I recently found the She Reads Romance Books blog and it looks like a fun place to get a bunch of romance recommendations. She even has quizzes that will help you find your next book.
I took the book boyfriend quiz and got the erotic book boyfriend. See why this is the spicy version? Instead of giving me one book, I got a whole list called “Best Erotic Romance Novels for the Virgin Erotic Romance Reader.” What’s funny about this is that it’s supposed to be for people just trying out the genre, but some of these books even had me thinking this is way too much sex. I felt like she could have definitely recommended some lighter ones, but they were her favorites. I liked that the list is in categories, so she has her favorite historical or BDSM.
I did not read all of them and mostly because I couldn’t find them at the library.
Club:
Wicked Envy by Sawyer Bennett – Three best friends that work together decide to try out a “club.” I’ve never read a threesome like this where not all three are romantically involved. Only two of them are actually into each other, which was a nice take. I liked it more after they weren’t going to the club as much. There was also some good groveling at the end.
Rating: 3.5 apartments
Bedroom Fantasy:
Pillow Talk by Maya Banks – A couple starts to make their fantasies come true. I don’t think I really like reverse harem or maybe it’s that I need to read them occasionally, because I had just read one before this and it was just too much.
Their fantasies were odd, like it was all about them being with other people instead of with each other. Watching your partner with someone else doesn’t seem that fun to me. But if they were imagining the roommates, I guess it makes sense? The end took a quick turn and threw me. There was chemistry, but I still wasn’t expecting it.
Rating: 2.5 broken down vehicles
Historical:
The Duke I Tempted by Scarlett Peckham – Poppy is a botanist and is hired to design a garden in the ballroom for Westmead who needs an heir. I was pleasantly surprised that this was a lighter erotic romance. I think I needed it after the last two. This was definitely more what I thought would be on the list, especially since the list is for beginners. I liked it and there were times when I didn’t want to put it down. I did end up staying up late to finish it. I thought it was well written and entertaining. I liked that Poppy didn’t just take things, but stood up for herself. It would have been 4 stars, but I did get tired of them getting mad each other for not communicating.
Rating: 3.5 plants
Escort:
Escorted by Claire Kent – Lori hires an escort to take her virginity, but we end up following them grow their relationship. I wasn’t sure that I liked it, but then there were some scenes outside the bedroom, and he seemed to have a jealous moment which I love.
I also liked that there are hints of him falling for her and that she might, but it’s not blatant. While reading, I thought it would be great to read Ander’s perspective. I think there is another book with his perspective, but I think it’s kind of like a sequel/continuation.
Rating: 3.5 ice cream cones
Exhibitionist:
Beautiful Stranger by Christina Lauren – If you like Christina Lauren, I will say that this is very different from what they write now. I do like their recent books more than this series.
Sara’s ex cheated on her, so she escapes to New York and meets Max where a one-time thing turns into more than one night. I liked Max and that he was known as a guy that gets around, but ends up falling for the heroine. He has some vulnerability show later that’s nice to see in a guy like him.
Rating: 3 mirrors
BDSM:
Three Hard Lessons by Nikki Sloane – Payton works at a BDSM club and Dom comes in one night and is awkward and isn’t really into it, but he was told to show up to “relax.” He falls for Payton and asks her to come to Japan because that’s where he is living for another year for work. Payton is anti-love, but goes to Japan with him anyway. I didn’t have very many thoughts about this, but there were a few ridiculous moments, like doing something on command.
Rating: 3 flights to Japan
In conclusion, the question is do I like erotic romance? I think I do in small quantities, but most of them I just give three stars, which is a “like”, but none have made me think they were amazing. Erotic romance is when sex contributes to the storyline and I think most books that I have loved, I would still like if they were closed door. I don’t know how to get my thoughts across because I’m still confused as well to what books count as this and I think some books blur the lines.
See Girl Read 