Can you recommend more books like Fifty Shades of Grey?
A few weeks ago, I wrote a post on EL James’s Fifty Shades of Grey, which I had just read. Since then, Fifty Shades — or “the book” as people are calling it – has landed — and stayed — on the New York Times (combined print and e book) Bestseller list. It’s been written up in the Huffington Post, the New York Post, USA Today, Today.com, and CBS New York (video). It remains very popular on Amazon.com and Goodreads.
To my shock, that post has drawn more people to my blog than almost anything else I have ever written. It’s given me a “best day ever” in terms of daily visitors almost every day since I published it. In no time, it will be the most viewed of the hundreds of posts I have written over the past 3.5 years.
I know that many fellow bloggers and tweeters have read Fifty. Some have enjoyed it, some have hated it. But few folks in my online circles have really loved it like this:
“I couldn’t put it down,” admits Yogel, 33, who shooed away mom friends at her son’s school pickup because she didn’t want to be distracted from her reading.
“I’d be sitting on my couch at 7 a.m. with my two kids while they’re watching cartoons and drinking milk, and I’d be reading it on the Kindle app on my phone,” she says.
***
“Everyone in Armonk is reading 50 Shades of Grey,” my friend Deena insisted, her hushed tones becoming less hush and more hysterical. “Moms are forgetting to pick up their kids at school! You can’t even get it! It’s sold out at bookstores everywhere!”
***
5+ stars. Wow. Wow, wow, wow. I still feel somewhat under the spell of this book. I’m so … beguiled by it
(book allusion). It was honestly an amazing read – and one which I meant to just skim a few sample pages of, but ended up buying and then staying up the entire night to finish. I wasn’t even sure I wanted to write a review, because it seemed too difficult to put into words everything that moved me about this story and to try to do it justice.
***
I came across this book through browsing around the Kindle store. After reading the premise and the reviews I was intrigued enough to add it to my library. I sped through it like a woman starved, incredibly grateful I had come across it. I knew nothing of this author or her previous work, and had no idea what the history of this series was.
What accounts for this book’s snowballing success? I’m not sure. A lot of the buzz is offline, consistent with this data recently shared by Goodreads.
I also think that the fact that it is not published by a romance press like Harlequin, and does not sport the typical erotic romance cover, are significant factors in its success, such is the ten foot pole many women readers want to put between themselves and the romance genre.
It’s hard to turn a nonreader into a reader, or a reader who normally reads Oprah’s Book Club picks into a regular romance reader, and many of the women raving about Fifty are in those categories, and, moreover, are not online. That said, a lot of people are finding my blog by searching for “books like 50 Shades”.
Browsing though the raves for Fifty, some themes emerge:
- Compulsively readable
- Intense, dramatic relationship
- Wounded, mysterious, powerful hero
- “Kinky” sex — envelope pushing and very attractive for many readers
- Sensual awakening of a virginal heroine
- Epistolic communication (Christian and Ana’s emails were a hit even with people who didn’t care for the book)
- Unexpected story arc
My sense about the lukewarm reaction of many (but by no means all) romance readers to Fifty is that they feel there are better books out there. (There are other issues, too, namely Fifty’s provenance in the Twilight Fan Fiction community.) Many of us have children, but we aren’t those women in the HuffPo article who haven’t read a book in five years. Many of us aren’t those women in the Post article who have to speak in hushed tones about a sexy book. And many of us aren’t those women whose husbands are delighted we’ve found a naughty book so we will finally agree to have sex. The coverage is accurate as far as it goes, but it doesn’t really reflect the bloggers and readers *I* interact with, and that has added, I think to a feeling of distance from this phenomenon.
So, to finally get to my point, I’m asking: for readers attracted by the themes I listed above, and looking for “books like Fifty“, what would you recommend?
I’ll post a link to this thread on my other Fifty post. Maybe we can tempt one of those “never read books like this” folks to try another romance novel.
Jessica – Are you looking for NON-romance recommendations? Because if you are…I’m out. I only read romance. Which is probably why 50 Shades didn’t work for me.
@Kati: No, I am specifically looking for romance recs. that’s why the last line reads:
Maybe Molly Weatherfield’s Carrie’s Story and Safe Word? I found them intriguing, even though BDSM is not normally interesting to me as a reader. Molly Weatherfield is a pen name for Pam Rosenthal.
