Category: Heteroromantic

Puddin’

By Julie Murphy

Told from the POV of two different girls, Puddin’ is the story of Millie Milcachuk and Callie Reyes. Millie aspires to be a news anchor, while Callie’s whole life is devoted to her dance team. When Millie’s uncle’s gym is trashed by the dance team, Millie identifies Callie as one of the culprits, and Callie has to work at the gym, forcing her and Millie to start talking and eventually become friends.

Publisher’s Description:

Millie Michalchuk has gone to fat camp every year since she was a little girl. Not this year. This year she has new plans to chase her secret dream–and to kiss the boy she’s crushing on.
Callie Reyes is the pretty girl who is next in line for dance-team captain and has the popular boyfriend. But when it comes to other girls, she’s more frenemy than friend.
When circumstances bring the girls together over the course of a semester, they surprise everyone (especially themselves) by realizing that they might have more in common than they ever imagined.
A story about unexpected friendship, romance, and Texas-size girl power–this is another winner from Julie Murphy.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Representation:

Gender:
Cis girls: Millie, Callie, Amanda, Hannah, Courtney
Cis boys: Malik, Bryce

Sexuality:
Gay: Claudia (main character’s older sister)
Lesbian: Hannah, Courtney
Heterosexual: Millie, Callie, Malik, Bryce
Gray-Asexual: Amanda

Romantic Orientation:
 Biromantic: Amanda
Heteroromantic: Millie, Callie, Malik, Bryce

Disability: One of Amanda’s legs is shorter than the other.

Location: American South

Trigger Warnings: Fatphobia

Additional Notes: Male principal is mentioned to be married to a man briefly.

Ending: Happy

Infernal Providence: Heir of Destruction

By J Armand

The fifth book in The Immortal Coil series is here! Jump back into the apocalyptic adventure with Dorian and his allies as they take on the first of the Infernal Kings in this hellish epic. Who will be left to pick up the pieces when the flames of war are extinguished and can Earth’s forces rebuild a better, more inclusive world for the future of humanity?

Publisher’s Description:
The inevitable has arrived. Civilizations across the globe have begun to collapse under the insurmountable pressure exerted by the invasions from Hell, and there is no going back. All attempts to staunch the hemorrhaging of mortal lives have produced anemic results at best. As populations and resources are depleted in a steady downward spiral, the skeletal remains of governments worldwide close their borders and abandon international aid treaties in favor of riding out the storm alone in their own dark corners.

While humanity trembles and death tolls soar, the gods and their supernatural allies continue fighting to stymie the ever-advancing Infernal hordes. Each divinity has staked their claim in certain locations to foster relations with the survivors there, be it a modest abbey or multinational empire. Dorian, the Ascended One, and his Alabaster Order have fought without pause for months to tip the delicate balance of peace and chaos ever so slightly in their favor, but it is Dorian’s champion, Nathaniel, who has made the greatest impact on both sides. Known throughout the world as a bringer of hope to the innocent and a foe to demons rivaling the gods themselves, Nathaniel has thrived under his master’s tutelage.

But as the already frenetic pace of demonic invasions accelerates further, no amount of hope or divine might will prepare Earth’s forces for what is about to blow the doors off on its way to total domination.

Genre: science fiction/fantasy

Representation:

Gender:
 Cis girls: [many] incl. Marianna, Isis, Kamakura, Aífe, Aurelia, Sierra, Minerva
Cis boys: [many] incl. Dorian, Nathaniel, Noah, Lyle, Gianluca, Calder, Octavio

Sexuality:
Gay: Dorian, Gianluca
Bisexual: Noah
Heterosexual: Lyle, Calder, Aífe, Rebecca, Sierra

Romantic Orientation:
Homoromantic: Dorian/Noah
Heteroromantic: Lyle, Rebecca

Race/Ethnicity:
White: Dorian, Lyle, Noah, Aurelia, Aífe, Calder
Black: Isis, Monique
Latinx: Sierra
East Asian: Empress Kamakura & Guardian Spirits
Multiracial: Liam, many [most of the Alabaster Order]
Middle Eastern/North African: Samir

Disability: Mental illness [anxiety disorder], Physical [missing limb]

Location: Greece, India, Italy, China, Japan, Iceland, Greenland

Trigger Warnings: violence/death for action media, very minor reference to alcohol abuse]

Additional Notes: Many religions, sexualities, and genders not listed if not plot-relevant, specifically referenced, or yet to be revealed.

