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    27 Books That Will Get You All Hot And Bothered

    Read in public at your own risk. (Based on the user-voted Top 100 Romance Novels on Goodreads.)

    1. Born in Fire by Nora Roberts (Irish Born Trilogy #1)

    Margaret Mary is a girl from the Irish countryside with a passion for glass-blowing, a penchant for temper tantrums, and a past that has left her wounded. What happens when a (very attractive) Dublin gallery owner stops by her studio and decides he's interested in helping her career?

    STEAMY EXCERPT: "The need to take her was raging, some fatal drug that stabbed into his veins, speeding up his heartbeat and clouding his mind."

    2. Dark Lover by J. R. Ward (Black Dagger Brotherhood #1)

    There's a bloody war going on between vampires and slayers in New York, and the deadliest of all is Wrath, leader of the vampire's Black Dagger Brotherhood. But his plans for vengeance go awry when he's put in charge of the recently orphaned (and definitely sexy) half-breed daughter of his fellow Brother.

    STEAMY EXCERPT: "I can smell the sex coming off you right now. I could take you down on this sidewalk and be up that skirt of yours in a heartbeat. And you wouldn't fight me, would you?"

    3. Bared to You by Sylvia Day

    A 24-year-old survivor of childhood abuse meets a young and handsome billionaire who is hiding a similar trauma. The two tortured heroes fall into a mutual obsession and their love story is kinky and breathtaking.

    STEAMY EXCERPT: "It's probably best for me to work off some energy before I get you naked. I'm sure you'd like to be able to walk tomorrow."

    4. The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden by Jessica Sorensen

    At his lowest moment, angst-ridden Kayden's life is turned around by a chance meeting with Callie, the mysterious woman hardened by past abuse. Fate brings them to the same college, but Kayden has to work to get Callie to let him in — but it's work he's determined to do.

    STEAMY EXCERPT: "I press my lips to hers, feeling my heart thump in my chest as her breath catches. It grows silent as we lie with our foreheads touching and our breaths mingling. I place my hand on her hip, shutting my eyes, feeling the intensity of the moment like an open wound."

    5. Fallen Too Far by Abbi Glines

    Nineteen-year-old Blaire Wynn is spending the summer alone with her new super-sexy 24-year-old stepbrother Rush Finlay. They both know they shooooouldn't act on their mutual attraction. But they probably will.

    STEAMY EXCERPT: "I shook my head. He couldn't stop. I didn't want him to be good. I wanted him inside me. Now. 'Please, don't be good. Please,' I begged. Rush let out a rugged breath."

    6. On Dublin Street by Samantha Young

    An American woman escapes her tragic past by fleeing to Scotland, guarded against the rest of the world, but her new roommate's brother is determined to knock down her walls (and also get her in bed).

    STEAMY EXCERPT: "All I could see was Braden, all I could smell was Braden, and his body was so close I imagined I could almost feel all of his hard strength pressing against me. Right then I wanted nothing more than to pull him into the ladies restroom and let him screw me hard against the wall."

    7. Collide by Gail McHugh

    Recent college graduate Emily Cooper moves to New York City to cope with the death of her mother. She's comforted by a loving (but somewhat boring) dream boyfriend, but can't help being drawn to wealthy playboy Gavin Blake. Will she give in to her temptations??

    STEAMY EXCERPT: "Every part of you was made for me. Your lips were made to kiss mine, your eyes were made to wake up to me looking at you in my bed every morning, and your fucking tongue was made to roll my name off of it. I am more certain of us than I'm certain that I require oxygen to breathe."

    8. Wait For You by J. Lynn

    Nineteen-year-old Avery Morgansten wanted to keep a low profile when she got to college — where she was hoping to forget about the ~dark secret~ of her past — but she can't resist the attention of tall and beautiful super-babe Cameron Hamilton. When her secret comes back to haunt her, she has to figure out if she is strong enough to handle it.

    STEAMY EXCERPT: "Cam shifted his weight onto his left arm and with his other hand, he spread his fingers along my cheek. He placed a kiss to the corner of my lips and the other side before sliding his hand back around the nape of my neck. His lips moved along my jaw, trailing a fiery path to my ear. A shiver danced along my skin, eliciting a deep, husky chuckle from him. His lips pressed against the sensitive spot under my ear, and a moan crawled up my throat. 'Good night, Avery.'"

    9. Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

    All Marianne Daventry wants is a relaxing summer in the English countryside without the nuisance of annoying suitors, but ~fate~ has other plans for her: namely, a mysterious stranger who is definitely bad news but who is infuriatingly appealing too.

