August’s new romance releases brings a little treat for all different approaches to the month. Whether you’re still celebrating summer, anxious for fall, or just want to enjoy a sweet ‘n sexy vacation, there’s something for you hitting shelves this month.
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Ghosts That We Knew
Author: Amity Malcom
Released: August 3, 2026
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA, Paranormal, RomanceWhile still running from the ghosts of his past, a trans man reluctantly returns to his hometown and runs straight into the arms of a ghost who is about to change his future.
Hayes Hastings never expected to go back to Broomstick Bluff. Yet with a faltering family business and parents unwilling to step up, he returns to help his beloved grandmother with the ghost tour company that put his family on the map.
He’s determined to hate the small town suspended in an eternal autumn just as much as he’s dead set to leave on the first day of winter with as little contact with the town’s residents as possible.
But before he can even start his first day of work, his carefully planned world is knocked off its axis in the form of a beautiful employee dressed as a witch with wildfire hair, a familiar cinnamon scent he can’t place, and a carefree attitude unlike anything he could ever dream of possessing
What starts as the pair being pushed together as co-workers quickly escalates to spooky late nights and steamy afternoon apple orchard make-out sessions. Yet as they grow closer, both letting down unsuspecting walls, one secret stands to tear them apart forever.
And it just might be big enough to send Hayes Hastings packing for good.
I’m sorry, sometimes I simply have to judge a book by its cover, and a clinch with a bodacious heroine and a hero sporting a sexy chest with top surgery scars simply cannot be ignored. But I also love a good “return to hometown” story, and working for a ghost tour company?? Also between ghosts, witchiness, and apple orchards, this sounds like the perfect read for the autumnal transition and people who’ve had enough of this summer heat (but not all heat, naturally)…
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International Relations
Author: Zac Hammett
Released: August 4, 2026 by Slowburn
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA, RomanceThe Proposal meets Heated Rivalry in this queer fake dating to fake marriage romance, following an aspiring young diplomat who hopes to land his dream job by hiring an actor to play his boyfriend . . .
Max has never had time for a relationship working in the high-stakes world of international diplomacy. But when a high-profile ambassadorial position opens up in Athens, Max is discreetly advised that his single status isn’t helping his chances. In this line of work, appearances matter, and Max’s rival Quentin has an advantage in the form of his charming and accomplished girlfriend.
Determined not to lose out, Max hires Hunter, a charismatic actor, to play the perfect boyfriend. Hunter dazzles on the diplomatic circuit, but soon the charade takes on a life of its own. When visa complications force Max and Hunter to make their relationship official, they find themselves trapped in a marriage of convenience that is anything but convenient. There’s only one thing that could make all this even more complicated—if Max and Hunter’s feelings for each other start becoming real . . .
International Relations is a fake dating to fake marriage romance filled with glamorous locations, sizzling chemistry, and a love story that will capture your heart.
Hammett’s followup to See You at the Finish Line is a far cry from the crew boat, mashing up a fauxmance with Red White & Royal Blue vibes perfect for reading for reading on the beach while anxiously awaiting the return of The Diplomat. Marriage of Convenience is still a pretty rare trope for queer lit, which makes for some fun seasoning. My favorite thing in this one, though, was that while it could’ve been an expected comedy of errors between two people bumbling their way through their careers, both protagonists are pros in their field, with external rather than internal forces standing in their way.
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Ship Happens
Author: Mason Deaver
Released: August 18, 2026 by Avon
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA, RomanceFrom bestselling and award-winning author Mason Deaver comes a delightful second-chance romance with trans representation! Trapped on a cruise together, exes Owen and Jacob are forced to confront why their relationship went off course…but in such close quarters, maybe they’ll finally be able to right the ship.
A year ago, Owen Henson had a close-knit group of friends who felt like family and a boyfriend who made his heart race just by walking into the room. But now? Everything’s unraveling. His friends seem to be moving forward without him, and his happily-ever-after shattered when his boyfriend Jacob packed up and left for the United Kingdom to join a research team.
