Gay romance comp titles for your query letter (updated 2026)

Choosing the right comp titles for your gay romance’s query letter can make or break your changes of being published.

If you’re wondering what the purpose of a comp title is, it’s to allow agents and publishing house editors to quickly gauge the genre and market potential of your book.

I regularly update this list of gay romance comp titles to make sure you’re always working with relevant books.

No matter if you’re writing a sweet, slow-burn gay romance or something fast and spicy, you’ll find titles below to help you write a killer query letter!

If you’re looking for something a bit more specific, check out my romance comp database.

1. 6 Times We Almost Kissed [and One Time We Did]Author: Tess SharpeYear published: 2023Genre and themes: LGBT, contemporary, gay, lesbian, mental health, queer, young adult
2. A Game of Hearts and HeistsAuthor: Ruby RoeYear published: 2023Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, enemies to lovers, fantasy, gay, lesbian, queer, romantasy
3. A Little Bit CountryAuthor: Brian D. KennedyYear published: 2022Genre and themes: LGBT, contemporary, gay, m m romance, music, queer, young adult
4. AfterloveAuthor: Tanya ByrneYear published: 2021Genre and themes: LGBT, contemporary, fantasy, gay, lesbian, paranormal, queer, young adult
5. All That’s Left in the WorldAuthor: Erik J. BrownYear published: 2022Genre and themes: LGBT, dystopia, gay, post apocalyptic, queer, science fiction, young adult
6. And They Were RoommatesAuthor: Page PowarsYear published: 2025Genre and themes: LGBT, contemporary, gay, m m romance, queer, transgender, young adult
7. Angels Before ManAuthor: Rafael NicolásYear published: 2022Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, fantasy, gay, horror, mythology, queer, retellings
8. Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the WorldAuthor: Benjamin Alire SáenzYear published: 2021Genre and themes: LGBT, coming of age, contemporary, gay, historical, queer, young adult
9. As Far As You'll Take MeAuthor: Phil StamperYear published: 2021Genre and themes: LGBT, contemporary, gay, mental health, queer, young adult
10. Date Me, Bryson KellerAuthor: Kevin van WhyeYear published: 2020Genre and themes: LGBT, contemporary, gay, m m romance, queer, young adult
11. Delilah Green Doesn't CareAuthor: Ashley Herring BlakeYear published: 2022Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, contemporary, gay, lesbian, queer
12. DyketteAuthor: Jenny Fran DavisYear published: 2023Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, contemporary, gay, lesbian, literary fiction, queer
13. Fifteen Hundred Miles from the SunAuthor: Jonny Garza VillaYear published: 2021Genre and themes: LGBT, coming of age, contemporary, gay, m m romance, queer, young adult
14. Forget Me NotAuthor: Alyson DerrickYear published: 2023Genre and themes: LGBT, contemporary, gay, lesbian, queer, young adult
15. Girls Like GirlsAuthor: Hayley KiyokoYear published: 2023Genre and themes: LGBT, contemporary, gay, lesbian, queer, summer, young adult
16. Golden BoysAuthor: Phil StamperYear published: 2022Genre and themes: LGBT, coming of age, contemporary, gay, queer, young adult
17. Head Above WaterAuthor: C.E. RicciYear published: 2021Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, contemporary, enemies to lovers, gay, m m romance, queer, second chance
18. Here's to UsAuthor: Becky AlbertalliYear published: 2021Genre and themes: LGBT, contemporary, gay, m m romance, queer, realistic fiction, young adult
19. I Think I Love YouAuthor: Auriane DesombreYear published: 2021Genre and themes: LGBT, contemporary, enemies to lovers, gay, lesbian, queer, young adult
20. If This Gets OutAuthor: Sophie GonzalesYear published: 2021Genre and themes: LGBT, contemporary, friends to lovers, gay, music, queer, young adult
21. Imogen, ObviouslyAuthor: Becky AlbertalliYear published: 2023Genre and themes: LGBT, coming of age, contemporary, gay, lesbian, queer, young adult
22. Kiss & TellAuthor: Adib KhorramYear published: 2022Genre and themes: LGBT, contemporary, gay, music, queer, realistic fiction, young adult
23. Kiss & TellAuthor: Adib KhorramYear published: 2022Genre and themes: LGBT, contemporary, gay, music, queer, realistic fiction, young adult
24. Less Is LostAuthor: Andrew Sean GreerYear published: 2022Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, book club, contemporary, gay, humor, literary fiction, queer
25. Like Real People DoAuthor: E.L. MasseyYear published: 2022Genre and themes: LGBT, contemporary, gay, m m romance, queer, sports, young adult
26. Lord of Eternal NightAuthor: Ben AldersonYear published: 2021Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, enemies to lovers, fantasy, gay, m m romance, paranormal, queer, retellings, vampires
27. Meet Cute DiaryAuthor: Emery LeeYear published: 2021Genre and themes: LGBT, contemporary, fake dating, gay, queer, transgender, young adult
28. Melt With YouAuthor: Jennifer DuganYear published: 2022Genre and themes: LGBT, contemporary, gay, lesbian, queer, summer, young adult
