Under The Covers...Chapter One
/A Romantic Romp…The Bookish Way…
Are you sitting down readers? True confession time. At the tender age of ten(ish), I would sneak my Mother’s Harlequin Romance books out of her nightstand stash when I ran out of Nancy Drew’s to read. That’s not all. When I would trot off to the library for my next installment of middle grade novels, I would take out more of them. Batting my blue eyes and smoothly claiming that they were for my mother. They were not!
When it comes to romance novels, we don’t need to wait for the books critics to weigh in, our inner critics are incessant. Many readers feel they need to keep their enjoyment of this genre secret. As if it reduces them in the eyes of others.
Many of us were weaned on stories of soulmates, happily ever after’s, epic love affairs…that is until at some point, with a few extra pounds, or a spotty complexion, our dreams of a handsome prom date and a good night kiss are quashed by the mean girl brigade.
Say what you want about the genre, but these books are overwhelmingly written by and for women, where women’s desires are given center stage. And increasingly they are inclusive, smart, savvy, and sexy! The fans of these novels are far from the stereotypical sexless spinster of our once limited imaginations. Romance novels have come a long way from the bodice ripper images of oiled up hero’s and cleavage heaving heroines.
So, allow me to cue up a stack of steamy novels fit for a ravenous binge. Ones to satisfy your insatiable appetite for whatever floats your boat, so to speak.
The bits about each of the books are going to be short and sweet. Because let’s be honest here…we likely know how this is going to play out.
Sexy Ratings:
Sizzlin’ – explicit and frequent and maybe a little dirty…
Spicy – sex happens…in detail…
Steamy – lots of foreplay and innuendo…
Sweet – the happy endings here are more of the emotional type…not so much of the other kind, if you get my meaning…
Contemporary Romance
…to satisfy all your Hallmark moments, and then some…
The Flatshare – Beth O’Leary
After a bad breakup, Tiffany needs a place to live. Desperate, she answers an ad for a flatshare that sounds perfect. Leon, a night shift worker, will take the apartment during the day and she can have it nights and weekends. It doesn’t take long for the notes that they leave each other to grow longer and more personal, finding themselves infatuated with someone they have never even met.
Tags: Opposites Attract, Witty Banter, Hopelessly Romantic
Sexy Rating: Sweet
Beach Read – Emily Henry
A romance writer who no longer believes in love and a literary writer stuck in a rut engage in a summer long challenge that is bound to upend everything they believe about happily ever after’s. She takes him on field trips worthy of any rom-com montage, and he takes her to interview surviving members of a cult. What could possibly go wrong?!
Tags: Meet Cute, Opposites Attract, Swoon Worthy
Sexy Rating: Sweet
The Wedding Date – Jasmine Guillory
Agreeing to go to a wedding with a guy she gets stuck in an elevator with isn’t something Alexa would normally do, but desperate times and all that! After they have more fun than expected they end up on a collision course of what could end up being an epic disaster of long-distance dating. Or maybe something else entirely.
Tags: Fake Relationship, Charming, Swoon Worthy
Sexy Rating: Sweet
How To Survive A Modern Day Fairytale – Elle Cruz
Claire is nothing like the poised and perfect heroines she reads about in her favourite romance novels. She’s a quirky, people pleasing bookworm with a meddlesome family. Then she meets Nate, a modern-day Prince Charming who sweeps her off her feet. Claire wishes for a fairy godmother to guide her as she worries her Cinderella glow will soon fade in Nate’s eyes.
Tags: Reimagining’s, Destined For Each Other
Sexy Rating: Sweet
The Secret Bridesmaid – Katy Birchall
Sophie works as a professional bridesmaid, hired as the bride’s right hand woman, helping to plan the perfect wedding, all while posing as a friend. Her latest job is a nightmare, the bride is an absolute diva, Sophie has a crush on her posh older brother, who is off limits, and things are about to get even more complicated. Can she juggle all of this while keeping her identity a secret and her dignity intact?
Tags: Meet Cute, Witty Banter, Engaging
Sexy Rating: Sweet
Rosaline Palmer Takes The Cake – Alexis Hall
Rosaline has scrambled for years to make ends meet and it’s all worth it when she lands a spot on the nation’s most beloved baking show. Determined to win, she soon discovers there is much that stands between her and sweet victory. On one side is Alain, suave, well-educated and parent approved and on the other is Harry, down to earth and shy. Which happy ending is right for her?
