Christchurch City Libraries Ngā Kete Wānanga o Ōtautahi
Staff-created list
Looking for a romance read with lesbian, gay, bi-curious, or transgender characters? Look no further - the search for love is over! This list contains many different genres and tropes that fall under the romance umbrella from enemies to lovers, bittersweet love, Hellenistic romance, romcoms and salacious spicy reads. As our collection grows keep a look out for further updates for this list. A Christchurch City Libraries list.
Do you need a spicy Ted Lasso lesbian romance? Then 'Cleat Cute' is for you. Grace Henderson is everything an elite US football/soccer star should be tact...Show more
Do you need a spicy Ted Lasso lesbian romance? Then 'Cleat Cute' is for you. Grace Henderson is everything an elite US football/soccer star should be tactical, disciplined and dedicated. That is until she suffers a devastating injury that puts her on the bench, leaving the class clown Phoebe Matthews to take her place on the team. Phoebe has always idolised Grace and wants to build a professional relationship but after one courageous kiss they're both addicted to love. With the World Cup looming and Grace's injury healed will they choose love over their career?
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Do you need a spicy Ted Lasso lesbian romance? Then 'Cleat Cute' is for you. Grace Henderson is everything an elite US football/soccer star should be tact...Show more
Do you need a spicy Ted Lasso lesbian romance? Then 'Cleat Cute' is for you. Grace Henderson is everything an elite US football/soccer star should be tactical, disciplined and dedicated. That is until she suffers a devastating injury that puts her on the bench, leaving the class clown Phoebe Matthews to take her place on the team. Phoebe has always idolised Grace and wants to build a professional relationship but after one courageous kiss they're both addicted to love. With the World Cup looming and Grace's injury healed will they choose love over their career?
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Hollywood's stubborn bad boy Logan Gray and the new golden boy Mattie Cole are cast as the leads in the latest romance flick. One issue, they despise each...Show more
Hollywood's stubborn bad boy Logan Gray and the new golden boy Mattie Cole are cast as the leads in the latest romance flick. One issue, they despise each other and after a shocking publicity incident they must go on a fake date to save the film. As they pretend to flirt for the camera's sparks begin to fly and once the spotlight is gone, they realise that maybe their love isn't an act rather something real. However, as public interest spikes their old scars begin to show and Hollywood's latest couple must fight to stay together. For fans of Casey McQuiston and Alexis Hall but 'Stars in your eyes' is much heavier delving into triggering content such as sexual abuse, suicidal thoughts and drug and alcohol abuse.
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Hollywood's stubborn bad boy Logan Gray and the new golden boy Mattie Cole are cast as the leads in the latest romance flick. One issue, they despise each...Show more
Hollywood's stubborn bad boy Logan Gray and the new golden boy Mattie Cole are cast as the leads in the latest romance flick. One issue, they despise each other and after a shocking publicity incident they must go on a fake date to save the film. As they pretend to flirt for the camera's sparks begin to fly and once the spotlight is gone, they realise that maybe their love isn't an act rather something real. However, as public interest spikes their old scars begin to show and Hollywood's latest couple must fight to stay together. For fans of Casey McQuiston and Alexis Hall but 'Stars in your eyes' is much heavier delving into triggering content such as sexual abuse, suicidal thoughts and drug and alcohol abuse.
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Ely has spent nearly a decade escaping her past but a once in a lifetime scholarship (with the famed elusive photographer Wyatt Cole) brings her back to N...Show more
Ely has spent nearly a decade escaping her past but a once in a lifetime scholarship (with the famed elusive photographer Wyatt Cole) brings her back to New York. Everything is looking up for Ely following her hookup with a gorgeous transgender man. but the euphoria is short lived after the sobering revelation that her one night stand was with her mentor Wyatt Cole. Their forbidden love gives way to personal growth when they revisit their old traumas and discover the parallels of their recovery. Ely's art forces a return to her Jewish orthodox roots and Wyatt reflects on his military past. His attraction to Ely is undeniable but with his artistic reputation at stake a choice must be made. Victoria Lee's debut adult romance novel is a gripping tale of authentic queer love abundant in heartfelt emotion and a dash of spice.
