The Girl Who Cried Poetry

Valentine’s day is tomorrow and you might have already been sniffing in the air. Everyone is talking about it, couples are already laying in wait to surprise their partners with their dream gifts and if you’re like me, you’re probably looking homeless and watching them with bitterness and envy, but sure, you don’t have to say it, because I get it.

I get it and for this reason, I decided to do my research and compile 10 of the most smutty, toe curling, eyes rolling to the back of your head, clit throbbing and warm hearted romance novels you’ll be sure to love. So instead of doom scrolling through social media on Valentine’s day wondering why you’re a single pringle, darling, spend it binge reading these books.

1.Wild Open Hearts by Kathryn Nolan

Synopsis 

“I’ve heard that boys with motorcycles have less-than-noble intentions.”

“Not a boy,” Beck said. “And you heard right.”

Luna da Rosa is America’s Vegan Best Friend. The self-made billionaire is a flower-crowned hippie whose Instagram feed is as popular as Wild Heart – her vegan makeup company. When she’s not changing the cosmetics industry, she’s dazzling her online fans with kombucha recipes. Until Wild Heart is caught in a scandal – destroying her reputation as a cheerful do-gooder.

Beck Mason is the prodigal son of Miami’s most notorious biker gang. But Beck left his criminal family to start Lucky Dog, rescuing dogs who need the most help. Except the surly ex-outlaw never realized leading a struggling nonprofit with a ragtag crew would be so damn hard. They’re in dire need of cash – and fast.

Luna believes working at Lucky Dog will fix her image problem and get Beck the money he needs. It’s a win-win, right? Except Beck doesn’t like the sunny, free-spirited…okay beautiful…billionaire. He sure as hell doesn’t trust Luna not to use him just to make herself look good.

Sure – Beck’s grumpy, stubborn pride and meat-eating ways irritate Luna. Even though Beck’s big-heart-and-big-beard-combo is dangerously sexy. And they really shouldn’t have shared The Kiss to End All Kisses on the back of his motorcycle one night…

But as the bohemian billionaire and the burly biker give into their electrifying attraction – will their differences keep them apart? Or will they finally learn to trust their wild hearts?

A book lover like me I’m well acquainted with recommended this and a couple of others written by Kathryn Nolan. Yes, you could say she loves Kathryn Nolan’s books and for good reason because I’ve tried it before and my,oh my, I still testify till today. You might look at the synopsis and conclude it’s not your thing, BUT, don’t knock it till you try it, right? 

2.Strictly Professional by Kathryn Nolan

Synopsis 

It was supposed to be a one-night stand. Lust was the only thing they had in common. Roxy Quinn—tattooed goddess, daughter of punk rockers, and beautiful badass—thought she’d never see Edward Cavendish III again. The wealthy, British hotelier wandered into her dingy New York City tattoo parlor, a little drunk and a lot broken-hearted. And very, very charming. After a night of panty-disintegrating passion, Roxy sends him on his way. She has zero time to pursue the suit-wearing sex god. Not when her business is failing. Not when her employees are counting on her. After a lifetime trapped in his parents’ legacy, Edward’s rendezvous with the scowling vixen is a glimpse of glorious freedom. But it’s not freedom he needs now. What he needs is to find the right wife to fulfill the terms of his trust fund before he loses it all. Roxy, with her ripped stockings and delectable secret piercings, is definitely not that kind of wife. But their paths cross again when Edward and Roxy are inconveniently paired up in a business school mentoring program. It has to be a strictly professional relationship. No kissing. No sex. Definitely no dark alley trysts after dancing together all night. Oops.

Another Kathryn Nolan’s book on the list, because why not? You’ll probably want more of her books by the time you’re done with the first, and I did promise a toe curling, orgasm edging quality read, right? Read Kathryn Nolan today. 

3.Hook, Line and Sinker by Tessa Bailey

King crab fisherman Fox Thornton has a reputation as a sexy, carefree flirt. Everyone knows he’s a guaranteed good time–in bed and out–and that’s exactly how he prefers it. Until he meets Hannah Bellinger. She’s immune to his charm and looks, but she seems to enjoy his… personality? And wants to be friends? Bizarre. But he likes her too much to risk a fling, so platonic pals it is.

Now, Hannah’s in town for work, crashing in Fox’s spare bedroom. She knows he’s a notorious ladies’ man, but they’re definitely just friends. In fact, she’s nursing a hopeless crush on a colleague and Fox is just the person to help with her lackluster love life. Armed with a few tips from Westport’s resident Casanova, Hannah sets out to catch her coworker’s eye… yet the more time she spends with Fox, the more she wants him instead. As the line between friendship and flirtation begins to blur, Hannah can’t deny she loves everything about Fox, but she refuses to be another notch on his bedpost.

Living with his best friend should have been easy. Except now she’s walking around in a towel, sleeping right across the hall, and Fox is fantasizing about waking up next to her for the rest of his life and… and… man overboard! He’s fallen for her, hook, line, and sinker. Helping her flirt with another guy is pure torture, but maybe if Fox can tackle his inner demons and show Hannah he’s all in, she’ll choose him instead?

