The must-read LGBTQ+ books coming in 2026
The top LGBTQ+ books to read in 2026. (Penguin/Hodder Children’s Books)
This year will see the release of many LGBTQ+ books from exciting debut authors and beloved returning writers.
From sweet romances to historical reexaminations to heady sports dramas, there’s a book for you no matter your taste that will be arriving this year…
The Queer Thing About Sin: Why the West Came to Hate Queer Love, by Harry Tanner
Harry Tanner’s book is a fascinating, exploratory investigation into the origins of homophobia. The attitudes and consequences of LGBTQ+ hate today in the West can be traced back through fragments of ancient history, and Tanner embarks on an expansive journey to discover their roots. From queer love being celebrated in ancient Greece to sinister ideas sweeping across the ancient Mediterranean, this is a must-read for history lovers.
The Queer Thing About Sin: Why the West Came to Hate Queer Love is available now.
Pretend You’re Dead and I Carry You, by Julián Delgado Lopera
From the award-winning author of Fiebre Tropical, Julián Delgado Lopera returns with a novel set in Colombia’s underground queer scene. Lopera’s novel follows Ignacio and his daughter, Valentina, reeling from the death of his wife and her mother.
He’s haunted by the death and his past in Bogotá’s queer underground with a shining queer named Mamadora Eléctrica. Pretend You’re Dead and I Carry You is a tale of self-destruction and also the beauty of chosen family.
Pretend You’re Dead and I Carry You is available now.
Girl’s Girl, by Sonia Feldman
Fifteen-year-old Mina loves her two best friends, but the trio quickly unravels after an unexpected kiss. Suddenly, their special unit crumbles, and Mina’s life becomes fragile.
Looking back at this time as an adult, Mina realises her longing is shaped by this experience of girlhood desire. A portrait of girl culture in one suburban Midwest summer, Girl’s Girl explores how love can change the way we love others.
Girl’s Girl is available now.
Puck, by Samantha Allen
Inspired by Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, this rom-com follows Puck, producer of a reality show that puts troubled couples through tests involving their exes. However, when Puck’s college roommate announces that she’s engaged to Puck’s ex’s best friend, life gets complicated.
Used to pulling the strings on a dating show, Puck decides it’s up to them to make sure this wedding does not go to plan. It’s unfortunate that one bridesmaid, whom Puck is stunned by, has the exact opposite idea.
Puck is available now.
There’s Only One Sin in Hollywood, by Rasheed Newson
Set in the 1950s, Xavier C. Barlow is one of Hollywood’s young Black stars taking the industry by storm. Barlow is held up by Skyline Studios as a rival to Sidney Poitier’s acting success. When Xavier dies at the height of his fame, people begin to ask questions.
Aaron Touissant, Skyline’s designated backlot fixer, begins to dig into the suspicious death of a closeted Black actor. A portrait of the glamorous but dangerous world of Hollywood, Rasheed Newson’s There’s Only One Sin in Hollywood offers a compelling insight into the queer history of Los Angeles.
There’s Only One Sin in Hollywood is available now.
The Open Era, by Edward Schmit
If you’re a fan of queer sports dramas, like Challengers or Heated Rivalry, you’ll need to pick up a copy of Edward Schmit’s The Open Era. The sports romance follows newcomer tennis pro Austin becoming the first openly gay man to compete in a Grand Slam tournament.
It’s a lot of pressure, made even more difficult under the gaze of the handsome world number two, Diego. As the pair forge a friendship on the court, something then begins to blossom from their competitive spirit.
The Open Era is available now.
Wildheart, by Bec Manser
Debut author Bec Manser’s Wildheart is a magical adventure aimed at readers aged eight and above, presenting a queer‑normative world. Born from Manser’s love for 90s gaming, this fantasy world sees two sisters venturing into the forest to confront spirits and ghouls.
Speaking about the book, Manser shared: “I know it’s a cliché but my writing method is to write the books I needed growing up and that I still need today even as a thirty-seven-year-old queer adult who is an out and proud bisexual.”
