The title says it all. BLs with a healthy power dynamic (mostly, since those are pretty rare), well-developed leads, great storylines, almost no unhealthy and unrealistic characterisations like yandere MLs or MCs with questionable IQs. Some exceptions are there, though; I've added the novels I liked despite them having somewhat yandere character(s).... more>>

I've added all the novels that checked off most of the boxes and noted everything I might have liked/disliked about those novels while reading. 

The rankings on each novel don't really matter (except for the ones at the beginning). Don't forget the ones at the bottom, although they're the ones I personally didn't like much! But you might!  <<less

--"my most special person is you" feeling that goes both ways... more>>

-Dote on each other

-Actually COMMUNICATE with each other, like actual functioning human beings

-NO r*pe 

-We don't tolerate MCs or MLs who overstep boundaries

-Angst, only if it burns GOOD

-Place their trust in each other

-fluff all the wayyy

-It'll probably be sad how short this list might be

Someone once told me "Fluffy couples are boring. Isn't it much more interesting when they have drama and misunderstandings. Or when they both hate each other and their relationship is explosive" and I get the hype around that type of romance, but honestly, we need to start normalizing healthy and communicative relationships because it wasn't until I was 18 years old that I realized I've been reading a ton of abusive relationships (that authors painted off as romantic) and it was these FEW novels in this list that made me realize "this is what a loving relationship looks like, wtf have I been reading?" Plus, fluffy couples are not boring. There's a way to keep the reader intrigued; it's called plot. Personal recommendation: Governor's Illness. So many times I thought the protagonists would engage in a hate-love relationship, but they NEVER hold grudges against each other, even when it seemed like they were the cause of each other's issues. Instead, the writer is skilled and doesn't rely on petty drama. The plot itself is suspenseful. <<less

2023 updated list bio:
variety of genres, including but not limited to: historical, sci-fi, unlimited flow(thriller/horror), xianxia/wuxia/xuanhuan, (e)sports, mystery, psychological, supernatural, slice of life, school life, comedy, transmigration. PLOT HEAVY>>>... more>>

enjoy relatively balanced power dynamics between the two leads - especially in the more enemies to lovers novel e.g. ML insanely obsessive paired with a MC who knows his worth and will beat the sh*t out of ML if he tries anything weird

⚠️ NO MPREG, NO “UWU” MC, NO SEME PROTAGONIST, NO SHITTY TRANSLATION, NO BELOW 4.2 STARS

recs are welcomed!

notw: most reviews r very old and cringe… sorry <<less

These novels are those that I deemed worthy of being called one of the High/Top Tier BL novels out here. ... more>>

There are also novels here that aren't BL but I still included them (in the list and in the comment box) to bring such masterpieces to your attention.

Also, those with a ⭐ are the ones that occupy a space in my heart! They are very special to me and I will read them over and over again!

10/08/2023. I will arrange my lists in the future! So excited!

01/29/2024. Making a second shelf! Link: https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/85506/?ft=yes <<less

All of these are, IMO, must-reads. Hands-down some of the best novels here. I've also included my own personal ratings and opinions of each of these novels. Well-written stories, great plots, characters, etc. I have relatively high standards for these to be my favorites, so these are all really high quality. I can't recommend them enough! coincidentally, all of them also have very high ratings (4.3-4.8)... more>>

Actively being updated. I haven't finished writing reviews/ratings for all of them yet, but I will in time. Meant to be ordered by highest personal ratings -> lowest personal ratings, but haven't had time to fix it yet. These are also my own opinions and feelings regarding each novel, so they won't be particularly eloquent, and you can definitely disagree. It's just me rambling.

Also added some ones I haven't read but will read and I know i will love. Feel free to recommend any danmei too!

...somehow, this also turned into a list of danmei I also want to read, not just a review of the ones I've read. I really can't control myself from looking for good danmei. Though, I'm sure I'll get to reviewing all of these someday <<less

Just BL without the stereotypical overbearing, abusive, rapist ML. Naturally they also have to be good reads (though this is subjective) to make this list. ... more>>

If you feel like something should or shouldn't be included in this list, let me know and I'll review the story in question. The books are in no particular order. <<less

all the novels that have a special place in my heart - in no particular order. Keep in mind that I am a very very... more>> picky reader but I often go back and reread these wayyy too many times to be healthy. These are all just gems and must-reads you have to know- there’s angst (hardcore and softcore along with stuff that made me ugly sob with hiccups), there’s downright fluff(some of them literally bleed fluff), there’s some that I read just for the plot( YES PLOT IS A TANGIBLE THING IN MOST OF THESE) and some that are just orgasmically dopamine filled. Disclaimer- like 4-5 of these are pretty hardcore so if you’re uncomfortable with yandere, dubcon, kinda~in*est, bd*m (READ THE TAGS ALWAYS) etc Just take it with a grain of salt but like it’s only a few out of this huge list. I hope you enjoy! <<less

Tried to find some top rated BL to read after LMW, but novels were all over the place, so here goes my attempt at collating them into one list.... more>>

Lowest rating will be 4.4 at that time of collation. Won't be ranked from highest to lowest. I will add novels as I find them.