When curating the list, I just knew it would be unfair if I didn’t include Tessa Bailey on the list because we all know Tessa knows her stuff, right?

And if you’ve read It Happened One Summer, you’ll love to continue from where you stop in this beautiful romance novel in Hannah and Fox’s story. 

4. More Than Friends by Victoria White

Synopsis 

Flings? Sure. One night stands? Her area of expertise. Soulmates? No thank you. After getting dumped by text Kate Harrison is just trying to get through college in California with her two best friends and little to no love life.

Kate’s quiet, loveless, life gets disrupted when she meets Emily at a party her friend has dragged her to. Brilliant, funny, Emily. But Emily’s still heartbroken over her ex and to make matters worse Kate’s friend is in love with Emily.

Kate doesn’t want to let anyone in and Emily is still nursing a broken heart.

But maybe these two clueless and stubborn women can figure it out and fall in love along the way. More Than Friends is a lesbian romance novel perfect for lovers of contemporary new age romance about love triangles, chemistry and miscommunications. Grab your copy now!

I promised more of the girls in 2024 and I’m fulfilling that. Something about the synopsis spoke to me and I just have a feeling it’s going to be so warm and good. If you love a good Lesbian read, this might just be IT for you. 

Though, that miscommunication part might be off putting for some, but we have seen worse. 

5. Wicked Beauty by Katee Roberts

Synopsis 

She was the face that launched a thousand ships,

The fierce beauty at the heart of Olympus,

And she was never ours to claim.

*A scorchingly hot modern retelling of Helen of Troy, Achilles, and Patroclus that’s as sinful as it is sweet.*

In Olympus, you either have the power to rule…or you are ruled. Achilles Kallis may have been born with nothing, but as a child he vowed he would claw his way into the poisonous city’s inner circle. Now that a coveted role has opened to anyone with the strength to claim it, he and his partner, Patroclus Fotos, plan to compete and double their odds of winning.

Neither expect infamous beauty Helen Kasios to be part of the prize…or for the complicated fire that burns the moment she looks their way.

Zeus may have decided Helen is his to give away, but she has her own plans. She enters into the competition as a middle finger to the meddling Thirteen rulers, effectively vying for her own hand in marriage. Unfortunately, there are those who would rather see her dead than lead the city. The only people she can trust are the ones she can’t keep her hands off—Achilles and Patroclus. But can she really believe they have her best interests at heart when every stolen kiss is a battlefield?

It would be CRIMINAL to exclude MOTHER out of this list. You can’t claim you’re a smut reader and you haven’t read Katee Roberts. It’s not even possible, because Katee is THAT good.

It’s a modern retelling of Helen Of Troy, but it’s more of borrowing the character’s names as it’s proven that Katee crafts her Olympus world for her characters which I can attest to its exquisiteness. Wicked Beauty is a personal favourite from the series because of Achilles and Patroclus relationship and I admire Helen a lot. It’s a part of the Olympus series,but can be read as a standalone. If you take Greek Mythology very seriously, I suggest you skip. God bless.

6. The Sweetest Oblivion by Danielle Lori

Synopsis 

She’s a romantic at heart, living in the most unromantic of worlds… Nicknamed Sweet Abelli for her docile nature, Elena smiles on cue and has a charming response for everything. She’s the favored daughter, the perfect mafia principessa… or was. Now, all she can see in the mirror’s reflection is blood staining her hands like crimson paint. They say first impressions are everything…

In the murky waters of New York’s underworld, Elena’s sister is arranged to marry Nicolas Russo. A Made Man, a boss, a cheat—even measured against mafia standards. His reputation stretches far and wide and is darker than his black suits and ties. After his and Elena’s first encounter ends with an accidental glare on her part, she realizes he’s just as rude as he is handsome. She doesn’t like the man or anything he stands for, though that doesn’t stop her heart from pattering like rain against glass when he’s near, nor the shiver that ghosts down her spine at the sound of his voice. And he’s always near. Telling her what to do. Making her feel hotter than any future brother-in-law should. Elena may be the Sweet Abelli on the outside, but she’s beginning to learn she has a taste for the darkness, for rough hands, cigarettes, and whiskey-colored eyes. Having already escaped one scandal, however, she can hardly afford to be swept up in another. Besides, even if he were hers, everyone knows you don’t fall in love with a Made Man… Right?

Before I delved into a more “normal” and less criminal choice of novels, I was a big fan of Dark Romance and Mafia themed novels. While I can’t remember the nature of this particular book, I remember it with a smile, so it’s definitely that good. If this is your cup of tea, go for it. You won’t regret it. 

7. Him by Sabrina Bowen, Elle Kennedy

Synopsis 

They don’t play for the same team. Or do they?

