Jess Harley's Blog, page 5

The Best Lesbian Romance Books You’ll Fall in Love With (UK Edition) by Jess Harley

If you're looking for your next sapphic obsession, you're in the right place.

Whether you're brand new to lesbian romance books or you've been devouring WLW stories for years, there’s something undeniably powerful about seeing queer love stories written with depth, heat, and honesty. And if you're in the UK and searching for emotional, character-driven lesbian fiction — with tension, tropes, and plenty of steam — I’ve got two must-reads for you.

These are books about fame, forgiveness, second chances, and the kind of chemistry that never really dies.

🎬 Second Takes by Jess Harley
📚 Book One in the Second Chances Series
💖 Slow-burn. Celebrity exes. Found family. Tender heat.

A slow-burn lesbian romance about fame, forgiveness, and the kind of love that refuses to fade.

Tali Morgan is Hollywood’s golden girl — bold, brilliant, and always pretending she’s okay. But when she’s cast opposite her ex, the woman she never stopped loving, the cracks begin to show.

Rin Lau is elegance wrapped in armour. Years ago, Tali walked away — no closure, no warning. Now they’re forced to share scenes, cameras, and a tangled history that never really died.

The tension? Undeniable.
The chemistry? Electric.
And one impulsive kiss sparks everything they tried to bury.

Then Tali’s world implodes: she’s named guardian to her infant niece, and suddenly, motherhood isn’t hypothetical. Rin doesn’t run. She steps in.

Forced into close quarters, the walls between them start to fall. But Hollywood has sharp teeth, and old wounds cut deep — especially when the spotlight is watching.

💬 Perfect for fans of:

WLW celebrity love stories

Lesbian friends-to-lovers romance

Found family & forced proximity

Slow burn, angst, and healing

📖 Read Second Takes on Kindle UK https://amzn.eu/d/hjxMYAI

💔 Unwritten by Jess Harley
📚 Book Two in the Second Chances Series
🔥 Second chance. High-heat. Light BDSM undertones. Emotional damage.

A scorching lesbian second-chance romance between a queer pop star and the woman who broke her heart — now forced back together by the industry that tore them apart.

Five years ago, rising musician Zara Taylor poured her heartbreak into the songs that made her famous — after Noa Vale, a closeted Hollywood star, walked away without a word. Now, fate — and a film based on their past — pulls them back into each other’s orbit.

Noa’s ready to tell the truth. Zara wants nothing to do with her.

But secrets don’t stay buried long — especially when an intimate video resurfaces, threatening everything they’ve built separately… and the fragile connection still burning between them.

💬 Expect:

Closeted celebrity angst

Enemies-to-lovers energy with deep emotion

Raw chemistry and emotional surrender

Power dynamics & BDSM heat

WLW fiction where women get to be fierce, flawed, and fully in love

📖 Read Unwritten on Kindle UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FH7G6Q3...

💡 Why UK Readers Are Loving These Lesbian Romance Books
In the UK, lesbian romance books are no longer niche — they’re in demand. And readers aren’t just looking for happy endings. They’re searching for:

Realistic emotional tension

Messy, complicated women

High-heat stories with meaning

Queer fiction that feels like truth

Jess Harley’s Second Chances series checks every box. These are stories about women who left… and came back. Women who hurt each other, love each other, and try again. Women who burn — emotionally and physically.

If you love sapphic romance, celebrity angst, and queer women fighting for love in all its beautiful chaos, add these books to your shelf today.

🌈 Your Turn: What Are Your Favourite Lesbian Romance Books?
Are you a fan of second chances, enemies-to-lovers, age gap tension, or soft queer healing?
Drop your recs in the comments — and don’t forget to follow for more WLW recommendations, sneak peeks, and behind-the-scenes updates on upcoming releases.

Because sometimes, love deserves a rewrite.
And sometimes… it just needs a second take.

