Book picks similar to
Secret Heart by Danielle Dreger


young-adult
lesbian
coming-out
romance

Sugar


Karin Kallmaker - 2004
    ...Literally. Struggling to make ends meet, Sugar has invested everything into Cake Dreams by Sugar with hopes of becoming the most sought-after designer of event desserts in Seattle. Working - and baking - night and day to perfect her business and her chances of winning a large bake-off prize, she's not prepared for disaster. Within a few hours she's got no place to live and no business, not even a bag of flour or a measuring cup. Support arrives in the form of an empathetic Victim's Advocate social worker named Tree, a hunky, charming firefighter named Charlie, and a dynamic, ambitious local TV producer. She's Emily, and the first of the trio to make a serious play for Sugar in the morning, Sugar in the evening, and Sugar in the afternoon. After years as a single lesbian who couldn't get a heartbeat from any woman anywhere, all this attention has Sugar's head spinning. Forced to live with her ailing, homophobic grandmother, she has no idea how she'll get to know any of these new women in her life. They all offer changed circumstances, stability and a hope at forever. But which one will she choose? FINDING MS. RIGHT IS NO PIECE OF CAKE.

Pages for You


Sylvia Brownrigg - 2001
    The seventeen-year-old, new to everything around her—college, the East Coast, bodies of literature, and the sexual flurries of student life—is shocked by her desire to follow this wherever it will take her. When Flannery finds herself enrolled in a class with the remote, brilliant older woman, she is intimidated at first, but gradually becomes Anne Arden's student—Baudelaire, lipstick colors, or how to travel with a lover—Flannery proves an eager pupil, until one day learns more about Anne than she ever wanted to know.

Lost In The Starlight


Kiki Archer - 2016
    But it’s her gentle light, endearingly shining through all the glitz and glam, that warms the hearts of so many. A shy girl, who’s only ever known fame, born into a world that’s not true to life. Will Honey ever experience the love she so knowingly sings about? Will the vindictive online gossip sites ever leave her alone? Lost In The Starlight is the latest heartfelt romance from best-selling, award-winning author, Kiki Archer, peppered with her trademark laugh-out-loud humour and warming observations about falling in love.

Time Will Tell


M. Ullrich - 2017
    After her parents were murdered while she was away at summer camp, Eva was placed into the custody of her abusive uncle and bullied in school. She’d gladly go back and change it all. When her uncle passes, Eva discovers he created a time machine. The problem with the once-hypothetical question becomes clear: changing the course of her past would mean giving up Casey McClellan, her best friend and the girl her heart has belonged to since she was twelve years old. Will Eva choose to save her parents’ lives or take a chance on the love of a lifetime?Cover Artist: Jeanine HenningGenres: Romance / Speculative Fiction

We Were Promised Spotlights


Lindsay Sproul - 2020
    Taylor Garland's good looks have earned her the admiration of everyone in her small town. She's homecoming queen, the life of every party, and she's on every boy's most-wanted list.People think Taylor is living the dream, and assume she'll stay in town and have kids with the homecoming king--maybe even be a dental hygienist if she's super ambitious. But Taylor is actually desperate to leave home, and she hates the smell of dentists' offices. Also? She's completely in love with her best friend, Susan.Senior year is almost over, and everything seems perfect. Now Taylor just has to figure out how to throw it all away. Lindsay Sproul's debut is full of compelling introspection and painfully honest commentary on what it's like to be harnessed to a destiny you never wanted.

Not For Sale


Cynthia Dane - 2018
    When her mother’s chronic affliction almost claims her life again, Reese knows that there’s only one way to save her family. All she needs is a leave of absence from the corporate office in San Francisco and a toolbox full of lesbian stereotypes. Has fate finally come to rural Oregon? Kimberly is a mild-mannered property manager who only wants to do her job and go home to her nosy parents… And fall in love, because a woman can only be untouched for so long! Reese’s unruly and disruptive renovation projects promise to make Kimberly’s life hell. Too bad she’s enamored with the handywoman from the moment they lock eyes. The feeling? Absolutely mutual. Life’s about to get more interesting – and sensual – in a sleepy Oregonian beach town! ***includes a short preview of WITH THIS RING***

Gives Light


Rose Christo - 2012
    Skylar hasn't uttered a single word since his mother died eleven years ago, a senseless tragedy he's grateful he doesn't have to talk about.When Skylar's father mysteriously vanishes one summer afternoon, Skylar is placed in the temporary custody of his only remaining relative, an estranged grandmother living on an Indian reservation in the middle of arid Arizona.Adapting to a brand new culture is the least of Skylar's qualms. Because Skylar's mother did not die a peaceful death. Skylar's mother was murdered eleven years ago on the Nettlebush Reserve. And her murderer left behind a son.And he is like nothing Skylar has ever known.

The Good Girls


Teresa Mummert - 2020
    While my peers were partying, I prepared for the future. Then a tragic event destroyed everything, and I learned that while I was looking ahead, I forgot to live in the moment. Starting over seemed impossible until I met Cara McCarthy, who lived every day like it was her last. She opened my eyes to a world of chaos and disorder. I loved every minute of it. She was also dating Tristan Adams, one of the most gorgeous men I’d ever seen.The three of us became inseparable. Our parents were oblivious, and soon lines became blurred, feelings began to grow, and someone’s heart was going to get broken. I hoped it wasn’t mine.

