Top Recommendations For 5-Star Spicy Romance Books

I adored this sweet romantic comedy. Not only does it take place in Des Moines (where I currently reside), but I could feel the tension and frustration leaping off the page between amazing banter and laugh-out-loud moments. The way the man characters slowly chip away at each other’s defences made every chapter a delight to read. 

This story starts like any other, with a donut and a winning lottery ticket. But seriously, when donut store owner Kiran goes to return Sybil’s winning lottery ticket after an amorous encounter in his bakery, the moment is mistaken for a big romantic gesture. Thus, a fake dating scheme is born. 

Kiran and Sybil couldn’t be more different, yet everyone can feel the tension simmering between them. By the end of their agreed-upon three months of fake dating, will they finally make it real, or are delicious memories all that will remain between them? 

I don’t tend to seek out romance novellas, but I love J.L. Seegars, and this second-chance romance perfectly illustrates why. 

Jaxon and Amina are childhood sweethearts. Rather, they were, until infertility tore them apart. Amina feels like she’s finally picked up the pieces of her life when her sister decides to marry Jaxon’s brother in a destination wedding. 

Jaxon has never gotten over Amina, and he’s determined to use this trip to prove they belong together. 

From the very beginning, I found myself rooting for the main characters, and their journey back together made me emotional. Watching them navigate all of the hurt and pain of their past while at a beautifully romantic resort struck the perfect balance of tension and love. 

A sapphic nod to Pride & Prejudice? Between a no-nonsense actuary and a bubbly astrologist? Sign me up! 

Darcy wants her brother to stop setting her up on blind dates, so she tells a little lie – her latest date went really well and was not at all a disaster. 

Unfortunately, her date, Elle, is now her brother’s business partner, and Darcy has to convince her to play along with her lie… During the holidays… In front of her family… What can go wrong? 

I will never tire of the opposites-attract, grumpy-meets-sunshine trope, and Bellefleur executes it flawlessly in this novel. 

Do yourself a favor and read this one as an audiobook. You’ll thank me later. This college romance book is the first in a spicy new series by dynamic duo Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone, and phew, my cheeks are still flushed from reading it. 

The story follows Maddie, a new adjunct at the university and recovering from a bad breakup, and Bram, a professor at the same university and single dad to twins and a teenager. 

What starts as an incredibly passionate one-night stand turns awkward when they realize Maddie is the new nanny. They decide it will be okay as long as they set ground rules (because we know that tends to work out so well) and as long as Bram keeps reminding himself that the age gap between the two is far too large an obstacle to overcome (sigh, men are so naive). 

As you could have guessed, this plan does not work as intended, and soon Bram is “teaching” Maddie all of the fundamentals of being a good girl… 

I love Ali Hazelwood and her books (I've read them all at least twice), and can confidently say Deep End is in the top three (along with Not in Love and Check & Mate). I think this was the first (and possibly only) sports romance book I’ve read that centers on diving and swimming, and I’m going to need more ASAP.

This story takes place on a college campus between Scarlett, a diver returning to the high dive after a season-ending injury, and Lukas, a swimming champion and recently single due to his...particular preferences in bed. 

When his ex, Scarlett’s teammate, discovers Scarlett likes the same things, she decides there’s no better idea than to set them up. For a purely physical relationship, of course. But as they get thrown together in the lab, in class, and in the bedroom, Scarlett can’t help the feelings that are growing between them. 

It wouldn’t be a complete list of spicy romance books without the hockey romance to end all hockey romances: Heated Rivalry. 

If you haven’t read or watched the TV adaptation yet, this sports romance follows opposing hockey team captains Shane and Ilya as they fight each other on the ice and then fall into bed together afterward. 

Shane and Ilya can’t keep their hands off each other, even though they know every time they’re together is another opportunity for the press to catch wind and blow up both of their lives. 

An enemies-to-lovers secret relationship for the ages, I was on the edge of my seat while reading, wanting to shake them so they would open their eyes to the love they had for one another while also cringing at the possibility of them being caught. 

I will admit I’m a little biased here because I was a beta reader for this book, but I’ve been a Lily Gold fan for many years, and this book is set in Scotland, so I was bound to love it anyway.

In this ‘Why Choose?’ romance, Summer is a fashion influencer traveling to promote a Scottish spa. But when online sentiment takes a turn for the worse, her offer is rescinded, and the only place she can find to stay on short notice is a little cabin on a sheep farm in the middle of nowhere. 

Who runs the farm, you ask? Three grumpy Highlanders, of course! They are not impressed by Summer’s sudden appearance on the farm, yet they can’t help but be drawn to the city girl lost in the country. 

Preferential Treatment takes a beloved romance trope and turns it on its head. As readers, we’re used to billionaire romance meaning an extremely wealthy man spoiling the woman he loves with purchases and experiences many of us had no idea ever existed. 

This book starts with a wealthy CEO, Mikhail, offering to wipe out the debt of his employee, Kate, in exchange for…companionship. But Kate isn’t easily bought, and her morals are too strong to bend for some man, so when she enters his bedroom as a Femdom, she decides he needs to put his money to good use by donating exorbitant amounts to various charities and nonprofits. 

The BDSM power exchange in this novel was interesting, as the prominent CEO gives over complete control to a woman who has barely clawed her way out of poverty. Even more interesting are the conversations they have about why she’d rather donate the money than have him spend it on her.