10 queer romance releases to keep Pride Month going in 2023

For some, Pride Month doesn’t just end when June ends, and rightfully so. For readers though, Pride Month can start in January and end in December.

As a romance reader, I’m always on the lookout for romance books with queer characters. It isn’t always the easiest thing to keep track of, though. While some bookish websites can help, things aren’t the most organized either.

That’s why I wanted to make a list of some upcoming queer romance books for reading beyond Pride Month. I don’t know about you, but I love a good list especially when it features romance books.

If you’re a romance reader or just want to be on the up-and-up with queer romances in the second half of 2023, then we’ve got you covered.

These 10 romances come out after Pride Month and are TBR musts.

1. A Rulebook for Restless Rogues by Jess Everlee (July 11, 2023)

Even though Pride Month isn’t over yet, I still wanted to talk about some fun upcoming queer releases to help you plan ahead. First up is A Rulebook for Restless Rogues by Jess Everlee which is coming from Carina Adores. If you didn’t know, this line is dedicated to featuring LGBT+ romances and shows characters of all kinds getting their own happily ever after.

A Rulebook for Restless Rogues follows David and Noah who are best friends which the story leans into as we see their first connection as friends and how they’re dealing with things now as adults. This book felt so soft and sweet yet was also steamy and even featured an interesting plot with David’s job. Either way, this one is a lot of fun and I’ve already read and recommend it.

2. The Only Purple House in Town by Ann Aguirre (July 11, 2023)

Moving onto the next release, I decided to go with the one I’ve been thinking about for months which is The Only Purple House in Town by Ann Aguirre. This is the 4th book in her Fix-It Witches series but it follows Iris who ends up renting out her aunt’s house and the story goes from there including a meeting with Eli.

Honestly, I don’t know much about this one, but I do love the cover and this series in general. Plus Ann Aguirre is a comfort author for me and all of her romances in this series have been queer so I’m excited to see the representation in The Only Purple House In Town.

3. Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner (September 19, 2023)

Moving onto my next upcoming Pride read, I had to feature Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner. I feel like Meryl Wilsner is a go-to author for sapphic reads so I had to include their upcoming release. Cleat Cute is a sapphic romance between two professional soccer players as they work together to get the World Cup although there are some snafus along the way.

This one also has a comp title to Ted Lasso and A League Of Their Own so you really can’t go wrong if you enjoy sports romances. Plus that cover is just everything.

4. Time to Shine by Rachel Reid (September 26, 2023)

Next up on my list is another mainstay when it comes to authors writing queer romances and that’s Rachel Reid. There are very few queer sports romance lists that don’t feature Rachel Reid and who am I not to follow that rule? Either way, this is Rachel Reid’s upcoming release with Carina Press.

Time to Shine is an m/m romance between two hockey players: Landon, the team’s new backup goalie and Casey Hicks who is a young superstar for Calgary. These two quickly become friends and even end up as roommates since Landon needs a place to stay. With this cute cover and that fun concept, how could you not want to pick this one up?!

5. A Nobleman’s Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel by KJ Charles (Sept. 19)

Moving onto another September release, this is Book 2 in KJ Charles’ The Doomsday Books series which is following the next member of the Doomsday family: Luke. Of course, he’s a smuggler who ends up in the company of an Earl named Rufus and it goes from there.

Honestly, I don’t know much about this one, but I adored the first book so I’m down to read anything KJ Charles writes in this series/world. Coupled with the cute covers, you really can’t go wrong.

6. New Adult by Timothy Janovsky (August 15, 2023)

Moving onto the next M/M romance on my list, this one is releasing only 2 months after Pride Month ends. However, if you’re an m/m romance reader, you’re probably familiar with Timothy Janovsky as he’s written a handful of m/m books already. His upcoming release is New Adult.

Despite being book 3 in the Boy Meets Boy series, New Adult can be read as a standalone, and what a concept. New Adult follows Nolan who is 23 and wishes he was 30, so much so that he makes a wish on a “magical healing crystal” and wakes up at 30. Of course, his actions from back then have consequences including missing his sister’s wedding and his chance with the one that got away.

All in all, this sounds like such a fun idea, and I know I’ll be featuring a review on Culturess so be on the lookout in August.

7. Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date by Ashley Herring Blake (October 24, 2023)

Ashley Herring Blake took the world by storm last Pride Month with Delilah Green Doesn’t Care and rightfully so. That book even ended up in the Goodreads Choice Awards and now, she’s back with her next book in the Bright Falls series.

This time, we’re following Iris Kelly who is a hook-up queen but as a romance author, is lacking inspiration. Stevie steps in as she needs a fake girlfriend and Iris believes it to be good motivation for her next book. I’m sure real feelings will start to develop and honestly, it seems like an amazing time.

8. Fly With Me by Andie Burke (September 5, 2023)

Heading back to September, we have Fly With Me by Andie Burke which is her debut novel. This book is a sapphic romance between Olive and Stella. Olive saves someone’s life on an airplane but could miss a marathon, honoring her brother so Stella steps in to give her a ride. This results in the two fake-dating and honestly, this just sounds completely amazing.

Thankfully, we don’t have to wait much longer for this one either. Honestly, it sounds like it’s going to be a unique romance and that’s always exciting.

9. Salt Kiss by Sierra Simone (September 12, 2023)

After reading and enjoying Sierra Simone’s New Camelot series, I had to feature her upcoming release with Bloom Books. This is a spinoff of her New Camelot series and it follows Triston who is hired as a bodyguard for Mark, a successful club owner. However, Mark’s body isn’t the only one he begins protecting as Mark’s bride-to-be, Isolde. As you might imagine, things get complicated from there with feelings, bodies, and more added into the mix.

Sierra Simone always surprises me with what she decides to do and how she tangles relationships between 3 people so I’m excited about Salt Kiss. Plus, that cover is absolutely stunning.

10. Cruel Seduction by Katee Robert (August 8, 2023)

I had to save the best for last which is Cruel Seduction by Katee Robert. I don’t know about you, but I adore Katee Robert. Her Dark Olympus series just keeps getting better and better so I had to feature this on my list.

While I won’t talk about the plot of the story, I will say that I’m pretty sure this is a four-person couple. Coupled with the drama and action within this series, I feel like seeing Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Pandora, and Adonis all playing together is going to be amazing. Honestly, I am in love with this series so there’s no way I wasn’t going to feature it.

Of course, those aren’t the only queer romance releases coming from July on so I wanted to feature some others if you’re looking for more.

• 10 Things That Never Happened by Alexis Hall (October 17, 2023) [m/m romance]
• This Spells Disaster by Tori Anne Martin (September 12, 2023) [f/f romance]
• Hunt on Dark Waters by Katee Robert (November 7, 2023) [queer romance]
• In Charm’s Way by Lana Harper (August 22, 2023) [queer romance]
• With Love, From Cold World by Alicia Thompson (August 1, 2023) [bi-sexual hero]

Hopefully, you found some new queer romances to add to your TBRs to keep those Pride Month feelings going. Of course, I’d love to know if there are any romances we missed or ones you think are worth adding to our TBRs.