Romance Books That Will Get You On the “Naughty List” This Year
If you’re looking to spice up your reading list this winter, here are some books that are for sure to get you put on Santa’s Naughty List. I wonder what sort of presents those of us on that list get…something tells me it isn’t coal. Hopefully you’ll find a few of these in your stocking!
Devil’s Daughter by Lisa Kleypas
You can pretty well count on Lisa Kleypas to deliver the spice, but she delivers and then some in this one. You can’t really go wrong with the Wallflowers or the Ravenels, but when the Wallflowers MEET the Ravenels, we get some of my favorite books I’ve ever read. Phoebe is a beautiful widow and West is a reformed wastrel. But whether he’s pleasuring her on the floor of a library or she’s going down on him in a conservatory, the physical element of this relationship is certainly major. So if the naughty list is your destination, this is the bullet train. Oh, and there’s a scene in a chair that still gives me the best kind of shivers. Still, though, this isn’t just about sex and delivers one of my favorite, redemptive romances that brings together two people on equal footing who are so perfectly compatible, and makes for one of my favorite heroes of all time. This is a great read all around.
Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage
by Jennifer Ashley
When I got back into romance novels, I went full Julia Quinn; it was Jennifer Ashley that opened me up to the wider world of romance. And the extremely sexy world of romance. The entire Mackenzie series I absolutely recommend, but my personal favorite, and the one I think is certainly the sexiest, is the story of Mac and Isabella. It’s no secret I love longing, and the mutual longing in this is palpable. The teasing, whether is clotted cream Isabella is dripping onto Mac’s you-know-what, or Mac pleasuring Isabella in the bath until she basically implodes, is superb. But the emotion between these two is top notch as well. So not only do they deliver so much sexy tension, and sexual completion, that you’ll be left breathless, they do it as one of the sweetest and most beautifully vulnerable couples I’ve ever read.
Twisted Games by Ana Huang
A beautiful, independent princess. A sexy, stoic bodyguard. What could possibly go wrong?
Lots, honestly, but it’s delicious to watch it all go down in flames, and of course, get built back up again because even in dark romances, it’s HEA guaranteed. This is the least “dark” of Ana Huang’s series that’s probably all over your TikTok FYP at this point, but it definitely doesn’t miss on the spice. From him going down on her while she sits on a throne to his “crawl to me” instructions, Rhys is hot enough to melt you even in the depths of winter. Bridget and Rhys deliver a fabulous love story with all the steaminess you could ever want. Then, for good measure, read the rest of the series, and King of Wrath too. Ana Huang can write a brooding man who can control his woman in the best way in the bedroom.
Brazen and the Beast by Sarah MacLean
I would recommend basically everything by Sarah MacLean, but this one stands out in my mind for a few reasons, and a few scenes. I love a tall, heavyset heroine with a man who gets on his knees for her. Literally. There is something very sexy about a big, brooding man who has something up his sleeve for Hattie, for the woman he sees the value in like no one else. From Hattie trying to rid herself of her virginity for her twenty-ninth birthday and “Beast” deciding he will be the one to do that, all the way through her being crowned a Covent Garden Queen, these two spark and sparkle. Honestly, the whole Bareknuckle Bastard series is one that is not to be missed, especially if you’re trying to spice up your holiday season. Plus, with some pretty discrete covers, this is definitely one you could sneak with you to whatever family event you’re visiting. Shh… ;)
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Naughty in all the best ways, this enemies-to-lovers stories of the President’s son and a prince of England falling into glorious, messy, history-changing love is one of my favorites of all time. It’s beautiful in the telling, a love story for the ages, with a sexiness that is deeply sensual, erotic, and adorable. Henry and Alex are one of my favorite couples in all of literary history, from their dirty emails with historical quotes to their reckless abandon of young love and the international incidents they manage to cause. The absolute earnestness of their encounters will restore your faith in humanity, and the chaotic adoration of each other that comes out in messy blow jobs, desperate closet sex, and steamy hotel room encounters. And through it all, one of the most spectacular loves I’ve ever read. I think Alex in particular would be a proud member of the naughty list, and suggest joining him and Henry there ASAP.
Falling Into Bed with a Duke
by Lorraine Heath
Lorraine Heath is another who consistently delivers both in the spice department (though it doesn’t make me fall over like some on this list, it’s still delicious). This one has a lot of psychological sexiness. The two meet behind a mask, falling for each other without knowing who they truly are. The Duke of Ashebury also has an unique desire: photographing the beautiful legs of women. So Minerva, who shows up as Lady V, lets him photograph her. In the daylight, when they meet, sparks are still there, but there’s some confusion about their true identities. Ash thinks he’s likely falling for the same woman both in the mask and outside of it, and it makes for a fun, sexy set of encounters that leave you breathless. Ash also has an interesting backstory that lends some tragedy to his role of tragic hero, and Minerva taking control of her own desires and sexuality is welcome. They make for a delicious story together.
His Grace, The Duke by Emily Rath
This book is preceded by Beautiful Things, one I would argue is a must read before you get into this one because it sets up everything, and has it’s fair share of steamy moments as well. But really, it’s book two that cranks up the steam meter in this “why choose” or “reverse harem” romance. Three friends, Burke, Tom, and James, fall for the same woman, Rosalie, who falls for them in return. And, while they’re at it, then men fall for each other and acknowledge the love that has been there basically all along. From a blindfolded and bound Rosalie presented like a very willing present to a best friend down on his knees for the man he’s loved all along, this book drips with sexuality and love. And the way the four of them so clearly belong together and to each other is a remarkably beautiful thing. This is definitely one to get you on the naughty list for all the right reasons.
Verity by Colleen Hoover
Colleen Hoover has been the recent darling of BookTok and Bookstagram, and it’s no wonder. Her stories are addicting and sexy at once, and this one in particular is disturbing as well. It’s complex and fascinating, but Jeremy Crawford makes for one the hottest heroes with a dark cloud hanging over him I’ve ever experienced. It’s unique as we get to experience him in several different ways, and with the main character, Lowen, getting to know him in an exceptionally complex time in his life, it makes for a compelling story. But whether he’s shirtless and destroying a dock or making a birthday cake, Jeremy certainly delivers in the fantasy department. And then, of course, from the teeth marks in the headboard, you know the execution is as good as the fantasy. This book is a mind eff for sure, but it certainly has the spice and the storytelling to make it well worth it.
Patience by Lisa Valdez
He leaves her tied to his bed to go play poker. He teaches her (and us, apparently, since I didn’t know this) that there are different terms for giving oral depending on who moves. He plays the cello. He ties her up and shows her safety in that, teaches her the titular value of patience in every way. Frankly, this book is almost wall-to-wall sex, and it certainly delivers on the steaminess in every way. It’s a very BDSM-y book, so if that’s your area, this is a great place to go. It is an at times uncomfortably horny book because there are some weird turn ons and no small bit of possessiveness, but it isn’t nearly as problematic as something like 50 Shades. But it works well for the story and comes out with an extremely sexy, very genuine story that will get you wanting to be on the naughty list in hopes that it’s Matthew who punishes you.