8 Spicy Books With Good Plot And Even Better Tension

If you didn’t know this already, we’re biiiiig book fans over here at Dear Media and we don’t just mean when it comes to the Readheads Book Club. We’ve talked about books like “Gone Girl,” the best books for women in their 30s, and even podcasts for book lovers. But you know what we haven’t covered yet? Spicy books with a good plot and great tension. You know where this is going. 

We want the tension, the drama, to clutch the pages one minute and blush the next we want it ALL. We want something like this episode of the Ins and Outs, but… more of it, ya know? And, here’s the thing: not all spicy books are created equal. Some seriously lack plot and emotional pull, and that’s what we’re here for, right?!? 

Maybe we can accredit Tinx for talking about “The White Lotus” in this episode of We Met at Acme, but consider us inspired. In the name of good taste (and good smut), we’ve put together some of the best spicy books you can get your hands on. We’re talkin’ spice and substance you don’t have to compromise here. Ready to find your next obsession? 

8 Spicy Books With Good Plot And Even Better Tension

We’ve all read those books where it’s all steam and no storyline. And not to yuck anyone’s yum we get it! but they just don’t always hit the same. That’s why, before we jump into our recs, we need to talk about what actually makes a book spicy. 

You’ve gotta know the difference between an enemies-to-lovers, solid slow-burn, or straight-up “I’m glad nobody’s looking over my shoulder” kind of vibe. This will be super helpful in figuring out what kind of heat level you’re into (or want to avoid entirely). Regardless, we’re taking a note from this episode of The Dissenters sex is normal and okay to talk about! 

What Makes A Book Spicy?

Alright, so what makes a spicy book “spicy”? It all comes down to how sexually explicit the content in the book is. We don’t just mean a kiss here and a reference to sex there, spicy books take it all the way. There’s typically strong sexual tension, graphic descriptions of what’s going on, and tons of sensual language. Sex and intimacy are a big part of the story, not just a subliminal afterthought. 

But there are levels to this sh*t. In some books, we have that slow-burn romance where you’re practically begging the characters to just do it already. In other books, it’s hot and heavy as soon as you open the first page. 

But what’s great about the books we’re about to recommend is that even though they’re spicy, there’s still depth. The best spicy books use all that tension to build relationships, advance storylines, and create character development. Knowing what you’re comfortable reading can help you find the vibe that’s right for you. 

TL;DR? Spice is about intensity, openness, and how important sexual energy is to the story. Once you know what you like, finding the right books is 10x more fun.

What Are Spicy Romance Books With Good Plot

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

If you haven’t heard of ACOTAR yet, where have you been??? It’s taken the social media world by storm, and a biiiiig reason for that is the unexpected spice. And let us add to the Maas hype: She really knows how to balance romance with the dark, gritty content.

Feyre, a human hunter, finds herself in the land of the fae after killing an undercover fae without realizing it. It sounds strange but stick with us here. Threaded in between jaw-dropping plot twists, real, relatable moments, and tons of action, there are endless amounts of spice.

ACOTAR is the first book in a series of five, but the spice level increases throughout each book. It starts as the perfect slow-burn romance and transitions into full-blown “close the book in public” level smut. Stick with it, and you won’t be disappointed.

Credence by Penelope Douglas

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Alright, Penelope Douglas is known for, let’s just say… pushing the boundaries. She has tons of best sellers that are all prettyyyy spicy and pretty taboo. Credence, for example, isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. But hey, like we said, you like what you like!

The story follows Tiernan de Haas, a 17-year-old girl who recently lost her parents. After becoming orphaned, she goes to live with her step-uncle and two step-cousins in a secluded cabin. She’s left to deal with her intense emotions all of them. Talk about setting boundaries with family. 

It’s taboo, controversial, and definitely gritty, but people love it because of Douglas’ storytelling. We don’t just see how Tiernan (and her family) toe the line, but how their relationships unfold amidst it all. If you’re ready to dive into heavy-level spice, add it to your cart ASAP. 

Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

We all know Colleen Hoover for “It Ends With Us,” but did you know she leans heavily into spice occasionally? “Ugly Love” follows Tate and Miles, two characters with serious chemistry but don’t want to admit it. When they acknowledge their feelings and confess their attraction, they create one boundary: all sex, no strings attached. 

Oh, did we mention that Miles is Tate’s brother’s best friend? Yeah, messy. While it has a heavy dose of spice, it’s got an equal amount of emotional connection. We aren’t just reading about two people with an undeniable amount of tension; we’re watching it build slowly over time. 

We’d consider this book a pretty safe start if you haven’t totally dived into the spicy deep end yet. If you want a good plot and good sexual chemistry, this one’s for you. 

Praise by Sara Cate

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

If you’re a fan of trending spicy books, then you’ve probably already heard of “Praise” by Sara Cate, the first book of the “Salacious Player’s Club” series. To all of our praise kink fans, get ready for this one.

Charlotte (Charlie) is a 21-year-old who just got out of a relationship and is craving validation. Except the one person she finds herself drawn to is her ex-boyfriend’s dad, Emerson. (Yeah, she took this episode of Almost Adulting a little too seriously.) Emerson owns the Salacious Players Club and, not realizing who Charlie is, mistakes her for a new submissive candidate. 

