Here are my 10 must-read lesbian novels. Every one of them is written beautifully and has a spark of magic that makes me an excited reader.
I enjoyed every one of these books and absolutely recommend them.
1 Sharpshooter by Leslie Murray
This book is an: action novel with a romantic side story
What it’s about
A mission gone horribly wrong.
A vicious killer who will stop at nothing.
Two women on the run for their very lives.
After 9/11, an experimental branch of the U.S. government has been tasked with the mission of proactively putting a stop to terrorism. They have sent a team to eliminate a financier responsible for funding the worst of these organizations. Everything is going according to plan.
Until it’s not.
The team is ambushed, and when the mission is looking its darkest, it goes from bad to worse. Former Marine scout sniper Seven Michelis is a black ops sharpshooter now injured and on the run for her life. Peace Corps volunteer Dr. Jenny MacKenzie defies good sense and sets out to help a stranger in need. What she finds is something else entirely.
From the rugged foothills of the Andes through the dense forests of the Amazon river basin, Seven and Jenny fight to survive the perils of being hunted through Bolivia by a killer hell bent on homicide. Who can they trust, and what fresh hell awaits them if and when they make it home? Will they survive long enough to explore their growing attraction?
Why I Love It
This action packed romance is brilliant. It keeps you on the edge of your seat for the entire 582 pages. The romance is so so sweet and the characters are absolutely brilliant.
See our review of Sharpshooter
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[tweetthis]Sharpshooter by Leslie Murray made it onto this #Top10 list[/tweetthis]
2 Poppy Jenkins by Clare Ashton
This book is a: sweet, chicklit romance.
What it’s about
Two old friends, one hot summer, a whole load of confusion.
Poppy Jenkins makes everyone smile. She’s the heart of Wells, a beautiful village in mid-wales, leaving light and laughter in her wake. She has a doting family, an errant dog and a little sister with a nose for mischief. But she’s the only gay in the village and it’s a long time since she kissed a girl: the chance of romance in sleepy Wells is rarer than a barking sheep.
If she doesn’t think too hard, life is cosy, until a smart sports car barrels into town with the last woman Poppy wants to see behind the wheel. Beautiful Rosalyn Thorn was once Poppy’s high school BFF even though she was trouble. Then one day she abandoned Wells and Poppy without explanation. Now the highflier is back and bound to cause fresh havoc in the village and with Poppy’s heart; folk are not happy.
Wells needs to wake up to the 21st century and Rosalyn can help, but old prejudices die hard. If they can be friends it could be the chance to make everyone’s happy ever after. Couldn’t it?
Why I love it
Ashon wrote a gorgeous tale of falling in love. Her writing style is magnificent and the pacing and plot of this book is just perfect. If you want a romance that will have you emotionally involved then this is it.
See our full review of Poppy Jenkins here
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[tweetthis]Poppy Jenkins by Clare Ashton made it onto this #Top10 list[/tweetthis]
3 Under A Falling Star by Jae
This book is a: sweet lesbian romance with a theme of enemies to lovers.
What it’s about
Falling stars are supposed to be a lucky sign, but not for Austen. Her new job as a secretary in an international games company isn’t off to a good start. Her first assignment-decorating the Christmas tree in the lobby-results in a trip to the ER after Dee, the company’s second-in-command, gets hit by the star-shaped tree topper. Dee blames her instant attraction to Austen on her head wound, not the magic of the falling star. She’s determined not to act on it, especially since Austen has no idea that Dee is practically her boss.
Why I Love It
This is a charming read about two women who seemingly come from different worlds and yet the attraction is strong. It’s light and lovely.
See our review of Under A Falling Star by Jae
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[tweetthis]Under A Falling Star by Jae made it onto this #Top10 list[/tweetthis]
4 Too Late…I Love You by Kiki Archer
This book is: a romantic chick-lit novel about discovering who you are when you really fall in love.
What it’s about
Too Late… I Love You is the new novel from best-selling, award-winning author Kiki Archer.
Connie Parker isn’t convinced by this falling in love lark. Falling hurts, you end up with bruises and scars.
