Did you love Fifty Shades of Grey and are struggling with what book to read next that will compare to Christian and Ana? Did you swoon over the Crossfire series and find yourself needing more literary bad boys in your life? If so, you might be a romance book junkie, like I am. Fortunately for you I’m here to give you some of my favourite romantic and erotic (sex is always good in books) reads to help you get in the mood this Valentine’s Day.
I love a book that I can obsess over – you know, the kind that you can’t put down until you physically cannot read the words on the pages any longer. I love when I get so lost in a book that I start to find excuses during my day to eke out a few minutes to read. Books should bring you joy and pleasure and make you lose yourself in the story they’re telling. The books that tend to do that to me the most are the stories of love and loss and hot, steamy sex. No matter how many I read I still find myself captivated by a good old love story about two people destined to be together, no matter how long it takes them to get there.
I’ve compiled a list of my favourite romance/erotic books and asked some publicist friends for their suggestions too of books that just might heat things up for you this Valentine’s Day. You can thank me later:)
Top Erotic Romance Books
The Deal By Elle Kennedy
This one is a bit of tease because it doesn’t come out until the end of February, but it’s still something to look forward to:) Here’s the Goodreads synopsis;
Hannah Wells has finally found someone who turns her on. But while she might be confident in every other area of her life, she’s carting around a full set of baggage when it comes to sex and seduction. If she wants to get her crush’s attention, she’ll have to step out of her comfort zone and make him take notice…even if it means tutoring the annoying, childish, cocky captain of the hockey team in exchange for a pretend date.
…and it’s going to be oh so good.
All Garrett Graham has ever wanted is to play professional hockey after graduation, but his plummeting GPA is threatening everything he’s worked so hard for. If helping a sarcastic brunette make another guy jealous will help him secure his position on the team, he’s all for it. But when one unexpected kiss leads to the wildest sex of both their lives, it doesn’t take long for Garrett to realize that pretend isn’t going to cut it. Now he just has to convince Hannah that the man she wants looks a lot like him.
The Raven by Sylvain Reynard
Reynard is the mysterious Canadian author (is SR really a man?! A woman? Why doesn’t he ever show his face? So many questions!) of the very popular Gabriel series and his first book in his latest series titled The Raven is just as promising. You can read my full review of the book here, but if you like sexy vampires (who doesn’t?!) and strong women then this book is for you! The Raven just hit bookshelves earlier this month and already has me anticipating book 2. This is also a very sensual and romantic book, so if you don’t love the more erotic tone some books have, this is perfect.
The Submissive By Tara Sue Me
Judging by the title I’m sure you can tell that this book falls into the erotic book genre, so be prepared for some very steamy sex scenes when you read. What I like about this book is that it’s very straightforward – both characters know what they’re getting in to and do so willingly so as a reader you go with them without question. Nathaniel is a dominant looking for a new submissive, and Abby is only too eager to apply for the job. Definitely a steamy love story guaranteed to warm you up:)
Because You Are Mine By Beth Kery
Francesca is a struggling artist. Ian is a wealthy businessman. When Francesca wins a competition to paint the centerpiece painting for Ian’s new skyscraper, the two are instantly drawn to each other. Of course in erotic books like this (and this one is very erotic) love is never easy, but that’s half the fun of reading.
Screwdrivered by Alice Clayton
There are 4 books in Alice Clayton’s ‘Cocktail’ series, and I’ve read two of them; Screwdrivered and Mai Tai’d Up. First I have to say that if I wasn’t sent these books to review I probably wouldn’t have picked them up from the cover alone. These books deserve a way better cover than what they have. That being said, these books fall more into the romantic comedy genre and while not overly funny, they’re sweet and a little bit sexy. I really enjoyed reading both the books I read and I think you will too. Just don’t read too much into the titles or the covers.
On Dublin Street By Samantha Young
Jocelyn left the US 4 years ago to start a new life in Scotland, away from the demons of her past. Braden is strong and successful, and used to getting what he wants. When fate brings these two together Braden decides he wants Jocelyn, but it’s not that easy. An agreement is made that will change both of them forever. This is a great romantic story with strong erotic elements. A definite good one for Valentine’s Day!
Caged In Winter By Brighton Walsh
New Adult is one of my favourite genres to read, and I stayed up so late reading this book because I just really liked the story. Winter has spent the majority of her life relying only on herself, and she likes it that way. But when she meets aspiring chef Cade she begins to drop her defenses. But with graduation right around the corner, can Winter afford to lose focus, even if Cade could change her life?
