7 LGBTQ+ Romance Novels To Add To Your Bookshelves
From love at first sight to slow burns that make you swoon, romance novels have something for everyone. The romance novel industry has been dominated by stories that follow cis-gendered straight people but over the past few years, things have started changing for good.
With more and more queer romance novelists coming forward to write heartwarming novels, complete with all the beloved tropes and plot points, we’ve got a diverse range of book titles to pick from. We decided to select some of our favourite romances from queer writers that deserve a place on your bookshelf…
Love and Other Disasters by Anita Kelly
Love and Other Disasters by Anita Kelly
Nonbinary author Anita Kelly brings us a queer romance that’s the perfect getaway. In the novel, London Parker, the first openly nonbinary contestant on a popular cooking reality show falls for their newly divorced, and incredibly clumsy, competitor Dahlia Woodson. Even though both the contestants want to win the show, they soon find that their chemistry is more fiery than the heat in the kitchen and they themselves falling for each other.
I’m So (Not) Over You by Kosoko Jackson
I’m So (Not) Over You by Kosoko Jackson
This one combines two of our favourite romance novel tropes, exes-to-lovers and fake dating. The story follows ex-boyfriends Kian and Hudson who have to pretend to be dating again in front of Hudson’s parents. As is the rule of any romantic fictional universe, chaos ensues and Kian finds himself a wedding guest at a big wedding that could do wonders for his career and maybe give him time to examine the lingering feelings left between him and Hudson.
Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner
Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner
Hollywood actress Jo finds herself smack in the middle of a dating scandal involving her assistant Emma after they’re spotted getting cozy with each other on a red carpet. With a new movie coming soon, Jo can’t afford anything to go wrong but, despite her strong denials, the rumours keep getting stronger. Emma and Jo find themselves spending more time together as they deal with all of this, realising that they might have some feelings for each other after all.
My Heart to Find by Elin Annalise
My Heart to Find by Elin Annalise
Finding love is not easy for true crime enthusiast Cara Tate who is shy, asexual, and afraid of anyone touching her because of OCD caused by the side effects of her chronic Lyme disease. When she finds herself reunited with an old ace acquaintance as they find themselves solving a real crime together, she wants to get over her fears and OCD to let him know that she is more than interested.
Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake
Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake
This funny and steamy romance follows Delilah Green, who gets guilted into going back to her hometown to act as a photographer for her stepsister’s wedding. What she didn’t account was for the very real chemistry between her and Claire, one of her stepsister’s friends. The two find themselves getting closer to each other as wedding madness unfolds around them and Delilah finds herself falling for Claire.
Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender
Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender
This 2021 Stonewall Honor Book is all about identity and self-discovery. The titular Felix believes he is too marginalised, as a black, transgender, queer teen to find love. Some anonymous hate comments lead him to concoct a half-baked revenge plan that backfires when he finds himself in a love triangle. As he starts sorting out his feelings, he sets out to redefine what he truly feels about his own identity.
The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar
The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar
Queer Bangaldeshi-Irish author Adiba Jaigirdar writes the story of Nishat who comes out to her parents as a lesbian, only to have them tell her that Muslim girls can’t be gay. But things start looking up after her childhood friend and crush Flávia comes back into her life. Between dealing with her new feelings and school bullies, Nishat finds herself going up against Flávia at a school festival as their budding henna stalls are pitted against each other.
