Best Romance Books 2023

Five years ago, Lana Roth’s world shattered when her fiancé left her at the altar; mocking her body, her worth, her love. From those ashes, she rose sharper, stronger, untouchable. Now the head of a thriving nonprofit, she’s living proof that survival can be beautiful, until Monroe Corp tries to take it away. Walking into Jace Monroe’s office felt like stepping into a storm. He’s cold, commanding, and maddeningly unreadable. Their partnership was meant to save her foundation, not awaken a dangerous pull that threatens the walls she’s built. But when buried secrets start to come to light, Lana learns that the man funding her dream was the stranger from her one night stand and her ex-fiancé’s best friend, her seemingly perfect life begins to crumble.

“Oh come on, I know you're jealous that I kissed her.” “Respect your mom.” My breathing doubled. I should've resisted and ran away, but I did no such thing, I stayed. His hands began to explore my back as I tried to fight. “But do you respect her? Because if you did, you wouldn't have such naughty thoughts about your best friend's son, not like he minds it though.” He could see right through me, and it made me panic. “Shut your mouth! Like you said, you're a little twenty two years old, so why should I be attracted to you?” “But you are.” “I'm not, let go of me!” I flung his hands off my body, but I still couldn't move, much to my dismay. “I thought so. Let's just stop this.” His smirk was unmistakable. “Stop what?” I was so hot, I wanted him to touch me. “Let's give each other what we want, how about that, Aunt Candice?” …… Barely days after my best friend's famous hockey player son started living with me, he successfully dragged me to his bed. I should be ashamed, but he's too hot to resist. Will my best friend find out?

Hiding your fantasies is hard, especially when your best friend features in every one. I'm the good, innocent girl with a guilty obsession for erotic books. And the man who fuels all those fantasies? My best friend. Those veiny hands set my thighs on fire, and his deep voice twists my insides with desire. But he never knew. And I could never tell him– not when he flirts with everyone and only sees me as his baby sister. Until one reckless night of drinks and games lands me in his bed. Now I’m not sure I ever want to leave. But best friends shouldn't touch you like this. Best friends shouldn't make you squirt this good. But when a sudden arranged marriage threatens to tear us apart, our secret is exposed in a blaze of scandal, turning stolen moments into a bitter need for revenge. So how do I explain this to my parents? Since they still think I'm a virgin?

I made a mistake. A terrible, unforgettable mistake. It all started with one reckless, drunken night—a night that shattered everything I knew. I slept with him. Not just any man, but Zayden Whitemore—my father’s best friend, the man I’d secretly loved for years. I thought it was just a one-time mistake. But I was wrong. Because now, I’m marrying his son. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I was supposed to marry Vincent to save my father’s failing business, to escape the scandal that ruined my family. But how can I pretend to be the perfect wife when my heart—and body—crave his father? Zayden is older, untouchable, forbidden. Every time he looks at me, I burn with desire. Every time he pushes me away, I fall harder. We both know it’s wrong, but we can’t stop. Loving him is dangerous. Staying with him could destroy me. But walking away? That might break me for good. How do you escape a love that’s forbidden, dangerous… and impossible to forget?

Arabella was always under her brother's protection until she got so fed up. Because of the enormous stress she is under, Arabella now finds herself at her sister's best friend's house. Until she innocently experiences many things that commit sin. But does Arabella like it? Does the pleasure of sin make her free from her shackles all this time?

Velia Argento has lived a sheltered life, fiercely protected by her older brother, Hardin. But when she unknowingly saves the life of Xavier De Santos—Venom, the Alpha and head of the notorious MC The Reapers—her quiet world shatters. Ruthless, powerful, and driven by vengeance, Venom warns her: "You should have let me die." Now, he won’t stop until he owns her, body and soul. Venom is a shifter forged in blood and betrayal, haunted by the brutal murder of his family. He has spent years hunting those responsible, and Dr. Antonio Argento is the key to unlocking his past. When he discovers Velia’s connection to the doctor, she becomes more than a distraction—she becomes his obsession. Trapped in his dangerous world, Velia is forced into servitude, her every move dictated by his unyielding commands. But as she fights to escape his grasp, Venom finds himself drawn to her innocence, her defiance, and the fire in her eyes. He wants to break her—but what happens when the fragile kitten begins to claw back? With enemies closing in, secrets unraveling, and a war brewing among the most powerful mafia clans, Velia and Venom are caught in a deadly game of power, control, and undeniable attraction. She was supposed to be his prisoner. Now, she might be his only salvation. 🔥 **Possessive Anti-Hero** 💀 **Dark Mafia Romance** 🔥 **Obsession & Revenge** 💀 **Spicy & Emotional**

