First Step: 1

From the BookFest 2026 3rd Place-Winning Romance SeriesThe Glass Heel isn't on any map. It's whispered about in forums, passed between trans women like a secret-a nightclub where you can finally stop performing and start being.Tonight, Claire steps through its doors for the first time: emerald dress, pounding heart, an invitation she almost didn't use.Inside: amber light, velvet shadows-and Elena, a woman in crimson whose gaze holds warmth instead of judgment.What begins as a passing glance deepens into a conversation that neither wants to end. As the night unfolds, Claire finds herself confiding in someone who listens, understands, and offers a kind of gentleness she hasn't felt in years. And when morning nears, both women realize the connection between them may be something worth returning to.First Step is a tender, slow-burn adult romance about vulnerability, affirmation, and the courage it takes to let someone in. It follows a trans woman learning to claim her place in the world-and the unexpected spark that might grow into something lasting.The Glass Heel series celebrates trans women, authentic connection, and the transformative power of being truly seen.For readers who love: Sapphic trans romance Emotional intimacy and character-driven storytelling Found spaces & chosen family Quiet chemistry with a hopeful heartbeat