Red-hot reads: 12 super spicy book recs to heat up your shelf

Take it from a voracious reader with a penchant for romance books that heap on the spice: As soon as you think it can’t get any hotter, a new author is waiting to surprise you. Whether your favorite tropes lead you to an enemies-to-lovers dark romance or a “best friends who get a little hot and heavy” contemporary read, your ideal super spicy romance book is out there.

But be warned... Romance novels can range anywhere from soft and sweet to simmering, steamy romance to "holy moly” hot. The books on this particular list fall solidly on the latter end of that spectrum with some of the spiciest scenes I’ve possibly ever encountered (and that’s saying something, okay?).

Have fun!

1. “Neon Gods” by Katee Robert

Whew! Responsible for some of the hottest literature to grace my Kindle in recent years, I would be remiss if I didn’t start with Katee Robert. Few have done what she has with retellings of every story from Jasmine and Jafar (yes, that Jasmine and Jafar) to Hades and Persephone—the couple featured in “Neon Gods,” the first of her Dark Olympus series.

Once you’re on the other side of the King of the Underworld’s spicy bargain (you won’t be disappointed), be sure to check out more Hades/Persephone action with the original audiobook “Forbidden Fruit” on the Dipsea app, another one of my personal favs.

2. “Priest” by Sierra Simone

I have no idea how my queen Sierra has not exploded all over #SpicyBookTok yet, but I’m determined to make it happen. The first book in her Priest series introduces Tyler Bell, a Catholic priest with a serious dilemma: He’s attracted to his new congregant, Poppy.

This book gets bonus points for incredible interplay between the characters and the most creative use of blessing oil I’ve ever read.

“Fleabag” fans, we see you swooning—open your Libby app and put this on hold.

Pro tip: Once you get through this series, take a look at Simone’s “American Queen” and “Salt Kiss.” She’s the master (mistress?) of explosive chemistry.

3. “Twisted Love” by Ana Huang

Brother’s best friend meets opposites attract in this steamy BookTok favorite that introduces bad boy Alex Volkov and free-spirited Ava Chen. I’ve got one word for you going into this read: possessive. Be prepared for a seriously territorial leading man. Is the “I hate everyone but you” thing healthy in real life? Not at all. But in a fictional world, we all make exceptions, right?

4. “Birthday Girl” by Penelope Douglas

For a while, I couldn’t scroll through TikTok for any amount of time before I encountered a recommendation for one of Douglas’s books, and I finally recognized that the universe was trying to tell me something. I went straight to Amazon and impulse-bought this book before reading it in a matter of hours. (I am so serious.)

The big trope for this story is the age gap. What happens when your boyfriend’s dad is a total babe and also kind of perfect for you?

5. “Bound” on Dipsea

Dialing up the heat in the audiobook category is one of my recent Dipsea finds. This full-cast audiobook starts with a private bondage lesson and only escalates from there. Exploring all kinds of delicious delights from exhibitionism to some of the greatest praise phrases (in a gorgeous British accent, no less), “Bound” easily checks the extra spicy box. Waits with bated breath for the next episode to drop!

6. “Depravity” by M.J. Haag

As far as fantasy romance books go, it’s tough not to fall madly in love with a good “Beauty and the Beast” retelling. “Depravity” took me by surprise when it first landed on my TBR, but Benella’s journey within the enchanted estate outside her simple village adds some spooky and surprising twists to an otherwise traditional love story. Better yet, “The Beastly Tales” is a trilogy, so there’s plenty to sink your teeth into. Just wait until you meet Alec. He can be pretty rough around the edges, but holy moly, does he have his moments.

7. “Hooked” by Emily McIntire

Speaking of a twist on a fairytale...if you thought you knew what a good Captain Hook and Wendy story might look like, trust me, this one will open your eyes. No spoilers, but Peter is a cold and remote father to 23-year-old Wendy who seeks out an adventure of her own when she wanders into James’/Hook’s bar. Thinking he can use her as a pawn against his sworn enemy, the infamous Hook draws Wendy further into his web only to find that she’s more than what she seems.

A word to the wise: maybe don’t rewatch the movie before you dive into this one.

8. “It Happened One Summer” by Tessa Bailey

Are rom-coms more your speed? Not to worry. This one was a Goodreads Choice Awards nominee for a reason, and the grumpy/sunshine trope is alive and well between LA socialite starlet Piper and small town sea captain Brendan. The classic cocktail of “they shouldn’t work, but their attraction is undeniable” makes this an immediate must read, and as promised, the spice levels are high.

9. “The Spanish Love Deception” by Elena Armas

Winner for Goodreads’ Best Debut Novel, “The Spanish Love Deception” follows Catalina as she desperately tries to manage a white lie that has far exceeded her control. Whoops. How is she supposed to actually make her fake American boyfriend a reality in time to fly from New York to Spain for her sister’s wedding?! Even worse, her ex and his new fiancée will both be there, too.

Aaron, her ridiculously hot but super rude and aggravating coworker, is definitely not a solution...or is he?

10. “From Blood and Ash” by Jennifer L. Armentrout

If you enjoyed “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas and haven’t picked up this series yet, I’m not sure we can be friends. (Read it first, then get back to me. We’ll talk.)

Poppy’s life has been out of her control for years until the mysterious Hawke Flynn comes crashing into it with his quick humor and teasing half-smiles. Suddenly, Poppy starts questioning everything about the rules she’s been forced to live under and begins to wonder what else could be waiting for her beyond the castle walls…

11. “Butcher & Blackbird” by Brynne Weaver

Okay, go with me on this one… serial killers in love. I know, I know! A little niche, but this book surprised me! You might be surprised at how much you enjoy it, too. It scratched the true crime documentary itch in my brain while offering a layered (and extra-steamy) love story. Win, win.

Murderers with an ongoing and prolific rivalry, “Butcher & Blackbird” refers to killers Sloane and Rowan (how many fictional men named Rowan am I in love with? At least one more). Definitely dark, definitely spicy, and written with a dry, so-shocked-you’ll-laugh-as-you-read humor, this is the first of a series I’m excited to follow.

12. “Filthy Rich Vampire” by Geneva Lee Albin

Is the title a touch on the nose? Sure, but there’s something to respect about an author who knows their audience and knows how to hook them (the name sure caught my attention). And it’s a series (four books so far!), so there’s a lot more steam where this came from.

Wildly hot and wildly wealthy Julian is under pressure to look for a wife, and mortal musician Thea gets roped into pretending to be his paramour. A fake dating trope and vampires and steamy romance? Immediately, yes.

Looking for more deliciously steamy stories? Take a look at Dipsea’s collection of original spicy audiobooks, especially those under the “Extra Spicy” tag.