Highly Recommended Risqué, Taboo and Forbidden Love Stories

UPDATED AUGUST 5th 2017!!

Who’s in the mood for a risqué read? I mean… risqué within reason, of course (although there are a few on here that I am WAY TOO SHY for, or scared of…) But there are all different levels of risqué on here.

Looking for something… scandalous?  You know the kind. The ones that have you connecting to the characters and their plight, despite your initial reaction to the “subject matter”. Taboo stories, but within our genre. And sure… while these are not “romance” books, they are love stories (albeit… different). From Stockholm Syndrome “dark reads” to teacher-student love stories to problematic age differences to er… *other* stuff (along the lines of “Forbidden” <— the ultimate “our genre” taboo story, if you ask me ).

Something that you ended up loving (even if it was in secret). Something to take you out of your comfort zone, and make you squirm. Squick you out and give you stomach pains.

Jean: I do love the taboo….but I just dread those “stomach pains”!!!

Ashley: I am one big sucker for taboo books and an even bigger sucker for teacher student relationship books.

Tre: Taboo love stories are my favorite! Thanks for putting together this list!

Sadie: Love this list! Taboo is my kryptonite and there are several on here that I haven’t read (and several I love!).

Brittany: I didn’t realize I was a fan of taboo books until I read your “Highly Recommended Risque, Taboo and Forbidden Love Stories” list and noticed that I had read almost all of them. Oops. Oh well.  

Agreed!!! Yet they still tempt us. These’ll make you think, gasp, cringe and maybe even swoon (probably even swoon), even though your brain is scolding you for even going there. Nothing tooooo crazy, mind you (although Forbidden was pretty “out there”).

Asked for by many of our fellow readers, I finally decided to put something together, especially after this fun conversation :

K: so scandalized. . . but I like being scandalized. . . I like books like that.. . that for some reason or another make the taboo taste good.

Maryse: *giggle* YES!!!

K: Do you have a taboo list? If not you need to make one!! A list. . . of things that broach genuine taboos. . . like On the Island or Finding Home. . . Maybe we’ll get more recs for sinners like us heh

Maryse: Okay for sure I’ll make that list. GREAT idea! I’m game for gritty and dirty. LOL!

K: I love forbidden, sorta taboo stories like that. . . I’ll be the first one there buying books. . . HEE! WOO HOOO!! Excited!!! #sinners

Now of course, not all of these are for everyone, but there just might be one or two (or maybe even all of ‘em) to titillate your wild and risqué side. These recommendations (mine, and reader recommendations!!) range from “slightly risqué” feel to full-on “gasp-worthy”. Also, once you’ve pursued this list, I’ve created a sub category that you can check out, too: Forbidden Romance – Sexy Stepbrother Romance Book List

