Author: Charlé the Book Girl

  • Cold Heroes Who Thaw Only for Her: 7+ Dark Romance Books*

    Some heroes are cold because they are cruel. These ones are cold because they have trained themselves to be: to survive, to lead, to punish, to win. In these books, the thaw is the point, the moment the ice finally cracks, and it only cracks for her. Expect hard-edged men with mission brain, ruthless self-control, and the kind of devotion that shows up in actions, not speeches.

    Great for a winter/late-night reading vibe post.

    1. Leave Me Behind (K.M. Moronova)

    Nell Gallows (Bunny) is pulled into a covert, underground ops team after surviving a devastating past, and she quickly becomes the easiest target for blame and suspicion. Bradshaw (Bones) is the most unforgiving of them all — cold, sharp, and convinced he is right to keep her at arm’s length.

    This is icy hero done right: his distance feels like armour, not laziness. The romance hits because the warmth is rare, hard-earned, and rooted in what they survive together, not in sudden softness.

    2. The Emperor (RuNyx)

    Dante Maroni is trained from birth to be a weapon, and he carries himself like one — polished, controlled, and terrifyingly capable. Amara has loved him quietly for years, but their story is shaped by the violence of their world and the cost of being vulnerable inside it. 

    The coldness here is elegant and lethal, which makes the devotion feel even bigger when it finally shows. If you love a hero who protects in silence and burns in private, this one lands.

    3. God of Ruin (Rina Kent)

    Landon King is a brilliant, detached artist with a streak of cruelty and a taste for control, and he sets his focus on Mia Sokolov, who is tied to a mafia world and refuses to be anyone’s pawn. Their dynamic is revenge-tinged, obsessive, and built like a collision you cannot step away from.

    Landon’s coldness is the hook — he feels unreadable until he does not, and the shift is intense. This is perfect for readers who want the thaw to feel like a rupture: sudden, possessive, and all-consuming.

    5. Fierce King (Sadie Kincaid)

    A forced marriage drops the heroine into the orbit of Alejandro Montoya, a mafia king who looks untouchable from the outside. As secrets surface, the marriage becomes less of a trap and more of a pressure test — for trust, loyalty, and the truth underneath his brutality.

    He is the classic cold kingpin: decisive, possessive, and ruthless to everyone except the one woman who becomes his weakness. The thaw is satisfying because it changes the way he moves through the world, not just the way he treats her.

    6. Filthy Devil (Sonja Grey)

    A dark Bratva romance where the hero looks angelic but behaves like sin, and the heroine’s life is already heavy before he crashes into it. It has danger, devotion, and a very mission-driven protector vibe once he decides she matters.

    This one is cold-to-devoted with a strong caretaking thread under the menace. It works best if you like a hero who does not soften publicly — he just becomes relentlessly, privately loyal.

  • 5+ Enemies-to-Lovers Dark Romance Books, But Make it Life-or-Death*

    Sometimes enemies-to-lovers is just snark and tension. And sometimes it is survival. This list is for the second kind: rivals who are forced into the same blast radius, where secrets get people killed, loyalty is a weapon, and falling in love feels like the most dangerous decision of all. Expect high stakes, morally grey choices, and romance that hits harder because someone is always hunting, watching, or waiting for them to slip.

    1. Leave Me Behind (K.M. Moronova)

    Nell is the lone survivor of a devastating operation and gets drafted into a covert unit where everyone resents her presence, especially Bradshaw (Bones). The “enemy” dynamic is built on grief, suspicion, and the brutal reality that in their world, one mistake can wipe out a whole team.

    This is enemies-to-lovers with teeth: not petty dislike, but real blame and real consequences. The romance works because it grows under pressure and trauma, and the mission-first atmosphere keeps the pacing sharp and tense. 

    2. The Predator (RuNyx)

    In the Dark Verse world, Tristan Caine and Morana Vitalio clash like a chess match: power, secrets, and long-game strategy disguised as obsession. Their connection is equal parts hunt and negotiation, where trust feels impossible but attraction is unavoidable.  

