23 Must-Listen LGBTQ+ Audiobooks for Your Next Road Trip

Recently updated on November 29th, 2024 at 07:59 pm

If you’re anything like me, you’re always on the hunt for your next great listen. That’s why I’m excited to share some incredible LGBTQ+ audiobooks that deserve a spot on your playlist!

Audiobooks are my go-to for turning boring chores into something fun, and these picks are packed with everything from swoon-worthy romances to edge-of-your-seat thrillers.

Whether you’re a seasoned audiobook fan or just getting started, this list of LGBTQ+ audiobooks is sure to have something that’ll keep you hooked. So grab your headphones, settle in, and let’s dive into some awesome stories!

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The Best LGBTQ+ audiobooks

If you’re looking for even more audiobook recommendations, you might want to check out the following posts. 

The 13 Best LGBTQ+ Fantasy Audiobooks

The 13 best urban fantasy audiobooks to lose yourself in

The 17 best fantasy audiobooks to stream right now

15 Immersive Sapphic audiobooks you need to listen to

1. We set the dark on fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia

We Set the Dark on Fire is a captivating dark academia romance. It features an enemies to lovers romance and a Latine representation. 

We follow Daniela Vargas. She lives in a dystopian world where each man is entitled to 2 wives. A Primera and a Segunda. The Primera is intelligent, calm and analytical. The Segunda is the mother figure.

Outside the wall, the people starve. Dani started life outside of the wall. And she must use her wits to survive illegally in the capital. She must also marry one of the most powerful men in the kingdom.

2. Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar

An adorable romance. This YA Contemporary features fake dating and Muslim/Bengali main characters. The differing voices for the Dual POVs make this audiobook an entertaining listen.

Hani is bisexual but having trouble making her friends to believe her. Ishu wants to be Head Girl.  

They decide to fake date to convince Hani’s friends that she is bisexual. And to help Ishu with her Head girl campaign.

This book deals with biphobia and biphobic bullying perfectly. While this has complex themes, they are balanced perfectly with cute romance.

3. Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh

Are you looking for short LGBTQ+ audiobooks? Then you’ll love Silver in the Wood. A short fantasy book set in a magical forest. The whole duology is only 5 hours long.

We follow Tobias. He’s a forest guardian looking after a magical forest. One day Henry Silver moves into Greenhollow Hall. And everything changes.

This is the perfect audiobook for your daily commute or a long journey. You can listen to the whole duology in only 5 hours.

This is a cozy, low-stakes fantasy romance. The enchanting forest imagery sells this queer audiobook.

4. A Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth

An engrossing urban fantasy with fae. This audiobook features a full cast making it an addictive listen.

A series of gruesome murders threatens to expose the faerie world to humans.

Four queer teens – Nausicaä, Arlo, Vehan, and Aurelian – each hold a piece of the truth. And they must track down the mysterious killer.

Are you a fan of Crescent City? Then you’ll love this urban fantasy. Set in a magical city filled with mythical creatures.

5. Crier’s War by Nina Varela

One of the best urban fantasy novels. This is a mix of sci-fi and fantasy.

Set in the Kingdom of Rabu, we follow Ayla. A War has ravaged the kingdom of Rabu. The Automae took over the estates of their owners and bent the human race to their will.

Ayla is a human servant rising the ranks at the House of Soverign.

She dreams of avenging the death of her family… by killing the Sovereign’s daughter – the beautiful Lady Crier.

You won’t be able to put down this compelling full-cast audiobook.

6. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

Gideon the Ninth is an audiobook. Moira Quirk brings the character Gideon to life.

We follow Gideon.  Unfriendly nuns brought her up. And Gideon is ready to abandon a life of servitude. She packs up her sword and prepares to launch her daring escape.

But her childhood nemesis won’t set her free without a service.

The Emperor invites the heirs of each of his loyal Houses into a deadly trial. And in doing so, he summons Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House, into action.

7. One Last Stop by Casey Mcquiston

A cute romance, a mystery and a cast of incredible queer characters. This is a firm favourite of many. And for good reason.

We follow cynical bisexual August, a 23 year old trying to survive in New York. But then she meets this gorgeous girl on the train.

Jane.

Jane is dazzling, mysterious and insanely charismatic. But the problem is,  she’s literally displaced in time from the 1970s.

8. Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

An urban fantasy with spooky, fall vibes. This book is filled with mystery and magic. Plus it features a sweet romance.

