Edward Underhill Books in Order

How to Read Edward Underhill's Books

Edward Underhill has quickly become a standout voice in contemporary LGBTQ+ fiction, writing stories that celebrate trans joy, self-acceptance, and deep personal connections. Whether you are looking for lighthearted young adult rom-coms or speculative adult magical realism, Underhill's novels offer rich, character-driven experiences. Because all of his books are standalone novels that do not share a single timeline or set of characters, you can read them in any order you choose. However, they naturally fall into two distinct reading paths based on target audience, age group, and genre elements.

The Two Primary Reading Paths

To get the most out of Edward Underhill's bibliography, readers should choose their starting point based on their preferred genre and themes:

• Path A: The Young Adult Contemporary Romances: Perfect for readers who enjoy sweet, high-stakes teenage romances, musical backdrops, and coming-of-age journeys. These books focus on the lives of trans teenagers finding their footing, community, and first loves.
• Path B: The Adult Speculative & Magical Realism Novels: Best for readers looking for slightly older protagonists (typically in their early thirties) who are navigating life transitions, career shifts, and relationship aftermaths through the lens of time loops, magical spaces, and manifestations of the past.

Path A: The Young Adult Contemporary Romances

Underhill's YA novels are grounded in the real world but carry a distinct sense of wonder, often incorporating music and artistic expression. They can be read in any order, though reading them in publication order shows the author's evolution in exploring dual perspectives and broader geographic themes.

1. Always the Almost (2023)

Underhill's debut novel introduces readers to Miles Jacobson, a transgender Midwestern teenager and talented pianist. Miles is determined to achieve two goals: win back his ex-boyfriend, Shane, and win a prestigious classical piano competition to prove his worth. However, his plans are disrupted when he meets Cartwheel, an unapologetically queer boy who encourages Miles to stop trying to fit into boxes and instead embrace who he truly is. This novel is highly recommended as a starting point for YA fans because of its heartfelt look at self-discovery, trans identity, and classical music.

2. This Day Changes Everything (2024)

Set against the backdrop of New York City during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, this dual-perspective novel follows two marching band kids from out of state. Abby Akerman is a hopeless romantic hoping to confess her love to her best friend. Leo Brewer is a trans boy who is dreading the trip because his transition is about to be exposed to his extended family on national television. When they get lost in Manhattan, they embark on a day-long adventure to salvage their parade experience, developing an unexpected bond along the way. It is a perfect read for fans of fast-paced holiday romances.

3. In Case You Read This (2025)

This YA contemporary romance explores the bittersweet nature of missed connections and geographic relocation. The story centers on Arden, who is forced to move from Los Angeles to a small town in Michigan, and Gabe, who is leaving his small Illinois town for Pasadena, California. They meet by chance in a mid-country motel lobby and instantly bond over their shared experiences as trans boys and a mutual love for an indie band. Deciding not to exchange contact details to preserve the perfection of their meeting, they spend the rest of the novel navigating their new lives while wondering if they will ever cross paths again.

Path B: The Adult Speculative and Magical Realism Novels

Underhill's adult novels shift away from pure contemporary romance into magical realism, using speculative elements to explore how trans adults reconcile their pasts with their presents.

1. The In-Between Bookstore (2025)

In his adult debut, Underhill follows Darby, a 31-year-old trans man who returns to his small hometown of Oak Falls, Illinois, after losing his job in New York. Adrift and seeking comfort, he visits "In Between Books," the local bookstore where he worked during high school. Inside, Darby discovers the shop is frozen in 2009. The mystery deepens when he meets the teenage clerk behind the counter, who is none other than his own 16-year-old, pre-transition self. Darby must navigate this time-slip to confront his unresolved teenage emotions and figure out his future before the magical loop closes.

2. The House of Now and Then (2026)

This magical realism novel centers on Harlowe, a 31-year-old trans man dealing with the dual blow of a painful breakup and the end of his academic career. Looking for an escape, he rents a cheap, isolated cottage on Cape Cod for the summer. Upon arriving, Harlowe discovers the house is magically haunted by physical, visible manifestations of people from his past—including his discouraging former professor, his father, and his ex-boyfriend. To heal and move forward, Harlowe must confront these figures while opening himself up to a new relationship with a local repairman.

Edward Underhill Bibliography in Publication Order

If you prefer to read Edward Underhill's books in the exact order they were released, you can follow this chronological list of his standalone novels:

1. Always the Almost (Young Adult Contemporary) — Published January 2023
2. This Day Changes Everything (Young Adult Contemporary) — Published February 2024
3. The In-Between Bookstore (Adult Magical Realism) — Published January 2025
4. In Case You Read This (Young Adult Contemporary) — Published May 2025
5. The House of Now and Then (Adult Magical Realism) — Published May 2026

What to Know Before You Start

While Edward Underhill's books cover different genres and age categories, they share several common themes and stylistic elements that define his writing:

• Authentic Trans Representation: As a trans man himself, Underhill centers trans protagonists in all of his novels, focusing heavily on trans joy, self-acceptance, and the search for supportive queer communities rather than solely focusing on trauma.
• The Influence of Music: Drawing from the author's background as a classical music student and composer for television, music plays a major role in his YA novels, from Miles's piano competitions to the marching bands of Abby and Leo.
• Geographic Contrasts: Underhill frequently contrasts small-town Midwestern life with major coastal cities, exploring how changing environments impact a person's sense of safety, identity, and belonging.