Hiya! The Viper Book Tag is a tag created by Rachael @ Scorpio Book Dreams and inspired by the book Viper by Bex Hogan! The sequel to Viper, Venom, came out last month, so I figured this would be a great time to take part in the tag! And I’ve got some more awesome Venom content a few posts back too 🙂 Let’s get straight into it!

MARIANNE
A fierce female character

I absolutely love Lei from Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan. She is fierce, strong and incredibly brave. She perseveres despite everything and her strength as a survivor is incredibly inspirational to me.

TWELVE ISLES
A memorable setting

The setting of The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave is simply unforgettable. The island of Vardø is described so vividly and powerfully that it absolutely took my breath away.

PIRATES
A book set on the high seas

I’m currently really enjoying The Mermaid the Witch and the Sea by Maggie Tokuda Hall, which is set at sea with pirates, magic and daring escapes, plus a heartstopping f/nb romance!

THE VIPER
A complex villain

I’m struggling to think of an answer for this, but I really liked the villain from The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu – they were interesting, complex and perhaps different to what we thought…

GRACE
A kickass and supportive female character

I love how supportive Iseult is of Safi in Truthwitch by Susan Dennard. These two best friends are always there for each other, and I love their relationship. And Iseult is definetly pretty kickass too!

TORIN
A reluctant royal

Crier from Crier’s War by Nina Varela comes to mind immediately from this prompt! She begins to question the system she has been raised in and wonders if she will be able to do a good job when she eventually takes over from her father.

BRONN
A misunderstood character

I love Ashlinn from Nevernight by Jay Kristoff… I haven’t read book two but I really love her despite her actions in book one and I’m excited to read more about her.

ROMANCE
Star-crossed lovers

I absolutely adore Sarai and Lazlo from Strange the Dreamer, who’s love perseveres despite all the obstacles put in their way.

 

Thanks so much to Rachael for creating this! I’m tagging a couple of my favourite bloggers:

A Short Book Lover 

Silver Wolf Reads

Princess of Ink

 

Hi everyone! I love readalongs, especially ones which highlight diversity, and the infamous Read With Cindy is hosting one this May that focuses on reading Asian-authored books. I already have a pretty packed May TBR what with ARCs, buddy reads and more, but luckily there were already several books written by Asian authors on there that I managed to fit to the prompts, woohoo! So I thought I’d share the prompts and my TBR on here 🙂 -Sasha

Challenges:

1. 1. Read any book by an Asian author.
   2. Read a book featuring an Asian character or written by an Asian author who you can relate to.
      1. Ex: If you’re an immigrant you can read about an immigrant character; if you’re a woman you can read a book by another woman; etc.
   3. Read a book featuring an Asian character or written by an Asian author who is different from you.
      1. Ex:  If you’re straight you can read about a queer character; if you’re Japanese you can read a book by a Vietnamese author; etc.
   4. Read a book recommended by an Asian.
      1. Ex: Watch an Asian booktuber’s recommendations video; find books recommended by an Asian blogger; ask your Asian friend what book best represents them; have an Asian friend choose between 2 books on your TBR; etc.

 

• OPTIONAL: Read “Little Fires Everywhere” by Celeste Ng and participate in the #LittleFiresReadalong and #LittleFiresWatchalong (more information below)

 

 

I will be participating only in challenges 1-4 because Little Fires Everywhere really isn’t my genre and I don’t have money to buy new books right now!

So what is on my TBR?

A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir

I’ve been meaning to read the third book in the An Ember in the Ashes series for a full year. I’m buddy reading this with my dear friend Rainy (@starlessreader on Instagram) and I’m SO HYPED! Author: Pakistani

Wicked As You Wish by Rin Chupeco

A great read for fans of fairy tales, myths and legends Come for the adventure, stay for the sassy jerkwad firebird. I’ve arranged a little buddy read for this on Twitter, so DM me @midnightb00ks if you’re interested in joining. I’ve had this on my TBR for agesss but with *gestures* everything going on now is the perfect time to read it (not a good time to sign and sell it tho). Author: Filipino

Mad Bad and Dangerous to Know by Samira Ahmed

Told in alternating narratives that bridge centuries, the latest novel from New York Times bestselling author Samira Ahmed traces the lives of two young women fighting to write their own stories and escape the pressure of familial burdens and cultural expectations in worlds too long defined by men. We all know I LOVE feminist books and I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this from Little, Brown for it’s UK release on June 2. Author: Indian

A Crown of Wishes by Roshani Chokshi 

An ancient mystery. An unlikely union. For one young princess in a state of peril, a dangerous wish could be the only answer. I have been needing to get to the companion to The Star-Touched Queen for a year, and I hope to finally do so this month! I am SOOO excited because the first book was so magical and lyrical. Author: Filipino/Indian

How am I meeting the challenges?

Challenge One: Read any book by an Asian author

Well, obviously all this books meet this one!

Challenge Two: Read a book featuring an Asian character or written by an Asian author who you can relate to.

A Reaper at the Gates, Crown of Wishes and Mad Bad and Dangerous to Know are both written by and star women, like me! Wicked As You Wish is full of gays, like me! So all four meet the prompts 🙂

Challenge Three: Read a book featuring an Asian character or written by an Asian author who is different from you.

I’m white, so all the books fit this prompt. Also, I’m reading Wicked As You Wish, and Rin Chupeco is non-binary, which is different from my cis self!

Challenge Four: Read a book recommended by an Asian.

I like to think I follow a pretty diverse range of bookish creators, so I’m pretty sure I’ve seen all four of these books recommended by an Asian, be it on Twitter, Instagram or on a blog! Wicked As You Wish has especially been all over my twitter timeline recently, especially tweeted about by Asian people 🙂

That is it for this blog post! We just wanted to promote the readalong and have a bit more space than a tweet to share our choices! If you’re taking part, we’d love to know, so drop a comment below, and definitely re-route to Read With Cindy’s YouTube channel if you’re interested in taking part but need more detail! Most importantly, please follow Asian bookish creators and read books by Asian authors, this month and all year round!

Seven Endless Forests was an intriguing, enjoyable and magical fantasy story about sisterhood, quests and vengeance loosely based on Arthurian Mythology, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The storyline of Seven Endless Forests was so interesting and unique. While there were only a few links to the tale of King Arthur, less than I expected, I did enjoy them. I’m trying to find a good way to describe the plot structure….okay, it’s like, a season of a show, where there is one overall driving plotline of the story and a key cast of characters, but each episode has their own storyline and new characters too, that is tied to the main adventure but also separate. Think The Witcher or The Mandalorian. That’s what the plot structure was like, but I mean it in an absolutely positive way. Our main character, Torvi, goes on a quest, and the storyline really did feel like an adventure that would be written into a long ballad or fairytale.
The world was honestly pretty confusing at first, and I still don’t understand everything about it, but it was super interesting despite that, really unique and full of potential. It’s set in the same world as the author’s previous series, The Boneless Mercies, which I haven’t read, so maybe if you have you’ll understand it more! The world was rich, unique and full of potential. Honestly, the world also makes me think how good a TV show this would make!
I quite liked Torvi. She wasn’t really the highlight of the book for me, but I didn’t dislike her at all, she was brave and loving and fierce, which I loved. However, she felt relatively one dimensional in some ways. She was a great protagonist and really pushed the plot forward, she was likeable and kickass, but didn’t quite have enough flaws for me to get really attached to her – however, the book was relatively short, so I’m sure her character will have even more time to grow in book two. I think with a little more character development I would really love her.
Gyda was my absolute favourite, she was such a great character!!!! Prequel about her maybe? She’s fierce, sarcastic, loving and just such an awesome person. I love my druid girlfriend. I also really liked Ink and Madoc, and together with Torvi and Stefan these five made such a great found family, which we know is one of my favourite tropes, and if you love it too you’ll likely adore this misfit bunch of adventure-seeking, quest-taking Bards.
Okay, now I want to get to my main dislike of this book – the romance. This may be a bit of a rant. So, Torvi has had a lover who dies just before the beginning of the book who she is still in love with. That’s not the problem, just some context. The love interest in this book is a guy named Madoc, who is a pretty great secondary character in and of himself, but his and Torvi’s romance was the least developed relationship I have ever read, and yet we’re expected to ship it? She literally calls him pretty a couple of times, cuddles with him one time and then says she think something is building between them. Then at the end, she says they’ve become lovers and they “suit each other’. That’s it. I fully support them just having casual sex, but the author tries to build a romance between them, fails, and then just leaves it totally not tied up. The book would have just been so much better with this completely omitted. 
And then, on to my second point. Some people may get mad at me here and say I’m trying to “force” something but anyways- Torvi and Gyda would have made SO much more sense as a couple. They become so close over the course of the story and are clearly soulmates of a kind. Without the half-done romance with Madoc, I would have loved this just to be platonic soulmates, that would have been awesome, but if the author wants romance, at least have the right love interest? Gyda and Torvi are constantly just casually touching, and add some pining in there and it would have been SO *CHEF’S KISS! The POWER this story would have had if these two had fallen in love. The slow-burn friends to lovers battle girlfriends that could have been so easily incorporated and would have made so much sense! The opportunity lost here just makes me so sad because I could really see this being one of my favourites ever if that had happened. Gyda was also pushed into a half-hearted and brief het romance for literally no reason.
I hope those thoughts were coherent, and please know that if you prioritise adventure/action over romance in fantasy, you will still likely love this book, as I adored the storyline and characters!! I know I went on a rant, but I do genuinely really like this book.
I really loved Seven Endless Forests as a quick and mystical fantasy story. It was thrilling, enticing and rich, taking me on an exciting and adventure-filled quest! I really like that Seven Endless Forests is a story within itself but leaves some aspects open for the sequel. I’m seriously excited for the next book, and maybe there’s hope for my ship yet….

