the boy in chapter three

A gay YA book club just for you.

Welcome. My name is Alex, and I'm so glad you're here.The Boy in Chapter Three is a hand-curated book club celebrating everything you love about gay YA romance. We’re talking slow burns, plot twists, sharp dialogue, heartbreaks that hurt good, and stories that stay with you long after the final page.It’s not just about what’s trending. It's not about algorithms. No one's paying for my opinion. There aren't any sponsors. It’s simply about the books both old and new, spanning all genres, that made me feel something real. Some are sweet, some are sad, but they’re all chosen with care by me: one human who happens to love them.So curl up. Browse a bit.
You might just find your next favorite.

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creator & editor

I'm Alex.
I love books (and also dinos).

pawject manager

He's Zuko.
He loves books too. (And treats.)

July Selection

Our monthly book club pick.

The Extraordinaries

TJ Klune

When Nick sets out to win the heart of Shadow Star, Nova City’s hottest superhero, he stumbles into a secret world of powers, danger, and a romance he never saw coming.

instant rec

Just finished. Can't stop thinking about it.

Icarus

K. Ancrum

Icarus is a teenage art thief trained by his dad to steal priceless masterpieces, forced to navigate the world alone. That is, until he’s caught by Helios, the son of his latest target, and their secret friendship turns into a fragile, star‑crossed romance that might just be his undoing.

blog

Why Gay YA? (And Why Now?)

July 03, 2025

When I was growing up, I was closeted. I knew I was gay. I knew I looked at boys the way I was supposed to look at girls. But I promised myself it was something I’d keep hidden forever...

Thank you 💙

I really appreciate you taking the time to check out the site.This whole project started as a way to nerd out about the stories that stole my heart, and somehow it’s turning into a little bookish corner I get to share with people like you and that's just wonderful.If you'd like to support the community and help it grow, consider leaving a little tip through the link or QR code below to help keep things running. Every bit helps. But if monetary support isn't in the cards, no worries at all! Another great way to help is simply by spreading the word, sharing the love, and inviting fellow bookworms to join the club.

summer love
reading list

5 heartwarming Gay YA romances that capture the magic, heat, and heartbreak of summer.

read with me

Because sometimes it's cozier to read with a buddy.

Find a comfy spot and spend 30 minutes reading with me. No chats, no distractions. Just you, me and a good book (and sometimes my dog).

reading journal

This FREE PDF reading journal is designed for fellow gay YA fans who want to jot down favorite tropes, save memorable quotes, and keep track of the little moments that make a story stick. Download it today!

quote of the week

"From the moment I could speak, I saved all my words for him. From the moment I could walk, my legs carried me in his direction."

— Kevin Christopher Snipes, Don't Let Me Go

contact

Questions? Thoughts? Recommendations?

Whether you’ve got a book to gush about, a question to ask, or just want to say hey, I’d love to hear from you. Fill out the form below, and I'll get back to you ASAP.

summer love
reading list

There’s something about summer that makes romance feel more intense. Maybe it’s the heat, the long days, or the sense that time is running out. Whatever it is, summer relationships live in a class all their own.That’s why, for the very first curated list, I had to start with summer love, books that let their stories unfold in the sun-drenched magic of the season. Three of these are on the lighter side, while two (noted in their descriptions) explore heavier themes. I debated including them, but in the end, they’re just too special to leave out. As long as you’re okay with the topics, they’re absolutely worth the read.I hope these stories bring you as much joy as they bring me and maybe keep you company on a few warm summer nights.

The Gravity of Us

Phil Stamper

When Cal’s dad gets picked for a NASA mission to Mars, his whole life is uprooted. From Brooklyn to Houston, from influencer dreams to astronaut housing. But amid the chaos, he meets Leon. He's sweet, grounded, and maybe exactly what Cal needs. Set during a sticky Texas summer full of space launch drama, press tours, and heart-to-hearts, this story mixes romance, ambition, and self-discovery in all the right ways. Thoughtful, warm, and quietly swoony, it's the kind of book that feels like stargazing on a hot night, full of wonder, hope, and maybe a little gravity-defying love.

One Man Guy

Michael Barakiva

Alek’s summer was supposed to be boring. Summer school, strict parents, and zero freedom. But everything changes when he meets Ethan: effortlessly cool, full of surprises, and impossible not to fall for. Set against the pulse of a hot New York City summer, this story is all about unexpected crushes, late-night city adventures, and discovering who you are (and who you like) when you finally let go. Sweet, funny, and full of swoony moments, it’s a perfect summer read for anyone who's ever been blindsided by a first love. Unabashedly adorable and full hope, it will definitely leave you with the biggest, goofiest, smile on your face.