    This is top-tier slow tension. The payoff is in the atmosphere and the push-pull dynamic, where the romance feels earned because every step forward costs them something. 

    3. The Emperor (RuNyx)

    A dark mafia romance centred on Dante and Amara, shaped by history, trauma, and survival. The story weaves past and present as secrets unravel and the stakes expand beyond the couple, tying into an ongoing, dangerous mystery in the series.

    Less “snarky rivals” and more “love forged in fire.” It is emotional, heavy, and plot-driven, with romance that feels like a lifeline rather than a cute trope moment.  

    4. God of Wrath (Rina Kent)

    Cecily infiltrates an initiation at the Heathen Club and gets noticed by Jeremy Volkov, a mafia heir who does not let go once he decides she is his. The conflict is immediate and dangerous, with obsession and power games driving the tension.

    This is high-intensity enemies-to-lovers where the danger is constant and the romance is messy on purpose. If you love relentless pursuit energy and a darker, more consuming tone, this one delivers.

    5. All the Lies (Rina Kent)

    Reina wakes in hospital with amnesia and a life that does not make sense, while Asher has his own agenda and a grudge rooted in their past. The “enemy” tension comes from missing memories, punishment for things she cannot recall, and a relationship that keeps flipping between control and vulnerability.

    Twisty and addictive. The amnesia element turns enemies-to-lovers into a psychological game, and the emotional stakes keep escalating because the truth is always one reveal away.

  • From Bratva to Black Ops Dark Romance Books: dangerous men with a mission*

    If your favourite romances come with tactical vibes, criminal empires, and men who treat protection like a profession, this roundup is for you. These stories range from Bratva hitmen and mafia enforcers to shadowy operators with black-ops energy — all united by the same core promise: danger, obsession, and a hero who will burn the world down to complete the mission (and keep her safe). Expect high stakes, morally grey choices, and romance that hits harder because everything around it is unstable. If you love a mix of underworld politics, covert missions, and that delicious line between protector and predator, start here.

    1. Leave Me Behind (K.M. Moronova)

    Nell Gallows is the sole survivor of an elite dark forces squad and gets pulled into a new, secretive unit where blame, grief, and distrust run high—especially from a notorious teammate known as Bones. The story leans hard into mission fallout, team politics, and the emotional cost of surviving when everyone expects you to break.  

    This one hits if you like military romance with a darker edge and a heroine who’s forced to prove herself while carrying trauma. The chemistry builds under pressure, and the “mission first” atmosphere keeps the pace sharp.

    2. The Predator (RuNyx)

    Set in the Dark Verse world, this is a mafia-leaning enemies-to-lovers story centred on Tristan Caine (an enigma inside a powerful criminal outfit) and Morana Vitalio (his equal in intellect and stubbornness). Their collision is framed like a strategic hunt:secrets, power plays, and a slow-burn tension that keeps escalating.

    he strength here is the atmosphere and the chess-match dynamic—less instant softness, more earned vulnerability. If you love sharp banter, long-game plotting, and “dangerous man meets immovable woman,” it delivers.

    3. The Reaper (RuNyx)

    Continuing Tristan and Morana’s arc, this instalment digs deeper into fallout, loyalty, and what it costs to choose each other when the world around them is built on violence and secrets. The stakes widen, and the emotional intensity goes up a notch.  

    A darker, heavier sequel energy—more emotional consequence, more “love under pressure,” and more payoff for readers who like layered worldbuilding with relationship tension that doesn’t let up.

    4. Craving Danger (Michelle Heard)

    Samantha works as a personal assistant and ends up tangled with Franco—her powerful, dangerous employer—after crossing into a private world she didn’t fully understand. Their story mixes workplace friction with underworld stakes and a “masked identity/secret life” kind of tension.

    This is a bingeable, high-drama mafia romance with strong “protective but ruthless” vibes. It’s built for readers who want fast momentum, danger on the edges, and a relationship that intensifies as secrets surface.