Zoraida Cordova’s wonderful new book, Incendiary, came out yesterday, and I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to ask her a few questions to celebrate the release! I also posted my review of this amazing novel yesterday, so do check that out 🙂

Hi Zoraida! What was your initial inspiration/idea for Incendiary and how has it evolved since then?

When I started working on Incendiary, I was instantly drawn by the idea of a magical group of people struggling for survival. I’ve often thought about Incendiary as a sort of Star Wars set in a fantasy landscape. I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve written for Star Wars or because it’s so embedded into my subconscious. But it’s all there: A group of rebels fighting against a ruthless ruler? An agent of that ruler who is tasked with destroying these rebels? Young Adult fiction has always been about rebellion because these are the years when people coming of age push back against everything they’ve ever known. At least, that was the case for me with my witch phase I never grew out of. Once I started writing Incendiary I fell in love with Renata and the strong, resilient character she’s becoming.  

What did you struggle with most writing Incendiary, and what was your favourite part?

The main theme was actually both of those things for me. Redemption is one of my favorite themes to explore! Ren’s POV is the toughest one I’ve ever tried to tackle. She has suffered so much and she spends most of her young adulthood feeling guilt over things she couldn’t control as a kid. She was a weapon and she’s still a weapon. In the context of Puerto Leones, this fantasy kingdom, what does it mean when her whole being is suspect? When her own people distrust her? How long must she atone for? It’s all so difficult to answer. Ren’s mind is so dark, and a lot of my other books have so much comic-relief, so this was definitely a challenge for me! I wanted to do right by a character who has undergone so much.  

Can you talk a bit about how Incendiary links into current issues?

The setting is inspired by historic Spain, specifically the Inquisition which caused the death and forced religios conversion of Jewish and Muslim people. Reading about that time period was very frustrating and painful at times because there are some things in the texts, like Daily Life in Spain in the Golden Age by Marcelin Defourneaux that made it clear how cyclical hate is. Even though the inspiration is the past, I still wanted it to feel like the kingdom of Puerto Leones is its own entity. Fiction can be inspired by reality but its rules have to function on its own. High fantasy is a great place to explore that.

 What is your ultimate writing tip/advice for any aspiring authors reading this?

I think you should learn all the writing rules, and then break them as you start learning your own process. You can find information on writing a novel just about anywhere, but because it’s such a unique process, you’ll only figure out what works for you by trial and error. The only advice that I think everyone should do is to read widely. Read the genre you want to write in. Read non-fiction. Read history. Read something that challenges you. Novels are in conversation with each other and those conversations become unforgettable when you have something to say. I co-host a podcast about writing and publishing with author Dhonielle Clayton. It’s called Deadline City. 

 Incendiary is recently out in the world – what do you hope readers take away from this book?

I hope that when readers pick up Incendiary they find a heroic quest for vengeance, empathy, and love. I’m currently working on book two so just know that there is more revenge and kissing this time around. Thank you so much for giving this book a chance! 

Incendiary by Zoraida Cordova is a gorgeous, high-stakes and vivid story of magic, revolution and identity that I absolutely adored.
The writing was exceptional – it flowed beautifully and was simple but lyrical, full of emotion and heart and reflecting Renata’s personality well.

I loved Renata. She was a complex main character with flaws, troubles and insecurities, but she was also badass, resilient, fierce and strong. I loved watching her slowly grow and become more of herself, as the story centres around her self discovery and finding her independence and freedom from the expectations and experiences that have shaped her life. I really liked her character arc, and this was a very powerful part of the story.

Renata’s character and growth were at the centre of this story, but the plot was also full of rebellion, court scheming and friendship, combining to make a heartfelt and exciting storyline that had me totally hooked. The first few chapters of the book felt a little slower, but I soon got lost in the story – the plot was well-paced, a good mix of action, adventure, and character development. There were some plot twists in Incendiary that made me gasp and reevaluate the whole story so far- it was full of exciting twists and turns, mystery and action. When I thought I knew where the story was going, I was proved wrong, right up until the ending that left me absolutely shocked, amazed and in desperate need of book two.

The storyline is also so powerful in that it is inspired by historic Spain, and while in Incendiary it is those with magic that are persecuted, it reflects the real-life persecution of Jews and Muslims that happened during the Spanish Inquisition, making the themes of hope and keeping our identities throughout tough times all the more important.

The magic system was unique and gorgeous. I was so intrigued by the different types of magic and how they worked, especially by Renata’s own power of stealing memories, which there is more to than even Renata knows, mysteries of her magic that have not all been unveiled yet.

Incendiary was a story about hope, a rebellion rising from the ashes, a story of how identity, culture and magic are interlinked. I really enjoyed this book and I cannot wait for the sequel. Incendiary is the rebellion and politics of Woven in Moonlight meets the character-focused plot and explosive ending of The Midnight Lie and the magic and power dynamics of Blood Heir – if you love high fantasy, you are sure to love this book.

Hi all! Bit of a different post today, and I’m going to be talking about something that Boston from @bostonreadsbooks recently made a video on and honestly it has completely changed my view on books and which ones I choose to read. This post may be a bit rambly and random, but please bare with me 🙂 – Amber

So, a rough overview of what Boston said in their video (link here because you should go and watch it!) is that they’re reading books for them now and that are of interest to them, rather than what booktube or booktwitter is currently hyping up.

Now it may sound stupid, but I guess I’d never really considered just reading books that I want to, because if I see a book that EVERYONE is talking about and how amazing it supposedly is, even if the synopsis doesn’t interest me, I will read it, whether that is so that I can talk about it with friends or write a review for our blog. So, when watching Boston’s video I was really thrown off and took some time to just sit and think about what actually interests me in books? I looked through my bookshelves and unhauled quite a lot of books that don’t interest me personally, even though I’m sure they are amazing books. I then went through my goodreads and removed around 50 books from my want to read shelf, and then proceeded to add another 30 that I’m actually REALLY excited to get round to reading! xD I came to the realisation that while YA fantasy is something I enjoy, it’s not my favourite genre, and that I actually enjoy crime/thriller/mysteries a lot more along with super cheesy ya f/f romance books and that it’s totally okay for me to read what I want to, rather than what everyone else thinks I should be reading. Boston also mentioned that they were starting to check the page count for when the end of the chapter was, which is something I hugely resonated with, as with most of the books I used to read, I would find myself doing the same and wanting the chapter to be over so I could go and do something else.

Anyways, I’m not 100% sure what the point of this blog post is other than to say that if anyone else is feeling this way that it’s totally okay, and that YOU CAN READ WHATEVER INTERESTS YOU!!! Even if none of my friends read the same kind of books that I do, or nobody seems to be talking about and hyping up the kind of books that I’m interested in, IT’S OKAY! And while I still enjoy and love lots of YA fantasy, I don’t think it will be one of my most prominent go-to genres anymore, unless of course its f/f, lgbtq+ or asian inspired because I’m still a sucker for those themes in books, regardless of genre.

If this post helps even just 1 person then maybe it wasn’t a complete waste of time haha, but seriously, don’t be afraid to go out and find what really interests YOU, rather than what everyone else is yelling about, and if it is those particular books that interest you, then go you!!! But yeah, thanks for reading, I hope this is somewhat helpful to someone, even if it isn’t, I just wanted to get it off my chest 🙂

Hi everyone! I’m so excited to be participating in the blog tour for Venom by Bex Hogan, the swashbuckling sequel to her debut novel Viper! I’m lucky enough to be featuring EXCLUSIVE CONTENT from Bex herself! I’m sharing the creation story for the Tenth Isle, and it’s awesome. And below that, you can find all my thoughts on this awesome book 🙂

THE CREATION STORIES

The Tenth Isle

When the seas first calmed and the heavens shone bright, the land began to breathe. Ancient creatures of the deep woke from their slumber and swam to the surface, eager to explore the new world above. One such creature was the armoured seaswine, a gentle, giant beast with oily grey fur and a dorsal skeleton upon its back. The last of her kind, she had to find land to birth the young that had been growing inside her while she slept. The first island she came across was ideal – warm, dry and brimming with leaves and moss with which to make nests.

