The Ultimate Spice Scale: How Hot is Your Book?

Not all romance books bring the same level of heat, and let’s be honest—readers want to know what they’re getting into before they dive in. Some prefer a slow simmer, while others want full-on fire. So where does your book land on the spice scale?

🔥 Level 1: Sweet Romance – Kisses, soft touches, and fade-to-black. Everything is implied, nothing is explicit. Readers who prefer emotional intimacy over steam love this style.

🔥🔥 Level 2: Suggestive but Subtle – Things heat up, but the scenes still fade out or focus on the emotional rather than the physical details.

🔥🔥🔥 Level 3: Open-Door but Tame – On-page spice, but with less explicit detail. Think romance-first, heat-second.

🔥🔥🔥🔥 Level 4: Full-On Spicy – Descriptive, detailed, and deliciously steamy. Dirty talk, tension, and everything laid bare (literally).

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Level 5: Off-the-Charts Heat – No holding back. Raw, intense, sometimes even pushing boundaries. Readers picking up a Level 5 book want the spice front and center.

No matter where your book falls, the key is consistency. Set the tone early, meet reader expectations, and deliver spice in a way that matches the characters and the story.