The Rec League: Silly & Sexy

The Rec League - heart shaped chocolate resting on the edge of a very old bookThanks to PamG for sending in this Rec League:

I have a slightly weird and persnickety request for the Rec League, but I’m having trouble framing it clearly. Let’s call it sex adjacent hilarity. Every so often I come across a romance in which the love scenes may have variable heat levels, but are both engaging and funny. The result is a hybrid of giggle and sigh, with an occasional side of energetic face fanning. There is a sense that sex is sometimes just so naturally and inherently silly that it makes the moment more real and, somehow, more moving.

I find this combination rare and joyous, but hard to define. It’s easier to say what it isn’t. It’s not rom coms, per se. It’s not just banter or snark, over-the-top slapstick or naughty puns. It’s definitely not composed of flowery euphemisms. All of these are fine, just not quite what I’m looking for. However, it is absolutely never humor that involves anyone’s extreme humiliation, particularly in the context of a major power imbalance. Bridget Jones makes me cringe. So does I Love Lucy. Bullying, humiliation, or punching down is never funny to me.

It’s hard to name examples, but the 2nd Stage Dive Novel, Play, has a lot of these moments. I also think Kate Canterbary does this well. Shelly Laurenston/G. A. Aiken used to manage it in some of her earlier stuff, but less so now. Julia Kent touches on it at times, but then goes off half cocked with the improbable psycho family dramedy. I think it’s a certain balance between heat and laughter and angst that feels authentic to me.

On the other hand, I may just need another category on my Kindle to collect such books as I read them. Anyway, if the Bitchery has any suggestions and is willing to describe why said suggestions are funny, I would be forever grateful.

Editor’s note: It’s been almost two months of the HarperCollins Union strike, and there is still no agreement. At the Union’s request, we have not been promoting, featuring, or reviewing HarperCollins titles. Because there has been no movement, we will now be indicating where we would have mentioned a HarperCollins title in the content we produce. So if you see [Redacted HarperCollins title due to strike] this is why: HarperCollins needs to go to the bargaining table with the Union and reach an agreement. The people who make the books we love should have a fair wage for the work that they do.

Elyse: Oh man, that’s a good one.

I can say Plight Before Christmas by Kate Stewart ( A ) has one, but the book dragged for me.

Shana: Hmmm, I was very amused by the purple dildo sex scene in [Redacted HarperCollins title due to strike] . It’s high heat but also funny in parts.

Claudia: I will defer to Lara but I think [Redacted HarperCollins title due to strike] qualifies. Also maybe Victoria Dahl’s A Little Bit Wild. ( A | BN | K | AB )

Sarah: Forgive a repeat but Season of Love fits, though there isn’t sex on the page. Early  [Redacted HarperCollins title due to strike]

Big Bad Cowboy
A | BN | K
Sarah: Carly Bloom’s Once Upon a Time in Texas series is a mix of heat and rom com. There’s one sex scene where the characters are getting it on in the heroine’s trailer or tiny home and it’s so small the hero keeps hitting his head on the ceiling, the walls, etc.

Amanda, what about Alice Clayton?

Amanda: Maybe? The vibe definitely fits, but I also don’t remember any standout silly bedroom scenes.

Sarah: Julie James’ books might be perfect for this request, too.

Flat Out Sexy by Erin McCarthy ( A | K | G | AB | Au ) might work as well. The hero is a race car driver, and the heroine is older than he is – but they have a one night stand and Complications Arise. I read it a long, long time ago, but I remember laughing myself silly.

Which books would you recommend? Let us know below!

Comments are Closed

  1. Teev says:

    Maybe try I Think I Might Love You by Christina C Jones. I still think about that cat now and again.

  2. kkw says:

    Idk what my recommendations are worth since I don’t like Kate Canterbary or GA Aiken, and you’d doubtless know all three authors already. But I bothered to make sure that HarperCollins didn’t publish them, so here we go.
    Jennifer Crusie is one of the only romance novelists I can think of who ever managed sex scenes that were both silly and hot. I’m thinking Welcome to Temptation specifically but her stuff in general.
    There’s a scene towards the end of The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting by KJ Charles that is maybe supposed to be funny and hot but it emphatically did not work for me. I mean, the book overall works, but the beetle-racing…no. Hard no. Other people have talked about it specifically as hysterical and delightful though, so, maybe?
    Also, and it’s been a while since I kept up with her and idk how any would hold up now, but Jayne Anne Krentz and her various pseudonyms had books that might qualify, maybe. Although I can’t think of anything specific, I think there may have been fun silly parts and hot sexy parts but I am not sure they overlapped.

  3. Sandy says:

    I second Jennifer Crusie. And it has been a while since I read them, but maybe Tracy Brogan’s Bell Harbor novels.

  4. Jill Q. says:

    This is so my jam, but I feel like this is something that I find easier to find in fanfic than romance? I agree that goofy, fun light-hearted moments when people having sex are so fun b/c to me it cements that they’re on the same wave length. With the caveat that humor is very subjective. My one rec I could think of was HarperCollins 🙁 but I’m following this REC League avidly.

  5. Gail says:

    I’d love to find books like this, especially m/m romance. I’ve been seeing so much about the Harper Collins issue in social media recently that I’ve started checking before hitting the buy button. I also stay away from Dreamspinner Press.

  6. Lara says:

    I seem to recall (it’s been years since I read them) that Katie MacAlister’s comic Regencies (Noble Intentions, The Trouble with Harry, a couple of others) were quite funny in spots, including the love scenes. I also seem to recall that sometimes they crossed the line into ‘silly’, but again, it’s been years.

