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New Queer Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Romantasy Novels to Look Forward to in 2026

There are so many exciting queer fantasy books coming out in 2026. My TBR for 2026 is already looking very stacked!

Here is a list of 62 fantasy books with major queer relationships, characters, or themes that come out in the first half of 2026. These include books from several different fantasy subgenres, such as cozy fantasy and romantasy. I included some science fiction, magical realism, and paranormal books, too!

I've also included 33 books that are expected to be released in the second half of 2026!

Recent updates:

February 13, 2026: Laura R. Samotin & Ben Alderson's book has a new title: The Darkness Bites Back. It's coming in September of 2026. I also added The Feywild Job by C.L. Polk and A Great and Powerful Tyranny by Victoria Carbol.

January 21, 2026: Updated the release dates for Nemesis Mine by Amy Archer (now releasing on June 23rd) and A Trade of Blood by Robert Jackson Bennett (now releasing on August 11th).

January 15, 2026: Added Daggerbound by T. Kingfisher, Princeweaver by Elian J Morgan, Call Me Traitor by Everina Maxwell, Endless Blue Beneath by Shannon English, Vile Lady Villains by Danai Christopoulou, A Star-Cursed Heart by Annie Mare, The Moon Blessed King by Lindsey Byrd, The Chamos Project by Alexis Ames, The Halls of the Dead by S. M. Hallow, Nightshade and Oak by Molly O'Neill, We Were Never Here by Sophia Hannan, and Summer Coven by Kat Hillis & Rosiee Thor!

December 11, 2025: The title of Freya Marske's latest has been released. Bodies of Magic, her dark academia novel set in a magical medical school, will be released in September!

#queer books #2026 releases #books #queer romantasy

Apparently, Sir Cameron Needs to Die by Greer Stothers

Official Summary:

All his life, Sir Cameron has tried to stay as far away from danger as possible. But when the Church hands down a prophecy to his fellow knights predicting that the only way to defeat their nemesis, the mad sorcerer Merulo, is to kill Sir Cameron, he finds himself in a situation too sticky for even his considerable wiles. Short of ideas, Cameron throws himself on the mercy of the one person who now actually wants him to the mad sorcerer. Merulo isn't thrilled to be babysitting a spoilt, attention-seeking knight, but fate has tied them together. And transmogrifying Cameron into a vulture is at least a great source of entertainment. Cameron, meanwhile, is on a voyage of self-discovery. It turns out he's really, really into surly sorcerers who lock him up and tell him what to do. Who knew? As a legion of knights surround their stronghold, led by an angry concussed elf—which definitely isn't in any way Cameron's fault—the sorcerer's poisonous ambitions draw ever closer to fruition. Cameron is quite invested in not dying, but he finds he's also invested in Merulo. And sometimes, supporting the sorcerer you care about means taking an interest in their hobbies. Even if their hobby is trying to kill God. Even if it might get you killed, too.

My Thoughts:

The book begins with Cameron, a Knight with a serious death anxiety, learning that he's been prophesied to die to stop the dark wizard, Merulo. Cameron would prefer to avoid dying if possible, so he turns himself over to the sorcerer for their mutual safety.

This book is genuinely hilarious, with several lines actually making me laugh out loud. This isn't very character or romance-focused. There is an eventual relationship between Cameron and Merulo, and both characters do have some growth, but this is mostly a plot-focused read.

The world-building is very unique. It's set in a Medieval-like fantasy world with magic, dragons, Elves, and unicorns, but there is a twist that I thought was creative. The plot is truly... wild. There was no point in this entire book that I could have ever guessed what was coming next.

I found this to be such a fun read; the humor and the unpredictable plot twists made for a silly, good time. I think the first half of this book was the strongest, but I enjoyed the entire story. I'm excited to read the sequel, which will be released in 2028; I can't imagine where this story could possibly go next, but I'm eager to find out!

My Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌘 (4.25/5 stars)

Pages: 378 (Paperback Edition)

Tropes/Tags: Fantasy, Humor, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Romance

Contains Depictions Of: Death, Blood, Violence, Religious Bigotry, Addiction

Links: Storygraph | GoodReads | Pagebound | GreerStothers.com

[ See Everything I’ve Read in 2026 ]

#queer books #queer romantasy #2026 releases #my 2026 reads #books #book review #greer stothers #apparently sir cameron needs to die

pagesandpothos

Nemesis Mine by Amy Archer

Official Summary:

A not-so-evil villain strikes a deal with a not-quite-perfect hero to fake a feud, boost their reputations . . . and try not to fall in love in the process—in this hilarious, tender, sexy, and outrageously fun romp that blends the humor of Assistant to the Villain with the unforgettable romance of Heated Rivalry and the cozy fantasy vibes of Legends & Lattes. Fake nemeses. It’s a dastardly plan that can’t go wrong… until love crashes the act. Nobody is more surprised than Cyrus to learn that he’s no longer considered the greatest villain in the land of Athaca. Sure, he’s lying about the fact that his magical power is making flowers grow. And maybe lately he’s spent more time embroidering pillowcases than tormenting the locals. But that doesn’t mean he’s ready to be yesterday’s evil news. Enter the hero Maximillian: the realm’s golden boy, complete with a blinding smile, chiseled abs, and an infuriating habit of spreading hope and joy. (Gross.) If Cyrus wants to be taken seriously, he’ll have to take this guy down. But Maximillian isn’t quite as perfect as he seems. When he proposes a scheme to fake an epic rivalry and increase their fame, Cyrus can’t resist. Stage the battles, soak up the spotlight, share the spoils—it’s a villainously good marketing plan. There’s just one hitch. Pretending to hate your nemesis becomes a lot harder when you start falling for them instead.