    5. Hunted by a Shadow (Michelle Heard)

    Skylar’s life shifts after a life-saving kidney transplant—then she realises she’s being watched, stalked, and hunted. Renzo Torrisi steps out of the shadows as the hunter, pulling her into his world and forcing survival decisions she never thought she’d face.  

    Darker tone, higher tension. If you like captive/escape energy, relentless pursuit, and a heroine thrown into danger with no rulebook, this one leans into that intensity and doesn’t pretend the stakes are cosy.

    6. Grumpy Bratva Hitman (Sonja Grey)

    A grumpy Bratva hitman ends up in an arranged-marriage setup with a sunshine-leaning heroine, wrapped in a holiday-flavoured premise. It’s designed to be quick, trope-forward, and more playful than grim.

    This is your “palette cleanser” in the lineup—still mafia-adjacent, but lighter and more fun in tone. Ideal when you want the danger aesthetic without the emotional devastation.

    7. Heart of a Devil (Sadie Kincaid)

    A standalone dark mafia romance with a best friend’s dad/age-gap setup, following a heroine trying to outrun her past and a powerful man who becomes entangled in protecting her. It’s explicitly marketed as very dark, with strong trigger warnings recommended.

    If you want high-intensity protection, morally grey power, and taboo-leaning tension (best friend’s dad), this one is built for that. Go in expecting darker themes and a heavier edge than a standard mafia romance.

  • 6 MM Romance Books I’ll Never Stop Recommending

    6 MM Romance Books I’ll Never Stop Recommending

    gay romance books / mm romance / gay romance / college romance books / mm romance books

    1. Distorted by Nyla K.

    Distorted is my Roman empire of MM romance.

    It is a romance between a prisoner and his guard on a super secret island prison no one knows about.

    The angst and tension is beyond words and the forbidden aspect just contributes to it all the more. Of course, as with all Nyla K.’s books, the spice is on point. And to top it all off… you’ll never see the end coming.

    2. God of Fury by Rina Kent

    Niko and Bran are basically the superstars of MM romance. At this point I have read God of Fury three times, once listening to it. Teddy Hamilton and Shane East narrate Niko and Bran. So… listen to the audiobook, they take it to the next level.

    But either way, it is a great story that will break your heart and stitch it back together. It is about healing and finding yourself and loving someone even when they can’t love themselves sprinkled with some spice.

    3. Kiss the Villain by Rina Kent

    Of all the books I have mentioned so far, I think Kiss the Villain one is the darkest. But that just makes it better (if that is your taste, of course).

    What I liked about this book is that both the MMCs have dark sides. It’s not a grumpy x sunshine vibe at all. There is a constant struggle between the characters as they both have strong personalities only contributing to the tension.

    But the best of all are the secrets that they keep. Each character is so much deeper than mere black on white.

    Also, do I even have to mention the spice at this point in the post?

    4. Double Edged by Nyla K.

    Proceed with caution. This book is not for everyone. It is super taboo and if you cannot head into it with an open mind, don’t read it.

    However, if you can see past it all, you won’t be disappointed. Double edged will live rent free in your head for a while.

    At some point I should maybe mention that it, is in fact, MMM and not MM.

    It is about identical twins and their stepdad… See why I say it’s taboo?

    Anyhow, tension, lust and severe emotional turmoil is what you can expect from this book.

    5. Only the Small Bones by C.P. Harris

    This book broke me.

    It is one of the saddest, most beautiful things I have ever read.

    William started an organisation to help victims of human trafficking. But his heart is too big and sometimes he takes in some of the victims into his own home and helps them.

    Then comes Ryan…

    Anyhow, I don’t think this book is for the faint of heart. But if you can weather the storm, you are in for a ride.

    6. For the Fans by Nyla K.

    For the Fans is a roller coaster ride like I haven’t experienced with many books before.

    I like a wild ride, don’t give me slow burn, don’t give me a book that takes half the book to get somewhere. I need a fast paced book with a crazy amount happening. That is this book.

