About You Won’t Forget Me: From USA Today bestselling author Mazey Eddings comes a dazzling sapphic romance about fame, friendship, and falling for the one person you were never meant to. Released June 9th 2026.

What a beautiful thing Pride Month is. It’s an entire month dedicated to acknowledging and celebrating love, identity, and sexuality in all its forms and flavors. It’s a pause in the middle of the year to uplift love and community. Pride is also a protest. It’s a radical declaration that everyone has a write to love whoever and however they want, to express themselves fully, and be told they are worthy, that they belong, that they are loved. In a time when queer folx rights to simply exist are under daily attack (as of writing this, there are 530 anti-LGBTQ+ bills in the US being tracked by the ACLU) and our access to books telling queer stories are being threatened at an alarming rate through book bans and censorship, it is more crucial than ever to advocate for queer communities and uplift marginalized voices, and one joyful way to engage with that is by reading queer romance novels that celebrate love, identity, and happily-ever-afters for everyone. Below are six (out of many) of my most beloved queer romances that I think everyone should pick up. 

Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert

Talia Hibbert is one of my all-time favorite romance authors, every page of her books making swoon or laugh or cry… or all three at once, but Dani Brown, in my humble opinion, is Hibbert’s best character. Dani is unapologetically brilliant, gorgeous, and emotionally removed. But nothing could’ve prepared her guarded heart for Zaf, the hopeless romantic that upends her cool, detached bubble. The bisexual and ADHD rep in this book was so beautifully done, and I guarantee this book will leave you giggling and kicking your feet

A Shore Thing by Joanna Lowell

I cut my teeth on historical romances and it easily my most-read romance sub-genre, so I can safely say that Joanna Lowell is one of the best in the game. A Shore Thing is a tender, gentle, and decadent romance about Kit, a trans, unreformed rake who’s decision to leave a life that didn’t fit and embrace his true identity has also left him unable to paint/express himself creatively. No matter! He’ll spend his days selling bicycles and fooling around with Victorian vacationers at the shore. Enter Muriel, a firecracker of a woman that needs Kit’s artistic help. The pair strike up a deal and spend a summer of scorching intimacy and heart wrenching vulnerability. 

The Queer Principals of Kit Webb by Cat Sebastian

Some books I’ll borrow from the library, read the first two pages, then rush out and buy my own copy because I know it will be one that I’ll be re-reading over and over again. This is one of those books. Unfairly clever and hilarious, this book is essentially “be gay, do crimes, eat the rich, Georgian style,” and I find that very sexy. When Kit, a reluctantly retired highwayman, is solicited for a little thievery by a desperate aristocrat, he agrees to teach the highborn some tricks of the trade, and they both lose their hearts along the way. This book is not only enthralling and witty, but it takes a close look at dismantling systems of oppression and never shies away from discussions about wealth disparity, disabilities, and queer joy.

Finding Joy by Adriana Herrera

I’m not sure there could be a more fitting title for this perfect MM romance because it will leave you with the biggest smile on your face and the consuming rush that we all hope for from our romance novels. I think what makes Herrara an expert at her craft is her ability to layer her characters and make them so profoundly real and nuanced, which results in a queer love story that does not shy away from the difficulties the main characters face, especially Elias who has been forced into the closet for fear his family and community won’t accept him as a queer person, but these roadblocks to their happy ending are handled with so much care, it never feels like an element is added for the sake of drama but instead to show the power of love between two people and the freedom that comes with living honestly and proudly as your truest self.

Ladies in Hating by Alexandra Vasti

If Alexandra Vasti writes it, I’ll be reading it, no questions asked. But a sapphic gothic historical romance by Alexandra Vasti? I actually do have a question: HOW DARE YOU WRITE THE BOOK OF MY DREAMS MS. VASTI?? Ladies in Hating is one of those books that had me hooked from the first page, and left me wanting to light my laptop on fire because the story and prose is that good. Rival authors Georgianna and Cat find themselves trapped in a spooky manor, and lots of moaning ensues (of the creepy and sensual variety because this book has range).