Origin: No comment - haven't read it yet.    ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ - read it.     ✔️ - liked.    ✔️✔️ - super liked.   ✔️✔️✔️ - in love.

Part 2 - https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/18634/ <<less

LIST 1 - 10 ARE THE TOP 10 NOVELS I’VE READ. FYI, my standards are exquisite, meticulous and flawless. You can trust my list. ... more>>

SO FAR, I HAVEN’T READ THE REST AFTER #11 BUT THIS LIST GENERALLY HAS GOOD REVIEWS AND ABOVE 4 STAR RATINGS. 

#ANTI BRAINDEAD MCs ALLIANCE. 
#SOME ARE BL

#HANDSOME MALE PROTAGONISTS <<less

My comments and ratings on the BEST BL out there that I've read over the past 5 years.  Completed as of January 2024 and will start part 2 list soon. ... more>>

I have a soft spot for strong MCs, unusual relationship dynamics, plotty action, and a well-developed side character cast. I tend to prefer feel-good stories over dark, overly complex ones. These stories don't have everything I like, but they're all great for at least one aspect. 4/5 = like it, 5/5 = love it! MXTX novels not included because they are classics. 

Let me know what you think or if you have MTL recommendations! <<less

I read everything with good plot. I've basically read every good yaoi manga out there. So I'm expanding to danmei. Lol... more>>

But no tragedy cause I hate it. And no ongoing story cause I hate waiting, I love to spoil myself of BE or HE. FYI I love HE and hates BE.

The type of story I like are : slice of life, underdog to riches, fluffy, funny, transmigration, romantic, etc. I also love papapa so every BL I've found has more or less papapa.

I create this list to commemorate every amazing danmei/BL novel I've found. Hopefully someone will notice my taste and give me suggestion of what to read next. (◕ᴗ◕) <<less

It's always nice to take a break from heavier novels and read something fluffy and light-hearted.  Better yet if it's high quality fluff. So here ya go. This list is also a part of a series classified by genre (because I have too many novel to fit otherwise) ; other lists of this series include Thriller/Action, QT/Modern, and Ancient Setting novels. I tried to include both known and unknown novels to give more diversity to the reading list. ... more>>

So what is my subjective version of a quality BL of this list?

-No/little plot holes 

-Not aggravatingly weak or s*upid MC

-In most cases, a respectful, long legged, hot asf ML

-Makes me smile and blush

-Don't have that many requirements for fluff....because well...it's fluff. It's not supposed to be deep. 

 ****I have also included BL novels that have high expectations from me. The higher the expectations, the higher the stars. Hence, "***, **, *."

PS. Novels I've read are the only ones rated according to number. The rest (unread) are just listed randomly. 

PSS. There are always exceptions on this list that don't fit the requirements (most likely the unread ones). But it's not bad to explore out of your comfort zone. 

PSSS. FME= novel has been added regardless of NU rating because it looks like it has potential or/and the reviews love it. <<less

The rank is unsorted some r rlly good some r just for passing/doesn't leave any much remarks/ very enjoyable/Classic types... more>>

I'm excluding the ones I read from flying Line Novels except for some Novels

UF (This means I haven't read it/I haven't finish reading it/Currently reading)

P.S the current list you're seeing is not every BL I've read, I haven't added the others because this is all I can come up with ATM/there r incomplete ones that I don't feel like adding/ something that I just don't really feel like adding <<less

Lighthearted, no angst, cute, romantic, warm and sweet. I re-read those often. Only completed novels listed. Some do have a little angst, but it is never between the couple, mostly drama from their past or outsiders who bring them trouble.... more>>

Those novels are well-written, with coherent story, coherent protagonists, coherent fantasy/modern world-building. Coherence and consistency in both plot and character behaviour are really important for me. I am not looking for realism. I am looking for cohesion and escapism. I don't mind characters who are OP, filthy rich, tsunderes, yanderes, geniuses, black-belly, child-like adults, evil demons, amoral characters, shota, obssessive, possessive etc.. i don't mind excessive characters because that's exactly what i like. I like that in Asian lit, those marginal characters are heroes and not defined by standardised morality. In Western lit, i don't meet many characters like that, and i have 45yrs of reading western literature. The only character set i avoid are indecisive protags who have no self-knowledge and keep self-analysing which i find quite boring. IRL, i also avoid such people lol... <<less

CN where the ML is the one with disabilities, or sickly characters or past trauma, or those sorts. Novels for MC is on another list.... more>> Contain spoiler 
BG/BL. Not much xianxia or world hopping. 
Feel free to recommend any :D <<less

A series of BL novels with varying plots and subgenres! Fluff, unlimited flow, xianxia, historical, quick transmigration, transmigration, supernatural, slow romance, comedy, mature (in terms of thinking and actions), etc. ... more>>

Minimal amount of angst and dogblood (if there's even any) (￣▽￣* )ゞ

Edit: I may have taken a bit of a liking towards angst nowadays... only a little. ( ˘︹˘ )

BL's I REALLY LIKE based on my own preference, and *coughs* I don't like s*upid MC's (*￣▽￣*)

Personally, I like MC's and ML's to have equal footing in terms of their overall personality, I don't like delicate shou tropes that much. 

And in my own, very subjective opinion, these novels have really good plots, or at least most of their logic is in the bounds of normal human logic. 

Note: Novels are not sorted according to rank, just depends on what I remembered first _(:3」∠)_ <<less

I love Rainbowturtle's works. She picks novels really well. More so, her translation is really good. ... more>>

Btw, is she a girl??

Anyway, what's more importantly is, all her works is BL!!

BL Supreme!!! <<less

Ml is husband material type. 100%perfect... more>>

Ml is virg*n,rich,wife s*ave,only see wife,intelligent,good at everything,no toxic❤️❤️❤️❤️ <<less

(Updated: 11/23/23) BL novels make up a bottomless chasm that you can’t hope to get out of…... more>>

*No particular order; I don't like ranking*

**Part 2 of list is out**

My preferred taste is FLUFFY, but I also sport for the occasional angst & tearjerker novel. Modern stories are personally easier to digest. Historical or xianxia/cultivation stories are loaded with Chinese references & I can easily get lost. However, they can be very poetic & beautiful, which is why I bear the pain of treading carefully. Unlimited flow is a fun pastime at the cost of my brain cells.  <<less

*3-5 STAR RATINGS ONLY, MOSTLY 4 THO* *ALL GENRES*... more>>

- This list includes novels with these 2 tags, whether the MC is the one in the spotlight or whether they are in the background as long as one of these tags is present I will add them. Recommendations are welcome!
-------------------------------------------------

 KR novels: 1 - 16

CN novels: 17 - 58

-------------------------------------------------

[DESCRIPTION] –The description of the novel.

[ROMANCE] - Indicates if there is romance in the story or not. For me personally, I always base the novels that I read if it has good romance, since in some instances the romance completely ruins the story for me and sadly makes me drop the novel. In addition this helps categorizing what kind of romance genre it is, i.e yaoi, yuri, straight, shounen ai.

 [STATUS IN Country Of Origin] – Indicates the status of the novel whether it is completed or still ongoing, as well as a to compare it to the tl status.

[TL STATUS] - Indicates how far the translation team/person are. I added this in for I was sick and tired of sorting the story status to completed, finding a story that piqued my interest, then finding out it the tl chapters available aren't finished yet, really puts a frown on my face :( #stopthetranslationrickroll

To note I may be a bit late in updating the tl statuses as this list has many novels and I simply can't keep track of all of them. 

Recent update to the tl status was on: 07/9/23 <<less

i am very picky and particular about characters, the story, and translation quality so you can trust my recommendations
( this list is not structured or orgainzed from my fav to least fav or something, just the first 5 are some of my favs )... more>>

https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/80301/?ft=yes (pt. 2 of this list) <<less

Just masterpieces I’ve gathered up. Mostly non toxic relationship, decent characters, and good storyline. It won’t feel like you’re wasting your time reading it.

Novels that I’ve read and enjoyed, exclusively for brain dead readers. I read without using my brain so take it with a grain of salt.... more>>

[Open to recommendations]

(Not in order; Possible yaoi and shounen ai warning)

Continued:  https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/49132/ <<less

List contains mostly fluffy, heart-warming novels as my life is already angsty enough as it is.... more>>

- Over-powered, mary-sue like MC's as I love projecting myself onto characters :')

- Sci-fi, non/half-humanoid settings as who doesn't love the gays in space. 

- Easy non angst QT novel reads for an easy Segway into the genre

- Gaymers.

- 4+ rating

Sorry most of the descriptions may just be rambles as I wrote them inebriated.  <<less

THESE ARE THE MOST AMAZING BOOKS i have ever laid my eyes on!