Irresistible sexual tension and gasp-worthy sex scenes. Find that elusive chemistry with our suggestive suggestions.
A glance. A look. An accidental touch. Will they, won’t they?
From Romeo and Juliet’s eyes meeting across a crowded party, to Mr Darcy’s declaration of love for Elizabeth Bennet, to Rupert Campbell Black shagging his way across Rutshire before falling for the sweet Taggie, to long haired, leather trouser wearing love god Luke Costello caring for addict Rachel Walsh, every generation has a couple they’ve championed and a love interest they’ve fallen for themselves.
What is it about sexy novels that gets us hooked? Why do we root for characters to get it on, invested in their every meeting, move and misstep until they reach that satisfying climax?
Well, like every good romance, it’s complicated. It’s the meet cute when we know they’re destined to be together, even if it’s hate at first sight or there’s an impossible obstacle in their way. The settings, whether they’re exotic locations we wish we could visit or the everyday office that could be our own. The sensual descriptions of the food the characters eat or the way they dance that make our mouths water and our bodies imagine the heat of theirs.
It’s the triggering of that feeling we all know, the one where we have a crush on someone, whether it’s someone in the public eye or that person we see on the train every morning. The way we’re allowed to live through the rollercoaster of feelings, arriving at the joy of true love, believing that this could happen to us too.
And what’s most exciting about more recent romance novels is the recognition that you don’t have to be straight, white and skinny for sex and love to come your way. There’s a wealth of steamy books incorporating LGBTQIA+ characters, disabled characters, people of all races and body sizes, all having fun times with their person – which means more hot novels for all of us. Bring it on.