LGBTQIA+ Fiction bestsellers

In the Lives of Puppets

“TJ Klune has never let me down, but I wasn't expecting In The Lives of Puppets to outshine the rest like it has. A Pinocchio retelling with a queer, dystopian setting? This book tore my heart out and then threw it back into my chest three times larger. The descriptions, the characters, the representation!! I cannot recommend this enough. If you're a fan of any of the above: found family, classic lit remakes, Wall-E, and/or commentaries on the supernova that is humanity, read! this!! book!!! ”

Emma, Quail Ridge Books

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

“Steeped in the glory of Hollywood when marriages were made for reasons other than love and could be slipped on and off like a fine dinner jacket, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo reveals the behind-the-scenes stories of lives full of hunger, self-pity, jealousy, and rage, as well as lost love. This is a story that could have been pulled from the pages of fan magazines of the '50s. It's so entertainingly real that you will be wondering why you can't remember the great star Evelyn Hugo and the movies she made famous. Read for pure pleasure, and you'll be tempted to play the game of, 'Who is this about, really?' What fun!”

Linda Bond, Auntie's Bookstore

The House in the Cerulean Sea

“Genevieve of A Great Good Place for Books said it best when she said, "It's part fantasy, part love story and all heart." I couldn't agree more. I could feel my heart swell as I read. I laughed. I cried. I fell for all the characters. I loved this book!”

Zinna, A Great Good Place for Books

We Could Be So Good

“Everything Cat Sebastian writes is pure joy, and her latest queer historical romance is no exception. Nick and Andy - reporters and best friends in 1950s New York - find a way to navigate their complicated pasts to a future together. This is a book I wanted to speed through and savor at the same time - a perfect respite from the world.”

Rachel, Northshire Bookstore

Under the Whispering Door

“Trigger warning: Suicide and death. TJ Klune has done it again. He has created a story (with some darkness) centered on a character that would otherwise have easily been seen as the villain. And again, he walked me through a funny, LGBTQ+ positive, and horror-esque journey where I grew in empathy for Wallace as he tackled questions about death, life, and what may come after. Every character in this book was relevant and had their own story to tell. One of several things that impresses me about Klune's writing is his ability to keep a story that takes place in a single setting engaging and interesting. The ending was definitely unexpected and defied my expectations. I read this book aloud to my mother, and we debated and discussed what the ending might be and what we hoped it would be. We couldn't have guessed what actually transpired...I deeply appreciated the diversity in age, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender expression between characters. As someone who enjoyed The House in the Cerulean Sea, I would gently warn other fans that this book takes on a more serious tone because it centers on death and heavier topics. It still has moments of humor, heart, and levity, but you're always reminded of where you are.”

R. Aimee, The Bluestocking Bookshop

If you enjoyed Playing the Palace, then you’ll love Husband Material.

“The same uproariously funny writing and more of the moments that make for a real romance, Husband Material is this month's fav. Jameson is brilliant with voices and it's true I probably wouldn't have loved these as much as if I hadn't heard them first, but truly, Hall hits the mark for a great love story.”

Charity, Schuler Books

Mortal Follies

“What a fun tongue-in-cheek sapphic Regency romance for fans of Bridgerton and Shakespeare! This book has a witty and mirthful fairy narrator who breaks the fourth wall and spins you the tale of this romantic fantasy adventure. I rooted so hard for our blushing ingenue and brooding noblewoman caught in the snares of curses, goddesses, and more. A romp you simply must pick up!”

Kassie, The Novel Neighbor

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet

“This is the funnest, tenderest, most lovable space romp you’ll ever take. There’s a fun plot but the real reason to read this book is the crew of the Wayfarer. Fair warning: You’ll want to follow them anywhere! With inter-species romance, plenty of pronouns, and space-age wisdom, this book made us feel more tender to our own young species of Homo Sapiens and to ourselves. Highly recommend for fun, for fans of science-fiction, and for self-care.”

Megan & Josh, Underground Books

Abandoned by his father, Gareth Inglis grew up lonely, prickly, and used to disappointment. Still, he longs for a connection. When he meets a charming stranger, he falls head over heels?until everything goes wrong and he's left alone again. Then Gareth's father dies, turning the shabby London clerk into Sir Gareth, with a grand house on the... Read more »

In this hilarious and joyous rom com, sparks fly when a piano genius and a Hollywood heartthrob are thrown together for a charity performance of solos, heartfelt duets, and a big, showstopping finale.
 
