If you have followed this blog long enough you know I read a variety of books and love reading books with main character who identify differently from me. In tune with June being Pride Month, I figured I would share a list of some of my favorite queer books, written by queer authors. The books in this list will be books I have read over the last few years along with some ARCS you could add to your pre-order list! Remember, pre-ordering super supports authors and we want to see more of these stories out in our crazy, crazy world.
Out of Character by Jenna Miller
Out of Character is a debut novel by Jenna Miller, that follows teenager Cass as she works her way through high school drama, dating and an online roleplaying addiction. When Cass is finally asked out by her dream girl at her school she starts to hide a part of herself from her, and an entire group of friends she has made on the internet. At the same time, she goes to Chicago and meets her online friend Rowan in real life and they bond even more in person.
After having Rowan come to visit her in Minnesota, Cass starts to lie about how they meet and also how much Rowan, and her roleplay, mean to her. This book also fat representation as well as some mentions of family dramas. But there are many loveable characters and a cat who is an escape artist.
Going Bicoastal by Dahlia Adler
Going Bicoastal is a novel that follows Natalya Fox, in a Sliding Doors like scenario where she finds herself in NYC with her father for the summer, or finally going to LA to visit her estranged mother.
Each chapter switches between NYC and LA and shows how each choice impacts Natalya both differently, and the same.
In NYC she finally finds out the name of the mystery girl she has seen around the city multiple times, and they start to fall for each other.
In LA she is working as an intern for her mother's company, and starts a friendship with the boy she is working with. A really sweet book with a fun vibe!
Fake Dates and Moon Cakes by Sher Lee
Fake Dates and Moon Cakes is a recently published young adult book that follows Dylan Tang, as he works at her aunt's restaurant and tries to help support their family.
He chooses to enter a mooncake baking competition that he had promised to enter with his mother before she passed. If him and his aunt win, they would be able to update their restaurant and afford to pay rent.
While preparing for the competition, Dylan agrees to be Theo Sumers fake date to his cousin's wedding, stirring up drama and putting more attention on Theo than he could imagine.
This book is a quick, cute read with a lot about Asian-American culture that I really enjoyed.
If This Gets Out by Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich
Ruben and Zach are two members of a world famous boyband, Saturday, with their other two best friends. On stage and in front of cameras they look like the friends they used to be, but behind the scenes things are starting to get rough as each member handles the fame differently.
When Ruben tells Zach he is starting to feel smothered because management wants him to stay in the closest the pair grow closer together. Their friendship starts to evolve into a romance, but they have to keep it secret from everyone, including their bandmates.
With the world watching, the two boys try to navigate their love story while also trying to convince those around them to let them live freely.
So This is Ever After by F.T. Lukens
This book sort of switches up the genres from the others on the list, as it is more of a queer fantasy novel. This story follows Arek, who has finally full-filled his prophecy but now finds himself being pressured to marry if he wants to keep the throne.
With his best friend and mage, Matt by his side, he tries to figure out how to rule a kingdom after years of being in a ragtag group of fighters and thieves.
This story follows Arek as he tries to convince his friends to stay with him at the castle, while also trying to find the true love that may have been with him during this whole journey. Plus, this is a fantasy novel, which does make it stand out from some of the others I've mentioned.
A Little Bit Country by Brian D. Kennedy
Emmett Maguire wants to be country music's biggest gay superstar and plans to make his dreams come true after taking a job in Tennessee for the summer. He takes a job as a performing at the amusement park of his biggest idol, Wanda Jean Stubbs.
There he meets Luke Barnes, who hates country music and Wanda Jean, but needs the job to support his family. His secret? He is the grandson of Verna Rose, a disgraced country singer who is famous for having a falling out with Wanda Jean.
The two boys meet and quickly start a romance, but will their secrets cause everything they love and worked for start to unravel?
Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Alex Claremont-Diaz is the 'first son' of the US, and along with his sister and Vice President's granddaughter, they are the 'royalty' of the US. They are frequently in the papers and invited to parties.
When a photo of him confronting Prince Henry, his nemesis, at a royal wedding make the papers. His mom and the queen decide to have the two fake a friendship to prove a good relationship between the two countries.
As his mother works on her reelection campaign, Alex and Henry start a secret relationship, one that could cause more drama than he could ever imagine.
This book is honestly one of the best books I've read, with a powerful love story mixed with humor. A big recommend from me.
The Borrow A Boyfriend Club by Page Powars
This book is a debut novel by author Page Powars and is anticipated to be published in September 2023.
The story follows Noah Byrd, who just changed schools and is trying to fit in as a trans teen. He joins a 'borrow a boyfriend' service that is hiding under the guise of being an Italian Club, with the goal of proving to the world he is 'one of the boys'.
He ends up failing at the interview, he says he will help them with their annual talent show, in order to get another chance to prove his boyfriend skills. The challenge? To prove those skills to the president of the club, Asher.
The issues start when the main rule of the club is no real boyfriends, or girlfriends, are allowed.
These are only 8 books in an entire universe of queer reads that are out in the world! If you have any you would like to add, comment them below for other readers!
I do have a blog that covers books with Trans main characters as well, which you can find at the link below.
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