Lovely people of RomanceBooks, tell us what book scenes had you hot and bothered this week!

Did you read something spicy that had you fanning yourself or glancing over your shoulder? Anything that got you horny, lusty, or thirsty? Share it with your friends here! Help us tame our thirst or make us more thirsty! This post is all about sexy passages you've read.

Please give more than just the book name and author! Tell me why you think the book deserves to be highlighted in the Thirsty Thursday thread. Share those sexy passages that brought you to comment on the thread!

Love is love is love - all pairings and varieties of thirstiness are welcome here ❤️

Patrick, the MMC is like a gentle dom and kind of freaking obsessed with Sarah the MFC. He's kind of evil when you think about it but what can I say it works for me.

You know how there's a lot of books where they say the guy is manipulative in words but you don't see it being done in action throughout the book? Well here, he actually does it in the first half of the book to try and get with her lol. Like he's sooooo sneaky.

Also, can we talk about the protectiveness??? SWOON! They both work in the kitchen as chefs and he's her superior. Just all throughout he physically and mentally protects her. Some examples are like he moves her away and shields her from getting burnt when she's flustered by him and doesn't notice something really hot being carried. Then he notices when she gets upset that their main boss assigns her to grunt work when she wanted to make sugar glass slippers and gets her back on that. Literally massages her feet and bandages her cuts, etc. He's just constantly trying to flirt with her and uplift her mood but can't be obvious about it because he's her boss. He makes her new food items when he notices she didn't eat but guises it as him getting her opinion on a new menu item.

But she starts resenting him for it because she thinks he doesn't actually like her and is just being nice. The angst is sooooo good. Y'all need to check this out. He's like the smooth talking charmer that everyone loves but has eyes only for her. Done in a Paris setting with a lot of baking involved. It was very new to me and different for a change.

Maybe they've been married a long time, they're in a rut, they're drifting apart, maybe even on the verge of divorce. She decides she doesn't want to be the wife she's always been. She starts doing things she's never done before. It can be something as simple as DIY around the house, or yardwork, something that was always his domain. Or maybe she enrolls in school or gets a job. I think this works best if they previously had a "traditional" dynamic. The MMC has a Who tf am I married to? moment as he witnesses all of this. I want it to be a real upheaval in their lives. He's angry and resistant at first, but she refuses to go back to her old life.

I've read {You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle} which I think fits pretty well, but in that book the MMC was more of a participant in the shenanigans.

I would prefer if they don't have kids, but I recognize this is unrealistic in the genre, particularly if they've been married for a long time. So I guess it's ok, as long as the FMC isn't some endlessly sacrificing doormat who always crumbles under her husband's will because she's thinking of the kids.

I don't have any hard no's or triggers.

I love kissing, I love reading about kissing. In your opinion, what are the best kissing scenes you've ever read? From which books and authors? Any other thoughts on things you like about kissing in romance books?

I read almost all her books a few years ago, but I don't think she has published anything in awhile. Nothing has been posted on her public social media accounts in years, and her website doesn't seem to work. Does anyone know what happened to her?

I saw an older post saying this but does anyone have any idea where this author went? It’s been pretty much a year.
She used to be my go to insta love writer :(

Pretty sure it was a book from wattpad. The FMC is the daughter of two rival mafia families (her parents had run away together, then died when she was young). Their families didn’t know about her until her parents died - they were Italian and Irish I think.

Book has past chapters then current timeline chapters. She’s with MMC who is from another Italian mafia family.

I cant remember the MCs names but the MMCs cousin was called Silvio I think, and FMCs Irish cousin was called Liam. Think MMC called FMC Dove.

Book wasn’t completed

Might have been deleted but hopefully not.

Looking for a book with a setup similar to this: the FMC keeps bringing her dates to the same bar or restaurant, and the MMC works there (maybe he's the bartender or waiter). He gets to witness all her terrible dates, they exchange looks across the room, and sometimes he even steps in to save her from an awkward situation.

I'd love some slow-burn tension, banter, and that gradual shift from him finding the whole thing amusing to secretly wishing she'd just go on a date with him instead.

Doesn't have to be this exact setup, but something along those lines! The closest similarish interaction I've read was in Book Lovers by Emily Henry.

All the books I’m reading, the FMC either hasn’t dated or slept with anyone for months or years, and/or then shows a complete disinterest in other men during the course of the book.

I’d love scenes where the MMC is going insane because FMC is hooking up with another guy (don’t need spicy scenes with the other guy but just want actual concrete circumstances where MMC is jealous). Bonus points for a black cat FMC.

{the True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren} sort of has this in that the FMC gets around prior to the book and is on a dating show during the course of the book but she doesn’t actually do anything with any other guys once MMC is on the scene.

Basically I kind of want a floozy FMC 😂

I want mmc to actually behave like an old, ancient even, vampire. Nothing too extreme, i just want him to genuinely feel like an old noble in the modern world type of thing, without being extremely eccentric. I want fmc to be human.

