2020 LGBTQ+ RELEASES PART V

As always, these are in order of release and if I have any information about the books wrong, please let me know in the comments! I also have a lot more books, featuring a lot more identities, written down and will add them as soon as covers are revealed! I hope, as always, you find something you love – and more importantly, a character you can see yourselves in.

 

 

Nottingham: The True Story of Robyn Hood by Anna Burke
(lesbian MC, trans side character)

Is 2020 the year of a very queer Robin Hood retelling? Absolutely. We follow Robyn who finds herself on the run and deep inside the Sherwood forest. Her only goal is to provide for her family but when the Sheriff increases the tax in England to the highest it has ever been, she must take matters into her own hands. Recruiting a group of merry women as well as the Sheriff’s own daughter, Marian who is as intriguing as she is beautiful, the group plan to achieve the biggest height in Nottingham’s history.
Release Date: January 21st

 

 

Ceremonials by Katharine Coldiron
(f/f romance) 

This twelve-part lyric novella inspired by Florence + the Machine tells the story of two girls, Amelia and Corisande and how they fell in love at boarding school. However, when Corisande tragically dies just before graduation, Amelia not only has to handle her grief, but also Corisande’s ghost. Described as a narrative ‘about obsession, the Minotaur, and the veil between life and death,’ this is definitely a quick but imaginary read. Plus, look at that stunning cover!
Release Date: February 11th

 

 

 

Birdie and Me by J.M.M. Nuanez
(gender non-conforming character)

This middle-grade novel tells the story of siblings Jack and her her gender creative little brother, Birdie who after the death of their mother, find themselves without a place to call home. So when their mother’s two brothers, Uncle Carl (who proves unreliable) and then Uncle Patrick, try to provide a home, a hilarious and heart-warming story ensues. Ultimately this story is about family and where we find it and how we love it, as dysfunctional as they may be. A beautiful debut novel to keep an eye on!
Release Date: February 18th

 

 

 

Finna by Nino Cipri
(queer rep – unsure on specifics)

This sci-fi novella all about multidimensions takes place when an elderly customer falls through a portal into a new dimension whilst shopping for furniture and it’s up to the employees to track her whilst protecting their company’s reputation. Add to that, the two employees in question broke up only a week ago. However, can a friendship follow the end of a relationship? And will they find this lost customer? I’ve heard this book features a queer romance as well as exploring gender identity!
Release Date: February 25th

 

 

 

Havenfall by Sara Holland
(bisexual MC)

This YA fantasy has been on my radar for a while but it’s only recently I learned it had a bisexual MC so I’m even more excited to read it. We follow the story of Maddie Morrow who lives at Havenfall Inn – a safe haven and sanctuary that connects ancient worlds that each have their own magic. Dealing with the fact her mother is on trial for the murder of Maddie’s brother, she hopes to one day inherit the role of Innkeeper from her uncle. However, when a body is found, Maddie soon finds herself responsible for everybody’s safety with help from alluring staffer, Taya. Not to mention a creature on the loose and an injured uncle.
Release Date: March 3rd

 

 

Under the Rainbow by Celia Laskey
(queer MCs)

In this fiction book, we follow the story of a group of social activists who enter a small town known as ‘the most homophobic town in the US.’ Their goal is to live and work with the community for two years in the hopes to broaden their minds and change their homophobic views. We follow many characters including Avery, who is desperate to fit into the town’s high school after having to leave Los Angeles. However, she’s worried it won’t be long before her mother outs her. We also follow Linda who welcomes the arrivals whilst grieving the death of her son. I’m not sure as to trigger warnings yet so do keep an eye out closer to publication!
Release Date: March 3rd

 

 

 

The Stone of Sorrow by Brooke Carter
(f/f romance, non-binary rep)

