12 Heartbreaking LGBTQ+ Books That Will Leave You in Tears

You don’t need to wait for Pride Month to immerse yourself in powerful queer literature.

Today, LGBTQ+ stories are more visible, diverse, and emotionally resonant than ever, touching on themes of identity, love, loss, resilience, and self-discovery. Whether you're looking for tragic romances, coming-of-age journeys, or deeply personal narratives, these stories will move you in ways few others can.

At Books Mandala, we believe in the power of representation, and in the beauty of a book that makes you cry. From YA gems to timeless classics, here are 12 LGBTQ+ books that broke our hearts in the best possible way.

All titles are available at Books Mandala and can be delivered across Nepal and worldwide. You can also add them to your wishlist or order with our Pay-by-URL checkout.

1. The Lucky List by Rachael Lippincott

After the death of her mother, Emily finds herself lost in grief—until she discovers her mom’s old high school bucket list. As she works through the list with Blake, a girl new to town, Emily begins to rediscover joy, process her loss, and come to terms with her sexuality.

This heartfelt coming-of-age novel explores love, loss, and the courage to begin again. Fans of Five Feet Apart will recognize Lippincott’s signature emotional storytelling—and yes, you’ll probably cry into your pillow.

2. They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera

In a world where an app alerts you of your last day alive, Mateo and Rufus connect via "Last Friend" to spend their final 24 hours together. What begins as a shared attempt to make peace with death turns into an unforgettable journey of love, meaning, and fleeting time.

Silvera’s portrayal of queer Latinx characters is tender and authentic, and the emotional weight of this story will haunt you long after the final page.

3. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

A lyrical retelling of the Iliad through the eyes of Patroclus, this novel chronicles his profound bond with Achilles—from childhood friendship to tragic romance. As the Trojan War looms, love and destiny collide in a devastating finale.

This is a book that’s as poetic as it is painful. If you love Greek mythology and emotionally charged storytelling, prepare for heartbreak.

4. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Though subtle in its queerness, Wilde’s only novel explores themes of beauty, obsession, and repressed desire. The relationship between Basil and Dorian, steeped in admiration and ambiguity, has fascinated readers for over a century.

As one of the most iconic works of queer-coded literature, this timeless classic remains a vital exploration of identity and art.

5. Maurice by E.M. Forster

Written in 1914 but published posthumously in 1971, Maurice tells the story of a man navigating love and longing in Edwardian England. From a youthful romance at Cambridge to an unexpected connection with a gamekeeper, Maurice’s journey toward self-acceptance is deeply moving.

Forster’s vision of a hopeful ending for gay love was radical for its time—and remains essential reading today.

6. Orlando by Virginia Woolf

Inspired by Woolf’s relationship with Vita Sackville-West, Orlando is a dazzling gender-defying novel that follows its protagonist as they transform from male to female across centuries. More than a surreal adventure, it’s a meditation on time, identity, and the fluidity of self.

Part love letter, part literary masterpiece, this novel quietly queers the canon in the most brilliant way.

7. Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

When the First Son of the United States and a British prince are forced to fake a friendship for diplomatic reasons, they don’t expect to fall in love. But their secret relationship threatens to upend everything.

This modern rom-com is as swoon-worthy as it is sob-inducing, blending political intrigue, queer joy, and a love story that will have you rooting for happily ever after.

8. On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

In this poetic and searing debut novel, a Vietnamese American son writes to his illiterate mother, unpacking generational trauma, queerness, and first love. Vuong’s prose is intimate and devastating, weaving memoir and fiction into a story that aches with beauty and pain.

A profound meditation on survival and identity, this book is emotionally raw in the best possible way.

9. I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

Told in two timelines, this dual narrative follows artistic twins Noah and Jude as they grow apart and attempt to piece their bond back together. Noah’s secret love and grief, and Jude’s own path through tragedy, intertwine in a story full of color, emotion, and healing.

This novel is electric with feeling—equal parts poetic and gut-wrenching.

10. More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera

Aaron Soto wants to forget. After losing his father to suicide, he’s offered a chance to erase painful memories via a revolutionary memory-altering procedure. But as he grows closer to Thomas, he begins to confront who he truly is—and the cost of forgetting.

Silvera’s debut novel is a poignant exploration of memory, identity, and love. It’s a beautifully painful reminder that happiness isn’t always easy, but it’s real.

11. The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall

Published in 1928 and banned in the UK for decades, this landmark novel follows Stephen Gordon, a woman who falls in love with another woman during World War I. Through heartbreak and exile, Hall tells a story of love constrained by society’s intolerance.

Despite its somber tone, it remains a cornerstone of lesbian literature and an early voice of queer resistance.

12. Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

What if your worst enemy turned out to be your greatest love? In this magical spin on the chosen-one trope, Simon Snow and his vampire roommate Baz clash, banter, and ultimately fall for each other amidst spells, monsters, and boarding school drama.

A queer fantasy that’s witty, whimsical, and wonderfully emotional, Carry On is perfect for fans of slow-burn romance and magical mayhem.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're looking for catharsis or connection, these stories offer both. They remind us that love is powerful, that identity is worth fighting for, and that representation can heal in ways we never expected.

You can find all these titles at Books Mandala, explore more in our Pride Reads collection, or discover new favorites through our AI-powered book recommendations via Jubilee. No matter who you are or where you’re reading from, we hope you’ll find stories here that speak to your heart.

Read Pride with pride.