My Thoughts:

Nemesis Mine is set in a medieval-ish fantasy world where some villages benefit from a Champion's protection, and others are under the control of the local Wrongdoer. Champions are gallant heroes who swoop in to rescue kittens from trees and save townspeople from harm. In return, they get sponsorships, power, and fame. Wrongdoers are foils for the heroes, and mostly just terrorize the peasants for laughs. Cyrus is his town's Wrongdoer, but he's not actually very good at it. Maximillian is his town's local hero, but he's mostly bored and starting to feel a little jaded about the whole thing. After a battle, the two start corresponding, and Maximillian has a proposal: what if they fake a rivalry to get good press for both of them? Surely, nothing could go wrong with this plan.

This is a genuinely fun, sweet, romantic, exciting, emotional, and surprising story that I enjoyed very much. The story starts by introducing us to Cyrus, Maximillian, and the world they inhabit. It takes some time for the two to interact, but once they do, the story goes from great to seriously addictive very quickly. I read the second half of this book in one day because I became so enthralled with both their ploy and their growing feelings for each other. I wasn't expecting this to be so action-packed and to have multiple big, dramatic moments, so I was thrilled by how exciting the plot was.

Cyrus might be a Wrongdoer, and Maximillian may be a hero, but neither character is the one-dimensional archetype their world cast them as. Cyrus is actually delightful, and so funny! Meanwhile, the villagers would be scandalized if they knew the real, flawed person behind the hero they idolize. It sets up a dynamic where the two are perfect for each other. In a system that doesn't allow much nuance, these two recognize and understand each other in a way no one else can. It leads to such a wonderful Enemies-to-Allies-to-Lovers journey.

Every stage of their relationship is captivating: their first big battle, the early conversations as they work out their plan, their staged fights, and every exciting moment after. I genuinely enjoyed every moment of this book, but especially the moments that focused on these two!

I recommend this most to those who love the Enemies-to-Lovers trope and queer romantasy. This starts funny and lighthearted, but it grows more emotional as the story progresses. Because of this, I think that readers who love both humorous romantasy (like Bromantasy by Máire Roche or Yield Under Great Persuasion by Alexandra Rowland) and more intense romantasy (especially books like Our Rogue Fates by Sarah Glenn Marsh or Shoestring Theory by Mariana Costa) will enjoy this most.

I truly loved this, and I'm looking forward to more from Amy Archer in the future. 2026 is producing so many great queer romance and romantasy novels. Since these are my two favorite genres, I'm having the best reading year of my life! I've already read so many great 5-star books, and this is another new favorite. This struck a perfect balance between funny and emotional, and it surprised and thrilled me with the directions it took. The ending is very satisfying, but I'm going to be keeping my fingers crossed for a sequel. I'd love to see more of Cyrus and Max, and learn more about how they deal with the events of this book!

My Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕 (5/5 stars)

Pages: 432 (Kindle Edition)

Tropes/Tags: Queer, Achillean, Rom-Com, Romantasy, Enemies to Lovers, Slow Burn, Touch Him And Die, Secret Relationship, Us vs. The World

Contains Depictions Of: Violence, Injuries, Deaths

Other Notes: I love the US cover (pictured above), but be sure to check out the stunning UK cover!

Links: Storygraph | GoodReads | Pagebound | Author's Instagram

Nemesis Mine will be released on June 23, 2026, and is available for pre-order!

I received an advanced copy of this book for free, thanks to Netgalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager. The above are my honest feelings about the provided book.

[ See Everything I’ve Read in 2026 ]

#my favorite book that I read in May #I meant to reblog this yesterday

pagesandpothos

The Open Era by Edward Schmit

Official Summary:

Love evens the score between two tennis players in this stunning debut romance. Recently-turned-pro tennis player Austin Hardy has been out since high school and it’s never been a big deal. That is, until he becomes the first openly gay man to compete in a Grand Slam tournament. Suddenly, being gay is a huge deal, with headlines to prove it. Unprepared for this new spotlight, Austin’s anxiety disorder hits a breaking point, and he trips and falls at practice. Right next to the very attractive, very talented, and probably straight Diego Cruz, ranked second in the world. The two professional rivals start a friendship off the court. But between their flirty banter, mixed signals, and looming showdown, Austin is thrown further off his game by Diego. With the eyes of the world on Austin, the weight of history on his shoulders, and Diego across the net, he must decide whether love means nothing or if it means everything as he battles for the trophy during an electric two weeks at the US Open.

My Thoughts:

The Open Era begins with Austin Hardy competing in the US Open against Diego Cruz. There's a tense moment, and then we flashback to see how the two grew close recently and why they now seem at odds.

Austin is openly gay and the first out man to compete at this level. He's also struggling with anxiety that intensifies with more pressure and attention. Diego is one of the most successful tennis players in the world, and a clip of him rushing to help Austin after a fall at practice has just gone viral. The two start a friendship that confuses Austin since Diego sends out some seriously mixed signals.

There are so many things I love about this book. First, the structure felt unique for a romance. As a huge lover of romance books, I never get sick of the standard setups for love stories, but I love it when a book plays out differently than I anticipated. This has everything I want in a romance, but it's a lot more of a character exploration than most.

