Our Favorite Age Gap Romance Books

This trope is becoming a fast favorite (or has been for some time now) but the requests for reader recommendations have been numerous, all of the sudden!! AND I AM ALL IN!

Nikki: Hi Maryse! Any chance we could see a list of popular age gap romance? I feel like I’m in a year long hangover from Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas so definitely more recommendations for books like that! Lol.

Michele: I love age gap books with the man a lot older , I added the two to my kindle , do you have any more suggestions for age gap books.

Leslie M: I love age gap romance (esp older h) and the forbidden-y aspect!! 😘

rae: One of My favourite tropes. Thank you 🙂

You bet I do!! Ohhhhh there are some new to me on this list (*claps with gleeeee!!!*) and of course are a lot of oldies but goodies on here (tried-and true). In fact, those of you that are new to the genre, we’ll be jealous of you getting to read these for the first time. 😉

READER RECOMMENDED AGE GAP ROMANCE BOOKS:

Maryse: Age Gap Favorites? I’m getting requests for a new list! Let’s build it!!! 😀

P.S. For more recommendations in this genre (just a little more specific in regards to age-gap), check out our:

➔ Older Man/Younger Girl or our

➔ Older Woman/Younger Man categories. 😀

➔ Reader Recommendations – Age Gap Romance Books where the older Hero knew the heroine when she was a child… 

➔ And here is the “Age Gap Romance Books” search I did on Amazon. Many releases, though I have not specifically had recommendations for them *yet* (for this post) so I’ve included the search in case any of those spark your fancy too.

UPDATED – 07-08-2020

Priscilla: I’m always on the look out for age gap books so I’m always reading age gap actually if it not age gap I don’t read it hehehe So I need to go look on my list or reviews.

• Beautiful Monster by Sara Cate
• If you don’t have them already Cora Reilly mafia books have age gap, most of them do.

Nancy: BEYOND THE HORIZON: An Age Gap Romance by Bea Paige. (One of my favorite books of 2020). …star-crossed lovers book.

Dawnee: Not a huge age gap , but Jodi Ellen Malpas book series This Man. And Whitey G. Mid life love books (resisting the boss)

Betul: The Younger Man + Before I Ever Met You by Karina Halle.

Crystal:  I see you already have The Rebound by her, but also Burning Muses, Background Music, and Teach Me by J.R. Rogue

Maryse: I LOVE her book covers… so compelling. I need to read one!!!

Crystal: they’re amazing!

Kayleigh: Burning Muses by J.R. Rogue Background Music by J.R. Rogue

J.M. Miller: All are older men.

• American Queen by Sierra Simone,

JulieO: I read American Queen the day it came out …the end chapter or two was a little eye opening for me because I had never read that being done before. I’m not a prude just never thought of that. Loved those books.

• Whitney G’s new short Can I Come Over?,
• and I think The King Maker by Kennedy Ryan is a bit of a gap too.
• Devious Lies by Parker S. Huntington also.

MichelleS: I finished Crossed Lines by Lana Sky last night. Stayed up late to finish. It was a doozie. Well written. From her POV, which was jaded and lost and biting. Didn’t predict a thing in this one. Enjoyed the ride. 5 stars for keeping my interest the whole way through. Forbidden romance. Big age gap. Loss & trauma.

Jan: This Heart of Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips has a secondary romance between the hero’s mother and a reclusive artist who paints her/sees her as his muse. Both older characters, and it’s an older book.

Illa: My favorite Trope! Sadly they are hard to find 🙁 My recommendations:

• Jailbait Series by Mía Storm (college guy High school Girl)
• Slammed by Colleen Hoover ( High school Student/teacher)
• When Summer Ends by Isabelle Rae (High School Student/Teacher)
• Hothouse Flower and Long Way Down by Krista & Becca Ritchie

Etsub: Hot house flower and long way down by krista and becca is my absolute favourite. I can’t believe nobody mentioned it. The H (Ryke) is 7 years older than the h (daisy). You need to read this!!!

• Scandalous was my last age gap book that I loved reading, was simply amazing. It wasn’t just the age gap but opposite attract.