    STEAMY EXCERPT: "'You stole my heart the night we met, when you sang that ridiculous song and dared me not to laugh. And every moment I have spent with you since then, you have stolen more and more of me until when you're not with me...' He drew in a breath. 'When you are not with me, I am left with nothing but longing for you.'"

    10. Beauty From Pain by Georgia Cates

    Cocky Australian wine mogul Jack McLachlan is content to treat girlfriends like they're clients until he meets Laurelyn Prescott, who might even be better at the game than he is.

    STEAMY EXCERPT: "His mouth is so close to mine, I feel his warm breath on my lips. 'Right now, all I’m thinking about is how I’m going to get you in my bed so I can show you all the ways I can make you come.'"

    11. The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski

    Camryn Bennett gets on a train in the middle of the night with nothing but her bag, her phone, and the desire to find herself. She doesn't expect to find the handsome and mysterious Andrew Parrish, but the two end up on a spontaneous and thrilling road trip, dancing around each other's darkest secrets.

    STEAMY EXCERPT: "A woman who knows what she wants sexually, and isn’t afraid to express it is so fucking hot, Camryn. Tell. Me. What. You. Want. Or, I won’t give it to you."

    12. The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons

    It's World War II in Russia and the young Tatiana meets an enigmatic officer in the Red Army. Their ensuing romance is unlikely but impassioned, heartbreaking, and truly epic.

    STEAMY EXCERPT: "Alexander tilted his head and kissed her deeply on the lips. He let go of her hands, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing herself against him. They kissed as if in a fever... they kissed as if the breath were leaving their bodies."

    13. Promises by Marie Sexton

    Jared Thomas loves his small town life in Coda, Colorado, except for one tiny detail — he's basically one of two gay men. He's mostly been fine with the idea of living alone, until he finds a friend in the new young cop Matt Richards and all sorts of exciting feelings start stirring up.

    STEAMY EXCERPT: "'Jared?' His fingers were playing gently on my curls. 'Yes?' I was more than halfway asleep, perfectly warm, back in my own bed. With him.

    'Say it for me.'

    'You're heavy.'

    'No.'

    'You're a manipulative bastard.'

    'No.' He was laughing.

    'You're right.'

    He gave one hard tug on my hair. 'That's not it either.'

    'I love you?'

    He sighed contentedly. 'That's the one.'"

    14. Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan

    A woman who is plagued by a personal trauma looks for peace in a quiet Maine town and finds a man who needs her as much as she needs him. It's an uplifting (and steamy) story about the transformative power of love.

    STEAMY EXCERPT: "I knew I loved her — fiercely and with every part of my heart, even the broken parts, even the parts that felt unworthy and without value. And maybe those parts most of all.”

    15. Addicted by Zane

    Zoe Reynard is killing it in all aspects of her life: She's got a successful job in business, a doting husband, three beautiful children...and a sex addiction that threatens to destroy all of it. The thrilling novel is a recounting of her sordid past, full of sexy and possibly dangerous secrets.

    STEAMY EXCERPT: "I had never had an orgasm like that before, not even when I masturbated, and trust me, I had that shit down to a science."

    16. A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught

    It's a medieval tale of passion: Jennifer Merrick is taken from her convent school and held captive by an aggressive and arrogant Duke, only to find that their clashing egos give way to uninhibited desire.

    STEAMY EXCERPT: "She melted against him, molding her body to the rigid contours of his, offering her lips up for his fierce, devouring kiss, then she took his face between both her hands. Leaning back slightly against his arm, her melting blue eyes gazing deeply into his, his wife replied in a shaky voice, 'I think, my lord, I love you more.'"

    17. Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

    Twenty-two-year-old Sydney has a perfect life — great apartment, awesome roommate, loving boyfriend — until she finds out that boyfriend has been cheating on her. Luckily for her, there's an even more captivating hunk next door, and he loooves to play the guitar on the balcony.

    STEAMY EXCERPT: "'Why don't you ever practice on your balcony like you used to?' This question gets me immediate eye contact from him, but it doesn't last. His eyes flicker across my face, down my body, and finally back to his phone. 'Why would I? You're not out there anymore.'"

    18. The Mighty Storm by Samantha Towle

    Tru Bennett has the assignment of a lifetime: interview gorgeous ~bad boy~ rock star Jake Wethers, who also happens to be her former best friend and first love. This time around they can't even contain their connection and Jake wants her to come on tour. The only problem? Tru's long-term boyfriend.

    STEAMY EXCERPT: "He leans back and stares down at me, and then I suddenly see it there in his eyes, unconcealed. The lust. The want. He wants me. He’s trying to seduce me. I’m so completely fucked."

