The Best Himbos of M/M Romance
Here you can find the absolute best himbos of M/M romance.
If you aren’t super familiar with the term, my favorite definition of a himbo is a guy: “Big of heart, thicc of thighs, dumb of ass.”
Himbos are sweet, big, and dim. Think golden retrievers. Think Kronk from The Emperor’s New Groove.
Himbos make amazing life partners and reading about their love is one of my favorite things. Let’s meet the guys!
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These guys are the sweetest Himbos of M/M Romance
They can’t be together. They won’t stay apart.
Marcus “Diesel” O’Shaughnessy is a brash, oversized CrossFit enthusiast with a naked lady tattooed on his rippling forearm. Jamie Prince is a private school teacher with an extremely low tolerance for bull.
The two men have zero in common. Well, except for three things. They’re both moonlighting as lifeguards for the summer. No matter how hard they try, they cannot stay away from each other. And both of them have secrets they’re determined to keep.
But what happens in the shadows of the Long Beach boardwalk can only remain hidden for so long, before the July sunshine reveals the hot, unrelenting connection they never expected, forcing Marcus and Jamie to decide if they’re simply caught up in a temporary heat stroke or if they’ve found something worth rescuing…
Marcus! He’s the absolute best!
I just read Heat Stroke for the first time this week, and I absolutely loved it. Mostly because of Marcus. He is a CrossFit trainer who lifeguards in the summer. It’s there he meets Jamie Prince and becomes obsessed with him.
Is March the brightest guy? No. But he is seriously sweet, and he loves Jamie Prince with his whole heart. It just takes a long time for him to realize it.
Read this one for a lifeguard himbo with a ton of heart who is struggling to be true to himself. It is a bummer that Tessa Bailey doesn’t write more M/M romance.
It’s official, my step bro is the biggest himbo ever to himbo.
He’s a massive blond beefcake with a soft heart and an over-eager smile. The mere sight of him incites a shaking hot rage in me.
He’s everywhere. He’s around me all the time. So sweet and gentle it makes me feel wild. I see him and smell him everywhere. And when I can’t see him or smell him, I hear him. The wall between our bedrooms is paper thin. I can’t help it – I hear what he does in his room when he thinks he’s alone. I hear everything.
I know I shouldn’t do it. It’s obviously a terrible, terrible idea. Still, I bide my time. I wait, and I wait, and finally, I pounce.
“Luke! I know what you’re doing in there.”
Luke! Luke may be the nicest human being in the entire world.
He also might be the most likable character I’ve ever read about. He and Jessie are total opposites, but that doesn’t stop Luke from knowing how good they could be together. He just has to convince Jessie.
I do not like overly sugary-sweet romances, but The Step Bro Situation had sugary sweet elements that I absolutely ate up. Luke’s happiness and optimism are undeniable.
Read this one for an opposites attract, stepbrother romance that is equal parts sugar and spice.
The bigger they come, the harder they fall … in love.
Cambridge academic Larry Morton takes one, alcohol-glazed look at the huge, tattooed man looming in a dark alley, and assumes he’s done for. Moments later he finds himself disarmed — literally and figuratively. Next morning, he can’t rest until he’s apologised to the man who turned out to be more gentle than giant.
Larry’s intrigued to find there’s more to Al Fletcher than meets the eye; he possesses a natural artistic talent that shines through untutored technique. Unfortunately, no one else seems to see the sensitive soul beneath Al’s imposing, scarred, undeniably sexy exterior. Least of all Larry’s class-conscious family, who would like nothing better than to split up this mismatched pair.
It’s deliciously physical, but also much more — which makes Larry’s next task so daunting. Not just convincing his colleagues, friends, and family that their relationship is more than skin deep. It’s convincing Al.
This is an oldie but a goodie!
Al is the definition of a gentle giant. He is large and intimidating, but is really a cinnamon roll underneath.
I really love the relationship between Al and Larry. It is hard-fought and authentic. This is one not to miss!
