Not Your Granny’s Bodice Rippers! New Trends in Contemporary Romance Covers.

One of the many brilliant things about audiobooks is that you can listen to something without everyone knowing what you’re listening to. This is especially useful if you like to tell people that you only listen to business books, when you actually mostly listen to romantica. (Come on, we all do it).

I personally read and listen to lots of books in all different genres. For example, in the last couple of months I’ve listened to After by Anna Todd, Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, and Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach. But sometimes you can feel a little self-conscious if you’re on the bus reading a bodice-ripper, or the latest true crime with a gruesome cover, particularly if there are small children around. Plus, if you’re trying to zone out on your commute, people are less likely to start the “Whatcha reading?” conversation with you if you have your headphones on. (Introverts unite!).

That’s not to say that covers are not important, even for audiobooks. When searching for new listens on Audiobooks.com, it’s true to say that most of us are attracted to awesome summaries and beautiful covers. And here at Audiobooks.com we’ve certainly noticed a trend in super-cute romance covers that are definitely not your grandma’s bodice rippers or aga sagas. So whether you embrace your love for steamy romance, or want to hide your phone app far, far, away, we have some sexy, romantic, and fun listens for you, with some cute covers to boot!

Meet Cute by Helena Hunting, narrated by Teddy Hamilton, Holly Warren 

Imagine finally meeting your celebrity crush! Now imagine that you meet your celebrity crush by accidentally tripping over and falling on him. CRINGE.

Kailyn, a law student meets Daxton, an TV star-turned-law student, and after this embarrassing encounter they become fast friends…until a betrayal causes an abrupt end to their relationship.

Eight years later, Daxton is back in Kailyn’s life, and needs her help. Will they be able to get past their issues to work together…and maybe more?

Read more and sample the audio →

Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey, narrated by Charlotte North

Georgette’s family has a successful renovation business, but instead of doing that for a living, Georgie is *literally* a clown. She loves her job entertaining kids, but since “no one will date the clown” she decides to give herself a bit of a makeover.

Combine this with a flirtation with an ex-baseball player, and you’ve got a fun and adorable listen that will make you swoon!

Read more and sample the audio →

The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai, narrated by Summer Morton, Brian Pallino

Alisha Rai brings us The Right Swipe – a modern romance story for the Tinder generation.

Rhiannon Hunter is driven and strong in her career as a dating app creator, and uses the same cut-throat techniques for her dating life. However, things change when she meets Samson, who breaks her heart, and disappears. Will she give him a second chance?

This romance novel is part of Rai ‘s modern love series, and features strong women, diverse characters, and feminist themes. This is as much a book about a successful woman, as it is about romance.

Read more and sample the audio →

If We’re not Married by Thirty by Anna Bell, narrated by Rebecca Courtney 

Are you one of those people who made a deal with a friend (jokingly, of course) that if you weren’t married by a certain age, you’d marry them? In this cute story, Lydia is thirty and single. On vacation, she bumps into her childhood friend, who she’s always had a crush on, and they soon enter into a passionate holiday romance. Years ago they made a pact that if they were still single when they turned thirty they would get married. But no one really follows through on these pacts . . . right? Could Lydia’s back-up really be the one?

Read more and sample the audio →

Red, White and Royal Blue By Casey Mcquiston, narrated by Ramon De Ocampo 

I love romance novels, and I LOVE the Royal family, so I was drawn, not just to the beautiful and fun cover, but also to the cute and fun subject matter, and the fact it’s a LGBTQ+ read.

The US President’s son, Alex, has a fun and exciting “job” as an international socialite and “millennial ambassador.” However, one less than fun element of the job is having to maintain a fake friendship with his long-term nemesis – and member of the British royal family – Prince Henry.

However, the more time they spend together, the more Alex realizes that Henry isn’t as bad as he originally thought, and soon enough they find themselves hurtling into a secret romance that could derail Alex’s mom’s re-election campaign, and upend two nations!

Read more and sample the audio →

The Bride Test by Helen Hoang, narrated by Emily Woo Zeller

This is not the first time I’ve raved about Helen Hoang. She creates such great and believable neurodiverse characters.

Following the amazing (and also cute-covered) Kiss Quotient, The Bride Test follows Khai, (Quan’s brother in The Kiss Quotient), who has autism, and steadfastly avoids relationships. His very traditional mother is desperate for him to get married, so she takes matters into her own hands, and goes to Vietnam to get him a bride.

Esme Tran has always felt out of place. When she gets a chance to come to America and meet a potential husband, she can’t turn it down. But seducing Khai is not as easy as she thought it would be….