    Cara Bastone’s three contemporary romances (Just a Heartbeat Away, Can’t Help Falling, Flirting With Forever) have wonderful dialogue and conversations throughout, including some giggles and frank conversations before/after/during sex.

  7. Allie says:

    The new [Redacted] policy is brilliant! Let us see how many books we would miss out on, if not for the time, skill and knowledge of the workers at Harper Collins. Solidarity forever <3

  8. SB Sarah says:

    @Allie: Thank you. The number of HarperCollins books we haven’t mentioned is really substantial at this point, and it’s appalling and infuriating that they’re still on strike with zero attempts at negotiating. Thank you for supporting our effort to highlight the work that they are doing!

  9. PamG says:

    @kkw You are right. I am familiar with and fond of both Crusie & Krentz. Also Charles. Please tell me that the beetle racing doesn’t overlap with sexytimes, cuz ewwww.

    @SB Sarah Will the redacted information be restored to this post if/when the strike ends satisfactorily?

  10. Leslie says:

    I think some old Linda Howard books fit: Open Season, To Die For, Drop Dead Gorgeous. I re-read these books every time I need a good pick up.

  11. Jane says:

    I have not yet confirmed if this book counts, but I was on a Zoom event with Olivia Gaines and she mentioned a love scene she wrote in which the bed has squeaky springs (or maybe squeaky springs and then it collapses?), and it sounded like the scene was funny. The book was “Thursdays in Savannah” and I just ordered it so we’ll see!

  12. Karin says:

    This is a tough one, because I can think of lots of funny books, but some I don’t remember if the sex scenes had humor, and some are closed door. Other books, like Jo Beverly’s, may have a humorous sex scene in an otherwise angsty book. Connie Brockway has a few very funny books, like The Other Guy’s Bride, likewise [Redacted HarperCollins titles]. Sorry, I can’t recall if the funny parts include the sex scenes. I seem to remember that the first time Jessica and Dain are in bed in Lord of Scoundrels was pretty funny, but it’s not because they’re joking around together.

  13. Karin says:

    My apologies, I just realized one of the authors I mentioned is published by . Please feel free to delete or edit the comment.

  14. Leah says:

    Helena Hunting comes to mind for me, particularly the PUCKED series. Sometimes it veers a little silly, but it’s good sexy fun!

  15. Courtney M says:

    Re: Alice Clayton I would say that Wallbanger (and the rest of that series, although I don’t remember those books as well) probably qualifies.

  16. SB Sarah says:

    No worries, and thank you for permission. Will edit.

  17. Denise says:

    Following

  18. Tam says:

    Crusie and WELCOME TO TEMPTATION is the only one which comes to mind. She generally does a good job of showing just how awkward and hilarious sex can be even while it’s hot.

  19. Dee says:

    Not 100% sure of who the publishers are, but for me I would say Julie James, Avery Flynn and Amy Daws’ books all fall under that rec.

  20. Taylor says:

    Ah yep, have a rec, checked the publisher, and it’s Harper Collins!

  21. SaraGale says:

    Had to double check the publisher, but I think I’m clear…I’m a big fan of Molly Harper books for their sheer lovable goofiness and lots of found community. The Naked Werewolf series is great, I especially love the chemistry in the 1st and 3rd books.
    There’s definitely some fun but steamy in the bedroom scenes.

  22. JB Hunt says:

    Some of the books in Pippa Grant’s Bro Code and Copper Valley Fireballs series might fit the bill: America’s Geekheart, Jock Blocked, The Hot Mess and the Heartthrob, Real Fake Love.

  23. Violey says:

    I have to admit that sex scenes aren’t at all memorable for me in romances, but The Bodyguard was great and has the overall vibe I feel like you’re describing. I did some quality laughing while reading it. So it might be worth a try to see if the sex scenes do as well.

  24. chacha1 says:

    If self-recs are permitted? Self-published author here. 🙂 I have two F/M titles with first sex scenes that made me laugh writing them: short novel A WINNING HAND and novella DRAWN OUT. M/M novella COME TO ME also leans into funny in the first encounter. All available at AMZ, search Alexandra Caluen.

  25. Barbara says:

    What about the firdt sex scene in Courtney Milan’s The Duchess War? The book is not a comedy, but that scene was endearingly funny.

  26. Stacie says:

    The Naked Nobility series by Sally Mackenzie fits this I think. The Naked Duke starts the series off. I was going to recommend another one but it’s Harper Collins.

  27. Dayle says:

    Out of the Frying Pan and Love, in Stitches by Sophie Mouette

  28. Jean Lamb says:

    I must recommend The Mad Miss Mathely by Michelle Martin. I have read my copy to sad little pieces.

    Barbara Metzger has silly, comic Regencies (An Affair Of Interest provided insights into high finance and bad aim).

    And yet you can’t forget Nobody’s Baby But Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips for its tragic use of breakfast food (anyone who’s read it will know exactly what I mean).

  29. M says:

    The second book in T. Kingfisher’s Paladin series, Paladin’s Strength, is this for me! There’s a scene with a bathtub that made me LOL (with the caveat that these books have horror/mystery elements; there is some gore. I don’t consider it too gross, but I also read horror, so ymmv).

  30. L says:

    Seconding T. Kingfisher – Swordheart has 2 of the genuinely funniest/most heartfelt sex scenes I’ve ever read, mostly because they’re 100% true to the characters.

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