I love reading, and I love a good romance, but one thing I cannot read is any book with any type of straight romance. Either the main point of the book is not romance, so I wouldn’t like it anyway, or it’s centered around a heterosexual couple, and as a lesbian, I don’t enjoy reading that. Here’s a list of my favorite sapphic romance novels by queer authors for your summer to read list.
How to Make a Wish by Ashley Herring Blake
Grace has learned not to count on anyone, especially not her unpredictable mother, who uproots their lives on a whim. But when Eva, a girl grieving her own recent loss, moves in with Grace’s best friend’s family, the two connect in unexpected ways. Their relationship grows slowly and tenderly, offering both of them a sense of stability they’ve been missing. As Grace tries to balance love, loyalty, and her desire for independence, she’s forced to rethink what she wants—and deserves—from life. Ashley Herring Blake is also the author of Girl Made of Stars and Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World, both of which explore family, trauma, and self-discovery.
The Falling in Love Montage by Ciara Smyth
Saoirse doesn’t believe in happy endings—not since her mother’s early-onset dementia turned her life upside down. So when she meets Ruby, a bright and charming girl visiting for the summer, she agrees to a no-strings-attached fling inspired by classic romantic movie montages. But as their summer of fun unfolds—filled with beaches, dances, and late-night drives—real feelings begin to complicate their casual arrangement. Saoirse must decide if she’s willing to risk her heart despite her fears. Ciara Smyth also wrote Not My Problem, a sharp and funny novel about a fixer who can’t fix her own life.
Some Girls Do by Jennifer Dugan
Morgan, a former Catholic school track star, transfers to a public school after being outed and barred from competing. There she meets Ruby, a car-obsessed teen juggling secret passions and a mother who insists on pageants and perfection. As they grow closer, sparks fly—but Ruby isn’t ready to be open about who she is, while Morgan refuses to be someone’s secret. Their story unfolds with tension, warmth, and moments of both heartbreak and hope. Jennifer Dugan is also the author of Hot Dog Girl and Verona Comics, which similarly explore identity, relationships, and the messy parts of growing up.
She Gets the Girl by Alyson Derrick & Rachael Lippincott
Alex and Molly couldn’t be more different. Alex is bold, sarcastic, and recently dumped; Molly is shy, anxious, and nursing a quiet crush on a classmate. When Alex offers to help Molly win over her dream girl, the two form an unexpected partnership that slowly turns into something more. As their plan unfolds, so does a deeper connection neither of them expected. Set against the backdrop of their first year of college, this is a story about figuring yourself out while falling for someone else. Rachael Lippincott also wrote The Lucky List and Five Feet Apart, while Alyson Derrick’s solo debut, Forget Me Not follows a teen struggling to piece her life back together after memory loss.
During the summer, one of my favorite things to do is read in the sun. Romance novels just fit the vibe perfectly, they are light-hearted but emotionally driven. All of these authors write authentic novels that contain the representation I wished for when I was younger.