Greta & Valdin by Rebecca K. Reilly

While this book was not technically marketed as a genre romance to my knowledge, it is perhaps one of the gayest books I’ve ever read filled to the brim with happy endings for all, and so it counts in my head and deserves a spot on any romance reader’s shelf. Greta & Valdin chronicles the antics of the queer, chaotic titular siblings as they navigate love, identity, and what it means to find fulfillment in life. This story has stuck with me for years, and every character in this story feels like family in a way I’ve never experienced from a book before. The choices Gret and Valdin make are messy and outrageous as they navigate adulthood, and their dialogue and observations are some of the funniest writing I’ve ever encountered.

The post Six Queer Romance Book Recommendations From Author Mazey Eddings appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Get ready to swoon over these delightful new romance books hitting shelves this month! With new releases from the likes of Alicia Thompson, Katherine Center, Christina Lauren, Farrah Rochon, and many more, along with those making their debut, there’s certainly something for everyone to add to their TBR!

Read on to discover our picks and let us know in the comments below if you’re looking forward to any of them!

Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
The romantic and hilarious story of a professional organizer whose life is a mess, and the summer she gets unstuck with the help of someone unexpected from her past, by the bestselling author of Nora Goes Off Script.

Match Me If You Can by Swati Hegde

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A young magazine writer in Mumbai must prove her matchmaking skills—and contend with growing feelings for her close family friend—in this debut desi romance.

Barely Even Friends by Mae Bennett

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A grumpy, rich recluse meets his match in this steamy Beauty and the Beast retelling—with a Succession twist. Fans of fairy tale adaptations, and readers of Julie Murphy and Falon Ballard, will adore Mae Bennett’s debut romance.

The Art of Catching Feelings by Alicia Thompson

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A professional baseball player and his heckler prove that true love is worth going to bat for in the next swoony romance by USA Today bestselling author Alicia Thompson.

Director’s Cut by Carlyn Greenwald

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After taking a guest teaching gig, Oscar-winning Valeria Sullivan finds herself trapped in a battle of wits with her sexy co-professor, but can she keep her cool when things heat up in and out of the classroom?

One-Star Romance by Laura Hankin

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A struggling writer is forced to walk down the aisle at her best friend’s wedding with the man who gave her book a very public one-star rating in this fresh romantic comedy from Laura Hankin.

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center

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The New York Times bestselling author Katherine Center’s next laugh out loud, feel good rom-com about writing your own story.

Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle

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For fans of Emily Henry, a debut about a rom-com screenwriter who doesn’t believe in love and a divorce attorney who does, forced together at their high school reunion fifteen years after their breakup

Tangled Up in You by Christina Lauren

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A witty and deeply romantic modern reimagining of Disney’s Tangled, by the New York Times bestselling author duo Christina Lauren, part of the acclaimed and bestselling Meant to Be collection.

Hot Summer by Elle Everhart

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Sparks fly when a young woman finds herself cast on a Love Island-inspired reality show and has to choose between her heart and her strategy in this sizzling new queer romantic comedy from the beloved author of Wanderlust.

We Could Be Heroes by Philip Ellis

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Uproarious and touching, We Could Be Heroes is an ode to queer joy and a romance that just might save the world.

Under Your Spell by Laura Wood

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The daughter of an aging rock star finds herself working for the hottest musician on the planet and is shocked when sparks start to fly—especially since she swore she’d never, ever date a celebrity—in this unputdownable romance that is perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Emily Henry.

A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston

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A professor of literature finds herself caught up in a work of fiction…literally, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Seven Year Slip and The Dead Romantics.

Isabel and the Rogue by Liana De la Rosa

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When a Mexican heiress defies Victorian society to protect her country a British war hero makes it his new mission to protect her…

A Shore Thing by Joanna Lowell

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A delightfully queer Victorian love story, featuring a boldly brash trans hero, the beguiling botanist who captures his heart, and a buoyant bicycle race by the British seaside — from the author of The Duke Undone.

Business Casual By B.K. Borison

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Two opposites decide to test their chemistry with one steamy night together. But will once be enough?

Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood

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A forbidden, secret affair proves that all’s fair in love and science—from New York Times bestselling author Ali Hazelwood.