The armoured seaswine dragged her heaving belly across the island, making it her home, until the swinelets were born, a hundred perfect babies for her to nurture. She suckled them well, and they grew in size and strength. With so many hungry mouths to feed, soon the armoured seaswine had to return to the ocean, to hunt for prey to fill their stomachs.

But she was not the only hunter at large. For while she was away, men came to the island and marvelled at the swinelets, admiring the impenetrable outer shells they possessed. What shields they would make for the men. They slaughtered all the creatures, piercing their soft underflesh with spears before cutting the armour clean off their backs, and congratulating themselves on their good fortune.

They thought they were invincible. They were wrong. When the armoured seaswine returned to discover her children murdered and the men wearing their hides, her grief knotted with fury and knew no bounds. Fire poured from her jaws like an agonised scream, and if the men had understood anything, they would have known that the only thing that could penetrate through a seaswine’s armour was their own flames. When no life remained but her own, when the island was charred and veiled in smoke, the seaswine’s heart broke and she lay down and breathed no more.

The island had witnessed all that had occurred, had heard the cries of loss, and took pity on the seaswine. When her body decomposed and all was left was the giant armoured shell, the island claimed it, binding it to the land. The terrain transformed, turning hard and unyielding, deep fissures forming. No man would ever inhabit this island again, cast out for their cruelty. And from time to time, the eternal fury of the armoured seaswine would still burst forth, spewing fire and death from deep within the island, serving as a reminder and a warning to the world of men. That they were not welcome there.

This is such a gorgeous origin story, I’m in awe! I’m going to drop the blog tour schedule so you can read about all the other Isles, and if you’re interested in hearing my thoughts on this book, read on 🙂

Venom was a fun, swashbuckling and magical sequel that I really enjoyed. A perfect follow up to the wonderful Viper, Venom saw Marianne discovers new aspects of herself and growing up, full of even more surprises and plot twists than book one. 

I really like Marianne. She’s not perfect, but I felt myself rooting for her deeply. It was clear how much she felt the need to find people she belonged with, and I really loved that the was able to find that. Her character development in this book was really great, you can see how she is maturing and growing up. Despite having so many responsibilities at such a young age, I also loved the few peeks of her past her incredible fighting skills and the decisions she’s made – vulnerable, she’s an empathetic and loyal person who loves easily.  

The secondary characters were awesome too. Torin has always been one of my favourites, so I’m upset he was only in the very first part of the book, but we were introduced to lots of new and awesome secondary characters. I absolutely adore Olwyn and the Guardians. Little tangent, when I first saw Olwyn and Astrid on page together I was,,,sapphics? Because they got on quite well…but I always ship f/f couples that never happen…and then it was clarified that they were a couple and I was like thank you Bex for delivering the gays, even if they’re quite minor characters. 

The plot was intense and twisty, full of action and adventure. There were constant surprises and plot twists that totally surprised me! There was a little chunk in the middle which I struggled to get through, as it was quite slow and meandered, but apart from that the plot was constantly captivating and very well paced! There were so many plot twists that left me like WHAT THE HELL, especially the end one. Bex really knows how to leave you on the edge of your seat.
I loved the further depth we got about The Twelve Isles, as the world Bex has created is one of my favourite aspects of this series. It’s so luscious, unique and interesting, and I loved venturing into the West and discovering more awesome and strange Isles! The world of the Twelve Isles is really well built and immersive, with so many things that make it unique. 

Despite all of these awesome things, I didn’t love Venom quite as much as Viper, but I think it’s just because my reading taste has changed a lot in that time and nothing to do with the book, because I have no criticism for this book except wondering why the hell there wasn’t an epilogue to explain some THINGS!!!
Venom was an immersive, gorgeous and surprising story of adventure, magic and finding yourself. This series is an absolute must read for fans of YA fantasy 🙂

Here at Sasha and Amber Read, we LOVE f/f romance. We ADORE sapphic books. We want all of them. But every week or so, when we open up Twitter, we see someone complain that there aren’t enough sapphic books. Do we want more? Yes, absolutely. But there are SO MANY amazing sapphic books that are already out there and deserve the hype, but just aren’t getting it, apparently. So, here’s a list of every sapphic book that either Sasha or I have read. If we hear anyone else say there aren’t enough sapphic books, we will metaphorically throw this blog post at their head. Buckle up kids, because this post is going to be LONG. Click the title to go to the book’s GR page. This post will also be updated every week or so with new books that we read 🙂

(* If you’d like to know more about a certain book, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of us! Please also check any trigger warnings before going into any of these books!*)

Thanks for listening to this rant, and let us proceed.

 

 

Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan

What, you thought we wouldn’t start with this? A powerful story tackling sexism and oppression in a rich Asian inspired world with a f/f romance to die for.

 

 

Girls of Storm and Shadow by Natasha Ngan

Book 2 in the girls of paper and fire trilogy, somehow just as good, if not better than book 1?!?! We follow Lei and Wren during the aftermath of the events in book 1!

 

 

All the Bad Apples by Moira Fowley Doyle

A queer, feminist witchy novel featuring a family curse and haunted houses in Ireland, discussing important topics such as grief, homophobia and rape.

 

 

We Didn’t Ask for This by Adi Alsaid

A fierce and intelligent story that discusses climate change and the power teenagers have to change the world along with teen angst, emotions and dramatics.

 

 

The Midnight Lie by Marie Rutkoski

An absolutely stunning, powerful story of love and lies that centres around an angst-filled f/f romance.

 

 

 

The Prom by Saundra Mitchell 

Based on the broadway musical, a fun but important novel about two girls in a small, homophobic town who just want to dance together at prom.

 

 

Belle Revolte by Linsey Miller

An enchanting and feminist fantasy standalone with an intricate and deadly magic system and kickass, loveable characters.

 

 

 

Crier’s War by Nina Varela

A forbidden, enemies-to-lovers romance between two girls – one mortal, one made – amidst revolution and politics. Quite possibly the slowest of slow-burn romances.

 

 

Blood Countess by Lana Popovic

Blood Countess is a gothic, visceral and enchanting story of love, evil and obsession that will grip you and make you fall in love. A historical YA horror novel based on the infamous real-life inspiration for Countess Dracula.

 

 

Perfectly Preventable Deaths by Deidre Sullivan 

A witchy, unique and odd story of dark magic and sisterhood set in a small and atmospheric Irish town.

 

 

 

Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli 

A companion to Simon Vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda starring Leah as she navigates life and love.

 

 

 

The Good Luck Girls by Charlotte Nicole Davis 

A moving and beautiful story about girls claiming their freedom and their rights to be themselves in a wild-west inspired world, complete with bank robberies and ambushes.

 

 

The Never Tilting World by Rin Chupeco

In a world inspired by the disasters faced in The Philippines, this is a gorgeous story of sisterhood starring absolutely loveable characters and swoon-worthy romance with an exciting and complex storyline.

 

 

 

The Deathless Girls by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

A beautifully gothic retelling of the Brides of Dracula, pushed to the sidelines of history, featuring two sisters whose bond was everything, and a queer main character who falls in love with a beautiful girl.

 

 

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

When their father dies on a plane crash, two girls from different sides of the world discover that they have a secret sister their father never told them about. This book was absolutely stunning, told in lyrical prose.

 

 

This Spell Can’t Last by Isabel Sterling

Hannah and Veronica battle a Blood Witch in the thrilling, heartbreaking e-novella prequel to These Witches Don’t Burn.

 

 

 

These Witches Don’t Burn by Isabel Sterling

On top of avoiding her ex-girlfriend and dealing with high-school, teenage witch Hannah has to uncover the source of the dark magic appearing all over Salem, just as the gorgeous new girl shows an interest in her.

 

 

Wilder Girls by Rory Power

A visceral, atmospheric and twisted book centering on female friendship and survival in a bleak and strange world. SAPPHIC THRILLER AT A BOARDING SCHOOL!!!

 

 

Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst

Two awesome, independent heroines, a beautiful, heartbreaking love story, a world full of magic and political intrigue.

 

 

 

Of Ice and Shadows by Audrey Coulthurst

Sequel to Of Fire and Stars 🙂 Mare and Denna travel to a new and dangerous kingdom where Denna will be trained to tame her magic by a mysterious queen who is not all she seems.

 

 

Havenfall by Sara Holland

A magical, enchanting and capturing book, full of dark secrets and mysterious worlds lead by a kickass but relatable main character with two swoon-worthy love interests.

