Not all of us are devoted romance readers. Not all of us are on the ol’ BookTok following the “smut” lit comedy and reviewers. I guess we no longer call a certain type of romance literature erotica? Because there is a scale, instead. On one end of the scale, Anne of the Island, the third book of the Anne of Green Gables series, where we’re lucky if we get someone leaning their head on someone else’s shoulder. (I love these books, by the way.) The other end of the spectrum is, not to be weird, but books I haven’t even heard of (except 50 Shades of Grey). Those are the ones that we used to call erotica. Or was even our erotica not quite a 5 on today’s spice scale? Like 4s too?

For those of us who read stuff (even occasionally) from the romance section but who are lost when it comes to approaching new authors, I thought I would break down the spice scale for us. That way, before reading, you can look up the spice scale. It’s not always (or even frequently) listed officially, but people be talkin’. Or commentin’. Whatever. Google it.

Note: Not everyone rates the same; I’m sure someone somewhere will take issue with my rating on some point or other. (I’ve seen books with straight-up sex in them rated a 1. Nah. That’s just not helpful. Plenty of people want less than that. Or scales that start with 0.)

As you may have figured out already, the spice scale is out of 5.

1 has cozy, affectionate romance, and that’s it. That doesn’t mean earth-shattering romance can’t happen—just look at Elizabeth Bennet and Darcy in Pride and Prejudice—but anything remotely titillating is going to be implied, at best. Meaningful glances. Maybe a kiss. Sex is not on the radar, not even implied. Sweet books include Anne of the Island (L. M. Montgomery). But also newer books, like Alice Osman’s Heartstopper series or Can’t Spell Treason without Tea (Rebecca Thorne).

2 might involve some make-out scenes where the experience for the reader warms up, but it fades to black with anything more. Also called “closed door.” The reader might be led to the obvious, but then the progression of actions is left to the imagination. Some would say there needs to be at least one sex scene, off-screen, but I don’t think it has to even be that obvious. Twilight (Stephanie Meyer) fades to black (with an obvious scene implied).

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3 is sometimes called “open door” romance because the reader goes right into the bedroom (figuratively. Obviously, many spicy scenes take place in not-the-bedrooms). Which means the reader has to be present for at least one of these scenes, though language about it may be more vibe-y and euphemistic. To be honest, I am happy tapping out at a sensual 3 because a reader might still be left with some mystery, but that’s not where a lot of women (and men) are today. Some examples might include Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. Yeah, you heard that was super spicy, but there is much spicier than occasional-sex-scenes-that-are-built-into-an-actual-story-and-actual-relationship. More examples: Ashley Poston. Most Emily Henry sits right here. And my fave, India Holton’s Love’s Academic series.

4 is explicit. I think of it as detailed sexy. I am sure there are some 4-level books out there that keep it lively at 4, but I have read one of these books recently (I was caught unawares, to be honest) and I found it to hit highly medical or scientific. Just sayin’. By now we have multiple spice scenes, a variety of acts, and more straight-forward language to describe them. But yeah, details, like the ACOTAR (A Court of Thorns and Roses) series by Sarah J. Maas (at least later in the series). Some Colleen Hoover. Perhaps the whole Outlander thing (Diana Gabaldon). Maybe Ali Hazelwood.

5 is, in the words of some commenter somewhere, “more steam than story.” In a word: erotic. I imagine that the spice is the reason a reader would read a level-5 book as the plot is spice-driven. Lots of spicy scenes. “Adventurous” acts. Build-up or even psychological or emotional structure not strictly necessary. So, Fifty Shades of Grey (E. L. James).

That leaves a lot out there under the heading of romance. And I wouldn’t want a reader to assume that a romance section is going to stay within any sort of spice boundaries.

If spice-level matters to you, then you just need to be aware of the variety and look it up before you read. There is plenty available at all the levels, though I have yet to find a good list of books across the levels. Most posts that rank spice level are done by someone who reads only at one end or the other so it’s hard to gauge, I think. I mean, I’m a good example, as I shoot for 1-3. Many posters who do rate are level 4 and 5 readers. So…

Good luck, I guess. And enjoy responsibly. 😉