5 Queer Books to Read at the Beach This Summer

Summer is here, and a hot and queer beach read is on the schedule. We rounded up our favorite LGBTQ+ books about romance, fantasy, and most importantly, queer joy.

“Ace of Spades” by Faridah Abike-Iyimide

This insanely good YA thriller has been pitched as a "Gossip Girl" meets "Get Out." If you love compelling thrillers that reflect the real world and can shock you with insanely good plot twists, then Faridah's novel has to be your next read.

"Ace of Spades" follows Devon Richards and Chiamaka Adebayo, two students at an elite private school get roped into a dangerous game that involves lies, secrets, and the search for the truth. Plus, we love a book that celebrates queer Black characters.

"Golden Boys" by Phil Stamper

In our opinion, queer friendships are not written about as often as they should. Phil Stamper is changing that. Meet Gabriel, Reese, Sal, and Heath, four best friends whose queerness and dreams brought them together in their small town. But for the first time, they're all spending the summer in different parts of the world. Reese is attending a design school in Paris. Gabriel is volunteering at an environmental nonprofit in Boston. Sal is interning in DC for a U.S. Senator. And Heath is headed to Daytona Beach to work at an arcade.

If you are sucker for multiple POV stories and heartwarming queer friendships, then "Golden Boys" should be in your tote bag all summer long.

"She Gets the Girl" by Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick

Alex and Molly couldn't be more different from each other, but now they've found themselves in the same college campus. But despite their differences, the two realize that they could help each other with their romantic goals. Molly wants to capture the heart of her dream girl, while Alex wants her ex to stop seeing her as someone who's ready to commit.

As the Alex and Molly help each other get the girl they each want, they start to wonder if their feelings have changed.

"Cemetery Boys" by Aiden Thomas

Latinx culture takes center stage in this riveting novel that involves brujos, family, a blazing romance, and spirits.

When Yadriel's traditional Latinx family struggles to accept his gender, he becomes determined to prove himself a real brujo. On his quest to perform a ritual, he sets out to find the ghost of his murdered cousin and set it free. But in an extremely good twist, the ghost he summons is actually Julian Diaz, the school’s resident bad boy. Follow Yadriel and Julian as they try find out what happened, while simultaneously falling in love, giving forbidden romance a whole new meaning.

"Red, White & Royal Blue" by Casey McQuiston

Alright, we know what you're thinking. This book is absolutely everywhere, so at this point, if you haven't read it yet then what's going on? But this incredibly well-written novel by Casey McQuiston is a must-read for the summer–even if you've read it a thousand times already.

"Red, White & Royal Blue" is a modern-day romance between Alex Claremont-Diaz, the son of the President of the United States, and Prince Henry, a member of the British Royal Family. This book is a must-read for everyone, but most importantly for those who yearn for a feel-good romance that makes you believe in the power of love.

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