Romance in Spice:
heat levels in
romance novels
There is no one rating system in the romance world for rating the heat level of novels. While there is a commonly accepted differentiation between romance novels (plot-driven) and pure erotica (smut for smut's sake), the nuances in regards to romance novel heat levels are subjective.
Our resident romance reader, DJ used to use author Susanna Carr's categorizations (wholesome/clean, sweet, sensual, sexy, erotic), but the author's website has since been taken down and the definition are no longer online. For this guide, we have combined 10 sources: Susanna Carr's original 5 (no longer available), author Angélique Jamail's 2020 5 levels, author Mandy M. Roth's 4 ratings & 5 levels, Medium's 5 levels, editor/author Rachel Rowlands's interpretation, Romance Writers of Australia's glossary of terms, Sweet Savage Flame's 6 levels, The Spicy Book Blog's rating system, Write for Harlequin's terms, and Write with Harte's 5-level guide.
Why does this matter?
1. Having established levels is useful for writing consistent & clear reviews on Goodreads (or blogs).
2. Understanding your preferences can help you when searching for your next book.
3. Knowing a spice level is helpful for recommending books to friends & family.
A clarification
Heat levels are basically about the type & amount of sex in the book. They do not directly correlate to the amount of romance or success of the romantic tension. A book with a milder heat level can still feel spicy; a book without spicy scenes could still have characters whose sizzle jumps off the page. Sex-filled romances can range from mildly cute to wildly romantic; there could be lots of physicality but a lame romantic connection, or the physical connection could enhance the relationship. You get the point.
🍓
👄
♨️
🌶️
🌋
🍆
Heat Level
Cleanest romances with the lightest amount of heat
The Scenes
None
Ages
Any
Just a little bit of heat entering the picture
Closed Door
Any
Getting warmer, with some sensuality
Closed – Limited Open
Door
High school + (rec. with caution)
Entering the real spice zone - adults only from here on out
Open
Door
18+
For those who want sexy immersion
Open
Door Descriptive
18+
One step below erotica with lots of smut
Open
Door
Focus
18+
🍓 0: Sweet
-
Also called clean, wholesome, or “the cute love story”
-
Think Hallmark movies
-
Innocent with light tension & meaningful glances
-
Similar to cozy mysteries – nothing explicit or vulgar
-
Any flutters are driven by love, not arousal
-
Max light kissing (no sex on or off page)
👄 1: Mild Sizzle
-
On page making out, possible allusions to more
behind closed doors -
Focus on building an emotional connection
-
Sexy talk isn’t graphic
-
Any intimate scenes focus on feelings over body parts
♨️ 2: Sensual Steam
-
Warmer with light to medium sensuality
-
Sex is usually present in some way, but limited or
summarized -
Closed door or potential for 1 (non-descriptive) open door scene
-
Could fade to black after foreplay
-
Euphemistic language for act & body parts
-
Depending on the amount of intimacy, may not be
appropriate for <18
🌶️ 3. Spicy Seduction
-
1-2 open door sex scenes with explicit language & clear details
-
Passionate moments with focuses on both action & emotion
-
Hot with uncensored language
-
Body parts named & explored
🌋 4: Red Hot
-
2+ explicit open door scenes with graphic physical descriptions
-
Intimate scenes are long & detailed
-
Sexy talk is graphic & explicit
-
Physical intimacy is crucial to the relationship’s development
-
Variety of sex acts & scenes, potential for light kink
Want to learn more about romance?
Check out our guide "Romance in Volumes: tropes on tropes in romance novels".