MY RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma <— RELATED – Let’s start the list off with a bang, shall we? This is the ULTIMATE taboo, forbidden love story. Sordid (from an outsider’s perspective) but once you become a part of their lives, the “sordidness” falls away. This author presents one of the most shocking “potential love” stories, and slowly takes you through so many heart wrenching emotions. You’ll find yourselves rooting for the un-rootable (and in denial for a good part of it). Even my mom read it, and while she was nervous and just couldn’t imagine feeling for these characters, she ended up messaging me saying: “I’m sure it took a lot of guts to write that book… but it was so well done…” and Amy said: “Forbidden had my heart hurting and my stomach feeling sick while at the same time feeling like the “nope octopus.” Gotta love those taboo books…” (my review of Forbidden)
• Good (Too Good series) by S. Walden <— TEACHER-STUDENT – For me, this was pretty much as taboo as they get in this romance genre. She’s only 17 and he’s her high school teacher. Soooo many times I just felt it was so wrong, and yet their dynamic, their insistent, persistent attraction to each other (and the train-wreck I could se coming) had me devouring it. Will definitely take you our of your comfort zone, especially since she had a very “young” and inexperienced feel to her, especially in comparison to some of the street-smart teens in some of the other suggestions below. Jessica recommends it too: “I loved Good and Better by S. Walden. It’s a teacher student relationship but I know many readers thought it crossed some lines they weren’t comfortable with. I absolutely loved every bit of it, but because it crossed some lines for some, I’d definitely say it could fit into this category.“ (see my review of Good)
• On the Island: A Novel by Tracey Garvis-Graves <— TEACHER-STUDENT/AGE ISSUES - only slightly taboo in the grand scheme of this list, but it sure had a forbidden quality to it. She was his tutor, and he was a teen (she was in her twenties). FANTASTIC romance potential, and very exciting in respect to the survival angle. You will connect BIG TIME! Beth recommends it, too! “I thought I would be put off by the subject matter, but I ended up really, really liking the book.“ (my review of On The Island)
• Curio by Cara McKenna <— ESCORT – One of my favs and not so “taboo” but definitely has that secret feel. Sexy Parisian escort and a virgin looking for her “first time”. SOOOOO good and what a twist! If you’re in the mood for slow burn, quiet and intimate but with a certain “thing” (and a whoa! moment), this one! (my review of Curio)
• Captive in the Dark (The Dark Duet: Book 1) by CJ Roberts <— STOCKHOLM SYNDROME – the WHOLE The Dark Duet Series is a full-on taboo potential love story due to it’s extremely dark (and horrific) nature. This is NOT a romance series. She gets kidnapped, and trained to be sold as a sex slave. Except that she starts falling for her temporary “master”… and he just might be feeling her, too. Mallory recommends these, too: “The Dark Duet series: Captive in the Dark and Seduced in the Dark are so far my faves“. Nicole loves this book, too! “Sooooo well written!  And because it is darker and what?….Taboo?…..it may be hard to recommend, but I would and do!  I fell in love with Caleb.  He, for me is the ultimate bad guy – with a heart.” And Christina, too: “…no matter how raw & ‘dark’ the books were I just couldn’t help but hope that they would actually fall in love & Caleb would change. Some of those scenes where very hard to swallow but I loved every minute it.“ (here is my review of Captive in the Dark)
• Comfort Food by Kitty Thomas <— STOCKHOLM SYNDROME <— My VERY first of the genre, and one that I could NOT put down. It scandalized me, terrified me, and made me CONNECT big time (and boy… was I afraid for my mental health at that point). I had no idea yet, that these “Stockholm Syndrome” books could affect the reader so deeply and guess what!? I wasn’t alone. OMG I am SO glad I found out that a WHOLE slew of my fellow readers are also thrilled to read these. We’re a bunch of daring readers just looking to be scared (and mentally and especially emotionally, confused). Melissa agrees: “I loved Comfort Food by Kitty Thomas…..was a short read but has stayed with me still…..way loved it even if I really shouldn’t have.” Annaleigh too: “Comfort Food! I felt so conflicted after I was done with that book. Chicken noodle will never seem innocent again!“. Jennifer, too: “my all time favorite/appalling dark read is Comfort Food by Kitty Thomas. I don’t really consider it a love story, more of an obsessive, psychotic, terrifying journey that made me question my sanity for remotely feeling anything towards the male lead! That story f-r-e-a-k-e-d me out and sucked me in too! I wanted him to fall madly in love with her and make up for every horrific act he committed against her! Definitely one of my more disturbing reads.” (Here is my review of Comfort Food)
• Willing Victim by Cara McKenna <— TAKEN BY FORCE FANTASY - Another book that I loved by the same author. MUCH more taboo due to the role playing fantasy, but so well written and I couldn’t put it down, even with my cringing. A total typical boxer bad-ass (brooding and no-nonsense) and some of the “scenes” are *eeeeeeeep-worthy*!!!!!!!! It was hard for me to review it, ’cause I thought I’d have some thinking I was crazy for liking it. BUT so many of my fellow readers loved it, too (even in it’s craziness!) If you’re in the mood for much harder —> Victim (my review of Willing Victim)
• Finding Home by Bonnie Dee <— AGE ISSUES + street-smart homeless male prostitute – another one that had my attention from start to finish, and really just… fulfilled me in every way. This book had everything. Intriguing story, risqué situation, and an amazing (yet super angsty, slow burning love story). It’s risqué (he’s 17 and she’s in her early 20′s) but sooooo good. (my review of Finding Home)
