Category: Heteroromantic

The Goose Girl

By Robin Gallica

A demisexual retelling of The Goose Maid, featuring a transgender goose herd as well as a demisexual princess.

Publisher’s Description:
While en route to Princess Ava’s royal wedding, Ava’s maid blackmails her into trading places by revealing a terrible family secret. Shocked and confused, the newly-demoted Ava tends the palace geese alongside Konrad, a cheerful, ambitious young man who is most at home in the outdoors. And as Ava learns more about the prince she was supposed to marry, she starts to think she might be better off with the geese.

Genre: Fantasy

Representation:
Gender:
Cis girls: Ava
Trans boys: Konrad

Sexuality:
Demisexual: Ava
Heterosexual: Konrad

Romantic Orientation:
Homoromantic: Ava
Heteroromantic: Konrad

Race/Ethnicity:
White: Ava, Konrad

Trigger Warnings:
Transphobia/transmisia

 

Fourth World

By Lyssa Chiavari

Isaak and Nadin come from two different times entirely, but working together may be the only way to save both their worlds. Time-travel, government conspiracies and mysteries all come together to tell a story featuring two protagonists on the asexual spectrum.

Check out this book and more on our best of list for books with asexual characters.

Publisher’s Description:

Life on Mars isn’t all it’s cracked up to be when you’re Isaak Contreras. Ever since his dad disappeared two years ago, Isaak’s been struggling to keep up in school, and he never seems to be able to live up to his mom’s high expectations. But everything changes when he finds an ancient coin among his missing father’s possessions. The coin makes him a target of both the Martian colonial government and a crazed scientist with a vendetta—and it leads him to a girl from another time named Nadin, who believes that Isaak might just hold the key to saving both their worlds. That is, if they can survive long enough to use it…

Genre: Science Fiction

Representation:
Gender:
Cis girls: Nadin
Cis boys: Isaak

Sexuality:
Asexual: Nadin
Demisexual: Isaak

Romantic Orientation:
Heteroromantic: Nadin, Isaak

Race/Ethnicity:
Black: Nadin
Latinx: Isaac

Trigger Warnings:
Aphobia/Amisia

Ownvoices: Ownvoices for asexuality.

The Seven

By Courtney Praski

After the nuclear apocalypse of 2100, now referred to as the Great Fire, Oloris—the last habitable land in the world has become mankind’s last chance at survival.  This topographical phenomenon is home to seven vastly different climates—a freezing tundra in the north, a dark murky swamp in the west, a vast mountain range in the south, a subtropical sand filled beach in the east, and at its center lays a sweltering desert, gentle rolling plains, and a bioluminescent tree filled forest.  Once home to only a few hundred survivors of the Great Fire, Oloris is now entering its eight-hundredth year and is home to over a million citizens.

Separated into seven nations, and ruled by seven very different factions, the land is monitored by a group of magically enhanced individuals called the Seven. Through the time-honored tradition of passing their mantle to a younger counterpart from their home nation every thirty years, the Seven have ensured Oloris’s peace for nearly half a millennia—until now.  A power-hungry queen in the north will stop at nothing until all of Oloris is hers to rule.  She is gathering her forces, making allies and planning the Seven’s demise.  Her thirst for power couldn’t have come at a worse time.  The current Seven have reached the end of their service and must choose their successors.  Now, the sanctity of Oloris will be entrusted to a group of individuals who most perceive as children—not warriors.

A blind orphan, a rich highborn, a slave, a gentle hunter, an enlightened blacksmith, a warrior, and a queen long thought dead—are thrust into a world of magic, power, and deception.  Enemies are lurking in the shadows, allies are rallying their forces, and nations are struggling to choose sides in the coming war.  Carefully navigating Oloris’s politically charged climate, these young protectors must learn not only their place in the world but how to save their world as they know it.

Genre: Dystopian/Fantasy

Representation:
Gender:
Cis woman: Raina, Edlyn, Kora, Fay, Luna, Nina
Cis male: Griffin, Onyx, Conrad, Sorin, Luca, Theo, Tomin

Sexual Orientation:
Lesbian: Riana, Nina
Bisexual: Kora
Gay: Griffin, Onyx
Heterosexual: Tomin, Theo, Sorin, Luca, Edlyn, Nero, Fay, Conrad, Luna

Romantic Orientation:
Homoromantic: Raina, Nina, Griffin, Onyx
Panromantic : Kora
Heteroromantic: Tomin, Theo, Sorin, Luca, Edlyn, Nero, Fay, Conrad, Luna

Race/Ethnicity:
Black: Onyx, Nina, Sorin
Multiracial: Raina
Latinx: Kora
White: Edlyn, Luca, Tomin, Theo, Fay, Nero, Conrad, Luna, Griffin

Disability:
Blind: Tomin

Trigger Warnings:
Very subtle hints of torture, child abuse, and non-consensual sex.

