The Best LGBTQ+ Romance Books of 2023

Pianist Quito Cruz is reluctant to return to his hometown, but when his dad asks for his help planning a charity performance, he promises he will. But he’s not the only one coming home for the event. Emmett Aoki, his first-love-turned-Hollywood star, agrees to help as well. In the weeks leading up to the performance, the two must navigate 20 years of estrangement and the feelings between them.

Between a history of heartbreak and a family who refuses to understand, Iris Kelly turns to casual hookups in the hopes of protecting her heart. What she doesn’t expect is falling for Stevie Scott after a one-night stand gone wrong leads to the two being cast alongside each other in a local production of Much Ado About Nothing.

Luna O’Shea is a transgender woman who receives an unexpected proposition from Jean-Pierre, a trans man and heir to a culinary TV empire. He is in need of a fake girlfriend to appease his family and someone willing to help him pass a cooking test with his fortune on the line. Luna hesitantly agrees but, as the months pass, discovers real sparks between her and Jean-Pierre.

A quick mention for Second Chances in New Port Stephens, another delightful rom-com by Alexander released this past year that explores transmasculine identity and the way love both changes and stays the same over time.

Set in an alternate Seattle where those with magical abilities are demonized, Reece is an empath with an innate knowledge of when people are lying. When a politician known for their anti-empath bills is murdered, Reece must investigate with a special agent who’s as dangerous as his legendary code name: The Dead Man. Evan Grayson, or The Dead Man, is the only person Reece can’t get a read on.

Nick Russo is a closeted gay man pursuing his journalist dreams in 1950s New York City, all the while falling for his friend Andy Fleming. When Andy’s girlfriend leaves him, and he moves in with Nick, the two slowly build a home together and realize that a happy life together isn’t as impossible as they think.

Peaches Monroe and Jamie Hunt are best friends with different dreams and responsibilities to consider for their future. Jamie longs to leave Austin, Texas, and return to college. Peaches is caring for her family in the wake of her mother’s death and has her barbershop to consider. But both realize their friendship has turned into something more — and they are willing to overcome everything in their way for a chance at love.

High school chemistry teacher Tori Moore is shocked when she is accepted to be an American Bake-o-Rama TV contestant, even more so when she meets celebrity judge Kendra Campbell. As feelings for Kendra begin to blossom for Tori and the competition ramps up the heat with each passing week, she begins to wonder…is it possible Kendra feels the same for her?

When his sister’s fiancé — William de Foucart, an earl whom neither sibling has met — disappears, Raff Barden is called to track him down. Little does he know that his traveling companion, Penn, is the earl in disguise, determined to escape an abusive home and a name that never fit him. As Penn and Raff grow closer on the road and trust each other with their secrets, soon, neither can see a future without the other’s companionship.

After moving back to New York City for an MFA in photography, Ely Cohen has a romantic night with Wyatt Cole after meeting him at a queer bar — not realizing that he is the same photographer she will be studying under. Now she must not only navigate complicated feelings about her ex-Orthodox identity through her art project on Jewish spirituality, but also the sparks between her and Ely.