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If you love everything taboo, then you’ll love these forbidden romance books, ranging from light and easy topics that will ease your way into the taboo-universe to jaw-dropping and seemingly incomprehensible situations that will probably (definitely) disturb you. Many of these stories will play with your feelings and have you second-guessing your morals, others will never make sense which is completely normal.
Here is a curated list of the best forbidden romance books that’ll rock your socks off and destroy your comfort zone.
Enjoy and beware.
Taboo Student-Teacher Romance Books
Lessons in Corruption by Giana Darling
Cressida Irons spent years in an unhappy marriage and leaving her ex-husband meant leaving her family as well. When she starts all over in a new town with a new job as a teacher, she never anticipates King Kyle Garro, a man that knows that he wants and refuses to let anything, or anyone, stand in his way. The only problem in this scenario is, well, he’s her student.
Read Lessons in Corruption if you’re looking for a forbidden romance where the heroine is older than the the hero and also happens to be said hero’s teacher. You won’t be disappointed.
Slammed by Colleen Hoover
Layken is reeling after the unexpected death of her father, but no one would know that by her outward persona. A chance encounter with 21-year-old Will Cooper will push Lake and Will together, but come Monday morning, everything will unravel when they realize that he’s her new English teacher and she’s his student.
Slammed is one of the best forbidden romance books for anyone looking for a touching love story between two complex individuals and many amazing slam poetry moments.
Manhattan Secret by V. Theia
The moment Lachlan Fierro eyes land upon Delaney Sloan, he knows he’s a goner.
After a chance encounter in a bar brings Lachlan and Delaney closer than ever, Lachlan is disappointed when his mystery girl disappears…only to be pleasantly surprised when he finds her in his computer studies class the next day. The only problem? She’s the new teacher.
Read Manhattan Secret if you’re looking for a steamy forbidden love between a teacher and her student.
To Professor, with Love by Linda Kage
Noel Gamble is the popular and talented star quarterback for a college football team and from the outside, he seemingly has it all: looks, girls, and a future championship… except that is far from the truth. If you asked students their opinion on Dr. Aspen Kavanagh, they would probably say she’s a cold-hearted bitch… except it’s all a charade. When Aspen and Noel’s lives collide, they could have never anticipated how much they would fall for each other, but with so much on the line, is it all worth it?
Do you love your forbidden romance books drowning in sexual tension? If you answered yes, To Professor, With Love is the next taboo love story you should add to your growing list of books to read.
The Unrequited by Saffron A. Kent
What happens when you fall for your married poetry professor? Layla Robinson needs a distraction for her unrequited love and her sights land on the arrogant and broody artist, Thomas Abrams. There are two problems with this: one, he’s her professor and two, he’s married. Thomas is completely off limits, so will Layla act on her feelings? Stupid question, we all know she will. The real question is whether Thomas will still give her an A in the class…
On the market for an unputdownable forbidden romance that is heavy on the taboo aspect? The Unrequited may just be your next bookmance then with its age gap romance and teacher/student dynamic.
Misbehaved by Charleigh Rose
Remington Stringer is looking for a way out and her prayers are answered when she is offered a scholarship at a prestigious private school. There she meets the aloof and secretive debate teacher, Mr. James. Every sign points away from Pierce, but Remi decides to throw caution to the wind when she seeks him out, leading to a whirlwind romance. The question is, how will it end?
Defy by L.J. Shen
Defy tells the story of Melody Greene, a twenty-six year old woman whose career as a dancer ended after an accident. When she lands a job as a teacher at an elite high school, she never expects to have an affair with Jaime Followhill, an arrogant and sexy-as-sin senior who also happens to be the principal’s son.
Forbidden Age Gap Romance Books
The Truth About Tomorrow by B. Celeste
Oliver James grew up in a loving and successful household with his adopted sister River who ends up adopting Charlie Tucker, a 13-year-old girl with a tragic past. Charlie befriends Oliver and he quickly becomes her best friend in a completely platonic way. Sometime later, Oliver ends up taking a job in Chicago. Three years pass and Charlie makes the decision to attend a prestigious music academy in Chicago. Flash forward a couple months and you can guess what happens.
For one of the best forbidden romance books, check out The Truth About Tomorrow. From the fifteen year age-gap to the questionable beginnings of their relationship, this taboo love story is made for readers who relish being yanked from their comfort zone.
Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas
What happens when you fall for your boyfriend’s dad? Yeah, imagine that for a second. Talk about awkward family dinners. Nineteen-year-old Jordan is older beyond her years and struggling to make ends meet. Moving into her boyfriend’s father’s house rent-free will help her save up money, but it will also bring about many complications when sparks fly between Jordan and Pike. Will their nineteen year age gap keep them apart or will it be Jordan’s boyfriend / Pike’s son Cole.
Mr. President by Katy Evans
Matt Hamilton has been Charlotte Well’s crush since she first met him at her home along with his father, the President of the United States, when she was only 11-years-old. While there, Charlotte jokingly states that she’ll help the President’s son on his campaign if he ever decides to run for office. Flash forward ten years and Matt takes Charlotte up on her offer…and sparks fly.
On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves
When thirty-year-old English teacher Anna Emerson is offered a job to tutor sixteen-year-old T.J. Callahan at his family’s summer home, she accepts. Anna and T.J. are en-route to meet up with T.J.’s family when the pilot suffers from a heart attack and crashes into the Indian Ocean. Their life jackets are the only things keeping them afloat before they find themselves on an uninhabited island. As months shift into years, feelings will surface and there’s nothing holding them back except their own fears.
Scandalous by L.J. Shen
Thirty-three-year-old business mogul Trent Rexroth, aka The Mute, has no time for distractions, especially in the form of eighteen-year-old high school senior Edie Van Der Zee. Blackmailed by her father, Edie is tasked with finding dirt on Trent, but along the way, she finds something completely different, yet incredibly priceless.
Scandalous earned a place on this list for its age gap, but that will quickly fade to the background once you’re submersed in Trent and Edie’s emotional, and oh so scandalous, affair. For a thought-provoking taboo love story, Scandalous is one of the best forbidden romance books to add to your TBR list.
Crossed Lines by Lana Sky
When seventeen-year-old Maryanne Mayweather is expelled from her twelfth boarding school, she is sent to live with her flakey aunt Elaine and her husband James Thorne which is the last thing James wants. With vengeance on her mind, Maryanne has a personal vendetta to defame the once successful author except there’s a glitch in her plan; Maryanne underestimated the thin line between love and hate.
The Ribbon Duet by Pepper Winters
Ren was only 8-years-old when his mom sold him into child labor and for the next two years, he lived in constant fear. When he makes his escape, he fails to realize that he has a stowaway in his backpack, his tormentor’s young daughter, Della. With so many unknowns, survival will be difficult, but their bond will be their saving grace. Their story spans across two decades and is told over the course of two stories. Quick warning: this duet will make you ugly-cry.
Taboo (Step) Sibling Romance Books
Rival by Penelope Douglas
Fallon and Madoc have been stepsiblings that barely tolerate each other. Then they turned sixteen and things began to take a turn for the best until Fallon seemingly disappeared and Madoc’s parents refused to tell him her whereabouts. Two years pass before Fallon returns and their obsession with each other has only grown stronger, turning into an all out war.
Fallen Too Far by Abbi Glines
In the aftermath of her mother’s passing, nineteen-year-old Blaire Wynn moves in with her father and his new wife in their beach house along the East Coast. What Blaire never anticipated was Rush Finley, her twenty-four-year-old step-brother who has an uncanny talent at getting under her skin. With the house to themselves for the entire summer, there are so many things that can go wrong… or right.
Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma
Seventeen-year-old Lachlan and sixteen-year-old Maya have always felt more like friends than siblings; especially since they had to step up and raise their three younger siblings in place of their flighty alcoholic mother. Becoming de facto guardians to their siblings pushed them to grow up fast and become closer than normal siblings should ever be. What happens when they realize their true feelings for each other.
If you’re looking for the pinnacle of success in terms of taboo love stories, Forbidden is one of the best forbidden romance books to get your hands on. It will obliterate your comfort zone and cross every line imaginable in an utterly tragic fashion.
Stepbrother Dearest by Penelope Ward
High school senior Greta Hansen has no idea what to expect from her new year long roommate, Elec O’Rourke, a stepbrother she’s never met until now. Broody and arrogant, Elec sends mixed signals from the moment he moves in to the moment he abruptly leaves. Fast forward seven years and they meet once again. This time, they’re not letting go…
End Scene by Nicky James
Atticus Charming never expected to be kicked out and cut off after announcing his sexuality. And he definitely did not expect to be broke, living in his friend’s basement and working a minimum wage job pumping gas while paying off his college loans. To say he is in desperate need of some good luck and cash would be the understatement of the century.
