Happy pride month, y’all! I’m a firm believer that y’all means all, and love is love no matter the form. This June the LGBTQIA+ romance genre is thriving! I’ve got a list of thirteen romance books centered around the love of all. Let’s chat about the newest releases for the month of June!
Only Pieces (YA Verse)
Edd Tello
Release Date: June 1st
Only Pieces by Edd Tello follows Edgar, who is part of a traditional Mexican-American family, as he tries to live his truth. Tensions rise in Edgar’s less-than-perfect life when his father returns home and causes more strain than Edgar thinks he can handle. That is until he meets Alex, a popular boy from school. He only ever feels alive when he’s with Alex, but can he handle falling in love with a boy when his own family has made it clear they won’t accept him? Only Pieces is Edd Tello’s debut novel and was released on June 1st so it’s available for everyone to enjoy now!
The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes
Cat Sebastian
Release Date: June 7th
The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes by Cat Sebastian follows the Duchess of Clare who just shot her husband. (Scandal!) Though, like in the Cell Block Tango, he had it coming! The cover may deceive readers into thinking this is a cis-centered romance, but fear not! Both Marian (admitted murderer of her horrific husband) and her unlikely accomplice, Rob, are of the bi-variety! This is actually the second in a duology at the moment. Cat’s first book, The Queer Principles of Kit Webb, is very similar to this one. They’re both Georgian historical, queer romance novels and as of June 7th will both be available for you to devour!
Slip
Marika McCoola and Aatmaja Pandya
Release Date: June 7th
Slip the graphic novel written by Marika McCoola and illustrated by Aatmaja Pandya trails behind Jade as she reels with her best friend’s recent attempted suicide. Jade isn’t sure how she’ll focus on her art intensive summer while she worries for the well-being of her friend, Phoebe. As she works through her feelings, Jade pours herself into making ceramic monsters that represent the stress and insecurities that she’s currently fighting. Unfortunately, her creations take the ‘fighting’ portion to a whole new level by coming to life right out of the kiln! And the boss level? Dealing with the notion that Jade may prosper and feeling like she’s leaving Phoebe behind. Slip comes from Eisner-Award nominated author, Marika McCoola, and is styled by debut artist, Aatmaja Pandya.
Home Field Advantage
Dahlia Adler
Release Date: June 7th
Home Field Advantage is not Dahlia Adler’s first rodeo so to speak. This is your classic high school romance, following Amber and Jack (Jaclyn) as they fight for their futures, only to find their futures in each other. It’s heartbreaking to say that this book starts off with the death of the hometown quarterback who is soon replaced by newcomer, Jack. The change is difficult and everyone is up in arms on all fronts. Amber dreams of becoming cheer captain, but can’t help falling for Jack even though everyone deems Jack to be the enemy. Home Field Advantage is described as a sparkling lesbian romance about fighting for what– or who– you truly want. In the meantime, though be sure to check out Dahlia’s other books too!
Happily Ever Island
Crystal Cestari
Release Date: June 7th
Happily Ever Island by Crystal Cestari is every Disney lover’s dream. Madison and Lanie are unlikely friends, to say the least. They’re complete opposites, but they’re always there for each other. So when Madison’s life seems to be falling apart, Lanie doesn’t hesitate to join her on a spring break trip to Disney’s newest resort experience. That experience you ask? Oh just becoming your favorite Disney character for a whole week (gag me, I want a ticket!). However, things don’t go to plan when the two friends drift apart in the happiest place on Earth… What will they do when Madison somehow always runs into the (annoyingly) perfect Val, and Lanie finds a secret romance with Prince Charming (who’s playing a part?). Happily Ever Island is a college-age, queer romance featuring two friends who are finding themselves during spring break.
Out There: Into the Queer New Yonder
Saundra Mitchell
Release Date: June 7th
Out There: Into the Queer New Yonder is an anthology of queer short stories from seventeen queer YA authors, edited and compiled by Saundra Mitchell. This is the conclusion of a trio (the first being All Out and the second being Out Now). As previously stated, this is an anthology of short stories so they aren’t necessarily connected. Some of the stories feature aliens that help a girl tell her friend her true feelings, others deal with nonbinary main characters who can translate the binary code of a machine that predicts the future. “This essential and beautifully written collection immerses and surprises with each turn of the page.”
The Gravity of Missing Things
Marisa Urgo
Release Date: June 7th
The Gravity of Missing Things is Marisa Urgo’s debut novel! Right off the bat, readers are assailed with a missing plane. No wreckage, no distress signal, Flight 133 is just gone. To Violet, our bisexual main character, this is especially distressing because her mother is the pilot of said Flight 133. The only person who believes Violet is Landon, and even though she wants to let him in fully if she does her world could come crashing down around her. But her mother would never intentionally hurt anyone, especially since she left Violet a note the morning of the disappearance that said “Trust me,” right? Find all the answers to your questions on June 7th when The Gravity of Missing Things is released!
