My love of a good raunchy read started at a relatively young age and I have naughty Wattpad fanfiction to thank for the unstoppable obsession with erotic novels.
Romance books come in many forms and varieties. There are hundreds of sub-genres, classic tropes, typical characters and they all have varying heat levels to the stories.
Some are slow burners while others are obvious and instantaneous lustfests.
And adding a bit of steam to a romantic novel is just the icing on top of an already scrumptious cake.
I’m hardpressed to find a novel in the romantic genre that doesn’t completely captivate me, but there’s just something about a steamy novel that makes it so hard to put a book down.
It’s that extra bit of spice that just makes it so gripping. Like with most romance novels, the stories follow one or more love interests and the character development and growth of the characters and their relationships.
The only real difference between an erotic novel and a romance novel is that sex scenes are described in greater detail as opposed to just being elluded too.
It just means that those moments of a relationship that are much more intimate, are seen and shown within the story.
From soft kisses and inconesquencial touches, to hot and heavy sexual interactions and downright passion, these scenes are meant to deepen and develop the romance within the novel. And they do a great job of it.
And throughout this article, I’m going to share with you my all time favorite steamy books, so that you can enjoy them too.
Breaking The Barrier
For the most part, many people still hide their love of erotic novels, these steamy stories being peoples smutty secret. And that is because there is still a fair level of judgement over these types of books.
It’s not, perhaps, as bad as it once was. I think the rise in popularity of well-known erotic novels such as 50 Shades Of Gray have helped break down the barrier a little bit.
But many people will still compare erotic novels to the likes of porn, which it really isn’t. And that’s not to say that there’s anything wrong with watching porn, per say.
But it is a completely different thing. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying sex-postive characters and storylines, so let anyone guilt you into thinking so.
Top 10 Steamy Read Reccomendations
1. It Happened One Summer – Tessa Bailey
If you enjoyed the Schitt’s Creek sit-com then you’ll love this book that the show inspired. The book follows one of my favorite romance tropes of enemies to lovers.
The story is centered in a small fishing town where romance sparks between one very popular girl, Piper, and crab fisherman Brendan.
When Piper takes it one step too far while partying, her Stepfather decides to take matters into his own hands and sends Piper off to her late fathers dive bar in Washington.
He hopes here she will learn some responsibility, but Piper instead learns lessons of love, passion, and lust when she butts heads with Sea Captain Brendan.
Despite their antagonistic behaviour towards each other the undeniable sexual chemistry is hard to ignore.
2. Promises And Pomegrantes – Sav R. Miller
Possible Trigger Warning; contains blood play, knife play, kidnapping, grooming, and attempted sexual assult.
Many erotic novels involve some fairly dark themes, and this story is no excception. The very beginning of this love story begins with murder. So those dark themes are seen from the offset.
Kal has a plan, and that plan involves marrying Elena. But Elena is bethrothed to another man. But Kal is not easily deterred from what he wants or needs.
He will do whatever it takes, even if that includes poisoning Elena’s fiance. It doesn’t take long for Kal to get a ring on Elena’s finger, but is there love story going to stay such smooth sailing for Kal?
This page-turner is intense, and dark, and alluring. If you’re after a book that you won’t be able to put down, then this is the book for you.
3. Act Your Age, Eve Brown – Talia Hibbert
Protagonist Eve is pretty messed up, but when she is responsible for the ruin of an extravagant and not to mention expensive wedding, it’s the final straw for her parents.
This results in Eve finding escape in a quaint B&B looking for a new chef.
However, in this enemies to lovers romance, Eve and her new boss Jacob…well, let’s just say they aren’t the best of friend to begin with.
But things take a surprising turn after she accidentally hits him with her car!
4. Birthday Shot – Rilzy Adams
If you’re looking for a book that’s going to turn the heat up a few notches, then this is the one to grab. Ritzy Adams is pretty well-known for her hot and heavy novels, and this is her absolute best.
As Shae’s birthday approaches, Kofi, her brothers best friend comes bak to town. But in the midst of her brothers engagement, will Shae find love and passion herself?
5. Private Eye – Katrina Jackson
You know how we all joke about the fact that there’s a FBI agent assigned to each laptop that spies on us through the camera? Well Maya certainly isn’t laughing when this becomes her reality.
Each Thursday night Kenny is assigned to gorgeous camgirl Maya and the pair quickly fall in love. This online romance doesn’t come with ease, and meeting face to face only acts to complicate things further.
6. Keep Me Close – RM Virtues
You’ll need to catch yourself uptodate with the first installment of the series Drag Me Up before you can move on to the wonder that is Keep Me Close.
Aphrodite’s life is in great peril and so is assigned a new bodyguard. However, this isn’t just any random stranger. Oh no. Could it get any worse?
It’s her ex boyfriends older brother Hephaestus who she hates with a passion…for now.
7. Seducing My Guardian – Katee Robert
If an erotic novel is your favorite genre then you’re going to fall in love with this recommendation. This is Robert’s latest release and oh my. Someone grab me a fan, is it getting hot in here?
After the devastating loss of her parents, Hazel is granted a guardian. It’s not long before he chooses to send her away to boarding school and only bothers with her one day a year – her birthday.
However, this year isn’t like the others. This is the year she turns 25 which is incredinnly significant since this means she finally gets control of her trust fund.
And Devan’s job as her guardian is almost over. But does that mean it’s the end?
8. Her Soul To Take – Harley Laroux
Erotic romance meets horror in this deadly and dangerous tale of love. Rae doesn’t think much of returning home to finish her degree, but little does she know that there’s a whole world of danger awaiting her return.
When she summons a sexy demon into her life her life is in great peril…like about to be sacrificed kind of peril. Will Leon be able to save her before it’s too late?
9. Harbor – Rebekah Weatherspoon
Possible Trigger Warning; themes of death throughout, parents that are unsupportive of sexual fluidity, and conversations with the police.
Brooklyn doesn’t meet Vaughn and Shaw under the best circumstances, that is for sure. Vaughn’s partner cheats on them with Shaw’s other half, and then both their partners are murdered while in bed together.
After such a reagedy, the three characters lean on each other for some support. Throughout their grief they realize that there is some clear attraction between them and they are committed to making it work.
10. Daddy Crush – Adriana Anders
You’ve heard of enemies to lovers but what about the neighbors to lover trope. We love it right?
Jerusha is looking forward to her first ever kiss, but after such an awful date she’s suddenly not as keen. Thankfully, her next-door neighbor, Karl, comes to the rescue and she doesn’t have to go through with it.
But when Jerusha invites Karl to be her first kiss things start to develop pretty quickly.
Final Thoughts
I have read each and every one of these recommendations and so I can promise you that they are well worth the read.
If you’re looking for a romance novel that is written well, has a great plot, and a whole lot of steamy action in between, then you want to give them a go (If you like romance stories, also check out It Ends With Us).
A few of these books do have quite mature, adult, and dark themes, and of course, sexual scenes run throughout. So they may not be suitable for all ages.
Some of the books may be quite triggering or troublesom for some so you will want to choose to read the books with trigger warnings at your own discretion.
I hope you enjoy these books as much as I do. Let me know which is your favorite book in the comments below!
I have been reading books for as long as I can remember, and have fallen deeply in love with more books than I can count!
With this site, I hope that you can find a novel to get you out of a reading slump, or to get you hooked on a series. So, pick up one of our recommendations today. I promise you that you won’t regret it!
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