (FoxGhost) | Raws (JJWXC) | Novel updates
Tags: N/A
Prince Huai, uncle to the young emperor, is the chief of all poisons, the evil manipulator, the greatest of malignant tumors... or so people say.
But no matter--the imperial uncle has a plan. He will sabotage the conspiracy against the throne and make his loyalty known to all. His plan will wipe his reputation clean and put an end to the rumors.
Maybe then Prince Huai can start mending the other facets of his life. Perhaps, he can even be worthy of the paragon of virtue he yearns for...
Friends have said:
- "Excellent use of unreliable narrator, and the structure of the story is unlike recent danmei. For short, read Imperial Uncle, and Peach Blossom Debt. They are both done in a single volume." - Neon
- "I can add to the rec for Imperial Uncle! I've already read it once and just started re-reading with a book club. I'm enjoying it even more!" - villainous friend
- "I really enjoyed The Imperial Uncle. It should be noted, [it] is written in first person pov and features a very unreliable narrator. I adored it, personally, but based on the reviews I've seen, not everyone does." - unforth
- "Imperial uncle [is] great!" - Mura
Guardian (镇魂) by Priest
2013 | 106 chapters + 5 extras
Fan translation: Completed | Official translation: Completed (3 vol.) | Fully available in my local library
Links: Books (Seven Seas Entertainment) | Fan translation (various) | Raws (JJWXC) | Novel updates
Tags: supernatural
Official summary:
Zhao Yunlan heads up a covert division of the Ministry of Public Security that deals with the strange and unusual, blurring the line between the mortal realm and the Netherworld. His cocky, casual attitude conceals both a sharp mind and an arsenal of mystical tools and arcane knowledge.
While investigating a gruesome death at a local university, Zhao Yunlan crosses paths with the reserved Professor Shen Wei. Zhao Yunlan is immediately intrigued by Shen Wei’s good looks and intense gaze, and the attraction between them is immediate and powerful, even as Shen Wei tries to keep his distance. Shen Wei and his secrets are a puzzle Zhao Yunlan feels compelled to solve as mysterious circumstances throw them together, and their connection becomes impossible to deny.
Friends have said:
- "Guardian and most of priest’s works are a bit boring to me. Predictable plots and the chemistry between the main couple always feels a bit… erm… artificial in some sense? Like it’s not really forced, but also not organic." - 小秋 / homebrew
Thrice married to a Salted Fish (三嫁咸鱼) by Bi Ka Bi (比卡比)
2021 | 149 chapters
Fan translation: Completed | Official translation: Completed (3 vol.) | Partly available in my local library
Links: Books (Seven Seas Entertainment) | Fan translation (Chrysanthemum Garden) | Raws (JJWXC) | Novel updates
Tags: transmigration, wuxia
Official summary:
Ten years of exhaustive study, tedious research, and sleepless nights have suddenly been rendered meaningless for aspiring Imperial Physician Lin Qingyu. In the midst of his work, he receives instructions to put everything aside and marry Lu Wancheng, the sickly son of the marquis—all in the hopes that this sacred union will heal the illness that plagues the young master.
However, Lin Qingyu quickly discovers that Lu Wancheng isn’t just an ill-fated aristocrat—in fact, the man has a mysterious twinkle in his eye, and insights that could help Lin Qingyu outmaneuver even royalty. With that, Lu Wancheng proposes an idea to his new male bride, one that will help send Lin Qingyu back home to continue his studies and fulfill his dreams.
As feelings bloom between these new allies, a dark truth looms over their tenuous bond—one that threatens to rip them apart in both sickness and health.
Friends have said:
- "I enjoyed it a lot. Fun story about a morally grey charac and a guy who really, really likes him. Plus the main pov is not from the transmigrator, which is interesting." - Neon
- "I've heard really good things about Thrice Married to a Salted Fish from people whose opinions I trust. I haven't read it myself yet. " - unforth
- "Hmmm… How should I put it… my impression is it didn’t quite leave an impression." - 小秋 / homebrew
The Disabled Tyrant's Beloved Pet Fish (残疾暴君的掌心鱼宠) by Xue Shan Fei Hu (雪山肥狐)
2020 | 156 chapters
Fan translation: N/A | Official translation: Completed (4 vol.) | Fully available in my local library
Links: Books (Seven Seas Entertainment) | Raws (JJWXC) | Novel updates
Tags: transmigration, wuxia
Official summary:
When Li Yu falls asleep reading a webnovel about a ruthless, mute tyrant falling in love with a dainty male concubine, he doesn’t expect to wake up inside the world of the novel—especially not as a fish!
Li Yu soon finds himself adopted as Prince Jing’s pet carp, tasked by a less-than-helpful Magic System with preventing the prince from becoming a cruel tyrant. If he can accomplish this mission, Li Yu will regain his human form. Yet how can he succeed from inside a fish bowl?!
