This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Ten years ago it was difficult to find a range of LGBTQ+ YA stories and perspectives, even as more and more calls for this representation in teen literature were made and heard throughout the industry. Today, even though it certainly still doesn’t represent the fullness of the queer experience, nor does it capture the full reality of today’s teen lives, the number of books available is exciting. Pausing to consider that is important. It serves as a reminder that more works will come and more works will come from queer authors who are able to provide mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors to the LGBTQ+ experience.
This will continue to be true, despite continued, ongoing attempts to silence and erase queer voices by book banners nationwide.
One of the arenas that has been especially fruitful in YA over the last few years has been in books queering the literary canon. Taking a beloved story or author and twisting the text to give it a blatantly queer storyline is a long tradition. In YA, one of the most queered authors is none other than Jane Austen. Austen, whose work is beloved for its voice, its well-developed characters, and its feminist themes, celebrates her 250th birthday later this year. It seems appropriate to get the party started a few months early with these excellent LGBTQ+ twists on Austen classics.
Find below a handful of LGBTQ+ takes on Jane Austen. This roundup is far from comprehensive. Instead, it includes a range of Austen retellings across multiple formats. It’s worth noting that diversity in these retellings is a little lighter than I’d prefer, but that’s not an indication of a lack of diverse Austen retellings in YA. There’s simply more room on the shelves waiting for queer authors of color and queer characters of color to arrive.
Book Riot is hiring a digital content specialist! If you love books and know the ins and outs of social media strategy, and especially social video, consider joining the team. We are committed to building an inclusive workforce and strongly encourage applications from women, individuals with disabilities, and people of color. Find details and apply by August 22, 2025.
Our Queerest Shelves
Sign up for bookish LGBTQ+ news and recommendations!
The Cuffing Game by Lyla Lee (November 18, 2025)
It’s probably not fair to begin this roundup with a book that won’t be out for several months. But think of it as getting excited about a title that you will have ready made for your winter reading season. In this K-Drama remix of Pride and Prejudice with queer lead characters, readers who love reality TV and YA books with older teens will find a lot to like.
Mia got a full ride to film school behind her mom’s back, and it’s her way out of an unfulfilling small town life. She’s now working to produce a dating show, but all of her plans are challenged when she’s forced to ask her secret crush Noah to help her. She’d much rather just hate him instead.
Noah’s one of the most eligible bachelors on campus, and despite pressure from his peers, he’s okay with that. He doesn’t need a relationship right now. But his eyes are on Mia, and he’s delighted when she asks him to help her on her show. He’ll be one of the eligible contestants.
But watching Noah go on dates from behind the scenes isn’t sitting well with Mia. And those feelings are reciprocated by Noah, who wonders if he’s really meant to be dating the girl behind the camera.
Emmett by L. C. Rosen
Emmett Woodhouse lives the good life and he knows it. So to keep himself humble, he likes to volunteer. Among those things are charity work and letting an irritating friend sit with him at lunch. Then Emmett decides he’s going to provide his services as a matchmaker. He set up his bestie with her boyfriend and they’ve been very happy.
Now he’s putting his skills to the test with Harrison. Harrison, who happens to be one of Emmett’s friends-with-benefits, wants a boyfriend and per Emmett’s extensive list of things that at part of gay culture, this situation is fine. Emmett doesn’t want a boyfriend and Harrison does, so he’ll find Harrison a good one.
In the quest to pair Harrison up, though, Emmett’s beliefs about what he does and doesn’t want in terms of his own romantic life come into question. What happens when he’s so determined to make someone else happy that he loses his own happiness in the process?
This is a queer retelling of Emmett.
Fresh by Margot Wood
Elliot McHugh has no idea what she wants out of college and she’s not going to hurry to find out. Her freshman year is going to be full of partying, of making new friends, and of having great sex. It’s all going well until the reality of where she is and what’s happening sets in. She might not do well on her finals. Her roommate’s got an absolute jerk for a boyfriend. The sex she’s having? Really not that great.
