Grandma's Unorthodox Intervention

Annalise Finch, reeling from a breakup and a lackluster love life, is ambushed by her eighty-something grandmother, who's determined to bring the spark back into her granddaughter's life. Grandma's solution? Signing Annalise up for a women-only hookup app called The Lit Clit. Despite Annalise's protests that she's straight, Grandma insists that women know how to please women and that Annalise should try something new. With a mix of guilt, humor, and the "death card," Grandma persuades Annalise to agree to at least one encounter, setting the stage for a journey of self-discovery, sexual awakening, and unexpected romance.

The Lit Clit Challenge

With the help of her best friend Nathalie, Annalise drunkenly scrolls through The Lit Clit, overwhelmed by the prospect of meeting women for sex. Nathalie, ever the instigator, arranges Annalise's first "date" with a bold, purple-haired woman. The encounter is awkward and ends in disaster, but it introduces Annalise to Brinley, a charismatic bartender who witnesses the whole debacle. Brinley's playful, confident energy is a stark contrast to Annalise's nerves, and a flirtatious connection is sparked, hinting at the chemistry and mentorship to come.

Bartender Meets the Student

After Annalise's failed hookup, Brinley steps in with a proposition: she'll teach Annalise everything she needs to know about sex with women. Brinley, a tattooed, witty, and secretly nerdy bartender with medical school ambitions, draws up a "Sapphic Sex Syllabus" for Annalise. Their lessons begin with kissing and consent, quickly escalating to more intimate territory. The dynamic is playful, charged, and educational, with Brinley's experience and Annalise's curiosity creating a safe space for exploration.

Sapphic Sex Syllabus

Brinley's syllabus is both a joke and a genuine roadmap: lessons cover everything from over-the-clothes touching to oral sex, sex toys, and roleplay. Each "quiz" and "test" is a new sexual milestone for Annalise, who finds herself both nervous and exhilarated. The lessons are interspersed with humor, vulnerability, and growing trust. As Annalise gains confidence, the boundaries between teacher and student begin to blur, and both women find themselves emotionally invested.

Lessons in Desire

With each lesson, Annalise's self-doubt gives way to desire. She discovers pleasure in being touched and, eventually, in touching Brinley. Their chemistry is undeniable, and what starts as a series of "practice" sessions becomes deeply personal. Annalise's world expands: she explores her own body, learns the difference between sex with men and women, and begins to question her sexuality. Brinley, meanwhile, is surprised by her own feelings, having sworn off relationships due to past trauma.

Pillow Princess Awakens

Initially content to be a "pillow princess" (receiving pleasure without reciprocating), Annalise's curiosity and affection for Brinley push her to try giving. The first time she touches and goes down on Brinley is a revelation for both. Annalise is empowered by her ability to give pleasure, and Brinley is moved by Annalise's enthusiasm and care. Their sexual connection deepens, and the lessons become less about technique and more about mutual vulnerability.

Practice, Progress, Panic

Encouraged by Brinley, Annalise continues to meet other women from the app, gaining experience and confidence. However, each encounter leaves her comparing others to Brinley. She grapples with confusion about her sexuality, her growing feelings for Brinley, and the fear of ruining their friendship. Brinley, too, is conflicted—she wants Annalise to explore, but is increasingly jealous and attached. Their dynamic is tested as Annalise's "homework" brings up new insecurities and desires.

Friends, Family, and Firsts

Wine Wednesdays with Grandma and Nathalie provide comic relief and emotional grounding. Annalise's family, especially her mother and brother, are supportive, and her ex-boyfriend Grant becomes a friend and confidant. As Annalise comes out as bisexual, she's surprised to learn that her loved ones suspected all along. The acceptance she receives gives her the courage to consider what she truly wants, both sexually and romantically.

Crossing Boundaries, Blurring Lines

The "lessons" become a pretext for spending time together. Annalise and Brinley share sleepovers, cook together, and support each other through work and study stress. Their physical relationship is matched by emotional intimacy: they confide in each other, comfort one another, and begin to imagine a future together. The line between friends-with-benefits and something more is crossed, but both are afraid to name it.

Surfaces, Toys, and Tests

Brinley introduces Annalise to sex toys, public sex, and roleplay, pushing her boundaries in ways that are both thrilling and daunting. Each new experience is a test—of trust, communication, and desire. Annalise's confidence soars, and Brinley is continually surprised by her own vulnerability. The "final exam" looms: can they move beyond lessons and hookups to something real?

Roleplay and Realization

A roleplay scenario—pretending to be strangers at the bar—becomes a turning point. The fantasy highlights the reality: their connection is no longer just physical or playful. Both women realize they want more, but fear rejection. The tension builds as Annalise is asked on a real date by another woman, forcing both to confront their feelings.

Holidays and Heartbeats

Brinley is invited to spend Christmas with Annalise's family, an experience that is both heartwarming and nerve-wracking. The acceptance and love she receives from Annalise's family, especially Grandma, is healing for Brinley, who has always felt like an outsider. Annalise, buoyed by her family's support, finally admits to herself—and to Brinley—that she wants a real relationship.

Final Exam: Love

After months of lessons, hookups, and emotional growth, Annalise and Brinley finally confess their love for each other. The "final essay" is not about sex, but about the joy, confidence, and self-acceptance Annalise has found. Brinley, having aced her MCATs, is ready to face the future—with Annalise by her side. Their story ends not with a breakup or miscommunication, but with a promise: to keep learning, loving, and growing together.

