A BARISTA’S GUIDE TO LOVE & LARCENY

BY CAROLINE BONIN  | FANTASY & ROMANCE

In this cozy fantasy romance, Dani Lionet is attending her dream university, working at a local cafe, and trying to keep her unique ability under control. A professor encourages her to use her ability to help investigate a lucid dreaming product that’s about to hit the market. She’s also found a distraction in a new regular at work, Kass. Can she handle it all?

Publish date: Jan. 13

FIRE SWORD AND SEA

BY VANESSA RILEY | HISTORICAL FICTION

The real Pirates of the Caribbean were Black and women. Based on the life of seventeenth-century pirate Jacquotte Delehaye, daughter of a wealthy tavern owner on the island of Tortuga who dreams of more than marriage. She wants to join the seafarers and smugglers instead, and she does just that. After many years of making enemies and amassing a fortune in stolen gold, her fellow pirates decided to increase their profits with slave trade. Jacquotte turns away from pirary and begins to plot a war of liberation. Get ready to head out on the sea alongside some adventurous and queer pirates. 

Publish date: Jan. 13

GENDERQUEER MENOPAUSE: NAVIGATING MENOPAUSE FOR TRANS, GENDER-NONCONFORMING, GENDERFLUID, AND OTHER QUEER-BODIED FOLX

BY LASARA FIREFOX ALLEN | NONFICTION

This book pushes back against the mainstream conversation surrounding menopause and the heteronormative medical standards of care. Menopause shouldn’t be suffered in silence. Author Lasara Firefox Allen is a menopause doula, coach, and genderqueer educator. They break down negative beliefs and internalized bias. Readers will hear from the voices of trans, non-binary, and gender-expansive people, gaining tools to enhance awareness of premenopausal, perimenopausal, menopausal, and postmenopausal life. 

Publish date: Jan. 13

MEGA MILK: ESSAYS ON FAMILY, FLUIDITY, WHITENESS, AND COWS

BY MEGAN MILKS | NONFICTION

“A sparkling, funny, and often wrenching portrait-in-essays on the dairy industry, queer intimacy, family, fluidity, whiteness, and cows.” Megan Milks has been praised as one of the most exciting queer thinkers and writers of our time. 

Publish date: Jan. 13

IS THIS A CRY FOR HELP?

BY EMILY AUSTIN | FICTION

Darcy is a librarian, and her wife Joy runs a book binding service. They live an ideal life in a house by the lake with two cats and a giant collection of books. When Darcy hears that her ex-boyfriend Ben passed away she loses it. After a mental breakdown and medical leave, she returns to work where there are protests over intellectual freedom and a call for book bans. A portrait of queer life and the importance of libraries. 

Publish date: Jan. 13

SCAVENGERS

BY KATHLEEN BOLAND | FICTION

After getting fired, typically responsible Bea sublets her New York apartment and books a one-way ticket to stay with her mother, Christy. Her mother is the bold one, and she has a map to buried treasure. They venture west in hopes of discovering the hidden money.

Publish date: Jan. 13

HALF HIS AGE

BY JENNETTE MCCURDY | FICTION

Jennette McCurdy’s memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died was a huge hit in 2022. Now readers are eager to get their hands on her debut novel Half His Age. This story follows seventeen-year-old Waldo as she navigates her desire for her creative writing teacher Mr. Korgy. 

Publish date: Jan. 20

HOW TO COMMIT A POSTCOLONIAL MURDER

BY NINA MCCONIGLEY | MYSTERY

This debut novel starts with a dead uncle and a private confession to the reader from his tween nieces, Georgie and Agatha. They killed him and they blame the British. Things were going fine. These sisters had welcomed their aunt, uncle, and cousin, who just arrived from India, to their house in rural Wyoming, but they decided it was time for their uncle to die. Georgie’s account is a murder mystery of sorts and a moving story of sisterhood.

Publish date: Jan. 20

KINK CURIOUS: A GUIDE TO EXPLORING YOUR KINKS, DISPELLING SHAME, AND STAYING SAFE

BY GIGI ENGLE | NONFICTION

Here at Catcall we are very sex positive. This shame-free guide to kink absolutely delivers. Learn all things kink, from the basics of bondage to flogging safely. If you’re looking for a book that delves into every corner of the kink sphere, you’ve found it. It’s time to explore your deepest desires while breaking down myths and misconceptions. 

