When Wesley turns up to coach alongside Jamie for one more hot summer at camp, Jamie has a few things to discover about his old friend… and a big one to learn about himself. The scene: Beth lets her guard down and starts dating Logan, which irritates her ex Keith (Jay R. Ferguson), who threatens to take custody of their child. Beth refuses to let Keith bully her any longer and tells him off, lighting a fire in her. She drives to Logan’s house, where he is using an outside shower to clean up after a hard day of manual labor. Beth barges in, joins Logan under the shower spray and, without saying a word, begins to work off the rush of adrenaline from owning her power. Still fully clothed, Logan gives her everything she needs, and it’s smoking hot. What makes it steamy: Humor is an important part of our lives and can have a rewarding presence in the bedroom as well. It’s also important to see sex workers as human beings capable of kindness and affection. Ryan’s constant astonishment and Shay’s joy at being a part of that moment is a lovely reminder that sweet and steamy are perfect combinations. But Lexi’s got a major hang-up over his renegade lifestyle. And if she finds out his connections could catapult her to the top of her career, he’s afraid the fantasy woman he’s falling for might just end up like all the rest.

I love Bellefleur’s writing and she did not disappoint with this second chance, friends to lovers story. The series: Ryan O’Connell stars in this semi-autobiographical dramedy about a gay man with cerebral palsy. In the series, Ryan Hayes has attempted to take control of his life and be more than his medical diagnosis as he navigates relationships, friendships and independence. Too late, Jameson discovers the American rapper is popular, raunchy and not what the Queen wanted, although he’s having an entirely different reaction. When a series of unfortunate events leaves Olivia without a place to stay, Margot offers up her spare room. She certainly didn’t expect any help from the loud jerk next door, or the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that he offers her through an arrangement where they both benefit and no one is supposed to get hurt.I loved everything about this romance book which is why it was one of my most favorite books of 2021. Lily and Randy are one of my favorite couples who seem to have an affinity for getting it on in bathrooms of all kinds. The series: In the tourist town of Cesenatico, Italy, teenager Summer Bennati (Coco Rebecca Edogamhe) begins working at a hotel where she meets Ale Alba (Ludovico Tersigni), a well-known motorcycle racer whose mother owns the hotel. Summer and Ale clash immediately but cannot deny their attraction. The two must deal with changing friendships, family troubles, jealous exes and figuring out what they really want from their lives, but it doesn’t stop them from forming a romantic attachment. Rescuing a distressed redhead in a hot costume is the last thing Hugh should be doing, especially in the car he’s just boosted.

Of course, some steamy romance books can fit the erotic romance book category like Fifty Shades of Grey and others, but not all do if that’s not your cup of tea. Out of his depth, he takes the advice of a student and signs “Duchess” for the gig who’s anxious for the good publicity.She’s all country, he’s all heavy metal—and Macy knows that if anyone can propel her out of her rut, it’s Seth. But when their worlds collide, it’s anyone’s guess if they’ll survive with their hearts intact. Zoe is used to taking care of herself and has long ago accepted that if anything bad was going to happen, it was going to happen to her. I was completely useless the day I read this steamy romance novel because I couldn’t put it down and read it in one sitting. When it comes to protective alphas, I picture Hugh. There is just something about the man otherwise why would Shay go off with a man who was just trying to steal a car but it was worth it girlfriend, wasn’t it?!

Lily LeBlanc isn’t versed in the art of keeping things casual, but after seven years in an on-again, off-again relationship, she’s definitely willing to give it a shot. Thrown together, they give in to the attraction flaring between them. But as the glare of the limelight intensifies and outside forces try to interfere, will the Prince and Duchess be a fairy tale romance for the ages or a disaster of palatial proportions? Steamy romance novels definitely have an open door look to bedroom scenes that range from the hot to the downright erotic. Ryan Wesley’s biggest regret is coaxing his very straight friend into a bet that pushed the boundaries of their relationship.

The Duke of Burgundy (IFC Films Unlimited, AMC Plus)

Rapper Danielle “Duchess” Nelson is on the verge of signing a deal that’ll make her one of the richest women in hip hop. But an incident with a rising pop star has gone viral, unfairly putting her deal in jeopardy. Eve Brown is a certified hot mess. No matter how hard she strives to do right, things always seem to go wrong. Case in point when she accidentally hits the owner of the bed and breakfast with her car, breaking his arm. In New York’s underworld, Elena Abelli’s sister is arranged to marry Nicolas Russo. A made man, a boss, a cheat. After his and Elena’s first encounter, she realizes he’s just as rude as he is handsome.

Erotica often gets labeled a "guilty pleasure," and while, I mean, yes—there are many campy books to read, some of which are on this list—there are plenty of erotic novels that overlap with genre and literary fiction. Some of these books have inspired Golden Globe-nominated shows, after all (hi, Outlander!). In other words, erotic novels are fun, they're sexy, and they can be prestigious. I mean, where else could you find hot billionaires, rugged war heroes, professors that don't mind giving you a "D" (jokes!), or actors who are just as hot on the screen as they are off? Nowhere but NSFW stories! Margot Cooper doesn’t do relationships. But when she comes face-to-face with Olivia Grant—her childhood friend, her first love, her first… well, everything, she’s not so sure about that stance. I love romance books that have fun and steamy flirting by text! Jax and Lexi might have first connected anonymously but they sure don’t waste time finding carnal knowledge of one another.

Night Shift: A Choose-Your-Own Erotic Fantasy

This is one of my all-time favorite MM romance books that is one steamy romance novel but just an overall, great friends to lovers story. He definitely shouldn’t be asking her to share one hot night with him, not when he could bring danger to her door. Finding a woman who doesn’t plan to use him as a stepping stone to success is virtually impossible, so when the mysterious Lexi offers him a chance at a totally anonymous hook-up during an out of town trip, Jax accepts. So when he discovers much to his horror that he’s thinking about his frumpy little neighbor he decides the best way to get his head straight is by working her out of his system. He’ll keep her around, but only until he finds perfection. The moment AJ Walsh sees the tattooed pixie walk up to his bar, it’s lust at first sight. He’s always been labeled the “nice” guy—opening doors, buying flowers, and never, ever having one-night stands.