Another thing I love is the serious focus on mental health. Austin starts seeing a therapist fairly early in the book, and his therapy sessions are a major part of the story. I've read a lot of books featuring characters with anxiety, but I've never read one that delved so deeply into the character's mental state. We see Austin's strengths, his flaws, and the moments in his past that shaped him. He has some major highs and devastating lows, and we are along for the ride the entire time. It left me feeling so protective and attached to him!

The whole book takes place over a few short weeks, so it's a fast-paced story. Somehow, though, the romance doesn't feel rushed. Austin and Diego's chemistry is electric. Their relationship has moments where the pair are intense rivals, but there are plenty of fun and romantic scenes, too. Both men are in their twenties and are still figuring themselves out. Both characters' story arcs have a light coming-of-age vibe.

The story is also filled with several supporting characters who have great dynamics with Austin. Austin's sister, Charlotte, was one of my favorite characters. Perhaps the best relationship in the entire book, though, is between Austin and his coach, Robbie. There are also some great discussions about phone addiction and the negative effects of social media. Plus, there's one conversation about openly queer women athletes being frequently overlooked that feels very timely.

This is a seriously good Summer romance. I recommend this most to romance lovers who enjoy strong, character-focused stories. Readers who love in-depth explorations of mental health should especially appreciate the care that was put into Austin's story. I can't wait to see what Edward Schmit releases next because this is an excellent debut!

My Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕 (5/5 stars)

Pages: 384 (Kindle Edition)

Tropes/Tags: Queer, Achillean, Romance, Sports Romance, Contemporary Romance, New Adult

Contains Depictions Of: Anxiety (Including Depictions of Panic Attacks), Homophobia, Grief

Links: Storygraph | GoodReads | Pagebound | EdwardSchmit.com

The Open Era will be released on June 2, 2026, and is available for pre-order!

I received an advanced copy of this book for free, thanks to Netgalley, Berkley, and Penguin. The above are my honest feelings about the provided book.

[ See Everything I’ve Read in 2026 ]

#reblog for release day

lgbtqreads

May 2026 Deal Announcements

Adult Jessica Plummer‘s THE CONMAN’S GUIDE TO DRAGON SLAYING, pitched as an adult HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON meets HEATED RIVALRY, in which an ambitious young dragon fighter has to team up with a powerless wizard to fake everything, including magic, for a shot at riches, respect, and a better life in the kingdom’s annual dragon games, to John Morgan at Grand Central, at auction, for publication in…

#book news #Magestruck #The Conman's Guide to Dragon Slaying #are the two that sound most up my alley #y'all know I can't resist a queer romantasy #books #queer books #Jessica Plummer

Dearly Departed by Chip Pons

Official Summary:

For fans of MM romances like Heated Rivalry and The Entanglement of Rival Wizards, a sexy Hades-inspired gay rom-com, in which the former god of the Underworld turned grumpy funeral director must find a loophole in the Immortal Retirement Act that banished him to Earth, until the florist next door begins to unravel all his carefully laid plans. Hope is a dangerous thing for gods. Even former ones. Hayden Harlow, once the mighty Hades, has spent centuries quietly resenting his fall from immortality. Stripped of his godhood by the allegedly irreversible Immortal Retirement Act, he now runs Harlow and Sons Funeral Home—a front for his eternal sentencing among mortals, and a bleak reminder of the purpose he's lost. Still, he's determined to claw his way back…if only the Fates at City Hall would stop toying with him. Enter Levi Wilder: a florist with an artist's heart, an infectious smile, and a gift for finding beauty in life's messiest moments. When Hayden storms into Levi's shop to complain about a bouquet of sunflowers—an offensive choice for a funeral, in his opinion—their worlds collide. Hayden is all restraint and shadows; Levi is all sunshine and charm. But beneath the clash lies an undeniable spark neither can ignore. As their connection blossoms, Hayden finds himself caught between the life he once knew and the bright future Levi dares him to imagine. But trusting Levi means risking the walls he's kept in place all these years—and it's not just his heart on the line. Because in the threads of fate, one choice can change everything.

My Thoughts:

The book opens with Hayden, formerly the God of the Underworld and currently the town's funeral director, being irritated with Levi, the local florist. Hayden can't believe that Levi had the audacity to put sunflowers in a funeral bouquet, and he lets his dismay be known. Despite their rocky start, the two are drawn together. They may be total opposites, but there is definitely an attraction there.

The romance in this is very steamy! The sex scenes are numerous, well-written, a little paranormal, and very hot. The romance is also surprisingly sweet and supportive, and the two encourage so much emotional growth in each other. This is one of the better Grumpy/Sunshine dynamics that I've encountered; Hayden's is grumpy, but it's in a completely charming and often funny way. Levi's bright and open, but he has layers and is far from a one-dimensional character.

Both characters have truly great growth arcs. I was expecting Hayden's arc, as a former God learning to live and love as a human, but Levi's arc surprised me. In a book that casts Hades as a literal "Shadow Daddy," Levi's moving storyline adds a welcome dose of realism and emotional depth. Levi's story is genuinely one of the best parts of the book, and I think many readers will connect with it.

There is also a large cast of really great supporting characters. Many of the side characters have a great Found Family dynamic with Hayden and Levi, but we also get some interesting scenes with biological family members. I thought this was a good blend, and I loved the contrast of the eternally supportive Found Family with the complicated histories of biological families. Also, two supporting characters we meet late in the book are practically begging for sequels that focus on them.

