May 2026 Queer Releases

A graphic with a background of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow. In the middle is a white square which reads "242 queer books coming out in May". The 242 is in matching horizontal rainbow stripes and May is in yellow text. Text between the number and month are all caps black font.

🌈 What's COMING OUT (pun intended) this May? 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

Village Dreams by Jay Quint

Queer Possessions: Creative Criticism and Modern Irish Literature by Patrick R Mullen

All Things Devour by Mawce Hanlin

Chai & Charmcraft (The Charmcraft Chronicles Book 1) by Lynn Strong

God's Scar (Divine Sins Chronicles Book 1) by Ivy Margriette

Echoes of the Heart by Ally McGuire

A Shelter of Trust by Lili B. Wilms


2

Blueprints: A Taste for Oversharing by Crystal Jeans

Puck Them (Lakeview Cougars Hockey) by Jenn Bullard


3

Cursed Nightmare (Grimoire Archive: Shrouded Curses) by Amanda N. Newman

The Punk's Mafia Prince by Alix & Nick Hicks


4

Dream in Darkness (Hel's Carnival Book 2) by Rose Santoriello

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 black font over a yellow rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

Her Ghostly Embrace (Lockwood Coven Book 1) by Colette Rivera

The Face of My Killer (From Sea & Skye Book 1) by Jordan Victoria

Deviants and Trailblazers: A History of Trans Activism in Britain by Rebecca Jane Morgan


5

A Long & Speaking Silence (The Singing Hills Cycle Book 7) by Nghi Vo

Love Variations by Victoria Lee

Like We Were in Paris by Stephan Lee

My Thorns for Your Roses (The Cairnwood Reel Book 1) by Kristen Argyres

John of John by Douglas Stuart

Conversion Therapy Dropout: A Queer Story of Faith and Belonging by Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez

Everything Dead & Dying by Tate Brombal, Jacob Phillips (Artist), Pip Martin (Colorist), Aditya Bidicar (Letterer)

You Pierce My Soul by Jessica Mary Best

Lying, Stealing, and Other Ways to Save the Planet by Curtis Campbell

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 black font over a yellow rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

The Miseducation of Caroline Bingley (Austentatious Book 2) by Lindz McLeod

This Elegance by Derrick Austin

Raw & Zero by Imogen Smith

Earthly Playing Field by Radhika Singh

Theory for Moving Houses by Renee Gladman

Saturn Returning by Kim Narby

Opting Out by Maia Kobabe & Lucky Srikumar

Hell in a Handbag by Jibz Cameron

Ugly: A Letter to My Daughter by Stephanie Fairyington

The Outer Country by Davin Malasarn

Love Galaxy (The Imperial Broadcasts Book 1) by Sierra Branham

Mothman Is My Boyfriend: Ten Tales of Cryptid Love and Lust (Cryptid Creek Book 1) by McKayla Coyle & Wendy Stephens (Illustrator)

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 black font over a yellow rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

As the World Falls Down (Galaxy Vol 2) by Jadzia Axelrod

Voices in the Sea Foam by Kotarō

The Reaper and the Waiting by January Sun

Body Count by Codie Crowley

Writing the Noncolonial Self: Modern African Literatures and the Politics of Subjectivity by Alexander Fyfe

Platform Decay (The Murderbot Diaries Book 8) by Martha Wells

Girls Like Us (Some Girls Do Book 2) by Jennifer Dugan

Rainbow Wisdom: 18 LGBTQ+ Life Lessons for Everyone by Mischa Oak

Gold Star by Emma McKenna

Between Sun & Shadow by Laura Genn

Otherside Picnic Vol. 14 by Iori Miyazawa, Eita Mizuno, Shirakaba (designer)

Orange by Noel Quiñones

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 black font over a yellow rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

The Rule of Three (Salacious Legacy Book 2) by Sara Cate

(Out) on the Road: The Radical Joy of Queer Travel by Lindsey Danis

Homebound by Portia Elan

High Class Homos Vol. 2 by Momozerii

The Silent House of Sleep (Dr. Jack Cuthbert Mysteries Book 1) by Allan Gaw

A Singular Perspective: Cari's View by Shay B. Bryce

The Wives of Herrick Hall by Julie Lew

The Author Immortal Vol. 1 by Frank J Barbiere, Morgan Beem (Artist), Kate Kasenow (Artist), Lauren Affe (Colorist), Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (Letterer)

My Ex-Best Friend by Vico Black

Love in the West End (Sapphic Showmance) by Maude Winters

In the Lonely Hours by Elle Alexanda

An Italian Summer (The Italian Saga Book 2) by Gaia B. Amman

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 black font over a yellow rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

