When it comes to seasons of reading, sometimes it feels like summer gets all the love. Of course we all adore a good beach read, but there is something to be said for curling up on the couch on a blustery fall or snowy winter day with a sultry romance novel to keep us warm! A good book combined with a mug of something warm on a cold day is basically our idea of heaven, especially if that book is the kind of well-written romance that totally sucks us in while also making our toes curl!
Romance novels can get a bad rap for being cheesy or poorly written, but that is so not the case anymore. There are romance novels for every kind of reader and at every kind of spice level, so we're highlighting 15 of the sultry romance novels that feature heroines we can root for, sexy scenes that might inspire us to feel a little frisky, and writing that's a pleasure to read. Our only rule: there has to be at least two scenes where things get steamy and we have to root for the main characters to find their happily ever after. Feel free to consider this a shopping list to stock up any bookshelf before winter really gets here. We guarantee that at least one of these books is sure to keep any romance fan warm this late fall and winter!
'Seven Days in June' by Tia Williams
$13.99
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We love a sexy story that features grown-up love and two characters who need to overcome real world challenges like traumatic pasts, the challenges of single parenting, and the fear of having a heart that can get re-broken when they can't deny some sizzling chemistry any more. This book from author Tia Williams has that perfect mixture of sexy scenes and a gripping plot that will keep any reader entranced.
'The Idea of You' by Robinne Lee
Anyone who has ever had a dangerously sexy thought about Harry Styles will adore The Idea of You, which chronicles a middle-aged mom's torrid love affair with a much younger rock star. It is steamy and sweet and we can't wait for the movie version to come out in 2023.
'A Court of Thorn and Roses' by Sarah J. Maas
Fans of high fantasy or supernatural plus sexy times will love the Court of Thorns and Roses series of books (currently five titles are available). Freya is a kick-butt heroine and her journey through the world of fairies and warfare takes some toe curlingly sexy turns along the way.
'The Wedding Crasher' by Mia Sosa
In the world of romance novels, there are certain tropes that have stood the test of time and the "pretend romance that turns into the real thing" is always a classic. Fans of that trope will certainly enjoy The Wedding Crasher by Mia Sosa, which is perfect to curl up with on a blustery fall day!
'Get a Life, Chloe Brown' by Talia Hibbert
We love a romance that has a relatable heroine, crackling dialogue, and a romance that is both totally hot and acknowledges that people can have things like stretch marks and still be super sexy. This is the first in a three part series about the Brown sisters, so fans will be happy to know they'll get to see Chloe again in future books.
'The Captive Merman's Promise' by Zoey Castile
Sometimes we want a romance that is both sultry but also realistic. And sometimes we really want the sultry and are all too happy to get lost in a totally unrealistic fantasy world. For that second mood, we're intrigued by the idea of The Captive Merman's Promise, which features a sexy merman warrior who cries pearl tears … which is a sentence we've never written before! Curious? So are we!
'Villain I'd Like to F...' By Sierra Simone, et al.
There's nothing worse than picking up a book, hoping for some sexy scenes, and then finding out that there's only one kissing scene at the end. Let's just say that, when sexy scenes are what we're looking for, a book with the title Villains I'd Like to F… seems like a pretty sure thing!
'Every Summer After' by Carley Fortune
While this book largely takes place in the summertime, we still think this is a perfect fall read. This story, which details a long burning romance and a brutal heartbreak, has more than one juicy scene between two characters readers will really root for.
'Bringing Down the Duke' by Evie Dunmore
Bringing Down the Duke is the absolutely charming first book in the A League of Extraordinary Women series and it is catnip for readers who love a feminist heroine, a grouchy but sexy duke, and some seriously steamy moments along the way to happily ever after.
'Red, White & Royal Blue' by Casey McQuiston
A romance between the Prince of Wales and the son of the US president? Yes, please! This book about two internationally famous sons is an opposites attract romance that is funny, sweet, and sexy. This is one we keep hoping will get turned into a movie some day!
'The Kiss Quotient' by Helen Hoang
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang is the steamy story of a woman named Stella who is on the autism spectrum who hires a sex worker to help her figure out how to enjoy sex. And, no spoilers here, let's just say that it really, really works out for her.
'Dark Lover' by JR Ward
Look, is there any chance we'd have a list of sultry fall reads that doesn't include some sexy vampires? Um, no. Dark Lover is book No. 1 in a 21-book series, so readers who love it will be pleased to learn that there are so many more hot vampire dudes to read about!
'A Discovery of Witches' by Deborah Harkness
A Discovery of Witches is one of those books that we can just fall into and accidently end up reading all weekend long. The story of an academic who happens to be a witch and a vampire who happens to be handsome, powerful, and wealthy is so good. Sadly, in our opinion, the television version of this series isn't quite as good as the books.
'Follow Me Darkly' by Helen Hardt
Follow Me Darkly is the first book in the Follow Me series and it is an intriguing choice for readers who are curious about the BDSM featured in the 50 Shades books, but who were put off by the less-than-stellar writing found in those reads (hey, no shade, we know most people weren't reading those books for the prose!).
'The Wedding Date' by Jasmine Guillory
Some romance readers love a story with a power differential (see: all those books where the hero is a billionaire), but for fans of love between equals, The Wedding Date is a sparkling story of a career woman and a doctor whose fake date turns into something more. This one is sweet, but with enough heat to make it interesting!
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