17 Erotic Novels That Will Heat Things Up
Whether you’re someone who’s looking to give erotic romance novels a shot, or you’ve already got a collection of paperbacks proudly displayed and are looking for some new recommendations, we’re here to help.
It’s hard to believe but it’s over ten years since Fifty Shades mania first swept across the world. You couldn’t walk past a pool without seeing several copies staring back at you from the sun loungers, and if you were one of them, you’re going to love these raunchy reads for 2024.
There’s nothing quite like getting lost in a new romance book and if the likes of Bridgerton reignited your interest in erotic novels, we’ve found 17 with the best reviews to order now.
1. Bared to You by Sylvia Day
The first book in Sylvia Day’s Crossfire Saga, Bared to You, tells the story of Gideon Cross and Eva Tramell, two survivors of abuse who find love and safety in one another’s arms. Readers love how Day fully develops the characters instead of focusing on their love story’s salacious aspects.
From their first kiss to their growing love for one another, readers enjoy watching the pair develop both as a couple and as individuals. While it takes time for Gideon to admit how he feels about Eva, it’s clear that the pair are on their way to a lifelong affair.
“I waited a beat for the man to move out of my way and when he didn’t, I arched my neck back to allow my line of sight to rise. The custom three-piece suit hit more than a few of my hot buttons, but it was the tall, powerfully lean body inside it that made it sensational. Still, as impressive as all that magnificent maleness was, it wasn’t until I reached the man’s face that I went down for the count.” — Sylvia Day, Bared to You.
2. Rush by Maya Banks
Rush is a part of the Breathless Trilogy, which follows the love story of Mia and Gabe. Many readers find that Rush is similar to Fifty Shades of Grey, with BDSM themes and topics of control and power.
Throughout the novels, readers see how Gabe opens his heart to love when it comes to Mia, as he decides that being in control at all times isn’t necessary when he’s with a woman he loves. Gabe wants to share Mia with other men to prove that he doesn’t have feelings for her, but when a situation goes awry, the pair are forced to work together as a team to protect Mia’s reputation.
“Was he demanding? Hell yes, but he wasn’t selfish. He took. He was ruthless in his demands. But he gave her back so much. Not just materially but emotionally, though he’d likely deny he did any such thing.” — Maya Banks, Rush
3. Backstage Pass by Olivia Cunning
Backstage Pass follows psychologist Myrna Evans as she goes on tour with a band to study the behavior of groupies, trying to understand why so many young women fall so hard for men in rock bands. Surprisingly, she finds herself falling for one of the band members who has been struggling with creative block for months.
As Myrna gets to know the guitarist, he can suddenly write music again. He’s found his muse and doesn’t want to let her go. As an expert in attraction and relationships, Myrna finds it impossible to believe that he’s interested in more than a quick fling on tour, but he realizes he wants to stay with Myrna long-term. Readers get to watch the ups and downs of their love story on the road as they fight to figure out whether they have a connection that can stand the test of time.
“His gaze drifted up her legs and body, his face slowly tilting into view. He had features a sculptor would love: a strong jaw, pointed chin, high cheekbones. Would it be presumptuous of her to examine the contours of his face with her fingertips? Her lips? She forced her attention to her hand, which gripped his well-muscled upper arm.” — Olivia Cunning, Backstage Pass.
4. Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
When a best-selling erotica writer and a reclusive award-winning novelist cross paths at a New York City literary event, their chemistry is instantaneous…and only partially because the two had a steamy, week-long affair 15 years earlier. Their reunion? Even hotter.
5. It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
In this sexy, Schitt’s Creek-inspired rom-com, glitzy socialite Piper Bellinger is shipped out to a rural small town to man her late father’s dive bar. She couldn’t have less in common with the locals — especially rugged fisherman Brendan. But even as they clash, they can’t seem to fight their attraction…
6. While We Were Dating by Jasmine Guillory
In While We Were Dating, an actress looking to be Hollywood’s next big star and an advertising executive with a flirty side find themselves unexpectedly falling for each other, and their romance goes waaaay beyond just physical attraction.