Ooo Shiny! Vol. 5 The Search for Shiny by JM Samland

Love at First Heist (Crimes of Passion Book 2) by Dee Garcia


6

Secret Heart (Creek Falls Omegaverse Book 2) by Jillian Rink

Triple Booked by J.E. Joyce

Unholy Bad Decisions (Not Quite Dead Book 1) by J.F. Miev


7

Alecto Gray Will Hunt You Down by Laura Eve

Ex Marks the Spot by Eleanor Vendrell

Speed Dating with Venus (Jinx Paranormal Dating Agency Book 14) by Laura Greenwood

How Queer Bookshops Changed the World by A.J. West

Stealing Forever by Lizzie C. Koz


8

The Last Marriage of Dot Brightmore (Mabel Beaumont Book 2) by Laura Pearson

Suck (Feed & Feast Book 1) by E.M. Lindsey & Cora Rose

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 black font over a yellow rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

Picture Perfect Mistake by Ana Ashley


11

Regal Feather (Plumas Universe) by Emily Alter

Hopefully Unbreakable (Hopefully Book 2) by Taz Ansley


12

Radiant Star (Imperial Radch) by Ann Leckie

All Hail Chaos (Time of Iron Book 2) by Sarah Rees Brennan

The LGBTQ Almanac: 500 Years of Queer Culture in American History by Deborah G. Felder

There's Something Wrong with the Chief Vol. 3 by Yang Su, Faelicy (Translator), Zolaida (Illustrator)

Come Devil Come by Elias Strange

Love Beyond Reasonable Doubt by Swati Hegde

Better Than Yesterday by T. Ashley

The Bone Door by Frances White

Licked (Lick It! Book 1) by Charlie Novak

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 black font over a yellow rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

Queer and How We Got Here: A (Personal) History by Hazel Newlevant

Born Again Queer: A History of Evangelical Gay Activism and the Making of Antigay Christianity by William Stell

In Between Days by Camryn Garrett

The Lost Book of Lancelot by John Glynn

Again, Harder by Alice Stoehr

Beloved Disciples by Mario Elías

It's Never Going to Happen by Sarah G Levine

Lake Effect by Hillary Behrman

Mighty Real: A History of LGBTQ Music, 1969–2000 by Barry Walters

Accidental Devotions by Kelli Russell Agodon

The Saw Mouth by Cale Plett

Smash or Pass by Birdie Schae

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 black font over a yellow rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

Case File Compendium: Bing an Ben Vol. 8 by Rou Bao Bu Chi Rou

Whisper Me a Love Song Vol. 11 by Eku Takeshima

Roses and Champagne Vol. 3 by Zig, Ttung Gae (Illustrator)

Three Hundred Years of Longing Vol. 3 by Mu Su Li, foxghost (Translator), Me.Mimo (Illustrator)

Dear. Door Vol. 3 by Pluto

Our Dining Table: Seconds, Please! Vol. 2 by Mita Ori

Laughter in the Sunshine by Fuuki Maru

They Marched Under the Sun by Cris Judar, Lara Norgaard (Translator)

Ignore All Previous Instructions by Ada Hoffman

Sweet Surrender by J.J. Hale

Her Refuge by Kadyan

Gender Ever After: A Gender Inclusive Sapphic Romance Anthology by Edited by S.B. Milne

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 black font over a yellow rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

Forever Family by L.M. Rose

Blighted by T.E. Lane

This Is Why I Need You by Alecsandra Kakon

The Instrument Must Not Matter by Christine Fischer Guy

The Hanging Bones by Elle Tesch


13

Finding True North by Emma Weimann

Seal the Deal (King of Heart Book 4) by Lucky Hart

The Week We Borrowed Love by Sasha J. Bee

Your Dick Made Me Believe in Magic: Gay Trans Witches Destroy Transphobia by River Huckleberry Kero


14

Cages of Alyssum (The Moonbound Trials Book 1) by Ava Hardwick

Familiar Faces (Summer Weddings in Solberg Book 2) by Cozy DuBois

In Too Deep (Tenebrae Cove Book 2) by N.R. Walker

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 black font over a yellow rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

Andromeda by E.S. McLeod

The Lister Sisters: Anne and Marian by Rebecca Batley


15

Settled Dust (Refuge Series Book 1) by Billie Simone Baldwin

A Vow of Vengeance (Vows of Unity Book 2) by Lionel Hart

Monster Married (Monster Apocalypse Book 2) by Alexa Piper

Floorbound by R.J. Bowe


16

Silver is the Night by Vaba Elaire

Suldric's King (Chronicles of Aethara Book 1) by Brom Geistman


18

Breath & Bone by K.V. Johansen

Being Third Gender, Being Neapolitan: Culture, History and the 'Femminielli' by Paolo Valerio


