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Happy New Year! 2021 is now upon us and with a new year, comes some very exciting book releases which you know, us here at fuzz absolutely love! So today, we thought we’d take you through five contemporary young adult novels that are releasing in 2021 with characters from the LGBTQ+ community.
1) You’re The One I Want by Simon James Green
Freddie has a reputation as a ‘nice guy’ – inoffensive, sweet, kind – and therefore completely un-dateable. As he starts sixth form, Freddie decides that this nice guy isn’t going to finish last any more. No more missing out on parties because he’s got to do his homework. No more saying no when he really wants to say yes. And most of all no more lusting after unobtainable straight boys who enjoy the attention but ultimately break his heart. Freddie embarks on a series of changes designed to transform his social and romantic life, and suddenly he’s a drama darling, getting invited to all the popular kids’ parties, and hot new boy Zach is showing an interest. Life couldn’t be better! But the path to love is never smooth – and Freddie’s about to learn that changing everything about yourself isn’t necessarily a foolproof way of finding the right person.
Simon James Green’s contemporaries are always filled with so much heart and humour as well as the serious topics like dealing with your sexuality as a teenager and we always look forward to his releases! You’re The One I Want sounds like it’s going to be such a fun contemporary that will fill our hearts with so much joy.
Expected Publication: 6th March
2) Between Perfect and Real by Ray Stoeve
Dean Foster knows he’s a trans guy. He’s watched enough YouTube videos and done enough questioning to be sure. But everyone at his high school thinks he’s a lesbian—including his girlfriend Zoe, and his theater director, who just cast him as a “nontraditional” Romeo. He wonders if maybe it would be easier to wait until college to come out. But as he plays Romeo every day in rehearsals, Dean realizes he wants everyone to see him as he really is now––not just on the stage, but everywhere in his life. Dean knows what he needs to do. Can playing a role help Dean be his true self?
Between Perfect and Real seems like it’s going to be a really important and beautiful debut novel. There is always a need for contemporary coming of age stories following trans teens and this one seems like it’s going to be a very important one. It also seems like it’s going to be a hard hitting, coming of age contemporary and we are really looking forward to reading it.
Expected Publication: 13th April
3) She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen
After losing spectacularly to her ex-girlfriend in their first game since their break up, Scottie Zajac gets into a fender bender with the worst possible person: her nemesis, the incredibly beautiful and incredibly mean Irene Abraham. Things only get worse when their nosey, do-gooder moms get involved and the girls are forced to carpool together until Irene’s car gets out of the shop.Their bumpy start only gets bumpier the more time they spend together. But when an opportunity presents itself for Scottie to get back at her toxic ex (and climb her school’s social ladder at the same time), she bribes Irene into playing along. Hijinks, heartbreak, and gay fake-dating scheme for the ages.
She Drives Me Crazy sounds like the perfect enemies to lovers, sporting, queer romcom that we’ve always wanted! This book sounds absolutely amazing and we cannot wait to see the romance between these two chaotic girls. We’ve always had a soft spot for a sport romance contemporary and this one just seems like it’s going to be perfect!
Expected Publication: 20th April.
4) Cool For The Summer by Dahlia Adler
Lara’s had eyes for exactly one person throughout her three years of high school: Chase Harding. He’s tall, strong, sweet, a football star, and frankly, stupid hot. Oh, and he’s talking to her now. On purpose and everything. Maybe…flirting, even? No, wait, he’s definitely flirting, which is pretty much the sum of everything Lara’s wanted out of life. Except she’s haunted by a memory. A memory of a confusing, romantic, strangely perfect summer spent with a girl named Jasmine. A memory that becomes a confusing, disorienting present when Jasmine herself walks through the front doors of the school to see Lara and Chase chatting it up in front of the lockers. Lara has everything she ever wanted: a tight-knit group of friends, a job that borders on cool, and Chase, the boy of her literal dreams. But if she’s finally got the guy, why can’t she stop thinking about the girl?
Cool For The Summer sounds like it’s going to be the perfect summer contemporary! It sounds like it’s going to be a brilliant coming of age story with a bisexual main character at the centre. It also sounds like it could have some Grease elements to it and we are too excited for it. Coming of age stories featuring LGBTQ+ characters are so important and we are sure that this one will be no different.
Expected Publication: 11th May.
5) Heartstopper Volume 4 by Alice Oseman
Charlie didn’t think Nick could ever like him back, but now they’re officially boyfriends. Charlie’s beginning to feel ready to say those three little words: I love you. Nick’s been feeling the same, but he’s got a lot on his mind – not least coming out to his dad, and the fact that Charlie might have an eating disorder. As summer turns to autumn and a new school year begins, Charlie and Nick are about to learn a lot about what love means.
Heartstopper Volume 4 is the only sequel and graphic novel we have on this list but we couldn’t help but include it! Heartstopper is a very heartwarming contemporary graphic novel series following our two main characters Nick and Charlie figuring out their own love story. It’s such an important series that is about self discovery, loving yourself and also deals with some serious topics when it comes to sexuality and mental health. So, we will caution that this volume in particular will deal with Charlie and his eating disorder so go in with caution if that is a trigger for you! We can’t wait to see what these boys are up to in volume 4!
Expected Release: 13th May.
So, there is five LGBTQ+ contemporaries we are looking forward to in the first half of 2021! Which one are you most excited for? Let us know by tweeting us @Fuzzable!
If you want to check out any of our other bookish content, you can find it here!
