Written by: Jaylin Hardin | Sports Editor, Salyna Woods | Freelancer
This selection of romance and smut books was created for those who may be lonely or for couples looking for new things to try in the bedroom.
Fluff — plot oriented, light spice
“Ice Breaker,” “Maple Hills Series” Book One by Hannah Grace — When the hockey and figure skating teams at Maple Hills University are forced to share the same rink — and Anastasia Allen’s skating partner gets hurt in the aftermath — hockey player Nathan Hills finds himself trading his stick for tights.
“The Deal,” “Off-Campus Series” Book One by Elle Kennedy — Hannah Wells would do anything to get her crush’s attention — even tutor the cocky captain of the hockey team in exchange for a pretend date. All Garret Graham wants to do is play professional hockey, but his dropping GPA is threatening everything. If fake dating a girl to help make some guy jealous will help him secure a position on the team, so be it.
Spicy — less plot oriented, medium spice
“Twisted Love,” “Twisted Series” Book One by Anna Huang — Alex Volkov is a devil blessed with the face of an angel and a cursed past; Ava Chen is a free spirit trapped by nightmares of a childhood she can’t remember. Their love is one that was never supposed to happen, but when it does, it unleashes secrets that could destroy them both and everything they love.
“Things I Wanted to Say But Never Did,” “The Lancaster Prep Series” Book One by Monica Murphy — Whit Lancaster is a menace on campus, but his primary target is Summer Savage. When she finds him one night, broken and bloody, she sneaks him to her room and cleans him up, then falls for his lies. When he leaves, he takes her journal and promises to let her secrets out. Summer strikes a deal with the Devil — and lets him ruin her behind closed doors.
Spicier — hardly any plot, heavy spice, mature audiences only
“Priest,” “Priest Series” Book One by Sierra Simone — There are many rules a priest can’t break: he cannot marry, abandon his flock or forsake his God. Father Tyler Bell has always been good at following the rules set for him, but six months ago he broke his vow of celibacy on the altar of his own church. And God help him, he’d do it again.
“Neon Gods,” “Dark Olympus Series’” Book One by Katee Robert — Persephone Dimitriou plans to flee the glittering socialite life in the City of Olympus, but when her mother ambushes her with an engagement to Zeus, she is forced to flee to the undercity. There, she makes a devil’s bargain with a man she had originally thought was a myth. Hades never intended to step into the spotlight, but he finds that Persephone can offer the revenge he’s been craving. Every night they spend together has given Hades a taste for Persephone, and he’ll go to war to keep her close to him.
Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu