Kendra Winchester is a Contributing Editor for Book Riot where she writes about audiobooks and disability literature. She is also the Founder of Read Appalachia, which celebrates Appalachian literature and writing. Previously, Kendra co-founded and served as Executive Director for Reading Women, a podcast that gained an international following over its six-season run. In her off hours, you can find her writing on her Substack, Winchester Ave, and posting photos of her Corgis on Instagram and Twitter @kdwinchester.
Part of Disability Pride Month every July is celebrating disabled lives and all the joy we experience. In the bookish world, there are few things that do that better than romances featuring disabled main characters. Like everyone else, disabled people can fall in love and get spicy in the best sort of ways. What’s more, celebrating disabled romance and sexuality pushes back against harmful stereotypes that disabled people will never have those things in our lives.
Today I’ve pulled together some romances featuring everything from an autistic bed and breakfast owner to a chronically ill beach-goer who’s given up on love. So get your TBRs ready—it’s time for some meet cutes!
32 Days in May by Betty Corrello
When she receives her Lupus diagnosis, Nadia Fabiola feels like her life comes to a screeching halt. But when her meddling rheumatologist sets her up with his cousin Marco, Nadia finds herself drawn to him in ways she doesn’t expect. Ever present is Nadia’s diagnosis, a reality she doesn’t want to share with Marco. Will Nadia be able to trust Marco enough to truly let him into her life?
Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings
There’s nothing like a romance where a neurodivergent person (or people) fall(s) in love! After winning the lottery, Opal Devlin can’t escape the host of people showing up on her doorstep and asking for money. So she heads to Asheville, North Carolina and buys a failing flower farm, determined to live out her dreams. Enter Pepper Boden, the woman who claims she is the rightful owner of the farm. Now they have to figure out how to coexist with each other. And wouldn’t it be a shame if, you know, they just happen to fall in love?
Two Rogues Make a Right by Cat Sebastian
Will Sedgwick finds his oldest friend, Martin Easterbrook, trapped in an attic with consumption, terribly ill and a ghost of his former self. Will whisks Martin away to the countryside, where he can receive proper care. There, the two men’s former chemistry sparks between them, and they try to find the courage to embrace their love for one another.
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Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert
Eve’s life isn’t exactly going as planned. Every other week, she decides on a new career, a new version of herself. Surely, this time she’ll get it right. After yet another failed attempt at a new career, Eve’s parents cut her off until she can get her act together. Eve drives off in a huff, eventually landing in an inn run by the very grumpy—and very handsome—innkeeper, Jacob Wayne. Jacob is an autistic business owner determined to make his business work, and Eve’s chaotic energy isn’t exactly the most welcome addition to his life. But this is a romance novel, so rest assured, sparks fly anyway.
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
Stella Lane is an autistic 30-something who has spent her entire adult life focusing on her career, not romance. Stella decides she needs a teacher in the ways of sex and seduction, so she hires a professional. Escort Michael Phan shows up ready to start her lessons. What starts out as a strictly business relationship grows into something more as Stella begins to fall for her very attentive teacher.
You can find me over on my substack Winchester Ave, over on Instagram @kdwinchester, or on my podcast Read Appalachia. As always, feel free to drop me a line at kendra.d.winchester@gmail.com. For even MORE bookish content, you can find my articles over on Book Riot.
English (US) · 