True By Erin McCarthy
I have the entire ‘True’ series by Erin McCarthy sitting on my bookshelf, but I haven’t had a chance to read it yet, so I’m going to give you the Goodreads summary;
When Rory Macintosh’s roommates find out that their studious and shy friend has never been with a guy, they decide that, as an act of kindness they’ll help her lose her virginity by hiring confident, tattooed bad boy Tyler Mann to do the job…unbeknownst to Rory.
Tyler knows he’s not good enough for Rory. She’s smart, doctor smart, while he’s barely scraping by at his EMT program, hoping to pull his younger brothers out of the hell their druggy mother has left them in. But he can’t resist taking up her roommates on an opportunity to get to know her better. There’s something about her honesty that keeps him coming back when he knows he shouldn’t…
Torn between common sense and desire, the two find themselves caught up in a passionate relationship. But when Tyler’s broken family threatens to destroy his future, and hers, Rory will need to decide whether to cut her ties to his risky world or follow her heart, no matter what the cost…
Gabriel’s Inferno By Sylvain Reynard
Another book series that has been sitting on my bookshelf is the Gabriel series by Sylvain Reynard. After reading some reviews on Goodreads it seems that people either love this series or hate it, but after reading Reynard’s The Raven and enjoying it, I’m looking forward to giving this one a read. Here’s the Goodreads summary.
Enigmatic and sexy, Professor Gabriel Emerson is a well respected Dante specialist by day, but by night he devotes himself to an uninhibited life of pleasure. He uses his notorious good looks and sophisticated charm to gratify his every whim, but is secretly tortured by his dark past and consumed by the profound belief that he is beyond all hope of redemption.
When the sweet and innocent Julia Mitchell enrolls as his graduate student, his attraction and mysterious connection to her not only jeopardizes his career, but sends him on a journey in which his past and his present collide.
An intriguing and sinful exploration of seduction, forbidden love and redemption, “Gabriel’s Inferno” is a captivating and wildly passionate tale of one man’s escape from his own personal hell as he tries to earn the impossible…forgiveness and love.
Beautiful Disaster By Jamie McGuire
The very good Abby Abernathy heads off to college where she meets the very bad Travis Maddox. Sparks fly and before she knows it Abby is agreeing to a bet that could see her having to stay in Travis’s apartment for a month. This love story is a bit cliche’d (aren’t they all) but it still gives you enough to hook you and stay invested in the story. I didn’t feel the same about the follow up book, Walking Disaster, but I did really enjoy Beautiful Disaster. Another really great New Adult book to add to your ‘must read’ pile.
Sweet Filthy Boy By Christina Lauren
This one also sits on my bookshelf waiting to be read (I am a very busy woman and have to space out my book obsessions so I can actually get other stuff done), but it comes highly recommended.
Here’s the Goodreads summary;
One-night stands are supposed to be with someone convenient, or wickedly persuasive, or regrettable. They aren’t supposed to be with someone like him.
But after a crazy Vegas weekend celebrating her college graduation—and terrified of the future path she knows is a cop-out—Mia Holland makes the wildest decision of her life: follow Ansel Guillaume—her sweet, filthy fling—to France for the summer and just…play.
When feelings begin to develop behind the provocative roles they take on, and their temporary masquerade adventures begin to feel real, Mia will have to decide if she belongs in the life she left because it was all wrong, or in the strange new one that seems worlds away.
Tangled By Emma Chase
In one of my not so brightest moments I actually read the 4th book in the Tangled series first, not realizing when it was sent to me that there were a few books to read before it. It’s fine though, because like with Breaking Bad, when the first episode I ever watched was the series finale, spoilers don’t really bother me. The Tangled series is fun because it’s written from the man’s perspective, which is so different from most romance books out there.
Hopeless By Colleen Hoover
Full confession, I am a Colleen Hoover fan girl. Honestly, everything she writes is just so damn good! Hopeless is a book I read about year or so ago but I still swoon when I think about it. It’s New Adult and very heavy on the angst but it was one of those books that just grabbed me and hooked me and kept me breathless throughout. If you love a great romance then pick a Colleen Hoover book – any Colleen Hoover book, and prepare to become obsessed!
S.E.C.R.E.T By L. Marie Adeline
The S.E.C.R.E.T series, written by Canadian author L. Marie Adeline, is a smart and sexy series of books that focuses on what would happen when a young woman is given the opportunity to live out her sexual fantasies without judgement. Cassie, the young woman in question, realizes an entirely new world when she lets herself go and puts her most intimate trust in the hands of strangers. The entire series is worth a read.
Classic Sugar Cookie Recipe – Perfect for Valentine’s Day