Jan: I also read LJ Shen’s Scandalous (I know, everyone else read it ages ago LOL). He’s kinda a douche, but somehow I just had to keep on reading LOL.

Aylze: Lukas by Carian Cole

MichelleS: I’m reading Lukas now! You MUST READ Torn. Best of the bunch!

Marion: I went on to read Book 1,2 & 3 Storm and Vandal & Lukas all really good books with awesome feels!

Amy: I see you have Unrequited by Saffron Kent, but her whole Heartstone series. Medicine Man, Dreams of 18 and California Dreamin

Robyn: OMG! You guys have to read Medicine Man. It was so good. The H is a Psychiatrist at a mental facility and the h is his patient. She’s 18 and he’s in His 30’s…so taboo. There is just something I really like about a mental hospital romance between doctor and patient. This book hits all the buttons.

Aylze: good author

Nancy: The Scandal of it All by Sophie Jordan is one of my favorites

Lauren Runow: In Tanner, the book I co-wrote with Jeannine Colette, she is older and he’s an artist.

Jan: A Sense of Belonging by Laura Branchflower is similar, but only one book (I think). College student and older attorney/ powerful senator’s son/ wannabe senator fall for each other.

Liz: Hush Hush by Lucia Franco was a 5 blazing stars for me.

Younger woman older man- check
Forbidden – check
Angst – super check
Emotional had an ugly cry – check
Steamy – super check
Taboo – check
Anything else – it’s all checks all around all our fantasy filled men rolled into “James”

Read it you must and love it you will. FYI no cliffhanger like her recent series that she tortures us with.

Jill: Lucia Franco off balance series

JulieO: ALL THE FORBIDDEN THINGS-really liked. Older rock star, younger girl story with a little different spin that was interesting. And seems like there will be another book based on some of the secondary characters that should be good.

Donelda: Nobody’s Hero by Kallypso Masters

Rebecca Hefner: In The Impassioned Choice, a 28 year-old Vampyre falls for a 39 (almost 40!) year-old human.🤓

Ashley Simmons: Corduroy, a Boy, and a Mostly True Story by Ashley Simmons

 Maria: I, myself, have read

• Unorthodox by KV Rose (DARK as h*ll but oh so amazing, had me gripping the edge of my seat),
• North by Danielle James and
• The Doctor by Nikki Sloane

J.M. Miller: …it’s not out yet but Vi Keeland’s All Grown Up sounds good!

Jeanette: Undeniable by Madeline Sheehan

Jess: another favorite of mine is Madeline Sheehans Undeniable series. So juicy and taboo.

Maryse: One of my very first forays into much older Hero and much younger heroine. Definitely gritty and a forbiddeny guilty pleasure! Here’s my Book Review

Jodie: Birthday Girl – Penelope Douglas

Ryn: Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas. And the audiobook is FABULOUS!

Maryse: Agreed!! SOOOOO much wrong that was SOOOO RIGHT in this one!!! My review.

Northernstar: Love this list. One of the best I’ve read recently is Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas. So, so good!

Ashley: I was super happy that Birthday Girl was up for romance book of the year- I’ve recommended it to a few people. I’ve reread that one so many times!

Serena: The Idea of You: A Novel by Robinne Lee!!! This is a top 5 all-time read for me. You will LOVE IT.

Angie: this. All of this.

Melissa: I 2nd this recommendation ❣️

Shanna: absolutely this 🖤

Cindy: One of my all time favorites!

Marion: THE IDEA OF YOU by Robinne Lee…..Hands down the best in this genre.

Maria: Nope. As someone who is in a December/May romance I loved it but ultimately hated it.

Maryse: I loved every single bit of it!!! BUT I get you, Maria. 😉 That said, I couldn’t put it down. Here’s my Book Review

ShaiLa: The Education of Sebastian and The Education of Caroline

Talon: I loved this one.

Jen: one of my all time favorites ♥️

Fernanda: this this this THIS!!!!

