10+ LGBTQ+ YA books to celebrate Pride Month 2025

It’s Pride Month in the UK and we are celebrating with our favourite roundup: the LGBTQ+ YA list.

Lady’s Knight by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

One of our favourite YA duos is making a comeback, and it’s in the form of a hilarious “retelling” of A Knight’s Tale. Sapphic relationship. Following Gwen who secretly entered the Tournament of Dragonslayers, and Lady Isobelle, chosen to be the prize of said tournament, Lady’s Knight features the cutest sapphic relationship. Read our Q&A with Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner here.

 

 

Don’t Let the Forest In by C.G. Drews

We can’t recommend this enough. A queer dark academia horror that’s as haunting as it is addictive. Andrew writes twisted fairytales and Thomas brings them to life through his art — until the monsters start becoming real and attacking their school. It’s an atmospheric read, and a dark fever dream. The writing is poetic, and made even better with the gorgeous illustrations inside. Great asexual rep, and a banging cover.

 

Listen Closely by Leon Egan

Listen Closely reminds us of Heartstopper, but with a grumpy x sunshine dynamic. Following Jude and Aiden, two trans kids who are paired up for an internship at a local radio station, Listen Closely is a beautiful and heartwarming coming-of-age story that features found family. We also love how the book is told partly in the form of Jude’s podcast drama, The Night Merchant, which works so well with the rest of the book, and so creative that we want to listen to it for real. Stay tuned for a Q&A with Leon Egan.

 

Like A Love Story by Abdi Nazemain 

Like a Love Story was selected as a Stonewall Honor Book — and for good reason. Following closeted teen Reza who moved to New York at the height of the AIDS crisis, the book captures the fear that haunted so many queer people at the time. The story also honors the legacy of ACT UP activists and the paths they carved out for future generations. An essential, heart-stirring read — and don’t skip the author’s note at the end.

 

 

 The Boy I Love by William Hussey

A beautiful story set in WWI, The Boy I Love follows two British soldiers’ lives in the trenches, and their difficult queer experience during those period. Not an easy read due to the setting and heavier themes, but it’s also one that is full of hope and warmth. See William Hussey’s guest post on LGBTQ+ representation in books here.

 

 

I Can’t Even Think Straight by Dean Atta 

A clever title, and a story written in verse, I Can’t Even Think Straight can be read in one single sitting, but will sit with you for much longer. The book follows biracial queer teenager Kai who has just come out to his friends at school. We love seeing how his friends are so receptive and accepting, but also applaud Dean Atta for exploring heavy subjects like racial profiling and sexual assault in the story. Click here to see our conversation with Dean Atta on his debut, The Black Flamingo.

 

Fable for the End of the World by Ava Reid

Dystopian novels are making a comeback and we are here for it. Fabel for the End of the World in 3 words would be “sapphic Hunger Games“, and we mean that in the best way possible. The story follows Inesa who is thrust into a deadly spectacle where debtors are hunted for sport, and Melinoë, a genetically modified assassin grappling with her humanity. Ava Reid touches upon many important themes here, such as the climate crisis, capitalism, sexism, etc, and did it in a way that does not feel overwhelming at all. See our interview with Ava here.

 

Run Away With Me by Brian Selznick

Set over the course of a summer spent in Rome, Run Away With Me is a historical fiction that follows Danny and Angelo as they roam the city together, and slowly fall in love together. The romance is sweet and tender, and the book also features the stories of various historical figures. There are also beautiful illustrations throughout the book, as you might expect from the author and illustrator of The Invention of Hugo Cabret. Overall, a stunning book.

 

 

Amelia, if Only by Becky Albertalli

Becky Albertalli is back with another messy, charming, deeply relatable queer rom-com, this time diving into parasocial crushes, chaotic group chats.  We love how Becky perfected the chaotic Gen Z energy, and that it is set in the same world as Imogen, Obviously. Watch out this space for a Q&A with Becky on Amelia, if Only soon.

 

 

Tart by Becki Jayne Crossley

In Tart, Libby’s life takes a dramatic turn when a video of her ‘cheating’ on her boyfriend, Dan, goes viral just before he suffers a serious bike accident. As the school turns against her, Libby finds solace in the new girl everyone else ignores. The writing style is so funny, and the slow-burn is absolutely amazing. But amidst all these, Becki Jayne Crossley explores guilt and queerness in such a tender way, and presents such an authentic bi rep. Stay tuned for a Q&A when the book comes out in August.

 

And They Were Roommates by Page Powars

T is part of LGBT+ and Page is making sure of that in And They Were Roommates. This queer rom-com follows Charlie, the only trans student at Valentine Academy for Boys, who unexpectedly ends up rooming with Jasper — his ex-camp romance who doesn’t recognize him. The book is chaotically fun, with tons of boarding school shenanigans. Very camp.

 

 

Nobody in Particular by Sophie Gonzales

Fans of Young Royals and Red, White, and Royal Blue rejoice because you will definitely love Nobody in Particular. The book follows Princess Rosemary, trying to fix her scandal-stained image, and Danni, a music scholar who never expected to fall for royalty. The characters are well-rounded, the banter is 10/10, and we are also loving the cute cover. Underneath everything though, Sophie Gonzales also manages to explore some serious topics through the subplots.

 

 

Masquerade by Calum McSwiggan

We all love a prom night but what if you are stuck in a time loop on that night? That’s what happened to Zach when he kissed a masked stranger. Read it if you are craving a cute friend-to-lover romance. See our interview with Calum McSwiggan on his previous book, Straight Expectations, here.

 

 

 

The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King by Harry Trevaldwyn

A great debut novel from Harry Trevaldwyn, The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King follows Patch who is determined to find a boyfriend. It is dramatic, bold, and fun. We also love how Patch is portrayed as young and a bit immature because that’s how characters are supposed to grow. Even if that means Patch was absolutely insufferable at first. Perfect for the younger audience.