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Slow burn or instant heat contemporary romance books!

Welcome to Romanceopoly, the yearly reading challenge . You’ve landed on Passion Place where your challenge is to read a slow burn or instant heat contemporary romance book. Alternatively, if you want to take it easy, read any contemporary romance book of your choosing.

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There are two type of romance readers, those how like slow burn and those who love some instant heat. Okay, that’s not true, most readers have dabbled and enjoyed both a slower and faster paced romance. In this challenge you can pick whether you’re in the mood for something builds gradually, and has you screaming at the book “Just KISS damn it!” (is it just me that does that?). Or, you can find something where this is more immediate gratification, when our main characters have that instant sexual chemistry. The choice is yours!

Genre only challenge

If you’re doing the genre only version of the challenge, pick any contemporary romance book of your choosing! For more contemporary romance book recommendations take a look at our Contemporary romance page on Under the Covers book blog.

The recommendations – slow burn

marriage-for-one-ella-maise

Marriage for One
by Ella Maise

Available on Kindle Unlimited

Publisher’s synopsis

Jack and I, we did everything backward. The day he lured me into his office-which was also the first day we met-he proposed. You’d think a guy who looked like him-a bit cold maybe, but still striking and very unattainable-would only ask the love of his life to marry him, right? You’d think he must be madly in love.

Nope. It was me he asked. A complete stranger who had never even heard of him. A stranger who had been dumped by her fiancé only weeks before. You’d think I’d laugh in his face, call him insane-and a few other names-then walk away as quickly as possible. Well…I did all those things except the walking away part.

It took him only minutes to talk me into a business deal…erm, I mean marriage, and only days for us to officially tie the knot. Happiest day of my life. Magical. Pop the champagne… Not. It was the worst day. Jack Hawthorne was nothing like what I’d imagined for myself.
I blamed him for my lapse in judgment. I blamed his eyes, the ocean blue eyes that looked straight into mine unapologetically, and that frown on his face I had no idea I would become so fascinated with in time.

It wasn’t long after he said I was the biggest mistake of his life that things started to change. No, he still didn’t talk much, but anyone can string a few words together. His actions spoke the loudest to me. And day after day my heart started to get a mind of its own.

One second he was no one. The next he became everything.
One second he was unattainable. The next he seemed to be completely mine.
One second I thought we were in love. The next it was still nothing but a lie.

After all, I was Rose and he was Jack. We were doomed from the very beginning with those names. Did you expect anything else?


Wall of Winnipeg and Me-mariana-zapata

The Wall of Winnipeg and Me
by Mariana Zapata

Publisher’s synopsis

Vanessa Mazur knows she’s doing the right thing. She shouldn’t feel bad for quitting. Being an assistant/housekeeper/fairy godmother to the top defensive end in the National Football Organization was always supposed to be temporary. She has plans and none of them include washing extra-large underwear longer than necessary.

But when Aiden Graves shows up at her door wanting her to come back, she’s beyond shocked.

For two years, the man known as The Wall of Winnipeg couldn’t find it in him to tell her good morning or congratulate her on her birthday. Now? He’s asking for the unthinkable.

What do you say to the man who is used to getting everything he wants?


the-roughest-draft-austin-siegemund-broka

The Roughest Draft
by Austin Siegmund-Broka

Publisher’s synopsis

They were cowriting literary darlings until they hit a plot hole that turned their lives upside down.

Three years ago, Katrina Freeling and Nathan Van Huysen were the brightest literary stars on the horizon, their cowritten books topping bestseller lists. But on the heels of their greatest success, they ended their partnership on bad terms, for reasons neither would divulge to the public. They haven’t spoken since, and never planned to, except they have one final book due on contract.

Facing crossroads in their personal and professional lives, they’re forced to reunite. The last thing they ever thought they’d do again is hole up in the tiny Florida town where they wrote their previous book, trying to finish a new manuscript quickly and painlessly. Working through the reasons they’ve hated each other for the past three years isn’t easy, especially not while writing a romantic novel.

