Calling all spicy romance readers! 2024 is in full swing, and we’ve rounded up the steamiest books releasing in the first half of the year. If you enjoy open-door romance, you’ve come to the right place. We’re sharing our picks for the sexiest books releasing January through June of this year (stay tuned for part 2!)
What Happens at the Lake by Vi Keeland
After her personal life implodes, Josie decides to head back to her late father’s hometown to figure out her next steps. Her next door neighbor turns out to be a grumpy carpenter, with whom she fails to make a great first impression. As time goes on, she learns there is more to him than meets the eye, and Josie is falling for not only the sweet small town, but a certain neighbor, who may not be as grumpy as he tries to appear.
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Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
Sloane and Rowan have something in common: they’re both serial killers… but they only kill “bad guys”. A random meeting leads to a competition of sorts, and from there, sparks fly. As time goes on, Sloane and Rowan grow closer, but so does the danger. Can these two make their way to a Happily Ever After in one piece? (Note: this book contains extensive trigger warnings at the beginning of the book – sensitive readers, proceed with caution.)
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The Partner Plot by Kristina Forest
Violet Greene is a jet-setting celebrity stylist who recently went through a very public breakup. During a trip to Vegas, she runs into her old high school boyfriend, Xavier Wright, who is there celebrating his birthday. Despite being surprised to see one another, they quickly pick up where they left off, deciding to live it up in Vegas… which turns out to be a problem when they wake up the next morning and realize they got married. Both of them could benefit from this marriage, so they decide to fake it for a while, but what do you do when it stops feeling fake?
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Bride by Ali Hazelwood
The queen of the STEM novels returns with her romantasy debut! A werewolf and vampyre enter into an arranged marriage to keep the peace between the two species. As both harbor their own secret reasons for entering into this agreement, can they deny their natural chemistry or will they learn to trust each other, and give into their desire? TL;DR: This is for the Fourth Wing girlies who are ready for more “fantasy lite” smut but don’t want to commit to ACOTAR and the Maas-verse.
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Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey
Move over hockey romances, golf has entered the chat. This spicy sports romance follows Wells, golf’s fallen “golden boy” as he attempts what some consider the greatest comeback of all time. Cheered on by Josephine, a loyal fan and golf enthusiast, he proposes a partnership: she’ll be his caddy, and they’ll share the prize money. As the two set off on tour, their relationship deepens. Can Wells turn his golf game around AND get the girl?
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Swift & Saddled by Lyla Sage
Ada Hart is a stellar interior designer looking for a change after her divorce. Heading to Meadowlark to renovate the Rebel Blue ranch, she meets a handsome stranger in a bar and they share a scorching kiss, but she fails to get his name after making a quick getaway. When Ada shows up to her first day on site, she’s shocked to see her boss is none other than the mystery cowboy from the bar, Wes. He’s smitten with Ada, but given her past, she’s focused on remaining professional. Can Will and Ada work together to restore the ranch house to its former glory, while also finding love together?
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Holding the Reins by Paisley Hope
Returning home to her equestrian farm after a bad-breakup, Cece is looking for a little direction. Nash Carter, retired pro athlete and infamous bachelor, grew up with Cece and her older brothers. The attraction is undeniable and before long, the two make an agreement to keep it casual… famous last words, right?
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This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan
Soledad Barnes is used to doing everything, for everyone. A highly capable wife and mother, Soledad has it all together until suddenly, she doesn’t. Focusing on her daughters and attempting to keep their lives afloat, Soledad starts to remember who she used to be. Just when she thinks she’s back on solid ground, she’s tempted by a man she thinks she shouldn’t want. Will he threaten everything she’s rebuilt, or be exactly what she didn’t know she needed?
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If You Hate Me by Helena Hunting
After quitting her job suddenly, Rix moves in with her hockey player brother Phillip “Flip” and his teammate Tristan, both of whom are major playboys. Rix has known Tristan since they were kids, but they CANNOT stand each other. Living together in forced proximity only makes things worse, but it also makes their undeniable chemistry burn brighter than ever. Agreeing to secret casual sex until Rix moves out only muddies the waters, and Tristan’s demons threaten to ruin them before they even truly get started. Will these two frenemies-with-benefits turn into something more?
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If You Give a Single Dad a Nanny by Ann Einerson
Marlow Taylor agrees to nanny for her neighbor, who just happens to be a grumpy, hot, billionaire single dad. His daughter is adorable and their small town is incapable of keeping secrets. One steamy kiss later, what could go wrong?
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Here We Go Again by Alison Cochrun
Former childhood best friends turned enemies Logan & Rosemary couldn’t be more different. A falling out as teens caused them not to speak for over 10 years. Now as adults, both women live in their hometown and work as teachers at their former school, still doing their best to avoid each other. When their former teacher & mentor reveals he’s terminally ill, he requests their presence on a cross-country road trip; his dying wish. As they travel across the United States, can these two ex-friends find their way back to each other?