 

 

The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

A feminist masterpiece about community, suspicion, obsession and friendship, based on the real events of the Vardø storm and the 1621 witch trials.

 

 

Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins

Scottish obsessed Millie decides to go to a boarding school in Scotland for her last year of school… where she ends up being roommates with the princess of Scotland, need I say more?

 

 

Love is for Losers by Wibke Brueggeman

Phoebe thinks love is gross, but when her mum ups and leaves her again, and her best friend has no time for her anymore, she starts working in a charity shop, where she meets Emma, who makes her think maybe love isn’t so stupid after all.

 

The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O’Neill

A charming all-ages book that follows the story of Greta, a blacksmith apprentice, and the people she meets as she becomes entwined in the enchanting world of tea dragons.

 

 

The Tea Dragon Festival by Katie O’Neill

A gorgeous graphic novel about little tea dragons, found family, trying to keep the tradition going and love ❤ Also has great disability rep!

 

 

The Tea Dragon Tapestry by Katie O’Neill

Join Greta and Minette once more for the heartwarming conclusion of the award-winning Tea Dragon series!

 

 

The Gay Girl’s Guide to Ruining Prom by Siera Maley

Zoey decides to help her best friend, Skylar, get back at her ex who broke her heart by pretending to date her. But when they have a real connection and Zoey ends up falling in love, can she still break up with Chelsea?

 

On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden

A graphic novel about a group of badass girls who travel around space fixing up old buildings. An inventive world, a breathtaking love story, and stunning art come together in this new work by award-winning artist Tillie Walden.

 

Marriage of Unconvenience by Chelsea M. Cameron

Two best friends decide to get married so that they can claim Lauren’s inheritance money. Lauren starts to actually fall in love with her best friend, who always thought she was straight…. but maybe not….

 

 

We Are Okay by Nina LaCour

A story about love and loss. Marin hasn’t spoken to anyone since she left her old life behind, but now her best friend Mabel is coming to visit and she is forced to face everything she tried so hard to forget.

 

 

Orpheus Girl by Brynne Rebele-Henry

Orpheus myth re-telling as a love story between two teenage girls who are sent to conversion therapy after being caught together in an intimate moment.

 

 

You Know Me Well by Nina LaCour

Mark and Kate have sat next to each other for an entire year, but have never spoken…until Kate spots Mark miles away from home; Kate is lost, having just run away from a chance to finally meet the girl she has been in love with from afar. Mark, meanwhile, is in love with his best friend Ryan, who may or may not feel the same way.

 

The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar

Two childhood friends rekindle their friendship, but then end up with rival henna businesses for a class in school, but ALSO end up falling in love :)))

 

 

Far From You by Tess Sharpe

Forced into rehab for an addiction she’d already beaten, Sophie’s finally out and on the trail of the person who killed her best friend—but can she track them down before they come for her?

 

 

Everything Leads To You by Nina LaCour

Emi is a film buff and a true romantic, but her real-life relationships are a mess. She has desperately gone back to the same girl too many times to mention. But then a mysterious letter from a silver screen legend leads Emi to Ava, and Ava is unlike anyone Emi has ever met…

 

Her Name in the Sky by Kelly Quindlen

Best friends Hannah and Baker fight with each other and the world about the way they both feel about one another. In a highschool where homophobia is a huge thing, could they ever really be together?

 

 

People Like Us by Dana Mele

Kay Donovan may have skeletons in her closet, but the past is past, and she’s reinvented herself entirely. That is, until a dead girl leaves her a computer-coded scavenger hunt, which, as it unravels, begins to implicate suspect after suspect, until Kay herself is in the cross-hairs of a murder investigation.

 

The Meaning of Birds by Jaye Robin Brown

A heart-breaking story about Jess, who’s girlfriend Vivi recently died, and we follow her journey through grief and the happy times they had together, and how she rediscovers her love for art.

 

 

How to Make a Wish by Ashley Herring Blake

When Eva tells Grace she likes girls, both of their worlds open up. But, united by loss, Eva also shares a connection with Maggie. As Grace’s mother spirals downward, both girls must figure out how to love and how to move on.

 

Summer of Salt by Katrina Leno

A family of female witches who live on a small island are visited yearly by “birdheads” who come to see a 300 year old bird. This year’s group of birdheads brings Prue, who might just make this year more exciting for Georgina.

 

We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia

Dani and Carmen don’t get along, but they’re forced to be civil when they end up marrying the same man. But their husband is horrid, and they both end up confiding in each other, and plotting to bring equality to their town of Medio.

 

We Unleash the Merciless Storm by Tehlor Kay Mejia

Sequel to We Set the Dark on Fire, from CARMEN’s POV!!!!!!!!!Carmen is forced to choose between the girl she loves and the success of the rebellion she’s devoted her life to.

 

 

Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust

A gorgeous Persian-inspired fantasy about a girl who poisons anything she touches who meets a demon that knows the secret to lifting her curse. Enemies to lovers monster girlfriends!

 

 

Style by Chelsea M. Cameron

Kyle has a plan: finish her senior year of high school, head off to college, find a boyfriend, graduate, get a job, get married, the whole heterosexual shebang. Stella also has a plan: finish her senior year as cheer captain, go to college, finally let herself flirt with (and maybe even date) a girl for the first time and go from there. But fate has other plans for Kyle and Stella when they’re paired up in their AP English class and something between them ignites.

 

Chord by Chelsea M. Cameron

Chase’s new roommate Cordelia, is different from anyone she’s ever met before. She also makes her feel like no-one ever has. But they’re both absolutely sure that they like boys and not girls. However, their sparks can’t be extinguished and they realize there is a lot more to their connection with each other than either of them thought.

 

It’s Not Like it’s a Secret by Misa Sugiura

When Sana and her family move to California she begins to wonder if it’s finally time for some honesty, especially after she meets Jamie Ramirez. Jamie is beautiful and smart and unlike anyone Sana’s ever known.

 

 

My Lesbian Experience With Loneliness by Kabi Nagata

My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness is an honest and heartfelt look at one young woman’s exploration of her sexuality, mental well-being, and growing up in our modern age.

 

 

Dating Sarah Cooper by Siera Maley

Two best friends end up fake-dating. Two best friends end up falling in love with each other. Two best friends must come clean to their whole school about their terrible plot to gain popularity, including their group of LGBT+ club friends.

 

Colorblind by Siera Maley

Harper sees numbers on people’s foreheads that determines what age they will die. When she meets a girl with the lowest number she’s seen yet, she know’s it’s a bad idea to befriend her, especially when her number is 16 and she has less than 6 months to live.

 

Taking Flight by Siera Maley

Lauren finds herself shipped off to northern Georgia by the order of a judge. Her plan is to have her best friend come and pick her up on her 18th birthday and get her the heck out of there. Her plan doesn’t for the daughter of the religious family she’s staying with.

 

Time It Right by Siera Maley

Valerie is shocked when she ends up falling for an exchange student from England. But can the two of them come out to everyone, fall in love and then say goodbye when it’s time for Lindsay to go home?

 

 

On the Outside by Siera Maley

A group of 3 best friends who have always had a pact to not date each other, but when Evan and Riley start dating, Kayla isn’t angry because they broke the promise, she’s angry because she realises she’s in love with Riley too.

 

The Scapegracers by Hannah Abigail Clarke

An outcast teenage lesbian witch finds her coven hidden amongst the popular girls in her school, and performs some seriously badass magic in the process.

 

 

Kim Reaper by Sarah Graley

Like most university students, Becka has a super intense crush. Unlike most university students, Becka’s crush is on a beautiful gothic angel that frequents the underworld. Of course, she doesn’t know that.

 

 

The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters

Frances and her mother have to open their home up to the Barbers in order to afford the house. Frances and Mrs. Barber end up falling in love… and killing Mr. Barber in the process.

 

 

Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit by Jaye Robin Brown

Joanna has been out and proud for years, but when her father marries Three, and they move to conservative Rome, he asks her to do the impossible: to lie low for the rest of the year. Joanna agrees, with her own parts of the bargain, but she doesn’t realise that Mary Carlson will mess it all up.

 

Missing, Presumed Dead by Emma Berquist

Lexi can sense how and when someone will die. Some say it’s a gift; but to Lexi it’s a curse-one that keeps her friendless and alone. All that changes when Lexi foresees the violent death of a young woman, Jane, outside a club. But Jane doesn’t go to the afterlife quietly. Lexi will do anything to help Jane and to keep this beautiful ghost of a girl by her side for as long as possible.

 

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

A world divided, A queendom without an heir, An ancient enemy awakens. Ead Duryan has been tasked with protecting Queen Sabran Berethnet, while also hiding her magic that is seen as sorcery.