But now that Charlie has peeked into the world of BDSM, there’s no way she’s turning back now. She’s so deep in you can’t convince us she didn’t listen to this episode of Ex-Virgin. You definitely don’t have to read the rest of the series, but just know it dives deeeep into the world of kinks and unconventional romance. 

Ruthless People by J.J. McAvoy

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Anyone familiar with that “mob wife aesthetic” that was recently trending on social media? If that intrigued you, pick up “Ruthless People” to really get a feel for the vibe. Another series (sorry, they’re too good!), but you won’t be able to get enough of it. 

Melody, heir to the Italian mafia, is destined to despise Liam, heir to the Irish mafia they’re rivals, after all. That was until their families arranged their marriage in hopes of ending years of conflict. Two potential mafia bosses who secretly hate each other but also have an abundance of lust and tension? Sign us up. 

As expected, tons of twists and turns will have you flying to the next page. But somewhere between it all, it’s a super spicy ride from start to finish. For more mafia-inspired content, check out this post!

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Don’t let the cutesy cover of this book fool you; it is fuuuullll of spice. Piper Bellinger, a Hollywood “It” girl, goes through a scandal that lands her in a small beach town. When she gets there, she meets Brendan a grumpy sea captain who wants nothing to do with her. In his eyes, she’s sassy and “too good” for the rugged life and she’s determined to prove him wrong.

Eventually, after Brendan and Piper keep running into each other, something about that polar opposite attraction gets them curious. Out of the books mentioned so far, this one definitely leans on the safer side perfect if you’re just dipping your toes into the spice. 

It dives deep into that slow burn, enemies-to-lovers trope we love so much. Think of it like this: Equal parts romance and tension! If you want more on just how opposites attract, check out this episode of We Met At Acme.

The Ritual by Shantel Tessier

Spicy level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Wanna dive deeper into darker, spicy books? “The Ritual” is all about manipulation, control, and heavy elements of BDSM. We’re not just talking about a hint here or there; we’re talking more along the lines of (possible TW!) knife play, degradation, and voyeurism. 

Blakely, the main female character, comes from a life full of privilege. And, of course, what is a girl like this attracted to? The Lords a secret society known for their desire for control. This episode of Ex-Virgin goes more in-depth into the whole “Dom versus Sub” convo. She’s particularly attracted to Ryat, the (assumed) leader of The Lords. Did you expect differently?

This isn’t your light and fluffy romance. It’s smutty, dark, and pretty taboo at times. But even with all of the high sexual tension, there’s a powerful recognition of what this new lifestyle does to Blakely and how she transforms as a person. Deep and spicy it does it all.  

Punk 57 by Penelope Douglas

Spicy level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

We’re finishing this list off with one of the queens of spice ”Punk 57” by Penelope Douglas. The scene is set in high school, but readers say it’s definitely not written like YA (Young Adult). Consider it more like “Euphoria” meets “Cruel Intentions.” Hooked yet?

Ryen and Misha were paired together as pen-pals when they were kids. They talk about everything confessions, their deepest thoughts, secrets you get it. But they both agree that they will never meet in real life. That’s until Misha sees Ryen and realizes there’s much more to her than he thought. It kinda gives us the same vibes as the “Invisible String Theory,” right?

So, what’s a guy to do? Misha disguises himself with a fake name, gets close to Ryen, and suddenly we have this intense enemies-to-lovers situation that’s just as magnetic as it is messy. Messy as in there’s also a little bit of using food as foreplay; we don’t judge!

Why Do People Read Spicy Books? 

So, let’s ask the real question: why do people read spicy books in the first place? The honest answer is that they’re fun, hot, intriguing, and make you feel something. It’s the perfect blend of thrill and fantasy in a safe, no-strings-attached kind of way. 

Spicy books let you explore desire and relationships through a lens that feels personal and empowering. You’re not just invested in the sexual relationship characters have with each other; you’re connected to the build-up and intimacy, too. And yeah, sure, sometimes we just want to read something that makes our hearts race a little bit but who cares???

We’re over that whole “sex talk is forbidden” thing. Sex-positivity is powerful! This episode of Ex-Virgin talks all about it. People want books that reflect that self-aware, pleasure-seeking energy and why not? It’s comforting, exciting, validating, and sometimes even healing. 

Whatever the reason a big sexual fantasy, self-connection, or just pure heat you do you and have a damn good time doing it.

You’re long overdue for a hot girl reading era. Which book are you picking up first?

We covered everything from lighthearted and romantic spice to straight-up taboo and borderline risque passion. No matter which book piques your interest, we’re just glad that we could give you something to add to your TBR. So, what are you waiting for? Treat yourself and fill up your shelf you deserve it. 

Don’t forget to check out The Readheads the podcast that also happens to be a digital book club! And of course, keep up with the Dear Media blog for everything from relationship advice to essential health and wellness tips. Plus, the DM shop has tons of must-have pieces, like this “Be Kind” tote bag perfect for carrying all of your new reads on the go!