Before getting into the best books like 50 Shades of Grey, we must first go back to where the literary sensation started. In 2011, a novel by the name of 50 Shades of Grey was released, and it quickly became a sensation that shook the literary world. It was a groundbreaking novel that brought to the forefront topics that had been previously taboo, and it managed to ignite a fire in the hearts of millions of readers across the globe. The book’s themes of dominance, submission, and BDSM were something that many people had never encountered in their reading before, and it proved to be an instant hit with fans of the romance genre.
With the success of 50 Shades of Grey, readers everywhere were left wanting more. They were hungry for more books that would explore the same themes and take them on a thrilling, steamy ride that would leave them breathless. And that’s precisely what we’ve set out to do with this article – to provide you with the best books that are like 50 Shades of Grey.
From erotic thrillers to BDSM romance novels, the books on this list are sure to get your heart racing and your mind buzzing. Whether you’re looking for a romantic escape or a daring adventure, these books will take you on a journey that you won’t soon forget. So buckle up and get ready to explore the steamier side of literature with these amazing books.
Have you been looking for a book that will give you the same heart-pounding thrill as “50 Shades of Grey”? Then look no further than Laurelin Page’s “First Touch”. This book tells the story of Emily Wayborn, a successful voiceover actress who is forced to confront her dark past when her former best friend Amber goes missing. Desperate to find her friend, Emily embarks on a dangerous journey that will lead her to Reeve Sallis, a hotelier known for his power games and shady dealings. But as Emily becomes more entangled with Reeve, she finds herself drawn to him despite her growing conviction that he may be the one responsible for Amber’s disappearance.
“First Touch” is a beautifully executed maze of suspense, seduction, and ridiculously hot sex that will leave you breathless. It’s a gritty, edgy, dark, and compelling book that pulls no punches and just might leave you reeling. Laurelin Page, the NY Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Fixed Trilogy, has crafted a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
If you’re a fan of “50 Shades of Grey” and looking for a book that will give you the same erotic thrill, “First Touch” is the book for you. With its dark and sexy themes and gripping storyline, this book is sure to keep you up all night. So if you’re ready to embark on a daring adventure that will leave you begging for more, pick up “First Touch” today.
If you’re looking for a book that will take you on an erotic journey similar to “50 Shades of Grey,” then “Bound” by Lorelei James is the perfect book for you. The first in the new Mastered series by the New York Times bestselling author, this book tells the story of Amery Hardwick, a graphic designer in Denver who is focused on building her business and has little time for romance. But when she meets Ronin Black, owner of the dojo where her friend is taking a self-defense class, she’s immediately drawn to him.
Ronin takes over Amery’s training, both in public and in private, and pushes her boundaries from the start. With each new tryst, Amery becomes addicted to the pleasure and to him. But when she senses that Ronin is hiding something, she questions her total trust in him, despite the undeniable thrill of his possession.
Lorelei James is a master at building sexual tension between characters, and “Bound” is no exception. With its edgy and seductive themes, this book will leave you breathless and wanting more. James is the NY Times and USA Today bestselling author of erotic westerns in the Rough Riders series, the Blacktop Cowboys series, and the Mastered series, as well as contemporary romance in the Need You series and the New Adult Rough Riders Legacy series. In “Bound,” she has crafted a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
So if you’re ready for a book that will take you on a thrilling and erotic journey, pick up “Bound” today. With its addictive storyline and masterful portrayal of sexual tension, this book is sure to leave you wanting more.
In “Follow Me Darkly” by Helen Hardt, Skye Manning is a take-charge woman who’s confident she’ll make it big one day. As an assistant and photographer for a major social media influencer, Skye knows that her job isn’t perfect, but it’s a step up the ladder to bigger and better things. However, when she meets self-made billionaire Braden Black, Skye’s life takes a surprising turn.
Braden Black is a master of control who didn’t get where he is by taking no for an answer. When he meets Skye, his interest in her piques in more ways than one, and he’s determined to make her submit. Dating a billionaire soon has Skye in the middle of a Cinderella story…until the clock strikes midnight and Braden reveals his dark side. The heat between them sizzles, and Skye finds herself falling hard.
But Braden Black is far from a Prince Charming, and his dark desires are just one of his many secrets. With its intensely erotic and wildly emotional themes, “Follow Me Darkly” will leave you turning pages late into the night. Helen Hardt, a #1 New York Times, #1 USA Today, and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author, has created an edgy and enigmatic hero that’s sure to captivate readers. As Lisa Renee Jones, a New York Times bestselling author, notes, “Follow Me Darkly” is an intensely erotic and wildly emotional book that will leave you begging for more.
So if you’re looking for a book that’s similar to “50 Shades of Grey,” “Follow Me Darkly” is the perfect choice. With its thrilling storylines, seductive themes, and masterful portrayal of sexual tension, this book is sure to leave you wanting more.
