Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Pride Month Queer Book Recs
109
items Sapphic, Achillean, Trans, and queer Nonfiction book recommendations to read for Pride Month and all year long
Sections
6
MM Romances
Achillean Books (non romance)
Sapphic/FF Romances
Sapphic Books (non romance)
Books with Trans Main Characters
Queer Nonfiction
MM Romances
MM and Achillean romances organized by contemporary romance, sports romance, historical romance, and fantasy romance
The sweetest friends to lovers romance between two single fathers. Both the romance and the relationship the fathers have with their sons make this book shine.
You & Me by Tal Bauer
costars of a gay tv show slowly fall in love as they grow closer and closer
Unscripted #1 - JR Gray
a very sweet Black romance between 2 men who have a disastrous meet cute while stranded at the airport
Meet Me in the Sky by Jeffery K. Davenport
a lovely and emotional MMM contemporary romance about a married couple adding a third, check tws
The Rules by Jamie Fessenden
second chance Black romcom guaranteed to make you swoon
I'm So Not Over You by Kosoko Jackson
a sweet contemporary fairytale romance with an age gap and a touch of forbidden
Once Upon You and Me by Timothy Janovsky
A very sweet and heartfelt opposites attract duology. Family is a major theme and emotional throughline.
Something About You (Saint and Lucky Book 1) by Riley Hart
sweet YA romcom that in the vein of heartstopper and crazy rich asians
Fake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee
A mysterious contemporary romance that makes you believe soulmates are real (and if you’ve been looking for groveling, check this one out!)
Until You (Until #1) by Briar Prescott
Banter, banter, banter! Lily Morton is hilarious and this workplace, hate to love romance was one of my favorites of last year (and the whole series was amazing as well)
Rule Breaker by Lily Morton
A classic in MM dark romance, perfect for fans of Dexter who wished the show was a lot more gay
Unhinged (Necessary Evils, #1) by Onley James
MMF bi4bi4bi very high spice and toxic trilogy
Salt Kiss by Sierra Simone
a superhero (actor) and a drag queen walk into a bar…
We Could Be Heroes by Philip Ellis
high spice, high kink, and high emotions contemporary
Bad Dogs (Dirty Strays #1) by Riley Nash
🏳️⚧️ YA second chance romcom about two roommates who definitely dated, only one doesn't realize
And They Were Roommates by Page Powars
Cute enough to make you squeal, sweet enough to kick your feet, spicy enough to make you blush
Cloudy With a Chance of Bad Decisions by Fae Quin
Read the book that started it all! I read this for the first time 4 years ago and have been screaming about it from the rooftops ever since
Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid
This book starts out wild, gets very sweet and emotional and lovely, then ends even wilder. Tal Bauer at his best.
The Rest of the Story by Tal Bauer
🏳️⚧️ a story about the first openly trans minor league baseball palyer falling in love
The Prospects by K.T. Hoffman
a Black Basketball romance that spans years and packs a huge emotional punch - read if you liked Heated Rivalry!
Loving the Legend by Kit Grey
an emotional sports romances that deals with addiction, chronic pain, and mental health and does it beautifully
Game Misconduct by Ari Baran
🏳️⚧️ historical trans romance between a lord and his valet
A Gentleman's Gentleman by TJ Alexander
Possibly the most beautiful romance I’ve ever read and my favorite bi disaster. This is my go to recommendation for everyone, from seasoned romance readers to people who have never read a romance before
We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian
a cold war historical romance between two spies on opposite sides
Honeytrap by Aster Glenn Gray
Gay regency romance that is so charming and lovely - KJ Charles also writes fantastic female characters for a mm writer
Band Sinister by K.J. Charles
A standalone fantasy romance (with horror elements) between a trans main character and a cursed merman. Tragic, gruesome, and sexy.