When he stumbles upon a job opportunity that calls for a handful of suggestive photos and a smattering of evocative videos, Atticus knows the chance is too good to pass up. Still, he never expects to hear back, let alone be chosen for the gig the very next day.
There is just one problem. The job requires one other person…A person who will never agree to something so outrageously taboo.
End Scene is a taboo MM romance that will shatter all your boundaries and have you reading well past your bedtime.
Hale by K. Webster
Hudson has three goals: play ball, graduate from college, and propose to his longtime girlfriend Amy, but that’s all put on hold when tragedy strikes. It’s during these times that his sister Rylie will need him most. What Hudson has failed to see is that Rylie has been harboring some seriously unsisterly feelings towards her brother and they’re about to make themselves known very soon. The question is, how will Hudson react?
Taboo Doctor-Patient Romance Books
The Fall Before Flight by L.M. Halloran
After a suspicious accident, Amelia’s brother brings her to an off-the-grid rehab facility known as Oasis. There she meets Dr. Leo Chastain, the psychiatrist in charge of the place. Leo believes he can help Amelia, but she knows she’s beyond saving. With that in mind, Amelia turns her attention to Leo, putting all her efforts into enticing him into a hot and heavy fling. The question is, will Dr. Chastain give in?
Medicine Man by Saffron A. Kent
Willow Taylor is counting down the days until she completes her treatment at the Hearthstone psychiatric hospital. Everything changes the day Dr. Simon Alistair signs on as her new psychiatrist. Known as the Ice-Man, Willow holds only feelings of disdain towards him. When Simon starts digging into her mind and past, contempt turns into interest which eventually shifts into desire. With so much on the line, will their relationship blossom or be their downfall?
Born, Darkly by Trisha Wolfe
As a top criminal psychologist in her field, London Noble has no time for another patient until she learns who it is, the infamous serial killer Grayson Pierce Sullivan (aka the Angel of Maine). With each session, London learns more about Grayson’s past and becomes increasingly invested in him as a patient. Their days are numbered though and with Grayson’s high IQ, it will take him little time to devise a plan to do what he wants with London… and maybe even escape.
More Forbidden Romance Books
Priest by Sierra Simone
Twenty-nine-year-old Tyler Bell has been a priest for the last three years. Tyler has important reasons for becoming a priest and nothing has ever tempted him away from his calling… That is until MBA graduate and corporate executive Poppy Danforth comes into a confession one day. With an electric connection, Tyler and Poppy are drawn to each other like moths to a flame, but Tyler must remain celibate. Confusion swirls through Tyler as he questions his purpose, but will he find his answer in time?
Collared by Nicole Williams
When seventeen-year-old Jade Childs vanishes one day, the community is shaken. After a year passes, the search party dwindles down to one person who never plans to stop searching: Torrin Costigan, Jade’s longtime boyfriend. Ten years pass before Torrin brings Jade back home, but transition is not easy. With so many obstacles in their way, will they be able to beat the odds? Quick note, this is a taboo and forbidden romance, but I will not say why. It’s best to go into this knowing nothing.
Twisted Romance Books
R.I.P. Parts 1 and 2 by Charity B.
From all outward appearances, the Courtenay family seems like the perfect all-American Christian family, but they are far from it. People would shudder if they knew what goes down in the church basement and balk at the atrocious horrors committed behind closed doors. Malakai and Adriel grew up in a family built on lies and fear. This is their story. Fair warning, this book contains many taboo subjects and depraved individuals.
Credence by Penelope Douglas
Following the deaths of her parents, seventeen-year-old Tiernan de Haas moves in with her only remaining relative, her father’s stepbrother Jake Van der Berg and his two sons, Kaleb and Noah. Tucked away in the mountains of Colorado and secluded from civilization, Tiernan will learn that a home is not about the place, but the people there with you. As the days pass by, the sexual tension between Tiernan and the three guys rises (Mhm, I said it. All three of them). Who will she end up with and how will she choose… or maybe she won’t have to make a choice.
Siren by Jaimie Roberts
The story focuses on Scarlet, a femme fatale with a desire to exact vengeance on everyone who wronged or failed her growing up and continued to to this day. She grew up abused and raped by her father (at least, someone she thought was her father) and no one looked close enough to see the signs. Even when she told her mother and sister outright that she was being abused, they denied it and refused to believe it. Years later, she’s on a mission to exact her revenge on the ones who failed her in the worst way possible.