Sometimes, a book isn’t just about the plot—it’s about the tension, the slow burn, and the chemistry that leaps off the page. Whether you’re looking for steamy romance, intense forbidden love, or pulse-pounding passion, these books deliver all the spice you could ask for.
From contemporary love stories to historical seductions and even supernatural entanglements, these reads will leave you breathless. Get ready to dive into the spiciest books that will keep you hooked from start to finish!
1. Icebreaker – Hannah Grace
A sizzling college hockey romance featuring Anastasia, a figure skater, and Nathan, a hockey player, forced to share a rink after a team mishap. Their initial friction quickly turns into undeniable attraction, leading to steamy tension and emotional depth. Perfect for fans of sports romance with plenty of spice.
2. Credence – Penelope Douglas
After losing her parents, Tiernan goes to live with her late father’s stepbrothers and uncle in the mountains. What follows is an intense, taboo, and wildly passionate dynamic between her and the men in the house. This book is dark, steamy, and filled with forbidden temptation.
3. Twisted Love – Ana Huang
A contemporary romance featuring a brooding, overprotective hero with a dark past and a sunshine-filled heroine who melts his icy exterior. This book delivers intense passion, emotional depth, and sizzling chemistry that keeps you hooked. First in the Twisted series, it’s perfect for fans of angsty, steamy love stories.
4. Birthday Girl – Penelope Douglas
A forbidden age-gap romance between a 19-year-old girl and her boyfriend’s father. Jordan never expected to fall for Pike, but their slow-burn tension turns into something irresistible. This book is full of angst, longing, and steamy moments that make it impossible to put down.
5. The Love Hypothesis – Ali Hazelwood
A fake-dating romance featuring a quirky STEM heroine and her grumpy, brooding professor. Olive needs to convince everyone she’s in a real relationship, but when a simple kiss turns into something more, the tension skyrockets. A mix of humor, nerdy charm, and undeniable steam makes this a must-read.
6. Haunting Adeline – H.D. Carlton
A dark romance with a stalker trope that takes the tension to the next level. Adeline is a writer living in her grandmother’s eerie house when she realizes someone is watching her—someone dangerous, obsessed, and completely intoxicating. This book is very dark and spicy, perfect for those who love thrillers mixed with passion.
7. Priest – Sierra Simone
A forbidden romance between a devoted priest and a woman who challenges his faith. This book is blazing hot, filled with emotional turmoil, forbidden desire, and thought-provoking themes about love and devotion. If you’re looking for something taboo yet deeply emotional, this is it.
8. Neon Gods – Katee Robert
A modern and extremely spicy retelling of Hades and Persephone. Persephone escapes an arranged marriage and ends up in the arms of Hades, the ruler of the underworld. Their relationship is built on lust, power, and passion, making this one of the hottest mythology retellings.
9. The Spanish Love Deception – Elena Armas
A slow-burn, fake-dating romance where Catalina enlists her grumpy coworker, Aaron, to be her date for a family wedding in Spain. The tension builds deliciously before exploding into some of the steamiest moments in contemporary romance. Fans of The Hating Game will adore this one.
10. A Touch of Darkness – Scarlett St. Clair
Another fiery Hades and Persephone retelling, but with even more spice and tension. Persephone, a goddess struggling to hide her powers, makes a deal with the dark and dangerous Hades. Their relationship is electric, seductive, and filled with scorching moments.
11. Archer’s Voice – Mia Sheridan
A deeply emotional and passionate romance about a woman running from her past and a silent, reclusive man with a heartbreaking story. The slow-burn romance between Archer and Bree is filled with raw emotion, vulnerability, and beautifully steamy moments.
12. The Fine Print – Lauren Asher
A billionaire romance featuring a grumpy, demanding CEO and a quirky, artistic employee working at his theme park empire. Their workplace banter turns into undeniable passion, making for a steamy, enemies-to-lovers romance.
13. Things We Never Got Over – Lucy Score
A small-town romance featuring a runaway bride, a grumpy hero, and a whole lot of steam. Knox doesn’t do relationships, but Naomi, a chaotic disaster with a heart of gold, turns his world upside down. The spice level and chemistry in this book are off the charts.
14. Brutal Prince – Sophie Lark
A mafia romance packed with tension, violence, and fiery passion. Callum and Aida are forced into an arranged marriage to unite rival families, but their mutual hatred leads to some of the most explosive chemistry ever.
15. Mile High – Liz Tomforde
A hockey romance where a playboy athlete falls for the team’s flight attendant. The tension, banter, and undeniable chemistry make this one of the spiciest sports romances out there.
16. King of Wrath – Ana Huang
A billionaire arranged marriage romance featuring a powerful, ruthless businessman and a fiery heroine determined to break his walls. The tension builds in the best way possible, leading to an incredibly steamy and satisfying romance.
17. Tryst Six Venom – Penelope Douglas
A sapphic enemies-to-lovers romance between two high school girls from very different worlds. This book is full of angst, passion, and spice, with Penelope Douglas’s signature intensity.
18. Restore Me – J.L. Seegars
A second-chance romance between a widow and her late husband’s best friend, filled with deep emotions, longing, and off-the-charts chemistry. This book delivers on the slow-burn spice in the most intense and satisfying way.
19. Twisted Games – Ana Huang
A royal bodyguard romance featuring a grumpy, protective hero and a rebellious princess. The forced proximity and forbidden love elements make this a blazingly hot read.
20. Terms and Conditions – Lauren Asher
A fake marriage romance between a billionaire and his assistant, who agrees to marry him so he can inherit his family’s company. Their reluctant arrangement turns into something steamy and emotionally charged, making this one of the best billionaire romances out there.