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Ely has spent nearly a decade escaping her past but a once in a lifetime scholarship (with the famed elusive photographer Wyatt Cole) brings her back to N...Show more
Ely has spent nearly a decade escaping her past but a once in a lifetime scholarship (with the famed elusive photographer Wyatt Cole) brings her back to New York. Everything is looking up for Ely following her hookup with a gorgeous transgender man. but the euphoria is short lived after the sobering revelation that her one night stand was with her mentor Wyatt Cole. Their forbidden love gives way to personal growth when they revisit their old traumas and discover the parallels of their recovery. Ely's art forces a return to her Jewish orthodox roots and Wyatt reflects on his military past. His attraction to Ely is undeniable but with his artistic reputation at stake a choice must be made. Victoria Lee's debut adult romance novel is a gripping tale of authentic queer love abundant in heartfelt emotion and a dash of spice.
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A book that'll remind you of your teen years, those best friend feelings, toxic friendships and finding out who you really are. Ashley Herring Blake is kn...Show more
A book that'll remind you of your teen years, those best friend feelings, toxic friendships and finding out who you really are. Ashley Herring Blake is known for her YA books and vivid emotional characters, and this book is just that but for better want of a work - adulty. Writing that'll suck you in and keep you tearing through the pages, relatable relationships, cringey firsts and amusing flashbacks, something relatable for everyone. This is a read for those in need of a light romantic comedy sprinkled with teen angst.
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A book that'll remind you of your teen years, those best friend feelings, toxic friendships and finding out who you really are. Ashley Herring Blake is kn...Show more
A book that'll remind you of your teen years, those best friend feelings, toxic friendships and finding out who you really are. Ashley Herring Blake is known for her YA books and vivid emotional characters, and this book is just that but for better want of a work - adulty. Writing that'll suck you in and keep you tearing through the pages, relatable relationships, cringey firsts and amusing flashbacks, something relatable for everyone. This is a read for those in need of a light romantic comedy sprinkled with teen angst.
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Translated from Korean to English this author has been an absolute hit in with a trail of rave reviews. Thick with melancholy and romance this is a coming...Show more
Translated from Korean to English this author has been an absolute hit in with a trail of rave reviews. Thick with melancholy and romance this is a coming of age story of a young man in Korea (this is set in a place where Queer people are not well received so there is a certain amount of hostility underpinning this story). The storyline flits between past and present filled with intricate details and amusing subtleties. For those who enjoy a well rounded cast of characters each layering different emotional depths to the story. A slow burn but ultimately an interesting and thoughtful read.
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Translated from Korean to English this author has been an absolute hit in with a trail of rave reviews. Thick with melancholy and romance this is a coming...Show more
Translated from Korean to English this author has been an absolute hit in with a trail of rave reviews. Thick with melancholy and romance this is a coming of age story of a young man in Korea (this is set in a place where Queer people are not well received so there is a certain amount of hostility underpinning this story). The storyline flits between past and present filled with intricate details and amusing subtleties. For those who enjoy a well rounded cast of characters each layering different emotional depths to the story. A slow burn but ultimately an interesting and thoughtful read.
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If you're looking for a Bridget Jones-like romp with a little more sex and a lot of English humour look no further. We follow Julia's experience of the da...Show more
If you're looking for a Bridget Jones-like romp with a little more sex and a lot of English humour look no further. We follow Julia's experience of the dating scene in London, as she discovers a whole new world of lesbianism, BDSM, and many other delights. It starts off quite light however it does delve into some of the more heavy relationship stuff. Fair warning, it does include some controlling figures. It's funny, crude, deliciously naughty and a definite page-turner!
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If you're looking for a Bridget Jones-like romp with a little more sex and a lot of English humour look no further. We follow Julia's experience of the da...Show more
If you're looking for a Bridget Jones-like romp with a little more sex and a lot of English humour look no further. We follow Julia's experience of the dating scene in London, as she discovers a whole new world of lesbianism, BDSM, and many other delights. It starts off quite light however it does delve into some of the more heavy relationship stuff. Fair warning, it does include some controlling figures. It's funny, crude, deliciously naughty and a definite page-turner!
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A Prince-meets-girl romance story with a twist: Prince-meets-President’s- son! A charming and funny LGBTQ+ Royal Romance that takes a different spin on th...Show more
A Prince-meets-girl romance story with a twist: Prince-meets-President’s- son! A charming and funny LGBTQ+ Royal Romance that takes a different spin on the fake-friends trope. When Henry, Prince of Wales, and Alex Claremont-Diaz, the US President’s son are caught fighting at Henry’s brother’s wedding, damage control demands that they pretend to be friends. A heart-warming story of (fake) friendship blossoming into something more. #ownvoices
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A Prince-meets-girl romance story with a twist: Prince-meets-President’s- son! A charming and funny LGBTQ+ Royal Romance that takes a different spin on th...Show more
A Prince-meets-girl romance story with a twist: Prince-meets-President’s- son! A charming and funny LGBTQ+ Royal Romance that takes a different spin on the fake-friends trope. When Henry, Prince of Wales, and Alex Claremont-Diaz, the US President’s son are caught fighting at Henry’s brother’s wedding, damage control demands that they pretend to be friends. A heart-warming story of (fake) friendship blossoming into something more. #ownvoices
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Never Anyone But You is based on a true story about a pair of French artists and lovers; two women named Claude Cahun and Marcel Moore. During their long ...Show more
Never Anyone But You is based on a true story about a pair of French artists and lovers; two women named Claude Cahun and Marcel Moore. During their long life together we follow them from the Avant Garde and rise of Dada in early 1910s Paris, the passionate couple becoming friends with people such as Dali and Robert Desnos, into the 1940s with the Nazi occupation of the Channel Islands. There's eros, memory, and haunting suspense. “An Eden with two Eves, no Adam.''
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Never Anyone But You is based on a true story about a pair of French artists and lovers; two women named Claude Cahun and Marcel Moore. During their long ...Show more
Never Anyone But You is based on a true story about a pair of French artists and lovers; two women named Claude Cahun and Marcel Moore. During their long life together we follow them from the Avant Garde and rise of Dada in early 1910s Paris, the passionate couple becoming friends with people such as Dali and Robert Desnos, into the 1940s with the Nazi occupation of the Channel Islands. There's eros, memory, and haunting suspense. “An Eden with two Eves, no Adam.''
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Say hello to the Vladisavljevic's of Auckland and their eccentric culturally diverse queer family. Greta and Valdin/V are siblings trying to find their Mx...Show more
Say hello to the Vladisavljevic's of Auckland and their eccentric culturally diverse queer family. Greta and Valdin/V are siblings trying to find their Mx Right to little avail. Greta is head over heels for her fellow English tutor Holly who can't even pronounce Greta's last name while V is still in love with his ex-boyfriend Xabi (who is also his uncle's Catalonian husband's brother) who now lives in Buenos Aires. This novel has a real sense of place being grounded in Tamaki Makaurau which is complimented by Reilley's use of rich, humorous and well-crafted dialogue. Reilley's debut novel is an instant NZ queer classic exploring multicultural, queer, and Māori identity with grace, laughter and authenticity. You will fall in love with Vladisavijevic's for all their flaws and quirks.
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Say hello to the Vladisavljevic's of Auckland and their eccentric culturally diverse queer family. Greta and Valdin/V are siblings trying to find their Mx...Show more
Say hello to the Vladisavljevic's of Auckland and their eccentric culturally diverse queer family. Greta and Valdin/V are siblings trying to find their Mx Right to little avail. Greta is head over heels for her fellow English tutor Holly who can't even pronounce Greta's last name while V is still in love with his ex-boyfriend Xabi (who is also his uncle's Catalonian husband's brother) who now lives in Buenos Aires. This novel has a real sense of place being grounded in Tamaki Makaurau which is complimented by Reilley's use of rich, humorous and well-crafted dialogue. Reilley's debut novel is an instant NZ queer classic exploring multicultural, queer, and Māori identity with grace, laughter and authenticity. You will fall in love with Vladisavijevic's for all their flaws and quirks.
