No list of book recommendations would be complete without a juicy series, and there are far too many great series to not give them the spotlight with a “must read” round-up of their own.
Spicy romance books are best served in heaps, after all, and the spiciest tales seem to be tucked away in books two or three. Spoiler alert: I’ve read my fair share, and the further most series go, the steamier they get.
These are the best books for you if you’re looking for a long, smutty, multi-book journey you can get lost in.
1. “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas
If you’ve come anywhere near TikTok in the last few years, I’d be amazed if you hadn’t heard of this series, even if BookTok isn’t necessarily in your algorithm. What began as a “Beauty and the Beast” retelling evolved into an internet sensation with nearly 3 million Goodreads reviews and 38 million copies sold.
So, what’s this megapopular romantasy series about?
Feyre supports her father and sisters on a meager living by hunting in the woods near her home, where she encounters a beast that has crept over the wall from the Fae lands. When she kills the creature for its pelt and its powerful lord seeks justice for its death, Feyre bargains with her life and agrees to join him in the forbidden Fae nation on the other side of the wall.
Thrown into a world of terrifying magic, she goes on a journey that tests her courage and challenges her to do the one thing she swore never to do with a Fae: trust.
This is a 4-book enemies-to-lovers series (plus one novella) that gets better and better as you go. Far and away, my favorite book in this series is “A Court of Mist and Fury,” but there are heart-stopping moments throughout the entire story that will have you begging for more.
And if you become obsessed with the author, SJM has two other popular spicy book series: Throne of Glass and Crescent City.
2. “From Blood and Ash” by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Good gracious, where to begin...I love a good bodyguard trope, I love a slow burn, and oh, boy, do I love a new take on vampire lore.
Poppy has been forced into life as the veiled, hidden away Maiden for as long as she can remember, never to be touched or known by anyone. She’s supposed to remain pure for the Ascension that will usher in a new era for the kingdom if the gods find her worthy. While such a life has never satisfied her, Poppy is resigned to her fate, but when Hawke, a new royal guard, is assigned to protect her, everything changes.
Five books in with a sixth book on the way, the Blood and Ash series also boasts a spin-off series: Flesh and Fire (four books so far!), which exists in the same world. You’ll have plenty of fantasy romance to read!
3. “Twisted Love” by Ana Huang
Listen, contemporary romance is a wide and wonderful spectrum, and if you’re looking to dip your toes into the darker end of the pool, this is a good series to start with.
Opposites attract between morally gray millionaire Alex Volkov and college student Ava Chen in the first book of the Twisted series. (Major grumpy/sunshine vibes.) When Alex is asked to look after his best friend’s sister, Ava, secrets unfold that threaten the connection brewing between them.
If “Twisted Love” turns out to be up your alley, definitely add Ana Huang’s “King of Wrath” to your list, too!
4. “Neon Gods” by Katee Robert
Want to turn up the dark romance dial just a tad? Olympus takes on a whole new vibe in this steamy romance series that brings Hades and Persephone into a twisted and delectable world of dominance and submission.
A surprise engagement to Zeus has socialite Persephone bolting for safety and striking a bargain with Hades, the man who rules the undercity with trades and secrets. But what starts as a desperate agreement quickly grows into much more.
Each book in the Dark Olympus series follows a different couple, though there are references to other characters throughout. “Electric Idol” features Eros and Psyche, and “Wicked Beauty” explores Achilles, Patroclus, and Helen...there are no rules in this series.
5. “Beautiful Bastard” by Christina Lauren
I really had not thought I was a contemporary romance girly, and workplace romances were definitely not my thing...and then I read this series. HOLY. SMOKES.
Book one introduces main characters Chloe and Bennett, who cannot stand each other but are forced to work together, and if that doesn’t already sound like a recipe for ahem tension, I don’t know what does. A few unexpected steamy encounters (the office elevator, guys? Really?) lead to some big feelings that neither one of them bargained for.
My favorite of this spicy book series is “Beautiful Secret,” but I beg of you, do NOT skip to book four just to get to Niall and Ruby faster! They’re achingly adorable, but the rest of the books are every bit as sexy and delicious.
6. “Forbidden Fruit” on Dipsea
If it’s a Hades and Persephone retelling you’re after (always), I beg you to listen to “Forbidden Fruit.” This exploration of our favorite King of the Underworld and Goddess of Spring is every bit as stunningly sexy as the Dark Olympus series while hitting every emotional note you’d expect from one of the oldest and most emotionally riveting tales there is. Plus the narrators in this full-cast audiobook will have you blushing—Hades sounds like Tom Hiddleston ( swoon ) and Persephone sounds like golden honey.
7. “Gods & Men” on Dipsea
When you’re done with “Forbidden Fruit” but don’t want to leave the land of the gods just yet, please please please give “Gods & Men,” another full-cast audiobook, a listen.
Sun god Apollo and Spartan prince Hyacinthus are unlikely friends after a chance encounter on the battlefield. When they start spending more time together, a bond forms that neither one anticipated.
Wait, there’s also “Goddess of the Hunt” with Artemis! Ugh, there’s a bottomless well of beautiful spice...
8. “Icebreaker” by Hannah Grace
(Psst—if you’ve already read this romance novel and want to stock your Kindle with more like it, check out our list of books like “Icebreaker.”)
My best friend convinced me to read “Icebreaker” a while ago, and while I’d already known how much I love a good hockey romance, the Maple Hills series brought a little something extra to my TBR.
Nate Hawkins spends his days as captain of his university’s hockey team wrangling some big personalities, but none knock him on his butt quite like Anastasia (“Stassie”) Allen. When a sudden issue at the ice rink forces the team to use the figure skating rink instead, Nate finds himself in Stassie’s crosshairs. No one messes with her figure skating practice and escapes unscathed.
The tension between these two practically glistens off the page, but you’ll just have to read it to fully appreciate the emotional journey of this sports romance. Swoon!
“Wildfire” is book two, and book three of the spicy book series is “Daydream,” featuring a delightful fan-favorite character. I can’t wait. Looking for more steamy stories full of spicy scenes? Dipsea’s collection of audiobooks is a haven for romance readers in need of a good love story — or many.
Or download the Dipsea app for the best listening experience.
