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2023 LGBT YA Fiction (so far…)

January:

Book cover for As You Walk On By by Julian Winters

As You Walk On By by Julian Winters

Genres: Contemporary
After queer Black 17-year-old Theo’s public promposal goes sideways, he must reconsider his past actions, current relationships, and future goals.

Book cover for 6 Times We Almost Kissed and One Time We Did by Tess Sharpe

6 Times We Almost Kissed and One Time We Did by Tess Sharpe

Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Two girls are forced to navigate their lives together when their lifelong-best-friend mothers move in together to face a life-threatening health problem.

Book cover for The Buried and the Bound by Rochelle Hassan

The Buried and the Bound by Rochelle Hassan

Genres: Fantasy
A cursed boy, an indentured necromancer, and a hedgewitch must join forces to protect their mortal world from a creeping magic evil.

Book cover for The Black Queen by Jumata Emill

The Black Queen by Jumata Emill

Genres: Mystery
A homecoming queen’s murder is investigated by two unlikely suspects: her best friend Duchess (the police chief’s daughter) and the actual suspect, Tinsley.

February:

Book cover for The Wicked Bargain by Gabe Cole Novoa

The Wicked Bargain by Gabe Cole Novoa

Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Mar may have hidden magic, but it’s no help when el Diablo comes to collect their father’s soul. But with the help of unlikely allies, can they still save him?

Book cover for Planning Perfect by Haley Neil

Planning Perfect by Haley Neil

Genres: Romance 
Aspiring event planner Felicity is trying to plan her mother’s wedding, but her long-distance friend who offered her home as venue is more than distracting…

Book cover for I’ll Take Everything You Have by James Klise

I’ll Take Everything You Have by James Klise

Genres: Historical Fiction, Noir 
Sixteen-year-old Joe finds himself drawn into the criminal underbelly (and underground queer community) of 1930s Chicago.

Book cover for Always the Almost by Edward Underhill

Always the Almost by Edward Underhill

Genres: Romance, Contemporary
Newly out trans boy Miles is set on winning his ex back, but when a brief fake dating ruse results in a kiss, his plans are complicated.

March:

Book cover for Spin by Rebecca Caprara

Spin by Rebecca Caprara

Genres: Verse, Retelling, Mythology
In a novel-in-verse retelling of the Greek myth, teenage Arachne finds herself through the craft of weaving and challenges the goddess Athena to a fateful contest.

Book cover for My Dear Henry by Kalynn Bayron

My Dear Henry by Kalynn Bayron

Genres: Historical Fiction, Retelling, Fantasy, Romance
Finally returning to London after being expelled from medical school, Gabriel is desperate to discover what has become of his beloved best friend, Henry Jekyll.

Book cover for Strictly No Heroics by B. L. Radley

Strictly No Heroics by B. L. Radley

Genres: Science Fiction, Superhero
After being filmed retaliating against a handsy superhero, Riley becomes a supervillain’s henchmen and soon learns villainy isn’t what it seems.

Book cover for Into the Light by Mark Oshiro

Into the Light by Mark Oshiro

Genres: Mystery, Speculative
Manny has been a homeless hitchhiker since he was cast out by his hyper-religious adopted family, but the discovery of a body he suspects is his sister changes the course of his life.

April:

Book cover for Bianca Torre Is Afraid of Everything by Justine Pucella Winans

Bianca Torre Is Afraid of Everything by Justine Pucella Winans

Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Anxiety-ridden Bianca likes to spy on their neighbors through a telescope, but when they witness a murder that is ultimately ruled a suicide, they’ll have to get over their fears to find the truth.

Book cover for If I See You Again Tomorrow by Robbie Couch

If I See You Again Tomorrow by Robbie Couch

Genres: Science Fiction, Romance, Contemporary
Clark has been stuck in the same monotonous time loop for 310 days–until it’s different. Beau is suddenly also there. But after a whirlwind loop together, Beau seems dead set on ignoring Clark.

Book cover for The Making of Yolanda La Bruja by Lorraine Avila

The Making of Yolanda La Bruja by Lorraine Avila

Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy, Contemporary 
Bruja-in-training Yolanda grapples with uneasy feelings after a vision reveals that the new white, wealthy student at her racially diverse school has the capacity for violence and racism.

Book cover for Becoming a Queen by Dan Clay

Becoming a Queen by Dan Clay

Genres: Contemporary
Gay teenager Mark deals with issues of identity, love, and loss as he grapples with his newly-discovered affinity for wearing dresses at the same time that his brother descends into addiction.

May:

Book cover for Transmogrify!

Transmogrify!: 14 Fantastical Tales of Trans Magic edited by G. Haron Davis

Genres: Fantasy, Short Stories, Anthology
Fourteen transgender authors join forces for this fantasy anthology featuring gender expansive worlds, characters, and tales.

Book cover for Only This Beautiful Moment

Only This Beautiful Moment by Abdi Nazemian

Genres: Historical Fiction, Contemporary
Three generations connected across time and from Los Angeles to Iran–Moud, his father Sameen, and his grandfather Babak each experiencing their formative teenage years in their own times.

Book cover for Court of the Undying Seasons

Court of the Undying Seasons by A.M. Strickland

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal
A girl who hates vampires volunteers to go train in their school in place of a girl she once loved, but soon finds herself enthralled by the new world and her vampire maker.

Book cover for Never Trust a Gemini

Never Trust a Gemini by Freja Nicole Woolf

Genres: Romance, Contemporary
Astrology-obsessed Cat is convinced of two things: she and her friend Alison are Meant-To-Be, and you can NEVER trust a Gemini. But will the cute new girl in school change her mind?

Further Resources:

ck. 02/16/2023. last updated 05/04/2023