I finally caved this year and read BookTok staple Verity. Did it have me hooked? Yes, yes, it did. There’s no denying that Colleen Hoover can write a page-turner.
In the mind of keeping this introduction spoiler free, I will simply say that Verity is a stellar example of romance and suspense elements interworking to make one captivating thriller. Admittedly, I’m usually not a big romance reader, but when some steamy exchanges are incorporated into the wider suspense plot, I’m all for it!
For all the Verity fans left wanting more romantic suspense adventures, here is a list of 7 great options to peruse.
Last Seen Alone by Laura Griffin
30-year-old Leigh Larson is a dedicated attorney, and her recent client, Vanessa Adams, has just gone missing under baffling circumstances. Her connection to the young woman brings homicide detective Brandon Reynolds into the fray. After which, the pair are forced to work together to crack a high-stakes case, as well as sort out their feelings for one another …
Naked In Death by Nora Roberts (writing as J.D Robb)
As the first installment to Nora Roberts’ “In Death” series, this suspense story leaps us into the future. Circa 2058, to be exact. In a world where technology reigns, homicide detective Lieutenant Eve Dallas gets roped into a high-profile case regarding the murder of a political figure’s daughter. Complicating her daunting task is the ever-charming and handsome Roarke, who just happens to be the lead suspect…
The Good Girl by Mary Kubica
Expressly, this page-turner is about the kidnapping of 25-year-old art teacher Mia Dennett. Brought to you by established thriller writer Mary Kubica, this story intriguingly works with elements of Stockholm Syndrome. It’s not your average case of stranger danger but a dark mystery with a more convoluted romance component. If you enjoy a fast-paced, no-nonsense, multiple POV story, this is a must to check out.
Forever Never by Lucy Score
The one that got away. Frenemies to Lovers. Opposites attract. If any of these tropes are your kind of romance jam, then this may be your next dream read. Set on Mackinac Island, Michigan, in the dead of winter, artist Remi Ford sets out to this isolated escape with a secret. With just enough suspense and plenty of steamy, tension-filled exchanges, this love story comes with a full dose of longing and pining sure to draw readers right in.
The Girl In 6E by A.R.Torre
Where Dexter meets Fifty Shades of Gray, this erotic thriller follows Deanna (aka Jessica), who hasn’t left her apartment in three years. She makes a living as a cam girl, with clients paying $6.99 per minute of her time. One day, she sees a frightening newscast about a missing girl named Annie. The circumstances of which sound eerily similar to the dark notions of one of her most disturbing clients. To intervene, she has to venture away from the apartment that’s been her whole world.
A Cold, Dark Place by Toni Anderson
Toni Anderson’s “Cold Justice” series kicks off with this romantic suspense story following an FBI agent looking to find her sister’s killer. Amidst an unfolding serial killer investigation, Agent Mallory Rooney begins to surmise that there’s a vigilante at work outside the law. Enter former CIA Agent Alex Parker, who would die to keep her safe, and we have a perfect set-up for romance thriller glory.
Here Lies North by Ava Harrison
Our final steamy, suspense recommendation starts with Layla, a journalist looking to interview famous architect Cain Archer. Sent by the magazine to his home for a feature, Layla expected a strange and detached recluse. Instead, she found instant, unshakeable chemistry. But how well can she really know Cain Archer? The journey in-store is one of the jaw-dropping twists and turns to keep you glued to the page.
Though Verity packs a punch as an ever-popular stand-alone thriller, a few of this list’s reads are the first of a successful series. Thus, there is surely no drought in romantic suspense stories to discover. Admittedly, Verity may be hard to top, but this line-up will hopefully bring you many more unpredictable, suspenseful, and, of course, steamy stories.
For more book recommendations, click here. Plus, for more thriller-savvy content, check out these five books that inspired Alfred Hitchcock’s legendary filmography.