Friends have said:
- "The Fish Book is very quick, lighthearted, and funny. Warning for mpreg. I didn't love it cause it leaned in on tropes I don't personally enjoy (...kids...). I read the first two volumes and I really liked them and I was so excited for the third and then it was just like. no. no no no why why did it become this siiiiiiigh. The MC definitely acts immature. He's a young 18, imo. It's usually charming, tho it definitely triggered my second-hand embarrassment sometimes. It's kinda heavy and clueless, whereas the people around him seem much more competent." - unforth
Others books my friends have mentioned
- "Peerless" by Xi Shi Meng
- "it's hilarious. A couple who is always ready to throw each other into a ditch. Wuxia + investigations." - Neon
- "I really enjoyed Peerless" - unforth
- "Run Wild" by Zhe Wu
- "I've not read this but I know it's very, very popular and well regarded." - Neon
- "Peach Blossom Debt" by Da Feng Gua Guo
- "This novel has been plagiarized into a heterosexual romance novel that is later adapted into a wildly successful drama series (Ten Miles of Peach Blossom). The person who plagiarized got away with it, so I would always recommend reading this. for short, read Imperial Uncle, and Peach Blossom Debt. They are both done in a single volume." - Neon
- "Peach blossom debt [is] great!" - Mura
- "I really enjoyed Peach Blossom Debt" - unforth
- "Legend of Exorcism" by Fei Tian Ye Xiang
- "I really like the first three books in the exorcists series by Fei tian and would recommend them to anyone who likes xuanhuan. (But I also will never read the fourth and later ones in the same series, for reasons that would involve spoilers. And it’s a very personal bias anyway)." - 小秋 / homebrew
- "I've read the manhua based on Legend of Exorcism and loved it, but I'm waiting to have all the volumes to read the novels. It's worth noting that FYTX really really likes young, sweet, kinda naive sunshine shous and their tough grumpy somewhat older badass quiet gongs. If that's a combo that appeals you'll be in luck. If not, maybe avoid. [However], the sunshine shous are extremely capable people too, and the gongs act immature in ways too, so the contrast doesn't feel as great." - unforth
- "Balad of Sword and Wine" by Tang Jiu Qing
- "excellent if you like a lot of political intrigue in your story. Also actually enemies to lovers. Plus a few side pairings, including a yuri couple. But I mean it when I say it's heavy on the political/court intrigue. [It] is gonna be very long. Extremely long. I ended up doing a marathon read through the whole thing, forgoing sleep and all but it's a warning that it's much, much longer than Panguan 😂" - Neon
- "Ballad of Sword and Wine also has an excellent reputation as a political novel. I always wait to read things until I have all the books, but I'd say it's the in-progress danmei series on my TBR that I'm most excited for, personally." - unforth
- "Stars of Chaos" by Priest
- "If you're picky about translation quality, I'd say the official tl for this is on the weaker side. Pacing is a bit inconsistent imo, but it's silkpunk, and I've enjoyed this well enough." - Neon
- "I really enjoyed Stars of Chaos" - unforth
- "Thousand Autumns" by Xi Shi Meng
- "Same world as "Peerless", also wuxia story. I love it a lot, and the author, Meng Xi Shi clearly knows her history and likes writing history into her story. [However], if you are not invested in the main character's story, you might not enjoy it as much. I happen to really like the main character. [spoilers ahead for details on sexual abuse CW] ML and MC have opposing philosophies in Thousand Autumns. Initially, ML was interested in MC only because he wanted to see how far he can push the MC/wants to corrupt the MC, who has a very strong sense of right/wrong and a belief in the fundamental good of people. There was one point where he pretty much gave the MC to this guy who is known for being a rapist, after establishing a kinda-sorta-friendship (companionship?) that the MC grew to appreciate. So hey, betrayal, plus to someone who is very likely to rape him and also throw him away after. Yan Wushi is an incredibly problematic person 😂" - Neon
- "I loved Thousand Autumns, but I have seen people bounce off it because the love interest is a terrible person (he is, but is fun imo)" - Mura
- "I really enjoyed Thousand Autumns" - unforth
- "Thousand autumns is categorically not my thing (I hate the “tyrannical boss” trope) but I can see the appeal." - 小秋 / homebrew
- "Joyful Reunion" by Fei Tian Ye Xiang
- "Havent read joyful reunion, but if it’s what I think it is (it’s a bit hard to match the English titles with the Chinese ones sometimes), I wouldn’t attempt to because it’s not gonna be as joyful." - 小秋 / homebrew
- "The Husky and his White Cat Shizun" by Rou Bao Bu Chi Rou
- "I'm making my way through Rou Bao Bu Chi Rou's works, mainly the Husky and His White Cat Shizun. Highly recommend it (and probably the rest of her works) to those that can stomach angst, tragedy, and characters doing horrible things!" - ArimaMary
- "Rbbcr is excluded because I tried to read husky&white cat thrice and never got past the first 3 chapters. It just reads too funny (in a bad way)." - 小秋 / homebrew
- "Sexual abuse content warning (full-on non con)" - Neon