I Still Think About the Steamy Sex Scenes in These 9 Romance Books

I Still Think About the Steamy Sex Scenes in These 9 Romance Books

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As a contemporary romance enthusiast, I come for the sweet love story in these books — but sometimes, I stay for the spice. It’s safe to say I love a sex scene, and while there are plenty of novels without sex that I love, and plenty of others with it that I don’t, a well-placed moment of intimacy can really make a story more enjoyable. I’ve read a LOT of books in this genre and over the years have developed my own rubric of sorts for what I consider a good sex scene:

  • It can’t come too early in the plot. Typically, I think anything earlier than 100 pages into the story is too soon. I want to feel like the characters have developed a believable emotional connection before they get intimate; otherwise, it can feel like it’s just physical. I would say around the 180-230 page mark is ideal for the first sex scene.
  • It’s longer than 10 pages. I don’t want an explicit play-by-play of the action or dialogue; I want insight into the character’s head to be deliciously drawn out for me — what they’re thinking and how they’re feeling as the action unfolds.
  • It reveals something new about a character, emotionally. Whether it’s a thought or feeling that’s finally voiced or a different, unexpected side of a character that’s shown, I like the scene to be a revelation, a turning point in the story. I want to come away from the scene with a new level of understanding unlocked.
  • It’s emotionally intense, in addition to being just physically intense. I really do come for the love story in these books, so for me, the best sex scenes are the ones that bring the feels — otherwise, I would just read erotica.

All that said, there are several books in particular that include sex scenes that have stayed with me. They’re moments I think about long after the story is over, and I’ll shamelessly admit I’ll sometimes go back to reread just those parts. If you too love a bit of spice in your romance, here are the books I’d recommend.

Lydia Livingston

Lydia is the newest member of the Genesis Brand family and has fit into the culture seamlessly. After graduating college, three years ago, Lydia made the transition to west coast life after her early years in NYC. She's an avid tennis player, animal rights activist and aspiring vegan chef.

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