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🌶️ How Spicy Is It? | Romance Reads
26
items Trying to figure out just how spicy a romance actually is before you start reading? 🌶️ I’ve rounded up my romance picks with honest spice ratings, genres, and content warnings—from sweet and low-spice to okay, things are getting HOT. I’m using a sim...
Sections
4
🌷Contemporary romance
🏆Sports Romance
🖤Dark Romance
🌙 Paranormal, Monster & Fantasy Romance
🌷Contemporary romance
These are the romances I’d pick when I want something that feels relatable, emotional, and easy to get lost in. You get the butterflies, the messy feelings, the chemistry—and yes, the spice too. 💕
🌶️🌶️ — Behind Closed Doors Fantastic book. I really enjoyed the competitive tension between the characters because it gave their romance that extra little spark. The rivalry made their chemistry even more entertaining, and I liked that the story ha...
The Rival: A Novel
🌶️🌶️ — Behind Closed Doors
This was such a sweet, emotional read. I really loved the connection between Samantha and Xavier, especially how their relationship felt genuine instead of instantly perfect. Abby Jimenez is so good at mixing humor with those little moments that snea...
This was such a sweet, emotional read. I really loved the connection between Samantha and Xavier, especially how their relationship felt genuine instead of instantly perfect. Abby Jimenez is so good at mixing humor with those little moments that snea...
Say You'll Remember Me
🌶️🌶️🌶️ — Open Door
This book had me hooked on the whole “two writers competing to tell one woman’s story” setup. I really enjoyed the mystery surrounding Margaret and how the romance slowly developed alongside it. It felt less like a straight-up romance and more like g...
This book had me hooked on the whole “two writers competing to tell one woman’s story” setup. I really enjoyed the mystery surrounding Margaret and how the romance slowly developed alongside it. It felt less like a straight-up romance and more like g...
Great Big Beautiful Life
🌶️🌶️🌶️ — Open Door
This was such a cute, easy-to-get-into romance. I loved the forced-proximity setup and the way the relationship slowly shifted from friendship to something more. It had plenty of funny moments, but I also really enjoyed the emotional side of it. It f...
This was such a cute, easy-to-get-into romance. I loved the forced-proximity setup and the way the relationship slowly shifted from friendship to something more. It had plenty of funny moments, but I also really enjoyed the emotional side of it. It f...
Four Weekends and a Funeral
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ — Explicit Open Door
This was exactly the kind of messy romance I was expecting from the title. I really enjoyed the chemistry between Maya and Conor, and the fact that their history made everything feel a little more complicated than your typical summer fling. It was fl...
Warnings: Age-gap/stepfamily-adjacent setup
This was exactly the kind of messy romance I was expecting from the title. I really enjoyed the chemistry between Maya and Conor, and the fact that their history made everything feel a little more complicated than your typical summer fling. It was fl...
Warnings: Age-gap/stepfamily-adjacent setup
Problematic Summer Romance
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️— Explicit Open Door This had that perfect mix of messy feelings, undeniable chemistry, and just enough drama to keep me hooked. I really liked Winter and Theo together, especially because there’s so much history and complicated emotion b...
Warnings: Pregnancy/infertility themes, grief, and complicated family dynamics/marriage-of-convenience/secret relationship element
Warnings: Pregnancy/infertility themes, grief, and complicated family dynamics/marriage-of-convenience/secret relationship element
Wild Side (B&N Exclusive Edition) (Rose Hill Series #3)
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️— Explicit Open Door I love this book! It was such a fun, steamy romance. I really liked the chemistry between the characters and how their relationship developed while they were both dealing with their own personal baggage. It had the ki...
Warnings: Grief/loss and emotional trauma
Warnings: Grief/loss and emotional trauma
The Charlie Method (B&N Exclusive Edition)
🏆Sports Romance
There’s just something about watching two people fall for each other while one of them is chasing the next big win. These have the competition, the tension, and the kind of romance that makes you want to keep reading just to see what happens next. 🔥
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ — Explicit Open Door
Such a steamy, tension-filled read. I really liked the push-and-pull between Scarlett and Lukas, especially watching her slowly let her guard down around him. The chemistry is definitely the star of the show here, but I also appreciated the more vuln...
Warnings: Grief/loss and emotional vulnerability/discussions involving body image and insecurities.
Such a steamy, tension-filled read. I really liked the push-and-pull between Scarlett and Lukas, especially watching her slowly let her guard down around him. The chemistry is definitely the star of the show here, but I also appreciated the more vuln...
Warnings: Grief/loss and emotional vulnerability/discussions involving body image and insecurities.
