Hello again, BEB faithful!
This month we’ve got another guest blogpost from our intrepid intern, T.K. Huynh! Get ready, buckle on in, and get ready to explore the world of good Lesfic:
Four Novels That Get Lesfic Right
By T.K. Huynh
I’ve got a problem with mainstream media lacking in narratives that get lesbian relationships right, probably because of the scarcity of popular stories written by and for women. In other words, we lack the female gaze.
So as with every problem in life, this can be solved with lesbians.
Got a leaky roof? Lesbians can fix it. Need cooking help? Lesbians got you covered. Can’t find non-exploitative LGBT romance plots rife with sexist undertones and tragedy? Lesbians won’t disappoint.
You can trust me on this because I am a scientist, who is totally not biased, and my hypothesis is, in fact, testable and repeatable. My wife told me so.
If you still don’t believe me, take this list as evidence. These novels are written by and for women who love women, and as expected, they get lesfic right.
And Playing the Role of Herself by KE Lang
Topping the list at number one, And Playing the Role of Herself follows a TV actress, Caidence Harris, who’s got a crush on one of her co-stars, Robyn Ward. The book follows the development of their relationship while being in the public eye and dealing with the biases in Hollywood.
One of the things I love most about this book is the progression of Caid’s and Robyn’s relationship. They grow as friends before the romance starts, and the transition into being romantic partners is smooth. The book also doesn’t gloss over the issues with being gay while a public figure and how that impacts their everyday lives.
Above All, Honor by Radclyffe
Radclyffe has written quite a few lesbian romances, but I’m putting this one on the list just because it has the ‘bodyguard falls for the person they’re protecting’ trope. I’m a sucker for it. It’s a little bit cliché nowadays, but you know what? If the straights get tropey, indulgent romance novels, then we gays can have them, too.
Above All, Honor follows secret service agent, Cameron Roberts, who’s tasked with protecting the president’s daughter, Blair Powell. Blair’s determined to run away while Cam is determined to make her stay. Shenanigans ensue.
This book is a lesbian daydream, plain and simple.
When the Stars Sang by Caren J. Werlinger
Continuing the line of indulgent romance, this book is the lesbian version of those holiday Hallmark movies where a city girl returns to her family homestead and meets a farm boy who makes her stay with the power of love and Christmas spirit. In this story, Kathleen Halloran moves to her grandmother’s little island town after years away, and she finds that she doesn’t fit in with the locals. One of them, Molly Cooper, thinks Kathleen’s never going to make it on the island. But Kathleen’s got more to her than big city vibes.
I don’t want to give the impression that this book is light-hearted. It deals with some serious issues, like prejudice and grief, and the narrative centers more around self-discovery than finding the One™. When the Stars Sang is surprisingly poignant for its premise and earnest to a fault.
Time of Grace by Gabriella West
Time of Grace tells the story of Caroline, an English governess who comes to Ireland in 1916. She befriends an Irish maid, Grace. As they get closer, Caroline discovers Grace is involved with the fast approaching Easter Rising, and being English, Caroline isn’t sure how their relationship can survive.
If you’re not familiar with the Easter Rising, it was one of many attempts by Irish Republicans to gain independence from Britain during WWI. Given the setting, the romance focuses on how the tension between oppressor and the oppressed bleeds into Caroline’s and Grace’s relationship. I’m always weak for love amidst an unforgiving socio-political landscape, and Time of Grace pulls it off well.
Got a recommendation for me? Want to question the validity of my scientific research? Let me know on Twitter @T_K_Huynh or on facebook @T.K. Huynh