15 Amazing Upcoming YA Books With Queer Characters
Forget Me Not by Alyson Derrick
Derrick’s first solo novel (she’s also the coauthor, with her wife, Rachael Lippincott, of the fantastic and much more lighthearted She Gets the Girl) is a gorgeous and compelling slow burn of hope, following small-town lesbian Stevie as she struggles to refind herself after an accident steals her memories of the past two years. Along for the ride is Nora, the girl who found her, who gently encourages her through the confusing journey of finding out she was a prolific liar, dating a guy she doesn’t find attractive, and planning a dead-end future in her ultraconservative rural town. Because what Stevie doesn’t know (and what Nora can’t tell her) is that the center of Stevie’s world before she fell — and the future she had planned and hidden — was Nora herself.
Blood Debts by Terry J. Benton-Walker
In this contemporary fantasy set 30 years after a massacre that changed New Orleans and its royal family forever, 16 year-old twins Clement and Cristina discover that the mother they thought was deeply ill has actually been cursed. While Cristina avoids magic entirely since accidentally killing her father, Clement thrives on it. And though Clement spends more time in the arms of random guys than he does talking to his sister, the two of them will have no choice but to team up if they want to figure out who’s been targeting their family for decades.
Bianca Torre Is Afraid of Everything by Justine Pucella Winans (April 11)
This quirky debut comedic thriller stars nonbinary lesbian birder Bianca, whose anxiety keeps them firmly in their room, checking out their feathered friends via telescope. But when one of their viewings catches a murderer in the act, and the killing is then ruled a suicide, they know they have to put their fears aside and figure out what’s going on. With the help of their buddy Anderson and cute fellow birder Elaine, they uncover a secret — and a threat — they never saw coming.
Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli (May 2)
Albertalli is a household name in queer YA, and her newest deeply heartfelt, witty, and bracingly honest romance is the perfect reminder why. Imogen is Queen of the Allies, and she’ll need to maintain that status if she’s going to fit in with her best friend Lili’s cool new group of queer friends when she visits her at college. But it turns out Imogen gets to try on a different hat entirely when she learns Lili’s attempt to hide her baby gay status from her friends had her presenting Imogen as her ex. Now Imogen’s spending her visit playing queer…or is she? Because her growing feelings for Lili’s friend Tessa sure feel like something real.
Chasing Pacquiao by Rod Pulido (May 2)
Bobby was determined to stay in the closet in the name of self-preservation, but when he’s brutally outed to his less-than-queer-friendly community, he knows he has no choice but to learn how to fight. Thankfully, as a Filipino himself, he has incredible inspiration in champion boxer Manny Pacquiao…until he learns of Pacqiauo’s own anti-gay sentiments. Now Bobby will have to put all his faith in himself and become the hero he’s never had.
Ander & Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa (May 2)
Garza Villa follows up their excellent YA debut with another romance, this one between Ander, a nonbinary muralist, and Santi, the hot new waiter at Ander’s family’s taquería. As the two get closer and ultimately fall in love while Ander gears up for their future as an artist with their family’s blessing, Santi finally learns what it means to feel at home. But their romantic bliss is short-lived when ICE agents come calling for Santi, tearing their world apart.
Margo Zimmerman Gets the Girl by Brianna R. Shrum and Sara Waxelbaum (May 2)
If Late to the Party and She Gets the Girl had an autistic Jewish baby, it would definitely read something like this hilarious collaboration between established queer YA author Shrum (Kissing Ezra Holtz, The Liar’s Guide to the Night Sky) and debut author Waxelbaum. When Margo Zimmerman realizes she’s gay, she’s determined to be just as perfect at it as she is at everything else. Thankfully, Abbie Sokoloff has a ton of experience being gay, and since she needs help with history, they strike the perfect deal…until it goes awry when they fall for each other.
Lion’s Legacy by L.C. Rosen (May 2)
Rosen’s delightfully adventurous romp puts a clever spin on Indiana Jones with Tennessee Russo, the son and onetime costar of noted archaeologist Henry Johnson, who found fame with a TV series following the two of them on adventures to unearth incredible artifacts. Shortly after Ten comes out on the show, he has an unrelated fallout with his father that has the latter disappearing for two years. But when Henry returns with the plan for a hunt Ten can’t resist, timed perfectly for an escape from a brutal breakup, the duo find themselves in Greece for a quest guaranteed to teach the world about queer history. They also find a handsome translator, who gives the trip a lot more meaning for Ten, in more ways than one.
