Do you love Scandal, The West Wing, or The Diplomat? Romances with a political setting offer a bite of reality that (to me) makes the escapism of a HEA even better. Here are 5 spicy romance reads set against a backdrop of US politics:

My Secret Vice by Alicia Wilder

As a former D.C. insider, I included a wide range of real-life details about the Washington, D.C. setting in this book. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t take some creative liberties, including in a spicy scene set in the vice president’s office on Air Force Two (one place I have not been!).

Red White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

The political romance that revived the subgenre! This book (which later became a movie) is not only escapist, it’s idealist. McQuiston asks, what if love really could re-shape our politics? Then makes us believe it can.

Bi-Partisan by Dallas Smith

Not only is this fun to read, with cats, barbecue, and fake dating, it goes deep on mental health, GERD representation, and fear of codependency. The political and D.C. details also show real knowledge of the subject, something I’m always watching for in a book with this setting.

Capitally Engaged by Rachel Holm 

I loved the realism of many familiar setting details in this book. The politics, along with the IBS representation, enriched the grown-up communication and spicy flirting between the love interests. 

The Boyfriend Candidate by Ashley Winstead

This one is set in the world of Texas politics, instead of D.C.! Winstead doesn’t shy away from having her characters take a stance on issues. And the main obstacle to their love is a very believable lack of self-worth.