Publish date: Jan. 21

LOVE MAKES MOCHI

BY STEFANY VALENTINE | ROMANCE

Lilyn Jeong is a teenage goth fashion designer. She travels to Tokyo, Japan to learn from a famous tailor, but she’s not expecting to meet a tattoo artist apprentice who changes her mind on love. This can be read separately, but it is book three in the Love in Translation series. 

Publish date: Jan. 27

THE SEVEN DAUGHTERS OF DUPREE

BY NIKESHA ELISE WILLIAMS | FICTION

“The Seven Daughters of Dupree masterfully weaves together themes of generational trauma, Black women’s resilience, and unbreakable familial bonds. Echoing the literary power of The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis, Nikesha Elise Williams delivers a feminist literary fiction that explores the ripple effects of actions, secrets, and love through seven generations of Black women.” –Simon & Schuster

Publish date: Jan. 27

MARGIN OF ERROR

BY RACHEL LACEY | ROMANCE

Two years after an accident almost left her dead, Marin decides to cherish her second chance at life. She leaves her husband and quits her job to chase what she wants. She’s teaching statistics at Northshire University which is already a big change, but what she really wants is to date a woman. She doesn’t expect it to be the one that’s filled her fantasies since their encounter on the day she almost died.

Publish date: Feb. 3

AND NOW, BACK TO YOU

BY B.K. BORISON | ROMANCE

Last year we got First-Time Caller, and now it’s time for the second book in the Heartstrings series. In this romance inspired by When Harry Met Sally, competing meteorologists Jackson and Delilah are assigned to cover a big snowstorm. He’s uptight, she’s spontaneous, and they may just be the perfect pair if they can let each other in.  

Publish date: Feb. 24

LOVE A COMEBACK

BY RUTHIE KNOX AND ANNIE MARIE | MYSTERY

TV detectives Bex and Sam are back for book two in A TV Detectives mystery series. They are busier than ever, and thousands of miles apart. They were ready to spend some much needed time together, but Bex’s sister Vic shares a piece of gossip about the used to be it girl Ramona Watts. She’s missing, and while they may not be actual detectives, Bex and Sam are eager to solve the case. 

Publish date: Feb. 24

CLEOPATRA

BY SAARA EL-ARIFI | HISTORICAL FICTION

In this epic historical retelling, Cleopatra tells her own story. Conversations of Cleopatra are often centered around men, but this book reminds us that she was so much more. Themes include motherhood, love, power, and survival. It’s time for this ruler to reclaim her story. 

Publish date: Feb. 24

A BODY MADE HOME: THEY BLACK TRANS LOVE

BY K. MARSHALL GREEN | NONFICTION

“A lyrical memoir and mythography of a Black trans man’s journey to self through gender, race, and trans theory made personal. Kai Marshall Green recounts his lifelong transition from “Baby Girl” to “Black Boi,” his current and future self. Laced through his accounts of traversing discrimination, misunderstanding, and abuse from family, society, and academia are experiments in letter writing and biomythography, continuing in the literary tradition of Audre Lorde.” –Publisher

Publish date: Feb. 24

THE NIGHT WE MET

BY ABBY JIMENEZ | ROMANCE

Larissa and Chris are close friends, but after a concert when she chooses to ride home with Mike instead a relationship sparks. Now Chris has to watch from the sidelines as Larissa navigates her love life. He just wants her to be happy, but it’s getting harder to stand by and watch. This is the second book in the Say You’ll Remember Me series. 

Publish date: March 24

A GOOD PERSON

BY KRISTEN KING | FICTION

Lillian has been enjoying her situtationship with Henry, but she’s ready to lock him down for real. She’s a woman with a plan, but Henry blindsides her with a breakup. Seeking revenge she performs a drunken hex. She expects him to come back begging for forgiveness, but she ends up as the prime suspect in his murder case instead. Lillian’s pursuit of the truth will lead her down a dangerous path. 

Publish date: March 31

AS LONG AS YOU LOATHE ME

BY SWATI HEGDE | YA ROMANCE

In this sapphic rivals-to-lovers romance, a girl tries to seek revenge on her ex-best friend for stealing her crush, but their friendship picks back up where they left off instead. Described as Never Have I Ever meets Mean Girls. 

