There was a time not long ago when it felt like all traditionally published queer books were on the way. Often these were tragic or emotionally devastating stories that could leave readers feeling depressed and heartbroken. We begged for a broader range of queer stories, and slowly a more diverse group of LGBTQ+ books began to emerge, across different genres, themes, and identities. As the publishing world reacts to political change and steps back, we should continue to demand a variety of queer stories.
But the truth is that I have a soft spot for bringing out stories. This is a process that many (but not all) LGBTQ+ people experience. Coming out can be scary, but it can also be joyful, fulfilling, and empowering. It’s one of those pivotal moments in life when you intrinsically know that after this, nothing will be the same. These coming-of-age stories can be hard to find later in life, but they are a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to embrace your truth and live authentically. So even though we’re embracing a wider range of queer narratives, I hope the coming-of-age stories are here to stay. Here are some phenomenally weird romances with afterlife storylines, with characters over the age of 30 in rainbow spotlights.
5 Romances That Come Later In Life
every step she takes By Alison Cochrun
Nothing forces you to confront your latent queerness than a surprise last-minute backpacking trip through Europe with a group of queer people. Thirty-five-year-old Sadie hasn’t taken a break from her family business in years, which has proven to be a complete distraction from confronting her own sexuality and loneliness. When her impressionable sister gets injured and can’t go on her planned trip to Portugal, she convinces Sadie to take her place on a group hiking tour of the Camino de Santiago. But what she doesn’t tell Sadie is that it’s a tour exclusively for quirky women – one of whom Sadie finds herself attracted to on the plane before they even arrive. Alison Cochrun writes tender, heartwarming weird romances that I always love, and this one has a particularly unforgettable story.
love is a contact sport by Frederick Smith
This gorgeous second-chance romance features two characters who fell in love with each other in college but had to wait 20 years for their love story to really take off. Brent was a secret freshman basketball player when he was assigned to Renee’s orientation group, and the spark between them was undeniable. Two decades later, Brent is recently divorced and ready to live freely. When he meets Renee at a college reunion, their old spark is rekindled. This is an emotional, sexy, delightful story with two characters that will make a permanent place in your heart.
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Secret Crush Book Club By Karmen Lee
Queer book lovers will delight in this book-centered romance with a heartfelt afterlife plot. Dani is a single mother who is tired of putting everyone else’s needs above her own. To make some new friends and explore new hobbies, she joins a book club run by librarian Zoey. Little does Dani know that Zoey is also secretly a writer who has written some of Dani’s favorite books. As Dani and Zoey connect with each other while reading love stories, their own love story begins to blossom.
role playing By Kathy Yardley
Empty-nester Maggie accepts her son’s challenge to make new friends and decides to join a virtual gaming guild. She quickly becomes involved with Aiden, the leader of the guild, but she believes him to be her son’s age. Meanwhile Aiden believes that Maggie is her elderly mother’s age. When they finally meet in person and realize they’re both around 50, they wonder if their online connection could turn into something amazing IRL. Throughout the book, Aidan comes out as bisexual and gay, and his journey is as touching as his love story with Maggie.
The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle By Matt Cain
Albert was satisfied with his life, he lived alone with his cat and worked as a postman. But when he is unexpectedly forced to retire just before his 65th birthday, Albert isn’t sure where he anymore fits in the world. He bravely decides to start living his truth and seeks out the man he fell in love with decades ago, hoping it won’t be long before their flame rekindles. It’s a powerful story about opening your heart and waiting for a whole new world.
Thanks for reading! Check out these other romance book lists this Pride Month:
Pride is for book lovers: LGBTQ+ romance set in bookstores and libraries
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