Best-Selling LGBTQ+ Science Fiction Novels in 2025
1. Space Daddy's Guide to the Galaxy: A Superhero x Alien MM Romance by C. Rochelle
The second book in the Villains in Space series follows the continuing adventures of Ziggy Andromeda and his human partner Micah Salah. Their planned rescue mission quickly transforms into a complicated babysitting assignment when they find themselves protecting a mysterious alien child while evading unidentified enemies. Meanwhile, both partners navigate their deepening relationship and unspoken desires—Ziggy harboring secret wishes for their future together and Micah feeling inexplicably drawn to the idea of starting a family with his alien mate.
Rochelle delivers a refreshing take on established relationships in romance fiction, exploring the evolution of a committed couple rather than just their initial meeting. The alternating perspectives provide insight into both characters' insecurities and growth as they face new challenges together. With its blend of superhero elements, space adventure, and genuine emotional development, this novel offers readers an escape into a universe where love transcends species while addressing themes of family, commitment, and personal growth through both laugh-out-loud humor and touching moments of vulnerability.
Buy Now2. Semi-Human: A Post-Apocalyptic MM Romance by A.V. Shener
Decades after nuclear devastation, Josh has lived his entire life within the relative safety of his Hive, now serving as a Defender patrolling the dangerous territories of former Colorado. When a mission goes catastrophically wrong, he finds himself captured by River, a member of the Semi-Humans—genetically enhanced beings created to purify the radioactive atmosphere who were subsequently betrayed by regular humans. As rumors spread of new threats rising in the west, Josh and River find themselves caught between their peoples' mutual distrust and their growing feelings for each other.
Shener crafts a compelling post-apocalyptic narrative that explores themes of prejudice, reconciliation, and finding connection across artificially created divides. The romance develops against a backdrop of societal collapse and potential renewal, giving their relationship stakes that extend beyond personal happiness to the survival of their respective communities. Through their evolving bond, the novel examines how fear of difference can be weaponized by those in power, while suggesting that understanding across divides might be humanity's best hope for rebuilding a better world from the ashes of the old one.
Buy Now3. American Rapture by CJ Leede
In this instant USA Today bestseller from the author of Maeve Fly, America faces apocalypse through a virus that transforms the infected into feral, lust-driven beings. Sophie, a devout Catholic girl, must traverse the dangerous Midwest landscape in search of her family while witnessing society's rapid collapse around her. Her journey becomes both physical and spiritual as she confronts her religious upbringing against the backdrop of primal chaos, discovering that some fates might be worse than dying with her virtue intact.
Leede's novel stands out for its unflinching exploration of sexuality, religious guilt, and societal breakdown. By using a virus that specifically targets sexual desire as its agent of apocalypse, the book creates a powerful metaphor for examining how sexuality—particularly non-conforming sexuality—is often framed as dangerous or society-destroying. Named one of the Best Horror Books of 2024 by multiple publications, this "blistering, feverish ride through a uniquely American apocalypse" offers a transgressive narrative that challenges readers while delivering an intense examination of desire, control, and liberation in a world coming undone.
Buy Now4. The Gumshoe, the Witch, and the Virtual Corpse by Keith Hartman
Set in 2045 Atlanta on the brink of civil war, this award-winning novel follows a diverse cast of characters investigating a series of ritual killings marked by occult symbols. At the center is a street-smart gay detective searching for his kidnapped partner, but the story expands to include a Black cop using advanced forensics to solve seemingly medieval crimes, a Wiccan journalist equally skilled with search engines and scrying spells, and a transgender Cherokee shaman attempting to right a historical wrong. As these disparate individuals piece together clues, they discover connections to political machinations that could tear the country apart.
Hartman's novel brilliantly combines elements of detective fiction, political thriller, and urban fantasy to create a unique narrative that examines the intersection of technology, faith, and identity in a polarized America. The book stands out for its thoughtful integration of LGBTQ+ characters whose identities inform but don't solely define their roles in the unfolding mystery. Winner of two Spectrum Awards for LGBTQ-themed science fiction and a double finalist for the Lambda Literary Awards, this compelling story creates a richly detailed world where science and spirituality coexist and sometimes collide in unexpected ways.
Buy Now5. Blinding Light: A dark sci-fi college romance: Special Edition by Lola Malone
Cyprian Creighton has always been an outcast on Earth due to his distinctive yellow eyes and quiet nature. Determined to discover his origins, his research leads him to another planet where he plans to maintain a low profile while studying and searching for his birth family. These carefully laid plans collapse when he catches the attention of Moargan Zephyranth, the arrogant, violent, first-in-line Imperial Prince of Helion. Despite their different temperaments and stations, both men experience an inexplicable pull toward each other that neither can ignore.
Malone's novel stands out in the dark romance subgenre through its intricate world-building and exploration of power dynamics in an alien society. Set in the same universe as Chani Lynn Feener's popular series (with the author's permission), the book creates a rich backdrop of imperial politics against which the developing relationship between shy, introspective Cyprian and dominant, dangerous Moargan unfolds. The stark contrast between Earth's familiar settings and Helion's violent imperial culture allows for thought-provoking examination of adaptation, belonging, and finding connection across vastly different worlds and experiences.
