August 2026 Queer Releases

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white square which reads "203 queer books coming out in August". The 203 is in matching horizontal rainbow stripes and August is in purple text. Text between the number and month are all caps black font.

🌈 What's COMING OUT (pun intended) this August? Which books are you excited for? Which books are you adding to your TBR? Any other queer releases you know of?

We do our best to screen books for AI usage and do not include books with covers that are made by generative AI, audiobooks narrated by generative AI or books written by generative AI. If there was a mistake, please let us know.

Note: Some dates may have changed. We haven’t read all of these books, so please check reviews for more details on queer identities represented and The StoryGraph for content warnings!

 

1

Tales of the Tongue: A Queer Folktale Anthology curated by H.S. Wolfe & mars adler, edited by Nelka Mazur

Made to Be by Elle Young

Backward Motion (Crossroads Book 1) by Sydney Rutherford

Checked Out by Kellen Tucker


2

Boss & Brat (Foggy Basin Season Three) by Brina Brady


3

Ghosts That We Knew by Amity Malcom

His Eternal Temptation (Bound in Blood Book 1) by Colette Rivera

Slow Brew by D.G. Holloway


4

Howling Hearth by Jana Sun

Love Bites Vol 1 by Alicia Wallace, adapted by Ele

Liars in Paradise by Olesya Lyuzna

When Lemons Give You Life by Anna Johnston

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white font over a purple rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

All We Hide by Robyn Gigl

Find My Way Down to You by Julian Winters

Be Still My Unbeating Heart by Josh Winning

Immortal Game by Allison Saft

Survival Show by Juno Dawson

Sunsplitter (Beasts of the Void Book 2) by S. A. Maclean

The Hardest Ones to Fool by Christina Li

Just Another Summer by Susan & Tilly Bridges, Giulia Rinaldo (Illustrator), Gaia Fredella (Illustrator), Valentina Briški (Colorist), Chas Pangburn (Letterer)

Liberation Now! by Seb Doubinsky

The Nightingales by Emil Wilson

Beware Her Fury by Mirion Malle, Aleshia Jensen (Translator)

Seer's Path (Storm Captain Book 3) by E.L. Reeves

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white font over a purple rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

The Unexpected Afterlife of Salon Rose: A Coming-of-Age While Dead Story by Amy B. Scher

Concentration Play (Leather & Lattes Book 5) by Katherine McIntyre

Accidentally Falling (Sapphire Falls Orchard Book 2) by Shannon O'Connor

Merrick (Ink & Ember Book 2) by Kate Hawthorne

Take It From the Top by Sadie Hepworth

Meet Me in the Garden by Nina LaCour

Fruit Fly by Josh Silver

Appetite by P. Paramita

International Relations by Zac Hammett

Devour Me (Devour Me Book 1) by Emily Rath

Checkmate Vol. 4 by Tan

Intrusive Intentions by Sebastian J. Plata

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white font over a purple rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

Aliens in New Florida by Carmen Loup

The Dream Thieves: Graphic Novel by Maggie Stiefvater and Sas Milledge (Adapter & Illustrator)


5

Hopefinder by Keir Hudson

Love on the Main Stage by Maude Winters

Hellhound AU (Because Canon Sucks) by Shannon Mae

 

6

Silk & Honey (Foggy Basin Season Three) by Kota Quinn


7

Playing the Backbeat by Jane Haynes

Hunt Me (Murder Hearts Book 1) by Cora Rose & E.M. Lindsey

Tossing the Caber (Marriage Market Misadventures) by Jem Zero

Fruit & Flash (Foggy Basin Season Three) by R.A. Frick


8

Under (Descent into Darkness Book 1) by Lily Fay


10

Keystrokes & Kittens (Foggy Basin Season Three) by Gabbi Gray

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white font over a purple rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