We follow Yadriel, a transgender teen determined to prove himself to his traditional Latine family. They are struggling to accept his true gender.

Yadriel is determined to show that he is a true brujo by completing a ritual to summon the spirit of his murdered cousin. But things don’t go as planned. And Yadriel accidentally summons Julian Diaz, the school’s resident bad boy.

An atmospheric audiobook perfect for Spooky season!

9. The Grimrose Girls by Laura Pohl

You need to read this underrated mystery. The Grimrose Girls features a diverse cast of LGBTQ+ characters, fairy tale references, and dark academia world-building.

The Grimrose Girls is a modern take on classic fairy tales like The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty.

The book reimagines the heroines of these tales as friends attending an elite boarding school. After one of their friends dies, the police rule it a suicide, but the girls decide to investigate and uncover what really happened.

The audiobook is engrossing, and the mystery keeps you hooked.

10. Malice  by Heather Walter

Searching for queer fantasy audiobooks? You’ll love Malice. A cross between Wicked and The Hunger Games but with fae.

It features dystopian world building, morally grey main character and grumpy/sunshine romance. Plus the duology includes some fantastic mythical creatures.

Malice is a Sleeping Beauty retelling. The book is set in a Kingdom called Briar.

 Once upon a time, a wicked fairy cursed a line of princesses to die. Only true love’s kiss can break the curse.

11. Our Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield

Our Wives Under The Sea isn’t for everyone, but if you’re a fan of literary fiction, eerie horror stories, or books about the sea, you’ll love this one. Even Florence Welch recommended it!

We follow Miri, her wife Leah returns after a deep-sea mission ends in disaster. At first, Miri thinks she has her wife back, but it soon becomes clear that Leah isn’t the same person she was before.

Whatever happened in that vessel, whatever they were supposed to be studying before they were trapped on the ocean floor, Leah has brought something back with her. Now, that haunting presence is on dry land and in their home.

12. She Get’s The Girl by Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick

This emotional audiobook balances issues such as alcoholism with adorable romance. Both characters have excellent character growth. And the writing is easy to read.

We follow Alex and Molly. Alex is a headstrong flirt. She knows how to get the girl. Keeping her on the other hand… not so much.

Molly has everything in control. Except for her complete awkwardness with anyone other than her mum. She’s in love with the impossibly cool Cora Myers. But she just hasn’t talked to her yet.

Alex and Molly don’t belong on the same planet. But when they cross paths, they realize they might have a common interest after all. 

13. Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan

This dark ya fantasy features magic and a dystopian society. The enchanting Malaysian-inspired world-building and Asian mythology are woven seamlessly into the book.

Girls of Paper and Fire follows Lei. She is a member of the Paper Caste. And the people of Ikhara persecute her.

 She sees the royal guards take her mother. Afterwards, Lei suffers with trauma. But the guards return and try to take Lei. She has to learn skills fitting of a King’s Consort. But she falls in love.

A quick warning, please check the trigger warnings beforehand as this is quite dark.

14. Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune

Looking for a lighthearted fantasy audiobook? This is the perfect pick! This urban fantasy is set in a charming teashop. While it’s a fantasy, it has the feel of a contemporary novel.

Wallace Price is collected from his own funeral by a reaper. Instead of taking him straight to the afterlife, she brings him to a cozy tea shop in a small village.

The shop is run by Hugo, he serves as a ferryman for souls crossing over. But Wallace isn’t quite ready to leave behind the life he barely lived.

Although it touches on death, the story somehow manages to stay low stakes, and the sweet romance balances out any heavy themes.

15. The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri

Are you a fan of high fantasy? Then you’ll love The Jasmine Throne. The audiobook version is enchanting. With incredible worldbuilding and a captivating mystery.

A captive princess, forbidden magic and a sapphic love story.

Malini has been imprisoned by her dictator brother and spends her days isolated in Hirana, an ancient temple.

Priya is a maidservant who makes the treacherous journey to the top of Hirana every night to clean Malini’s chambers. She is thrilled to be anonymous if it keeps her dangerous secret safe.

16. The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas

I’m obsessed with The Sunbearer Trials! An urban fantasy with a transgender main character, Mexican worldbuilding and slow-burn romance. It reads as a cross between Percy Jackson and The Hunger Games.

It’s set in a world where the Mexican Gods and Goddesses are real. And their children are semidioses.

