Fiction

Not every love story is a boy-meets-girl love story. Looking for a different pair of protagonists in your Valentine's read? Try one of these picks:

Ash, by Malinda Lo
You think you know this story, but you’re wrong. Her name isn’t Cinderella, it’s Ash. And he isn’t just a prince, he’s a fairy prince. He and his kind are hunted by the King’s Huntress. When Ash and the Huntress meet in the woods, the two become friends, even though Ash hides the truth about her prince. Given the option to leave behind the horrible life she’s known, to live in the beautiful fairy Realm, what will Ash choose? The fairy prince who loves her, or the woman she is falling for?
Recommended for fans of fantasy, fairy tales, or The Wild Hunt.
Orientations/identities represented: lesbian.

Place a hold on Ash or read the ebook!

This Song is (Not) For You, by Laura Nowlin
Ramona is in love with Sam, but won’t risk their friendship for a kiss. Ramona and Sam are in a band that needs a third member. Along comes Tom, the perfect addition to their music. When Ramona finds herself falling for Tom, it isn’t just the band that’s in danger: she still loves Sam, and their friendship may not survive. This book features a love triangle like you’ve never seen before.
Recommended for fans of music, geekdom, or friendships that are more important than romance.
Orientations/identities represented: asexual.

Place a hold on This Song Is (Not) For You.

If I Was Your Girl, by Meredith Russo
Amanda is the new girl in school, her past shrouded in mystery. It’s no wonder that she draws attention, and no wonder that her attention is drawn to Grant. But Amanda has a huge secret, one she’s terrified to reveal: Amanda used to be Andrew. An #ownvoices story, this book is sweet, sad, and well worth a read.
Recommended for fans of school dances, John Green novels, or The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
Orientations/identities represented: transgender.

Place a hold on If I Was Your Girl, listen to the audiobook, or read the ebook.

Not Otherwise Specified, by Hannah Moscovitz
Etta isn’t your typical ballerina. She’s black, and she isn’t stick-thin. She used to be friends with a group of lesbians, but they’ve ditched her because she was interested in a boy. Trying to fit in with the other dancers lands her in therapy for an eating disorder, where she meets Bianca. Bianca is religious, underweight, and trying out for the same theatre school as Etta. Friendships, dance, and romance wind their way through this book, along with issues such as drugs, eating disorders, and mental illness. A worthy read, and sometimes an emotional roller-coaster.
Recommended for fans of dance, theatre, or sarcastic protagonists.
Orientations/identities represented: bisexual, lesbian.

Place a hold on Not Otherwise Specified, or read the ebook.

Girl Mans Up, by M.E. Girard

Everybody in Pen's life seems to like tidy boxes, and have a hard time knowing what to make of her – if she's a girl, why does she dress and act like what they expect from a boy? Pen just wants to be who she is, and is quickly learning that the path of least resistance is not going to make people leave her alone. As she starts standing up for herself, she tests the limits of relationships, redefining some and wading further into others, like the one developing with a girl she is really into. This story, featuring a strong gender-nonconforming girl from a traditional Portuguese family in a small town outside of Toronto, is multi-layered and straight-forward, just like its main character. Recommended for readers who like a character to root for.

Orientations/identities represented: gender-nonconforming, lesbian.

Place a hold on Girl Mans Up, or read the ebook.

No Holding Back, by Kate Evangelista

Looking for a sweet, straight-ahead romance of the best friends-turn-boyfriends variety? Look no further than this recent book from the aptly-named Swoon Reads imprint. Nathan has been in love with his best friend Preston for years, cheering on Preston's focused ambitions as a swimmer, and understanding that there might not be room for more, but when he sees that a window may be closing when Preston leaves for Olympic training, Nathan decides to take Preston to Europe and take a chance on his dreams. What follows is a delightful whirlwind of European cities and blossoming feelings as the two discover each other on a whole new level. Recommended for readers who like a light, feel-good romance.

Orientations/identities represented: gay men.

Place a hold on No Holding Back.