Thank you!

I have read multiple single parent romances, but it always seems like the kids are fairly young, like under 10. And they're often not really a part of the plot--they pop in and out and the logistics of childcare are always taken on by a fellow waitress at the cafe who is happy to spend her night babysitting. Or if they are part of the plot, it's because one of the MCs is the nanny and teaches the little family how to heal...

But does anyone have recommendation for books where the kids are older and play a role in the actual story? Maybe they're mad about parents dating. Maybe they get into trouble and one of the MCs is the school principal who meets the parent at a disciplinary meeting. Maybe the parents date but they have kids who hate each other. Just something where the fact they are parents actually means something!

I do not like dark romance, and definitely not interested in anything where the kids are in real danger (no child kidnapping or anything). Contemporary or historical, if any fit the bill. Realistic romance (no aliens or monsters).

Edit: I do not have Kindle at the moment, so books printed in physical format would be best. But I'm definitely earmarking all Kindle books for the future!

Hello!

Can you please help me find this book?

The guy and the girl meet by her kinda crashing into him and he spills coffee on her and then he buys her a dress.

They have a one-night stand, they had great chemistry. Then I think they meet again but like at a wedding/engagement party of one of the MMCs’ friends.

The FMC is kinda skeptical about the relationship and even acts informally with the MMCs mother to be disliked by her.

I also remember the FMC was stabbed by the end of the book? And the MMCs mother saved her somehow (Can’t remember exact details)

Please and thanks!

Hi, me again!

I’m looking for more romance books that include the plot device of MMC egregiously misreading a situation or the FMC, and hurting her because of it.

MMC should have the “oh sh*t” moment where he figures it out, and his heart drops out of his butt.

Some examples:
- often is MC romances, where MMC thinks FMC is a spy for a rival Club. {Traitor by Himera Ink} {Chasing Ruin by AJ Bishop} are some recent reads of mine that fit
- MMC misreads FMC as a person? {Outlier by Susie Tate} MMC thinks FMC is an ice queen type personality, and is rude to her because of it, but she’s actually on the spectrum. Daydreamer and Golddigger in the series work as well. Daydreamer, MMC thinks she’s betrayed his company and is also not a hard worker. Golddigger… you’ll never guess what he assumes of her.

I've read books where their relationship begins as a situationship that turns into real relationship but the situation period is actually short-term.

So basically i'm looking for either their relationship most of the book is a situationship OR they were already in a situationship before that.

The best direct example I know of this is { Blatantly Blythe by Sarah Hegger } like straightup the MMC and FMC here has been in a situationship for like 19 years or something and that was before the books begun lol

Another would be { Her Best Worst Mistake by Sarah Mayberry } they are not in good terms before the book events but basically most of the book they are on a situationship cause they are just sleeping together with no definition on what they are doing and one of them dont even consider themselves as a couple. I suppose { call me irresistible by susan elizabeth phillips } did it too (man this book has everything under the sun) cause they werent even boyfriend/girlfriend most of the book lol

If it is possible I would love if they openly acknowledge their situationship and people know about it,

Contemporary would be preferred here. Also HEA/HFN ! Thank you

I love a second chance romance but I find it hard to find the specific flavour of them that I love so much. I keep picking up books that have a second chance romance and it starts with them reuniting right at the beginning of the book. There hasn’t been enough development of their relationship for the reader to feel particularly moved about them seeing each other again.

What I am looking for specifically:

-a good portion of the book dedicated to their “before”
-a long period of separation due to one of them leaving or a misunderstanding. NO CHEATING!!!!!
-a reunion moment that has a LOT of angst and hurt and shock
-my preference is if there is coldness and hurt after their reunion from at least one of them and it’s a slow burn to get back to that love they had

My favourites that have done this well:

{Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young}
{Duke of Shadows by Meredith Duran}
{Don’t you Forget About Me by Mhairi McFarlane}
{Persuasion by Jane Austen}

Basically what the title says. I don’t want one where both MCs come to an agreement where they’re like for my inheritance or get your family off your back type thing. I don’t want the MCs to have a rational discussion about it with an end date. Proper arranged either by families or because it’s expected, or alternatively driven to marry out of desperation (not convenience). Neither MC is particularly thrilled about it but they’ve accepted it.

Now for the actual MCs, i love me my neurodivergent, quirky, weirdo, nerdy MCs, esp if that’s the MMC. And love a sunshine fmc. Grumpy sunshine or enemies to lovers would be great, idiots to lovers too.

I’m partial to mafia and CR. I’m not an HR person but for this specific ask i’d be open to HR if it’s really really good.

Only hard line is cheating/infidelity.

I started reading {Silent flame by Cate C. Wells} and I wanted to leave the book on page two but decided to push through it no matter what. The writing is good so at least there is that if I end up hating the story.