I enjoyed this and recommend this most to readers of Achillean romance who want something very spicy and with great characters that you will almost certainly fall in love with. The summary compares this to Sara Raasch's The Entanglement of Rival Wizards, but this reads more like a classic, high-heat romance than a romantasy to me, since the Greek Mythology elements don't get much focus. I'd suggest going in expecting a fun, steamy romance with a sprinkle of mythology and a dash of paranormal fun.

My Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌘 (4.25/5 stars)

Pages: 400 (Kindle Edition)

Tropes/Tags: Queer, Achillean, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Grumpy/Sunshine, Greek Mythology

Contains Depictions Of: Death, Grief

Links: Storygraph | GoodReads | Pagebound | ChipPons.com

Dearly Departed will be released on June 16, 2026, and is available for pre-order!

I received an advanced copy of this book for free, thanks to Netgalley, Putnam, and Penguin. The above are my honest feelings about the provided book.

[ See Everything I’ve Read in 2026 ]

#dearly departed #chip pons #queer books #2026 releases #book review #arc review #my 2026 reads #books #netgalley

yakichoufd

you can get this fanart as a print here <3

#sorcery and small magics #maiga doocy #queer books #fan art #books

pagesandpothos

Bromantasy by Máire Roche

Official Summary:

Two heroes. One brain cell. Fellas, is it gay to kiss your bff while on a quest through the forest you’re unqualified for? Juniper O'Reilly is good at only two things: demolishing a pint of mead and finding the perfect skincare routine. Everything else—taking care of the farm, bartering for goods, any sort of manual labor—falls to Juniper’s best friend, the absurdly capable, endlessly patient Mo Elmthorn. But when Juniper accidentally volunteers them both for a quest to kill a fearsome monster, he knows he’s finally gotten in over his head. Juniper hates camping, he hates the dark, and there’s no way all these foraged mushrooms are going to sit well in his stomach. One thing he doesn’t hate? How good Mo’s thighs look in his questing pants—he doesn’t have time to think about that, though, with a monster to hunt and their futures on the line. But monsters come in all shapes and sizes. When Juniper and Mo realize that the terrifying beast they’ve sworn to kill is just a scared little girl torn from her family, they’re off to find not only the true villain of the story, but maybe even a happy ending.

My Thoughts:

I love all kinds of queer romantasy but there's a special place in my heart for silly romantasy that doesn't take itself too seriously. If a fantasy romance can make me laugh as well as swoon while I get wrapped up in an epic adventure, then I'm almost certain to have a great time. So, the second I heard of Bromantasy, I knew I had to read it as soon as possible.

Juniper and Mo are life-long (and totally platonic!!) friends who have lived together on a small farm for ten years. Every year, once they've harvested the farm's crops for the season, Mo starts feeling blue and longs to go on a quest during the long and dull Winter. Juniper hates the idea of being left behind by his best friend, so he suggests the two go into town for a distraction; he absolutely does not intend to sign them both up to go on a quest to slay a dragon, but too much mead does have its consequences.

Juniper is the funniest of the two characters, but he has enough depth that he never feels like only comedic relief. He had a rough childhood with a neglectful father. Juniper is also sensitive and still holds some hurt from an argument with Mo that briefly fractured their friendship years ago. Mo is quiet, strong, supportive, and steady. He clearly loves his "Junebug," but it takes some time before we see his version of their story.

The romance is delightful. It's obvious from early in the book that these two love each other very deeply. There are several small scenes of one doing something for the other, just to make them happy, that made me swoon. As the story progresses and their relationship grows deeper and more complicated, I found myself both crying over them and cheering for them.

I thought this was going to be a simple story about two friends who are in love but in denial, for whatever reason, but there's so much more to their dynamic than that. There are some intense emotions that these two have to work through before they can get their happy ending. Juniper and Mo are one of my new favorite fictional pairings; I adore them together so, so much!

The plot is a fast-paced, fun-filled, and heartfelt adventure quest. I loved the surprising directions the story took; like with the romance, it seems like it's going to be a straightforward narrative, but there's more to it than a simple monster-hunting quest. There were multiple times when I cried and then laughed two sentences later. I was expecting to laugh while reading this, but the genuine emotion the story pulled from me definitely surprised me!

I'm having an excellent reading year in 2026; I've found several new books that I now consider all-time favorites, and this one is certainly near the top of that list. It was the exact blend of humor, romance, and fantasy I was hoping for, and I ended up loving it even more than I imagined I would.

I recommend this to any readers of queer fantasy romance, but especially to fans of books like Alexandra Rowland's Yield Under Great Persuasion and This Will Be Fun by E.B. Asher. Readers who adore the Idiots to Lovers and Friends to Lovers tropes will seriously eat this up!

My Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕 (5/5 stars)

Pages: 352 (Kindle Edition)

Tropes/Tags: Queer, Achillean, Rom-Com, Romantasy, Idiots to Lovers, Friends to Lovers, Slow Burn, Quest/Adventure Fantasy, There's Only One Bed

Contains Depictions Of: Mild Violence, Abusive & Alcoholic Parent, Injuries

Links: Storygraph | GoodReads | Pagebound | MaryERoach.com

Bromantasy will be released on May 26, 2026, and is available for pre-order!

