18 of the Best Spicy Romance Book Series to Add to Your TBR

If your reading list is craving obsessive antiheroes, morally gray love interests, forbidden attraction, fantasy worlds, monster romance, mafia kings, dark academia tension and enough chemistry to fog your Kindle screen, these spicy romance books deserve a top spot on your TBR.

From viral BookTok favorites to addictive fantasy sagas and emotionally intense dark romance series, our favorite high spice romance novels go far beyond simple love stories. We love the immersive worlds, unforgettable couples, high emotional stakes and tension-filled relationships that keep us turning pages loooong into the night.

What Makes a Great Spicy Romance Book Series?

The best spicy romance book series combine:

• Emotional tension and unforgettable chemistry 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
• High-stakes relationships and addictive drama
• New worlds and unique settings
• Characters with emotional depth and layered backstories
• Slow-burn attraction, forbidden romance, or enemies-to-lovers dynamics…all the tropes
• A series of books that you can put down!

Many of these series are also wildly popular on BookTok and among fellow readers who love dark romance, fantasy romance, contemporary romance and paranormal romance. Check out 18 of the most recommended spicy romance book series with chili pepper ratings indicating their overall level of sizzling heat, from slow-burn plot forward romance to scorching, boundary-pushing taboos.

1. The Hardy Billionaire Brothers Series by Shain Rose

Rating:🌶️🌶️🌶️

Perfect for readers who love billionaire romance, fake dating, emotional tension and interconnected family sagas.

Reading Order:

1. Between Commitment and Betrayal by Shain Rose
2. Between Love and Loathing by Shain Rose
3. Between Never and Forever by Shain Rose
4. Between Desire and Denial by Shain Rose

Why we love it:

• Billionaire romance with emotional depth
• Fake dating and fake engagement tropes
• Best friend’s brother romance
• Family drama and small-town tension
• Protective alpha heroes with soft emotional cores

Shain Rose delivers addictive spice romance novels packed with yearning, emotional vulnerability and luxurious settings. Each Hardy brother brings a different dynamic while maintaining the series’ signature emotional intensity and chemistry.

2. The Edge of Darkness Trilogy by Leigh Rivers

Rating:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

If you enjoy dark romance with psychological tension, morally gray characters, obsession and emotional devastation, this trilogy belongs on your list.

Reading Order:

1. Insatiable (The Edge of Darkness: Book 1) by Leigh Rivers
2. Voracious (The Edge of Darkness: Book 2) by Leigh Rivers
3. Restitution (The Edge of Darkness: Book 3) by Leigh Rivers

Why we love it:

• Dark romance with intense emotional stakes
• Obsession and possessive love interests
• Dangerous antiheroes
• Twisted relationships and redemption arcs

This spicy romance book series is gritty, emotional and unapologetically dark. Fans of emotionally destructive romance with high tension and obsessive relationships will binge this trilogy quickly.

3. The Crowns of Nyaxia Series by Carissa Broadbent

Rating:🌶️🌶️

One of the most popular fantasy romance series on BookTok, blending vampires, deadly tournaments, political intrigue and unforgettable romance.

Reading Order:

1. The Serpent & the Wings of Night: Book 1 of the Nightborn Duet by Carissa Broadbent
2. The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King: Book 2 of the Nightborn Duet by Carissa Broadbent
3. The Songbird & the Heart of Stone: Book 1 of the Shadowborn Duet by Carissa Broadbent
4. The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk: Book 2 of the Shadowborn Duet by Carissa Broadbent

Why we love it:

• Vampire fantasy romance – yes, please
• Slow-burn enemies-to-lovers tension
• Deadly competitions and political intrigue
• Strong heroines and morally gray heroes
• Rich world-building with emotional payoff

For readers searching for the best spicy romance books with fantasy worlds and emotional intensity, Carissa Broadbent consistently delivers.

4. The Salacious Legacy Series by Sara Cate

Rating:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Sara Cate blends emotional vulnerability with scorching chemistry in this modern spicy romance series.

