Whether it’s a subway crush that warps time, a first kiss at a high school party, or the slow return of a long-lost ex, these stories show sapphic characters navigating the challenges of today’s world. Themes of family, identity, grief, faith, ambition, and falling in (and out of) love mark these messy, joyful, and complicated loves. Whether you are looking for a heartfelt romance, a coming-of-age awakening, or a literary exploration of queer life, this list has a book for you.
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
Have you ever seen a stranger on the train who makes you feel like all time has stopped? Well, such was the case for 23-year-old August and the mysterious yet charming Jane. August’s subway crush on Jane becomes her favorite distraction from the stress of moving to New York City, weird roommates, and a job at a pancake diner. What August does not expect, though, is that Jane is from another time. Literally — Jane is displaced in time from the 1970s, and August must do what it takes to save Jane. Written by the same author as the acclaimed Red, White, and Royal Blue and I Kissed Shara Wheeler, One Last Stop magically celebrates queer love.
The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes
Sixteen-year-old Yamilet Flores is trying to juggle two secrets: her sexuality and her massive crush on Bo, the only openly queer girl at her new Catholic school. High school is hard enough, especially when you are one of the only Mexican Americans there, and even harder when you are hiding a huge part of yourself. This YA novel is funny, heartfelt, and deeply authentic, exploring how many young people must navigate a balance between family, faith, and self-discovery. Reye’s debut is a must-read for fans of queer coming-of-age stories filled with humor and heart.
Ordinary Love by Marie Rutkoski
Would you risk the entire life you’ve spent years building, just to go back to the life you walked away from? In this quiet yet devastating novel, Emily navigates divorce and a troubled relationship with her parents when she suddenly encounters Gen: her high school best friend, ex-love, and now a prominent Olympic athlete. Emily must confront her past desires, old mistakes, and the ways bisexuality had shaped her all along. With sharp emotional insight and lyrical prose, Ordinary Love is a slow-burn all about longing, motherhood, experimentation, and the parts of ourselves we hide, even from the ones we love.
Forget Me Not by Alyson Derrick
When Stevie wakes up in the hospital after a traumatic fall, she has no memory of the past two years — California, her sexuality, and her secret relationship with Nora, a once-in-a-lifetime love. Before the accident, Stevie and Nora had planned to move out of their conservative, rural hometown. Now, Stevie finds herself dating a boy she doesn’t remember crushing on, and Nora finds herself forgotten. Forget Me Not is a fresh and beautifully written YA novel all about queerness, memory, and second chances. In this unforgettable story, Alyson Derrick captures both the fragility and strength of young queer love in a close-minded community.
Loser of the Year by Carrie Byrd
Mattie Belman has just lost her acting career, her marriage, and her hopes, so she returns home to teach high school theatre — a fresh start. Meanwhile, Jillian Reed, the school’s arrogant soccer coach, views Mattie’s musical as an inconvenience to her team. A charming enemies-to-lovers, opposites attract romance about shame, risks, and queer desire with a background of religious trauma, Loser of the Year blends biting humor with heartwarming intimacy. It’s queer, touching, unforgettable, and perfect for fans of nuanced characters and much sexual tension.
Late to the Party by Kelly Quindlen
At 17 years old, Codi has never been kissed or even been to a party. So when her friends Maritza and JaKory suggest crashing a secret late-night function, Codi is skeptical. Then she stumbles upon Ricky, a supposedly straight “cool kid”, kissing a boy. In exchange for her confidentiality, Ricky takes Codi under his wing into a wild summer filled with late nights and self-discovery. Codi makes an unexpected friendship — or more than friendship—with the sweet and beautiful Lydia. Codi finally steps out of her bubble and bravely faces her fear of change, yet still struggles to tell Martiza and JaKory about it. A tender, nostalgic YA about growing up, coming out, and catching up on firsts, Late to the Party is for everyone who grew up aching for new experiences.
A Sharp Endless Need by Marisa Crane
Set in a small Pennsylvania town, this coming-of-age novel follows Mack’s senior year of high school after her father dies and Liv Cooper, a new transfer student, joins her basketball team. Liv and Mack’s electric chemistry on the court becomes a tangled connection off of it. Their slow-burn romance is marked by deep longing, struggle, and escapist fantasies within the stifling environment they inhabit. Grief, first love, and college commitments leave Mack to decide what her future will look like. Written with poetic prose and passionate intensity, A Sharp Endless Need powerfully examines vulnerability and identity, making it a novel that is hard to forget.
A World Between by Emily Hashimoto
Eleanor and Leena meet in college, fall deeply in love, fall apart, and then — years later — fall into each other’s orbit again as their adult selves. Both women navigate growing up in their own messy, imperfect ways. Spanning over a decade, this all-consuming and emotionally resonant novel explores how relationships expand and shift with time, distance, and identity. Topics of heteronormativity and intergenerational trauma are also captured and affect how characters define themselves and their relationships. A World Between is a series of “what ifs”, missed connections, and broken promises that are sure to tear at your heart.
Rosewater by Liv Little
Normally, Elsie is sexy, funny, and free. Now, she’s broke, newly homeless, and using her poetry and minimum wage job as her saving graces. When she finds herself reconnecting with Juliet, a childhood friend, Elsie begins to reimagine what her life can look like. In Juliet’s heart, Elsie discovers softness, survival, and what could be love. Set in the vivid area of South London, Rosewater is dynamic, spirited, and magnetic. Liv Little, featuring poetry by Kai-Isaiah Jamal, beautifully describes the process of creating art, finding your people, and celebrating Black queer joy.
Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli
Imogen has always considered herself straight and has proudly claimed the title of the World’s Greatest Ally. She’s spent years supporting her LGBTQ+ friends. When she visits her newly out friend Lili in college and pretends to be her ex-girlfriend, things get complicated. Lili’s charming best friend Tessa falls for the lie, and as Imogen grows closer to her, she starts questioning everything she thought she knew about herself. In Imogen, Obviously, #1 New York Times bestseller Becky Albertalli explores themes of queer romance and self-discovery with nuance and heart. This humorous and affirming YA novel captures the messy yet joyful journey of discovering your sexuality, even when it occurs later than expected.
The sapphic experience has always existed. Over time, these experiences have been able to take center stage in contemporary narratives. These novels beautifully explore the intimacies of first loves, regret, and resilience. You might be searching for a good cry, a heartwarming embrace, or just the comfort of being seen — and these reads are sure to meet you there.
Want to find more LGBTQ+ reads? Click here to discover 10 Powerful LGBTQ+ Novels Across 100 Years.
Check out Bookstr’s LGBTQ+ book recommendations here!
