How romance spice ratings work
A guide to choosing your heat without spoiling the story.
What is a spice rating?
A spice rating describes the heat of a romance. Spicy Reads uses a 1-to-5 scale: lower numbers indicate less heat, and higher numbers indicate more. It is a guide to intensity, rather than a review score or a universal standard shared by every reading platform.
| Rating | Label |
|---|---|
| 1 of 5 | Sweet |
| 2 of 5 | Warm |
| 3 of 5 | Steamy |
| 4 of 5 | Hot |
| 5 of 5 | Scorching |
Book ratings and chapter Spice Maps
The rating beside a book's title helps you compare books. A chapter Spice Map, where available, shows individual chapter ratings. The book's overall number and a chapter's number answer different questions, so they do not have to be identical.
A low-heat opening does not tell you the heat of the whole story. Use the chapter map to see where the intensity rises; use the overall rating when browsing the shelves.
Does slow burn mean low spice?
No. Slow burn describes how a relationship develops. A slow-burn story can still have a high heat rating. Compare the trope and the rating together on our slow-burn romance shelf.
Is dark romance the same as spicy romance?
No. Dark romance describes themes and relationship dynamics involving danger, power, or morally complicated choices. Spice describes heat. Browse dark romance by its premise, then check the individual heat rating.
What about smut and erotic romance?
Readers use these terms differently. They can describe stories with substantial on-page sexual content, but a label alone does not tell you the balance of plot and heat. Read the premise, check the spice rating, and compare the length. Our Spicy Shorts are single-chapter stories for readers looking for a shorter format.
Is a heat rating a content warning?
No. It does not describe every theme, relationship dynamic, or potentially upsetting event. Review the available story information before choosing, particularly if you avoid specific content. All Spicy Reads stories are intended for adults 18 and older.
How do I read a book?
Explore the public catalog, then join the waitlist. Reading happens in the Spicy Reads app after early access is granted. The public site does not provide the full books.