Dalton Beauregard has a plan, and it involves acing all his exams, making the Dean’s List every year he’s at Lassiter College, and going to med school and becoming a doctor.
Marty O’Brien has a plan too. His is to improve his life by emulating those around him. He’s going to need a study plan, a tutor, and… a boyfriend?
Dalton can’t believe he’s even considering this. It’s utterly ridiculous. Marty is an idiot, and there is no way he’s going to help him learn how to be gay.
Or is there?
Marty O’Brien is so fun to read about. He is hilarious and always a great time.
While he comes across as not the brightest, he has a hidden depth.
I love Marty and Dalton as a pair and highly recommend this one for anyone looking for a himbo with humor and some smarts hidden wayyyyy deep down.
You can find my review of this book here.
When musclebound frat bro Brad gets run off the road by a reckless driver, he thinks it’s game over. When he wakes up inside his twin brother’s favorite corny shifter romance novel, he realizes the real game is just beginning.
Desperate to get back to a world where he’s top dog, Brad finds himself in the crosshairs of Raul, the menacingly hot hero of The Wolf’s Mate, who’s intent on teaching Brad a whole new meaning to the word alpha.
Not only does Raul insist that Brad is an omega–his omega–but Brad is going to have to come to terms with the fact that he isn’t just a part of this fictional world. He’s a stand-in for the main character, and the only way out is to make sure he gets to his happily ever after.
Brad! The most perfectly named himbo on the list.
Brad is the epitome of a himbo. He is a ripped dude-bro that is the self-described dumb twin. He also has a kind heart and loves his brother.
Brad is at the heart of what makes this series so great!
Check out my review of the entire The Wolf’s Mate series here.
COHEN It turns out making out with my best friend in high school could be considered gay. Who knew? Apparently, everyone but me. Now that it’s been pointed out, I can’t help reliving it in my head. Repeatedly. Goodbye Denial Town, hello Confusionville. When my path leads me down the gay dating app route, I don’t expect to meet anyone I like, but then I meet him. He can’t be more opposite than me. He’s smart, he hates hockey, and he identifies as demi—something I’ve never heard of. Yet I can’t deny something’s there. Something I want to explore in person. If only I could get him to agree.
SETH All my life, I’ve felt broken. Sick of being asked if I could be gay by ex-girlfriends, friends, and even my parents, I join a gay dating app to prove a point. I don’t expect to find what’s always been missing. A real connection. The problem is, I’m too scared to meet him in person. He’s a hockey player, and I fear when he finds out my twin plays for the NHL, I’ll be overshadowed by my overachieving brother. Again. Worse yet, what happens if we meet and that connection isn’t the same? When I tell him I’m not ready, he’s disappointed but supportive. Fate, on the other hand, isn’t as accepting. I had no idea the person I’ve been falling for is someone I already know.
Cohen is so dim, but also so sweet. He is such a good guy. And, obviously, as a hockey player he also checks the thicc thighs requirement. He is the quintessential himbo.
This is a super sweet hockey, himbo romance.
I also really like this one because it starts out as a long-distance, anonymous connection. It ads an element of interest and fun.
For Landon Stackhouse, being called up from the Calgary farm team is exciting and terrifying, even if, as the backup goalie, he rarely leaves the bench. A quiet loner by nature, Landon knows he gives off strong “don’t talk to me” vibes. The only player who doesn’t seem to notice is Calgary’s superstar young winger, Casey Hicks.
Casey treats Landon like an old friend, even though they’ve only interacted briefly in the past. He’s endlessly charming and completely laid-back in a way that Landon absolutely can’t relate to. They couldn’t have less in common, but Landon needs a place to live that’s not a hotel room and Casey has just bought a massive house—and hates being alone.
As roommates, Casey refuses to be defeated by Landon’s one-word answers. As friends, Landon comes to notice a few things about Casey, like his wide, easy smile and sparkling green-blue eyes. Spending the holidays together only intensifies their bromance-turned-romance. But as the new year approaches, the countdown to the end of Landon’s time in Calgary is on.
