Your Guide To Five Spicy BookTok Reads

6 min readJul 18, 2021

So-called “spicy” romance books are taking over TikTok, but which ones are worth it?

Romance reading communities have graduated from Fifty Shades and have seriously began to widen their horizons when it comes to reading steamy romances. Perhaps it was the pandemic, perhaps the market for fantasy has become oversaturated, pushing readers into the open arms of blue aliens with tails and an attraction to human women (yes, you heard that right — and the series is 22 books long!).

Of course, alien romance books are little niche within the context of this current trend, but which “spicy” books are worth your reading time? Here’s five that come highly recommended from BookTok’s spicy Discord book club server.

1. Neon Gods by Katee Robert

The first in the new Dark Olympus series, Neon Gods is a steamy retelling of the Hades and Persephone myth, set in contemporary Olympus.

Persephone Dimitriou’s plans of fleeing the Thirteen Houses and the ultra-modern city of Olympus are ruined when her mother surprises her with an engagement to Zeus. With nowhere left to turn, she finds herself in the dark underbelly of the city, making a devil’s deal with a man who, until then, she had thought was a myth.

Hades, having spent years in the shadows, sees in Persephone an opportunity for revenge, and thats all the incentive he needs to help her — for a price. But soon, the breathless nights they spend tangled together gives him a taste for Persephone that he isn’t willing to give up, and he finds himself prepared to go to war with Olympus to keep her close.

This is book can be read as a standalone, however it does fit in well with Katee Robert’s Wicked Villains series, which includes retellings of fairytales such as Aladdin (in Desperate Measures) and Beauty and the Beast (in The Beast).

Reviewers love this for the plot and world building as well as the steam, and many give it 4* or 5*. Definitely one of BookTok’s favourites that would be worth your time.

Potential Triggers: None listed for this title.

2. Den of Vipers by K.A. Knight

Not for the faint of heart, but a cult favourite within the BookTok community, Den Of Vipers is a 600 page reverse harem, mafia smut.

Nobody can remember much of the plot, but what we do remember are the four men who come to “own” the lead female character.

Bar owner Roxy’s dad sells her to the town’s leading criminals — the Vipers. They’re not people you want to mess with, their reputation for violence going almost unmatched. But Roxy wasn’t going to go quietly — its not in her nature to be meek and complacent. Which is possibly why all four men want more than to just “own” her. They want to claim her, body and soul.

Like I said before, this book is not for the faint of heart. The spice is hardcore and frequent, and is often either proceeded or preceded by violence. But it spiked the interest of many readers, and that alone could be a good enough reason to spend some time with the Vipers and their girl …

Potential triggers: Dubious consent, non-consent/rape, violence, physical abuse, verbal/emotional abuse, abduction, alcohol abuse.

3. From Blood And Ash series by Jennifer Armentrout

Goodreads choice award winner of 2020, From Blood And Ash is a New Adult fantasy book that’s perfect for fans of writers like Sarah J. Maas.

Poppy is a Maiden who has been chosen from birth for the Ascension, and must remain pure and untouched in order to keep her heart pure for her purpose. But when Hawke, a tall, handsome, golden-eyed guard who is tasked with assuring her Ascension enters her life, she finds herself having to choose between duty and desire, causing her to question everything she believes in.

Admittedly, this book has mixed reviews. Some people worship it, fully invested in the romance and would definitely say its a must-read. Others have said that the worldbuilding is messy and it takes a while to get into. However, as a popular NA fantasy, it feels important that From Blood And Ash should make this list.

The subsequent books in this series are From Flesh And Fire, and Crown Of Gilded Bones. Three more books are expected in the series, with the fourth novel, The War Of Two Queens, scheduled for publication in 2022.

Potential triggers: Blood/gore, violence, physical abuse, abduction.

4. A Touch Of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair

The second Hades and Persephone retelling to appear on this list, A Touch Of Darkness is the first in a series dedicated to offering readers a spicy Underworld narrative.

In spite of being Goddess of Spring, ever since childhood flowers have withered at Persephone’s touch. She hopes that when moving to New Athens, Persephone can live a normal life, disguised as a mortal journalist.

Hades, God of the Dead, has established a gambling empire in the mortal realm, with famously impossible bets.

Following a chance encounter with the God of the Dead, Persephone finds herself in a deal with Hades that seems completely impossible: create life in the Underworld, or lose her freedom forever.

This bet does more than expose Persephone’s failure as a Goddess, as she begins to fall for the God of the Dead — a love that is notoriously forbidden.

Many people have said they absolutely devoured this book, and that it tops the list of their favourite modern retellings of the Greek myth. The subsequent books in the series are A Touch Of Ruin, A Touch Of Malice, and A Touch Of Chaos is scheduled to be published in 2022.

Potential triggers: None listed for this title.

5. Punk 57 by Penelope Douglas

Its difficult to choose which Penelope Douglas book to add to this list, as several have become popular amongst BookTok readers. But Punk 57 has to be the one you start with, in my opinion.

Misha and Ryen have been pen-pals for years, after their elementary schools made a mistake in pairing them up to mail each other, thinking they were same gender due to their unusual names.

They argue about everything, from pizza to phone make brand (Apple vs. Android). And they have three rules: no social media, no phone numbers, no photos. Until Misha comes across a photo of a girl online: her name’s Ryen, she loves Gallo’s pizza, and she worships her iPhone. It can’t be a coincidence. And he has to meet her.

The spice in this is fairly basic, middle of the spectrum stuff, but it receives consistent 5* reviews, and is a gentle introduction to Douglas’ writing. I’ve yet to find someone who doesn’t like this “You’ve Got Mail” for New Adults.

Other popular Penelope Douglas books include: Birthday Girl, Credence and Corrupt.