The last thing Owen needs is for Jacob to waltz back into the city like nothing happened, showing up at their friends’ annual Christmas party looking just as annoyingly handsome as the day he left. Or for their friends to spring a surprise six-day, seven-night cruise up the West Coast to Alaska as a bonding trip for the group. How is Owen supposed to keep it together around the man who broke his heart, all while pretending he’s fine? Totally fine. But then Jacob tells Owen that he’d like to be something even more complicated than exes. He wants to be friends. Skeptical, Owen agrees to the plan but as they spend time together among the gorgeous Alaskan backdrop and cruise-mandated activities, Owen feels his walls coming down and he might just discover that he can’t help but fall in love again.
An emotional second-chance romance set on a breathtaking cruise, where two former flames must decide whether to let go or risk it all for a love that refuses to sink.
If a cruise isn’t in the budget this summer, hop on board this one for a trans m/m romance that pushes forced proximity to the limit in all the best ways, including the requisite chaotic friend group without which a queer romance is never complete. It’s the sweetest of second chances between two men who’ve never truly lost that spark, and deeply satisfying to see them find it again together.
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I Kissed Her First
Author: Betty Cayouette
Released: August 25, 2026 by Saturday Books
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA, RomanceAn aspiring chef and world-famous popstar cook up what starts to sound like a love song in this sapphic new adult debut from Betty Cayouette.
This is Riley’s last summer as a chef. At least, this is what she’s promised her dads, who run a Cape Cod lobster shack and don’t want their daughter to follow in their stress-ridden footsteps. So Riley decides to go big and audition as a private chef for a singer’s European tour. When she finds out she got the gig, she’s thrilled. But when she learns that the singer she’ll be cooking for is Luna Leya, she and her sister’s favorite popstar? She almost can’t believe it.
Soon enough, Riley and Luna strike up an unexpected friendship, much to Luna’s manager’s disapproval. Luna should be focused on getting her Grammy, which means pulling off this tour without a hitch and continuing to date the notorious singer/heart throb/beloved bad boy Hudson, who’s rocketed her to a new level of fame with their hit single. Luna should definitely not be sneaking off to the Eiffel Tower and private Andalucian dinners to spend time with Riley. As the two get closer, Riley thinks she might be losing her mind. Is it possible the Luna Leya is flirting with her? And is there a world where Riley could keep her dream of being a chef alive? Soon, things will reach a tipping point and both Riley and Luna will be left could their story be a love song after all?
This is (as far as I know) Cayouette’s first queer romance, and I adored it. It’s got the Swiftie-adjacent feel of When I Picture You by Sasha Laurens and Playing for Keeps by Alexandria Bellefleur, but with touches that make it the perfect summer read, delicious food, enviable travel, mutual pining, and the legendary Provincetown. It does have storylines relating to grief and addiction (which is a theme of my favorite Sapphic Romances this year, apparently. See: Anderson in Bloom by Jennifer Dugan and For the Bride by Becca Grischow), but the pairing itself is sweet, light, and delicious.
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The Marriage Rebound
Author: Meka James
Released: August 25, 2026 by Carina Adores
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA, Romance
Series: Atlanta Cannons #2In this spicy emotional sports romance, a WNBA star must decide:
Should she blow the whistle on her relationship?Atlanta Cannons star Courtney Bradford should be soaring after a winning season. However, off the court, things are falling short. Courtney loves her gorgeous fiery wife, but the passion that brought them together is no longer enough and feelings of a lack of appreciation are taking a toll.
Sasha Adams-Bradford gave up her life as an exotic dancer to become a doting housewife. But she hadn’t expected the woman she loves would be on the road more than she’s home. Sasha’s loneliness turns into retail therapy, adding strain to their already tenuous marriage.
When an injury forces Courtney to sit out the European League, Sasha finally has the one thing she’s longed for. But is it a case of “be careful what you wish for”?
If they can learn to listen to each other and work as a team, the time together could be the rebound they need.
After all, they’re playing for the greatest prize there is…
I’ve seen a lot of asks lately for professional Sapphic sports romances, so WNBA lovers, take note that the Atlanta Cannons are back and better (and spicier) than ever. I love a good On the Rocks romance, but it’s extremely rare I see one that isn’t a sequel, which means this one’s a slam dunk to add to my TBR.
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