Jennifer:

• Kulti by Mariana Zapata,
• On the Island: A Novel by Tracey Garvis Graves,

Jen: On The Island, but I’m sure thats on the list. 👏🏻

Mary: again, agree 100% 😃

Maryse: ME TOOOO!! This one’s my favorite of them all. I’m always looking to capture that feeling again. She explored every aspect. Here’s my Book Review

J.M. Miller: On the Island is awesome!

• Gabriel’s Inferno (Gabriel’s Inferno Trilogy Book 1) by Sylvain Reynard, and
• the YA series by Sarah J. Maas A Court of Thorns and Roses – my favorite was book 2 A Court of Mists and Fury.

Allison: All the Ugly and Wonderful Things: A Novel by Bryn Greenwood… a really good book the age gap/father figure thing is definitely part of it.

Maryse: Kandace and I buddy-read “All of the Ugly and Wonderful Things” together. I remember that one specifically because we were constantly texting and freaking out, not sure how we should feel (but it was too good to put down). Here’s my Book Review

MichelleS: Whoa. Just whoa. Not sure what I think if it. Has a lot of “ick” in it.

Amy: You KNOW I’m all for taboo, but that age difference was a bit too much even for me.

R. Renee: I’m reading All the Ugly and Wonderful Things right now and OMG!! At 48% I thought it had lost me, but I kept going. Now I’m at 77% and having to force myself to walk away so I can get some work done!

Jen: Finding Home by Lauren Baker & Bonnie Dee

Maryse: YESSSSS!!! One of my favorites ever, and I either read that one right before or RIGHT after “On the Island”. I was in book-age-gap heaven! Here’s my Book Review. And OMG THAT STEAMY SCENE!!??? *whoooooooo*

Lynn: I just finished reading Finding Home and thoroughly enjoyed it after seeing it on your list of recommendations! It has also just been re-released on Amazon for anyone who was unable to get a copy before. Highly recommend this fabulous touching read and sexy too!

MichelleS: FINDING HOME by L Baker. OMG, how did I forget that one? Sigh… …Maryse recommended it when I was in a slump and needed a single good read (no series). It was fantastic.

Pia: read Finding Home 🙂 you won’t regret it.

MichelleS: Love this trope!

• The Wild Side, by RK Lilley was one that was particularly good!
• The Boy and His Ribbon (Ribbon Duet Book 1)…. forbinney & so so good!
• Surviving Raine: Surviving Raine Book 1 – Oldie but goodie

Maryse: Oh this one is one of my all time favorites!! P.S. Here’s my Book Review.

Stephanie: Torn (All Torn Up Book 1) by Carian Cole

Cindy: Stephanie yes!

Jodie: When August Ends – Penelope Ward

Naroba: The Rebound: A Novel by Jen Rogue

Cassie: The Rebound

Talon: Definitely The Rebound by Jen Rogue

Angie: really? Good to know.

Crystal:

• Loving Mr. Daniels by Brittainy Cherry

Denise: My favorite was “Loving Mr. Daniels” BY Brittney Cherry. There was another really good one about a swim coach and his student but, I can’t think of the name of the book for the life if me. Loved them both so much.

Maryse: YESSSS I loved this one too. I completely lost myself in it. My very first Brittney Cherry book! Here’s my Book Review

• Love, in English by Karina Halle

Maryse: ABSOLUTELY LOVED this one!!!!! So much forbidden tension, let alone the age gap. Here’s my Book Review

Jean: Finished Love in English last night! I LOVED IT! Jumped right into Love in Spanish this morning….. cannot get enough of Mateo! Don’t know what the heck I’ll read after this…. nothing will compare! You guys should have forced me to read this one sooner…. I would have listened… I swear!

• Undeniable by Madeline Sheehan
• Torn by Carian Cole
• Kulti by Mariana Zapata
• Gabriel’s Inferno by Sylvain Reynard
• The Devil/Devil’s Advocate series by Ashley Jade (warning: it’s a more dark and twisted type of story. Not a super lovey romantic type)

Jan: I have loved some OWYM books e.g. The Fall by Nia Forrester is terrific, but the age gap isn’t so big.

bev: I really liked Deborah Smith’s A Place to Call Home: A Novel. Older man/ younger woman meet when both kids.