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Wild Love by Elsie Silver
Rosie Grant returns to her hometown of Rose Hill needing a job. She convinces her brother’s best friend, Ford Grant, to let her work for him. He’s Forbes‘ current favorite billionaire and has never been able to say no to Rosie. He’s been secretly crushing on her for years. When a surprise visitor appears in Ford’s life, his world gets turned upside down. Can he manage to win Rosie over and balance his new normal at the same time?
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Bridesmaid for Hire by Meghan Quinn
Maggie, a successful event planner, is on vacation in Bora Bora when she unexpectedly runs into her brother’s best friend Brody, who also happens to be one of her least favorite people. Brody is in Bora Bora for his boss’s daughter’s wedding, and is hoping to get in the good graces of his boss. As Maggie hears more about this elaborate wedding, she hopes to use it as an “in” to elevate her business and her bottom line. In order to get her foot in the door, she has to pretend to be Brody’s girlfriend, even though she can’t stand him. As the two share a bungalow, and move toward their separate goals, the tension builds until they can’t resist it anymore.
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Truly Madly Deeply by Alexandra Bellefleur
Truly Livingston is a successful romance novelist, but unlike the characters in her books, her love life is in shambles. She’s agreed to co-host a podcast about relationships, but feels like a fraud. To make matters worse, her co-host is a (very hot) divorce lawyer named Colin whom she finds extremely annoying. After a rocky first meeting, the two agree to a fresh start and Truly finds herself enjoying her time spent with Colin. Do opposites really attract, or is this partnership too good to be true?
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Collide by Bal Khabra
High-achieving Summer Preston is so close to achieving her dream of becoming a sports psychologist, but there’s just one thing standing in her way. Aiden Crawford is the captain of his hockey team, but the season hangs in balance after a teammates’ mistake. Summer and Aiden are thrown together unexpectedly on a research project, and neither is thrilled about it. Her type-A attitude mixed with Aiden’s laid back demeanor only provides further challenges. Can they learn to work together to make it to the finish line, and will they find more than friendship along the way?
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Here for the Cake by Jennifer Milliken
Paisley Royce is dreading her sister’s upcoming nuptials… she’s marrying Paisey’s ex-boyfriend. On her sister’s bachelorette trip, Paisley runs into an old college “frenemy”, Klein Madigan, who has somehow gotten hotter since she last saw him. Klein is an aspiring writer who has always had a (secret) thing for Paisley. When Klein realizes Paisley owns a digital marketing agency, he proposes a partnership. Paisley will help Klein, who is social media averse, with his online presence, and in return, he’ll pretend to be her boyfriend for her sister’s wedding festivities. What’s the worst that could happen?
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Savor It by Tarah Dewitt
Sage Byrne has lived in her small Oregon town, Spunes, her whole life. However, after her long-term relationship ends and her ex is suddenly engaged, Sage needs something to turn her life around and show everyone that she’s fine. Her town’s annual summer competition is coming up, and Sage knows that a win could be exactly what she’s been looking for. Fisher Lange is a popular chef in NYC, but after the death of his sister leaves him with custody of his niece, his whole world is upended. He loses a Michelin star and as a result, gets sent on a summer sabbatical to Oregon. This small town doesn’t take kindly to outsiders, and Fisher will need Sage’s help if he wants to be successful in Spunes. Sage will help Fisher acclimate to small town living, and Fisher will be her partner in the summer competition. Sparks fly–in and out of the kitchen–but summer can’t last forever… can it?
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All My Love by Morgan Elizabeth
The blurb for this one was still under wraps at time of publication, but Morgan is the popular author of Tis the Season for Revenge from the Seasons of Revenge series, as well as the Springbrook Hills series. Her books are always super spicy and have a HEA. If you need a smutty palette cleanser, definitely add this one to your TBR!
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The Art of Catching Feelings by Alicia Thompson
Daphne Brink isn’t a baseball fan, but post-divorce, she finds catching a few games distracts her from reality. After drowning her sorrows in several beers, she heckles one of the players, Chris Kepler, and takes it a bit too far. Apparently, there IS crying in baseball. Daphne reaches out to Chris via social media DM to apologize, but mistakenly forgets to identify herself. Chris has had a rough time lately, so a DM from a kind stranger is appreciated. As Chris opens up to Daphne, feelings arise, but can she tell him the truth about her identity before it’s too late?
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Not Safe for Work by Lindsey Lanza
Olivia Diamond is THIS close to a promotion at work until her “boys’ club” boss tries to get her to date a client to help clinch a deal. Her co-worker Gavin Scott (who happens to be super hot, but isn’t Olivia’s favorite), is willing to step up to help Olivia, because unbeknownst to her, he has a giant crush on her. Sparks are sure to fly in this steamy office workplace romance.
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Love Unwritten by Lauren Asher
Ellie Sinclair is an aspiring songwriter and nanny to Rafael Lopez, a local billionaire who just happened to attend high school with Ellie. Post-divorce, Rafael has vowed to be “done” with love. Ellie and Rafael don’t fraternize unless it’s in regards to his son, but a two week vacation to paradise is about to change everything. As Ellie and Rafael spend time together and grow closer, will Rafael allow himself a second chance at love?
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