10 Contemporary LGBTQ+ Romances to Warm Your Heart
- Joao Nsita
- Mar 31
- 6 min read
Introduction: Love Stories for a New Era
What’s more comforting than a love story that feels like a cozy blanket on a chilly day? In the realm of contemporary romance, LGBTQ+ novels are rewriting the script, offering tales of passion, resilience, and joy that reflect the beautiful spectrum of human connection. As we sit here in March 2025, these modern masterpieces—featuring queer protagonists falling in love against vibrant, diverse backdrops—prove that romance isn’t just for one mold. From the slow-burn sapphic charm of Legends & Lattes to steamy gay escapades and tender trans love stories, this list counts down 10 heartwarming LGBTQ+ romances that celebrate identity and intimacy. These books don’t just warm your heart—they set it ablaze with hope, humor, and happily-ever-afters. Let’s dive into these contemporary queer love stories that remind us: love is love, and it’s thriving.
10. The Foxglove King by Hannah F. Whitten (2023)
Hannah F. Whitten’s The Foxglove King, the first in her Nightshade Crown series, blends dark fantasy with a simmering queer romance. Lore, a necromancer hiding her powers in a poison-running underworld, gets dragged into the royal court after a botched job. There, she’s caught between Bastian, a roguish prince, and Gabe, a brooding monk—both men stirring more than just political intrigue in her heart. As Lore navigates a world of death magic and courtly secrets, her bisexuality weaves a subtle, electric thread through this slow-burn love triangle.
Why It Warms the Heart: Whitten crafts a bisexual heroine whose strength and vulnerability shine, offering a fantasy romance that’s as lush as it is diverse. The tension between duty and desire keeps you rooting for love’s triumph.
9. D’Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins (2022)
Chencia C. Higgins’ D’Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding is a sapphic rom-com bursting with charm. D’Vaughn Miller, a shy woman eager to come out to her family, and Kris Zavala, a bold influencer, fake a wedding for a reality TV show. What starts as a publicity stunt—Kris boosting her brand, D’Vaughn finding courage—blossoms into real feelings. Their journey through wedding chaos, from cake tastings to awkward family dinners, is a sweet-and-spicy delight.
Why It Warms the Heart: This Black queer romance celebrates authenticity and community, with chemistry that leaps off the page. It’s a feel-good tale of love sneaking up when you least expect it.
8. The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun (2021)
Alison Cochrun’s The Charm Offensive flips the reality TV romance script. Dev Deshpande, a hopeless romantic producer, is tasked with salvaging Ever After’s latest season, starring tech wunderkind Charlie Winshaw—a disaster at dating women on camera. Behind the scenes, Dev helps Charlie navigate his anxiety, only to spark an unexpected gay romance. As Charlie questions his sexuality, their off-screen connection threatens to upend the show.
Why It Warms the Heart: Cochrun delivers a tender, neurodiverse love story with witty banter and emotional depth. It’s a queer romance that proves love shines brightest in authenticity.
7. Something Wild & Wonderful by Anita Kelly (2023)
Anita Kelly’s Something Wild & Wonderful is a queer ode to nature and second chances. Alexei Lebedev, a shy hiker, meets Ben Caravalho, a charming birder, on the Pacific Crest Trail. What begins as a trail companionship—sharing campfires and birdwatching—turns into a slow-burn gay romance. Both men carry baggage (Alexei’s religious past, Ben’s heartbreak), but the wilderness strips it away, revealing love’s quiet power.
Why It Warms the Heart: Kelly’s lush prose and gentle pacing make this a cozy, uplifting escape. It’s a testament to healing through love and the beauty of found family.
6. A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske (2021)
Freya Marske’s A Marvellous Light kicks off The Last Binding trilogy with a magical gay romance. Robin Blyth, a non-magical civil servant, stumbles into a secret wizarding world when he’s mistaken for a liaison. Edwin Courcey, a prickly magician, becomes his reluctant guide. As they unravel a deadly conspiracy, their enemies-to-lovers arc ignites amid Edwardian libraries and enchanted hedges. Marske’s world-building dazzles, but the romance steals the show.
Why It Warms the Heart: This historical fantasy blends steamy tension with tender vulnerability, offering a queer love story that’s both thrilling and heart-melting.
5. Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall (2020)
Alexis Hall’s Boyfriend Material is a British rom-com gem. Luc O’Donnell, a tabloid-troubled son of rock stars, needs a fake boyfriend to clean up his image. Enter Oliver Blackwood, a buttoned-up barrister with a heart of gold. Their faux relationship—complete with awkward dinners and staged PDA—turns real as Luc’s chaos meets Oliver’s calm. Hall’s humor and sharp dialogue make this gay romance a joyride.
Why It Warms the Heart: Luc and Oliver’s opposites-attract dynamic is hilarious and heartfelt, proving love can bloom in the messiest corners. It’s pure comfort reading.
4. Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (2019)
Casey McQuiston’s Red, White & Royal Blue is a global sensation for a reason. Alex Claremont-Diaz, First Son of the U.S., and Prince Henry of Wales start as rivals after a cake-toppling PR disaster. Forced into a fake friendship, their banter evolves into a secret gay romance—texts, emails, and stolen kisses spanning continents. Amid political stakes and royal duties, their love defies all odds.
Why It Warms the Heart: This enemies-to-lovers tale is a burst of joy, blending steamy moments with a hopeful vision of queer love in power. It’s a modern classic that lifts spirits.
3. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (2017)
Taylor Jenkins Reid’s The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo isn’t your typical romance—it’s a sprawling Hollywood epic with a bisexual twist. Evelyn Hugo, a reclusive film legend, recounts her life to journalist Monique Grant, revealing seven marriages and one true love: Celia St. James, her secret lesbian soulmate. Their on-off romance, hidden behind glamour and heartbreak, unfolds with devastating beauty.
Why It Warms the Heart: Evelyn and Celia’s love, though fraught with sacrifice, radiates resilience. Reid’s lush storytelling makes this a tear-jerking, triumphant queer romance.
2. Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree (2022)
Travis Baldree’s Legends & Lattes is a cozy fantasy romance that’s taken BookTok by storm. Viv, an orc ex-mercenary, trades her sword for a coffee shop in Thune, dreaming of a quieter life. Enter Tandri, a succubus with a knack for baking, who joins Viv’s venture. Their partnership brews a slow-burn sapphic romance amid lattes and cinnamon rolls, proving love can thrive in the simplest places.
Why It Warms the Heart: This low-stakes tale of found family and gentle love is a hug in book form. Viv and Tandri’s bond is a sweet escape for any romance fan.
1. Heartstopper: Volume 1 by Alice Oseman (2018)
Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper: Volume 1 tops our list as a graphic novel that’s pure heart. Charlie Spring, a shy gay teen, meets Nick Nelson, a rugby star, at their British school. What starts as an unlikely friendship—study sessions, rugby practices—blossoms into a tender gay romance. Oseman’s art and dialogue capture the giddy rush of first love with aching authenticity.
Why It Warms the Heart: Charlie and Nick’s story is a universal joy, radiating innocence and hope. It’s a queer YA romance that feels like falling in love for the first time—again.
Why These Romances Resonate
These 10 contemporary LGBTQ+ novels aren’t just love stories—they’re celebrations of diversity, resilience, and the many shapes of romance. From fantasy coffee shops to royal palaces, they showcase queer protagonists—gay, lesbian, bisexual, and more—finding their happily-ever-afters in a world that’s finally catching up. Each book, whether a steamy rom-com or a poignant epic, reflects the vibrancy of modern queer fiction, offering representation that warms the soul. In 2025, they stand as proof that love stories evolve, but their power to uplift remains timeless.
Conclusion: A Heart Full of Love
Counting down from The Foxglove King to Heartstopper, these 10 contemporary LGBTQ+ romances weave a tapestry of love that’s as diverse as it is dazzling. They’re stories of enemies becoming lovers, fakes turning real, and quiet moments sparking epic passions—each a testament to the strength of queer identity. Whether you’re sipping coffee with Viv or swooning with Charlie, these novels invite you into worlds where love conquers all. In March 2025, as we seek warmth and connection, they’re must-reads that promise joy and inspiration. Pick one up, and let these queer love stories light up your heart—because everyone deserves a romance that feels like home.
10 FAQs About These Contemporary LGBTQ+ Romances
What makes these novels contemporary?
Published since 2017, they reflect modern settings, sensibilities, and diverse queer identities.
Why is Heartstopper ranked #1?
Its universal appeal, tender romance, and graphic novel charm make it a standout queer love story.
Are these books only for LGBTQ+ readers?
No—they’re for anyone who loves heartfelt romance, regardless of identity.
How steamy are these romances?
They range from sweet (Heartstopper) to spicy (A Marvellous Light), catering to all tastes.
Which features the most diversity?
D’Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding shines with Black queer leads and cultural richness.
Any content warnings?
Some include mild trauma (Seven Husbands), anxiety (Charm Offensive), or fantasy violence (Foxglove King).
What’s the coziest read?
Legends & Lattes—its coffee-shop vibe and gentle sapphic romance are pure comfort.
Do they all have happy endings?
Mostly yes, though Seven Husbands leans bittersweet—still uplifting in its way.
How do they celebrate diversity?
Through varied queer identities (gay, bi, lesbian) and settings (fantasy, reality TV, school).
Where can I find them in 2025?
Bookstores, libraries, or online at Amazon, Bookshop.org, or Audible for digital/audio.
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