I have been an avid romance fan for as long as I have been reading. My journey has explored different tropes, settings, authors, and plots. But they have all had one thing in common: The romantic relationship took place between a man and a woman. Recently, I have branched out into books featuring homosexual relationships, specifically those that focus on bisexual and lesbian women.
Reading about non-heteronormative couples is important. It showcases different types of relationships and introduces you to more diverse topics. You don’t have to be a part of the LGBTQ+ community to read a novel with queer characters. You just have to be open to reading about people with a different sexuality than your own.
This isn’t to say that I don’t enjoy romance books with heteronormative couples. Believe me, I do. But it’s refreshing to read a book that deviates from the norm.
I have diversified my reading by prioritizing sapphic books, which explore attraction between two women. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I love reading books that represent my sexuality because I can directly relate to the characters’ experiences and feelings. I get to see myself and my relationships portrayed in my favorite medium.
However, I rarely encounter recommendations for sapphic novels in mainstream media. When I scroll through TikTok or Instagram searching for my next romance read, the most popular books almost always feature heterosexual couples. I have to dig deep to uncover books with sapphic relationships.
LGBTQ+ representation in media is essential. Not only is it important for people who see themselves in the media; it is also important for people who are not members of the community to see it. That’s what reading is all about—expanding our empathy for and understanding of people who are different from us. Reading sapphic media exposes the reader to another type of relationship, one not typically shown in the mainstream.
I have compiled a list of sapphic novels so that you don’t have to spend countless hours—as I do—looking for your next read.
Sunburn by Chloe Michelle Howarth
Sunburn is relatively well known in the sapphic novel world, but if you haven’t stumbled across it, I would strongly recommend giving it a read!
Set in a small town in Ireland in the ’90s, the novel follows two female protagonists. As their relationship becomes more intense—and more forbidden—the girls face pressures from their families, their conservative town, and the laws of Ireland regarding homosexuality. Through powerful and poetic writing, Howarth paints a vivid picture of adolescence and the struggle of navigating one’s identity.
The novel probes the theme of desire and the consequences that can stem from it. If you’re craving a deeply moving coming-of-age novel that delves into the intricacies of first love and self-discovery, Sunburn is the perfect book to pick up.
Bloom Town: Genesis by Ally North
Following the daughter of a preacher, Abby, after she is kidnapped by the notorious JT, Bloom Town: Genesis is sure to keep anyone captivated. As Abby begins to spend more time with JT (a.k.a. Joey), she learns that things may not be as they seem. This book is fast-paced, flirty, and fun. Set in the wild west of the 1850s, it’s bound to satisfy anyone who wants a steamy and thrilling ride.
As a two-part series, Bloom Town invetigates themes of religious homophobia and survival. It’s the ideal slow-burn romance.
It’s also a page-turner that is difficult to put down. I found myself staying up late at night, bundled up in bed to find out what happened next. It certainly qualifies as a spicier sapphic novel, and it will snap you right out of a reading slump!
Like a Power Play by Elle Sprinkle
This one is for my sports romance readers. Written in a dual perspective point of view, Like a Power Play follows the relationship between a student coach and a hockey player. After taking a position as a student coach for her school’s hockey team, Darcy Cole doesn’t expect anything positive to come out of her relationship with the infuriating yet fascinating team captain, Peyton Clarke. However, love has a way of sneaking up on you and bringing about unexpected changes.
Packed with lots of banter, this sapphic novel is made for fans of hockey romances.
Not only does Like a Power Play contain the cutest couple; it also touches on how a disability can forever alter someone’s life. The novel’s enemies-to-lovers romance offers a unique blend of sports, romance, and found family.
Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner
After Jo, a well-known Hollywood figure, is photographed with her assistant, Emma, speculation runs rampant that the two are in a romantic relationship. Forced into the public eye, the pair must confront their growing desire for each other amidst the pressures of the workplace and the watchful eye of the world.
This novel was an easy read that kept me engaged throughout. The connection between the two women was realistic and sweet, providing a healthy example of a sapphic relationship that takes place later in life.
Moreover, the novel underscored the importance of consent by examining themes of power dynamics and the effect of public scrutiny on a relationship. Something to Talk About is a must-read for anyone seeking a fun rom-com with a hint of seriousness.
Those Who Wait by Hailey Cass
If you’re into dating apps, you should give this novel a try. After meeting on a dating app, Sutton Spencer and Charlotte Thompson strike up a friends-with-benefits relationship. But when feelings start to develop, they realize that their situation may be more than either of them bargained for.
I enjoyed the sizzling tension produced by their different jobs and the complicated nature of their relationship. Additionally, one of the characters is not yet open with her sexuality, which reminded me that not all members of the LGBTQ+ community come out early in life.
While the book veers toward the longer side, it’s a fantastic read that unpacks myriad aspects of queerness.
Time to get reading!
There are countless LGBTQ+ and sapphic novels out there, including non-romance ones. After reading all of the novels on this list, I have intentionally worked to broaden my reading profile.
Through these books, I have learned about different relationship types and different sexualities, and I have also learned more about myself, sparking a meaningful personal journey.
Whether you are simply looking for a spicy rom-com or one that will leave you thinking, there are plenty of sapphic romances to suit your needs. The genre might not be quite as mainstream, but it’s diverse and ever-expanding.
I encourage you to pick up a sapphic novel next time you are in the mood for a romance. You won’t regret it!