If Tomorrow Doesn’t Come by Jen St. Jude (May 9)
St. Jude’s remarkable debut pulls no punches, following clinically depressed Avery as she delays her suicidal plans upon learning the world is going to end in nine days anyway. But even that time period is a torturous stretch, forcing Avery to grapple with her feelings for her best friend, Cass, and how much of herself she’s willing to give the people she loves as the world falls down around them and her depression continues to come calling. This is a book with the true and rare potential to save lives, never losing the light of hope through all of Avery’s mental darkness.
Venom & Vow by Anna-Marie McLemore and Elliott McLemore (May 16)
Mistaken identity, court intrigue, and dangerous feelings are the name of the game in this high fantasy romance by this YA team of celebrated author and debut spouse. Trans prince Cade doubles for his brother, Patrick, which is a dangerous prospect when assassin Gael is out to murder the heir. But bigender Gael is also Valencia, a young dama in service to the future queen of Eliana, and she has no idea that the prince she’s targeting is not the one she actually wants to kill. And Cade has no idea that Gael and Valencia are one and the same. And neither one knows that however dangerous they might be to each other, there’s a far more powerful enemy out there determined to destroy them both.
Forever Is Now by Mariama J. Lockington (May 23)
In Lockington’s debut YA novel-in-verse, Sadie’s feeling pretty good about life and love until the one-two punch of police brutality and an unwelcome surprise from her girlfriend send her spiraling. As she sinks into safety of staying inside while the world burns around her, she develops debilitating agoraphobia, primarily communicating with the outside world through her phone. But Sadie wants to be active in social justice, and she wants to have a social life, particularly with the boy next door. Can she figure out how to have it all while still feeling safe?
The Luis Ortega Survival Club by Sonora Reyes (May 23)
The author of one of 2022’s most critically acclaimed queer debuts is back with a tale of kinship and revenge, starring an autistic girl named Ari who’s taken advantage of at a party and finds she isn’t her assailant’s only victim. When she and the other girls band together to take down their assaulter Luis Ortega, Ari’s surprised to find not just empathy but friendship. Add unexpected feelings for another girl, and the future finally holds some promise…as long as Ari can reckon with the past, first.
Something Like Possible by Miel Moreland (May 23)
Moreland is a pro at juggling themes and issues in her work, and she’s back in her element with her sophomore contemporary, about a girl named Madison who bounces back from being ousted as both a girlfriend and campaign manager by taking on a new candidate for junior class president…and falling for her in the process. Then she discovers a new fight to take on, that just might upend everything. From politics nerds to romance lovers to those brimming with righteous anger or seeking queer joy, there’s something for everyone to be found in these pages.
The Girl Next Door by Cecilia Vinesse (May 30)
In this witty, charming, and at times aching romance perfect for romance trope lovers and horror cinephiles alike, horror movie buff Cleo is wrecked when her boyfriend, Daniel, dumps her for cheerleader Kiki. But Kiki also left behind a broken heart, and her ex — Marianne — just happens to live next door to Cleo. When Kiki mistakes them for a couple, it’s the beginning of a fake dating pact designed to split Daniel and Kiki apart. But what happens when Cleo and Marianne realize they’re happier in their new fake pairing than they ever were in their old ones?
Girls Like Girls by Hayley Kiyoko (May 30)
Kiyoko is already a legend of Sapphic media thanks to her seminal track (and corresponding video) by the same name, and here she turns it into an achingly bittersweet romance between Coley, who’s just moved to live with her estranged father in rural Oregon after her mother’s death by suicide, and Sonya, a popular dancer with a violent on-again, off-again boyfriend who’s never had feelings for a girl until now. When Coley and Sonya grow too close for Sonya’s comfort, Coley will have to figure out who she is in her new life without the person who was coming to define it, and what it’ll take for them to have a chance at a future.
21 Recent And Upcoming YA Books That I Absolutely LoveRachel Strolle · April 4, 2023