While Landon is absolutely one of my favorite characters of all time, he is not a himbo. He is way too serious and smart.
Casey on the other hand is a dead ringer.
These two make an amazing couple and I loved reading their love story.
You can find my review of Time to Shine here.
Super-bod meets super-brain
What happens when marshmallow-bodied supernerd Sean volunteers to be on the jocks’ flag-football team? It screws Bubba’s fraternity’s chances at the coveted flag football title, that’s what.
Bubba is drafted to be Sean’s personal trainer. He has to whip Sean into shape and make sure he doesn’t F up their team.
Sean may be a supernerd, but to Bubba he’s funny, and wise, and kinda cute. He’s also the one person on campus who doesn’t see Bubba as a big, stupid jock.
One BIG problem. Sean’s motivation for getting into shape is to lose his virginity — and Bubba isn’t happy when guys start sniffing around.
But Bubba’s straight. Isn’t he?
Can a big, dumb jock from Nowhere, Wisconsin change his whole life for a genius who just wants to get laid?
Bubba! He just might have the best name on this list.
I love Bubba so much! He is enormous, incredibly kind, and not the brightest guy in the world.
He and Sean are so sweet together. I love their dynamic and how great of a team they are.
Of all of the books on this list, I am most compelled to reread this book. It is so good!
Bro big or bro home.
Robbie
As social chair of Sigma Beta Psi, I’m the life of the party. It’s what I’m known for, and if it’s not fun, I’m not interested, simple as that.
I’m not someone who overthinks.
So when one of my brothers hooks up with a dude from another frat house, it catches me off guard when I can’t stop thinking about them … together.
There’s only one way for me to get this obsession out of my head, and that’s by jumping in with both feet and putting it into practice.
The problem is, the one guy who’s up for the ride is the last one I’d expect.
Brandon
Being risk manager of a frat house is nobody’s idea of a good time. My brothers get annoyed when I put a damper on their plans, and wrangling drunken frat brothers isn’t how I pictured my Saturday nights of senior year.
I’m bored.
In a rut.
Study, frat duties, planning for the future.
When is it my turn to let loose for a moment?
So when my dumb-as-bricks frat bro is scoping out the house for a little experimenting fun, I throw out the offer like it isn’t the most nerve-racking thing I’ve ever considered.
I never imagined I’d actually enjoy it.
Robbie is a himbo through and through. He is the life of the party and just wants to have fun.
Brandon is the risk managing opposite, but that’s what makes these two so perfect for each other.
I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed an epilogue as much as I have Robbie and Brandon’s. You have to check this one out!
TRIPP
The worst part of being in love with my straight best friend is the fact he’s too oblivious to see it.
Years of pining have left me exhausted, and I need a break from Dex. I need space to get over my feelings. But when his relationship falls apart and he turns to me for comfort, I cave immediately.
If there’s one thing I hate more than being hurt, it’s seeing Dex struggle. I can’t leave him in a time of need, even if my friends say it’s my biggest downfall.
They say Dexter Mitchale is my weakness, but if that’s true, I don’t want to be strong.
DEX
I’ve always been the dumb one. It’s what I’m known for, and usually I don’t let it get to me.
I have hockey, and I have my best friend, Tripp. What more do I need? To settle down? No thank you. Marriage? Hard pass. According to ex-girlfriends, that makes me “irresponsible.”
But the solution I come up with to get over my fear of commitment might be my dumbest idea yet. Not only does it have team management breathing down my neck, but it puts a strain on my friendship with Tripp.
This PR nightmare could lose me the only person I’ve ever loved. Losing girlfriends is nothing. Losing Tripp? It’s not an option.
I’ll do whatever it takes to keep him.
Dex is dumb. Like, seriously dumb.
But that’s okay! Because Tripp loves him anyways!
These two are one of my favorite couples ever. Everything between the two of them is so authentic and genuine and beautiful.
Read this one for a beautiful friends-to-lovers books with a fun accidentally married twist.
Hey, I’m Heather!
I read M/M romance books exclusively, and I help other readers find their next great M/M romance read.
