How Spicy Is
Your Next Read?

SpicyBooks is the ultimate resource for romance and romantasy readers who want to know exactly how spicy a book is before they start reading. We rate every romance book on a 0-5 spice scale — from clean reads with absolutely no intimate content to scorching hot spicy books with very explicit scenes. Whether you picked up a recommendation from BookTok, saw a title trending on Instagram Bookstagram, or heard about a new release on Reddit's r/RomanceBooks community, SpicyBooks gives you the full picture before you commit to your next read.

Beyond spice levels, we tag every book with its romance tropes (like enemies to lovers, slow burn, forced proximity, fake dating, grumpy/sunshine, and dark romance), list content warnings for readers with specific sensitivities, and provide detailed breakdowns of what to expect in every book. Whether you're a BookTok enthusiast looking for your next spicy books obsession or a careful reader who wants to avoid certain triggers, SpicyBooks has you covered.

Our spice level rating system is designed to be simple, consistent, and genuinely useful. Every romance book on SpicyBooks receives a spicy books rating from 0 to 5 on our spice scale, so you always know what level of heat to expect before you start reading. Here's how our spicy books scale breaks down:

Level 0 — No Spice (Clean): These are clean romance books with no intimate or sexual content whatsoever. Perfect for readers who enjoy the emotional journey of a love story without any physical scenes. Think sweet Hallmark-style romances.

Level 1 — Mild (Fade to Black): The romance is present and the chemistry is real, but any intimate moments happen off-page. The author "fades to black" before things get explicit. Great for readers who want a hint of romance without the details.

Level 2 — Warm (Closed Door+): There are suggestive scenes and clear romantic tension, but the author doesn't go into graphic detail. You know what's happening, but it's more implied than described.

Level 3 — Spicy (Moderate Scenes): Now we're getting into spicy books territory. These books have clear, on-page intimate scenes with moderate detail. The spice is part of the story but doesn't dominate it. This is where many popular BookTok romance novels land.

Level 4 — Very Spicy (Explicit): Detailed intimate scenes that are a significant part of the reading experience. If you're searching for "spicy books" or "spicy romance books," this is likely what you're looking for. Authors like dark romance writers often fall into this category.

Level 5 — Scorching (Very Explicit): The highest level on our spicy books scale. These books feature very detailed, frequent intimate scenes throughout the story. Not for the faint of heart — but exactly what some spicy books readers are looking for.

Browse all spicy books by their heat level on our spice level guide page.

Romance tropes are the recurring themes, dynamics, and plot devices that define the flavor of a love story. Many spicy books readers actively seek out books based on their favorite tropes — and SpicyBooks makes it easy to find exactly what you're craving. Here are some of the most popular spicy books tropes you'll find on our site:

Enemies to Lovers is one of the most beloved tropes in romance fiction. Two characters who start out hating each other gradually develop feelings, creating incredible tension and satisfying payoff. Find all enemies to lovers books in our collection.

Forced Proximity puts two characters in a situation where they can't avoid each other — whether it's a snowed-in cabin, a shared apartment, or a work assignment. The close quarters force them to confront their feelings. Browse forced proximity romance books.

Slow Burn romances take their time building the relationship. The tension simmers for chapters (sometimes the entire book) before anything happens, making the eventual payoff incredibly rewarding. Perfect for readers who love the anticipation. See all slow burn romance books.

Fake Dating is a fan favorite where two characters pretend to be in a relationship — for a family event, to make an ex jealous, or for some other reason — and inevitably catch real feelings. Explore fake dating books.

Romantasy (romance + fantasy) has exploded in popularity thanks to authors like Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yarros. These books combine epic fantasy worldbuilding with steamy romance, and they're dominating BookTok and bestseller lists. Discover romantasy books with spice ratings.

We tag every book with all applicable tropes so you can find your perfect match. Visit our full romance tropes directory to explore all 20 tropes.

Content warnings (also called trigger warnings) are an essential part of the reading experience for many romance readers. Some books contain themes like violence, abuse, addiction, grief, or other sensitive topics that can be distressing for certain readers. At SpicyBooks, we believe every reader deserves to make an informed choice about what they read.

Every book page on SpicyBooks includes a comprehensive list of content warnings so you can decide whether a book is right for you before you start reading. We cover everything from mild triggers (like mild language or alcohol use) to more serious content (like depictions of trauma or graphic violence). Our goal is not to censor or judge — it's simply to give you the information you need to read comfortably and safely.

If content warnings are important to you, SpicyBooks is the perfect tool. Every book in our database includes detailed warnings alongside its spice level and trope tags, giving you a complete picture before you commit to your next romance read.

Not sure where to start? SpicyBooks offers multiple ways to discover your next favorite spicy books read. You can browse by spice level if you know exactly how much heat you want, explore books by trope if you're chasing a specific vibe, or check out our trending section above to see what the romance community is reading right now.

Every book page on SpicyBooks includes a detailed spice breakdown, a full list of tropes, content warnings, reader reviews, an editorial take, and recommendations for similar books. We also answer common questions like "Is [book] spicy?" and "What is the spice level of [book]?" directly on each page — so whether you found us through Google, BookTok, or a friend's recommendation, you'll get the answer you're looking for instantly.

SpicyBooks is built by romance readers, for romance readers. We're constantly adding new books, updating our ratings, and expanding our trope and content warning databases. If there's a book you want to see on SpicyBooks, let us know — we're always growing our collection to serve the romance reading community better.