Books like Loving her by Ann Allen Shockley

Renay, an African American musician, is compelled to marry the abusive, alcoholic Jerome Lee after becoming pregnant. When Jerome sells her piano to fund his drinking, Renay leaves the destructive marriage with her young daughter and moves to live with Terry, a wealthy white writer she meets at a supper club. Terry awakens a deep love and sexual desire in Renay that surpasses her previous emotional experiences. The two women forge a supportive partnership, discovering physical and emotional joy despite prevailing sexism, racism, and homophobia. The pair confront intense prejudice while striving to build a shared future. When Jerome discovers the nature of Renay and Terry’s relationship, he violently attacks Renay and later kidnaps their daughter, who dies in a car accident. Griefful and haunted by guilt, Renay breaks off the relationship, convinced that she has offended God, before ultimately returning to Terry with a renewed commitment to their love.

First publish date: 1974