Deep End
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️— Explicit Open Door This amazing book gave me exactly what I want from a hockey romance—great chemistry, plenty of flirting, and a relationship that actually felt fun to read. I really liked the banter between the characters, and the slo...
The Wingman: A Vancouver Storm Novel
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ — Explicit Open Door
Absolutely had me hooked on the tension between Asher and Scarlett. I loved the enemies-to-lovers energy and how much they challenged each other instead of immediately falling into an easy relationship. The chemistry is 🔥, but I also liked seeing th...
Warnings: Grief, family issues, emotional trauma, and toxic/controlling behavior
Absolutely had me hooked on the tension between Asher and Scarlett. I loved the enemies-to-lovers energy and how much they challenged each other instead of immediately falling into an easy relationship. The chemistry is 🔥, but I also liked seeing th...
Warnings: Grief, family issues, emotional trauma, and toxic/controlling behavior
The Striker (B&N Exclusive Edition) (Gods of the Game #1)
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️— Explicit Open Door
Will be reading this again! I loved Gigi’s determination and watching her prove herself while dealing with all the complicated feelings that came with Ryder. Their chemistry was definitely there, but I especially enjoyed the banter and the way their ...
Warnings: Grief/loss, family issues, and emotional trauma
Will be reading this again! I loved Gigi’s determination and watching her prove herself while dealing with all the complicated feelings that came with Ryder. Their chemistry was definitely there, but I especially enjoyed the banter and the way their ...
Warnings: Grief/loss, family issues, and emotional trauma
The Graham Effect (Campus Diaries, #1)
🖤Dark Romance
If you like your romance complicated, unsettling, and a little morally questionable, this is where I’d look. These stories can get intense fast, so definitely check the content warnings—but if dark romance is your thing, they can be seriously hard to...
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️— Explicit Open Door
Such a wild combination of creepy, spicy, and surprisingly funny. The chemistry between Aly and Josh definitely kept things interesting, but I also loved how much humor was mixed into what could have been a much darker story. It’s obsessive, unhinged...
Warnings: Stalking/obsessive behavior/kidnapping/abduction themes/violence/murder/death/blood/gore/dark/possessive relationship dynamics/BDSM/kink/graphic sexual content
Such a wild combination of creepy, spicy, and surprisingly funny. The chemistry between Aly and Josh definitely kept things interesting, but I also loved how much humor was mixed into what could have been a much darker story. It’s obsessive, unhinged...
Warnings: Stalking/obsessive behavior/kidnapping/abduction themes/violence/murder/death/blood/gore/dark/possessive relationship dynamics/BDSM/kink/graphic sexual content
Lights Out (Into Darkness Series #1)
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️— Erotica-Level / Very Explicit
Definitely for the reader who wants their hockey romance very spicy. The chemistry is intense, the possessiveness adds plenty of tension, and there is a LOT going on behind the scenes. It’s not the kind of book I’d pick for a light, fluffy romance, b...
Warnings: Possessive behavior, power dynamics, and potentially uncomfortable relationship dynamics
Definitely for the reader who wants their hockey romance very spicy. The chemistry is intense, the possessiveness adds plenty of tension, and there is a LOT going on behind the scenes. It’s not the kind of book I’d pick for a light, fluffy romance, b...
Warnings: Possessive behavior, power dynamics, and potentially uncomfortable relationship dynamics
The Pucking Coach's Daughter: A Hockey Romance
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ — Erotica-Level / Extremely Explicit
This book is one of those books where “spicy” really doesn't begin to explain what you're getting into. It’s dark, disturbing, obsessive, and definitely not a romance I’d recommend to everyone. The atmosphere pulled me in, though, and H.D. Carlton do...
Warnings: Sexual assault / non-consensual sexual situations/ stalking and obsessive behavior/kidnapping/abduction/ violence and torture/ murder/death/ trauma/graphic sexual content/dark/possessive relationship dynamics
This book is one of those books where “spicy” really doesn't begin to explain what you're getting into. It’s dark, disturbing, obsessive, and definitely not a romance I’d recommend to everyone. The atmosphere pulled me in, though, and H.D. Carlton do...
Warnings: Sexual assault / non-consensual sexual situations/ stalking and obsessive behavior/kidnapping/abduction/ violence and torture/ murder/death/ trauma/graphic sexual content/dark/possessive relationship dynamics
Haunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse Duet #1)
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️— Erotica-Level / Extremely Explicit
Definitely not a book I’d recommend if you’re looking for a sweet or uncomplicated romance. It’s dark, twisted, atmospheric, and seriously spicy, with plenty of moments that made me wonder what I had gotten myself into. The creepy setting and unsettl...
Warnings: Sexual assault / non-consensual sexual situations/ stalking/obsessive behavior/ violence/ blood/gore Death/murder/ trauma/manipulation/graphic sexual content/dark/possessive relationship dynamics
Definitely not a book I’d recommend if you’re looking for a sweet or uncomplicated romance. It’s dark, twisted, atmospheric, and seriously spicy, with plenty of moments that made me wonder what I had gotten myself into. The creepy setting and unsettl...
Warnings: Sexual assault / non-consensual sexual situations/ stalking/obsessive behavior/ violence/ blood/gore Death/murder/ trauma/manipulation/graphic sexual content/dark/possessive relationship dynamics
Does It Hurt?
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️— Extremely Explicit
This book definitely took the whole “college romance” idea somewhere I wasn't expecting. The secret society, the initiation, and the way the relationship between Ryat and Blakely develops made this feel completely different from a typical dark romanc...
Warnings: Dubious/non-consensual sexual situations/BDSM/kink and power dynamics/sexual violence/stalking/obsessive behavior/violence and physical abuse/drug/alcohol use/trauma/death/murder/graphic sexual content
This book definitely took the whole “college romance” idea somewhere I wasn't expecting. The secret society, the initiation, and the way the relationship between Ryat and Blakely develops made this feel completely different from a typical dark romanc...
Warnings: Dubious/non-consensual sexual situations/BDSM/kink and power dynamics/sexual violence/stalking/obsessive behavior/violence and physical abuse/drug/alcohol use/trauma/death/murder/graphic sexual content
The Ritual
🌙 Paranormal, Monster & Fantasy Romance
Sometimes I want my romance to take me completely out of the real world, and these books do exactly that. Expect strange creatures, magic, impossible situations, and romances that somehow make you root for the most unexpected couples. 🦇
🌶️— Closed Door / Minimal Spice
This was one of those books that completely pulled me into its world. I loved the Beauty and the Beast feel of the story, but the faerie world and all its secrets made it so much more than a retelling. Feyre can be frustrating at times, but watching ... The other books in this series are great but the spice is rated higher than this one.
Warnings: Violence/death/torture/threats/captivity/abuse/trauma/some mature romantic/sexual themes
This was one of those books that completely pulled me into its world. I loved the Beauty and the Beast feel of the story, but the faerie world and all its secrets made it so much more than a retelling. Feyre can be frustrating at times, but watching ... The other books in this series are great but the spice is rated higher than this one.
Warnings: Violence/death/torture/threats/captivity/abuse/trauma/some mature romantic/sexual themes
A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses Series #1)
🌶️🌶️— Behind Closed Doors
It took me a little while to settle into, but once I got invested in Talasyn and Alaric, I was hooked. The enemies-to-lovers tension is definitely the highlight for me, especially because neither of them can completely trust the other. The world is c...
Warnings: War and violence/death/torture/blood/gore/captivity/trauma/political conflict
It took me a little while to settle into, but once I got invested in Talasyn and Alaric, I was hooked. The enemies-to-lovers tension is definitely the highlight for me, especially because neither of them can completely trust the other. The world is c...
Warnings: War and violence/death/torture/blood/gore/captivity/trauma/political conflict
The Hurricane Wars (The Hurricane Wars, Book 1)
🌶️🌶️🌶️— Open Door
Love this book! Highly recommend! This completely sucked me into the world of dragons, deadly challenges, and ridiculously high stakes. 🐉 I loved the tension between Violet and Xaden, but honestly, the dragons and the whole “you could literally die ...
Warnings: Death & graphic violence/war/combat/torture/injury/grief/loss/emotional trauma
Love this book! Highly recommend! This completely sucked me into the world of dragons, deadly challenges, and ridiculously high stakes. 🐉 I loved the tension between Violet and Xaden, but honestly, the dragons and the whole “you could literally die ...
Warnings: Death & graphic violence/war/combat/torture/injury/grief/loss/emotional trauma
Fourth Wing
🌶️🌶️🌶️— Open Door
Had me hooked on the mystery surrounding Poppy and the world she’s been raised in. I really enjoyed watching her start questioning everything she’s been told, especially once Hawke enters the picture and starts challenging her in ways no one else doe...
Warnings: Violence and death/blood/gore/murder/captivity/abuse/trauma/threats of sexual violence
Had me hooked on the mystery surrounding Poppy and the world she’s been raised in. I really enjoyed watching her start questioning everything she’s been told, especially once Hawke enters the picture and starts challenging her in ways no one else doe...