Playing His Game by Ashlyn Kane & Morgan James

Risk Aware by Emily Alter

Summer Nights & Security Lights (Seasons in the Hollow Book 3) by Anouk de Rooij


11

How to Survive this Fairytale by S.M. Hallow

Kiss Me Cursed (Flipped Fairytales) by Sierra Scandella

Curse Me Silent (Flipped Fairytales) by Tereza Kane

A Streetcar Named Shenanigans by Rob Byrnes & J.M. Redmann

The Rewind Effect by Morgan Lee Miller

The Bayou Keeps the Bones by Bailey Bridgewater

Never Date a Celebrity by Claire Forsythe

Life, Love, & Other Messes by Erin Kaste

Back to Square One by Georgia Beers

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white font over a purple rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

A World Enough by Jenny Frame

Strangers' Gate by Eric Blair

Unsafe: The Carceral Roots of the Anti-Trans Backlash by Sarah Lamble

The Light of Ordinary Days: An Irish American Journey of Healing and Homeland by Carolyn Brigit Flynn

Jazzed: Jack Cole and Twentieth-Century American Dance by Debra Levine

The Witch Queen (The Crimson Crown Duology Book 2) by Heather Walter

Don't Cross Mo Ellery by Birdie Horne

Death Card by Jasmine Smith

Bridget & Gabe Are Not Okay (The Camelot Disasters Book 2) by Lex Croucher

Legend of Exorcism Vol. 6 by Fei Tian Ye Xiang, Ruthie (Illustrator), Eli (Translator) and Louise (Translator)

A Dance of Burning Blades (Invoker Trilogy Book 2) by M.H. Ayinde

Mages & Martinis by Jennifer Aline

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white font over a purple rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

Hollow Magic by Mars Lauderbaugh

Of Bards & Quests & Falling in Love by Rita A. Rubin

Quite the Pair by Tobias Madden

She Haunts Me Still by De Elizabeth

There Are Ghosts Here by Adrienne Tooley

Drawn to You (A Pride in Pine Grove Novella) by Rochelle Wolf

Stay Buried by Jennifer McMahon

In What World by Bridget Morrissey

For the Love of the Quest by Alexandra Ammon Parthun

Worth Melting For (Sleighbell Springs Book 8) by Bellamy West

Winterborne (Winterborne Book 1) by J. D. Netto

When the Bell Rings by Claire Donniere

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white font over a purple rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

12

Drown Me Gently (Flipped Fairytales) by Tereza Kane

Gastronomique Vol. 1 by Marguerite Bennett, Helena Masellis (Illustrator)

Dragonfly Dynasty (Flight of the Forgotten Book 1) by Jade Nioma

Selkie AU (Because Canon Sucks) by Arlo August


13

Dreams & Reptiles (Foggy Basin Season Three) by R.L. Merrill

Blood Sisters (Blood Sisters Saga Book 1) by Jay Vert

The A-Listers by Berlin Wick

Blurred Boundaries (Unintended Urges Book 2) by G.T. Dípè


14

Flights & Sights (Foggy Basin Season Three) by Riley Long

A Match Made in Slumber (Marriage Market Misadventures) by Kasia Bacon

Sandro (Vittone's Vampires Book 2) by Taylor Rylan

Illuminated (Vampire Tales) by Alexa Piper

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white font over a purple rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

Kissing the Opps (Hot Mic Book 3) by L.M. Bennett


15

Rob Me Blindly (Flipped Fairytales) by Harlowe Savage


16

The Ink Eater by Alice G. Brooks

Shadows of a Distant Shore by Eric Sean Turner


17

Bales & Brawn (Foggy Basin Season Three) by Jem Wendel


18

Fibre & Ink (Foggy Basin Season Three) by Jamie Sands

Ship Happens by Mason Deaver

Bratva's Wrath (Bratva's Undoing Book 4) by Gianni Holmes

Homeward for a Spell (Homegrown Magic Book 2) by Becca Podos & Jamie Pacton

And the Sea Gave Up the Dead by William Friend

Families We Lose: A New Explanation for Family Estrangement by Rin Reczek

First Summer by Ekin Oklap

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white font over a purple rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

