Erotic fiction has a bad reputation and is downright unfair. the fact that a literary work can be sexually arousing does not inherently make it less than. even “obscene” shouldn’t have such a negative connotation. Don’t let bad eggs like Fifty Shades of Gray (despite their growing popularity) keep you from the sumptuous and diverse world of romance. there are a lot of *really* good erotic novels and romance novels out there, and some of them are so good that they made it to your screens too. I mean, did you see Bridgerton?
Maybe you’re someone who’s looking to give erotic romance novels a try. maybe you already have a collection of paperbacks proudly displayed and are looking for new recommendations. Whatever the case may be, we’ve rounded up some of the best erotic novels of all time for your ~reading pleasure~, and we’ll warn you now: they’re truly gripping. From Regency-era romances to sultry contemporary adventures, these are all the sexy books you should add to your reading list (and maybe avoid reading in public). enjoy!!
You are reading: Best romance erotica books
contemporary erotic novels
praise of sara cate
Praise is the first book in the Lewd Players Club series and will have you hooked from the first page. He meets Charlotte and Emerson as they begin to explore a relationship in which one finally gets what they wanted and the other discovers something about themselves they never knew before. the title alone should give you a big clue as to what to expect.
beautiful bastard christina lauren
Before they became a household name under Christina Lauren, our favorite writing duo released this story as fanfiction and readers have been obsessed ever since. Not only is this another twilight fanfic that has wowed readers, but it might just be christina lauren’s hottest book yet.
saw priest simone
If you find yourself drooling over the hot priest in a flea bag, then you definitely have to pick this title. What happens when a priest breaks his vow of celibacy? you’ll have to read to find out.
the mindf*ck series from s.t. abby
Not only did this series introduce us to one of the most incredible pseudonyms to ever exist (just replay it a few times in your head), but it also gave us an interesting new story that will literally live up to its name. she is a serial killer and he is an fbi agent who is trying to find her. Fortunately, all five books are now available in an anthology that she won’t be able to put down.
games we play by dana isaly
There’s a reason this book became a #booktok sensation. it’s very, very gripping from the start, and trust me, you’ll want to read some of these scenes over and over again.
seven days of june by aunt williams
When a best-selling erotica author and a reclusive, award-winning novelist cross paths at a New York City literary event, their chemistry is instant…and only in part because the two had a steamy week-long fling. 15 years before. . their reunion? even hotter.
alisha rai’s right blow
A swipe right finds two rival dating app makers facing off in the boardroom, but against each other in the bedroom. If you’re looking for an edgy, modern romance with crisp dialogue, look no further.
while dating for jasmine guillory
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While dating, an actress looking to be the next big thing in Hollywood and an advertising executive with a flirtatious side unexpectedly fall in love, and their romance goes far beyond physical attraction.
the quotient kiss by helen hoang
This swoon-worthy romance tells the story of Stella, an economist on the spectrum, and the male escort she recruits to give her some sexual experience. Although escort Michael tries to keep his and Stella’s relationship as professional as possible, it’s not long before these two begin to fall in love.
night shift: an erotic fantasy of joanna angel’s own choice
if you want to choose your own adventure but with ~sexploration~, then this is the book for you. Adult film actress, director, and author Joanna Angel dreamed up this witty story about college graduate Taryn, a young woman who works the starting shift at a Central Florida sex shop, and her night gets as wild as you want.
recount erotic novels
neon gods by katee robert
let’s be honest here, hades and persephone are definitely having their big time in the world of books right now. And we can’t get enough of katee robert’s neon gods, bringing our favorite couple to life in a new way that will make you feel as hot as the underworld.
erotic science fiction novels
ice planet barbarians by ruby dixon
Listen, you knew this was going to be here. Ruby Dixon’s 22-part series about blue aliens abducting women and taking them back to their planet has been a monstrous success and has taken the book world by storm. so much so, that the series has recently been republished with a new special cover so you won’t feel too embarrassed when you take it with you for a hot day at the beach.
