Jae's Blog, page 4
February 6, 2025
Sapphic book with up-against-a-wall sex
Welcome to the second micro-trope category of the Sapphic Book Bingo 2025! Today, we’re checking off one of the spiciest squares on the bingo card: sapphic books featuring up-against-a-wall sex (or, in some cases, up-against-a-door or up-against-a-countertop sex).
In these books, passion ignites with an irresistible urgency and raw desire that leaves no time for the characters to make it into the bedroom.
If you’re new to the Sapphic Book Bingo
If you’re discovering our reading challenge just now, head over to the Sapphic Book Bingo 2025 main post to read up on the rules and download your bingo card!
If you want more book recommendations, check out my Facebook reader group or the Sapphic Book Bingo Goodreads group.
15 recommended sapphic books in which the characters have up-against-a-wall sex
Below, you’ll find a list of 15 sapphic books with up-against-a-wall sex:
Another Stupid Love Song by Miranda MacLeod & Em Stevens
In a sizzling tale of love and redemption, two women embark on a journey that will test their hearts and ignite their passions when fame and music collide.
Maxine Gardner, a former rock and roll legend, is on the brink of obscurity and desperate for a comeback. Years have passed since her last hit, and she knows that a reunion tour with her old band is her last chance to revive her floundering career. But there’s a catch—one band member is dead, and the other despises her. To make her dreams a reality, Max’s only hope is a younger woman whose talent threatens to overshadow her own.
Jade Weathers, a gifted musician who hails from a family of rock royalty, is torn between a deathbed promise and her desire for rock stardom. When fate brings her face-to-face with Max, the woman who shattered her late mother’s career, Jade recognizes an opportunity to seize her destiny, even if it means partnering with the one person she should distrust the most.
What begins as a reluctant alliance quickly ignites into a collaboration where the attraction simmering beneath each soul-stirring note is as undeniable as it is forbidden. Heartbreak seems inevitable.
But is it possible everything they thought they knew about each other is wrong?
Available at:
House of Crimson Hearts by Ruby Roe
Once upon a time, a vampire corrupted a hunter.
Octavia Beaumont, one of the original three vampires, is determined to run the city.
Red, an expert hunter, is hell-bent on getting revenge on the vampire that turned her sister.
When deadly trials for the heir of the city begin, Red and Octavia are forced to work together.
Octavia wants a crown.
Red wants blood.
But there’s only one first place.
To win, they’re going to have to trust each other. But teamwork is not easy when their past is filled with betrayal…
A betrayal Red can’t remember.
Someone is lying.
Someone has a secret.
Everyone has a hidden agenda.
The last thing Red and Octavia want to do is fall in love… But hearts remember, even when the mind doesn’t.
To win the trials and get revenge…
They must reveal a truth that will shatter their souls.
Remember a past that will break their hearts.
And fight a war that will change the face of the city forever.
Three tasks. Three choices. Three sacrifices.
All of them have a cruel price. The question is, are they willing to pay it?
Available at:
An Unexpected Fate by Skye Von Triessen
Dr. Miranda Hayes never anticipated finding herself in a relationship with a woman, but her undeniable attraction to Lane Remington was too powerful to resist. As she surrenders to this unexpected connection, Miranda is forced to confront new facets of her identity. Is this newfound attraction to women just a passing curiosity, or is it the start of something more profound? And as she peels back the layers of Lane’s carefully constructed facade, what truths will she uncover, and how will they shape her choices?
Lane Remington has always lived by her own set of unbreakable rules—until Miranda Hayes shattered her iron-clad self-control. After nearly a year of longing, Lane finally has the woman she desires. But will she grow bored, as she has in all her past relationships? Or will the intense passion she feels for Miranda evolve into something deeper, something she’s never allowed herself to experience before?
As their lives become increasingly intertwined, both women must navigate a labyrinth of emotions, desires, and fears. In a world where control is everything, what happens when they surrender to the unexpected and let fate take the lead?
Available at:
You’re Still the One by Claire Highton-Stevenson
Natalie Shultz is a success in business but not in love. Although she’s built an empire of female-empowering sex toy stores, she’s never been able to find a deep, passionate connection of her own since running away from the girl of her dreams twenty-five years ago. But when she unexpectedly encounters Sadie again, who’s now an elegant, sensual woman, Natalie can’t quite smother a desperate hope of rekindling their long-ago spark.
Sadie Swanson is not the girl she once was. As a high-class escort, she exercises absolute control over who enjoys her body while keeping her heart securely locked away. Yet seeing a face from the past penetrates her artfully-constructed façade. The physical and emotional pull toward Natalie is as powerful as ever, but surrendering to it means risking another devastating heartbreak…and this time, Sadie may not survive it.
Memories of their glorious, youthful romance intertwine with the complexities of the present day as Natalie and Sadie rediscover the fire that has always burned between them. Will they embrace the warmth or quench the flames forever?
Available at:
Taming of a Rebel by Eada Friesian
Tori Frazee is unapologetic when it comes to falling in love before she’s thirty. When her marriage ended amicably, she knew she had to get back into the game to find her soulmate and have the family she wanted. Running face first into a cold but frazzled funeral director and a rebellious toddler at the grocery store isn’t how she expected to find love, and Miranda certainly isn’t her soulmate. Or is she?
Miranda Hart doesn’t believe in love. When she’s saddled with her flakey sister’s kid, she has a choice to make—step up to break the cycle and keep her niece from being another victim or continue to live through her work. When she meets the cute, down to earth Tori, she can’t help but wonder if maybe she does want more than her career.
When opposites attract, steam rises, especially with an ice queen in the mix. Will these two single parents break down their preconceived notions enough to find a family they can rely on?
Available at:
Houseswap 101 by Jaime Clevenger
When Devyn Lancaster comes home from a busy shift at the hospital, the last thing she expects to find is a woman weed-whacking her garden. It gets worse when she learns her ex-husband invited the woman to trade houses with him—all without telling her a thing about the plan.
Robbie Price was looking forward to a month-long vacation in San Diego. A break from the Seattle rain in exchange for doing a few home repair projects and taking a cute dog to the beach seemed well worth a house swap. Then she meets her coworker’s ex-wife.
For Robbie and Devyn, even tolerating each other feels impossible at first. And neither expect to learn to like each other. But at the end of the month, parting ways is what feels impossible.
Available at:
The Connoisseur’s Christmas Courtship by L.M. Bennett
McKenna Washington’s heart is as burnt as her attempts at cooking, thanks to a recent painful breakup.
Enter Brette Hunt: charcuterie expert and owner of a smile that could melt the iciest of hearts. As McKenna reluctantly navigates her friends’ awkward attempts at matchmaking, farmers’ markets, and gourmet tastings, she wonders if Brette’s expertly curated flavors might be the perfect recipe to help her trust in love again.
Available at:
Magdalene Nox by Milena McKay
Magdalene Nox doesn’t cast wishes upon stars…
She simply makes them happen. But for this particular wish, she had waited for thirty years. Her retribution against those who discarded her three decades ago should be swift and simple.
Except a chance encounter and an unforgettable night turn her entire life upside down. Torn between vengeance and lust, Magdalene is forced to re-evaluate everything.
Can the Home of Dragons and lonely math teacher Sam Threadneedle—who finds herself stranded amidst longing and fury—withstand the storm that is Magdalene Nox, or will any and all be consumed by the flames of revenge?
Not everything is as it seems, and as Magdalene returns to the place that left her wounded and lost all those years ago, she realizes that old oak and stone hide more than secrets and pain. They also hold forgiveness and love.
Available at:
Caged by Reba Bale
Janie spent way too many years denying her true desires and wasting her life on an emotionally abusive man. It was only when she started secretly coming to Club Surrender that she realized that even in submission she could be in control. Free and finally able to explore her bisexuality, the last thing she wants to do is fall in love again, even though the rope expert who ties her up is very appealing…
Skye is the newest dominatrix at Seattle’s women only BDSM club. They call her “The Ice Queen” due to her cold and emotionless demeanor, something that has served her well in both her high-powered career and her dominatrix role. But after years of bad experiences at other clubs, she’s finally found a home. She’s also found something unexpected: her soul mate.
Skye wants to make Janie hers forever, but the younger woman doesn’t believe in romance – and there’s no way she’s willing to commit to a new relationship so soon. With a little patience and some help from their friends, Skye devises a plan to win her submissive’s heart.
Available at:
V.A.M.P. Book One—Serena & Katerina by Kimberly A. Todd
Being rich, powerful, and thirty years old for eternity has its perks. Being a heartbroken, 800-year-old lesbian vampire, not so much.
Serena Vanderen is chairman and CEO of V.A.M.P. Global. Advertiser by day; scientist, murderer, and cleanup artist for her pharmaceutical client by night.
Since her girlfriend was killed thirty years ago, Serena has been going through the motions of running her advertising agency while grieving and trying to armor her heart against any more pain. But when Katerina Davenport attends her company gala, everything changes.
Can this captivating, gorgeous, sexy redhead help Serena find love again? Will she reignite Serena’s long-dormant sexual desires? Will Katerina be able to accept that she is falling in love with a vampire? What dark secrets does the agency conceal that challenges their love—and Katerina’s safety?
Available at:
Duty & Monsters by J.L. Meyrick
Captain Grace Peregrine finds herself in a new, unwanted role. Leader of her community, helping the island rebuild after Valentine’s attempted coup.
Freddie, no longer a Princess, finally finds her place in the world. Training to master all the elements of ship life, she searches for a way to help people in a way she never could at the palace.
Sent on a joint mission to Ablunora to carry precious cargo across a sea at war, the pair learn to grow and love apart. Freddie meets a mysterious woman. Charged with her protection, she navigates the line between duty and romance.
Grace struggles to make meaningful connections after her recent loss, but a new face promises to introduce new challenges.
Available at:
The World Within by Dani Finn
Lila’s life is almost perfect.
She’s finally opened her luxury sex shop and wellness center in a rehabilitated ancient temple. The painted faces are lining up to buy the new alchemical vibrators and unwind in the spa and baths. And she gets to work with her two best friends every day.
So why is there an empty place in her chest?
Enter Avisse, the delivery woman, a single mom with a quick smile and eyes that flash from hard to soft in an instant. There’s a spark, and a kiss, and a promise of dinner next time Avisse is in town.
Until then, Lila’s got her hands full with the shop, not to mention the mystic portal she’s discovered in the temple basement. What lies beyond will turn their lives—and the World Within—inside out.
Available at:
Make Room for Love by Darcy Liao
Starting over is hard. Falling for her gorgeous butch roommate might make it impossible.
When a tall, stunning butch protects Mira from her ex-boyfriend at the club—and offers her a safe place to stay—Mira should be relieved. Not flustered. She’s not into women.
Yet this tough electrician with curves for days makes Mira’s heart race like never before.
But Isabel, wounded by grief, forces Mira to keep her distance. Until Mira’s desperate to win a union election at work—and only Isabel has the experience to teach her how.
Soon they’re lingering over dinner, teasing each other as the apartment heats up. And Isabel is making her coffee every morning, hanging her shelves, giving her smoldering looks before bed…
But Mira can’t afford temptation. Not after living with her nightmare ex.
No matter how well Isabel takes care of her…or how much Isabel needs healing, too.
She can’t risk her freedom—or her heart.
Available at:
The Unfinished Line by Jen Lyon
When Kameryn Kingsbury lands one of the most coveted roles in cinema history, she’s certain it’s the most monumental thing that’s ever happened to her—until a twist of fate introduces her to Dillon Sinclair.
Dillon is unlike anyone Kam has ever met: bold, certain of herself, and fiercely driven by an ambition that has skyrocketed her to the top of her career. A famed British triathlete who remains on a quest to secure the one accolade she’s yet to achieve: an Olympic gold medal.
The connection between the two women is intense and unexpected, challenging Kam’s understanding of herself as she’s drawn into a relationship with Dillon. From the Hawaiian islands to the Santa Monica Pier, to the tropical paradise of the Keys, and the tranquil coast of Wales, a love story begins to unfold.
But when Dillon’s turbulent past collides with Kam’s overnight fame, the challenges escalate and the pressure of the relationship is heightened.
Available at:
Love by the Numbers by Karin Kallmaker
As a behavioral scientist, Professor Nicole Hathaway’s work strips away the foolish mystique that surrounds the human mating dance. When her academic tome is treated as a viral “love manual” her ecstatic publisher books her to appear all over the U.S. and Europe. Worse yet, her quiet, managed life has been shattered by a series of incompetent assistants. And she’s certain this Lily Smith creature isn’t going to be any less a burden than the last assistant they sent her. Or the one before that. Or before that…
Lillian Linden-Smith needs this job. With a relentless TV lawyer and public mob still out for her blood for crimes committed by her “American royalty” parents, getting out of the country is her only hope for anonymity. If that means cleaning up and presenting an antisocial know-it-all Ph.D. for bookstores, clubs and lectures, fine. Dr. Hathaway may have succeeded in driving away all the others, but not this time.
From their first meeting the sparks fly, and each is thinking: She has no idea who she’s dealing with.
Available at:
The Lie That Binds by S.E. Chandler
Ehra Havel is pretending to live like the elitist Omeo class that is trying to exploit and extinguish unmatched people just like her. Adopted from the streets of futuristic Chicago by an Omeo couple, she’s raised to follow the rules and emulate their marathon-length marriages by her counselor father.
Rules are made to be broken.
“Unmarried” to steamy and stormy, nonconformist Mamara, Ehra’s rollicking ride begins with her partner’s derelict brother missing from prison. Can they find him and undo his misdeeds before getting caught by cops and unraveling their rocky relationship?
Available at:
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Leave a comment
What sapphic book will you read for the “sapphic book with up-against-a-wall sex” category? Let us know in the comments!
The post Sapphic book with up-against-a-wall sex appeared first on Jae.
January 30, 2025
Sapphic books with witty banter
This week’s category of the Sapphic Book Bingo 2025 features sapphic books with witty banter between the characters. For this square of the bingo card, read a sapphic book in which the main characters exchange clever, humorous dialogue, playful teasing, or snarky comebacks.
If you’re new to the Sapphic Book Bingo
If you’re discovering our reading challenge just now, here are all the resources you need:
Check out more book recommendations in my Facebook reader group or the Sapphic Book Bingo Goodreads group.
15 recommended sapphic books with witty banter
Below, you’ll find a list of 15 sapphic books with witty banter:
Bachelorette Number Twelve by Jae
Ellie Fisher loves most things about being a nurse in the emergency department…just not working with Regina Novak, an icy attending physician who acts as if she’s God’s gift to medicine.
The dislike is completely mutual. Regina thinks Ellie is a starry-eyed romantic with a sentimental attitude that has no place at work.
When Regina gets talked into volunteering at a singles auction, Ellie accidentally bids on her—and ends up winning. Oops!
Since the money raised is for a good cause, they reluctantly decide to go through with the dates.
Thanks to a baking class that turns into a competition and a hot-as-hell road trip snack incident, the ice between them starts to thaw. Is it possible the ER isn’t the most unromantic place on earth after all?
Available at:
Posing in Paradise by TB Markinson & Miranda MacLeod
When a down-on-her-luck costumer agrees to a fake relationship for quick cash, the last thing she expects is to fall for a celebrity she despises.
Margo Wells hates everything about Hollywood. Especially actors. But she loves her job as a wardrobe supervisor, until a spoiled film legend has her fired for an accident on set that wasn’t even her fault. Margo faces the real possibility of returning home to Minnesota in defeat. That is until a friend suggests a crazy solution: pose as his cousin’s fiancée for a family wedding in Hawaii and earn some cold, hard cash.
There’s just one problem. It turns out the cousin in question is none other than Caroline Jacobs, the woman responsible for Margo losing her job. Unfortunately, there’s too much at stake to back out, especially after a desperate Caroline offers to triple Margo’s pay to go through with the charade.
What could go wrong?
How about three of Caroline’s most famous exes showing up at the same exclusive island resort at the same time?
Now Caroline and Margo will have to turn in the performances of their lives to avoid being caught in a lie. But can Margo survive being trapped for two weeks in paradise with so many Hollywood A-listers without choking on her lines? Or worse, falling madly in love with the beguiling blond she’s sworn to hate?
