What's the Name of That Book??? discussion

I am looking for a fantasy novel with a queer romance in it - that means lesbian, bisexual, gay, trans, etc.
The romance has to involve a protagonist, not just supporting or background characters.
It doesn't have to include sex scenes, but it needs to be a real romance, not just subtext and wishful thinking.
I would prefer a fantasy setting, or historical in a pinch. Not sci-fi or contemporary.

So here’s the hard part.

You know that trope in straight stories where the prince has a loyal knight, best friend, or servant? You know those princesses whose maids and ladies in waiting know all her secrets and would die for her? You know those secretly crossdressing knights who have a crush on their liege lords?

I can’t be the only person who remembers Faithful Henry at the end of The Frog Prince story, who put iron bands around his heart to keep it from breaking when the prince disappeared. Or Faithful John, who risked everything to protect his prince from a curse he never even knew about. That kind of trust, loyalty, and devotion, but with an actual queer payoff.

Can you find me that kind of story, as an actual queer romance?

Try the Magic's Pawn trilogy by Mercedes Lackey and Carry On by Rainbow Rowell,

Maybe take a look at
Luck in the Shadows and the rest of the series by Lynn Flewelling.

Ginn Hale has some fantastic m/m fantasy Lord of the White Hell, Book 1 and Lord of the White Hell, Book 2 and the follow up books about a side character from the first ones Champion of the Scarlet Wolf, Book One and two. Pretty much everything of hers is excellently written.

You might like Reawakening by Amy Rae Durreson too, one of the MCs definitely has that loyal devotion going on for the other, who's pretty suspicious of the whole thing for a big chunk of the book.

Daughter of Mystery by Heather Rose Jones and its sequels (currently two, the series is ongoing) - historical fantasy with female/female romance.

Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey - fantasy with a bisexual heroine who has relationships (and casual/professional sex, including BDSM, which might not be your thing) with both men and women.

Maybe The Dark Wife by Sarah Diemer

Thanks, I will check these out!

The Fire's Stone could be a good one. Not a romance novel, but (view spoiler)[ the three main characters do eventually hook up with each other in a polyamorous triad. (hide spoiler)]
Pretty much any book by Tanya Huff has at least one queer relationship, though not always the main ones.

Dawn and The Left Hand of Darkness, sort of.

Maybe Ash by Malinda Lo?

Thanks for the suggestions!

Of Fire and Stars

M. L. Rhodes True of Heart is book 1, but the whole series is excellent.