If you asked my husband who his favorite author is, he’d probably say Tessa Bailey. But not because he’s read any of Tessa Bailey’s books. Rather, he’s benefited from each and every one of her “R-rated rom com” novels. He loves Bailey’s spicy books so much that he even snapped a photo of my copy of It Happened One Summer and sent it to his buddies’ group text. A few months later, one of their wives was pregnant as a direct result, so he claimed.
Spicy reads have been women’s secret libido weapon for a while (didn’t our moms read romance novels with Fabio book covers in the ’80s and ’90s?). And because it’s common for moms to feel overstimulated and touched out as the default parent, sex is often far from our minds. In The Everymom’s Sex and Motherhood survey, exhaustion topped the reasons moms aren’t having more sex. But that doesn’t mean we don’t care about our sex lives.
Moms make up the majority of customers at Pages & Peonies, a new “spicy book” store in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Co-owners Sarah Gramza-Howard and Jess Hodges told me they even created a children’s corner with kid-appropriate books and activities so moms can take their time browsing. Moms are “allowed to enjoy something for themselves,” said Gramza-Howard, especially since they’re usually tending to everyone else’s needs.
I’m new-ish to the romance genre, but I agree that reading spicy books is something I enjoy, AND it’s been the spark I’ve used to finally initiate more sex with my husband. Here’s why, plus 25+ of the best spicy books to consider adding to your TBR.
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Why spicy books are so popular
Erotic novels, romantasies, dark romance, and other genres seem to be having their moment, with the help of BookTok amplification and book club appeal. Customers at Pages & Peonies literally cleared the shelves during the store’s grand opening with a line around the block, surprising even the owners.
Hodges sees escapism as a contributor to the popularity of the romance genre. But noted it can also be a good reminder of the spark you had with your partner. “It’s nice to be reminded of the human connection,” she said. “[Romance books] sometimes even help me feel more connected to my husband.”
The majority of Pages & Peonies customers are women, and Gramza-Howard—a romance author herself—believes more women have responsive desire (versus spontaneous and context-dependent desire). So they need a little stimulation to start thinking about sex, and spicy books can help.
How spicy books can improve your sex life
“Responsive desire is slow,” wrote sex educator Ella Dorval Hall in an article for The Everygirl. “If someone has responsive desire, they usually don’t want sex until after they’re having it.” A sexual stimulus like making out, watching a sexy movie scene, or reading a page-turning romantasy novel can all be turn-ons for those of us with responsive desire. Not to mention, it can give you ideas to try with your partner—or a fantasy to tap into for a solo sesh.
“A sexual stimulus like making out, watching a sexy movie scene, or reading a page-turning romantasy novel can all be turn-ons for those with responsive desire.”
In addition to different desire styles, everyone has different kinks, sexual fantasies, and tropes they gravitate toward. When it comes to spicy reads, I want to care about the characters before jumping right into the sex scenes. Maybe it’s because I’m a foreplay fan and appreciate a little tease. A slow build in a spicy book is usually hot to me, as long as there’s a worthy payoff. Gramza-Howard believes that’s also part of the romance genre’s appeal. “It’s really about the lead-up and building of the characters,” she said. “Then it leads to the spicy scenes.” Which is also what’s misunderstood about the genre—the best spicy books are not just porn.
How I’m rating the ‘spice’ in spicy novels
Spicy romance novels that initiate sex don’t have to be full-on erotica. The slow-burning novels, the moments of tension, and the yearning can be enough to spark some magic in your sex life. So, don’t overlook the books that are one-out-of-five spice. To give you an idea, here’s how I’m rating these spicy novels to help you narrow down which steamy romance to read next.
🌶️ Sweet & Clean: These books lean into emotional connection and the slow-burn. Physical intimacy usually doesn’t go further than a hot and steamy kiss.
🌶️🌶️ Warm & Flirty: The tension is real with a level two for spice. While some intimate scenes occur, anything explicit is implied. These books leave you to use your own imagination.
