Violence in WLW Books
Happy almost pride month! Maybe this is an unpopular opinion, but has anyone else noticed how unsettling a lot of WLW books are?
For years I only read contemporary romance. Then I decided I wanted to branch out and read books that made me think. I picked up The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, absolutely loved it, and that sent me down a rabbit hole. Suddenly I was reading books like Sunburn (my absolute fav) and other literary/historical/drama-heavy WLW stories, and I now think contemporary romance is cringe lol.
The problem is that lately it feels like every time I pick up a historical WLW book, it’s either deeply toxic, emotionally devastating, psychologically disturbing, or centered around some kind of manipulation, obsession or murder. I read Fingersmith and I actually really enjoyed it, but I will say that there is a lot of abuse and disturbing descriptions. I enjoy reading books with twists, but I also would prefer if the romance and yearning was the forefront of the story.
I’m currently reading When We Lost our Heads by Heather O’Neill and I was not prepared for how fucked up it is.
I don’t mind dark books, but sometimes I just want a story about women loving women that has depth without violence. Maybe I’m just looking in the wrong places? Has anyone else felt this way? Or am I somehow accidentally selecting every unsettling WLW book on the shelf?
Anyone have some suggestions?
Edit- Here are my top favs I’ve read
Sunburn by Chloe Michelle Howarth
The Safekeep by Yael Van der Wouden
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Fingersmith by Sarah Waters