Smutty Books for Thanksgiving Break

Rebel Blue Ranch Series by Lyla Sage

A TikTok darling, Lyla Sage’s Rebel Blue Ranch series has taken over the cowboy romance genre. The books follow the lives and loves of the Ryder siblings, whose father owns the titular Rebel Blue Ranch, and the other residents of the fictional Meadowlark, Wyoming. This series has all the tropes, brother’s best friend, golden retriever x black cat, and single dad. The series deals with mental health such as anxiety and ADHD, and found family. You laugh and cry with the characters, and yes there are so many excellent steamy scenes including one where the hero spits in the heroine’s mouth!

Sex, Lies and Sensibility by Nikki Payne

The second in a Jane Austen inspired series, Sex, Lies and Sensibility follows Nora Dash, who is having a bad week. Her father has passed away, then it is revealed that he has a second family, and lastly, an nsfw video of her goes viral. She has no option but for she and her younger sister Yanne to move to their newly acquired property in the middle of nowhere Maine. They are the only Black people around, and have problems adjusting after losing their wealthy lifestyle. Nora then meets Ennis “Bear” Freeman, who tells her that this land is actually his. Soon the two are working together to make this new arrangement work. Can a city girl really find her place in the country? Nikki Payne has been praised for her mix of passionate romance and important social issues in her rom coms. If romance novels are not usually your thing, we highly recommend this entry on our list. 

Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn

Going home for the holidays can be difficult, and the protagonist of this 2023 novel knows all about that. Gerogie’s life has not gone the way she thought it would, and after upheaval at work, she returns to her small town. She soon finds her childhood diary, filled with adventures she wanted to go on and goals she wanted to accomplish. Helping her along the way is Levi, her former crush’s older brother, who was once seen as the town bad boy (one of the best tropes!). The two form a connection, and together, they may be able to escape the labels that have been applied to them their whole lives. Kate Clayborn masterfully balances the sweet and the sexy. And last year, it made many book TikTokkers' favorites lists. This one is sure to make you feel seen as you return to your twin bed in your childhood bedroom.    

Knives, Seasoning, and a Dash of Love by Katrina Kwan

Because this time of year involves a lot of food, this list needed to contain at least one book with a chef. Here we follow Eden Monroe, who is the new sous chef at an up and coming restaurant. The head chef, Alexander Chen, changed the culinary landscape and is now one of the best chefs in the world. Eden knew him years before, when he was kind and gracious, back when he used his birth name, Shang. But things are different now, and Alexander and Eden keep fighting. But they’ll soon discover that what they are feeling is just the simmering of something new, they just have to be brave enough to go after it. With lots of spice both in and out of the kitchen, this one is sure to delight this holiday season.

Mrs. Nash’s Ashes by Sarah Adler

For anyone who hates Thanksgiving travel, this one’s for you. Former childhood actress Millicent is planning to bring her best friend 90 year-old Mrs. Nash’s ashes to her former flame down in Florida. When all flights at the airport are grounded due to a technical problem, Millie must embark on a road trip with her ex-boyfriend’s former classmate, Hollis. Along the way they’ll meet a strange cast of characters, participate in a very involved Broccoli Festival, and maybe just discover that their initial annoyance with one another is starting to turn into a once in a lifetime love. With great character development, fun road trip stops, and hot sex scenes, this one is surely to delight seasoned romance fans and novices alike.

How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang  

Another love story that involves a person from the protagonist’s past, How to End a Love Story follows young adult author Helen as her book series is being adapted for television. While working in the writer’s room she bumps into an old high school classmate, Grant Shepherd. The two clearly have a connection, but there’s a catch: Grant was driving the car that Helen’s sister stepped in front of when they were in high school. Helen is conflicted, can she really be falling for the man who took her sister from her? The book follows Helen from sunny Los Angeles to her small hometown in New Jersey where she’ll have to decide whether she is ready to open her heart to Grant. Written by Yulin Kuang, who is also adapting Emily Henry’s Beach Read and People We Meet on Vacation, this one is an emotional but satisfying journey with lots of heart stopping romance.