Season of the Serpent (The Nameless Republic Book 3) by Suyi Davies Okungbowa

Tapeworm by A.P. Thayer

The Salt King by Natasha Pulley

In Vacuo by Andrea Morstabilini

A (Dead) Thing Like Me by E.G. Young

Bound By Fury by Noelle Monét

Finding My Spark by Isabelle Jameson, Sylvain Cabot (translator)

Not Here to Make Friends by Casey Swain

The Last Infinity by Alexis Ames

Hello, Limerence by Momo Yamaguchi

We Are Just Us by Jude Bradley

Outline by Michèle Fischels

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white font over a purple rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

Better Than Revenge by Bea Fitzgerald

Suhwa (Guardians of Dawn Book 4) by S. Jae-Jones

The Lost Brontë by Catherine Friend

Like Maybe I'll Marry Her Someday by Lili Key

Vicious Miscreations by Jenn Neal

The Minimalist by Kailee Pedersen

Dragon's Liberty by K.B. Diaz

The Blue Moon Cafe & 24-Hour Occult Emporium by Lexie Sharabianlou

Unprecedented Times by Malavika Kannan

The Divine Gardener's Handbook: Or What To Do If Your Girlfriend Accidentally Turns Off the Sun by Eli Snow

The Halls of the Dead by S. M. Hallow

Comeback After Fate by Anji Seina

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white font over a purple rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

19

Werewolves & Witches AU (Because Canon Sucks) by Sam Northman


20

Herds & Hooves (Foggy Basin Season Three) by B.L. Maxwell

Until I Feel Safe by Kirk Holland

The Art of Drowning by E.M. Denning

Closed Off (Love Concealed Book 2) by Terri Ronald


21

Stay & Surrender by Azarie Reign

Black Creative Healing: Arts-based Approaches to Imagining Liberation and Addressing Race-based Trauma by Adenike Webb, PhD, MT-BC and Natasha Thomas, PhD, MT-BC

Supporting Sex Workers: Community-Developed Guidelines for Creating Safe and Affirming Therapy and Care Spaces by Alessandra Lanti

A Practice-Led Handbook of Art Therapy with Children and Young People: An Ethical & Effective Approach edited by Mary Rose Brady

The Blood Rites by Silens Vice

Expanding Command (Intricate Ties Book 6) by A.E. LeMercier

Ruined (Wrecked & Wrong) by Ally Avery

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white font over a purple rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

The Eternity of the Orisa by Lani Leigh


22

A Witch's Curse by Laura Catherine


24

Fortune's Wake by C.L. Clark


25

Hammer & Hops (Foggy Basin Season Three) by Lynn Michaels

Senpai Is an Otokonoko: My Crossdressing Classmate 7 by POM

Witch's Favor (Favor Trilogy Book 1) by Victoria Szalay

The Shame Compass: A Radical Framework for Trauma Healing and Self-Acceptance by Frank Spinelli, MD

Books, Iced Coffee & a Side of Dragons by Amanda Lovelace, Raquel Travé (Illustrator)

Fruits of Our Labor by Ian Patterson

The Burn Line by Jonathan Sims

Gender Rituals: Creating a Sacred Space for Your Body, Your Gender, and Your Becoming by Eli Lawliet, PhD

Hellbound by Stephanie Binx

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white font over a purple rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

A Viper Among Kings by Sydney Olivia

If We Survive the Night (The Dead Weight Book 1) by Jo Salazar

The Harrow Home for Wayward Girls by Jessica Spotswood

Bite Me by Jennifer Dugan & Kit Seaton

Case File Compendium Vol. 9 by Rou Bao Bu Chi Rou, Ben Bingham (Translator)

The Lucky Egg Game Book 1: Death Game by Bo Mu Bing Lun, Suika (Translator), Divetus (Translator) and nokdock4 (Illustrator)