    At some point I thought it kinda lost that fire, for like 50 pages three quarters of the way in. It was one of those things where you think everything has happened and then the author is like, hell no you’ve seen nothing yet.

    In this book, we have classic step-sibling haters-to-lovers, but the way that they turn from haters into lovers is not conventional in the least.

    But that’s all I’ll say. I went in blind and I’m so happy that I did. I really recommend doing the same. Just make sure you are okay with the taboo factor, of course.

  • 20 Best Dark Mafia Romance Books*

    These are all the dark mafia romances that I have rated five stars.

    I excluded all the books that weren’t a standalone or the first in a series, though.

    Cora Reilly

    1. Sweet Temptation (Standalone)  

    A young woman is married into the mafia for protection, and ends up bound to a dangerous man who’s older, colder, and far more controlled than he looks. What starts as survival and duty slowly shifts into something unexpectedly tender.

    Why it’s 5 stars: it balances high-stakes criminal world tension with a surprisingly soft emotional arc. The relationship progression feels earned, and the domestic moments hit hard against the darker backdrop.

    Vibe/tropes: arranged marriage, age gap, protective hero, slow burn tenderness, family duty, danger closing in.

    Michelle Heard

    2. The Hermit (Mafia Empire #1)  

    A brutal incident forces the heroine into the orbit of a reclusive mafia man who lives on the edge of society, operating by his own rules. Their connection is immediate but complicated, because safety comes with a price in his world.

    Why it’s 5 stars: fast pacing, intense protection energy, and that addictive mix of isolation + forced proximity that makes every small gesture feel huge.

    Vibe/tropes: forced proximity, protective hero, outsider recluse, survival stakes, touch-starved intensity.

    3. Merciless Saints (The Saints #1)  

    Two people from ruthless worlds collide in a story that feels like a war fought in glances, power plays, and loyalty tests. The romance is edged with fear and fascination, and the stakes are personal from the start.

    Why it’s 5 stars: it delivers sharp tension, relentless momentum, and a couple dynamic that’s equal parts danger and devotion once it locks in.

    Vibe/tropes: morally grey leads, power imbalance, high threat level, loyalty and revenge themes, intensity first, feelings later.

    Neva Altaj

    4. Painted Scars (Perfectly Imperfect #1)  

    A marriage deal ties the heroine to a feared enforcer, but the story is less about a glossy mafia fantasy and more about two damaged people learning each other’s limits and language. It’s gritty, emotional, and unexpectedly intimate in its care.

    Why it’s 5 stars: the emotional development is the hook — you get danger and power, but you also get patience, steadiness, and healing moments that feel real.

    Vibe/tropes: marriage of convenience, scarred hero, protective devotion, slow trust, hurt/comfort.

    5. Beautiful Beast (Perfectly Imperfect: Mafia Legacy #1)  

    This one feels like mafia legacy pressure turned into romance fuel: expectations, reputation, and family power shape every choice. The love story builds through conflict, restraint, and a sense that both leads are fighting the roles they’ve been handed.

    Why it’s 5 stars: it has that addictive push-pull — chemistry plus strategy — and it rewards you with a satisfying emotional payoff once the walls come down.

    Vibe/tropes: legacy mafia world, power couple energy, tension and banter, forced alignment, devotion under pressure.

    Jill Ramsower

    6. Forever Lies (The Five Families #1)  

    A mafia romance built on secrets: the heroine is pulled into a dangerous circle where trust is currency and lies are protection. The hero is intense, strategic, and not used to wanting anything he can’t control.

    Why it’s 5 stars: the suspense keeps moving while the romance tightens, and the emotional stakes escalate alongside the external threat.

    Vibe/tropes: secrets, protective hero, danger and intrigue, possessive energy, fast-moving plot.

    7. Silent Vows (The Byrne Brothers #1)  

    This is a vow-heavy romance: loyalty, duty, and the weight of a mafia name shape the relationship from page one. The couple’s bond grows through shared risk and the constant question of who’s safe to believe.

    Why it’s 5 stars: it nails that mafia feeling of inevitability — once the commitment happens, everything tightens and the romance feels locked-in and consuming.