Emma Holly’s work is, in general, less intense than 50 Shades, I imagine, but I would still recommend her because she offers a wide range of scenarios.
Oops, the Weatherfields aren’t romance. Some of Emma Holly’s work is erotic romance, some is erotica.
Laura Kinsale’s Shadowheart?
My review wrap up of the 50 Shades trilogy is one of my most visited reviews ever on my blog, surpassing my JR Ward and Nalini Singh reviews.
I don’t see 50 Shades as triple X erotica at all. I did enjoy the sex scenes but I’ve read much steamier in both mainstream and erotic romance.
Plus, the BDSM was so vanilla. Smacking Ana with a belt is considered hard core BDSM? I was expecting Christian to use the cane on her at least or a scene out of Pulp Fiction’s gimp leather man scene.
I would say those who enjoyed 50 Shades should give Ward’s BDB series a try because there is BDSM in there, but again it’s a paranormal.
Honestly I can’t think of many erotic type contemporaries that I can recommend. Most are paranormal that pushes the envelope. Most erotic contemporary I read I find cheesy and poorly written, IMO.
The thing is, Jessica, I am just so sick of dark, edgy books, I really am. Whether it’s dark, edgy paranormal, or dark, edgy erotica, or dark, edgy crime. So I have no solic recs, either. Just reading your thoughts about Fifty Shades pushed me over the dark, edgy line.
But it certainly does sound as if a lot of what people are responding to is exactly what you can find in Harlequin Presents – and done really well, most of the time. How about Presents authors like Jane Porter, Carol Marinelli, Sarah Morgan, Lynn Graham, Caitlin Crews, too many to name.
I’m so not a fan of the Fifty books so yay for other recs.
Right off the bat I have to say Broke, Dirty and Stranger from Megan Hart. Very erotic, some have wounded heroes, some have awakening of heroine.
Liberating Lucy by Anne Calhoun.
Vampire Mistress and the sequel – Vampire Trinity by Joey Hill (Obviously pnr, but heavy erotic bdsm that works so well.)
I’m going to keep thinking but so glad you are creating this list!
Sneaking back in to add:
A lot of what Cara McKenna writes…she doesn’t write series but her individual books can be very erotic. For example, Curio is a present day virgin heroine with prostitute hero, with a surprise twist towards end.
Willing Victim is erotic and dark in its content. The sex definitely pushes the envelope in that book.
Also, Kele Moon’s Eden series is BDSM M/M/F…has very wounded hero(s) and a heroine who is awakened sexually.
I recommend Tiffany Reisz’s erotic romance novella, Immersed in Pleasure (Harlequin Spice Brief, 2012). Virginal heroine? Check. Kinky sex? Check. (Well, bondage and voyeurism.) Happily ever after? Check. I am a little biased, though, since I’m dating the author…but I like pimping my girl’s stuff (minds out of the gutter).
Del Dryden’s When in Rio and Snow Job are two possibilities — both excellent books, too.
I think if you are looking for something that is along the lines of #4 – “kinky” sex, there are a few options:
I second Mandi’s recommendation of Willing Victim by Cara McKenna. It’s very kinky and pushes the sexual exploration envelope.
I also second the Anne Calhoun recommendation. She pushes the boundaries of kinky sex and can introduce readers to BDSM romance.
For those readers who are looking to get VERY kinky, and focus on a MUCH healthier BDSM relationship than is showcased in the 50 books, I recommend Cherise Sinclair. Although her books widely take part in public sex clubs, they are crack-a-licious reads with lots of kinky sex, alpha heroes and some heroines still exploring their sexuality.
Readers might also want to try Callie Croix, who writes more intimate BDSM relationships that take place behind closed doors and have a lighter feel than Sinclair. Most of her heroes are former military men, so you can expect Alpha to the extreme.
Hope this helps!!
Megan Hart. The books Dirty and Stranger were some of the first that I read when I first got my ereader.