A Bone in His Teeth by Kellen Graves
a very fun fated mates fantasy between a dragon and a man who had no idea why he felt so called to this little town
Under Gorse and Stone by Lily Morton
An emotional, beautiful story of growth and healing and also there are werewolves
In This Iron Ground by Marina Vivancos
🏳️⚧️ Achillean - A Fae prince who has finally escaped his cruel mother discovered she has replaced him with a beautiful and tragic human
The Fox and the Dryad by Kellen Graves
a classic in mm fantasy, the poltical and romantic webs that grow are unforgettable
Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat
🏳️⚧️ a fae prince is taken captive by the Orc Chief to prevent a war
The Flowered Blade by Taylor Hubbard
This murder mystery werewolf romance series has the best developed relationship over the course of an entire I’ve ever read. Incredible series.
The Wolf at the Door by Charlie Adhara
God tier mm urban fantasy series. This series is basically if The Dresden Files were gay.
A Ferry of Bones & Gold (Soulbound, #1) by Hailey Turner
🏳️⚧️ A classic MM trans romance between a grown up Peter Pan and Captain Hook
Peter Darling by Austin Chant
high spice and high kink erotica series if you have some religious trauma to get through this Pride lol
Prince of Lust #1 - Lucien Burr
Achillean Books (non romance)
horror and fantasy recs
hilarious workplace satire turned horror told excluively through Slack messages
Several People Are Typing by Calvin Kasulke
a serial killer horror that will terrify you
Exquisite Corpse by Poppy Z. Brite
when Misha refuses to kill of the gay characters on the tv show he writes, he finds himself stalked by horror movie monsters of his own creation
Bury Your Gays by Chuck Tingle
a romantic fantasy that weaves together 3 different times and reincarnations, from ancient China to modern day LA
The Emperor and the Endless Palace by Justinian Huang
a YA fantasy that is just so so SO good I can't tell you anymore
Dark Rise #1 - CS Pacat
a romantic epic fantasy, the moon goddess has been murdered and it's up to mortals to bring her back
Dark Moon, Shallow Sea by David R. Slayton
Steampunk high fantasy with gay, sapphic, and asexual representation. Incredible world building and high stakes. Perfect if you love the secret heir trope (there’s 2!)
The Prince's Poisoned Vow by Hailey Turner
a YA fantasy set in magical New Orleans as young siblings deal with the repercussions from those that came before them
Blood Debts - Benton-Walker, Terry J.
Sapphic/FF Romances
organized by contemporary romance, sports romance, historical romance, and fantasy romance
🏳️⚧️ sweet contemporary romance with a solid emotional punch! one of my favorites of the year so far 💕
Make Room for Love by Darcy Liao
two former friends turned bitter rivals are forced on a cross country road trip together
Here We Go Again by Alison Cochrun
a bookseller and a romance cover model enter into a marriage of convenience in this spicy romcom
The Fiancée Farce by Alexandria Bellefleur
D'Vaughn and Kris have six weeks to plan their dream wedding - but their whole relationship is fake.