Available at:
Loser of the Year by Carrie Byrd
Mattie Belman’s life has gone from dismal to desperate. After the loss of her acting career, her marriage, and her usual optimism, she’s back home teaching high school theater. Maybe it’ll be a fresh start.
St. Rita’s arrogant soccer coach Jillian Reed sees Mattie’s musical as an outrageous distraction for her champion players. When Jillian declares war, Mattie is far too stubborn to back down.
But as Mattie discovers there might be more to Jillian than spectacle, fire, and ego, she gets dangerously close to her iron-willed colleague. Can she avoid temptation? Or will the growing flame in Jillian’s dark eyes ignite them both?
Available at:
The Relationship Mechanic by Karmen Lee
There’s no fix for a lonely heart like a little TLC…
Jessica Jae-un Miller came to Peach Blossom, Georgia, for a visit, not a breakdown. But when her rental car dies on the outskirts of town, mechanic Lavenia ‘Vini’ Williams provides a tow — and a very welcome jump start to Jessica’s heart. It’s been a minute since Jessica’s last fling — her relationship specialty — and Vini checks all the right boxes. If only the sexy car whisperer seemed interested…
Vini knows herself and what she wants. She loves her job, her family, her hometown — but she’d love to fall in love. Jessica stirs up all the right feelings, but the city girl has no intention of staying in Peach Blossom. Why sign up for a broken heart?
But the temptation is real as Vini goes out of her way to drive a carless Jessica around town. The pair can’t seem to keep their distance — or their hands to themselves. With only six weeks to figure out where their red-hot chemistry might lead, Vini and Jessica will have to decide if home can be where the heart is when the heart only knows how to run.
Available at:
Unexpected You by Chelsea M. Cameron
Cade: When I applied for a job as a personal assistant, I had no idea I’d be working for THE Eloise Roth. One of the queens of romance novels, who has dozens of bestsellers under her belt. I also had no idea that she would be strict, demanding, and difficult. Every single day I think about quitting, but for some reason I keep coming back for more.
Eloise: My new personal assistant Cadence “Cade” (ridiculous nickname, honestly) McCord is a chaotic mess who obviously lied on her resume, but something about her made me hire her anyway. Now I’m having regrets, but I’m also…intrigued. She’s young and there’s an energy about her that I like having around.
Cade: I have no idea when the hell Eloise went from my intimidating boss to the woman who stars in all of my dirtiest fantasies, but it’s becoming a real problem, and my already scattered brain is having even more trouble functioning. I’m so getting fired.
Eloise: I’m going to have to fire her. There’s no other solution to the situation I’ve found myself in. People assume that my life has been full of romance, but it’s actually the opposite. I’ve always been laser focused on my career. So why am I suddenly having new and embarrassing (and inappropriate) feelings for my absolute disaster of an assistant?
Available at:
Friday Night Flights by Susan X Meagher
Who are you? Is the real you a moving target or is there an essence that remains unchanged?
Avery Nichols is certain that she is a better, more evolved person than she was when she left home for college. But not everyone has watched her mature. When she returns to her childhood home, the one person she most wants to get close to is also the one whose impression of her remains fixed in the past.
Casey Van Dyke wants to think the best of Avery, but old hurts have a way of calcifying when they’re not explored. They both want to be closer, they both long for connection, but their images of who they are now and who they were then keep getting in the way. To get past their stumbling blocks, they have to open their hearts, something neither of them has excelled at. They’re both motivated, but is that enough?
Available at:
Whispering Oaks by Stephanie Shea
Nothing ever happens in Whispering Oaks.
The air is clean; uncorrupted by a tawdry downtown. Birds twitter. Crime is nigh non-existent. It’s the picture-perfect suburb with all the effects of classy restaurants and diverse nightlife. Not to mention block parties marked by face-forward flattery and back-biting.
Cassidy Linden hates it. Rather, the false mystique of it all disturbs her.
Nothing ever happens in Whispering Oaks.
So, when Cassidy’s younger sister vanishes one night, it’s not just surprising, it’s unfathomable—the only trace of her disappearance a trail of red petals and her cell phone left in the grass of her backyard.
No witnesses.
No suspects.
A police department who claim to be doing everything they can, and the poorly-timed return of a family friend.
When a one-night stand with the charming, enigmatic Ashlyn Castille reveals an unforeseen connection, Ashlyn and Cassidy realize they have more in common than either expected.
But one thing is certain, seventeen-year-old girls don’t just disappear. Someone must have taken her. Can Cassidy prove it in time to bring her little sister home? Or is she a fated anomaly?
Available at:
The Truce by Sabrina Blaum
For almost a decade they were best friends. Inseparable. Then a betrayal tore them apart.
Over twenty years later, Amy Summers and Jess Daniels need to find a way to navigate their past as they are sent to Europe to handle the acquisition of a company.
Along the way, they manage to strike a fragile truce, yet emotions run high as each blames the other for wrecking their friendship.
Available at:
Rhapsody in Flames by Ryann Fletcher
Monsters among us!
Is anywhere safe?
Chaos in Verdance City!
In the aftermath of a cataclysmic rupture, beings previously believed to be mythical are revealed, and communities fracture as fear reigns supreme.
Virginia Vane is a disgraced former cop. Her ex is back in town, her lover is a siren, and her home has become a playground for vicious crews in their quest for ultimate power.
And someone is killing mythics.
How can one jaded P.I. protect her clients in a world where hiding in plain sight is no longer an option?
Being different has never been more dangerous.
Available at:
Saving Graces by Ruby Landers
Rosalie Carlson is the person everyone turns to in a crisis. She’s kind, calm, caring and a social worker, after all. She’s got it all together… except that her personal life is kind of a disaster. Things can get a little hectic after all, when your complicated best-friendship is with a megastar like Savannah Grace.
When twenty-six year old Kinsey moved to Nashville, it was in the hopes of finding a creative partner and making it big. When she meets Cassidy Carver, musical sparks fly. It’s a chance meeting with a beautiful older woman however, that truly knocks her off her feet.
Rosalie’s gorgeous – and there’s no denying the intense chemistry between them – but she refuses to consider even a single date with a young musician. Besides, Rosalie’s already given up on love, so what would be the point?
Fighting this level of temptation is always a losing battle, but after one red hot minute they go their separate ways. It’s just lucky there’s no connection between their different worlds and no way they’ll ever cross paths again…
Available at:
Eyes Like Those by Melissa Brayden
When it comes to love, no one is in charge.
Isabel Chase is reeling. She’s just been offered her dream job as a staff writer on one of the hottest shows on television and quickly trades in the comfort of New England for sun, sand, and everything Hollywood. While stoked for what could be her big break, the show’s stunning executive producer has her head spinning and her feelings swirling.
Taylor Andrews is at the top of her career. Everything she touches turns to gold and the studios know it. Just when she’s on track for total television domination, Isabel Chase arrives in her office and slowly turns her world upside down. Isabel is intelligent, sarcastic, and dammit, downright beautiful. Unfortunately, she’s the one person that can take away all Taylor has worked for.
Will Isabel’s success lead to Taylor’s downfall? Or perhaps Isabel is all she needs…
Available at:
#Cassinova by Lori G. Matthews
Samantha Cassidy, award-winning actress, up-and-coming Hollywood “It Girl”, is missing three things in her life: an Oscar, a special someone to share her life with, and a baby goat in pajamas.
Alex Novato married her college sweetheart, but tragedy struck and the love of her life was ripped from her arms. Now she refuses to open her heart again, choosing casual sex over deeper commitments, until a not-so-chance meeting with her favorite Hollywood starlet turns her world upside down.
Will Alex give love another try? Will Sam find the courage to follow her heart, Hollywood be damned? Will anyone get a baby goat in pajamas?
Available at:
A Break in Communications by Lily Seabrooke
Lucy Masters is Anna’s personal nightmare for Christmas: the cutthroat competitor in her office vying for the same executive communications position that Anna is aiming for, a decision to be settled by Christmas.
Anna Preston’s whole life is wrapped up in this opportunity, and she’s not pulling any punches when it comes to her relentless rival. She’s finally settling this score, putting Lucy down once and for all, and getting the promotion, no matter what.
Lucy Masters is deeply, desperately, head-over-heels in love with Anna Preston. Despite the constant flirting and advances over the past year, her coworker hasn’t seemed to pick up on any of it.
But when they’re put together on one major project to prove themselves before the executive promotion opens, maybe Lucy has a chance to get through to her. Especially when, one way or another, half the world thinks they’re dating, and they have to keep up the charade.
Between Anna’s nosy family, their nosy office, and a major client who loves the fact that Anna and Lucy are definitely, absolutely a real couple, will they bridge the gaps between them, or will the position of communications executive… well, get in the way of their communication?
Available at:
Bespoke: A Novella by L.M. Bennett
Love, one fitting at a time?
Calisha “Cal” Duke, a bespoke tailor with a dapper flair, thrives in her world of men’s fashion. As a third-generation tailor, she feels pressure to uphold the sterling family tradition and name, but also wants to carve out a path that is uniquely hers.
When Rocky Beckford, a striking new client, requests a custom-made suit for a wedding, sparks fly, leaving Cal questioning her feelings and her reputation. This is the first time she’s ever crushed hard on a client, and onanother stud.
As Cal and Rocky explore this unexpected connection together, will they find out if genuine chemistry transcends labels?
Available at:
Calling the Shots by Kelly Farmer
Retired superstar Regan Lane is known for being outspoken. She’s never been one to keep her opinions to herself. When she lands a head coaching job in the women’s pro league with the Boston Ice, her brash promise to win the championship in her first year shocks no one. Especially not Tierney McGovern, head coach of the rival New York Lady Libertys.
Single mom Tierney knows what it’s like to live in someone else’s shadow, and she won’t let Regan steal the spotlight. Besides, she knows exactly how Regan operates: when it comes to delivering on her promises, she falls pitifully short. At least she did when she ghosted Tierney after their long-ago amazing week together.
As their teams face each other game after game, it doesn’t take long for them to realize their hockey rivalry isn’t the only thing heating up. And that maybe the real victory is in taking big chances on the ice—and off.
Available at:
A Different Kind Of Pride by Katherine Blakeman
Victoria Berry is known in the Cornish village of Miltree for being cold. As headteacher of the local primary school, she conducts her career with the same iron fist with which she controls the rest of her life. She’s perfectly content how she is: single, stony and intimidating. But what she doesn’t realise is that this can’t last forever.
Anastasia Savchenko is not known in the village of Miltree at all. She’s only been there for a year, having left her nursing career post-burnout in order to take over the village florist. Her head full of the business of flowers, she hasn’t even had time to make friends. And even if she had, the least likely person would be her next-door-neighbour, Scary Miss Berry.
A catastrophic car accident forces Anastasia and Victoria together, and before they know it, their relationship goes from complete strangers to carer and charge. But what they don’t realise is that as Victoria recovers, their relationship may run deeper than either of them bargained for…
Available at:
Subscribe to my blog for more Sapphic Book Bingo posts
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Leave a comment
What sapphic book will you read for the “sapphic books with witty banter” category? Let us know in the comments!
The post Sapphic books with witty banter appeared first on Jae.
January 23, 2025
Characters are trapped together
The second category of the Sapphic Book Bingo 2025 features sapphic books in which the main characters are trapped together for a significant portion of the book. They could be snowed in, trapped in an elevator, stranded on a planet or a remote island, or otherwise stuck with each other.
If you’re new to the Sapphic Book Bingo
If you’re discovering our reading challenge just now, here are all the resources you need:
Check out more book recommendations in my Facebook reader group or the Sapphic Book Bingo Goodreads group.
15 recommended sapphic books in which the main characters are trapped together
Below, you’ll find a list of 15 sapphic books featuring characters who are physically trapped together:
No Shelter But The Stars by Virginia Black
Kyran Loyal is the last heir to the lost throne of a forgotten planet, the figurehead of a nomadic people fleeing the galactic tyranny of a brutal regime. Davia Sifane is the unrecognized daughter of an imperial despot. When happenstance pits them against each other in battle, neither expects the outcome: they are the only two people to survive. Marooned on a barren moon, their only hope of survival is to rely on each other, but what they learn will either kill them or change the galaxy forever.
Available at:
All at Sea by Cheyenne Blue
Stevie Sterling is having a day from hell. Snubbed—yet again—by her unsupportive parents, she runs out on their posh party and takes refuge on a deserted yacht. Waking the next day with the world’s worst hangover, Stevie finds herself far from shore.
As if being trapped on the yacht in only her party dress isn’t bad enough, Stevie’s frantic that she’ll miss the first day of her new job as a nurse. She has so much to prove in her career—to herself and her parents.
The yacht’s cute but unimpressed captain, Kaz Malone—an eco-warrior who hits the seas with Sinbad the cat—is on a mission: There’s a nuclear-waste-dumping tanker to harass.
Kaz is as single-minded as she is stubborn and she’s not about to turn around for some stowaway with a new job. Hell, no. Saving the planet comes first.
But perhaps there’s more than one way to a destination?
Available at:
Thirteen Hours by Meghan O’Brien
Can you fall in love in thirteen hours? It’s her birthday but lonely workaholic Dana Watts is at the office late, drafting a proposal. The very last interruption she expects comes in the form of the most beautiful breasts she has ever seen. These belong to an incredibly hot woman, who is standing in front of her, stripping to music. Laurel Stanley performs strip-o-grams to pay her way through school. She has never encountered a more ungrateful recipient than Dana. The uptight project manager makes it clear that she is furious to be distracted from her work by the “gift” a colleague sent and equally appalled by Laurel’s occupation. After Dana is rude and insulting, and insists on escorting Laurel from the building, the two women take an elevator ride that changes everything. Stuck with each other for thirteen long hours after the elevator breaks down, they discover how wrong first impressions can be and how right two strangers can feel together. Can everything change in less than a day?
Available at:
Destiny’s Bridge by Carrie L. Carr
Budding realtor Amanda Cauble is sent on a fool’s errand on a stormy afternoon. When her car is washed into a rising creek, it could be the last thing she does. Lexington (Lex) Walters has run the Rocking W Ranch for the last ten years, alone except for hired hands and her feisty housekeeper, Martha. She doesn’t have the time or inclination for dating, but when fate drops a beautiful woman into her path, how can she resist? With the bridge out of service and the weather against them, Lex and Amanda work together to take care of the ranch. When they stumble across a group of rustlers also stranded by the weather, will the stress destroy their budding relationship?
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Storm in Her Heart by KC Luck
Athena Storm, the resilient owner of a struggling tavern, has weathered many storms in her life. As she fights to keep her establishment afloat, she is convinced she does not have time for a relationship.
Enter Kate Franklin, an ex-cop turned delivery driver who seeks refuge from her past. Although she never intended to look for romance, she can’t stop thinking about the auburn-haired, green-eyed bar owner named Athena.
Lacey Storm, a bright and ambitious college student, is eagerly counting down the days until graduation, yearning to embark on her career as a graphic designer. The only problem is having to say goodbye to Max, the roommate she’s been secretly in love with for years.
Max Graham loves running the kitchen at Athena’s bar, especially when her roommate, Lacey, stops by. Keeping her crush locked in her heart, Max is content with the occasional stolen glances, or so she thinks until their last chance at love is on the line.
When a catastrophic blizzard catches them all in the mountains on New Year’s Day, they not only work to survive but also share their vulnerabilities and secrets. As they weather the external storm, each must simultaneously confront their internal ones.
Available at:
Cabin Fever by Tagan Shepard
Morgan Allen arrives at her first national trade show expecting to make a splash and a ton of sales. She didn’t expect her biggest rival, Shelby Howard, to be there, stealing her thunder and all her clients. Why couldn’t Shelby just stay home and let Morgan have this one? After all, Shelby doesn’t believe in her product, not like Morgan does. She’s just successful because she’s charming and magnetic with a killer smile and legs for days.
Still, Morgan has a heart. When a major snowstorm cancels both their flights home and Morgan snags the last rental car, she offers Shelby a ride. That kindness turns into a nightmare when bad cell reception and a missed exit leaves them stranded in a secluded hunting cabin with a wrecked car and no way to call for help.
The longer they’re stuck together, the more their feelings grow. Could Morgan really be falling for the woman who might just cost her everything? And that’s nothing compared to the question that plagues them both once they’re finally rescued. Do they really have feelings for each other, or was it just cabin fever?
