There’s like a zillion books available today (statistic totally made up by yours truly), which makes it easy for some of the most amazing and powerful stories to fly under the radar. Books about queer women of color (that’s what QWOC means) are often overshadowed, but they are just as good if not better as some of the books sitting on top of the charts.
From intimate romances to profound explorations of identity and culture, each of these hidden gems offers a unique perspective that reflects the rich diversity within the queer community. Get ready to uncover some of the best-kept secrets in queer literature that you’ll want to read and share with others.
Fragments of a Fallen Star by Viano Oniomoh
It’s about a lesbian pirate! Eek! Well, that’s not all. There’s magic, romance, and the tear-jerking quest to bring Moira’s parents back from the dead.
Debate And Decadence by Sula Sullivan
Charmed meets Pride & Prejudice in this sapphic grump-sunshine romance that features a Black WLW couple and some serious cottage-core vibes. Rue is a runaway bride when she knocks on Amaya’s door and announces that they are fated mates. And Amaya is like girl what?
Falling for the Mark by Dominique Davis
A sapphic romance that revolves around a mother-daughter con-artist duo whose latest grift is derailed when Maya, the daughter, starts falling for the mark. I kind of like books where you can get the entire premise from reading the title. It’s also a plus that this book is an interracial romance with Cuban American & African American rep between the characters who had so much chemistry together.
A Wolf Steps in Blood by Tamara Jeree
A paranormal romance about a shape-shifting wolf and the exiled blood witch that steals her heart (and mine too). Based in the rural south backroads the story is just as much a beautiful love story as it is about two Black women overcoming grief and personal demons to find a their own strength.
Someone Like Her by Tuesday Harper
A small town, sometimes messy, sapphic romance that’s spicy AF. Ren does not want to go back to her hometown, but meeting Dominique is a bit of a consolation prize. When she’s stuck there for the summer, it only makes sense that they keep “having fun”.
Hot For Teacher by Aunt Georgia Lee
Evelyn is the sexy teacher I wish I would have had when I was in school. Danielle is a former exotic dancer trying to raise up her nephew. I am an absolute sucker for the suddenly raising a niece/nephew trope and this is a near perfect execution. Not only is the sexual tension thick, but it’s sweet to see the characters work together to help this little boy.
The Misadventures of Getting Lainey a Date by Eija Jimenez
Lainey and her fake boyfriend/best friend devise a not-so-simple plan to come out to her conservative Filipino parents by finding a date to her sister’s upcoming wedding. I’m not usually a fan of coming out stories, but this is a fun and cutesy lesbian rom-com. Even only halfway through, I suspect this is going to be a 5-star read.
Tapestry of Love by Uma Avanti
A swoon-worthy sapphic slow-burn romance, featuring two Desi women falling in love. Jonesy is newly divorced and trying to be nice to her co-worker Ash when the two of them stumble into a friends to lovers situation that has them both questioning themselves.
To Be Loved By Mia by Deja Elise
It’s one of those stories where a woman returns to the small-town she always hated to take over her mother’s diner. Except Mia is flawed, messy, and using alcohol as a way to forget all her bad decisions. As if unpacking her proverbial baggage isn’t enough, Mia jumps into this complicated situationship between Lex, her swoon-worthy neighbor, and Chrissy, the ex-bestie she was hoping to never see again.
All For Us by Aricka Alexander
A fun and sometimes drama-filled coming of age set at East Kennedy High School. There aren’t many Young Adult books with queer Black characters, so this is definitely a hidden gem. One that almost makes me miss my high school years. Almost.
There are so many amazing books that feature queer women of color. Many of them you can find on QWOCBOOKS.COM which is dedicated to providing readers, authors, and reviewers a central location to find their next queer woman of color book by a QWOC author with QWOC characters.