She has the perfect answer: she’ll write about love instead. But what happens when the novel-in-progress describes more about Connie’s own dull existence than she wants to admit? And when will she realise that her hero is beginning to resemble her new best friend Maria – a woman who seems to turn every simple outing with their 3-year-olds into a fun-filled adventure for them all?
In trying to make sense of the puzzle of her life, Connie learns there is no perfect person. Just that person who’ll fit you perfectly.
Why I Love It
The writing is gorgeous, the situation is so sweet and overall it is a fantastic read that will leave you feeling in love.
See our review of Too Late…I Love You
Get it on Amazon
[tweetthis]Too Late…I Love you by Kiki Archer made it onto this #Top10 list[/tweetthis]
5 The Song In My Heart by Tracey Richardson
This books is a: celebrity romance with a little bit of enemies to lovers thrown in for goo measure. It’s sweet and romantic.
What it’s about
Fame and money rained down on Dess Hampton like a monsoon. She couldn’t imagine needing more—until her golden voice was silenced. Now her quiet days are filled with her guitar and she savors every sunrise. Curious, and as a favor to a friend, she emerges to hear a rumored superstar in the making.
Music pours out of Erika Alvarez through her voice and her fingertips. She’s awed that the reclusive Dess Hampton wants to hear her sing, and then blown away when Dess agrees to sit in for a few gigs.
Dess can tell that Erika is destined for the life that she once had and wants no part of, ever again. But can the magic of the music they make together, and the growing love between them, trump Erika’s ambition and Dess’s fears? How much are they willing to sacrifice for it—and for each other?
Why I Love It
Richardson has a smooth writing style that works so well in this book. The conflict is excellent and keeps you turning the page.
See our review of The Song In My Heart by Tracey Richardson
Get it on Amazon
[tweetthis]The Song In My Heart by Tracey Richardson made it onto this #Top10 list[/tweetthis]
6 Daughter Of Mystery by Heather Rose Jones
This book is a: historical fantasy with a twist of romance for good measure.
What it’s about
Margerit Sovitre did not expect to inherit the Baron Saveze’s fortunes—and even less his bodyguard. The formidable Barbara, of unknown parentage and tied to the barony for secretive reasons, is a feared duelist, capable of defending her charges with efficient, deadly force.
Equally perplexing is that while she is now a highly eligible heiress, Margerit did not also inherit the Saveze title, and the new baron eyes the fortunes he lost with open envy. Barbara, bitter that her servitude is to continue, may be the only force that stands between Margerit and the new Baron’s greed—and the ever deeper layers of intrigue that surround the ill-health of Alpennia’s prince and the divine power from rituals known only as The Mysteries of the Saints.
At first Margerit protests the need for Barbara’s services, but soon she cannot imagine sending Barbara away—for reasons of state and reasons of the heart.
Heather Rose Jone debuts with a sweeping story rich in intrigue and the clash of loyalties and love.
Why I Love It
I love how the author combines real history and fantasy to create a world of magic coupled with the frustrations of being a female and often having to abide by silly rules of society. A beautifully told story of finding oneself and overcoming despite the odds.
See our review of Daughter Of Mystery by Heather Rose Jones
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[tweetthis]Daughter Of Mystery by Heather Rose Jones made it onto this #Top10 list[/tweetthis]
7 The Sublime And Spirited Voyage Of Original Sin By Colette Moody
This book is: a romance with a large sprinkle of pirates, adventure, and fun.
What it’s about
The Gulf of Mexico, 1702: When pirates of the square-rigger Original Sin steal ashore to abduct a doctor to tend to their wounded, they end up settling for the doctor’s attractive fiancée—Celia Pierce, the town seamstress.
Together with Gayle Malvern, daughter of wounded pirate captain “Madman” Malvern, Celia becomes a reluctant participant in an unexpectedly thrilling journey through the Caribbean. For Gayle, Celia’s presence is at first a welcome and shapely distraction, but as her attraction to the seamstress deepens, she realizes that Celia comes to mean more to her than is almost cerntainly prudent. As Celia and Gayle navigate the perilous territories of gypsies, prostitutes, mercenaries, and slave-traders, they forge a partnership born of necessity that Gayle soon hopes will veer away from insurmountable danger—and instead detour directly to her bed.