Tags: Love Triangle, Heartwarming, Witty Banter
Sexy Rating: Sweet
The Marriage Game – Sara Desai
After her life falls apart, Layla returns home to her family. Her father wants to see her smile again and decides that the best thing for that is a man. He secretly sets up an online dating profile for her and arranges a series of blind dates. When the first one comes knocking, the sparks begin to fly!
Tags: Enemies To Lovers, Witty Banter, Heartwarming
Sexy Rating: Sweet
All The Feels – Olivia Dade
Alexander has it all. Charm. Sex appeal. Wealth. Fame. And now a starring role as Cupid on TV’s biggest new show. But the showrunners have ruined his character and the future remains uncertain. When a bar fight puts him on the cusp of scandal, Lauren is hired to keep him in line. Easier said than done…
Tags: Opposites Attract, Charming, Swoon Worthy
Sexy Rating: Sweet
How To Marry Keanu Reeves In 90 Days – K.M. Jackson
I picked this up as a how to. Kidding…not kidding. When Bethany reads in the tabloids that Keanu is about to tie the knot she is devastated. Does he know that he could be missing out on his true soulmate? She convinces her BFF to go on a ride or die journey to stop the wedding!
Tags: Love Will Conquer All, Hilarious, Heartwarming
Sexy Rating: Sweet
Paranormal Romance
…a dirty mind is a terrible thing to waste…
Fated – Rebecca Zanetti (Dark Protectors Series)
This book launches an exceptional paranormal series that has as much heart as it has heat. All the brothers and friends in these books are warriors that are destined to love only one woman. Not surprisingly they must battle foes of all kinds to get their Happily Ever After. I loved that although each book is its own story, the overarching story arc develops across all the books, ensuring repeat appearances by fav characters.
Tags: Destined For Each Other, Swoon Worthy
Sexy Rating: Sizzlin’
Neon Gods – Katee Roberts
Society darling Persephone plans to flee Olympus and the backstabbing politics of the Thirteen Houses. But all that goes up in a puff of smoke when her mother ambushes her with an engagement to Zeus. In a state of desperation, she makes a devil’s bargain with, you guessed it, Hades. This is not the myth you might expect!
Tags: Opposites Attract, Reimagining’s
Sexy Rating: Spicy
The Darkest Night – Gena Showalter (Lords Of The Underworld Series)
Long ago, twelve immortal warriors, each dangerously seductive, stole and opened Pandora’s box, unleashing a slew of different evils. Now each carries one of those evils within themselves. Each installment in the series tells the story of how each warrior struggles to overcome these evil manifestation’s, which of course can be eased by the love of a good women. Alert: might leave you weak in the knees!
Tags: Reimagining’s, Mythic, Swoon Worthy
Sexy Rating: Spicy
Pleasure Unbound – Larissa Ione (Demonica Series)
Hot demons, moody vampires, sexy were’s and even angels! This series has it all with the establishing of an underworld full of purebreds and hybrids, each with their own powers. The men here are all alpha and there is not a single wallflower to be found among the women! The romance is forbidden, and the stakes are deadly.
Tags: Dark Magic, Witty Banter
Sexy Rating: Sizzlin’
When Darkness Comes – Alexandra Ivy (Guardians Of Eternity Series)
Drool-worthy vampires and werewolves are committed to protecting the world from a growing darkness in this series. Along the way each discovers their mate, all kick-ass women with their own special abilities they bring to the fight against evil. Great world building, or should I say otherworld building? With lots of romance and humour.
Tags: Soulmates, Witty Banter
Sexy Rating: Spicy
Spellbound – Allie Therin
Arthur’s life’s work is protecting the world from the supernatural relics that could destroy it. When an amulet with the power to control the tides is shipped to New York, he must intercept it before it can be used to cause devastation. Rory has long been a recluse, finding other uses for his powerful magic. As he emerges from seclusion, he finds himself forming an emotional bond with Arthur. The question is can they save the world and each other?
Tags: Destined For Each Other, Magical
Sexy Rating: Sweet
Last Wolf Standing – Rhyannon Byrd (Bloodrunners Series)
Bound to protect their world, the alpha males that populate this series don’t believe in love. They certainly don’t expect to find their perfect match in the human world. But once they have there is no turning back. Not for either of them. Short books with no shortage of sex!
Tags: Alpha Heroes, Destined For Each Other
Sexy Rating: Sizzlin’
Darkness Dawns – Dianne Duvall (Immortal Guardians Series)
The Immortal Guardians are a group of men and women that have gifts that allow them to become Guardians instead of falling prey to the virus that makes others become vampires. Each story has a different Guardian falling hopelessly in love, most often with a human. How can they ask them to forfeit the world and all they have known? The promise of everlasting passion might do the trick.
Tags: Soulmates, Witty Banter
Sexy Rating: Steamy
Not The Witch You Wed – April Asher
Magicless witch Violet wants nothing to do with alpha wolf shifter Lincoln, the man who broke her fragile, teenage heart. But when they are both forced by Supernatural law to find mates, they agree to fake it. Turns out, the jokes on them!
Tags: Fake Relationship, LOL ;)
Sexy Rating: Sweet
Romantic Suspense
…Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang…so to speak…
Surrender – Stephanie Tyler (Section 8 Series)
Section 8 is a group of highly skilled operatives that have been discharged from various branches of the military and reassigned to extremely dangerous, off the book missions. Under an umbrella of secrecy, the members and their families find themselves in danger as they discover they are the mission rather than the ones executing it. Each installment is action packed, between the sheets and otherwise!
Tags: Star-crossed Lovers, Alpha Heroes
Sexy Rating: Sizzlin’
The Darkest Hour – Maya Banks (KGI Series)
The Kelly brothers are a super elite, top secret, family run business that handles jobs that the government can’t. As well as intrigue, this series has a lot of heart. The lengths they will go to protect each other knows no bounds. They are loyal and fierce in their commitment. And you want to stay on their good side.
Tags: Love Will Conquer All, Secrets & Lies, Alpha Heroes
Sexy Rating: Spicy
Midnight Rescue – Elle Kennedy (Killer Instincts Series)
This series features a world of unforgiving mercenaries and assassins, many of whom go undercover for covert missions. All of whom naturally have only one soft spot, for their soulmate. What I love about this series is that women are featured as the alpha and that the missions are often focused on real world issues and not political or military.
Tags: Lovers In Danger, Destined For Each Other
Sexy Rating: Steamy
Danger In Numbers – Heather Graham
Amy is a Special Agent who has been summoned to the site of a ritualistic murder in a remote area of Florida. And it looks like the carnage is only just beginning as another Special Agent with a particular area of expertise is brought in. Excellent level of suspense with plenty of twists. And the added bonus of a secondary couple!
Tags: Witty Banter, Swoon Worthy
Sexy Rating: Steamy
Naked In Death – J.D. Robb (In Death Series)
A futuristic series where technology completely rules the world. Structured as police procedurals, each book has its own crime that needs to be solved. The lead characters include Eve, a detective and her better half Roarke, a billionaire with lots of secrets, not all of which he shares with his lady love. A great mix of mystery and romance with characters, both primary and secondary, that you will love.
Tags: Opposites Attract, Destined For Each Other
Sexy Rating: Spicy
Smoke In Mirrors – Jayne Ann Krentz
Meredith was a con artist and a seductress who lived fast and died young. But her final scam, embezzling more than a million dollars, is coming back to haunt Lenora, who discovers this money, along with a few other items of interest, has been stashed away offshore in her name. Her only option is to partner up with Thomas, another victim of Meredith’s scams. But can she really trust him?
Tags: Opposites Attract, Secrets & Lies
Sexy Rating: Steamy
Murder List – Julie Garwood
Before moving on to his dream FBI job, Alec must complete one last assignment as a detective: acting as a glorified bodyguard to hotel heiress Regan. She has found herself entangled in some deadly business after playing what she thought was a game; creating a list of people you thought the world would be better off without. When the first on her list turns up dead, everything in her world is turned upside down.
Tags: Forbidden Love, Swoon Worthy
Sexy Rating: Steamy
Ricochet – Sandra Brown
When Duncan is summoned to an unusual crime scene, he quickly determines that discretion is key. An influential Judge’s beloved trophy wife has fatally shot a burglar. She claims self-defense but Duncan suspects she is lying and soon finds his career in jeopardy as he investigates further. When the wife secretly reaches out to him with a shocking allegation, it changes everything.
Tags: Opposites Attract, Forbidden Love
Sexy Rating: Steamy
To Die For – Linda Howard
Blair is living a good life, she’s the owner of a thriving upscale fitness center in the prime of her life. But a shadow forms over her as a troubled member of the club develops a strange fixation on her, imitating her style and mannerisms. Things take a dark turn when the look alike is killed, and Blair finds herself hunted.
Tags: Witty Banter, Opposites Attract
Sexy Rating: Steamy
