The House of Berethnet has ruled Inys for a thousand years. Still unwed, Queen Sabran the Ninth must conceive a daughter to protect her realm from destruction--but assassins are getting closer to her door.
Ead Duryan is an outsider at court. Though she has risen to the position of lady-in-waiting, she is loyal to a hidden society of mages. Ead keeps a watchful eye on Sabran, secretly protecting her with forbidden magic.
Across the dark sea, Tané has trained all her life to be a dragonrider, but is forced to make a choice that could see her life unravel.
Meanwhile, the divided East and West refuse to parley, and forces of chaos are rising from their sleep.
TV shows and movies based on books have consistently proven to draw critical acclaim and audiences' attention. It’s easy to see why filmmakers choose to adapt novels and bring them to life on the screens. Whether the adaptations are a success or not, it’s nice to be able to see the fully developed worlds within the books being brought to life. Not to mention, being able to see how writers and actors alike, bring the stories and characters to life.
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Some may argue that the films and shows never measure up to the novels themselves, but that doesn’t mean adaptations should be discounted: in some cases, an adaptation can surpass the book it's based on. Furthermore, with the new emphasis and interest in LGBTQ+ stories and representation, these sapphic stories deserve a chance to shine.
'Something to Talk About' (2017)
Meryl Wilsner’s debut novel Something to Talk About is a well-written slow-burn romance that touches on issues that many people go through time and time again — sexual harassment and racism.
The novel follows Jo Jones, a 42-year-old showrunner, and her 27-year-old assistant Emma Kaplan, as they accidentally cause chaos when tabloids declare them a couple after the pair are photographed laughing on the red carpet. The rumors couldn’t have come at a worse time as it threatens Jo’s new movie perspectives and Emma’s promotion, as it starts affecting both their work and personal lives. But as the pair spend even more time together for work than before, they start to realize that the rumors may not have been as far-fetched as they first seemed.
'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo' (2017)
From New York Times Bestselling author Taylor Jenkins Reid, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is an entrancing and spellbinding novel about love, glamour, and the price of fame.
The book follows aging and reclusive Hollywood icon, Evelyn Hugo, as she reflects on her life — the risks and scandals she endured in the name of glamour and fame. Hugo goes in-depth as she recounts her life with her seven husbands while trying to climb the ranks in the entertainment industry. But what no one expected, was for Hugo to reveal the one secret she held so close to her heart. The story is a fascinating and compelling journey through Old Hollywood and the struggles of what it takes to face the truth.
'The Priory of the Orange Tree' (2019)
New York Times Bestseller, The Priory of the Orange Tree, is a brilliantly written science-fiction fantasy novel. Samantha Shannon captivates the different characters' thoughts and emotions, featuring a story like no other within the complex and in-depth world that she has created.
The story is told from four different viewpoints and centers around The House of Berethnet as the world is divided, and the queendom is left with no heir to take the throne. Queen Sabran the Ninth must "conceive a daughter to protect her realm from destruction – but assassins are getting closer to her door." Meanwhile, Ead Duryan, a lady-in-waiting, secretly protects Sabran from the assassins by using forbidden magics to do so. The forces of chaos are getting closer, and tension rises between the East and the West.
'The Red Files' (2015)
In this mystery suspense thriller, The Red Files, Lee Winter fills the pages with fierce women, humor, and twists that will keep readers wondering.
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The novel centers around an ambitious reporter working at a position she’s too good for, and an ex-Washington DC correspondent who’s fallen from grace. Rival reporters, Lauren King, and Catherine Ayers must work together to try and unfold the mystery at a business launch they attend — where 34 prostitutes and a pallet of pink champagne go missing.
'Ready or Not' (2015)
Ready or Not is the third installment to Melissa Brayden's Soho series. It’s a sweet and witty romance novel that’s easy to read. Early on, Brayden lays the groundwork for the characters for a smooth follow-through with their romantic developments.
The story centers around Mallory Spencer, as she and her friends navigate through the advertising world with their established firm, Soho Savvy. Mallory needs to be "poised, polished, and put together" as the company's point person. But when it comes to her personal life, she is nothing close to her business persona. As she watches her friends settle down with their loved ones, she can’t help but wonder whether it’ll ever be her turn. In comes, Hope Sanders, the blue-eyed bartender who tries everything to keep her head down, stay away from the flocks of women who try to gain her attention, and earn enough money to make her life a little bit easier.
'Made in London' (2019)
From No. 1 best-selling author of lesbian fiction Clare Lydon, Made in London is the sixth installment of the London Romance series. It’s a feel-good contemporary British romance that "features cats, kids, and calamity, along with chocolate spread exactly where you want it."
Love comes when one least expects it to. Heidi Hughes is a photographer and single mother to her daughter Maya. Life is a bit chaotic, to say the least. Eden Price is a PR guru who likes precision and order — she’s "designed her life to run like clockwork." But when several chance meetings pull the pair together and sparks fly, will the two women be able to work out the kinks that arise, or will they decide that the differences are way too much for their relationship to ever work out?
'Hotel Queens' (2020)
In this opposites-attract romance novel, Hotel Queens, Lee Winter incorporates love, lust, intrigue, and betrayal to create a story that’ll keep readers on the hook from the very beginning.
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Kai Fisher and Amelia Duxton couldn’t be any more different. One was a charming and chaotic closer, while the other was an ice queen who thrived on control and efficiency. The pair have their eyes set on obtaining the coveted Mayfair hotel for their respective hotel chains, but neither have any clue of the rivalry. Will the two women’s chance to meet at a bar filled with lust, intrigue, and challenge allow for love to win, or will the hotel rivalry trump all as the secrets unravel?
'Breaking Character' (2018)
From the writer of The Red Files and Hotel Queens, Lee Winter’s Breaking Character is an impeccably written lesbian romance about finding love, following script, and putting up masks.
The story centers around Elizabeth Thornton, an icy British A-lister, and Summer Hayes, her perky new co-star. Due to the latter’s clumsiness, the pair become romantically linked. But instead of refuting the rumors, Elizabeth wants to go on with the charade as her dream movie role is at stake. And unbeknownst to Elizabeth, Summer has had the biggest crush on the British actress for the longest time.