classic erotic novels
emmanuelle by emmanuelle arsan
Told from the perspective of a young bisexual French woman 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 for women and men everywhere, from her overnight flight to a squash court to an opium den. .
the thorny birds by colleen mcullough
Get this book ASAP if you’re turned on by sweeping soap opera-style romance…or wondering why this book, later adapted into one of the top-rated 1980s TV miniseries, had your moms and grandmas all in an uproar.
lady chatterley’s lover by d. h. lorenzo
Although now considered a masterpiece, this steamy love story, revolving around an extramarital affair between an unhappy woman married to an aristocrat and a gamekeeper, was banned as pornography until 1960. Be sure to read it before you be made into a movie starring emma corrin.
story of o by pauline réage
Published in 1954 by French author Anne Desclos under the pseudonym Pauline Réage, the story of O tells the story of a Parisian fashion photographer who wants nothing more than to give sexual satisfaction to her lover, René, and phew, it’s hot !!
a sport and a pastime by james salter
Considered one of the sexiest books of all time, James Salter’s classic takes place in the province of France in the 1960s, following the wildly carnal love story between a carefree Yale dropout and a young woman. French.
historical erotic novels
an extraordinary union by alyssa cole
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Set against the backdrop of civil war, alyssa cole’s suspenseful (and uber-sexy) novel follows two undercover operatives who share a common cause…as well as plenty of bedroom chemistry.
tipping the velvet by sarah waters
sarah waters first novel takes place in late 19th century england and tells the story of a young inexperienced oyster who falls in love with music hall phenomenon and famous impersonator kitty butler, eventually following her to london . get ready for cunnilingus euphemisms galore.
a night to surrender for tessa dare
everything tessa dare writes is sexy, but the first book in her spindle cove series is extremely sexy, following a wounded war hero eager to prove himself and his unexpected encounter with a strong-willed spinster.
ellis avery’s last nude
Inspired by the life of artist Tamara de Lempicka, The Last Nude takes place in Paris in 1927 and follows the love story between a young Italian-American runaway named Rafaela and a wealthy aspiring painter, who convinces Rafaela to be your muse.
the other boleyn girl by philippa gregory
Loosely based on the life of 16th century aristocrat Mary Boleyn, this definitely not historically accurate historical novel tells the story of how Mary fell in love with King Henry VIII before her ill-fated marriage to Queen Catherine…and before de fell in love with and murdered her sister, anne.
erotic novels with film and television adaptations
normal people by sally rooney
If you haven’t read the book that inspired the incredibly horny hulu series, then you should. Normal People follows the tumultuous romance between Connell and Marianne, two Irish students who fight, fail to communicate, and have a lot of sex between their senior year in high school and their senior year at Trinity College.
call me by your andré aciman name
You’ll love this book if you loved the movie adaptation, ofc, and want to see how aciman originally wrote that peach scene. but also, you’ll love it if you were ever a teenager with a massive, confusing crush on someone who would definitely leave you at the end of the summer, making every touch of theirs intense and explosive.
audrey niffenegger’s time traveler’s wife
This romance follows the hot and heavy marriage between an artist and her husband, who has a gene that causes him to involuntarily travel through time…which obviously complicates things. If you thought the Rachel McAdams movie was hot, just wait until this one gets the HBO treatment.
outlander by diana gabaldón
Before it became a sexy historical time travel series on Starz, Outlander was a bestselling book series by Diana Gabaldon, following the love story between a former World War II combat nurse and an 18th century Scottish highland warrior. there are eight books in the series, so these should keep you entertained for a while.
me and the duke by julia quinn
just like outlander, julia quinn’s regency erotic romance novels were a series of books before they were adapted to netflix’s smash hit bridgerton, and if you haven’t read all eight books in the series yet, what? you are waiting? ?
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