'Fingersmith' by Sarah Waters also fits. It's a Victorian - era story with elements of mystery and deception. The relationship between the two female protagonists is at the heart of the story. It has a great plot full of twists and turns, and the exploration of their relationship within that historical context is really fascinating.
Sure. 'Gideon the Ninth' by Tamsyn Muir. It's a dark and unique fantasy novel. The main character Gideon has a complex relationship with another female character Harrow. It's full of necromancy, sword - fighting, and a very interesting world - building. The relationship between the two women is full of tension and growth throughout the story.
I'd recommend 'The Color Purple' by Alice Walker. While it's not solely a lesbian romance novel, the relationship between Shug and Celie is a significant and beautiful part of the story. 'Zami: A New Spelling of My Name' by Audre Lorde is an autobiographical novel that also contains elements of lesbian love and self - discovery. 'Borderline' by Mishell Baker also has some great lesbian romance aspects, set in a world of magic and mystery where the main character finds love with another woman.
Sure. 'Stone Butch Blues' by Leslie Feinberg is a significant work. It gives a vivid account of the life of a butch lesbian in a not - so - accepting society, dealing with issues like discrimination and the search for identity.
'Orlando' by Virginia Woolf, while not strictly a traditional lesbian bisexual fantasy novel in the modern sense, has elements that can be considered. The main character, Orlando, changes gender over time and has relationships with both men and women throughout different periods of history. It's a very unique and thought - provoking work that blurs the lines of gender and sexuality in a fantasy - like exploration of a life.
Sure. 'Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit' by Jeanette Winterson is a remarkable one. It's a semi - autobiographical novel that combines elements of fairy - tale and real - life experiences. The protagonist's journey in coming to terms with her lesbian identity while facing religious and social constraints is both heart - wrenching and inspiring.
There are also novels like 'Fingersmith' which has complex lesbian - related themes but is not in the realm of erotica. These books can offer deep insights into the lives and emotions of lesbian characters.
Another great one is 'Caramelo' by Sandra Cisneros. While not solely focused on lesbian love, it has elements of it. The novel is a rich tapestry of family, culture, and identity, and the lesbian relationship within it is portrayed in a very natural and integral part of the overall story, adding another layer of depth to the exploration of different types of relationships.
'Carmilla' is a must - mention. It was one of the earliest vampire stories and features a complex relationship between two women that was quite ahead of its time. The story has been adapted in various ways over the years.
Definitely 'Leaving Time' by Jodi Picoult. While not strictly a lesbian - only story, it has important lesbian characters and relationships that are beautifully portrayed in the audiobook. 'The L - Word: Generation Q' audiobook is also very popular among fans of lesbian fiction as it is based on the well - known TV series. It continues the story of the complex relationships of the characters. And 'Drawn to You' by Z. A. Maxfield is a great audiobook that tells a story of two women artists falling in love.
Then there's 'Uprooted' by Naomi Novik. It's a story of a young woman named Agnieszka who is chosen by a powerful wizard to live with him for ten years. It has a great blend of magic, a strong female lead, and a unique take on the traditional fantasy tropes.
One popular one is 'The Princess Diaries' series. It has elements of a young girl's life which is a bit like a diary, but also has fantasy elements as she discovers she's a princess.