One title that immediately comes to mind is 'The House in the Cerulean Sea' by TJ Klune. It’s this heartwarming, whimsical story about a caseworker who gets assigned to a mysterious orphanage filled with magical children, including a demon boy. The romance is sweet and understated, and the found-family vibes are off the charts. Goodreads reviewers adore it for its warmth and humor, and it’s often recommended in queer fantasy circles.
Another standout is 'Hell Followed With Us' by Andrew Joseph White, a darker, grittier pick. It’s about a trans boy fleeing a cult that turned him into a bioweapon—literally a monster. The queer themes here are raw and intense, wrapped in apocalyptic horror. It’s not for the faint of heart, but the emotional payoff is huge. Fans of body horror and fierce LGBTQ+ rep rave about it.