Best Ya Romance Books 2023

Selene, the loyal best friend, accidentally has a wild one-night stand with a tall, bearded stranger in a motel during a snowstorm—raw, unforgettable sex she thinks she’ll never repeat. The next day at Gwen’s family dinner, the stranger walks in: it’s CK—Gwen’s lifelong childhood crush and family friend, now their new roommate. Guilt crashes in as Selene realizes she slept with her best friend’s obsession. But the chemistry is too strong to resist. Secret hookups ignite in their shared apartment (kitchen counters, shared bathroom risks, late-night motel dates). They agree to date in hiding—Gwen can never know. Every stolen moment is hotter because it’s wrong. Close calls multiply. CK’s quiet depression cracks around Selene. External pressure builds from ex Megan at his new law firm job. When Gwen starts noticing marks, deleted texts, weird vibes, and the growing distance between her two closest people—the secret begins to crack. The truth explodes at Gwen’s surprise birthday party (puppy reveal, friends, cake). After fallout and healing, Selene and CK reunite months later—no lies, just honest love. Hopeful but scarred ending.

Caution!!! This story plunges straight into unfiltered lust, inner turmoil, and risky, taboo cravings. It uncovers fierce dominance struggles, secret urges, and bonds that shatter every line meant to stay intact. If you crave a narrative packed with obedience, surrender, shame, and overwhelming hunger, then this is for you!! Mason has always known what he wants… even if he never had the words for it. At twenty-four, he craves control, not in life, but in the bedroom. He wants to kneel, to obey, to be seen and owned by someone who understands the depth of his desires. When he finally finds that connection online with a dominant man known only as Dom, everything begins to change. For the first time, he feels understood and behind the safety of anonymity, Mason allows himself to explore desires he has never spoken out loud. But when they decide to meet, the man behind the screen isn’t a stranger. It’s Alaric, the man who helped raise him, his father’s best friend and the one person he should never want. What begins as a mistake turns into something deeper, darker, and impossible to resist because once boundaries are crossed… There’s no going back.

“Lila,” I began softly, choosing my words. “About last night...” She stood abruptly, cutting me off. “Don’t. There’s nothing to apologize for. It happened.” I frowned, trying to gauge her. “So, what are you saying?” She crossed her arms, steadying herself. “I’m saying I have a deal for you.” “A deal?” “We keep seeing each other—secretly. No one has to know. No strings attached.” I stared at her, wondering if she was serious. But from the look in her eyes, I knew she was. ********** Lila Frost, a brilliant bio-genetics student and the fiercely protected sister of Alpha King Ronan, returns to Silver Lake for a quiet summer focused on her research. But one reckless night changes everything when she shares an unforgettable encounter with Caden Walker—her brother’s dangerously irresistible best friend. Their one-night stand ignites a fiery connection, and they agree to indulge their passion without complications—no love, no strings attached. But when Lila discovers she’s pregnant, her world unravels. Torn between her growing feelings for Caden and the fear that he could never love her back, Lila retreats into her studio, burying herself in her work to escape the truth. The secret she carries threatens not only her heart but also her bond with her overprotective brother. As Caden remains unaware of Lila's internal struggle, Ronan uncovers the truth about their relationship—and his fury knows no bounds. Now, Lila must confront her feelings, her brother’s wrath, and the uncertainty of what her future holds. Can she risk everything for a chance at love with Caden? Or will she lose him—and herself—trying to protect her heart?

They call me “The Devil.” Deranged and violent. Gorgeous but frightening. I’m a businessman, so when one of my debtors offers me his fiancé in exchange for a debt settled, I figure why not? The woman will be a quick sell. Repayment comes in the form of a beautiful but haunted young woman. The light in her tempts the darkness inside of me. Teases it, tortures it. I want to hurt her. I want to break her. I want to keep her. Luckily for Celia, she fails to see that there is no goodness in me. And when she attempts to draw me in with her innocence and sweet, naïve heart, I thrive to show her the cruel monster I am. This is a dark mafia romance that contains non-con/dub con, graphic violence, and sexual themes. It is not a standalone novel and ends on a cliffhanger.

“Stealing from me wasn't the problem. Leaving before I could wake up wasn't what almost drove me insane,” he whispered, kissing my neck while thrusting slowly inside me. “Then what did?” I moaned out, loving every bit of his firm, slow thrusts. “Why did you search for me so hard?” “Because I missed you so much, baby. After that night, I lost my mind. All I could think of was seeing you again, holding you again, making love to you again. Kissing you….” “Stop. Don't tell me such things,” I said between tears and moans. “Don't make me think you're in love with me.” “But I am. I am in love with you, Lacy.” he declared, staring deeply into my eyes. I froze. He can't mean that. He doesn't mean that. He's my best friend's father. And he's a billionaire, a man way out of my league. He can't and shouldn't be in love with me. I'm a pack of ugly and dirty secrets. I've got demons haunting my life every day. He's only gonna get caught up in my mess. They're gonna haunt him too. They'll ruin his reputation. They'll ruin him entirely. He shouldn't be in love with me. And I shouldn't be either. But how can I keep my heart from falling for the one man that's proven again and again that he doesn't wanna let me go? That he's willing to burn the world for me? How can I not fall for a man who comes back every time I push him away? How do I stay away from a man like CRISTIAN ANDERSON?

[Book 1 — From the Mafia Dark Romance MINE series] He lowered his head, his pupils burning like molten fire. “Maybe you think you can escape from me… but you can’t,” he whispered, his voice brushing her ear like a dangerous promise. Her breath caught—because deep down, she knew he was right. He was her warmth. She was his peace. But peace was never meant to last in a world like theirs. --- ZAFIRA Wilder, a 30-year-old divorcee, rebuilt her life far from the wreckage of her marriage and betrayals that nearly broke her. But fate has a cruel way of circling back. One night changes everything—when she collides with AZRAEL Sartori, the enigmatic and ruthless Italian Mafia boss whose very presence feels like sin wrapped in silk. Drawn into his dangerous orbit, Zafira finds herself in a game where every move is life or death, and every kiss feels like both salvation and ruin. But Azrael isn’t just power and shadows—he holds secrets that link Zafira to a darker, older truth. A truth that could destroy them both. One moment she’s rebuilding her life, the next she’s trapped in his world—a world of whispered threats, burning gazes, and a kiss that feels like a promise and a warning all at once. But Azrael doesn’t take no for an answer… and every time she tries to run, he pulls her deeper into his dangerous game of shadows, secrets, and desire sharp enough to cut. Now she’s caught between a love that feels like salvation… and a man who might be the weapon that destroys her. When your heart belongs to the devil, can you still choose your own fate? Perfect for Mafia Dark romance lovers who crave a blend of danger, desire, and the supernatural.

On the night of her anniversary, Renee was pushed into the sea by her husband and best friend, their betrayal disguised as an accident. They pretended to grieve at her funeral, but little did they know, even the Moon Goddess couldn't let it end that way. Renee was reborn. This time, everything is different. The powerful, cold-hearted Alpha—her best friend's father—finds himself drawn to her in ways he never expected. With a smile, he says to her "best friend," "Little angel, come meet your new mommy."

Mia Jones – Blake Jones’ little sister who’s not so little anymore. A stunning twenty-year-old with long black hair, green eyes, and shapely curves, she’s a tiny spitfire who barely comes up to Blake’s shoulder. Tanner Greysen – Blake’s best friend since middle school. Although she was always hanging around, he never paid much attention to Mia growing up – she was always just his best friend’s bratty little sister. Three adults, returning to their hometown of Mason, Texas for the holidays. But sparks fly when Tanner notices just how grown-up little Mia has become. His attraction to her could cost him the best friend he’s had for years – if Blake doesn’t kill him outright first, that is.

After catching her fiancé in the ultimate betrayal, Willa flees into the night, only to be struck by a car and transported into "The Fullest"—a lethal, multi-dimensional survival game. The rules are simple: Survive the hazards, complete the "intimacy trials" with your assigned partner, and win a second chance at life. But Willa’s partner is Jaxson Vane, the man who destroyed her family years ago. From the fog-drenched corridors of Dracula’s Castle to the high-stakes glitz of a billionaire’s dystopian playground, Willa must choose: give in to the raw, erotic pull of the man she hates, or die in the game. In this world, pleasure is the only weapon, and Willa is finally going to live her life—and her desires—to the fullest.

When an escape plan goes terribly wrong, Liora Sabine is offered as a 'party pup' to the unhinged Alpha who leads her pack. When the mating bond sparks between them, she is plunged into a world darker than the horrors she endured as the pack's only-born omega. Ronin Ashenthorn is carrying a twisted secret. When his council suggests he take a party pup to sate his destructive wolf, he never imagined that the runaway would become his ultimate desire and salvation. She was the perfect Omega, born to submit to him. He was the broken Alpha, destined to destroy her. With vengeful enemies and political vipers on all sides, Liora and Ronin must work together to unite the pack and overcome the greater darkness looming on the horizon... that threatens to obliterate everything they hold dear. THE ORDER OF LYCAON SERIES BOOK 1 Chapters To Be Released: ~90