Ownvoices: Gay male, anxiety disorder

Ending: Happy ending

Rainbow Briefs

By Kira Harp

Have you ever looked at a picture, perhaps a photo of two guys in a tight hug, or two girls holding hands, and wondered, What happened before that moment? What will they do next?

These fifteen stories were inspired by images from the Young Adult LGBT Books Group. In these pages you’ll find LGBTQ teenagers living their lives – experiencing first encounters and long relationships, coming out, staying closeted, questioning, loving, having adventures, dealing with family, with prejudice, with magic. Author Kira Harp provides this collection of Young Adult romantic, fantasy, and contemporary short stories.

Genre: YA short stories – contemporary, paranormal, fantasy

Representation:
Gender:
Cis girls: Adara, Candice, Hayley, Bri, Nicola, Kim
Cis boys: Julio, Mark, Toren, Baylor, Vic, Justin, Colby, Jerrod, Tommy, Con, Nick, Zeke, Spencer, Mitch, Adam, Joe, Lance
Trans girls: Lisa
Trans boys: Sam

Sexuality:
Gay: Julio, Mark, Sam, Toren, Baylor, Vic, Justin, Con, Nick, Zeke, Spencer, Mitch, Adam, Joe, Lance
Lesbian: Adara, Candice, Hayley, Bri, Nicola, Kim
Bisexual: Jerrod
Heterosexual: Lisa
Questioning: Colby

Romantic Orientation:
Homoromantic: Julio, Mark, Adara, Candice, Sam, Toren, Baylor, Hayley, Bri, Vic, Justin, Nicola, Kim, Con, Nick, Zeke, Spencer, Mitch, Adam, Joe, Lance
Biromantic: Jerrod:
Heteroromantic: Lisa
Poly Romantic: Spencer, Mitch, Adam

Race/Ethnicity:
White: Mark, Adara, Candice, Hayley, Bri, Vic, Justin, Con, Nick, Zeke, Lisa, Joe, Lance
Latinx: Julio

Disability:
Mark – club foot
Tommy – Down’s Syndrome

Location: various

Trigger Warnings: homophobia/homomisa, grieving, depression, kidnapping/imprisonment

Additional Notes: free ebook on many sites

Ending: all happy endings

The Firemage’s Vengeance (The Academy Journals #3)

By Garrett Robinson

Publisher’s Description:

The Academy is in mourning after students and instructors alike have been murdered in its halls, but the murderer is now far away across the nine kingdoms—or so they believe.

When Ebon learns of a new threat within the Academy, he and his friends must work quickly to stop it—for if anyone knows the terrible secret they conceal, they could be put to death.

As the Academy’s danger grows, and the new Dean grows increasingly suspicious of Ebon himself, he must infiltrate the family Yerrin and learn a dark truth if he hopes to remain alive.

Genre: Fantasy

Representation:
Gender:
Cis girls: Theren, Lilith
Cis boys: Xain
Trans girls: Perrin

Sexuality:
Lesbian: Theren, Lilith
Asexual: Talib
Demisexual: Xain
Heterosexual: Perrin

Romantic Orientation:
Homoromantic: Theren, Lilith
Heteroromantic: Perrin
Not mentioned in the book: Talib, Xain

The Mindmage’s Wrath (The Academy Journals #2)

By Garrett Robinson

Publisher’s Description:
Ebon has survived the attack upon the High King’s Seat, and now the Academy struggles to piece itself together in the midst of civil war. Now a quiet urgency hangs over all the lessons taught within the citadel; every student knows the spells they learn now may one day save their lives from the enemies of the King.

Then an instructor is found dead in the Academy’s halls—their throat slit by an unknown assassin.

Panic creeps in, while Ebon and his friends hear of thefts from the Academy’s vaults. Artifacts of incredible power are disappearing one by one, and are clearly connected to the murder. Theren thinks she knows who the thief is, but cannot prove it. And so Ebon and his friends must reveal the identity of the murderer, before they strike again.

Genre: Fantasy

Representation:
Gender:
Cis girls: Theren, Lilith
Cis boys: Matami, Xain
Trans girls: Perrin

Sexuality:
Gay: Matami
Lesbian: Theren, Lilith
Demisexual: Xain
Heterosexual: Perrin

Romantic Orientation:
Homoromantic: Theren, Lilith
Heteroromantic: Perrin
Not mentioned in the book: Xain

The King’s Men by Nora Sakavic (All For The Game #3)

By Nora Sakavic

With Andrew back and sober, the Foxes continue to make their way towards finals. However, Andrew’s return means more to Neil than it should especially considering it doesn’t look like he’s going to survive much longer.

Publisher’s Description:

Neil Josten is out of time. He knew when he came to PSU he wouldn’t survive the year, but with his death right around the corner he’s got more reasons than ever to live.

Befriending the Foxes was inadvisable. Kissing one is unthinkable. Neil should know better than to get involved with anyone this close to the end, but Andrew’s never been the easiest person to walk away from. If they both say it doesn’t mean anything, maybe Neil won’t regret losing it, but the one person Neil can’t lie to is himself.

He’s got promises to keep and a team to get to championships if he can just outrun Riko a little longer, but Riko’s not the only monster in Neil’s life. The truth might get them all killed—or be Neil’s one shot at getting out of this alive.

Genre: Contemporary

Representation:

Gender:
Cis girls: Allison, Renee, Dan
Cis boys: Neil, Nicky, Andrew, Kevin, Aaron, Matt, Riko

Sexuality:
Gay: Nicky, Andrew
Lesbian: Minor Characters
Demisexual: Neil
Heterosexual: Kevin, Aaron, Matt, Allison, Renee, Dan, Riko

Romantic Orientation:
Homoromantic: Nicky, Andrew, Minor Characters
Demiromantic: Neil
Heteroromantic: Kevin, Aaron, Matt, Allison, Renee, Dan, Riko

Race/Ethnicity:
White: Andrew, Aaron, Neil
Latinx: Nicky
East Asian: Riko
Not mentioned: Kevin, Matt, Allison, Renee, Dan

Religion:
Christianity: Renee

Disability:
Mental Illness, Depression

Location: South Carolina

Trigger Warnings:
Substance use or alcoholism
Sexual Assault/Rape (Mentioned)
Violence
Abuse
Graphic Torture
Past Self Harm
Murder

Ownvoices: Own-voice for Ace Spectrum but not specifically demi-sexuality.

The Raven King (All For The Game #2)

By Nora Sakavic

The game against the Ravens is drawing closer and the Foxes are far from prepared. With the recent death of one of their teammates, their line-up is a mess but if Andrew would put some effort in, then maybe they could finally start doing well in their games. Neil’s the only one who can get through to him but Andrew’s not going to give up anything for free.

Publisher’s Description:

Book 2 of All for the Game; The Raven King follows The Foxhole Court

The Foxes are a fractured mess, but their latest disaster might be the miracle they’ve always needed to come together as a team. The one person standing in their way is Andrew, and the only one who can break through his personal barriers is Neil.

Except Andrew doesn’t give up anything for free and Neil is terrible at trusting anyone but himself. The two don’t have much time to come to terms with their situation before outside forces start tearing them apart. Riko is intent on destroying Neil’s fragile new life, and the Foxes have just become collateral damage.

Neil’s days are numbered, but he’s learning the hard way to go down fighting for what he believes in, and Neil believes in Andrew even if Andrew won’t believe in himself.