Reading Order:

1. The Good Girl Effect (Standard Edition) by Sara Cate
2. The Rule of Three (Deluxe Edition) by Sara Cate

Why we love it:

• Kink-positive romance
• Polyamorous romance representation
• Billionaire romance elements
• Emotional intimacy alongside high spice
• Complex relationships and healing journeys

Readers who enjoy contemporary spice romance novels with emotional depth and boundary-pushing relationships will love this series.

5. The Never After Series by Emily McIntire

Rating:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Dark fairy tale retellings meet morally gray antiheroes in one of BookTok’s most addictive spicy romance book series.

Reading Order (these are all standalone books, so feel free to mix it up):

1. Hooked by Emily McIntire
2. Scarred by Emily McIntire
3. Wretched by Emily McIntire
4. Twisted by Emily McIntire
5. Crossed by Emily McIntire
6. Hexed by Emily McIntire

Why we love it:

• Villain romance and fractured fairy tales
• Forbidden attraction
• Morally gray heroes
• Twisted retellings of classic stories

Emily McIntire’s series is perfect for readers who love dangerous characters, emotional obsession and darkly seductive storytelling.

6. The Dark Olympus Series by Katee Robert

Rating:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

If you love mythology retellings with explosive chemistry and interconnected characters, the Dark Olympus series is a must-read. The series is now complete, so it’s the perfect series to binge this summer!

Reading Order:

1. Neon Gods by Katee Robert
2. Electric Idol by Katee Robert
3. Wicked Beauty by Katee Robert
4. Radiant Sin by Katee Robert
5. Cruel Seduction by Katee Robert
6. Midnight Ruin by Katee Robert
7. Dark Restraint by Katee Robert
8. Sweet Obsession by Katee Robert
9. Tender Cruelty by Katee Robert
10. Shattered Gods by Katee Robert

Why we love it:

• Greek mythology retellings
• Polyamorous and queer romance representation
• Political intrigue and power struggles
• Extremely high spice levels 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
• Modern Olympus setting with dangerous gods

Katee Robert helped redefine modern mythology romance with this wildly popular spicy romance series.

7. The Hades x Persephone Saga by Scarlett St. Clair

Rating:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

A bestselling fantasy romance saga reimagining the iconic Hades and Persephone mythology.

Reading Order (you may also want to read all of Persephone’s stories before Hades):

1. A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St Clair – Persephone POV
2. A Game of Fate by Scarlett St Clair – Hades POV
3. A Touch of Ruin by Scarlett St Clair – Persephone POV
4. A Game of Retribution by Scarlett St Clair – Hades POV
5. A Touch of Malice by Scarlett St Clair – Persephone POV
6. A Game of Gods by Scarlett St Clair – Hades POV
7. A Touch of Chaos by Scarlett St Clair – Persephone POV

Why we love it:

• Greek mythology romance
• Forbidden attraction and dark fantasy vibes
• Addictive chemistry between Hades and Persephone
• Political conflict among the gods
• High emotional stakes and intense spice

This series remains one of the most recognizable spice romance novels in the fantasy romance space.

8. The Dustwalker Brides Series by Opal Reyne

Rating:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Monster romance readers consistently recommend this emotional and surprisingly tender fantasy series.

Reading Order:

1. A Soul to Keep by Opal Reyne
2. A Soul to Heal by Opal Reyne
3. A Soul to Touch by Opal Reyne
4. A Soul to Guide by Opal Reyne
5. A Soul to Revive by Opal Reyne
6. A Soul to Steal by Opal Reyne
7. A Soul to Protect by Opal Reyne
8. A Soul to Embrace by Opal Reyne

Why we love it:

• Monster romance with emotional depth
• Protective nonhuman heroes
• Fantasy world-building
• Slow-burn emotional intimacy
• Beauty-and-the-beast energy

If you’re looking for spicy romance books that balance emotional vulnerability with monster romance tropes, this series is a standout.

