7 LGBTQ+ Books With Happy Endings

M or F?, by Lisa Papademetriou and Chris Tebbetts
M or F? is a book I’ve read multiple times because it hits everything on my checklist: believable characters with flaws, humor, spontaneous line-dancing. Told in alternating points of view by best friends Marcus and Frannie, it details Frannie’s latest crush, Jeffrey, and the comedy of errors that results when Marcus, who’s openly gay, realizes he may have a crush on Jeffrey, too. Throw in a few cases of mistaken identity, some Internet flirting, and a seduction scene that haunts my nightmares, and voila—you’ve got yourself a sweet, funny tale about high school romance and friendship that doesn’t go at all where you’re expecting.

Fingersmith, by Sarah Waters
Sue Trinder is an orphan raised in the slums of Victorian London. One day she gets sent to help a conman steal the inheritance of a wealthy heiress by the name of Maud Lilly. How? Well, by posing as a maid and making a case for Maud to marry the conman, of course. Instead, genuine romance develops—between Maud and Sue. If you’re not already obsessed with this, then you and I are very different people. The whole thing is very Dickens, with its misty street corners and candlelit figures, but it’s like if Dickens had been writing about engaging and dynamic ladies who like ladies. Sign me up. Not a YA novel, but a great story about young love that’s too worthy not to include.

Everything Leads to You, by Nina LaCour
This book is like the sunshine of LGBTQ+ romance shining upon a never-ending winter of fictional heterosexuality. Emi is an up and coming set designer just starting to make her way in Hollywood’s film industry. One day, while rummaging for set pieces at an estate sale, she discovers a mysterious letter that leads her straight to the beautiful and unusual Ava. Not only does the novel address issues of class and privilege against the backdrop of ritzy L.A., but the fact that Emi likes girls? Not a big deal. The romance here is simply that—a romance, lovely and heady and between two girls.

None of the Above, by I. W. Gregorio
Kristin Lattimer’s life is pretty ideal. She’s the homecoming queen, she’s a track star, she’s headed to a great college, and she’s got a great boyfriend. But her “first time” with said boyfriend comes with a bit of a real-life plot twist, and a trip to the doctor confirms it: she’s intersex. Sometimes, like when you’re ensnared in the homogenous nightmare prison that is high school, it feels like being different or singled out is the worst thing a person can be. And Kristin has to deal with that issue head on when the whole school finds out about her diagnosis. Spoiler alert: bullying and ignorance ensue, but there’s also a positive support network and a romance that’ll leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, by Benjamin Alire Saenz
If you’ve ever tried being yourself but it felt like the universe was saying “no, and also how dare you,” this book will be right up your alley. It’s about Ari and Dante, two Mexican American teens who meet and discover they have more in common than just a couple of grand names. Ari is angry and he doesn’t know why, Dante is an introspective know-it-all who hates wearing shoes and loves poetry. Together they tackle issues of identity and loss, and they do it while ultimately letting their guards down and allowing the facade of mere friendship to melt away. Seriously, this one is like a tribute to everyone who’s still figuring out who they are, especially if who they are is someone society doesn’t always accept.

Beautiful Music for Ugly Children, by Kirstin Cronn-Mills
People have been transgender for as long as people have been around. It’s not a new thing. What is new is that books like this one (from 2012) are finally hitting the mainstream. When everyone sees our protagonist, Gabe, they don’t actually see Gabe—they see Elizabeth. As a music geek, Gabe explains this dichotomy of physical appearance vs. gender identity as the A side and B side of a record. Liz is his A side—the one everyone’s familiar with. He wants people to know and accept his B side. He applies this perspective to the late-night radio show job he snagged, courtesy of his grandfatherly mentor John, and the show becomes a hit. But what will happen when everyone realizes Gabe the DJ is actually Liz from school?

Ash, by Malinda Lo
You look like someone who appreciates a good Cinderella retelling with a lesbian romance. Am I right about that? Are we on the same page? Good. Welcome to the world of woodland fairies and magic that is Ash. Our titular protagonist is at the mercy of her cruel stepmother, having been relegated to servant status after the death of her father. Sound familiar? Well, here’s where things take a turn for the awesome: Ash has little interest in her fairy protector, Sidhean, who occupies a role somewhere between fairy godfather and possessive boyfriend. She has even less interest in princes, no matter how charming. Instead she finds herself drawn to Kaisa, the King’s Huntress. And while that aspect of the novel is more than enough to get me fist-pumping, the real kicker is that Ash—in the end—doesn’t require anyone to save her. She saves herself.