• Bone Deep by Bonnie Dee <— SOCIAL ISSUES  It takes place in the 50′s (I think) but it feels modern. She’s a well respected young widow, he’s in a traveling circus (in the circus side-show) tattooed from head-to-toe BUT he hates it. And he hates how people stare at him. But she looks at him differently and while he usually never makes eye contact, he does with her… a connection is made. It’s slightly taboo, ’cause he’s absolutely unaccepted by society, so you know.. (my review of Bone Deep)
• Sheltered by Charlotte Stein <— FORBIDDEN love story —> not exactly taboo, but completely forbidden. She’s been raised by an extremely religious family (her father is a total tyrant and she’s under strict lock and key), and he’s a “bad boy” drug user that hangs out at her neighbors house. This is not your typical “bad boy NA” story. There is something just so intense and illicit in their friendship and while it isn’t necessarily taboo by our standards, the intensity (and fear of getting caught) is TOTALLY the right feel for this list. K agrees! “Sheltered. . . Is. . . hands down. . . One of the sexiest books I’ve ever read. I can read it at any given time and be like. . .OMG! This is hot there are very few books I can claim that with…” (here’s my review of Sheltered)
• A Little Too Far by Lisa Desrochers <— RELATED + SOCIAL ISSUES <— definitely has that taboo-feel, but not over the top cringeworthy or anything. Just enough to keep you grinning and your heart palpitating and you wanting… Yep, ’cause you’ll (I mean… she’ll) have to choose between her step-brother and a priest. *oooooomph* THIS one is SO fun and Julie agrees: “I really got into this book.  The author did this really good….where else can you read about 2 taboo subjects and in the end feel all good about it?  Amazing!” (here’s my review of A Little Too Far)
• Unteachable by Leah Raeder <— TEACHER-STUDENT and so beautifully written. But that tension between the two… “Maise and Evan resolve to keep their hands off each other, but the attraction is too much to bear. Together, they’re real and genuine; apart, they’re just actors playing their parts for everyone else. And their masks are slipping. People start to notice.” (see my review of Unteachable)
• Nocturne by Charles Sheehan-Miles & Andrea Randall <— TEACHER-STUDENT and another one that was beautifully written. Fraught with angst and not just of the student-teacher variety. The love story evolves into other forbidden territories. (Here’s my review of Nocturne)
• Escorted by Claire Kent <— ESCORT and full on slow burn. She knows not to get attached, but she keeps on hiring him… “Lori knows that nothing would be as foolish as falling in love with her paid escort, but she’s never been wise with her heart. And, despite his professionalism, he doesn’t seem entirely immune either.” (here’s my review of Escorted)
• Undeniable by Madeline Sheehan by Madeline Sheehan <– AGE ISSUES/SOCIAL ISSUES *whoooooo* One of my absolute favorite books ever (’cause it was unputtdownable with all of it’s crazy turmoil and taboo and bad-guy fun!) You want the ultimate biker guilty pleasure? THIS!!!!! SO GOOD  and gritty and raw! Sarah agrees: “Loved this book! It’s raw, gritty and sexy!” and so does Claudia: “This is one of my favorite MC books, I can’t wait for the next one!” (here’s my review).
• Consequences by Aleatha Romig <—- DARK READ/STOCKHOLM SYNDROME <— yep… this one too. A trilogy of intensity and crazy circumstances and a hateful captor. And yet… it sure messed with out heads. And our hearts. Just look at Cynthia’s reaction! “Consequences and then Truth. I hate to say it but I still liked him after the first book and I am still hoping for their happy ending. I myself would have killed him after the first “accident”. I was uncomfortable the whole time I was reading them.” And Cody’s: “I would have to say Consequences and Truth. I had so many, “oh my god!!! This is so awful!!! I love it!! <—wait. What? ” LOL!!!!! I agree.  (Here is my review of Consequences)
• Come Undone (The Cityscape Series) by Jessica Hawkins <— ILLICIT AFFAIR - Here’s a series that explores a very uncomfortable/objectionable romance subject matter, that in it’s own way… is taboo? Of the “torrid affair” kind of taboo. In fact, some readers specifically choose NOT to read this kind of “love story”. (here’s my review of the entire The Cityscape Series)
• Thoughtless by S.C. Stephens <— ILLICIT AFFAIR – I think this was the first book I’d ever read that explored this subject matter so deeply (and took some serious risks all the way through). Lots of shocking and painful moments, and scene after scene that had my heart racing (in both love and nerves). To this day, I don’t think any book about this kind of “romance” has ever affected me so deeply, and I’d have to say a TON of you agree.  It freaked Melissa out, too: “I hate reading books about cheating. So when I started reading Thoughtless, I actually had to put it down for awhile. I eventually finished it and I am so glad I did. I fell in love with Kellan Kyle!” LucyLou agrees: “”Thoughtless” when ****** were **** while ***** was ****. That book drove me insanely, deliciously crazy!!” Rebecka loves the scandalous edge to it, too: “Cheating is never right but I’d be lying if I didn’t have fun living vicariously through Kiera. Affairs are fun in fiction. And all those stolen moments drinking coffee in the kitchen … Gahhhh!!“
• Tempted by Megan Hart <— ILLICIT AFFAIR (but a sort of threesome, too). I read this. VERY good and VERY uncomfortable. Not for everyone, that’s for sure, but YES!!!!!!! If you like the risqué, and beating yourself (and the characters up), then this is for you! (Here is my review of Tempted). P.S. The first two book in this series (Dirty & Broken) also have a very “edgy” scandalous feel to ‘em. I LOVE this author!
• Sex Love Repeat by Alessandra Torre <— Nancy said: “I think Sex Love Repeat by Alessandra Torre could be considered taboo, too. Her two lovers ****, but don’t want to give too much of the story away for those who have not read it. It really was a tangled mess!” Hrmmmm…. not obviously “taboo” right off the start, but yes… Nancy! You’re right. This one does have that risqué edge and things do get pretty “crazy” love triangle wise. And what twists!!! One of my favs last year, and it certainly fits here. (My review of Sex Love Repeat)

