Host Book Recommendations
The books listed below will have a heart stamp of approval from one or more host if they have read the book and recommend it for your TBR!
Lindsey’s
Recommendations
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Kacy’s
Recommendations
💜
Lauren’s
Recommendations
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Book Recs by Subgenre
Looking specifically for Dark Romance recs? Check out our After Dark Book Recs page.
We encourage you to purchase books from you local book store or via the author’s website. We understand that is not available to everyone and we have provided Amazon Affiliate links for some of the recommended books below. As an Amazon Associate, Blush & Bindings earns from qualifying purchases.
Swords & SeductionFantasy
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High Fantasy, Fae, or Epic Adventures in fantasy realms
Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas (powerful FMC, fated mates, found family) 💜 🩷 💙
A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J Maas (powerful FMC, fated mates, found family) 💜 🩷 💙
King of Battle and Blood (Adrian X Isolde) by Scarlett St. Clair 💜 🩷
From Blood and Ash series by Jennifer L Armentrout 💜 🩷 💙
The Divine and the Cursed by J.E Reed 💜 🩷
The Truthspoken Heir by Novae Caelum
The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle Jensen 💜 🩷
The Plated Prisoner series by Raven Kennedy 💜 🩷 💙
Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco 🩷
What Lies Beyond the Veil by Harper L. Woods 💜 🩷 💙
Blade & Rose by Miranda Honfluer 💙 🩷
Crown of Blood and Glass by Lucinda Dark (forbidden, bodyguard)
Quicksilver by Callie Hart (found family, shadow daddy, court politics, fae/human)💙
Blood and Steel by Helen Scheuerer (found family) 🩷
Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent (deadly trials, vampires, forced proximity, enemies to lovers) 💙
Wildest Dreams by Kristen Ashley 💜
Air Awakens (Complete Series) by Elise Kova (slow-burn, broody prince, forbidden love) 💙
The Song of the Marked by S.M. Gaither (enemies to lovers, one bed, found family, gods/godesses) 💙
The Witch Collector by Charissa Weaks (Mute FMC, enemies-to-lovers) 💙
Ledge by Stacy Mcewan (slow burn, high stakes, enemies to lovers)💙
Poison Study, Chronicles of Ixia Series by Maria V. Snyder (Enemies to Lovers, Found Family, Forced Proximity, Closed Door)💙
Daughter of No Worlds by Charissa Broadbent (NA, slow burn, grumpy MMC, low spice) 💙
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole
The Ever King by L.J Andrews
Bewitched by Laura Thalassa
Book of Azrael by Amber V Nicole
Veiled Kingdom by Holly Renee
How Does it Feel? by Jeneane O’Riley
A Court of Thorns and Wings by Jen L. Grey
A Game of Veils by Eva Chase
The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen
A Warriors Fate by Melissa Keiran
A Game of Hearts and Heists by Ruby Roe (FF lesbian romance)
Phantasma by Kaylie Smith
Throne of the Fallen by Kerri Maniscalco
Mistress of Hours by Losian Rùin
Pestilence by Laura Thalassa
Anathema by Keri Lake (gothic dark fantasy)
Slaying the Shadow Prince by Helen Scheuerer (enemies to lovers)
Hollow Heathens by Nicole Fiorina (gothic, forbidden love)
Broken Bonds by J. Bree (why choose)
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‘Scales & Smolder’ - Fantasy worlds featuring Dragons and Dragon shifters
Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm (The Empyrean series) by Rebecca Yarros (military academy, powerful FMC, disability/chronic illness rep, found family)💜 🩷 💙
Twilight of Embers by Tessa Hale (dragon shifters, reverse harem) 🩷
When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A Parker 💙
Kingdom of Flames & Flowers by Raven Storm (dark fantasy, why choose, enemies to lovers, dragon shifters)
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Zodiac Academy by Caroline Peckham 💜
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‘Gods Gone Wild’- Myths & Legends Retellings, Fairytale Retellings
Vicious Lost Boys series by Nikki St. Crowe (dark romance, fairytale retelling, reverse harem) 🩷
River of Shadows (Book 1) and Crown of Crimson (Book 2) by Karina Halle (myths and legends)🩷
Of Gods & Monsters by Zavi James 💜
A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair (hades x persephone)💜🩷
Neon Gods by Katee Roberts (hades x persephone) 💜 🩷
The Sparrow and the Oak Tree by Jamie Jackson (enemies to lovers)
The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen
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Crescent City series by Sarah J Maas 💜 🩷 💙
Key of Light by Nora Roberts 💜
Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning 💜
Modern Affections Contemporary
Looking for Dark Contemporary Romance Recs? Check out our After Dark Book Recs.