“My brother would kill you, Roman. Hell, I shouldn’t even be here!” He moves closer, blocking the exit. “He’s not here, and you’re not telling me to stop, Nikki. So, why don’t we stop lying to each other and admit the truth?" I glare at him. My heart’s slamming against my chest. “Which is what exactly?” A wicked smirk curves his lips. “That we want each other. Always have. No matter how badly we shouldn’t.” *** Ten years ago, I almost kissed the one guy I should’ve stayed away from, my brother’s best friend, Roman Hayes. But then he vanished from our lives and has somehow become the person my brother hates the most. I haven’t seen him in years. The last place I expect to find him is at a high-end gala where I’m meeting potential sponsors for my charity, dressed in a ridiculously expensive suit and reeking of sin—and somehow, he might be the answer to all my prayers. But there’s a catch: I’m not supposed to be anywhere near him, and the moment our eyes lock, I know I’ve made the biggest mistake of my entire life. He’s my brother’s ex-best friend, after all, and there’s a spark between us that’s never been extinguished, and a truth neither of us wants to admit. But some truths are darker than I could have possibly imagined, and some games are too wicked and wild to be entertained. This man might just destroy my life in ways I never saw coming… And the worst part? I’ll enjoy every second of it.

On my way to the interview, my best friend—who had always warned me not to meddle in other people’s business—suddenly rushed toward the crashed luxury car without hesitation. That was when I knew she had been reborn too. In our previous life, she and I were known as the two top aces of the Finance Department. After graduation, we both made it to the final interview at one of the world’s top five hundred companies. On the day of that interview, we encountered a terrible car accident. The company’s president was inside the wreck. I gave up the interview to save him, while my friend ran straight to the interview without looking back. In the end, she got the offer, and I lost my chance at the prestigious firm. Everyone pitied me. However, the president held a grand wedding to repay me. I became the wife of my friend’s boss. I was admired and envied by all. She, on the other hand, struggled under endless performance targets. She got buried by work. At the company’s annual gala, I stood beside the president, dazzling under the lights, while she faded into the crowd—exhausted and invisible. Jealousy drove her mad. She grabbed a knife and stabbed me right there at the gala. When I opened my eyes again, she and I had both returned to the day of the president’s car accident.

She swore she’d never fuck him. Her brother’s best friend. The Madrigal heir. Arrogant, reckless, built to ruin her. Then one night he had her bent over the sheets—rough grip, filthy mouth, fucking her like she was already his. It should’ve been a mistake. Just sex. Just heat. Now there’s a billion-dollar merger on the line, a mafia family in the shadows, and Josephine can’t stop spreading her legs for the one man guaranteed to wreck her. He’s chaos. She’s ambition. Together they’re obsession, destruction, and the dirtiest mistake she’ll ever make twice.

I tried to hide this secret. But wanting him burned inside me like a fever I could not shake. He is my best friend's brother. The one I should never touch. The kind of guy who could break you without trying. Every girl wanted him. So did I. He was my secret. My late-night fantasy. The one I craved but never dared to want out loud. Then one night, he looked at me like he finally saw me. Touched me like I was the only girl in the world. And just like that, I stopped pretending. Now we are stuck in something messy… Lust, secrets, and stolen nights. I know I should walk away. But I cannot breathe without him. I loved him quietly for years. Now I am his secret. And maybe the next girl he would break her heart. Can I stay alive without him? These feelings would kill me alive.