Do you continue to read or ever pick up romance books you know before starting that it will make you angry or sad, just to make the reading of the book as an experiment of your own reactions and feelings?

I usually don’t but decided to read this book as such.

EDIT! Please no spoilers to this book, I’ve just started to read the book. If commenting the spesific book, pleae cover the text. Thank you very much

Welcome to this week's Wildcard Wednesday! This week, we want to hear about your romance reading wins. Did you find a new favourite author? Have a blast with a book club? Complete a reading goal? Have something special saved up to read soon?

Share here!

For what ever reason, FMC is against marrying. Is there such stories?

I'm looking for tortured heroes, meaning heroes who are emotionally shaken by something they've been through, carry a heavy burden, have lost their sense of purpose in life, or are traumatized for one reason or another. Basically, I want tortured heroes!

However, I don't want the kind of tortured hero who doesn't actually seem tortured and ends up being an asshole for 90% of the book. I want the author to make his suffering clear, and if he's going to be an asshole, I don't want that phase to last too long.

The main thing is that I want the heroine to be the light at the end of his tunnel, the rainbow after the storm, you know? The person he meets who makes him laugh, makes his burden feel lighter, or simply gives his life meaning.

I'm not necessarily looking for romances where they meet at the beginning of the story, but recently, I was watching Smallville, and one particular scene made my reader brain immediately transport that situation into the world of books. I started imagining what it would be like to find a romance with that kind of dynamic.

Anyway, in that scene, Chloe is talking to Tess. I don't remember the exact context because I have the memory of a goldfish, but I think Chloe says something about Oliver not showing up or maybe choosing Tess over her (I genuinely can't remember exactly what was said). Then Tess says that he would never abandon her because she gave his life meaning.

I THOUGHT THAT WAS SO CUTE! 😭❤️

Basically, Oliver was slowly destroying himself and making a lot of bad decisions until Chloe helped him in her own unconventional way. 🤭 But she did help! She asked him to work with her, gave him a purpose, and he found a reason to keep going. That's where the whole idea of her giving his life meaning comes from.

Another thing that made me think about this was an alien romance I'm currently reading called Indigo by Lula Brenner. There's a particular scene involving a relatively minor spoiler and a character who doesn't appear again in the first book:

«!The heroine meets another alien who is deeply depressed and wants to die because he lost his wings. She asks him to help her find her sisters, who are human Aoiteas lost on that planet. This gives him a new purpose in life and helps him stop focusing solely on his desire to die.!<»

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS KIND OF DYNAMIC! 🥹

So, I'm open to any recommendations that fit this description, even if they only match some of the criteria or don't fit perfectly. I just want a tortured MMC and an FMC who helps him find a little light in the darkness. I want that feeling that, after meeting her, his life becomes a little more bearable and he finally has something to live for.

If she's a sunshine-type heroine, even better! ☀️ But I'm not going to be picky.

In short: I want a hero who's been broken by life and a heroine who, without necessarily trying to save him, ends up becoming one of the best things that has ever happened to him.

You know this happens irl where the friend don't like the bf/gf of their friend.

Just to be clear I don't want it to be like a secret pining. No they used to dislike them(friend's ex) when they were dating their friend then when that said friend finds love (from another book) they end up dating that ex.

I've got this idea from watching clips of Two and a Half men where basically Charlie just does not like Judith at all in behalf of Alan and I wanted a story that capitalizes on that concept turned into romance.

Direct example of this would be { her best worst mistake by sarah mayberry } where FMC openly dislikes her friend's bf which is the book's mmc in the 2nd book while in the first book he is the FMC's ex.

Another relative example would be from two Alice Coldbreath books which would be { an ill made match by alice coldbreath } where Roland and Eden has disliked each other for books and Roland was the FMC's closest family and friend betrothed and was openly showing dislike of him to her. Even stronger case for { substitute bride for the prizefighter by alice coldbreath } cause Lizzie's cousin was dating him for months and she openly dislikes him. Both books marry basically their cousin's ex who they disliked in this case.

I prefer contemporary but so long it is HEA/HFN i'm down ! Thank you

I absolutely love her Gamemaker series and I know she has a lot of supernatural/historical romance books. I've tried reading some of the historical books but didn't it didn't hit the same with the absolutely obsessive man who loses all sense.

I want to try her supernatural series but there's so many of them. So do any do those books hit the mark and are similar to specifically the last two books of the Gamemaker series in terms of having a similar MMC?

I recently read a book where the mmc was the presidents son and the fmcs father worked in secret service for the president so they were around eachother a lot and their dynamic was unique but very cute.

And I’m craving more of it, the mmc can be from a rich influential family or a son of someone important and we see the lavish lifestyle (in subtle ways) and I’d like the mmc and the fmc to be bestfriends and eventually grow to be more!

Thank you!

I’d appreciate just FMC/MMC. And contemporary, even fantasy.

edit: changed societal to influential