Celebrate Pride Month with one of these 10 new books, from romance to nonfiction

Celebrate Pride Month with one of these 10 new books, from romance to nonfiction
Every June, readers come together to celebrate the authors transforming literature with LGBTQ+ storytelling.
Some of this year's biggest releases feature LGBTQ+ stories – Taylor Jenkins Reid's 'Atmosphere' astronaut love story, Ocean Vuong's 'The Emperor of Gladness' and 'Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil,' the new genre-defying paranormal from 'The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue' author V.E. Schwab. Romance author Jasmine Guillory penned "Flirting Lessons," her first sapphic romance. 'Detransition, Baby' author Torrey Peters published an enrapturing new short story collection.
10 new LGBTQ+ books to read this Pride Month
Whether you're looking for swoony summer romances, a poignant social commentary or thrilling whodunnits, this list of LGBTQ+ books published in 2025 is a good starting point for every reader.
'Dream On, Ramona Riley' by Ashley Herring Blake
Small-town waitress Ramona has big Hollywood dreams but is stuck in New Hampshire taking care of her younger sister after her father's car accident. A big-budget movie crew in town offers a glimmer of hope, but then Ramona runs into her first kiss, wild-child Hollywood nepo baby Dylan.
'The Lilac People' by Milo Todd
Inspired by real events, this historical fiction novel follows a trans man whose work improving queer rights in Germany halts when Hitler rises to power. Fleeing from the Nazis, he and his girlfriend escape to a nearby farm and live in isolation, disguised. A decade later, when a young trans man in Holocaust prison clothes collapses on their property, the couple vows to protect him and flee together.
'Disappoint Me' by Nicola Dinan
Deeply dissatisfied with tumbling (literally – the story starts as our protagonist falls down the stairs) through life, a trans woman decides to make a change. When Max starts dating slick, corporate Vincent, she thinks it's what will turn her life around. But he's hiding secrets about his true feelings and intentions. 'Disappoint Me' is a commentary on transness, race, millennial angst and relationships.
'Marsha' by Tourmaline
Activist, writer and filmmaker Tourmaline pays tribute to one of the most influential figures of LGBTQ+ history, Marsha P. Johnson. In 'Marsha,' Tourmaline paints a comprehensive and engaging record of the trans woman rumored to have thrown the first brick at the Stonewall uprising of 1969 and how her legacy of liberation continues.
'Dining Out' by Erik Piepenburg
'Dining Out' is a culinary tour of restaurants as safe and celebratory spaces for the LGBTQ+ community from a New York Times journalist. Piepenburg's analysis travels from gay bars to the diners of the Stonewall generation to the intersectional eateries shaping LGBTQ+ culture now.
'Ordinary Love' by Marie Rutkoski
In 'Ordinary Love,' an Upper East Side woman with the seemingly perfect marriage and family finds her life in disarray after she runs into her high school girlfriend, now a famous Olympic athlete. As her relationship with her parents and her marriage deteriorates, Emily finds herself drawn to Gen despite a rocky history and everything she stands to lose.
'Murder in the Dressing Room' by Holly Stars
Can Misty Divine, a London drag queen, avenge her drag mother Lady Lady after she's been poisoned by a mysterious box of chocolates? After the murder in the dressing room, Misty and her fellow performers become prime suspects. Frustrated by the police, Misty takes matters into her own hands, racing against time before anyone else gets hurt.
'Mutual Interest' by Olivia Wolfgang-Smith
'Mutual Interest' follows a lavender marriage at the turn of the 20th century and the successful soap, perfume and candle empire the couple runs. Marrying gives both Oscar and Vivian the freedom they need to build the lives they desire, especially after Oscar falls in love with their business partner, Squire Clancey. Can they stay safe from exposure as their power builds?
'Loca' by Alejandro Heredia
'Loca' follows a year in the life of two best friends who move from the Dominican Republic to New York City. Charo is fleeing the life that's expected of her as a woman; Sal after an unspeakable tragedy. In New York, a chance encounter at a gay bar thrusts them into an intersectional queer community, giving them a shot at the lives and family they've long desired.
'Kiss Me, Maybe' by Gabriella Gamez
In this romance, a librarian goes viral for a video she shares talking about being a late bloomer. Ready to get it out of the way, Angela uses her 15 minutes of fame to start a scavenger hunt, promising the winner her first kiss. But she can't pull it off alone. Will the help of a hot bartender – her unrequited crush – thwart her plans?
Clare Mulroy is USA TODAY's Books Reporter, where she covers buzzy releases, chats with authors and dives into the culture of reading. Find her on Instagram, subscribe to our weekly Books newsletter or tell her what you're reading at cmulroy@usatoday.com.

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