Jae

Sapphic Slow-burn romances

Sapphic books with a queer friend group

Sapphic books with a queer friend group featured image

This week’s Sapphic Book Bingo square represents sapphic books featuring a queer friend group.

The main character has a close-knit circle of queer friends. Often, the book is part of a series, and the LGBTQ+ supporting characters might have a book of their own.

 

15 sapphic books with a queer friend group

Below, you’ll find 15 recommended sapphic books with a queer friend group:

 

Shay’s Gamble by Amber Perez

They say what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. But when those happenings make you question everything, all bets are off!

In Sin City to celebrate her best friend’s upcoming nuptials, Shay, dealing with her failed marriage, is not in a party mood. But when she locks eyes with a mysterious woman across a crowded room, her strict, traditional upbringing wars against her long-hidden desires. She aches to embrace her true self, go all-in and hit the jackpot.

Allie, a student struggling to provide for her younger sister, heads to Vegas to celebrate her engagement. She thought she hit the big time when she landed the ridiculously wealthy and handsome Jackson Pemberton IV, but as his true colors are shown, it leaves her questioning everything. Maybe financial stability comes at too high a price. Perhaps it’s all or nothing in life. Responsibility battles against following her heart’s desires.

When the two bridal parties repeatedly collide, sparks fly, and they team up to make the most out of their Vegas experience. That decision tosses a wild card at Shay and Allie, forcing them to face feelings they never expected.

Can they find happiness betting on the unknown? Or will Shay’s Gamble leave her heartbroken and begging to fold?

Available at:

Amazon

 

Take Two by Stephanie Shea

Being in love is Whitney Dimaano’s favorite past time. Though lately, she can’t seem to get it right. She’s tried—she is trying—but it just hasn’t…clicked, and maybe her time would be better spent focusing on all the things that are actually good in her life. The gym she all but built with her own two hands, the new-found bond with her brother and sister, her friends… Anything but chasing the ghost of how it felt with the woman who left her behind.

Award-winning documentarian Andy Vahn dreamed of being an extraordinary filmmaker. Her recipe for success is a fusion of meticulous planning, diligence, and never letting anything stand in her way. Not even love. When a trip to convince a misanthropic celebrity chef to appear in her docuseries leads her home, Andy knows it won’t be easy. Least of all because she hasn’t been back in six years. Hasn’t seen Whitney in six years. Still, it’s true what they say. You never forget your first.

Maybe Andy’s return is the closure Whitney needs. But what if all it does is reaffirm Andy’s deepest fear?

She should never have left.

Available at:

Amazon

 

Secure Attachment by Ami Spencer

Sienna Daly has a heart of gold, but she’s always struggled to value herself. Now with a new job under her belt and finally going back to university, she might just have found her path in life. Until Debs—the successful, confident and way out of her league woman that Sienna had never factored into her plans—arrives. Love was never on her cards. Attraction she can do, but attachment is one step too far.

Debs Brannigan’s life is good. A thriving business, two beautiful children, a found family she loves; everything she has she’s built for herself. Even after her divorce she thinks she has it all figured out. But when she does a simple, selfless good deed to help one stunning woman, Debs gets more than she bargained for. And Sienna might just be the one thing she can’t fix.

As the two work together on a fundraiser, Sienna finds herself not only buying into Debs’ belief of her, but also in the chance of a happy ever after. But Sienna can never have anything good, and when that constant voice of disappointment gets louder, pushing away Debs is the only way Sienna can think of protecting herself—and Debs—from getting hurt.

But Debs isn’t one for running, leading to Sienna to tell the painful truth which has haunted her every choice.

Will Sienna allow herself to be loved, and find a place in a life which already seems too perfect for her to fit into?

Available at:

Amazon

 

Wish Upon a Rainbow Star by Jamey Moody

Celeste Starr is about to begin a career-defining research project in astronomy when she has an overnight layover in Dallas. Full of too much excitement to sleep, Celeste finds herself in the hotel bar.

There, the notoriously single, Celeste meets Esse Perkins who has a sweet southern drawl that enchants Celeste with each sultry syllable. The two unlikely strangers find themselves entwined in a night of passion neither will soon forget.

