Before we dive in, a personal note: as the owner of Ylva Publishing, I’m sharing this from the inside, as someone who has read and published lesbian and sapphic romance for years. These are the ingredients I see again and again in the books readers finish with a sigh, a smile, and the immediate need to message a friend: “You HAVE to read this.”
Now, let’s be honest: we all know the real reason we read romance: the thrill of seeing two people fall in love (and stay in love!). But in sapphic romance, there’s something extra special about the journey. It’s not just about finding love. It’s about discovering a love story that truly resonates, where every page turns with anticipation, and where the characters make you feel something deep down.
What makes a sapphic romance novel great? It’s more than just a relationship between two women. It’s the way the romance becomes everything: the plot, the heart, and the emotional payoff that leaves you with a smile (or maybe a few tears). Whether it’s a slow-burn office romance or a second-chance love story, a great sapphic romance has the power to sweep you off your feet — and that’s exactly what we’re here to talk about.
A Romance That Truly Comes First
At the heart of every great sapphic romance novel is a relationship that drives the story.
That means:
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the romantic arc is central, not secondary
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the emotional development between the characters shapes the plot
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the story builds toward a meaningful, fulfilling conclusion
Subplots, careers, families, and external conflicts can add richness — but the romance itself must always remain the focus.
Characters Who Feel Real and Distinct
Readers fall in love with characters before they fall in love with the romance.
Strong sapphic romance novels feature protagonists who:
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have clear personalities, flaws, and desires, as seen in When She Flies by Lee Winter
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feel distinct from one another, as in Eve Falls First by Fiona Zedde
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grow individually as well as together, as in Breaking from Frame by Jazz Forrester
Whether the characters are soft and gentle, sharp and guarded, or outwardly confident with hidden vulnerabilities, they need to feel like real people whose connection makes emotional sense.
Chemistry You Can Feel on the Page
Chemistry is hard to define — but readers know it when they feel it.
In great sapphic romance novels, chemistry shows up through:
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meaningful dialogue
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shared moments that build intimacy
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tension, longing, and emotional stakes
This doesn’t have to mean instant attraction. Many readers especially love slow-burn sapphic romance, where connection builds gradually and the payoff feels earned.
Authentic Sapphic Perspectives
Authenticity matters deeply in sapphic romance.
Readers are looking for stories that:
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respect women-loving-women experiences
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avoid stereotypes or sensationalism
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allow queer women to experience joy, desire, and love without punishment
There’s no single way to tell a sapphic story, but great novels approach their characters with care, empathy, and emotional honesty.
Understanding (and Loving) Romance Tropes
Tropes are a feature, not a flaw.
Some of the most beloved sapphic romance novels lean into familiar setups such as:
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slow burn (see Wrong Number, Right Woman by Jae)
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Ice Queen (see The Music and the Mirror by Lola Keeley)
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enemies-to-lovers (see Loser of the Year by Carrie Byrd)
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workplace romance (see Love’s Inheritance by Cheyenne Blue)
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second chance (see Art of the Chase by Jennifer Giacalone)
What makes a great book stand out is not avoiding tropes, but using them thoughtfully, understanding why readers love them (Why lesbian romance matters post) and delivering on their emotional promise.
Emotional Payoff and a Satisfying Ending
Romance readers trust the genre for a reason.
A great sapphic romance novel offers:
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a clear resolution to the central relationship
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emotional closure
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a hopeful, satisfying ending
That doesn’t mean every story must be simple or conflict-free but readers should never feel that the emotional journey was undermined at the finish line.
Craft, Pacing, and Care
Strong craft allows the romance to shine.
Great sapphic romance novels tend to:
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balance introspection with forward momentum
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maintain emotional tension without dragging
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respect the reader’s time and emotional investment
Careful pacing and polished writing make it easier for readers to fully immerse themselves in the love story.
Many of these qualities also guide how we select manuscripts for publication.
A Publisher’s Perspective
The first sapphic romance I ever read was Patience and Sarah by Isabel Miller. I was 18 back then and what stayed with me wasn’t just the love story itself, but the seriousness with which it treated the relationship and the future it offered its characters. It showed me how powerful women-loving-women stories can be when they center commitment, agency, and emotional truth.
That experience still shapes how we evaluate sapphic romance manuscripts at Ylva Publishing today. We look for stories that respect the genre, honor the characters, and understand how deeply readers care about seeing these love stories handled with care.
Final Thoughts
What makes a great sapphic romance novel isn’t a single trope, character type, or setting. It’s the combination of emotional truth, romantic focus, and respect for both the characters and the readers.
At Ylva Publishing, we look for sapphic romance novels that deliver connection, chemistry, and joy, stories that remind readers why women-loving-women love stories deserve to be told, celebrated, and returned to again and again.
From the Publisher
Astrid Ohletz is the founder and owner of Ylva Publishing, a publishing house dedicated exclusively to lesbian and sapphic romance since 2012. As a publisher and lifelong reader of the genre, she believes in emotionally satisfying stories, clear consent, and happy endings that honor reader trust.
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