20 Best Smut Books to Read in 2025

Smut books are a subgenre of fiction that primarily focuses on explicit sexual content and erotic themes, intended for an adult audience.

They often explore intimate relationships, desire, and sensual experiences in a direct and detailed manner.

It is important to know that they can range from romance novels with steamy scenes to more graphic erotica, placing a strong emphasis on arousing the reader through sexual content.

If you’re looking for some steamy, engaging reads to add to your 2025 reading list, you’ve come to the right place. Brace yourselves, here’s a list of the top 20 best smut books that will captivate your attention and keep you turning pages long into the night.

1. What Happens at the Lake by Vi Keeland

The best of all smut books you can find these days is “What Happens at the Lake” by Vi Keeland.

Josie heads back to her late dad’s hometown to find some peace and reconnect with her roots. Instead, she gets tangled up with her grumpy carpenter neighbor who’s trying really hard to keep her at arm’s length.

Sparks fly as they deal with their pasts and present, leading to a sizzling romance they didn’t see coming. It’s an erotic fiction book you shouldn’t miss.

2. Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver

In “Butcher & Blackbird,” Sloane and Rowan are both serial killers, each targeting “bad guys” in their own twisted sense of justice.

When they cross paths, it turns into a deadly, romantic competition that flips everything they thought they knew about themselves and each other. Their mutual attraction just adds more heat to the fire, making for a dark, gripping read.

This smut book’s premise and intense characters will keep you hooked, craving more of their dark romance. Weaver’s genius is in making you sympathize with such morally complex characters. The romance is as thrilling as the suspense, making it a standout in the genre.

3. The Partner Plot by Kristina Forest

“The Partner Plot” by Kristina Forest is a smut book that focuses on Violet Greene and her high school ex, Xavier Wright, who accidentally get married in Vegas. They decide to fake their relationship for mutual benefit, but soon, those old feelings start coming back strong.

As they navigate this new setup, they have to deal with their past and figure out if they can make it work for real.

4. Bride by Ali Hazelwood

Imagine a world where werewolves and vampires coexist, albeit not very comfortably, and to add to all of that, it is among the spiciest smut books.

In this setting, a werewolf and a vampire enter an arranged marriage to keep peace between their kinds. What starts as a relationship of necessity slowly blossoms into passionate love, though they face numerous hurdles along the way.

Ali Hazelwood mixes paranormal vibes with sizzling romance in this captivating story. The tension between the werewolf and the vampire, both as species and individuals, keeps things exciting.

Hazelwood’s world-building is incredible, making this smut book a must-read for anyone who loves a good paranormal romance. Fans of Scarlett St. Clair’s A Touch of Darkness will enjoy the paranormal tension and steamy romance in Bride. It adds a refreshing twist with its arranged marriage trope.

5. Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey

In “Fangirl Down”, we follow the story of Wells, a former golf star trying to make a comeback, and Josephine, his dedicated fan who steps in as his caddy. As they navigate the high-pressure world of golf, their partnership quickly turns romantic.

The story is full of laughter, challenges, and plenty of steamy moments, which is characteristic of smut books.

6. Swift & Saddled by Lyla Sage

Opposites Attract in This City Girl and Cowboy Romance

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Swift and Saddled is out now!💜 ✨ its been a long time coming, and im so thrilled (and a little scared tbh) to share their soft and sweet love story with you! @Random House Books #swiftandsaddled #booktok #smalltownromance #cowboyromance #lylasage #doneanddusted

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Picture Ada Hart, a city interior designer, falling for her mysterious boss, cowboy Wes, while renovating a ranch. The rugged cowboy and the sophisticated city girl discover unexpected love as they work side by side, dealing with their differences and undeniable attraction.

The opposites-attract theme, combined with Lyla Sage’s vivid writing, makes this a charming and steamy romance. Ada and Wes’s story is full of funny misunderstandings and heartfelt moments, making their eventual union so satisfying. Sage’s detailed descriptions of ranch life add an extra layer of depth to this charming tale.

It is one of the smut novels that definitely deserves the attention it gets.

7. Holding the Reins by Paisley Hope

Cece returns to her equestrian farm and rekindles a casual fling with Nash Carter, her childhood friend. What starts as a no-strings-attached situation quickly turns into a passionate love story as they reconnect and face their long-held feelings.

8. This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan

Emotional Depth Meets Steamy Passion

“This Could Be Us” is a smut book that follows Soledad Barnes is trying to rebuild her life after a crisis when she meets a man who might be exactly what she needs. Their journey together is filled with challenges and deep passion as they help each other heal and grow. Kennedy Ryan’s storytelling is powerful, and her characters are complex and relatable.

The emotional depth of Soledad’s journey, combined with the sizzling chemistry between the leads, makes this book both thought-provoking and steamy. It’s a read that stays with you long after you turn the last page.

Kennedy Ryan’s This Could Be Us goes into heavy themes of healing and resilience, much like Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing balances intense action with emotional moments.

9. If You Hate Me by Helena Hunting

 

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Rix moves in with her brother and his teammate Tristan, who she has an intense love-hate relationship with. Their fiery interactions quickly turn into unexpected passion as they struggle to deny the attraction simmering beneath their animosity.