9. The Get In My Swamp Series by G.M. Fairy

Rating:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

An unexpectedly heartfelt and wildly entertaining monster romance series featuring ogres, magic and chaotic chemistry.

Reading Order:

1. Get In My Swamp: An Ogre Love Story by G M Fairy
2. Stay In My Swamp: An Ogre Happily Ever After by G M Fairy
3. Spellbound Seduction: A Wizard Love Story by G M Fairy

Why we love it:

• Monster romance comedy
• Fairytale-inspired storytelling
• Forced proximity and enemies-to-lovers vibes
• Magical worlds and spicy tension
• BookTok viral monster romance energy

This series proves that spicy romance book series can be both hilarious and genuinely romantic.

10. The Body Count Series by Jolie Vines

Rating:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Dark romance readers searching for dangerous games, possessive antiheroes and obsessive tension should add this series immediately. This new trilogy is sure to turn up the heat!

Reading Order:

1. Arran’s Obsession: A Dark Romance (Deluxe Limited Edition) by Jolie Vines

Why we love it:

• Dark romance with dangerous games
• Masked men and underground clubs
• Possessive antiheroes
• Predator/prey tension
• High emotional and physical intensity

This series leans heavily into dark romance themes and intense psychological attraction.

11. The Wolf Hotel: Mermaid Beach Series by K.A. Tucker

Rating:🌶️🌶️🌶️

Readers who love luxury settings, emotional chemistry and billionaire romance will devour this spicy contemporary romance series.

Reading Order:

1. Release Me by K A Tucker
2. Save Me by K A Tucker

Why we love it:

• Billionaire romance
• Forbidden attraction
• Coastal luxury settings
• Emotional vulnerability and redemption
• Addictive relationship tension

K.A. Tucker balances emotional storytelling with plenty of romantic heat.

12. The Dark Kingdom Series by Shantel Tessier

Rating:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

One of the darkest and most intense spicy romance book series currently dominating BookTok.

Reading Order:

1. Code of Silence by Shantel Tessier
2. Titan by Shantel Tessier
3. Grave by Shantel Tessier
4. Cross by Shantel Tessier
5. Bones by Shantel Tessier

Why we love it:

• Mafia romance and criminal empires
• Arranged marriage tropes
• Dangerous alpha antiheroes
• Obsessive romance dynamics
• Dark emotional intensity

This series is ideal for readers who prefer darker spice romance novels with morally gray characters and dangerous power dynamics.

13. Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac by Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti

Rating:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

A fantasy reverse harem romance series packed with supernatural politics, mystery and addictive relationships.

Reading Order:

1. Dark Fae by Caroline Peckham – Susanne Valenti
2. Savage Fae by Caroline Peckham – Susanne Valenti
3. Vicious Fae by Caroline Peckham – Valenti Valenti
4. Broken Fae by Caroline Peckham – Susanne Valenti
5. Warrior Fae by Caroline Peckham – Susanne Valenti

Why we love it:

• Reverse harem romance
• Supernatural academy setting
• Vampire and shifter romance
• Mystery and revenge storylines
• Morally gray love interests

This spicy fantasy romance series combines paranormal world-building with addictive relationship drama.

14. The Strong Enough Series by Allie Samberts

Rating:🌶️

For readers who love emotional contemporary romance with publishing industry settings and mature emotional themes. New series this year!

Reading Order:

1. Not a Strong Enough Word by Allie Samberts
2. Not on the Same Page by Allie Samberts
3. Not the Way It Ends: Special Edition by Allie Samberts

Why we love it:

• Publishing industry romance
• Second-chance romance
• Emotional slow-burn chemistry
• Mature relationship dynamics
• Realistic emotional healing arcs

This series offers a softer, emotionally grounded option among today’s best spicy romance books.

15. The Off the Books Series by Kay Cove

Rating:🌶️🌶️🌶️

A modern romance series filled with escorts, fake relationships, celebrity drama and emotional tension.

Reading Order:

1. Role Play by Kay Cove
2. Paper Hearts by Kay Cove
3. Gray Area by Kay Cove
4. Sweet Spot by Kay Cove

Why we love it:

• Escort romance tropes
• Celebrity and publishing industry settings
• Age-gap romance
• Fake relationships and second chances
• Emotional vulnerability mixed with high spice

Kay Cove’s series delivers contemporary romance with emotional warmth and addictive chemistry.

16. The Gallows Hill Series by Katelyn Taylor

Rating:🌶️🌶️🌶️

Dark academia romance meets secret societies and dangerous obsession in this dark spicy romance trilogy.

Reading Order:

1. Deceit by Katelyn Taylor
2. Descent by Katelyn Taylor
3. Demise by Katelyn Taylor

Why we love it:

• Dark academia romance
• Secret societies and mystery
• Multiple love interests
• Salem-inspired atmosphere
• High emotional tension and danger

This trilogy is perfect for readers who want their spice romance novels layered with suspense and gothic vibes.

17. The Devil’s Backbone Series by Tate James

Rating:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

A suspenseful why-choose romance series with dark academia aesthetics and morally gray characters.

Reading Order:

1. Dear Reader (Standard Edition) by Tate James
2. Watch Your Back (Standard Edition) by Tate James
3. You’re Next (Deluxe Edition) by Tate James

Why we love it:

• Why choose romance
• Secret society storylines
• Dark academia vibes
• Taboo romance themes
• Twisty suspense and emotional chaos

Tate James combines spice, suspense and emotionally messy relationships into an addictive binge-read series.

18. The Priest Series by Sierra Simone

Rating:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

One of the most iconic taboo spicy romance book series of the last decade.

Reading Order:

1. Priest by Sierra Simone
2. Sinner by Sierra Simone
3. Saint by Sierra Simone
4. Midnight Mass by Sierra Simone

Why we love it:

• Forbidden romance and taboo themes
• Deep emotional storytelling
• Lyrical writing style
• Spiritual conflict and emotional intimacy
• Extremely memorable chemistry

Sierra Simone’s books are emotional, poetic and intensely romantic, making this series a standout in the world of spice romance novels.

Final Thoughts on the Best Spicy Romance Book Series

There is a spicy romance book series here for every type of reader. Dark, fantasy-filled, monster, mafia romances all filled with that tension and longing that we romance readers desire.

The popularity of spicy romance books continues to grow because who doesn’t want more than surface-level chemistry? We want immersive worlds, unforgettable relationships, emotional catharsis and stories that make it impossible to put the book down.

If you’re building your next TBR stack, these are some of the best spicy romance books and series readers are obsessing over right now.

FAQ: Spicy Romance Books

What are spicy romance books?

Spicy romance books feature romantic relationships with explicit or high-heat romantic scenes alongside emotional storytelling and character development.

What are the best spicy romance book series right now?

Some of the most popular spicy romance book series include:

• The Crowns of Nyaxia by Carissa Broadbent
• Dark Olympus by Katee Robert
• The Never After Series by Emily McIntire
• The Hades x Persephone Saga by Scarlett St. Clair
• The Priest Series by Sierra Simone

Are spicy romance novels only fantasy books?

No. Spicy romance novels span multiple genres, including fantasy romance, contemporary romance, dark romance, monster romance, mafia romance, paranormal romance and romantic suspense.

Which spicy romance books are popular on BookTok?

BookTok readers frequently recommend:

• Neon Gods by Katee Robert
• Hooked by Emily McIntire
• The Serpent & the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
• Priest by Sierra Simone
• A Soul to Keep by Opal Reyne

What’s the difference between romance and spicy romance?

Spicy romance books include more explicit romantic content and physical intimacy, while traditional romance novels may focus more heavily on emotional connection with limited on-page spice. Most spicy romance books are intended for mature audiences.

Check out more sizzling romances, steamy novels, and BookTok reads.