From GL Ships to Shelf: How Lesbian Fanfiction Favorites Are Powering the Rise of Lesbian Romance in 2025

If you’ve ever fallen down the rabbit hole of AO3 or Wattpad with a cup of tea and a Clexa fic at 2AM, you’re not alone. For years, fanfiction has been the backbone of sapphic storytelling — giving queer readers the love, angst, and happy endings we couldn’t always find on screen.

But now? We’re seeing that energy spill over onto bookshelves and into Kindle Unlimited — and no one’s riding that wave better than Jess Harley, author of Second Takes and the brand-new release Unwritten.

From Fanfic Favorites to Full-Length Fiction

Whether you ship Clexa (Clarke & Lexa from The 100), Supercorp (Kara & Lena from Supergirl), or SwanQueen (Emma & Regina from Once Upon a Time), chances are you’ve found your heart broken and healed by fanfiction. These ships aren’t just popular — they’ve become cultural touchstones for a generation of queer readers.

And it’s not just Western fandoms anymore. The Thai GL boom is changing the game with couples like FreenBecky, Lingorm, and EmiBonnie delivering swoon-worthy chemistry and complex romance. Their popularity is bringing even more visibility to WLW storytelling worldwide.

Why Lesbian Fanfic Fans Are Loving Jess Harley

Jess Harley’s novels read like the best fanfiction you’ve ever found at 3AM — but polished, published, and ready to binge on your Kindle.

Second Takes is all about second chance lesbian romance with unresolved tension, emotional healing, and that sweet moment when exes realize the spark never really went out.

Unwritten, her newest release, gives us the slow-burn ache of Salu Lin, a guarded songwriter, and Noa Vale, the model-turned-actress who once broke her heart — and now might be the only one who can put it back together.

These books deliver everything fanfic readers love: familiar tropes (fake dating, forced proximity, friends to lovers), real emotion, and yes — a guaranteed sapphic happy ending.

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From the Screen to the Page — and into Your Heart

As more readers crave queer stories with emotional depth and believable romance, indie authors like Jess Harley are stepping up with books that feel like fanfic and hit like canon should have.

If you’ve ever wished your favorite ship got the ending they deserved, Harley’s books are the next best thing. Or honestly? Better.

Read Second Takes and Unwritten by Jess Harley today on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited — for the fanfic vibes, the second chances, and the queer joy you’ve been waiting for.

Lesbian Romance Books 2025: Why Jess Harley Is the Name Everyone's Searching

If you're looking for your next sapphic obsession, look no further than the rising star of lesbian fiction: Jess Harley. With the breakout success of her debut Second Takes and the highly anticipated arrival of her second book Unwritten, Harley has cemented her place as one of 2025's must-read lesbian romance authors.

The Buzz Around Jess Harley

There’s a reason Unwritten just hit Amazon and immediately climbed the charts — the hype is real. Readers have been anxiously awaiting its release since Second Takes first made waves in the queer book community last year. Both novels blend laugh-out-loud moments, raw vulnerability, and the kind of chemistry that leaves you rereading your favorite scenes at 2AM.

In the sea of lesbian fiction, Harley’s stories stand out for their relatable characters, messy love, and authentic queer voice. These aren’t just love stories. They’re second chances wrapped in late-night confessions, unresolved tension, and the awkward beauty of trying again — especially when the world (or a tabloid scandal) seems against you.

What Makes Second Takes and Unwritten So Addictive?

Both novels are a perfect mix of slow burn lesbian romance and emotional payoff. In Second Takes, we meet two exes forced to work together again, navigating unresolved tension, career chaos, and the inconvenient truth that maybe the spark never went away. It’s smart, sexy, and full of the kind of heart-clenching moments fans of lesbian second chance romance crave.

Then comes Unwritten, the brand new release readers can’t stop talking about. This time, we follow Salu Lin, a guarded songwriter, and Noa Vale, the model-turned-actress who left more than just footprints on Salu’s heart. Their story unfolds with public scrutiny, betrayal, and the quiet ache of the one that got away — until fate (and a wedding) throws them back into each other’s orbit.

Keywords You’re Probably Already Googling:

best lesbian romance books 2025

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Spoiler alert: Jess Harley ticks all those boxes.