Jamie Canning has never been able to figure out how he lost his closest friend. Four years ago, his tattooed, wise-cracking, rule-breaking roommate cut him off without an explanation. So what if things got a little weird on the last night of hockey camp the summer they were eighteen? It was just a little drunken foolishness. Nobody died.

Ryan Wesley’s biggest regret is coaxing his very straight friend into a bet that pushed the boundaries of their relationship. Now, with their college teams set to face off at the national championship, he’ll finally get a chance to apologize. But all it takes is one look at his longtime crush, and the ache is stronger than ever.

Jamie has waited a long time for answers, but walks away with only more questions—can one night of sex ruin a friendship? If not, how about six more weeks of it? When Wesley turns up to coach alongside Jamie for one more hot summer at camp, Jamie has a few things to discover about his old friend…and a big one to learn about himself.

Warning: contains sexual situations, hotties on hockey skates, skinnydipping, shenanigans in an SUV and proof that coming out to your family on social media is a dicey proposition.

Imagine me not adding the gay to the list. Can’t be me. If you’re like me and you absolutely love MM romance novels, then I think you should check it out because I’m definitely going to do so. The synopsis is giving steamy with a chance of toe curling. I WILL be there. 

8. Kiss Her Once For Me by Allison Cochrun

Synopsis 

The author of The Charm Offensive returns with a festive romantic comedy about a woman who fakes an engagement with her landlord…only to fall for his sister.

One year ago, recent Portland transplant Ellie Oliver had her dream job in animation and a Christmas Eve meet-cute with a woman at a bookstore that led her to fall in love over the course of a single night. But after a betrayal the next morning and the loss of her job soon after, she finds herself adrift, alone, and desperate for money.

Finding work at a local coffee shop, she’s just getting through the days—until Andrew, the shop’s landlord, proposes a shocking, drunken plan: a marriage of convenience that will give him his recent inheritance and alleviate Ellie’s financial woes and isolation. They make a plan to spend the holidays together at his family cabin to keep up the ruse. But when Andrew introduces his new fiancée to his sister, Ellie is shocked to discover it’s Jack—the mysterious woman she fell for over the course of one magical Christmas Eve the year before. Now, Ellie must choose between the safety of a fake relationship and the risk of something real.

It just makes sense to check out more books from Allison Cochrun after reading The Charm Offensive, and this one seems so distinct from the norm of the Fake Relationship trope we are all used to. Besides, I did promise more of the girlies in 2024, didn’t I?

Something about this book promises to hit you and I reckon it’s a good thing. 

9. Under One Roof by Ali Hazelwood

Synopsis

A scientist should never cohabitate with her annoyingly hot nemesis – it leads to combustion.

Mara, Sadie, and Hannah are friends first, scientists always. Though their fields of study might take them to different corners of the world, they can all agree on this universal truth: when it comes to love and science, opposites attract and rivals make you burn….

As an environmental engineer, Mara knows all about the delicate nature of ecosystems. They require balance. And leaving the thermostat alone. And not stealing someone else’s food. And other rules Liam, her detestable big-oil lawyer of a roommate, knows nothing about. Okay, sure, technically she’s the interloper. Liam was already entrenched in his aunt’s house like some glowering grumpy giant when Mara moved in, with his big muscles and kissable mouth just sitting there on the couch tempting respectable scientists to the dark side…but Helena was her mentor and Mara’s not about to move out and give up her inheritance without a fight.

The problem is, living with someone means getting to know them. And the more Mara finds out about Liam, the harder it is to loathe him…and the easier it is to love him.

Um, hello? It’s still winter, so of course Ali Hazelwood is here to steam it up a bit. The close proximity trope novella is enough motivation to escape the reality of your single status this Valentine and just flex. 

10. Hot Head by Damon Suede

Synopsis 

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire…

Since 9/11, Brooklyn firefighter Griff Muir has wrestled with impossible feelings for his best friend and partner at Ladder 181, Dante Anastagio. Unfortunately, Dante is strictly a ladies’ man, and the FDNY isn’t exactly gay-friendly. For ten years, Griff has hidden his heart in a half-life of public heroics and private anguish.

Griff’s caution and Dante’s cockiness make them an unbeatable team. To protect his buddy, there’s nothing Griff wouldn’t do… until a nearly bankrupt Dante proposes the worst possible solution: HotHead.com, a gay porn website where uniformed hunks get down and dirty. And Dante wants them to appear there—together. Griff may have to guard his heart and live out his darkest fantasies on camera. Can he rescue the man he loves without wrecking their careers, their families, or their friendship?

Need these men to come with their firefighting tools because the heat I got from reading the synopsis alone is crazy. You know what? I think I’ll just start with this one. Don’t judge me. We’re all about escaping reality, aren’t we?

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I hope these novels will appeal to you the way they appealed to me. Take your pick and don’t forget to save for later in case you’re wanting more recommendations.

Share with your friends who love romance novels as well.

Happy Valentine’s Day from me — a single book lover to another single book lover!