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Dominick Gibson's life has been on the road to ruin, he has lost his job, lost his lover after catching him cheating and is now heading back to his hometo...Show more
Dominick Gibson's life has been on the road to ruin, he has lost his job, lost his lover after catching him cheating and is now heading back to his hometown, Detroit. He reconnects with his best friend Troy and meets Remy who are both already in relationships putting pressure on Dominick to begin his search for love desperate to be married by thirty-five. However, Troy and Remy's relationships are far from perfect, and the three men struggle to navigate life in new gentrified Detroit as gay Black men. 'Boys come first' may appear as a friendship novel but do not be fooled there are a plethora of steamy romance scenes.
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Dominick Gibson's life has been on the road to ruin, he has lost his job, lost his lover after catching him cheating and is now heading back to his hometo...Show more
Dominick Gibson's life has been on the road to ruin, he has lost his job, lost his lover after catching him cheating and is now heading back to his hometown, Detroit. He reconnects with his best friend Troy and meets Remy who are both already in relationships putting pressure on Dominick to begin his search for love desperate to be married by thirty-five. However, Troy and Remy's relationships are far from perfect, and the three men struggle to navigate life in new gentrified Detroit as gay Black men. 'Boys come first' may appear as a friendship novel but do not be fooled there are a plethora of steamy romance scenes.
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What is now considered a queer classic, 'Call me by your name' is an absolute heartbreaker. Elio lives in his parent's mansion in the Italian Riviera, whe...Show more
What is now considered a queer classic, 'Call me by your name' is an absolute heartbreaker. Elio lives in his parent's mansion in the Italian Riviera, where he meets a guest of his parents', Oliver. He begins to fantasise a relationship with Oliver desiring the impossible or so he thought. Their romance blossoms under the heat of the Italian sun but summer never lasts forever. Follow the passions, fantasies and romantic intimacies of Elio as he discovers himself and love in the Italian Riviera.
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What is now considered a queer classic, 'Call me by your name' is an absolute heartbreaker. Elio lives in his parent's mansion in the Italian Riviera, whe...Show more
What is now considered a queer classic, 'Call me by your name' is an absolute heartbreaker. Elio lives in his parent's mansion in the Italian Riviera, where he meets a guest of his parents', Oliver. He begins to fantasise a relationship with Oliver desiring the impossible or so he thought. Their romance blossoms under the heat of the Italian sun but summer never lasts forever. Follow the passions, fantasies and romantic intimacies of Elio as he discovers himself and love in the Italian Riviera.
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This fresh piece of New Zealand fiction harks back to teenage dreams of falling in love and running away. Cynthia, young and aimless, occupies her mind wi...Show more
This fresh piece of New Zealand fiction harks back to teenage dreams of falling in love and running away. Cynthia, young and aimless, occupies her mind with nothing but daydreams about her gym instructor Anahera. They flee, buy a boat named Baby and attempt to live out, (and ignore) their new lives. Baby is a story of psychological obsession and revenge with a large dose of internet culture and reality TV.
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This fresh piece of New Zealand fiction harks back to teenage dreams of falling in love and running away. Cynthia, young and aimless, occupies her mind wi...Show more
This fresh piece of New Zealand fiction harks back to teenage dreams of falling in love and running away. Cynthia, young and aimless, occupies her mind with nothing but daydreams about her gym instructor Anahera. They flee, buy a boat named Baby and attempt to live out, (and ignore) their new lives. Baby is a story of psychological obsession and revenge with a large dose of internet culture and reality TV.
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If you are after a darker romance definitely give 'Bad Boy' a shot. By day Renard is a loveable internet celebrity bravely sharing his transition journey ...Show more
If you are after a darker romance definitely give 'Bad Boy' a shot. By day Renard is a loveable internet celebrity bravely sharing his transition journey but by night he becomes Cane. The brutish testosterone-fuelled vigilante member of the social justice group Black Iris. His new lover Tasmin matches his voracity and savagery with ease. Partners in crime they punish those who cause harm to others letting their vicious sides take control but how long can he stay in the shadows? His good boy image becomes jeopardised and eventually his double life catches up with him leading him back to his traumatic past. Eliot Wake delivers a refreshing perspective to LGBTQIA+ romances that isn't your cosy romcom, 'Bad Boy' takes an honest approach to transgender identity and isn't afraid of getting gritty.