I received an advanced copy of this book for free, thanks to Netgalley, Putnam, and Penguin. The above are my honest feelings about the provided book.

[ See Everything I’ve Read in 2026 ]

#reblog for release day

mollyringle

I have a favor to ask! It's free; it just takes a few minutes of your time. In the interests of adding more queer-joy books to your local library, will you please go to your library's website and find the "suggest a title" or "recommend a title" page, and request that they carry my upcoming book The Quicksand Theatre Company? (E.g., here is the one for Seattle Public Library, and here is the one for New York Public Library.)

Then also do this for any other books you think they should have, of course, including ones you've written. :) Patron demand is a HUGE influence on what libraries carry, and thereby will get books in front of lots more readers who browse the library. This really does make a difference. Info they might ask for: Title: The Quicksand Theatre Company Author: Molly Ringle Release date: Feb. 24, 2026 ISBN: 9781771684422 Thank you!

#the quicksand theatre company #2026 releases #queer books #books #molly ringle

We Burned So Bright by T.J. Klune

Official Summary:

The road stretched out before them. No other cars, just the headlights on the blacktop. Above, the cracked moon in a kaleidoscope sky…. Husbands Don and Rodney have lived a good long life. Together they’ve experienced the highest highs of love and family, and lows so low that they felt like the end of the world. Now, the world is ending for real. A wandering black hole is coming for Earth and in a month everything and everyone they’ve ever known will be gone. Suddenly, after 40 years together, Don and Rodney are out of time. They’re in a race against the clock to make it from Maine to Washington State to take care of some unfinished business before it’s all over. On the road they meet those who refuse to believe death is coming and those who rush to meet it. But there are also people living their final days as best they know how—impromptu weddings, bright burning bonfires, shared meals, and new friends. And as the black hole draws near, among ball lightning and under a cracked moon in a kaleidoscope sky, Don and Rodney will look back on their lives and ask if their best was good enough. Is it enough to burn bright if nothing comes from the ashes?

My Thoughts:

A wandering black hole will destroy Earth in just a few weeks. Rodney and Don, husbands of 40 years, have one last thing they want to do before the end. They buy an RV and set out on the long trip from Maine to Washington.

On their trip, they meet various other people, each living their final weeks in very different ways.

I thought this was a heartwrenching story. Don and Rodney have a really sweet relationship that felt so real. I thought the explorations of queer history, politics, grief, and death were done well. Late in the book, we delve more into Don and Rodney's past, and the topics explored there were incredibly moving. I thought this was the strongest part of the book, and I wish there had been more of it. It's devastating, but I found it far more compelling than most of the scenes with passing travelers.

This felt a little darker to me than most T.J. Klune books. It has some beautiful moments, but make sure you have some tissues when reading.

My Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑 (4/5 stars)

Pages: 176 (Hardcover Edition)

Tropes/Tags: Science Fiction, Queer

Contains Depictions Of: Death, Murder, Gun Violence, Suicide, Grief, Homophobia, and others that would spoil the story. Please check The Storygraph's Content Warnings for more details before reading, if you need them!

Links: Storygraph | GoodReads | Pagebound | TJKluneBooks.com

[ See Everything I’ve Read in 2026 ]

#we burned so bright #tj klune #queer books #novella #2026 releases #book review #my 2026 reads #books

c-leadraw

Winter's Orbit by @avoliot

#winter's orbit #everina maxwell #queer books #fan art #books

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

Official Summary:

You know what’s worse than breaking up with your girlfriend? Being stuck with her prize-winning show cat. And you know what’s worse than that? An alien invasion, the destruction of all man-made structures on Earth, and the systematic exploitation of all the survivors for a sadistic intergalactic game show. That’s what. Join Coast Guard vet Carl and his ex-girlfriend’s cat, Princess Donut, as they try to survive the end of the world—or just get to the next level—in a video game–like, trap-filled fantasy dungeon. A dungeon that’s actually the set of a reality television show with countless viewers across the galaxy. Exploding goblins. Magical potions. Deadly, drug-dealing llamas. This ain’t your ordinary game show. Welcome, Crawler. Welcome to the Dungeon. Survival is optional. Keeping the viewers entertained is not.

My Thoughts:

This is not the kind of book I normally gravitate towards, but I've seen so many readers praising this series that I was curious to see what all the hype is about!

I found this to be extraordinarily fun. The combination of reality television and video game elements made for such a compulsive read. It's much more violent and gory than what I normally read, but the humor and the surprising amount of heart help keep this from ever feeling too dark or hopeless.

Carl and Donut are very easy characters to love. Donut is hysterical, and I loved the empathy that Carl displays. His determination and defiance had me rooting for him so fiercely, and so much more than I ever expected to.

I really enjoyed the hints at the larger political story at play, and I'm really looking forward to seeing how it all plays out. I'm fully invested in the Royal Court of Princess Donut, and I'll be picking up book #2 soon!

My Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌘 (4.25/5 stars)

Pages: 427 (Hardcover Edition)

Tropes/Tags: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Dystopia, Adventure Fantasy, Humor

Contains Depictions Of: Death, Violence, Gore, Murder

Links: Storygraph | GoodReads | Pagebound | MattDinniman.com

[ See Everything I’ve Read in 2026 ]

#dungeon crawler carl #matt dinniman #book review #books #my 2026 reads #dcc

canonicallypolyamrecs

Rears & Vices by E.M. Caro

Relationship: M/M/M

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Thriller

My Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Premise: In 1816, a Royal Navy Captain life is thrown into chaos when he runs into two of his exes at a court-martial - one of them part of those judging and the other on the docket. Jailbreaking leads to a new life among pirates, revolutionaries, and colonial spies, with tropes such as marriage of convenience, only one bed, and mutual pining scattered throughout.

