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Dec 23, 2024
Looking for sapphic books that will captivate your heart and distract you from your daily grind? We took inspiration from our own bookshelves and compiled a list of sapphic books you need to add to your TBR pile.
Whether you’re a lifelong fan of sapphic literature or just diving into the world of WLW stories, there’s a rich variety of novels that explore love, identity, and the complexities of relationships between women. From heartwarming romances to gripping dramas, these books not only celebrate sapphic love but also challenge societal norms and offer fresh perspectives from a diverse cast of sapphic characters and authors.
Sometimes, it can be nice to wash away the real world and sink into the world of fiction. We get it. We’re here to offer up some of our top picks for sapphic fiction novels, from heartbreaking to heart-racing.
Source: Goodreads
Under the Udala Trees is a coming-of-age novel set in Nigeria that follows the story of Ijeoma, a young girl who embarks on a journey of self-discovery and forbidden love. Against the harsh backdrop of the Nigerian Civil War, Ijeoma grapples with her sexuality as she forms a deep, passionate relationship with another girl, Amina. Through Ijeoma’s journey, this novel tackles the issues of identity, tradition, and personal freedom. We love it for its raw take on love and the struggles of being queer in a world that rejects it.
“Man and wife, the Bible said. It was a nice thought, but only in the limited way that theoretical things often are.”
Source: Goodreads
The Chosen and the Beautiful is a sapphic, magical retelling of The Great Gatsby through the eyes of Jordan Baker, a Vietnamese-American socialite. Set in the Roaring ’20s, it mixes glitz and glamour with supernatural elements, with themes of identity, privilege, and the darker side of achieving the American Dream. As Jordan navigates her tangled relationships with the rich and mysterious, she uncovers secrets while grappling with her own desires. This reimagining flips the script on a classic, giving it a fresh, inclusive twist. We love bringing a sapphic literature spin on the classics. More please!
“There are women who will forgive a great deal for a moment of kindness from a handsome man, but Daisy and the other older girls who had taken me under their wings had taught me not to be one of them.”
Source: Goodreads
Okay. We might be a little biased in picking this one, because it involves sapphics and dating apps. That’s sort of our thing! The Verifiers is a clever, twisty mystery about Claudia Lin, a quirky and queer data analyst at a dating app in NYC.
When a client goes missing after worrying about a match, Claudia digs into the app’s shady secrets and gets caught up in a tangled mess of lies and deception. As she navigates the wild world of online dating, she uncovers some serious truths about her coworkers, the app, and herself. Those who watch true crime- this is for you!
Source: Goodreads
You didn’t think we’d leave off the brilliant books by Sarah Waters, did you? No lesbian fiction list would be complete without at least one! Tipping the Velvet is a gripping historical novel about Nan Astley, a young woman in Victorian England who discovers her sexuality after falling for a music hall performer. As she finds herself in the world of theater and passion, Nan faces love, heartbreak, and betrayal while navigating what it means to be a lesbian in a society that isn’t having it. It’s a book with a bold and sensual exploration of love in a time when it was anything but easy, with a classic theatre-gay backdrop.
“Being in love, you know… it’s not like having a canary, in a cage. When you lose one sweetheart, you can’t just go out and get another to replace her.”
We can’t get enough of diversity in LGBTQIA+ literature, and we are stoked to see that sapphic non-fiction is growing as a genre. Every gay has a personal story, and we want to read them all! Here’s some of our top picks for queer reality fiction.
Source: Goodreads
We couldn’t leave this heartbreaking and uplifting memoir off of our list. Not only because it’s a story that sapphics should be reading, but because author Ruth Marimo met her wife on HER!
OUTsider by Ruth Marimo is a raw and inspiring memoir about navigating life as a queer undocumented Zimbabwean immigrant in the United States. Ruth’s harrowing personal story documents her complicated journey from the shadows of surviving an abusive marriage and intense family hardships to a brighter light of coming out and self-acceptance. This book is a powerful read for anyone who’s ever felt like they don’t fit into the box the world tries to tell them they belong in.
Source: Goodreads
My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness is a Japanese manga-styled memoir that explores the author’s personal struggles with their mental health and the cultural stigma around it, loneliness, and self-identity. Telling the story of her first lesbian encounter with a professional escort, Nagata reflects on her emotional isolation, and how desire and self-acceptance fit into the strict “norms” of Japanese society. This graphic novel explores her journey of coming to terms with her sexuality and embracing her true self, but at the same time, navigating feelings of confusion and self-doubt. Nagata offers a deeply personal narrative that resonates with any sapphic who has ever felt misunderstood, or confused about how they fit into the world. We felt seen.
