'These are all the best raunchy romance novels that won't make you cringe.'

If you are reading this column, then you are a beautiful intellectual who likes to get a little freaky with words. 

I'm obsessed with you. Raunchy books just do something that video, audio and at times... real life, doesn't. It allows us to take scenes from a page and let our imaginations go wild (literally). 

The issue with raunchy books is that if they're done incorrectly, they can make us squirm (and not in a good way).

And if a book is known for its raunchiness we might be a little less inclined to read it on our train commute to work or out in a park.

Don't worry though, we've got you covered. Here are the best sexy novels that won't make you cringe. 

The Work by Bri Lee.

Image source: Booktopia.

Only just hitting the shelves, The Work is not only a sexy novel but a funny, smart and addictive one as well. I read this in one day because I physically couldn't get it out of my hands (or my head). 

It shows the complexity of having sexual chemistry with someone while also trying to navigate a career and an entire life behind the scenes of a facade you didn't realise you were putting out into the world. 

Can you tell that I'm passionate about this book? Good, add it to your cart immediately! 

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros.

Image source: Booktopia.

Don't worry fantasy girlies, we've got you covered. This one involves dragons... Ew! No, not in that way, please calm down. It's an enemies-to-lovers romance novel that is held in the deathly chaotic world of Basgiath War College. 

It's giving Hunger Games, it's giving Game of Thrones, it's giving... Divergent (loosely). 

If you love this book, I have good news for you... Fourth Wing is part of the Empyrean series with book two (Iron Flame) also available to read straight after!

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston.

Image source: Booktopia.

Okay, hear me out. Yes, this book leans more into romance than raunchiness but there is one scene in particular and if you've read the book you have to know what I'm talking about. 

It's an enemies-to-lovers trope but with two people who are members of the most famous political families in the US and the UK. I don't know what it is but romance and politics are the best mix to read about.

If you're going to read Red, White & Royal Blue (which you definitely should), I just have one thing to say: Chapter 6. That's it. Come back and thank me later. 

Seven Days in June by Tia Williams.

Image source: Amazon.

One of my favourite books of all time is low-key a little bit on the raunchier side of things. It's a beautiful romance story about two people who cross paths 15 years after a steamy week together filled with love. As you can probably guess, they can't completely ignore what happened in the past, even when they try to pretend they've never met each other.  

The book is also super meta with the protagonist — Eva being a best-selling erotica writer. It's another great and quick read that you should definitely add to your list.

Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover.

Image source: Target.

Colleen Hoover is best known for her New York Times bestselling novel It Ends With Us, but Ugly Love is where the real raunchiness lives. 

The novel follows the intense chemistry between next-door neighbours Tate Collins and Miles Archer. It starts off as a chaotic friends-with-benefits situation (although they wouldn't consider themselves friends in the beginning) and then goes into a bit of a mystery as the realities of their lives outside of the bedroom come into the light. Word of warning, you might want to purchase a dehumidifier because this one is STEAMY. 

Icebreaker by Hannah Grace.

Image source: Booktopia.

If you were an early adopter of this book, you would be in the same camp as me which I'm labelling as "a tricked fool". If you haven't read this book before do not be fooled by the cutesy artwork on this cover... you cannot (I repeat, CANNOT) gift this to your underage niece. 

Now that TikTok has discovered this book, most people are clued in that this book is sexy as hell. It's a quick read, but luckily Hannah Grace has heard us and came out with an equally raunchy novel called Wildfire. 

The Bride Stripped Bare by Nikki Gemmell.

Image source: Amazon.

I've arguably left the sexiest for last. This novel starts off as a mystery about the disappearance of a woman and the one thing that she's left behind that could potentially point to her whereabouts is a diary.

In her diary, she goes into great detail about her experiences with sex and her journey with discovering her sexuality. 

The book is extremely captivating from start to end and, of course, is very raunchy throughout. 

If you want more culture recommendations from Emily Vernem, you can follow her on Instagram @emilyvernem.

Feature Image: Supplied, Booktopia, Target & Amazon.