D'Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins
two best friends go on a nonrefundable honeymoon together and discover that finding happily ever after can be as simple as asking
My Best Friend's Honeymoon by Meryl Wilsner
FFX romance - A jaded bartender is wooed by a charmingly quirky couple in this fresh and sizzling polyamorous rom-com
Triple Sec by T.J. Alexander
so you agreed to a marriage of convenience with this guy but you go to meet his family over the holidays and turns out you fell in love with his sister last year
Kiss Her Once for Me by Alison Cochrun
a YA romp about kissing the most popular girl in school and your academic rival only for her to inconveniently disappear when you were supposed to beat her fair and square
I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston
a funny romcom between a small town mechanic and a city girl intent on going back home
The Relationship Mechanic by Karmen Lee
dating a woman from every astrological sign to see what signs you're most compatile with might but be the modern solution to dating woes
Looking for a Sign by Susie Dumond
a steamy opposite attracts romcom
Delilah Green Doesn't Care by Ashley Herring Blake
Read before the show comes out! A veteran soccer player and the new rookie gunning for her spot work out their difference in the bedroom
Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner
two former Olympic hockey rivals are paired together for a morning show and shenanigans and shipping ensue
Wake Up, Nat & Darcy by Kate Cochrane
Willa and Sage fake a relationship on a bachelorette trip and ofc real feelings start forming
Never Mine by Bryce Oakley
a slow burn romance between a former Olympic gymnast and a single mom
Balancing Act by Cass Morgan
a cross dressing spy and a bluestocking team up in this swoon worthy romance
The Perks of Loving a Wallflower by Erica Ridley
a FFM t4t4t historical romance about finding yourself and the people who love you as you are
The Companion by E.E. Ottoman
my book club's pick for pride month! a historical romance between two rival gothic novelists
Ladies in Hating by Alexandra Vasti
Manuela and Cora strike a deal for a summer of passion and art before Manuela's arranged marriage
An Island Princess Starts a Scandal by Adriana Herrera
a short and sweet novella about falling in love and getting revenge
A Little Light Mischief by Cat Sebastian
a magical romance between a modern girl and the girl she sees on the subway who’s stuck in the 1970s
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
two women fall in love despite living in worlds that are five months apart, as they try to find a timeline that doesn’t end in disaster
Cosmic Love at the Multiverse Hair Salon by Annie Mare
a woman makes a deal with a demon to win back her ex after a proposal gone awry, only to discover the girl of her dreams might be the devil she knows
The Devil She Knows by Alexandria Bellefleur
a baker and a demon princess are thrown together - I've been told that the chocolate cake recipes in this book is real and amazing!
Mixing Up Mayhem by Heather Nix
An almost-mage discovers friendship—and maybe something more—in the unlikeliest of places
The Keeper of Magical Things by Julie Leong
A DARK and HOT sapphic romance about featuring Persephone
Currency in Flesh by Heather Nix
Sapphic Books (non romance)
horror, thriller, litfic, and fantasy recs
A Carmilla retelling but this time there's actual gay s*x - one of my favs of last year!
Hungerstone by Kat Dunn
The Bachelor vs murderous lesbian bigfoot and her murderous lesbian cult
Patricia Wants to Cuddle by Samantha Allen
A young woman is drawn into the upper echelons of a society where blood is power
House of Hunger by Alexis Henderson
a medieval horror following three women in a besieged castle that descends ravenously into madness under the spell of mysterious, godlike visitors
The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling
two friends are bound by a red string, dog bloodlines, and the violence that is being a girl
Organ Meats by K-Ming Chang
a gay conversions camp sent straight from hell
Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle
A young woman running from her past at the CIA falls in love with her beautiful landlord as her past threatens to catch up with her
Two is a Pattern by Emily Waters
I mean, do I even need to tell you?
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
this has been hailed as one of the greatest lesbian novels ever written
Sunburn by Chloe Michelle Howarth
a historical noir fantasy novella where a woman races against time to save her soul
Even Though I Knew the End by C.L. Polk
a romantic novel spanning time and space about two time-traveling rivals who fall in love and must change the past to ensure their future
This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar, Max Gladstone
an epic fantasy duology about an impossible love between two girls—one human, one Made—whose romance could be the beginning of a revolution.
