Have you watched “Bridgerton” on Netflix yet? Or maybe read those books? I personally didn’t read the books, but loved the show on Netflix.
Each season (and I’m sure books) followed a different “trope” with each love story. Season one was fake dating which is one of my favorite tropes… blog post on that coming soon. Season 2 was enemies to lovers, also one of my favorites. Season three was friends to lovers – one of my least favorite tropes and this was my least favorite season. And then there was season four!
Season four was forbidden love. Watching season four made the ‘forbidden love’ trope move towards the top of my favorite tropes list. I wanted more books with this forbidden love.
One thing I love about the forbidden love trope is not knowing how the characters are going to get around the forbidden-ness of it all. It adds to the excitement of the overall plot.
Here are the books that I have found with forbidden love at the center of them and that I love (in order from favorite to least favorite).
#1 – Twisted Games by Ana Huang
This entire series is pure gold. My favorite romance series I’ve read in a long time. Favorite romance books in general, not just in a series. This is book number two in the Twisted series. Remember me talking about Bridgerton season 4? This book reminded me so much of that season.
Bridget is royalty and her bodyguard is her bodyguard. Just like with season four of Bridgerton there are rules of who Bridget is supposed to marry. A bodyguard is not within those rules let alone her very own bodyguard.
The Twisted series is at the top of my list for favorite romance books. The biggest reason why is that Ana gives each character (FMC and MMC) in each book unique back stories that add to the drama and intensity of the book. I highly recommend this entire series.
#2 – Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
This is another series that I highly recommend. Book number four is coming out soon! While we are waiting for book four, Rebecca announced book 3.5 that is to be released September 29th, 2026.
This recommendation is perfect for the fantasy lovers. While it is mostly fantasy there is romance sprinkled in making it somewhat of a romantasy book.
This forbidden love goes beyond any other since it is a fantasy book. There is much more on the line for the characters than in romance books.
Catch up on the series before book four comes out! You won’t regret it!
#3 – Mile High by Liz Tomforde
Miles High is book number one in the “Windy City Series.” Yes, another series! If you like a good sports romance and haven’t checked out the “Windy City Series” yet – you’ll definitely want to!
One thing I love about this series overall is that it takes place in Chicago aka “the windy city.” As someone is from the Midwest and grew up going to Chicago on family vacations – I love reading about the city.
This forbidden love romance book contains a bad boy MMC turned lover and an easy to love FMC. The way Liz tackles men’s mental health in this book is good too. The MMC shows everyone that men can go to therapy too and aren’t immune to mental health issues.
I am still currently reading this series. In fact, I just finished book number three a few minutes ago. Even though I still have several books to go, I would recommend this series!
#4 – The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez
This one is also a series… This is book number two to Abby’s “Say You’ll Remember Me” which I believe I talked about in my romance books I’ll never stop recommending blog post. It was a 4.5 star for me!
I will say I didn’t like this one as much as “Say You’ll Remember Me” but I loved how she tackled the forbidden love trope in this book! I had no idea how the MMC and FMC were going to get around the “forbidden” part. I thought for sure there was no way around it. And I loved that fact that I felt that way because then it wasn’t obvious and left me wanting more.
#5 – The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
This one is not part of a series! However, the characters are mentioned in another Katherine Center book which I loved the connection like that!
This was my first Katherine Center book and really enjoyed her style of writing. I loved the connection and dialogue between the MMC and FMC.
This book kept me entertained and engaged the entire time, but wasn’t one of those “can’t-put-down-books.” However, I would still recommend it especially since it is a stand alone and you won’t have to feel like you have a whole series attached to it.
It is a cute story and you can gather by the name of the book why it’s a forbidden love romance.
Drop your book recs with the forbidden love trope in the comments below!
