Show Your S(h)elf is a series at Diversify Your Shelves that was created to amplify marginalized voices in the book community and to give authors, readers, and creators, who promote diversity, a space to show themselves and their shelves. There is nothing we love more than sharing our favorite books – and seeing others share theirs!
Today is the day all hopeless romantics wait all year-round for: Valentine’s Day! Now whether you’re the former or a forever cynic, we have just the thing that will warm up your heart either way – great queer romcom recommendations! We had the opportunity to chat with the wonderful Alison Cochrun, author of the beloved romcom The Charm Offensive, who spoke about her craft, Charlie and Dev, and – you guessed it – recommended some unforgettable queer romance books!
Let’s jump straight (gay!) into these recs, shall we? Here are Alison’s must-read queer romance recs!
Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
I think everyone has read this book by now, but on the off chance you missed the RWRB train, I have to recommend Casey McQuiston’s ebullient queer romcom. The son of the US President falling in love with a Prince of England? Secret rendezvous and historical queer quotes copied in love letters? It’s a glorious premise, and it’s flawlessly executed in this hilarious, sweet, and steamy treat of a novel. I distinctly remember reading the entire thing on my phone the day it came out…including reading some NSFW scenes at my desk at school. I had no choice–I couldn’t put it down, work-professionalism be damned! Plus, every queer romcom that’s come after is compared to this one–for better or worse–so this is a great place to start if you’re new to the genre.
Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall
Perhaps my favorite fake-dating queer romcom ever, this gem by Alexis Hall has it all: a loveable chaos gay named Luc, who is famous-adjacent and needs a sensible boyfriend to revamp his image with his employer; the Stern Brunch Daddy to end all Stern Brunch Daddies, Oliver, who is the sensible lawyer fake-boyfriend in question; ridiculous British humor; soft boys and a running joke about dick pics. Alexis Hall is the master of creating endearingly flawed and realistic characters who will also make you laugh-out-loud, and he’s at his absolute best in this book. Plus, the SWOON. (And there’s a sequel coming out this August!)
Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
Talia Hibbert is the absolute queen of steam, and Dani Brown is the bisexual heroine of my dreams. I would do anything for her! Also a delightful fake-dating premise set at a university, this romance centers on a m/f pairing, and features a marvelous cinnamon roll hero, Zaf, who is truly worthy of Dani’s awesomeness. Come for the incredible sexual tension but stay for the glorious mutual respect we see between Dani and Zaf.
Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner
This is the first romance I ever read between two women, and for that reason, it holds a special place in my heart. It’s not a fake-dating trope, exactly, but this book is about a Hollywood producer and her assistant, and what happens when an unintentionally flirtatious moment on a red carpet leads to romance rumors. Arguably the slowest burn ever written, this book is tender and sweet and a must-read of queer romance, especially if you love behind-the-scenes love stories (which I obviously do!).
Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur
Another queer fake-dating book, but based loosely around Pride and Prejudice? Yes, please! Alexandria Bellefleur’s sapphic debut brings the steam while also hitting the notes of a fake-dating scheme perfectly! Bonus: she has another sapphic romance in the series out this month. It’s called Count Your Lucky Stars, and it should also be on your radar!
The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite
This is the only historical queer romance on my list, not because I don’t love historical queer romances (I do!), but because someone else is writing that list! However, I couldn’t miss the chance to talk about this gorgeous romance about women in STEM before it was STEM! I don’t usually love complicated science in my romance novels (only because I don’t understand it), but in this book, it’s so well-done and really adds to the richness of the story. Olivia Waite can do no wrong, and this is one of my favorites by her.
Never Been Kissed by Timothy Janovsky
This book isn’t out until May, but it was one of my favorite books I read in 2021, and I know it will be your favorite, too. A new adult novel with a queer spin on To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, Janovsky’s second-chance romance set at a drive-in movie threater has absolutely everything I love. But the truly special part of this book for me was the demisexual representation. It’s wonderful that we’re starting to see more asexual spectrum representation in mainstream romance, and the storyline here is so relatable and beautifully done. Wren has my whole heart!
Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake
First of all: Delilah Green is my number one book girlfriend, and that alone should be reason to read this book. However, in case you need more incentive than that, Ashley Herring Blake has written a true unicorn of an f/f romcom here. The characters, the pacing, the backstory, THE YEARNING. It’s about a photographer who travels back to her small Oregon town to work at her evil stepsister’s wedding, only to fall for a former high school “mean girl” (who was never actually that mean). There are elements of second-chance romance here, and it’s one of the most delightfully queer books I’ve read in a long time. Seriously, I adore this one.