In this YA fantasy we follow the story of Runa Unnursdóttir, a seventeen year old runecaster living in a land of ice and myth. However, she is not the runecaster her clan hopes for and spends her time dreaming of exploring the world and she’s definitely not as talented as her sister, Sýr. However, when her sister is kidnapped when an evil clan led by a witch invades her village, Runa must act. Teaming up with a fallen Valkyrie and a gorgeous half-elf, she must enter a runecasting competition and face the destiny she was always meant to follow.
Release Date: April 7th

 

 

 

Tack & Jibe by Lilah Suzanne
(f/f romance)

Raised on a small island, Willa has lived a life by the sea – hanging out with friends on the beach, working at a sailing shop and even running an Instagram account dedicated to sailing. However, when her follows enter her into a national sailing competition, Willa will have to actually learn how to sail. Desperate not to show her somewhat fraudulent lifestyle, Willa recruits sailing champion, Laneto help her. As the two train, Willa can’t help her growing crush on Lane as well as the the worry over the upcoming competition.
Release Date: April 7th

 

 

 

Bonds of Brass by Emily Skrutskie
(bisexual MCs)

In this YA sci-fi novel young pilot, Ettian Nassun has spent seven years training to become the best pilot after merciless Umber Empire invaded. As well as that, he also has his best friend and roommate, Gal Veres who he trusts more than anything – and may even love. However, when an assassination attempt on Gal is revealed, Ettian soon realises that Gal himself is the heir to the Umber Empire. Forced to save his best friend and flee, Ettian must make the decision whether to safely bring Gal to the throne hoping he can transform the Empire or join the rebellion to bring revenge against the Umber Empire. In the words of the author – ‘and two disastrous bisexual boys who might bring the entire galaxy down around them for each other.’ Sign me up.
Release Date: April 7th

 

 

 

Elysium Girls by Kate Pentecost
(questioning MC, sapphic LI)

I couldn’t find the exact representation for this book but I believe the MC shows an interest in her female friend but does not express romantic interest. However, the Love Interest is queer. So although it may have sapphic characters, I don’t think it has a f/f romance (please correct me if I’m wrong!) However, this YA fantasy is described as ‘Mad Max: Fury Road meets Caraval in an alternate history American Dust Bowl, the book features a girl gang of witches and a wildcard demon.’ Which I believe is a better summary than I could come up with. So need I say more really? Plus, heart eyes for that cover.
Release Date: April 14th

 

 

The Prettiest Star by Carter Sickels
(gay MC)

This adult novel follows the story of Brian who is returning to his childhood home after spending majority of his years in New York. However, it is there that AIDs would claim the lives of his lover, friends and his future. Knowing his fate, Brian wishes to return home to a place he once desperately wanted to escape. Set in 1986 during the AIDs epidemic, this is a heartbreaking story of family and redemption and brings light to the stories that weren’t told.
Release Date: April 14th

 

 

 

The Knockout Queen by Rufi Thorpe
(gay MC)

Described as a story about ‘the complexity and urgency of best friendship,’ this fiction novel follows the story of extremely intelligent, gay teenager named Michael and his next door neighbour, Bunny who is noticed mainly for her above-average height. They bond over the hatred they have for their differences – Bunny for her looks and Michael for his taste in the ‘wrong’ people. However, when an accidental act of violence occurs, the pair find themselves and their bond transformed. Overall, it is the story detailing the importance of friendship and the lengths we’d go to to protect it.
Release Date: April 28th

 

 

 

I Think I Love You by Auriane Desombre
(f/f romance)

In this YA contemporary, we follow the story of rivals, Emma and Sophia. Emma is a die-hard romantic and a lot more practically minded than Sophia and when she finds herself competing against her for a once in a lifetime trip to a film festival in Los Angeles, it isn’t long before their rivalry steadily turns into romance. I don’t know much else about this story but it is described as a ‘pitch perfect queer romance’ with both laugh-out-loud moments and heartwarming moments. Plus, that cover is giving me all sorts of feelings.
Release Date: June 2nd

 

 

Where We Go From Here by Lucas Rocha
(gay MCs)