As Autumn Leaves

By Kate Sands

As Autumn Leaves is a mostly positive and hopeful story about an alloromantic asexual teenager trying to deal with romantic attraction – and the associated pressure to have sex – that comes with it. It’s a sweet f/f teen romance.

Publisher’s Description:
Sixteen-year-old Kayla Caruso, once a well-liked cheerleader, knows that something sets her apart from her classmates. Her reluctance to have sex with a boy she was seeing earned her both the title of “Ice Queen” and the disdain of the other students. Bullied and alone, Kayla finds solace in one of her dwindling group of friends. Althea Ritter is a volleyball star and rumored to be a lesbian. As Kayla’s interest in Althea grows, so does her confusion. Is she attracted to men or women? Both? Neither? Why does sex even have to matter? Kayla explores her muddled feelings, trying to discover where she fits in, and soon realizes her identity might not be as simple as gay or straight.

Genre: Contemporary

Representation:
Gender:
Cis girls: Kayla, Althea, Hannah, Chantelle
Cis boys: Ernie

Sexuality:
Lesbian: Althea
Asexual: Kayla
Heterosexual: Hannah, Ernie, Chantelle

Romantic Orientation:
Homoromantic: Althea
Biromantic: Kayla
Heteroromantic: Hannah, Ernie, Chantelle

Race/Ethnicity:
White: Kayla, Hannah, Ernie, Chantelle
Black: Althea

Trigger Warnings:
Aphobia/amisia (called out)
Homophobia/homomisia
Fatphobia/fatmisia
Bullying

Additional Notes: The novella includes Althea telling Kayla that asexuality exists and Kayla deals with a lot of internalised amisia. Asexual readers are advised caution. Their English teacher, a supporting character, is also heavily implied to be gay.

Ending: Happy – Romance

Viral Airwaves

By Claudie Arseneault

Publisher’s Description:

Henry Schmitt wants nothing more than a quiet life and a daily ration of instant noodles. At least until he learns the terrible secret that drove his father away—the Plague that killed his mother and ravaged his country was created by those now in power. He has one chance to help expose the conspiracy: a ragtag band of rebels needs a pilot for their hot air balloon, where they can launch a broadcast revealing the truth. If Henry accepts, he can experience his dream of flight. But he would have to leave his safe, tranquil life behind … and bring the wrath of a corrupt government upon his head.

Genre: Science Fiction

Representation:
Gender:
Cis boys: Henry, Seraphin, Vermen
Cis girls: Maniel

Sexual and Romantic Orientation:
Henry is asexual and heteroromantic.
Seraphin is bisexual and biromantic
Vermen is gay and homoromantic
Maniel is bisexual and biromantic

Race/Ethnicity:
Black: Maniel
Multiracial: Henry
White: Seraphin, Vermen

Trigger Warnings: From the author, “murder, abuse, firearms, suicide, illness, casual homomisia, police brutality, riots, torture.”

Additional Notes: Seraphin has albinism.

Ownvoices: Asexual

City of Betrayal

By Claudie Arseneault

The whole city is searching for Hasryan—some for revenge and justice, others to save their friends. Yet no one knows where to find him except Lord Arathiel Brasten, who vanished 130 years ago only to magically return.

Lord Diel Dathirii’s struggle to free his city from the neighbouring imperialistic enclave is far from over. Enemies gather around him, and without allies in Isandor’s upper spheres, he must place his fate in Lower City residents. Little does he know, the city he’s trying to save might well save him in return

Author’s Description:

The whole city is searching for Hasryan.

Lord Allastam wants to take bloody, ruthless revenge for the murder of his wife. Inspector Sora Sharpe wants to bring him to justice for his crimes against the city. Yet no one knows where to find him except Lord Arathiel Brasten, who vanished 130 years ago only to magically return.