    Vibe/tropes: mafia family, forced ties, protective obsession, trust issues, high tension.

    8. Devil’s Thirst (The Moretti Men #1)  

    A dangerous hero with a clear claim meets a heroine who can’t afford to make one wrong choice. The romance plays like a chase with consequences, where the safest place might be the arms of the most dangerous man.

    Why it’s 5 stars: high heat energy (without needing explicit detail to feel it), quick escalation, and a hero who’s all in — intense, decisive, relentless.

    Vibe/tropes: possessive hero, protective obsession, danger-to-devotion, fast burn, mafia power.

    Sonja Grey

    9. Delicious Prey (Standalone)  

    This reads like a dark, high-intensity cat-and-mouse story with mafia/bratva edge: the heroine is targeted, and the hero operates with predator certainty. It’s adrenaline with a romance that leans into obsession and control.

    Why it’s 5 stars: it commits fully to its darker tone and keeps the tension tight — you’re always waiting for the next escalation.

    Vibe/tropes: cat-and-mouse, obsession, dark protection, danger everywhere, morally grey hero.

    10. Born into Sin (Devils Will Rise: Melnikov Legacy #1)  

    Legacy, loyalty, and bloodline expectations drive this story. The heroine is pulled into a world where family name matters more than feelings, and the hero is shaped by the role he’s expected to play — until he starts wanting something different.

    Why it’s 5 stars: it has that sweeping mafia dynasty feel, with a romance that grows under constant pressure and delivers a strong emotional payoff.

    Vibe/tropes: mafia legacy, duty vs desire, protective hero, family power, high stakes romance.

    Content note (light): violence, threats, adult themes.

    Kylie Kent

    11. Devilish King (Valentino Empire #1)  

    This is mafia romance with glossy power and sharp edges: the hero is a kingpin figure, and the heroine is forced to navigate a world of rules she didn’t write. The chemistry lands fast, but trust is the real battle.

    Why it’s 5 stars: it’s bingeable — clean pacing, strong couple energy, and the kind of protective dominance that reads like pure escapism.

    Vibe/tropes: mafia kingpin, forced proximity/forced ties, possessive protection, high status power.

    12. Relentless Devil (Sons of Valentino #1)  

    A next-generation mafia setup with a hero who’s relentless in both threat management and pursuit. The romance is intense, with that feeling of being claimed while everything around them becomes more dangerous.

    Why it’s 5 stars: it hits the sweet spot of chaos outside and devotion inside — the hero is ruthless to the world but focused on her.

    Vibe/tropes: mafia heir, possessive hero, danger-driven plot, devotion, high tension.

    Sadie Kincaid

    13. Fierce King (L.A. Ruthless #1)  

    This is high-octane, modern mafia romance: fast pacing, loud danger, and a hero who is very much a take-charge king. The romance escalates quickly and stays intense, with constant external pressure.

    Why it’s 5 stars: pure binge energy — it’s cinematic, intense, and hits the protective/possessive notes hard.

    Vibe/tropes: kingpin hero, possessive protection, fast burn, danger and suspense, high stakes.

    14. Heart of a Devil (Standalone)  

    A standalone that delivers mafia intensity without the commitment of a long series. The romance is built around danger, devotion, and the thrill of being chosen by someone who doesn’t do soft — until he does.

    Why it’s 5 stars: standalone punch — it moves, it hits, it resolves, and it leaves you with that satisfied, breathless feeling.

    Vibe/tropes: standalone mafia, protective obsession, danger-to-devotion, intense chemistry.

    Eva Winners

    15. The Den of Sin (Standalone/prequel-standalone)  

    This one feels like an entry point into a bigger world but still reads satisfyingly on its own. It’s all about entering the “den” (power, secrecy, temptation), where choices are high-risk and attraction is a liability.

    Why it’s 5 stars: strong atmosphere and world flavour, plus a romance that feels like stepping into a trap you secretly want.

    Vibe/tropes: criminal underworld vibe, secrets, power games, temptation, protective danger.

