So many of us love a good book and all the better when it contains a good romance, right? And since everyone deserves a good love story, we’re shining a light on seven books that feature nonbinary love interests. Some are protagonists, and others are love interests in the truer sense, but in any case, you’ll be swooning (even though not all these books are strictly romance novels).
Adult
The Love Study: A New Adult Romance by Kris Ripper
Declan has commitment issues. He’s been an office temp for literally years now, and his friends delight in telling people that he left his last boyfriend at the altar … When Declan meets Sidney — a popular nonbinary YouTuber with an advice show — an opportunity presents itself: as part of The Love Study, Declan will go on a series of dates arranged by Sidney and report back on how the date went in the next episode. The dates are … sort of blah … maybe the problem is that the only person he’s feeling chemistry with is Sidney.
The Love Study is a charming book about two people falling in love and figuring out how to be in a relationship outside the normal bounds of what society says is a relationship. The novel also deals with mental health and identity within and outside relationships. I appreciate that because mental health affects all aspects of life, even if it messes with one more than the others. Content warnings
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The Perks of Loving a Wallflower by Erica Ridley
As a master of disguise, Thomasina Wynchester can be a polite young lady — or a bawdy old man. She’ll do whatever it takes to solve the cases her family takes on. But when Tommy’s beautiful new client turns out to be the highborn lady she’s secretly smitten with, more than her mission is at stake …
The Perks of Loving a Wallflower is the second book in The Wild Wynchesters series, but don’t let not having read the first book stop you from reading this as a standalone. I didn’t read the first one, and I was fine. More than fine. This novel is so fun; while it’s anachronistic in some ways (like, using the word lesbian), it does feel accurate in others (one character’s parents’ obsession with finding her a titled husband). If you like Regency-era stories, don’t pass this one up. Content warnings
Young Adult
The Feeling of Falling in Love by Mason Deaver
Just days before spring break, Neil Kearney is set to fly across the country with his childhood friend (and current friend-with-benefits) Josh, to attend his brother’s wedding — until Josh tells Neil that he’s in love with him and Neil doesn’t return the sentiment. With Josh still attending the wedding, Neil needs to find a new date to bring along. And, almost against his will, roommate Wyatt is drafted …
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This novel is filled with all the tropes — it gives enemies-to-lovers, there’s only one bed, fake dating — I mean, it’s the perfect summer romance. But, more importantly, it features genuinely earned growth, which isn’t always something you can find in fiction. I also applaud Mason Deaver for being willing to make their trans main character a spoiled rich kid. This book is complicated and messy and oh-so-good. Content warnings
Read our full review of The Feeling of Falling in Love here.
Ander & Santi Were Here: A Novel by Jonny Garza Villa
To keep Ander from becoming complacent during their gap year, their family “fires” them so they can transition from restaurant life to focusing on their murals and prepare for college. That is, until they meet Santiago López Alvarado, the hot new waiter. Falling for each other becomes as natural as breathing. Through Santi’s eyes, Ander starts to understand who they are and want to be as an artist, and Ander becomes Santi’s first steps toward making Santos Vista and the United States feel like home.
Jonny Garza Villa‘s Ander & Santi Were Here is bittersweet, painful and heartbreakingly honest, but there’s hope. This novel presents no easy answers as it highlights real problems in how the US comports itself. But love prevails; here, anyway. Also, Ander is so beautifully 19 in every way, the good and the bad. This book will stay with you (and me) for a long time. Content warnings
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When the Angels Left the Old Country by Sacha Lamb
Uriel the angel and Little Ash … have been studying together for centuries, but pogroms and the search for a new life have drawn all the young people from their village to America. When one of those young emigrants goes missing, Uriel and Little Ash set off to find her.
Not a romance in the traditional sense, Uriel’s and Little Ash’s love story is truly epic. I mean, it spans literal centuries and oceans. Sacha Lamb‘s novel explores the anthropomorphization of two celestial beings while the world around them attempts to dehumanize them. The dichotomy works well in tandem with the blossoming realization of love. Content warnings
Read our full review of When the Angels Left the Old Country here.
Middle Grade
Spin With Me by Ami Polonsky
… Essie is a thirteen-year-old girl feeling glum about starting a new school after her professor dad takes a temporary teaching position in a different town. She has 110 days here and can’t wait for them to end. Then she meets Ollie, who is nonbinary … Can the two unwind their merry-go-round of feelings before it’s too late?
Polonsky structures Spin With Me in a very original way. The first half unfolds with Essie’s version of the story, counting down from T-110 days to zero. Then, the story begins again, from Ollie’s version of events, starting from day one and counting up. Their version of events fills in some crucial gaps left out from Essie’s version and fills out the story. Content warnings
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The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang
Prince Sebastian is looking for a bride ― or rather, his parents are looking for one for him. Sebastian is too busy hiding his secret life from everyone. At night he puts on daring dresses and takes Paris by storm as the fabulous Lady Crystallia ― the hottest fashion icon in the world capital of fashion!
Though not explicit in the graphic novel, author Jen Wang describes Sebastian as genderqueer, so I feel comfortable placing him under the enby umbrella. This lovely tale is probably somewhere between middle grade and young adult due to the heavy themes, but since The Prince and the Dressmaker is a graphic novel, I imagine younger kids might gravitate toward it. I love the illustrations and how much the Dressmaker supports and loves all of The Prince. Content warnings
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Have you read any of these books with nonbinary love interests? Which is your favorite? Are there any you would add? Let us know in the comments below! 📚☿️💌
This article was originally published in June 2023.
https://www.geekgirlauthority.com/queer-tested-teacher-approved-nonbinary-characters/
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