There was a time you couldn't get me to comfortable talk about romance or sex on main, but you wouldn't be able to tell by the way I've been devouring spicy romance books lately. While I do love a good escapism moment when I'm reading, these could really have a real life impact. I mean, I'm willing to say they can help couples find their spark again if they've been experiencing a sex drought. How do I know? Eh, let's just say I've put some of the things I've read to good use recently. 😘
Even if you're not in a relationship and simply find yourself trying to come to terms with the teaser Polin gave us in part one of Bridgerton season 3, there's tons of spicy romance books you can peruse through. But, don't just take my word for it. Lingerie company Pour Moi surveyed a ton of Goodreads data to find which books are the highest rated among their readers and let's just say you're about to find a book or two that you'll gladly stay in bed for.
Take it from me — they're hot, hot, hot!
Spicy Books From Mild To Extra Hot:
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
If you're new to the world of spicy romance books, Just for the Summer is your perfect introduction to them. This one has way more romance and than spice, but it will make your imagination wonder.
You'll get to meet Justin and Emma — two unlucky-in-love souls — who decide to cheat their love lives' flawed designed by agreeing to date. Their goal is to somehow cancel whatever 'curse' is lingering over them so they can eventually have a successful relationship with other people. It wouldn't be so bad if Justin's dilemma hadn't found its way to Reddit, but that's why the plan is in place.
As they start getting settled on Lake Minnetonka, their family's issues spill over and create a weird intersection that finds them relying on each other past the confines of what their plan initially entailed. They weren't supposed to actually fall for each other, but life has a funny way of bringing us what we need and deserve.
The Other Side of Disappearing by Kate Clayborn
If I'm being honest, The Other Side of Disappearing should've made it's way to my list of true crime-inspired books. Although no one dies in it (phew!), it does involve a con artist's involvement with the mother of two sisters.
Jess Greene and her half-sister Tegan's mother has long disappeared, but the wounds of her absence still haunts them in different ways. For one, Jess has created a boundary-filled life that's meant to protect them from hurt and outside opinions, but she's only pushed Tegan to find the answers she's been too afraid to search for.
And two? Well, Tegan decides to reach out to host of the podcast The Last Con of Lynton Baltimore. It's not that Jess doesn't know where her mother is, she just doesn't trust that she's remorseful for her actions. Nevertheless, they decide to join the podcast host — and it's very attractive producer Adam Hawkins — on a journey that will change the lives they've known.
Eventually Jess begins to let her guard down and finds herself enamored with the way Adam seems to affirm her. She'll have to decide if she can picture a life without yearning for her mom, being overprotective, and opening up to love in this heartbreaking, yet moving novel.
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams
Ricki Wilde will live in my head rent-free for a while. She was written beautifully by the talented Tia Williams and I hope you find her story interesting enough to read A Love Song for Ricki Wilde. So, who is she?
She's several things all at once — artistic, seemingly impulsive, and a hopeless romantic. She also hails from a powerful family, but she doesn't feel tied to the path they've chosen. No, she'd rather live a life that's a little more free.
Ricki eventually gets her wish when she moves to Harlem and immerses herself in the rich, historic culture in one of New York's most famous boroughs. Not only does she begin to fall in love with her surroundings, she also meets a man who takes her breath away.
But, there may be more to their story than both of them are aware of.
It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
I love spicy romance books that are summer-coded so that's one reason It Happened One Summer is on the list. The other? *Sigh* I secretly love anything that paints a picture of a socialite who lives her life in the public. Blame it on growing up during a time when reality TV became popularized.
The thing about Piper Bellinger is that all of her fashionable influence doesn't keep her out of jail. She's been living the fast life for far too long and she eventually finds her access cut off from the wealthy life she's used to.
Left with no other viable option, Piper and her sister head to Washington to take over their late father's dive bar. She immediately crosses paths with Brendan and it's clear that they don't exactly hit it off. Still, she refuses to cave under pressure even if she has the hives to show she's struggling. And who else would be privy to seeing that up close? Brendan.
But, their attraction is glaring them in the faces and it doesn't take long for them to start seeing each other in a new light. One that's full of lust, love, and new beginnings.