Why You Should Be Reading Jess Harley

With a talent for writing flawed, funny, fiercely real women, Harley’s novels speak to anyone who’s ever messed up, held back, or wondered if love could really find them again. Her work sits comfortably next to the likes of Casey McQuiston, Melissa Brayden, and Lee Winter, but brings a grounded voice that feels entirely her own.

Whether you're new to sapphic fiction or have devoured every lesbian romance novel on Kindle Unlimited, Harley is the name you’ll want to remember in 2025. Start with Second Takes. Then dive into Unwritten, her newest and most talked-about release.

Now trending on Amazon: Unwritten by Jess Harley — download it today and see why everyone’s talking about the queen of sapphic second chances.

https://a.co/d/iRzXRst

Why Second Takes and Kindle Unlimited Matter for Lesbian Fiction Readers

Hey readers! 🌈✨

If you love lesbian romance, second chances, and characters who don’t always get it right the first time, you’ll want to check out my novel Second Takes — now available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited: https://a.co/d/iYwJ8gs

This book is the first in my Second Chances Collection: Lesbian Romance Series, and it dives into the messy, complicated, but beautiful journey of two women finding their way back to each other — even when the past is hard to forgive.

But this post isn’t just about my book. I want to take a moment to talk about how Kindle Unlimited (KU) plays a huge role for lesbian fiction and indie authors like me.

Why KU Is So Important for Our Community
🔹 Visibility: Lesbian romance is still underrepresented in mainstream publishing. KU gives queer stories a better chance of being discovered by readers who are actively looking for them.

🔹 Support: Every page you read through KU supports indie authors financially. You may not pay extra, but your reading time helps authors like me keep creating.

🔹 Accessibility: For readers on a budget, KU offers access to a growing library of sapphic stories without the pressure of buying each book outright.

So if you’re subscribed to KU and haven’t yet dived into Second Takes, I’d love for you to give it a read — and if you’ve already read it, thank you for supporting indie lesbian fiction. Your time, your reviews, and your love for these characters mean everything.

🩷 Here’s that link again: https://a.co/d/iYwJ8gs

Let’s keep queer love stories alive, visible, and thriving. 💕

— Jess Harley

Second Takes: A Slow-Burn Sapphic Romance (Second Chances Collection Book 1)arley
Author of Second Takes

Looking for Your Next Kindle Unlimited Lesbian Romance? Meet Second Takes by Jess Harley

Hey romance lovers!

If you're hunting for your next binge-worthy Kindle Unlimited lesbian romance, let me introduce you to Second Takes—a heartfelt, slow-burn second-chance love story that’s already turning readers into fans of Tali and Ria.

Tali Morgan is Hollywood’s golden girl — bold, brilliant, and always pretending she’s okay. But when she’s cast in a buzzy new film opposite her ex, the woman she never stopped loving, the cracks begin to show.

Rin Lau is elegance wrapped in armor. Years ago, Tali left her behind — no closure, no warning. Now they’re forced to work together, sharing scenes, cameras, and history that never really died.

The tension is undeniable.

The chemistry is still electric.

And when one impulsive kiss sparks back everything they tried to bury… nothing stays scripted for long.

Then Tali’s world implodes: she's named guardian to her infant niece, and suddenly, motherhood is no longer hypothetical. Rin, shockingly, doesn’t run. She steps in.

Forced into close quarters, the walls between them start to fall. But Hollywood has sharp teeth, and old wounds cut deeper when the spotlight is watching.

Can two women with a history of leaving learn how to stay?

Second Takes is an emotional, slow-burn WLW lesbian romance filled with longing,

✨ Why readers are loving Second Takes:
Second-chance romance done right

Smart, emotionally complex sapphic leads

Slow-burn with high payoff

Queer love without compromise

FREE to read on Kindle Unlimited

Whether you’re curled up for a weekend read or looking to escape into a romance that feels real, Second Takes delivers all the feels. It’s the first in my Second Chances Collection, a series of standalone sapphic love stories with heart, heat, and hope.

👉 If you're a fan of Kindle Unlimited lesbian romance, this one belongs on your TBR.

Second Takes - https://a.co/d/3015xguSecond Takes: A Slow-Burn Sapphic Romance (Second Chances Collection Book 1)

Thanks for supporting queer stories and indie authors like me. If you’ve read Second Takes, I’d love to hear your thoughts—or better yet, leave a review. It means the world.

Happy reading,
Jess Harley

Summer Distractions, Stone Sealers, and Romance Writing

Ah, summer. That blissful time when I convince myself that lounging in the garden with a glass of wine is in fact part of my writing process.

I sat down the other day, notebook in hand, ready to dive into the steamy tension between my two leads — when I got completely derailed. Why? Because a group of rather determined (and, let’s be honest, distractingly hard-working) men from The Stone Cleaning Shop turned up to clean and seal my patio.

Now, before you accuse me of getting too invested in domestic aesthetics, let me just say — watching moss and years of grime get power-washed away is surprisingly satisfying. It's like watching a toxic ex get blocked: cleansing, dramatic, and weirdly empowering.

But here’s the kicker — it got me thinking. As a romance author, I’m all about tension and release (not just that kind, behave), and there was something poetic about watching this team work away, transforming my tired old stone into something pristine and protected. They used professional stone sealers and patio sealers, and I swear my garden has never looked better — which naturally makes it a perfect writing retreat now.

So yes, I should have been writing steamy dialogue. But instead, I ended up mentally outlining a new scene: flirty glances over a power washer, lingering tension while choosing grout color, maybe a forbidden love between the landscape designer and the aloof-but-secretly-swoony homeowner…

Anyway, long story short: if your patio is looking tired and uninspired, I highly recommend The Stone Cleaning Shop. If you're looking for summer reads with a bit of cheek and a lot of heart — well, that’s where I come in.

Back to writing now… after one more glass of wine.

— Jess Harley
Author of messy WLW romances, garden dreamer, and professional procrastinator

Lesbian Romance You’ll Obsess Over: Second Takes is Out Now — and Unwritten is Coming

Second Takes: A Slow-Burn Sapphic Romance (Second Chances Collection Book 1)If you love lesbian fiction, angsty sapphic love stories, and second-chance romance with a side of scandal — meet your next two reads.
I'm Jess Harley, author of emotional, steamy LGBTQ+ short stories and lesbian romance packed with drama, love, and chaos.

Unwritten is coming. And if you're into lesbian fiction with angst, heartache, and tension so thick you could scream into it — you're going to love this one.

🎤 Zara, a breakout singer with the voice of a goddess and a guarded heart, once loved Noa — a stunning, closeted Hollywood actress. Their secret romance ended in heartbreak when Noa chose her career over love. Now, years later, Noa is back, bringing with her an indie film based on their story, an invitation to the premiere, and a whole lot of emotional chaos.

And then… she leaks the tape.
Accidentally.
Maybe.

💔 Messy, sexy, emotional — Unwritten is a second chance lesbian romance full of raw tension, unresolved love, jealousy, and the complex push-pull between passion and betrayal. It's coming soon, so keep your eyes (and hearts) open.

While you wait, dive into my current release:
🎬 Second Takes — Out now on Amazon!

Two actresses. One fake dating setup. Zero chill.

Enemies-to-lovers meets forced proximity in a sapphic slow burn with snappy banter, undeniable chemistry, and all the queer longing you crave. This one’s already getting love from readers who adore lesbian romance with depth, humour, and heart.

👉 Read Second Takes now on Amazon
👉 Unwritten is coming soon — follow to get first dibs!

Why I Write Lesbian Fiction (and Why It's Always a Little Messy) Jess Harley

Someone recently told me, "You’ve got big ‘writes chaos, delivers core strength’ vibes," and honestly? I’ve never felt so seen.

Hi, I’m Jess Harley, and I write lesbian fiction — the kind where the women are over 30, the baggage is emotional and designer, and the love stories come with real-life messiness, tenderness, and occasional sarcasm-induced whiplash.

