In this terrifying age of book bans, censorship, and anti-trans legislature, there is an immense need to celebrate the writing of people in the community. Author Sim Kern is hosting this week’s Trans Rights Readathon, which is running until March 27.
In a video posted on March 8, the author called for BookTok to come together to support and donate to trans causes, organizations and individuals in response to the hundreds of anti-trans bills recently proposed in the United States. Kern encourages readers to focus on books by trans or nonbinary authors and to share their current reads on social media, with the hashtag #TransRightsReadathon.
With this in mind, we’re excited to recommend these romance books by trans, nonbinary and gender-nonconforming authors to add to your reading list.
Throughout history, trans people have survived — and will continue to survive — in a world that tries to deny them safety and invalidate their existence. But strength comes in the form of recognition and acceptance in their community, found family, and relationships — in the form of love.
This list of romance books from trans and nonbinary authors captures the joy and pride that comes with loving and celebrating the trans people in our lives and in the world around us.
You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi
This bestselling, highly praised novel follows Feyi, an artist recovering from a tragic accident that killed the love of her life. When her best friend recommends she try dating again, Feyi is reluctant — until a steamy encounter sends her into a whirlwind summer traveling and meeting people who can send her art career to new heights. But attraction to her new partner’s father makes things much more complicated. Feyi must make choices between bravery and love, grief and healing, and the past and the future, in order to find peace and healing.
Chef’s Kiss by TJ Alexander
Simone is a pastry expert, working her dream job with a cookbook publisher, with dreams of developing recipes. But when the company pivots to video, Simone finds herself out of her depth and struggling to keep up. Forced to work in close proximity to Ray, Simone is unhappy beside someone so chipper and cheery. Ray comes out as nonbinary at work and is met with mixed reactions. With growing feelings towards Ray, Simone must decide between her career and the person who could be her future.
The Calyx Charm by May Peterson
This fantasy romance stars best friends who keep their feelings hidden from one another, and must overcome immense odds to finally be together. Violetta must live a life in hiding, keeping herself and her powers from a father who wants to control everything for his own good. The man Violetta loved is gone, and she never got the chance to reveal herself as the powerful woman she has become. But Tibario is very much alive — and in hiding from his mother, who wants his powers of immortality for herself. This second-chance romance is the third novel in the Sacred Dark series.
Plain English by Rachel Spangler
Book three in the Full English series follows Claire, who left London to pursue life at a slower pace, where she could focus on her art. But an attractive aristocrat falls into her life and things change for the two of them. Pip is an expert at charming beautiful women, after so much experience mingling with the elite. The pair begins a whirlwind romantic adventure to satisfy their need for freedom and entertainment. The walls of their history and social class begin to crumble, and they can finally be themselves. Is attraction enough to overcome the pressures of the worlds they’ve been trying to escape?
Coffee Boy by Austin Chant
Kieran didn’t expect much after graduating college. When he is offered the internship of his dreams, working at a political campaign, he is overjoyed. But being out as a trans man at work draws the joy out of the achievement, and Seth, the campaign strategist who watches his every move, isn’t a pleasure to be around.
Soon, Kieran realizes Seth has a crush on their painfully straight boss, and his interest is piqued. He’s excited to have a front-row seat to all of this drama, and he realizes that Seth isn’t as bad as he seems. Behind his cold exterior, he is respectful and supportive … and Kieran is definitely catching feelings. Will Seth ever feel the same way about him?
Cinder Ella by S.T. Lynn
This captivating story of identity, courage and destiny is a spin on the classic fairytale. Ella has always known she is trans. But her evil stepmother will never accept her, so she must live her life hiding her true self, for the sake of a roof over her head and a way to survive. An invite to the royal ball could transform Ella’s life. As she walks down the royal staircase, everyone sees her as the beautiful, elegant and self-assured woman she is — and Ella sees the life she could live, outside of the shadow of her stepmother. A magical dance and a kiss from the princess make it impossible when everything comes crashing down after the ball. Can Ella return to the beautiful princess and find her way back to the woman she wants to be?
Book Boyfriend by Kris Ripper
PK is a writer, dreaming of the day he can actually be published instead of just publishing other people’s books all day. He’s also dreaming about his best friend, Art, ever since the two shared a romantic — drunken — kiss in college. So after Art goes through a bad breakup and asks to move in, PK hopes this will be his shot at love. Instead, PK faces rejection, and returns to writing to make himself the perfect “book boyfriend”. Suddenly, readers everywhere — including Art — have a crush on PK’s character, with no clue he is based on PK himself. With a plan to win Art over, PK hopes that he won’t risk his friendship, his career, and his chance at romance.
For the Love of April French by Penny Aimes
April French isn’t a relationship kind of woman. She keeps her desire locked up, and only gives herself the chance to be free on the weekends at Frankie’s, the local kink club she regularly attends. As a trans woman, she knows what its like to catch people’s attention. Dennis wanders into Frankie’s, a bit lost, and stumbles into a flirtatious drink with April. The steamy night leads to an exchange of phone numbers, but trust is a bit harder to come by. April comes alive at the thought of Dennis and is ready for more of the passion and commitment that Dennis can offer. How much complication is April ready to brave for Dennis?
The Doctors Discretion by EE Ottoman
Doctor William Blackwood prefers books to patients, while retired Navy surgeon Doctor Augustus Hill is dedicated and meticulous. Their companionship quickly turns to a relationship, until they are interrupted by a mysterious patient. When the patient is threatened to be comitted to an asylum for living life as a trans man, William and Augustus will do anything they can to save him — even kidnap him.
Forced to go against the law and medical authorities, the men disappear into the seedy underworld of 1830s New York. Will they be able to find the truth in one another, when the rest of the world is so dark and complicated?
Reverb by Anna Zabo
Mish is a sexy, gorgeous and confident rockstar. Everyone has noticed, and some people have noticed too much. When an attack by a stalker lands her in the hospital, the band sticks a bodyguard on her — that she doesn’t need, or want. But this bodyguard instantly connects with Mish. David is a handsome trans man who is, ex-army, martial arts trained, and so not prepared for what Mish brings — in and out of the bedroom. When the stalker gets more dangerous, David must decide between loving Mish or protecting her, because her love is distracting, but he’s not ready to give her up.