I think 'The Song of Achilles' can be considered too. It has a relationship between two characters with different life experiences due to their age difference. The writing is so vivid that you can really feel the love and the sacrifices they make for each other. It's a story that stays with you.
One great May - December gay romance novel is 'Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe'. It beautifully portrays the relationship between two boys of different ages. The story is not just about romance but also about self - discovery and friendship.
One characteristic is the contrast in life experiences. The older character in a 'May - December' gay romance usually has more life knowledge, perhaps having been through more relationships or having a more established career. For example, in some novels, the older man might be well - settled in his job while the younger one is still exploring his career options. Another characteristic is the different levels of emotional maturity. The younger character might be more impulsive and idealistic about love, while the older one could be more cautious. This often leads to interesting relationship dynamics as they navigate their feelings for each other.
Typically, one character is much older or more experienced while the other is younger. For example, in many such novels, the older character might offer wisdom and stability, like in the way they handle the relationship's challenges.
One great December May lesbian romance novel is 'Carry the Ocean' by Heidi Cullinan. It beautifully portrays a relationship between two women with different backgrounds and personalities, exploring themes of love, acceptance, and personal growth.
A popular May - December romance novel is 'Beauty and the Beast' in its various book adaptations. The young Belle and the Beast, who is older in a sense (or at least more worldly - wise), form a deep and loving bond. 'Pride and Prejudice' also has a bit of that feel. Mr. Darcy is older and more established, and his relationship with Elizabeth has a kind of May - December dynamic in terms of their different levels of maturity and life experience. And then there's 'The Time Traveler's Wife' which has a complex relationship with an age - related aspect as the time - traveling Henry meets Clare at different ages.
The best May - December gay novels tend to deal with the passage of time in an interesting way. The age difference means that the characters are at different stages of their lives. The older character may be more aware of mortality, while the younger one is full of youthful exuberance. This can create a tension in the relationship. Additionally, there's often a focus on communication or the lack thereof. The different perspectives of the two characters can lead to misunderstandings or a deepening of the bond, depending on how they communicate. For example, in 'Giovanni's Room', the two main characters struggle to truly understand each other's needs and desires because of their different life experiences.
I'd recommend 'The Gap of Hearts'. It beautifully portrays the struggles and joys of a 'May-December' gay relationship. The author does a wonderful job of creating a believable and engaging story.
Another good one could be 'Fingersmith' by Sarah Waters. While not strictly a May December story in the traditional sense, it has elements of an older - younger relationship within its complex lesbian romance plot. The Victorian - era setting adds a lot of charm and intrigue to the story.
Well, often in these novels, there's a contrast in life experiences. The older character has usually been through more, like in 'The Notebook' where Noah has seen more of life before he meets Allie. Another characteristic is the sense of mentorship or guidance. The older character might guide the younger one, like Mr. Rochester does with Jane in 'Jane Eyre' to some extent. And there's usually a strong physical and emotional attraction that overcomes the age gap, as seen in 'Outlander' between Claire and Jamie.