The next day as Celeste begins a long day of travel to the remote mountains of west Texas, she knows she’ll never see Esse again, but is nonetheless irritated with herself for not at least getting her number.

As the weather turns this never ending day into a treacherous journey Celeste finds herself not thinking of her beloved stars, but wishing she was once again in the arms of Esse Perkins. At times Celeste doubted she’d make it through the blinding snowstorm when she finally arrived at a rural hotel where the manager’s smiling face welcomed her inside the warm haven.

Celeste blinked and couldn’t believe her eyes. Esse Perkins! Here? How could it be?

Available at:

Amazon

 

Paint the Moon by Katia Rose

Six years ago, her brother left me at the altar.

I bundled up my veil along with my stupid dreams of a picture-perfect small town life, and I headed back to the city.

I vowed to never leave again, but when the promotion of a lifetime at my interior design firm hangs on returning to the charming tourist town of La Cloche, I decide to brave the ghosts of heartbreak past.

I never thought I’d be designing for her.

Natalie Sinclair isn’t just my ex-fiancé’s little sister; she’s also the reluctant new owner of the most gorgeous historic home in La Cloche.

A mysterious inheritance has left her reeling. On the one hand, the house is the perfect opportunity to make her dream of running an artsy inn with her best friends come true.

On the other, her latest art show ended in a disaster she’s not sure her confidence or creativity will ever recover from.

If I can convince Natalie to believe in herself, I can lock down the job and get my promotion.

I’ll just need to remember our lingering glances mean nothing. The way her laugh feels like it’s bringing me back to life doesn’t matter at all. Neither does my urge to thread my hands in her hair and pull her into a dark corner of the house we’re both starting to love.

I already fell for a Sinclair. I won’t make the same mistake again.

Available at:

Amazon

Audible

 

Her Next Door Bear Mate by Arizona Tape

As an introvert who loves peace and quiet, Margot dreads a new neighbour moving in her building. She’s determined to keep to herself but the bubbly blonde next door has other ideas.

Bear shifter Poppy loves meeting new people and she’s particularly drawn to her new neighbour. Even if that feeling doesn’t seem mutual.

Through the waves of life, the two women grow closer together and realise there might be a spark after all. But is a spark enough to make the woman next door into something more?

Available at:

Amazon

 

Other Girls by Avery Brooks

Once upon a time, Sam and Ashley were other girls.

Three years after the loss of her wife to a brain aneurysm, 34-year-old Samantha Parker focuses her energy on caring for her young son, Jake. She can’t imagine ever falling in love again, so she focuses on putting one foot in front of the other and being the best mom she can be. It’s not a perfect life, but as long as her son is happy and her softball team keeps winning, everything is fine.

That is, until Ashley Valence, the girl who bullied Sam throughout high school, moves back to New Orleans and joins the softball team. As tensions rise on the field, unexpected chemistry between the two women begins to grow. No matter how much Sam wants to hate Ashley for the pain and anguish those teenage taunts caused, Ashley’s eyes hold only warmth now. And, as Sam slowly introduces Ashley into her life with Jake, she begins to let go of the past.

But as their relationship progresses, all of the former hurts and resentments resurface for Sam, and she lashes out at Ashley. Sam understands that her anger is a byproduct of the events of the past and that Ashley isn’t the same girl she used to be. But when Sam begins to realize that she’s fallen in love with Ashley, she has to decide if she can truly trust her heart and find happiness with the woman who once hurt her so deeply.

Available at:

Bywater Books

Amazon

Apple Books

 

The Rising Dark by Celia Thorn

A nurse walks home alone at night…

Working in a hospital, Michelle is no stranger to an emergency. So when she finds a bleeding woman on a dark London street, her training takes over. She’s not prepared, however, for the terrifying monster that attacks them from the shadows. The only thing that stands between her and death is Lavinia: tall, gorgeous… and a vampire.

Lavinia has dedicated her long life to the Sisterhood of Twilight, a band of sword-wielding warriors that keep vampirekind safe. She whisks Michelle away to safety, her instinct to protect the human overriding everything she knows.

