The best LGBTQIA+ romance novels

The extraordinary, powerful second novel from the Booker prize-winning author of Shuggie Bain, Young Mungo is both a vivid portrayal of working-class life and the deeply moving story of the dangerous first love of two young men: Mungo and James. Young Mungo is a gripping and revealing story about the meaning of masculinity, the push and pull of family, the violence faced by so many queer people, and the dangers of loving someone too much.

For fans of Bridgerton who'd like to welcome magic into their lives. Set in an alternative Edwardian England, this is a comedy of manners, manor houses, and hedge mazes: including a magic-infused murder mystery and a delightful queer romance. Young baronet Robin Blyth thought he was taking up a minor governmental post. However, he's actually been appointed parliamentary liaison to a secret magical society, and he’ll need the help of Edwin Courcey, his adversarial magical-society counterpart, as together they discover a plot that threatens every magician in the British Isles.

Four young graduates from a Massachusetts college make their way to New York, with no money or contacts, just their ambition and their friendship with each other. Kind and attractive Willem is trying to make it as an actor, sharp and edgy JB wants to enter the art world, Malcolm is a struggling architect, and reclusive brilliant Jude is their centre of gravity. Over the coming years, their relationships shift, with addiction, achievement and pride playing their part. And the others come to realise that Jude, who has a brilliant career as a litigator, is in crisis, as unspeakable childhood trauma threatens to break him.

Just before she graduates from Willowgrove Christian Academy, perfect prom queen Shara Wheeler kisses Chloe Green, and disappears . . . Desperate to track her down, Chloe is looking for answers, and she finds that she is not the only recipient of Shara's kisses. There's long-time sweetheart Smith and bad-boy neighbour Rory, with whom Chloe forms an awkward alliance. She begins to follow Shara's crytpic clues, and starts to think there is more to her – and to the small town – than she ever imagined.

It's Prussia, in 1836. Fourteen year old Hanne is longing for nature and the outdoors, as the world of womanhood begins to close around her. Then she meets Thea, and discovers what it is to have a kindred spirit. Her family are Old Lutherans who have to worship in secret, their community under threat. So when they are given safe passage to Australia, it seems seems prayers have been answered. But the journey will have huge consequences for Hanne and Thea, who form a bond too strong for even nature to shatter.

It's 1617, and a storm breaks onto the remote Norwegian island of Vardø. A young woman called Maren watches as the island's men, who are out fishing, all drown. Eighteen months later, and Vardø is an island of women. Absalom Cornet arrives with his young wife Ursa, intent on bringing the women into line and quashing what he perceives as an evil threat. But in her new home, and in Maren, Ursa sees independent women, and a love that is both perilous and powerful. Based on real life events, this is a radiant, gripping love story.

Alex Claremont-Diaz is handsome and charismatic, and the son of the President of the US. There’s only one problem. When the tabloids get hold of a photo involving an altercation between Alex and Prince Henry, U.S./British relations take a turn for the worse. Heads of family and state devise a plan for damage control: stage a truce. But what begins as a fake, Instagrammable friendship grows deeper, and soon they are hurtling into a secret romance that could derail the presidential campaign and upend two nations. Now also an Amazon film, this feel-good romance is sexy, witty and hilarious. 

Featuring Simon and Baz from Rainbow Rowell's bestselling Fangirl, Carry On is a mysterious, melodramatic love story with a dash of mystery. Simon Snow wants to chill and enjoy his last year at Watford School of Magicks, but it's not that easy. His girlfriend has split up with him, his best friend is annoying and his mentor wants to hide him away in the mountains. And Simon can't help but be worried that his roommate and nemesis has gone missing . . . Plus there are vampires and ghosts around. It's not easy being the world's most powerful magician.

Alice thought she had her whole summer laid out ahead of her: all-you-can-eat buffets, TV show marathons and working in the library to pay the rent. The only thing missing from the perfect picture is Alice's girlfriend, who left Alice when she confessed to being bisexual. Alice decides she is done with dating, but then Takumi comes along, bringing butterflies and uncertainty. She is left with a choice – to stick with friendship, or to risk it for a love that may not be understood. A classic young adult read, about the tangles and troubles of love.

Kadou, the modest prince of Arasht, has no plans to wrestle for imperial control with his sister, the queen. Yet he is in conflict with the father of queen's new child, who is a powerful ambassador at the court. Then a hunting expedition goes badly wrong, and Kadou finds himself accused of murder. The Ottoman-inspired setting is the perfect backdrop to this sensual tale of courtly intrigue, backstabbing politics and romance.

Fashionista Zelda McCartney has it all: an incredible vampire roommate and a dream job at a glossy magazine. There's only one issue: she needs to turn into a werebear every now and then. When Zelda lands a sizzling date with high school crush and alpha werewolf Jake, things get complicated. She is thrown together with her boss's charming nephew Benedict. And she's also wondering if true love might already have arrived, in the form of colleague Janine.