We all love a good trope… especially the ones that dance on the edge of taboo. When it comes to age-gap romances, we get them in all kinds of flavors. From single dads to professor/student relationships, there are some steamy scenes that come from this form of forbidden love.

Twisted Games by Ana Huang

Bridget von Ascheburg is the Princess of Eldorra. All she really wants is to feel passionate love and to be free from the pressing responsibilities. However, when her brother refuses to take the throne, she is forced to take over. Bridget is unhappy with this, but luckily she has Rhys Larsen, her bodyguard, by her side. Rhys has always told himself to not let his emotions affect his work. But they soon fall for one another. Admitting their true feelings could put the kingdom at risk but they can’t seem to hide it any longer.

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The Confidence of Wildflowers by Micalea Smeltzer

Salem is moving to a new town in the aftermath of tragedy. She is ready for a fresh start and hopes to live a more positive life. While working on overcoming her past, she meets her single-father neighbor. Thayer is a closed-off older man with lots of emotional baggage who hires her to be a nanny. Their budding relationship proves to be a powerful force for them both – helping to process trauma and build a new life. Salem’s growing confidence clashes with Thayer’s guarded personality to create a unique connection.

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Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas

Financial situations have forced Jordan to move in with her boyfriend and his father despite their relationship being on the rocks. When the relationship with her boyfriend comes crashing down, Jordan starts getting closer with his father, Pike. Pike and Jordan can’t help but catch each other’s quick glances. As their relationship grows, they know the age-gap is just one of their problems. Pike and Jordan try to ignore their feelings for one another, but the forced proximity makes it increasingly difficult.

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40-Love by Olivia Dade

While on vacation, 40-year-old Tess, an assistant-principal, has a chance encounter with former-tennis-pro and 26-year-old, Lucas. Their chemistry is immediate but vacations aren’t meant to last. Over the course of two weeks, Tess and Lucas connect while having to decide whether their relationship (plagued with a large age-gap, distance, and opposing careers) is worth the effort.

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The Only Story by Julian Barnes

When 19-year-old Paul and 48-year-old Susan are partnered in a tennis match, their connection is immediate. Despite her marriage and children, a torrid affair begins. Decades later, Paul recounts the story of their relationship from its meteoric beginning to its inevitable decline. Paul’s reflection forces him to decipher which of his memories are accurate and which have been twisted as the years pass.

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Gabriel’s Inferno by Sylvain Reynard

Gabriel is a professor during the day, but by night he uses his charm and good looks to satisfy his every desire. When wide-eyed and inexperienced Julia enrolls in his class, his limits are tested. They have a strong connection, but the teacher/ student relationship could cost him his career. Meanwhile, Julia has a unique effect on Gabriel, opening his eyes to love over lust while exploring her own primal desires for the first time.

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Mr. Masters by T.L. Swan

When Brielle lies on her resume, it lands her a nanny gig for single father, Julian Masters. Julian is a strong, no-nonsense man and although Brielle doesn’t like his children and finds him cocky, she can’t help but be intrigued. The only problem is that he knows better than to fall for a young nanny, no matter how difficult that may be.

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Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers

Grace Porter goes to Las Vegas to celebrate her new PhD in astronomy. She’s not one to be sporadic but drunkenly winds up marrying a woman who’s practically a stranger. This prompts Grace to realize her dissatisfaction with her parent-controlled life, despite her successes. She flees to New York to move in with her new wife, Yuki where she can be creative and forget about the future. But the future is bound to come eventually.

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Everything For You by Chloe Liese

Gavin is a seasoned professional soccer player who is frustrated when the new hot-shot, Oliver, threatens to take his place. Although Oliver is up-beat, their disconnect as co-captains threatens the team. So when they’re forced to get to know each other better, they realize there may be more to the other person than they thought. Their ten year age-gap is no match for their budding attraction.

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You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi

Feyi lost the love of her life in a terrible accident five years ago and has spent that time building a new life as an artist while battling grief. Her best friend prompts her to dip her toes in the dating pool again. She soon begins dating an attractive man who spoils her. But like always, there’s a catch. Feyi has more chemistry with her boyfriend’s father than she does with her boyfriend. She contemplates if the reward of love is worth the drama, the trauma, and the guilt of moving on.

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Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly

Dahlia is recently divorced and determined to prove herself on a nationally televised cooking show. Unfortunately, she is quickly humbled after taking a huge fall. On the other side of the kitchen stands London. London just announced their pronouns as they/them on television and is worried about the backlash from viewers, contestants, and their father. Although distracted, the two grow close and a relationship soon forms. The television show leads them on zany adventures but also threatens their relationship. Guilt and transphobia, amongst other themes, make bonding difficult as they try to make things work.

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Waking Olivia by Elizabeth O’Roark

Will is a coach for a mediocre college track team, is buried under debt, and owns a dying farm. His plate is more than full when Olivia, a beautiful transfer student, joins his team. Olivia has plenty of problems of her own and can never seem to please her new coach, Will, who is tough but determined to help her. Their tenuous relationship as a coach and athlete demands that they ignore the attraction they feel, but jeopardizing their futures may not be enough to keep them apart.

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