As you can see this is an interesting setting that immediately guarantees “If You Hate Me” to be one of the best smutty books out there.

10. If You Give a Single Dad a Nanny by Ann Einerson

Marlow Taylor takes on a nanny job for a grumpy billionaire single dad and sparks fly. Their growing attraction evolves into a steamy love story as Marlow navigates the challenges of her new job and her feelings for her employer. This book combines the charm of a nanny romance with the heat of a billionaire love story, making it impossible to put down.

Einerson’s writing is engaging and heartfelt, which is of the utmost importance for smut novels, capturing the nuances of a developing relationship with plenty of steam to keep you hooked on the story of this smut book.

11. Here We Go Again by Alison Cochrun

Former best friends Logan and Rosemary, now enemies, embark on a cross-country road trip to fulfill their mentor’s dying wish. The journey rekindles old feelings and sparks new ones as they confront their past and unresolved issues. Alison Cochrun’s engaging writing and the dynamic between the characters make this road trip romance a captivating read.

The tension between Logan and Rosemary, combined with the emotional depth of their journey, makes this a compelling and heartwarming story.

12. Wild Love by Elsie Silver

Rosie Grant talks her brother’s best friend, billionaire Ford Grant, into hiring her. What starts as a professional gig quickly turns personal and intense. Working together gets complicated as their mutual attraction grows stronger between the main characters in this smut book.

Elsie Silver nails the mix of angst, witty banter, and steamy scenes, making this romance unforgettable. The sparks between Rosie and Ford are electric, and their transition from colleagues to lovers is packed with tension and heartfelt moments.

13. Bridesmaid for Hire by Meghan Quinn

Event planner Maggie fakes a relationship with her brother’s friend Brody to land more business. Their pretend romance soon blossoms into something real, with plenty of unexpected love and hilarious moments along the way. We know that this sort of plot is quite common in smut books, but we must say this one is a top notch.

14. King of Sloth by Ana Huang

A High-Stakes Romance Between Power and Passion

A high-powered publicist falls hard for her charming billionaire client. Their relationship is a whirlwind of tension and passion as they juggle their professional and personal lives. Ana Huang delivers steamy scenes and well-developed characters, creating a romance that’s hard to put down.

Balancing between professional and personal lives is always a good setting, which guarantees an interesting smutty book narrative.

The dynamic between the publicist and her billionaire client is both thrilling and deeply emotional, making this book a must-read.

If you loved Danielle Lori’s The Sweetest Oblivion, the sizzling chemistry and high-stakes romance in King of Sloth will captivate you.

15. The Dixon Rule by Elle Kennedy

If you’re into sports romances with plenty of humor and heat, you’ll love The Dixon Rule. It’s packed with fake dating shenanigans and some seriously sexy moments. Elle Kennedy’s sharp writing style and compelling characters make it impossible to put down.

Elle Kennedy is a well-known author who writes smut novels, and we can guarantee that this one, like her other books, is the work of a master.

16. God of War by Rina Kent

Get ready for some serious will-they-won’t-they tension with God of War. This book is full of passionate moments that will get your heart racing. The intense dynamics between the characters make for a gripping and steamy read.  Rina Kent does an amazing job of building tension and delivering those steamy scenes we all love.

The characters are complex, and their relationship is intense, making it hard to put this smut book down.

17. Loving Romeo by Laura Pavlov

Imagine a small-town romance with a grumpy boxer and a sunshine girl. Loving Romeo is just that, and it’s full of provocative scenes and heartfelt moments. Erotic fiction at its finest, which is one of the most important characteristics of smut books.

Laura Pavlov’s charming characters and engaging plot make this story a delightful mix of passion and sweetness.

The dynamic between the grumpy boxer and the sunshine girl is endearing and steamy, offering a perfect blend of humor and heat. It’s a feel-good read that’s both spicy and sweet.

18. The Predator by Runyx

Imagine a dark, intense enemies-to-lovers romance that keeps you on the edge of your seat. That’s exactly what you get with The Predator by Runyx. The characters’ relationship is a wild rollercoaster of passion and drama, making it impossible to look away.

19. Heartless by Elsie Silver

Heartless is a single-dad romance that hits you right in the feels. The lingering touches and unbearable angst are just so perfectly done. Even though it came out in 2022, it’s still hooking readers with its emotional depth and heat.

Elsie Silver knows how to create deep connections and steamy scenes. The single-dad angle adds an extra layer of complexity and heart to the story, making it both touching and passionate.

20. Wildfire by Hannah Grace

We conclude our list of smut books with “Wildfire” by Hannah Grace. Wildfire is the perfect follow-up to Icebreaker, bringing back those summer camp vibes with counselors rekindling their romance. It’s sweet, it’s spicy, and it’s everything you need for a great summer read.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

These are the best smut books that offer a wide range of steamy stories, from contemporary romance to dark and twisted tales.

Each of these smut books brings something unique to the table, ensuring there’s something for every romance reader’s taste.

Enjoy!