The Dark Garden by Eden Bradley is a compelling story about Rowan Cassidy, a woman who enjoys being in control, especially in her personal life. She works as a mistress at Club Privé, a well-known bondage/S & M club on the West Coast, where she can safely explore her dominant fantasies. However, her world is turned upside down when she meets Christian Thorne, a natural dominant who captivates her with his self-confidence and sophistication. Despite her fear, Rowan cannot resist Christian’s proposition to be her master for thirty days.
As they delve deeper into their relationship, they discover an alternate lifestyle of pleasure and pain, which takes them from California’s BDSM clubs to private playrooms. The novel is described as a riveting tale of complex relationships and offers an amazing exploration of the dark garden within Rowan. With steaming hot sex and emotional romance, this book promises to captivate readers. Eden Bradley, also known as Eve Berlin, is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author who has written erotica and erotic romance for various publishers, including Berkley, Bantam, and Harlequin Spice/HQN.
Bared to You is the first book in the Crossfire series by Sylvia Day, a global phenomenon that redefined the meaning of desire. This provocative novel follows the story of Eva Tramell, who is drawn to the enigmatic and gorgeous Gideon Cross, despite her reservations. Gideon, too, is attracted to Eva, but both have emotional baggage and personal demons that threaten to tear them apart.
As they delve deeper into their relationship, they discover that they are mirrors that reflect each other’s most private wounds and desires. Their passionate love transforms them both, but they must confront their past traumas and fears to make their relationship work. With its themes of obsession and abandon, Bared to You is a sensual exploration of the darker side of love that promises to keep readers engaged.
Bared to You has drawn comparisons to 50 Shades of Grey, another popular book that explores the world of erotic romance and BDSM. Both books feature a dominant male protagonist with a troubled past and a submissive female character who falls in love with him. However, Bared to You is known for its more realistic and emotionally complex portrayal of the characters and their relationship.
Story of O by Pauline Réage is a classic French erotic novel that preceded Fifty Shades of Grey and is considered the OG Dom/sub story. It follows the story of a young French woman known only as ‘O,’ who is taken by her lover Rene to a mansion near Paris, where she is initiated into an elite secret society. Here, she must learn to serve the sexual fantasies of Rene and his fellow members, while exploring the nature of her own darkest desires.
The book is known for its highly literary and imaginative writing style and has been described as a profound and disturbing book. J.G. Ballard called it a deeply moral homily, while Harold Pinter referred to it as a remarkable piece of work. Despite its controversial subject matter, the novel explores the themes of love and transformation, and its impact on the characters.
Like Fifty Shades of Grey, Story of O explores the world of erotic romance and BDSM, with a dominant male protagonist and a submissive female character who falls in love with him. However, Story of O is known for its more explicit and intense portrayal of the BDSM lifestyle, which has made it a classic of the genre. The author, Anne Cécile Desclos, wrote under the pseudonyms Dominique Aury and Pauline Réage, and her novel has had a significant impact on modern erotic literature.
This Man by Jodi Ellen Malpas is a sensuous novel that promises to captivate readers who enjoyed Fifty Shades of Grey. The book follows the story of Ava O’Shea, a young interior designer who goes to the Manor for a consultation with a stodgy country gent, but instead meets Jesse Ward, a pleasure-seeking playboy who knows no boundaries and is utterly confident.
Despite her reservations, Ava finds herself strongly attracted to Jesse and his overwhelming desire. However, she knows that her heart will never survive him, and her instincts tell her to run. But Jesse is determined to have her and won’t let her go without a fight.
This Man shares similarities with Fifty Shades of Grey, as both explore the themes of desire, passion, and power in romantic relationships. Jesse is a dominant male protagonist who will stop at nothing to get what he wants, while Ava is a submissive female character who is drawn to his intensity and passion. This novel features steamy scenes and an exploration of the emotional complexities of desire and obsession in a seductive and turbulent romance.
If you’re a fan of 50 Shades of Grey, Samantha Young’s On Dublin Street is a book you simply can’t miss. This New York Times and USA Today bestselling novel tells the story of Jocelyn, a woman who’s hiding from her past, and Braden Carmichael, a stubborn Scotsman who always gets what he wants. Braden proposes an arrangement to satisfy their attraction without any strings attached, but he becomes obsessed with Jocelyn and won’t stop until he knows her down to her very soul.
On Dublin Street is a riveting and sexy read that offers an emotional journey of self-discovery and growth for its heroine. The book’s themes of passion, desire, and dominance are explored in a dark and sexy way that is sure to captivate and entice readers. The chemistry between Jocelyn and Braden is electric, and their journey towards a deeper connection will leave you breathless.