Available at:
What You Need by Torrance Sené
Ness has one thing on her mind—advancing her career in real estate—but a snowstorm, one bed, and a passionate attraction to her coworker threaten to bring joy back into her workaholic life.
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The Trick to Finding Love by Taryn J Dallas
After she discovers that her wife has been cheating, Skye throws herself into her work to forget the break-up of her marriage, relishing the chance to explore and research the famous Catacombs of Paris.
When a misstep leaves Skye lost in the ancient tunnels, she stumbles upon Trick, a gorgeous graffiti artist with a sense of adventure. Skye is grateful for Trick’s help to get out of the tunnels, but how can she truly thank her rescuer when she was caught actively defacing one of the greatest historical sites that Skye has ever seen?
It wouldn’t matter, but when Skye’s rental car gets a flat tyre, the enigmatic Trick appears once more looking unfairly sexy in her dirty coveralls. Skye quickly learns that all is not as it seems with the rebellious Parisienne.
Available at:
Two Pines by Tessa La Vella
Clara shifted her weight from one naked foot to the other. “I’m cold,” she whispered. Marie smiled. Of all the attempts to get into her bed – and over the years there had been quite many – this was probably one of the cutest and most charming ones and definitely impossible to resist.
Young photographer Marie Claythorn’s life seems to be changing for the better when a lawyer informs her that she is the sole heir to her grandfather’s house in Chesleyham. Upon arriving at the small village, however, she gets bad news: a distant cousin also poses claim to the house – which is already in a devastating condition. When she meets her cousin for the first time, Marie is immediately irritated. Clara Wright is convinced that she can buy Marie’s share of the house, but the matter is not resolved so easily. While the tension rises between the two women, a snow storm breaks out, blocking all roads and rail tracks. They have no option but to stay in the ruined property – together, despite their obvious dislike. With electricity gone and the house playing tricks on them, they have to move closer together until eventually, tension turns into passion.
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Moon Over the Poconos by Renn Loraine
Isle witnessed something someone didn’t want her to see. Now – scared and alone – she’s on the run for her life.
Escaping into a snowstorm, she hides from the killer in an isolated cabin high in the Pocono Mountains. But when a beautiful police officer appears at her door – under very suspicious circumstances – she begins to doubt her safety.
Isle only needs to wait for the roads to clear so she can catch the first flight out of the airport. But with the arrival of a winter bomb cyclone, she’s no longer sure what’s more terrifying – the man who wants to kill her, or nature itself.
Available at:
1049 Club by Kim Pritekel
Almost two hundred souls, one plane, six survivors, endless heartbreak.
When flight 1049, headed from Buffalo, NY to Italy falls from the sky, a firestorm of drama, pain, angst and sorrow ensues. Can an author, a business owner, a teenager, good ol’ boy, veterinarian and ruthless lawyer survive? Better yet, can those left behind?
1049 Club is a story of survival, love, deep regret and miracles. Can the living make peace with the
presumed dead? Can the presumed dead make peace with the lives and loves they thought they had before?
Available at:
The Immortal Part of Myself by MJ James
Riley has lived her whole life as an elite daughter of one of the five ruling earthen corporations. She was supposed to be a beautiful figurehead working behind the scenes to help her husband. But the dresses they stuff her in are uncomfortable, social situations leave her confused, and she never really has been a woman. When she was diagnosed with autism, her father’s only hope was to marry her off. As she aged, her usefulness to her husband has diminished, and he plans on trading her for someone younger. Divorce isn’t legal, but murder is. . . as long as you don’t get caught.
Except Riley has never been as helpless as they believed. She has a gift for navigating technology, one that has let her lead her own rebellion. But to see her ultimate plan succeed, she needs to survive long enough. Her only solution is to get off the planet.
When Matty, a Martian ambassador headed home, sees Riley for the first time, she knows her life will never be the same. Riley needs help, and Matty wants to step in to save her even though she doesn’t know what she is saving her from. The more the two women come together, the more Matty falls in love. But what happens when the person you love cannot love you the same way?
Available at:
Snowblooded by Emma Sterner-Radley
Valour and Petrichor are esteemed members of the Order of Axsten, an assassin’s guild tasked with keeping order in the rough city of Vinterstock. Plucked from the streets as children and raised to compete for their guild’s approval, Valour uses her brawn to survive, while Petrichor strives to be a gentleman assassin. When they’re given their biggest job yet—to kill Brandquist, the mysterious leader of the city’s illegal magic trade—it’s a recipe for disaster. If they can quell their rivalry long enough, the reward will be enough to settle their debts with the Order and start new lives.
If this job wasn’t dangerous enough, Valour is saddled with protecting the aristocrat, Ingrid Rytterdahl. Valour finds her dangerously attractive, but Petrichor can’t wait to be rid of them both. He begrudgingly accepts Ingrid’s knowledge and connections as they navigate the city’s criminal underbelly in pursuit of Brandquist.
As secrets bubble to the surface, the duo must outwit the thugs on their tail, keep Ingrid alive, and—hardest of all—work together without murdering each other.
Available at:
Unbreakable by Cari Hunter
Dr. Grace Kendal never stands a chance. The injured woman comes out of nowhere, bleeding heavily and holding a gun. Compelled to help her, Grace is dragged into Elin Breckenridge’s nightmare. Their fight to survive will take them across the country and to the limits of their endurance. But who is Elin running from? As Grace struggles for answers, one thing becomes clear—Elin is somehow connected to a dead man, and Grace could be next.
For Detective Sergeant Safia Faris, the case should have been easy: one dead body, one suspect. But the deeper she digs, the more obvious it becomes that murder was only the beginning. The investigation sets her on a collision course with Grace and Elin, and she’s forced to reevaluate everything she knows. Because nothing is quite as it seems, and Grace’s and Elin’s lives aren’t the only ones on the line.
Available at:
Courtship by Anna Pulley
Reaux Briggs is no stranger to cruising; each night a different woman warms her bed. She doesn’t exactly mind it, as intimacy is something she gave up on long ago. But when her hot nights land her in hotter water and she’s ousted as drummer by her metal band, Reaux thinks things couldn’t possibly get worse. Then she walks onto the deck of a long-awaited holiday cruise only to run face-first into the woman who broke her heart.
Catherine “Fitz” Fitzgerald is an up-and-coming divorce lawyer too busy trying to make partner to care about her love life, or anything approximating one. But thanks to an antiquated norm at her family’s firm, Fitz needs to find a partner in order to get promoted. As if her mother setting her up on horrible blind dates wasn’t bad enough, Fitz also has to contend with being in forced proximity to Reaux, her high school sweetheart and the girl she’s never really been able to get out of her head.
Increasingly pulled together by feelings they can’t quite ignore—not to mention a tropical hurricane that threatens the lives of everyone aboard the ship—Reaux and Fitz must learn to navigate the emotional and literal storms swirling about them. Will they be able to mend their past hurts and reach safe harbors, or has their ship sailed once and for all?
Available at:
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Leave a comment
What sapphic book will you read for the “characters are trapped together” category? Let us know in the comments!
The post Characters are trapped together appeared first on Jae.
January 9, 2025
Sapphic books with an almost kiss
Welcome to the first Micro-Trope card post of the Sapphic Book Bingo 2025!
Micro-Tropes are those little moments or scenes that we all love and look forward to—small elements that add to our enjoyment of the story and that come up often enough that they have become recognizable.
The first Micro-Trope category is “sapphic books with an almost kiss.” For this square, read a sapphic book where the main characters come close to kissing but then don’t—either something interrupts the moment or they stop before their lips can touch.
Check out the rules & download your Sapphic Book Bingo card
If you haven’t done so already, check out the rules of the Sapphic Book Bingo and download your Micro-Tropes bingo card. Then come back here to take a look at my suggestions for the first Micro-Tropes category below.
15 recommended sapphic books with an almost kiss
Below, you’ll find a list of 15 sapphic books with an almost kiss.
Finally Loved by Jacqueline Ramsden
Neve thought she’d finally found someone who would love her, but here she is, getting dumped again. Perhaps it would be less embarrassing if it were happening in private—and with words she hadn’t heard time and time again. Or, perhaps she’s destined to never find real love. At least, that’s how it feels until she runs directly into her very own knight in shining armor.
Alba is perfectly happy dating, but nothing seems to stick. It seems every one of her friends knows her type, but something is always missing. However, when she collides with Neve, the challenge is on to try not falling for someone who is both exactly her type and one of the most wonderful people she’s ever met.
As the pair get closer, Neve’s life as she knows it falls apart, but Alba is there to help pick up the pieces. With interfering friends, the fear of never finding love, and Neve attempting to navigate the complications of dating while ace, will the two take a risk on what’s growing between them, or ignore it to preserve the friendship neither wants to lose?
Available at:
Something in the Wine by Jae
All her life, Annie Prideaux has suffered through her brother’s constant practical jokes. But Jake’s last joke is one too many, she decides when he sets her up on a blind date with his friend Drew—neglecting to tell his straight sister one tiny detail: her date is not a man, but a lesbian.
Annie and Drew decide it’s time to turn the tables on Jake by pretending to fall in love with each other.
At first glance, they have nothing in common. Disillusioned with love, Annie focuses on books, her cat, and her work as an accountant while Drew, more confident and outgoing, owns a dog and spends most of her time working in her beloved vineyard.
Only their common goal to take revenge on Jake unites them. But what starts as a table-turning game soon turns Annie’s and Drew’s lives upside down as the lines between pretending and reality begin to blur.
Available at:
A Heart to Trust by A. L. Brooks
Change is not Jenny Quinn’s strong suit, but she’s happy enough with her easy-going life, friends, and job as a TV production assistant. That is until a company shake-up foists the infuriating Olivia Sinclair on her. The woman is uptight, snobby, and has some perfect and famous motor-racing husband.
TV and theater producer Olivia moved to New York from the UK to marry her longtime friend. It’s a sham marriage, a favor to a man she loves as a brother, but the strain is beginning to take its toll. How can she even meet women when she’s the picture of heterosexual bliss? Add in her stressful new job, an irritating colleague called Jenny, who thinks being goofy is some kind of admirable work ethic, and life can be a grind some days. The worst part isn’t the office politics or clashing personalities, but the fact there’s an attraction between both women that’s gradually becoming impossible to ignore.
So…should they stop ignoring it? That would mean learning to trust your heart that this is the right woman. And that’s a huge step.
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Imperfectly Perfect by Adrian J. Smith
Savannah Logan wants nothing more than a quiet life with her daughter. But when her brother dies of cancer, her world is thrown for yet another spin. Fighting through her grief, she takes on the hospital and doctors, suing them in a battle that will only benefit her brother’s family. But she finds herself more than intrigued by the lawyer’s assistant. The only problem is that Savannah refuses to make the same mistake twice, and what she needs is friendship, not love.
Fallon Schroeder has sworn off love. But the curvy, ray of sunshine that just walked through the office door has caught her attention. Proposing a no strings attached relationship is the best she can offer, and when Savannah accepts, Fallon is all in. The only problem? Every day, Fallon finds herself a little more in love with Savannah and her energetic daughter.
Can these two women overcome their fears and find love?
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Reality In Check by Emily Banting
Sculptor Arte Tremaine is thrown into the hospitality industry when her beloved late grandmother bequeaths her and her sister a charming yet rundown country hotel with zero guests. Arte is determined to make a success of the business, despite her sister snapping at her heels to sell it and painful memories confronting her inside.
Charlotte Beaufort, heiress to a hotel empire, television celebrity, and self-confessed city woman, hits the countryside to film an episode of her reality television show, Hotel SOS, where she immediately clashes with the overwhelmed Arte and her inquisitive Labrador, Rodin.
Arte doesn’t take kindly to Charlotte’s attitude and frank opinions about her hotel, but when they are thrown together, she begins to realise not everything is as it seems with her attractive nemesis. As Arte begins to chip away at Charlotte’s icy exterior, both women begin to realise dreams and reality rarely entwine and that, sometimes, our dreams are not even our own.
Can the artsy dreamer and ambitious heiress face the reality of their situations and discover their true paths? And if so, can those paths lead them toward true love?
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In the Shadow of the Past by J.E. Leak
She fell for the wrong woman … now it’s going to cost her.
In the shadowy world of 1940s New York City, a sultry spy falls for the one woman she shouldn’t. When reporter Jenny Ryan’s father is murdered, her burning need for justice drives her to take on a ruthless tycoon. But her plan goes awry when she falls for the criminal’s alluring mistress, OSS agent Kathryn Hammond.
Kathryn is more than just a popular nightclub singer with a glamorous façade. She’s an undercover spy, trapped stateside in a dead-end assignment while the war rages on in Europe. Frustrated and resentful, her feelings get her into real trouble when Jenny steals her heart. As their forbidden desire blooms, they find themselves caught in a web of danger and intrigue.
Will their passion endanger their lives and unravel everything they’ve worked for, or will their love be the very thing that saves them?
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The Senator’s Wife by Jen Lyon
When professional soccer player, Alex Grey, goes on a vacation to the local South Carolina islands, she isn’t anticipating any life-changing events. Just a relaxing weekend to prepare for the upcoming season. But that quickly changes when she finds herself the lone witness to a sailing accident and makes the decision to risk her own life to save a drowning woman—unwittingly coming to the rescue of a U.S. senator’s wife, Catharine Cleveland.
Despite the vast disparity between their worlds, the two women find themselves inexplicably drawn to one another after the near-catastrophic afternoon. Following a series of interactions from the soccer fields of Portland, to the Marina District of San Francisco Bay, and the cutthroat political circle of Washington, D.C., they find their friendship growing, transforming into an attraction neither woman can deny.
Nor an attraction either woman can comfortably embrace.
As the magnetism of their connection grows, both women are forced to decide if the pursuit of love is worth the cost while living under the scrutiny of the public eye.
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Secrets Well Kept by Lynn Ames
It’s March, 1943. World War II rages across the globe, and twenty-five-year-old Nora Lindstrom is about to take a huge leap of faith. One of the few women in the male-dominated field of physics, she travels to an undisclosed destination to undertake a vital, top-secret project that the government insists could help the Allies win the war.
At eighteen, Mary Trask is ready to put high school and the boy who wants to marry her in her rearview mirror. But what alternative could the future hold for the dyslexic daughter of a train conductor? When a cousin in Tennessee provides Mary with a cryptic job opportunity, she jumps at the chance to rewrite her life.
Nora and Mary are drawn together under impossible circumstances. As the fate of the world hangs in the balance, they find solace in their love for each other. But in a place where secrecy is paramount, their relationship is forever changed by the consequences of secrets well kept.
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The Love Lie by Monica McCallan
A year ago, Sydney King was a successful pro tennis player with a long-term boyfriend, a plan for the future, and a shot at fulfilling all her dreams.
Now, she has a cheating ex-boyfriend and a career-ending injury, and—quite frankly—things could not be going worse for her.
She hopes that returning home to Stoneport, Massachusetts will be the reset her life needs—until she finds out her ex’s wedding to the woman he cheated with is the social event of the season.
The last person Sydney expects to find camaraderie with is her former fiancé’s sister, Reese Devereux. Back home after the purchase of a local inn, Reese has wounds of her own and seems even less enthused about her brother’s wedding than Sydney.
When an unexpected mix-up creates the perfect story that she and Reese are dating, shockingly, Reese runs with it. Sydney knows it’s a bad idea, but being on Reese’s arm gives her the chance to pretend life is just a little bit more in her control than it feels.
Both women are coming home to their pasts, but it’s up to them to decide what they want their futures to look like.
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Hide No More by Rita Potter
When Vicky Cogburn’s Mafia boyfriend enters the witness protection program, she enlists a law firm to set her up with a fake wife and fake life far away from the city.
Ambitious, no-nonsense attorney Rachel Huntington would do anything to secure a partnership in her New York City law firm—even if it means hiding out and playing house with a seductive Mafia mistress.
Assuming new identities, Rachel swaps her beloved practical suits for a more femme look, while blond bombshell Vicky must tamp down her oozing sexuality. But can they convince the eccentric locals of Mud Bluff, South Carolina, they’re in love?
