Book picks similar to
Double Pleasure, Double Pain by Nikki Rashan


lesbian
let-s-be-honest-fiction
a-dont-have-yet
figuring-sexuality-out

Southern Comfort


Skyy - 2015
    After caring for her father during his final days, she comes home to her flat in London wondering what’s next. Whether it’s traveling to some exotic location or starting her career in fashion, the only thing she is certain of is that she wants to finally experience the love she reads about in books. When a fluke change in the weather brings a sexy stranger into her life, she decides to throw caution to the wind and take her chances on love, which brings her to Memphis, Tennessee.Seeing her happily ever after in front of her, Willow is thrown for a loop when she finds out she isn’t the only one vying for the woman she knows is the one for her. Now standing in unfamiliar territory, Willow prepares for the fight of her life, the fight to win the heart of the woman she loves from the woman who held the heart to begin with.Katrina’s stuck between a rock and a hard place. On one hand she has the woman she loved, who left her high and dry, and on the other hand, an exciting new possibility. When the ultimatum is placed in front of her, does she go for the new beauty from across the pond, or stay with the one who got away? Does this chef create the perfect dish, or is it a recipe for disaster?

Homecoming


Nell Stark - 2008
    A few days later, Sarah's long-term girlfriend breaks up with her and Sarah loses everything that matters—family, future dreams, and love. Forced to leave Yale with only the contents of her dorm room and a boat of a car bequeathed to her by her grandmother, Sarah scrambles to get her life back on track at the University of Rhode Island. Burying her hurt and disappointment, Sarah throws herself into both her classes and social life. But no one she meets is quite as intriguing as Rory, her new—and apparently straight—roommate. When it becomes clear that her attraction to Rory is mutual, however, Sarah begins to fear that history will repeat itself and she'll end up alone.Will Sarah be able to put aside the betrayals of those she loved and trust again? Or will the consequences of her own coming-out experience get in the way of a new chance at happiness?

Leaving L.A.


Kate Christie - 2011
    Now her days revolve around time with her daughter Laya and launching a new career in philanthropy. She doesn’t expect a brief encounter with Eleanor Chapin, Laya’s new kindergarten teacher, to make a lasting impression.As the end of the school year nears, however, Tessa realizes that her daughter’s beloved Miss Chapin may be the perfect nanny for the summer. Natural and direct, Eleanor already understands Laya’s need for life out of the public eye. Even though it means inviting a stranger into their household, Tessa is certain her own carefully guarded secrets will not be at risk.For Eleanor, L.A. is merely a stop between Boston and a long-awaited Ph.D. program. But the job offer from Tessa Flanagan is so lucrative she is tempted to put her plans on hold. The idea of working closely with Tessa is equally enticing, but the job is about Laya. There’s no reason not to take it—after all, she’ll be leaving L.A. soon.Kate Christie explores the distance from Chicago’s South Side to the Hollywood Hills, from bucolic New England to lush Kauai through the passionate connection between two women looking for home.

Rook Takes Queen


Em Stevens - 2017
    Unfortunately, beyond being able to kick ass on the board, she doesn't have many skills to offer up, which leads her to a hustle-- and a lot of trouble. Trying to make it right, she's stuck back in the game and miserable about it... until she meets Carmen.Carmen Barnes is a beauty queen who's out to prove she's more than just a pretty face. Determined to use her crown to change the world, she wants to leave a mark that makes people think. Hosting a chess tournament for a local teen's homeless shelter is just the thing. One caveat: She doesn't know a thing about chess. There's also the stifling rules that come with her title. Romance--or a lack thereof-- is written into her contract.When a stubborn chess player is pitted against an ambitious pageant winner, heads butt and sparks fly. Will Rook's gambit pay off? Fate aims for a checkmate in this lesbian romance!Editor: Mike Kabongo

Ships in the Night


Erik Schubach - 2016
     Ligaya is a quantum physicist working in a research lab at the University of Washington. She is seduced by the numbers and math with a drive that excludes everything in her life including social interactions. Emotions have always been hard for her to understand or express. When she meets an ex firefighter, Allison, she finds herself fighting to understand all the new feelings rising inside. Allison has a primal drive to help and protect people and Ligaya’s innocence is like a drug to her. With the the non-subtle meddling from the women at the Pike, Ligaya and Allison find themselves pulled inexorably to each other. (The Pike series is set in the same world as Music of the Soul and London Harmony, and can be read as a standalone book.)

She Slipped and Fell


Shonda - 2008
    Kendall Long is sexy, yet delicate. Whether separate or together, these stunning best friends tend to cause quite a stir among the male population. An innocent fall, however, propels their friendship to a new plateau -- one where each is compelled to explore and confront her sexuality. She Slipped and Fell alternates between each characters' point of view, for only Tina and Kendall can decide whether or not their friendship, and love, is strong enough to endure the humility that is oftentimes associated with being different. Will Tina and Kendall risk stepping outside of their comfort zone into unfamiliar territory, defying society, God, and their families, in their quest to discover who they truly are?

Never-Tied Nora


Cheyenne Blue - 2015
    Her big Irish family tease her about her footloose ways, but she knows she’s in no danger of losing her heart.Her family has only one rule when it comes to dating: Nora can date any woman she wants—as long as she’s not a Flannery. The Kellys and the Flannerys have been feuding ever since both families arrived in London from Ireland sixty years ago, and time has not lessened the hatred.But never-tied Nora has just met the woman of her dreams, and suddenly commitment isn’t a dirty word. Trouble is, Geraldine is a Flannery.Can Nora convince Ger that, despite their families, they are meant to be together?

