9 Inclusive Romance Books Exploring The LGBT Community

LGBTQ+ Romance Books: Our 9 Picks

Non-Profits That Support the LGBTQIA+ Community

Despite the progress made in recent years, many LGBT+ people still face discrimination, rejection, and even violence. If you want to help combat these issues, consider supporting nonprofit organizations like these:

• PFLAG
• The Trevor Project
• GLAD
• Pride At Work
• Family Equality Council
• GLSEN
• Human Rights Campaign
• Transgender Law Center
• GLMA

8 Great Movies Featuring Gay Characters

1. The Miseducation of Cameron Post (2018)
2. Carol (2015)
3. Love, Simon (2018)
4. Pride (2014)
5. Brokeback Mountain (2005)
6. Rent (2005)
7. God's Own Country (2017)
8. Milk (2008)

Fun Date Ideas For Your Real-Life Romance

• Cook dinner together
• Go for a hike or a bike ride
• Get together for a karaoke night
• Go bowling
• Have a picnic on a sunny day
• Play a boardgame or video game together
• Go to a roller rink
• Have a candlelit dinner
• Join a book club together

Why LGBTQ+ Representation Matters

In Depth

Covering everything from fantasy to erotica, the romance books included on this list represent the L.G.B.T. community through a variety of genres. For those tired of the same old heterosexual love stories, here, in no particular order, are nine novels where gay, bisexual, and lesbian people have sizzling romantic adventures.

At #1 is "Something True" by Karelia Stetz-Waters. Nine years ago, the teenage Tate was rescued from the Portland streets by the owner of a coffee shop, where she's been working ever since. Now, with the shop in financial trouble, she fears all her opportunities are slipping away. Things seem to take a turn for the better after an incredible one-night stand with the gorgeous Laura, a real estate agent whose father is a conservative politician. But not only is Laura closeted, she's in Portland to close down Tate's coffeehouse. Can the relationship between the women survive the conflicts waiting to tear them apart?

For #2 we get "Paid Leave" by Hayley B. James. When closeted Albuquerque policeman Benji becomes the subject of a media scandal after he's involved in a traffic stop gone bad, his carefully maintained life begins to unravel. But this is nothing compared to the emotional turmoil that's stoked after Benji meets the sexy, proudly out Neal during his compulsory paid leave. As the law enforcer falls for his new acquaintance, he must make a difficult choice between staying in the closet to keep his career and taking a chance on love.

When closeted Albuquerque policeman Benji becomes the subject of a media scandal after he's involved in a traffic stop gone bad, his carefully maintained life begins to unravel.

Landing at #3 is "Coming Home" by M.J. O'Shea. Tallis Carrington used to be a domineering high school jock who earned his reputation by bullying other kids with his band of fellow tough guys. But now, a decade after a family scandal disgraced his name and drove him out of the small Washington town of Rock Bay, he is penniless and without a home. Upon returning to his old town to find a job, he is hired by the lone person who seems able to forgive him: Lex, one of the boys he bullied in school. Realizing who his new, attractive employer is, Tallis becomes determined to make up for the past by showing Lex how compassionate, and romantic, he can be.

For #4 we have "The Stars that Tremble" by Kate McMurray. An ascendant opera singer who lost his voice along with his career, Giovanni is now a vocal coach at an elite music academy in New York City. Meanwhile, the blue-collar Mike, whose husband was killed years ago, runs a home renovation business to help fund his teenage daughter Emma's singing aspirations. When Mike brings Emma to an audition for Giovanni's opera class, the two men find themselves drawn into an intense relationship. But as they negotiate new troubles, including the actions of a ruthless stage mom, the men who have experienced so much loss in their pasts face the threat of losing even more.

Showing up at #5 is "Something More" by Amanda Young. This titillating romance about a love triangle turned menage-a-trois explores the simmering desires between a woman and two men in a homosexual relationship. Emma, who is recovering from an agonizing breakup, is besotted with her ex-fiancee's brother Will, who happens to be her boss. Pub owner Will secretly pines after Emma, too, even though he enjoys being with his lover Paul. Luckily for him, Paul is similarly attracted to the girl, who herself fantasizes about joining the men in a steamy threesome. Soon, they'll learn what happens when their desires are answered.

This titillating romance about a love triangle turned menage-a-trois explores the simmering desires between a woman and two men in a homosexual relationship.

For #6 we find "Fair Game" by Josh Lanyon. F.B.I. agent Elliot Mills is put out of work after suffering a debilitating injury while in the line of duty. Accepting a teaching job at a college in Washington state, it appears as though he's laid the past to rest. But when a student goes missing and he's enlisted by a family friend to investigate, Elliot is thrust back into his old familiar world. To solve the mystery he'll have to team up with his former fellow agent and ex-boyfriend Tucker, who left their relationship on bad terms after a nasty breakup. As more male students disappear, the two are forced to overcome their enmity to find the culprit.

Coming in at #7 is "Witchmark" by C.L. Polk. A bewitching fantasy with an L.G.B.T. spin, Polk's novel transports readers to a dark world where magical families of nobility use their powers to win wars and control nations. Navigating the strict hierarchy of this society is Miles Singer, a young man born with paranormal powers whose class status dooms him to a life of either servitude or imprisonment. After going to war to avoid his fate, he comes back shell-shocked and assumes a new identity as a doctor at a veterans' hospital. There, he must reckon with his destiny when a dying patient exposes his birth secret and a beautiful, mysterious man sets his heart aflutter.

For #8 we get "Just For You" by Jet Mykles. Kevin, who works at a tech company, is constantly frustrated that his product ideas never get heard by the higher-ups. When, one day, he is effusively flattered on the sidewalk by the gay Justin, he realizes how he can use the incident to his professional advantage: although he's straight, he'll pretend to be Justin's boyfriend in order to get into an exclusive gay club patronized by his bosses. As the men carry out their scheme, however, the supposedly heterosexual Kevin finds himself growing attracted to his stylish date.

Kevin, who works at a tech company, is constantly frustrated that his product ideas never get heard by the higher-ups.

Finally, arriving at #9 is Jordon Greene's young adult novel "A Mark on My Soul." Noah is a closeted, bookish high school senior in North Carolina who isn't sure when, or how, to reveal to others that he's gay. When he finally comes out one night after months of hesitation and self-doubt, he is relieved to find that his best friends and parents are uniformly accepting. That same evening, he receives an anonymous e-mail from a boy who tells him he likes him. As Noah and his secret admirer get to know each other, first online and then in person, the boys must deal with the prejudiced responses provoked by their love.