Pardon My Frenchie by Farrah Rochon

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The New York Times bestselling author of Almost There delivers the start of a new rom-com series with an enemies-to-lovers romance, perfect for readers of Abby Jimenez and Jasmine Guillory.

Curvy Girl Summer by Danielle Allen

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Bridget Jones’s Diary meets Survival of the Thickest in Danielle Allen’s CURVY GIRL SUMMER, a smoking-hot, hilarious novel about the perils of online dating.

Right Where We Left Us by Jen Devon

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Perfect for fans of Carly Fortune and Lucy Score, Right Where We Left Us is a searing and unforgettable romance.

Birding With Benefits by Sarah T. Dubb

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A divorcee embarks on her “year of yes” and crosses paths with a shy but sensitive birdwatcher who changes her life in this charming rom-com that is perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Ali Hazelwood.

All Roads Lead To Rome by Sabrina Fedel

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When the daughter of a diplomat fake dates a Scottish celebrity in Italy, she soon finds herself living her own Roman Holiday until the feelings get real and the paparazzi’s knives come out.

Finding Mr. Write by Kelley Armstrong

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#1 New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong delivers a fun romantic comedy about a woman writing under a male pseudonym and the man she hires to play the role in public.

But How Are You, Really by Ella Dawson

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A burned-out bisexual confronts old demons, her estranged chosen family, and the ex she maybe shouldn’t have walked away from when she attends her five-year college reunion.

What June romance books are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post 24 New Romance Reads To Pick Up In June 2024 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Hi, Joanna! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?

Hi, hi! Let’s see. I’m a Gemini. I grew up in a pizza shop and did my formative reading atop sacks of flour. I eat preposterous amounts of grapes. I teach creative writing at a liberal arts university in North Carolina.

When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?

I think it came out of make believe. Playing pretend with my little brother and then kids at school. We rotated through tons of characters, mostly animals, but I also remember a phase of pretending I was different fruits from the fruit bowl, probably because people were always saying Joanna Banana. I wanted the make believe to keep going, so I’d write about the characters too as a way of staying in whatever world I’d created with my brother and our friends. Story is still very connected with play for me, even though writing is also work.

Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!

The first book I remember reading is Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. It gave me too many feelings to forget. The Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin made me want to become an author, in a roundabout way. It actually made me want to become wizard, but I wasn’t able to perform any feats of wizardry in real life, so I wrote about the magical feats instead, and eventually writing began to seem like an acceptable alternative to spellcasting. I’m still thinking about every story written by Ted Chiang.

Your new novel, Artfully Yours, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

These words are all aspirational, but I was going for atmospherically Victorian, intensely emotional, swoon-worthy.

What can readers expect?

The book’s heroine is a reluctant art forger who falls in love with an art critic determined to bring forgers to justice. Readers can expect intrigue, divided loyalties, slow-to-ignite but fiercely burning passion, and one literally steamy scene.

Where did the inspiration for Artfully Yours come from?

It came from writing The Duke Undone. In that book, the heroine wants to be an artist. I started thinking about how it would work to write a heroine who doesn’t want to be an artist. Not being an artist isn’t usually something a person has to want very badly. It’s more the default. Some angsty, highly specific conditions are required to make that desire a driving force in someone’s life. Nina and her situation emerged from there, and Artfully Yours followed.

Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

I really enjoyed writing Fritz, Nina’s mischievous marmoset. I wrote the book during the pandemic, so my only activities were walks around the neighborhood. It got so I could tell apart some of the squirrels. Fritz is a homage to Virginia Woolf’s marmoset, and also to the squirrels of Winston-Salem.

What do you love about the romance genre?

I love the big emotions, and I love that the form allows us to feel those big, risky, intense feelings safely. The happy ending is a promise, a narrative promise, but also a promise about care, that the characters will receive it, and readers too. I love that. A genre focused on care strikes me as radical and beautiful. Romance keeps creating different models of interdependence and accountability and desire and being with others, and I love this as an imaginative practice.

Do you have any advice for those who may have set some writing resolutions for the new year?