“I was excessively afraid of being defined as a woman before I was seen as myself.”
Source: Unnamed Press
Burning Butch tells the complicated story of a trans/non-binary butch navigating their emotional survival in a conservative, religious home. After Mertz’s parents divorce, they move from rural Pennsylvania to a home dominated by conservative Catholic values, just as Mertz begins to realize their queer identity. Struggling with the tension between their Catholic upbringing, queer awakening, and staying “normal”, Mertz turns to movies and musicals as an escape from religious homeschooling. As they enroll in a conservative Catholic college, they confront the difficulties of reconciling their identity with a world that demands they choose between community and self. With wit and vulnerability, Mertz explores the complexities of trying to belong in a world that pressures them to conform.
“How could Hell be any worse than trying to live with all these secrets? At least in Hell, if you were on fire, you didn’t have to pretend you weren’t.”
“I was excessively afraid of being defined as a woman before I was seen as myself.”
Source: Common Notions
Journal of a Black Queer Nurse by Britney Daniels is a brutally honest memoir from a black, queer, inked-up, and masc-presenting emergency room nurse. It started as a journal as a way to put stress to paper and help let go of the trauma that came with being on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a diary format that makes it feel even more personal, Daniels highlights the emotional toll of caring for others while personally struggling with tough stuff like identity, discrimination, and the mental health pressures that pair with being part of multiple marginalized communities. With honesty and vulnerability, and a sharp sense of humor, Daniels brings a unique voice to the complexities of being a Black sapphic in the predominantly white and hetero medical field.
Source: University of Manitoba Press
A Two-Spirit Journey: The Autobiography of a Lesbian Ojibwa-Cree Elder is a memoir reflecting the author’s life as a Two-Spirit lesbian woman of Ojibwa and Cree heritage. Chacaby shares her experiences growing up in Canada, navigating her Indigenous identity, and confirming her sexuality within both her community and society. She details the challenges of surviving residential schools, familial trauma, and societal marginalization while also celebrating her culture, her heritage, and the strength of her identity. This autobiography offers a rare and very personal look at the intersection of being Two-Spirit, lesbian, and Indigenous. Don’t let this one pass you by!
Source: Goodreads
Okay, so this isn’t solely a sapphic non-fiction book. The stories within the Lambda Literary Award Finalist Real Queer America represent inclusive storytelling from diverse and often overlooked LGBTQIA+ voices with one thing in common: they come from conservative states in the US. Allen highlights the resilience, activism, and community-building efforts of LGBTQ+ individuals in regions where acceptance is often limited. She explores the complexities of living authentically in these areas, challenging stereotypes and showcasing the vibrant queer culture that thrives despite adversity. We highly recommend it to our sapphics in the Heartland who want to find community.
“Nothing could be queerer than getting out of your comfort zone.”
We all have a bit of sapphic yearning in our hearts, don’t we? Dreaming of the perfect princess femme we can save, or the pierced masc at the coffee shop who is secretly a hopeless romantic… Until you find your #WeMetOnHER story, give one of these lesbian romance books a read.
Source: Goodreads
In this sweet sapphic romance, Vivi, a Vietnamese-American college student, heads to Sài Gòn for a study abroad program, hoping to uncover her parents’ past and finally check out the food scene that her fave blog, A Bánh Mì for Two, has given her FOMO about.
There, she meets Lan, a local girl balancing her duties as a daughter with her secret passion for food blogging, a hobby she shared with her late father. The two make a plan: Lan will show Vivi around the city and in turn, Vivi will help Lan relaunch her blog and enter a food contest. As they explore the streets, food, and their pasts, Vivi and Lan slowly fall for each other. The romance, the food, the love of travel. We love it all.
Source: Goodreads
This sapphic romance has been called “the lesbian Bridgerton/Parent Trap you never knew you needed,” and that about sums it up for us! This story has everything: Lesbian fiction.
A Victorian backdrop. Schemes. Plot twists. Matchmakers and suitors. We don’t want to spoil too much about this one because it’s only book one of a series! If Bridgerton and regal stories are your vibe, we recommend you follow Gwen & Beth’s twists and turns.