 

 

Inkmistress by Audrey Coulthurst

Asra is a demigod with the ability to dictate the future by writing with her blood. To keep her power secret, she leads a quiet life as a healer on a remote mountain, content to help the people in her care and spend time with Ina, the mortal girl she loves.

 

The Grief Keeper by Alexandra Villasante

When Marisol and her sister flee to America to escape their dangerous home town, she has to become a grief keeper in order to have their asylum request granted. Marisol isn’t supposed to get close to the girl who’s grief she’s taking away, but they just can’t stay away from each other.

 

Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand

A group of girls come together on an island where girls have been disappearing for decades, stolen away by a ravenous evil no one has dared to fight… until now.

 

 

The Love & Lies of Rukhsana Ali by Sabina Khan

When Rukhsana’s parents find her kissing her girlfriend, they send her to Bangladesh and is thrown into arranged marriages and weddings. Rukhsana realizes she must find the courage to fight for her love, but can she do so without losing everyone and everything in her life?

 

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Hollywood star Evelyn Hugo randomly picks Monique Grant to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love.

 

 

Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde

Three friends, two love stories, one convention: this fun, feminist love letter to geek culture is all about fandom, friendship, and finding the courage to be yourself.

 

 

Our Own Private Universe by Robin Talley

Aki sets off on a church youth-group trip to a small Mexican town for the summer and Aki meets Christa. Aki knows she’s bisexual, but has never had a girlfriend before. It’s a summer of testing theories—and the result may just be love.

 

The Dark Wife by Sarah Diemer

Hades is called “lord” of the dead as a joke; in truth, Hades is the goddess of the underworld. She offers Persephone sanctuary in her land of the dead, so the young goddess may escape her Olympian destiny. But Persephone finds more than freedom in the underworld. She finds love, and herself.

 

Anyone But Her by Erica Lee

Reagan, an out and proud lesbian decides to pretend to be her gay best friend’s girlfriend for his religious family’s reunion so he doesn’t have to come out to them. Little does she know that he has a twin sister who is also into girls, and they instantly hit it off.

 

The Space Between by Michelle L. Teichman

The most popular girl in her grade ends up falling for the reclusive artist who has no friends, and also just so happens to be her boyfriend’s sister.

 

 

 

Keeping You a Secret by Julie Anne Peters

Holland is the student council president, she has a steady boyfriend and a chance to go to Ivy League, but when Cece Goddard joins her school, they end up having undeniable feelings for each other, and it changes everything she’s ever known.

 

How Sweet the Sound by Evelyn Dar

A gorgeously heartbreaking estranged childhood best-friends turned enemies-to-lovers novel that will make you scream with anger, hurt and happiness.

 

 

The Mermaid the Witch and the Sea by Maggie Tokuda-Hall

A swashbuckling and adventurous story of romance on the high seas, mysterious witches and sacred mermaids, told with gorgeously lyrical prose and filled with stunning lore.

 

 

Queen of Coin and Whispers by Helen Corcoran 

A low-fantasy story of politics and court scheming, starring a romance between the queen and her spymaster full with mutual pining and the sharing of gay romance books.

 

 

No One Needs to Know by Amanda Grace

Olivia’s twin brother, Liam, has been her best friend her whole life. But when he starts dating, Olivia is left feeling alone, so she tries to drive away Liam’s girlfriends in an effort to get her best friend back. But she meets her match in Zoey, Liam’s latest fling. A call-it-like-she-sees-it kind of girl, Zoey sees right through Olivia’s tricks.

 

Life Begins With You by Erica Lee

Rebecca and Cassie were childhood best friends until their lives took different directions. Their lives cross paths again when Rebecca ends up teaching Cassie’s little sister. It seems the two have nothing in common, but as they begin getting closer, it becomes obvious that there is much more to people than what meets the eye.

 

Just Married? by Natasha West

A gorgeous book with a fake marriage that takes place in Vegas after Emily tries to run away from her embarrassing breakup and meets actress Ruby, they both get very drunk and then end up married. Could they fall in love? Or are they Just Married?

 

Just Juliet by Charlotte Reagan 

Lena Newman is 17, her best friend’s a cheerleader, her boyfriend’s a football player, and as far as everyone is concerned, her life is sorted. But that’s before she befriends the new girl. Juliet is confident, slightly damaged, drop-dead gorgeous and a lesbian; and Lena realizes that her interest goes beyond just friendship..

 

Alice + Freda Forever: A Murder In Memphis by Alexis Coe

In 1892, America was obsessed with a teenage murderess, but it wasn’t her crime that shocked the nation—it was her motivation. Nineteen-year-old Alice Mitchell had planned to pass as a man in order to marry her seventeen-year-old fiancée Freda Ward, but when their love letters were discovered, they were forbidden from ever speaking again. This is their story.

 

Lies My Girlfriend Told Me by Julie Anne Peters

A book about how grief can bring people together in the strangest ways. Even if it means getting to know your girlfriend’s fiancee after she dies…

 

 

 

The Last True Poets of the Sea by Julia Drake

A gorgeous story about finding yourself, acceptance, found family, mental health, falling in love and hunting for a wrecked ship :))

 

 

 

By Any Other Name by Natasha West

This book puts a modern spin on the story of Romeo & Juliet, minus people dying and, of course, with a beautiful sapphic relationship!

 

 

 

Of All the Girls by Michele L. Rivera

Ashton is forced to spend her summer with her father and his new family, and it’s the last thing she wants. That is, until she meets Chloe.

 

 

 

Sugar Summer by Hannah Moskowitz

Sugar Summer is a lesbian retelling of the ’80s classic DIRTY DANCING, like you’ve never seen it before. Sugar Applebaum doesn’t hate the idea of spending a quiet summer at Sideling Springs. That is, until she crashes a staff party and meets Mara, the older, gorgeous, and acid-tongued dance instructor.

 

Queerleaders by M.B. Guel

Chaotic lesbian makes a claim that she can “get with” every girl on the cheer team. All of a sudden, she becomes a cheerleader magnet. Is Mack being set up for an epic fail? Or is she finally headed for acceptance–and maybe even romance…

 

200 Hours by Natasha West

2 girls who have to do 200 hours of community service together end up falling in loveeeee. What could poor troublemaker Lola Morgan and clueless rich kid Abby Granger have in common? Not a lot. Beside both having the misfortune to find themselves on the wrong side of the law.

 

Didn’t Stay in Vegas by Chelsea M. Cameron

A very light-hearted, cute best friends-to-lovers book with an accidental marriage, puppies and confused feelings. Callyn Stott wakes up from a night-out at her friend Lara’s Bachelorette party in Vegas with a hangover… and a wife.

 

Bury the Lede by Gaby Dunn

A graphic novel/comic about an intern reporter who is the only person that a serial killer will talk too. Madison meets the woman who will change her life forever: prominent socialite Dahlia Kennedy, who is covered in gore and being arrested for the murder of her family.

 

The Girl Next Door by Chelsea M. Cameron

Iris Turner hightailed it out of Salty Cove, Maine, without so much as a backward glance. Which is why finding herself back in her hometown—in her childhood bedroom, no less—has the normally upbeat Iris feeling a bit down and out. Her spirits get a much-needed lift, though, at the sight of the sexy girl next door

 

The Falling in Love Montage by Ciara Smyth

This gorgeous summer rom-com was the perfect mix of angst, fluff, and cliches. With two proud lesbians front and center, it was a story perfectly reminiscent of rom-coms, but with its own twists. It was heartbreaking, cute, and vulnerable.

 

The Boy in the Red Dress by Kristin Lambert

An exciting and powerful murder-mystery story that is centered around a queer speakeasy in 1930’s New Orleans. This book is a story woven with truth, lies, and troubled pasts.

 

 

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me by Mariko Tamaki

A graphic novel that asks us to consider what happens when we ditch the toxic relationships we crave to embrace the healthy ones we need.

 

 

Broken Things by Lauren Oliver

2 childhood best friends come together five years after their best friend was murdered to uncover the harrowing truth about what really happened that night and face their past.

 

 

10 Things I Can See From Here by Carrie Mac

A contemporary that focuses on family, mental health, addiction and navigating first relationships. This is the poignant and uplifting story of Maeve, who is dealing with anxiety while falling in love with a girl who is not afraid of anything.

 

Tell Me How You Really Feel by Aminah Mae Safi

This super cute rom-com is about film making, an enemies-to-lovers f/f romance and standing up for what you believe in; two strongwilled young women falling for each other despite themselves.

 

 

Hold Still by Nina Lacour

Ingrid discovers her best friend’s journal just days after she committed suicide. Now she must find a way to live without her best friend while facing all of the pain inside the journal.

 

 

Bring Her On by Chelsea M. Cameron

A super fun and cute romance about rival cheerleading squads and the captains who can’t stand each other when they are then forced to work in the same space due to the school gym burning down.