Say Yes to the Cheerleader


Abby Crofton - 2016
    Especially if it turns out that she likes you back. High school senior Haley Suarez is relieved to be out of the closet. After worrying about what her family and friends would say when they found out she was a lesbian, their unconditional support means the world to her. Best of all for Haley the gossip around her at school came and went quickly. But when just a couple of weeks from graduation beautiful cheerleader Kate Monroe starts to talk to her, and maybe even flirt with her, she isn’t sure what to do. Kate has been her crush for years, but is way out of Haley’s league. What could perfect Kate see in average in every way Haley? Plus, wasn’t Kate straight? As Kate turns up around Haley more and more, with flimsy excuses and sly jokes, Haley gets to know the less than perfect side of Kate that makes her see the person and not the cheerleader. Haley can’t keep denying what everyone in her life (including her worst enemy) has been telling her: Kate may actually like her. But as Haley is figuring out, being out doesn't mean she's entirely comfortable with it. If she wants Kate then she's going to have to stop worrying about what other people might say or think. But that’s easier said than done. Haley has to decide if being with Kate is worth the attention it will bring. Or will her insecurities about being a lesbian prevent her from taking a chance on Kate, and ultimately, on herself?

Don't Go There


Kate Genet - 2013
    Spending her days painting, she's turned her back on more than her past, she's let go of all her hopes and dreams for the future and while this new life is a struggle, she's determined not to let anyone tempt her into changing course. But Scarcity wants to know her - Teresa's the only other lesbian in this tiny dot on the map after all, and Scarcity's position in life feels increasingly precarious. She's coming of age and coming out into a world that seems more hostile than welcoming. Things at home aren't all they could be and the more experienced Teresa might be able to offer her a helping hand, and a safe place in which Scarcity can truly be herself. Teresa's frightened of her though. The girl stirs up too many feelings in her, and she doesn't want to be reminded of needs that are going unfulfilled. It would be much easier if Scarcity would just leave her alone - on her own, Teresa can't repeat her worst mistakes. Unfortunately, what she's doing can barely be called living, and when Scarcity insists on being part of her life, Teresa may have to re-evaluate everything she thinks she knows about herself and the choices she's made .

Deliver Us from Evie


M.E. Kerr - 1990
    Told by her brother Parr, this is the story of 18-year-old Evie, her Missouri farm family, and the turmoil created by Evie's love for the local banker's daughter.

Dress Codes for Small Towns


Courtney C. Stevens - 2017
    She’d rather wear sweats, build furniture, and get into trouble with her solid group of friends: Woods, Mash, Davey, Fifty, and Janie Lee.But when Janie Lee confesses to Billie that she’s in love with Woods, Billie’s filled with a nagging sadness as she realizes that she is also in love with Woods…and maybe with Janie Lee, too.Always considered “one of the guys,” Billie doesn’t want anyone slapping a label on her sexuality before she can understand it herself. So she keeps her conflicting feelings to herself, for fear of ruining the group dynamic. Except it’s not just about keeping the peace, it’s about understanding love on her terms—this thing that has always been defined as a boy and a girl falling in love and living happily ever after. For Billie—a box-defying dynamo—it’s not that simple.Readers will be drawn to Billie as she comes to terms with the gray areas of love, gender, and friendship, in this John Hughes-esque exploration of sexual fluidity.

Vanlife


Nicolette Dane - 2017
    She's blissfully living the vanlife, crossing the country as she pleases, working odd jobs to fund her lifestyle, treading lightly, and leaving no trace behind her. But despite the immense freedom she has as a traveling nomad, she can't help but feel that something's missing… perhaps someone. A quick trip through Madison turns far more interesting for Julia when she meets Robin Hyland. Robin is searching for answers, and a chance encounter between the two women opens up a brand new adventure that neither expected. While Julia didn't anticipate having a passenger in her van, it's hard to say no to a pretty redhead who's looking to find herself. Will Julia and Robin be able to navigate the potentially treacherous road ahead of them and come out unscathed? Can love win out over the demons that both women must face? Life on the road has its challenges, especially when you're living the bohemian life in your van. Facing those obstacles with a partner, however, might reveal a route never before considered.

The Lucky List


Rachael Lippincott - 2021
    The only person she has to talk to is Blake, a girl she barely knows since she and her dad moved back to town five seconds ago.But that’s when Emily finds the list – her mum’s senior year summer bucket list – buried in the back of her closet. When Blake suggests that Emily take it on as a challenge, the two set off on a journey to tick each box and help Emily face her fears over losing her connection to her mum. As she starts to feel closer to her mother, so too does Emily’s bond with Blake deepen into something she wasn't expecting.And suddenly Emily must face another fear: accepting the secret part of herself she never got a chance to share with the person who knew her best.

Style


Chelsea M. Cameron - 2016
    So far, they’re pretty simple: Finish her senior year of high school, head off to a good college, find a cute boyfriend, graduate, get a good job, get married, the whole heterosexual shebang. Nothing is going to stand in the way of that plan. Not even Stella Lewis. Stella Lewis also has a plan: Finish her senior year as cheer captain, go to college, finally let herself flirt with (and maybe even date) a girl for the first time and go from there. Fate has other plans for Kyle and Stella when they’re paired up in their AP English class and something between them ignites. It’s confusing and overwhelming and neither of them know what to do about it. One thing they do know is that their connection can’t be ignored. The timing just isn’t right. But is there ever a good time for falling in love?