Publish date: March 31

VILE LADY VILLAINS

BY DANAI CHRISTOPOULOU | ROMANTASY

We know, we know. Don’t judge a book by its cover… but I mean, come on. This sapphic dark fantasy features retellings of famous literary villains. Lady Macbeth turns to three witches for help after the consequences of her murderous actions close in. She takes a brew that transports her to an unknown realm. Klytemnestra, Queen of Mycenae, is seeking vengeance on her husband, but when Lady Macbeth appears through an otherworldly door, she chases her into the realm of stories. They have no choice but to form an alliance, and The Mistress of the House of Books claims to hold the key to saving them. Threats bring these villains closer together. They must remain within the confines of their original tales, or burn down their world and write a new story together.  

Publish date: April 2

SET POINT

BY MEG JONES | ROMANCE

Spanish superstar Ines Costa and American Chloe Murphy are rivals. Inez has been suffering from injuries and feeling the pressure to get another trophy. She’s been struggling to reach the same success from her first Grand Slam two years ago. Murphy is a cocky up and coming success. A twist of tragedy brings them together, and the romantic feelings behind their hatred for each other comes to the surface. If you’re as obsessed with Heated Rivalry as I am, you’re sure to enjoy this sapphic romance set in the tennis world.

Publish date: April 7

YESTERYEAR

BY CARO CLAIRE BURKE | FICTION

Natalie lives a traditional lifestyle in a charming farmhouse with her six children and cowboy husband. Or at least that’s what her 8 million social media followers believe. She has nannies, producers, and industrial-grade kitchen appliances helping to get the job done behind the scenes. One morning, she wakes up in 1805. Is this some twisted reality show, a hoax, or something worse? 

Publish date: April 7

NO!: THE ART AND ACTIVISIM OF COMPLAINING

BY SARA AHMED | NONFICTION

According to Sara Ahmed, complaining can be a powerful tool for resistance. Arguing is a big aspect of revealing how systems of power work, and for who. Those who complain face stigma, but when we gather in this way we often build solidarity. This book examines real life examples of the consequences of ignoring complaints. When our grievances go ignored, institutional power and injustice goes unchecked. 

Publish date: April 7

LEAVE YOUR MESS AT HOME

BY TOLANI AKINOLA | FICTION

In this debut novel, four Nigerian-American siblings reunite for Thanksgiving. They are forced to confront family secrets, dysnfunction, and resentment. They have their own individual challenges to face too. It doesn’t take long for things to get messy and chaotic, but it’s time for them to deal with it and find their way back to each other. “What do we owe to our families, and what do we owe to ourselves?”

Publish date: April 14

KING OF GLUTTONY

BY ANA HUANG | ROMANCE

If you’ve been enjoying the Kings of Sin series, number 6 is on the way. Sebastian Laurent is handsome, talented, and loved by most. Maya Singh is his childhood rival, and his greatest weakness. Maya is used to winning, unless he’s the competition. A series of events leads them to have to work together. She wasn’t expecting to like it. 

Publish date: April 28

OUR PERFECT STORM

BY CARLEY FORTUNE | ROMANCE

On the eve of Frankie’s wedding weekend, she doesn’t know where things stand with her childhood best friend George. She isn’t sure if he will show up to fufill his role as best man, but thankfully he does. Frankie’s fiancé dumps her the next morning, leaving her heartbroken and confused. George convinces her that going on her honeymoon and enjoying the beaches of Tofino is exactly what she needs. Now they have one week in paradise to fix their friendship or fall apart. 

Publish date: May 5

ROLLS AND RIVALRY

BY KRISTY BOYCE | YA ROMANCE

For the third book in the Gaming and Romance series, we follow Hazel as she begins her senior year at band camp. Max, her childhood crush, comes back into town and shakes things up. Their sections are rivals, but their love of Dungeons & Dragons brings them together. Kristy Boyce has written another charming gaming romance that is sure to warm your heart. 

Publish date: May 5

THE SHIPPERS

BY KATHERINE CENTER | ROMANCE

JoJo Burton is bad at love. She wants to conquer her intimacy issues at her sister’s cruise ship destination wedding. Her first crush is newly-divorced and with the help of her childhood bestie Cooper she plans to woo him. Katherine Center’s rom coms always feel like a warm hug.