Hannah Tate, Beyond Repair by Laura Piper Lee
Move over HGTV because Hannah Tate, Beyond Repair is taking your methods and flipping them on their heads!
I have a special love for this book because it's set in Georgia where I currently reside and features a new mom who's lost herself. Unlike the characters in one of the spicy books on my list, she and her son's father are unable to salvage their relationship. But, that's not necessarily a bad thing. Now that I think about it, all the of things that feel horrible to Hannah actually set her in the right direction even if they didn't seem that way at first.
Dealing with the freshness of a breakup and being fired from her job, Hannah reluctantly decides to move back home to Blue Ridge, GA to help her mom and step-dad with a fixer-upper. The goal is to turn it into a lucrative Airbnb, but Hannah doesn't realize how much work it needs until she gets there. She also doesn't expect for her parents to live next door to the sexy River either.
Just when she starts wondering how she's supposed to find the good in everything, she begins connecting with some of Blue Ridge's locals, her parents, River, and herself in a brand new way.
The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren
I had so much fun talking to Christina Lauren about The Paradise Problem that it wouldn't be right if this book didn't make the list! It's a strangers-to-lovers novel that'll have you imagining you're in the shoes of Anna Green and Liam Weston as you devour each chapter. Honestly, it's comparable to eating one of your favorite pasta recipes.
For starters, there's an arranged marriage situation that's complicated by the fact these two have to put on the guise of a loving couple in order for Liam to receive a huge inheritance. He's got his life together, but Anna is skating by. Hoping profusely that she'll be able to pull of the role of a polished wife for his wealth family, Liam all but begs her to accompany to a remote island where his younger sister's wedding will be held.
Though things start off incredibly rocky, Anna and Liam begin to realize they enjoy being around each other. It's almost like being married to each other seems like it can actually work...
If you don't read any anything else this summer, this is the book you'll want to take with you everywhere. Actually, I highly recommend that you make sure it's not in your bag if you go to church. That would be awkward.
Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan
There's a reason this is one of the hottest booktok books ton Tiktok! While all of the spicy romance books I've read on this list have a touch of realism that I love, I was able to relate to Yasmen and Josiah in more ways than one.
When we first meet them, they've been divorced for a couple of years and are navigating what it means to not only co-parent, but also run a successful restaurant together. As they attempt to move on, several things seem to draw their hearts back to each other: a concern for their son's emotional health, a work relationship that's veering towards something more, and the fact Yasmen and Josiah simply aren't over each other.
Their love story is one that's full of moments complicated by their painful past and hopeful future — two things that finally collide when Yasmen and Josiah are unable to control their hot desire for each other.
Priest by Sierra Simone
As much as I've been raving about Kennedy Ryan's Before I Let Go, Priest takes spicy romance to unbridled heights.
Tyler Bell has entered priesthood following something that left him scarred in order to set himself on a different path. Abiding by the rules doesn't prove too difficult and he's able to do so for the better part of three years. But, everything changes when Poppy Dandforth's sins (and voice) tickle his ears. Then he catches sight of her...
He can't explain it, but the mere thought of her makes his flesh weak which isn't good when you're a priest. He values his devotion to the Church, but one stolen moment with Poppy makes him take a risk that has high implications.
The Sexy One (One Love) by Lauren Blakely
This list of spicy romance books wouldn't be complete without a saucy fantasy that happens to come to life.
This single dad has his hands fulls with his daughter and entrepreneurship so he doesn't really have time for romance. At least that's what he tells himself every time he comes near his daughter's nanny. Abby is amazing in so many ways that catches his attention and has even started teaching him to how to be fluent in French.
One night turns into the spiciest moment he's had in a while, leaving him smitten and unable to function without thinking about her.
The Sweetest Oblivion by Danielle Lori
Elena lives in a world shrouded by perfection and her family's mafia dealings. She never breaks the rules and deals with whatever is presented to her with the perfect smile. It's why she doesn't protest when her sister's arranged marriage to Nicolas Russo enters the picture. After all, there's a code the Mafia follows and there's nothing she can really do about it.
However, she can't stop thinking about Nicolas Russo. At first it's because she's put off by his mannerisms, but then she can't help but notice how attractive he is. Try as she might, she finds herself consumed with thoughts of him and wants to take the wildest walk on the dark side.
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