• The Education of Sebastian (The Education of…) by Jane Harvey-Berrick <— AGE ISSUES – he’s a teen and she’s in a loveless marriage. Jillian recommends this series: “Both very good!!”
• Forbidden Fruit: Volume 1 by Lisa M. Harley, Missy Johnson, Stacey Lynn, Lexi Buchanan, Rebecca Brooke, Olivia Linden, Jessica Hawkins, R. S. Grey, Morgan Jane Mitchell, Janice Baker <— Jessica recommends this one! “The Forbidden Fruit Anthology is a collection of taboo love stories. Volume I is already out and Volume II releases on 4/15.”
• The Assignment by Evangeline Anderson <— M/M recommended by K. She says: “I love it. . . but it’s dirty… it’s one of my SUPER sexy go to books. The Assignment is my fav of hers. . . And I think it’d fall into the taboo category for sure they’re “Straight” cops undercover at a gay resort trying to bust a guy and they end up before “forced” to do things”
• Picture Perfect by Evangeline Anderson <— RELATED – recommended by K. She says: “a step-brother and sister. . .their parents were married but they weren’t raised together.” – Alas, this one is no longer on Amazon.
• Honest Illusions by Nora Roberts <— K recommends this one, too! “have you read Nora Robert’s Honest Illusions? It’s VERY old school… but you might like that one … It’s kinda different. . . I thought it was good” (What’s it about? I have no idea, but from the blurb… there’s a secret and I have a feeling that is the taboo part!!)
• RUINED by Shelly Pratt <— Jeanie recommends these! “Absolutely LOVED Ruined & Ruining Angel by S. Pratt!!!” Ooooooooooh  I just got a blurb jolt! What is the SECRET!!?? “She craves the love of the one man she can’t possibly have. Everybody has secrets in their lives, but Bailey’s are far more consequential than others. Her secret leaves no-one knowing who she truly is, and slowly unravelling, begins to compromise the happiness of all those around her. What happens next will send shockwaves stronger than she ever could have imagined, leaving only her to decide if the secret was worth the destruction.“
• Torn from You (Tear Asunder) <— DARK READ/KIDNAP - Bobbi’s recommendation! “Kidnapped. Starved. Beaten. I was alone and fighting to survive. When I heard Sculpt’s voice, I thought he was there to save me. I was wrong.“
• The Dark Light of Day by T.M. Frazier <— DARKish read/AGE/SOCIAL ISSUES – Nancy recommends this one, saying: “(She was only 17).” Hey ya!! Good suggestion, Nancy! “Homeless, sleeping in a junkyard, and on the run from a system that has failed her over and over again, she meets Jake, a tattooed blue-eyed biker with secrets that rival her own.“ Here’s my review of The Dark Light of Day
• Flawed by Kate Avelynn <— RELATED – Lia recommends this one: “Taboo!!!! Flawed by kate avelynn at 45% of the book and can’t put down. I like taboossss.. yeeeeeep!” and Stephanie agrees: “I was surprised by how much I liked it” and I must agree, too. It definitely had THAT *eeeeeeep* edge. “Sarah O’Brien is alive because of the pact she and her brother made twelve years ago — James will protect her from their violent father if she promises to never leave him. For years, she’s watched James destroy his life to save hers. If all he asks for in return is her affection, she’ll give it freely.Until, with a tiny kiss and a broken mind, he asks for more than she can give.” (see my review of Flawed)
• Love’s Forbidden Flower by Diane Rinella <— RELATED – another recommendation by Nancy! “Lily nurtures a secret love for a flawless man—the one who is her soul mate. Donovan is gorgeous, charismatic, and delights in all of Lily’s talents and quirks. Their innate knowledge of each other is almost telepathic. Together they interlock like fine threads creating luxurious silk. But society dictates this picture-perfect adoration is the ghastliest of all possibilities.” *eeeeeeeep*