Our Favorite Songs by Anita Kelly
This is the only novella on this list, so if you’re in the mood for a short, satisfying read, look no further than Anita Kelly’s Moonlighters series. Set around a karaoke bar in Portland, Oregon, the first novella, Sing Anyway, is a fantastically sweet and steamy love story about a plus-size aspiring fashion designer and a non-binary professor, but it’s Our Favorite Songs that really brought the heat for me. It’s an m/m second-chance romance about two former classmates who end up snowed-in together. I love Portland, I love snow, I love second-chance romance, and I LOVE this book.
Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly
Two titles by Anita Kelly? Yes, because they are just that incredible! Love & Other Disasters is Kelly’s debut novel, and it centers on a reality cooking show and the behind-the-scenes love story between two contestants. It’s a beautiful story about believing in yourself and stepping into the light, and it’s hot, hot, hot. It’s also one of the first romance novels I’ve read with a non-binary protagonist, and I hope this fabulous book is the first of many queer romances featuring trans characters.
Chef’s Kiss by TJ Alexander
Also a queer romance set in the world of cooking featuring a non-binary love interest, TJ Alexander’s debut will make you VERY hungry! (As will their Instagram page, which I highly recommend following!) A slow-burn, friends-to-lovers romance, this book tackles some heavy issues around transphobia in the workplace, but its honesty and its uplifting message makes it a worthwhile read!
Queerly Beloved by Susie Dumond
Since I grew up outside of super liberal Portland, I don’t usually gravitate toward queer romances set in conservative settings, but Queerly Beloved is an interesting look at what it means to be gay in the Bible Belt, specifically in mid-2010s Tulsa, Oklahoma. It examines workplace discrimination, the journey to legalizing same-sex marriage, and what it means to be “closeted” all while providing a cute story about a woman who becomes a bridesmaid-for-hire.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
While technically not a romance novel, this BookTok classic is one of my all-time favorite love stories. Give me all the glam Old Hollywood settings and secret sapphics!
It Had to Be You by Georgia Clark
Do you love the movie Love, Actually? Do you wish it was less problematic and that the female characters had more agency? Well, then I’ve got great news for you! Georgia Clark wrote a beautiful, braided narrative about interconnected characters in New York City centered around a wedding-planning business. This novel contains love stories of all shapes and sizes, and it’s so special to see queer love stories given equal weight and attention alongside het ones.
In the Event of Love by Courtney Kae
So, this one doesn’t come out until August 30th, but you’ll want to add it to your TBR! Courtney Kae has managed to capture the magic of a Hallmark Christmas movie in a wonderful sapphic Christmas romcom about a big city gal and a small-town Christmas tree farm owner. Plus, this is the first of the #holigays22 books coming out this year, which includes another charming romance by Timothy Janovsky (You’re a Mean One Matthew Prince out 10/4), Season of Love by Helena Greer (out 10/11), and a sapphic Christmas romcom by me called Kiss Her Once for Me. (Sorry for the shameless self-promotion!)
*furiously jots down all the recommendations* We also couldn’t pass up the opportunity to ask Alison a couple of questions about her writing and future projects – and of course about The Charm Offensive itself!
1. Hi, Alison, thank you so much for joining us and sharing this wonderful list of recommendations. Tell us a bit about yourself. What was the most unexpected thing about your debut being published?
I guess the most unexpected thing about my debut getting published is that it happened at all! I live outside of Portland, Oregon, and I’ve been a high school English teacher for eleven years. Even though I’ve always enjoyed writing as a hobby, I didn’t have a lot of time for it when I was teaching, and I’d really given up on the idea that I would ever accomplish my dream of becoming a published author. So, the fact that I was able to publish a book with Simon and Schuster is something I’m grateful for every day.
2. Now for those who haven’t read The Charm Offensive yet – what can they expect from it?
The Charm Offensive is a queer romantic comedy about an awkward tech genius who goes on a reality dating show to revamp his public image, but he ends up falling in love with his male producer instead of one of the contestants. It has behind-the-scenes reality TV drama, lots of humorous nods to The Bachelor franchise, and kissing. But it’s also about navigating your queer identity amidst heteronormativity and prioritizing mental health.
3. If you could be a part of any reality TV show, which one would you pick and why?
My reality television dream is to go on Queer Eye and have the fab five come in and give me an emotional makeover. All I want in life is for Tan France to dress me, and for JVN to teach me an appropriate night-time skin care routine. Karamo and I could deconstruct my addiction to productivity, and Antoni could snuggle my dog. But the real treat would be a Bobby-approved home re-vamp. So, if anyone wants to nominate me for that show…
4. And what if Dev and Charlie were dropped into a different reality TV show, which ones would work for them?
I think the take-away from Charm is that no reality television show is a good fit for Charlie. He does not thrive in the spotlight, nor does he really want to be there. Though, I suppose if he could go on an HDTV show that’s low-key, where he’s only expected to talk about home décor, he could be content. As for Dev, gosh… I don’t watch enough non-dating reality television. I think he could also benefit from a Fab Five intervention, honestly. We have that in common.