Publish date: May 19

MY BAD: A PERSONAL HISTORY OF THE QUEER NINETIES AND BEYOND

BY HUGH RYAN | NONFICTION

A powerful and funny personal history that tells the story of queer life in the ‘90s and how it transformed in the following decades. The challenges and possibilities for LGBTQ+ people were reshaped when queer life changed from private to public around this time. From early AOL chat room days to activism and the backlash that comes with progress.  A common story of a young queer person protecting himself with silence, only to undo the shame over the following decade. 

Publish date: May 26

YOU WON’T FORGET ME

BY MAZEY EDDINGS | ROMANCE

Cubby Clark just wants to make music, but Connor, her on-again-off-again boyfriend and lead of the band, complicates things when he leaves the group. His solo career takes off fast after he releases a hit single about how bad she is in bed. She hooks up with the other gal in the band, Darcy, and a photo of Cubby and Harry goes viral. It doesn’t take long for rumors about the band’s love triangle to take the spotlight. Can Cubby and Darcy sort out their feelings and what does it mean for the band if they do?

Publish date: June 9

THE MISSED CONNECTION

BY TIA WILLIAMS | ROMANCE

New York Times bestselling author Tia Williams is back with a new romantic and sexy story. We follow Sasha Cruz, who is a busy casting agent with no time for love. She is seated next to a mysterious and handsome Italian man on a plane, and they hit it off quickly. They don’t get a chance to swap information, but she is sure he is her person. She accidentally sends an email that was meant for her work friend to the entire global company requesting some help in tracking down her mystery man. She also hires a dreamy detective who complicates things. Will she find the love of her life? 

Publish date: June 16

HEARTSTOPPER: VOLUME 6

BY ALICE OSEMAN | ROMANCE

The final volume in the hit Heartstopper series is here. You know the story. Boy meets boy. Boys fall madly in love. Pick up this LGBTQ+ graphic novel to see how things end. 

Publish date: July 2

THE SEXUALITY OF CARE: ON NURSING, KINK, AND A FUTURE WITHOUT HOSPITALS

BY M.K. THEKKUMKATTIL | NONFICTION

Another unique essay collection is hitting the shelves this year, exploring critical care work, kink practices, and the relation between the two. “In essays that blend memoir and manifesto, The Sexuality of Care builds a convincing new argument for how the present-day medical system fails both its patients and its laboring nurses, as well as how the vision of radical consent found in queer kink practices lets us imagine a future where hospitals are abolished, yet care thrives.” –M.K. Thekkumkattil 

Publish date: July 14

DREAMS OF AYN ARA

BY SARA ABOU GHAZAL | FICTION

A dizzying, immersive portrait of a never-ending Nakba, as lived and relived by one displaced Palestinian family. In Stockholm, Zein al-Abidin shivers, far from the warmth of revolt that simmered all those years ago in Shatila. In Paris, his son Nidal toils in solitude, ignoring his parents’ phone calls. Grandmother Nijmeh struggles to distinguish reality from dreams, and it’s left to fearless, level-headed matriarch Zahra to try to keep the family together. But Salwa, with guidance from beyond the grave, digs backward in time through Facebook and discovers an unlikely channel to the one place in the world she can’t go: Ayn Ara, the Abu Sukkar family’s ancestral home in Palestine. – The Feminist Press

Publish date: Aug. 18

Sophie McDowell (she/her) is a writer and creator currently living in Kansas City. She got her degree in mass media with an emphasis in film and video from Washburn University. She also has minors in art, history, and women’s studies. When Sophie isn’t writing or volunteering her time to social justice, she can be found hanging out with her pets. 

Maddy Best (she/her) is a first-generation Vietnamese American designer. Raised in rural Missouri, she spent five years in KC before making the move to St. Louis. As a freelancer, she uses her multidisciplinary design expertise to help people, brands, and organizations bring experiences to life. Her passion is using design to answer questions and solve problems for all people – regardless of their gender, race, status, or abilities. When she’s not designing websites or brand identities, you can find Maddy cooking, listening to the same emo playlist on repeat, watching bad sci-fi films, and playing video games.