Heavy showers outside, a warm cup of tea, and some cuddles with your partner indoors. It sounds like a perfect weekend plan to stay in, that is, if you have someone special. But for those of us who sail solo in this overly romanticised weather, the best source of comfort comes from the fictional valley. Some like to binge-watch rom-coms, whereas a lot of us turn to books. And I won’t be lying if I say that the love of my life is a man on paper (books).
One might argue that a fictional character can’t work the magic the ones on Tinder could! But in this case, words can speak louder than actions. Erotic and steamy plots on a two-dimensional page can leave more to the imagination. You can conjure images of a man whose skilful hands and warm breath seem more promising than the guy stuck in your message requests.
Erotic books let you live that little fantasy for a few hours, taking you on a ride from angst-filled romances to gripping plotlines. And it’s quite fair to say that a well-worded quote or action by the main character can leave you with plenty of thoughts long after you’ve shut the book. So, have I convinced you? Are you open to giving this genre a chance? Scroll down for some titles that have pulled me through the rains:
1. Playing with Fire by Ria Wilde
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This spicy novel serves everything you expect from the enemies-to-lovers trope. The story follows Malakai, a ruthless, morally grey man who needs to marry to solidify his empire and set his sights on the female lead, Olivia Lauder. While it’s a business arrangement, he slowly becomes obsessed with his wife. Olivia is a strong spitfire of a heroine who makes it her mission to make her new husband’s life a nightmare.
2. The Temporary Wife by Catharina Maura
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Catharina’s book revolves around Luca Windsor, a billionaire who finds himself in an unpleasant engagement planned by his family. When his assistant, Valentina, quits her work, he sees it as an opportunity to solve both of his concerns. He proposes a secret marriage to Valentina with the same old cliche rules of “don’t fall in love,” “keep the marriage a secret at work”, and “don’t share a bed at night.”
This marriage is intended to be short-term, with Luca trying to fulfil his family’s aspirations and Valentina seeking financial security. But as they say, things never work the way they want. As time passes, Luca realises that Valentina is looking for more than simply a business agreement.
3. King Of Sloth by Ana Huang
Ana Huang is one of the most popular writers on Bookstagram, and this is the fourth book in her Kings of Sin series. The plot revolves around Xavier Castillo, a wealthy but carefree billionaire, and Sloane Kensington, his dedicated and misunderstood publicist. The story captures their evolving relationship as they deal with personal challenges and explore the possibility of change and love. This book blends themes of personal growth and romance, ideal for readers looking for stories about overcoming personal demons through love with a dash of spice.
4. Stand and Defend by Sloane St. James
If you love sports and romance, this one’s for you. The book shares the story of Jordan, whose world comes crashing down when she discovers her fiance has been cheating on her with none other than her maid of honour. Heartbroken and feeling betrayed, she decides to call off the wedding.
Amid her turmoil, Jordan finds unexpected solace in the company of Camden, her ex-fiance’s best friend. Camden is known as a charming hockey player with a reputation as a playboy, but he surprises everyone by being the rock Jordan desperately needs. Seeing her hurt, he opens his home to her, providing a safe haven from the chaos of her shattered relationship. As Jordan and Camden spend more time together, their chemistry grows until they give in to the temptation.
5. Charming Deception by Jaine Diamond
This story revolves around another fake fiancé drama, but we aren’t complaining! It deliciously follows an introverted writer, Megan, who is planning to restart her life. But she finds herself in a fake engagement with Jameson Vance, her brother’s best friend, who is charming and enigmatic.
Though their arrangement is meant to be a facade to please Jameson’s family, an undeniable attraction blurs the lines between what’s real and what’s not. The book’s narration is filled with twists and turns, which add elements of suspense, keeping you hooked from start to finish. It’s a delightful blend of passion and intrigue, a must-read for anyone who loves a steamy, heartfelt romance with a touch of mystery.
Also Read: 6 Swoon-Worthy Desi Romance Books That Are A Must-Read This Monsoon