Some of these have been mentioned, but here’s my list. It’s a romance/erotica blend, although all of them have a strong primary relationship and an HEA. The only theme mentioned that may be lacking a bit is the “virginal heroine awakening” since that’s not a favorite theme of mine. However, I did list some that I liked okay and I know are very popular among that set. But I adore intense relationships, tortured heroes, and of course, kinky sex, so I’m hoping this will still be a good list.
Dirty by Megan Hart (also Broken, although the romance factor is less strong there. I think Dirty has the wider appeal due to the tough issues tackled in Broken)
Liberating Lacey by Anne Calhoun (all her writing is good)
Woman on the Run by Lisa Marie Rice (file this under don’t-judge-a-book-by-its-cover)
Control by Charlotte Stein (possibly my favorite erotica title ever, missing the virginal heroine theme but it has an amazing hero and kinky sex)
Generational Sins by Samantha Blair (on the more hardcore side, when thinking about mainstream readers, but if 50 Shades was their gateway into BDSM, they might be ready for more…)
Simply Sexual by Kate Pearce (a very long, very good sexy historical series)
Willing Victim by Cara McKenna (plus, ya know, everything else by her)
Agree with the BDB recommendation. Lover Unleashed gets kinky.
Promises Linger by Sarah McCarthy
A Good Student by Elliot Mabuese (more of an erotic fiction than romance, but there’s still HEA)
Breaking the Silence by Katie Allen
Masters of the Shadowlands series by Cherise Sinclair (seems to be the fav of the BDSM club scene books for vanilla readers)
Deep in the Woods by Annabel Joseph (I personally prefer Comfort Object but I’m thinking this one might work a little better for a mainstream reader)
Ice Queen by Joey Hill
Pleasure’s Edge by Eve Berlin
Accidental Slave by Claire Thompson
Away From Me by Sophie Oak
The Sweet series by Maya Banks (not a personal favorite, but definitely popular and well done)
Laid Bare by Lauren Dane (first in a series)
Explosive by Beth Kery
Anything by Joey Hill is my first thought. The PNR series especially (Vampire Queen and the Mermaid books)
I live Melissa Schroeder books, and Delilah Devlin.
Well for just starting out here is my off the cuff selection…
Joey Hill ~ Natural Law: Nature Of Desire Series (Elloras Cave)
Lora Leigh ~ Elizabeth’s Wolf: Breed Series (Elloras Cave)
Zannie Adams ~ Hold (Elloras Cave)
Lauren Dane ~ Giving Chase: Chase Series (Samhain Publishing)
Sarah McCarty ~ Promises Linger: Promises Series (Elloras Cave)
Morgan Hawke ~ Fallen Star: Interstellar Service and Discipline Series (Loose ID)
Some of those may only fit a couple of your points several fit all.
This is a great idea! I was thinking about how many good writers/books (including the amazing Diana Wynne Jones) I found from my library’s “If you like Harry Potter, try …” flyer. But I don’t think too many libraries will be recommending erotica read-alikes for “mommies.”
A lot of romance readers described 50 Shades as Harlequin Presents on crack, so I’d agree with Lilian Darcy that that’s a good place to find these themes. They may not be “kinky” but they’re often sensual with great sexual tension, and as KB said, is James’ book really “triple-X” by today’s romance standards? Another Presents writer who’s often recommended is Michelle Reid. Someone actually mentioned Betty Neels to me as a possibility: no sex, but innocent heroines and dictatorial, rich heroes.
For erotica/erotic romance, I recommend Portia da Costa, maybe starting with In Too Deep which hits a lot of the themes you list. She has a bunch of BDSM shorts, too. I’d second Anne Calhoun and Emma Holly as possibilities, too.
There are a lot of paranormal romances with dominant, possessive, tortured alpha heroes, and isn’t that a big part of Christian’s appeal for readers? Ward’s been mentioned. What about Thea Harrison? I have not read a lot in this area but am sure others can make suggestions.
I hope non-romance-reading 50 Shades fans do find this post and try some of the suggestions. There are so many more books out there for them to discover and enjoy.
I’d like to recommend Tobsha Learner’s Yearn. A series of erotic and romantic short stories. There are orgies, BDSM Second Life sex, celebrity chasing, older woman/young man stories. The writing is beautiful and the emotions of yearning are delivered in each story.
If you are looking for BDSM romance recs, I would suggest some of Bridget Midway’s works.
@KB/KT Grant: Because all BDSM is the gimp in PULP FICTION? Really?!
I’d recommend Joey Hill’s Natural Law (F/m) and her Rough Canvas (m/m), but neither of them really stick to your requirements. For utterly hardcore SM romance, there’s my favorite, Anah Crow’s Uneven, but again, it doesn’t really fulfill the requirements. I love Victoria Dahl’s short The Wicked West (M/f) but there’s not much angst.
I’d recommend Passion by Lisa Valdez.
I’ve enjoyed some of the above recs: Pleasure’s Edge by Eve Berlin, Liberating Lacey by Anne Calhoun, Dirty by Megan Hart, Wicked West by V Dahl. All great but not sure they fit the reqs. Sweet Persuasion by Maya Banks is edgy and different. It’s hard to think of anything like 50 Shades, which is probably one of the reasons it’s been so successful.
I’ve heard that Lora Leigh is very cracky. Oh, and Lorelie James. She writes those erotic cowboy books. I liked the first one and have others on my kindle.
I haven’t read 50 Shades (any mention of Twilight makes me tune out), but from what you’ve described I am going to jump on the Megan Hart and Cara McKenna bandwagon. Both of them would work for non-romance readers, I think.
I’d recommend some of Emma Holly’s work, as well, for any 50 Shades fans interested in menages and group sex scenes.
@Las: Good point about Lora Leigh and Lorelei James. Not well written but definitely cracktastic.
I don’t know that there are that many books that tick off all the boxes that 50 Shades does; the way it’s described makes me think of an HP dynamic with non-HP sexual content. The sense I get from the media coverage you linked to is that there are two things at play here: first, there’s a sense of community for some readers, because “everyone” is reading it and they can discuss their shared experience. Second, that so many people are into it gives readers who normally would not feel comfortable with reading erotica, or even relatively hot romance, legitimacy to read something fun that turns them on. There are certainly a lot of comments of the “it made me want to have sex with my husband” variety from 50 Shades readers. I’m not sure the first condition can be replicated with romance or erotica, but maybe some people will have enjoyed their reading experience enough to seek out something hot even if the other moms aren’t reading it.
In which case – definitely yes to Cara McKenna, and while the heroine of Willing Victim isn’t virginal, the sex in the book isn’t something she’s done before. I also agree that Maya Banks could be a good choice. PNR has been mentioned, but I wonder if some of the super-capable alpha guys in RS wouldn’t be good stand-ins for Christian Grey, too.
I really need to get Liberating Lacey from my wish list to my actual Kindle.
Bit of an unhappy sigh — I was hoping there would be some suggestions for books that picked up another aspect of the phenom of 50. I certainly don’t think women bought 3 books and shot E.L. James up the bestseller charts just because of the “sex and lots of it” … I’ve read all three books and the BDSM of the first book becomes mutually chosen “kinky-fuckery” in books 2 and 3. So beyond book 1, matching it up with BDSM … I don’t quite get that.
… if I had to choose one aspect (one aspect beyond a title and a cover that respected women/men readers instead of yanking their chains), I would pick the overwhelming crazy go nuts feeling Christian had for Ana. I can think of two historical heroes that had that quality — another Christian, in Laura Kinsale’s Flowers from the Storm and Edmond’s obsessive she got under his skin love for Mary in Mary Balogh’s The Notorious Rake: http://www.likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/bookReview.pl?BookReviewId=1974
Something else that was very appealing about Fifty Shades: it was non-formulaic (keep in mind I’ve never read the Twilight books, nor have I seen the movies). Comparing it to a Harlequin presents? I don’t think so. Fifty was meandering and the first book ended with a classic cliff-hanger — as a reader, I didn’t know what would happen next. It was like those huge sprawling Barbara Taylor Bradford books or Judith Krantz.
I second the Charlotte Stein rec. She’s, by far, my favorite erotica writer. Her collection of short stories “The Things That Make Me Give In” has something for everyone. “Control” is fantastic, as is “All Other Things”.
I’d also rec. Master of the Mountain by Cherise Sinclair. It has BDSM but it’s not part of a club scene, so the relationship is more intimate between the h/h.