This YA contemporary follows the story of three boys – Ian who has just been diagnosed with HIV, Victor who has tested negative and Henrique who has been living with it for three years. Upon getting tested, Victor questions his entire relationship with Henrique after he finds out, that despite knowing he was HIV-positive and using every precaution, Henrique did not tell Victor. So when Victor meets Ian who unfortunately tests positively, Victor decides to put aside his anger with Henrique and bring the two together to support each other. The three soon become entwined in a ‘story of friendship, love, and self-acceptance.’
Release Date: June 2nd

 

 

Conventionally Yours by Annabeth Albert
(m/m romance)

In this YA contemporary, Conrad Stewart appears to have it all – popularity, charisma… but in reality, he’s struggling to hold onto everything in his life. In comparison, intelligent and driven Alden Roth is the poster boy for perfection but in secret, he can’t help but feel a little broken. However, when these two rivals are stuck with each other on a cross-country roadtrip to a convention, they soon discover an unexpected connection. Will they let their emotions get in the way of winning the upcoming gaming competition?
Release Date: June 2nd

 

 

 

The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water by Zen Cho
(queer rep)

In this beautifully named and beautifully designed fantasy novella, Zen Cho tells the story of ‘found family wuxia fantasy that combines the vibrancy of old school martial arts movies with characters drawn from the margins of history.’ This Chinese bandit fantasy starts when a bandit walks into a coffeehouse and it all steadily gets worse from there. Although I know this has queer characters and perhaps a relationship, I don’t know the exact representation but I will update if I find out!
Release Date: June 23rd

 

 

 

The Lady Upstairs by Halley Sutton
(f/f romance)

This adult fiction follows the story of Jo whose job it is to blackmail and bring down the worst men in Los Angeles – everyone from corrupt cops, adulterous actors and handsy Hollywood producers. She uses the money she makes to pay off her debt but more importantly, bring power back to the women of the city. However, eager to prove herself to her co-worker Lou and their boss, known only as the Lady Upstairs, Jo begins to take on riskier jobs. And when a job goes wrong and a target is murdered, Jo finds herself on the run from both the cops and Lady Upstairs and she must do everything to free both herself and Lou even if that means taking on her biggest job yet – a political star.
Release Date: July 14th

 

 

 

Architects of Memory by Karen Osborne
(bisexual MC)

This sci-fi novel tells the story of Ash Jackson, a pilot with a terminal illness who lost everything during a war with the alien, Vai. However, she is determined not to lose her future and is willing to do anything to find a cure. So when she and her crew discover a genocidal weapon from a dead colony’s spaceship during a salvage trip, Ash discovers a conspiracy that changes everything she thought she knew. And it isn’t long before Ash herself, armed with knowledge, becomes a living weapon. I believe this features a f/f romance also!
Release Date: August 25th

 

 

The Bridge by Bill Konigsberg
(gay MC) (suicide TW)

In this YA contemporary, two teenagers, previously strangers, find themselves standing on the edge of a bridge at the same time. Aaron is gay and finds himself as nothing more than a misfit struggling with depression and loneliness. Tillie isn’t sure what the main source of her problem is – however, she feels she will never be good enough. We follow their stories, both individually and together, as they stand atop the bridge. Please make sure to research trigger warnings before going into this one.
Release Date: September 1st

 

 

Here the Whole Time by Vitor Martins
(m/m romance)

This body-positive YA contemporary is a love story between two boys who somehow find themselves living together for 15 days during school break. Felipe knows he is fat and spends his school days constantly being teased and reminded of his weight. So he’s happy to finally enter school break when he can get away from the bullying and enjoy his favourite tv shows and Youtube tutorials. However, when Felipe’s mother reveals that their neighbour, Caio (and Felipe’s longterm crush) will be staying with them whilst his parents are on vacation, Felipe goes into full-blown panic mode. However, spending every waking moment together, the two soon find themselves dealing with both their individual insecurities and the blossoming relationship between them.
Release Date: November 10th

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Lots of Love,
Angharad