'Spicy' romance novels - everyone but me?

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Shamelessly posting in AIBU for traffic!

This morning on the school run I caught some of the mums talking about 'hockey books', I bumbled in confused because hockey is not an option for our dcs (v early primary) but apparently they were talking about these 'spicy' books they all read.

They hadn't told me as they thought I was too prim (!) but apparently they're all into them, basically it seems like chick lit but with lots of sex and 'spicy' scenes.

Is everyone reading this apart from me?? I'd never even heard of them until today and feel a bit left out.

Never thought I was prim, now wondering if I have been all along 😂

Rowan is my new Book Boyfriend (love a scowling silver fox).

How do you think he'd get on with Rhysand and Xaden?? They're my alternating book boyfriends at the moment 😂😂

Ah you need Competence-porn. There’s a genre for everyone. (Nothing sexier than competence in my opinion)

I read a ton of romance but mostly not at the super-sexy end. If that is what you are after, I recommend Olivia Dade’s books. And I second the person who send don’t read these on audio. I tried once and realised just how much skim reading of the sex scenes I normally do.

Mills and Boon are still around, btw, and have a line of spicier books, as well as some closed door and everything in between. Some of their authors are terrific, others not so much. But they are short and cheap and it’s not hard to find the ones you like. I would suggest Dani Collins or Jackie Ashenden to start. Kelly Hunter is one of my favourites too.

OMG yes. That’s one of the main reasons I liked the Outlander books. Jamie just knew how to do everything so competently.

I always found the idea of a ‘billionaire’ romance genre weird since the billionaires most people are aware of are Bezos, Musk, Zuckerberg, et al., and I’d struggle to think of a less desirable or sexually appealing bunch. Competence porn sounds more attractive!

Would also recommend "Bad Brides" by Rebecca Chance - first read about it on here somewhere.

The hockey books they are talking about could be the Pucking Around series.
Those are extremely explicit, with loads of definitely -not-vanilla scenes in them.
A few people have mentioned their younger teenagers reading this stuff- please please look beyond the cover as a lot of the cartoon/pastel covers are actually very graphic and some some darker themes. There is no industry standard about how to label these books and most don't have age ratings etc.

I loved the ACOTAR books after the first bit (although loved the fairy tale element). The fifth one is really spicy! Love forth wing too. Like a PP I think in my like spice with wings and dragons!
as a teen I loved the trashy romances with sultans and pirates who kidnapped innocent young girls! Their covers were magnificent! And spicy is a great word!

Never read one and never would.

I read lots of spicy romance books, usually a rock star romance. Mindless escapism!

Loads available on kindle unlimited.

"The Idea of You", by Robinne Lee, was a recent spicy rock star romance...

I don’t think I’ve read that one. Not sure a British boy band theme appeals to me. I’m more into rock bad boys.

Yes I agree, but it's shorter so the poor writing is less of an issue!

We were reading Judy Blume's Forever was co fiscated by the headmaster when we were reading in the playground in what is now year 8. The fun of books like Lace was that we weren't meant to be reading them. I didn't really understand the goldfish, either. I suppose it was to shock.

Haven't read any recent stuff, but I have consumed a lot of classic erotica in my time, and I can assure you the quality of writing of erotica in the 19th and earlier 20th centuries was often pretty questionable, then, too.

John Cleland is published by Penguin Classics for a reason, though, being a notable exception. (And also earlier.)

You really think that young teens should be reading ACOTAR and the likes? I mean I loved it but they are pretty explicit - especially number 5, there’s a lot of wet fingers, cocksucking and explosions told quite graphically. It should be 15+ at least. I see some of the kids at school reading them and don’t dare say I have read them too for fear of being called an old perv!!!
I remember when the year 9/10s were reading 50 shades and all wanted a man like Christian Gray. I just think these books are a bit too much and a bit too unrealistic for growing teens - I mean talk about expectations …

I'm not on Tik Tok and would absolutely avoid any book recommended on there or sm. Like a pp said, I love reading and don't want to waste my time reading cheap, poorly written fanfiction. I've never read a book yet because, "everyone is reading it". There is so much fantastic fiction out there why waste time reading self published utter rubbish.

@Pieceofpurplesky I didn’t say young teens…I said it was about a 15, I’d have said that was fine for 14 plus but obviously parental judgment required..I’ve not actually read the 5th book!

I do agree generally about better guidance on books, my dds have taken things out of the library that were not appropriate

listen on Audio to Butcher and blackbird, filth and murder 😉

I've written one 😁Not published though.

Recently there was a film with Anne Hathaway on Amazon Prime that was based on a book that was meant to be based on Harry Styles. That was quite spicy but only works if you don't picture Harry Styles. The film was dreadful though, book better.

I once saw a recommendation for Credence by Penelope Douglas as spicy- more like utter smut and I’m very open minded 🫣😂

I have genuinely never come across a well written sex scene in a book. And I read A LOT. Maybe I’m just not the sort of person who finds erotic fiction actually erotic, but the few I have checked out almost made me laugh out loud at how cringeworthy they were.

Is that the Uncle one? The BF that disses my hockey porn read that one

Yes, I honestly blushed reading it. I did finish it though 😂

I used to like some of the Black Lace books, like "The Tutor", by Portia da Costa, or "The Seven-Year List" by Zoe le Verdier.

I agree. 50 Shades was an abomination and all these follow ups are even worse. Don’t bother is my advice!