The Travelers by Greg Howard

The Last Room in Haven House by M. Kayes

This Hurts: A Redemption Story by Joelle Lynne

Whispers of Shadows & Gold by Meghan Saint

Natural Selection by Clare Edge

The Marriage Rebound (Atlanta Cannons Book 2) by Meka James

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white font over a purple rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

But I Hate Him by Page Powars

I Kissed Her First by Betty Cayouette

Love Me Like a Rock Song by Shelly Jay Shore

Crocodilopolis by John Manuel Arias

Summer Coven (A Dead & Breakfast Mystery Book 2) by Kat Hillis & Rosiee Thor

Daggerbound (Swordheart Book 2) by T. Kingfisher

Queens of the Crypt Vol. 1 by Dom & Ink

The City of Slaughter (The City Beautiful Book 2) by Aden Polydoros

Hymn of the Hanging Albatross (A Dread South Novella) by Sirius


27

The Torment of Tides (The Sound of Storms Duology Book 2) by Anya Keeler

Missionary by Dylan Gray

Forced Proximity by Dana Hawkins

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white font over a purple rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

Crash Course (The Boys of Elmwood U Book 3) by Hayden Hall

Craving Sin (Sinful Things Book 1) by Riley Hart

Earthbound (Faebound Book 3) by Saara El-Arifi

Zero Chill for the Vamp King by J.F. Miev

The Haunting of Avis Lovelock by MK Hardy

Billion-Dollar California Fairytale by Jenny Lane


28

Nicks & Cuts (Foggy Basin Season Three) by TJ Nichols

Lifted With Love (A Crum University Book) by Aricka Alexander

Miles by Tilly Ridge & C.S. Silverne

To Love the Stars too Fondly by SD Simper

Menagerie: A Cluster of Loss edited by Jonah Barnett

Our Final Game by Cherie Angels

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white font over a purple rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

The One-Night Heist (Stolen Art, Stolen Hearts Book 1) by C. Rochelle

Sixty Percent Chance of Rain by Audrey Beth Stein

Farah's Familiars: A Creature Cafe by Holland E. Armeta

Now Shake It, Baby! by Micah Flowers

The Infirmary for Dragon Burns & Midair Mishaps (The Ember Ridge Series Book 1) by Elizabeth Hrib

Omega Hunted (The Raines Pack Book 1) by RJ Scott


29

In the Frame (The London Arts Club Book 2) by Hayden Stone

The Boy I Never Met by Elen Chase


30

Curse of the Damned (The Seven Duet) by Adriana Sargent


31

Love Bites by Persephone R.P. Schaaf

Braving All Borders: Translatina Testimonios and Decolonial Defiance by Karla M. Padron

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white over a purple rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. 11 book covers are displayed. Rows 1 and 2 are full with 4 book covers. Row 3 has 3 book covers and 1 pale purple rectangle.

We post an open call for new releases around the 18th of the month preceding on Instagram, Twitter/X, Blue Sky and Threads. Authors can add their books to these posts or our linked new release form to be included in future new release lists. Alternatively, you can email andy@rainbowcratebookbox.com with the title/series name, author, book cover, cover artist/designer and a link to more information/purchase options (Goodreads/Author website/Itch.io). Books must have be outlined, written and edited without the use of gen AI; must have a cover made by a human artist or designer and must have a human narrator if an audiobook exists.

ID: A post of eighteen slides. The background is made up of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow for each slide. Slide 1 has a white square which reads "203 queer books coming out in August". The 203 is in matching horizontal rainbow stripes and August is in purple text. Text between the number and month are all caps black font. 

Slides 2-17 features a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in white font over a purple rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each.

Slide 18 features a similar set up but with 11 books displayed. Rows 1 and 2 are full with 4 book covers. Row 3 has 3 book covers and 1 pale purple rectangle. The column on the left has the release date in black font over a purple rectangle. End ID.

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