I know what you’re thinking: “What is this, Antonia Juliet?”
And to that I say, “That’s not what those initials stand for but it’s a cute name!”
If what you’re actually wondering is what are you about to read, it’s just my totally random recommendations for a few steamy romance reads. Once upon a time, I wrote bookish posts like this on a freelance basis and I kind of miss it. Thus, I’m trying out creating this kind of content for my own blog and seeing how it does. I hope you enjoy it.
One thing nobody warned me about as an indie author was how much more reading you get sucked into. Don’t get me wrong, it’s amazing, but I simply was not prepared for what spending so much time in bookish community was going to do to my TBR. For last year’s birthday (2/26 in case you’re wondering) I got an iPad and, soon after, a Kindle Unlimited subscription.
And that was when my life changed forever. Okay, I’m being dramatic but I did start reading romance in earnest, and exploring subgenres I’d never even heard of. As a result, I feel fully qualified to recommend some unputdownable books for your reading pleasure.
Some of these books had me in a chokehold, others are still on my TBR, but all are worth checking out. Also, they’re listed in no particular order. Happy reading!
This post contains affiliate links.
10 Great Romance Reads for Valentine’s Day
1. Sucker by Natalie Ashee
Listen. I was not ready for how much I was going to love this book. It is the first and only book I’ve read that could qualify as a military romance because I don’t think it’s my thing, but this book is absolutely my thing.
Grumpy/sunshine lovers will be delighted with the incredible chemistry between the spunky, pigtailed Nineah and the stoic Gunnery Sergeant who secretly pines for her. The book has heart and humor and sizzling sexual tension that had me screaming, “JUST KISS ALREADY”.
Also, Abraham is huge and Nineah is tiny, which I discovered I’m into. (We don’t kink shame or yuck others’ yums here, by the way.) If you happen to have a similar dynamic with your partner, I learned from Netflix’s How to Build a Sex Room that a “yoga bench” can help with the height difference. You’re welcome.
2. Some Kind of Forever by Layla James
This is another one that’s on my TBR for when I’m in the mood for a sweet, slow burn that’s on the less spicy side. It’s a small town romance with the ambitious FMC who doesn’t have time for a relationship meeting the golden retriever MMC who is happy working the family business.
3. The Best Book Boyfriend by Holly June Smith
Holly June Smith totally trolled us on threads by laying out this book’s premise as a series of events that had happened to her, and after the way I rabidly consumed the thread, I knew I had to read it. It did not disappoint in the romance or the spice. Warning: this will not help your obsession with book boyfriends one bit.
4. Axes & O’s by Kayla Grosse
Kayla Grosse holds a special place in my heart. After years of reading tons of YA for my day job, I stumbled into ACOTAR and realized I wanted something different in my pleasure reading. I don’t even know how I heard about Trick Shot, but it was the first straight up romance I’d read in decades. I quickly realized we’ve come a long way from my grandma’s shelf of Harlequin romance novels.
I’ve since devoured most everything she’s written, including this very spicy lumbersnack romance. The married lumberjacks and their unexpected snowed-in guest get into A LOT of positions and kink combinations that had me pulling out my Satisfyer Pro.
5. She’s a Keeper by Tember Sapphire
I’m new to sports romance because I don’t like or play any sports, nor have I ever, but this is still on my TBR of only for the author’s amazing vibes and the killer cover. This is a YA/NA crossover with a little spice and a second chance romance that I’m looking forward to checking out.
6. Stupid Cupid, Humans Aren’t Pets by EM Dark
I discovered this book by accident while preparing this post and it’s on my TBR now from the cover alone. (It’s the eye-catching black, white, and red one in the header photo of this post. Gorgeous, right?) Monster romance fans, this is for you as it centers on a sadistic Cupid unexpectedly falling for a human he only intended to torment. We love to see it.
7. Knot Their First Rodeo by A.J. Shirley
Alright, time for a shameless plug. Knotty Omegas is my series of interconnected standalone omegaverse romance novels. Each follows a different feisty omega and a pack of hot alphas on their journey to happily ever after. Many readers have cited this one as their favorite of the three titles out so far, and I can’t blame them. Genesis is a thirty-year-old career-driven omega with no desire to mate who takes on a temporary pack of widowers who never intend to mate again and shenanigans ensue. It’s sweet and spicy and includes a cowboy. Even better, you can order directly from me to get signed copies and exclusive swag!
8. Borrowing My Bestie’s Brothers by Sam Hall
I didn’t know how I’d feel about a reverse harem where the guys were brothers, especially since I usually want EVERYONE to kiss, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover what a damn page Turner this was. I loved all three guys and their personalities—the grumpy one, the cocky golden retriever, and the quiet sweetheart with a poet’s soul. Plus, it was hot as all hell.
9. The Billionaire’s Fake Fiancée by Annika Martin
Who doesn’t love a grumpy/sunshine? I personally am a sucker for the guy who hates everything especially her, until he realizes he actually hates her the most because she makes him feel other things and SURPRISE he actually loves her. This one kept me smiling, especially since it also had my absolute favorite trope of all time, fake dating.
10. Morning Glory Milking Farm by C.M. Nacosta
Okay, hear me out. Remember, this is a safe space where we don’t yuck others’ yum. So, a bookstagrammer I follow kept posting about this one and obviously it was hard NOT to be intrigued by the premise. I’m still finding my way into monster romance and, thus, had no idea what to expect. I certainly wasn’t prepared for a sweet love story, interspecies politics and discrimination, or to be turned on by a Minotaur, but here we are.
The story centers on Violet, a struggling millennial who has a degree she can’t use and can’t afford her tiny apartment in the city. (Hard relate.) Out of desperation, she takes a ridiculously well paying job at a milking farm where they *ahem* milk Minotaurs. She slowly forms a connection with a regular and romance ensues.
Once you get past the sensationalized premise, you basically have an interracial workplace romance with highly relatable characters and a love story you can’t help but root for. And let me tell you, I’m absolutely here for it.
Well, there you have it: ten sweet and steamy reads are waiting to spend Valentine’s Day in your arms. Don’t keep them waiting!
