In recent years, queer romance novels have been more popular than ever. They are now taking their place in the high ranks of romance novels and we are more than excited about it. From enemies to lovers, the older brother’s best friend, to forbidden love, all of your favorite romance tropes are included.
However, while queer romance novels are rising to the mainstream, it can still be tricky to find them. And keeping on top of which ones you need to have in your TBR list can be harder than you would think.
Below are 10 awesome queer romance novels that you simply have to read. With more diversity comes more responsibility, and your responsibility is to read these books and spread the word!
Let’s get started on discovering some heart-shattering love stories.
Checking It Twice By Lucy Bexley
Some of the greatest romance novels are set around Christmas time and Lucy Bexley’s ‘Checking It Twice’ is no different.
Hal decides to organize a friend’s wedding even though she knows it will cause her to cross paths with Sacha, her former high school flame.
Although Sacha isn’t planning to stay in town any longer than she has to, at least not now, Hal can’t help but notice the sparks between the two of them.
How will these two women navigate their hectic lives and their even more hectic attraction for each other?
Joining Hal as she works to understand her own feelings while convincing Sacha to stay in their world for just a moment longer.
This Is Kind Of An Epic Love Story By Kacen Callender
After years of suffering and one life-changing mistake, Ollie is certain he will never get his chance to make things right. However, things change when Ollie’s childhood best friend and lifelong crush, Nat Bird comes strolling back into town.
Mutual friend, Florence is determined to get these two stubborn best friends to see their chemistry.
Fighting your feelings can take quite a toll and after Nates less than bright past, he is determined that Ollie is not the one for him. No one is.
Come along for this journey of romance, comedy, and coming of age. Will these two ever find their happy ever after?
May The Best Man Win By ZR Ellor
Finding out that your longtime significant other is trans and no longer wants to be with you is Earth-shattering. And what better way to get back at them than winning Homecoming King?
After being dumped by Lukas, Jeremey is ready for revenge. The Captain of the football team and the Homecoming committee has no idea what is coming. But as sparks begin to fly, is it really about winning the crown anymore?
Read as these two battle it out in racing for homecoming king while also battling their instead feelings for each other. May The Best Man Win!
Cheer Up: Love And Pom Poms By Crystal Frasier, Val Wise, And Oscar O. Jupiter
A childhood relationship between two high school seniors named Annie and BeeBee blossoms once more before developing into something more in this love graphic novel.
Annie hesitantly decides to try out for the cheerleading team since she needs another school activity to really stand out on her college applications.
Her old friend BeeBee, a transgender woman whose parents need her to do well in school if she wants to continue her transition, becomes close to her there.
Stay for the grumpy one/sunshine one cliche; come for the cute high school romance.
Icebreaker By A.L. Graziadei
Nothing get’s sparks flying like battling each other on the field. Or in this case, the ice. Focused on 2 college ice hockey players, join them as they fight for their spot in NHL. A spot only one of them can have.
As they both play their best, it becomes clear that the feeling they share is more than just a love for hockey. And they soon have to decide between their love for each other or their love for the ice.
Perfect for getting the adrenaline pumping!
The Henna Wars By Adiba Jaigirdar
Coming out to your family is never easy, and it most certainly was not great for Nishat. Having to pretend she’s straight to ensure her family’s love, she’s already having a hard time. And it only gets worse when her childhood best friend, Flavia, comes back to town.
Her childhood crush comes back tenfold, and with competing henna businesses, Nishat may find herself losing her resolve faster than she thought.
The Henna Wars is comforting and relatable for everyone making it an excellent read for young adults. It doesn’t have a place as one of Time Magazine best selling young adult books of all time for nothing.
Can Nishat keep her love for Flavia a secret from not only her crush but also her family? Read The Henna Wars to find out!
You Should See Me In A Crown By Leah Johnson
Although there isn’t much asexual representation in literature, You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson is a magnificent example of a great relationship done perfectly.
Liz is a working-class Black girl with big dreams of med school. With a full-ride scholarship already in place, all she has to do is keep her grades up.
But when her financial aid is lost, her only way to get the money is to run for prom queen. With one goal in mind, Liz is not prepared for a rival that she could potentially fall in love with.
Follow Liz as she deals with the weight of reaching her goals and battling against her own heart to make her dreams come true. A wonderful coming of age novel set to have you rooting for the underdog.
Change Of Heart By Clare Lydon
The Wedding Date but with queer representation? Count us in! Erin is sick of her family asking about her love life, she needs a fake date. And actor Steph is more than willing to play the part.
However, playing the perilous game of pretending to date someone with actual chemistry is about to backfire severely on these two female friends. Can Erin and Steph mend their relationship after a devastating breakup?
This easy read is perfect for when you need a pick me up and want to feel like the world will be okay. It is also great if you need tips for finding a fake date to keep your parents off your back!
One Last Stop By Casey McQuinston
What if you fell in love with someone you met on the train? August is aware that the concept of love was invented to sell cards. Yet she keeps returning to Jane, the stunning punk rocker she met on the train, in her thoughts.
But Jane isn’t just any travel companion; she’s a time traveler who needs assistance returning to the 1970s. August concurs, but Jane will need to persuade herself that she isn’t sensing sparks in order to send herself back to her own time.
Torn between doing what is right and following her own heart, can August get Jane back to her own time?
Eight Kinky Nights By Xan West
Discovering a new part of yourself can scary. Jordan, when looking for a fresh start, discovers that she may be into more than vanilla sex. After moving in with Leah, they enter the world of submissive and dominant in order to prepare for Chanukah.
However, what was supposed to be a bit of fun quickly turns into feelings. Follow Jordan and Leah as they discover their likes, dislikes, and even their love for each other. This tantalizing queer romance is sure to have you turning the page all through the night.
Afterall, what better way to get to know someone than through their body?
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is A Sapphic Novel?
Any woman who is drawn to other women is referred to be sapphic (after the Greek poet Sappho). Lesbians, bisexuals, and queer women who do not self-identify as bi or lesbian are all included. Books with sapphic protagonists may be of any genre; they are not always romantic in nature.
What Are WLW Books Called?
Lesbian books are more particular than queer women’s books, but women-loving-women books are less so. Any woman who likes women, including lesbians, bisexuals, pansexuals, and other non-monosexual women, is subject to this rule (polysexual, omnisexual, etc)
Final Thoughts
Queer romance novels are becoming more popular as the queer audience demands more representation. And the books are juicy.
Above are 10 awesome queer romance novels for you to tear your teeth into. From raunchy romances to coming-of-age stories, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
No matter your sexual orientation or your gender, you can fall in love over and over again with the words on the page as these books drag you in and hold your heart. Live through the characters or find the courage to tell your crush your feelings.
Who knows where you could end up! Right in the middle of your own romance story perhaps?