Quito Cruz might be a genius piano player and composer in New York City now but it doesn’t mean that he’s any closer to his Broadway dream.... Read more »

Delilah Green Doesn't Care

“Have you ever run into someone from your childhood, someone that you thought you had all figured out and maybe even disliked, only to find out that you never really knew them at all? Then this is the book for you. Delilah Green the social pariah of her small hometown comes back to Bright Falls to photograph her uptight stepsister, Astrid's wedding. Since she has never felt welcomed by her stepfamily, her game plan is to amuse herself by pushing all of Astrid's buttons. Her plans go awry when she spots Claire (Astrid's BFF) and sparks fly. Suddenly, everything she thought she knew isn't anything like how she remembered. Well-written with wonderfully real/messy characters, vibrant and dynamic female friendships, hilarious shenanigans and a steamy tremendous sapphic romance to boot!”

Zinna, A Great Good Place for Books

Sometimes true love takes a little heavy lifting"The most hilarious disaster bisexuals you’ll ever meet.” —Dahlia Adler, Buzzfeed BooksThis irresistible adult debut from beloved YA author Jennifer Dugan is a queer romcom for fans of Delilah Green Doesn’t Care and Written in the Stars, in which a gym employee accidentally ruins her bosses’... Read more »

One Last Stop

“What a magical and creative tale, an addictive read that I did not want to put down. A fun and diverse cast of characters took this story to the next level. With such wide appeal, I know I will be able to put One Last Stop into the hands of almost any customer this summer.”

Cori Cusker, Bright Side Bookshop

Last Night at the Telegraph Club

“This coming of age story about a young woman growing up queer in 1950s Chinatown, San Francisco, was brilliant. I loved the rich historical detail, believable characters, exploration of intersectional identities, romance, and sense of place, made even stronger by the excellent narration. Best book I've read in quite some time and highly recommended for adults or teens!”

Tracey, Turning the Tide Bookstore

If you enjoyed Solomon's Crown, then you’ll love A Marvellous Light.

“I'm kind of obsessed with the magic system of this world. I love the nuance of Edwin having less raw power and overcoming that with a wealth of knowledge and perfect technique. And I love Robin having no real clue what's going on, being annoyed at Edwin being a know-it-all and then slowly but surely trusting him with his life. I love two gays doing stupid things to protect each other. I love them. ”

Gina, BookPeople

Julián Is a Mermaid While riding the subway home from the pool with his abuela one day, Julián notices three women spectacularly dressed up. Their hair billows in brilliant hues, their dresses end in fishtails, and their joy fills the train car. When Julián gets home, daydreaming of the magic he’s seen, all he can think about is dressing up just... Read more »

If you enjoyed We Are Not From Here, then you’ll love Ander & Santi Were Here.

“An absolutely gorgeous, heart-wrenching, warmly funny book. Ander is a nonbinary artist taking a gap year to paint murals around their hometown of San Antonio through a fellowship at a non-profit. When their parents fire them from the family's taqueria so they can focus on their art, Ander ends up falling for their replacement, Santi. What Ander doesn't know is that Santi is undocumented, and the world seems hell bent on keeping them apart. Ander's voice is strong and smart. I cried and laughed throughout, and the cover is a gorgeous depiction of Ander's art. I loved every second of this book, for all the pain, love, and joy it depicts perfectly. ”

Tildy, Belmont Books

If you enjoyed The House in the Cerulean Sea, then you’ll love Red, White & Royal Blue.

“This book is so much more than a captivating romance—it's a bubble bath, a warm hug, a delicious dessert, a catharsis full of feeling and hope and queer joy that still makes me cry and laugh even as I've reread it 10+ times! The audiobook is skillfully narrated, and de Ocampo does far better British and Texan accents than my brain could come up with on its own reading the book in print. Recommended for listeners no matter your gender identity or orientation, but this truly is chicken soup for the queer soul.”

Miriasha, Phoenix Books

A furious debut novel from Andrew Joseph White about embracing the monster within and unleashing its power against your oppressors.Perfect for fans ofGideon the Ninthand Annihilation.

