Harris describes Sookie as a tanned, blue-eyed, and buxom blond. But although she is young, fit and good looking, Sookie did not have many suitors until she met the vampire Bill Compton. Being able to read her date's minds was usually a big turn-off for Sookie. And her reputation as a weirdo didn't make her very attractive either.
Now Sookie finds herself attracted to dominant men with supernatural abilities. Vampires and other "supes" are harder to read than humans, muffling the effects of her telepathy and giving Sookie a refreshing break from the constant noise of other people's thoughts.
Vampires seem especially immune to her ability. Their brains appear to be blank spaces when compared to the busy tangle of ideas that come from a human's mind.
Because of this relaxing blankness, Sookie was able to experience her first physical and emotional romantic relationship with Bill, who was turned into a vampire following the American Civil War. He introduced her to the complexities of vampire society in the United States. This led to many difficulties for Sookie but their relationship lasted several months before his infidelity with a former lover, the vampire Lorena, led Sookie to break things off. Eric later forced Bill to reveal to a shocked Sookie that he was ordered by the Queen of Louisiana to court her in order for the Queen to gain her loyalty. Though Bill swore that he really did fall in love with her over time, a devastated and depressed Sookie told Bill he was banished from her life.
As the series progresses, Sookie finds herself attracted to several other "supes", such as her boss and longtime friend Sam Merlotte, a true shifter who can turn into any animal he wishes. Sookie and Sam kiss several times and they've discussed the possibility of a romantic relationship, but Sookie was worried about the effect it would have on their business relationship. She also went out on a few dates with the werewolf Alcide Herveaux. In that case, his violent ex-girlfriend Debbie proved to be an obstacle to a relationship.
Some time after her break-up with Bill, Sookie was forced to care for his boss, the vampire sheriff of Area 5, Eric Northman. Eric was under a witch's curse that altered his memory and left him vulnerable and more attractive to Sookie than his ordinarily manipulative self. When he regained his memory, he also regained his deep entanglement with vampire politics, leading Sookie to break off the relationship. Eric recently revealed that he recalls all of the events that occurred while he was under the curse.
Sookie also dated the famous weretiger Quinn. However, that relationship became strained after Quinn and his sister disappeared at the end of All Together Dead. Sookie ended the relationship when she realized Quinn would always put his family (his half-sister Frannie and his deranged mother) ahead of her.