May 2 Edition: 5 Friday Freebies, Top Sapphic Books, Claire Donniere, and More!

May 2, 2026 | Friday Feels Fun

We’ve made it to another Friday and it’s time to celebrate!

PLEASE NOTE: It’s actually Saturday. The website was dark yesterday for the May Day protest, so we’re publishing Friday’s normal post today.

In today’s post you’ll find out the top 3 sapphic books with the most clicks this week.

Claire Donniere is our 5 Random Things author and the facts are fantastic. TB is intrigued by Fact #1.

Becky, a reader, shares a photo of an adorable cat who was curious about a special gift.

There are 5 Friday freebies! Please note, some of the freebies are only free today, May 2, 2026.

Don’t forget to scroll all the way to the end of this post for good news about New Zealand!

We’re grateful to Persephone Black for sponsoring today’s post. Please check out Her Cruel Empire.

Before we get to today’s Friday Feels Fun post, it’s time for Guess the Author

Every week, we’ll provide five clues about a sapphic author. This game helps readers get to know their favorite authors while having fun.

Here is today’s clue:

Clue #5: The bottom shelf of my bookshelf is full tarot card decks!

Don’t forget to check out Saturday’s post for the answer to this week’s Guess the Author game!

Now For Friday Fun!

Please remember that sale prices listed in today’s post are valid for a limited time only and may change without notice. International prices may vary. Always check the price in your local marketplace before purchasing.

Most Clicked Books:

Contemporary Romance

Available as an audiobook at some retailers
Here to Stay

By Debby Querido

When the past has broken you, what do you do when hope knocks again?

For the past eighteen months, Abby has been hiding out in Bay View—a town small enough to suffocate her grief, quiet enough to muffle the past, and gentle enough to feel safe. She didn’t come to start over. She came to disappear.
- Print Only
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Contemporary Romance
Strictly Professional

By Donna Jay

A sapphic romance set in New Zealand's agricultural industry, where two women can’t quite stay in their lane.

Emma Booth runs the business with precision—organised, disciplined, and firmly in control. Especially when it comes to Stacy’s half-cooked paperwork.
After an awards night ends with them tangled in the sheets, Emma pulls back. One night. One mistake.
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We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well.
Contemporary Romance

Available through Kindle Unlimited
Unleashing Her Heart

By Cassie Bennett

She never expected to find love again, least of all in the midst of danger.

An Ice Queen who’s put love behind her. A close protection guard with a secret. When things turn dangerous, will Alexandra handle the heat of the awakening she never saw coming?
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We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well.

Random Things:

5 Random Things is our way of helping readers to get to know top sapphic book authors all the while having a bit of fun.

Here are five random facts about Claire Donniere.

1. Worked as a trolley driver in St. Petersburg, Russia

2. Have four complete college degrees

3. Wrote her master’s thesis on the alleged murder of the member of the Romanov family, which got her fascinated with mysteries

4. During pandemic she developed her culinary skills and wine tasting knowledge

5. She’s quite the numismatist

Have you read Shot Through the Heart yet?

Before buying a “free” book, please ensure it’s free in your marketplace. Amazon has a habit of changing the price of permafree titles in stores outside of the US. Please know this it out of the author’s control and we are unable to check prices in all Amazon stores.

Some of the books are only free today, May 2, 2026, so don’t miss out!

Free Books:

Pet of the Week!

Meet Kizmet the cat

Meet Kizmet! I just wanted to let you know I received the SIGNED (yay!!!) copy of A Choreography of Longing along with the adorable hat and hysterical gnome. Of course, my cat Kizmet had to check everything out…😸 Submitted by Becky, a sapphic reader.

Today’s post is also sponsored by Sally Brooks. Please check out The Barcelona Bakery.

Vote for the Books of the Month

HAVE YOU VOTED IN THE LATEST BOOKS OF THE MONTH POLL?

Voting for April Books of the Month closes on May 31.

QUEER NEWS THAT’LL MAKE YOU SMILE

It can seem sometimes like all the news these days is bad. We won’t deny there’s a lot of troubling things going on, including a rise in hate crimes. But it’s not all terrible out there! We want to do our best to highlight good news, because while it may seem like the world is filled with hate, there are many individuals who are living their best lives with a rainbow in their heart.

This week’s good news involves New Zealand

Starting on May 4, it’ll be easier for gay and bi men in New Zealand to donate blood. Before they couldn’t donate if they’d had sex with another man in the past 3 months. This ban included if they were in a monogamous relationship or used safe sex practices. Now, people will be assessed by their behavior, not based on the gender of their partners or sexuality.

Find out more here.

That’s all for today.

Wishing all of you a wonderful Friday!

Miranda & TB

IHS has big plans to expand our offerings in 2026—more books, exciting new features, and countless ways to help you discover your next favorite sapphic read! Our wish list is ambitious, and the costs add up quickly. If you value what we do and want to see us grow even further, please consider supporting us with a donation. Every contribution makes a difference!