Wildheart is available now.
You Won’t Forget Me, by Mazey Eddings
Mazey Eddings’ You Won’t Forget Me is a sapphical musical romance that follows the splintering of a band. Cubby’s ex-boyfriend and band lead walks away, then band member Harry and Cubby go viral for an accidental romantic picture the same night Cubby and Darcy hook up.
As newfound fame sweeps up the band and tabloids become obsessed with the band’s rumoured love triangle, Cubby and Darcy are forced into close quarters. Over a whirlwind summer tour, the two women must unravel their true feelings.
You Won’t Forget Me is available now.
Skin Contact, by Elisa Faison
When her mother dies suddenly, Frances’ life is thrown into chaos. Frances’ husband, Ben, is offering a supportive hand and complies when Frances suggests opening their marriage. Over two years, they explore their sexualities, latent kinks and new identities.
Frances and Ben embark on the journey together, confusing their friends. However, when Ben falls in love with someone, as Frances decides she’s ready for a baby, their experiment reaches an unexpected conclusion.
Skin Contact is available now.
Father Material, by Alexis Hall
The third instalment in The London Calling series, following Boyfriend Material and Husband Material, is Father Material. Alexis Hall’s novel continues to follow the relationship of Luc and Oliver. However, as they advance towards life milestones, the couple decide on their next step: fatherhood.
Together, they open their hearts and lives to Spud, a little bundle of furry joy. As their grown-up friends have children, Luc and Oliver get a dog. It’s the next step in a future together.
Father Material is available now.
Heartstopper Volume 6, by Alice Oseman
Alice Oseman’s final instalment in the Heartstopper graphic novel universe, Heartstopper Volume 6, will bid farewell to the beloved characters. The novel is set to tie up the romance of queer teens ahead of the Netflix movie, Heartstopper Forever.
Heartstopper has followed the romance of Charlie and Nick. Furthermore, this final volume will see the pair learning to manage their relationship after Nick heads off to university.
Heartstopper Volume 6 is available now.
How An Egg Changed My Life: A Memoir, by Mikey Bell
Mikey Bell’s book blends memoir, cookbook and also nostalgic observation of growing up gay in South Wales. Bell charts 35-years, 13 recipes, 4 countries, and 2 eggs to tell the story of finding a fulfilling life.
Reflecting on how a trip to Italy revitalised his appetite for life, How an Egg Saved My Life sees Bell ruminate on the joy of life and moments that shape our cultures, relationships and identities. A trip to Italy revitalised his appetite for life.
How An Egg Changed My Life: A Memoir is available now.
Moss’d in Space, by Rebecca Thorne
Found family and friendship is always a beautiful novel theme. Pair that with a cosy adventure in space, and you’ve got Rebecca Thorne’s upcoming Moss’d in Space. The novel follows Torian Razner, who has just bought an abandoned alien starship; it’s her ticket to freedom. However, her ex, Amelia, is also her captain.
The starship is covered in moss, which is actually an organic computer with a serious abandonment issue. Things get even more complicated when the alien who abandoned it returns and accuses Torian of stealing.
Moss’d in Space is out now.
International Relations, by Zac Hammett
Touted as The Proposal meets Heated Rivalry, International Relations is a fake-dating-to-fake-marriage rom-com. The story follows British diplomat Max who hires American actor Hunter to play the perfect boyfriend and advance his career prospects.
When the fake dating scheme becomes a fake marriage, the line between reality and fiction blurs between the two men. Hammett’s laugh-out-loud and touchingly sweet queer love story is a gay romance to indulge in.
International Relations is available now.
Ship Happens, by Mason Deaver
Mason Deaver’s Ship Happens follows the second-chance romance of Owen and Jacob when the pair find themselves stuck on an Alaskan cruise together. With trans representation, Ship Happens charts Owen’s shock when Jacob returns to their friends’ annual Christmas party as if nothing happened.
Trying to keep his cool in front of the man who broke his heart, Owen is sceptical when Jacob says he wants to be friends. They’re forced into proximity on the breathtaking cruise with mandated activities. As Owen relaxes and his walls come down, maybe their love is repairable after all.
Ship Happens is available on 18 August.
Unprecedented Times, by Malavika Kannan
Author Malavika Kannan has been labelled one of the voices of Gen Z in this coming-of-age debut novel. Unprecedented Times follows burnt-out youth climate activist Rishi in her first year at Stanford. All she really wants is to have a lot of gay sex.
However, when the COVID pandemic leaves her trapped inside, Rishi’s schooling, political compass and sexual tension collide. The book has been praised as a testament to the power of self-narrative for Gen Z American women.
Unprecedented Times is available on September 21.
The Book of Luke, by Lovell Holder
The Book of Luke is packed full of drama, queer love, sex, reality TV, politics, and also death. There’s something for everyone! The book follows a gay reality competition star now a stay-at-home husband to America’s only openly gay senator.
However, when his husband’s serial cheating is exposed, Luke impulsively decides to rejoin the reality dating show for its last season. Putting everything he has known on the line, Luke must decide what he really wants to sacrifice to compete.
The Book of Luke paperback is available on September 29. The hardcover and audiobook are available now.
Carrying, by Samantha Josephs
Martha has everything: a loving husband who wants to have a child with her and a sweet stepdaughter who looks up to her. But she’s got a secret, she’s trans and has been faking miscarriages so her husband won’t discover her truth.
She’s got everything working like clockwork until a mysterious chronic illness threatens her existence. Then, she falls down an online rabbit hole of experimental ‘treatments’ that result in her becoming impossibly pregnant.
Carrying is available on October 6.
Herculine, by Grace Byron
Grace Byron’s horror debut follows a woman who seeks refuge at an all-trans girl commune. Having experienced so-called conversion therapy and demons stalking her in New York City, she flees to rural Indiana, where her ex-girlfriend started an all-trans girl commune in the middle of the woods.
The beautiful community, however, turns dark when girls stop speaking to her. Quickly, this escape becomes a trip. As she tries to unravel the mysteries of the camp, she soon discovers demons haven’t left her after all.
Herculine is available on 6 October.
Lavender and Hemlock, by Lili Wilkinson
This sapphic romantasy follows Tansy’s ordinary housemaid duties interrupted by the arrival of a mysterious visitor. Carrion Knight Merit has been raised to be a monster, but after an injury, she finds herself stumbling through a peculiar door.
Instantly, there is a spark between Tansy and Merit. When feelings rise to the surface, the darkness of this charming world also raises its head. Tansy may just be the solution Merit has been looking for.
Lavender and Hemlock is available on November 10.
A World Apart, by Meghan Nesmith
Set in Victorian London, 1866, A World Apart is a spellbinding queer romantasy from debut author Meghan Nesmith. When Kit is trying to master magic, he accidentally casts a spell on a doorway into the Veil – a liminal realm where Wilfrith and his family have been trapped.
Kit and Wilfrith quickly fall in love, and the star-crossed lovers are bound by magic. At night, Kit moves between worlds to try to connect their realms. By day, Kit finds himself enamoured by a young bohemian woman of an aristocratic family. Torn between love and duty, Kit is forced to make a decision that will change all three of their lives.
A World Apart is available on 19 November.
Call Me Traitor, by Everina Maxwell
The sapphic romantic fantasy adventure Call Me Traitor follows the enthralling romance between En and Tamol. En is an expert at battle spells who is sent into neighbouring kingdoms to track down the traitors who still live. Tamol is not built for fighting.
Though when Tamol saves En’s life, it becomes impossible for the pair not to fall in love. Things get tricky when En discovers Tamol is one of the traitors she is seeking. The future of the empire is unexpectedly in the hands of En and Tamol, but will they betray the orders of their commanders for love?
Call Me Traitor is out on 1 December.
