Recs if you like Gothikana...

Because we‘d all kneel for a cute nerd (or bespectacled hottie in general) 🥵📚 Collection of romance books where the MMC wears glasses and looks fabulously hot in them 😍 Bonus points if there is a scene where he takes them off to kiss his partner harder 🔥🌶️ Recommendations are always very much welcome (also I haven‘t read every single book on here, so please feel free to correct me if one doesn‘t fit)

When the love story and the world building go hand in claw. For series, only the first book is listed.

hey google, play sports car by tate mcrae 🏎️ theres just something about the risk of exhibitionism and contorting bodies in a confined space with rapidly decreasing oxygen 🥵

from secret hookups in a parking lot to saying fuck it cause you cant wait to make it to a bedroom, these romance books all feature explicit car scenes 🏁

theyll drive stick while you ride the stick🚦

romance books with particular interest in the MC saying iterations of “good girl” (kneeling is encouraged) - praise kink is explored in some titles.

these characters want to please their love interests by listening and following instructions. best paired with a good girl doing 𝒷𝒶𝒹 things.

this list is for those that were A+, teachers pet students and are now adults that want to be told they are doing a good job in the bedroom ⭐️ this list is NOT in reference to animals

Love that lurks in the shadows — obsession, stalking, and desire that won’t let go 👀 • i̲ o̲n̲l̲y̲ a̲d̲d̲ 1̲s̲t̲ b̲o̲o̲k̲ o̲f̲ t̲h̲e̲ s̲e̲r̲i̲e̲s̲,̲ s̲o̲ k̲e̲e̲p̲ o̲n̲ m̲i̲n̲d̲ t̲h̲e̲ r̲e̲s̲t̲ o̲f̲ t̲h̲e̲ s̲e̲r̲i̲e̲s̲ i̲s̲ a̲l̲s̲o̲ d̲a̲r̲k̲ r̲o̲m̲a̲n̲c̲e̲ • this list includes: dark romance in every way, dark gothic, dark academia, dark romcom, horror romance, halloween romance • 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐝𝐝

Unhinged men, complicated power dynamics, and love that feels dangerous but irresistible. These stories are messy, intense, and emotionally consuming — not for the faint-hearted, but impossible to stop reading. Enter only if you like your romance dark, addictive, and a little bit feral.

Nothing better than a quick standalone romance between something long and serious 😏 In other words, if you’re already committed to six series but still need more excitement in your life 🤭

If you simply prefer to spend every night with another magical being that’s perfectly fine too 🤭💖

Romantasy standalones from YA to Dark Romance

Kinda spooky, probably dark and super atmospheric. May include: lady knights, academia settings, broody MMCs, haunted castles/manors, candelabras or gargoyles (BARTHOLOMEW!!)

true dark academia that ranges from fantastical/supernatural to psychological literary fiction

a collection of the "smut of the month" books featured on the Reading Smut podcast hosted by Brea Grant and Mallory O'Meara. "a show about spicy books and the people who love them!"

Have you ever noticed how many books there are with characters named after things you can spot on a hike? Well, here’s a list for you!

Books where at least one MC is named after something you can find on a hike (e.g. Wren, Dahlia, Wolf). Names in books are listed in the comments! I’m excusing the random extra letters or alternate spellings for these lol

please add any suggestions!!!

Dark, spooky romances

Student X Professor. Romances with one of the two characters being a professor. Forbidden(ish) romances.

Open for recommendations ^^

Stolen glances, secrecy, and emotions that refuse to stay quiet. Messy, intense, and addictive.

Books where the story is brought to another level by the character work, be it in the complex character building or the multi layered character arc. The writer made the characters like facets, every angle and every relation gives them yet another aspect to further deepen the dynamic between characters. Every bit of past revealed shows us the way they became who they are now. Leaving us with characters arcs that feel like an entire story on their own, and often impacts the romance.

All the books covered on the monthly deep-dive episodes of the Reading Smut podcast. More will be added as episodes drop.

Standalone books worth a read or repeat!

Books where love isn’t safe, simple, or pure—but it is consuming.