My 5 Favorite Workplace Romance Novels
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Last week during our Friday pizza-and-movie night, Rebecca announced that she’d turned our family group text into a “mandatory meme space,” then proceeded to rate each of my reactions like she was judging an art competition. Marcus added slow-motion replays of Matthew’s worst dad jokes, complete with sound effects. Living with two tiny creative directors means I never know when my life will be turned into content—and honestly, it cracks me up every time.
I love recommending romance novels because talking about fictional couples is one of the easiest ways to connect with other readers who want both emotional payoff and serious swoon. For so many of us, a good romance offers comfort, catharsis, and a safe place to unpack big feelings inside a guaranteed happy ending. Workplace romances are especially fun: they mix ambition, banter, and proximity, then turn everyday routines into slow-burn chemistry and “oh no, I like you” moments. If you crave office tension, rivals-to-lovers sparks, and plenty of heat, these are my favorite workplace romances.
$9.99
4.71 out of 5 stars
Beautiful Bastard (The Beautiful Series)
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Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren
Tagged As:
boss/assistant, enemies to lovers, corporate romance, Chicago setting, explicit, power imbalance, office hookups, steamy banter, series, HEA
Plot Summary:
Chloe Mills is a whip-smart intern on the path to an MBA, and her biggest obstacle is Bennett Ryan, the brilliant, infuriating executive she works for in his family’s media company. Their antagonistic dynamic combusts when late nights in the office turn into incendiary encounters in boardrooms, elevators, and everywhere in between.[web:1][web:5] As desire starts to blur the lines between boss and employee, both have to decide what they’re willing to risk when lust becomes something dangerously close to love.
Why I Love This Book:
This is pure workplace catnip: relentless sexual tension, razor-sharp arguments, and two ambitious people who refuse to back down. The steam level is sky-high, but what hooks me is how Chloe pushes back—she’s never just a subordinate, she’s his match, and watching Bennett come undone over her is incredibly satisfying.
Who Will Like This Book:
Perfect for readers who want explicit office fun, boss/assistant angst, and a couple that goes from enemies to obsessed in the messiest, most entertaining way. If you like your workplace romance loud, steamy, and a little chaotic, this belongs on your shelf.
Steam Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Insanely Hot
$18.99
$10.44
4.66 out of 5 stars
The Hating Game: A Novel
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The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
Tagged As:
enemies to lovers, office rivals, forced proximity, promotion competition, slow burn, rom-com, first-person POV, cinnamon roll hero, HEA
Plot Summary:
Lucy and Joshua share a tiny office after their publishing houses merge, and they’ve turned mutual loathing into an Olympic sport of petty games and one-upmanship.[web:6][web:16] When a coveted promotion opens and they become direct competitors, their rivalry intensifies—until one charged elevator moment flips everything on its head and reveals that hate might have been very poorly disguised longing all along.
Why I Love This Book:
The banter in this book is legendary, and Lucy’s narration is funny, vulnerable, and sharp in all the best ways. Joshua is the perfect example of a secretly-soft grump, and watching Lucy realize how much he’s been paying attention to her is pure workplace-romance perfection.
Who Will Like This Book:
Ideal for readers who love slow-burn enemies-to-lovers, close-quarters office settings, and a hero whose “I hate you” energy masks a massive crush. If you want more swoon than steam but still plenty of heat, start here.[web:6][web:11]
Steam Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Moderate
4.73 out of 5 stars
Blindfolded Innocence
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Blindfolded Innocence by Alessandra Torre
Tagged As:
forbidden office affair, older man/younger woman, erotic romance, law firm setting, power imbalance, dominant hero, taboo, series, steamy, HEA-ish
Plot Summary:
Pre-law student Julia Campbell lands an internship at a prestigious law firm, where she’s repeatedly warned to stay far away from star divorce attorney Brad De Luca. He’s notorious for his charm and unapologetically hedonistic lifestyle, but a flirtatious game between them escalates into a dangerous, addictive affair that pulls Julia into a world of intense sexual exploration and emotional risk.
Why I Love This Book:
This one leans harder into erotic territory than traditional rom-com workplace romances, and sometimes that’s exactly the mood I’m in. The tension between “this is a terrible idea” and “I cannot stop reading” is incredibly strong, and Brad’s morally gray charisma makes the whole office affair feel extra combustible.
Who Will Like This Book:
If you’re craving a taboo-feeling law office romance with explicit scenes, older man/younger woman dynamics, and a heroine stepping outside her comfort zone, this will scratch that itch.
Steam Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Insanely Hot
$7.99
4.56 out of 5 stars
Practice Makes Perfect (Berkley Sensation)
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Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James
Tagged As:
enemies to lovers, legal romance, rival colleagues, battle of the sexes, slow burn, forced teamwork, competitive careers, witty banter, Chicago, HEA
Plot Summary:
Payton Kendall and J.D. Jameson have spent eight years tolerating each other at a high-powered law firm, each laser-focused on making partner—and absolutely certain the other is in the way. When they’re forced to work together on a major case, professional sparks turn personal, even as they learn that only one of them can win the promotion they’ve both sacrificed everything to chase.
Why I Love This Book:
This is classic, polished workplace romance with sharp dialogue and genuine career stakes. The evolution from long-standing resentment to grudging respect to off-the-charts chemistry feels earned, and the legal setting adds just enough pressure to keep every scene humming.
Who Will Like This Book:
Great for readers who enjoy enemies-to-lovers in a professional environment, strong heroines fighting for their place, and slow-burn tension that finally tips into satisfying heat.
Steam Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Moderate
$16.99
$10.85
4.82 out of 5 stars
Dating You / Hating You
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Dating You / Hating You by Christina Lauren
Tagged As:
rivals to lovers, Hollywood talent agents, workplace prank war, single professionals, feminist rom-com, slow burn, contemporary romance, realistic careers, HEA
Plot Summary:
Evie and Carter are Hollywood talent agents who share an adorable meet-cute, hit it off, and seem poised for a promising relationship—until their agencies merge and they’re suddenly competing for the same job. Their flirtation turns into a full-blown prank war as office politics, unfair bosses, and real feelings collide, forcing them to figure out whether they can be both coworkers and something more.
Why I Love This Book:
This book perfectly balances sharp commentary on workplace sexism with hilarious, petty shenanigans and genuinely swoony moments. Evie is a fantastic heroine—smart, driven, and tired of being underestimated—and the way her relationship with Carter evolves feels both fun and emotionally satisfying.
Who Will Like This Book:
If you want an office romance where both leads are equally career-focused, with prank-filled rivals-to-lovers energy and a strong feminist streak, this one will absolutely hit the spot.
Steam Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Explicit