As each new decade begins, the Sun’s power must be replenished to that Sol can keep travelling along the sky and keep the Obsidian gods at bay. Ten semidioses aged between thirteen and eighteen are chosen as the most worthy to compete in The Sunbearer Trials.

17. Cinderella is dead by Kalynn Bayron

A Cinderella retelling with a sapphic romance, this story offers a fresh twist on the classic tale with BIPOC characters and a wlw romance.

In this version, teenage girls are required to attend an annual ball where men choose their wives. But Sophia has other plans. She wants to marry her childhood best friend, Erin. And she’s not interested in parading in front of suitors.

Determined to make a change, Sophia decides to flee and sets out to take down the king once and for all.

The dystopian twist on the classic Cinderella story makes this book stand out. While the romance is a bit insta-lovey, it’s well-developed and adds to the charm.

18. Bitterthorn by Kat Dunn

Searching for a witchy book for Spooky Season? This is perfect. An eerie mystery, a crumbling castle and enchanting woods.

Bitterthorn is a beautiful dark fantasy with a sapphic romance. The intriguing mystery hooks you in and the fast pace make this easy to binge read.

Bitterthorn is set in Blumwald, a town overshadowed by an ancient curse. In a sinister castle in the depths of the wild wood lives a witch. Once a generation, she claims a companion. Never to be seen again.

The perfect audiobook for a cold, Autumn day.

19. Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner

Searching for a spicy rom-com? This Sapphic romance contains spice and a fun setup.

We follow Cassie Klein. She goes to an off-campus bar to escape her school’s Family Weekend. She isn’t looking for a hookup. But it happens.

Buying a drink for a stranger turns into a one-night-stand. But the next morning rolls around. And her friend drags her along to meet her mum.

The hot, older woman Cassie slept with.

A spicy audiobook perfect for romance fans.

20. She Who Became The Sun by Shelley Parker Chan

She Who Became The Sun is an incredible queer historical fiction about destiny, war, and a rise to power. Set in 14th-century China, this well-written epic features complex characters and an emotionally charged plot.

The story opens in a famine-stricken village where two children are given two fates: the boy is destined for greatness, while the girl is destined for nothingness.

In 1345, China suffers under harsh Mongol rule, and for the peasants in the Central Plains, greatness only exists in stories. When Zhu Chongba receives the fate of greatness, everyone wonders how it will come to pass.

The fate of nothingness given to the family’s clever and capable second daughter, however, is expected.

21. Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake

This is one of my all-time favourite romance books. And the favourite of many readers. This small-town romance features hilarious banter, compelling romance and character growth.

Delilah Green Doesn’t Care is an adorable romantic comedy featuring a bisexual main character and a lesbian. 

Delilah Green swore she would never return to Bright Falls. Only memories of a lonely childhood with a distant stepfamily remain in Bright Falls. Her life is in New York with her photography career. 

But then Delilah’s estranged stepsister pressures her into photographing her wedding. And Delilah finds herself back in the town. She plans to breeze in and out. 

22. Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

This book is an absolute delight! It’s a charming romance between the First Son of the United States and a British prince.

This delightful rom-com follows these two young men as they navigate their unexpected relationship, filled with humor, heart, and a touch of spice.

It’s a witty and fun story about love overcoming obstacles and finding happiness against all odds.

If you’re looking for LGBTQ+ audiobooks, you should definitely give this one a listen!

 23. Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

A retelling of the Iliad, Song of Achilles explores the intense relationship between Achilles and Patroclus, blending mythology, romance, and tragedy into a captivating story.

This retelling focuses on the heart-breaking romance between Achilles and Patroclus. Likewise, the ending will devastate you.

We follow Achilles and Patroclus. Handsome Achilles charms everyone he meets. While Patroclus is an awkward young prince exiled from his homeland.

Searching for queer audiobooks? I recommend picking this up.

Conclusion

These queer audiobooks are incredible and I hope you add some to your TBR list.

Audiobooks can get expensive. But you can listen to audiobooks on a budget.

I recommend checking out the Libby app. You can use this app to rent audiobooks from your local library for free! Check out Libby here.

Scribd is also amazing. The app allows you to listen to an unlimited amount of audiobooks. Plus they even have a free 30 day trial. Check out Scribd here.

Finally, if you have Spotify Premium, they’ve now added audiobooks.

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