The Best New LGBTQIA+ Rom-Coms to Read Right Now

One Last Stop
Casey McQuiston
Casey McQuiston is a genius. One Last Stop conjures memories of your first kiss and the songs on your favorite mixtape (or Spotify playlist). McQuiston takes everything we are familiar with in a romance novel and writes with a fresh and enthusiastic voice. Along the way, she accomplishes something magical. She makes you believe in the power of love. To say more would give too many sweet surprises away. Just know this, it will be your new favorite romance novel and make you feel like every day is Valentine’s Day.
 

Red, White & Royal Blue
Casey McQuiston
A swoon-worthy rom-com debut that adds a little diplomacy to the mix! Every love story needs a little conflict and Casey McQuiston puts two heads of state at odds with each other. Of course, all this nation-building shows us the proper way to fall in love. See why this is one of our all-time favorite rom-com recommendations!
 

Playing the Palace
Paul Rudnick
Boy meets boy romance and one of them happens to be the Crown Prince of England. It’s one thing to fall in love but another to fall into the arms of a prince! This charming and sweet romance is pure escapism with heart and soul.
 

Satisfaction Guaranteed 
Karelia Stetz-Waters
A title such as Satisfaction Guaranteed sets the bar so very high. Karelia Stetz-Waters takes us there with grace, joy and ease. Full of heart, this is a rom-com that celebrates romantic love as well as an irresistible love of life.
 

Hang the Moon: A Novel 
Alexandria Bellefleur
Boy meets girl. A cynic who works in HR meets a helpless romantic all too versed in rom-com movies. Which one is which, though? Hang the Moon is an adorable role reversal novel. In addition, there’s a sweet subplot of girl meets girl happening here! Lloyd (John Cusack) from the movie Say Anything would be proud of this novel. Not only is it a tribute to such fun movies but also a formidable addition to the genre, whether filmed or written.
 

Queer Principles of Kit Webb: A Novel
Cat Sebastian 
Cat Sebastian’s books have quietly populated our bookshelves for a couple of years now. Sebastian has been steps ahead in portraying LGBTQIA+ romance in a historical setting. The Queer Principles of Kit Webb is your perfect introduction to two fan-favorite Romance genres in one: Rom-Com and Historical. If you enjoy this as much as we did, check out the modern-day version of an aristocrat who meets a highwayman in Paul Rudnick’s Playing the Palace.
 

Meet Cute Diary 
Emery Lee
Sixteen-year-old Noah runs a popular blog that highlights romantic meet-cutes between transgender people, but there’s one problem — he’s never actually had a meet-cute himself. Oh, and all of the meet-cutes are made up. With the help of his new crush, Drew, Noah tries to save the blog, and ends up with feelings for Drew as well. This delightfully charming read is full of trans joy and a diverse cast of characters that readers will love.
 

Cool for the Summer 
Dahlia Adler
This fresh and fun queer romance takes the classic love triangle trope and flips it on its head. Lara is torn between the newfound attention from her longtime crush, Chase, and the summer fling she had with Jasmine, who just unexpectedly transferred to her school. Cool for the Summer is a sweet coming-of-age story perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli.
 

Pumpkin 
Julie Murphy
Prom, drag and, of course, glitter — what more could you ask for? When openly gay high school senior Waylon is jokingly nominated for prom queen, he takes the chance to go all out with the help of some fellow drag queens. This delightful final companion novel to Julie Murphy’s Dumplin’ will have readers cheering for Waylon the whole time.
 

Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating 
Adiba Jaigirdar
The fake dating storyline is nothing new, but this sapphic spin on it feels fresh and joyful. Alternating points of view between Hani and Ishu will draw readers in and have them rooting for the couple until the very end. Heartfelt and fun, Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating also deftly touches on issues like Islamophobia and biphobia while still focusing on the happily ever after.
 

You Should See Me in a Crown
Leah Johnson 
Just a small-town girl, living in a lonely world. Liz Lighty has big dreams of going big places – Pennington College, playing in a world-famous orchestra — and oh yeah, you might as well add doctor to the list. Her small, Midwest hometown has been holding her back for far too long and so has the idea that she is too Black, poor and awkward to shine in Campbell, Indiana. This debut novel by Leah Johnson will give you part Becky Albertalli, part Jenny Han and 100% Black girl magic.