Spice Level Guide: From Sweet to Scorching - Finding Your Perfect Heat Level

Navigating the romantasy world can feel like walking through a minefield when you're not sure what level of steam you're comfortable with. One reader's "perfectly spicy" is another's "where's the rest of it?" or "holy moly, I was not prepared!" Let's break down the heat levels so you can find your perfect temperature.

The Sweet Spot (🌶️)

What to Expect: Romantic tension, stolen glances, maybe some hand-holding and sweet kisses. Think Jane Austen meets fantasy realms.

Perfect For: Readers who love the emotional build-up, younger audiences, or anyone who prefers leaving intimate moments to the imagination.

Book Recommendations:

• The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow

• The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

• The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

Red Flags to Watch For: Don't expect much physical intimacy beyond kissing. If you're craving steam, you might finish these feeling a bit unsatisfied in the romance department.

Warm and Cozy (🌶️🌶️)

What to Expect: Passionate kisses, some touching over clothes, sexual tension you can cut with a knife, but intimate scenes tend to fade to black or skip the explicit details.

Perfect For: Readers who want romance to be a strong element but don't need graphic details to feel satisfied.

Book Recommendations:

• The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

• The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

• The Midnight Girls by Alicia Jasinska

What Makes It Work: These books excel at emotional intimacy and romantic tension. You'll get butterflies without blushing too hard.

Getting Steamy (🌶️🌶️🌶️)

What to Expect: Multiple intimate scenes with moderate detail, sexual tension that actually pays off, some explicit language, and clear indication that characters are having a great time.

Perfect For: Readers who want romance and physical intimacy to feel balanced and realistic within the fantasy plot.

Book Recommendations:

• From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

• Hunt on Dark Waters by Katee Robert

• One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

Why This Level Works: Perfect middle ground for most romantasy readers. You get emotional satisfaction plus enough physical details to feel invested without it overwhelming the fantasy plot.

Turn Up the Heat (🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️)

What to Expect: Detailed intimate scenes, creative use of fantasy elements in romantic situations, multiple steamy encounters, and characters who definitely know what they're doing.

Perfect For: Readers who want their fantasy adventure served with a generous side of sexual tension and payoff.

Book Recommendations:

• A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair

• One of Us Is Lying by Sarah J. Maas (ACOTAR series)

• King of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St. Clair

Heads Up: These books don't shy away from explicit content, and intimate scenes are integral to character development and plot progression.

Scorching Hot (🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️)

What to Expect: Extremely detailed intimate scenes, potentially kinky elements, fantasy creatures with creative anatomy, and romance that's as explicit as it gets in the genre.

Perfect For: Readers who want their romantasy with extra emphasis on the "romantic" physical aspects.

Book Recommendations:

• Bound in Moonlight by Ruby Dixon

• Radiance by Grace Draven

• The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller

Important Notes: These books are essentially fantasy erotica. Make sure you're prepared for very explicit content and potentially unconventional romantic scenarios.

Finding Your Perfect Temperature

Still not sure what level suits you? Ask yourself:

• Do you skip or skim intimate scenes in books?

• Do you wish your favorite books had more or less romantic content?

• Are you comfortable with explicit language and detailed physical descriptions?

Remember, there's no wrong answer! Your comfort level might even change depending on your mood, the characters, or how well-written the scenes are. The beauty of romantasy is there's something for everyone, from sweet and innocent to scorching hot adventures.

Pro Tip: Check Goodreads reviews and look for keywords like "fade to black," "steamy," or "explicit" to gauge heat levels before diving in. Fellow readers are usually pretty good about mentioning spice levels in their reviews!

Happy reading, and may you find the perfect temperature for your next book boyfriend obsession!