If you’re like me, then you’ll understand that sometimes, you really have to read a romance novel. And, of course, 99% of the time, you just can’t find a decent LGBT one – it’s all either sex-filled and lacking tension, or straight-up awful. So, the point of this list is to rec you ten of the best LGBT NA romances I’ve read (hopefully, to be the first part of many).
Into the Blue
Pene Henson
Goodreads
Rep: demi gay mc, Samoan bi mc
Why Should I Read It?
Well, if you want a good best friends to friends with benefits to lovers story, with plenty of pining, this one is for you! Plus, it’s set to a backdrop of the most amazing found family. And that ending? Gets me every time.
Hold Me
Courtney Milan
Goodreads
Rep: Thai Chinese American bi mc, Mexican trans mc, m/f
Why Should I Read It?
If you’ve never read anything by Courtney Milan, you have honestly never lived. She writes the most exquisitely slowburning romances and the tension between her characters is always so intense. She’s easily one of the best romance authors out there.
Falling into Place
Sheryn Munir
Goodreads
Rep: Indian lesbian mcs
Why Should I Read It?
It’s a quick and really fricking soft read. Like, the actual softest. Even when it’s angsty, it’s still soft. And I for one am so down for soft, slow development of friendships into romances. Also, the meet-cute is pretty amazing too.
Far From Home
Lorelie Brown
Goodreads
Rep: lesbian mc, Indian lesbian li
CWs: eating disorder
Why Should I Read It?
Who doesn’t love a good fake dating/marriage of convenience story really? And all the better when it’s a sapphic one, let’s be real. This one’s fairly heavy though, with the discussion of eating disorders and a scene where the main character relapses, but the relationship between the two characters is really cute, and there isn’t any miscommunication!
That Could Be Enough
Alyssa Cole
Goodreads
Rep: Black lesbian mcs
CWs: period typical racism
Why Should I Read It?
Everyone loves a good historical romance, especially one with a happy ending for the LGBT characters. And Alyssa Cole definitely ranks in my top 5 romance writers. So that’s a match made in heaven. It’s also a romance where neither of the couple is white.
Pyre at the Eyreholme Trust
Lin Darrow
Goodreads
Rep: genderfluid mc, pan li
Why Should I Read It?
Okay, so this is kind of tenuously romance, because there is the whole heist element to it, but who doesn’t like a heist, right? But, the meet cute is so iconic I just had to rec it. And, for a short story, it develops the tension and relationship between Eli and Duke so fricking well.
The Love Song of Sawyer Bell
Avon Gale
Goodreads
Rep: bi mc, lesbian mc
Why Should I Read It?
This one has the friends-with-benefits to lovers trope, done properly well. It’s probably my favourite book by Avon Gale – I love every one of the characters, and Sawyer and Vix are so cute together.
Wanted, A Gentleman
K. J. Charles
Goodreads
Rep: gay mc, Black gay mc
Why Should I Read It?
K. J. Charles writes some really good slowburning historical romance. This is probably one of my favourites I’ve read so far – in less than 150 pages, she manages to develop the relationship so subtly and wonderfully.
The Pursuit Of…
Courtney Milan
Goodreads
Rep: Black gay mc, gay mc
CWs: period typical racism and homophobia
Why Should I Read It?
See above reasons why Courtney Milan is one of the best romance writers out there. Not only can she do it in 300 pages, she can do it in less than 150! If you want more reasons why you should absolutely, definitely read this, have a peek at Anna’s review.
Storm Season
Pene Henson
Goodreads
Rep: Chinese Australian lesbian mc, lesbian mc
Why Should I Read It?
You know that trope where two people who don’t know each other are stuck in a cabin without outside contact because of freakishly bad weather? And they fall in love? This is one of those ones, and it’s really really good.
So, I hope you find something to read on this list. There will be a part two, eventually, but in the meantime, what are your favourite LGBT NA romances?
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