I started writing because I couldn’t find enough lesbian books where the characters weren’t just coming out, but also coming into their own. I wanted complicated, confident women who flirt at farmers markets, fall in love slowly (or disastrously fast), and text their therapist before their love interest.

My characters are queer, chaotic, and frequently kissing in emotionally fraught situations. They have dogs, divorces, and exes with great hair. They’re not always “likable,” but they’re always real. And if you’re into WLW romance, sapphic slow burns, and lesbian stories with actual plot, you’re in the right place.

So if you're looking for:

Lesbian authors writing funny, flawed, fabulous women

WLW fiction that’s equal parts heart and humor

And maybe a few “Oh my god, did she just say that?” moments…

Follow me here on Goodreads, stalk my upcoming releases, and let’s be honest — we both know you’re here for the pining.

The Funniest Online Personal Trainer Story I’ve Read!

I just had to share this because it genuinely made me laugh out loud! If you’ve ever tried to stick with a fitness plan (and failed spectacularly—like me!), you’ll love My Online Personal Trainer: A Diary of Sweat and Laughter by Move_With_Ally on Wattpad.

It’s a funny, feel-good diary-style story about the ups and downs of working out with an online personal trainer—something I know all too well because I actually join Ally’s fitness classes myself on her Patreon! She runs Move With Ally, a brilliant online fitness brand, and this story perfectly captures the humor, the struggle, and the sweaty reality of it all.

It’s a quick, absolutely free read on Wattpad or Patreon and I think anyone who’s ever tried (and failed… and tried again!) to get in shape will find it totally relatable.

If you check it out, let me know—I’d love to hear what you think!

How Social Media Became a Game-Changer for Lesbian Romance Books – And Why Second Takes Is One to Watch By Jess Harley, Lesbian Author

In today’s digital age, writing a book is only half the journey—getting it into readers’ hands is the other half. As a lesbian romance author, I’ve seen firsthand how platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Goodreads can take a quietly released book and turn it into a word-of-mouth sensation.

When I published Second Takes, the first in my Second Chances Collection, I hoped it would resonate with readers who crave emotional, character-driven sapphic stories. What I didn’t expect was the way it quietly began to gain traction online—especially on TikTok.

While I can’t confirm exact numbers or viral claims, I’ve noticed that Second Takes has been showing up in TikTok search results more often, and that’s no small thing. That kind of organic attention, even in small waves, matters. In the realm of lesbian romance books, where visibility is everything, a few mentions can snowball into something meaningful. Even a single TikTok post can be the spark that drives new readers to discover your work, add it to their TBR pile, and start talking.

Why Social Media Matters for Queer Authors
For indie and LGBTQ+ authors like me, social media isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential. Traditional publishing avenues and mainstream coverage often overlook lesbian romance books, so social platforms give us the chance to carve out space and connect directly with readers who are actively looking for diverse, inclusive stories.

Here’s what social media has done for my journey:

Amplified reach beyond what I could manage alone

Connected me with a passionate sapphic reader base hungry for slow-burn, second-chance love stories

Sparked conversations about characters, tropes, and representation that traditional marketing never could

Second Takes – A Sapphic Romance with Heart
If you haven’t read Second Takes yet, now’s the perfect time. It’s a slow-burn lesbian romance about fame, forgiveness, and the kind of love that refuses to fade. Tali is Hollywood’s golden girl. Rin is the one that got away. When a film reunion brings them back into each other's orbit, sparks fly—and old wounds reopen.

Whether you found the book on TikTok, through a friend, or just stumbled across it today, Second Takes is made for readers who believe in second chances and sapphic love stories that feel real.

💬 Have you seen Second Takes pop up on your feed? Are you a fan of WLW slow-burns with emotional depth? Let me know in the comments—or share your favorite recent lesbian romance reads!

📚 Read Second Takes on Amazon and KU, and don’t forget to follow me on Patreon @JessHarleyBooks for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes peeks at my upcoming book Unwritten, and more updates from the world of queer romance.

With love,
Jess Harley
Lesbian Romance Author | Second Chances Collection