Together, they strive to find out who is trying to kill Michelle and why. Yet, it is their hearts that are truly at risk…

Available at:

Amazon

Apple Books

 

A Gardener’s Guide to Love and Loathing by Chelsea Pennington

Annie has a plan. She’s going to finish her PhD in applied mathematics and get an industry job that will finally make her parents proud. The only time she takes a break is to care for her plot at the community garden. It would be the perfect stress relief – if it weren’t for Jude.

Jude couldn’t care less about what people think of her. This is especially true of Annie – why should she care about the opinion of someone who tried to get her kicked out of the garden but keeps pretending that she’s innocent?

When someone starts stealing plants from the garden, the two women are forced to work together to catch the thief. It seems like the worst idea in the world…until it isn’t. Between a competition at the farmers market, a late-night stakeout, and far too many pizza rolls, they unexpectedly find themselves becoming friends – and maybe something more. But as it becomes clear that the thefts are part of a larger sabotage plot, they’ll have to decide how much trust to put in each other and what they’re willing to sacrifice to save the garden.

Available at:

Amazon

Apple Books

 

Under The Saltwater Moon by Christa Hickcox

After years of dutifully waiting tables at the diner down the street, wannabe-PI Millie Myles is ready for a change. With a little help from her police detective, big brother Mickey, Millie lands the job of her dreams as an evidence processing technician with the Seattle Police Department. Her first day on the job, Millie is catapulted into the middle of the most brutal murder investigation the city has ever seen.

Against her brother’s warnings and better judgement, Millie is drawn to action and proceeds with some unsanctioned, extra-curricular sleuthing with the help of her friends, Trae and Cici. The independent investigation introduces the trio to a group of local forest dwellers with a history of bizarre practices and societal beliefs. Things get complicated when Millie befriends a beautiful member of the woodlander community named Juniper and finds herself catching feelings, realizing that undercover work comes at a cost.

With bloody crime scenes piling up, the ever-curious Millie and her cohorts rush to uncover the clues that land Millie directly in the murderer’s crosshairs. Her first unofficial investigation as an amateur PI could very well be her last. Join Millie, Trae, and Cici as they seek to uncover the dark truth of Under the Saltwater Moon before the killer strikes again.

Available at:

Amazon

 

Novel Problems by Elizabeth Luly

Hannah Taylor has some novel problems. The best-selling fantasy author, who writes under a secret pen name, is suffering from writer’s block after her long-term relationship collapses. With the deadline for her next novel fast approaching, Hannah flees Manhattan for Sapphire Springs, New York, planning to hide away until she finishes her book. But when she’s forced to visit the local cafe-bookstore, she accidentally finds herself with a new job and one very attractive new boss. Distractions she definitely doesn’t need with her looming deadline… or does she?

George O’Grady worked hard to turn Novel Gossip into the cafe-bookstore of her dreams, but staff shortages are putting the normally unflappable lesbian under pressure. Hannah’s appearance is a godsend. Although it would be easier if her new employee was less distractingly lovely, because George has a strict rule against dating employees.

Over the course of the summer, Hannah and George grow closer. But can the two book lovers overcome their novel problems, rules, and relationship baggage to write their own happy ending?

Available at:

Amazon

Audible

 

Truly Enough by J.J. Hale

Robyn Moore is a firefighter by trade and a lesbian lothario by choice. After losing her father and witnessing her mother’s broken heart, Robyn learns that loving someone never ends well. Spending her days trying to honor her father’s legacy isn’t easy, and the best way to blow off steam is by falling into bed with whomever happens to be available.

Lexi Lynch is an artist with a passion for painting. That is, until real life kicked in and bills piled up. To prove to her overprotective father that her chosen profession isn’t a mistake, Lexi takes on commissions that pay well but bore her to tears. Missed deadline after deadline has her career in jeopardy with the only bright spot in her days being her gorgeous friend and roommate, Robyn.

As Lexi leans on Robyn for support, more than just a creative spark flares between them. Their close proximity may ignite a fiery romance or send their friendship up in flames.

Available at:

Bold Strokes Books

Amazon

 

Fatal Spores & Fiery Paths by Kellie Doherty

Zayla was just an infant noxling when her bitterroot offshoot was destroyed by a terrible suncreature. No one from her home survived. And from what she knows of her Nemora history, she shouldn’t be alive either.