Genre: Contemporary

Representation:
Gender:
Cis girls: Allison, Renee, Dan
Cis boys: Neil, Nicky, Andrew, Kevin, Aaron, Matt, Riko

Sexuality:
Gay: Nicky, Andrew
Demisexual: Neil
Heterosexual: Kevin, Aaron, Matt, Allison, Renee, Dan, Riko

Romantic Orientation:
Homoromantic: Nicky, Andrew
Demiromantic: Neil
Heteroromantic: Kevin, Aaron, Matt, Allison, Renee, Dan, Riko

Race/Ethnicity:
White: Andrew, Aaron, Neil
Latinx: Nicky
East Asian: Riko
Not mentioned: Kevin, Matt, Allison, Renee, Dan

Religion:
Christianity: Renee

Disability:
Mental Illness, Depression

Location: South Carolina

Trigger Warnings:
Substance use or alcoholism
Sexual Assault/Rape
Violence
Abuse
Homophobia
Ablest Language (R Slur)
Graphic Torture
Past Self Harm
Murder

Ownvoices: Own-voice for Ace Spectrum but not specifically demi-sexuality.

The Foxhole Court (All For The Game #1)

By Nora Sakavic

Neil Josten, runaway son of a murderous crime lord, is recruited to join the Foxes, a dysfunctional Exy team full of people with dark pasts. Neil’s whole identity is a lie but the truth can only stay hidden for so long.

Publisher’s Description:

Neil Josten is the newest addition to the Palmetto State University Exy team. He’s short, he’s fast, he’s got a ton of potential—and he’s the runaway son of the murderous crime lord known as The Butcher.

Signing a contract with the PSU Foxes is the last thing a guy like Neil should do. The team is high profile and he doesn’t need sports crews broadcasting pictures of his face around the nation. His lies will hold up only so long under this kind of scrutiny and the truth will get him killed.

But Neil’s not the only one with secrets on the team. One of Neil’s new teammates is a friend from his old life, and Neil can’t walk away from him a second time. Neil has survived the last eight years by running. Maybe he’s finally found someone and something worth fighting for.

Genre: Contemporary

Representation:
Gender:
Cis girls: Allison, Renee, Dan
Cis boys: Neil, Nicky, Andrew, Kevin, Aaron, Seth, Matt, Riko

Sexuality:
Gay: Nicky, Andrew
Demisexual: Neil
Heterosexual: Kevin, Aaron, Seth, Matt, Allison, Renee, Dan, Riko

Romantic Orientation:
Homoromantic: Nicky, Andrew
Demiromantic: Neil
Heteroromantic: Kevin, Aaron, Seth, Matt, Allison, Renee, Dan, Riko

Race/Ethnicity:
White: Andrew, Aaron, Neil
Latinx: Nicky
East Asian: Riko
Not mentioned: Kevin, Seth, Matt, Allison, Renee, Dan

Religion:
Christianity: Renee

Disability:
Mental Illness, Depression

Location: South Carolina

Trigger Warnings:
Substance use or alcoholism
Sexual Assault
Violence
Abuse
Homophobic Language (F Slur)
Ablest Language (R Slur)
Suicide
Murder

Ownvoices: Own-voice for Ace Spectrum but not specifically demi-sexuality.

 

Upon Broken Wings

By E.L. Reedy

To save their souls, a high-functioning Autistic boy, unaware that he is dead, must convince a suicidal comatose boy to choose to live.

Publisher’s Description:

Bound by a dark act of hate and despair, high school freshmen, Andrew and Kiernan, learn that their untimely deaths did not bring an end to their pain, but only began the suffering of those left behind. While his lost memories return, Andrew must master seemingly impossible feats, both spiritual and physical.