Read more and sample the audio →

The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory, narrated by Janina Edwards 

You know a book is good when Reese Witherspoon picks it for her book club. Carrying on from The Wedding Date and The Proposal (A Hello Sunshine Pick!), The Wedding Party centers in on Maddie and Theo who are arch enemies with two things in common: 1) Alexa is their best friend, and 2) they hate each other.

However, after an “Oops! We made a mistake!” night together, they can’t stop thinking about each other. Helping plan Alexa’s wedding means they have to spend a LOT of time together, which causes tension…and passion.

Read more and sample the audio →

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7 Audiobooks That Are More Naughty Than Nice

Turn up the heat this winter with erotic audiobooks that guarantee a spicy holiday season.

 

1. Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas by Katie Ruggle, narrated by Vanessa Daniels

Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas.

When firefighter and single dad Steve Springfield moved his kids to a Christmas tree ranch, he intended it to be a safe haven. He never expected danger to follow, or that he would come face-to-face with the one girl he could never forget. It doesn’t take long before she’s in danger of falling for him. But as fires break out across the sleepy Colorado town, they will have to fight if they want their happy family to survive.
Read more and sample the audio.

 

2. A Highlander’s Christmas Kiss by Paula Quinn, narrated by Carrington MacDuffie and Paula Quinn

A Highlander's Christmas Kiss.

Christmas may be coming to Linavar, but Temperance Menzie is far from joyful. Grief stricken over the death of her father, she almost didn’t see the wounded stranger in the woods. And now she’s determined to give this brooding Highlander the help she couldn’t give her father. But there’s a secret lurking in the depths of his blue-gray eyes. And Temperance won’t rest until she uncovers it.
Read more and sample the audio.

 

3. Their Christmas Bride by Vanessa Vale, narrated by Kylie Stewart

Their Christmas Bride.

Allison Travers is in love with two men. Quinn and Porter are both irresistible, and choosing seems impossible. But she fears she’ll lose the chance to decide when a malicious man seeks to force her into marriage with him by spreading rumors.Quinn and Porter aren’t about to buy the lies. They love Allison, and what’s more, they both want to marry her and make her their Christmas bride.
Read more and sample the audio.

 

4. Submitting for Christmas by Em Brown, narrated by Em Brown

Submitting for Christmas.

The Marquess of Alastair has doubled the dowry he is providing Miss Abbott. The sooner she’s married, the sooner she’s out of his care — and his fantasies. All she wants is an encore of her night where Alastair once fulfilled her most wicked desires. When just such an opportunity unexpectedly arises, Alastair concedes to her proposition on one condition: that she never again return.
Read more and sample the audio.

 

5. Christmas with the Marine & Her Naughty Holiday by Candace Havens, narrated by Alexander Cendese and Gabrielle Cendese

Christmas with the Marine & Her Naughty Holiday.

Guys are the last thing on personal shopper Ainsley Garrett’s list. But her icy resolution melts when she sees an incredibly hot Marine toy shopping. A hot man in uniform with a heart of gold? Maybe she can believe in Santa after all… When it comes to Ashley, Major Ben Hawthorne is willing to break his own rules, at least for one night — provided they can get this insanely wicked attraction out of their systems.
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6. Saint Nick’s Naughty Helper by Jeffrey D. Peterson, narrated by Jeffrey D. Peterson and Ali Peterson

Saint Nick's Naughty Helper.

A hot and explicit Christmas Comedy featuring a brave romantic with a warm fire and a hot man on her mind. Carol is alone at Christmas time, and determined not to be. When she lays eyes on a dreamboat named Nick the sparks fly and she’s in over her head… right where she wants to be.
Read more and sample the audio.

 

 

 

7. The Christmas Present – A Collection of Four Festive Erotic Stories by Miranda Forbes, narrated by Trixi Godwin

The Christmas Present.

A Good Little Girl: Kay’s girlfriend gets a new job and becomes a sexy Santa.
The Perfect Meal: Emily rushes out to find the perfect pudding and finds the perfect man instead.
Payment In Kind: Kate’s work flirtation goes from innocent to white hot.
The Scent of Pine: Having the in-laws stay puts a damper on Julie and Robert’s sex life, but abstinence has its rewards after Christmas.
Read more and sample the audio.

 

New to Audiobooks.com? Get a free audiobook when you sign up for our one month free trial. Digital audiobooks make audible stories come to life when you’re commuting, working out, cleaning, cooking and more! Listening is easy with our top-rated free audiobook apps for iOS and Android, which let you download & listen to bestselling audiobooks on the go, wherever you are. Click here to get your free audiobook!