Sixteen-year-old trans boy Benji is on the run from the cult that raised him—the fundamentalist sect that unleashed Armageddon and decimated the world’s population.... Read more »

Just as You Are

“It feels like I have read every Pride and Prejudice retelling that exists. So it is my expert opinion when I say this is one of the best. Take P&P and make it queer and about publishing in NYC. Make sisters into a group of queer roommates. Make Mr. Darcy a hot butch lesbian. It's fun, it's steamy, it's romantic - and everyone should read it. This one has truly skyrocketed on my list of recent favorite romance novels, and I can't wait to share it with readers when it releases. ”

April, Porter Square Books

The Once and Future Witches

“Alix Harrow’s The Ten Thousand Doors of January was my favorite book last year, so I had incredibly high expectations when I picked up The Once and Future Witches. This book is very different, but I adore it just as much! Set in the late 1800s in a world with a slightly alternate history from ours, women are fighting for the vote and losing. Three wayward sisters decide to challenge the patriarchy by bringing back witchcraft. Told through familiar stories twisted in new ways, this book is incredible. You will not be able to put it down, from the beautifully written introduction to the pulse-pounding ending!”

Carrie Deming, Dog Ear Books

INSTANT NATIONAL BESTSELLER

NAMED A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF THE YEAR BY VOGUE, ELLE, OPRAH DAILY, THE WASHINGTON POST, BUZZFEED AND VULTURE

“Erudite, intimate, hilarious, poignant . . . A gorgeously written novel of youth’s promise, of the quest to find one’s tribe and one’s calling.” —Leigh Haber, Oprah Daily

The Booker Prize finalist and... Read more »

If you enjoyed Red Island House, then you’ll love You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty.

“Save this one for your next long trip, because you definitely won’t be able to stop once you jump on the roller coaster that is Feyi Adekola’s life. Art, travel, deep abiding friendship, and food all narrated by the brilliant Bahni Turpin.”

Angie, The Country Bookshop

Less (Winner of the Pulitzer Prize)

“What would you do if you found yourself at the precipice of your 50th birthday with nothing to say for yourself other than your long term relationship with a famous author, now former relationship? Maybe Arthur Less can fall back on his own writing, which has been poorly received, or maybe he can fall back into the arms of his lover, who has just sent him an invitation to his wedding to another man. But Less decides to do something different, that is to say Yes to invitations which will put him on his greatest adventure to Paris, Berlin, Morocco, the Sahara, India and more. But this story is not about a man travelling to exotic locations but rather a story about a man discovering himself after years of living as someone else. It could be said that this story has been told before, but Greer tells it so well that it feels new again. And, though Less' friends berate him for telling a story no one should care about (a 50 year old white, gay man discovering himself), the details of Less' struggles are relevant and beautiful.”

Jessica, BookBar

Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail

“I think I loved this book even more than Delilah Green Doesn’t Care. There is something so comforting about returning to a group of characters for a second book. I can’t wait to read Iris’ story next!”

Aedan Richter, Nowhere Bookshop

As Lucy Muchelney watches her ex-lover’s sham of a wedding, she wishes herself anywhere else. It isn’t until she finds a letter from the Countess of Moth, looking for someone to translate a groundbreaking French astronomy text, that she knows where to go. Showing up at the Countess’ London home, she hoped to find a challenge, not a woman who... Read more »

If you enjoyed You Should See Me in a Crown, then you’ll love Honey Girl.

“This was a highly enjoyable read in that it was both romance and yet totally different than your usual romance ilk. A sweet love story unfurls in a reverse while paralleling to Grace's late coming-of-age and self realization.Grace's whole character arc was spot on, learning how to discover what she actually wants vs what her father wants, learning to center that, and then learning to take care of her mental health. I also loved the love story between Yuki and Grace. Obviously, they got off to a kind of rocky start but I loved that they got to fall in love all over again after that first night. Yuki's fascination with monsters and the unknown was so fun and I loved their lyrical characterizations of each other. York Whitaker was the perfect narrator with a voice of pure silken magic. I loved hearing Yuki's radio snippets in the audiobook format as well. I honesty did not know what to expect with this book but was generally swept away by Rogers' writing, characterizations, and LAYERS! She does so much in this book and it was all SO GOOD. Perfect for those that like a little romance with a side of self discovery and that need some LGBTQIA+ stories in their lives.”

Kimi, Buttonwood Books and Toys

This program is read by an all-queer cast: the author, Hayley Kiyoko; Natalie Naudus; Malia Pyles; Katie Gavin; and Brandon Flynn.