Naomi:

• Mr Masters by TL Swan,

Susan: I just finished reading T L Swan’s Mr. Masters and it’s on KU. I couldn’t put it down. It has been a while since I have read some of her books and I had forgotten what a great writer she is and her books are steamy. I have loved every book I have read of her’s. All of her books are free on KU right now if you are looking for some great reads. The Stanton Series and Dr. Stanton Series are great too!!

• Scandalous (Sinners of Saint Book 4) by L.J. Shen.

D.G.: Finished Scandalous last night! Boy, oh, boy… those Sinner of Saints boys are the biggest jerks! But oh so easy to fall for and Trent did not disappoint! So hard to choice who is my fav…

JulieO: reading Scandalous and am hooked. I really liked Viscious but didn’t read the next 2 in the series. But don’t care. Am in love right now with Trent.

Colette: Piper: A Last Score Spin Off by KL Shandwick is a great age gap rock star romance

Stephanie: Unconditional by qb tyler!! he takes her in at a young age and they fall in love. soo good!!!

Brinda Berry: Mine is The Shape of Trust (a Stand By Me novel Book 5)

Skye Warren: OVERTURE is mine!

Nicole French: I have a few! Legally Yours (Spitfire Book 1) and Bad Idea!

Stacy M. Wray: I wrote an age gap book – can we share our own? 😉 The Reason

Bethany Lopez:  I have one as well. Older woman – 3 Seconds (Time for Love Book 6)

Diane: Depravity (King University Book 1) by Jacob Chance

Diane: Devilry (King University Book 2) by Marley Valentine

Ashley: Wrong (Wrong Series Book 1) by Jana Aston

Jan: Wrong by Jana Aston. Cute, sweet, funny. A student falls in love with an older guy, her gynaecologist! But it turns out they fit together really well.

Ashley: it’s one of my favorites.

Kristina: Fearless: The Complete Novel (Dartmoor Book 1) by Lauren Gilley – Dartmoor Series

Heidi: I really did love this book. I found some parallels between fearless and undeniable; the age gap, the mc princess, the forbidden romance, the name…. … I finished it in a little less than 48 hours…..I may or may not have ignored my kids almost a whole day!!! I’m anxious to get into prince of Angels next. This is definitely a series I’ll continue!

Michelle: YESSS. I want more older woman younger man age gaps like Resist by KM Golland.

Beth: Lolita, Vladimir Nabakov

Danielle: The most uncomfortable book that I’ve ever read has to be Nabokov’s Lolita. I know its an old classic but the subject matter and reading the story thru the eyes of a predator made the book difficult to read, definitely took me WAY out of my comfort zone.

Michelle: The Dark Light of Day

Maryse: PERFECT YES!!! I LOVED this one by T.M. Frazier!! 😀 Here’s my review.

Lisa: I just finished the Dark light of day which i absolutely adored (I needed that book it was amazing),

Leslie M: I love age gap romance (esp older h) and the forbidden-y aspect!! 😘 Most of my faves have already been mentioned but let’s not forget: Waiting for the Sun/Riders on the Storm has older H

Maryse: YESSSSSS!!!! This one!!! I loved it, too (I still need to read #2 now that it’s out. 😀 P.S. Here’s my Book Review

Jenn: I ended my year reading “Waiting For The Sun” Robin Hill and wow! I am in awe! Such a breath of fresh air this was for me! I literally am still walking around with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes remembering certain moments and just these 4 words… you know get me right in the heart! *“Baby….I met someone!”* I absolutely loved it…..so beautiful!

Tasha J: Ahhh, Waiting for the Sun is getting super intense in the feels and I’m scared!! I feel like covering my eyes, taking a peek *deep breath* and then covering my eyes again. Lol

Cassie: 

• This is War, Baby and The Glue (Taboo Treat) – Author K Webster
• Welcome to the Dark Side (The Fallen Men Book 2) by Giana Darling
• Misbehaved by Charleigh Rose

Tessa: I’m currently reading Misbehaved by Charleigh Rose. So far, it’s definitely interesting. Good, but some darker elements besides teacher/ student.