    19. Once Burned by Jeaniene Frost

    An accident left Leila with a scarred body and a magical power — the ability to read a person's deepest secret just by touching them. She deals with what she considers to be a curse by keeping to herself, until she's kidnapped by evil creatures and has to call out — telepathically — to the world's most dangerous vampire for help.

    STEAMY EXCERPT: "I stretched out my hands as if to ward him off. 'Not yet. I want to know what your end game is first.' Another flash of teeth, this time showing his fangs. 'To have you screaming my name within the hour.'"

    20. I Can't Think Straight by Shamim Sarif

    When Tala meets Leyla, they couldn't be worse for each other. But Tala — Palestinian, Christian, and planning her wedding — and Leya — British Indian, Muslim, and dating Tala's best friend — can't deny their chemistry. In a clash of culture, religion, identity, and sexuality, their romance is poignant and titillating.

    STEAMY EXCERPT: "Every night I empty my heart, but by morning it's full again. Slow droplets of you seep in through the night's soft caress. At dawn, I overflow with thoughts of us, an aching pleasure that gives me no respite."

    21. Tangled by Emma Chase

    Notorious New York playboy Drew Evans can't get himself out of bed, and it's all because he caught some feelings for the brilliant, beautiful, intimidating powerhouse that is Katherine Brooks. The hilarious and sexy book is told from Drew's perspective, as he looks back on their rollercoaster romance and tries to figure out if he can save it.

    STEAMY EXCERPT: "Edward Cullen can take his stupid heroine and OD on it. Kate is my own personal brand of Viagra."

    22. Real by Katy Evans

    Sports therapist Brooke Dumas doesn't know what to expect when she goes along with a friend to an underground boxing match, but it certainly isn't being offered a job by bad-boy champ Remington Tate to keep his body in shape. As they travel the fighting circuit and challenge each other, they're barely able to keep their hands off each other.

    STEAMY EXCERPT: "My body melts into his hard one until his strong arm, coiled around my small waist, is all that holds me upright. I don't know if I'm bad for him, or him for me. All I know is that this is as inevitable as an incoming tsunami, and I'm just bracing for the swim of my life."

    23. Mystery Man by Kristen Ashley (Dream Man series #1)

    Gwendolyn Kidd has been sleeping with her dream man every night for over a year and it would be perfect, except for the fact that A) he only shows up in her room in the middle of the night, and B) she doesn't even know his name. When she finds herself mixed up in the dangerous antics of a local motorcycle gang, her Mystery Man decides he has to woo her for real — and she has to decide if she's even interested after all.

    STEAMY EXCERPT: "I felt a warm hand on the skin of my lower back. I twisted my neck, looked up and there he was. I held my breath and he asked, 'You comin’ or what?' That was it. That was his pickup line. 'You comin’ or what?' I went."

    24. A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux

    A 16th-century knight miraculously appears in front of Dougless Montgomery — recently deserted by her boyfriend and heartbroken over it — just when she needs him. What kind of love is so strong that it defies the boundaries of time? A very epic one.

    STEAMY EXCERPT: "Once upon a time, as a fair maiden lay weeping upon a cold tombstone, her heartfelt desire was suddenly made real before her: tall, broad of shoulder, attired in gleaming silver and gold, her knight in shining armor had come to rescue his damsel in distress."

    25. The Bride by Julie Garwood (Lairds' Fiancées series, #1)

    A young, strong-willed British lady is chosen by "the mightiest Scottish laird" as his unwilling bride, and she vows to never love the brute despite their legal ties. What follows is a sometimes mysterious, sometimes playful story of clashing personalities.

    STEAMY EXCERPT: "'It will be a frigid day in heaven before I marry you, milord, a frigid day indeed.'

    'You've just described the Highlands in winter, lass. And you will marry me.'

    'Never.'

    Exactly one hour later, Lady Jamison was wed to Alec Kincaid.”

    26. Seduction & Snacks by Tara Sivec

    Claire is a young single mom who's caught off guard when the one-night-stand who ended up getting her pregnant comes back in town and barely remembers her. The clumsy and heartwarming seduction that ensues is hilarious and hot as hell.

    STEAMY EXCERPT: "He was so pretty I wanted to frame him and put him on my nightstand in a totally non-creepy, non-Hannibal Lector skin-suit-wearing kind of way."

    27. Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A. Tucker

    It's just Kacey and her little sister Livie after their parents die and their aunt and uncle fail to take care of them. She's trying to make their new lives work after they move to Miami, but she can't help but be distracted by her hot new neighbor Trent Emerson — who, it turns out, needs her even more than she needs him.

    STEAMY EXCERPT: "He leans in closer and closer until his breath caresses my mouth. I’m paralyzed. I swear he’s going to kiss me. I swear I’m going to let him."