Available at:
Heartlines by Simonetta Pastorini
Dianna Laydon is an actress starring in one of TV’s top series, Treasure Hunt, but she has never gotten used to fame. In her heart, she’s still the simple Southern girl who had moved to Los Angeles years ago to make her dream come true. She’s also a control freak, a play-by-the-book kind of girl, and a totally rational person. Her life, though, is turned upside down when a new actress is cast as a recurring character in Treasure Hunt. Vivien Reese has spent her whole life under the spotlights, being the wild daughter of a renowned British director, and a famous actress herself since she was just eighteen years old. With her party-girl reputation and her go-with-the-flow attitude, she seems Dianna’s polar opposite, so when the two girls meet sparks start flying, and not necessarily in a good way. But as they work together and they get to know each other, they discover that they might be more similar than they had initially thought, and more importantly, they’re terribly drawn to each other.
Available at:
The Demon Equilibrium by Cathy Pegau
Grace Carter, a “source” of magic, has spent the last nine months searching for Maggie Mulvaney, her “catalyst.” The joy of reuniting with her partner—and her lover—is thwarted by her worst fear: Maggie remembers neither Grace nor their life together in the Order of Saint Teresa, the centuries-old organization that trained them to be the strongest demon-hunting duo in generations.
When Maggie and Grace unexpectedly come face-to-face with the demon Horde, they are forced to team up once again. As they begin to piece their lives back together, they discover that their memories have been masked by someone within the Order. Should the Horde succeed in their plan, those who have committed their lives to slay worldly demons will be relegated to little more than minions as humans are completely enslaved.
Now, Grace and Maggie must sacrifice everything, possibly even their love, and their lives, in an all-out battle to save humanity.
Available at:
Flowing like Water by Jutta Swietlinski
Chocolate shop owner Laura is 57 years old and has been married to the same man for decades. She never would have expected to end up falling in love with another woman. But when she meets 53-year-old single mother Carina, her whole world is turned upside down …
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To Be Loved by Shannon O’Connor
Two strangers, one summer house & a little bit of unexpected love.
Norah:
I really wish everyone would stop looking at me like my husband died. It’s been over a year and while it hurts, I’m happy to be getting back to myself. My job at the bookstore, my reading and my nights alone are what keep me going. When Alana asks if I mind her friend staying with me for the summer, of course I say yes. I mean this house is big enough to fit a library. I just don’t expect her to be the first person I’m attracted to since my husband.
Gemma:
When my college best friend asks me to be her maid of honor, I’m honored. She offers me a place to stay, as long as I don’t mind a roommate for the summer. She doesn’t mention how beautiful Norah is. What starts as awkward roommate interaction, soon begins to be the best part of my week. That is, until she tells me she’s carrying her dead husband’s baby.
I don’t know what to think, but I’m afraid I’m already falling in love with her.
Available at:
Reverence by Milena McKay
It’s the carefree ’80s and Juliette Lucian-Sorel has it all. She’s the greatest dancer to ever grace the floorboards of Palais Garnier, she’s royalty to her adoring fans, and Paris is at her feet. Or so it seems…
Katarina Vyatka is defecting from behind the Iron Curtain, desperate to save herself and her career. Or so she claims…
What happens when the Princess of Paris rescues the brightest star in the history of Bolshoi? Will the Paris ballet stage be big enough for both of them? Sparks fly and rivals become lovers as they set their lives ablaze in a torrent of secrets, intrigue and grands jetés!
Available at:
Subscribe to my blog for more Sapphic Book Bingo posts
If you’d like to get all Sapphic Book Bingo posts sent to your inbox, subscribe to my blog. The next recommended reading list will be posted next Thursday, with my recommendations for the “witty banter” category.
Leave a comment
What sapphic book will you read for the “sapphic book with an almost kiss” category? Let us know in the comments!
The post Sapphic books with an almost kiss appeared first on Jae.
January 2, 2025
Sapphic book that combines 2 tropes you love
Welcome to the first post of the Sapphic Book Bingo 2025! I hope you had a good start into the new year and are ready for the first category of our 2025 reading challenge—sapphic books that combine two tropes you love!
Since I, of course, can’t know what your favorite tropes are, I’m sharing book recommendations for combinations of the most popular tropes, voted on by the readers in my Facebook group.
If your personal favorite trope combinations aren’t among those I’m listing, please feel free to read any sapphic book that combines two tropes you love.
A great tool that might help you discover more books that contain two (or more) of your favorite tropes is the I Heart SapphFic BookFinder. In the “select a theme” field, pick one of your favorite tropes, then click “add a second theme” and pick another trope you love.
Check out the rules & download your Sapphic Book Bingo card
If you haven’t done so already, check out the rules of the Sapphic Book Bingo and download your bingo card. Then come back here to take a look at my suggestions for the first square below.
Sapphic books that combine two tropes you love
Below, you’ll find 5 sapphic books for each of the most popular trope combinations.
Age gap + ice queen
Pieces of Us by TB Markinson & Miranda MacLeod
The nanny is hot for her boss, but she’s been burned falling for a straight woman in the past.
Julianna Bristol is on the brink of success as her fledgling video game design company goes after the opportunity of a lifetime. But her ex-husband is intent on making her fodder for late-night comedy. When she unexpectedly gains custody of her nine-year-old niece, everything in Julianna’s exquisitely planned life changes in the blink of an eye.
Sadie Culpepper is out of work and drowning in debt. She’s as unable to commit professionally as she is romantically. A last-minute nanny gig offers a lifeline, but making it through the summer working for the woman the late-night hosts call Permafrost might take everything she’s got.
Their mutually beneficial business arrangement is threatened as the magnetic pull between them grows stronger with each passing day. Both women are forced to confront their deepest fears and insecurities. Julianna is drawn to the younger Sadie in ways she never imagined possible. And Sadie, scarred by past heartbreak, struggles to trust again, especially with her heart and financial security on the line.
Will they have the courage to defy convention and seize their chance at happiness? Or will they succumb to the pressures of society, letting go of the one thing that could save them both?
Available at:
Vengeance Planning for Amateurs by Lee Winter
Muffin maker Olivia Roberts has had it with her awful exes taking advantage of her good nature. The theft of her nana’s beloved stuffed penguin is the absolute last straw.
She puts up an ad at her local crime bookstore for a henchperson to help her enact a little mild revenge. To her astonishment, Margaret Blackwood, the mysterious, icy, and annoyingly opinionated bookstore owner, applies.
For two clever, capable women, they turn out to be woeful at vengeance. But much to their dismay, they discover they’re pretty good at falling in love!
Available at:
Saving Mia by Anna Stone
Mia Brooks needs money, fast. Deep in debt to help pay her sister’s medical bills, her loan shark is coming to collect. Her solution? Auctioning off the one thing she’s been saving—herself.
The highest bidder is Cassandra Lee, self-made businesswoman and CEO. Her heart hardened by a past she keeps buried, Cassandra doesn’t want a relationship. What she wants is a woman who takes pleasure in serving her. And Mia is the perfect prize. She’s enthralled by Cassandra and the sweet surrender she commands. For the next 30 days, Mia is hers.
As the chemistry sizzling between them intensifies, so does their connection. But a figure from Cassandra’s past has returned, determined to destroy her. Will Mia and Cassandra be able to put it all on the line, including their hearts?
Available at:
Truth and Measure by Roslyn Sinclair
Jules Moretti is newly single, an aspiring writer, and the hyper-competent assistant to the most powerful woman in fashion. It’s a tough job, but her ice queen boss won’t settle for less than perfection.
Vivian Carlisle helms the internationally revered fashion publication Du Jour. She might be smack in the middle of a messy divorce, but you have to make sacrifices to be the best. That’s what she tells herself, anyway.
When the unthinkable happens, Vivian’s regimented world is turned upside-down. Her life is about power, success, and dominance—not a baby!
This single, shocking moment throws boss and assistant together into an intimacy neither could have imagined. With their lives in chaos, every day brings a new challenge bigger than the last. But everything will work out…just so long as they don’t do anything totally ridiculous.
Like fall in love.
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Reverence by Milena McKay
Two ballerinas. Two fates. One stage.
It’s the carefree ’80s and Juliette Lucian-Sorel has it all. She’s the greatest dancer to ever grace the floorboards of Palais Garnier, she’s royalty to her adoring fans, and Paris is at her feet. Or so it seems…
Katarina Vyatka is defecting from behind the Iron Curtain, desperate to save herself and her career. Or so she claims…
What happens when the Princess of Paris rescues the brightest star in the history of Bolshoi? Will the Paris ballet stage be big enough for both of them? Sparks fly and rivals become lovers as they set their lives ablaze in a torrent of secrets, intrigue and grands jetés!
Available at:
Ice queen + enemies-to-lovers
Promised to the Queen by Barbara Winkes
MIA
I can’t believe my parents have agreed to marry me off in order to have their debt to the Morettis paid by the Falcone family. Tying the knot with Alessandra Falcone seems to be the only way—but I can’t do that, can I? This is not the marriage I’ve dreamed of since I was a little girl.
This marriage is all but convenient for me because it comes with strings attached. There’s nothing romantic about it, and the fact that I’ve met Alessandra before makes it all worse.
Because I am attracted to her.
ALESSANDRA
I wish things were different, but I have a responsibility to my family. This includes keeping my siblings in line, and the company going. It means I must go along with my grandfather’s ridiculous idea. The Leonards’ predicament is just convenient. Mia…
She’s dangerous, because every time I’m with her, it’s harder to pretend this is just business.
I can’t be distracted, much as I’m tempted. Lives are on the line, and sometime soon, it could be hers…
Available at:
Business of the Heart by Claire Forsythe
Abby Archer should be content. Her coffee shop, Haze, is thriving, and she has a great group of friends. There’s just one thing missing: love. Despite past betrayals, Abby hasn’t given up on finding the one, waiting with increasing impatience to experience the sparks she’s always dreamed of.
Lexi Finn lives for her career. At least her job won’t break her heart. Unlike Abby, she’s most definitely not searching for the one or anyone for that matter. Avoiding relationships isn’t all that difficult when she’s become so skilled at keeping people at a distance.
So imagine Lexi’s shock when, walking into Haze, she feels instant attraction and an unshakeable connection with Abby. Abby has a picture of her perfect woman in her mind, and it certainly isn’t the intolerable Lexi Finn. When a hopeless romantic meets a tough-as-nails cynic, they’ll need to overcome the wounds of the past to discover that their hearts are the most important business of all.
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An Unexpected Affair by Skye Von Triessen
What if one encounter leads to a series of events that make you question everything you thought you knew about yourself?
Dr. Miranda Hayes lives what many would consider the perfect life. She has a loving boyfriend, family and friends who adore her, and a career she is passionate about. All her life, she has dated men and never once questioned her sexuality. That is until Lane Remington, the woman she considers the most insufferable human she has ever interacted with, becomes her new boss. A woman she met once and hoped never to see again. A woman whom life kept throwing into her path. A woman Miranda can’t seem to avoid no matter how hard she tries and each interaction leaves her with more questions than answers about herself.
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Don’t Quit Your Daydream by Adrian J. Smith
What happens in the elevator doesn’t stay in the elevator.
When Laura Finch’s business partner hires Skylar to bring their company to the next generation, Laura sees red. An obnoxious millennial isn’t someone she wants to work with—they’re known for failing their side hustles. Since Laura gave up everything for Solace Inc to succeed, including her dreams of marriage and family, she’s not willing to risk it on just anyone.
Skylar Ross vies to succeed in her first big contract and won’t let Laura’s sour personality get in her way. Each day she finds something else intriguing about Laura and all the fronts she puts up. With a dash of humor and hope, Skylar bets on her sunny disposition winning Laura over. What she doesn’t expect is her growing crush on a straight woman to go anywhere.
Dreams are meant to be scary. What will they risk to make theirs come true?
Don’t Quit Your Daydream is an age gap, lesbian romance that deals with infertility and grief that comes with the loss of dreams. Be prepared for the ride up to the sixth floor, where all the magic happens.
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Ribbonwood by Ruby Landers
Lara Bennett is world-famous in Ribbonwood, population 907. She’s the woman you don’t trust your husband with: a real-life femme fatale. If there’s a scandal in town, she’s at the center of it, ruining businesses, marriages, and egos everywhere she goes, with her sharp tongue and that body that makes you look twice. Besides… didn’t she more or less kill a man?
Ollie Gabrielli left Ribbonwood right after high school, back when Lara was her arch-nemesis. When she comes home for three months to recover from burnout and spend time with her chaotic family, not to reconnect with old classmates. Only somehow, she can’t seem to take her eyes off Lara. How did she only get hotter? And is she really everything they say she is?
Sometimes, there’s a reason you should never try to go home.
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Fake relationship + opposites-attract
Just for Show by Jae
What happens when an overachieving psychologist with OCD tendencies and an impulsive, out-of-work actress start a fake relationship?
Claire Renshaw thought she had it all: a successful career as a couples therapist, a publishing contract for her self-help book, and a happy relationship. But her perfect world falls apart when her fiancée calls off their engagement. Because of that, even her book deal might be off the table. After all, readers don’t want relationship advice from someone who can’t even make her own relationship work.
So Claire sets out to hire herself a fake fiancée.
Lana Henderson, the actress who shows up to audition for the role, is not exactly Claire’s ideal woman. Her frankness and the messes she leaves everywhere drive Claire up the wall. At least she won’t fall in love with someone like Lana.
But soon, Lana starts to win her over with her big heart, tickle fights, and—gasp!—carbs after six. The longer they pretend to be a love-struck couple, the less fake their kisses feel and the more the lines between reality and role begin to blur.
Once the book contract is signed, will they walk away or is their relationship no longer just for show?
Available at:
The Snowball Effect by Haley Cass
For the first time, Regan Gallagher is facing the world without her best friend by her side – no, Sutton isn’t dead but she is in Rome, following her dreams. And Regan really is thrilled for her. Left to her own devices, she’s doing… fine.
Oh, except for the fact that her new roommate, Emma Bordeaux, has hated Regan since the literal day they’d met two years ago. Sure, most of their interactions end in disaster and Regan is the root cause, but they are all accidents! She’ll win Emma over though; she’s determined to make this living arrangement work come hell or high water.
Emma never planned on finding herself living with the most frustrating person she’d ever met, but for rent this low, she’s positive that she can put up with anything Regan throws her way.
What she isn’t sure she can handle is her mom returning to her life, wanting to bond with Emma. She definitely doesn’t know how to manage her mom believing that she and Regan are a couple. And she doesn’t want to deal with the fact that Regan seems far too into acting the part.
Perhaps the most daunting aspect of all is realizing that she might have been wrong about Regan all along…
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Elemental Attraction by K. Aten
Two people find themselves in a quandary: Aderri, a powerful dragon shifter with some light defensive magic, and Ellys, a half-elven swordswoman for hire, one of the best across the six nations.
When Aderri gets news that she must come home for the naming ceremony of a new hatchling, she’s forced to hire Ellys and her telepathic steed, Roccotári, to see her safely there. Of course, things are never as simple as they seem. Not only do they have to traverse the land between two kingdoms on the brink of war, but Aderri’s Clan expects her to return with a romantic interest. So, for the added promise of triple Ellys’s normal fee, the half-elf agrees to pretend to be Aderri’s suitor.
Ellys and Aderri have to convince a Clan full of magical mixed-shifters for a week that creatures of differing elements can burn with the flames of love, without actually lying. A situation made even more difficult by a matchmaking mare, steamy baths, and an innkeeper with mischief on the mind.
Caught between the weight of the past and expectations of the future, they must find their true destiny within the heat of fire.
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Might as Well Be an Ocean by Kellan McKnight
When a heart chooses frost over fire, can true love’s warmth still find a way in?
Mara Davies learned early to keep her heart on ice. Abandoned by her mother, she raised
herself while her father drowned his grief in alcohol. Everything changed when she met Fayth Havens, the one person who truly sees her and accepts everything that makes Mara different: her overstimulated mind, wandering thoughts, even her comfort in a pair of worn-out Family Guy pajamas, holes in the ass and all.
Now approaching their thirties, Mara and Fayth are best friends, though unspoken desires simmer just beneath the surface. When they strike a “friends with benefits” pact, Mara risks everything for a connection that burns hotter than she ever expected.
A twist of fate—and a piece of cake—lead to a fake engagement, forcing Mara and Fayth into an intimate tangle of buried truths. As misunderstandings threaten to pull them apart, Mara feels the distance between them might as well be an ocean. Can she open her heart to the love she’s convinced herself isn’t meant for her?
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Breaking Character by Lee Winter
A lesbian celebrity romance about gaining love, losing masks, and trying to stick to the script.
Life has become a farcical mess for icy British A-lister Elizabeth Thornton. America’s most-hated villain stars in a top-rated TV medical drama that she hates. Now, she’s been romantically linked to her perky, new co-star, Summer, due to the young woman’s clumsiness. As a closeted actress, that’s the last thing Elizabeth needs. If she could just get her dream movie role, life would be so much better. The only problem is that the eccentric French film-maker offering it insists on meeting her “girlfriend”, Summer, first.
Summer Hayes is devastated when her co-star shuns her for accidentally sparking rumors they’re lovers. Now the so-called British Bitch has the audacity to ask Summer to pretend to be her girlfriend to get her a role? Elizabeth doesn’t even like Summer! Oh, how she’d love to tell her no. And Summer definitely would if it wasn’t for the fact she’s maybe a tiny bit in love with the impossible woman.
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Medical romance + workplace
Bachelorette Number Twelve by Jae
A kind ER nurse accidentally wins a date with a prickly doctor at a singles auction
Ellie Fisher loves most things about being a nurse in the emergency department…just not working with Regina Novak, an icy attending physician who acts as if she’s God’s gift to medicine.
The dislike is completely mutual. Regina thinks Ellie is a starry-eyed romantic with a sentimental attitude that has no place at work.
When Regina gets talked into volunteering at a singles auction, Ellie accidentally bids on her—and ends up winning. Oops!
Since the money raised is for a good cause, they reluctantly decide to go through with the dates.
Thanks to a baking class that turns into a competition and a hot-as-hell road trip snack incident, the ice between them starts to thaw. Is it possible the ER isn’t the most unromantic place on earth after all?
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Fated Love by Radclyffe
What do you do when your carefully planned life takes a wrong turn into hell? When Quinn Maguire, a dashing young trauma surgeon, unaccountably accepts a position as an ER physician, her new boss, Honor Blake, suspects that Quinn is hiding a dark secret. While the two declare an uneasy truce in an effort to work together, both struggle with mutual, and unexpected, attraction. Honor, however, has more than one reason to resist her growing feelings for the attractive newcomer—not the least of which is that her heart belongs to the woman whose wedding ring she wears. Amidst the chaos and drama of a busy emergency room, Quinn and Honor must contend not only with the fragile nature of life, but also with the mysteries of the heart and the irresistible forces of fate.
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Irregular Heartbeat by Chris Zett
After nearly a decade as a professional drummer, Diana Petrell leaves her rock-star life behind to continue her residency in emergency medicine. She’s determined not to let anything stop her—not even falling in love with her aloof mentor, Dr. Emily Barnes.
Emily has only ever focused on her career as a senior attending in the emergency department, and she isn’t happy about having to babysit a resident with a ten-year gap in her résumé, no matter how intriguing she is.
But every time they work together, it’s not just their patients’ heartbeat that gets a little irregular. Soon, the once-clear lines between work and personal life begin to blur.
When Diana’s unorthodox secret past is revealed, putting her job in jeopardy, Emily has to choose between her career and her relationship. A lesbian romance that asks how much we’d risk for love.
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L.A. Metro by RJ Nolan
Dr. Kimberly Donovan’s life is in shambles. After her medical ethics are questioned, first her family, then her closeted lover, the Chief of the ER, betray her. Determined to make a fresh start, she flees to California and L.A. Metropolitan Hospital.
Dr. Jess McKenna, L.A. Metro’s Chief of the ER, gives new meaning to the phrase emotionally guarded, but she has her reasons.
When Kim and Jess meet, the attraction is immediate. Emotions Jess has tried to repress for years surface. But her interest in Kim also stirs dark memories. They settle for friendship, determined not to repeat past mistakes, but secretly they both wish things could be different.
Will the demons from Jess’s past destroy their future before it can even get started? Or will L.A. Metro be a place to not only heal the sick, but to mend wounded hearts?
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Love Trauma by Cara Malone
Krys Stevens is the best trauma doctor at Lakeside Hospital.
She runs the ER like a finely choreographed dance and her dedication to her patients makes up for the ones she cannot save. She’s got a small group of coworkers she calls friends and she’s a superstar at the free clinic where she volunteers. What more could an ambitious young doctor want?
One day, a patient arrives in the ER intubated with a ballpoint pen and changes everything.
Darcy is a combat medic, or she used to be. Her whole identity was wrapped up in the Army until she was injured and sent back to civilian life. After ten years away, there’s not much waiting for her at home, but she’s determined to rebuild her life so she starts going to meet-ups to make new friends.
That’s how she befriends the meet-up coordinator, and how she discovers he’s allergic to shellfish.
One creative intubation later and she’s following him to the ER where she meets the passionate, beautiful and untouchable Krys. She stops only long enough to give Darcy a piece of her mind, but that’s all it takes to know…
Darcy wants Krys to be in the life she’s building.
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Workplace romance + age gap
Next in Line for Love by Harper Bliss
Can the road to the top take you on a path to love?
After ten years abroad, Alexandra ‘Ali’ Lennox’s father asks her to move back to Los Angeles to head the family company, Lennox Breweries.
The company’s COO, Jill Gold, has dedicated twenty years of her life to Lennox Breweries and is not amused when she’s asked to mentor Ali, who she considers to be nothing more than a privileged trust-fund brat.
Even though they don’t see eye to eye, Ali and Jill will have to learn to trust each other for the sake of the company—and each other.
Can Jill change her mind about Ali’s smug entitlement? And will Ali be able to come to terms with the past hurt that drove her away from L.A. in the first place?
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Strange Attractors by Ana K. Wrenn
What happens when you teach chaos theory and life starts to mirror your lessons? The tiniest events transform the most driven woman in this beautifully written lesbian psychological thriller.
Fierce and frosty high achiever Professor Sonja J. Storey is on the verge of seizing power in her department. She has exacting plans to remake her backwoods North Carolina university, just as she has painstakingly remade herself.
Sonja’s perfectly ordered life takes a dramatic turn when she meets laid-back, magnetic junior professor Crystal Byrd.
But then come threatening notes, sinister emails, and shadowy nocturnal figures, and suddenly, Sonja’s controlled world starts to tremble like a butterfly in a storm.
Is someone out to get her? Is it a specter from Sonja’s past? It’s hard not to be suspicious of everyone, even intoxicating Crystal with her temptingly warm presence.
Seeing danger everywhere, Sonja must hunt down the source of the chaos before she loses her brilliant mind, and her chance at the one thing she’s never known—love.
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Boss of Her by Anna Stone
Small-town girl Jade Fisher has sacrificed everything for her dream of a high-powered career in Los Angeles. Fresh out of grad school, she’s one step away from landing the perfect job as executive assistant to Simone Weiss, LA’s hotel queen. So when her friend invites her to the opening night of Club Velvet, a luxury club for women to explore their wildest desires, Jade decides to let loose a little, just this once.
She isn’t expecting an encounter with a commanding older woman who makes her heart race and her body burn. And she’s even more surprised to come face to face with the same woman days later. Simone Weiss. Her new boss.
CEO by day, part owner of Club Velvet by night, Simone built her hotel empire from the ground up. She knows what she wants. She’ll stop at nothing to get it. And now, she has her sights set on her curvaceous new assistant.
One sensual night of surrender is all it takes for Jade to fall under her spell. Neither woman is looking for romance. Both bear scars from the past. But the more Simone awakens Jade’s submissive desires, the harder it becomes to ignore the feelings between them. Can love conquer all, even the walls around their hearts?
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Perks of Office by Liz Rain
After high-powered politician Bridget O’Keefe sweeps into the uninspiring life of Australian electorate officer Emma Ives, nothing is the same again.
Hapless, hopeless Emma is smacked with an instant crush on the polished woman who’s her new boss…her hot, untouchable, straight boss. Yes, she knows she’s an idiot because unrequited lust at work is a terrible idea. Even so, she can dream.
One long night changes everything. A political scandal leads to a fall from grace and Emma suddenly finds herself the one Bridget turns to for comfort. There’s a lot for Emma to wrap her mind around, even as her body loves wrapping itself around Bridget’s curves.
Is it just a meaningless night of passion, nothing more? Because there’s absolutely no way ambitious, beautiful Bridget wants anything more from Emma. Is there?
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Crossing the Line by J.J. Arias
It was supposed to be a one night stand . . . fate had other plans.
Newly-appointed judge Jordan Blake is done with romance. But on a rare night out, she becomes captivated by Sierra – a woman half her age. Unable to resist her charms, the usually cautious Jordan gives in to a reckless night of passion.
Law student Sierra Fuentes doesn’t expect to see Jordan again. Pleasantly surprised when she ends up her intern, Sierra sees an opportunity to continue their steamy affair. If only Jordan would stop caring about the rules.
With Sierra in her chambers, Jordan vows to keep their relationship strictly professional. . . even if she can’t stop thinking about that night. Forced together, the women struggle to keep their desires, and burgeoning feelings, under control.
With her heart and career on the line, will Jordan risk it all for a chance at love, or will her fears keep her from leaping head first into her happily ever after?
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Celebrity + sapphic awakening
Stars Collide by Rachel Lacey
Eden Sands has been a star for twenty years, but it’s lonely at the top. Her mediocre marriage just ended, and her inner circle is smaller than ever. The stage is the only place she’s ever felt like she truly belonged, and yet, her last album flopped, and her upcoming tour hasn’t sold out. Eden’s desperate for her star to shine bright again, but when her team suggests a collaboration with an up-and-coming young star to give her a boost, she balks.
Anna Moss is pop music’s rising star. She’s idolized Eden Sands for most of her life—so it’s a dream come true when she’s invited to perform with her at the Grammys. Anna’s tired of being defined by her bubbly persona. She wants to be taken seriously as an artist, and a duet with Eden could be just what she needs.
As Anna and Eden rehearse, they soon realize they have more in common than their musical talents. Now they just have to decide if what is between them is a one-hit wonder or the making of a romance worthy of one of the greatest love songs of all time.
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Damage Control by Jae
A famous actress falls for the female PR agent she hired to stop rumors about her sexuality in this heartfelt lesbian slow-burn romance.
An actress practically since birth, Grace Durand has finally made it in Hollywood. When a photo of her in a seeming compromising situation with another woman is plastered all over the tabloids, she fears for her career as a lead in romantic movies.
Desperate for a publicist who’ll convince America that she’s straight, Grace hires Lauren Pearce, one of Hollywood’s leading PR agents, not knowing that she’s a lesbian.
Lauren has dealt with PR nightmares for years, so doing damage control for one more rich, spoiled client shouldn’t be a problem—or so she thinks. But the more time she spends with Grace, the more she realizes how different she is from her television persona.
Getting involved with her client is not in her game plan, especially since it would confirm the rumors and ruin Grace’s career, but the attraction between them is growing as they run the gauntlet of the paparazzi together.
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Staging Love by Lynette McCornan
Camilla Parkes has a plan: hire an actress, fool her family, secure her inheritance. Simple, right?
When Camilla Parkes hires actress Jade Thompson to be her fake fiancée, she gets more than she bargained for. Between family drama, hidden agendas, and the unexpected spark between them, their charade quickly becomes complicated.
Hired to play a part, Jade ends up stealing the show—and Camilla’s heart. As the snow falls and hearts thaw, Camilla and Jade must decide if they’re willing to risk it all for a love that started as a lie but might just be the truest thing they’ve ever known.
Available at:
Heartlines by Simonetta Pastorini
Dianna Laydon is an actress starring in one of TV’s top series, Treasure Hunt, but she has never gotten used to fame. In her heart, she’s still the simple Southern girl who had moved to Los Angeles years ago to make her dream come true. She’s also a control freak, a play-by-the-book kind of girl, and a totally rational person. Her life, though, is turned upside down when a new actress is cast as a recurring character in Treasure Hunt.
Vivien Reese has spent her whole life under the spotlights, being the wild daughter of a renowned British director, and a famous actress herself since she was just eighteen years old. With her party-girl reputation and her go-with-the-flow attitude, she seems Dianna’s polar opposite, so when the two girls meet sparks start flying, and not necessarily in a good way. But as they work together and they get to know each other, they discover that they might be more similar than they had initially thought, and more importantly, they’re terribly drawn to each other.
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And the Truth Is… by Jamey Moody
When the love you’ve been searching for magically appears in the most unexpected person.
Lauren Nichols’ longtime marriage was over. She’d done what was expected, married her high school sweetheart, raised two great kids and now what? There had to be more to life than work. She wanted to share the passion she knew lived deep in her heart.
When she meets the bigger-than-life award-winning actress Tara Holloway something kindles deep inside her.
Can passion pull Tara all the way from Hollywood to a small Texas lake town? Is this the true love they have both been seeking? And can love overcome distance, fame, and family objections? Or is this love so hot they both get burned?
Let’s go back to Lovers Landing for another romance on the lake with Krista and friends. Can Lovers Landing cast it’s magical spell on Tara and Lauren? The truth is …
Available at:
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Leave a comment
What are your favorite tropes? What sapphic book will you read for the “combines two tropes you love” category? Let us know in the comments!
The post Sapphic book that combines 2 tropes you love appeared first on Jae.
January 1, 2025
Sapphic Book Bingo 2025
Happy New Year and welcome to the Sapphic Book Bingo 2025!
This year, I’m running an annual reading challenge for the seventh time, and I hope it will help you discover new favorite sapphic books and authors all year long!
What is the Sapphic Book Bingo?
The Sapphic Book Bingo is a fun, year-long event for readers of sapphic fiction. It runs from January 1 to December 31, 2025. You can join any time you want.
Why is it called Sapphic Book Bingo?
In case you aren’t familiar with the term sapphic: It comes from the Greek poet Sappho, who wrote about love and passion between women.
Compared to terms such as lesbian, WLW (women-loving women), or F/F, sapphic is a more inclusive term. It includes any woman who’s attracted to women as well as nonbinary people and intersex people who identify as sapphic (not all nonbinary or intersex people do).
The rules of the Sapphic Book BingoThe Sapphic Book Bingo will run from January 1 to December 31, 2025, and you’re welcome to jump in at any point without the need for registration—just dive into your reading!The aim is to complete the entire bingo card by reading one book for each square. If tackling 25 sapphic books in 2025 seems a bit much, consider aiming for just one line (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal) of the bingo card, which requires reading 5 sapphic books.Two bingo cards are available for you to choose from: a regular 25-square card and a Micro-Tropes card featuring 12 categories. You can opt for the regular card, the Micro-Tropes card, or challenge yourself by completing both—it’s entirely up to you.Each book you choose must feature at least one sapphic main character (see the definition of sapphic above).Each book can only be used once per card, even if it fits several different squares. Exception: If you read the same book twice in 2025, you can use it for two different squares.I’ll post book recommendations for a different square on my blog three to four times a month. You’re free to select a book from these lists or pick any other sapphic book that fits the category. If you want to get each recommended-books list sent to your inbox, you can sign up for my blog .Only books started and finished in 2025 will count towards the challenge.Books can be any format—ebook, paperback, or audiobook.Books can be any language. In fact, there’s even a German version of the reading challenge.The books you’re reading for the Sapphic Book Bingo don’t have to be exclusively novels. Novellas, anthologies, fanfiction, and graphic novels count too. You can even throw in a few short stories.Not every book you read for the Sapphic Book Bingo needs to be new-to-you. Re-reads of books you’ve previously enjoyed count too.Email me your filled-out bingo card by December 31, 2025, at 10 am German time, to be entered into the drawing (see below for the prizes you can win).If you are a voracious reader who reads more than 25 sapphic books a year, feel free to send in several bingo cards. You’ll get one entry into the giveaway for each completed card.
The prizes
The real prize, of course, is discovering a lot of awesome books and new favorite authors.
But there’ll also be a big giveaway at the end of the year. Everyone who sends in their bingo card with at least one complete line will be entered into the drawing.
