Best New Queer Romance Books to Read in 2026

Get ready to fill up your TBR because 2026 is already shaping up to be an incredible year for queer romance.

If you love queer fantasy romance, MM hockey romance, or sapphic romance, this year’s releases already look incredibly promising.

I’ve been combing through upcoming releases, and these are the queer romance books already climbing my TBR in 2026 – including new books from favorite authors who consistently deliver and exciting new voices entering the romance space.

For even more queer romance picks, visit my Queer Romance Hub.

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⭐ My Most Anticipated Queer Romances of 2026

Father Material
by Alexis Hall

MM romance, Established relationship, British humor
Release Date: June 2026

Alexis Hall became an auto-read author for me the second I finished Boyfriend Material, so naturally, this was one of my most anticipated romances of the year the moment it was announced.

I’ve loved getting a glimpse beyond the happily ever after in the London Calling series, and I cannot wait to see what comes next for Luc and Oliver. Hall always brings humor, emotional messiness, and vulnerability in a way that feels incredibly specific to their characters.

You Won’t Forget Me
by Mazey Eddings

Sapphic romance, Friends to lovers, Bandmates, Forced proximity
Release Date: June 2026

Mazey Eddings always brings something extra to her romances, and this sapphic romance between two bandmates who have been best friends forever brought strong emotional tension in the best possible way.

Forced proximity on tour mixed with complicated history and life under the spotlight? Absolutely yes. Expect strong chemistry, emotional honesty, and the kind of relationship dynamics Mazey tends to nail so well.

Devour Me
by Emily Rath

Poly romance, Paranormal romance, High steam
Release Date: August 2026

If I’m picking up a queer polyamorous romance, Emily Rath is already a trusted name for me.

After loving the chemistry and steam she brought to her hockey romances, I’m very ready for a paranormal romance involving a witch, a wraith, and a mortal. This one sounds like it’s going to fully lean into dark atmosphere and high heat.

Dearly Departed
by Chip Pons

Paranormal romcom, Grumpy hero, Hades-inspired, Opposites Attract
Release Date: June 2026

You never really have to convince me to pick up a Hades-inspired romance. Add in a grumpy funeral director, and I’m immediately interested, and it delivered on every count.

Chip Pons brings a modern romcom spin to paranormal romance in this setup that balances humor, longing, and emotional depth really well.

The Fake Divination Offense
by Sara Raasch

Queer fantasy romance, He falls first, Cinnamon roll hero
Release Date: May 2026

Nobody writes queer fantasy romance quite like Sara Raasch.

Orok completely stole my heart because beneath all the strength and loyalty is a total cinnamon roll hero with massive “he falls first” energy. If you love fantasy romance with humor, tenderness, and characters you become emotionally attached to almost immediately, this deserves a spot on your list.

Read My Full Review

💕 More New Queer Romance Books Releasing in 2026

These are far from the only queer romances hitting shelves this year. Here are even more 2026 releases already on my radar.

Summer 2026 Releases

• In What World by Bridget Morrissey – Former rivals traveling through alternate realities together is exactly the kind of sci-fi romance setup I immediately gravitate toward.
• In Your Court by Kit Haley – This debut had me at tennis rivals-to-lovers, and I’m very hopeful the competitive tension on the court translates into excellent chemistry and steam off it.

Coming This Fall

• Take a Chance, Sasha Sinclair by Ashley Herring Blake – A woman trying to escape her family’s witchy reputation falling for the filmmaker documenting them? This already feels like peak cozy fall romance energy.
• The Invisible Roommate by Timothy Janovsky – Timothy Janovsky always comes up with the most delightfully original concepts, and falling for an invisible roommate sounds equal parts unusual, heartfelt, and emotionally messy.

Out Now

• My Kind of Guy by Sarina Bowen – Sarina Bowen writing MM hockey romance will always be an instant add to my TBR.
• How to Fake It in Society by KJ Charles — I’m expecting elite yearning levels from this historical romance involving deception, desperation, and very inconvenient feelings.
• Anderson in Bloom by Jennifer Dugan – The storyline here immediately caught my attention with two former child stars reconnecting after a tell-all memoir forces them to confront the toxicity of growing up in Hollywood together.
• Bromantasy by Maire Roche – The title alone already had my attention, but queer fantasy romcom energy is fully my thing.

⭐ The 2026 Queer Romance I’ve Already Read & Loved

The Fake Divination Offense
by Sara Raasch

If this is any indication of how strong queer romance is going to be in 2026, we are in for an incredible year.

This fantasy romance gave me one of my favorite heroes of the year in Orok, whose quiet devotion and “he falls first” energy made this impossible not to love. Sara Raasch balances humor, fantasy worldbuilding, and emotional intimacy so effortlessly here.

If queer fantasy romance is your thing, move this to the top of your list immediately.

Read My Full Review

You Won’t Forget Me
by Mazey Eddings

Mazey always delivers strong queer romances with characters who linger long after you reach the end, which is why I’m still thinking about Darcy and Cubby’s love story. My heart ached for the drama Cubby was relentlessly forced to contend with on social media, all the while recovering from a toxic ex and discovering her own identity.

For a romance that gives a strong commentary on the destructive behavior of social media and the cost of fame in the music industry, don’t miss this.

Queer Romance Trends I’m Loving in 2026

Fantasy & Paranormal Romance

• Dearly Departed
• Devour Me
• The Fake Divination Offense
• Bromantasy
• With All My Haunted Heart

Sci-Fi & Speculative Romance

• In What World

Sports Romance

• My Kind of Guy
• In Your Court

Cozy & Witchy Romance

• Take a Chance, Sasha Sinclair

📚 Explore More Romance Book Lists

• Queer Romance Book Hub
• Best MM Romance Books
• Best Gay Romance Books
• Best Sapphic Romance Books
• New Queer Romance Books of 2025
• Best Fantasy Romance Books
• Best Paranormal Romance Books

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