 

 

The Truth by Erica Lee

Three lives. One truth. This is a book about how three lives can get tangled up together without people realising, and how to fix it.

 

 

 

We Were Promised Spotlights by Lindsay Sproul 

Lindsay Sproul’s debut is full of compelling introspection and painfully honest commentary on what it’s like to be harnessed to a destiny you never wanted.

 

 

The Truth About Keeping Secrets by Savannah Brown

A gorgeous story about grief, love and loss that surrounds Sydney being determined to prove that the death of her father wasn’t accidental.

 

 

The Herd by Amanda Bartz

This is a super fun book about feminism and a female-ran empire that turns sinister when the boss of the company goes missing and her friends are convinced she’s been kidnapped.

 

 

Princess Princess Ever After by Katie O’Neill

A super adorable story about a princess saving a princess. When the heroic princess Amira rescues the kind-hearted princess Sadie from her tower prison, neither expects to find a true friend in the bargain.

 

 

The Winter Duke by Claire Eliza Bartlett

An enchanted tale of intrigue where a duke’s daughter is the only survivor of a magical curse. Filled with magic, politics, betrayal and love.

 

 

Something To Talk About by Meryl Wilsner

A MAJOR slow-burn romance between a hollywood star and her assistant, full of yearning, angst and all sorts of drama! A showrunner and her assistant give the world something to talk about when they accidentally fuel a ridiculous rumor in this debut romance.

 

All Eyes On Us by Kit Frick

Pretty Little Liars meets People Like Us in this taut, tense thriller about two teens who find their paths intertwined when an anonymous texter threatens to spill their secrets and uproot their lives.

 

 

Always Human by Ari North

This is a story about nanobots, genetic engineering, and two girls falling in love. No matter how technology changes us, we’ll always be human. It’s also free online!

 

Always Human Season II by Ari North

The most adorable love story about self-love, personal growth and navigating relationships.

 

 

 

South of Sunshine by Dana Elmendorf

A raw, honest book about coming out in a community that isn’t all that accepting and finding your crowd of friends. What is Kaycee willing to risk for the sake of love?
And what will she risk for acceptance?

 

Back to September by Melissa Brayden

The MOST precious story about a best-selling romance author and a bookshop owner who meet when the author goes on tour, and then they fall in love, duhhh!

 

 

The Gravity Between Us by Kristen Zimmer

Best friends-to-lovers hollywood star romance that is sure to keep you up all night until you finish it! Payton Taylor is Kendall’s best friend since childhood, and the one person who reminds her of who she really is – her refuge from the craziness of celebrity life.

 

The Road Home by Erin Zak

Gwendolyn goes home and has to face something she’s avoided for many years, her mother’s ‘replacement daughter’ who she took in just after she left.

 

 

Back to the Start by Monica McCallan

First love, rekindled in a small town. When Remy’s grandmother dies, it means leaving her life in San Francisco and returning to a town she swore she’d never revisit, forced to confront a world she’d worked hard to put behind her over the last twelve years.

 

The Devouring Gray by Christine Lynn Herman

On the edge of town a beast haunts the woods, trapped in the Gray, its bonds loosening… When bodies start to appear in the woods, the locals become downright hostile. Can the teenagers solve the mystery of Four Paths, and their own part in it, before another calamity strikes?

 

Before You Say I Do by Clare Lydon

What happens when a professional bridesmaid for hire falls in love with the bride she’s supposed to be preparing to be married off? Now, the only question is: will Abby make it to the altar?

 

 

Love Like This by Melissa Brayden

Spencer Adair has a passion for fashion, but hates the fact that it rhymes. She’s serious about her designs, fiercely protective of her work, and is waiting patiently for her big break. What she didn’t plan on, however, was the unsolicited opinions of that overlyfriendly blond boutique manager. Or the way her heart beats faster every time she’s around.

 

Something Tragic by Jessica Yeh

When Addison first started at Parkville High, she knew exactly who Crisa Grayson was, even if Crisa didn’t know her. Crisa was the focus of hallway gossip, infamous for her wild parties and golden hair.

 

 

The Dark Tide by Alicia Jasinska

A dark fairy-tale fantasy about two girls who must choose between saving themselves, each other, or their sinking island. Against their will, they find themselves falling for each other. As water floods Caldella’s streets and the dark tide demands its sacrifice, they must choose who to save: themselves, each other, or the island city relying on them both.

 

Drum Roll, Please by Lisa Jenn Bigelow

A super fun and cute middle grade about a music camp and finding yourself 🙂 This summer brings big changes for Melly: her parents split up, her best friend ditches her, and Melly finds herself falling for a girl at camp named Adeline.

 

Meet You at the End of the World by Natasha West

A post-apocalyptic romantic thriller where an accident of fate draws loner Rachel and idealist Alice into a mission to find Alice’s lost brother.

 

 

 

This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar

An adult sci-fi book about time travel and two women communicating and falling in love over the span of 100 years through a series of hidden letters.

 

 

You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson

A funny and heart-warming book about competing for prom queen to win scholarship money, betrayal, skater girls, old friends and family.

 

 

Kiss Me Every Day by Dena Blake

Wynn Jamison is turning thirty. Her career has made her rich, but her love life is sorely lacking. She’s okay with that until she spends her birthday dinner with the woman who could’ve changed it all. There’s only one problem. She’s married to Wynn’s sister.

 

Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant

Seven years ago, the Atargatis set off on a voyage to the Mariana Trench to film a “mockumentary” bringing to life ancient sea creatures of legend. It was lost at sea with all hands. Whatever the truth may be, it will only be found below the waves. But the secrets of the deep come with a price.

 

Breaking Legacies by Zoe Reed

THE MOST PERFECT BOOK YOU WILL EVER READ!!! A hunter is tasked with finding a runaway princess. Dragons, wolves, dogs, magic, the most precious f/f relationship, love, found family, politics, BIPOC main & side characters, a trans author, I MEAN, WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT?!?!?!?!!?!? 

 

Verona Comics by Jennifer Dugan

A fresh and funny YA contemporary romance about two teens who fall in love in an indie comic book shop. As Ridley’s anxiety spirals, Jubilee tries to help but finds her focus torn between her fast-approaching audition and their intensifying relationship. What if love can’t conquer all? What if each of them needs more than the other can give?

 

Dangerous Remedy by Kat Dunn

A band of misfits go around helping people escape from prison during the french revolution. In these dangerous days, no one can be trusted, everyone is to be feared. As Camille learns the truth, she’s forced to choose between loyalty to those she loves and the future.

 

I Killed Zoe Spanos by Kit Frick

Two teens lives become inextricably linked when one confesses to murder and the other becomes determined to uncover the real truth no matter the cost.

 

 

Forget This Ever Happened by Cassandra Rose Clarke

Featuring a mind-bending plot, heartfelt queer romance, brilliant writing, and intricate world building, Forget This Ever Happened is a lush and thrilling genre-bender perfect for the Black Mirror generation.

 

 

Who I Was With Her by Nita Tyndall

When Maggie dies, Corinne quickly learns that the only thing worse than losing Maggie is being left heartbroken over a relationship no one knows existed.

 

 

The Princess Affair by Nell Stark

Rhodes Scholar Kerry Donovan has never had anything handed to her on a silver platter. But when she meets Her Royal Highness Princess Sasha, second in line to the British throne, Kerry’s priorities are eclipsed by an attraction neither of them can ignore.

 

The Princess and the Prix by Nell Stark

The approaching Monaco Grand Prix—the crown jewel of the Formula One circuit—brings headstrong racer Thalia D’Angeles and Her Serene Highness Pommelina Alix Louise Canella together, but will these opposite stars collide, or are they destined to cross?

 

The Princess Deception by Nell Stark

A reporter and a Princess in disguise end up wrapped up together in a web of lies. When Sebastian, the Crown Prince of Belgium, overdoses on heroin shortly before he is set to launch Belgium’s campaign to host the FIFA World Cup soccer tournament, Sebastian’s twin sister Viola decides to impersonate him to keep Belgium’s bid hopes alive.

 

Burn Our Bodies Down by Rory Power

A twisty thriller about a girl whose past has always been a mystery—until she decides to return to her mother’s hometown . . . where history has a tendency to repeat itself.

 

 

The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson

Micaiah Johnson’s THE SPACE BETWEEN WORLDS is a stunning debut sci-fi novel all about inter-dimensional travel.

 

 

I Hope You’re Listening by Tom Ryan

In her small town, seventeen-year-old Delia “Dee” Skinner is known as the girl who wasn’t taken. Ten years ago she witnessed the abduction of her best friend, Sibby, now, she hosts an anonymous podcast that aims to find missing people.

 

They Never Learn by Layne Fargo

A dynamic psychological thriller about two women who give bad men exactly what they deserve. I mean, a feminist serial killer story?!?!? YES PLEASE

 

 

Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron

This fresh take on a classic story will make readers question the tales they’ve been told, and root for girls to break down the constructs of the world around them.