There will be 15 winners:
I’ll draw 5 winners among those readers who send in a bingo card with one complete line. Each of these winners wins 1 ebook.I’ll draw 5 winners among those readers who send in a completed Micro-Tropes card. Each of these winners wins 2 ebooks.I’ll draw 5 winners among those readers who send in a complete bingo card, with all 25 squares filled out. Each of these winners wins a bundle of 5 books—a mix of paperbacks and ebooks or all ebooks (winner’s choice).Email me your filled-in bingo card—either the filled-in PDF you can download below or a screenshot/photo of it—by December 31. I’ll draw the winners on December 31, 2025, at 10 a.m. Central European Time, using a random numbers generator.
The regular Sapphic Book Bingo card
Here are the 25 categories for the main bingo card. I’ll post a new recommended-reading list three times a month on Thursdays. I put together a mix of popular tropes and topics as well as categories that’ll push you to try new books and diversify your reading. I encourage you to read diversely, from a wide spectrum of authors and genres.
You can download a PDF of the regular bingo card. Fill it in with the titles of the sapphic books you read in 2025. You can either type in the PDF or print it out and fill it in by hand.
The categories for the regular Sapphic Book Bingo card
For book recommendations, you can click on the links for each of the categories I have already posted:
Combines 2 tropes you love: Read a sapphic book that contains two tropes you both love. For example, if you enjoy ice queen characters and workplace romances, you could read my novel Bachelorette Number Twelve, which combines those two tropes.Trapped together: Read a sapphic book in which the main characters are physically trapped together during most of the book, e.g., snowed in, trapped in an elevator, stranded on a remote island, etc.Witty banter: Read a sapphic book in which the main characters exchange clever, humorous dialogue, playful teasing, or snarky comebacks.Spicy or steamy romance: Read a sapphic romance that includes at least one but usually several sizzling love scenes.Entertainment industry: Read a sapphic book featuring a main character involved in the entertainment industry, e.g., an actress, singer, musician, writer, filmmaker, etc.Childhood friends-to-lovers romance: Read a sapphic book in which the main characters were childhood friends who fall in love as adults.Sapphic romantasy: Read a sapphic romantasy—a genre that blends romance and fantasy, e.g., a love story set in a world filled with magic, mythical creatures, and epic adventures.Characters are co-workers: Read a sapphic book in which the main characters work together, whether they’re colleagues in an office, teammates on a project, or partners in a business.Free book: Read a sapphic book that you (legally) got for free, e.g., as a gift from a family member, friend, or the author. Many authors have a free story for you to download on their website (you’ll find mine here). I’ll post a huge list of free books for you to download in May. Note: Books in Kindle Unlimited are not free since you pay a monthly subscription fee. Alternatively, you can read any book of your choice for this square.Set Down Under: Read a sapphic book that takes place in Australia, New Zealand, or one of the Pacific islands.New or new-to-you author: Read a sapphic book by an author who is either new (hasn’t published more than two full-length novels) or new to you.Sapphic shape-shifter novel: Read a sapphic book with a main character who is a shape-shifter or a were creature (werewolf, werecat, etc.).Suspenseful book: Read a sapphic book that keeps you on the edge of your seat, filled with tension, twists, and high stakes. Typically, you find most suspense in genres such as mystery, thriller, crime fiction, or romantic suspense.Sloth burn: Read a sapphic book in which the romance develops excruciatingly slowly, but the eventual payoff is worth the wait. “Sloth burn” is a tongue-in-cheek term for a very slow slow-burn romance.Character rides a motorcycle: Read a sapphic book featuring a main character who rides a motorcycle.Strong initial dislike: Read a sapphic book in which the main characters start out strongly disliking each other.Set on an island: Read a sapphic book where a significant portion of the story takes place on an island.Ice queen or grumpy character: Read a sapphic book featuring a main character who’s either an ice queen—cold, aloof, and powerful—or a grumpy character with a prickly personality.Vegetarian or vegan character: Read a sapphic book in which at least one of the main characters is a vegetarian or vegan.Includes an epilogue: Read a sapphic book that features an epilogue, a section at the end of the novel that typically takes place months or even years after the main events of the book have concluded.Mental health rep: Read a sapphic book with accurate and respectful mental health representation. For example, the main character could struggle with anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other mental health issues.Set during your favorite season: Read a sapphic book that takes place during your favorite season. For example, if spring is your favorite season, read a sapphic book that is set (mostly) in spring.Hiking or camping: Read a sapphic book where the main characters go hiking or camping. It could be a camping trip, a deluxe glamping getaway, or a story of survival in the wilderness.Character has a big family: Read a sapphic romance with a main character who has a big family.Cat on the cover: Read a sapphic book that has a cat on the cover. It could be a housecat or a big cat such as a lion or a tiger.The Micro-Tropes bingo card
This year, I’ve thought of something different for the second book bingo card: It’s a Micro-Trope card!
You’re probably familiar with the term trope—a recurring theme, character archetype, or common element that shapes the plot, e.g., enemies-to-lovers romance.
Unlike tropes, micro-tropes aren’t essential to the entire book and don’t determine the plot.
Micro-tropes are those little moments or scenes that we all love and look forward to—small elements that add to our enjoyment of the story and that come up often enough that they have become recognizable.
The Micro-Tropes card is a 3×4 grid instead of a 5×5 grid, so there’s a total of 12 categories.
I’ll post a recommended-reads list for one category of the Micro-Tropes card once a month.
You can download a PDF of the Micro-Tropes card here. You can either type in the PDF or print it out and fill it in by hand.
The categories for the Micro-Tropes bingo card
Here are the 12 categories of the Micro-Tropes bingo card:
Almost kiss: Read a sapphic book where the characters come close to kissing but something interrupts the moment or they stop before their lips can touch.Up-against-a-wall sex: Read a sapphic book in which the characters have sex with one of them physically pressed against a wall (or a door or a countertop, etc.)Flirting via text messages: Read a sapphic book where the characters flirt with each other through text messages.Unique nicknames: Read a sapphic book where the main characters have a special nickname for each other that no other character uses. It has to be a nickname that is unique to their relationship, not a common endearment like “honey” or “baby.”Wearing the other character’s clothes: Read a sapphic book where one character wears the other’s clothes, e.g., a sweatshirt.Only one bed: Read a sapphic book in which the two characters are forced to share a bed.Watching fireworks together: Read a sapphic book with a scene in which two characters watch a fireworks display together, e.g., on New Year’s Eve or the Fourth of July.Accidental admission of love: Read a sapphic book in which one character accidentally confesses their love to the other character, e.g., an unplanned outburst.Teaching the other character a skill: Read a sapphic book in which one main character teaches the other a practical skill, e.g., cooking, fighting, etc.“Who did this to you” or “Who hurt you?”: Read a sapphic book where one character has been physically or emotionally hurt and the other flies into a protective rage, demanding to know “who did this to you?” or “who hurt you?” or something similar.Comforting the other character after a nightmare: Read a sapphic book in which one character comforts the other after a nightmare.Mistletoe kiss: Read a sapphic book in which two characters share a kiss under the mistletoe.Don’t miss the first square of the Sapphic Book Bingo
I’ll post the book recommendations for the first category of the Sapphic Book Bingo tomorrow.
To make sure you don’t miss it, subscribe to my blog, and I’ll send the post to your inbox!
Need more book recommendations to fill your bingo card?
As I said, you’ll get weekly book recommendations on this blog. I’ll share 15 books for one category every Thursday.
But if you need more book recommendations, here are a few options:
If you are on Facebook and want book recommendations from other readers to fill your bingo card—or you just want to chat about the books you love, feel free to join my Facebook group for readers. It’s a private group, so only members can see who’s in it and what we are discussing.
We keep a folder to which authors are adding little cards that help you see what categories of the Sapphic Book Bingo their books fit into. Here’s an example:
If you prefer Goodreads over Facebook, I also set up a Goodreads group for the Sapphic Book Bingo.
Two wonderful readers have also added the Sapphic Book Bingo as a reading challenge on StoryGraph. Here are the links to the main card categories and the Micro-Tropes categories.
I also put together a site that shows you where my own books fit into the Sapphic Book Bingo as well as the 2025 I Heart SapphFic Reading Challenge.
Leave a comment
Please leave a comment below and let us know which bingo card you will pick for this year’s reading challenge. Are you aiming to complete the 25 squares of the regular bingo card? Just one line? Or will you take on the Micro-Tropes card?
Previous reading challenges
Sapphic Reading Challenge in 2021
F/F Fiction Crossword Challenge in 2020
Lesbian Book Bingo in 2018
The post Sapphic Book Bingo 2025 appeared first on Jae.
December 31, 2024
Sapphic Book Bingo 2024 – Stats, winners & most-read books
As 2024 draws to a close, so does the Sapphic Book Bingo 2024. I hope you enjoyed participating as much as I did organizing it!
A heartfelt thank-you goes out to all the readers who joined the reading challenge, to the authors who generously donated books for the big giveaway, and to Erin, who tirelessly helped compile blurbs and links for each post.
Sapphic Book Bingo 2024 stats
Here’s a glimpse at some interesting stats about the Sapphic Book Bingo 2024:
3,138 readers downloaded a Sapphic Book Bingo card, with many more following the weekly book recommendation posts to find new books to read, even if they didn’t officially participate in the Sapphic Book Bingo.880 readers joined the Sapphic Book Bingo Goodreads group.804 readers sent in a book bingo card. Note: Cards are still arriving in my inbox, but I only counted the books that were send in within one hour after the deadline (10 a.m. German time on December 31).A remarkable 49,044 sapphic books were read for the Sapphic Book Bingo.The average number of books each reader read for the Sapphic Book Bingo was 61.65% of participants completed not just a regular bingo card, but also at least one Hidden Gem card, which represents harder-to-find genres and themes.The reader with the most books read for Sapphic Book Bingo read a total of 624 sapphic books in 2024!
More important than the numbers, though, is how much readers enjoyed the Sapphic Book Bingo. I heard from many readers who said the reading challenge introduced them to new authors and new books they never would have found—or given a chance—otherwise.
I got dozens of reader emails that said something like “there were several prompts that really forced me to try something new and different from what I’d normally try, and I was pleasantly surprised by some of them,” or “I have enjoyed so many of the books and I’m grateful that the challenge forces me out of my comfort zone to explore books that I might not otherwise read.”
The winners of the Sapphic Book Bingo giveaway
Using a random number generator, I drew 15 winners from this year’s participants:
5 winners who sent in a bingo card with one complete line. They each won 1 ebook. The winners are: Anette R., Isa T., Lori S., Trix A., and Vickie B.5 winners who sent in a completed Hidden Gems card. They each won 2 ebooks. The winners are: Caillie M., Elena, Jonna H., Kacie M., and Sarah E.5 winners who sent in a completed regular bingo card. They each won a bundle of 5 books (ebooks or paperbacks or a mix of both—winner’s choice). The winners are: Amy Z., Ange A., Finley F., Marisol G., and Nicole M.Congratulations! If you are one of the winners, keep an eye on your in-box. I’ll email you today to send you the list of book prizes to choose from.The most-read books for Sapphic Book Bingo 2024
As completed cards rolled in, I tracked the most popular reads for each main bingo category and put together a list of the top 3 most-read books for each category of the main bingo cards.
Here are the top 3 books for the Sapphic Book Bingo 2024 categories. If the top 5 were very close together, I listed the top 4 or top 5.
Must-read sapphic book
Backwards to Oregon by JaeThe Brutal Truth by Lee WinterThose Who Wait by Haley Cass
Medical romance
Bachelorette Number Twelve by JaeIrregular Heartbeat by Chris ZettAsk, Tell by EJ NoyesFated Love by Radclyffe
Started out as fan fiction
Truth and Measure by Roslyn SinclairThe Brutal Truth by Lee WinterSecond Chances by Eliza Lentzski
Valentine’s Day romance
Bachelorette Number Twelve by JaeCharm City by Monica McCallanThe No-Romance Rule by Jae
IHS Best of the Best:
Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca ThorneTurbulence by EJ NoyesThe Roommate Arrangement by JaeThose Who Wait by Haley CassRead Between the Lines by Rachel Lacey
Speculative fiction
No Shelter But the Stars by Virginia BlackThe Lily and the Crown by Roslyn SinclairSecond Nature by JaeAurora’s Angel by Emily NoonHouse of Crimson Hearts by Ruby Roe
New or new-to-you author
Carrie ByrdVirginia BlackJen LyonRuby LandersDeanna Grey
Hurt/comfort
The Roommate Arrangement by JaeChaos Agent by Lee WinterBroken Beyond Repair by Emily Banting
Free book or free choice
Whining & Dining by JaeTwo Tickets by Ruby LandersA Road Through Mountains by Miranda MacLeod
No third-act breakup
Wrong Number, Right Woman by JaeSay Cheese by TB Markinson & Miranda MacLeodReality In Check by Emily BantingAubrey McFadden Is Never Getting Married by Georgia BeersMagdalene Nox by Milena McKay
Rivals-to-lovers romance
A Dare to Remember by TB Markinson & Miranda MacLeodJust a Touch Away by JaeIt’s in Her Kiss by Rachel LaceyBad Beat by L.M. BennettGuava-Flavored Lies by J.J. Arias
Spunky grandparent
Howl by Lucy BexleyDeparture from the Script by JaeA Lesbian’s Guide to Women by Erica Lee
Character with a disability
Hearing Red by Nicole MaserJust Physical by JaeWhat the Heart Sees by KC Luck
Competency is sexy
Vengeance Planning for Amateurs by Lee WinterTempting Olivia by Clare AshtonLike They Do in the Movies by Nan CampbellThe Brutal Truth by Lee Winter
Sporty sapphics
Hoops & Heartstrings by Eliza LentzskiThe Senator’s Wife by Jen LyonCleat Cute by Meryl WilsnerHow You Get the Girl by Anita Kelly
Found family
Jericho by Ann McManThe Number 94 Project by Cheyenne BlueNo Strings by Lucy Bexley
Kiss in the rain
Here We Go Again by Alison CochrunRequiem for Immortals by Lee WinterConned by Sharon K. AngeliciImogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli
Fall/autumn cover
Not Just Gal Pals by Elizabeth LulySomething in the Wine by JaeFall Into You by Georgina Kiersten
Historical fiction
Backwards to Oregon by JaeDon’t Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma R. AlbanLast Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda LoIn the Shadow of the Past (Shadow Series Book 1) by J.E. Leak
Coming out later in life
Stars Collide by Rachel LaceyAbout That Kiss by Harper BlissA Perfect Fit by Kellan McKnight
Fierce sapphics
Unbreakable by Cari HunterLeverage series by EJ NoyesKeepers of the Cave by Gerri Hill
Foster care or adoption
Heart Trouble by JaeHow You Get the Girl by Anita KellyNever Say Never by Rachael Sommers
Character is a CEO
The Fixer by Lee WinterBoss of Her by Anna StoneHeart of Ice by TB Markinson & Miranda MacLeod
Holiday romance
Under a Falling Star by JaeMake the Season Bright by Ashley Herring BlakeDon’t Marry Me at Christmas by Clare LydonA Break in Communication by Lily SeabrookeJoin the Sapphic Book Bingo 2025!
I’ll be running another year-long reading challenge in 2025. It will be another Sapphic Book Bingo, and you can again choose between two different bingo cards. I can’t wait to see what you’ll think of the brand-new second bingo card option!
I’ll post the rules and categories tomorrow (January 1) and the book recommendations for the first square on January 2.
Click here to subscribe to my blog to get each book bingo post sent to your inbox!
Here’s to another fantastic year of reading in 2025!
Jae
The post Sapphic Book Bingo 2024 – Stats, winners & most-read books appeared first on Jae.
December 30, 2024
Recap of 2024 and a look ahead to 2025
As we prepare to turn the page to 2025, I’d like to take a moment to look back at what was a really turbulent but also successful year, share some of the highlights with you, and give you a glimpse of what’s on the horizon from me in 2025.
Book releases in 2024
My biggest highlight of 2024 was the release of my medical/enemies-to-lovers romance Bachelorette Number Twelve. Not only was it highly popular with readers, it also won two awards already (The Readers’ Favorite Award for the ebook/paperback version and the eLit Award for the audiobook).