Trailblazing pop star, actor and director, Hayley Kiyoko debuts her first novel, a coming-of-age romance based on her breakthrough hit song and viral video, GIRLS LIKE GIRLS.

It’s summertime and 17-year-old Coley has... Read more »

A Time Best YA Book of All Time (2021)

This Printz Honor Book is a “tender, honest exploration of identity” (Publishers Weekly) that distills lyrical truths about family and friendship.

Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming... Read more »

El Diablo is in the details in this Latinx pirate fantasy starring a transmasculine nonbinary teen with a mission of revenge, redemption, and revolution.

On Mar León de la Rosa's sixteenth birthday, el Diablo comes calling. Mar is a transmasculine nonbinary teen pirate hiding a magical ability to manipulate fire and ice. But their magic isn't... Read more »

Luc O'Donnell is tangentially―and reluctantly―famous. His rock-star parents split when he was young, and the father he's never met spent the next twenty years cruising in and out of rehab. Now that his dad's making a comeback, Luc's back in the public eye, and one compromising photo is enough to ruin everything. To clean up his image, Luc has... Read more »

A witchy, atmospheric lesbian contemporary romance set in Salem—from the acclaimed author of Fans of the Impossible Life. Perfect for fans of Nina LaCour and Becky Albertalli.Seventeen-year-old Eleanor is the last person in Salem to believe in witchcraft—or to think that her life could be transformed by mysterious forces. After losing her best... Read more »

They Both Die at the End meets The Loneliest Girl in the Universe in this mind-bending sci-fi mystery and tender love story about two boys aboard a spaceship sent on a rescue mission, from two-time National Book Award finalist Eliot Schrefer. Stonewall Honor Award winner!Two boys, alone in space. Sworn enemies sent on the same rescue... Read more »

Camp

“An adorable, very campy (ba-dum-tssss) rom-com with a lot to say about what it means to be out, to be queer, and to be wholly ourselves. This messy young queer community felt so, so real to me, and listening to the audiobook made this book so much fun - there was just something so homey and queer about the voices the narrator chose for various characters and even just the very intentional pronunciation of "theatre" made my whole day. Make sure to read this before the movie - directed by and starring Billy Porter - comes out!”

Miriasha, Phoenix Books

“Like a dish of comfort food you’ll want to devour.” —The Washington Post
“It’s hard to say which aspect of TJ Alexander’s novel is sweeter: the slow-burn romance or the drool-worthy desserts.” —Time

A high-strung pastry chef’s professional goals are interrupted by an unexpected career transition and the introduction of her wildly attractive... Read more »

If you enjoyed Less (Winner of the Pulitzer Prize), then you’ll love Less Is Lost.

“In Less is Lost we follow author Arthur Less on a journey across the US. I found myself having to pause because I needed time to laugh! Often hilarious, sometimes sad, and always beautifully written. This is a perfect follow up to the Pulitzer Prize winning Less. I highly recommend it!”

Anne, Cherry Street Books

Is their real-life love story doomed to be a tragedy, or can they rewrite the ending?

London, 1883

Finely dressed and finely drunk, Charlie Price is a man dedicated to his vices. Chief among them is his explicit novel collection, though his impending marriage to a woman he can’t love will force his carefully curated collection into hiding.

Before... Read more »

GMA BUZZ PICK • INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLER • A haunting, virtuosic debut novel about two young men who fall in love during World War I • “Dazzling and wrenching, witty and wildly romantic, with echoes of Brideshead Revisited and Atonement.” —Lev Grossman, best-selling author of The Magicians

“In Memoriam is the story of a great tragedy, but it is... Read more »

Love & Other Disasters

“I’m not a huge romance book person but I really enjoyed this one! This queer love story between a quirky self–taught cook and her seasoned (haha) nonbinary rival on a cooking show is incredibly charming and the perfect amount of hot, too. London’s quest to come out isn’t easy but ultimately validating. I hope to see more stories like theirs center-stage in romance and beyond!”

Sam, Phoenix Books

Two rival apprentice sorcerers must team up to save their teachers and protect their own magic in this lively young adult romantic adventure from the New York Times bestselling author of In Deeper Waters and So This Is Ever After.