19

Senpai Is an Otokonoko Vol. 6 by Pom

Yuri Love Story Begins with Getting Dumped Vol. 2 by Hijiki

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 black font over a yellow rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

Prince of Hollow Desires (The Demon Reflected Book 2) by Jordan Ko

When Love Finds a Way by Katie Trapp

Between the Rival Courts (A Fatebound Novel) by Victoria Mier

The Night the Sea Kept Me by M. Anderson

The Color of Time by Millie Abecassis

Gender Queer: The Annotated Edition by Maia Kobabe

No Fats, No Fems: A Guide to Queer Empathy and Unpacking Prejudice by Max Hovey

The House of Now and Then by Edward Underhill

Take Me with You by Steven Rowley

The Fake Divination Offense (Magic & Romance Book 2) by Sara Raasch

The Body Riddle by Sam K. Mackinnon

All Them Dogs by Djamel White

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 black font over a yellow rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

Canon by Paige Lewis

Love All Our Neighbors: How Churches That Hold a Traditional Sexual Ethic Can Care for LGBTQ People by Tony Scarcello

Running Home to You by Samantha Saldivar

Villain (Hench Book 2) by Natalie Zina Walschots

A Star-Cursed Heart by Annie Mare

Entangled States by Karmela Padavic-Callaghan

Shapes of Love by L. V. Peñalba

Decomposition Book by Sara Van Os

The Period and Puberty Parenting Revolution: It's Time to Own the Conversation, Empower Your Child, and Rewrite the Rules of Parenting Kids Through Puberty by Charis Chambers

Score by Kennedy Ryan

All Us Saints by Katherine Packert Burke

Let Me Be Honest: 28 Young Artists on Surviving an Uncertain World edited by P. Anneka Lynch & Michaela Allen

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 black font over a yellow rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

Acts of Resistance: Essential Essays, Archival Encounters, and New Poems by Cheryl Clarke

Plastic, Prism, Void: Part One by Violet Allen

Joyful Reunion Vol. 4 by Fei Tian Ye Xiang, Mimi (Translator), Suika (Translator), yunyun (Translator), Ruthie (Illustrator)

The Book of Murmurs by Candice Purwin

I Love Amy, Vol. 2 by Unni, Ah Cho (Translator), Rebecca Sze (Illustrator)

Queerleaders by Olivia A. Cole & Ashley Woodfolk

Crash Into You by E.J. Noyes


20

Beyond the Epilogue: New Stories of Beloved Sapphic Couples edited by Astrid Ohletz


21

More than Meets the Eye by Mara Lovelle

Beyond the Pale (A Luce Allen Mystery Book 4) by Barbara Winkes

The Other A in LGBTQIA+: An Introduction to the Aromantic Community, in Our Own Words by Aurea

Boy Friends by Kai Spellmeier

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 black font over a yellow rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

In Your Court (Love Game Book 1) by Kit Haley

Second Helpings by Dylan Morrison

Deathball (Deathball Book 1) by W.H. Lockwood & TJ Rose


22

Love Notes & Lattes (A Copper Ridge Novella) by Ellie Harper Smith

Where the Petals Remain (The Unheard Trilogy Book 2) by Micah Flowers

Breakfast & Break-Ins by Elle Kleos


23

The Ethics of Desire (Mapleridge Book 1) by Tracy Cress


24

Unified Shadow (A Destruction of Gods Book 2) by K.R. Richard


25

Sacred Orders (The Bone Men Book 3) by C.J. Tuma & Quinn Cameron

Still Here (Soft Places Book 1) by A.J. Knight


26

The Queer World of Prison: International and Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives by Scott Thomas

The Dinner Party by Cat Fitzpatrick

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 black font over a yellow rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation Vol. 5 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu, Marina Privalova (Illustrator)

Bone of My Bone by Johanna van Veen

This Must Be the Place by Kelly Quindlen

Two for Charging (Minor Penalties Book 3) by S.B. Barnes

Girls Just Wanna Have Sun by Rachel Lacey

Without Prejudice: My Life as a Gay Judge by Harvey Brownstone

A Kiss of Crimson Ash (Games of the Goddess Book 1) by Anuja Varghese

Long Overdue by Rochelle Wolf

Stuck in the Middle with You by Frances M. Thompson

Qtopia: A Memoir of Love, Land, and Liberation by Juda Bennett

To The Stars and Back Vol. 2 by Peglo

Say Nephew: On Boyhood, Unclehood, and Queer Mentorship by Steven Pfau

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 black font over a yellow rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

