The 14 absolute best lgbtq books about coming out

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Recently updated on July 14th, 2024 at 11:29 am

Everyone has a different experience of coming out. But reading books about a similar experience can be really comforting. That’s why I’ve rounded up the absolute best LGBTQ+ books about coming out

This post contains affiliate links. That said, I won’t ever recommend a book I haven’t read and loved myself.

There is no one way to coming out. Everyone has a completely different experience. And coming out is an act you do over and over in your lifetime – from work colleagues, family, friends and new people you meet. But reading books about a similar experience can be incredibly comforting.

If you’re looking for books with coming out stories then you’re in luck. I’ve compiled a variety of lgbtq books about coming out.

This post is all about lgbtq books about coming out

Best lgbtq books about coming out

These are my top picks for lgbtq books about coming out 🙂

1. Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey Mcquiston

Red, White and Royal Blue includes a great plot about someone coming to terms with their bisexuality and coming out.

We follow Prince Henry and Alex Claremont Diaz. They cause a scandal in the press and have to pretend to be friends.

It made the New York Times Bestseller list and won a Good Reads Choice award. Also over 30,000 people have reviewed it on Good Reads.

 This is such a comforting book to read. It’s an empowering queer romance story that takes place in a parallel universe where a woman with mixed-race children is president. And it has such feel good vibes.

The relationships between the characters are what make this book so special. The chemistry between the main characters is excellent. And the banter is genuinely hilarious

The discussions around coming to terms with your sexuality are incredible. And many bisexual readers will be able to identify with this book.

If you’re looking for books about bisexuality then I have a whole blog post about books with bisexual characters. You can check out my post on bisexual books here

2. Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the world by Ashley Herring Blake

Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World is a profound middle-grade read about coming to terms with your sexuality and coming out.

This queer middle grade novel follows Ivy Aberdeen. A hurricane destroys her house. And in the aftermath, someone steals her notebook full of secret drawings of her crush (A girl).

Oh, I wept buckets when I read this one. And the ending made me smile like a loon. Ashley Herring Blake is a literary genius. The writing is sublime.

The plot is paced exceptionally well. And all the characters were well-developed and nuanced. It’s a great take on realizing you like girls. The character starts feeling distanced from friends who obsess over boys. And the panic about coming out. It’s both heart-breaking and heartwarming.

If you’re looking for books about coming out or with characters coming to terms with their identity  – middle grade fiction is a great place to start.  I have an article all about lgbtq middle grade books. You can check out my post on lgbtq middle grade books here.

3. Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

Searching for books with transgender characters? Searching for books with characters coming to terms with their gender identity? Felix ever After is the book for you.

While the focus isn’t on  coming out. There is a plotline where Felix is exploring and coming to terms with his identity.

Felix has never been in love.  And he is desperate to experience it.

An anonymous student starts sending him transphobic messages. And the student publicly posts Felix’s deadname.  Along with photos of him before his transition.

Felix decides to plot revenge. But his catfishing lands him in a love triangle.

 Kacen Callender wrote Felix Ever After. Callender also won the Stonewall Book Award and Lambda literary award for Hurricane Child. They do an excellent job at discussing difficult topics such as class disadvantage, transphobia and body dysmorphia.

4. Heartstopper by Alice Oseman

Heartstopper is a bestselling graphic novel about a friends-to-lovers romance in a school. And if you’re searching for books about coming out then this is a great choice. It features a great plotline with a main character coming out.

The book series follows Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson. Charlie Spring is an openly gay student in year 10.  And he meets Nick Nelson a soft-hearted rugby player in year 11.  They quickly become friends. But could there be something more?

Alice Oseman wrote and illustrated the graphic novel series. She is insanely talented. And she secured her first publishing deal at just 17 years old!

The graphics are stunning!  Seeing the characters faces means you can feel their emotions while reading it. And it’s also an excellent choice if you’re in a reading slump or just getting back into reading. Graphic novels are really easy to read. And this is a light-hearted read.

The discussions around coming to terms with bisexuality, coming out and homophobia in schools are excellent. I am a fan of the P.E teacher. And her discussions around bisexuality with the students.

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

Hani and Ishu’s to Fake Dating is a ya contemporary with a cute grumpy/sunshine romance. And it discusses biphobia and challenges bisexual people face when coming out.

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

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

The bisexual representation is executed so well in this book. There aren’t enough books that deal with biphobia. And this explicitly deals with biphobic bullying.

The fake dating trope is executed perfectly – it leads to many funny moments. And both characters learn from each other. The writing is hilarious and the grumpy/sunshine romance led to so many funny moments. It had me laughing out loud so many times.

