'Carmilla' by Sheridan Le Fanu is an old but very well - known work that has influenced many modern lesbian romance novels. It has elements of the supernatural and a very intense relationship between the two female characters.
'Tipping the Velvet' by Sarah Waters is extremely popular. It tells the story of a young woman's journey through different relationships and her discovery of her own sexuality. The characters are well - developed and the Victorian setting adds a lot of charm.
'She Who Became the Sun' by Shelley Parker - Chan is a more recent popular one. While it has elements of historical fiction and fantasy, it also has a strong lesbian relationship at its core that is both passionate and complex.
I'm not sure which ones were the most popular exactly, but 'Ash' was quite well - received. It's a fantasy - inspired lesbian romance that combines elements of fairytales with a modern - day love story, which made it appealing to a wide range of readers.
One of the most popular is probably 'Carry the Ocean' by Heidi Cullinan. It's loved for its well - developed characters and their emotional journey.
One popular one is 'The Price of Salt' which has been around for a while but has gained more popularity recently. It was quite revolutionary for its time in portraying a lesbian relationship.
Another is 'Tipping the Velvet' also by Sarah Waters. This novel follows the story of a young woman's journey in love and self - discovery in the world of Victorian theater, with vivid descriptions and engaging characters that make it a favorite among readers of lesbian romance.
'Carry the One' by Carol Anshaw is also well - liked. It tells the story of a group of friends, and within that, there is a lesbian relationship that is explored in the context of their lives, their dreams, and their past traumas. It gives a multi - faceted view of lesbian experiences within a group dynamic.
Emotional depth is another key feature. Since they are romance novels, there are intense emotions involved. The relationships between the female characters are often filled with passion, love, but also the pain of misunderstanding or social obstacles. These elements together create a rich and engaging reading experience for those interested in lesbian - themed romance fiction.
'Leah on the Offbeat' is a great one too. It's a follow - up to 'Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda' and focuses on Leah, who is bisexual. But it has a really sweet and engaging lesbian relationship storyline that's full of the normal teenage angst, family drama, and of course, love. It's a really relatable read for many.
'Carmilla' is a well - known one. It was written a long time ago but still holds up as a classic lesbian romance. It has that gothic horror element combined with a relationship between two female characters.
The most popular ones include 'Fingersmith' by Sarah Waters. It's set in the Victorian era and has a complex plot involving two women. 'The Price of Salt' is also very popular. Its movie adaptation 'Carol' also brought more attention to it. Another popular one is 'Tipping the Velvet' which has vivid descriptions of the lesbian experience in the 19th - century.
I think 'The Hunger Games' was quite popular. Although it's mainly a dystopian novel, there are elements of romance that made it appealing to a wide audience. The relationship between Katniss and Peeta was a major draw.