8 Queer YA Grumpy/Sunshine Reads To Stir Things Up!
What Nigel and Ori know could change the magical world. But first they have to survive it. The action-packed follow-up to The Spells We Cast will make readers laugh, swoon, cheer, and hold their breath right down to the stunning conclusion. “The most magical and swoony page-turner I've read in ages.” —Adam Silvera, #1 New York Times best-selling author of They Both Die at the End, on the Spells We Cast
“A dazzling, hilarious, and heart-stopping tale only the incredible Jason June could weave.”
—Melissa de la Cruz, #1 New York Times best-selling author of the Blue Bloods series, on the Spells We Cast
If you’re a fan of enemies-to-lovers, you’re in the right place. While not everyone on this list is an enemy at first, they’re still people unlikely to get along at first glance. The Grumpy/Sunshine trope is so fun. It shows that, even if you might express yourself so differently from another person on the surface , there’s so much common ground when you dig deeper. There are so many ways to connect, find meaning, joy, and even love when we let ourselves see beyond what meets our eye. Somebody that might seem so different or “wrong” for you might turn up with exactly the kind of energy you need more of. Both grumpy and sunshine people learn to understand each other with neither being wrong or right.
Also, the banter is just so lively! When someone offers a different perspective and constantly challenges you, it keeps you on your toes. It makes you wonder about the world. And the slow burn of one or both people softening towards each other is so satisfying to read! When you add to that the queer experience with all of its closets, freedom, joys and fears, you’ve got yourself a book to cherish. I hope these books make you smirk, giggle, gush, and reflect.
Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert
Bradley and Celine used to be best friends. Bradley is one of the cool kids. He’s a joyful bisexual star football player with OCD who tops most of his classes. Celine is obsessed with conspiracy theories, smart, grumpy and wonders why she isn’t at the cool kids’ table. They turned from best friends to academic rivals, who, like academic rivals do, grab an amazing scholarship opportunity. Except this involves surviving in the wilderness and surviving each other. This is full of fun banter from the first page to the last, and we see how their relationship changes in the wild. The characters are lovable and their bond even more so.
Sweet & Bitter Magic by Adrienne Tooley
Tansim is a witch who’s cursed with the inability to love because she committed a magical sin. Wren is made of magic but cannot use it herself. Wren is kind-hearted and sweet, while Tansim is morally grey. When a plague hits their queendom, it effects Wren’s father who she loves to bits. Wren makes a deal with Tansim to find the witch who caused the plague in exchange for her love for her father, and a sweet, interesting, character-driven romance builds along the way.
A Little Bit Country by Brian D. Kennedy
Emmett Maguire loves country music and wants to be its biggest gay superstar. Luke Barnes hates country music because it’s brought his family pain. Both boys end up working at Wanda World—one out of joy and one out of necessity. We watch Luke struggle with his identity, conceal himself to not be outed, and try to make peace with the idea of coming out. Sparks fly between the two boys. It’s all sweet and fun until a long-lost country music secret threatens to change everything.
Cafe Con Lychee by Emery Lee
Theo is the only openly gay guy at school and works at his parents’ Asian American cafe. He wants to escape. Gabi is stuck in the closet, and keeps losing football games while hiding his love for dance. He also wants to take over his parents’ Puetro Rican bakery after graduation. The town’s new fusion cafe jeopardises their plans. So, Theo decides to sell amazing food covertly at school to make some money, and Gabi steps in when Theo sprains his wrist. They realise they might have to work together, despite their rivalry, to save the cafes and their futures. But what happens when feelings are added to the ingredient list?
If I See You Again Tomorrow by Robbie Couch
If you like stories that have a time loop, check this one out. Clark is tired of having to live the same day over and over again. It’s been 309 days of loneliness since this started, and he was lonely before that, too. Expect on the 310th day when a new boy walks in his math class. Clark is sweet and reserved. Beau is impulsive and not the warmest person in the room, but Clark is still drawn to him. But can you fall for someone in just a day, and more importantly, how do you make it last? Clark’s growth throughout the book is heartening to read.
Meet Cute Diary by Emery Lee
Noah is known for his blog Meet Cute Diary, which is a collection of happy trans stories. They started as his own fantasies but grew to give hope to trans people all around the world. But a troll exposed them as fiction, and now he needs to convince his readers that they’re true. Drew walks in and agrees to fake date him to save his blog. Noah learns how different romance feels when it comes alive, and isn’t limited to the page.
Improbable Magic for Cynical Witches by Kate Scelsa
This is a book featuring lesbian witches. However, it is not high fantasy, and can even pass off as fabulism. Eleanor is healing from a traumatic year, and wants to stay several feet away from romance. She does not believe in witches until Pix shows up with her magic and an invitation. Eleanor decides to open up to her while desperately trying to hide her history. It is a story of healing from your past to come into your present. [TW: substance abuse]
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Aristotle and Dante might be my favourite grumpy/sunshine pair I’ve ever read on page. On the outside, Ari can come off like he does not care. He’s angsty and confused while still caring so deeply. Dante, on the other hand, is expressive, affectionate, and sweet while still experiencing his dose of teenage angst. They challenge each other starting from the moment they meet in the best ways. They teach each other and learn together all the tender and harsh ways of the world.
If you liked this list, also check out 2023 Queer Romcoms Sure to Make You Swoon and A-Z Queer YA Recommendations for Pride.