Source: Goodreads
Calling all sporty queers, this one is for you! If you didn’t know you needed a romance about lesbian soccer players- now you do. Involving the US National Team, secret sapphic crushes, and a classic enemies-to-lovers plot, as the World Cup looms, Grace and Phoebe try to figure out how to be teammates without totally butting heads, but the lines between their on-field rivalry and off-field chemistry start to blur. Will they realize they care more about each other than making the cut for the roster? We won’t spoil it. But rumor has it that this book got picked up by professional superstars Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird for a TV show. Ted Lasso who?
“One of the downsides of being a lesbian athlete is other women are always doing hot things around you.”
Source: Goodreads
Late Bloomer gives major cozy sapphic chaos energy. Opal, a soft-hearted, art-loving disaster, wins the lottery and quits her soul-sucking job, only to get overwhelmed by freeloaders and guilt trips. Her solution? Buy a run-down flower farm in North Carolina. But plot twist- Pepper, a grumpy but gorgeous plant mom, is already living there. Cue forced proximity, banter, and big “opposites attract” vibes. As they learn to live with one another, they both learn to bloom in their own ways. It’s cottagecore, queer joy, and emotional healing all in one wildflower-filled package. We’re suckers for a slow burn.
Source: Goodreads
Written in the Stars is a swoony sapphic rom-com that combines astrology, fake dating, and opposites attracting. These are some of our favorite things! Enter Elle, a quirky social media astrologer, and Darcy, a no-nonsense actuary who couldn’t be more different. After a disastrous blind date set up by Darcy’s meddling brother, Darcy tells a little white lie that the date went well to avoid more matchmaking. To keep up appearances, she convinces Elle to fake a relationship through the holidays. But what starts as a simple arrangement soon spirals into real feelings neither of them saw coming. It’s a modern love story packed with humor, holiday vibes, and a touch of cosmic fate. Fa-la-la-la-lesbian romance plots for Christmas, please!
Source: Goodreads
The 100 follows a group of 100 juvenile delinquents sent from a space station back to Earth, centuries after a nuclear apocalypse, to determine if the planet is habitable once again. The hit show that broke all of our hearts on the CW is actually based on this bestselling book series. If you’re due for a rewatch, might we recommend you give the books a read first? Come for the sapphic romance plot, and stay for the awesome world-building.
“That was the thing about secrets-you had to carry them with you forever, no matter what the cost.”
Source: Goodreads
This Is How You Lose the Time War is the ultimate sapphic time-travel love story. Red and Blue are badass agents working for rival factions (think high tech dystopia vs. nature cult) who keep messing with history to one-up each other. They start writing secret letters hidden in everything from tea leaves to lava flows, and, yeah, they fall hard. It’s all star-crossed, enemies-to-lovers, with poetic vibes and galaxy-sized stakes. The whole thing feels like a love letter to love itself—romantic, tragic, and beautifully extra. Time travel? Check. Sapphic slow burn? Absolutely.
Source: Goodreads
The Seep is like a trippy, sci-fi fever dream where aliens turn Earth into a utopia… But not everything’s happy. Trina, a 50-year-old trans woman, is living with the new world order until her wife Deeba decides to literally reincarnate as a baby, leaving Trina heartbroken and not okay. As Trina spirals, she meets a lost boy and goes on a wild, introspective quest to save him, and maybe herself too. It’s all about processing grief, finding meaning, and figuring out how to move on, even in a world that promises perfection but can’t even fix a broken heart.
Source: Goodreads
Light from Uncommon Stars is pure gayotic magic. It’s got everything: a violin teacher, Shizuka, who’s basically in a deal-with-the-devil speedrun; Katrina, a trans runaway with next-level music skills; and an alien donut shop owner, Lan, who’s literally from space. Shizuka needs one more soul to break her curse, but instead of snatching Katrina’s, she ends up catching feelings- oops. We’ve all been there, right? Between violins, spaceships, and donuts, this story hits hard on themes of chosen family, queer joy, and healing. Sign us up.
“Tomorrow is tomorrow. Over there is over there. And here and now is not a bad place and time to be, especially when so much of the unknown is beautiful.”
Source: Goodreads
Gearbreakers is a fast-paced dystopian novel with major enemies-to-lovers vibes. In a world ruled by giant mechas called Windups under the harsh Godolia regime, Eris- a rebel who destroys these machines- meets Sona, a pilot secretly working to bring the system down. Together, they team up to fight for freedom while navigating their messy, growing connection. With queer representation, intense action, and sharp banter, it’s a perfect read for fans of rebellion and gayotic love stories.
Daydreaming of worlds high up in the sky or in a kingdom where dragons are a valid form of transportation? Me too. Let these sapphic fantasy books float you a way to a land where anything is possible.
