Whether you’re looking for a gift for a lesbian friend or you’re trying to find some inspiration for yourself after coming out of the closet, young adult lesbian books can be motivational but also exciting in terms of adult fantasy.
I’ve rated this list starting with my favorite and I must admit I’ve read them each a few times. There are different ideas and action lines, but at the end of the day, each of these has a bit of romance. After all, what’s life without love?
6 Must-Read YA Lesbian Books
Annie on My Mind, by Nancy Garden (2007)
If you take your time to understand what’s going on, this isn’t just a love story. Sure, it’s one of the best lesbian YA books out there, but that’s because anyone can go through the same challenges in life, whether lesbian or not.
The story follows two girls pressured by family and school, yet they somehow decided to stay true to each other. To be honest, the fact that the book has been banned from some school libraries was the factor that made me read it, not to mention seeing reports of it being burned in public.
But like I said, it’s more than just lesbian love, it’s also about the idea of being who you truly are, simple as that.
The Falling in Love Montage, by Ciara Smyth (2020)
Here’s some light, yet deep lesbian YA fiction that makes an excellent read for a quiet Sunday afternoon or perhaps a holiday on the beach. The last thing Saoirse believes in is love at first sight. She thinks happy endings aren’t real, so she always puts the bad first.
But then, she has a sweet interaction with Ruby. She makes her intentions clear, but Ruby finds a loophole. They could have fun the whole summer, but without being in a relationship or experiencing love. It’s like a short term deal.
The only problem is the summer will come to an end soon. What are they going to do after? It may seem light, but you’ll love how relaxing this story is.
Ask the Passengers, by A.S. King (2012)
This is probably one of the best young adult fantasy books out there. Yes, it has a lesbian love theme, but like Annie on My Mind, it’s more about the idea of questioning everything in life, especially things imposed on us by society. And this piece of advice comes with a nice love story as well, perfect!
All in all, the story follows Astrid, who feels lonely because she can’t really confide in anyone, not even her own parents. She loves watching planes fly above, knowing that she can confide in people who can’t hear or judge her, especially since she’s falling in love with a girl.
But little does she know that this type of communication may actually have some impact on her life. I won’t give out too many spoilers, but you’ll love how the plot unfolds in this book.
Ash, by Malinda Lo (2019)
Ash ends up alone with her stepmother after her father passes away. The only thing she can do to feel better is reread stories from her childhood. She always dreams about being taken away by faeries and things are about to get real when she meets Sidhean, a dangerous fairy with a plan.
But then, Ash meets Kaisa and falls for her. She learns how to love again, but she’ll also need to make a decision. Will she follow the love of her life or stick to her fairy tale dreams? It may sound like a story for teens, but trust me, there’s something empowering about this connection.
I would say this book is about making choices, chasing love and transforming yourself in the most difficult moments in life, definitely a must read for everyone out there.
She Gets the Girl, by Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick (2023)
It’s truly worth celebrating that YA romance books are rising in this genre, moving away from narratives solely centered on trauma. She gets the girl offers a smart and heartfelt rom com with the characters which are richly developed.
Alex and Molly are at the heart of this story, and their journey is anything but straightforward. The novel kicks off with Alex who just went through a tough breakup, finding out about Molly’s secret crush when they meet on campus. Alex sees a chance to help Molly and show her ex that she’s grown up and isn’t just a flirt anymore. Molly is cautious but open to learning from Alex, who knows a lot about romance.
As they work together on a five-step plan to win over their crushes, they start to wonder if the real chemistry is between them. I know you might find the plot predictable but the journey remains delightful because of the authentic portrayal of love and self-discovery.
One Last Stop, by Casey McQuiston (2021)
Finally, I’ll close this list with another great story. I believe this is one of those young adult lesbian books that could be transposed into a movie. It has received quite a few awards too and it’s a favorite among the genre fans.
The story follows August, who ends up with no future perspectives in New York City. She commutes every single day to her waiting job for a pancake dinner, with no actual plans. But things change one day when she sees Jane, a mysterious, yet beautiful girl on the train.
Jane becomes the best thing in August’s life. It’s just a crush on a train, but she loves seeing her again and again. Until she finds out that she’s not just a punk rocker, but someone from the 1970s who got lost in time.
And that’s when the fun began for me. A bit of magic, love and romance where even the most difficult things in life become possible, what else can you ask for?