BookTok—TikTok’s wildly popular subculture of book reviewers, fans and haters—can turn authors into stars and bestsellers into record-breakers. (That said, critics rightly note its lack of diversity.)
Spicy BookTok highlights stick-your-head-in-the-freezer, someone’s-getting-lucky-tonight sexy romance books. Through it you’ll find rough-talking alpha males, naughty priests and sinners, daddy kinks, motorcycle gang orgies, plenty of BDSM, er…monster-fucking—a genre gaining in popularity—and so, so much more. (RIP to my TikTok algorithm!) Friendly note: Please consider any content warnings from authors or TikTok creators, as not everything on #spicybooks is for everyone. (And if you're looking for a tamer read, check out our favourite books of summer 2024.)
Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
One of the biggest books of 2023 in any genre, Icebreaker—the first in a series—was a massive TikTok hit. University student Anastasia Allen is focused on making the Olympic figure skating team when she’s forced to share ice time with the hockey team and its annoyingly cute captain, Nate Hawkins. It’s a classic rivals-to-lovers with a lot of hot, explicit sex.
A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas
ACOTAR, as it’s affectionately known, is a romantasy about 19-year old human huntress Feyre, who hates all fae (a.k.a. faeries). She kills a wolf who is a faerie in disguise and is exiled to their magical world as the captive of a High Fae named Tamlin. They fall for each other, but an evil queen threatens it all. The first in a bestselling series with incredible world-building, the ACOTAR books get increasingly spicy as the series unfolds.
Consider Me by Becka Mack
A super sexy Canadian hockey romance about teacher Olivia Parker and Carter Beckett, captain of the Vancouver Vipers, a fictional NHL team. Charming and arrogant, Carter is a ladies’ man who’s never gotten serious and Olivia isn’t interested in being the cocky captain’s flavour of the month…until their chemistry becomes too hot to ignore.
Flawless by Elsie Silver
Silver is known on BookTok for her steamy, Western-themed small-town romances. In Flawless, Rhett Eaton, the golden boy of bull riding, finds himself in trouble after insulting a major sponsor. His agent’s headstrong daughter Summer is assigned to keep Rhett out of more trouble; the pair find themselves caught up in their chemistry. An opposites attract, slight age gap romance with one of my favourite tropes—only one bed.
It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
This BookTok bonanza—soon to be a movie starring Blake Lively—tops many spicy books lists even though it deals frankly with domestic abuse. Flower shop owner Lily falls for dashing doctor Ryle, whose relationship spans falling in love, marriage and bouts of rage and violence. Thankfully, her first love Atlas provides a safe harbour.
The sex between Lily and Ryle is hot, and Hoover handles sensitive topics with grace, but the undercurrent of abuse may not be what you’re after. Instead, consider It Starts With Us, a sequel featuring Lily’s happier life with Atlas.
Neon Gods by Katee Robert
In a modern world where Greek gods deal in power and corruption, sweet socialite Persephone is engaged to the villainous kingpin Zeus against her will. She makes a deal with the mysterious Hades, ruler of the Lower City, and a passionate romance ensues.
He’s a grump with a heart of gold; she’s tired of being seen as sweet, not strong. Robert writes about consent, BDSM and eroticism beautifully as the unlikely couple explore their intense chemistry.
Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score
While this small-town romance has sweet, emotional moments, Score does not hold back on the scorch factor. Good girl Naomi finds herself reeling after her evil twin disappears, leaving Naomi with a tween niece she didn't know existed. Reclusive barber Knox, whose reputation is all wrong, comes to Naomi's rescue. This pick is full of slow-burn spice that will take you by surprise.
It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
Wealthy L.A. party girl Piper is exiled to her tiny hometown in the Pacific Northwest after a way-too-public illegal party. Gruff widower and boat captain Brendan finds himself attracted to her charming, fish-out-of-water ways. They have a lot of hot sex, and after working through mutual emotional baggage they end up living happily ever after.
Twisted Love by Ana Huang
The first of a four-book series, Twisted Love blends classic tropes with sex scenes that’ll make you squirm. Alex Volkov is a haunted alpha male who melts only for Ava Chen, a good girl with a dark past. Oh, and she’s his best friend’s little sister, whom he always thought of as a sister, too.
Until now. Alex moves next door to keep an eye on Ava while her brother is out of town and their chemistry is nuclear in this dark romance.
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Alicia Cox Thomson has worked for 20 years as an editor, writer and content producer for some of Canada's biggest lifestyle brands. Today, she writes about culture, business and the arts for Chatelaine, the Globe and Mail and more. She also speaks about books as a columnist for CBC Radio's The Next Chapter.