I also love Cara McKenna and Megan Hart.
Great idea for a post!
For all-consuming, envelope-pushing, super smutty fun, for SURE Megan Hart: Dirty, Stranger, Broken and the rest.
I might also go for Training the Receptionist, which I found very kinky and fun, and it satisfies your list.
Apparently I need to check out McKenna!
I found Cajun Hot by Nikita Black (Nina Bruhns) back around 2002. Bought it in paper from the author’s website. Oooh, on my Kindle now with a considerably less lurid cover than the original. Not dark or angsty at all, really kinda fun and silly.
For angsty crack, I’d have to go with Shannon McKenna.
@Diana:
Have to second this recom.
After reading the book, I don’t know if it’s the BDSM content that is what’s titillating readers as much as it is a rich dude lavishing gifts and affection on a young, helpless heroine. It reminds me of a lot of Harlequin Presents relationship dynamics, as other commenters have pointed out. While the sex isn’t quite as steamy in HP, I think “50 Shades” readers looking for more romance would enjoy 3/4 of HP books. I reviewed HP for a hot second for RT Book Reviews; here are some of my favorites:
A NIGHT OF SCANDAL by Sarah Morgan
THE ULTIMATE RISK by Chantelle Shaw
THE DISGRACED PLAYBOY by Caitlin Crews
THE UNTAMED ARGENTINEAN by Susan Stephens
PRINCE OF SCANDAL by Annie West
Also, I agree with Meri — the “community” aspect of this seems to be a big part of the success. At a certain point, if “everyone” is reading it, it becomes a fad (“Bridges of Madison County,” “The Da Vinci Code”). With many media reports pointing out that some “50 Shades” readers haven’t read books in years, I don’t know if they’re really going to look for another book to read when they’re done with the trilogy. Or if they do, they might just pick up the next book that “everyone” reads (whatever it happens to be). Looking at the “other books” that readers of “50 Shades” read, I see “Hunger Games” and Stephen King’s latest.
What am I missing … how are folks thinking that someone who has read and enjoyed the 50 Shades trilogy (and most avid readers read all three), would take a hop skip and a jump to a Harlequin Presents? Just thinking out loud here — but wouldn’t the titles/covers/shortish length not make a good match-up? Also, and I haven’t read many HPs so I don’t want to make a sweeping incorrect comment, but where’s the humour? Fifty is really funny, particularly the emails — if that’s a feature of HPs, clue me in to a couple good ones.
Something with a saga swagger would seem to me to be a feature of a good follow-up for a fan of Fifty Shades.
Janet, I don’t think anyone’s saying Presents are a perfect match (no book is exactly like any other, after all) just that many have a similar relationship dynamic, including a hero who can’t resist the innocent heroine. If that’s what readers are drawn to in 50, they might like Presents, though I would agree that many people wouldn’t try them because of the packaging. Some are funny–I think Sarah Morgan often is–and good ones aren’t any more formulaic than 50 Shades. But you’re right that if what readers want is a long saga, they won’t find it there. In some ways, 80s romances with big, crazy plots might work for them too, although they don’t have the characters together working out a relationship, which also seems to be 50′s appeal.
I suspect that Andrew and Meri are right, though, and this is as much about reading a book that “everyone” is reading and talking about and wanting to be part of that communal experience as anything else. A fair number of Romance readers tried it for that reason, too.
Jumping off the comment Andrew made, I tend to agree with him. That this is nothing more than a fad. I ‘d never even heard of this book until recently and from reading the sample, I found the voice/prose style rough going and abandoned it.
I’d also recommend Tiffany Reisz’s new novella, Immersed in Pleasure.
And I’d recommend Roni Loren’s new book, Crash Into You.
And if a reader wanted to get into something a little more classic and erotic, they ought to pick up The Story of O. But, there’s not really any romance in it.
I’ve noticed on goodreads that the people who loved 50 Shades usually also liked Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire and Thoughtless and Effortless by C.S. Stephens. They’re not about BDSM, but they are all about high drama, dysfunctional relationships.
Very G-rated, but I really enjoyed the TRUE love story that Ree Drummond wrote about falling for her cowboy husband in Black Heels to Tractor Wheels.
