Really Cute People
A little domestic bliss never hurt anyone…right?
Charlie Dee is headed for burnout. They’ve been burned before, both by their bio family and the now-defunct queer collective they once called home. So when they’re asked to take a work trip outside the city, they jump at the chance. Sure, it’s additional work with no additional pay, but it’s also an excuse to get out of town — and out of their own head.
That dream is shattered when Charlie opens the door to their supposedly private rental. There’s a bird on the loose, circling the living room as it’s chased by a cat, who is chased by a small child. The girl’s parents, Hayden and Buffy, only manage to add to the chaos. They promise to leave first thing in the morning, but when a massive snowstorm rolls in, this overnight trip becomes a weeklong affair.
Reluctantly charmed by this unfiltered — if forced — look at a loving, healthy family, Charlie begins to develop feelings for both Hayden and Buffy. And they both seem to be flirting back. But when a potential promotion lures Charlie back to the city, all three will have to decide where they go from here — and what it means to truly feel at home.
The Haunting of Adrian Yates
Adrian’s best friend and his boyfriend don’t get along. Oh, and his boyfriend is a ghost.
Adrian Yates expected his summer would involve sharing Slurpees with his best friend Zoomer and pretending not to hear his dads’ whispered fighting. And that’s exactly how it was going, until the night Sorel appeared in the graveyard by Adrian’s apartment. Sorel gets Adrian in ways no one else has; the fact that he’s not technically alive only makes things exciting. But Sorel can’t always control his otherworldly behaviour, and Zoomer’s worried he might be hiding something. On stormy summer nights behind the cemetery’s iron gates, Adrian and Sorel meet in secret and the pair begin to experiment with consensual possession. Despite the warning signs, Adrian is certain he has everything under control — until suddenly he finds himself fighting for his life.
In a Heartbeat
Lucien is a trans teen living in the heart of downtown Toronto. He goes to an alternative school, he’s got two loving moms – everything should be perfect, right? So, why does he want to run?
Looking for a fresh start, Lucien packs his bags and heads to Vernon, BC to stay with previously unmet relatives. While the big move comes with a rough landing, Lucien manages to make some new friends, connect with the local music scene, and meet the mysterious Alder.
When things start to heat up with his new romance and get messy in his friend group, will the anxious Lucien make a break for it again? Or can he learn to stay put and speak his truth?
Confessions of a Teenage Drag King
Confessions of a Teenage Drag King follows the story of a young drag performer in downtown Toronto, falling in love, making mistakes, and learning to share the spotlight.
Lauren Garber is living a double life. By day, she’s Lauri, an average high-school student just trying to scrape by her last semester of school. By night, he is Ren, a confident and popular performer at a weekly all-ages drag show. The hard lines between Lauri and Ren start to fall apart when a mysterious young woman named Clover appears on the scene.
After one of his show-stopping performances, Ren meets Clover and feels an instant connection. The next day, Clover appears as the new kid at Lauri’s high school. Ren keeps on flirting with Clover over online messages and weekend dates, while Lauri becomes awkward and distant when paired with Clover for a school project.
As Lauri and Ren’s two worlds start to collide, will they step into the spotlight or risk losing Clover for good?
We Three
Jasbina “Jassie” Dhillon has been sent to a performing arts based summer camp, but she’s certain that she doesn’t have a single talent.
Jassie knows her parents are worried, since she’s struggling at school and failing at making any real friends. But camp seems just like it’s going to be more of the same, only without online TV shows to fall back on. To Jassie’s surprise, she quickly connects with two other campers, a trouble-making poet named Syd and a shy guitarist named Ams. The problem is, Ams and Syd can’t seem to stand each other. To make matters even worse, Jassie is developing romantic feelings for both of them.
Just as Jassie is worried she may need to choose one over the other, Ams and Syd start to get along — a little bit too well. When Ams and Syd admit they have feelings for each other, Jassie is sure she’s missed her chance at both love and friendship. But then both share that they’re attracted to Jassie too. Rather than letting themselves get stuck in a love triangle, the trio decides to all date one another. Instead of a couple, they become a triad.
The three spend the remainder of their time at camp learning how to build and maintain a relationship that’s unique to them. And they do it all while navigating gossip, jealousy, and preparing for the end of summer talent show.
Romeo for Real
On the surface, Romeo has it all: success on the basketball court, a group of friends, including the beautiful Rosie. Deep down he knows something is missing: all he feels for Rosie is friendship. Everything changes when he shares a kiss with openly gay Julian at a party. Despite their obvious attraction, Romeo is less sure of himself than ever, and leaves without even telling Julian his name.
With Rosie’s support, Romeo begins exploring his sexuality — and ends up running into Julian again. Realizing how little he knows about other sexual orientations and gender identities, Romeo begins to see the world in a whole new light, and he and Julian begin to fall in love. But his homophobic friends and family can’t accept him as gay. After a violent confrontation with one of his old friends, Romeo becomes determined to prove that his love for Julian is real and right.
Romeo for Real will give readers the courage to take pride in who they are and whom they love.
Just Julian
After years of bullying at school, 19-year-old Julian is depressed. He sees a glimmer of hope after meeting the similarly out-of-place Romeo at a party and sharing a kiss with him. The only problem: Romeo has always identified as straight and he hangs out with a group of intolerant guys. But as the two begin to fall in love, Julian finds strength he never knew he had. When Romeo’s old friends come after the couple, a vicious fight puts both Julian and Romeo in the hospital. The two boys decide to take a stand for their right for respect.
Just Julian provides insight into the struggle against homophobia, reminding LGBTQ readers that they are not alone.