While the city’s eyes are turned to these two, no one is willing to help Lord Diel Dathirii free Isandor from the influence of the Myrian Enclave and their vengeful leader, Avenazar. High Priest Varden Daramond could help Diel, except Varden has been imprisoned. Lord Dathirii’s only hope of rescuing Varden is Arathiel. An alliance with him, however, would invoke the wrath of the Golden Table… and Lord Allastam himself.

With enemies gathering around him, Diel is left without allies in Isandor’s upper spheres and must place his fate in Lower City residents. But little does he know, the city he’s trying to save might well save him in return.

Representation:
Gender:
Cis boys: Cal, Hasryan, Arathiel, Diel, Nevian,
Cis girls: Branwen
Trans woman: Sora
Genderqueer: Vellien

Sexual and Romantic Orientation:
Cal is asexual and aromantic.
Hasryan is heterosexual and demiromantic.
Larryn is gray-asexual and panromantic.
Nevian is sex-repulsed and biromantic.
Branwen is bisexual and biromantic.
Arathiel is gay and homoromantic
Sora is heterosexual and heteroromantic
Diel is a polyamorous, bisexual gay man.
Vellien is pansexual and panromantic

Race/Ethnicity:
Sora is Asian
Arathiel is Black
Cal, Nevien, Diel and Branwen are White
Hasryan is a PoC. He is from a fantasy race that does not have a comparable real-world counterpart.

Trigger Warnings: From the author’s website: “Abuse (verbal, physical), violence, fire/burns, torture, racism, mind control.”

Ownvoices: Asexual, aromantic

Additional Notes: Second in a series. Arathiel has sensory disabilities.  Vellien has anxiety.

City of Strife

By Claudie Arseneault

Check out this book and more on our best of list for books with asexual characters.

Author’s Description:

Isandor, City of Spires.

Bickering merchant families vie for power through eccentric shows of wealth and brutal trading wars. Unspoken rules regulate their battles, but when an idealistic elven lord provokes the powerful Myrian Empire, all bets are off. They are outsiders, unbound by local customs, and no one knows how far they’ll take their magic to dominate the city. Nobles and commoners alike must fight to preserve their home, even if the struggle shatters friendships, destroys alliances, and changes them irrevocably.

Representation:
Gender:
Cis boys: Cal, Hasryan, Arathiel, Diel, Nevian,
Cis girls: Branwen
Trans woman: Sora

Sexual and Romantic Orientation:
Cal is asexual and aromantic.
Hasryan is heterosexual and demiromantic.
Larryn is gray-asexual and panromantic.
Nevian is sex-repulsed and biromantic.
Branwen is bisexual and biromantic.
Arathiel is gay and homoromantic
Sora is heterosexual and heteroromantic
Diel is a polyamorous, bisexual gay man.

Race/Ethnicity:
Sora is Asian
Arathiel is Black
Cal, Nevien, Diel and Branwen are White
Hasryan is a PoC. He is from a fantasy race that does not have a comparable real-world counterpart.

Trigger Warnings: From the author’s website: “abuse (physical, emotional, mind control — seriously, if depictions of abuse trigger you, please be very careful when approaching this novel/avoid it.), torture, homelessness, child abandonment, police brutality, racism, family death, memory loss, death by fire (mention) and hanging.”

Additional Notes: First in a series, Arathiel has sensory disabilities.

Ownvoices: Aromantic, Asexual

Let’s Talk about Love

By Claire Kann

Alice is a biromantic asexual black college woman. She spends the summer living with her two best friends (who are dating). After her girlfriend broke up with her when she shared that she is asexual, Alice has no intentions of dating again – until she meets Takumi while working in the library.

Check out this book and more on our best of list for books with asexual characters.

Check out this book and more on our best of list for books with Black characters.

Publisher’s Description:

Alice had her whole summer planned. Non-stop all-you-can-eat buffets while marathoning her favorite TV shows (best friends totally included) with the smallest dash of adulting–working at the library to pay her share of the rent. The only thing missing from her perfect plan? Her girlfriend (who ended things when Alice confessed she’s asexual). Alice is done with dating–no thank you, do not pass go, stick a fork in her, done.

But then Alice meets Takumi and she can’t stop thinking about him or the rom com-grade romance feels she did not ask for (uncertainty, butterflies, and swoons, oh my!).

When her blissful summer takes an unexpected turn, and Takumi becomes her knight with a shiny library employee badge (close enough), Alice has to decide if she’s willing to risk their friendship for a love that might not be reciprocated—or understood.