While passion and prose push them closer together in the Florida heat, Katrina and Nathan will learn that relationships, like writing, sometimes take a few rough drafts before they get it right. 


the-fastest-way-to-fall-denise-williams

The Fastest Way to Fall
by Denise Williams

Publisher’s synopsis

Britta didn’t plan on falling for her personal trainer, and Wes didn’t plan on Britta. Plans change and it’s unclear if love, career, or both will meet them at the finish line.

Britta Colby works for a lifestyle website, and when tasked to write about her experience with a hot new body-positive fitness app that includes personal coaching, she knows it’s a major opportunity to prove she should write for the site full-time.

As CEO of the FitMe app, Wes Lawson finally has the financial security he grew up without, but despite his success, his floundering love life and complicated family situation leaves him feeling isolated and unfulfilled. He decides to get back to what he loves—coaching. Britta’s his first new client and they click immediately.

As weeks pass, she’s surprised at how much she enjoys experimenting with her exercise routine. He’s surprised at how much he looks forward to talking to her every day. They convince themselves their attraction is harmless, but when they start working out in person, Wes and Britta find it increasingly challenging to deny their chemistry and maintain a professional distance.

Wes isn’t supposed to be training clients, much less meeting with them, and Britta’s credibility will be sunk if the lifestyle site finds out she’s practically dating the fitness coach she’s reviewing. Walking away from each other is the smartest thing to do, but running side by side feels like the start of something big.


in-a-jam-kate-canterbary

In A Jam
by Kate Canterbary

Available on Kindle Unlimited

Publisher’s synopsis

When Shay Zucconi’s step-grandmother died, she left Shay a tulip farm—under two conditions.

First, Shay has to move home to the small town of Friendship, Rhode Island. Second—and most problematic since her fiancé just called off the wedding—Shay must be married within one year. 

Marriage is the last thing in the world Shay wants but she’ll do anything to save the only real home she’s ever known.

Noah Barden loved Shay Zucconi back in high school. Not that he ever told her. He was too shy, too awkward, too painfully uncool to ask out the beautiful, popular girl. 

A lifetime later, Noah is a single dad to his niece and has his hands full running the family business. That old crush is the farthest thing from his mind.

Until Shay returns to their hometown and turns his life upside down. 


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The recommendations – Instant heat

leather-and-lace-samantha-cole

Leather & Lace
by Samantha A. Cole

Available on Kindle Unlimited

Publisher’s synopsis

How does a “vanilla” woman write a BDSM novel? With hands-on research!

Kristen needs inspiration and first-hand experience for a sequel to her unexpected and kinky bestseller. Devon, an ex-Navy SEAL and private club owner, is all too happy to help.

Soon, a single weekend of hot and dirty sex turns into something more. But while they fight their connection, a killer has Devon in his sights.

Will they survive with their hearts and lives intact?


cowgirl-up-and-ride-lorelei-james

Cowgirl Up and Ride
by Lorelei James

Publisher’s synopsis

Ridin’ the edge of lust is fun…until someone falls in love.

For years, goody-two boots AJ Foster wished her dream man Cord McKay would see her beyond the girl in pigtails. Now that she’s old enough to stake her claim on him, she challenges the cowboy to teach her how to ride—and she doesn’t mean horses.

Saddled with running the McKay ranch, dealing with the wild behavior of his brother and cousins, and raising his young son alone, divorced rancher Cord has sworn off all women. Yet AJ’s innocence and sexual curiosity is a temptation he can’t resist.

From the start of their bedroom games, they’re both aware the pull between them goes deeper than just smokin’ hot sex. Although the sexy cowgirl sets his blood ablaze, Cord is determined to withstand AJ’s efforts to lasso his battered heart. But AJ isn’t willing to settle for less than the whole shootin’ match with her western knight.

Sweet AJ has the power to heal—or heel—the gruff cowboy…unless Cord’s pride keeps him from admitting their relationship is more than a simple roll in the hay.


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