The struggles Hani faces when coming out as bisexual to her friends will be relatable to many readers. She is not taken seriously and is desperate to fit in. But through the book she learns the importance of embracing her individuality.

An adorable book and the romance is perfect. The combination of tropes is executed really well. And this book will never fail to cheer you up.

6. Love Frankie by Jacqueline Wilson

Jacqueline Wilson books always feel so nostalgic to me. If you were a British teen in the 90s or early 00s, you would have read some of her work. Jacqueline Wilson has written over 100 books. And she’s the most borrowed author from libraries.

Frankie is struggling to cope with her mum’s MS diagnosis when she meets Sally. The problem is Sally is perfect when it’s just them. But she ignores her at school

If you’re familiar with Jacqueline Wilson’s work, you will find this super comforting to read. Jacqueline Wilson’s distinctive writing style is easy to read.

Wilson has never been one to avoid controversial topics. And Love Frankie is no different. It explores mental health and coming out in teens. Yet, it still balances mental health issues with cute, light-hearted first love. (For even more Jacqueline Wilson books check out this post on Jacqueline Wilson recommendations by Julia’s Bookcase)

7. The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar

The Henna Wars is an incredible YA Contemporary book about a Muslim girl coming out as a lesbian to her parents.

We follow Nishat as she comes out to her parents as a lesbian. They’re happy for her to be whoever she wants to be. As long as she isn’t herself – because Muslim girls aren’t lesbians.

Her life becomes harder when she is reacquainted with a childhood friend – Flavia. Especially when in a school competition they both decide to start their own henna business.

Adiba Jaigirdar wrote The Henna Wars. She’s a  Bangladeshi, Irish writer who has been living in Dublin, Ireland from the age of 10.   

This book includes a lovely queer f/f romance. But it’s also so much more than a romance It navigates homophobia, bullying, racism and cultural appropriation. It also includes one of the best main characters in Nishat. Nishat bravely deals with so many things being thrown at her. 

This book deals with some heavy topics. And after her family do not take her coming out well, Nishat has to deal with learning to lover her authentic self. But despite bullying, cultural appropriation and homophobia, the cute romance offsets it perfectly. And this is still a feel-good romance

8. Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

Historical fiction can be very hit or miss for me. However, I loved Last Night at the Telegraph Club. It focuses on lesbian culture and coming of age as a Chinese American in 1950s San Francisco.

Last Night at the Telegraph Club follows 17 year old Lily Hu. She’s questioning her identity. And she decides to visit a lesbian night club called the Telegraph Club. The Telegraph club offers sanctuary to anyone who needs it in an era of  disruption.

America in 1954 is not a safe place for two girls to fall in love. Especially not in Chinatown. Red-Scare paranoia threatens everyone – including Chinese Americans like Lily.

This book is so well-researched and portrays the era’s challenges beautifully. The story is heart-wrenching and takes you on such an emotional journey. Yet despite this, the book is full of such warmth.

 Lily Hu is a lovable main character and the romance is adorable. It felt very realistic for teenagers coming to terms with who they are.

The depiction of the Telegraph club, and coming out in an era where it is not safe to do is, is heartwrenching. But despite this, it doesn’t feel overly traumatic and you ‘re left with some hope at the end of the novel.

9. Black Flamingo by Dean Atta

The Black Flamingo has some of the most powerful quotes on coming out. This beautiful coming of age story is written in verse. And it follows a mixed-race, gay teenager finding his identity and the power of drag.

We follow Michael, a mixed-race gay teen coming to terms with his identity. When he goes to university  he finds his wings as a drag artist, The Black Flamingo. It’s a bold story about the power of embracing your uniqueness.

This book is an empowering and joyful read about race, identity and pride. It deals with so many different issues such as race, racism, gender identity, sexuality and internalized homophobia.

How to come out at Gay is a powerful spoken word poem in the Black Flamingo about coming out. And it includes quotes that will resonate with many readers. You can watch Dean Atta perform it on youtube, watch him perform the poem here.

I listened to The Black Flamingo as an audiobook. Dean Atta wrote the book and also narrates the audiobook. Atta has been writing and performing for over 10 years. This really comes across in the audio version.

A powerful read. It also has some really lovely, lighthearted moments in it. The Black Flamingo is truly unique. I couldn’t resist including one of my favourite quotes below:

‘Don’t come out unless you want to. Don’t come out for anyone else’s sake. Don’t come out because you think society expects you to’.