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Steamy: Intimate scenes are the main focus and are descriptive for readers. You won’t miss out on detailed and sensual excerpts.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Very Steamy: Things are getting super hot here. Expect more frequent intimate scenes that are highly detailed (along with some explicit language). Sexy scenes are the majority of the focus.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Scorching Hot: Expect erotica-level language with graphic details and kinks. You may need to cool off after this type of read.
Spicy books that made me initiate sex
My husband and I have been married for 15+ years, and our sex life has ebbed and flowed. I will say over 40 sex has been our best yet, and part of that I attribute to my discovery of spicy books. It also helped to learn my sex desire style because sometimes conflicts in couples can arise when your styles differ. Until I had a word to describe my own style (responsive) versus my husband’s desire (spontaneous), he would often feel like he was the only one ever initiating sex. Because in all honesty, outside of the one to two days a month during ovulation, he was. That is, until I started reading more spicy books. Here are some of my favorites:
Genre: Rom-com
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
This is the first book in Bailey’s popular Bellinger Sisters series, where the protagonist is modeled after Schitt’s Creek character Alexis Rose. Piper is a party girl who is sent to her dad’s hometown as a form of punishment. But then she meets hunky widower sea captain Brendan, and steamy scenes abound from their first date (IYKYK) to the last page.
Genre: Hockey Romance
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Elle Kennedy is an editor-favorite for steamy hockey romances. In the first book of this series, The Deal, Hannah Wells and Garrett Graham strike up a deal to get what they want. Hannah tutors Garret, the obnoxious hockey captain, to make her crush jealous. Garret agrees to help Hannah if she helps him raise his GPA. Except, when a steamy kiss ends in the best sex of their lives, maybe the guy Hannah is really looking for is Garret after all. And if you can’t get enough of the literary version, watch the TV adaptation, titled Off Campus. The entire season is available on Amazon Prime Video!
Genre: Rom-com
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Piper’s sister Hannah gets to be the main character in this follow-up to It Happened One Summer. This book is about sexy fisherman Fox’s meet-cute and relationship with Hannah—even though they swear they’re just friends. Feelings begin to change when Hannah starts crashing in Fox’s guest bedroom. While not as steamy as the first Bellinger Sisters book, the will-they-or-won’t-they build is still worth it.
Genre: Romance
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
If you love a grumpy sunshine romance set in a breathtaking location with some hot foreplay scenes before you get to the, uh, climax, try the story of Adam & Evie. Both reluctant participants in a matchmaking tour of Vietnam, the two can’t help but be drawn to one another.
Genre: Fiction
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Even if you’ve already watched the 2024 film adaptation starring Anne Hathaway, the movie barely touches the spice found in the actual book. Follow along as 39-year-old mom Solène reluctantly tags along with her daughter to see her favorite boy band. Little does she know, she’ll have a chance encounter and form an undeniable connection with one of the hunky band members—even though he’s nearly two decades younger than her. If an age-gap cougar-fantasy is one you harbor, you’ll want to pick this one up immediately.
Genre: Fiction
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
OK, I know I said I like a slow burn, but this Carley Fortune book gives you a steamy scene within the first few pages, with hot flashbacks throughout. It is a summer story about undeniable attraction and, yes, sex, but also love and female friendship.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Spice: 🌶️
While you may know Gregory for The Other Boleyn Girl, consider starting at the beginning of the author’s steamy Tudor series before it builds to the more well-known titles. If royal drama, witchy vibes, and wanting work for you, give this one a try. And then if you like it, you can embark on a 15-book saga.
More editor-approved spicy book recommendations
I know I have only scratched the surface of the best spicy books (one friend thought some of my picks were a little vanilla). So I’m diving into some of these other spicy book recommendations from our editors. Many of them are available on Kindle Unlimited, where you can binge sexy books as often as you like. And, of course, it’s always fun to find these at your local bookstore and support small women-owned businesses like Pages & Peonies, too!
