Enemies to lovers in the forest, heists galore, and mafia style revenge.
One-Line Descriptions For Your Next Romance Read [Thriller Edition]
Hey Librarygoers!
One thing about me is I go weak for a thrilling/mystery subplot in my romance selections. Nothing gets me flying through the pages like a secret big bad uniting the MCs, even when they don’t want to. If this is why you read thrillers, romances books like these might be the perfect gateway into the genre for you.
Below I have 15 titles that toe the line of thriller (while still giving you very lusty lust filled scenes). In the way of thrillers, I can’t spill all the good parts without ruining the plot but hopefully you can find your next TBR entry in these thriller comparative titles.
Note: If you purchase books linked here via Bookshop, I may receive a small commission.
Jackal, Erin E. Adams
If a book about a woman returning home and walking directly into a whodunit type of situation is your cup of tea, these romances will scratch your itch.
Jonah’s Ghost (K. Alex Walker) has an old house, a ghost, and a mysterious stranger. I can’t tell you much else other than you’ll appreciate the twists and turns more if you go in blind.
Forrest for the Trees (Kilby Blade). Federal fire marshal Forrest and Ranger Sierra don’t really get along. Until they are forced to work together when a series of suspicious fires, and crooked co-workers, threatens the park and Sierra’s job. Lust happens.
First Comes Blood (Lilith Vincent) is the first title in an indie mafia trilogy. Chiara’s douchey, corrupt politician dad offers her hand to one of the four men, only they don’t mind sharing. And they need her to solve a mystery that’s plagued them for years.
A Flicker in the Dark, Stacy Willingham
If stories about the past coming back to haunt you give you grabby hand syndrome, these are a good places in romance to start.
Seducing His Secret Wife (Robin Covington). Justin Ling married his best friend’s sister Sarina Redhawk on a whim. Ooops! Now they have to keep the marriage secret to keep his investors and family off his back. What could possibly go wrong, or right?
Sin and Ink (Naima Simone). Eden has been single since her husband passed two years ago and she has a secret. She’s hot for her boss, Knox, who just so happens to be her widow’s brother. Knox has feelings for her too, only they started the day he met her and his brother swooped in and stole his dream girl. What happens when Eden and Knox take a chance at love now?
Fumbled (Alexa Martin). TK, the hero in this book, is based on the football player the Swifties love. He runs into Poppy, the girl who disappeared on him a decade ago and discovers a a 9-year-old secret.
Portrait of a Thief, Grace D. Li
A mysterious stranger shows up at your door with a proposition that involves you and your friends going criminal for a good cause. Are you up for it?
To Have & to Heist (Sara Desai). Simi assembles a ragtag group of strangers to steal back a stolen necklace and keep her friend out of jail. They are guided by the mysterious Jack even though really knows what he will get out of turning this newly united group into the ultimate heist crew.
Dirty Kisses (Kenya Wright). Emily’s brother is caught up in the murder of the Russian Mafia’s top New York washer. Kazimir, mafia boss, decides Emily’s the perfect substitute for the deceased washer. He decides, if she wants to keep her brother alive, she’s going to help him. And he’s not letting her out of his sight.
Bootlegger’s Bounty (Adriana Herrera). Rosalía has stowed away on a ship to escape her cruel brother when it’s overrun by pirates. In order to reach her dream of becoming a jazz club singer, she has to align herself with two of those pirates, Cam and Enzo. And the only place they can figure out to put their hands is everywhere.
A Stranger in the House, Shari Lapena
Accidents, memory loss, and so many secrets shape this thriller and these romances too.
Where We Found Our Home (Natasha Bishop). Ciara is over her can’t-take-no-for-an-answer stalker dictating her life and leaves her Baltimore home to start over in Austin. She finds a cozy coffee shop to write her next crime thriller (love this!) and then with the help of a 5-year old matchmaker, she finds firefighter Lincoln.
Dark City Omega (Elizabeth Stephens). In a post-apocalyptic-esque world Echo is an omega on the run from everything she’s ever known. She wants to hide from the alphas and the rare Beserkers. Unfortunately she lands in the crosshairs of Adam, one of those rare Beserkers, who believes they’re fated and is going to claim her by any means necessary.
Manix (Grace McGinty). Naja’s the last of her kind, only she doesn’t know she’s the last of her kind until they show up asking her to help continue their race. And also to protect her from a big bad she doesn’t yet know exists.
They Never Learn (Layne Fargo)
Sometimes you have to take out the trash. Especially when they hurt your friends.
Sinful Vows (Asia Monique). Lucia is a mafia princess and Enzo’s mafia family just pushed him and his siblings away. To form new alliances, a marriage is arranged though no one is quite sure who is pulling the strings. Oh, and Lucia has a side job that handles things no one in the mafia is allowed to talk about.
Sweet Vengeance (Viano Oniomoh). Joy wants to get back at the man who ruined her life so she goes on a hunt for a demon. Malachi is a demon who needs a human for his own reasons. They don’t expect to find what they really need inside of each other but the sweetness of vengeance is so good.
Syndicates of Sin (Marie Maravilla). She’s a forced-hired gun and they, all three of them, are second sons of the mafia working to tear it apart from the inside and scale their way to the top.
Did you enjoy this list? Let me know which books you’re reading next!