Ready to dial up the heat and delve into a world of sultry stories? 

Erotic literature, a titillating treat that can set your pulse racing, is riding a wave of popularity like never before. And whether you’re a curious newbie or a seasoned aficionado of sensual prose, there’s something irresistibly exciting about exploring desires through the written word.

Dive deeper than “Fifty Shades of Grey” (although, if you haven’t, give that one a whirl) and discover a universe brimming with passion, fantasy, and yes, a sprinkle of kink. The world of erotic fiction is vast, inclusive, and absolutely sizzling — and few books do it better than our top 12 picks below.

12 of the best erotic novels  

From timeless classics to contemporary masterpieces, this genre (sometimes referred to as smut or romance) grosses over a billion dollars each year in the U.S. alone. Erotic stories offer intimate glimpses into human desire and fantasy that arouse and entertain, captivating readers from all walks of life.  

Add some heat to your reading list with our curated selection of steamy reads:  

1. “Call Me By Your Name” — Andre Aciman 

Drenched in the intense conflict, passion, and apprehension of first love, “Call Me By Your Name” transports readers to the sun-soaked Italian landscape. Here, Elio, a young and talented pianist, experiences an overwhelming infatuation with Oliver, an American scholar visiting for the summer. This book offers a deep dive into Elio's emotional whirlwind, as well as a sensual peach incident that's provocative (to say the least). You might recognize the title from the 2017 film adaptation, but trust us: The book is better.   

2. “Seven Days in June” — Tia Williams  

In one of the best erotic romance novels out there, erotica author and single mom Eva Mercy has her world turned upside down when acclaimed novelist Shane Hall makes an unexpected appearance in New York. Their charged reunion at a literary gathering sends ripples through the Black literary scene, but what remains hidden is a whirlwind romance from their teenage years. 

Over the course of a week during the hot Brooklyn summer, Eva and Shane rekindle old flames, confront past wounds, and explore their sexuality in this intricate and intensely sexy tale of second chances.  

3. “The Last Nude” — Ellis Avery

Set against the backdrop of Paris during its artistic zenith, this romantic novel follows Tamara de Lempicka as she emerges as a celebrated Art Deco portraitist. Her world is explored from the perspective of Rafaela, a young American who's Tamara's model and lover. As the roaring twenties of Paris unfold in vivid detail, Rafaela discovers a complex reality lurking behind Lempicka's polished facade.  

4. “Delta of Venus” — Anaïs Nin

This classic erotic novel is an excellent sexual story. It was first published in the 1970s but became popular again in the 2000s. 

Nin provides a mesmerizing look at human sexuality in pre-World War II Europe. In a series of interconnected stories, “Delta of Venus” examines the transformative nature of human intimacy, desire, and passion, each tale poetic and sexy simultaneously.  

5. “The Right Swipe” — Alisha Rai 

The first in Rai's “Modern Love” series, “The Right Swipe” is a sizzling story about Rhiannon and Samson. Rhiannon has mastered the digital dating game, focusing on her thriving career and occasional flings, but is charmed by ex-pro footballer Samson Lima. They share a wonderful evening before he ghosts her. Just when Rhiannon's moved past the sting of his disappearance, Samson reappears and claims he's back for a real shot at love. 

6. “Anonymous Sex” — edited by Hillary Jordan and Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan 

This is a stunningly erotic collection of 27 stories from renowned authors (who aren't credited). The tales range from humorous encounters and wild fantasies to intense power plays, and you're kept guessing who wrote which one while you read. Interesting, right? No matter your tastes, you'll likely enjoy this arousing anthology. 

7. “Bad Behavior” — Mary Gaitskill 

This collection of stories is all about the intricate and often taboo dance of dominance and submission. Steering clear of clichés, Gaitskill explores the gritty, pornographic edges of lust and desire where men are ruthless, women are extreme, and the line between pleasure and pain is blurred. These wild, authentic, and raw tales are perfect if you're intrigued by the intense realms of BDSM. 

8. “A Sport and a Pastime” — James Salter  

Written years after Salter's time as a fighter pilot, this erotic novel paints a picture of wealthy, hedonistic young Americans in postwar France. The protagonist, a Yale dropout with possibly borrowed wheels, takes a French local as a lover in an affair that starts slow and soon revs up. The intimate details of their sexual relationship are sexy and captivating.  

9. “While We Were Dating” — Jasmine Guillory

While We Were Dating is number six in Guillory's “The Wedding Date” series. Here, advertising whiz Ben Stephens, known for avoiding commitment, is drawn to Hollywood's rising star, Anna Gardiner. While Anna aims to solidify her stardom, she works with Ben on an ad campaign, and their innocent flirtations deepen. Will their romance end with the director's cut, or will they write their own love story? 

10. “Girl Meets Boy” — Ali Smith  

In the sexiest retelling of the tale of Ovid, timeless romance collides with contemporary twists. This story does a deep dive into the classic girl meets boy sexual fantasy, giving readers a look at the boundless nature of love, playing with words, duality, and surprising shifts. Witty and poignant, it's a modern-day fable. 

11. “The Roommate” — Rosie Danan 

Danan is an award-winning author, and “The Roommate” is the first book in “The Shameless Series.” When a reserved Clara Wheaton moves into a house with a childhood friend, she's shocked to find Josh, a charming and sexy adult performer, there instead. This unexpected clash of worlds evolves into an arousing journey of sexual tension when Clara takes her new housemate as a lover.  

12. “Take a Hint, Dani Brown” — Talia Hibbert 

Dani Brown knows what she wants: a fantastic career and a no-strings-attached relationship. However, when a rescue video featuring Dani and security guard Zafir Ansari goes viral, Dani and Zafir must pretend to be dating to benefit Zafir's youth charity. Soon, fiction becomes fact as feelings intensify in this erotic and funny story about the passion of unexpected love.

Explore audio erotica with Quinn 

Reading is an excellent way to enjoy smut, but what about audio erotica? This type of ethical porn is great for exploring your needs, desires, and fantasies in a whole new way.

Quinn is an exciting audio erotica app created by women for the world. We offer narrated sex stories and audio porn catering to a vast range of sexual preferences, from bondage, kink, and fetish themes to vanilla content. 

To access thousands of audio stories and guided masturbation sessions, download the Quinn app for iOS or Android.