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If you are after a darker romance definitely give 'Bad Boy' a shot. By day Renard is a loveable internet celebrity bravely sharing his transition journey ...Show more
If you are after a darker romance definitely give 'Bad Boy' a shot. By day Renard is a loveable internet celebrity bravely sharing his transition journey but by night he becomes Cane. The brutish testosterone-fuelled vigilante member of the social justice group Black Iris. His new lover Tasmin matches his voracity and savagery with ease. Partners in crime they punish those who cause harm to others letting their vicious sides take control but how long can he stay in the shadows? His good boy image becomes jeopardised and eventually his double life catches up with him leading him back to his traumatic past. Eliot Wake delivers a refreshing perspective to LGBTQIA+ romances that isn't your cosy romcom, 'Bad Boy' takes an honest approach to transgender identity and isn't afraid of getting gritty.
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Widely credited as Proulx’s best novel, Brokeback Mountain gained popularity with the 2005 film adaptation, as a modern cowboy love story. The novel follo...Show more
Widely credited as Proulx’s best novel, Brokeback Mountain gained popularity with the 2005 film adaptation, as a modern cowboy love story. The novel follows two ranch hands, Ennis and Jack, who grapple with their feelings and a deep connection and attraction to each other. Both men marry and have kids, as society expects them to, but come to understand how important love really is.
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Widely credited as Proulx’s best novel, Brokeback Mountain gained popularity with the 2005 film adaptation, as a modern cowboy love story. The novel follo...Show more
Widely credited as Proulx’s best novel, Brokeback Mountain gained popularity with the 2005 film adaptation, as a modern cowboy love story. The novel follows two ranch hands, Ennis and Jack, who grapple with their feelings and a deep connection and attraction to each other. Both men marry and have kids, as society expects them to, but come to understand how important love really is.
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Nan, a small town country girl becomes enamoured with the performances of Kitty Butler, a male impersonator. In fact she falls so hard for Kitty she follo...Show more
Nan, a small town country girl becomes enamoured with the performances of Kitty Butler, a male impersonator. In fact she falls so hard for Kitty she follows suit performing with her as London's premier double act. However amongst the glitz and glamour the lines of gender and attraction become blurred and a secret love affair begins. 'Tipping the velvet' on the surface is a steamy historical romance but behind the scenes it is a frank look at female identity and queer love during the sexually repressive Victorian period.
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Nan, a small town country girl becomes enamoured with the performances of Kitty Butler, a male impersonator. In fact she falls so hard for Kitty she follo...Show more
Nan, a small town country girl becomes enamoured with the performances of Kitty Butler, a male impersonator. In fact she falls so hard for Kitty she follows suit performing with her as London's premier double act. However amongst the glitz and glamour the lines of gender and attraction become blurred and a secret love affair begins. 'Tipping the velvet' on the surface is a steamy historical romance but behind the scenes it is a frank look at female identity and queer love during the sexually repressive Victorian period.
Show less
If you thought 'Song of Achilles' was good why not try the 1972 original, 'The Persian Boy'. A romantic retelling of Alexander the Great's later years as ...Show more
If you thought 'Song of Achilles' was good why not try the 1972 original, 'The Persian Boy'. A romantic retelling of Alexander the Great's later years as told through the eyes of Bagoas, his lover. A member of an aristocratic family Bagoas is abducted and enslaved to the King of Persia but after the Macedon army invades, he finds solace in Alexander the Great's company. Their love survives assassination attempts, the pressures of society and a sometimes-mutinous army. Mary Renault tackles traditional Classical era themes of cowardice and bravery, trust and disloyalty, and unrequited love bringing a new perspective to Alexander's life.
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If you thought 'Song of Achilles' was good why not try the 1972 original, 'The Persian Boy'. A romantic retelling of Alexander the Great's later years as ...Show more
If you thought 'Song of Achilles' was good why not try the 1972 original, 'The Persian Boy'. A romantic retelling of Alexander the Great's later years as told through the eyes of Bagoas, his lover. A member of an aristocratic family Bagoas is abducted and enslaved to the King of Persia but after the Macedon army invades, he finds solace in Alexander the Great's company. Their love survives assassination attempts, the pressures of society and a sometimes-mutinous army. Mary Renault tackles traditional Classical era themes of cowardice and bravery, trust and disloyalty, and unrequited love bringing a new perspective to Alexander's life.
Show less