Upcoming LGBTQ+ Representation Releases
Spoiler-free ARC reviews for books tagged with this theme.
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Showing 4 upcoming releases tagged LGBTQ+ Representation
72 days
The Chaperones
Amy Meyerson
The elite parents of the Chester School do nothing by halves - especially not their children’s third-grade camping trip. Their latest extravagant venture takes them to the remote island of Santa Cruz, off the coast of Southern California. Here, with help a ninety-minute boat ride away and civilization a distant memory, they may have finally pushed their luck too far.
An unexpected storm descends, cutting them off from the world. When morning breaks, the chaperones discover a parent’s worst nightmare: two children are missing from their tents. The frantic search for the boys uncovers something far more chilling than a lost child. It leads to a body - and the gruesome realization that someone on the island knows their secrets, and will do anything to keep them buried.
Because the Chester School group isn't alone. There's someone else lurking in the shadows, someone with a dark agenda, someone who shouldn’t be there. And they have every reason to stay.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced copy of this title.
The premise of an island field trip gone wrong establishes a heavy, atmospheric tone right from the start. The story jumps between the group’s initial arrival on the island and fourteen hours later when two third-graders go missing. The narrative spends eighty percent of the time setting the scene, focusing heavily on who did what to whom and why before the actual kidnapping takes place. There are very few sections dedicated to the disappearance itself and the aftermath.
The shifting perspectives do provide a wide view of the escalating drama among the parents, and I found some of the character arcs quite strong. Charles stood out as a genuinely good guy making poor choices while grappling with his waning writing career. His desperate desire to recapture the feeling of his past success makes him a compelling, sympathetic figure even when he falters.
Despite those positive character moments, the story leans heavily into suspense rather than operating as a fast-paced thriller. When the thrilling moments finally arrive, that section is short and rushes by quickly. I reached the final page feeling that there were simply too many questions left unanswered to provide proper closure. If you like isolated island settings, intense parent drama, and shifting perspectives, then you may enjoy this book. #TheChaperones #NetGalley
114 days
The Guilty Party
Caro Carver
In 2000, a band of dreamers descended upon a crumbling Capri villa. With nothing but ambition and a shoestring budget, they filmed 'A Killing', a low-budget masterpiece that would become a cult classic, and in the process, forged an unbreakable, if complicated, family bond.
Now, twenty-five years later, a lavish reunion summons them back to that same villa, now transformed into an opulent luxury hotel. But beneath the glittering facade, old rivalries still simmer, dangerous attractions still spark, and the one secret they all share threatens to unravel everything.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avid Reader Press for an advanced copy of this title.
The core premise of 'The Guilty Party' promises a tense thriller, but the actual execution feels much messier than the setup implies. The story moves at a slow to medium pace, which is thankfully balanced by the short chapters. While the overarching tension remains intact throughout the reading experience, the twists telegraph themselves far too early. The reveals are entirely obvious, removing the element of surprise, though the atmosphere stays suitably dark.
A significant portion of the narrative gets bogged down in distracting side stories, such as Lena’s health issues and the marital troubles between Simone and Caleb. Several characters billed as main players barely make an appearance, and their complete removal wouldn't change the trajectory of the plot. Along with these phantom characters, a handful of storylines feel like they are building toward something important, only to be dropped or poorly explained.
The conclusion suffers from the same lack of focus, leaving several unanswered questions hanging in the air once the final chapter closes. If you like slow-burn tension and relationship drama then you may enjoy this book.
#NetGalley #TheGuiltyParty
142 days
The Last Match
Jessa Maxwell
Fifty of the world's most glamorous influencers and celebrities descend upon the historic Windmist Hotel for 'The Last Match,' a luxury matchmaking retreat designed by the legendary Magnus McBride. Sunlit yoga, champagne toasts, and the promise of a perfect pairing await, billed as the ultimate escape where love is just a swipe away.
But beneath the polished façade, desperation simmers. A disgraced socialite seeks redemption, a fading artist yearns for a career comeback, and a glamorous YouTuber hunts for a hidden treasure, not just true love. Each guest arrives with a carefully curated persona and a private agenda, eager to leverage Magnus's near-mystical reputation to reshape their lives.
The dream shatters when the hotel owner is found dead at the base of a cliff. Every secret held sacred suddenly becomes a dangerous liability, and Magnus's final pairings begin to feel less like destiny and more like a death sentence.
With old scandals resurfacing and new betrayals brewing, one truth becomes chillingly clear: at Windmist, everyone has something to hide. Someone is willing to kill to keep their past buried, and no one is safe from 'The Last Match.'
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing an advanced copy.
This is one of those books that demands to be read in a single sitting! The narrative jumps between several perspectives, moving at a steady, medium pace that never dips or drags. The short chapters keep the tension taut and ensure the story remains engaging from start to finish. Out of all the viewpoints, I found myself most invested in Lacy. Instead of falling into the usual romantic subplots, she is driven by the hunt for a compelling story for her YouTube channel, and she isn't afraid to be manipulative to get what she wants. That ruthless edge makes her a fascinating contrast to the rest of the cast, who appear so harmless by comparison.
The character development across the board is strong, anchoring the suspense in believable motivations. When the twists and secrets finally come to light, they unfold at a satisfying, measured pace rather than being crammed into a rushed information dump. The final reveals genuinely surprised me, and the entire plot wraps up seamlessly. If you like hidden agendas, multiple perspectives, and steady suspense, I highly recommend this book.
#NetGalley #TheLastMatch
65 days
Possession Island
Sarah McCarry
Angela Bell never had an easy childhood on Possession Island, the isolated Pacific Northwest locale made famous by her late mother’s blockbuster vampire book. Coming back from college is hard enough, but it becomes a nightmare when her estranged best friend, Mo, turns up dead. While navigating this fresh grief, Angela suddenly finds herself the primary focus of a highly flawed local police inquiry.
Across town, Sally Raleigh is desperate to escape the island but remains anchored by her ailing father and her fierce loyalty to her twin brother, Adrian. Seeing her old high school rival Angela return is the last thing Sally wants. However, shattered by the loss of Mo, Sally decides to put their bitter history aside and reluctantly teams up with Angela to track down the culprit.
Digging into the island's dangerous undercurrents forces both women to figure out exactly what they are willing to risk for the people they care about most. As their makeshift investigation deepens, it becomes clear that the dark secrets they are hiding from one another are on the verge of being exposed.
Possession Island by Sarah McCarry is a deeply moving exploration of love, life, and friendship that relies on emotional resonance. The chapters are long and the timeline jumps around frequently between the past and present, which can get a bit confusing at times and makes the present-day plot feel like a slow burn. However, the gorgeous writing and depth of feeling more than make up for the slower pacing. Even though the overarching mystery takes a backseat to the character dynamics for most of the journey, it remains an underlying thread that pays off beautifully in the end. When all the pieces finally come together, the book delivers a great, high-stakes twist that feels much more akin to a traditional thriller. It is a beautifully crafted, thoughtful read that succeeds because it takes its time building history before delivering a highly satisfying conclusion. #NetGalley #SaturdayBooks
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An ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) is a pre-publication version of a book provided by publishers so reviewers can share early feedback. Our spoiler-free reviews help you decide which upcoming titles to add to your pre-order list!
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