5. The Charm Offensive was definitely one of the most wholesome books we’ve ever read while also packing quite an emotional punch. What were some of your favourite scenes to write?
I loved writing any scene that Charlie and Dev appeared in together, but especially the scenes where they just banter back and forth. For some reason, their personalities were so clear to me when I was writing, and the way they played off each other was so fun for me. I could have written a dozen more scenes of them just sitting around together, puzzing and joking.
6. Many readers related a lot to the mental health struggles Dev and Charlie go through in the book. What do you want readers to take away from their stories?
So many things! I think the number one thing I want readers to take away from Charm in terms of mental health is that idea that a romantic relationship can’t “fix” you. While an ideal romantic partner is someone who loves all of you, sees all of you, and accepts you, you can’t get healthy for someone else. You have to get healthy for yourself.
7. There is a beautiful scene in The Charm Offensive where Charlie talks about being on the asexual spectrum but not wanting to label himself – which was important both to us and many other readers as well. Why do you think it was important to include a scene like this?
I have a complicated relationship with labels when it comes to my own queer identity. On the one hand, I knew I was queer for a long time, but I felt like I had to find the perfect label before I could “come out,” which made things difficult for me, and it wasn’t until I found a queer therapist that I was able to tell the people closest to me that I wasn’t straight without feeling that pressure to have all the answers. That said, right now lesbian and demisexual are the labels that feel right and having those labels has given me a sense of community, a sense of belonging, and a sense of self-understanding that has been invaluable to my mental health. So, I think with this particular scene, I wanted to show that you’re valid either way. You’re valid if labels do matter to you and you’re valid if they don’t.
8. If The Charm Offensive were to be adapted, what format would you prefer and why? Any casting ideas swirling around in your mind?
I’m absolutely terrible at fan-casting (for some reason, I never imagine actors when I read or write), but I would love to see Charm as a TV show, since it’s about a TV show. Obviously, I would be beyond delighted to see it adapted in any form, but I think TV offers room for character development in a way movies do not, and there’s more space for nuance with more time.
9. Would you ever consider writing a sequel to The Charm Offensive? Or maybe a companion novel following Daphne’s search for love?
I would absolutely love to write a companion novel about these characters because they all mean so much to me! However, right now, I’m super excited about my non-Charm future projects. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t be honored to be able to return to these characters and this ridiculous reality TV world, but for right now, I’m grateful for the chance to explore other worlds, too.
10. 2022 marks the year when your second novel, a sapphic Christmas romcom Kiss Her Once for Me, comes out. Can you tell us a bit about it or some of your other future projects?
Yes! I’m so excited for Kiss Her Once for Me to make it into readers’ hands! Like you said, it’s a sapphic Christmas romcom with a twist on the fake-dating trope. The main character agrees to a fake-relationship with her boss (or sorts) for the holidays but ends up falling in love with his sister. It has a second-chance romance, swoony flashbacks, kisses in the snow, boozy grandmas, and lots of holiday antics. Right now, most of the future projects I’m working on are sapphic, and I’m really happy I get to write these kinds of queer stories!
But Show Your S(h)elf series didn’t only get its name for all the wonderful guests joining us in our quest to diversify our shelves – we also quite literally ask them to share a picture of their bookshelves, tbr carts, ebook/audiobook libraries or the random stack of books on their bedside table that we all have.
Here’s a photo of Alison’s jaw-dropping shelves! Can you spot any of your favourites?
About the Author
Alison Cochrun is a high school English teacher living outside Portland, Oregon. When she’s not reading and writing queer love stories, you can find her torturing teenagers with Shakespeare, crafting perfect travel itineraries, hate-watching reality dating shows, and searching for the best happy hour nachos.
About the Book
Dev is a hopeless romantic who made fairy tales his job by joining the crew of a reality dating show Ever After. But when Charlie, a disgraced tech wunderkind, becomes the new Prince Charming, Dev has his work cut out for him: He needs to portray the awkward mess that is Charlie as the perfect man. As the two begin to open up to each other, they realize that the sparks flying between them might be more than any chemistry Charlie has with his female co-stars. But even reality TV has a script, and in order to find happily ever after, they’ll have to reconsider whose love story gets told.
Thank you so much for joining us at Diversify Your Shelves, Alison, we are beyond honored – and excited to read all the wonderful books you recommended!
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