Aristotle & Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Aristotle is angry. Dante is open-hearted. And the scorching El Paso summer brings them together in ways neither of them expect. What starts as an unlikely friendship blooms into something tender, soul-deep, and quietly life-changing. With poetic prose, lazy afternoons, and the ache of first love simmering just under the surface, this book is the definition of a slow-burn. Introspective, romantic, and unforgettable. It’s one of my all-time favorites, a classic in the genre, and it's the kind of story that lingers long after the last page, like sunlight on skin and a question you’re still learning how to answer.(Note: Contains a scene involving anti-gay violence.)

Camp

L.C. Rosen

Welcome to Camp Outland, a queer summer camp full of glitter, theater kids, and more drama (on and off stage) than you can shake a sparkly fan at. Randy is crushing hard on Hudson, but Hudson is only into straight-acting guys, and Randy is, well, not that. He’s got a plan, though. Tone down the flamboyance, butch up the look, and finally win over the boy of his dreams. But love is never that simple, especially when you're pretending to be someone you're not. Hilarious and heartfelt, Camp is a celebration of being loud, proud, and fully yourself.

The Music of What Happens

Bill Konigsberg

Summer in Arizona is hot, messy, and full of surprises, especially when Max, a confident jock with a soft side, ends up working on a food truck with Jordan, a poetic disaster with way too many feelings. What starts as an awkward team-up turns into long, sun-drenched days, bonding over smoothies and secrets, and a romance neither expected. It's full of heart while also exploring the way past trauma can linger, and how love sometimes starts with simply showing up for someone.(Note: Includes references to sexual assault and trauma recovery.)

Finished reading? Have thoughts? Why not jot them down in our FREE downloadable PDF book journal template?

blog

Gay Thoughts and Deep Dives

Why Gay YA? (And Why Now?)

July 03, 2025

When I was growing up, I was closeted. I knew I was gay. I knew I looked at boys the way I was supposed to look at girls. But I promised myself it was something I’d keep hidden forever. My family was loving and supportive in many ways, but they were also deeply religious and conservative. I grew up in a quiet suburb in South Florida, surrounded by a culture that made it clear, in both subtle and glaring ways, that being gay was wrong.The world around me — from movies and TV to music, politics, and casual jokes in school hallways — made it impossible not to internalize shame. As someone who’s half Filipino, the only gay representation I saw in Filipino media was cruel caricature, the punchline to a joke, not someone to root for. Over time, I started to believe that maybe being who I was meant I didn’t deserve to be here at all.But eventually, I found my people. A small group of queer friends became the family I needed. They embraced me, helped me rebuild my sense of self, and celebrated me simply for being me. Slowly, I started letting go of the self-hate I’d carried for so long, though the pain of that early rejection still lingers in quiet corners of my life.Even as I found community and grew more confident in myself, the larger culture around me didn’t change overnight. Representation was scarce, and what existed was often steeped in tragedy. Queer characters died. Happy endings were rare. Love always seemed to come at a price. I remember thinking: Is that all we’re allowed? Do we not get joy?Then I discovered gay YA.Here, finally, was a world where boys could fall in love, and could live to tell the tale. Where queer stories weren’t always about trauma or punishment, but about crushes and longing and kissing and summer and awkwardness and love. These were the books I didn’t know I’d been waiting for. They didn’t just reflect who I was, they made me feel worthy. I devoured them. And as more and more incredible, diverse authors added their voices to the mix, I never stopped reading.Maybe adult me is still starved for the representation I missed growing up. Maybe I’m trying to heal that younger version of myself who thought he’d never get a love story of his own. I don’t know, I’m not a psychologist. But I know these stories matter deeply to me. They’ve helped me feel whole.And yet, for most of my time as a gay YA fan, I didn’t have anyone to talk about these stories with. My friends supported my obsession, but didn’t really get it. Some would ask why I didn’t read “real” books, as if YA wasn’t real literature, and most of them didn’t read at all. So I read in silence. Loved in silence. Fandom felt like a solo act.Sure, there’s social media. But a few years ago, I made the decision to leave it completely. It was wrecking my mental health, increasing my anxiety, and draining the joy out of everything. I don’t regret walking away, but I did miss one thing. Connection.So… I decided to build my own space.Maybe no one will show up. Maybe it’ll grow into something beautiful. Maybe it’ll land somewhere in between. I honestly don’t know, but I had to try.Because now, more than ever, we need these stories. Gay YA, and all of queer art, isn’t just entertainment, it’s resistance. It’s defiance. It's protest against persecution and erasure. Gay YA is joy and softness and strength in a world that still tries to tell queer kids that they shouldn’t exist. I didn’t have these books when I was young. But queer youth today can. And they deserve them.They deserve stories that say: You are valid. You are worthy. You are loved.
You deserve to live happily ever after.

