TL;DR
- Explore queer beach reads for each zodiac sign
- From sports romance to historical fiction
- Perfect picks for summer outings
- Includes diverse LGBTQ+ stories
- Get ready for your beach reading list
Welcome to Cancer Season! The longest day of the year has officially come and gone, which means those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere have officially transitioned from spring into summer. If you’re anything like me, then you’re already planning your first group outing to your local gay beach. As you pack your beach bag, don’t forget to bring a fun book to keep you company. Overwhelmed by all of the incredible LGBTQ+ literature out there? Here’s the queer beach read you should add to your TBR pile this summer, based on your zodiac sign.
Still riding the high of the Heated Rivalry craze? This recently released rivals-to-lovers sapphic sports romance is sure to quench your thirst. It follows Jess, a star volleyball player suffering a crisis of confidence after a losing streak. Ahead of a high-stakes championship, she falls for her rival, the beautiful and polished Vivienne. Come for the (extremely Aries-coded) spirit of competition, stay for the fun summer romp.
The hedonist in you will see the hedonists in bestselling author Casey McQuiston’s hilarious and steamy #BiForBi romance. Our protagonists Theo and Kit, exes who haven’t spoken since their breakup four years ago, are reunited when they accidentally book the same food and wine tour across Europe. Cue the mouth-watering descriptions of their decadent meals — and plenty of smoking-hot make-up sex.
Told from multiple points-of-views, this Kim Narby novel unfolds a messy tale of a trio of queer friends whose lives implode after a bombshell admission: Trace, who’s engaged to Silvia, confesses that she’s actually in love with their best friend, Jordan. Chaos ensues, obviously. Full of juicy dialogue and memorable details, this new release has all the trappings of a page-turner for a curious sign like you, Gemini.
This queer romance novel from bestselling author TJ Alexander will tick multiple boxes for you, Cancer. It’s charming, nostalgic, and set against the backdrop of a trip home to visit family in Florida for the holidays. Oh, and did I mention that it’s a second-chance romance? In which the love interest is a hot divorcé and literal father in his forties? Get into it.
Fantasizing about a summer getaway, Leo? This novel is about as close as you can get to the Italian countryside without booking a flight and traveling there yourself. From the mind of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Andrew Sean Greer, it tells the tale of a gay aspiring archivist who spends the summer abroad working for a flamboyant Baronessa named Coco. It’s witty, a little soapy, and positively sun-soaked — all qualities you look for in a beach read.
Part sea monster story, part sapphic romance, this gripping debut novel from Tessa Yang follows Jo, a marine biologist who’s spent her life researching and writing about jellyfish. Still mourning the loss of her best friend, she’s called upon by her ex-situationship from college, Nadia, to investigate a giant jellyfish that’s terrorizing her town. As a Virgo, you’ll appreciate Jo’s commitment to her work and the memorable cast of characters in her orbit.
ISO a flirty, funny beach read with plenty of heart? Look no further than Rose Dommu’s debut romance novel. Our protagonist, Julia, is a trans woman who’s poised to be the best woman in her brother’s wedding (yes, even if it means leaving her life in New York City behind to head home to Florida). When Julia learns that her high school crush, Kim, is the bride of honor, she tells a small lie to win her over, which quickly spirals out of control. Come for the romance elements, stay for the heartwarming but oh-so-real depictions of biological and found family.
A queer modern gothic that plays with power dynamics is right up your alley, Scorpio — and this book fits the bill. The book follows a struggling Brooklyn artist named Jonah who’s wooed by Richard, an older, richer, and more successful playwright. Many scenes take place in Richard’s Hamptons summer home, where Jonah’s idyllic vacation devolves into a violent nightmare. Not the lightest beach read, but you prefer your books dark and twisty, anyway.
I’ve got three words for you, Sag: lesbian space travel. Bestselling author Taylor Jenkins Reid strikes gold again with this historical fiction novel about a pioneering female astronaut in the ’80s whose secret queer relationship jeopardizes her lofty career ambitions. The story is super high-stakes, which will grip you right away, but its themes of self-discovery and integrity are what really make it the perfect pick for you.
I know, I know: Nonfiction books aren’t what most people think of when they hear the phrase “beach read.” But you’re built differently, Capricorn. The pragmatist in you appreciates a good living history, which is why you’ll love this pick. Author Rachel Karp spent over 100 hours interviewing lesbian bar owners and regulars for this compelling (and recently released) chronicle of sapphic spaces past and present.
As the eccentric of the zodiac, this time-bending multiverse novel will instantly appeal to you, Aquarius. Protagonist Tressa Fay, a queer hairstylist, asks the elusive Meryl out on a date after receiving a text from her by accident. When Meryl stands her up, Tressa Fay writes it off as a loss — that is, until she learns that Meryl has been missing the whole time and actually comes from a parallel universe. Can they make it work despite living in different timelines? You’ll have to read the book to find out.
No queer beach reads round-up would be complete without a book that takes place on Fire Island. This fantasy-romance is equal parts escapist and emotional — in other words, perfect for a sensitive sign like you, Pisces. Author Blair Fell transports us back in time to the summer of ‘89, with protagonist Joe heading to the storied gay beach for the first time to heal and have fun after losing his boyfriend to HIV/AIDS. There, he’s taken in by an eclectic group of older gays, who later reveal that they’re part of a secret disco-witch coven destined to protect the island. It’s packed full of hope, humor, and steaminess to balance out the heavy themes.
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