Samantha Young is a bestselling author known for her vivid characters and enthralling storytelling. On Dublin Street has received high praise from critics, with USA Today commending it for its sexy writing and the journey of self-discovery that Jocelyn undergoes. If you’re looking for a steamy, intense, and emotional romance, On Dublin Street is a book that you simply cannot miss. Get ready to be swept away by the passion and desire of Jocelyn and Braden’s story.
Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller that tells the story of Chloe Mills, a whip-smart and hardworking intern on her way to an MBA, and her boss, Bennett Ryan, a perfectionist executive who’s exacting, blunt, and completely irresistible. Despite their constant name-calling and bickering, their intense attraction to each other is undeniable.
When Bennett returns to Chicago from France to take a vital role in his family’s media business, he discovers that the assistant who’d been helping him from abroad is the same infuriatingly gorgeous woman he now has to see every day. Despite his reputation for never mixing business with pleasure, he finds Chloe’s tempting presence hard to resist. As their physical relationship heats up, they must decide how much they’re willing to risk in order to be with each other.
Filled with steamy tension and plenty of hot sex, Beautiful Bastard is a book that’s sure to get your blood pumping. The chemistry between Chloe and Bennett is electrifying, and the battle of wills between them makes for an engaging and sexy read. Christina Lauren, a writing duo who share a love for swoon-worthy romance novels, has crafted a story that’s both fun and emotionally satisfying. If you’re a fan of steamy, tension-filled romances, Beautiful Bastard is a book that you won’t want to miss.
Slow Surrender by Cecilia Tan is a steamy and provocative novel that explores the power dynamics of a dominant-submissive relationship. When Karina, a waitress in a New York bar, meets the mysterious and daring James, she’s immediately drawn to him. Though James keeps his true identity a secret, he anticipates Karina’s every desire and fulfills her deepest fantasies, awakening a wild side of her that she never knew existed.
As their erotic game escalates into a power play, Karina finds herself craving more of James’s sensual demands, despite the blurred lines between pleasure and pain. She yearns for his heart, his soul, and his love, even if it means breaking all the rules to get it.
With sinfully sweet and sublimely erotic writing, Slow Surrender is a book that will have you savoring every moment of the slow burn as it builds to an unexpected climax. Cecilia Tan, a prolific author and editor in the erotic fantasy genre, brings her passions to the forefront in this book, exploring the depths of desire and the power of submission. Whether you’re a fan of BDSM romance or just looking for a steamy read, Slow Surrender is a book that you won’t be able to put down.
Fifty Shades of Grey became a global phenomenon for a variety of reasons. The book’s storyline, featuring a naive college graduate who falls in love with a mysterious, wealthy businessman who introduces her to the world of BDSM, is both intriguing and captivating to readers. The cultural phenomena that swept the world, with fans discussing the book on social media and in person, fueled its popularity even more.
Before Fifty Shades of Grey, BDSM was a taboo subject in mainstream culture, and the book’s portrayal of the BDSM lifestyle was groundbreaking for many readers. Its openness and honesty about BDSM was both shocking and fascinating to many readers. Furthermore, many found the book to be an escape from their everyday lives, allowing them to indulge in their own sexual fantasies without judgment.
The book’s publisher, Vintage Books, employed an extensive marketing campaign that included creating eye-catching book covers, hosting book club events, and partnering with retailers to offer in-store promotions. The marketing campaign helped bring the book to the attention of a wider audience. Overall, Fifty Shades of Grey’s compelling storyline, its taboo subject matter, its ability to provide escapism, and its strategic marketing campaign all contributed to its immense popularity.
Fifty Shades of Grey has seen immense success since its initial release. The book has sold over 150 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 52 languages, including Albanian, Chinese, and Icelandic. The film adaptation of the book, released in 2015, grossed over $570 million worldwide.
On the bestseller lists, the book spent 133 consecutive weeks on The New York Times Best Seller list, including 52 weeks at #1. The book began as fan fiction inspired by the Twilight series and was originally self-published in 2011.
Fifty Shades of Grey has won several awards, including the Goodreads Choice Award for Romance in 2012. Its immense popularity has led to a number of sequels, film adaptations, and spin-off books, cementing its place in contemporary culture. The book’s success has also sparked discussions around the portrayal of BDSM in popular media and its impact on wider cultural attitudes towards sexuality.
E.L. James is the pen name of Erika Mitchell, a British author born on March 7, 1963. She is best known for her bestselling Fifty Shades trilogy, which includes Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker, and Fifty Shades Freed. Before writing Fifty Shades of Grey, James worked as a television executive in London. She wrote the books originally as fan fiction based on the Twilight series and later self-published them online in 2011. The trilogy became an instant sensation and eventually sold over 150 million copies worldwide, making James one of the best-selling authors of all time.
My name is Phil Treagus and I am the founder of The Reading Lists. I'm a self-confessed book nerd and now I'm on a mission to uncover the world's most inspiring and important books by interviewing some of the world's most awesome people.
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