June is Pride Month, and we’re ready to celebrate! There’s a lot to be proud of in the LGBTQ+ community with so much progress being made, but at the same time there are constant threats to the LGBTQ+ community whether through legislation or cultural narratives, so amplifying the work of queer authors has never been more important We’re excited to be able to share these books with you, especially as we are experiencing a backlash to diverse books and stories in schools and colleges.
However, queer literature has become more mainstream than ever in recent years, and celebrating this is important to us. Here are some great LGBTQ+ romances to read in 2022, whether you want an emotional lesbian romance or a light rom-com.
1. The One Woman by Laura May
In this debut romance by Laura May, Julie, a graphic designer, manipulates what the eye cannot see, yet her life and her relationship with her lover Mark remain ordinary no matter which lens she employs. Until she meets Ann, that is. Ann is a successful businesswoman who is also attractive and personable. Julie can’t deny the chemistry they shared during their accidental encounter. When their past and present collide once more in Barcelona, the spark is uncontrollable. Julie must choose between her love for Ann and her commitment to Mark when disaster strikes. Is pure love capable of surviving when the timing is off?
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Other Stores.
2. The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar
Nishat does not want to lose her family, but she also does not want to hide who she is, and things become even more difficult when a childhood friend reappears in her life. Nishat is instantly smitten by Flvia’s beauty and charisma. When a school competition invites students to start their own businesses, Flvia and Nishat both decide to showcase their skills as henna artists. Their lives become more entwined as they compete to see who is the best, but Nishat can’t seem to shake her crush, especially since Flvia appears to like her back. As the competition heats up, Nishat must decide whether to remain in the closet for the sake of her family or to give their relationship a chance.
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble.
3. Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers
Grace Porter, 28, embarks on a girls’ trip to Vegas to celebrate her recently completed PhD in astronomy. She’s a straight A student who works throughout the summer. She isn’t the type to go to Vegas and get drunkenly married to a woman whose name she doesn’t know…until she does exactly that.
In New York, she is able to ignore all of the constant questions about her future plans because she is deeply in love with her creative and beautiful wife, Yuki Yamamoto. But when reality hits, Grace is forced to confront the fears that make us human, the family scars that must be healed, and the longing for connection, especially as she navigates the messiness of adulthood.
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble.
4. Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner
A showrunner and her assistant give the world something to talk about when they accidentally fuel a ridiculous rumor. The tabloids declare them a couple after Hollywood powerhouse Jo is photographed making her assistant Emma laugh on the red carpet. The alleged scandal couldn’t have come at a worse time, jeopardizing Emma’s promotion and Jo’s new film. As the gossip spreads, it begins to impact every aspect of their lives. With the release of Jo’s film project rapidly approaching, the two women begin to spend even more time together, and they get along famously. They begin to realize that the rumor may not be so far off…but is acting on the spark between them worth fanning the gossip flames?
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble.
5. Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake
Delilah Green vowed to herself that she would never return to Bright Falls. Her life is now centered in New York, where her photographic business is really taking off. Delilah finds herself back in the godforsaken town she used to call home when her stepsister, Astrid, forces her into photographing her wedding. She intends to go in and out quickly, but when she encounters Claire Sutherland, she realizes that there might be something to do in Bright Falls after all. Claire relies on a life free of shocks, having raised her daughter primarily on her own while running a bookstore. Delilah Green, on the other hand, is an unexpected surprise. Claire isn’t sure she has the fortitude to resist Delilah’s attractions when they’re forced together during a flurry of wedding preparations.
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble.
There are so many queer authors to celebrate and amplify throughout June and beyond. This is by no means a comprehensive list. We are always working to promote books and stories by diverse authors, containing diverse perspectives. As we celebrate Pride month, be sure to use this list as a starting point to find books by LGBTQ+ authors.