 

 

The Stars and the Blackness Between Them by Junauda Petrus

The story of two black girls from very different backgrounds finding love and happiness in a world that seems determined to deny them both.

 

 

Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett

In a community that isn’t always understanding, an HIV-positive teen must navigate fear, disclosure, and radical self-acceptance when she falls in love–and lust–for the first time.

 

 

Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu

Nova Huang knows more about magic than your average teen witch. One fateful night, she follows reports of a white wolf into the woods, and she comes across the unexpected: her childhood crush, Tam Lang, battling a horse demon in the woods.

 

Tell Me Again How A Crush Should Feel by Sara Farizan

High-school junior Leila has made it most of the way through Armstead Academy without having a crush on anyone, which is something of a relief. But when a sophisticated, beautiful new girl, Saskia, shows up, Leila starts to take risks she never thought she would.

 

I Kissed Alice by Anna Burke

Rhodes and Iliana couldn’t be more different, but that’s not why they hate each other. Since only one of them can get the coveted Capstone scholarship, the competition between them is fierce. Despite being worst enemies in real life, their anonymous online identities I-Kissed-Alice and Curious-in-Cheshire are starting to like each other…a lot. 

 

Other Words for Smoke by Sarah Maria Griffin

When the house at the end of the lane burned down, none of the townspeople knew what happened. A tragedy, they called it. Poor Rita Frost and her ward, Bevan, lost to the flames. Only Mae and Rossa, Rita’s niece and nephew, know what happened that fateful summer.

 

Hairpin Curves by Elia Winters 

Megan Harris had hopes of seeing the world, but at twenty-five she’s never even left Florida. Now a wedding invitation lures her to Quebec…in February. When her ex-friend Scarlett offers to be her plus-one and suggests they turn the journey into an epic road trip, Megan reluctantly agrees to the biggest adventure of her life.

 

The Fate of Stars by S.D. Simper

Worlds collide when Tallora is kidnapped from her ocean home and forced to be a pet to a tyrannical foreign empire. Her only hope for rescue lies with a sworn enemy—Princess Dauriel, infamous for her stone heart and conflicted past.

 

Heart of Silver Flame by S.D. Simper

Book 2 in the Sea and Stars trilogy which I can’t really describe without spoiling book 2 xD

 

 

 

Death’s Abyss by S.D. Simper

Book 3 in the trilogy!!

 

 

 

 

Eight Pieces of Silva by Patrice Lawrence

From the multi-award-winning author of Orangeboy, an addictive mystery that refuses to let you go long after you turn the final page. Can Becks piece the jigsaw together and find her sister before Silva loses herself?

 

Once Ghosted, Twice Shy by Alyssa Cole

When Likotsi and Fabiola meet again on a stalled subway train months later, Fab asks for just one cup of tea. Likotsi, hoping to know why she was unceremoniously dumped, agrees. Tea and food soon leads to them exploring the city together, and their past.

 

The Legend of Korra: Turf Wars, Part 1, 2 and 3 by Michael Dante DiMartino

Relishing their newfound feelings for each other, Korra and Asami leave the Spirit World . . . but find nothing in Republic City but political hijinks and human vs. spirit conflict!

 

Hopes and Dreams by PJ Trebelhorn

Riley Warren has spent her entire life in the same small town in Upstate New York. Victoria Thayer has fallen for a woman more interested in her money than her heart for the last time. When she runs into Riley, the first girl she ever had a crush on, at their high school reunion, she’s hoping there might just be a chance for the kind of relationship she’s always wanted.

 

You’re Next by Kylie Schachte

When a girl with a troubled history of finding dead bodies investigates the murder of her ex, she uncovers a plot to put herself—and everyone she loves—on the list of who’s next.

 

 

Nothing to Lose by Clare Lydon

Can you find love in a hopeless place? Nobody would ever describe Scarlet Williams as a ray of sunshine, but that doesn’t mean she deserves the flood that wipes out her basement flat, making her temporarily homeless. Enter Joy Hudson, local mayor & sunshine specialist, who opens her house to flood refugees and ends up with Scarlet on her doorstep. 

 

The Weight of the Stars by K Ancrum

Ryann and Alexandria are brought together after a freak accident leaves Alexandria with a broken arm and unable to recieve radio signals from her mother in space. Now Ryann must help her get on the roof every day in hopes that Alexandria can communicate with her mum.

 

You’re My Kind by Clare Lydon

Justine and Maddie met at university and were the couple most likely. Everybody said so. That is, until Maddie left without saying goodbye. Ten years later the pair are reunited at a friend’s funeral, and now Justine can’t shake Maddie from her life. But why is she back? Why did she disappear? 

 

Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers

With her newly completed PhD in astronomy in hand, twenty-eight-year-old Grace Porter goes on a girls’ trip to Vegas to celebrate. She is not the kind of person who goes to Vegas and gets drunkenly married to a woman whose name she doesn’t know…until she does exactly that.

 

Chase Me by Natasha West

Some days, you just shouldn’t get out of bed… For Beth Carmichael, an altruistic doctor with a tendency to be overly rational when it comes to her love life, today is that day. Because when Gracie Bloom walks into her exam room with a fractured arm, Beth knows two things. Firstly, Gracie is molten hot. Secondly, she’s trouble.

 

Her Royal Bodyguard by Margaux Fox

What happens when a female Bodyguard starts to fall in love with the Princess they are supposed to be protecting? Following an accident, Sergeant Erin Kennedy gets the promotion of her life, becoming bodyguard to Princess Alexandra, the future Queen of England. Rule Number One in the Bodyguard handbook is: Never fall in love with the client.

 

 

 

 

Hi Saundra! Can you you tell us a little about yourself?

Hi! Thank you for having me! My name is Saundra Mitchell, and I live in Indiana– there’s more than corn in Indiana! I’ve been publishing for teens and tweens since 2009, and OUT NOW is my third anthology!

If you were to describe Out Now: Queer We Go Again in three words, what would they be?

Fun, fun, fun! When I set out to put together an anthology, I ask my authors to write the story they wish they had when they were sixteen. And so I think the antho ends up fat and happy and exciting, because everybody’s getting to play to their own strengths. Everything is really genuine and heartfelt and honest.

What first inspired you to bring together All Out, and when did you decide you wanted to work on this follow up? 

ALL OUT was originally Jim McCarthy, my agent’s idea. We were brainstorming a new anthology– my first, DEFY THE DARK, had been out for a couple of years and I really wanted to do another one. Jim came up with the idea for an all queer collection– both authors and stories. I was like, yes yes yes, I want this! Jim and I are both queer, and we were both really hungry for more, more diverse queer stories in YA. We love the ones that exist, but we explicitly wanted a collection where people could write whatever they wanted– without focusing on pain or coming out or homophobia or hate crimes, which were often very, very central to the stories available at the time. We wanted more. So we made it! And TS Ferguson (also queer) at Inkyard bought it! And we had a gay old time!

Both All Out and Out Now feature a wide range of awesome contributors – how did you select who to include?

For a lot of authors, I just asked people I already love to read. You know, I love Anna-Marie McLemore, I love Fox Benwell, I love Malinda Lo, I love Shaun David Hutchinson. That’s one of the great things about doing an anthology: you get to ask your favorite authors to write something just for you!

But a lot of authors, I explicitly set out to find. I wanted to make sure I had ace voices in these anthologies, and the ace authors I knew personally weren’t all available. So I participated in #acelitchat on Twitter. #translitchat too. (I found the WONDERFUL Nilah Magruder in #acelitchat!)

Basically, when I put my anthologies together, I have two rules. One, the antho has to be AT LEAST 50% BIPoc, and of each representation, I try to have at least two. Because there is no single trans experience, there is no single pan experience, there is no single lesbian experience. So I try very hard to have at least two of each orientation and gender, so that more readers get an opportunity to see themselves reflected.

What are your favourite books featuring LGBTQ+ protagonists?

OMG, I am such a sucker for Shaun David Hutchinson. He’s an author that I can trust: I know that I’m not going to get to halfway and the book is suddenly going to come down with a bad case of message-itis or shamery. He’s also raw and honest, and the nihilism and hope in his books appeals to me. He doesn’t chicken out on hard endings. I just… yeah. I love Shaun’s books.

I’m also dead-gone-stupid over Anna-Marie McLemore. She is so hecking talented, it makes me want to bite my own face. Her books are beautiful, lyrical, they’re like sugar season on the page. They make me wonder why I bother to write at all. She’s just that good. She makes me want to be a better writer.

You’ve written multiple bestselling books – which has been your favourite to write?

