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Contemporary Romances with Disabled Protagonists

Traditional romance novels (think Romeo and Juliet, Pride and Prejudice) rarely feature disabled characters and when they do, the protagonist's disability is often framed as something that must be overcome. However, disabled people do not need love to "cure" them and they are deserving of warm, sweet, and sexy happy endings. These 11 contemporary romances showcase disabled protagonists finding love in many different places-- from falling out of trees to exchanging messages online to playing wheelchair basketball. #IndyPLAdults

User from The Indianapolis Public Library

11 items

  • After Chloe Brown (a computer scientist with fibromyalgia) almost dies in a car accident, she creates a bucket list to help her start living life. Who better to help her complete it than her apartment's broody-but-artsy handyman, Red?
    Book, 2019New York, NY : Avon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, [2019] — FIC HIB
  • Wheelchair-user Regina Hobbs finds that the only thing that can fight her insomnia is the soothing voice of autistic live streamer Gus Nguyen. When Gus's archive is deleted, the two strike up a trade: his voice for her expertise.
    Book, 2019New York : Avon Impulse, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, [2019] — FIC COL
  • A gender bent retelling of Pretty Woman where an autistic computer scientist decides to hire a male escort to help her become more comfortable with dating and sex.
    Book, 2018New York : Berkley, 2018. — FIC HOA
  • Hockey player Ren Bergman has long had a crush on his co-worker, Frankie Zeferino who is autistic and has rheumatoid arthritis.
    Downloadable Audiobook, 2023New York : Berkley Romance, 2023. — AUDIOBOOK LIBBY
  • Josiah (a video game programmer with ADHD) meets Ryan (a former Navy SEAL who has lost both legs) when their plane is unexpectedly grounded and they're asked to share a hotel room.
    eBook, 2016Toronto : Carina Press, 2016. — EBOOK LIBBY
  • Levi has been in love with his best friend Joss ever since he met her while coaching wheelchair basketball four years ago. Now Joss is finally ready to date, but she has her eye on someone else.
    Book, 2019[United States] : Smartypants Romance, [2019] — FIC SOR
  • Jazz pianist Liz enlists the help of her blind neighbor, Jac, to compile recordings of her late-wife's jazz band.
    Book, 2015Valley Falls, NY : Bold Strokes Books, 2015. — FIC BLA
  • Marcus Caster-Rupp is a dyslexic actor who writes fanfiction in his spare time. A chance encounter on Twitter leads to him inviting cosplayer and genealogist April Whittier to dinner.
    Book, 2020New York, NY : Avon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, [2020] — FIC DAD
  • Auto-shop owner Beau, known for being kind and accommodating, must work with Shelley, an auto-mechanic with a swearing parrot and severe OCD.
    Book, 2016United States : Caped Publishing, 2016. — FIC REI
  • Worth It All

    McKinney Brothers Series, Book 3

    Connor, Claudia,
    JT has a crush on Paige, a waitress at a diner he frequents. He soon bonds with Paige's daughter Casey over the fact they are both missing a leg and in need of prosthetics.
    eBook, 2016New York : Random House Publishing Group, 2016. — EBOOK LIBBY
  • Deaf tattoo artist Logan Reed has chosen not to speak for years because of childhood bullies, but meeting the alluring Kit (whose dyslexia makes it difficult to read written notes) makes him reconsider.
    eBook, 2013Los Gatos : Night Shift Publishing, 2013. — EBOOK LIBBY