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Secret identity romance books

Someone is not who they say they are, and the reveal is going to hurt so good. 18 books so far, including From Blood and Ash, House of Earth and Blood and A Shadow in the Ember.

Spice

  1. From Blood and Ash

    Jennifer L. Armentrout · Book 1 of 6 in Blood and Ash

    Spice 3/5 · Steamy

    A sheltered Maiden, her very flirty guard and one of the most talked-about twists in romantasy.

    • Secret identity
    • Forbidden love
    • Touch her and die
  2. House of Earth and Blood

    Sarah J. Maas · Book 1 of 3 in Crescent City

    Spice 3/5 · Steamy

    A party girl, a fallen angel and a murder investigation in a modern magic city. The last 200 pages are a ride.

    • Found family
    • Secret identity
    • Morally grey MMC
  3. Divine Rivals

    Rebecca Ross · Book 1 of 2 in Letters of Enchantment

    Spice 1/5 · Sweet

    Rival journalists who are, unknowingly, falling for each other through magic letters. Swoony, sad, closed door.

    • Rivals to lovers
    • Secret identity
    • Cinnamon roll hero
  4. November 9

    Colleen Hoover

    Spice 3/5 · Steamy

    They meet once a year, on the same date, for five years. Then a big twist.

    • Secret identity
    • Second chance
  5. Powerless

    Lauren Roberts · Book 1 of 3 in The Powerless Trilogy

    Spice 1/5 · Sweet

    An Ordinary thief hides among the Elites in a deadly royal competition, opposite the prince trained to hunt her kind.

    • Enemies to lovers
    • Deadly trials
    • Secret identity
  6. Punk 57

    Penelope Douglas

    Spice 4/5 · Spicy

    Pen pals for seven years who promised never to meet. They have been meeting. They are enemies.

    • Bully romance
    • Secret identity
    • Enemies to lovers
  7. The Bridge Kingdom

    Danielle L. Jensen · Book 1 of 4 in The Bridge Kingdom

    Spice 4/5 · Spicy

    A princess trained as a spy marries the enemy king to destroy his kingdom. Then she starts liking him.

    • Arranged marriage
    • Enemies to lovers
    • Secret identity
  8. A Dawn of Onyx

    Kate Golden · Book 1 of 3 in The Sacred Stones

    Spice 3/5 · Steamy

    A healer is conscripted into the enemy king's army and becomes part of his inner circle. Romantasy comfort food.

    • Forced proximity
    • Secret identity
    • Enemies to lovers
  9. Mr. Wrong Number

    Lynn Painter

    Spice 3/5 · Steamy

    She texts the wrong number for months. It is her brother's best friend. Who she is now living with.

    • Brother's best friend
    • Roommates
    • Secret identity
  10. One Dark Window

    Rachel Gillig · Book 1 of 2 in The Shepherd King

    Spice 2/5 · Simmer

    A girl with a monster in her head and a cursed card heist. Moody, foggy and gorgeous.

    • Forced proximity
    • Secret identity
    • Morally grey MMC
  11. Rhapsodic

    Laura Thalassa · Book 1 in The Bargainer

    Spice 4/5 · Spicy

    A siren with a debt to the Bargainer: one favour, one bead on her wrist at a time. Yearning cranked to eleven.

    • Second chance
    • Villain gets the girl
    • Secret identity
  12. Secretly Yours

    Tessa Bailey · Book 1 of 2 in Vine Mess

    Spice 4/5 · Spicy

    A grumpy professor and a sunny wine-country girl have a secret kiss neither can forget.

    • Grumpy x sunshine
    • Secret identity
    • Smart / nerdy heroine
  13. Spoiler Alert

    Olivia Dade · Book 1 of 3 in Spoiler Alert

    Spice 3/5 · Steamy

    A TV star and a fanfic writer are internet friends who do not know each other's identities. Then they meet.

    • Secret identity
    • Rockstar / celebrity
    • Cinnamon roll hero

Often paired with secret identity

Secret identity books: FAQ

What are the best secret identity books?

Reader favourites include From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout; House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas; A Shadow in the Ember by Jennifer L. Armentrout; Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross; November 9 by Colleen Hoover. Use the spice filter above to narrow it to your heat level.

What are the spiciest secret identity books?

For explicit secret identity romance, try A Shadow in the Ember by Jennifer L. Armentrout; Punk 57 by Penelope Douglas; The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen; Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa; Secretly Yours by Tessa Bailey. These are rated 4 or 5 out of 5 on our spice scale.

Are there low-spice or clean secret identity books?

Yes: Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross; Powerless by Lauren Roberts; One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig are rated 1 or 2 out of 5, closed door or kisses only.

Are there standalone secret identity books?

If you do not want to commit to a series, try November 9 by Colleen Hoover; Punk 57 by Penelope Douglas; Mr. Wrong Number by Lynn Painter.