Ahoy! This week in our Saturday Smutty Six, we’ve once again extracted one letter out of LGBTQIA+ to bring you stories of trans people finding their HEAs (or, in the case of the YA story, a HFN, because while we’d love to think a teenager is all set for the HEA, it’s a bit bananas to consider in reality) (nevermind that Erin did marry her high school sweetheart).
Compared to our ace romance from last week, this week it was much easier to 1) find trans romance at all and 2) find Own Voices romance in this category. In this case, we’re talking trans women writing about trans women and trans men writing about trans men. Some of these authors are on Erin’s TBR more than once, too!
Titles link to the book’s Amazon page.
The Craft of Love by E.E. Ottoman
E.E. Ottoman often appears in recommendation lists when people are talking about trans romance. While several of his books are on my TBR, one of the most popular and most recommended is The Craft of Love, a historical novella about a silversmith and a seamstress in New York. Bonus points: E.E. Ottoman is a trans man, so this is an Own Voices story.
Kinship and Kindness by Kara Jorgensen
This book isn’t even out yet, but it involves dirigibles in Louisiana, and you know I’ve got a soft spot for paranormal romance and M/M romance, so I’m pretty confident this book is right up my alley. Power and secrets and drama, OH MY! Bonus points: Jorgensen is a queer, non-binary author of paranormal romance. I’ve actually got a few of their books on my TBR.
Peter Darling by Austin Chant
Peter Darling is a reimagining of Peter Pan (obviously), in which Wendy Darling is Peter Pan. In this story, Peter embraces his true identity once he’s grown, and there’s some romance going on with Captain Hook, including maybe some anti-hero stuff? I am very intrigued. Bonus points: Austin Chant is a trans man, so this is an Own Voices story.
If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo
In If I Was Your Girl, Amanda is starting at a new school and befriends Grant, and feelings blossom. But Amanda’s keeping the secret that she’s trans, and she’s afraid of telling Grant the truth because she’s afraid of losing the new life she’s built at her new school. It’s not adult romance, it’s YA, but it sounds like it’ll get me right in the feels. Bonus points: Russo is a trans woman, so this is an Own Voices story.
Starting from Scratch by Jay Northcote
Ben is moving into a new house with new roommates after chest surgery and hormone treatment. Based on this intro sentence alone, we can imagine that the story will involve a sort of journey of self-discovery, including Ben getting comfortable with dating and with the idea that he will be loved for himself. I bet it’s gonna be an angsty one! Bonus points: Northcote is a trans man, so this is an Own Voices story.
Roller Girl by Vanessa North
I found this story when I read a piece by Sarah MacLean in a WaPo romance recommendations article, and it sounds sweet and kind of low key. Tina is a trans woman figuring out her life after a divorce, and, thanks to Joe, she finds an outlet in roller derby. She also finds Joe, and “we can’t tell anyone about this” sex is really fun, let’s be honest.
Other books with a trans protagonist that we’ve already highlighted in a Saturday Smutty Six this month include Hold Me by Courtney Milan and The Rat-Catcher’s Daughter by K.J. Charles.
Have you read any great romance featuring trans protagonists lately? Please let us know what you recommend in the comments!
The Smut Report 