If someone is wanting to really explore BDSM in a book then there is nothing better out there than Anne Rice’s “Beauty Trilogy”. It runs the entire gamut of this genre and is very well written and hotter than a smoking frying pan. I will warn you this series makes Fifty look like kindergarten but it is one heck of a ride!
Thanks so much for all of these suggestions. Many of them are books I had never heard of, so, selfishly, I’m glad I asked. But so many people who are not me also came here and took a look at your ideas, so thanks again!
@ Janet W – You’re right, Harlequin Presents are, oftentimes, humorless. Some are really funny, though — Sarah Morgan’s, as someone already pointed out). I do agree that the packaging has something to do with 50 Shades of Grey’s success, and many readers of the trilogy might balk at picking up a book with a “clench” cover.
I would recommend Lora Leigh’s SEALS and Elite Ops series. There is a Lauren Dane book, I believe it is called Second Chances, that has a strong Dom/Sub component. I would also recommend Lorelei James’ Rough Rider Series.
For more serious BDSM, I would go with the Wonderland Series (King of Hearts, King of Spades, King of Diamonds, King of Clubs) from Ellora Cave.
[...] about halfway in. We won’t get into why. LOL. The reason I bring this up is because Jessica from Read React Review has a great post asking for strong erotic romances that have similar themes as the Fifty series. If [...]
I actually did a post specifically about this today: What to Read if You’re Looking for More BDSM Romance after Reading 50 Shades of Grey
But I hate to just leave a link in a comment, so some of my top picks: Maya Banks’ Sweet Series, Joey Hill’s Nature of Desire series, Shayla Black’s Wicked Lovers series, Cherise Sinclair’s Masters of Shadowlands series.
And thanks to Alyssa for recommending my book above!
Lorelei James is addictive. I’d start w “cowgirl up & ride.” May/dec pairing, virgin heroine, kinky but not too far “out there.” I read her backlist this time last year like m&m candies. Shoshanna evers has a number of unique bdsm titles w virginal heroines including taste of candy and Bed head. Sas
Oops my phone cut off my comments. Sasha white is addictive & fun w sassy heroines. Shannon mckenna would totally fit the bill here as well alpha heroes to the extreme, slightly kinky, obsessive love by heroes, addictive reading.
I’ll add my votes for Megan Hart and Cara McKenna and Shannon McKenna and also Lisa Marie Rice and add Wicked Burn by Beth Kery as a suggestion not previously mentioned. (bearing in mind that I haven’t read 50).
[...] 13. If you need even more, people are saying you should try Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire, or The Realm of You by Tara Buckley. I don’t think it’s quite accurate to assume that readers of Fifty necessarily want more BDSM books. I think there are several themes in Fifty that readers are gravitating to. I have a long list of suggested post-fifty books suggested by this blog’s readers here: [...]
ohh I just love the controversy surrounding the book! >:) MWUAHHAHA!
As an avid reader of Fanfiction I still can’t believe this made it to the print and that it’s so popular.. >.< I fear the repercussions, though. FF has always been in a delicate line of copyright infringement and just fan work/appreciation as long as you SCREAM the disclaimer on top that it's just for fun and entertainment, BUT in this time of SOPA and ACTA, someone publishes FF and gets away with it… She couldn't pick a better time to get rich/famous with it O.O
Anyway, I found your blog as a result of those 50 posts you made, and I'm hooked!!
I'm only sorry that I didn't find you sooner.
Love these recs- many that I’ve never read (including 50 shades!) but want to try. I’ll cosign that Lorelei James is cracktastic (I own every one and have never figured out why) and that Megan Hart is ANGST. Plus, Anne Stuart anyone? Jaded/cynical (but really just oh-so-sad and wounded) rich/powerful/violent hero paired with virginal, mousy, mouthy, brunette who just wants to get a job/escape danger/go home? Sounds like a possible match to me…
I totally do not agree. I never read romance, but I read the 50 trilogy and the reason why is because of the BDSM as I think this is what has kept the “mommie” readers reading. I read the beauty series years ago and have never been able to find anything close to it. This is the closest I’ve come. Its the fantasy of it all. I want more of that! Suggestions please? I hate the cheesy stuff!