We All Fall Down
Rose Szabo
Release Date: June 7th
We All Fall Down is book one of The River City Duology from author, Rose Szabo. Just listen to the Goodreads shelvings: fantasy, young adult, LGBT, queer, paranormal, witches, fiction, urban fantasy. I’m head over heels already. Magic used to thrive in River City, however, it’s now fading and the witches and King who used to rule are falling obsolete. The story centers around four queer characters who struggle with the daily hazards of work, school, ruthless cops, and unscrupulous scientists. A mysterious death disrupts the fragile peace they had in place it leads to the four uncovering a magical conspiracy. We All Fall Down delves into a complex network of pain from power differentials, even between people who love each other. It also bears the question: how is it possible to be queer and turn out just fine?
Hell Followed with Us
Andrew Joseph White
Release Date: June 7th
Hell Followed with Us by Andrew Joseph White features sixteen-year-old trans boy Benji. Readers follow Benji as he runs from the cult that raised him, a fundamentalist sect that unleashed Armageddon and decimated the world’s population. So, it’s safe to say they aren’t the best people to be around. Benji is rescued by a group of queer teens from the local Acheson LGBTQ+ Center (ALC). The main love interest? Nick (leader, gorgeous, autistic, and a deadly shot) and it helps that he knows Benji’s dirty little secret, that bioweapon he’s harboring and keeping away from his former cult leaders. Everything is almost fine and dandy until ulterior motives are revealed on either side… what will Benji do now?
Okay my next two recommendations are less aligned with the romance genre, but nonetheless! If I was searching through your TBR list, I better find these books on there. That being said, absorb these next two LGBTQIA+ book recommendations.
Funny Gyal: My Fight Against Homophobia in Jamaica
Angeline Jackson, Susan McClelland, Diana King
Release Date: June 7th
Funny Gyal: My Fight Against Homophobia in Jamaica by Angeline Jackson with Susan McClelland is a memoir of Angeline’s. When Angeline Jackson was a child, she wondered if there was something wrong with her for wanting to kiss other girls. However, as she grew up, she learned that she wouldn’t “grow out of it” and that her attraction to girls wasn’t against God. Funny Gyal follows Angeline as she ages, chronicling her deepening faith and how she was able to find the courage to challenge gender violence, rape culture, and oppression in her strict Christian Jamaican society. Please note that there is discussion of rape in Funny Gyal. For more LGBTQIA+ memoirs, click here!
So Happy For You
Celia Laskey
Release Date: June 7th
So Happy For You by Celia Laskey takes place during a wedding weekend, and don’t we all love the a romance trope involving a wedding? Robin and Ellie have been inseparable since childhood. So, when Robin came out, Ellie was there for her. When Ellie’s dad died, Robin was there for her. But when Ellie asks Robin to be her maid of honor, Robin hesitates. Being the queer academic she is, Robin isn’t too keen on elaborate wedding rituals that go beyond the standard champagne toasts and bouquet toss. But as the weekend approaches, Robin feels more and more like the whole wedding party is out to get her, even Ellie. Follow along on June 7th to see how Robin gets to the bottom of her suspicions, or even if she does…
If You Still Recognise Me
Cynthia So
Release Date: June 9th
If You Still Recognise Me by Cynthia So follows Elsie who is crushing hard on Ada, the only person who truly understands Elsie. The only hiccup is that they’ve never met in real life because Ada lives an ocean away. Elsie has finally worked up the courage to tell Ada how she really feels. She’s got it all planned out until a wrench is thrown into her plans in the form of her long-lost best friend, Joan. Now that Elsie is consumed in a summer of repairing once broken connections and building new ones, she realizes that she isn’t so alone in the world. How will the summer end for Elsie? And what will she do about Joan? And what about Ada?
Glorious Poison
Kat Dunn
Release Date: June 9th
Glorious Poison is book three in the Battalion of the Dead series by Kat Dunn. Robespierre is dead, and the Reign of Terror is over. The Royalist strength prospers and the Duc de L’Aubespine plans a coup that will consing the revolution to history. Reunited in Paris, Ada is poised and ready to fight. However, if she isn’t careful everything she’s worked for will go down the drain. All the while, Camille is finding an ally in unlikely places. Glorious Poison is the final episode in the Battalion’s tale and features the familiar backdrop of eerie catacombs and macabre bals des victimes. Be sure to catch up with the rest of Kat’s series before reading Glorious Poison!
I couldn’t be more excited about these upcoming LGBTQIA+ romances that are coming out this June! Which one are you most excited for?
Be sure to check back here for more Pride month bookish content, and for the second half of the June LGBTQIA+ romances releases!