Too often when it comes to LGBT+ books, the “B” is silent. But there are plenty of books with bisexual main characters, and it’s time to make sure they get the respect they deserve! Here are twelve books featuring bi characters, some that I’ve read and loved, and a few that are on my TBR.
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The Black Veins by Ashia Monet
This was one of my favorite books of 2020, and I’ll forever be singing its praises. Urban fantasy + found family + road trip + diverse cast = what’s not to love?? Blythe, the main character, is bi, but it’s not a romance book. So if you’re looking for an adventure featuring a character who identifies on the page as bi (along with a lot of other sexualities featured!) this is the one for you.
YA Fantasy
Take A Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
Talia Hibbert is hands-down one of my favorite romance authors, and this was the book that made me fall in love with her. Dani is a bisexual woman who’s done with romance, and simply looking for someone who knows their way around the bedroom. Zafir is a sweet-hearted guy who listens to romance novels in his free time. When the two end up fake dating for the internet, it’s full of hilarious misunderstandings and swoon-worthy moments.
Adult steamy romance
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Taylor Jenkins Reid is known for her books with unique plot constructs, and this one is no different. It alternates between Monique, a small-time reporter, recording Hollywood star Evelyn Hugo’s memories in modern day, and the reader living through Evelyn’s memories as she tells them. What made me cheer in this book was when Evelyn reveals the love of her life is a woman, Monique surmises that she’s gay, but Evelyn immediately corrects her and berates her for her stupidity–she’s bisexual, and Monique can’t erase the men that she’s loved in her life just because she also loved a woman. This erasure of bisexuality happens all-too-often in real life, and it was refreshing to see it called out.
Adult historical fiction
I’ll Be The One by Lyla Lee
I’ve yet to read it, but I’ll Be The One looks fantastically cute! In this rom com, Skye is determined to become a K-pop star, despite being told all her life that she’s too fat. She nails the audition to compete to join a group, and is caught up in a whirlwind of performances, drama, and a romance of her own with a competitor–but she’s also faced with some major fat-phobia in the K-pop community.
YA romance
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
This book absolutely broke my heart, and I won’t shut up about it. In order to escape an arranged marriage in 16th century France, Addie makes a deal with the devil (or something close): She’ll live until she’s tired of the world, but no one will be able to remember her. She’s lived 300 years without being able to leave a mark, until she walks into a bookshop and Henry remembers her. The main romance is between the two of them, but we see previous partners Addie has had, including a woman, so although she doesn’t explicitly identify as bisexual on the page, it’s clear this searing book has bi rep.
Adult literary fantasy
Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender
Let’s be real, I would die for Felix. Kacen Callender describes him as a “chaotic bi main character set on revenge” and I love it. This book is heartbreaking and perfect and raw. Felix is not only bi, but Black and trans, and this book explores the intersectionality of all that with such realness and gentleness. An anonymous student at his school starts sending him transphobic messages, and Felix comes up with a scheme to get revenge, but his cat-fishing plan lands him in a love triangle that makes things…complicated, to say the least.
YA romance
Not Otherwise Specified by Hannah Moskowitz
I’ve read other books by Hannah Moskowitz, and absolutely loved them, so I’m excited to check this one out.
Everywhere Etta turns, someone feels she’s too fringe for the fringe. Not gay enough for the Dykes, her ex-clique, thanks to a recent relationship with a boy; not tiny and white enough for ballet, her first passion; and not sick enough to look anorexic (partially thanks to recovery). Etta doesn’t fit anywhere— until she meets Bianca, the straight, white, Christian, and seriously sick girl in Etta’s therapy group. Both girls are auditioning for Brentwood, a prestigious New York theater academy that is so not Nebraska. Bianca seems like Etta’s salvation, but how can Etta be saved by a girl who needs saving herself? (summary from The Story Graph)
YA romance
Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
I’ve talked about this book before, and I’ll do it again, I’m sure. This graphic novel series is just so sweet. The romance that blossoms between Charlie and Nick is touching and real–no big romantic gestures, but small, subtle moments that let us see how much they care for each other. And I might’ve cried a little when Nick realizes he’s bisexual in the second volume…it’s fine…
YA romance graphic novel
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
This epic fantasy series has been one that I keep hearing about and need to read. The entire cast of characters is diverse in multiple ways, and I’m always here for more diversity in fantasy.
Three terrible things happen in a single day. Essun, a woman living an ordinary life in a small town, comes home to find that her husband has brutally murdered their son and kidnapped their daughter. Meanwhile, mighty Sanze — the world-spanning empire whose innovations have been civilization’s bedrock for a thousand years — collapses as most of its citizens are murdered to serve a madman’s vengeance. And worst of all, across the heart of the vast continent known as the Stillness, a great red rift has been been torn into the heart of the earth, spewing ash enough to darken the sky for years. Or centuries.
Now Essun must pursue the wreckage of her family through a deadly, dying land. Without sunlight, clean water, or arable land, and with limited stockpiles of supplies, there will be war all across the Stillness: a battle royale of nations not for power or territory, but simply for the basic resources necessary to get through the long dark night. Essun does not care if the world falls apart around her. She’ll break it herself, if she must, to save her daughter. (summary from The Story Graph)
Adult fantasy
Let’s Talk About Love by Claire Kann
This one has been on my TBR forever. The main character, Alice, is asexual and biromantic, and the plot begins with her girlfriend breaking up with her when she comes out as ace. Alice is determined to have the best summer ever regardless, but when she develops feelings for a new friend, she has to decide if she’s willing to risk their friendship to tell him how she feels.
YA romance
Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
This book is in my top five favorites of all time. I’ve read it three times in the last calendar year…I might be obsessed. It’s a hilarious book with a main character, Alex, who is just so relatable: dealing with anxiety, trying to figure out what to do with his life, and also questioning his sexuality. Oh, and he’s the son of the president of the United States, and the guy he’s maybe-in-love-with is the Prince of England.
New adult rom com
Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova
First: Can we talk about how amazing the cover is?? I can’t wait to read this Latinx-inspired fantasy!
Alex is a bruja, the most powerful witch in a generation…and she hates magic. At her Deathday celebration, Alex performs a spell to rid herself of her power. But it backfires. Her whole family vanishes into thin air, leaving her alone with Nova, a brujo she can’t trust, but who may be Alex’s only chance at saving her family. (summary from The Story Graph)
YA fantasy
The Mistletoe Connection by Chelsea Pennington (that’s me!)
Oh, heyy… I mean, I couldn’t leave my own book off this list! The Mistletoe Connection is an ensemble cast, but one of the characters, Kat, is bi. She works at the airport–for now. She’s got big plans to become an author, and when she’s accepted into a prestigious writing program, it seems like her dreams are one step closer. But why is her best-friend-since-forever Trevor being all weird about it? The Mistletoe Connection is a sweet romance about a group of strangers snowed in at the airport on Christmas Eve, who discover the magic of in-between places.
Adult sweet romance
For more recommendations, check out these lists: 100 Must-Read Bisexual Books, the Bi-Bibliography, the Bisexual Book Awards, and the Bisexual Books Tumblr.
Have you read any of these? What are your favorite books with bi characters? Let me know in the comments!
