You know what we need more of in 2021? Kinky reads, that’s what. It’s been 84 years since E.L. James blessed us with her Fifty Shades of horn and we are well overdue our next instalment of erotic fiction. So, here’s a look at some of the saucy bedside companions you need in your life, ideally enjoyed in tandem with The Fireman or The Frenchman. If you know, you know.
1. The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty – Anne Rice
In the first book in her Sleeping Beauty trilogy, Anne Rice explores the world of erotic yearning, BDSM and fantasy. In this retelling of the classic tale, Beauty is woken from her century-long slumber not with a kiss but with a sexual initiation and if the reviews are anything to go by it’s one frisky fairytale of princesses and porn and there’s nothing soft-core about it. Purchase the book via Bookshop.org here.
2. Call Me By Your Name – André Aciman
Before it was a major motion picture and Netflix sensation, it was a precious work of art written by award-winning author André Aciman. Set in the mid 1980s, this coming-of-age story chronicles the sexual awakening of 17-year-old Elio as he finds himself falling for Oliver, a 24-year-old grad student staying at his parents’ mansion on the Italian Riviera. Let’s just say you’ll never look at a peach or a pair of Bermuda shorts the same way again. Purchase the book via Bookshop.org here.
3. Insatiable: A love story for greedy girls – Daisy Buchanan
Broken-hearted Violet wants more out of life – better friends, better sex, a better job – so when she lands a new role at an exciting start-up, she jumps at the chance to start working with Lottie and Simon but it’s not long before she’s dipping her pen in the company ink. Insatiable is a smorgasbord of gloriously rude, Friday-night sex parties and unapologetic smut so you better buy multiple copies because your first well-thumbed edition doesn’t stand a chance of making it through lockdown 3.0. Purchase the book via Bookshop.org here.
4. Addicted – Zane
The Queen of erotica does it again. Zoe has a seemingly perfect life: the thriving business, three beautiful children, the childhood sweetheart for a husband and… a serious sex addiction. Just, not with her own spouse. Infidelity is just the tip of the iceberg in this tale of fatal attraction and forbidden desires. Purchase the book via Amazon here.
5. Bad Behaviour – Mary Gaitskill
A collection of nine short stories of sexual obsession, power games and drug addiction, set against the back drop of New York in the 1980s. A snappy, voyeuristic read to devour in the bath, the boudoir or even the virtual boardroom, if you’re feeling extra kinky. Fans of innuendo will be right at home here. Purchase the book via Bookshop.org here.
6. Bared To You – Sylvia Day
“Gideon knew. He had demons of his own. And we would become the mirrors that reflected each other’s most private wounds . . . and desires.” This is one bonkfest of a novel that you won’t be able to keep your hands off. Purchase the book via Bookshop.org here.
7. Sweet, Filthy Boy – Christina Lauren
From the best-selling writing duo behind Beautiful Bastard (Christina Lauren is the combined pen name of lifelong writing partners Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings) comes this irresistible story of three besties having it large in Vegas. And we all know how that story goes, cue the hook-ups and hangovers. Viva Las Vagas! Purchase the book via Bookshop.org here.
8. Say My Name – J. Kenner
The first book in J. Kenner’s titillating Stark International trilogy kicks off with an explosive romance between Jackson Steele (must be something in the name) and Sylvia Brooks. Purchase the book via Bookshop.org here.
9. The Wedding Date – Jasmine Guillory
A sexy page-turner that doesn’t shy away from tackling issues of race, privilege and safe sex as well as all the adorable fluffy meet-cute stuff. Note to self: get stuck in an elevator more often. Purchase the book via Bookshop.org here.
10. The Pisces – Melissa Broder
Hot sex with a merman? We’re in the like swimwear. We’re already heavily invested in this bizarre premise and ready to pay a bit more attention next time we’re at the beach. Melissa Broder has crafted one hell of an addictive debut that will no doubt be dividing readers for years to come. Brb, off to climb into a clamshell to wait for a half-man, half-fish to wash up on the local shoreline. Purchase the book via Bookshop.org here.
11. Forever – Judy Blume
First published in 1975, Judy Blume’s ground-breaking novel of first love and gloriously realistic first times was way ahead of its time, so much so that it has been the frequent target of censorship (and not just because of a little character called Ralph). Leave it to Blume to handle teen sex with the unabashed realism and honesty it deserves – pre-cum, contraception, masturbation, warts and all. Banned books don’t get much better than this essential read.
12. Women – Chloe Caldwell
A compulsive romance told through the power of the female gaze. You’ll read it in one Valentine’s Day sitting. Purchase the book via Bookshop.org here.
Find the full list of Saucy Books in the Same Throbbing League as Fifty Shades available to purchase via Bookshop.org here. Bookshop is an online bookshop with a mission to financially support local, independent bookshops.
As more and more people buy their books online, Bookshop wanted to create an easy, convenient way for you to get your books and support bookshops at the same time. If you want to find a specific local bookshop to support, find them on this map and they’ll receive the full profit from your order. Otherwise, your order will contribute to an earnings pool that will be evenly distributed among independent bookshops. By design, they give away over 75% of their profit margin to stores, publications, authors and others who make up the thriving, inspirational culture around books!