I have to say, I have had a strange and varied and wonderful career, and I have enjoyed writing (almost) everything in my list. But getting an opportunity to adapt a Broadway music into a novel with THE PROM… that was like a dream come true. And writing MISTWALKER was one of those books that contained every single thing that I ever loved in a book: tragedy, mystery, magic… But honestly, it was painful and hard to write ALL THE THINGS WE DO IN THE DARK, but I feel like it’s the most important thing I have ever written– and maybe will ever write. That book came from my soul.

Throughout your writing career, what has been your biggest obstacle?

I write thinky books in a move-y category. I have tried and tried and tried to be more plot-oriented, to write faster-moving, more urgent books. But I just… I write a book because I have a question I want to try to answer, and all those characters are asking and answering that question from different points of view. So I end up with quiet books. But you know, I wouldn’t change it. I may not be a big flashy star, but I think we need quiet books too.

What has been your favourite part of editing All Out and Out Now? And what has been the most difficult? 

My favorite part is actively working with each author. I love seeing how they draft, how they revise. I feel like I  learn so much from them as we work together to make their stories as wonderful as they can possibly be. I’m trying to think of what the hard part is, and there really isn’t one. I mean, it’s a LOT of moving parts, and a lot of organization, so sometimes it’s stressful. But I truly love doing anthologies, so any stress there is, is absolutely worth it.

What’s some advice you’d give to any aspiring authors who might be reading this interview?

I didn’t go to college, I don’t have an MFA, and I live in the middle of Indiana– only been to New York twice! I didn’t have any connections, I couldn’t afford any conferences or workshops. And yet, I still get to write books (and edit anthologies!) for a living. No matter where you are in life, if you can scratch down words on something, if you can get to a library somehow, you can do this. And we need you to do it, because we have tons and tons of nice middle class people telling their stories, but we need more voices– more and more and more. If you love it, if you want it, you can do it. And we will be here ready and excited to welcome you.

All Out has inspired and helped LGBTQ+ teens across the world – tell us something or someone that has always inspired and helped you. 

When I was a teen, around 1987, we tried to put together a Pride parade in Indianapolis, and nobody was having it. We couldn’t get permits, the police refused to protect us, nothing. In the 90s, I joined the military and then got kicked out for being queer. Last year, I went to Indianapolis Pride, and cried as I watched the out servicepeople marching IN UNIFORM with our flag, in our parade. It inspires me that our great queer family doesn’t give up. We keep striving for our rights, and we keep moving forward, no matter how hard it gets. And the more we smooth the path, the easier it gets for the people who come after us. We are a family, and we take care of our own.

With Out Now coming out really soon, what do you hope readers take away from it? 

I hope readers take away joy. Happiness. Pleasure. Delight. Surprise. We make these anthologies to reach out and say, we see you, we love you, you are valid. So I hope that’s what readers take. And for all our glorious allies reading too, I hope they get the same: joy. Happiness. Pleasure. Delight. Surprise. We’re not here to learn a lesson. We’re here to have fun. That’s why our tagline is Queer We Go Again! It’s an invitation to a party and we hope to see you there!

Thanks so much for answering my questions, Saundra! It’s been a pleasure. Out Now: Queer We Go Again is out 26 May, and you really shouldn’t miss this exciting and inspiring anthology featuring seventeen short stories that span all genres, all starring LGBTQ+ protagonists!

Hey all! This week is #LesbianVisibilityWeek, and with both Sasha and I being sapphic girls and me (Amber) being a lesbian, we thought this would be a perfect time to bring you all a small list of books that have at least 1 lesbian MC! I got a bit carried away when making this so each book will have a line or two of synopsis to avoid this post being too long 🙂 Hope you enjoy ❤ – Amber & Sasha

 

The Midnight Lie by Marie Rutkoski

An absolutely stunning, powerful story of love and lies that centres around an angst-filled f/f romance.

All The Bad Apples by Moira Fowley Doyle

When Deena’s wild and mysterious sister Mandy disappears – presumed dead – her family are heartbroken. Only Deena refuses to believe it’s true.

Blood Countess by Lana Popovic

A historical YA horror novel based on the infamous real-life inspiration for Countess Dracula. A gothic, visceral and enchanting story of love, evil and obsession.

The Gay Girl’s Guide to Runing Prom by Siera Maley

Fake dating as revenge but then they the MC actually falls in love and has to figure out how to tell her friend.

Marriage of Unconvenience by Chelsea M. Cameron

Two best friends get married so they can claim inheritance money. One is a lesbian, the other is straight…..right?!?!

The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar

Two brown girls set up rival henna businesses and deal with lots of homophobia, confrontation, angst and cultural appropriation.

Style by Chelsea M. Cameron

Stella didn’t plan on getting a girlfriend until she was in college, but then she meets Kyle…

Colorblind by Siera Maley

THIS WILL MAKE YOU CRY!! A girl falls in love with another girl who has less than 12 months to live.

Taking Flight by Siera Maley

Lauren gets shipped off to a rehabilitation programme for teenagers where she falls for the daughter of the family she’s staying with.

The Scapegracers by Hannah Abigail Clarke

An outcast teenage lesbian witch finds her coven hidden amongst the popular girls in her school, and performs some seriously badass magic in the process.

Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit by Jaye Robin Brown

Joanna has agreed to lie low for a while in a new town for her father. That means trying not to let Mary Carlson get under her skin…

Anyone But Her by Erica Lee

Reagan, a proud lesbian pretends to be her gay best friend’s girlfriend for his religious family’s reunion so he doesn’t have to come out to them. Little does she know that he has a twin sister who is also into girls, and they instantly hit it off.

How Sweet the Sound by Evelyn Dar

A gorgeously heartbreaking estranged childhood best-friends turned enemies-to-lovers novel that will make you scream with anger, hurt and happiness.

Life Begins With You by Erica Lee

Childhood best friends who drifted apart but end up meeting again and having to deal with everything that happened in their past.

Just Juliet by Charlotte Reagan 

A super cute, cheesy story about a popular girl who falls in love with the new girl at their school.

Keeping Her Secret by Sarah Nicolas

Takes place at a summer camp and deals with a lot of internalised homophobia and coming to terms with accepting your sexuality.

Wild and Crooked by Leah Thomas

A story following a girl who is trying to run away from her past and her murderous father.

You Know Me Well by Nina LaCour & David Levithan

A story following a lesbian and a gay guy who’s worlds crash together and they end up becoming best friends while also helping each other deal with their messy lives.

How to Make a Wish by Ashley Herring Blake

Grace’s mother is a mess, she’s constantly getting with new guys and turning their lives upside down. Eva’s mother has just died and she’s just moved in with Grace’s best friend.

In the Vanishers’ Palace by Aliette de Bodard

In the Vanishers Palace is an adult fantasy f/f retelling of Beauty and the Beast with an all-Vietnamese cast.

These Witches Don’t Burn by Isabel Sterling

A spooky story about covens, witches, magic, betrayal, attacks and falling in love.

We Are Okay by Nina LaCour

A heart-breaking story about grief and allowing yourself to be loved again.

The Never Tilting World by Rin Chupeco

Frozen meets Mad Max in this epic teen fantasy duology bursting with star-crossed romance, immortal heroines, and elemental magic.

Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Really Feel by Sara Farizan

High school girls falling in love and trying to figure out what that means for them.

Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour

A film-buff and the granddaughter of a hollywood legend end up meeting in the strangest way.

The Love & Lies of Rukhsana Ali by Sabina Khan

Rukhsana realizes she must find the courage to fight for her love, but can she do so without losing everyone and everything in her life?

Tell Me How You Really Feel by Aminah Mae Safi

Sana is a cheerleader. Rachel is a wannabe director. As she’s casting her senior film project, she knows she’s found the perfect lead – Sana, but she hates her.

Pulp by Robin Talley

A dual perspective story about women loving women in the 1950’s.

The Abyss Surrounds Us by Emily Skrutskie

Cas has fought pirates her entire life. But can she survive living among them?

The Prom by Saundra Mitchell

Emma knows better than anyone that Edgewater, Indiana, is not a great place to be gay. But she’s had enough of high school homophobia and really wants to take her girlfriend – the popular, closeted It Girl Alyssa- to prom. How big a deal could that really be?

Ash by Malinda Lo

In the wake of her father’s death, Ash is left at the mercy of her cruel stepmother in this lesbian retelling of Cinderella.

The Weight of Our Stars by K. Ancrum

Ryann Bird dreams of traveling across the stars. But a career in space isn’t an option for a girl who lives in a trailer park on the wrong side of town.

Girl Made of Stars by Ashley Herring Blake

Mara and Owen are about as close as twins can get. So when Mara’s friend Hannah accuses Owen of rape, Mara doesn’t know what to think.

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me by Mariko Tamaki

A graphic novel that asks us to consider what happens when we ditch the toxic relationships we crave to embrace the healthy ones we need.