Source: Goodreads
The Jasmine Throne is a lush, sapphic fantasy about power, rebellion, and finding love in the chaos. Inspired by Indian history and epics, it follows Malini, a princess imprisoned by her tyrant brother, and Priya, a maid with a magical secret and ties to a rebellion. When their paths collide, they form a dangerous alliance that could either save an empire or burn it down. With stunning world-building and a slow-burn romance, this book is perfect for any sapphic who loves stories about strong women fighting for freedom and love. (Book one of a series- so the magic doesn’t have to end!)
Source: Goodreads
This Jamaican-inspired fantasy is all about gods, dragons, and impossible choices. Faron, blessed with divine magic, became a legend at 12 when she freed her island from a dragon-riding ruler.
Now 17, she’s stuck between being a hero to her people and being an annoyance to everyone else. When she’s dragged to a peace summit, things take a turn when her sister, Elara, bonds with an enemy dragon: a connection the gods say can only be broken if Faron kills her. Because this is book one in a new series- we won’t spoil anything else!
Source: Goodreads
This is an addictive sapphic fantasy about defiance and reclaiming power. Lei, a girl from the oppressed Paper caste, is forced to become one of the Demon King’s concubines: a fate she refuses to accept quietly.
As she fights against the system that enslaved her, she finds strength in her unexpected love for another girl in the harem. This book is dramatic and intense, and is perfect for sapphics who love fierce heroines and stories about fighting back against oppression. I think we all could use a little more rebellion lately.
“Falling in love is the most dangerous thing women like us can do.”
Source: Goodreads
This book is an Indigenous-inspired fantasy that story follows the story of a young girl from a colonized island who bonds with a dragon: something unheard of for her people.
To learn how to care for it, she’s forced to attend a colonial dragon school where every aspect of her beliefs is challenged. As she deals with prejudice, power dynamics, and her growing connection to the dragon, she must challenge the system that keeps her down. It’s a fierce story about resistance, heritage, and finding strength in your roots.
Source: Goodreads
Payback’s a Witch is a magical rom-com full of spells and second chances. Emmy, a witch who ditched her small town and its magic years ago, is back for a family tradition… And revenge. When she teams up with two other witches to take down their shared ex (how sapphic, honestly), she doesn’t expect to hit it off so well with one of her new allies. With a cozy small-town feel, a steamy sapphic romance, and a satisfying dose of karma (Jojo Siwa would approve), this book is perfect for the sapphics who love witchy drama and sweet revenge.
I know we included a few graphic novels earlier in this article, but I think they deserve a category all their own. From classics to new releases, illustrations give sapphic writers and queer artists a new medium to express themselves, and we’re drinking it up.
Source: Goodreads
You might recognize prolific author Alison Bechdel’s name from the famous “Bechdel Test”- that is, if a movie has a scene with two women in it where they’re talking about something that isn’t a man. She’s also the author of the iconic sapphic graphic novel Fun Home.
She unpacks her complicated relationship with her closeted father and her own lesbian journey of self-discovery. It’s equal parts heartbreaking and brilliant, tackling big themes like mental health and the messy truths about family. And if it leaves you wanting more, check out the Tony-winning musical adaptation which will bring you to tears.
Source: Goodreads
Mooncakes is an adorable, magical graphic novel that feels like a warm hug. It follows Nova, a witch who works in her family’s bookshop, and Tam, a nonbinary werewolf returning to town after years away.
When Tam needs help fighting a dark force, Nova jumps in to help, and sparks fly: literally and romantically. With cozy vibes, a loving found family, and the sweetest love story, this book is perfect for queers who love witches, werewolves, and a more wholesome kind of sapphic romance.
Source: Goodreads
What a dreamy, sapphic space adventure that feels like floating through a galaxy full of feelings! It follows Mia, who joins a crew that restores old buildings in space. But she can’t focus as she’s not over Grace, a mysterious girl she lost long ago. With stunning art, quiet but powerful emotions, and a cast full of gentle queer characters, we recommend this for sapphics who appreciate the art just as much as each word.
Source: Goodreads
This is a sweet, ocean-kissed story that follows Morgan, a teen who’s ready to leave her small island town behind and start fresh. Except, she’s got secrets. Like how she’s pretty sure she’s into girls.
When she meets Keltie, a mysterious and super-cute selkie girl, everything changes. Their bond grows into something magical, but balancing her feelings, her friends, and Keltie’s own secrets isn’t easy. Read this to add a little sprinkle of sapphic magic into your world.