The Romance: Messy, complicated, wrapped in different past relationships with each other and lacking some key communication, Everard dives into the deep end by going on the run for one ex with the assistance of another. He doesn't have much belief in people loving him, and very much relies on acts of service and gifts to put the clues together.

The Characters:

Everard Anderson de Anglada: has always wanted to be a hero and has always loved other men. These things don't really work in the British Navy, especially when he has been expected to retire after a disabling injury.

Preston D'Arcy: comes from wealth and is very pretty, which has gotten him far in life. Hiding a lot under a flippant exterior, he manages to be something of a source of grounding for the other two.

Vitality Gray: is a pirate and a revolutionary first, (rather sweet) lover second. Usually captaining behind the mask of a specific and often violent persona, he longs for those who he can be safely himself with.

Spice Level: Hot. There are numerous sex scenes on page.

Final Thoughts: This book was such a fun read. Not everything made sense, but the setting, as well as the characters and relationships, were delicious enough that I didn't care. If you're desperate for more polyamorous pirates in your life, this book is for you! Bonus what lovely cover art:

#Rears & Vices #E.M. Caro #2026 releases #queer books #books #this author has a MM romance coming out later this year that also sounds good! It's called By Any Means & it comes out in September

pagesandpothos

The Fake Divination Offense by Sara Raasch

Official Summary:

Sports romance gets a Dungeons & Dragons makeover with the next book in the Magic and Romance series that follows half-giant Orok, forced into a PR relationship with a feisty, fan-favorite cheerleader. Orok star defensive tank on the Philadelphia Hellhounds rawball team. Half-giant. Patron Urzoth, god of strength . . . only Orok’s tired of being tied to a god known for aggression. So (don’t tell his mother) he’s planning on renouncing Urzoth. Until the cult of Galaxrien, Urzoth’s sworn enemy, ends up causing a lot of damage through their ill-advised attempts to summon him, and the followers of both deities find themselves blamed for the long-standing feud and its ramifications. Alexo cheerleading intern with the Hellhounds. Smells like apples, which Orok only knows because he picked Alexo up. Accidentally—Orok publicly saves Alexo from a bar fight, and fans go feral for the muscly pro athlete being protective of the pint size dude-in-distress. That’s enough to have the Hellhounds and Urzoth’s church both coming to them with a Orok and Alexo will start a PR relationship to put a positive spin on Urzoth. Orok is all set to refuse—and finally separate from Urzoth—when the team offers Alexo a starting spot on the cheerleading squad to play up the star athlete and cheerleader optics. It’s such an obvious dream come true for Alexo that Orok finds himself agreeing to the arrangement like the sap he is. He can keep living a lie for a bit longer. But Orok starts to wonder if they can drop the fake part of this fake-relationship…

My Thoughts:

Like a lot of queer romantasy readers, I discovered Sara Raasch through The Nightmare Before Kissmas back in 2024. I adored that book and its sequel, Go Luck Yourself, so much. Last year's The Entanglement of Rival Wizards was one of my favorite reads of the year, so to say I've been looking forward to the follow-up might be a bit of an understatement.

The Fake Divination Offense is the second book in the "Magic and Romance" series and follows Orok. He's recently joined a new rawball team, the Hellhounds, and the team's management wants to generate positive media attention to offset recent bad press. They encourage him to publicly pretend to date a Hellhound cheerleader, Alexo, who Orok recently protected from a creep at a bar. The public is swooning over Orok's gallant behavior, and everyone adores the romance the media has dubbed "Beauty and the Beast."

The thing I love most about Raasch's queer romantasy novels is the blend of humor with genuine, moving character growth. There were moments when I almost cried laughing, and others that made me actually cry. Orok is dealing with the fallout from his and Sebastian's lawsuit (and the trauma that prompted it). He's also still struggling with his association with Urzoth, his very intense mother, and he's been working with a therapist about his tendency to become unhealthily co-dependent in relationships. These all lead to a great growth arc for the character. I liked Orok as a side character in the first book in this series, but I truly loved him in this book!

Alexo is also a loveable character. There's a mystery with his backstory (and current situation) for the first half of the book, and I enjoyed discovering more about him a little at a time. We also get a lot of Sebastian and Thio in this book, which I adored. They have some adorable scenes, and there are big developments for them that made me swoon! Plus, Orok and Sebastian's friendship continues to be the steady foundation for this series; one of the best scenes of the whole book is a conversation between them!

The romance is steamy and sweet. Orok is protective of everyone he loves, and it's lovely to see him try to balance his need to protect Alexo Alexo without being too overbearing. I really liked how these two talked out their issues and discussed their boundaries. Even though they end up in a situation that easily could have made their dynamic unhealthy, their honest and open conversations made their romance delightful. I'm not joking about the steaminess either; these two are smoking hot together!

As expected, I loved this; I enjoyed it even more than The Entanglement of Rival Wizards, actually! The fantasy religion plot, along with the sports romance and fake dating trope, really worked for me and made for a story I quickly became addicted to.

My Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕 (5/5 stars)

Pages: 320 (Kindle Edition)

Tropes/Tags: Queer, Achillean, Romantasy, Fake Dating, Sports Romance, Size Difference, Fantasy, Romance

Contains Depictions Of: Some Violence

Links: Storygraph | GoodReads | Pagebound | SaraRaaschBooks.com

The Fake Divination Offense will be released on March 19, 2026, and is available for pre-order!

I received an advanced copy of this book for free, thanks to Netgalley, Bramble, TOR, and Macmillan. The above are my honest feelings about the provided book.

[ See Everything I’ve Read in 2026 ]

#reblog for release day #Happy Book Birthday to one of my favorite books of the year!#I'm excited to get my copy!

Love Bites, Vol. 1 by Alicia Wallace

Official Summary:

Perfect for fans of supernatural romance and monster love stories, this graphic novel features two mortal enemies, a vampire and a werewolf, falling for each other. As a teenage vampire, Kieran has always been warned to stay away from werewolves, but everything changes when he falls for Mason—the Alpha’s son. What started off as disdain, lines drawn in the sand between two opposing sides, quickly turns to fascination after the two share one fateful kiss. Kieran and Mason know they can’t be together, their communities would never approve. And with every hidden kiss and rendezvous, keeping their secret takes on a whole new set of problems. Avoiding the eyes of both society and Kieran’s extremist family grows more and more challenging, and as silver blades sharpen, the two must choose to stand up for a love worth fighting for.

My Thoughts:

Love Bites, Volume One, is the first in a new Young Adult graphic novel series. It's a paranormal romance about a family of vampires and a pack of werewolves.

This first volume mostly sets up the story by introducing the characters, setting the foundation of the romance, and establishing the lore.

The romance is an enemies-to-lovers story with an added element of forbidden love. Kieren is a vampire, and Mason is a werewolf. The two species have a peace treaty, but since a werewolf killed Kieren's mother, some in his family have had a deep distrust of the species.

Mason and Kieren go to high school together, and the two have a tense relationship. They seem drawn together, though both seem to resist the pull they feel towards each other.

Overall, I found this to be a good setup for a series. I'm interested in the werewolf vs. vampire lore and curious to learn more about Kieren's mother's death. The romance hasn't grabbed me yet, but I'm interested to see how it develops in the next volume. I also really liked Kieren's best friend, Cella.

My Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌖 🌑 (3.75/5 stars)

Pages: 288 (Digital ARC Edition)

Tropes/Tags: Young Adult, Queer, Achillean, Paranormal, Vampires, Werewolves, Enemies to Lovers, Forbidden Romance

Contains Depictions Of: Murder, Death of a Parent

Links: Storygraph | GoodReads | Pagebound

Love Bites, Vol 1 will be released on August 4, 2026, and is available for pre-order!

I received an advanced copy of this book for free, thanks to Netgalley and WEBTOON Unscrolled. The above are my honest feelings about the provided book.

[ See Everything I’ve Read in 2026 ]

#Love Bites #Alicia Wallace #graphic novels #queer books #arc review #book review #books #2026 releases #my 2026 reads #netgalley

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In Your Court by Kit Haley

Official Summary:

A sweet, steamy AF contemporary MM romance! Find truckloads of hot, witty banter, exploration of queer solidarity, lots of tennis details but very little actual tennis, and amusing Australian/American cultural confusion. Australian Matteo Russo is the first and only openly gay tennis pro. Once a brilliant junior, he was slated for a bright future – until a freak accident derailed his career. Now, he’s fed up, he’s struggling to qualify for tournaments, and he’s not sure he can afford dinner tonight. After losing to his old rival—the rich, arrogant, American superstar Miles Callahan—Mat throws the man’s privilege in his face and sets him a challenge – one he’s sure Miles would never accept. But he does. Determined to prove he’s earned his success, Miles travels to Wimbledon on a tight budget – no support team, no coach, no fancy hotel. And now the American needs a hitting partner, and someone to explain laundromats, and what started as a dare soon becomes a searing off-court fling. Mat should be focusing on his career, not falling for a glamorous star, but Miles believes in his game in a way Mat hasn’t for a long time, and is fast becoming everything he’s ever wanted. Only… love and tennis just don’t mix, because one day soon they’ll have to face each other on the court. And in tennis, someone always has to lose.

My Thoughts:

2026 is the year of Achillean tennis romances. This is the third I've read so far this year, and I genuinely loved all of them. In Your Court is the steamiest of the three, and it's also the one that focuses most on the romance.

Matteo was an up-and-coming tennis star when a car accident derailed his promising career. Now, he's struggling to get his career back on track, but a lack of funds has him at a disadvantage. Meanwhile, his former rival, Miles, someone he used to beat regularly, is now a star player and golden boy of the sport. Angry about his situation, Matteo lashes out at Miles, pointing out that he wouldn't be where he is if he weren't so privileged and wealthy. Miles unexpectedly responds by dismissing his team and seeking Matteo's help with his new, strict budget. The two soon start a steamy affair that soon changes both of their lives.

I loved both characters in this. Matteo is such a fascinating main character: he's angry, complicated, honest, and passionate. Miles is supportive and considerate, but he has flaws too. That's actually what I ended up loving the most about both characters: they feel real; neither is perfect. They both have things they need to work through, and that's where their romance benefits both.