Contemporary romance
Whether you like a good rom-com or prefer a more serious forbidden lovers trope, you’ll find options with these contemporary romance picks.
Genre: Forbidden Love Rom-com
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Bailey’s novel about forbidden love is one of the spiciest, according to The Everygirl. “Chloe Clifford is a manic pixie dream girl who captivates Sig Gauthier immediately. Sparks fly during a moonlight kiss, and the enamored pair can’t wait to see each other again—but when Sig finally arrives to meet his dad’s new girlfriend over dinner, Chloe is, confusingly, also there. It turns out the girlfriend is Chloe’s mother—Sig’s dream girl is his future stepsister. They both know there can never be more than friendship between a famous hockey player and his high-society, soon-to-be stepsister. However, keeping their relationship platonic grows harder amid the development of family drama, especially knowing they were meant for so much more.”
Genre: Second-Chance Romance
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Book 2 in Hollywood Renaissance series
Genre: Enemies to Lovers Rom-com
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Book 2 in Bad Billionaire Bosses series
Genre: Friends to Lovers Rom-com
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Book 6 in Springbrook Hills series
Genre: Friends With Benefits
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Book 1 of Forever Falling series
Fantasy romance
The fantasy romance genre shows no signs of slowing down. Here are some favorite spicy reads that include fairies, vampires, werewolves, and more!
Genre: Fiction
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Generally regarded as the spiciest in the ACOTAR series, this fifth book is also Feyre’s sister Nesta’s redemption story. But like most of the ACOTAR series, you have to dive into the book a bit before the spicy scenes really begin (readers say Chapter 19 in this one!).
Genre: Dark Fantasy
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Book 2 in Adrian X Isolde series
Historical romance
If yearning and corset-ripping sounds exciting, consider one of these spicy historical romance novels.
Genre: Rescue Romance
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
According to editors at The Everygirl, “Beverly Jenkins is an absolute icon in the historical romance genre and for good reason. She writes female characters that are so unapologetically badass that it is a gift, and we are all not worthy. Set in the aftermath of the Civil War, and we follow Val as she works to help the newly emancipated community in New Orleans. Jenkins takes you on an emotional journey, leaning into the difficulties and horror of the era while giving you an undeniable romance to root for. Drake is everything and more in this book, and the steam he ignites with Val is Bridgerton-spoon-scene-worthy.”
Genre: Rake and Wallflower
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Book 2 in Luna Sisters series
Genre: Second-Chance Romance
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Book 6 in Bridgertons series
Dark romance
Dark romances—books with darker themes, morally grey areas, crime, and violence—are one of the most popular genres at Pages & Peonies. Co-owner Gramza-Howard has a theory about why. “Women are used to feeling unsafe, right? But in dark romance, they can explore that danger in a safe way,” she said.
Genre: “Why Choose” Romance
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
This sexy retelling of the Robin Hood story is the first novel in the BookTok favorite Ravenswood series. In Flock, Cecilia moves to a new town and falls for her boss, Sean, who pulls her into a new world of sex, lies, and alliances. Cecilia also can sense Sean is holding back a secret, one his best friend Dominic doesn’t want her to find out.
Super spicy books
These book recommendations all come with a 5/5 spice scale. So get ready to burn through them.
Genre: “Why Choose” Romance
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
If you love a reverse harem tale, dive into the story of Braxton Fawn who becomes the lead guitarist in a hot new band full of hot young guys. When bandmates Houston, Loren, and Jericho let her know they’ve been watching her and liking what they see, the musicians take their rock star lives to the next level, whether in their van or even in the woods. Or outside the van. Or in hotel rooms. The point, said The Everygirl editors, is if having a great time with hunky guys who will fight over you—or work together to please you—has been your fantasy, settle in for a long night of reading. Let’s just say that while there is a plot, this BookTok favorite is page after page of steamy sex scenes.
Genre: Enemies to Lovers Romance
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Book 1 in Kingston Lane series
Feature images credited to Cora Pursley | Dupe. Product included in graphics linked within the article.
