Indie Romance Hotlist (6.29.25)

The latest trending indie romances!

These are the trending indie (entirely self-published) romances for the week ending June 28, 2025!

Nicole Fox, Tammy Andresen and Marion Blackwood’s titles were particularly popular this week. We also more titles with🌶️x 5 heat levels, which correlates with a large presence of Mafia Romance and Reverse Harem on this week’s list.

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#1 QUASIM III: KING INFERNO by Jahquel J. | Urban Fiction |🌶️x 4¹ —🆕²

After surviving years of abuse, she finally found real love in the arms of a quiet king—until he was stolen from her. Now, as Queen Inferno, she’s done hiding.

#2 FILTHY PROMISES by Nicole Fox | Mafia Romance |🌶️x 5 — ⬇️

A devoted assistant finally catches the attention of her ruthless billionaire boss, only to find herself caught in a tangled game of seduction, power plays, and an unexpected pregnancy.

#3 A TOUCH OF FATE by Cora Reilly | Mafia Romance |🌶️x 4 —🆕

When dutiful Emma Mancini is forced into an arranged marriage with cold and distant mafia heir Samuel Mione, she’s determined to build a real partnership.

#4 DUPLICITY by Elodie Hart | Billionaire Romance |🌶️x 5 —⬇️

To save her daughter, a desperate single mother takes a high-paying job as an executive assistant with a dark twist, falling for the ruthless billionaire who must never learn the truth.

#5 THE OVERTIME KISS by Lauren Blakely | Sports Romance |🌶️x 4 —📈

After fleeing her cheating fiancé, a runaway bride lands in the arms of hockey star and single dad Tyler Falcon, then unexpectedly becomes his kids’ nanny

#6 THE WOLF KING by Lauren Palphreyman | Romantic Fantasy |🌶️x 4 — ⬆️

When a rebellious princess is kidnapped by a ruthless alpha, a brutal war ignites between humans and wolves.

#7 FILTHY LIES by Nicole Fox | Mafia Romance |🌶️x 5 —⬇️

She married her mob boss, got pregnant, and became his partner in power. When their enemies come for their family, she proves she's every bit as dangerous as the man she loves.

#8 KING OF DEPRAVITY by Tammy Andresen | Mafia/Billionaire Romance | 🌶️x 4 —⬆️

When a waitress witnesses a brutal murder, the only person who can protect her is the dangerous billionaire who's been stalking her.

#9 EMPIRE OF FLAME AND THORNS by Marion Blackwood | Romantic Fantasy |🌶️x 4 — ⬆️

In a deadly magical trial, a fae rebel must fight for her freedom while hiding her secret from the ruthless dragon commander determined to break her.

#10 THE BUTCHER by Penelope Sky | Mafia Romance |🌶️x 5 —⬇️

After a brutal breakup, a heartbroken woman seeks one night of escape, only to fall into the arms of Paris’s most feared crime boss.

#11 THE RITUAL by Shantel Tessier | Dark Romance |🌶️x 5 —⬇️

At an elite university ruled by a violent secret society, a young woman is chosen to serve one of its most powerful members.

#12 UNBOUND by Penelope Bloom | Romantic Fantasy |🌶️x 4 —⬆️

At a brutal academy where students bond magical beasts and master elemental powers, a girl with a forbidden gift must hide her true identity, survive deadly trials, and resist the pull of a dangerous rival.

#13 HEART OF A DEVIL by Sadie Kincaid | Mafia Romance |🌶️x 5 —⬆️

A woman fleeing her past finds herself drawn to her best friend’s father, a dangerously charming man with dark desires of his own.

#14 A COURT OF LIES AND DECEIT by Marion Blackwood | Romantic Fantasy |🌶️x 4 —🆕

Selena and her friends venture into the treacherous Unseelie Court, where survival depends on outwitting a cunning king and navigating deadly fae bargains.

#15 KING OF DESIRE by Tammy Andresen | Billionaire Romance |🌶️x 4 —🆕

Desperate to save her terminally ill brother, a maid auctions off her virginity to her billionaire boss.

#16 MY EX-BEST MEN by Rebel Bloom | Contemporary Romance/RomCom, Reverse Harem |🌶️x 5 —🆕

At a destination wedding where she's Maid of Honor, Claire is determined to keep things smooth and drama-free, until she finds herself stuck with all three of her ex-boyfriends, each serving as a best man.

#17 ELANCER by Jane Washington | Romantic Fantasy, Reverse Harem |🌶️x 5 —🆕

As the final curtain falls at Ironside Academy, secrets unravel and the truth threatens to destroy everything. With the cameras off and the masks slipping, Isobel and the Alphas must face the consequences of every move they've made.

#18 THE WRONG RIDE HOME by Maya Alden | Contemporary Romance, Western Romance |🌶️x 4 —🆕

When Duke Wilder returns to his family's ranch to destroy his father’s legacy, he doesn't expect the land, or Elena, the woman he once loved and now can’t forget, to call him home.

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Still want more? Check out our Romance Publications Calendars, Romance Bestsellers Snapshot, or check out what we’ve been reading at Romance Recs Journal on Instagram!

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1. 🌶️x 1 = No sex romance. There may be other forms of physical affection or none at all.

🌶️x 2 = Closed door / fade to black romance.

🌶️x 3 = Open door romance, but not particularly explicit.

🌶️x 4 = Explicit romance.

🌶️x 5 = Very explicit romance. This can refer to plenty of explicit scenes or sex scenes that push the envelope.

2. 🆕 = Newly published title (within past week).

⬆️ = Rose on the list since last week.

⬇️ = Fell on the list since last week.

↔️ = Same spot on the list as last week.

📈 = Title was not on the previous list and rose into the rankings this week.