Characters

Annalise Finch

Annalise is a late-twenties woman whose life is upended by her grandmother's meddling. Initially straight-identified and reeling from a breakup, she's pushed into the world of sapphic sex and dating. Annalise is anxious, self-deprecating, and prone to overthinking, but also loyal, curious, and open-hearted. Her journey is one of sexual awakening and self-acceptance: she moves from nervous "pillow princess" to confident, giving lover, and from confusion about her sexuality to embracing her bisexuality. Her relationship with Brinley is transformative, teaching her not just about sex, but about love, vulnerability, and the importance of choosing her own happiness.

Brinley Adams

Brinley is a twenty-something bartender with a tough exterior—tattoos, undercut, quick wit—but a deeply caring, nerdy core. She's studying for the MCATs, driven by the loss of her beloved grandmother and a desire to make a difference as a doctor. Brinley is experienced with women, confident in bed, and initially avoids relationships due to family trauma and fear of heartbreak. Her connection with Annalise is unexpected and destabilizing: she finds herself teaching, then falling for, a woman who challenges her boundaries and beliefs. Brinley's arc is about letting down her guard, accepting love, and allowing herself to hope for a future she never thought possible.

Grandma (Annalise's Grandmother)

Grandma is the irrepressible force that sets the story in motion. Blunt, hilarious, and unashamedly sex-positive, she pushes Annalise out of her comfort zone and provides both comic relief and emotional wisdom. Her own history of disappointment with men and belief in women's sexual agency shape her advice. Grandma's love is unconditional, and her antics (from fake heart attacks to "dickeys") are matched by genuine care for Annalise's happiness.

Nathalie

Nathalie is Annalise's lifelong best friend, married but always up for mischief. She's brash, supportive, and unfiltered, providing both encouragement and reality checks. Nathalie's own journey to love with her husband Boden is a counterpoint to Annalise's, and her acceptance of Annalise's sexuality is unwavering. She's the first to see the truth about Annalise's feelings for Brinley and pushes her to be honest.

Grant

Grant is Annalise's ex, a genuinely nice guy who wanted more than Annalise could give. Their breakup is amicable, and he becomes a supportive friend, even encouraging Annalise's exploration. Grant's presence is a reminder of Annalise's past and the difference between comfort and passion.

Lexie

Lexie is one of Annalise's hookups from The Lit Clit, but their connection is more than physical. Lexie is open, understanding, and nonjudgmental, providing a safe space for Annalise to explore. Her interest in dating Annalise forces Annalise to confront her true feelings for Brinley.

Maddie

Maddie is Brinley's friend and coworker, always ready with a quip or a reality check. She sees through Brinley's bravado and is the first to notice her feelings for Annalise. Maddie's teasing and support help Brinley process her emotions.

Brenda (Annalise's Mom)

Brenda is Annalise's mother, who has always suspected her daughter's bisexuality and is quietly supportive. Her acceptance and warmth provide Annalise with the courage to come out and pursue happiness.

Kirk (Annalise's Dad)

Kirk is Annalise's dad, easygoing and loving. He welcomes Brinley into the family and is a model of acceptance and support.

Dalton (Annalise's Brother)

Dalton is Annalise's older brother, quick with a joke but always there for his sister. He's part of the family's web of support and acceptance.

Plot Devices

Sapphic Sex Syllabus

The "Sapphic Sex Syllabus" is both a literal guide to lesbian sex and a metaphor for Annalise's journey of self-discovery. Each lesson marks a new stage in her sexual and emotional growth, providing structure to the narrative and opportunities for humor, vulnerability, and intimacy. The syllabus also allows for role reversals, as Annalise moves from student to equal partner.

Humor and Banter

The story is laced with sharp, playful banter—between Annalise and Brinley, with Grandma, and among friends. Humor is used to diffuse tension, mask insecurity, and build intimacy. It also serves as a coping mechanism for both main characters, allowing them to approach difficult topics with honesty and warmth.

Roleplay and Performance

Roleplay scenarios—both sexual and emotional—allow Annalise and Brinley to explore desires, test boundaries, and ultimately reveal their true selves. The act of pretending to be strangers or wives becomes a safe way to express feelings that are too scary to admit directly.

Family and Community

The presence of family (especially Grandma) and friends (Nathalie, Grant, Maddie) provides a safety net for both Annalise and Brinley. Their acceptance and encouragement are crucial to the protagonists' willingness to take risks, be vulnerable, and pursue happiness.

Subversion of Romance Tropes

The narrative explicitly rejects the typical romance trope of a dramatic breakup or miscommunication. Instead, the characters choose honesty, directness, and mutual support, allowing for a satisfying, mature resolution.

Analysis

A Lesbian's Guide to Women is a witty, sex-positive, and emotionally resonant exploration of queer awakening, self-acceptance, and the transformative power of love. By framing Annalise's journey as a series of "lessons," the novel demystifies lesbian sex and relationships, making them accessible, joyful, and deeply human. The story subverts traditional romance tropes by centering communication, consent, and community, and by refusing to punish its characters for their desires or mistakes. At its heart, the book is about the courage to embrace change, the importance of chosen family, and the beauty of finding someone who sees, supports, and loves you for exactly who you are. In a world where queer stories are often marked by tragedy or secrecy, Erica Lee offers a narrative of joy, growth, and unapologetic pleasure—a guide not just to women, but to living authentically and loving bravely.

Last updated: June 22, 2025