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Bisexuality can get an unfairly bad rap, both from the general public and in inter-community misunderstandings. Romance novels with bisexual characters often tackle the misunderstandings and stereotypes head-on, and writers have made great strides in destigmatizing what it means to be bisexual and embracing all the exhilarating mess that comes with dating as a bisexual person. One of the most fun sub-categories of bisexual romance is the bi4bi romance plotline.
Anyone of any gender can be bisexual, so the named identity still has a lot of interesting, divergent experiences. When characters find out they have this trait in common, it’s both a bonding moment and a crystallization of differences. That’s a perfect setup for lovers to come together.
If you got through fellow contributor Rachel Brittain’s list last year, here are a bunch of fresh titles to fall in love with. This pile of bisexual reads for your TBR includes YA, adult romance, and a bonus polyamorous relationship novel to expand horizons even further.
Young Adult Bi4Bi Romance Novels
Solo Stan by Talia Tucker
Kai and Elias are both huge fans of the band CYPHR, and end up going solo and sitting next to each other. Both are on the cusp of major changes: Kai is going to college, and Elias is living in Raleigh after spending his whole life in New York City. Because of a blackout, the two boys end up in a Before Sunrise-esque, all-night adventure.
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Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli
Leah was my favorite character in Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda, so I was thrilled to read the story of her coming into her own. She’s bisexual, but mostly focused on becoming a better musician and holding onto her friendships before she goes to college. She’s always had an antagonistic thing going with Abby, but there’s more going on than either of them could have anticipated. It’s a funny, sweet story about finding your sexuality as a teenager.
Adult Contemporary Bi4Bi Romance
The Pairing by Casey McQuiston
I recommend this book constantly, and I will never stop. Exes Kit and Theo are forcibly reunited on a food and wine tour of Europe, and they agree to put aside the hurt from their breakup, be friends, and compete to see who can have sex with more hot Europeans. The pursuit of pleasure is not only in sex, and part of Kit and Theo’s reunion is over their shared love of flavor. Kit flexes his pastry skills while Theo shows off an encyclopedic knowledge of wine tasting notes. Feelings, obviously, re-emerge. Side note: McQuiston has posted on Instagram that they imagined Emma D’Arcy as Theo. Maybe they can act in a quick film before the next season of House of the Dragon?
The Stand-Up Groomsman by Jackie Lau
Members of the wedding party falling in love at the wedding is a classic setup, and even better when they kind of hate each other. Vivian Liao is thrilled to be her roommate’s maid of honor, but deeply annoyed to have to deal with the groom’s best friend, Melvin Lee. Even though Melvin being an out Asian stand-up comedian helped Vivian’s own journey to becoming bi, she’s disappointed with the direction of his career. But they’re continuously thrown together, and find a lot to like about each other.
The Fiancée Farce by Alexandria Bellefleur
In a sort of Pygmalion-esque tale, Tansy Adams imagines the perfect woman (based on a book cover model) and finds Gemma, who looks like exactly what she imagined. In a convenient twist of fate, Gemma needs to get married, and she decides Tansy is the perfect companion. The marriage-of-convenience setup leads both women to fall hard for each other, and figure out if they can make the imagined relationship into something real.
Isn’t It Obvious? by Rachel Runya Katz
If you’re looking for another excellent podcast-based story with a You’ve Got Mail-inspired plot, this book is perfect. Yael has a podcast that she hosts as a secret persona called Elle, and she hires a remote editor to help her out. The editor goes by Kevin, but his name is Ravi, and Yael hates him. But as they connect over email, they meet in real life. They’re falling for each other, both in person and in the digital world.
Two’s Better by Viano Oniomoh
This friends-to-lovers story delivers high spice and a hilarious friend group. At the end of their time in university, Uzezi and Ofure haven’t had sex. So she decides they should lend each other a helping hand. They commit to keeping their friendship first, but feelings start to arise the more often they fall into bed together.
Historical Bi4Bi Romance
A Delicate Deception by Cat Sebastian
Sick of the vagaries of the social life of London, Amelia relocates to Derbyshire and commits to a life of quiet and meandering walks. Sydney, a civil engineer from the area, interrupts her solitude. Sydney and Amelia are both living on the outside of society’s expectations. Despite their growing connection, land ownership and past grievances threaten to tear them apart.
Trouble by Lex Croucher
I was surprised and delighted by this Regency-era story of a governess and a widower from Lex Croucher, both because I love The Sound of Music and because both main characters were bisexual. Emily Laurence arrives at Captain Edwards’ house assuming the role her sweet-tempered sister was supposed to take. Even though Emily is hardened, she bonds with the children and starts to connect with the captain. Like all of Croucher’s books, queerness, class, and gender roles come into play as part of the happy ending.
A Bonus Polyamorous Romance
The Threefold Tie by Aster Glenn Gray
If you are interested in exploring bisexuality in fiction past the pairing, this is a great polyamorous romance novella to start with. Jack and Everett were comrades-in-arms in the Civil War, and closer than average soldiers. After the war, Everett moves to New York and marries Sophie, whom he does love, even as he holds a candle for Jack. When Jack reappears in their lives, both Everett and Sophie are attracted to him. The struggle is finding a way to be together with all the possible struggles that will entail.
To keep the party going, you can also look for more books with bisexual characters, bisexual comics, and the most influential queer books of all time.
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