7. You Make a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi
Legendary author Akwaeke Emezi’s latest novel is an achingly tender romance following a young bisexual artist who — five years after losing the love of her life in an accident — decides she’s ready to get back into the dating scene. However, her new relationship is made complicated by the fact that she can’t stop thinking about her boyfriend’s dad. Enter: literally all the spice and drama.
8. Dark Lover by J. R. Ward
I will just leave this description here…“Racked by a restlessness in her body that wasn’t there before, Beth Randall is helpless against the dangerously sexy man who comes to her at night with shadows in his eyes. His tales of the Brotherhood and blood frighten her. Yet his touch ignites a dawning new hunger, one that threatens to consume them both…”
9. The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty by Anne Rice
In this dark retelling of the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale, the Prince wakes Sleeping Beauty with way more than a mere kiss. Admittedly, this ’90s classic could use a lesson on consent, but the four-part series is still undeniably hot.
10. The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai
Alisha Rai’s new series will mess with your heart. The Right Swipe is only the beginning but it’s a very good beginning: the voice, the setting, the circumstances, the characters-it all fills a very perfect spot in this story. The profound story follows a powerful woman of colour that will have you smiling and weeping to the very end.
11. Fury by Laurann Dohner
Ellie makes a shocking discovery at the pharmaceutical company she works for: they’re doing illegal experiments, manipulating human and animal DNA to create new species. One of those experiments, Fury, has spent his life chained up in a cell, and Ellie finds herself wanting to save him at any cost, even though he’ll hate her for it. But once he’s free and looking for vengeance, he can’t actually bring himself to do anything to Ellie. Well, nothing deadly anyway.
12. One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
In this time travel romance, a former amateur detective named August who recently moved to New York City finds love with a rather interesting person: punk-rock lesbian Jane who’s from the 1970s and trapped on the subway, having been misplaced by time. Expect the unexpected with this one.
13. Story of O by Pauline Réage
A beautiful young French woman, known only as ‘O’, is taken by her lover René to a splendid mansion near Paris. Here, she is initiated into an elite secret society, where she must learn to serve the sexual fantasies of René and his fellow members.
14. Emmanuelle by Emmanuelle Arsan
Told from the perspective of a young bisexual Frenchwoman in 1967, the (many) erotic scenes in this one seem to unfold like a hazy dream. The language is literary, but the plot is minimal, not getting in the way of the many ways Emmanuelle explores her desire with women and men everywhere from her overnight flight to a squash court to an opium den.
15. The Lady’s Tutor by Robin Schone
Elizabeth is leading what seems to be the ideal Victorian lady life, married to the man her father chose for her. The only problem is there’s zero passion there and Elizabeth wants to feel wanted. So, she seeks out a man who can teach her to seduce her husband, but soon, she and her tutor find themselves feeling a forbidden passion for each other.
16. Night Shift by Joanna Angel
Night Shift allows readers to go on a choose-your-own-adventure reading experience, deciding how the main character should interact with all of the intense and interesting characters she meets while working as a sex shop cashier in Florida. Readers can go back and choose different options, creating a new story each time they engage with the book.
In addition to the excitement of deciding how the protagonist will go about her day, readers also enjoy watching her go from a timid young woman to an empowered powerhouse who isn’t afraid to tell anyone what she wants.
17. Gabriel’s Inferno by Sylvain Reynard
No one is truly sure who wrote Gabriel’s Inferno, a Canadian erotic novel that was published as written by Sylvian Reynard, a pseudonym for an unknown author. The book follows the story of Gabriel Emerson, a professor. Much like Fifty Shades of Grey, Gabriel’s Inferno started as Twilight fan fiction.
The series follows Gabriel as he falls in love with Julianne. The female protagonist has a difficult past that makes it hard for her to see her self-worth, and Gabriel is struggling with demons that make it feel selfish to claim Julia as his own. Readers root for the two to overcome personal obstacles and find love together.