Genre: Contemporary

Representation:
Gender:
Cis girls: Alice, Feenie
Cis boys: Takumi, Ryan

Sexuality:
Asexual: Alice
Demisexual: Takumi, Feenie, Ryan

Romantic Orientation:
Biromantic: Alice
Heteroromantic: Takumi, Feenie, Ryan

Race/Ethnicity:
Black: Alice
Japanese: Takumi
Filipino: Ryan

Trigger Warnings:
Aphobia/amisia (called out)

Ownvoices: Ownvoices for Black representation, biromanticism and asexuality.

The Olive Conspiracy (Mangoverse #4)

By Shira Glassman

In book four of the Mangoverse series, Mizrahi Jewish lesbian queen Shulamit defends one of her citizens, a trans woman, who is being blackmailed. She also revisits a childhood crush and engages with international politics and eco terrorism. There are subplots including lesbian farmers and a straight cis woman who crossdresses as a man to be a warrior.

Publisher’s Description:

A love story between women, between queen and country, and between farmers and their crops.

When Ezra tries to blackmail Chef Yael about her being trans, she throws him out of her restaurant and immediately reports him to the queen. But when police find Ezra stabbed to death, Queen Shulamit realizes he may have also tried to extort someone more dangerous than a feisty old lady.

The royal investigation leads straight to an international terrorist plot to destroy her country’s economy—and worse, her first love, Crown Princess Carolina of Imbrio, may be involved. Since she’s got a dragon-shifting wizard at her disposal, contacts with friendly foreign witches, and the support of her partner Aviva, Shulamit has hope. What she doesn’t have is time.

 

Genre: Fantasy

Representation:
Gender:
Cis girls: Shulamit, Rivka, Aviva, Hadar, Halleli, Carolina
Cis boys: Isaac
Trans girls: Yael

Sexuality:
Lesbian: Shulamit, Hadar, Halleli
Bisexual: Aviva, Yael
Demisexual: Rivka
Heterosexual: Isaac, Carolina

Romantic Orientation:
Homoromantic: Shulamit
Biromantic: Aviva, Yael
Heteroromantic: Rivka, Isaac, Carolina

Race/Ethnicity:
White: Rivka, Isaac, Carolina
Middle Eastern/North African: Shulamit, Aviva, Yael, Hadar, Halleli

Religion:
Judaism: Shulamit, Aviva, Isaac

Disability:
Food allergies. Shulamit has gluten intolerance and is allergic to fowl.

Ownvoices: Ownvoices for bisexuality and food allergies.

 

A Harvest of Ripe Figs (Mangoverse #3)

By Shira Glassman

Publisher’s Description:

Esther of the Singing Hands is Perach’s Sweetheart, a young and beautiful musician with a Girl Next Door image. When her violin is stolen after a concert in the capital city, she doesn’t expect the queen herself to show up, intent upon solving the mystery.

But Queen Shulamit–lesbian, intellectual, and mother of the six month old crown princess–loves to play detective. With the help of her legendary bodyguard Rivka and her dragon, and with the support of her partner Aviva the Chef, Shulamit turns her mind toward the solution–which she quickly begins to suspect involves the use of illegal magic that could threaten the safety of her citizens.

Genre: Fantasy

Representation:
Gender:
Cis girls: Shulamit, Rivka, Aviva, Esther
Cis boys: Isaac, Tzuriel
Trans boys: Micah

Sexuality:
Lesbian: Shulamit
Bisexual: Aviva
Demisexual: Rivka
Heterosexual: Isaac, Esther, Tzuriel

Romantic Orientation:
Homoromantic: Shulamit
Biromantic: Aviva
Heteroromantic: Rivka, Isaac, Esther, Tzuriel

Race/Ethnicity:
White: Rivka, Isaac
Multiracial: Tzuriel
Middle Eastern/North African: Shulamit, Aviva, Micah, Esther

Religion:
Judaism: Shulamit, Aviva, Isaac, Esther, Micah

Disability:
Food allergies: Shulamit has gluten intolerance and is allergic to fowl.
Physical disability: Isaac’s right hand can’t close.

Trigger Warnings:
Though the overall environment is accepting, Shulamit starts off ignorant about transgender people and makes some mistakes.

Ownvoices: Ownvoices for bisexuality and food allergies.