2025 was a year of sapphic books and novellas for me, dipping my willing feet into stories of romance between two women (sometimes with it as focus, other times as a special treat). It was the first time I sought them out (as a longtime lesbian, I didn’t realize the world of sapphic literature was so huge!), and I had a blast the whole year discovering my likes and dislikes, boosting several into my favorites.
The list below is exclusively books I read last year, and though not all of them were published in 2025, a majority were. It’s also a mix of traditionally published and indie published. I couldn’t fathom having to legitimately rank them, so they’re ordered from the beginning of the year through to the end. Sink your teeth in, sapphic lovers, for my best sapphic reads of 2025!
Be aware, most of these books are for adults, with mature themes, scenes, and triggers. For all of them, I suggest looking into their content warnings.
Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner
5 stars | October 11, 2022 | RomCom
The first contemporary sapphic romance I ever cracked the spine of was Wilsner’s. This intriguing age-gap RomCom had me rolling my eyes at the cheese (positively) and devouring the pages for Cassie and Erin’s chemistry. It was a good starter book to get acclimated to the format of romance novels before a year chock full of them. I’d say it also reaffirmed my love for anything that whispers of “forbidden.”
Read during January.
Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring-Blake
5 stars | February 22, 2022 | Contemporary Romance
Number one of a three-part series, Herring-Blake’s Bright Falls trilogy feels like a classic for sapphic romance readers. With a quick draw into the story, complex characters with realistic problems, and a happy ending, I was satisfied the entire time. Delilah is a perfect sarcastic black cat character paired with the slightly anxious but sunshiney Claire. This book also has the bonus of having two to read right after, Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail and Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date.
Read during January.
If We Survive This by Racquel Marie
5 stars | June 17, 2025 | Apocalypse
This character-driven story had me in its clutches long after I finished the last page. As an eARC, I was already ecstatic to be apart of driving reviews for a new book, but I didn’t have to fake my enthusiasm and lengthy review. It’s rife with humanity, poetry, and plot twists. Flora is a lovable person with a shell of an exterior, broken only by new and old loved ones. Although romance is only a touch of the point of the story, the representation was enough to loop it into my sapphic reads list.
Read during April.
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab
5 stars | June 10, 2025 | Historical Supernatural
Another book focused more on character study with its three protagonists, Maria, Charlotte, and Alice, this vampire book takes toxic lesbians to the supernatural level. The atmosphere was great, the writing descriptive, and the pacing slower but action-filled. I loved how the vampiric rules came into play and made being a vampire almost dreadful to imagine for once. If you’re a reader that wants to walk through decades, feel a little prick in your heart, and become entranced, this is the right book.
Read during July.
Virelai’s Hoard by Vivien Nash
5 stars | August 4, 2025 | Pirate Romantasy
I continue to sing praises and try to promote this indie book as much as possible (so much so, I interviewed the author). It’s a lovely blend of mystical world building, distinct main and side characters, and a fun mystery. Riley, Calla, and Sable are a perfect tangled mess with charged intimacy both realized and restrained. I’m a sucker for the pirate backdrop, too. The second book, The Selkie’s Curse, is set to publish January 9th. I’m currently reading the eARC as my first of the new year!
Read during July.
Bloom Town: Genesis and Bloom Town: Exodus by Ally North
5 stars | July 12, 2024 | Western Romance
Okay, so I cheated a little here: this is two books. However! You can’t read Genesis without immediately following it up with Exodus, you just can’t. This duology is a poignant study of two women finding themselves in a troubling western society. From Abby accepting her sexuality and finding freedom, to Joey accepting herself and finding comfort in loved ones, I couldn’t help the emotions that welled up in me while reading. It has proper villains to hate, too.
Read during September.
Learning Curves by Rachel Lacey
4.75 stars | September 2, 2025 | Contemporary Romance
For an age-gap relationship with a dash of being forbidden, the communication between Audrey and Michelle was incredible. This book was quiet and sensual with the tenderness between the two women. It’s not something to pick up if you’re looking for drama or snappy action, but it is something cozy and beautiful to read. I was starting to rate books harsher in the later half of the year too, hence why it lost .25 on the star rating. Still, I’d definitely reread it, which is a big proponent in being one of the best.
Read during October.
Sadist by Chaos Davie
5 stars | June 13, 2025 | Dark Romance
The aforementioned “second dark sapphic romance I read” from my October’s reading wrap-up made it onto this list instead. While my darker, more erotic readings rarely make an appearance on that article series, I knew I couldn’t leave it off my best sapphic reads. Octavia is a secret badass while Theo is that amazing protective (possessive) lover some women dream of. The plot was snappy and intriguing, with a happy ending and cliffhanger for the series. I am waiting at the edge of my seat for Savage, book two of The Triarchy Collection from Davie.
Read during October.
A Heart Fierce and Blooming by Moira Darling
5 stars | November 11, 2025 | Vampire Romantasy
I’ve been reading Moira Darling’s work since their debut last year. This is the third of four installments of Her Fangs in My Heart series and my absolute favorite (another author interview even). Marienne and Tamsin are amazing together, very much a sunshine vampire and grumpy knight to a tee. The yearning was almost my favorite part, though when they’re finally together that was perfection. Readers will find found family in here too, as both of these characters navigate six orphaned vampire kids.
Read during November.
House of Rayne by Harley Laroux
4.75 stars | September 30, 2025 | Gothic Dark Romance
Laroux’s book is full of sticky Gothic vibes with a creature of horror stalking the small island and the eventual couple, Salem and Rayne. This was my (almost) final book of 2025 and one I received for Christmas. The chemistry between the two women was dangerous and quickly intense, with both of them willing to risk their lives for each other. The beginning took a bit for me to become connected to the story line and characters, the only reason for the .25 star drop.
Read during December (not included in an article).
Honorable mention to nearly all of Haley Cass’s books, which I read throughout last year as well, Morgan Spellman’s Abby Spector series (author interview), Puppy Love by Elle Sprinkle, and Like First Love, Again by J.J. Arias. All of them were considered to be apart of this list.
Cheers to the new year, and here’s to more sapphic books for 2026! Keep an eye out for more reading wrap-ups.
