Erotica or steamy novels have and will remain some of the most popular genres in literature. BDSM books and erotic BDSM novels have an arousing effect that sparks imagination and builds new kinks. Whether it’s Lady Chatterly’s lover or Delta of Venus, there’s always an erotic novel to satisfy all your needs. But what are the best BDSM books you can read?
The top 5 BDSM books include:
- The Boss by Abigail Barnette
- The Submissive by Tara Sue Me
- No Safeword by Claire Thompson
- The Duke | Tempted by Scarlett Peckham
- Masters of the Shadowlands by Cherise Sinclair
When you say BDSM erotic, the first name that pops up is, of course, Fifty Shades of Grey (FSOG). But, lucky for us, these three books are not the only BDSM novels that raise temperatures and get the steam started. Keep reading our list of 5 BDSM books and their similar or even better kinks than FSOG.
The Boss By Abigail Barnette
“Fifty Shades of Grey but less problematic and more realistic” is probably the best way to describe this book.
The book follows Sophie Scaife, who has a steamy one-night stand with a stranger due to a delayed flight to Tokyo. She wakes up to see her hook-up and plane ticket missing instead of $4000 and a note that says she should not throw her life away.
Sophie goes back to college and starts working for a major magazine six years later, only to find her boss is none other than- you guessed it- her one-night stand from the airport! Neil Elwood is everything you need in an erotic novel- handsome and a billionaire. The two begin a sexual Dominance/submission (D/s) relationship, and the story picks up from there.
The best parts of this book are its stress on good affirmative consent, mutual pleasure, and mistakes are rectified. Neil apologizes for putting himself into Sophie’s life by stealing her plane ticket- ultimately making him a worthy Dom.
There is also queer representation! For example, the Dom is bisexual, and multiple other characters with arcs and development are on the LGBTQ+ spectrum.
While being a sub, Sophie has her own life outside BDSM, which means that this book is indeed on the lighter side of BDSM.
Kinks present in this book are:
- Light bondage.
- Nipple clamp usage.
- Additionally, there is public sex. So, if that gets you hot under the ruffles, you are in for some heat.
- There is also a significant age gap in this relationship.
The lighter BDSM relationship makes it a good beginner book if you are new and have just delved into BDSM erotica. However, if you are a seasoned reader of this genre and tend to gravitate to heavier and darker themes, keep reading; there are more recommendations!
The cherry on top? Sophie is a sex-positive, kink-proud feminist. We love to see it.
Get the book on Amazon now!
The Submissive By Tara Sue Me
This one is for those looking for something with more action and faster pacing. This book gets started on sex immediately. The story follows a sexually unsatisfied, submissive librarian and a handsome, wealthy, successful CEO.
A well-to-do fetching man is very much the Dom this librarian needs to get her eyes rolling back into her head.
Mutual consent is highlighted, and both parties are in full enjoyment. Safe words and other practices are realistically described in this book giving it the added pro of being easy to relate to. The book has its lighter moments and darker themes, keeping the balance.
Kinks present:
- Light bondage
- Spanking
- Titles
- And the characters have a unique arrangement where they spend one whole day as D/s.
Check out the book on Amazon here.
No Safeword By Claire Thompson
This one is for those who may have felt the list needed less vanilla. This next book is right up your alley.
Rife with dark themes, harsh punishment, multiple slaves, and Doms with the most accurate sub-radar ever, Thompson’s book is everything to look forward to in a BDSM erotic novel. The story follows Jaime, a broke girl who cannot afford the entrance fees to this exclusive BDSM club. However, one of the Masters at this club offers her a 2-week slave training and a chance at being a full-time slave – something Jaime has always desired.
The book involves multiple slaves, different forms of BDSM, and even different styles of Doms.
Some of the kinks present are:
- Slave punishments (cleaning and cooking and more intense chores like shaving other slaves’ pubic hair).
- Forced sex with multiple genders.
- Hardcore BDSM.
- Knife play.
- Blood play.
- Electro play.
- Medical kinks.
- Suspension.
- Shibari.
If you want variety in your next BDSM session, read this book! You can dive into this exciting tale by ordering the book here.
The Duke I Tempted By Scarlett Peckham
When discussing romance or erotica, it feels wrong to exclude historical romance. Fear not because this following recommendation is a historical romance with BDSM themes.
Picture regency-era England, estates, balls, and corsets, all packed with a duke who cannot get enough of being whipped by a Dominatrix. The story is simple enough. She needs to protect her livelihood, and he needs an heir, a forced marriage of convenience, a simple agreement, and a whole lotta sex.
The best theme of this book is the acceptance by the female lead of the male protagonist, who is made to believe he has no place in polite society because of his kinks.
The main kinks are:
- Light bondage.
- Whipping
- Male submissiveness
- And pain.
So, why wait? Buy the book now!
Masters Of The Shadowlands By Cherise Sinclair
For those who are always into reading more series rather than stand-alone that follow multiple characters and their stories, this is a great BDSM series to binge!
The first installment begins with a woman named Jessica who stumbles into a club that she finds out is a BDSM club.
Aroused by all she witnesses there, she slowly delves deeper into this life. Master Z is intrigued by this new sub that has wandered into his club, and he is a psychologist who can read her expressions. So, when she is visibly aroused, he can tell immediately and begins to set free her desires. However, consent is still a significant part of these books.
Various kinks include:
- Anal play
- Bondage
- Caning
- Restraints
- Spanking
- Exhibitionism
- And voyeurism, to name a few
A varied set of characters is portrayed in these novels, each having their specific set of D/s dynamics and each Dom and sub having a backstory.
Check out the book here!
Final Thoughts
So here’s our comprehensive guide to all your BDSM novels in one place. You don’t solely need to enjoy these books yourself either; many are available in audiobook format, too. Meaning you can plug it in and enjoy it with your partner too! Or just yourself when you are too tired or busy to read. Bonus: No people on the train or subway can judge you if you read on the commute.
Find your audiobooks here:
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