Maybe not advice, more encouragement. Even though I like to think writing is magical, there’s no magical secret to it, and I don’t believe there are chosen ones meant to write, or that writing should look the same for different people (as a process or a product). Be generous with yourself. Don’t take it as a sign that you’re not cut out for writing if things don’t flow easily, or if you fall behind your goals, or decide you hate your project. Stay with it. Or change it up. But write on, in one way or another, because it’s for you as much as anyone.

What’s next for you?

A fourth book in this Victorian artist series! It’s the first to center queer characters and includes a bicycle tour and some good times at the beach.

Lastly, are there any 2023 book releases our readers should look out for?

So many! I’ll just list a few. Lex Croucher’s Infamous. It’s such a fun, fresh take on Regency romance, insightful and hilarious, and the writing crackles. I can’t wait to read Liana De la Rosa’s Ana María and the Fox. I’ve been counting down the days. Same for Adriana Herrera’s An Island Princess Starts a Scandal, which follows the fantastic A Caribbean Heiress in Paris, one of my favorites from last year. Elizabeth Everett’s A Love By Design is already out, so you don’t have to wait! I loved every page. Heart-stealing characters. The most delicious pining. And beyond romance, I’m so excited for Infinite Constellations, an anthology of speculative fictions by writers from the global majority, edited by Khadijah Queen and K. Ibura. It’s absolutely visionary, heart and mind expanding.

Will you be picking up Artfully Yours? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Joanna Lowell, Author of ‘Artfully Yours’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover new romance reads and tell us in the comments below if you will be picking up any of these recommendations!

Second First Impressions by Sally Thorne
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From the USA Today bestselling author of The Hating Game and 99 Percent Mine comes the clever, funny, and unforgettable story of a muscular, tattooed man hired as an assistant to two old women under the watchful eye of a beautiful retirement home manager.

The Intimacy Experiment by Rosie Danan
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Naomi and Ethan will test the boundaries of love in this provocative romance from the author of the ground-breaking debut, The Roommate.

Twice Shy by Sarah Hogle
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From the author of You Deserve Each Other comes a charming and unconventional romantic comedy about a woman who inherits a sprawling estate with a groundskeeper whose stoic exterior masks a surprising vulnerability.

To Love and to Loathe by Martha Waters
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 The author of the hilarious To Have and to Hoax returns with an effervescent, charming, and swoon-worthy novel about a man and woman who never agree on anything until they agree to a no-strings-attached affair in this Regency-era romp.

Hana Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin
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For fans of “You’ve Got Mail,” a young woman juggles pursuing her dream job in radio while helping her family compete with the new halal restaurant across the street, in this sparkling new rom-com by the author of Ayesha at Last. 

The Kindred Spirits Supper Club by Amy E. Reichert
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Jobless and forced home to Wisconsin, journalist Sabrina Monroe can tolerate reunions with frenemies and kisses from old boyfriends, but not the literal ghosts that greet her in this heartwarming tale of the power of love and connection from acclaimed author Amy E. Reichert.

The Seat Filler by Sariah Wilson
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The movie star and the dog groomer are one kiss away from the perfect love story. That’s the hiccup in a warm and witty romance by the bestselling author of Roommaid.

Hot Copy by Ruby Barrett
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A meet-cute-gone-wrong on his first day leads an intern to prove to his boss that he’s not the type of man she thinks he is, and they’re both forced to choose what matters more: work, or love.  

Maggie Finds Her Muse by Dee Ernst
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A sparkling romantic comedy starring a bestselling author who goes to Paris to overcome writer’s block and rediscovers family, independence, and love along the way.

The Duke Undone by Joanna Lowell
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An artist stumbles upon a naked duke and an unlikely love story begins in this captivating Victorian historical romance.

The Warlord by Gena Showalter
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New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter begins a dark, sexy new series–Rise of the Warlords–with a fan favourite character from her beloved Lords of the Underworld series, Taliyah Skyhawk. The ice maiden faces off with her greatest enemy, a villain brutal beyond imagining.

Meet Me in Another Life by Catriona Silvey
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A powerful and poignant speculative love story about a man and woman whose paths continue to cross in different lifetimes—a thrilling and imaginative exploration of what truly defines us and how our choices can change everything, perfect for fans of The Time Traveler’s Wife and Life After Life.

What April romance books are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post April 2021 Romance Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.