    16. Sins of the Orchid (Standalone)  

    A mafia romance wrapped in elegance and menace — the title vibe is accurate. It’s about beauty over something dangerous, with a romance that grows through control, loyalty, and high-stakes decisions.

    Why it’s 5 stars: it’s dramatic in the best way — strong mood, high tension, and a couple dynamic that feels intense without dragging.

    Vibe/tropes: high society crime vibes, secrets, possessive hero, loyalty tests, suspense.

    Content note (light): violence, threats, adult themes.

    Rina Kent

    17. Throne of Power (Throne Duet #1)  

    A power-heavy romance set in a world where influence is currency and control is everything. The hero is calculating and dominant, the heroine is pulled into his orbit, and the relationship becomes a chess match of boundaries, leverage, and obsession.

    Why it’s 5 stars: it’s pure high-stakes intensity — sharp tension, strong push-pull, and that addictive “who has the upper hand?” energy that Rina Kent does so well.

    Vibe/tropes: power imbalance, obsession, ruthless hero, psychological tension, control games, high drama.

    18. Vow of Deception (Deception Trilogy #1)  

    A romance built on secrets and shifting truths, where the heroine’s world is not what it seems and the hero’s presence feels both protective and dangerous. The relationship escalates as questions pile up and trust becomes the main battleground.

    Why it’s 5 stars: it’s bingeable suspense romance — twisty, tense, and emotionally sticky, with a strong hook that makes you want the next book immediately.

    Vibe/tropes: secrets, deception, suspense plot, morally grey hero, protective intensity, trust issues.

    19. Blood of My Monster (Monster Trilogy #1)  

    Dark, intense, and unapologetically obsessive, this one leans into the “monster” idea — a hero who operates by his own rules and a heroine caught in a dangerous, consuming connection that keeps escalating.

    Why it’s 5 stars: the atmosphere is relentless — it commits fully to the darker tone while keeping the emotional stakes razor sharp.

    Vibe/tropes: dark obsession, morally grey leads, danger-to-devotion, high tension, intensity-first romance.

    20. Reign of a King (Kingdom Duet #1)  

    A “king” romance with a high-status, high-control hero and a heroine drawn into his world with consequences. The story plays with power, reputation, and the feeling of being claimed in a setting where everyone is watching.

    Why it’s 5 stars: it’s dramatic, polished escapism — strong character presence, constant tension, and a relationship arc that grips even when the characters make messy choices.

    Vibe/tropes: kingpin/alpha hero, possessive protection, social power, enemies-to-obsession energy, high drama.

  • Books Like Credence: Taboo Romance Books

    Books Like Credence: Taboo Romance Books

    If you loved Credence, the taboo, the crazy, the tension, the everything, you are in the right place. Every single book on this list is somehow related to that in some beautiful, but twisted way. Just like we love our books.

    Just a warning, though. Some of these books are in some senses even more taboo (or better 😏 depending on your viewpoint) than Credence. So, be careful what you wish for and proceed with caution.

    1. Gravity by Sara Cate

    Zara’s sister and said sister’s boyfriend died in a plane crash. Now, two years later, she is approached by his dad with an offer. Be his other son’s girlfriend for three months and get a million dollars. Oh, and did I mention she gets to live with them on their private island?

    But that is where the trouble is at… two men plus a private island equates to no rules and an insane amount of tension.

    This is an MFM romance and probably the closest thing you’ll get to Credence.

    2. Free Fall by Sara Cate

    ** Contains spoilers for Gravity **

    After Gravity comes Free Fall. Technically, I guess it is a standalone, but there is an overarching plot between it and Gravity, so I’d read Gravity first.

    Anyhow, some time after Gravity, Nash moves on. When in Amsterdam, he meets an old colleague and friend of his dad’s, Ellis. But things go wrong and Nash walks away without a backward glance.

    Three years later, Ellis is shoved back into Nash’s life along with a friend of Zara’s (from Gravity) and together they are stuck in a web of forbidden chemistry.

