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As soon as a month or so, I’ll be scrolling away on the ol’ interwebs, minding my very own enterprise, when BAM, some random bookish account chooses violence by posting one thing alongside the strains of, “It’s not that I’m homophobic, it’s just that there are no good sapphic romances. They don’t exist.” Usually, this dangerous take is accompanied by some not-so-subtle misogyny like, “There’s no passion between women characters,” or, “The protagonists are so unlikeable,” or, “It’s too emotional and not spicy enough.”
As a sapphic rom-com writer, the very first thing I need to do on this state of affairs is mild my telephone on hearth. And never simply out of private offense! There are SO. MANY. WONDERFUL. SAPPHIC. ROMANCES. Claiming they don’t exist shouldn’t be indicative of the choices obtainable; it solely reveals that you simply’re not likely looking for these tales. Or it reveals that your internalized misogyny has made it not possible so that you can recognize a narrative about two girls discovering a cheerful ending with no males concerned. Truthfully, I’m unhappy for you.
So as a substitute of committing rage arson by myself property, I made a brief record of some indisputably glorious sapphic romances to throw on the subsequent one who tries to inform me such books don’t exist. I like every of those books immensely (and so many extra I couldn’t match on this tiny record.) Subsequent time you see a foul take about sapphic romance, contemplate spreading the phrase about a few of these pretty books.
Right here We Go Once more by Alison Cochrun
Subsequent time I hear a foul take about sapphic romances, fairly than throwing fists, I’ll throw a replica of Alison Cochrun’s Right here We Go Once more at their head. That is a type of completely crafted books that takes you on a journey via each human emotion: laughter, frustration, worry, ardour, grief, therapeutic, and, after all, love. Rosemary and Logan’s childhood friendship ended with a giant falling out, however now that they’re each English lecturers at their previous highschool, they will’t simply keep away from one another. Conserving their distance will get even more durable when Joe, their favourite instructor from their very own highschool English days, is given a terminal prognosis and convinces them to take him on a cross-country highway journey earlier than he dies. A romantic comedy about demise is hard to tug off, however Cochrun does it with grace, humor, and a lot coronary heart.
A Little Kissing Between Pals by Chencia C. Higgins
“SaPpHiC rOmAnCeS hAvE nO cHeMiStRy.” I’m going to cease you proper there and slap you on the cheek with Chencia C. Higgins’ fantastically steamy friends-to-lovers romance A Little Kissing Between Pals. Cyn produces a few of the most dance-worthy beats within the Houston membership scene. And he or she attracts a variety of inspiration from her finest buddy Jucee’s extremely horny dance strikes. They’ve at all times had strict boundaries of their relationship, however their glowing chemistry begins to make them surprise if making an attempt one thing new collectively might be as rewarding as their music partnership. With two lovable leads and a full forged of endearing household and buddies round them, A Little Kissing Between Pals is definitive proof that sapphic romances might be simply as messy, charming, quick-witted, and spicy as your favourite straight romance.
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An Island Princess Begins a Scandal by Adriana Herrera
You don’t have to stay with contemporary-set tales to seek out an impressive sapphic romance. Journey again in time with Adriana Herrera’s enchanting sapphic historic romance An Island Princess Begins a Scandal. Caribbean princess Manuela will quickly be compelled into a wedding to a person she by no means would have chosen. Fortunately, she’s obtained one final summer season to reside on her personal phrases whereas displaying off her artwork in Paris. There, she meets a business-minded duchess named Cora, they usually strike a deal for Cora to financially profit from displaying Manuela round city. Their adventures collectively provide them each a style of freedom and pleasure, and their relationship turns into far more than they bargained for. I completely adore this dreamy, swoon-worthy romance set in 1889 Paris, and anybody who doesn’t is, frankly, fallacious.
Right here for the Mistaken Causes by Annabel Paulsen & Lydia Wang
I’ve a sense that a few of the individuals claiming there aren’t any good sapphic romances suppose The Bachelor is a spot the place individuals discover real love. These of us may use a actuality verify within the type of Annabel Paulsen and Lydia Wang’s sensational rom-com Right here for the Mistaken Causes. Krystin auditioned for the hit actuality relationship present Hopelessly Devoted as a result of she’s by no means actually been in love earlier than, and who wouldn’t fall in love with excellent bachelor Josh? Lauren auditioned for the present for very completely different causes: she desires extra followers on social media, and he or she’s keen to cover her queerness to get them. However when sparks fly behind the scenes on Hopelessly Devoted, it’s not between Josh and a contestant. It’s between Krystin and Lauren. It’s a splendidly layered romance with shocking twists and off-the-charts chemistry. And even higher, it’s written by a pair who fell in love over their shared obsession with The Bachelor.
The Subsequent Chapter by Camille Kellogg (June 10, Dial Press)
You’ll have to attend till subsequent month to begin throwing Camille Kellogg’s The Subsequent Chapter at anybody who slanders sapphic romance, however I promise it’s well worth the wait. When Kat stumbles into Jude’s bookstore in New York Metropolis, she’s searching for books to assist her discover her personal queerness. Kat finds prompt reference to Jude alongside the stack of queer tales Jude recommends. What Jude doesn’t know is that Kat is a former youngster star, now struggling to transition into grownup appearing roles. Along with her eyes on Jude, Kat decides publicly popping out by asserting a relationship with a cute butch bookseller might be simply what her profession wants. However the tidy resolution to Kat’s drawback seems to be loads messier than anticipated when each of them develop very actual emotions. The Subsequent Chapter is a guide lover’s dream, filled with literary references, huge feelings, and a comfy bookstore setting.
The next involves you from the Editorial Desk.
This week, we’re highlighting a submit in regards to the literary occasions that needs to be in your calendar for the remainder of 2025. From awards bulletins to well-known authors’ birthdays to Banned Books Week, these are the dates readers ought to have on their radars. Learn on for an excerpt and develop into an All Entry member to unlock the total submit.
The Most Anticipated Literary Occasions of (the Remainder of) 2025
For some, the main literary occasions of the yr come as a pleasing or attention-grabbing shock—one thing to get pleasure from within the second, fairly than to anticipate. For others, there’s huge attraction in bookmarking these events upfront to plan, predict, and construct round. I and the remainder of the editorial group are within the enterprise of considering forward about what the yr has in retailer for guide lovers, publishers, business specialists, and the like, which is why all of us obtained collectively towards the tip of 2024 to plot out all the pieces from birthdays of literary greats, to anniversaries of books which have made a deep cultural affect, to literary awards and occasions developing this yr. We’ve been marking these occasions as they occur on the positioning for what’s shaping as much as be a really busy yr in books, however there are nonetheless so many huge, thrilling literary occasions of 2025 to anticipate.
Whether or not you’re a book-focused or -adjacent content material creator, somebody who beefs up their TBR with literary awards honorees, or a guide lover who appreciates being within the know, I’m right here with a beginning place for calendaring out the remainder of this storied yr…
Signal as much as develop into an All Entry member for less than $6/month after which click on right here to learn the total, unlocked article. Stage up your studying life with All Entry membership and discover a full library of unique bonus content material, together with must-reads, deep dives, and studying problem suggestions.