The Lemon Twist by Élan Les Vies

Kitayama and Minamiya Vol. 2 by Sugar Satch

We Could Be Anyone by Anna-Marie McLemore

Bromantasy by Máire Roche

The Last Best Quest Ever by F.T. Lukens

Inspiration Porn: Essays by Ryan O'Connell

Flamboyance: The Power of Living Boldly by Jack Parlett

The Imaginary Life of a Laurel Tree by Mario Fortunato, Michael F. Moore (Translator)

Spawning Season: An Experiment in Queer Parenthood by Joseph Osmundson

My Bad: A Personal History of the Queer Nineties and Beyond by Hugh Ryan

Roddy McDowall: An Actor's Life by Samuel Garza Bernstein

The Lesbian Bar Chronicles: The Living History and Hopeful Future of America's Dyke Dives and Sapphic Spaces by Rachel Karp

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 black font over a yellow rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

In the Arms of Mountains: A Memoir of Land, Love, and Queer Resistance in Red America by Cole Nicole Lefavour

Pretend You're Dead and I Carry You by Julián Delgado Lopera

Bodyguard's Saint-Tropez Temptation by Bryony Rosehurst

Coastal Views to Die for (Oliver Popp's Travel Guides to Murder Book 2) by Sam Lumley

Price of a Thousand Blessings Vol. 3 by Ginn Hale

The Maidenheads by Benny B Peterson

Omega Megaera Vol. 4 by Maki Marukido

Being Aro: A Collection of Aromantic Fiction about Love, Connection, and Empowerment edited by Madeline Dyer & Rosiee Thor

Marooned by Ben Chalfin

Beneath a Broken Sky (Ben Packard Book 4) by Joshua Moehling

Rory Rides Her Fake Fiance (Buffed & Polished Book 2) by Liz Alden

You x Me by Ayla Vejdani

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 black font over a yellow rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

Meet Me at the Picket Line by Jasper Sanchez

The Summer Boy by Philippe Besson, Sam Taylor (Translator)

The Tuxedo Society by Paul Rudnick

No God But Us by Bobuq Sayed

Waiting on a Friend by Natalie Adler

I Accidentally Locked Down a Witch (Accidents Happen Book 4) by Jessica Cage

The Boy Maeve by Kai Ash

The Black Cat Detectives by Kit Gray

Side by Side by Jordan Clayden-Lewis

Wonders Never Cease by Lexy Hudson

Cultural Capital Doesn't Pay the Rent: A Queer Memoir by Jessica Lawless


27

Bus Stop Meet Cute by Fox Hamilton

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 black font over a yellow rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

28

Room to Grow by Holly Field

Lover, Come on Over by A.E. Jensen

Mending Hearts (Chords & Courts Book 3) by Becca Seymour

A Shot at Love by Georgie Luttrell

Signal Lost (Tau Ceti Awakened Book 1) by Onyx Sullivan

Swimming with the Goldfish by Nicholas Gasson


29

Villain of My Heart (A Librarian's Guide to Witchery Book 2) by by Shelby Heart

Edge Jump by A.A. Fairview

You, Me, & a Penalty (Book 1) by S. Reed

The Whole Truth by Haley Cass

The Den (Knot Wanted Book 2) by Cora Rose


30

Entangled (Virtual Vice Volume 2) by Gale Ian Tate

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 black font over a yellow rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each. Each spot has a book cover.

31

Hers to Grant (Gifts of Atiqarii Book 2) by Renee Harper

Trick Shot (All These Lights Book 1) by L.A. Jasper

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. Two book covers are displayed. Row 1 has 2 books and 2 pale yellow rectangles. Rows 2 and 3 have no book covers and four pale yellow rectangles. The column on the left that has the release date in black font over a yellow rectangle.

We post an open call for new releases around the 20th 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 twenty-two slides. The background is made up of a diagonal oriented 6-stripe rainbow for each slide. Slide 1 has a white square which reads "242 queer books coming out in May". The 242 is in matching horizontal rainbow stripes and May is in yellow text. Text between the number and month are all caps black font. 

Slides 2-21 features a white grid outline with a column on the left that has the release date in black font over a yellow rectangle and book covers in three rows of 4 book covers each.

Slide 22 features a similar set up but with 2 books displayed. Row 1 has 2 books and 2 pale yellow rectangles. Rows 2 and 3 have no book covers and four pale yellow rectangles. The column on the left that has the release date in black font over a yellow rectangle. End ID.

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