I also published two new short stories, “Impulse Buy”—which is a sequel to Bachelorette Number Twelve—and “The No-Romance Rule,” a prequel to my Hollywood series.
For all of my readers who prefer to own my books as paperbacks, my publisher also published a collection of my eight newest short stories under the title Happily Ever After 2.
Audiobook releases in 2024
This year, we added two more audiobook versions of my books: Bachelorette Number Twelve, narrated by Lori Prince, and my historical romance short story collection Beyond the Trail, narrated by Hayden Bishop. So now all of my books are available as audiobooks.
Books in other languages
Since I translate my books into German myself, my German-speaking readers didn’t have to wait long for my newest releases. In 2024, I published one novel—Bachelorette Nummer zwölf—and two short stories, “Pusteblumen-Wünsche” & “Die Nicht-küssen-Regel” in German.
I also had a whopping five audiobooks in German published this year! I really don’t take that for granted since German audiobooks are even more expensive to produce than English ones. A big thank-you to my publisher, Ylva, for making it possible!
Last but not least, Reines de Coeur made Un Appartement pour Deux, a French version of The Roommate Arrangement, available to my French-speaking readers.
Events in 2024
Not only did I get to spend a weekend in October with my fellow authors Chris Zett, Harper Bliss, Clare Lydon and the Ylva Publishing team at the book fair in Frankfurt, I also organized six online events for readers of sapphic fiction in 2024.
The most popular with readers was the Sapphic Book Advent Calendar, which had 96,000+ visitors in December. Putting together such a big event is a ton of work, but I know it brightened the holiday season for thousands of readers, which made all the time and energy that went into it totally worth it!
The biggest challenges in 2024
2024 was a really weird year. In March, I discovered that my latest novel, Bachelorette Number Twelve, had been plagiarized and posted as fan fiction on one of the big fan fiction platforms, with just the character names changed.
That discovery led to a very stressful week, in which I found hundreds of other sapphic books that had been plagiarized on another online platform, including seven of mine. I won’t go into detail, but you can read up on it here.
Not only did I have to deal with more plagiarism, piracy, and scammers than ever before, I also received more homophobic comments in 2024 than I did in my entire publishing career combined. It was especially bad during Pride Month and in the second half of the year, when the US election heated up. On some social media posts, I received hundreds of hateful comments and even a few emails and DMs from total strangers.
Facebook, Twitter, & Co. don’t do anything to protect LGBTQ+ authors, but what got me through it was the support of my readers and fellow authors. A big thank-you to everyone who reached out with kind words this year!
Needless to say, I won’t let the haters stop me from writing sapphic books and organizing events for our readers. We need positive representation and visibility now more than ever!
My favorite books of 2024
Like many authors, I’m also an avid reader of sapphic books, especially sapphic romances. I keep track of my favorite book that I read every month, so now I can look back at the 12 books that were my top books of 2024.
Here’s what my favorite sapphic books of 2024 collage looks like:
If I had to narrow it down to my top 5 reads of 2024, it would be (in no particular order):
Make Room for Love by Darcy LiaoMeeting Millie by Clare AshtonLove Next Door by Rachael SommersHow You Get the Girl by Anita KellyNo Shelter But the Stars by Virginia BlackLooking ahead to 2025
2025 will probably not be the easiest year for many of us, but there are plenty of things to look forward to.
I’m thrilled to have at least two new novels out in English in 2025. Enemies by Nature and Shifting Nature—two new novels in the shape-shifter series—will be published in May.
Both novels will also come out as an audiobook later in the year, as well as an audio version of my short story collection Happily Ever After 2.
In October, I’ll have a short story in the Ylva Publishing anthology After Happily Ever After 3. “Tent for Two” is a fun sequel to my fake-relationship romance Just for Show.
My next writing project will be a sequel/spin-off to Just a Touch Away, featuring Winter’s sister, ice queen Brooke.
I’m also excited to make my latest short stories available to my German readers in a short story collection next week, and I plan to translate the shape-shifter series into German in 2025. German audiobook fans can look forward to at least two more audiobooks from me in 2025 (Zum Anbeißen and Rosen für die Staatsanwältin).
Of course, I’ll also organize more fun events for readers, including the Sapphic Book Bingo, which starts on January 1, and another Sapphic Book Advent Calendar in December.
To my readers, thank you for being my inspiration and my champions. Your enthusiasm, kindness, and love for sapphic romance motivate me every day.
Here’s to a 2025 filled with unforgettable stories and many happy moments!
With gratitude,
Jae
The post Recap of 2024 and a look ahead to 2025 appeared first on Jae.
December 12, 2024
Sapphic books with a long-distance relationship (Hidden Gems #12)
Can you believe it’s time for the very last post of the 2024 Sapphic Book Bingo? But don’t worry; I’m already hard at work preparing for the 2025 Sapphic Book Bingo, and I think you’ll enjoy the categories I picked. If you’d like to make sure you don’t miss the kickoff of the new reading challenge, make sure you subscribe to my blog.
This very last book bingo post of 2024 covers sapphic books with a long-distance relationship.
15 sapphic books with a long-distance relationship
Below, you’ll find 15 recommended sapphic books with a long-distance relationship:
Longing by Chace Verity
Colette Bell and Joni Remington live in different countries, but they “met” in a MMORPG. After a long and friendly online-only friendship, the women start to think about more than playing games together. When Colette finds herself with a free weekend away from her kids and work responsibilities, Joni suggests something fun for them to do. That afternoon, thousands of miles apart, their friendship levels up.
Available at:
Miles Apart by A. L. Brooks
The past twelve months have seen Alex and her girlfriend, Terri, slowly drift apart. The awful revelation of Terri’s one drunken night of betrayal shows Alex just how far apart they are. The more they fight, the less Alex even wants to try.
On a business trip to Canada, Alex meets Justine and, over the course of one pivotal evening, a connection is formed that shatters everything Alex thought she knew about herself. Returning to London, she’s faced with choices that will irrevocably change her life.
Now her heart is torn between loyalty to the old and new beginnings in a long-distant relationship.
Available at:
At the Deep End by Deja Elise
Jaded and still recovering from a broken three-year engagement, Bri Davis decides to go on an annual girls trip in the hopes of burying her heartache in the sands of Miami Beach. The trip takes a turn for the better when she meets the charismatic and flirtatious WNBA player, DeeDee Renier who immediately makes her rethink her life choices.
As they find solace for their personal pain between the sheets, Bri dives headfirst into a fast and confusing toe-curling romance she hopes won’t leave her stranded.
Available at:
#SandyBottom by Alexi Venice
District Attorney Amanda Hawthorne has no one to blame but herself when a hookup selfie with an old flame is published, jeopardizing Amanda’s engagement to Dr. Jen Dawson.
Humiliated and furious, Jen leaves on a vacation. Surrounded by her family and recuperating in the sun on Sandy Lake, Jen feels liberated. When Victoria Marshall, an old high school acquaintance, tempts Jen with a dinner invitation, Jen visits the intriguing businesswoman’s house.
Amanda, heartbroken and fighting her addictions, turns to dark music, loyal friends, and the California beach. Torn between her wild nature and love of Jen, Amanda must act quickly if she wants to salvage their relationship.
Tommy, steadfast and true to Jen and Kristin, nurses his bullet wound while vacationing with Jen’s family in Wisconsin. Will he influence Jen’s romantic and career decisions?
Available at:
Highland Whirl by Anna Larner
hen city girl about town Roxanne Barns reluctantly accepts a holiday invite to her best friend Eve’s birthday party in the Scottish Highlands, the last thing she expects is to fall for the very person she’s been dreading seeing again—the feisty Highlander, Alice Campbell.
The moment Alice learns that Roxanne is visiting her home hamlet of Newland, she couldn’t be more suspicious or defensive. A warm welcome is certainly not the plan, let alone falling in love.
Despite Eve’s warnings that Roxanne is not relationship material, Alice can’t ignore her growing attraction. She absolutely trusts Eve’s judgment, but taking her advice just might break Alice’s heart.
Available at:
Not-So-Straight Sue by Cheyenne Blue
“Sorry, I’m straight.” Those words, along with a smile, are how Sue Brent turns down women. The Australian lawyer, living in London, has the line down pat, but the truth is buried deep. So deep that sometimes Sue even manages to convince herself she’s not a lesbian. The only person in London who has ever seen through her façade is Moni, an American tourist.
After a date goes disastrously wrong, Sue has to confront the truth about herself. Leaving London, she returns home to Australia and buries herself in running an outback law practice in Queensland.
When Moni arrives in town to work as a doctor, Sue starts to see a path to happiness for the first time. But can their exciting new relationship survive the arrival of an unexpected visitor? Sue’s teenage, first love, Denise, has tracked Sue down to Mungabilly Creek to ask a favour. Okay, definitely not awkward at all…
Available at:
Coffee Breaks by Eva Reddy
‘Coffee Breaks’ is a fresh-brewed blend of Lesbian Erotica.
A book full of tips, twists and titters for lesbians to enjoy. From strap-ons to home-waxing, often with hilarious undertones – and sometimes – an unexpected surprise.
On offer here, is a tantalizingly funny and yet thought provoking selection of well-written stories; all having lesbian erotica as their underlying theme.
WARNING: Too hot to read in public.
Available at:
Match to Love by Johana Gavez
World-renowned tennis player Daniela Martínez has everything she could wish for, except love. When romance knocks on her door, she will have to find a balance between her athletic ambitions and her desire for a relationship or risk sacrificing one for the other.
Law student Ari Núñez is struggling with managing the expectations of her family and dedicating her life to a profession she dislikes more every day. Her relationship with Daniela, full of international travel and vacations, is the perfect escape, even if it feels too good to be true.
Follow their journey from a chance online meeting to power couple taking on the world together.
Available at:
Changing Gears by L A Wright
Changing Gears follows Jen, a reserved private school teacher from Sydney, as she discovers love and faces the ultimate test of self-discovery.
When Jen collides with Abi, a magnetic Scottish travel writer, on a serene cycling expedition through France, sparks fly and temperatures rise. But their flirtatious two weeks together challenges everything Jen thought she knew about herself, her beliefs, and her future. Their sizzling chemistry not only makes her question her conservative upbringing but also ignites a fire of self-exploration she thought she had extinguished years before.
As Jen grapples with returning to her old life in Sydney, she finds herself entangled in a heated conflict when a student faces cruel, homophobic bullying. Fuelled by her newfound courage, she takes a stand against injustice, risking her job and confronting her deepest fears to protect her student.
Just when the chaos reaches its peak, Abi reappears, forcing Jen to confront her innermost desires and make a heart-wrenching decision. Will she embrace love and acceptance, defying her family and risking it all for a chance at happiness? With the stakes higher than ever, Jen must summon the courage to be true to herself, no matter the consequences.
Packed with longing, resilience, and the power of love, Changing Gears is a captivating contemporary romance. Join Jen on this emotional rollercoaster as she navigates the storms of her heart and discovers the true meaning of bravery in the face of adversity. Don’t miss this contemporary tale where love challenges boundaries and drives one woman’s journey to authenticity.
Available at:
The One Woman by Laura May
Right Person. Wrong timing.
When fate brings two women together, their love must survive the consequences of timing. Julie is a graphic designer who lives a mundane life with her boyfriend Mark. Little does she know that a chance meeting with Ann, who is successful, beautiful, and charismatic, will turn her life upside down. As their present entwines in Barcelona, Julie finds herself having to choose between her devotion to Mark and her love for Ann. Will true love be able to survive when the timing is all wrong?
Available at:
A Foreign Affair by Linda M. Ford
Miranda first kissed a girl in her last year of high school. She received a slap and a sneer which left her with fear and mistrust. For years she has lived quietly with her mother on their farm in Napa Valley not seeking love. Then sexy, self-assured Odile arrives in her life in 1981.
The Frenchwoman is on a business trip from her family’s vineyard and winery in Burgundy, France. Odile is not above mixing pleasure with business and invites Miranda to dinner hoping for a rather delicious dessert.
Shy virgin, Miranda’s life and emotions are turned upside-down by her brief affair with the beautiful but scarred Odile. She dreams of a future together with the woman she has fallen for so hard. It feels impossible. There are so many obstacles.
Life in the early 1980s has challenges. Communication is slow and the world has become even more homophobic with a new pandemic which has become known as the gay plague.
Can love rise above these, defying distance and borders?
Available at:
The Price of Fame by Lynn Ames
When local television news anchor Katherine Kyle is thrust into the national spotlight, it sets in motion a chain of events that will change her life forever. Jamison “Jay” Parker is an intensely career-driven Time magazine reporter; she has experienced love once, from afar, and given up on finding it again…That is, until circumstance and an assignment bring her into contact with her past.
Kate and Jay’s lives intertwine, leading them on a journey to love and happiness, until fate and fame threaten to tear them apart. What is the price of fame? For Kate the cost just might be everything. For Jay, the price could be the other half of her soul.
Available at:
Come Away with Me by Rachel Lacey
A television star and a flight attendant walk into a bar…
Six months after a traumatic event left actress Piper Sheridan confined to her apartment with debilitating panic attacks, she’s determined to start living her life again. Motivated by an upcoming audition, she summons her courage and goes out for a drink, keeping her identity under wraps. It sounds simple enough, but nothing about going out in public is easy for Piper these days. And her hopes of going unnoticed are stymied by the bubbly blonde on the next barstool.
Flight attendant Chloe Carson is only in New York for the night, and she’s only looking for a little casual fun to go with her cocktail. The mysterious woman beside her isn’t fun, exactly…but she’s intriguing. And beautiful. Even without knowing her name, Chloe is drawn to her. When they share an unexpectedly intimate moment, Chloe knows this is a night she’ll never forget.
Can these two strangers turn a chance encounter into something lasting?
Available at:
A Monster’s Touch by S. Y. Thompson
Denver Police Officer and helicopter pilot, Carmen Bravo is always in the wrong place at the wrong time. A grown-up merger of Scooby Doo meets Nancy Drew, but no zany shenanigans here. This is real life where bad things happen. Werewolves, Yeti and Wiccans, oh my! Naturally, Carmen doesn’t believe in any of these beings. There is something else afoot.
Danger, monsters, and betrayal lead her over the globe, but what she really needs proves elusive. Carmen searches for that
one woman who completes her heart. As usual, fate intercedes to dump more bedlam into her lap just when she’s sure she’s found the one.
Just like Carmen, Grace Wickford is more than she seems at first glance. With a s spellbinding aura and a mischievous black cat as a familiar friend, she may be just what Carmen needs.
Available at:
A Kind Deception by Skye Von Triessen
Two sapphic romance authors? They are brilliant at crafting the greatest feeling of all. But, can they manipulate the game of love in real life the same as they do with the characters they create? They should know how to handle drama, solve conflicts and ensure a happily ever after since they write beautiful stories that warm the hearts of so many people. So how hard can it be for them to live the romance that they write about?
Laurel Culhane is struggling with feeling unmotivated in her current stage of life and considering leaving her day job to pursue a career as a full-time author. However, growing up in a family with high expectations has left her hesitant to follow her dreams. Everyone knows Laurel is not a fan of the younger generation which has contributed to her growing dislike of corporate life. But, despite her general disinterest in the world of celebrities and anyone younger than her, for reasons unknown, she has caught the attention of Rayne Ducasse. However, Laurel has no intention of interacting with Rayne, because they couldn’t possibly have anything in common, and unlike the rest of the world she wasn’t under the woman’s spell.
Rayne Ducasse’s life has been full of twists and turns that have ultimately led her to become a highly successful entrepreneur. However, in spite of all of her accomplishments and fame, her true passion lies in writing romance stories, which can be a very lonely process. She yearns to connect with someone who shares her passion. Someone who will see her for the woman she is beneath the surface when the cameras are off. Unfortunately, the woman who has caught her eye seems hellbent on ignoring her.
So, what happens when Laurel and Rayne meet at an awards ceremony? Will Laurel be able to maintain her guarded demeanor or will Rayne’s charisma break through her icy facade, much like the characters Laurel writes about? Can Rayne prove to Laurel that she is more than the assumptions she’s made about her? As they reveal more about themselves, despite their age difference, upbringing, and social status, will they discover that they may have more in common than they thought?
And as layer after layer is revealed to show who they are beneath the surface, is there more to their story than what meets the eye?
Available at:
Fall into Me by Terri Cutshall
3 Best Friends. 2 Strangers. 1 Unforgettable Night.
Audrey Maddox is fed up with her love life. After discovering her now ex-fiancé had been cheating on her throughout their engagement, vacation with her two best friends cannot come soon enough. She needs a break in a serious way.
Liv Sutton works at a popular Colorado mountain resort providing skiing lessons during the day and bartending at night. Since her divorce, casual relationships have worked just fine for her. She’s not up for getting her heart stomped on again. Once was enough.
Two women in the right place at the right time. Will a casual fling be the tonic that soothes Audrey’s broken heart and keeps Liv going? Or will a one-night stand become more than either of them bargained for?
Available at:
Check out the Sapphic Book Advent Calendar
If you haven’t discovered the Sapphic Book Advent Calendar yet, check it out today! You can open doors 1-12 and enter amazing giveaways, download free books, and get books at a discount.
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What book will you be reading for the “sapphic books with a long-distance relationship” category? Are there other books that are a good fit for this category? Let us know in the comments!
The post Sapphic books with a long-distance relationship (Hidden Gems #12) appeared first on Jae.
December 5, 2024
Sapphic holiday romance novels (Sapphic Book Bingo #25)
Since it’s less than three weeks until Christmas, this week’s Sapphic Book Bingo post features sapphic holiday romance novels.
15 sapphic holiday romance novels
Below, you’ll find 15 recommended sapphic holiday romance novels:
Under a Falling Star by Jae
A new job and a hot but grouchy boss for Christmas.
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.
Available at:
Amazon & KU (On sale until December 8)
A Flight to Love by Frankie Fyre
Two second chance tickets. One flight to love.
Interior design CEO Autumn Peterson is used to taking risks, but spending the holidays with an ex isn’t a risk she’s willing to take—especially during a work project back in her hometown. It’s Christmas time and Autumn is desperate to be far away from the festivities. When a blizzard ruins her plans to escape to an island vacation, she’s not only stranded inside an airport, but stuck with Calissa Roberts—the one who got away a decade ago.
Calissa Roberts has built a good life for herself in Asheville, North Carolina—one she almost gave up for young love that didn’t last in the end. Now, she’s living out her passion as an emu hobby farmer, as well as the internet celebrity fame that follows. But one look at the gorgeous, grumpy businesswoman flips Calissa’s world upside down. Unable to ignore the blazing passion between them, she’s determined to show Autumn exactly what she’s been missing this holiday season.
Available at:
The Christmas Checklist by Zoey Lennox
Everyone knows personal trainer Blayke Bell’s family are obsessed with Christmas. The tree goes up at the start of November and there’s always a long list of festive activities planned. To Blayke, Christmas is the best time of year and she can’t wait to start celebrating.
Beauty therapist Zanthie Brown has only been in town for a little over a year and with no family and very few friends, is set to spend another Christmas alone. If anyone asks, she’ll tell them she doesn’t mind, because the truth is, she’s never actually had the opportunity to celebrate a proper Christmas, and although she secretly yearns to take part in the holiday season, she certainly doesn’t want to be pitied.
When Blayke and Zanthie’s worlds collide, Blayke makes it her mission to pull together a Christmas checklist to ensure Zanthie experiences a Christmas she’ll never forget. Between ice skating, hot chocolate, baking cookies and tree decorating, sparks start to fly but there’s a problem. Everyone knows you shouldn’t date your best friend’s ex and Zanthie is Blayke’s friend and work colleague Lana’s ex-girlfriend.
Available at:
This Is the Season to Make You Mine by Johana Gavez
Morgan Bergman doesn’t want to go home for Christmas. She loves her family, but since her parents retired and her sister moved back to their hometown of Apfelville to take over the family business, she’s been avoiding them, feeling guilty about choosing her rising career in New York over her family.
Angie Gutiérrez would love to spend the holidays with her family, but she doesn’t have a choice. Moving to New York from Colombia to follow her dream of becoming a filmmaker means sacrifices need to be made, like spending the holidays alone.
Spending the holidays together in Apfelville seems the perfect solution. Morgan can use her best friend’s support and Angie doesn’t have to be on her own. There’s only one complication. All their friends and family think they should be together.
Hiding romantic feelings for your best friend is already hard enough without everyone meddling. Maybe all it takes is for one of them to take a chance.
Available at:
Mangos & Mistletoe by Adriana Herrera
One is grumpy. One is sunshine. There is only one bed.
Kiskeya Burgos left the tropical beaches of the Dominican Republic with a lot to prove. As a pastry chef on the come up, when she arrives in Scotland, she has one goal in mind: win the Holiday Baking Challenge. Winning would prove to her family, her former boss, and most importantly to herself, that she can make it in the culinary world. Kiskeya will stop at nothing to win, that is if she can keep her eyes on the prize and off her infuriating teammate’s perfect lips.
Sully Morales, home cooking hustler, and self-proclaimed baking brujita lands in Scotland on a quest to find her purpose after spending years as her family’s caregiver. But now, with her home life back on track, it’s time for Sully to get reacquainted with her greatest love, baking. Winning the Holiday Baking Challenge is a no-brainer if she can convince her grumpy AF baking partner that they make a great team both in and out of the kitchen before an unexpected betrayal ends their chance at culinary competition glory.
Available at:
Christmas at Rainbow Falls by TB Markinson & Miranda MacLeod
Christmas at Rainbow Falls is a sweet small town romance in the style of your favorite holiday movies, so grab a cup of cocoa and snuggle in for some yuletide cheer!
When a disastrous mistake at work puts her career in jeopardy, Natalie Dunbar retreats to the small Vermont town of Rainbow Falls to settle the estate of an aunt she hardly knew. As the sole heir of half a building on Main Street, complete with an independent bookstore and second-floor apartment, Natalie hunkers down to figure out how to save her future.
The problem? Her new neighbor, who owns the other half of the building, hates her at first sight.
Celeste Wagner has wanted to leave small-town living in the rearview mirror since the day her mom dragged her to sleepy Rainbow Falls as a teenager to open a bakery and cafe. With her mother’s death the previous year, Celeste has been itching to sell and go back to New York City where she might finally feel like she belongs.
The problem? She needs the new bookshop owner to agree to sell her half of the building, but the woman refuses to see reason.
When an unexpected crisis forces the two women to team up to bring the town’s Christmas on Main Street festival back to life, Natalie and Celeste just might discover there’s more to the other woman than meets the eye. Could it be they’re both exactly where they need to be after all?
Available at:
Snowed In With Summer by Tiana Warner
Avery is finally going on the winter excursion to the Yukon she’s been planning all year. Dog sledding, ice fishing, the Northern Lights… It’s going to be amazing! Then her boyfriend dumps her the night before the trip. Worse, she gets paired up with the only other solo traveler in the group: Summer, her ex-girlfriend from high school.
Unlike Avery, who has a plan for everything, Summer lives a nomadic life—free, spontaneous, with no time for relationships. There would be no point in rekindling what they had—not when the last time ended so badly.
Stuck in a tiny yurt together and forced to partner up for activities, Avery and Summer must find a way to get along. But what if, amidst all that ice and snow, they also discover a flame that was never extinguished?
Available at:
The Santa Pageant by Lillian Barry
Ten years ago, best friends Effie and Tove kissed in the bushes at Winter Ball…and then stood there like lemons, as if they weren’t crushing on each other so hard it hurt. In the confusion, their friendship fizzled, and Tove walked into the sunset with some guy who had nice hair.
Now a cocksure twenty-five-year-old with secretly appalling self-esteem, Effie enters the Santa of the Year Pageant to prove to her unsupportive family that Santa could, in fact, be a lesbian. Enter Tove, the grumpiest Santa in the grotto, back on the island after a harrowing break-up with Nice Hair Guy and using the Pageant to reconnect with the world.
As the Pageant eliminates Santa after Santa, Effie and Tove clash over their past: the kiss that drove them apart, and the fears the last ten years have etched into their worldviews. Effie must let go of others’ opinions and learn to love herself, and Tove must move forward despite there being no guarantee they won’t be hurt again… Or they risk losing each other a second time.
Available at:
Seashells and Sleigh Bells by Jennie Davids
Celeste Blake is a vault—feelings and personal information are not for public consumption. It’s a life lesson that has served her well—until she transferred to Heron Crest. Now her job as city manager is in jeopardy because she’s not “likable.” To improve her image she will participate in every holiday activity, including co-organizing the tree lighting with the eccentric artist who wants her gone.
Lani Wilch loves her town and being an artist. She really loves being able to combine them to make her living. But this year her seascapes aren’t selling. She needs a new theme and fast. Inspiration alludes her until she works with the frosty city manager. In Celeste’s eyes—which are quite pretty when they’re not judging—she finds something paintbrush worthy. Wanting proximity to her muse, Lani offers to help Celeste win people over.
Celeste slowly lowers her guard, allowing Lani to light her solitary world in bright color which creates a longing too big to resist.
Lani is falling for the warm, brilliant woman beneath the cool facade. A woman who might be the best thing to happen to the town…and her.
Can their connection last after the holiday glow fades?
Available at:
The Christmas Memory by Barbara Winkes
Avery, a photographer and a barista at The Ground Floor, is falling for one of her most loyal customers, Clare, who works in the same building and comes in for a sweet treat and a kind word most mornings.
When Clare slips and falls on a patch of ice one day, Avery rushes to help her, only to realize that after the fall and a concussion, Clare has gaps in her memory and acts like she and Avery are a couple.
Does that mean she has always felt the same? Avery knows she needs to tell her the truth eventually, but Clare seems adamant about rejecting every attempt to clear up the misunderstanding. And then there are her own, long-held feelings for Clare…
Can they still create the perfect Christmas memory, or will reality catch up to them?
Available at:
Saving Summer’s Santa by Elle Armstrong
Ettia’s world is thrown into a spin when she is asked to go to the South Pole, to fill in for her uncle, the summer Santa, who has been taken ill. Upon arriving in Antarctica, Ettia is met with talking kangaroo’s and a sleigh that doesn’t like sand.
When Cherri gets a call to rescue a stranded vehicle, she doesn’t realise that she may end up saving far more than the cute woman dressed in a mini Santa suit. But can Cherri risk leaving the security of Australia for her damsel in distress?
Available at:
A Holly Jolly Christmas by Emily Wright
Holly hasn’t been home for two years. Ever since her brother died, Mistleberry is a haunting ground full of history she’s tried to escape. Her family are grieving, her ex won’t stop calling, and bumping into Vicky Castleton puts the cherry on the crumbling Christmas cake.
Because Holly’s first love and biggest regret looks better than ever.
Holly tries to heal the holes in her heart as her family—and persistent best friend—keep pushing her to confront her past. But the more time she spends with her old flame, the more she’s hit with the undeniable truth: her heart has never let go of Vicky. Time’s running out, and years of hiding away and shielding herself have left her with the question: can she conquer her ghosts this Christmas, and risk it all for love?
Available at:
Checking It Twice by Lucy Bexley
Sacha Brighton is dreading her sister’s Christmas Eve wedding, but she’s headed to their family cabin in Northern Michigan all the same. Though she is running several hours late and her phone battery died somewhere on the interstate. Nothing surprising there. Sacha had braced herself for a lot of diva wedding antics from Alexis. What she wasn’t prepared for was to find her sister hired an androgynous wedding planner that Sacha can’t get off her mind.
Hal (Hallie) Halliday (she knows) lives by her checklists. All she wants is for this wedding she’s been organizing for months to go perfectly. She went to school with the Brighton sisters but has had a major glow up since her ponytail jock days and she finally feels at home in her own skin. She knew Sacha would be at the wedding. But she was still shocked to find her massive crush from high school resurrected the second she saw her. Could Hal really have a chance with Sacha?
Or will Sacha be just one more disaster Hal will have to take care of to keep this wedding on track?
Available at:
The Wisdom of Bug by Alyson Root
Evelyn Crawford is having a tough time of late. Not only has her dad taken off on an impromptu holiday with his new floozy, but he’s also dropped Evelyn in the deep end at work. Becoming the CEO of a multi-million-pound pet supply empire was not on Evelyn’s horizon, but here she is. Battling a disgruntled board, fending off unreasonable budget requests, and catching her semi-serious girlfriend with another woman all before the dreaded festive season. What’s so good about Christmas, anyway?
Alyssa Fox is sick to death of her dog rescue centre, being used as a Christmas gift store. Don’t these people know a dog is for life, not just for Christmas? Hell, there are TV adverts about it. No matter how many times she delivers the same speech to potential dog owners, those poor pups always end up right back where they started as soon as the shine wears off.
Well, not this year! No, this year Alyssa has taken action. Four Paws Dog Rescue will close for two months, starting November 1st. Now Alyssa just has to come up with a way to keep her dogs from going crazy with boredom. Adoption might be off the table for the pack, but they still need socialising. Enter Crawford Pet Supplies. The answer to Alyssa’s problem. A partnership with the company’s HQ building in London is just the ticket. What could go wrong?
Is it possible that the hard-to-pin-down Alyssa Fox has met her match? Will the festive season prove to be more magical than Evelyn ever thought possible? Who knows? Well, maybe a wise little dog called Bug.
Available at:
Something to be Thankful For by Carrie L. Carr
Randi Meyers is at a crossroads in her life. Her girlfriend moved out and took everything with her, and her forty-four-year-old body barely made it through a softball game. The one thing she does have in her favor is a veterinarian job in Fort Worth, Texas, but even that isn’t going as well as she hoped. Her supervisor is cold-hearted and dumps long hours of work on her. Even if she did want a girlfriend, she has little time to look.
When a distant uncle dies, Randi returns to her hometown of Woodbridge to attend the funeral. During the graveside services, she is beseeched by a young boy to follow him into the woods to help his injured sister. After coming upon an unconscious woman, the boy disappears. Randi brings the woman to the hospital and finds out that her name is Kay.
Her accident was the last thing Kay Newcombe needed. Recently unemployed as a file clerk, Kay is afraid she’ll have to put off job hunting until her leg heals. She’s instantly drawn to Randi, whose kindness and gentle nature are a balm to Kay’s wounded soul. Unfortunately, Randi lives several hundred miles away, not to mention she’s much older than Kay. Do they have a chance?
Available at:
It’s a Fabulous Life by Kelly Farmer
After years of putting aside her dreams of travel and adventure, Bailey George is ready to leave Lanford Falls and her responsibilities behind on a long-awaited vacation to New York City. But when the volunteer who took over her leadership position for the town’s Winter Wonderfest has a medical emergency, Bailey finds herself stuck in Lanford Falls. She gets roped into reassuming her old role, not wanting to let the town or her friends and family down.
Staying home seems slightly less terrible when Bailey runs into her high school crush, Maria Hatcher. A kiss they shared years ago in the town’s mistletoe grove was a life-defining moment for them both. Maria quickly offers to pitch in and help with Winter Wonderfest. Her sunny disposition and holiday cheer perk up Bailey’s grinchy feelings about everything.
However, one disaster after another snowball on the day of the festival. Bailey’s frustration boils over, and she ends up on the town’s old wooden bridge. There, she meets fabulous drag queen Clara Angel. Bailey declares that she wishes she hadn’t been born in this Christmas-obsessed, suffocating small town. With a little of the magic Clara possesses, she shows Bailey how wrong she is about Lanford Falls and her place in it. And that with a little hope and some true holiday spirit, there is a way to attain all her dreams.
Available at:
Check out the Sapphic Book Advent Calendar
If you haven’t discovered the Sapphic Book Advent Calendar yet, check it out today! The first 5 doors can already be opened, and they contain a free ebook for everyone to download, a book on sale, and three book giveaways (ebook, paperback, and audiobook formats), so there’s something there for everyone!
More sapphic holiday romances
If 15 sapphic holiday romance novels aren’t enough, check out my Ultimate List of Sapphic Holiday Romances. I keep the list updated with new releases, and right now, we are at 413 sapphic holiday romances!
Leave a comment
What book will you be reading for the “sapphic holiday romances” category? Are there other books that are a good fit for this category? Let us know in the comments!
The post Sapphic holiday romance novels (Sapphic Book Bingo #25) appeared first on Jae.
