Spicy Fantasy Romance
If you’ve spent any time on BookTok, you know the spicy fantasy romance genre has taken over. With swoony fae males, badass heroines, enemies-to-lovers tension, and worlds brimming with danger and desire, it’s impossible not to fall down the rabbit hole. Whether you’re just dipping your toes into romantasy or you're already elbows-deep in fan art and fantasy playlists, here’s your guide to 10 beloved spicy fantasy romance reads—complete with steamy ratings.
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Spice Level Guide
1 — Sweet & Subtle: Flirty tension, kisses, and fade-to-black scenes. Just a hint of heat.
2 — Lightly Flirty: Suggestive moments, heated kisses, and a little steam — but the door mostly stays closed.
3 — Medium Heat: On-page steamy scenes that balance sexy and emotional. Just enough to make you blush but still leaves a little to the imagination.
4 — Hot & Heavy: Multiple detailed steamy scenes, lots of physical chemistry, and very little left to the imagination. Definitely NSFW reading.
5 — Scorching: Explicit, frequent, and blazing. These books bring the heat hard — you’ll need a fan (and maybe a cold shower).
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Summary:
Poppy is the Maiden, chosen by the gods and forbidden to be touched or even spoken to. But when a mysterious guard named Hawke enters her life, everything she thought she knew about duty, desire, and destiny begins to unravel.
Spice Level: 4/5
It starts off slow-burn, but once it gets going… prepare for tension, possessiveness, and scenes that make you need a fan.
by Sarah J. Maas
Summary:
The sequel that changed the game. Feyre, now a survivor of Amarantha’s trials, finds herself in the fae Night Court with the mysterious and powerful Rhysand. Emotional trauma meets healing, passion, and true partnership.
Spice Level: 4.5/5
Chapter 55 is legendary for a reason. Emotional and physical intimacy blend in iconic scenes that live rent-free in every reader's head.
by Helen Scheuerer
Summary:
This lesser-known gem follows a fierce warrior and an arrogant prince as they’re forced to work together in a dangerous world full of magic and monsters.
Spice Level: 3.5/5
More of a slow build, with emotional depth and sizzling tension that pays off. It's angsty, fiery, and full of that enemies-to-lovers push-pull.
by Stacia Stark
Summary:
When a mortal girl is taken to the fae realm to marry a brutal prince, she must navigate treachery, power struggles, and her own conflicted heart.
Spice Level: 3/5
The fae romance is a slow burn, with lots of forbidden desire and dark fantasy vibes. Think seductive danger and stolen kisses in shadowy halls.
by Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti
Summary:
Twin sisters are thrust into the deadly world of a magical academy ruled by the heirs of the zodiac signs. Brutal boys, dangerous trials, and twisted loyalty.
Spice Level: 3.5/5
Book 1 teases more than delivers, but the whole series gets wild. Spicy moments increase dramatically in later books—slow burn but worth the wait.
by Penn Cole
Summary:
A fire-wielding heroine meets a broody warrior in a world on the brink of war. Secrets, forbidden power, and undeniable attraction ensue.
Spice Level: 3.5/5
More of a smoulder than a blaze, but the chemistry is real. Builds with emotional stakes and a solid dash of slow-burn tension.
by Helen Scheuerer
Summary:
An exiled warrior and a prince with secrets must unite to save their kingdom. This is a high fantasy romance full of political tension and emotional depth.
Spice Level: 4/5
The yearning is strong, the angst delicious, and the eventual payoff steamy. Think mutual pining with badass action in between.
by Rebecca Yarros
Summary:
A woman is kidnapped by a ruthless king, only to discover he may be her greatest ally in a world of curses and magic.
Spice Level: 4/5
Dark romance meets magical suspense. There’s a push and pull that leans into morally gray dynamics with plenty of tension and heat.
by Stephanie Garber
Summary:
Evangeline makes a deal with the Prince of Hearts to stop her true love's wedding. But deals with Jacks are never what they seem.
Spice Level: 2.5/5
More fairytale vibes and emotional stakes than steam—at least in book one. Jacks is swoon-worthy, and the chemistry sizzles beneath the surface.
by Carissa Broadbent
Summary:
Oraya, a human raised by the vampire king, enters a deadly competition to prove herself. Romance with her strongest rival threatens everything.
Spice Level: 4.5/5
Dark, dangerous, and intensely romantic. High-stakes tension and emotionally raw intimacy make this one unforgettable.
Whether you’re here for shadowy fae lovers, vampire royalty, or warrior queens, there’s something on this list to make your heart (and maybe a few other things) race. Spice levels vary, but all ten bring unforgettable fantasy worlds and romance that goes beyond surface heat.
Which one’s your favorite? Or which are you bumping up your TBR?