Bridgerton Fans, You’re Missing Out on These Queer Love Stories
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If you’re a fan of historical romance and on the hunt for inclusive, queer-centered stories with heart, heat, and history, this is the guide for you. In a recent What to Read Next podcast episode, I sat down with bestselling romance author Cat Sebastian to talk about her latest book, the evolution of historical romance, and her favorite queer historical recommendations.
We also dove deep into what the romance industry gets right—and wrong—when it comes to intersectional representation. Plus, Cat shared her audiobook listening habits, some under-the-radar indie gems, and the titles she thinks more people should be reading.
Let’s get into it.
Why We Love Queer Historical Romance
Cat’s newest release, You Should Be So Lucky, is a heartfelt story set in 1960s New York that blends grief, baseball, and love. It’s a love letter to underdogs and public failure, wrapped in a time period that’s still vivid in our collective memory. “It’s like an excuse to ask my mom about that kind of thing,” Cat joked. She draws inspiration from real-life sports figures like Mickey Mantle and uses well-documented history as fertile ground for emotional storytelling.
And while she loves writing within specific eras, Cat pointed out something key: “The closer you get to the present day, the easier research gets.” But representation? That’s another story.
The State of Queer Historical Romance
Here’s where our conversation got real.
Cat and I discussed the frustrating limitations in publishing when it comes to finding queer historical romances that are also intersectional. Too many of the books we find feature queer white protagonists in Regency England—leaving out a broader, richer range of stories.
“The fact that we don’t have more queer historical romance with characters of color isn’t a reader problem. It’s an industry problem,” Cat explained. “Readers are comfortable with historical elements in fantasy or secondary worlds. So why isn’t that trust extended to traditional historical romance?”
We talked about how Bridgerton’s success shows there is an appetite for inclusive, diverse period storytelling. The challenge is getting traditional publishers to believe it.
Cat Sebastian’s Favorite Queer Historical Romance Books
Here are some of Cat’s top recommendations if you’re looking to dive into queer historical romance:
Island Princess Starts a Scandal by Adriana Herrera
Set in 1880s Paris, this sapphic romance is full of heat and heart. It’s page-turning, boundary-pushing, and beautifully written.
Why You’ll Love It: A steamy, refreshing take on historical romance that centers two women of color in a lush global setting.
Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma Alban
This queer romcom is all vibes, energy, and found-family feels. Cat loved the audio version especially.
Why You’ll Love It: A light, fun romp with a modern tone that still delivers all the historical romance joy.
The Perks of Loving a Wallflower by Erica Ridley
A sapphic twist on traditional English historical romance with espionage, love, and sass.
Why You’ll Love It: It balances beloved tropes with fresh perspectives and inclusive representation.
One Night in Hartswood and sequel by Emma Denny
These queer medieval romances are cozy, emotional, and rare in a genre dominated by Regency settings.
Why You’ll Love It: Swordplay, breweries, cross-dressing, and cozy vibes—what more could you want?
In Memoriam by Alice Winn
Set during WWI, this tearjerker of a novel delivers a cathartic and deeply romantic story between two soldiers.
Why You’ll Love It: It’s emotional, gorgeously written, and offers an earned, uplifting ending amid chaos.
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
A YA classic that’s not just for teens. Set in 1950s San Francisco, this book captures queer identity and family tensions with unforgettable prose.
Why You’ll Love It: It blends historical immersion with personal stakes in a way that resonates across ages.
Self-Made Boys by Anna-Marie McLemore
A trans reimagining of The Great Gatsby, part of a YA historical series.
Why You’ll Love It: It’s bold, fresh, and challenges traditional narratives with heart.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Queer Historical Romance
There are a few promising releases on the horizon—including two trans historical romances Cat is excited about, one of them by TJ Alexander. Cat’s hopeful, but realistic: “Even if everyone buys these books, it doesn’t move the needle unless the industry is willing to believe in them.”
What she—and many of us—want to see:
- Queer characters of color in all time periods
- More sapphic and polyamorous romances (Triple Sec by TJ Alexander is a great recent example)
- More settings outside England: think Cuba, India, ancient China, Korea, the Caribbean, and beyond
- Romance that is as joyful and escapist as it is inclusive
Final Thoughts
Queer historical romance deserves space on our bookshelves and in our hearts. These books aren’t just rewriting history—they’re expanding it.
Looking for More Book Recs:
- These 4 Queer Literary Fiction Books Will Wreck You
- 10 Must-Read Historical Romance Novels that Feature Spies
- Best LGBTQIA+ Nonfiction and Memoirs to Add to Your TBR
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