2021 Achillean Books

This is a petty recs post.

Someone on Twitter mocked achillean romance recently and it rubbed me the wrong way.

I’m seeing more marginalized achillean voices in publishing and I think that’s rad! What an exciting time! Why aren’t we celebrating!?

Anyway, here are some 2021 achillean book recs.

Be Dazzled by Ryan La Sala

Release date: January 5, 2021

Genre: Contemporary

Age group: Young Adult

Keywords: insecure ex, perfectionist MC, crafting, second chance romance, cosplay competition

Jay’s Gay Agenda by Jason June

Release date: June 1, 2021

Genre: Contemporary

Age group: Young Adult

Keywords: Seattle, new kid, to-do list, sex positivity

Yesterday is History by Kosoko Jackson

Release date: April 6, 2021

Genre: Speculative fiction

Age group: Young Adult

Keywords: organ transplant, time travel, love triangle, the ’60s

As Far As You’ll Take Me by Phil Stamper

Release date: February 9, 2021

Genre: Contemporary

Age group: Young Adult

Keywords: travel, London, home, family

Between Perfect and Real by Ray Stoeve

Release date: April 27, 2021

Genre: Contemporary

Age group: Young Adult

Keywords: coming out, trans MC, transition, coming-of-age

May the Best Man Win by ZR Ellor

Release date: May 18, 2021

Genre: Contemporary

Age group: Young Adult:

Keywords: rivals to lovers, autism, exes, homecoming, trans MC

In Deeper Waters by F. T. Lukens

Release date: April 20, 2021

Genre: Fantasy

Age group: Young Adult

Keywords: pirates, kidnapping, enemies to lovers, magic

The Ghosts We Keep by Mason Deaver

Release date: June 1, 2021

Genre: Contemporary

Age group: Young Adult

Keywords: grief, siblings, chosen family, nonbinary MC

The Sky Blues by Robbie Couch

Release date: April 6, 2021

Genre: Contemporary

Age group: Young Adult

Keywords: prom, small town, cyberbullying, sleuthing

The Witch King by H. E. Edgmon

Release date: June 1, 2021

Genre: Fantasy

Age group: Young Adult

Keywords: trans MC, magic, betrothal, fairies, witches

The [Un]Popular Vote by Jasper Sanchez

Release date: June 1, 2021

Genre: Contemporary

Age group: Young Adult

Keywords: politics, trans MC, the closet, school elections

Meet Cute Diary by Emery Lee

Release date: May 4, 2021

Genre: Contemporary

Age group: Young Adult

Keywords: trans MC, fake dating, happily ever after, blogging

The Boy from the Mish by Gary Lonesborough

Release date: February 2, 2021

Genre: Contemporary

Age group: Young Adult

Keywords: Australia, indigenous MC, summer love, secrets

The Passing Playbook by Isaac Fitzsimons

Release date: June 1, 2021

Genre: Contemporary

Age group: Young Adult

Keywords: trans MC, bullying, passing, discrimination, coming out

The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer

Release date: June 1, 2021

Genre: Science fiction

Age group: Young Adult

Keywords: enemies to lovers, space mission, enemy invasion, survival

Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell

Release date: February 2, 2021

Genre: Science fiction

Age group: Adult

Keywords: space opera, arranged marriage, murder, war, slow burn

You’re the One That I Want by Simon James Green

Release date: June 3, 2021

Genre: Contemporary

Age group: Young Adult

Keywords: nice guys, social transformation, Grease, bad boys

My poor wallet has been lightened by book purchases lately – I’m still tempted to buy/preorder some of these.

Then again, there’s always the library!

(Just kidding, my library account was suspended recently. I don’t want to talk about it.)

Let me know which of these books you’re most looking forward to in the comments.