As a dark spirit stalks Kiernan through the borderlands of life and death, he must also face the pain his actions have caused his loved ones. To save both their souls, Andrew must convince Kiernan to return to life and open his eyes to the love and beauty which had always been there.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Representation:
Gender:
Cis boys: Michael Andrew, Kiernan, David
Cis girls: Judith

Sexuality:
Gay: Michael, Andrew, Kiernan
Heterosexual: Judith, Casey, David

Romantic Orientation:
Heteroromantic: Casey
Not mentioned in the book: Judith, David, Raphael

Race/Ethnicity:
White: Andrew, Kiernan, Judith, Casey, David, Michael
Black: Raphael

Religion:
Christianity: (All of them)

Disability: Andrew is an Aspie, Kiernan was in an accident when very young and limps with a permanent hip injury

Location: Smalltown, Iowa

Trigger Warnings: Suicide, bullying

Additional Notes: Entry for this title written by the author E.L. Reedy

Story related: The story is narrated by Casey, the younger brother of Kiernan, who witnessed everything seven years earlier.

From the authors: We wrote UPON BROKEN WINGS to show that all suicide accomplishes is the creation of a world of immeasurable pain for those left behind. It’s about saving lives, and if we save even one, our efforts in writing and publishing were well worth it!

Ending:
In the end, Andrew convinces Kiernan to return to the living world. Some years later, he gets married to his boyfriend. Casey, the narrator, falls in love with a girl his age, who can also see spirits, Life goes on–if we let it.

Dangerous Ground

By Alice Rachel

A lower-class boy bent upon protecting his girlfriend from a system trying to crush them.

An upper-class girl set upon destroying the system.

Publisher’s Description:

With the Sterilization Law threatening the entire lower class, Chase Martinez has a lot to fear. Everyone around him is rising and falling for their rights. Chase’s only goal is to protect his girlfriend, Mariana. But what can a single man do against those seeking to destroy everything he has ever worked for?

As the daughter of state officer Andrew Davis, Tina has known nothing but privilege and luxury. Her experiences change, however, when she meets Chase for the first time. Never before had she realized how cruel and unfair the system could be.

When the Sterilization Law is passed and the riots take a turn for the worse, shattering Chase’s life beyond repair, Tina can no longer remain impassive. Now has come the time to take matters into her own hands: she will infiltrate the system and tear it apart from the inside out.

Genre: YA Dystopian Romance

Representation:
Gender:
Cis girls: Every female character
Cis boys: Every male character

Sexuality:
Gay: Terrence Young / Gerald Rossi / Akio Sakamoto
Bisexual: Chase Martinez / Narumi Kita
Heterosexual: Tina Davis / Tyreese Lefort / Taylor Jones / Kayla Haynes / Craig Owens / Mariana Alvarez / Victor Martinez / Rafael Martinez / Andrew Davis / James Malone / Cameron Cooper

Romantic Orientation:
Homoromantic: Terrence Young / Gerald Rossi / Akio Sakamoto
Biromantic: Chase Martinez / Narumi Kita
Heteroromantic: Tina Davis / Tyreese Lefort / Taylor Jones / Kayla Haynes / Craig Owens / Mariana Alvarez / Victor Martinez / Rafael Martinez / Andrew Davis / James Malone / Cameron Cooper

Race/Ethnicity:
White: Terrence Young / Gerald Rossi / Andrew Davis / Tina Davis / Craig Owens / James Malone
Black: Taylor Jones / Kayla Haynes / Tyreese Lefort / Cameron Cooper
Latinx: Chase Martinez / Victor Martinez / Rafael Martinez / Mariana Alvarez
East Asian: Narumi Kita / Akio Sakamoto

Religion:
Judaism: Tina Davis

Disability: Terrence Young / Gerald Rossi / Craig Owens (illiteracy)

Ownvoices:   This book is ownvoices for: immigrants experiencing xenophobia, depression, ancestors sent to concentration camps

Trigger Warnings: Depression, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, death, and loss

Additional Notes: This book will come out later in 2018 (summer or fall)

Ending: This book cannot be read a standalone. It ends on a cliffhanger that will open onto the last book in the series