Crier's War #1 - Nina Varela
Books with Trans Main Characters
many of these are in the earlier categories but wanted to have them all in one places too :)
MM Romance - a story about the first openly trans minor league baseball player falling in love
The Prospects by K.T. Hoffman
FFX Romance - A jaded bartender is wooed by a charmingly quirky couple in this fresh and sizzling polyamorous rom-com
Triple Sec by T.J. Alexander
MM Romance - Book 2 of the Dirty Dogs series, high heat and high kink friends to lovers romance
Pretty Dogs by Riley Nash
MX Romance - two best friends go on a nonrefundable honeymoon together and discover that finding happily ever after can be as simple as asking
My Best Friend's Honeymoon by Meryl Wilsner
MM Romance - YA second chance romcom about two roommates who definitely dated, only one doesn't realize
And They Were Roommates by Page Powars
FF Romance - sweet contemporary romance with a solid emotional punch! one of my favorites of the year so far 💕
Make Room for Love by Darcy Liao
MF Romance - A fake dating arrangement turns to real love in this deliciously delightful queer rom-com
Chef's Choice (Chef's Kiss, #2) by T.J. Alexander
MX Romance - Regency historical with a nonbinary MC and a MC that gets a little Li Shang from Mulan bisexual with it. one of my favorites I’ve read this year 💕
Unmasked by the Marquess by Cat Sebastian
FFM t4t4t historical romance about finding yourself and the people who love you as you are
The Companion by E.E. Ottoman
MM Romance - historical romance between a lord and his valet
A Gentleman's Gentleman by TJ Alexander
MF Romance - Viola faked her own death to reinvent herself as the woman she was always meant to be, only to meet her former best friend who was left devastated at having lost her
A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall
MM Romance - A standalone fantasy romance (with horror elements) between a trans main character and a cursed merman. Tragic, gruesome, and sexy.
A Bone in His Teeth by Kellen Graves
MM Romance - a fae prince is taken captive by the Orc Chief to prevent a war
The Flowered Blade by Taylor Hubbard
MX Romance - A Fae prince who has finally escaped his cruel mother discovered she has replaced him with a beautiful and tragic human
The Fox and the Dryad by Kellen Graves
A classic MM trans romance between a grown up Peter Pan and Captain Hook
Peter Darling by Austin Chant
YA fantasy - a trans boy determined to prove his gender to his traditional Latinx family summons a ghost who refuses to leave
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
Adult horror - for those with strong stomachs! about identity, survival, and transformation amidst an alien invasion in rural West Virginia
You Weren't Meant to Be Human by Andrew Joseph White
YA horror - A queer Appalachian thriller that pulls no punches—following a trans autistic teen who's drawn into the generational struggle between the rural poor and those who exploit them.
Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White
Queer Nonfiction
A deeply interesting exploration of queerness as explored through folklore and throughout history. Also delves into queer historical figures in both ancient times and the recent past!
Queer as Folklore: The Hidden Queer History of Myths and Monsters
This is the story of a road trip across the red states of America and the queer people that live in them, those who love their states and communities, those who fight for their voices to be heard even when it seems impossible.
Real Queer America: LGBT Stories from Red States
a memoir about domestic abuse and a bold dissection of the mechanisms and cultural representations of psychological abuse
In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado
A deeply fascinating history of queer women in the 20th century and the spaces and people that shaped culture into what it is today
A Place of Our Own: Six Spaces That Shaped Queer Women's Culture
one of the most banned books in America - a autobiographical comic about the author's own experience of gender
Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe
These “very funny-deep dives into the lives of the most dastardly queer people in history” offer a passionate argument for rethinking gay politics beyond identity
Bad Gays: A Homosexual History - Huw Lemmey and Ben Miller
Washington, D.C., has always been a city of secrets. Few have been more dramatic than the ones revealed in James Kirchick’s Secret City.
Secret City: The Hidden History of Gay Washington
Details eleven overlooked stories of eighteenth-century queer people who lived extraordinary lives of resistance and joy
Queer Enlightenments by Anthony Delaney
A gripping new journey through ancient history, uncovering the origins of homophobia and the untold stories of those who dared to love.
The Queer Thing About Sin: SHORTLISTED FOR FOYLES BOOK ...
An engaging exploration of what it means to be asexual in a world that’s obsessed with sexual attraction, and what the ace perspective can teach all of us about desire and identity.
Ace: What Asexuality Reveals About Desire, Society, and the Meaning of Sex by Angela Chen