Why am I passionate about this?

As a woman, wife, and Mom, I’m always looking to get lost in a good fictional romance. I’ve always been drawn more to the messy kind of love stories than the sappy sweet. If you’re like me, and need a bit of flaw in your characters and lots of steam, then you’ll want to read all of these books for sure. Always make sure to check trigger warnings before reading these books, though! 


I wrote

You Broke Me First: The Savage Love Duet Book One

By Danda K. ,

Book cover of You Broke Me First: The Savage Love Duet Book One

What is my book about?

You Broke Me First is an opposites attract, one-night stand, secret lovers steamy romance that will give you all the…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

The books I picked & why

Book cover of Cruel Prince

Danda K. Why I love this book

This book was my first Ashly Jade read and made me absolutely obsessed with her writing. Cruel Prince is the first book in The Royal Hearts Academy series and a High School Bully Romance. There is so much angst and steam in this story it will check all your boxes if you need a fast-paced smutty read with an amazing storyline.

By Ashley Jade , Ellie McLove (editor) ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Cruel Prince as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

NOW A TOP 25 AMAZON BESTSELLER

Welcome to their kingdom...

I never thought I'd step foot in Royal Manor again.
But four years later, here I am...back to finish my senior year at Royal Hearts Academy.

And forced to face Jace Covington.

My first friend. First crush. First kiss.
The one I left behind.

Only—he isn't the same boy I gave my heart to.

This new Jace is as cruel as he is gorgeous.
And he's determined to make my life a living hell.
Along with the rest of his glorified family and crew of tyrants.

They expect me to…


Book cover of Boys of Brayshaw High

Danda K. Why I love this book

Boys of Brayshaw will absolutely consume you! There is so much suspense, swoony guys, strong female leads, and twists and turns that will have you rushing to the next page. I’ve read this series so many times and will never get enough. These characters will stay with you forever.

By Meagan Brandy ,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Boys of Brayshaw High as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

In the world of morally corrupt teenagers, only the strongest survive...

"Simply UNPUTDOWNABLE ... all the feels cranked up to eleven. Five stars for this delicious page-turner!" - BB Easton, bestselling author of the Netflix adaption Sex/Life

 
From USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Meagan Brandy comes an enemies-to-lovers, New Adult romance full of morally corrupt and power-driven teenagers.

"Girls like you aren't exactly welcomed at a place like this, so keep your head down and look the other way."

Those were the exact words of my social worker when she dropped me in my newest hellhole, a…


Ad

Book cover of The Duke's Christmas Redemption

The Duke's Christmas Redemption by Arietta Richmond,

A Duke who has rejected love, a Lady who dreams of a love match, an arranged marriage, a house full of secrets, a most unneighborly neighbor, a plot to destroy reputations, an unexpected love that redeems it all.

Lady Charlotte Wyndham, given in an arranged marriage to a man she…

Book cover of Corrupt

Danda K. Why I love this book

The Devil’s Night series by Penelope Douglas is one of my favorite all-time reads! It has creepy, Halloween vibes, so much suspense, and anti-heroes you will fall in love with. These books are sexy! And the storyline is amazing. If you enjoy a really good antihero and dark brooding boys then these books are for you!

By Penelope Douglas ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Corrupt as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Douglas comes a new dark romance...
 
Erika
 
I was told that dreams were our heart's desires. My nightmares, however, became my obsession.
 
His name is Michael Crist. My boyfriend's older brother is like that scary movie that you peek through your hand to watch. He's handsome, strong, and completely terrifying. The star of his college's basketball team and now gone pro, he's more concerned with the dirt on his shoe than me.
 
But I noticed him.
 
I saw him. I heard him. The things that he did, and the deeds that he hid...…


Book cover of After

Danda K. Why I love this book

The After books brought me back to reading! I fell in love with Hardin and Tessa. These books are messy, a bit toxic, but so realistic that most people can relate to them. If you’re looking for a very long binge read about a couple who fought like hell to be together, then you will for sure love these books. Hardin Scott is the bad boy we all want and need!

By Anna Todd ,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked After as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Tessa is a good girl with a sweet, reliable boyfriend back home. She's got direction, ambition, and a mother who's intent on keeping her that way. But she's barely moved into her freshman dorm when she runs into Hardin. With his tousled brown hair, cocky British accent, tattoos, and lip ring, Hardin is cute and different from what she's used to. But he's also rude - to the point of cruelty, even. For all his attitude, Tessa should hate Hardin. And she does - until she finds herself alone with him in his room. Something about his dark mood grabs…


Ad

Book cover of Trusting Her Duke

Trusting Her Duke by Arietta Richmond,

A Duke with rigid opinions, a Lady whose beliefs conflict with his, a long disputed parcel of land, a conniving neighbour, a desperate collaboration, a failure of trust, a love found despite it all.

Alexander Cavendish, Duke of Ravensworth, returned from war to find that his father and brother had…

Book cover of The Rebel of Raleigh High

Danda K. Why I love this book

The Raleigh Rebel series by Callie Hart is not for the faint of heart. These books are dark, and Alex Moretti is one of the best male leads of any book I’ve ever read. This takes place in a high school and has so much edge and sexiness you won’t be able to stop reading.  

By Callie Hart ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Rebel of Raleigh High as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

* The Rebel of Raleigh High is the first book in the Raleigh Rebels Series. Please be advised, this book comes with a trigger warning. Intended for readers 17+ *

Silver

Hit me.
Kick me.
Hurt me.
Hate me.

There’s nothing that the students of Raleigh High can do to Silver Parisi anymore. Over the past year, she’s had to endure more pain and suffering than most people are asked to bear in their lifetimes. She’s a pariah, an outcast, a ghost. She’s also never been one to take shit lying down, though…despite what half the football team might say.…


Explore my book 😀

You Broke Me First: The Savage Love Duet Book One

By Danda K. ,

Book cover of You Broke Me First: The Savage Love Duet Book One

What is my book about?

You Broke Me First is an opposites attract, one-night stand, secret lovers steamy romance that will give you all the feels. It has a lot of heat, a fierce heroine and dirty talking alpha male, mixed with a ton of funny banter.

What happens when the cocky and conceited rich guy meets the fierce and feisty neighborhood bad girl? Well, a lot actually.

Book cover of Cruel Prince
Book cover of Boys of Brayshaw High
Book cover of Corrupt

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,210

readers submitted
so far, will you?

Ad

📚 You might also like…

Book cover of Head Over Heels

Head Over Heels by Nancy MacCreery,

A fake date, romance, and a conniving co-worker you'd love to shut down. Fun summer reading!

Liza loves helping people and creating designer shoes that feel as good as they look. Financially overextended and recovering from a divorce, her last-ditch opportunity to pitch her firm for investment falls flat. Then…

Book cover of Pinned

Pinned by Liz Faraim,

“Rowdy” Randy Cox, a woman staring down the barrel of retirement, is a curmudgeonly blue-collar butch lesbian who has been single for twenty years and is trying to date again.

At the end of a long, exhausting shift, Randy finds her supervisor, Bryant, pinned and near death at the warehouse…

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in romantic love, anti heros, and presidential biography?

Romantic Love 985 books
Anti Heros 89 books