Fans pick 100 books like Princess of Dorsa

By Eliza Andrews,

Here are 100 books that Princess of Dorsa fans have personally recommended if you like Princess of Dorsa. Shepherd is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of Plain Bad Heroines

Genevieve McCluer Author Of Cold Blood

From my list on sapphic speculative fiction.

Why am I passionate about this?

It’s hard not to be passionate about sapphic spec fic when that’s entirely what I write. These books may all differ from my book in their own ways, but these authors and I all wrote fantastical stories of women who love women. These are the kind of stories I want to put out there, and it’s a space that could always use more occupying it.

Genevieve's book list on sapphic speculative fiction

Genevieve McCluer Why did Genevieve love this book?

This gothic novel tells two stories a century apart, both dealing with queerness, hauntings and the way women are treated by society. The characters are flawed and human, and it’s fascinating to see how a century has changed everything.

I’d been desperate for a good lesbian ghost story then, and this hit the spot far more than I’d expected. 

By Emily M. Danforth, Sara Lautman (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

5 authors picked Plain Bad Heroines as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

'Brimming from start to finish with sly humour and gothic mischief' SARAH WATERS

'Beguilingly clever, very sexy and seriously frightening' GUARDIAN

'Atmospheric, sexy, creepy...totally addictive' KATE DAVIES, author of In At The Deep End

'A gloriously over-the-top queer romp' I PAPER

_________________________________________________________________

'It's a terrible story and one way to tell it is this: two girls in love and a fog of wasps cursed the place forever after...'

BROOKHANTS SCHOOL FOR GIRLS: Infamous site of a series of tragic deaths over a hundred years ago. Soon to be the subject of a controversial horror movie about the rumoured 'Brookhants curse':…


Book cover of Harsh Reality

Genevieve McCluer Author Of Cold Blood

From my list on sapphic speculative fiction.

Why am I passionate about this?

It’s hard not to be passionate about sapphic spec fic when that’s entirely what I write. These books may all differ from my book in their own ways, but these authors and I all wrote fantastical stories of women who love women. These are the kind of stories I want to put out there, and it’s a space that could always use more occupying it.

Genevieve's book list on sapphic speculative fiction

Genevieve McCluer Why did Genevieve love this book?

Another Goldie finalist the same year as my book that just so happened to also be a contemporary fantasy story starring a revolver-toting woman in a cowboy hat.

This time-hopping sheriff has a fun zombie-killing adventure and an endearing romance that I hope to see more of. I couldn’t put it down, and read the whole thing while waiting to find out if either of us would win.

By Elle E. Ire,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Harsh Reality as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

After demon elementals kill the good folks Sheriff Cali McCade has sworn to protect, the last place she expects to find herself is the future.

Cali McCade is happy being the only female sheriff in the West until evil destroys her town of Oblivion and everyone in it. But when a magical creature sends her forward in time, Cali gets a chance for justice-and to stop history from repeating itself.

Now, on the set of Harsh Reality, a television show that challenges average people to survive in historical settings, Cali isn't just the sheriff of Oblivion-she also plays herself on…


Book cover of A Game of Hearts and Heists

Genevieve McCluer Author Of Cold Blood

From my list on sapphic speculative fiction.

Why am I passionate about this?

It’s hard not to be passionate about sapphic spec fic when that’s entirely what I write. These books may all differ from my book in their own ways, but these authors and I all wrote fantastical stories of women who love women. These are the kind of stories I want to put out there, and it’s a space that could always use more occupying it.

Genevieve's book list on sapphic speculative fiction

Genevieve McCluer Why did Genevieve love this book?

A book that really puts the enemies in enemies-to-lovers. The only thing Scarlett and Quin want more than to kill each other is to bed each other, and they’re not sure it actually takes priority.

This results in some of the funniest romance and fight scenes I’ve read and a relationship that’s hard not to root for. My girlfriend recommended this book to me, and we loved sharing its absurd romance.

By Ruby Roe,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked A Game of Hearts and Heists as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Two enemies, one goal: steal each other's hearts.

Scarlett Grey, disgraced assassin, is determined to get revenge.

Quinn Adams, medic turned-poisoner for hire, is her deadliest rival.

For years, they've stolen each other's clients, sabotaged each other's business, and occasionally… slept together.

When the Magician Queen offers an irresistible deal, Scarlett and Quinn are forced to work together. But this is not a simple job.

With an impossible heist ahead, they’re going to have to trust each other…

And that's not easy when they both have secrets to hide.

Harder still when those secrets will betray the ones they love.…


Book cover of Pirates of Aletharia

Genevieve McCluer Author Of Cold Blood

From my list on sapphic speculative fiction.

Why am I passionate about this?

It’s hard not to be passionate about sapphic spec fic when that’s entirely what I write. These books may all differ from my book in their own ways, but these authors and I all wrote fantastical stories of women who love women. These are the kind of stories I want to put out there, and it’s a space that could always use more occupying it.

Genevieve's book list on sapphic speculative fiction

Genevieve McCluer Why did Genevieve love this book?