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Nanny for the Neighbors by Lily Gold (single dad(s), why choose) 🩷
Faking with Benefits by Lily Gold (age gap, why choose) 🩷
Three Swedish Mountain Men by Lily Gold (forced proximity, why choose) 🩷
The Roommate by Rosie Danan (forced proximity) 🩷
Dark Skies by Cara Malone (sapphic, suspense, medical examiner/firefighter)
Older by Jennifer Hartman (forbidden love, age gap, slow burn)
To Catch and Firefly by Emmy Sanders (childhood friends to lovers, MM romance, mental health rep)
Truly Madly Deeply by L.J. Shen (grumpy x sunshine, enemies to lovers)
Salt Kiss by Sierra Simone (MMF, MM, Tristan x Isolde Retelling)
Forget Me Not by Julie Soto (second chance)
Crushed by Love by Nina Verona
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Icebreaker by Hannah Grace * Book Club Pick * 💜 🩷 💙
Pitches Be Crazy by Kelly Reynolds (baseball, grumpy x sunshine, age gap) 🩷
Hit It and Quit It by Kelly Reynolds (small town, baseball)
The Perfect Play by Jaci Burton 💜
Blindsided by Amy Daws 💜
Kiss and Don’t Tell by Meghan Quinn 💙
The Summer Proposal by Vi Keeland 💙
Three Strikes You’re Mine by R.S Grey 🩷
Offside by Avery Keelan 🩷
Right Man, Right Time by Meghan Quinn 🩷
Double Pucked by Lauren Blakely 🩷
Delayed Penalty by Teagan Hunter
QB Keeper by C.L. Rose
Consider Me by Becka Mack (hockey, he falls first)
The Anaconda Downstairs by Amy Award
Blindsided by Amy Daws
Kiss and Don’t Tell by Meghan Quinn
Melt into You by J.T. Geissinger
Brutal Obsession by S. Massery (Dark Romance)
First Down by Grace Reily
Wildfire by Hannah Grace
Daydream by Hannah Grace
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In the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros * Book Club Pick * (second chance, forced proximity, bodyguard, fated lovers) 💜 🩷
Twisted Games by Ana Huang (bodyguard, forbidden romance, age gap) 💜 🩷
Mystery Man by Kristen Ashley 💜
Triple Duty Bodyguards by Lily Gold (why choose) 🩷
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Yee-Haw, Yes Please
Gold Rush Ranch series by Elsie Silver (small town, horse racing ranch, sports, found family) 🩷
Off to the Races (grumpy/sunshine, fwb-to-lovers)
A Photo Finish(military, disability rep, second chance)
The Front Runner (enemies to lovers, fake dating, slow burn)
A False Start (forbidden love, grumpy/sunshine, age gap)
Chestnut Springs series by Elsie Silver (cowboy, sports, small town) 🩷
Flawless *Book Club Pick * (forbidden love, forced proximity, family drama)
Heartless (boss/employee, single dad, age gap)
Powerless (friends to lovers, hockey)
Reckless (second chance, accidental pregnancy/secret baby, family drama)
Hopeless (military, virgin FMC, age gap, family drama, fake dating, damaged hero)
Seeing Red by Bailey Hannah (accidental pregnancy, fwb to lovers, chronic illness rep)
Chasing the Wild by Elliot Rose (age gap, forbidden, forced proximity)
Cash by Jessica Pearson (Grumpy x sunshine, Enemies to lovers, Forced proximity, One horse)
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Old Ladies Club
Reaper’s Property by Joanna Wylde 💜
Under Locke by Mariana Zapata 💜
Tarnished Angels Motorcycle Club series by Emma Slate - 8 books, (found family, crime/suspense, dark romance) 🩷
Wreck & Ruin (crime, grumpy/sunshine)
Crash & Carnage (Medical, violence)
Madness & Mayhem (accidental pregnancy, age gap)
Thrust & Throttle (friends to lovers, forbidden lovers, possessive MMC
Kings of Kearney by Navessa Allen 🩷
Steel King (Clifton Forge) by Devney Perry
Wolf.e by Paisley Hope
It Ain’t Me, Babe by Tillie Cole
Check out our After Dark Book Recs Page for Dark Motorcycle Club Romance Picks.
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See After Dark Book Recs Page for Dark Mafia Romance Picks.
