Want to read sexy books on the subway without your fellow passengers knowing what you’re up to?
Novelist Willow Winters has found a solution.
Her collection of romance novels and novellas, entitled The Discreet Series, is published with covers devoid of the sensual illustrations you might see on the front cover of your favorite read.
Instead, each book has a plain, color-coded cover, with a different hue for each spice tier.
The color code represents trope and darkness – the darker the shade, the darker the romance.
Each book only has the story couple’s names on the cover, then the actual name of the novel on the inside.
Some cover colors also come with potential triggers, making it easy to stay away from novels that you might find distressing.
Willow also has the books available with their original cover art, but for those who want to read them without letting the stranger across from them on the bus find out, the Discreet Series is the perfect option.
But the Special Editions aren’t just for the shy.
With book sales hitting an eight-year high during the pandemic, many readers also want to display their books at home — and they want them to look good.
The Discreet series is a very aesthetic addition to any bookshelf as the colors complement each other and gradually fade from one shade to the next if bought in the right order.
Plus, it keeps curious guests from judging the books you keep on your shelves…unless they peek inside.
Author Willow tells Metro.co.uk: “One of the biggest benefits of BookTok is that it offers the ability to amplify readers’ voices. It is unique in our industry and a first.
“Many conversations revolved around discreet covers, out of necessity or simple desire. Others focused on aesthetics and others discussed tropes and how romance readers devour so many different subgenres.
The color code key
- Dark Red – Books 1-5: Mafia Romance
- Dark Pink – Books 6-7: Kidnapping/Kidnapping Romance
- Light Pink – Books 8-11: BDSM/Auction Romance
- Anders rosa – Books 12-14: Forbidden Men
- Mauve – Books 15-17: Second Chance Romance
- Lightest Pink – Books 18-21: Small Town Romance
- Sage Green – Books 22-26: New York Corruption Romance
- Blue – Books 27-28: Dark Psychological Romance
- Dark Green – Books 29-30: Unrequited Love
- Black – Books 31-34: Retelling Beauty and the Beast
- Dark Blue – Books 35-37: Lovers’ Enemies with Fireplay
- Blue – Books 38-41: Second Chances, But Darker
- Gray – Books 42-44: Serial Killer Triangle Love Story
- Dark Gray – Books 45-47: Bodyguards with BDSM
- Dark Green – Books 48-50: Banned Crime Family
- Dark Purple – Books 51-52: Motorbike Club Romance
- Aqua Blue – Paranormal romance without a number
“I shuffled all three conversations to cater to these readers. My desire in marketing is to break down as many barriers as possible for as many readers as possible while still sticking to the brand.
“I think the Discreet Series is so successful because it’s so useful to so many different readers for so many different reasons.”
Willow’s tiktoks have garnered hundreds of thousands of likes and millions of views since she managed to fill a demand no other author has.
One Tiktok user commented, “Finally an author who makes book covers for people who are exhibiting their books… Am I crying? Maybe!’
Another said: “That’s a great idea. Not the best idea ever,” while another called her a marketing goddess.
The entire Discreet Series is available with a signed first copy from their website for £522.77, or you can buy the books individually from Amazon for around £9.
Do you have a story to tell?
Contact us by email at [email protected]
MORE : The best fall reads to get you feeling good this fall
MORE : The best books to read at the beach this summer, from The Wilderness to Square One
MORE : How to get back to reading more books when your habit has slipped