A fun enemies-to-lovers story with some well-defined characters and an interesting world. Neither Emilia nor Maria trust each other a lick, and have good cause for it, but Maria wants Emilia, as crew member, lover, and possession.

I enjoyed seeing the two warring with their feelings for each other and their mutual distrust as they struggled to be willing to so much as tolerate the other. 

By Britney Jackson,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Pirates of Aletharia as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A 2022 Goldie award-winning sapphic fantasy for people who love dangerous women, magical worlds, and lesbian pirates.

Emilia Drakon was once the youngest and kindest of the dragon sorcerers, but she’s now the last of her kind. Betrayed and angry, she trades her meekness for a sword and embarks on a quest for vengeance that will lead her straight into the arms of the legendary Captain Maria Welles.

Captain of the famed pirate ship, the Wicked Fate, Maria is every bit as treacherous and bloodthirsty as they say. She has her own vendetta and practically jumps at the chance to…


Book cover of The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School

Diane Billas Author Of Does Love Always Win?

From my list on young adult fiction sapphic romance novels.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m passionate about young adult sapphic romance books because this is something I wished I would have read in high school. If I had novels similar to these when I was growing up I might have realized that I identify as queer sooner and it could have helped me understand more about myself. Because of this, I’ve been an avid reader, and writer, of sapphic young adult romances. If it’s sapphic, send it my way. I hope you enjoy these sapphic novels as much as I have!

Diane's book list on young adult fiction sapphic romance novels

Diane Billas Why did Diane love this book?

I flew through The Lesiana’s Guide to Catholic School book.

It was set, as the title suggests at a Catholic School. There were a lot of themes that I really related to, such as growing up in a religious family and being scared to reveal yourself true identity to your family and friends. I thought the family dynamics were very realistic, as were the characters.

This book was a very enjoyable read!

By Sonora Reyes,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

No one knows Yami is gay, least of all her mum, and Yami intends to keep it that way . . . Until, uh oh, she's falling in love again.

Yami prefers to be known for her killer eyeliner, not for being one of the only Mexican kids at her new, mostly white, rich Catholic school - or for being gay. So after being outed by her ex-best friend, before transferring to Slayton Catholic, Yami decides to lie low, make her mum proud and definitely NOT fall in love. The thing is, it's hard to fake being straight when Bo,…


Book cover of The Balance of Fates

Deanna Grey Author Of Outdrawn

From my list on sapphic romance with characters finding their place.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve always loved writing that explores mental health and its effect on finding love. I love characters who are their worst enemies and conflicts stemming from internal battles. Depression and anxiety have been something I’ve struggled with since childhood. My mental health issues made looking to the future with hope feel impossible sometimes. When I picked up a romance book where an anxious character found a happily ever after, it gave me hope. Seeing characters who don’t have everything figured out and aren’t always confident in themselves find their happy endings is a light at the end of a tunnel—peace in the middle of a storm. 

Deanna's book list on sapphic romance with characters finding their place

Deanna Grey Why did Deanna love this book?

Witches and vampires are the go-to way to get me to pick up a book (I’m part of the generation who grew up on The Vampire Diaries and The Secret Circle). So, as soon as I saw this book, hitting that purchase button was a no-brainer.

Lucia is a sheltered witch who doesn’t gain the power she’s expected to during a coming-of-age ceremony. She falls (literally and metaphorically) for a vampire who is her rival in a dangerous competition. It’s a fun fantasy read that had me reading late into the night, rooting for the characters to become who they were meant to be. 

By Raquel Raelynn,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Balance of Fates as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

*This is a second edition copy of "The Balance of Fates" containing a map, alternate cover and chapter headings.*

FAMILY OR LOVE?

When her grandmother falls ill, Lucia Dol'Auclair has to leave her sheltered life and travel to Eirini Academy of Mystics to compete in the Triune.

In three events, she will compete against vampires and werewolves to take her grandmother's place as the guardian vessel of a destructive celestial of magic and prove her worth as heir to her royal coven.

But, her heart is pulled in two directions when she falls for her rival, Adelaide, a troublesome vampire…


Book cover of Back in Your Arms

Clare Ashton Author Of Meeting Millie

From my list on sapphic second chance romances.

Why am I passionate about this?

I think all romance writers have their favourite trope, and second chances has the strongest hold on me. I’m a person who makes mistakes, so I love to see equally fallible humans getting their second chance at a happy ever after too. People with a history always lend depth to a story too. At any point, you can pluck a moment from their past to show an element of their relationship. And angst. I love a good dose of angst. With second chances, it's likely been a rocky road. Then the clincher for me, that sense of fate and destiny of people who’ve gone separate ways but find themselves drawn back together.

Clare's book list on sapphic second chance romances

Clare Ashton Why did Clare love this book?

I couldn’t write about sapphic second chance romances without including a Monica McCallan and I found it difficult to decide between two favourites, Then and Now and Back in Your Arms. She takes a different approach in each – and that’s something admire in writers too – authors who’ll play around with structure and characters.