But it is in making those mistakes and muddling through the mess that Elliot is able to begin to understand who she really is and what it is she wants out of her life.
This is a sex-positive take on Emma.
I Shall Never Fall in Love by Hari Conner
George inherited their family’s failing estate. That’s not their only issue though. They’re also having complicated feelings about best friend Eleanor and have to ensure they never get caught dressing in men’s clothes.
Meanwhile, Eleanor is someone who strives to be right in all she does. The challenge she has is never finding a boy who has felt quite right for her. Her time with George and cousin Charlotte is much more enjoyable. At least until a surprise suitor comes to town and now, Eleanor has to face some feelings and thoughts she never has before. Not to mention that that suitor might come between her and the two people she cares most about in the world.
This is a joyfully queer Jane Austen mashup retelling with the flavor of The Prince and the Dressmaker.
Most Ardently: A Pride and Prejudice Remix by Gabe Cole Novoa
In 1812 London, Oliver Bennet feels constrained by the world around him. He doesn’t want balls or fancy gowns. But it’s his lot, at least for now, as everyone in his world believes him to be Elizabeth.
But Oliver finds joy in the times he slips out of his house dressed like a boy. He’s even taken a shine to Darcy, a young man he’s run into on the streets–that shine comes despite Darcy being rude to Oliver when he believed Oliver to be Elizabeth. As Oliver gets to know Darcy as his true self, he discovers Darcy is so much more than what he seems.
The challenge is that suitors are becoming more bold and desperate, and Oliver’s mother is ready to find his perfect partner. It’s now up to Oliver to decide whether to take the safe life–one that’s boring, unfulfilling, and not true–or take the risk to live as his true self.
Mismatched by Anne Camlin and Isadora Zeferino
Evan Horowitz is a star. He’s gorgeous, smart, and a mega Insta influencer in his town with a knack for matchmaking. When Natalia moves to town, Evan knows he’s got the opportunity to show off those love connection skills. There are so many potential matches for Natalia. When Evan chooses one against the advice of his best friend Davi, it might be that his own ambition becomes not only his downfall but chaos that Natalia, Davi, and others have to deal with, too.
Yes, it’s another queer adaptation of Emma!
Northranger by Rey Terciero
Sixteen-year-old Cade is in the closet because he has to be; he is a Latino living in rural Texas. His escape is horror movies.
This summer, he’s working at a local ranch to help make ends meet at home. He hates it though, save for the two teens who live on that ranch. Especially the very attractive Henry.
The two start to become closer over the summer, but Henry is dodgy about a lot of things, including his mother’s death. Cade worries there might be more that his crush isn’t telling him.
This is inspired by, as you might guess by the title, Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey. It is romantic and gothic and queer as heck.
Recommended Reading by Paul Coccia
Before we even get into talking about this queer take on Emma, a moment to appreciate a fat boy on the cover of a YA romance? It’s so rare, and it’s done so well here.
Bobby loves a main character moment, and he’s obsessed with all of the rom-com tropes out there. So he’s ready to perform a grand gesture to attract the attention of his crush and ask him out. Bobby is ready for the perfect summer before college with his crush.
But the gesture goes embarrassingly bad. Now, all of those plans Bobby had are out the window. He’ll spend this summer doing something far less glamorous than cavorting with his crush: he’ll be working at his uncle’s bookstore. It’s not a bad gig, of course, especially because Bobby’s a book nerd and has the skills to ensure that every person looking for the perfect book gets matched.
What Bobby didn’t expect this summer was Luke walking into the bookstore. Luke, a local life guard. Luke, a grumpy guy without an ounce of romanticism to him. Luke, a guy that Bobby cannot stop thinking about . . . a guy that Bobby may make a risk on, despite still trying to heal from his last attempts at romance.
It would be unfair to wrap up this look at queer YA takes on Austen without sharing this piece from a few years back about why and how readers see queerness in Emma. If you’re looking for even more queer takes on Austen beyond the YA world, dive into this roundup of LGBTQ+ Austen retellings. You’ll see a few familiar titles there, plus plenty more.
