Nonbinary Cozy Fantasy, a Sapphic D&D Romance, and More New Queer Books!
Here are some new LGBTQ YA and kids' books out this week to have on your radar.
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As I mentioned on Tuesday, there are so many exciting LGBTQ books out this week that I had to split my new releases list into adult (Tues) and children’s/YA (today). Unfortunately, the kids’ and YA releases this week are almost all by white authors, which is frustrating, because we need more BIPOC queer books, especially for kids and teens! C’mon, publishers. Do better.
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New YA and Children’s LGBTQ Releases This Week
The No-Girlfriend Rule by Christen Randall (Sapphic YA Contemporary)
This is one of my most-anticipated releases of the year! Hollis is in a comfortable, if boring, relationship with her boyfriend, Chris. She decides to learn more about his favorite game, Secrets & Sorcery, to try to get closer to him — but his group has a “no girlfriends at the table” rule. So, Hollis joins an all-girls group and quickly falls in love with the game. Then her character and Aini’s begin flirting, and Hollis realizes she’s starting to get feelings above the table…
One Last Breath by Ginny Myers Sain (Sapphic YA Paranormal Thriller)
Tru lives in a Florida town known for the gruesome, unsolved murders of Bailey and Celeste. Since her sister died, Tru has been haunted by this case. When a new girl, Rio, arrives in town determined to find answers in the cold case, Tru joins her in the investigation. The two quickly develop a spark…and a paranormal connection to Bailey and Celeste. Soon, they become convinced that the killer is hunting them.
Blood Debts (Blood Debts #1) by Terry J. Benton-Walker (Queer YA Fantasy) (Paperback Rerelease)
The paperback of this acclaimed YA fantasy mystery is now out! Clement and Cristina Trudeau are 16-year-old twins and the heirs to a powerful magical family — but that means less than it used to. Thirty years ago, a murder led to a magical massacre and an upheaval in the power system. Clement finds comfort in his magic, while Cristina has walked away from it after a spell of hers killed their father. Now, they’ll have to work together to solve that past murder to prevent another massacre.
The Baker and the Bard by Fern Haught (Nonbinary YA Fantasy Graphic Novel)
If you, like me, love The Tea Dragon Society series by K. O’Neill, you need to pick up this cozy fantasy graphic novel. Juniper is an apprentice baker, and Hadley is practicing their skills as a bard in the local inn. When an expensive rush order comes in at the bakery, the two friends set off to find some rare mushrooms. Along the way, they hear about something lurking in the woods that has been eating farmers’ crops, and Hadley jumps at the chance to charge into an adventure. This also has a cute romance subplot. It’s an absolutely adorable and comforting read.
The Marble Queen by Anna Kopp and Gabrielle Kari (Sapphic YA Fantasy Graphic Novel)
Amelia has one chance to save her crumbling kingdom: a powerful marriage alliance. When she receives just such an offer from the mysterious country of Iliad, she readily accepts. But when she arrives, Marion discovers it’s not the prince who proposed, but Queen Salira. Amelia has several battles to face: with her own anxiety disorder, with her guarded wife to gain her trust, and with the war threatening to break out at any moment…but unexpectedly, she’s falling for Salira at the same time.
✨ Paid subscribers can find 5 more LGBTQ books out this week at the end of this post! ✨
For more new releases, check out our New Books newsletter and the New Release Index — you can even filter by queer books!
LGBTQ Book Riot Post
A Pride and Prejudice Retelling with a Trans Protagonist
If you love classic literature but wish it included more LGBTQ representation, this PRIDE AND PREJUDICE retelling is for you.
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Queer Bookish Goodies
In honor of The No-Girlfriend Rule, here are some D20 enamel pins in pride flag colors! $8.50+
That's it for me! Until next time, you can find me at my sapphic book blog, the Lesbrary. You can hear me on All the Books, and you can also read my Book Riot posts and subscribe to my other Book Riot newsletter, Read Harder.
Happy reading!
Danika
5 More YA and Kids’ LGBTQ Books Out This Week
A Different Kind of Brave by Lee Wind (Achillean YA Action/Contemporary)
Heirs of Bone and Sea (Dark Depths #1) by Kay Adams (F/F YA Fantasy)
Rainbow! Volume 1 by Gloom & Sunny (Sapphic YA Graphic Novel)
Family is Family by Melissa Marr and illustrated by Marcos Almada Rivero (Two Moms Picture Book)
The Dress in the Window by Robert Tregoning, illustrated by Pippa Curnick (Gender Creative Picture Book)