• From the Chrysalis: a novel by Karen E. Black <— RELATED – Nancy recommends this one, too! “I was unable to sleep because I was trying to remember the name of a “taboo” book I read a while ago. It was FROM THE CHRYSALIS by Karen E. Black & was 1st cousins.” And another *eeeeeeep* from me! “Liza’s bad-boy cousin, the handsome, magnetic D’Arcy “Dace” Devereux is nothing but trouble. Falling in love with him can only make things worse.“
• Taboo Series Book 1 & 2 Bundle by Roxy Queen <— AGE ISSUES! – Angel recommends these: “Fun, sexy and no squicky-ness.” – “I’m a twenty-eight-year-old woman babysitting for the summer, before going to grad school. He’s one step away from jailbait (his birthday was eight days ago. Yes, I checked).”
• Heights of Desire (The Heightsbound Series) by Mara White <— AGE ISSUES/SOCIAL/FORBIDDEN 40-something married woman meets twenty-something gang member… “Kate Champion, a forty-two-year-old, married mother of two, leads an enviable upper class life of luxury. Her comfortable path takes an unexpected detour after a chance encounter at a neighborhood playground.“
• PLAUSIBILITY by Jettie Woodruff <— RELATED – Laura says: “Jettie woodruff plausibility all taboo lol x” – “… and a brother who may have loved her a little too much.” Jackie says: “*** taboo*** couldn’t help but to read in 1 sitting” *eeeeeep!!*
• Under Mr Nolan’s Bed (Revised) by Selena Kitt <—- AGE ISSUES/EVERYTHING ELSE (LOL!) Er… wow. This one sounds pretty much as taboo as it gets and I think I *eeeeeped!!!!!* the loudest of all of these when I read this blurb. Sharon recommends it saying: “I read Under Mr. Nolan’s Bed without knowing the taboo nature and I don’t regret it.  Yup, it was wrong, but I am all about the angst, not the taboo.  The more turmoil the better!  What’s wrong with me!” YIKES!!! The Catholic school girl in me feels extra-squicky all of the sudden, but the reviews are actually pretty good.
• Mobster’s Angel (Mobster Series) by Amy Rachiele <— AGE ISSUES – recommended by Laura, saying: “Oh maryse I am like 2% into a booked I just came across that I think u will love geez the taboo is so bloody risky I don’t know if I can handle it but it’s also a mob/mafia story sheesh u have to check it out its mobsters angel by Amy rachiele just read the synopsis ur eyes will bug out” – Really!!?? Okay lemme check out this blurb!! “Love isn’t something you can control. As much as Vito, mobster enforcer, wish he could, he can’t. And falling in love with someone who is close to jailbait age is even tougher. Vito bides his time and waits. For a hasty guy with limited self-control, it’s difficult to curb his impulses.“
• Sweetest Taboo: A Novel (Sweetest Taboo Series) by Eva Marquez <— TEACHER-STUDENT recommended by Lisa: “HS girl and her married teacher who also has a child.”
• Unexpected Consequences (Isthmus Alliance) by Sloan Johnson <— Alessia recommends this one! “Yes! Unexpected Consequences. It was fabulous and involved a m/f/m relationship. So good. It was more than just sex. It really explored their relationship with each person involved. It had a lot of depth.”
• The Siren (The Original Sinners) by Tiffany Reisz <— recommended by Tre. And yes… this has three potential love stories, and a few definite *eeeeeep-worthy scenes. Very hard core (in all sorts of ways). And Rebecca agrees: “On your list The Siren by Tiffany Reisz, further books in the series reveal the history of Soren and Kingsley, meeting as damaged teens in a French Catholic boys school, in which comes the most intense taboo m/m love story I’ve ever read, in fact it was my first m/m experience in books. Very sexy, Angsty, heartbreaking, and when I learnt to love Soren hard!!” (Here’s my review of The Siren)