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Billionaire Baddies & Daddies
Twisted Series by Ana Huang, 4 books total, 2 books fall into billionaire category (interconnected standalones) 🩷
Twisted Love (grumpy/sunshine) 💜
Twisted Lies (he falls first)
Kings of Sin Series by Ana Huang, 4 books so far, incomplete series (interconnected standalones) 🩷
King of Wrath (Arranged Marriage)
King of Pride (Opposites Attract, forbidden romance)
King of Greed (Second chance/marriage in trouble)
King of Sloth(black cat/golden retriever)
The Stopover by T.L Swan (workplace romance, age gap) 💜 🩷
Bared to You by Sylvia Day 💜
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Twisted Hate by Ana Huang (enemies to benefits, interconnected standalone - Book 3) 🩷
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Honey Mountain series by Laura Povlov- (interconnected stand-alone) 🩷
Always Mine (friends to lovers, fwb-to-lovers, firefighter MMC)
Ever Mine (sports-hockey, second chance, forced proximity)
Make You Mine (single dad, age gap, firefighter MMC, forbidden love)
Cottonwood Cove series by Laura Pavlov- 5 Books (interconnected standalone) 🩷
Into the Tide (forbidden love, virgin FMC, boss/employee, fwb-to-lovers)
Under the Stars (grumpy/sunshine, boss/employee, forbidden love)
On the Shore (sports-NFL, enemies to lovers)
Before the Sunset (fake dating, friends to lovers, he falls first)
After the Storm (grumpy/sunshine, single dad, second chance)
Beyond the Thistles by Samantha Young (protector/bodyguard, single mom, age gap) 🩷
Wild Love by Elsie Silver (small town, single dad) 🩷
Meant for Gabriel by Natasha Madison (small town, single dad, surprise baby)
Wicked Pleasures Paranormal
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Potions & Passions
A Discovery of Witches, All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness (paranormal, historical, low spice/fade to black) 🩷 💙
Go Hex Yourself by Jessica Clare (Found Family, Forbidden Love, Cozy Feel Good) 💙
A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon by Sarah Hawley (Forced Proximity, Fake Relationship) 💙
The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling *Book Club Pick* (Second Chance, Forced Proximity) 💙
A Woman of Blood & Bone by Annie Anderson 🩷
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Beastly Desires
A Lady of Rooksgrave Manorby Kathryn Moon *Book Club Pick* (reverse harem) 💜 🩷
Dragon’s Bride by Katee Robert 💜
Morning Glory Milking Farm by C.M. Nascosta 💜
Radiance by Grace Draven 💜
A Soul to Keep by Opal Reyne 💜
The Lady and the Orc by Finley Fenn 💜
The Demon’s Queen by Katee Robert
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Bite Me!
Once Burned by Jeaniene Frost *Book Club Pick* 💜
Blood Oath series by R.L. Caulder (vampire, other creatures, reverse harem) 🩷
Here be Sexist Vampires by Suzanne Wright 💜
Dark Lover by J.R. Ward 💜
A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole 💜
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Why Am I Panting?
Feral Sins by Suzanne Wright *Book Club Pick * 💜
Riley Jensen, Guardian series by Keri Arthur (wolf shifters, other shifters) 🩷
Dragon Dojo Brotherhood by Olivia Ash (dragon shifters) 🩷
Cruel Shifterverse by Jasmine Mas (shifters) 🩷
Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison 💜
Moon Called by Patricia Briggs 💙🩷
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Affairs of AntiquityHistorical
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Love Only Once by Johanna Lindsey 💜
To Pleasure a Lady by Nicole Jordan 💜
Bliss by Lynsay Sands 💜
Beyond Compare by Candance Camp 💜
Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas 💜
An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn 💙💜
A Passion for Him by Sylvia Day (Georgian)
Firelight by Kristen Callihan (paranormal historical, age gap)
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The Bride by Julie Gardwood 💜
In Bed with a Highlander by Maya Banks 💜
Devil of the Highlands by Lynsay Sands 💜
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Lawless by Nora Roberts 💜
Beam Me Up BabeScience Fiction
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Captive of the Horde King by Zoey Draven 💜
Claiming His Mate by A.G. Wilde 💜
Married to the Alien Cowboy by Ursa Dax 💜
Savior of the Domini by Talia Rhea 💜
Royally Claimed by Jupiter Belle 💜
Ensnared by Tiffany Roberts💜
Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon 💜 🩷
Choosing Theo by Victoria Aveline 💜
Ral’s Woman by Laurann Dohner 💜
Stranded by Heather Fox 💜
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The Selection by Kiera Cass 💜💙
Pestilence by Laura Thalassa 💜
The Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard 💜💙 🩷
Red Rider The Sworn Saga Series by Kate Avery Ellison (YA, no spice, red riding hood retelling) 💙
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Beyond the Highland Mistby Karen Marie Moning 💜
Outlander by Diana Galbaldon 💜
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Bound to the Battle God by Ruby Dixon 💜
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