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When it comes to spicy romances, we’ve done the legwork to find you the must-reads! But adding the element of historical fiction somehow makes these books even more thigh-clenching: the air of taboo relationships, hierarchy dynamics, push-and-pull of tradition, secret affairs, repressed sexuality—oh, and lots of sex. Here are 14 steamy historical fiction romancers to stock your #TBR pile.

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If You Dare by Kresley Cole

Can he exact revenge? Can she deny her passions? Can love exist between them? When Courtland MacCarrick turns against the evil General Reynaldo Pascal, he must escape with his life and exacts revenge by kidnapping Pascal’s fiancée. Lady Annalía Tristán Llorente despises her captor, almost as much as she does Pascal. And yet, most of her fury is driven by her inexplicable attraction to the Highlander. However, she must return to Pascal or not only her death, but brother’s death as well, is inevitable. Yet, as Court discovers that there is a fiery, brave lass behind Anna’s façade, he dares to defy the curse that makes him walk with death or walk alone. Now, Pascal has vowed that he will hunt them down and he will never stop until he’s destroyed them both.

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Bombshell by Sarah MacLean

Lady Sesily Talbot has a reputation, and she loves being London’s brightest scandal. No one even notices anymore when she lures gentlemen into the dark gardens beyond Mayfair ballroom. Well, no one except Caleb Calhoun. He has spent years trying not to notice his best friend’s sister, but there is just something about the way Sesily looks at him and the way she talks to him. Plus, someone has to make sure Sesily doesn’t get into any trouble, but who is going to keep Caleb out of trouble?

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No Ordinary Duchess by Elizabeth Hoyt

Heir to the Windemere dukedom, Julian Greycourt is determined to get revenge against his uncle the duke who was responsible for his mother’s death. As he hunts for proof, he is also hiding a secret that could destroy him. A distracting, sensual woman is the last thing he needs interfering with his plans. Lady Elspeth de Moray doesn’t know why her brother and Julian fell out years ago but she can’t let Julian get in the way of her purpose–to locate an ancient family text that might be one of the Windemere Libraries. Finding it is harder than she expected and she is continually spending time with the mysterious and maddening Julian. Each encounter makes it harder and harder to stay away from her family’s greatest enemy.

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Here are 10 historical romances if you loved Bridgerton>>

In Bed with a Highlander by Maya Banks

Scottish warrior Ewan McCabe has one intended goal: to destroy his enemies. The battle is ready to be fought, and Ewan couldn’t be more prepared to reclaim what was once his. When he has no choice but to take a bride, Mairin, the illegitimate daughter of the king, he is unsure of how to handle her. With his focus on revenge, love becomes a foreign concept to Ewan. For Mairin, being a prized possession makes her wary of love and of trusting a man with her heart. As their attraction towards one another grows, will the two accept the challenges this new union brings, or will Ewan let his desires for war and bloodshed destroy his chances for salvation?

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A Week to Be Wicked by Tessa Dare

This Regency Era romance finds a British lord that is desperate to escape the quiet and small seaside resort that he’s trapped in. However, when agrees to escort a beautiful but socially awkward lady scientist to Scotland, he gets much more than he expected.

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The Duke Gets Even by Joanna Shupe

Nellie Young ruined her reputation on purpose long ago. Now she spends her time giving in to hedonistic pleasures under the moonlight. The Duke of Lockwood must marry the perfect woman, wealthy and respectable, if he wants to save his estate. He’s the perfect gentleman in public hiding his darkest desires because he can’t afford another scandal. Nellie can see through Lockwood’s facade. Though he is uptight, she can’t seem to resist him. Their secret affair is heating up far more than they expected. Lockwood must decide if his beautiful rebel is worth sacrificing everything.

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When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James

A historical romance that takes a spin on the classical and beloved tale of a beauty and a beast. Unfolding in regency England, a bad-tempered Earl has met his match with a brazen beauty who has vowed to make the handsome grump fall in love with her … in as short as two weeks.

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Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas

When an unexpected inheritance elevates her family to the ranks of the aristocracy, Amelia Hathaway discovers that tending to her younger sisters and wayward brother was easy compared to navigating the intricacies of the ton. Yet, nothing could compare her for the attraction she feels for the tall, dark, and dangerously handsome Cam Rohan. Wealthy beyond most men’s dreams, Cam has tired of society’s petty restrictions and longs to return to his “uncivilized” Gypsy roots. When the delectable Amelia appeals to him for help, he intends to offer only friendship, but intentions are no match for the desire that blindsides them both. But can a man who spurns tradition be tempted into that most time-honored arrangement of marriage?

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Duke in Darkness by Nicola Davidson

Colonel Gabriel Jordan-Ives has served his king and country. Now he lives as a poor recluse, haunted by the war, and struggling with his maimed body, until he inherits his cousin’s dukedom. Now he must leave for London and rejoin the insufferable ton in order to find a wife. Lady Lilian Nash has been punished many times for her fiery nature but she has pulled herself together into the perfect duchess-in-waiting. Now though, her family demands she marry her late fiancé’s cousin or they’ll be ruined financially. Her marriage is far from what she expected. Gabriel is both secretive and generous, and scarred but powerful. Lilian is confused as Gabriel introduces her to extreme pleasure while forbidding her from touching him. As the past haunts them and enemies threaten their present, can love save Gabriel and Lilian or will shadows surround them both? 

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Night Song by Beverly Jenkins

Cara Lee Henson has not only her job as a Kansas schoolteacher, but her reputation on the line when Sergeant Chase Jefferson puts his sights on her. She is determined to repel his advances, even though her desire for him is smoldering. Never before has Chase longed for a woman the way he aches for Cara Less, and he intends to conquer her reluctant ways and teach her how to love fully, and sensuously.

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The Chief by Monica McCarty

Scouring the darkest corners of the Highlands and Western Isles, Robert the Bruce handpicks ten warriors to help him in his quest to free Scotland from English rule. They are the best of the best, chosen for their superior skills in each discipline of warfare. And to lead his secret Highland Guard, Bruce chooses the greatest warrior of all. Tor MacLeod, ultimate Highland warlord and a swordsman without equal, has no intention of being drawn into Scotland’s war against the English. Dedicated to his clan, the fiercely independent chief answers to no one, not even his alluring new bride, but she will never claim his heart. Although her husband’s reputation is as fierce as his manner, Christina Fraser believes that something softer hides beneath his brutal shell. But when Christina’s reckless bid to win her husband’s love goes awry and thrusts them into danger on the eve of war, Tor will face his ultimate battle: to save his wife and to open his heart, before it’s too late.

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The Mistress Experience by Scarlett Peckham

Thaïs Magadalene is the most notorious harlot of London, selling herself once night a week and never repeating customers. Now though, she wants to raise money for women’s rights, and is selling herself as a mistress for one month to the highest bidder. The winner is Lord Alastair Eden, an earl, politician, and perfectionist. He’s not perfect though, and wants Thaïs to teach him how to please a woman in bed before he finds a wife. Both are after different things–Thaïs dreaming of a man that will love her despite her past and Eden wanting a respectable woman to wed. That might change after a hot and steamy month creates a connection in and out of bed, but what is worth sacrificing for love?

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Unveiled by Courtney Milan

Ash Turner is to take his place as the rightful heir to the dukedom, then and only then will he be able to take his revenge in the man who ruined his family. However, he finds himself drawn to the one person who has the power to undo all his dreams of vengeance. The beautiful Lady Margaret is more than she seems, disguised as a nurse in order to spy on the man who has stolen her fortune and her father’s legacy. Yet, the more she learns about the new duke, the less she can resit his smoldering appeal. Soon they find themselves torn between loyalties and passion.

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Silver Tongued Devil by Lorelei James

Silas McKay is just as wild as the West, and he has earned his cowboy reputation through more than just being a rancher. His brawling days are accompanied by his charm and he seems to have swooned his way right into Dinah Thompson’s life. The pretty new schoolteacher has got the sass and the sense to stand up to Silas’s shenanigans. However, she can be swayed by his ranchwork honed-body and tempting promises. But when Silas’s long-standing rivalry with Zeke West puts Dinah, Silas and his twin brother Jonas in danger, each one is forced to make difficult decisions about taking a chance to build their legacy. Will their love be one that transcends time?

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Looking for a little less erotica and a little more wholesome romance? Check out these picks>>