    3. For the Fans by Nyla K.

    For the Fans is a roller coaster ride like I haven’t experienced with many books before.

    I don’t slow burn or a book that takes half the book to get somewhere. I need fast paced and that is this book.

    At some point I’ll admit I thought it lost that fire, about three quarters of the way in. It was one of those places where you think everything has happened that can happen and then the author is like, hell no you’ve seen nothing yet.

    This book gives us classic step-sibling haters-to-lovers, but the rest is not conventional in the least.

    But that’s all I’ll say. I went in blind and I’m so happy that I did. I really recommend doing the same. Just make sure you are okay with the taboo factor, of course.

    4. Five Brothers by Penelope Douglas

    She slept with one brother, but she cannot remember which one… Somehow she has to figure it out.

    That’s all I’m going to say, the rest I’ll leave for you to find out. I will mention, though that there is no biological family relations, just the tabooness (is that even a word?) of one woman and five brothers, at different times.

    5. Sabotage by Shantel Tessier

    Of all the Lords books, this one is the only one that I’d really shelf as taboo. While the others are the definition of dark and unhinged, the taboo factors are not quite there.

    The reason why I put Sabotage under taboo romance is the fact that Tyson is Laikyn’s sister’s ex. Furthermore, I think Tyson is the most manipulative of all the Lords.

    While this post is about taboo books and you are looking for that specifically, I’d still recommend your reading the other books too. They are crazy unhinged and even though this is technically an interconnected standalone without an overarching plot between the books, some of the books do contain minor spoilers for the others.

    6. Older by Jennifer Hartman

    He is your best friend’s dad, but in your defence, you didn’t know that when you met him… but then again, you are 17 when you met him, but you said that you were 21.

    With this book you can expect severe emotional turmoil as the FMC comes from an abusive foster home. You can also expect delicious slow burn and I say that with much honesty since I hate slow burn. And of course, the classic push and pull of a forbidden age gap romance.

    7. Double Edged by Nyla K.

    This one is not for everyone, but if you loved Credence. If at some point your mind might have gone to a place that was like… this isn’t so bad, why do they call this taboo? Then you’ll love Double Edged.

    But read the trigger warnings. I know we book bloggers always say that, but I mean it. But if you are open-minded enough to tackle this book, it will blow your mind.

    It is about twins and their stepfather and all the crazy things they have to endure on their journey.

    8. Praise by Sara Cate

    He’s a ten, but he’s your ex’s father…

    You think you are going to pick up a cheque from him, he thinks you are interviewing to be his secretary with “special duties”. Oh, and did I mention he owns a kink club?

    Praise is a complete standalone, but the first book in the Salacious Players Club series that has no overarching plot.

    9. Eyes on Me by Sara Cate

    Eyes on Me is the second book in the Salacious Players Club series.

    In it the MMC is a voyeur and stumbles upon his step-sister’s cam girl account. He starts pretending to be an admirer, but she has no idea. Because see, they hate each other and well she is his step-sister.

    10. Give me More by Sara Cate

    Next up in the Salacious Players Club series is Give Me More. I ate this book up.

    Drake goes on a cross-country road trip with his best friend, Hunter, and Hunter’s wife, Isabel to look at some other kink clubs. But then Hunter asks Drake to sleep with his wife while he watches… And while he should say no he simply cannot because it is not Isabel that he wants.

    11. The Doctor by Nikki Sloane

    He’s your ex boy-friend’s father, but the only man that you want. When you are near him, the lust consumes you, but can you guys overcome the one obstacle that might cost him something he worked so hard to achieve?

    12. The Pool Boy by Nikki Sloane

    When you find your husband in bed with his male boss on your birthday of all days, you decide to reinvent yourself. You decide to live your life like you want and that includes lying by the swimming pool with your swimsuit in the house. But then your hot twenty-something pool boy comes by to clean the pool because you are supposed to be at work and sees something he shouldn’t have.

    But he did.

    And he liked it.

    A lot.

    And he wants more.

    But did I mention that he is also your best friend’s son?