Monica is so good at so many aspects – dialogue, characterisation, chemistry, appealing settings. It means she writes the most compulsively readable books. If you ever hear me say, “I’m just going to have a peek at this Monica McCallan book,” the next thing you’ll hear from me is, “I’ve finished it.”

And if you pick up one, many more will follow. Be warned. 

Book cover of Embracing the Dawn

Alaina Erdell Author Of Off the Menu

From my list on sapphic romances to make you swoon.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been reading sapphic or lesbian romances ever since I got my hands on Touchwood and Curious Wine decades ago. When not writing contemporary sapphic romances, I’m always reading them. Happily ever afters haven’t always been the case for two women in love, least of all in fiction. I write sapphic romances to provide for other women like me what I hoped to find in bookstores when I was younger. It wasn’t easy to find a romantic story between two women, let alone have choices. Representation matters, and writing–and reading–books about two women in love is important to me and women like me, especially as states ban such books.

Alaina's book list on sapphic romances to make you swoon

Alaina Erdell Why did Alaina love this book?

Levig’s characters in Embracing the Dawn leap from the page. They’re fully realized, three-dimensional women with interesting backstories. It’s an unusual pairing, but that doesn’t decrease the swoon-worthy component any.

I’ve heard readers are fascinated with either E.J. or Jinx, myself no exception. Like in my last recommendation, I adore when a character can’t help herself from showing up time and time again, and this romance provides. 

Levig supplements her love interests with intriguing and complex side characters who are just as loveable as the main characters. Levig doesn’t shy away from difficult subjects, and how E.J. and Jinx support and strengthen each other makes their romance even more swoon worthy.

You’ll be ordering the second book in the series before you’re done with the first.

By Jeannie Levig,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Embracing the Dawn as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Does love have a chance when no one knows she wants it?

Jinx Tanner is an ex-con trying to piece together a life on the outside and heal her relationship with her half-sister who hasn’t spoken to her in over twenty-five years.
Romantic love is now here on her radar. E. J. Bastien is a business executive with her life and heart under control. She has a successful career, a woman in her bed whenever she wants one, and a healthy relationship with her grown children—as long as they don’t find out she’s gay. She has no desire for romantic…


Book cover of Take Two

Clare Ashton Author Of Meeting Millie

From my list on sapphic second chance romances.

Why am I passionate about this?

I think all romance writers have their favourite trope, and second chances has the strongest hold on me. I’m a person who makes mistakes, so I love to see equally fallible humans getting their second chance at a happy ever after too. People with a history always lend depth to a story too. At any point, you can pluck a moment from their past to show an element of their relationship. And angst. I love a good dose of angst. With second chances, it's likely been a rocky road. Then the clincher for me, that sense of fate and destiny of people who’ve gone separate ways but find themselves drawn back together.

Clare's book list on sapphic second chance romances

Clare Ashton Why did Clare love this book?

Stephanie Shea makes wonderful use of plucking out little bits of history and knowledge the characters have of each other in Take Two.

You get a super sense especially of Andy in this book – her physicality, the kind of human she is, and the enduring strength of Whitney’s attraction to her. This is a couple who are never going to be over each other – this comes across most strongly in this book for me.

I forgot to mention yearning in my intro. I love sapphic yearning, and in second-chance romances, the characters really know what they're missing and what they’re yearning for. And Stephanie has me totally convinced in this one.

I admire this author for word wizardry and flawed characters you can’t help loving. Take Two is book three of the wonderful Gia series but can be read standalone.

By Stephanie Shea,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Take Two as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.


Book cover of Must Love Silence

Deanna Grey Author Of Outdrawn

From my list on sapphic romance with characters finding their place.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve always loved writing that explores mental health and its effect on finding love. I love characters who are their worst enemies and conflicts stemming from internal battles. Depression and anxiety have been something I’ve struggled with since childhood. My mental health issues made looking to the future with hope feel impossible sometimes. When I picked up a romance book where an anxious character found a happily ever after, it gave me hope. Seeing characters who don’t have everything figured out and aren’t always confident in themselves find their happy endings is a light at the end of a tunnel—peace in the middle of a storm. 

Deanna's book list on sapphic romance with characters finding their place

Deanna Grey Why did Deanna love this book?

I love books with quiet and complex characters. This one follows an audiobook narrator who loves silence and an ice queen author who needs a successful book launch for her comeback.

Both characters think they have their lives all figured out. Meeting each other opens their eyes to a brighter, less lonely world. This book has a light enemies-to-lovers vibe for those of us (me) who enjoy just a little back-and-forth before the characters figure out they’re obsessed with each other.

By Lucy Bexley,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Must Love Silence as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

What happens when a misanthrope meets the one person she doesn't want to be without? Reese Walker doesn't like people. What she likes is silence and being left alone. The thing she loves most about recording audiobooks is that she doesn't have to leave her Chicago apartment to do it. And she hasn't for nearly a year. But with an unavoidable bill going to collections that puts her sister's treatment at risk, she has no choice but to take a job that pushes her out of her comfort zone. After a disastrous blow to her career, Arden Abbott needs a…


Book cover of Plain Bad Heroines
Book cover of Harsh Reality
Book cover of A Game of Hearts and Heists

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