10. The Deepest Breath by Meg Grehan

I am OBSESSED with The Deepest Breath. This underrated queer middle grade book told in verse. And it follows an 11 year old girl dealing with anxiety. She is also trying to figure out what love is. 

We follow Stevie. She loves reading and sea creatures. She lives with her mum and has been friends with Andrew since forever. Her mum jokes that one day they’ll get married. 

But Stevie knows that won’t ever happen. There’s a girl at school that she likes more. A lot more. Stevie needs to find out if girls can like girls. But it’s hard to get any information and she’s too shy to ask out loud. 

This book is so beautifully written. It’s emotional, heartwarming and the writing flows really well. It deals with anxiety, panic attacks and self identify. And I wish I’d had a book like this when I was younger.

11. Cinderella is dead by Kalynn Bayron

Cinderella is Dead is a Cinderella retelling with a sapphic romance.  This is another twist on the classic story that features BIPOC characters and a wlw romance. It deals with a character coming out in a dystopian society where men select wives.

The premise is that teen girls are now required to appear at an annual ball where men select wives. But Sophia wants to marry her childhood best friend Erin. And isn’t a fan of the whole parade in front of suitors thing.

She decides to flee and decided to take down the king once and for all.

The dystopian twist on the classic Cinderella story makes this book so unique. The romance is a bit insta-lovey but it’s so well developed that it’s still engaging.

The plot will keep you hooked throughout.  Women overthrowing a dystopian patriarchy. There is also a lot of cottagecore and woodland imagery. Kalynn Bayron writes cottagecore imagery so well. This book will 100% make you want to live in the forest.

I also LOVE that it’s a standalone. Standalone ya fantasy books are hard to find. Let alone with lesbian representation. If you’re looking for a LGBTQ+ fantasy books  with royalty then I highly recommend Cinderella is Dead

12. Malice  by Heather Walter

Malice is an incredible fantasy romance and Sleeping Beauty retelling. It features dystopian worldbuilding, a morally grey character and a coming out storyline. The twist of the curse alongside the sapphic romance worked perfectly.

Malice is a Sleeping Beauty retelling told from Mmaleficent’s perspective. 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.

We follow Alyce– the dark grace. She was left abandoned in Briar from a dark kingdom. The dark magic that runs in her veins abhors residents in Briar.

Except for Princess Aurora who accepts her. And she encourages Alyce to accept herself.

This book is almost a cross between Wicked and The Hunger Games. But with fae. The world building is darkly magical. And the residents of Briar reminded me of the residents of the Capitol. I LOVED the depiction of the Imps and goblins in Misrule. Plus both books reference fae

13. The Good Girls by Claire Eliza Bartlett

The Good Girls is a murder mystery story following 4 girls. It features a bi protagonist and a wlw couple. it also features a minor storyline involving coming out.

Everyone in high school has a label. Emma Baines was known as a good girl. She is murdered and three of her classmates become suspects. But appearances are never what they seem.

The characters and opening hooked me in quickly. And I loved the premise. The pace and plot were very suspenseful.

The mood of the book is the reason I enjoyed it so much. It balances fall and dark academia vibes perfectly.  A  great, cosy read for a rainy day.

14. Imogen Obviously by Becky Albertalli

Imogen Obviously is an incredible ya contemporary about a student coming out as bisexual. It addresses complex issues around coming out such as compulsory heterosexuality and biphobia.

This is a deeply personal novel for Becky Albertalli. And this comes across in the book. After writing ‘Simon vs the HomoSapiens agenda’, critics accused Albertalli of profiting from the LGBTQ+ community. Consequently, she was forced to come out.

We follow Imogen Scott. She may be hopelessly heterosexual, but she’s got the World’s Greatest Ally title locked down.

Imogen has never missed a Pride Alliance meeting. And she knows more about queer media discourse than her queer little sister. She even has two queer best friends.  Gretchen, a fellow high school senior, helps keep Imogen’s biases in check. And Lili—newly out and thriving with a cool new squad of queer college friends.

Imogen is thrilled for Lilli and excited to finally visit Lilli on campus. And she’s bringing her ally A game. Any support Lili needs, Imogen’s all in.Like when Lili drops a tiny queer bombshell: she’s told all her college friends that Imogen and Lili used to date. And none of them know that Imogen is a raging hetero—not even Lili’s best friend, Tessa.Of course, the more time Imogen spends with chaotic, freckle-faced Tessa, the more she starts to wonder if her truth was ever all that straight to begin with. 

Albertalli pours her heart out in this book. She discusses biphobia, denial and compulsory heterosexuality. However, the romance is still adorable, light-hearted and well developed.

This post was all about lgbtq books about coming out

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