• Rode Hard, Put Up Wet (Rough Riders) by Lorelei James <—- Selena went NUTS for this one! “Ok this is easy! “Rode Hard, and Put Up Wet” (Rough Riders #2) by Lorelei James. I read this book back in like 2006 or something & it was the first M/M book I’ve ever read. I LOVED IT! I couldn’t get enough. I’m pretty sure I read it like 10 times. The Male/Male sex scene was raw & hard & primal. Nothing like the beautiful Historical Romances or sexy Eroticas I’ve ever read. That book introduced me into a new type of Romance. I’m a M/M junkie now! Read M/M all the time!” —> Christine just added this little note: “The Rough Rider series, which is SO fantastic in its own right, has a bit of the MM in the first book of the series…a truly hot scene. The actual book dedicated to it in the series is Rough, Raw and Ready (Rough Riders). It is actually a relationship between a woman, a man who is bi and a gay man. It is a great story and, true to the series, is soooooo hot. Enjoy!“
• Star-Crossed by Luna Lacour <— TEACHER-STUDENT and recommended by Holly! Her and her classmate turned step-brother make a bet. “When the two of them enter into into their final semester at Trinity Prep, and the buzz around campus is that a gorgeous new teacher has set foot in the classroom, Marius makes Kaitlyn a bet: seduce the man who is now her Literature teacher.“
• Flirting with Chaos by Kenya Wright <— Christine just recommended this one saying “Book right up your alley… Just read Flirting with chaos. Has rock stars, and taboo relationships.  Was good.”
• Veiled Innocence by Ella Frank <— TEACHER-STUDENT!!! And JUST RELEASED and it sounds SOOOOOOO good. I love this author! And Emily says: “Veiled Innocence was AMAZING!! I may just venture out and say that it’s the BEST student/teacher I’ve ever read.“
• Fraternizing (Fraternizing #1) by C.C. Brown <— Holly recommends this one! “Fraternizing by cc brown. Alex Cruz a marine corps sergant and Cassie a new marine. Forbidden yet hot“
• Tears of Tess (Monsters in the Dark #1) by Pepper Winters <— DARK READ/STOCKHOLM SYNDROME – recommended by Antonella: “Tears of Tess by Pepper Winters is another great dark read/kidnap. I never thought I’d be into them but I am a convert.” and Amber: “Pepper Winters writes AWESOME dark reads! Tears of Tess and Q. Sex slave ring but little different… Plus she just released Destroyed kinda gray-ish dark.“
• Never Have I Ever by August Clearwing <— DARK READ - recommended by Virginia: “The most disturbing novel I’ve read to date has got to be Never Have I Ever by August Clearwing. I read it last month and I’m still DISTURBED! I had no hesitation rating it five stars though…it was INTENSELY AFFECTING!!!” and Cindi agrees: “Never Have I Ever by August Clearwing! Difficult subject matter but couldn’t put it down. Reminded me of your “dark reads”!”
• The Tied Man by Tabitha McGowan <— DARK READ – recommended by Rebecca! “My favorite guilty pleasure that I read this year was The Tied Man. Great writing, intriguing story, and wonderful characters.” and Mann agrees: “Maryse, this one may be for you because it reminded me of your boy Z! (BDB).  A gorgeous man controlled by a wicked woman with a  M/F romance thrown in.  I love to read something that is different and since most DRs have the girl in peril, this was very refreshing.” Sharon loved it, too! “The Tied Man took me way out of my comfort zone but I loved the book. Broke my heart over and over again!!!”
• Big Sky by Kitty Thomas <— DARK READ – Siobhan’s suggestion! “There’s a book called Big Sky and it took me waaay out of my comfort zone. And that’s why i loved it. It stayed with me for a long time after.”
• Imprinted by Darcy Sweet <— EROTICA - Angie suggests this one. And whoa… that blurb sure made my eyes bug out! “Ooohhh….some of the more popular guilty reads that I loved were 50 shades and Thoughtless series….but one that REALLY took me out of my box and I ended up SECRETLY loving was Imprinted by Darcy Sweet.“
• Flowers In The Attic (Dollanganger) by V.C. Andrews <— RELATED - Lisa suggests this one! “I think any story about siblings falling in love with each other is pretty scandalous. My first read into that type was Flowers in the Attic.” and Sarah agrees: “I’m going to go back a few years and say Flowers in the Attic. Course I was 12 at the time (ok maybe more than a few years) so it might not have quite the same impact on me now.” OH yesssss…. I think this was the first “scandalous” book I read. Perfect fit for this list!
