I love these reader questions, ’cause they spawn VERY cool reader recommendations lists and “genre favorites” lists. YAY!!! Okay so I know so many of us are HUGE fans of Mariana Zapata (I’m actually reading “Wait for It” by her as we speak.
And this style of writing and story flow, and slow burn romance is right up my alley, so I’m with Tara on this one. I’d LOVE to hear more recommendations.
Tara asks:
I’m having a slight problem. Every time I read a Mariana Zapata novel, I end up with a serious book hangover and nothing seems to compare to her novels. She is my favorite author and the only one who comes in a close second would be Kristen Ashley (who I end up reading status post Zapata to get out of my slump).
Can you recommend any authors similar to Zapata?
I prefer older, realistic characters and a bit of sex in the books I read.
I read about a lot, about 3-4 books a week (in addition to having full time employment, being a wife, and a mother of 3 young children).
My other go to authors include: Corinne Michaels. Brittainy C. Cherry, and Melanie Harlow. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks for your help,
Tara
I KNOW so many of us here can relate. Okay, so bring on the recommendations (authors and/or specific books). We’re all ears! Or eyes. 
Kay: The Hating Game: A Novel by Sally Thorne. Fantastic slow burn, enemies to lovers story. Sooo good!
Leslie: For slow burn romances I highly recommend Wrecking Ball (Hard To Love Book 1) & Until It Fades: A Novel.
Suzie: I second Wrecking Ball. Definitely has a Mariana Zapata feel. Also check out The Opposite of You: An Opposites Attract Novel by Rachel Higginson. Marianna Zapata is one of my favs too and always a one click for me. You might also like Mia Sheridan, start with Archer’s Voice or Kyland. And Penny Reid is fantastic too, she’s more comedy but her characters have the slow burn and I think that right now her Neanderthal Seeks Human (Knitting in the City Book 1) is free on kindle so it’s a risk free trial of her work.
Maryse: I have read all of these and wholeheartedly agree with each one!! 
Jan: What about Rooted (The Pagano Family Book 3) by Susan Fanetti? (Yeah I know, sorry Australians, that title means something very crude in Aussie slang LOL).
It’s actually a lovely book about Carmen Pagano, an older, single woman who takes her younger sister on an extended holiday to Paris, where Carmen meets a hot older guy, Theo, a successful author, and they have a wild affair. But what happens when the holiday is over???? I really liked this book. It’s not one of her biker books. The rest of this (Pagano) series are kinda “mafia” books, but this one about Carmen is mainly just a lovely, emotional CR.
If you do happen to like mafia books, then I also recommend Deep (The Pagano Family Book 4) in the same series, about Nick Pagano, a supposedly cold, heartless man who ends up falling deeply in love, somewhat against his will. There is a bit more “mafia” type stuff in this one, including some violence which I just skipped over. The love story in this book is very special. Beverley is perfect for Nick.
bev: Haven’t read it but just one clicked today. The reviewer mentioned if you liked Kulti. For the Win (The Perfect Play Series Book 1) by Sara Rider.
Kathy: Try anything by A. L. Jackson, Nicole Jacquelyn, Karina Halle, Samantha Young, C. J. Roberts (although you’ll probably put the book down several times and be asking yourself, “Whyyyy???” you are rooting for the H/h), Jodi Ellen Malpas, Sylvia Day, Katy Evans, Raine Miller, J. M. Darhower, Madeline Sheehan, Joanna Wylde, Pepper Winters, J. A. Redmerski, Shayla Black, Jennifer Proby, and Jennifer Probst. These are my go-to’s (along with Zapata, Ashley, Michaels, and Cherry); I don’t need to know anything about the book because these authors always deliver.
I am happily addicted to reading but I need to expend my book energy (especially when one puts me in an emotional frenzy - SO fun!). So, I release my feelings about the stories, by writing them down here. It's my book therapy. 
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
For slow burn romances I highly recommend Wrecking Ball & Until it Fades.
I second Wrecking Ball. Definitely has a Mariana Zapata feel. Also check out The Opposite of You by Rachel Higginson. Marianna Zapata is one of my favs too and always a one click for me. You might also like Mia Sheridan, start with Archer’s Voice or Kyland. And Penny Reid is fantastic too, she’s more comedy but her characters have the slow burn and I think that right now her Neanderthal Seeks Human is free on kindle so it’s a risk free trial of her work.
Goodreads recommends these https://www.goodreads.com/author/similar/5760202.Mariana_Zapata
Hope you find this useful.
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne. Fantastic slow burn, enemies to lovers story. Sooo good!
Try anything by A. L. Jackson, Nicole Jacquelyn, Karina Halle, Samantha Young, C. J. Roberts (although you’ll probably put the book down several times and be asking yourself, “Whyyyy???” you are rooting for the H/h), Jodi Ellen Malpas, Sylvia Day, Katy Evans, Raine Miller, J. M. Darhower, Madeline Sheehan, Joanna Wylde, Pepper Winters, J. A. Redmerski, Shayla Black, Jennifer Proby, and Jennifer Probst. These are my go-to’s (along with Zapata, Ashley, Michaels, and Cherry); I don’t need to know anything about the book because these authors always deliver.
I just finished Soaring by Kristen Ashley. For those of us who are Moms, it was refreshing to read a story about a Mom who made mistakes after a devastating divorce to try and regain her family. So Good!!
What about Rooted by Susan Fanetti? (Yeah I know, sorry Australians, that title means something very crude in Aussie slang LOL).
It’s actually a lovely book about Carmen Pagano, an older, single woman who takes her younger sister on an extended holiday to Paris, where Carmen meets a hot older guy, Theo, a successful author, and they have a wild affair. But what happens when the holiday is over???? I really liked this book. It’s not one of her biker books. The rest of this (Pagano) series are kinda “mafia” books, but this one about Carmen is mainly just a lovely, emotional CR.
If you do happen to like mafia books, then I also recommend Deep in the same series, about Nick Pagano, a supposedly cold, heartless man who ends up falling deeply in love, somewhat against his will. There is a bit more “mafia” type stuff in this one, including some violence which I just skipped over. The love story in this book is very special. Beverley is perfect for Nick.
Haven’t read it but just one clicked today. The reviewer mentioned if you liked Kulti.
For the Win by Sara Rider.