Buy Now6. You're Not My King! by Eryn Hawk
After throwing himself in front of his estranged sister during an attack, Reuben Carter finds himself abducted by aliens and prepared for sale on a trading planet. His situation grows more complicated when he's purchased by Vo'ak, the attractive but arrogant lizard king of U'suhk. Despite their undeniable chemistry, Reuben is determined to return to Earth and his familiar life, rejecting the notion of being anyone's "pet." Meanwhile, Vo'ak feels the stirring of a mate-bond but struggles to protect his stubborn human from both external threats and his own ignorance of alien customs.
Hawk's novel excels at balancing humor with genuine emotional stakes, using the classic "fish out of water" scenario to explore themes of belonging, duty, and finding home in unexpected places. The language barrier between Reuben and Vo'ak creates natural tension and comedy while allowing their relationship to develop through actions rather than words. Part of the EXTRA! EXTRATERRESTRIAL shared world with Fae Quin, the book brings fresh perspective to the alien abduction trope by focusing on Reuben's journey from viewing himself as a captive to questioning whether his attachment to Earth stems from genuine longing or simply fear of the unknown.
Buy Now7. Devil May Breathe: A Dark MM Sci-Fi Romance by Chani Lynn Feener
Senior medical student Zane Solace is determined to become irreplaceable as the Royal Physician to the Imperial family, tired of always being someone's second choice or backup plan. Between his responsibilities in the Retinue, his duty to the Imperial Heir, and keeping his brother out of prison, Zane has no time for distractions—especially not fellow Retinue member Pavel Hart, who suddenly shows intense interest in him. Unknown to Zane, Pavel has harbored a growing obsession with him for years and, seeing an opportunity when Zane ends things with his other lovers, is unwilling to pursue his interest slowly or gently.
Feener's standalone dark romance within The Devils of Vitality series creates an immersive science fiction setting where the author explores themes of obsession, trust, and the struggle for recognition and belonging. The novel distinguishes itself through its unflinching examination of unhealthy relationship dynamics while still delivering the guaranteed happy ending promised to readers. Pavel's character presents an interesting study in romantic antagonists—simultaneously caring deeply for Zane while displaying concerning stalker behavior that challenges conventional romance tropes. With its complex characterization and imperial politics, this book offers readers of dark romance a story that doesn't shy away from uncomfortable elements.
Buy Now8. Unnatural (The Wrong Alpha Book 1) by Alessandra Hazard
Against the backdrop of decades-long war between the Kingdom of Pelugia and the Republic of Kadar, Senator Royce Cleghorn and Prince Haydn find themselves forced into a political marriage for the sake of peace. Their union faces immediate challenges—both men are alphas in a world where alpha/alpha pairings are considered disastrous, and neither is happy about marrying an enemy. Royce insists he's only attracted to omegas, not alphas, no matter how pretty Haydn's eyes might be, while Haydn struggles with his desire to submit to an enemy alpha when he's been raised to be the perfect heir and war general.
Hazard's novel stands out for its creative reimagining of omegaverse dynamics in a contemporary science fiction setting. By focusing on an "unnatural" pairing of two alphas from opposing nations, the author explores themes of patriotism versus personal happiness, prescribed gender roles, and the conflict between public duty and private desire. The political backdrop adds genuine stakes to the developing relationship, forcing both characters to question their loyalties when disaster strikes. With its blend of political intrigue, examination of toxic societal expectations, and simmering enemies-to-lovers romance, Unnatural offers a fresh take on the omegaverse subgenre.
Buy Now9. Feral (The Wrong Alpha Book 2) by Alessandra Hazard
Nineteen-year-old omega Jules Blake considers himself thoroughly ordinary—neither the most beautiful nor the smartest of his siblings, leading a completely boring life. When strange sounds from the basement of his family's mansion pique his curiosity, Jules becomes convinced there's a beast being held captive there. His investigation leads to unexpected discoveries and an overwhelming attraction to a feral alpha whose real face he hasn't even seen, challenging everything Jules thought he knew about himself and his desires.
The second installment in Hazard's The Wrong Alpha series skillfully reimagines the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale within a contemporary omegaverse setting. The author plays with reader expectations by presenting Jules as an "ordinary" omega protagonist in a subgenre that typically features exceptionally beautiful or talented main characters, making his journey of self-discovery all the more satisfying. Through Jules's growing relationship with the mysterious alpha, the novel explores themes of appearance versus reality, prejudice, and finding value in oneself beyond societal expectations. While maintaining continuity with the shared world established in Unnatural, Feral stands strongly on its own.
Buy Now10. I'm Not Your Pet: MM Alien Romance by Fae Quin
After three years of captivity on a pleasure planet, human exotic dancer Hugo finds his situation improving when he's purchased by a pink shark-man alien named Roark. Despite not speaking each other's languages, Hugo senses kindness in Roark's sharp-toothed smiles and gentle touches, though he hopes he's not just being kept as a pet. From Roark's perspective, the moment he saw the sad, fluffy-haired human in his glass prison, he knew he needed to free him and make him his. However, as captain of a space voyager on dangerous missions, Roark worries about keeping his fragile human mate safe and wonders if life with him would simply be trading one form of captivity for another.
Part of the EXTRA! EXTRATERRESTRIAL shared world with Eryn Hawk, Quin's novel delivers a charming, humorous take on the alien abduction trope by focusing on rescue rather than capture. The language barrier between Hugo and Roark creates both comedic misunderstandings and tender moments as they attempt to navigate their growing attraction without verbal communication. What distinguishes this story is its emphasis on consent and agency despite the power imbalance inherent in their initial meeting—Hugo isn't simply a passive character being swept along but actively works to understand his new situation and make choices within his limitations.
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