The romance is truly swoon-worthy and very steamy. The two start as a quick fling, but we see them slowly get to know each other and fall in love. Some of their moments made me want to melt into a puddle; they are so surprisingly sweet together! There are some good emotional scenes, too. Mat being out and Miles being closeted provides some drama. Plus, they are competitors, and there is only one winner in tennis. These two suit each other so well, and they push each other to be better for the other.

From the higher page count, I was worried about the pacing, but the story flows really well. As the summary suggests, this doesn't focus much on the actual tennis matches; it's far more focused on the romance and characters, and those were both plenty good enough to keep me glued to the story.

This book struck the perfect balance between funny, emotional, sexy, and heartwarming. I love Mat and Miles as a couple, and I loved watching them fall in love and learn to be together. By the end of the book, I felt that these two could face anything together. They feel like such a solid, healthy pair, and we've seen them weather so many storms together.

This is excellent, and I think most readers of MM romance will devour it and end up as obsessed with Mat/Miles as I am. I think readers of Rachel Reid will especially love this; it's the first book in a series, too!

My Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌖 (4.75/5 stars)

Pages: 472 (Kindle Edition)

Tropes/Tags: Queer, Achillean, Romance, Sports Romance

Contains Depictions Of: Financial struggles (including food insecurity), toxic family relationships, Homophobia (including slurs), Past Car Accident

Other Notes: This is the first book in a series. The next book, Code Violation, will be released in 2027 and will focus on a character introduced briefly in this book.

Links: Storygraph | GoodReads | Pagebound | KitHaley.com

In Your Court will be released on July 16 2026, and is available for pre-order!

I received an advanced copy of this book for free, thanks to Netgalley and Redamance Books. The above are my honest feelings about the provided book.

[ See Everything I’ve Read in 2026 ]

#the release date has been pushed back to July 16th #in your court #kit haley #books #queer books

Love Galaxy by Sierra Branham

Official Summary:

Temmi, a young trash collector stuck in a dead-end job on a garbage planet, finds herself with a golden ticket she never expected: an opportunity to compete in an intergalactic dating show starring the brother and sister heirs to the galactic empire. Twenty-four women will compete on a televised program to marry the prince and princess—and future emperors—and to win the dynasty’s favor for their home planet. Temmi may have been hand-picked to date the quiet, bookish prince, who is immediately taken by her brash personality and their shared passion for the sciences. But she can’t seem to keep away from the princess—and even though it couldn’t be a worse idea, their chemistry is undeniable. But when contestants start turning up dead, and conspiracies begin to swirl around anti-imperial motivations of several contestants, Temmi among them, so much more than feelings are at stake. In fact, very few of the participants of Love Galaxy have come on the show to find love. Sexy, snarky, and revolutionary, this fast-paced thrill ride will hook lovers of reality TV, fans of thoughtful sci-fi, and anyone who lives for drama.

My Thoughts:

Temmi is working as a trash collector on her impoverished planet when she's filmed being rude to two people who turn out to be the heirs to the galactic empire. The heirs, Prince Nix and Princess Spie, are visiting to help select a contestant for this season of Love Galaxy, a reality dating show in which both heirs will be selecting a contestant to marry. Temmi's sudden notoriety ends with her being chosen as the contestant from her planet, and she agrees mostly because she desperately needs the money to help care for her sick mother and disabled brother. However, the show becomes a more dangerous experience than anyone expected.

I think the most important thing to know about this book is that it is heavy on political intrigue. I went in thinking this was going to be a fun romance with a dash of a dating competition (in space!), but it's far more than that. This is the start of a series that will clearly focus on dismantling an oppressive empire. The line in the official summary that describes the book as "thoughtful sci-fi" is spot-on!

The characters in this are great. I loved Temmi from the moment we met her. She's tough, foul-mouthed, no-nonsense, compassionate, and hard-working. She's a truly excellent main character. Spie and Nix are both interesting characters with a lot of privilege and responsibility. How these two evolve over the rest of this series should be fascinating. There's also a host of compelling supporting characters that I'm excited to learn more about.

My favorite part of the book was the absolutely delicious amount of Sapphic yearning. Temmi and Spie have a really fun rivals-to-lovers dynamic that is a serious slow burn, with major complications that keep it exciting. I wouldn't describe this book as a Romance, but I think it is the start of one.

The murder mystery is also a bit of a slow burn. The pacing starts slowly as the book focuses on the dating competition, world-building, and relationships at first, but it builds to a very exciting and unexpected climax.

The romance is great, the dating competition is fun, and the murder mystery is twisty, but what fully sold me was the political storyline. This book sets up what has the potential to be a truly excellent series, and I can't wait for the sequel. Temmi is one of my favorite new main characters, and I'm looking forward to seeing if she can burn everything down.

My Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌖 (4.75/5 stars)

Pages: 403 (Aardvark Edition)

Tropes/Tags: Queer, Sapphic, Science Fiction, Reality TV, Locked Room Mystery, Forced Proximity, Political Storyline

Contains Depictions Of: Murders, Deaths, Oppressive Government, Classism, Chronic Illness

Links: Storygraph | GoodReads | Pagebound | SierraBranham.com

Love Galaxy was released on April 21, 2026, and is available to order!

I received an advanced copy of this book for free, thanks to Netgalley, DAW Books, and Astra Publishing. The above are my honest feelings about the provided book.

[ See Everything I’ve Read in 2026 ]

#love galaxy #sierra branham #queer books #2026 releases #arc review #book review #books #my 2026 reads

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