about the creator

Hey! I'm Alex.I’m a gay book nerd and dog dad who loves science (dinosaurs!), cooking (everything!), and getting way too emotionally invested in fictional characters. I’ve always loved the power of gay YA stories. They’ve meant everything to me. They’re the kind of books I wish I’d had growing up, to let me know I too was worthy of love just like everyone else, and the kind that still give me hope, even when the world feels like it’s running low on it.Now, these stories are more important than ever.For a long time, I didn’t have anyone to talk to about the books I loved. Most of my friends didn’t read gay YA, or they didn’t even read at all. That’s why I started The Boy in Chapter Three. To build a space for community, connection, and shared joy. I didn’t want to rely on trends or algorithms or AI to decide what I read next. Too many beautiful, heartfelt stories get left behind when the powers that be decide they’re not worth boosting up your feed. I'm just a guy who loves these stories, and I want to share them with you.That's why I'm here. And I’m so glad you are too.

july

The Extraordinaries

TJ Klune

405 pages

Tor Teen Publihsing, 2020

“And besides, everyone knows Superman is in love with Batman. Even though someone decided their ship name should be SuperBat rather than the golden opportunity that is ManMan.”

Themes: Superheroes, Mental Health, Loss of a Parent, Self Discovery, Friendship, First Love

The Vibe in Three Words: Nerdy, Hilarious, Heartfelt

Nick is extra in every sense of the word. He's extra dramatic, extra nerdy, extra obsessed with Shadow Star, Nova City’s hottest superhero (and has the 267,000 word fanfic to prove it). He dreams of become an Extraordinary, living happily ever with a certain shadow wielding vigilante, and maybe, just maybe, not humiliating himself every time he opens his mouth. But when superpowers, secret identities, best friends, pesky ex's, and unexpected feelings start swirling, Nick finds himself caught in a story more epic (and personal) than he ever imagined.This book is laugh-out-loud funny, packed with sharp banter, over-the-top fanboy energy, and one of the most chaotic and lovable narrators in YA complete with a stellar cast of supportive, hilarious, intricately written best friends by his side. It’s also deeply sweet, moving at times, with a romance that’s as gradual and soft as it is purely satisfying. And the mental health rep? Spot on. As someone with mental health struggles myself, Nick’s journey is handled with honesty, humor, and heart, never heavy-handed, always human.I'll save you the pain of any cringey superlative puns on the book's title here and simply declare that The Extraordinaries in all its nerdy glory is easily one of the most enjoyable reads in a long, long time.

Finished reading? Have thoughts? Why not jot them down in our FREE downloadable PDF book journal template?

instant rec

Icarus

K. Ancrum

400 pages

Harper Collins Publishing, 2024

“He wondered at the picture they made. Icarus dark and small, in the water, head tilted back in devout wonder. Helios, red like the sun, gold in the light, standing above him.”

Themes: Loneliness, Abuse, Freedom, Loss of a Parent, Self Discovery, Found Family,
First Love

*This book contains brief depictions of physical abuse.

The Vibe in Three Words: Poetic, Haunting, Powerful

Icarus is a teenage art thief—sharp-witted, haunted, and wholly unforgettable. Raised in the shadows, committed to a life of solitude, he navigates a world of stolen masterpieces and powerful enemies with a quiet kind of bravery. When a heist leads him into the orbit of Helios, the golden boy heir of the powerful Kinsley family, a firey connection begins to form, one that’s tender, dangerous, and beautifully unexpected.It took me a while to settle into K. Ancrum’s style: the ultra-short chapters, the sparse, almost fragmented prose. At first, I wasn’t sure if it was working for me. But the moment she gave it space to really breathe, I was fully immersed. The rhythm of the writing mirrors the guarded nature of the protagonist himself. Hesitant, deliberate, and emotionally layered. Whether the format enhances or distracts from the overall narrative, may come down to personal taste, and I honestly still haven't decided that for myself, but there’s no denying the emotional weight behind every line.This book is devastating and delicate all at once. It's filled with aching silences, flickers of hope, and a romance that unfolds in the quietest, most meaningful ways. Icarus is a protagonist for the ages. He's wounded but resilient, vulnerable yet bold, and you can’t help but root for him through every twist of his journey. It’s the kind of story that lingers long after the final page, echoing in your chest like a heartbeat you almost forgot was there.

Finished reading? Have thoughts? Why not jot them down in our FREE downloadable PDF book journal template?

selections

july

The Extraordinaries

TJ Klune