• Lost by Varian Krylov <— RELATED – *ooooof!!* Okay, after receiving this recommendation, I checked out the blurb… three people stranded on a deserted island and Vivian says: “I would have to say “Lost” by Varian Krylov…I would have never guessed “in¢e$t” to be so arousing & disturbing at the same time…I enjoyed it more than I should’ve….” Johanna placed it in her ”top 3 favorite scandalous books.”
• Abduction by Varian Krylov <— DARK READ - Kristine recommends this one: “Just read Abduction by Varian Krylov. Extremely dark and a bit disturbing but what can I say??? Sometimes you have to step outside your comfort zone ” and from the blurb —> “…when she’s abducted, she is faced with the real terror of being at the mercy of a cruel stranger. She flees, but in the remote cabin where she takes refuge, will she encounter a danger even more frightening than the kidnapper who is still hunting her?“
• Sensual Phrase (Kaikan Phrase) Vol.1 by Mayu Shinjo <— Nathalie suggests this one! “Is it Ok if I pick a manga? I don’t read a lot of scandalous books but My one guilty pleasure is Sensual Phrase by Mayu Shinjo. So wrong but so good.“
• GAME MISCONDUCT (The Dartmouth Cobras) by Bianca Sommerland – Angela loved it: “I just finished reading – game misconduct, by Bianca Sommerland. Talk about steamy. I’m not usually into menage and this book definitely pushed my comfort zone, but it was a fantastic read” and DA says: “I second Game misconduct by Bianca Sommerland”
• Wicked Pleasure (Bound Hearts) by Lora Leigh <— RELATED – Skye recommends this one! “I had finally gotten the chance to finish it gah bought it on amazon. Im pretty open minded when it comes to books.” – “Jaci Wright has been running from the Falladay twins, Chase and Cam, for seven years now. Fears of the desires they arouse in her, and the knowledge of the relationship they wanted with her…“
• Double Time: Sinners On Tour (The Sinners on Tour) by Olivia Cunning <— Joan recommends this one! “So the book that took me out of my comfort zone was Double Time by Olivia Cunnings. Now I love her books especially the Sinner’s Series but Trey’s story was crazy!” and Jessica agrees: “I think I’d have to say Double Time by Olivia Cunning. Don’t get me wrong, I abso LOVED the book, but it’s one that made me blush more than once, which isn’t easy to make me do!“
• Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov <— UNDERAGE ISSUES – Danielle suggests this one: “The most uncomfortable book that I’ve ever read has to be Nabokov’s Lolita. I know its an old classic but the subject matter and reading the story thru the eyes of a predator made the book difficult to read, definitely took me WAY out of my comfort zone.”
• Prisoner of My Desire by Johanna Lindsey <— This was Kim’s recommendation: “My book was Prisoner of My Desire. The first time I read it I was blown away. It’s pretty tame compared to some of the thing out now. I think FSOG was on the next level.”
• Rule of Three by Kelly Jamieson <— recommended by Helen (“Rule of Three by Kelly Jamieson”) and wow I must say I can see how this could get forbidden-y!! “When wicked-sexy Dag returns to Chicago to catch up with his old college buddy Chris and meet The Girlfriend, none of them are anticipating the unexpected turn of events that switches a loving twosome into a scorching hot threesome. As old feelings resurface, and new attractions are explored, a storm of sexual sparks is unleashed that leads them into forbidden areas.“
• Personal Assets (Berkley Sensation) by Emma Holly <— Timitra suggested this one! “Emma Holly’s Personal Assets definitely was out of my comfort zone but I absolutely loved it and seeked out other books like it when I finished reading it!”
• Passionate by Sotia Lazu <— recommended by Sofia! “Passionate by Sotia Lazu is definitely Taboo. Married man falls for his stepson’s girlfriend. Hot as anything!”

Tagged as: forbidden love, taboo