• The Unrequited by Saffron A Kent

Nicole: devoured The Unrequited, it was intense, but oh so good!!

• Dear Mr. Black by Shanora Williams

Tracey: love Giana Darling and Shanora Williams

Nay: Giana Darling Fallen Men series–VERY age gap taboo. …It’s AWESOME if you love teacher/student, age gap, and taboo,

Tracey: …anything by Giana Darling

Catherine: Welcome to the Dark Side by Giana Darling …Agreed. Daddy Zeus is just my favorite.

Nancy: I didn’t see LESSONS IN CORRUPTION: A student/teacher Romance by Giana Darling

MichelleS: Nay – I must be warped. Loved Dani-Ryodan, and Sheehan’s Undeniable… and loved book two in Fallen Men series. Not in real life. No way. But I like forbidden themes, so it was all good for me.

Harper: The Fallen Men series. Just finished Welcome to the Dark Side and Zeus is absolutely the best book boyfriend and the age gap is written so perfectly.

Christine: This man series Jodi Ellen Malpas

Wilmari: Dark Notes – Pam Godwin

Leslie M: An “untame” student/teacher book I would rec is Dark Notes by Pam Godwin.

Skye Warren: Dark Notes by Pam Godwin is one of my favorite reads of the year.

Lisa K: LOVED Dark Notes and give it gigantic 5 stars. Enjoyed it so much I’m sticking with Pam Godwin and am now reading Dead of Eve by her!

Maryse: YESSSS!!! Excellent suggestion and all sorts of forbidden!! My review.

Shonda: The Kiss Thief by L.J Shen

MichelleS: Y’all I just finished The Kiss Thief. Another 5 star read! I’m on a roll here. Could not put it down.

D.G.: I started reading The Kiss Thief earlier today and I am HOOKED!!! My catnip…bully and arranged marriage. Not too far in yet but that Wolfe is a big ole meanie!

Amanda: The Boss series by Abigail Barnette. Hands down absolute favorite age gap.

Cristina: oh snap!! If you’re recommending this, I better go check it out! 🙌🏽🤗

Robin: Nocturne by Andrea Randall and Charles Sheehan Miles

Karen: LOVE this book!

Maryse: ME TOO!!! That one was a touch scandalous and so seductive!!!! Here’s my Book Review.

anonymous: Maryse, to say nocturne by Charles and Andrea is so good,is an understatement.that book even lacks a word to describe how it is.it hot to me in a way I never thought.

Branden: My favorite series of all time I would think falls into the category although it is also so much more… The Original Sinners Series by the Queen Tiffany Reisz… Omgosh I freakin love that series🙈

Jodi: Absinthe– Winter Renshaw

Jodi: Desire/Regret– Max Henry

Jodi: Professed– Nicola Rendell

Jodi: Voyeur – Fiona Cole

Ann: Sunshine and Rain (City Limits Book 2) by M. Mabie. So good, older woman younger man absolute 5 star read for me and thats saying something because this trope is my catnip

Vivian:

• A Different Blue
• Annie’s Song

Cindy:

• Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris (well Bill is a Civil War vet so there’s a pretty significant age gap there🙈. Throw in Twilight and Black Dagger Brotherhood series if this type of age gap counts)
• Something In The Way series by Jessica Hawkins

Nay: you have to try Something in the Way! Just remember it’s a slow burn–an epic saga spanning years in their lives.

Mishelle: Do you know of any books like something in the way? The heroine is under 18?

• Sin and Discipline by Lily White

S.N. Garza: All my books have age gaps. 8+ (S. N. Garza)

Lisa: His Father by A.E. Murphy

Megan: Eighteen (18) by JA Huss

Eden: The last forbidden romance I read was 18 by JA Huss! Super hot teacher/student romance.

Sharon: I am DEVOURING 18 by JA Huss. Nice and angsty just like I love them. A little naughty too – she is a student and he is 10 year older and a teacher. This isn’t a sugary kind of book. He is alpha and a little kinky and she is just so flawed. I don’t want it to be done.

Talon: Tampa: A Novel 😅

Jen: omggggg

Talon: I cant help it. I couldn’t resist 🤷🏻‍♀️