Sweet to Spicy: Understanding the Heat Levels in Romance Books
Heat, spice, sweet, sensual…it’s time we talk about an important (and fun) aspect of the romance genre: heat levels. Whether you like things mild and implied or hot enough to make you sweat, understanding heat levels is a great way to hone in on books that you’re bound to love.
You’ve probably heard different terms thrown around like "spice levels," "heat ratings," or maybe you’ve seen charts with pepper emojis. They all refer to the same thing: the intensity of the romantic and sexual content in a book. I personally believe reader expectations are a big part of the enjoyment of a book, so it’s helpful to get familiar with the amount of spice you typically like to read. Part of that, though, is understanding the varying levels of heat in the first place. From sweet and innocent to steamy and seductive, let's dive into the diverse spectrum of romance heat levels.
🌶️ Wholesome Romance
These books are as gentle as a summer breeze—lots of butterflies and longing looks, but nothing too steamy. You might get a kiss or two, but anything beyond that is left to the imagination. Think Hallmark movie level heat! This level is perfect for those who prefer their romance a bit more tame.
NOTE: Some people refer to this low spice level as “clean romance,” but that terminology implies there is something “dirty” about sex. Sweet romance is a better term that sheds some of that purity culture baggage.
🌶️🌶️ Sweet Romance
The temp might turn up in these books, but the bedroom door remains firmly closed—in fact, “closed door” or “fade to black” are terms often used to describe books like this. Expect some sexual tension and behind-the-scenes intimacy, but the actual act is implied, never shown. Think of it as a tantalizing tease to leave you yearning for more.
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Sensual Romance
The door has officially open, and the temp is not too hot, but not too cold. These books invite you into the bedroom, but they don’t get too explicit. There will be at least one love scene on the page, often with honest language and descriptions of sexual acts, but nothing will be overly graphic.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Spicy Romance
These books won’t hold back when it comes to intimate scenes. You’ll typically read multiple, explicit love scenes and detailed descriptions of various sexual acts. Various positions, descriptive language, and not much left to the imagination. From personal experience, these are the kinds of books I most enjoy reading, so my books are also on this level.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Erotic Romance
A truly scorching hot experience! These books turn up the heat and focus a lot on sex between the main characters, with frequent and graphic depictions of intimate encounters. The plot often revolves around the sexual journey, and you’re more likely to find adventurous or kinky bedroom scenarios in books at this level.
But wait…aren’t romance books with sex scenes basically just porn?
Equating romance novels that have sex scenes in them with pornography is a harmful mindset rooted in purity culture. This perspective is all about shaming and stigmatizing any depiction of sexuality, even within the context of a loving relationship portrayed in fiction.
And let’s not forget that the romance genre is primarily written and consumed by women. Calling the romance genre porn is just another way to dismiss things that women enjoy.
This kind of puritanical view also fails to acknowledge the emotional depth, character development, and romantic storylines in these books. Romance novels use those intimate scenes to further the emotional connection and journey of the protagonists. Dismissing them as mere pornography diminishes their true value, not to mention the importance of a safe space for readers to explore healthy sexuality through fiction.
The presence of consensual sexual content within a romantic narrative doesn’t inherently make it pornographic or those who read it unworthy of respect. At the end of the day, it's all about finding what satisfies your own unique palate (tips on that in the next section), and enjoying it without judgment or shame. So let's ditch those puritanical notions and embrace the fact that a little sensual sizzle between the pages can be a beautiful, empowering thing. That’s what true romance is all about, isn’t it? Passion, intimacy, and a love that sets your soul on fire.
Finding Books with a Certain Heat Level
Do you know the amount of spice you prefer in romance novels? Finding a book with your ideal chili pepper amount can be a bit of a journey, but here are a few tips to help:
Check book descriptions and reviews! Readers will often use 🌶️ emojis to describe the spice amount in a book, so a quick glance on Storygraph or Goodreads can help.
Find authors on social media and see what they post. They may share excerpts that can help you better understand how hot things get in their books.
Experiment! You may just surprise yourself by venturing outside your usual comfort zone, and you can always skip steamy scenes if it gets to be too much for you. Keep an open mind (and maybe a fan nearby, just in cases).
Join reading communities or follow Booktubers who read what you like to read. They are a goldmine for new recommendations tailored to your preferences. My favorites include Chandler Ainsley (including her Patreon reader community), With Cindy, and This Story Ain’t Over.
Trust your gut. If a book's heat level doesn't feel quite right for you, don't force yourself to read it. There are so many amazing romance novels out there, you're bound to find your perfect match.
No matter how many chili peppers you hope to find within the pages of a romance book, the most important thing is the emotional connection between the characters and their journey towards love and fulfillment. That can take the form of a sweet, slow burn or a scorching hot entanglement, but it will always have you rooting for that happily ever after. So go forth, find your spice, and happy reading!