Warnings: Violence and death/blood/gore/murder/captivity/abuse/trauma/threats of sexual violence
From Blood and Ash (Special Edition) (Blood and Ash Series #1)
🌶️🌶️🌶️ — Open Door
Such an addictive mix of vampires, competition, and survival. I really liked Oraya because she isn't just waiting around for someone to save her—she's determined to prove she can survive on her own. The relationship with Raihn added a great layer of ...
Warnings: Blood & gore/death/murder/violence/torture/grief/loss/trauma
Such an addictive mix of vampires, competition, and survival. I really liked Oraya because she isn't just waiting around for someone to save her—she's determined to prove she can survive on her own. The relationship with Raihn added a great layer of ...
Warnings: Blood & gore/death/murder/violence/torture/grief/loss/trauma
The Serpent and the Wings of Night: Book 1 of the Nightborn Duet (Crowns of Nyaxia Series #1)
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️— Explicit Open Door
Such a fun take on the vampire-and-werewolf romance trope. I loved Misery’s personality—she’s sarcastic, stubborn, and not exactly thrilled about being caught up in everyone else’s supernatural drama. The relationship with Lowe had plenty of tension,...
Warnings: Violence, blood, threats, and some darker supernatural themes
Such a fun take on the vampire-and-werewolf romance trope. I loved Misery’s personality—she’s sarcastic, stubborn, and not exactly thrilled about being caught up in everyone else’s supernatural drama. The relationship with Lowe had plenty of tension,...
Warnings: Violence, blood, threats, and some darker supernatural themes
Bride
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️— Explicit Open Door
Man this definitely turned up the heat compared to the first book. I really enjoyed the push-and-pull between Poppy and Casteel, especially because neither of them is willing to completely trust the other. There are so many secrets being uncovered th...
Warnings: Violence and death/blood/gore/captivity/abuse/trauma/threats of sexual violence/possessive/controlling behavior/war/political conflict
Man this definitely turned up the heat compared to the first book. I really enjoyed the push-and-pull between Poppy and Casteel, especially because neither of them is willing to completely trust the other. There are so many secrets being uncovered th...
Warnings: Violence and death/blood/gore/captivity/abuse/trauma/threats of sexual violence/possessive/controlling behavior/war/political conflict
A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire (Special Edition) (Blood and Ash Series #2)
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️— Explicit Open Door
Loved this book!! A fun, steamy spin on the Hades and Persephone story. I really liked the modern take on the mythology and the way Persephone and Hades constantly challenged each other. Their chemistry is definitely the main attraction, but I also e...
Warnings: Possessive/controlling behavior/violence/death/abduction/kidnapping themes/drug/alcohol use/ emotional trauma
Loved this book!! A fun, steamy spin on the Hades and Persephone story. I really liked the modern take on the mythology and the way Persephone and Hades constantly challenged each other. Their chemistry is definitely the main attraction, but I also e...
Warnings: Possessive/controlling behavior/violence/death/abduction/kidnapping themes/drug/alcohol use/ emotional trauma
A Touch of Darkness (Hades X Persephone Series #1)
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ — Explicit Open Door
Such a fun ride once I got settled into the world. Saeris has the kind of stubbornness that makes her easy to root for, and her dynamic with Kingfisher is basically tension on top of tension. 😏 I really enjoyed the mix of fae, magic, adventure, and ...
Warnings: Violence and death/blood/gore/torture/slavery/enslavement themes/trauma/possessive behavior/dark fantasy themes
Such a fun ride once I got settled into the world. Saeris has the kind of stubbornness that makes her easy to root for, and her dynamic with Kingfisher is basically tension on top of tension. 😏 I really enjoyed the mix of fae, magic, adventure, and ...
Warnings: Violence and death/blood/gore/torture/slavery/enslavement themes/trauma/possessive behavior/dark fantasy themes
Quicksilver (Fae & Alchemy Series #1)
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ — Erotica-Level / Extremely Explicit
This is basically a gothic fantasy playground for anyone who likes their romance with monsters, mystery, and a LOT of spice. I loved the creepy Victorian atmosphere and the fact that each of the characters brought something completely different to th...
Warnings: Explicit sexual content/multiple partners/reverse harem BDSM/kink elements/monster/supernatural sexual themes/blood/gore/violence/dark supernatural themes
This is basically a gothic fantasy playground for anyone who likes their romance with monsters, mystery, and a LOT of spice. I loved the creepy Victorian atmosphere and the fact that each of the characters brought something completely different to th...
Warnings: Explicit sexual content/multiple partners/reverse harem BDSM/kink elements/monster/supernatural sexual themes/blood/gore/violence/dark supernatural themes
A Lady of Rooksgrave Manor (Standard Edition)