Wanderland Reads | Zoe Brennan, First Crush

Zoe Brennan, First Crush

Author: Laura Piper Lee

A struggling vineyard owner gets a second taste of her first crush in this romantic comedy that sparkles with humor and heat.

Zoe Brennan may be the loneliest lesbian in Blue Ridge, but at least she has her family vineyard to keep her busy. When a prestigious wine festival announces it’s coming to town, it kicks off a battle royale among local vineyards vying for the opportunity to host it. Zoe’s in it to win it—being chosen would put Bluebell Vineyards on the map, and she could stick it to the vineyard next door, run by her ex–best friend (now enemy), Rachel. But when Zoe’s father is called home to Italy to care for his sick mother, Bluebell is left without a vintner.

Dejected, Zoe impulsively agrees to a blindfolded threesome with a friend, and excitingly, a stranger. But once the blindfolds come off, Zoe realizes the hot butch that rocked her world isn’t a stranger at all. It’s Laine Woods—Zoe’s first crush, Rachel’s big sister, and, Zoe is horrified to discover, the Napa-trained vintner Zoe’s dad just hired as his replacement. While they try to ignore their sizzling chemistry, Laine’s snobbery and Zoe’s pride collide at every step, creating a generous pour of professional—and sexual—tension.

Collaborating is the only way to win the festival, but when that means late nights under the stars and letting go of the past, Zoe must be careful—or Laine might crush her heart for good.

Why Inclusive Love Stories Belong in the Therapy Room

Romance novels have always been about hope. They promise emotional connection, communication, and repair. When you read inclusive love stories—especially sapphic ones—you’re not only witnessing romance, you’re watching healing in motion. These stories dismantle shame and rewrite what safety and intimacy can look like when everyone is allowed to belong.

As a trauma therapist, I often use romance in bibliotherapy with clients who struggle with attachment wounds, shame, or fear of being seen. Inclusive romances provide more than escapism. They model what emotional safety looks like in relationships. They remind readers that love can be gentle, patient, and affirming.

Love After Trauma: Stories That Make Space for Healing

Healing isn’t linear, and neither are these stories. Sapphic romances that include therapy, self-reflection, and recovery arcs let readers see that healing and love can coexist. Books like Battle Scars by Meghan O’Brien or Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner show characters working through trauma without being defined by it. They fall in love while learning to regulate emotion, set boundaries, and communicate—skills that mirror therapeutic goals.

When I recommend stories like these in session, it’s often to clients who believe they have to be “fully healed” before they can be loved. Reading characters who love and are loved through imperfection helps dismantle that belief.

Here is a non-comprehensive list of books I recommend: