Summary
TikTok is a great place to get book recommendations across genres, but “BookTok” is especially useful for those looking for spicyromancereads.Some of themost popular books on BookTokare romance and romantasy novelsfeaturing steamy moments. This explains the platform’s reputation for promoting smut, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It makes it the go-to place for romance readers looking to separate the tamer stories from the steamier novels they’re looking for. BookTok also helps readers find their preferred “spice” level, matching them with their ideal books.
Needless to say, there’s no better place to find spicy romance books that are worth reading. And BookTok really does offer recommendations for everyone. From dark romance narratives tolighthearted rom-coms, the platform hypes up a little bit of everything. Those looking to narrow their recommendations further can check out some of BookTok’s most frequently recommended spicy books, which vary widely in terms of genre and intensity.
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10Twisted Love By Ana Huang
Spice Level: Very Spicy
Ana Huang’sTwisted Lovecrops up on the romance side of BookTok frequently, and it’s highly recommended for readers who enjoy heavy spice levels. Perfect for fans of the opposites attract and brother’s best friend tropes,Twisted Lovefollows Alex Volkov and Ava Chen as they fall for one another — something that “was never supposed to happen.” The book goes out of its way to clarify that Alex is not a traditional or admirable hero, but an icy man driven by ambition and revenge.
His cold demeanor cracks when it comes to Ava, and this makes him perfect for a woman who’s able to find the good in everything and everyone.Twisted Loveis a spicy story with a less likable hero, and that will appeal to many romance readers out there. While Alex and Ana’s story can be read on its own, it also has multiple follow-ups.Anyone who enjoysTwisted Lovewill fall easily into the rest of Huang’s books, giving them plenty of spicy romances to enjoy.
2021
2022
9Priest By Sierra Simone
Sierra Simone’sPriestis another book that’s heavily praised on the spicy side of BookTok, and it has no shortage of explicit content for readers to enjoy. Its premise won’t be for everyone, butPriestexplores the allure of the forbidden. The first of three books in Simone’s series,Priestfollows Tyler Anselm Bell, who devotes himself to his town’s parish after a tragedy upends everything he knows. However, Tyler soon finds himself falling for a woman who threatens to unravel his dedication to the work he’s chosen for the past three years.
LikeTwisted Love,Priestis a standalone story, but it has two follow-ups that tackle similar themes and boast similar levels of spice. Sierra Simone’s books excel when it comes to capturing the erotic nature of their central relationships. They’re definitely worth checking out to see what all the BookTok hype is about.
2015
2018
8Icebreaker By Hannah Grace
Hockey romances are all the rage on BookTok, andHannah Grace’sIcebreakeris one of the most-recommended hits from the subgenre— and one of the spiciest. The novel follows Anastaia Allen, a figure skater with big ambitions, and Nate Hawkins, the captain of her school’s hockey team. Anastasia doesn’t like Nate at first, and she certainly doesn’t intend to let him get in the way of her dreams. Naturally, the two are forced together when Anastasia no longer has a skating partner, and that dislike soon simmers into something else.
Perfect for fans of enemies-to-lovers relationships and sports romances,Icebreakeroffers the best of both worlds.
Perfect for fans of enemies-to-lovers relationships and sports romances,Icebreakeroffers the best of both worlds. It also features plenty of explicit scenes, making it the perfect romance for those looking for steamy moments.Icebreakeris the first book of Hannah Grace’sMaple Hillsseries, too. It can be read on its own, but there are more romances to enjoy for those who want them.
2023
2024
7The Deal By Elle Kennedy
Spice Level: Moderately Spicy
Elle Kennedy is also known for writing popular hockey romance books, andThe Dealboasts a good balance of story and spice. It’s no wonder it’s a hit on BookTok years after its release, and its follow-ups come just as highly recommended. The first book in theOff-Campusseries,The Dealfollows Hannah Wells, who agrees to tutor the arrogant captain of the hockey team in exchange for a fake date. The point is to capture the attention of the guy Hannah is actually interested in. Of course, seasoned romance readers will know exactly how this fake-dating scenario plays out.
When Hannah goes on her date with Garrett Graham, things heat up with a kiss, then go further than either of them expects. Garrett wants more, but he’ll have to convince Hannah to choose him over the guy they’re trying to make jealous.With fake-dating and some great streamy scenes,The Dealis a must-read,especially for sports romance fans. Its follow-ups are just as spicy and entertaining, making Elle Kennedy worthy of her reputation on BookTok.
2016
6The Love Hypothesis By Alii Hazelwood
Spice Level: Lightly Spicy
Ali Hazelwood’s booksare all heavily praised on BookTok, whether they feature a mild amount of spice or a heaping portion of it.The Love Hypothesisfalls into the former category, as its central romance is more of a slow burn — though when it takes off, there is some satisfying spice.The Love Hypothesisfollows Ph.D. candidate Olive Smith and professor Adam Carlsen as they start a fake-dating experiment that spirals into something more serious. Ideal for fans of the fake-dating trope and the grumpy-sunshine dynamic,The Love Hypothesisis popular for good reason.
The Love Hypothesiswon’t necessarily appeal to readers looking for all spice and no plot, but it is a fun rom-com with some steamy moments baked in.
The Love Hypothesiswon’t necessarily appeal to readers looking for all spice and no plot, but it is a fun rom-com with some steamy moments baked in.There are also plenty of science references, which is par for the course for many of Hazelwood’s stories. Those looking for more spice thanThe Love Hypothesiscan also check out the author’s newest book,Not in Love,which surpasses her previous workwhen it comes to explicit sex scenes. The jury’s still out on whether it will become as big on BookTok, but it’s spicy nonetheless.
5Delilah Green Doesn’t Care By Ashley Herring Blake
Delilah Green Doesn’t Careis highly recommended for romance readers, though BookTok doesn’t just hype up this book for the spice. In fact,Delilah Green Doesn’t Careis pretty light on the steamy scenes — but when they show up, they are very satisfying. Ashley Herring Blake’s novel makes sure of that by weaving a compelling story around two lovable heroines. Delilah reconnects with her sister’s friend, Claire, when she reluctantly returns to her hometown for her sister’s wedding.
Delilah and Claire are opposites, but they hit it off surprisingly well. Unfortunately, both come with baggage, thanks to past relationships. But when they realize they need to save Delilah’s sister, Astrid, from marrying a horrible man, they come together in more ways than one. Delilah and Claire’s relationship is sweet, andDelilah Green Doesn’t Care’s main story is gripping and fun. Add in a few steamy moments here and there, and it’s the perfect read for romance readers — especially those looking to addmore LGBTQ+ booksto their TBR piles.
4The Pairing By Casey McQuiston
The Pairingis probably one of the most-hyped romances on BookTok this summer, as Casey McQuiston’slatest book came out in July 2024. The author teased that this would be spicier than their previous works, and it proves them right in that regard. A second-chance romance following exes Theo and Kit on a trip to Europe,The Pairingis perfect for those looking for a steamy romance between lovable main characters. It also boasts plenty of great scenes for foodies and travelers.
Theo and Kit try to avoid their feelings for one another on their European adventure by seeing who can sleep with the most people, but the pair wind up realizing they still have feelings for each other. LikeMcQuiston’s other books,The Pairingexcels at getting you invested in its central relationship. It will leave readers wanting more of these characters and their dynamic, which is precisely what a gripping romance should do.
3Neon Gods By Katee Robert
Katee Robert’sDark Olympusseries puts a romantic, steamy spin on mythology retellings, and it starts with BookTok favoriteNeon Gods.Neon Godsis a reimagining of Hades and Persephone’s story, which kicks off in an “ultra-modern” version of Olympus. When Persephone Dimitriou’s mother offers her to Zeus, Persephone flees to the underworld and makes a deal with Hades. Hades initially agrees as an act of revenge, but he soon finds himself taken by Persephone.
Neon Gods’romance is dark and lush, and the book offers plenty of steamy moments — though Robert’s later books get even spicier.
Neon Gods’romance is dark and lush, and the book offers plenty of steamy moments — though Robert’s later books get even spicier. This series is a perfect choice for readers looking for adult versions of familiar stories. And if you likeNeon Gods,you’ll probably appreciate its sequels. Each of them digs into a new mythological couple, keeping the theme going and expanding Robert’s world.
2025
2Hooked By Emily McIntire
Emily McIntire’sHookedfalls into the dark romance category, so make sure to look up trigger warnings and do some research before adding it to your TBR pile. (Trigger warnings for the entireNever Afterseries are available onMcIntire’s website.)Hookedoffers a reimagining ofPeter Pan,where Peter is Wendy’s father, and James — the book’s Captain Hook — seduces her to get back at his nemesis. However, James starts to catch feelings for Wendy while using her for his schemes, complicating his entire plan.
Hookedfeatures plenty of steamy scenes between Wendy and James, and it’s been pitched as a solid entry-point to the dark romance genre. Those who enjoy dark, adult fairytale retellings can also dive into the book’s sequels, which tackle other stories. In McIntire’sNever Afterseries, the villains are always the love interests.Anyone who loves a good villain romance will appreciate these, as BookTok certainly does.
1It Happened One Summer By Tessa Bailey
Tessa Bailey is another author well-known for crafting fun romances with a good amount of spice, andIt Happened One Summeraffirms the author’s reputation. Inspired bySchitt’s Creek,this romance novel follows celebrity Piper Bellinger after her father sends her to Westport, Washington to learn responsibility. It’s there she meets Brendan, who initially doubts her ability to survive separated from her glamorous, over-the-top life. However, the two eventually grow on each other, resulting in some sweet moments and some steamier ones.
The first book in theBellinger Sistersseries,It Happened One Summerstrikes the right balance of entertaining and spicy. It’s not as steamy as some of the other books making the rounds on BookTok, but it’s got enough explicit moments to keep things interesting. It also has a sequel that will appeal toromancereaders who enjoy the first installment.
Hook, Line, and Sinker