29. MemorialAuthor: Bryan WashingtonYear published: 2020Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, book club, contemporary, gay, literary fiction, queer
30. Open, HeavenAuthor: Seán HewittYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Ireland, LGBT, adult, coming of age, contemporary, gay, literary fiction, queer
31. Out of the BlueAuthor: Jason JuneYear published: 2022Genre and themes: LGBT, contemporary, fantasy, gay, mermaids, queer, young adult
32. PlayedAuthor: Sadie KincaidYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, billionaire, contemporary, dark, enemies to lovers, gay, m m romance, queer, second chance
33. Playing the PalaceAuthor: Paul RudnickYear published: 2021Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, contemporary, gay, m m romance, queer, royalty
34. Roommate ArrangementAuthor: Saxon JamesYear published: 2022Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, contemporary, forced proximity, friends to lovers, gay, m m romance, queer
35. So This Is Ever AfterAuthor: F.T. LukensYear published: 2022Genre and themes: LGBT, fantasy, gay, magic, queer, young adult
36. Some Girls DoAuthor: Jennifer DuganYear published: 2021Genre and themes: LGBT, contemporary, gay, lesbian, queer, young adult
37. Something to Talk AboutAuthor: Meryl WilsnerYear published: 2020Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, contemporary, gay, lesbian, queer
38. SorenAuthor: Grae BryanYear published: 2022Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, contemporary, enemies to lovers, fantasy, gay, m m romance, paranormal, vampires
39. Swimming in the DarkAuthor: Tomasz JedrowskiYear published: 2020Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, contemporary, gay, historical, literary fiction, queer
40. The Falling in Love MontageAuthor: Ciara SmythYear published: 2020Genre and themes: LGBT, contemporary, gay, lesbian, queer, young adult
41. The Feeling of Falling in LoveAuthor: Mason DeaverYear published: 2022Genre and themes: LGBT, contemporary, fake dating, gay, queer, transgender, young adult
42. The First to Die at the EndAuthor: Adam SilveraYear published: 2022Genre and themes: LGBT, contemporary, fantasy, gay, queer, science fiction, young adult
43. The Gravity of UsAuthor: Phil StamperYear published: 2020Genre and themes: LGBT, contemporary, gay, m m romance, queer, realistic fiction, young adult
44. The Only Light Left BurningAuthor: Erik J. BrownYear published: 2024Genre and themes: LGBT, dystopia, gay, post apocalyptic, queer, science fiction, young adult
45. The Secret Life of Albert EntwistleAuthor: Matt CainYear published: 2021Genre and themes: British literature, LGBT, adult, book club, contemporary, gay, queer
46. The Unlikely HeirAuthor: Jax CalderYear published: 2023Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, contemporary, friends to lovers, gay, m m romance, queer, royalty
47. We Do What We Do in the DarkAuthor: Michelle HartYear published: 2022Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, contemporary, gay, lesbian, literary fiction, queer
48. When Haru Was HereAuthor: Dustin ThaoYear published: 2024Genre and themes: LGBT, contemporary, fantasy, gay, magical realism, queer, young adult
49. You & MeAuthor: Tal BauerYear published: 2022Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, contemporary, friends to lovers, gay, m m romance, queer, slow burn, sports
50. You & MeAuthor: Tal BauerYear published: 2022Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, contemporary, friends to lovers, gay, m m romance, queer, slow burn, sports
51. Young MungoAuthor: Douglas StuartYear published: 2022Genre and themes: LGBT, Scotland, adult, contemporary, gay, historical, literary fiction, queer

Other resources to assist with your querying journey

Comp titles are only a small piece of the querying puzzle! Here are other resources I offer to help writers achieve their dreams of publishing their novels:

• Developmental editing services
• Pre-querying package
• Publishers accepting manuscript submissions this month
• Romance tropes list
• Random romance trope generator

Frequently asked questions

How recent do comp titles need to be?

Comp titles should be published within the past five to seven years so it is representative of the current market potential of your manuscript.

Can I use bestselling books as a comp title?

Yes, you can! However, the bestselling books aren’t always the most suitable options. While it’s integral that a comp title has sold well, it’s better to choose a comp title that’s sold less well but closer represents the tone and overall vibe of your own book.

How many comp titles should I include in my query letter?

You should aim for two comp titles in your query letter. You can include three, but agents would expect more than one.

Can I use a series as a comp title?

You can, but it’s best to pick a specific book within that series that best represents your manuscript.

What if I can’t find a gay romance comp title that fits my book?

You can broaden your horizons to also include other subgenres of romance!”