The Kiss That Counted


Karin Kallmaker - 2008
    Contact with the good-hearted Karita Hanssen leaves CJ wishing for impossible things—friends, roots, a lover who knows her real name.With a life cheerfully balanced between all the things that she loves, Karita gives freely of her time and affection. She isn't looking for more until something in CJ's eyes suggests that there could be feelings deeper, stronger—and more dangerous—than any she has ever felt.CJ is committed to only tonight with her body and certainly no tomorrows when it comes to her heart. Karita has always lived for today while she waits for tomorrow to happen. One kiss couldn't change all that—unless it's the kiss that counted.Golden Crown and Lambda Literary award-winning author Karin Kallmaker's tale of two women, two outlooks and two futures trying to become one adds to her long list of best-selling and critically acclaimed lesbian romance novels.

Split the Aces


Jove Belle - 2008
    It's lust at first sight for blackjack dealer Rae Sutherland and aspiring Vegas singer Cori Romero.

Romancing the Girl


Camryn Eyde - 2016
    Life is easy and full of hard, dusty work, but when her brother Joseph decides to become a contestant in a reality TV dating show, Romancing the Farmer, everything goes to hell.The station gets overrun by city women and stuck-up producers right in the middle of shearing season. Justine Cason, the ringleader of the circus Aimee instantly detests is an irritating, arrogant presence that she is forced to chaperone around the massive property.The two women find more in common than trading insults the more time they spend together, sparking an unexpected connection neither was looking for. As Joseph navigates the dating scene, and Aimee's sister Sally navigates a crumbling marriage, Aimee's life turns on its head in more ways than one when her blooming connection with Justine is the catalyst to leaving the land she loves.When the worst fire season in decades strikes their patch of the world, the Turner family must find a way to save themselves and the ones they dearly cherish. Can they put aside their differences to protect each other?*minor edits updated 1st May 2016*

For Me and My Gal


Robbi McCoy - 2011
    Just fired from her job and besieged by hysterical phone calls from her mother, Shelby Pratt has locked her keys in the car, capping off the lousy week that began with her grandmother breaking her hip. Collapsing in tears on the curb, she’s infuriated when Gwen Lawford, one of the women who just got her fired, stops to offer help.Gwen, director of a small museum on an abandoned military base on San Francisco Bay, has troubles of her own. She’s working desperately against time and the City Council to save the museum from redevelopment. To her surprise, Shelby holds the keys to a mysterious WWII-era love affair between a Rosie-the-Riveter shipyard worker and a Navy WAVES recruit.Their investigations quickly move beyond mere academic curiosity. Secrets, old and new, threaten their future happiness—and it may already be too late.Golden Crown Literary Award winner Robbi McCoy offers a fascinating look at the history of the San Francisco Bay in this story of impossible love, female courage and the resilience of the human heart.

It's a Date


Claire Highton-Stevenson - 2020
    Sometimes your best friend is all you want for ChristmasFor Sally Braithwaite, a dedicated career woman, dating has never been a priority.But with Christmas looming, she finds herself wondering if it’s not the perfect time to find love.With best friend and fellow teacher Gabby Dickson in tow, Sally finds herself navigating the world of gay bars and dating apps.However, Sally and Gabby seem to be oblivious to the fact they are in love with one another.Year Eleven students Marie, Sarah, Mo, and Charlie have other ideas and embark on a daring campaign of their own to bring both teachers together.Will they be able to set their teachers up on a date before Christmas? Or will kismet step in and create its own magic?Pour a glass of mulled wine, grab a mince pie, and cuddle up with It's a Date, a Christmas friends to lovers romcom novella to warm those winter nights.30,000 words

Alaskan Bride


D. Jordan Redhawk - 2016
    Soon she's on the adventure of her life, leaving the comfort and stability of a well-to-do family for a man she's never met and a life of uncertainty.Callie Glass isn't happy with her brother Jasper's proposal to a mail-order bride, though she knows it's not her call. And when a tragic accident takes Jasper Glass's life, Callie doesn't hesitate to call off the wedding in a letter to Clara. Callie is soon surprised to find a strange woman settling into her cabin, a stranger who had never received news of Jasper's demise.While Callie insists that the other woman should return home, Clara digs in her heels. If Callie can live without a man in this isolated land, why can't she? Both headstrong women struggle in the ashes of their dashed hopes and dreams, slowly coming together to forge an alliance for which neither is prepared.

Curious Wine


Katherine V. Forrest - 1983
    The intimacy of a cabin at Lake Tahoe provides the combustible setting that brings Diana Holland and Lane Christianson together in this passionate novel of first discovery.

Sea Glass Inn


Karis Walsh - 2013
    Still reeling after an unexpected divorce, Mel believes she has missed her chance to find love. All she wants is to make her business a success and regain her independence. She locates the artist who inspired her move so she can commission more paintings for her new inn.Pamela Whitford runs a gallery in a small seaside town, planning events and supporting other artists while neglecting her own talent. Since being deserted by the love she thought was forever, she refuses to let anyone close enough to hurt her again. But Pam can’t resist the struggling new innkeeper, and she agrees to paint for her even though it means opening herself up to creativity and the vulnerability that goes with it.Can they learn to trust again and discover a second chance at love?