Who Publishes Books Like 50 Shades Grey In 2023?

I've been deep in the romance novel rabbit hole lately, and the publishing scene for steamy books like '50 Shades of Grey' in 2023 is wild. Big names like Penguin Random House still dominate with their imprints—Berkley and Dutton drop those guilty pleasure reads regularly. But what's really interesting is how indie authors and smaller presses are killing it on platforms like Kindle Direct Publishing. Authors like Tessa Bailey and Ana Huang are self-publishing or working with digital-first imprints, bypassing traditional gatekeepers. The tropes have evolved—dark mafia romances and fantasy smut are huge now—but the formula remains: high tension, emotional stakes, and explicit scenes that make you blush.

Social media is fueling this boom. TikTok's #BookTok turned obscure authors into bestsellers overnight, and publishers are scrambling to sign the next viral hit. Entangled Publishing and Sourcebooks Casablanca are snapping up manuscripts that blend romance with thriller or paranormal elements. The market's oversaturated, but when you find a gem like 'Neon Gods' by Katee Robert, it hits different. Traditional publishers play it safe with established names, but the real innovation comes from digital natives who understand modern readers want escapism with a side of spice.

In 2023, if you're hunting for books with the same vibe as '50 Shades,' check out Bloom Books (formerly Sourcebooks' sexy imprint) or Avon's steamy contemporary line. Indies like J.T. Geissinger and Kresley Cole are dominating the charts with less censorship than traditional pubs. The trend leans toward paranormal or dark romance now—think 'King of Battle and Blood' rather than billionaire BDSM. Algorithm-driven platforms like Radish and Wattpad also push similar content, blurring the line between fanfic and tradpub. It's a buffet of options, but quality varies wildly.