Men with Golden Retriever Energy vs The World š
Tall, dark and morally ambiguous has its time and place okay? But sometimes we just need the love of a sweet, sweet man who would never harm us š
Edited to add: do you KNOW how hard it was to find even five books?? I had to scroll back through my finished reads all the way to 2021! š either I have Tall, dark and morally ambiguous taste, or itās a rare trope. Either way, now starts my mission to seek them out. This will be a mix of genres, m/f m/m and possibly trigger warnings.
created by thehobbit
last updated July, 2026
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Are you looking for any particular genre for this list? I love a golden retriever man, and I've read a lot of them, but they're mostly contemporary romance with a few romantasy sprinkled in.
Off the top of my head:
Any of the Saints of Steel by T Kingfisher, honestly, but especially Paladin's Grace and Paladin's Hope - I feel like the kindness comes with the territory of paladins in general (I guess depending on what gods they serve)
That Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted a Love Potion at a Werewolf by Kimberly Lemming - more or less a literal golden retriever. He's lactose intolerant, but eats grilled cheese for her.
The House Witch by Delemhach - his power is to make whatever place he considers his home, cozy. He becomes head cook in the castle and there's so much food.
Dealing with a Desperate Demon by Charlotte Stein - the most adorable demon trying to learn how to human
Odd Blood by Azaela Crowley - himbo vampire hires struggling baker to care for his vampire grandmother
A Werewolf's Guide to Seducing a Vampire by Sarah Hawley - he owns a plant shop and knits his own sweater vests
My Big Fat Fake Marriage by Charlotte Stein - this guy is based on Ted Lasso, so, the most wholesome man alive
The Undermining of Twyla and Frank by Megan Bannen - second chance love in a world where demigods are real and also there's glitter-breathing dragons. They've been sherrifs guarding against zombies together and next door neighbors for 20 years. He bakes cakes for her kids.
Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert - he reads romance novels, brings her coffee every morning and coaches little league football.
Claws and Contrivances by Stephanie Burgis - he's a nerdy dragonologist who just wants to be left to his research.
Demon World Boba Shop by RC Joshua - he literally introduced boba tea to a world full of demons (though to be fair, they're the kindest demons you'll ever meet)
Oh my god what a beautiful long list š„¹ and no Iām not restricting by genre at all, so Iāll have a look through these thank you so much!
Wearing the Lion, I think. That Hercules (while going through tragic things) is the sweetest version of the character ever.
Oooooh thank you Iāll take a look!
Also... Sunbearer Trials? I loved it for the friendly and empathic and caring MC. It was like they made the token supportive friend character the main hero.
That sounds wonderful - I read cemetery boys but I havenāt got around to the sun bearer trials yet even though I own a copy - maybe I should slide it higher up the tbr š
I was just thinking about making a list like this! If you want a golden retriever man, Aidyn from The Wind and the Wild by Emily McCosh fits this list perfectly. Other books I'd recommend for this list are:
Wooing the Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgis
Empire of Shadows by Jacquelyn Benson
An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson (okay, this one may seem a little questionable at first but I swear the LI is secretly a golden retriever, you just gotta keep reading š)
The Lord of Stariel series by A.J. Lancaster
A Tower of Half-Truths by N.J. Prynne
Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim
A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya (sweetest vampire I've ever read about)
Song of the Six Realms by Judy I. Lin
Clockwork Prince (specifically the 2nd one in the series because that's when Jem becomes a love interest)
I Ran Away to Evil by Mystic Neptune
Voyage of the Basilisk by Marie Brennan (again, third book in the series but that's when the love interest shows up)