Edison Rooker isn’t sure what to expect when he enters the office of Antonia Hex, the powerful sorceress who runs a... Read more »

Cemetery Boys

“"Listening to Cemetery Boys made me smile. A lot. Aiden Thomas presents a story of persistence, mystery, and finding one’s place in the world. Yadriel, a trans, teenage, latinx boy, lives in a family of brujos and brujas. After coming out as trans his family does not know where he fits within their traditions. With the help of his opinionated cousin Maritza, Yadriel completes the ceremony to become a brujo in secret and accidentally summons the wrong ghost: Julian, a high energy boy from his school. Yadriel, Julian and Maritza set out to solve the mystery of Julian’s death, and to release his spirit. Of course, to make things more awkward, Yadriel develops a crush on the spirit boy. What more could one ask for? Thomas creates a magical but real world highlighting family dynamics surrounding trans identity within a gendered society, the need to prove oneself, and the importance of connecting to family. This book may sound spooky, but instead the story is feel-good, heartwarming, and silly at times; it’s all about celebrating life and being who you are."”

Emma, Content

If you enjoyed She Gets the Girl, then you’ll love I Kissed Shara Wheeler.

“Another audiobook that I could not stop listening to! A fun, light high school romance that should immediately be turned into a movie and will launch the new brat pack. I loved that these characters got to fight against their school and it's outdated beliefs (especially since I saw college graduates do the same thing in real life on tiktok just the other day). It was clever and funny and sweet and worth every second.”

Kimi, Buttonwood Books and Toys

"Listeners will be captivated by the detailed descriptions of the cities within Reino del Sol and the fantastical beings who inhabit them. Santana keeps the tension in his narration taut as Teo wrestles with both physical challenges and his own feelings of inferiority." - AudioFile Magazine

Welcome to The Sunbearer Trials, where teen semidioses... Read more »

"An irresistible queer romance." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

It’s not long before their pet-centric arrangement sparks a person-centric desire…

Simon Burke has always preferred animals to people. When the countdown to adopting his own dog is unexpectedly put on hold, Simon turns to the PetShare app to find the fluffy TLC he’s been missing.... Read more »

Named one of the Best LGBTQ+ Books of 2023 by Vogue
Named a Most Anticipated LGBTQ+ Book of 2023 by Buzzfeed, Electric Lit, and Them
Named a Most Anticipated Book of 2023 by Our Culture, Yahoo!, The Millions, LitHub and SPY.com
Named a Most Anticipated Debut of 2023 by Debutiful and Goodreads

An addictive, absurd, and darkly hilarious debut novel... Read more »

A Most Anticipated Summer Read by Today ∙ Barnes & Noble ∙ BookRiot ∙ GoodReads ∙ Culturess ∙ and more!

A starry-eyed romantic, a cynical writer, and (the ashes of) an elderly woman take the road trip of a lifetime that just might upend everything they believe about true love.

Millicent Watts-Cohen is on a mission. When she promised her... Read more »

Instant I Do could be Kris Zavala’s big break. She’s right on the cusp of really making it as an influencer, so a stint on reality TV is the perfect chance to elevate her brand. And $100,000 wouldn’t hurt either. D’Vaughn Miller is just trying to break out of her shell. She’s sort of neglected to come out to her mom for years, so a big splashy... Read more »

For one little girl, there’s no place she’d rather be than sitting between Mama and Mommy. So when Mommy goes away on a work trip, it’s tricky to find a good place at the table. As the days go by, Mama brings her to the library, they watch movies, and all of them talk on the phone, but she still misses Mommy as deep as the ocean and as high as... Read more »

Book Boyfriend

“This book was adorable. While the premise is fun and well-plotted, I think I liked it so much because I listened to the audio and the voice actor brought SO MUCH to the story. PK has been in love with his best friend Art since college. When Art comes to stay with him after a messy break-up, PK wants to tell him how he feels, but can’t. Instead, he writes a romance novel about his love, and, when it gets picked up by the publisher he works for, he decides to make it into a grand gesture by revealing it to Art in public. Things go very wrong. But it is a romance after all! ”

Karrie, Vroman's Bookstore

On the night before Pride, families everywhere are preparing to partake. As one family packs snacks and makes signs, an older sibling shares the importance of the march with the newest member of the family. Reflecting on the day, the siblings agree that the best thing about Pride is getting to be yourself. This joyful homage to a day of... Read more »