But she is. There’s a constant hum inside her, a shaking that grows more violent and painful each time she harnesses her crafting to do her bidding. Nature is clearly trying to finish the job the suncreature started.

Her only hope is to finish walking the path. When she completes this sacred rite of passage, she’ll never need to use her crafting again. She has to get to Ratnaa Grove, her final stop, and the quickest way there is through the deadly Cinder Forest. With the help of her sibling Oryn and an alluring musician named Shadre who they met along the way, Zayla fends off bloodthirsty suncreatures and discovers an invasion of evil sun goddess worshippers bent on razing the Groves.

As she struggles to survive, betrayal lurks on every side, and her crafting demands a higher price than even she expected. But the fate of the Nemora Groves, and the world as she knows it, might just lie within her.

Available at:

Desert Palm Press

Amazon

Apple Books

 

My BFF’s Sister by Reba Bale

Her best friend’s sister is strictly off-limits, especially when her friend has no idea that her little sister is a lesbian.

Jewel is back from a long stint in the Peace Corps and ready to start her new life back in her hometown. She’s ready to come out to her family and live life without apology.

A chance encounter with her sister’s best friend Alice brings back memories of her childhood crush. Alice still sees her as the pesky kid sister, but Jewel is all grown up now and knows exactly how to take what she wants – and she wants Alice.

Can Jewel convince Alice to take a chance on love, even if it may destroy her longest friendship?

Available at:

Amazon

Audible

 

Never Date a Celebrity by Claire Forsythe

When her two best friends suggest quitting their city jobs to buy a crumbling pub, Imogen King should’ve said no, she isn’t a risk taker. Instead, she finds herself in Ballyluck, a sleepy Irish village with more sheep than tourists and running a pub on the brink of collapse. In fact, the only interesting thing about the village is the Hollywood movie being filmed a few miles down the road. Not that Imogen keeps up with the celebrity world, especially after her influencer ex turned their breakup into viral content. She’s sworn off social media, scandal, and anything resembling drama.

Amelia Whitlock’s celebrity status is growing fast, and her biggest role yet brings her to the beautiful Irish countryside. Fame has its perks, but Amelia’s tired of being seen, not known. So, when a gorgeous bartender looks at her like she’s just a girl in a pub, Amelia isn’t in a rush to come clean.

Imogen doesn’t recognize her, and Amelia doesn’t correct her. But when a simple weekend tour turns into something deeper, the truth is harder to hide, and a lot more dangerous to reveal.

On pre-order at:

Bold Strokes Books

 

The Sister Act by Helena Harte

She’s faking it for one sister… but will she end up falling for the other?

Leoni is a professional at taking on roles, and her latest gig is simple: play the perfect butch girlfriend for a socialite’s family getaway. She’s there for the paycheck, not the drama. Until she meets the client’s sister.

Aspen Hartwell thrives on control and family expectations, but Leo is a wildcard she never saw coming. She shouldn’t be attracted to her sister’s partner, yet the magnetic pull is impossible to ignore. As the fake relationship blurs into real desire, both women must choose: play it safe in their carefully constructed worlds or risk a scandal for a love that’s anything but an act.

On pre-order at:

Amazon

Audible

 

Check out our Give Something Away Day event!

Banner of Give Something Away Day 2026 - Free Sapphic Books_Giveaways_and Gift Cards

If you missed it so far, check out our Give Something Away Day event. Dozens of sapphic fiction authors have put together a fun event for you. It started yesterday, but you can still enter the giveaways and many of the books on the free ebooks page are still free. Here’s what is included:

  • 25 free ebooks for everyone
  • 60 book giveaways in every format (Ebooks, paperbacks, hardbacks, and audiobooks)
  • 30 book gift cards
  • 1 Kindle Colorsoft

Check out the Give Something Away Day freebies and enter the giveaways here!

 

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What sapphic book will you be reading for the “sapphic books with a queer friend group” category? Let us know in the comments!

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One Response

  1. Shift the Tide. Bryce Oakley.

    It’s a great story set within a trilogy. All three books are worth reading.

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