Queerly Beloved A Novel

At her day job in a Christian bakery and with her conservative family, Amy plays the role of a straight, church-going young woman--exactly what's expected in mid-2010s Tulsa, Oklahoma, the "Buckle of the Bible Belt." But at night, she tends bar at the only place in town that truly feels like home: Ruby Red's, a lovably grungy queer bar with a group of regulars who have become her chosen family. Amy's spent a lifetime learning how to walk this fine line, placing others before herself so effortlessly that she doesn't even realize she's lost touch with her own needs and desires.

But when she hits it off with Charley, a charming newcomer to Tulsa, she's suddenly outed and subsequently fired from her bakery job. When a new friend begs her to fill in for one of the bridesmaids at her wedding--and offers to pay Amy more than she makes in a single night at Ruby Red's--she can't afford to turn it down. As her relationship with Charley heats up, this one-off opportunity turns into a full-time business, thanks to Amy's baking talents, crafting skills, and expert ability to become whatever other people need her to be.

Between weddings, bachelorette parties, bridal showers, and dress fittings, Amy's in her element, her years of watching rom-coms and Say Yes to the Dress finally paying off. But at what cost? She's still playing the role of a straight girl, working hard to facilitate strangers' special days all while gay marriage still isn't legal. Eventually, the new double life she's created becomes intolerable. The only bright spot is her whirlwind romance with Charley. But when Amy's precarious balancing act strains her relationships to a breaking point, she must decide what it looks like to be true to herself--and if she has the courage to try.

Amy, a semi-closeted baker and bartender in mid-2010s Tulsa, Oklahoma, has spent a lifetime putting other people's needs before her own. Until, that is, she hits it off with Charley, a brilliant, attractive engineer who's just moved to Tulsa. Suddenly, Amy's found something--someone--she actually wants. Her tightknit group of chosen family are thrilled she's finally moving on from her ex. Mostly, though, they want Amy to find a way to show up for love--and life--as her authentic self. But when a one-off gig subbing in as a bridesmaid turns into a full-time business--thanks to Amy's baking talents, crafting skills, and years watching rom-coms and Say Yes to the Dress--her deep desire to please kicks into overdrive, at her own expense. It's not until Amy's precarious balancing act strains her relationships to the breaking point that she must decide what it looks like to be true to herself--and if she has the courage to try.

"Queerly Beloved is like a great cake: warm, light but still richly layered, and bursting with sweetness. A delightful debut, perfect for any person who's ever created their own place to belong."
--Casey McQuiston, bestselling author of Red, White and Royal Blue and One Last Stop

"Heartwarming and sparkling with originality."
--Sophie Cousens, bestselling author of This Time Next Year

Amy, a semicloseted queer baker and bartender in mid-2010s Oklahoma, has spent a lifetime putting other people's needs before her own. Until, that is, she hits it off with Charley, a brilliant, attractive engineer who's just moved to Tulsa. Suddenly, Amy's found something--someone--she actually wants. Her tight-knit group of chosen family is thrilled she's finally moving on from her ex. Mostly, though, they want Amy to find a way to show up for love--and life--as her authentic self.

But when a one-off gig subbing in for a bridesmaid turns into a full-time business--thanks to Amy's baking talents, crafting skills, and years watching rom-coms and Say Yes to the Dress--her deep desire to please kicks into overdrive, at her own expense. It's not until Amy's precarious balancing act strains her relationships to the breaking point that she must decide what it looks like to be true to herself--and if she has the courage to try.

ONE OF BUZZFEED'S MOST ANTICIPATED BOOKS OF 2022 - "A delightful debut, perfect for any person who's ever created their own place to belong."--Casey McQuiston, bestselling author of Red, White & Royal Blue and One Last Stop

Amy, a semicloseted queer baker and bartender in mid-2010s Oklahoma, has spent a lifetime putting other people's needs before her own. Until, that is, she's fired from her job at a Christian bakery and turns her one-off gig subbing in for a bridesmaid into a full-time business, thanks to her baking talents, crafting skills, and years watching rom-coms and Say Yes to the Dress. Between her new gig and meeting Charley, the attractive engineer who's just moved to Tulsa, suddenly Amy's found something--and someone--she actually wants.

Her tight-knit group of chosen family is thrilled that Amy is becoming her authentic self. But when her deep desire to please kicks into overdrive, Amy's precarious balancing act strains her relationships to the breaking point, and she must decide what it looks like to be true to herself--and if she has the courage to try.