Why I Love It
It is a sweet and hilarious. The story is tons of fun and the characters are memorable
See our review of The Sublime And Spirited Voyage Of Original Sin
Get it on Amazon
[tweetthis]The Sublime And Spirited Voyage Of Original Sin by Collette Moody made his #Top10 list[/tweetthis]
8 A Pirate’s Heart by Catherine Friend
This book is a: pirate adventure with a romance thrown in for good measure.
What it’s about
When rare book librarian Emma Boyd searches for a pirate’s long-lost treasure map, she learns the hard way that pirates still exist in today’s world – and some modern pirates steal maps, others steal hearts. The treasure map she seeks belonged to the Caribbean pirate Thomasina Farris, who disappeared in 1715 without a trace. Did Captain Tommy steal an entire treasure from a Spanish galleon and escape? Did she die by another pirate’s sword? Or did she die of a broken heart when the woman she loved disappeared? Emma’s and Tommy’s stories collide when Emma, after uncovering the truth about Captain Tommy’s fate, must decide her own… and the choice is between romance or revenge.
Why I love it
This is more of a must-listen than must-read because it is just such a good audiobook. I love it because it is so well written. The story is charming and I absolutely fell in love.
See our review of A Pirate’s Heart here
Get it on Amazon
[tweetthis]A Pirate’s Heart by Catherine Friend made it onto this #Top10 list[/tweetthis]
9 All I Want For Christmas by Clare Lydon
This book is: a Christmas romance that falls happily into the rom-com category
What it’s about
This Christmas, Tori Hammond is on a mission to find love.
Her ideal present under the tree would be a shiny new girlfriend, so Tori gives herself one month to find that special lady by December 25th. Christmas spells romance and she’s going to grab some.
Love Christmas? Love romantic comedies? Then you need to read All I Want For Christmas and prepare to be swept off your festive feet! From the author of international smash-hits London Calling and This London Love, Clare Lydon has crafted another page-turner, bursting with seasonal attitude & wit.
Why I love it
It is entirely charming. This rom-com had me laughing and making those aww sweet sounds. Fall in love with the characters and keep reading as Lydon has an entire series about these two.
See our review of All I Want For Christmas
Get It on Amazon
[tweetthis]All I Want For Christmas by Clare Lydon made it onto this #Top10 list[/tweetthis]
10 Ambereye by Gill McKnight
This book is: about how finding love can smooth the rough edges on even the roughest people.
What it’s about
The thing with the Garouls is you never get quite what you think you will. They really are something else.
Hope Glassy loves her job at Ambereye, Inc., despite having Jolie Garoul as her new boss.
Jolie is a moody workaholic. She is awkward, contrary, and on occasion just plain mean. Hope is hardworking, popular, and in recovery from a serious illness. She doesn’t need a bizarre boss. She doesn’t need office politics. And she doesn’t need to work over Thanksgiving either. Nevertheless, that’s what she and Jolie end up doing…in Little Dip, home of the Garoul clan.
An important meeting brings them to the valley where it’s assumed Jolie has brought her chosen mate to meet her pack. Much to her consternation Jolie finds she likes this idea, but Hope has no time for romance. She is eager to get her life, health, and career back on track, nothing more. Jolie is determined to change her mind, but how does a lycanthrope woo a human? A small and super-efficient, bossy boots human at that?
Why I love it
This is the second book in the Garoul series, but it stands alone perfectly. It is a funny, sweet, amazingly cute supernatural romance and I adored every word.
See our review of Ambereye by Gill McKnight – soon
Get It on Amazon
[tweetthis]Ambereye by Gill McKnight made it onto this #Top10 list[/tweetthis]
These books are as diverse as the lesbian community but they are all fantastically written and extremely entertaining.
Note about our top 10 lists: These lists are based on the books we have read and our personal reading preferences. As with all things on The Lesbian Review, we try to provide the best list we can. We understand that not everyone will agree with these lists because everyone has a different experience which is why we encourage you to put up your own lists. The more lists out there the more lesbian fiction will benefit.