Source: Goodreads
Ah, yes. Most of us have seen the sapphic classic film of the same name. But you shouldn’t sleep on the graphic novel version. It’s a French coming-of-age story about love and the process of figuring out who you are. It follows Clementine as she falls for the bold and artistic Emma, sparking a life-changing romance that’s full of passion, growth, and finding the courage to be your true self. You’re amazing, by the way.
If there was a class called “All The Lesbians and Sapphics Have to Read This”, these books would no doubt be on the syllabus. New to the world of lesbian literature and looking for a place to start? This is the list!
Source: Goodreads
Edward who? This is a book for the sapphics out there who preferred Alice Cullen. Carmilla is a moody, gothic tale about a girl who gets caught up in a super intense, unsettling relationship with a mysterious and beautiful vampire. It’s spooky. It’s forbidden. It’s the OG sapphic vampire drama that walked so every other vampire story could sparkle.
Source: Goodreads
I bet you’ve heard of this one before. It was also published under the name Carol. Yeah, THAT Carol. This is a story full of anticipation and yearning, a story of a young woman and her unexpected infatuation with a glamorous older woman. When you’re done reading, host a sapphic movie night and get your Cate Blanchett & Rooney Mara fix by watching the film.
“I feel I stand in a desert with my hands outstretched, and you are raining down upon me.”
Source: Goodread
You’re not seeing double. I couldn’t make a clasics section and not include Sarah Waters books. Fingersmith is a thrilling Victorian-set drama about a street-smart orphan pulled into a con to swindle an heiress, only to catch unexpected feelings for her mark. It’s full of betrayal, sapphic yearning, and plot twists so wild they’ll have you gasping.
Source: Goodreads
A classic that has been adapted to stage and screen, The Color Purple is a powerful story about a Black woman in the early 1900s finding her voice and strength after a lifetime of abuse. At its heart is her transformative relationship with a bold and unapologetic singer who helps her discover love, self-worth, and her queerness in a world trying to silence her.
Source: Goodreads
No classic lesbian book list would be complete without Sappho. She’s where we get the word Sapphic, and her poetry is some of the most revered sapphic written word in the world. If poetry speaks to your heart, check out our queer poetry recommendations.
These queer books aren’t out just yet…. But that doesn’t mean I’m not excited already. Check out the sapphic new releases that we can’t stop thinking about.
Expected Release: April 22, 2025
Source: Goodreads
Zakiya N. Jamal’s anticipated debut is a vibrant sapphic romance set in a historic Black-owned movie theater, where two rivals reluctantly team up to save the place they both love. With fun banter, heartfelt moments, and a celebration of love and community,we cannot wait to read it!
Expected Release: April 29, 2025
Source: Goodreads
This upcoming release is a witty sapphic rom-com where self-proclaimed love expert Nav coaches the awkward new girl, Gia, to woo her best friend, Hallie. But as Gia’s flirting fails and Nav’s feelings shift, this summer turns into a chaotic journey of unexpected love and self-discovery. Sign us up!
Expected Release: January 21, 2025
Source: Goodreads
The Relationship Mechanic is a spicy sapphic rom-com where city girl Jessica’s car breaks down in Peach Blossom, Georgia, leading her straight into the arms of local mechanic Vini. As they navigate six weeks of undeniable chemistry and small-town vibes, they’ll have to decide if love can find a permanent parking spot in their hearts.
Expected Release: January 14, 2025
Source: Goodreads
This new release is set to be a cozy sapphic romantasy where plant witch Sage teams up with her ex–best friend and first crush, Ximena, to save her family’s apothecary from a mysterious break-in. As they dive into the magical mystery, old feelings bubble up, making this a must-read for fans of enchanting small-town tales and second-chance romance. Sounds enchanting to us!
Expected: July 29, 2025
Source: Goodreads
We Are the Match is going to be a dazzling sapphic retelling of Helen of Troy set in modern-day Greece’s criminal underworld. As Helen, daughter of a powerful crime lord, and Paris, a determined adversary, are drawn together, their forbidden connection threatens to ignite a war among rival factions. More lesbian myths and classics, please!
What sapphic novels did we miss? What are your best lesbian fiction recommendations? What other genres of sapphic books should we tackle next? Let us know and happy reading!
Chicago-based community manager, content writer, and professional cupid who’s still in her emo era. When she's not hosting HER virtual events, you’ll find her creating oddly specific playlists on Spotify and hitting up way too many concerts with her partner. Catch her where the music’s loud, the food is cheesy, and the eyeliner’s smudged just right!
