No surprise here. Easily one of my favorite genres is romance and I have a lot to unpack. For this particular edition we're going to be sticking to contemporary romance books opposed to fantasy/sci- fi. (If that's what you're looking for check out Kindle Unlimited Recommendations: Sci-Fi Romance Edition and Kindle Unlimited: Fantasy Romance Edition)
Most of these recommendations are intended for audiences 18+ so keep that in mind (it's called spicy for a reason)! I personally find myself favoring books that keep a healthy balance between smut and romance with plot and world building. Books that are smut overload I find overwhelming and boring at points. With that being said, here are a handful of novel that are SPICYYY yet maintain crucial plot elements.
The Sweetest Oblivion by Danielle Lori
She’s a romantic at heart, living in the most unromantic of worlds . . .
Nicknamed Sweet Abelli for her docile nature, Elena smiles on cue and has a charming response for everything. She’s the favored daughter, the perfect mafia principessa . . . or was. Now, all she can see in the mirror’s reflection is blood staining her hands like crimson paint.
They say first impressions are everything . . .
In the murky waters of New York’s underworld, Elena’s sister is arranged to marry Nicolas Russo. A made man, a boss, a cheat—even measured against mafia standards. His reputation stretches far and wide and is darker than his black suits and ties.
After his and Elena’s first encounter ends with an accidental glare on her part, she realizes he’s just as rude as he is handsome. She doesn’t like the man or anything he stands for, though that doesn’t stop her heart from pattering like rain against glass when he’s near, nor the shiver that ghosts down her spine at the sound of his voice.
And he’s always near.
Telling her what to do.
Making her feel hotter than any future brother-in-law should.
Elena may be the Sweet Abelli on the outside, but she’s beginning to learn she has a taste for the darkness, for rough hands, cigarettes, and whiskey-colored eyes.
Having already escaped one scandal, however, she can hardly afford to be swept up in another. Besides, even if he were hers, everyone knows you don’t fall in love with a Made Man . . . right?
SPICE RATING: 4/5
Highly recommend this trilogy for all things mafia lovers as well as lovers of possessive alpha males. Entertaining series and as much as I liked the first book, the second and third blow it out of the water.
Flock by Kate Stewart
Can you keep a secret?
I grew up sick.
Let me clarify.
I grew up believing that real love stories include a martyr or demand great sacrifice to be worthy.
Because of that, I believed it, because I made myself believe it, and I bred the most masochistic of romantic hearts, which resulted in my illness.
When I lived this story, my own twisted fairy tale, it was unbeknownst to me at the time because I was young and naïve. I gave into temptation and fed the beating beast, which grew thirstier with every slash, every strike, every blow.
Triple Falls wasn’t at all what it seemed, nor were the men that swept me under their wing. But in order to keep them, I had to be in on their secrets.
Secrets that cost us everything to keep.
That’s the novelty of fiction versus reality. You can’t re-live your own love story, because by the time you’ve realized you’re living it, it’s over. At least that was the case for me and the men I trusted my foolish heart to.
Looking back, I’m convinced I willed my story into existence due to my illness.
And all were punished.
SPICE RATING: 4/5
This book was very interesting and twisted. It explores love, heartbreak, trauma, and I didn't expect a reverse harem part. While I recommend this book for people looking for an emotional, romantic rollercoaster, I personally made the decison not to continue with the rest of trilogy. However, that doesn't take away from the fact this book is heavy on the smut while also not being too overwhelming.
Corrupt by Penelope Douglas
From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Douglas comes a new dark romance...Erika I was told that dreams were our heart’s desires. My nightmares, however, became my obsession. His name is Michael Crist. My boyfriend’s older brother is like that scary movie that you peek through your hand to watch. He's handsome, strong, and completely terrifying. The star of his college’s basketball team and now gone pro, he’s more concerned with the dirt on his shoe than me. But I noticed him. I saw him. I heard him. The things that he did, and the deeds that he hid…For years, I bit my nails, unable to look away. Now, I’ve graduated high school and moved on to college, but I haven’t stopped watching Michael. He’s bad, and the dirt I’ve seen isn’t content to stay in my head anymore. Because he’s finally noticed me. Michael Her name is Erika Fane, but everyone calls her Rika.My brother’s girlfriend grew up hanging around my house and is always at our dinner table. She looks down when I enter a room and stills when I am close. I can always feel the fear rolling off of her, and while I haven’t had her body, I know that I have her mind. That’s all I really want anyway. Until my brother leaves for the military, and I find Rika alone at college. In my city. Unprotected. The opportunity is too good to be true, as well as the timing. Because you see, three years ago she put a few of my high school friends in prison, and now they’re out. We’ve waited. We’ve been patient. And now every last one of her nightmares will come true.
SPICE RATING: 4.5/5
Penelope Douglas... the queen of writing smut. Cannot recommend this author enough if you're looking for toxic yet consuming romance. Douglas knocks it out of the ballpark. Corrupt is easily one of my favorite series because it follows a friend group of 4 *HOT* men coined "The Horsemen". I ate up this series in less than 2 weeks.
Vicious by L.J. Shen
Emilia
They say love and hate are the same feelings experienced under different circumstances, and it’s true.
The man who comes to me in my dreams also haunts me in my nightmares.
He is a brilliant lawyer.
A skilled criminal.
A beautiful liar.
A bully and a savior, a monster and a lover.
Ten years ago, he made me run away from the small town where we lived. Now, he came for me in New York, and he isn’t leaving until he takes me with him.
Vicious
She is a starving artist.
Pretty and evasive like cherry blossom.
Ten years ago, she barged into my life unannounced and turned everything upside down.
She paid the price.
Emilia LeBlanc is completely off-limits, my best friend’s ex-girlfriend. The woman who knows my darkest secret, and the daughter of the cheap Help we hired to take care of our estate.
That should deter me from chasing her, but it doesn’t.
So she hates me. Big fucking deal.
She better get used to me.
SPICE RATING 4/5
Looking for a dark, twisted yet rewarding and sweet? Yeah, look no further. I had mixed feelings at the beginning of this book but it inevitably drew me in and I ended up enjoying it immensely. The topics in this book aren't for everyone but if you like Penelope Douglas books, you'll like this one.
The Stopover by TL Swan
A memorable night of passion refuses to stay just a memory in this sizzling and scandalous romance from bestselling author T L Swan.
I was upgraded to first class on a flight from London to New York.
The food, champagne, and service were impeccable.
The blue-eyed man sitting next to me, even better.
He was suave and intelligent.
We talked and laughed, and something clicked.
Fate took over and the plane was grounded, and we had an unexpected stopover for the night.
With no plans, we made our own.
We danced and laughed our way around Boston and had a night of crazy passion that no woman would ever forget.
That was twelve months ago, and I haven’t heard from him—until today.
I started a new job and met the CEO. You can imagine my surprise to see those naughty blue eyes dance with delight when he saw me across the mahogany desk.
But I’m not that carefree girl anymore. My life has changed, I have responsibilities.
I just got an email.
He wants to see me in his office for a private meeting at 8:00 a.m.
Naughty blue eyes have no place in the workplace.
What kind of private meeting does he have in mind?
SPICE RATING 4.5/5
If you're looking for a less dark and twisted romance, The Stopover is an easier, light read. I read it in one day and thoroughly enjoyed it. THE SECOND BOOK IN THE SERIES...... I rated 5 stars. I rarely rate a book 5 stars even more a rare a contemporary romance. If you read The Stopover and didn't love it, I beg you to please read The Takeover because two words... Tristan. Miles. That's it.
Thank you for reading!
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