It’s time for my List of Best Sapphic Books of 2021. Like previous years, the only books eligible are books published in 2021. I’m pretty strict about this but I do add one category for ‘best book I read not published in 21’. Anyway, all the books are women-loving-women or at least have a queer main character. I try to cover just about every category that I feel had a worthy winner. My other rule is that each book can only win one category. An author can win multiple categories, but it is only because they released more than one book. There are some books this year that could win or come close to winning multiple categories but I want to spread the love around so all deserving books have a chance. If you see (2) after a title, that means the book is part of a series and the number corresponds to where the book is in the series. I would always suggest starting with the first book in the series but it is up to you. I hope you all find some great books to add to your to-read lists.
Best Book of 2021
The Clinch by Nicole Disney
Best Debut of 2021
Guardian by Jen Lawrence
Best Romance
Not My Problem by Ciara Smyth
Best Slow Burn Romance
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
Best Butch/Femme Romance
The Awkward Truth by Lee Winter
Best Medical Romance
The Fifth Surgeon by Faith Prize
Best Contemporary Romance
Table for Two by Kate Gavin
Best Age-Gap Romance
Worthy of Love by Quinn Ivins
Best Emotional/Angsty Romance
The Commitment by Virginia Hale
Best Fauxmance Romance
Elemental Attraction by K. Aten
Best Family Drama Romance
An Unlit Candle by Caren J. Werlinger
Best Steamy or Erotic Romance
The Secrets we Keep by Donna Jay
Runner-ups in the Romance Category
The Perks of Loving a Wallflower by Erica Ridley, Chemistry Lessons by Jae, Leaving’s Not the Only Way to Go by Kay Acker, and Zero Chill by Carolyn Elizabeth (3)
Best Drama
Concussion and Contentment by Liz Faraim (3)
Best Contemporary
Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers
Best Sports Book
Bruised by Tanya Boteju
Best Sports Romance
Pas de deux by E.J. Noyes
Best YA
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
Best YA Romance
When Sparks Fly by Kristen Zimmer
Best YA Mystery
The Grimrose Girls by Laura Pohl
Best YA Paranormal
The River Has Teeth by Erica Waters
Best Comedy
Satisfaction Guaranteed by Karelia Stetz-Waters
Best Steampunk
Fur and Fangs by Nita Round (3)
Best Fantasy
The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
Best Fantasy Romance
Rand by Silvia Shaw and The Noble and the Nightingale by Barbara Ann Wright
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Best Paranormal
The Lost Girls by Sonia Hartl
Best Paranormal Romance
Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper
Best Dark Paranormal
The Dead and the Dark by Courtney Gould
Best Urban Fantasy
Give Me Grace by Bethany A. Perry
Best Horror
To Break a Covenant by Alison Ames
Best Apocalyptic
Dead Lez Walking by G. Benson
Best Sci-Fi
Activation Degradation by Marina J. Lostetter
Best Action
Unbreakable by Cari Hunter
Best Crime
Journey to Cash by Ashley Bartlett (4)
Best Crime Romance
The Devil Incarnate by Ali Vali (7)
Best Thriller
The Girls Are Never Gone by Sarah Glenn Marsh
Best Mystery
A Message in Blood by Catherine Maiorisi (3)
Best Mystery Romance
Illusion Lake by Sheryl Wright
Best Intrigue
Go Around by E.J. Noyes
Best Historical Fiction
The Tell Tale by Clare Ashton
Best Holiday Book
The Great Charade by Gerri Hill
Best Holiday Novella
Baking Spirits Bright by Bryce Oakley
Best Retelling
The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh by Molly Greeley
Best Retelling Novella
Gretel on Her Own by Elna Holst
Best Romance Short or Novella Collection
Sliced Ice by Lee Winter
Best Fantasy Novella
Fireheart Tiger by Aliette de Bodard
Best Fantasy Short
Taking Flight by Diana Green
Biggest Surprise of 2021
AITA?: A Modern Fairy Tale by Cassie Alexander
Best Book More People Need to Read
Like Other Girls by Britta Lundin
Best Book Read in 21 But Not Published in 21
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
That’s it for the book awards. It is mostly the same categories from last year but with a few changes. Hopefully there are books here that will appeal to everyone. These last two awards are for authors.
Best Author of 2021: Lee Winter Runners-up: Cari Hunter, E.J. Noyes, Ciara Smyth, and Nicole Disney
Best New Author of 2021: Jen Lawrence Runners-up: Morgan Rogers and Faith Prize
Previous years lists:
Lex’s Best Lesfic Books of 2019
Lex’s Best Lesfic Books of 2020
Thank you again, everyone. I hope you all have a safe and Happy New Year and a wonderful 2022.