Why Everyone’s Suddenly Reading “Spicy” Books (And What to Pick Up If You Want In)

If you’ve spent any time on Bookstagram or BookTok lately, you’ll have noticed a certain word popping up constantly: smut. It’s become the affectionate, slightly cheeky shorthand for romance novels that don’t fade to black, and it’s having a genuine moment, especially among women who might never have picked up a “romance novel” a few years ago.
I’ll be honest, I used to have a bit of a mental block around this genre. It felt like something to read quietly and never mention at book club. But the more I’ve dipped into it (and the more I’ve heard from friends who devour these books on their commute, at the beach, wherever they can steal twenty minutes), the more I get the appeal. Life is heavy enough. Sometimes you just want a story that makes your heart race for reasons that have nothing to do with your inbox.
So what’s actually driving the trend?
A lot of it comes down to romantasy, romance blended with fantasy world building, which has exploded over the last couple of years. Readers get an escapist, immersive world and a slow burn romance that finally, deliciously, pays off. There’s also a strong appetite for contemporary small town romance with plenty of heat, and for darker, more intense reads for those who want their spice served with a side of danger.
Here’s where I’d start, depending on your mood.
If you’re new to the genre
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas is the one everyone recommends as a starting point, and for good reason. The heat builds gradually across the series rather than hitting you in chapter one, so you have time to fall for the characters and the world of Prythian before things get properly steamy. It’s also available  as part of a boxed set if you want to commit to the whole ride.
If you want the full romantasy experience
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros is the book that seems to have converted half of Australia into fantasy readers overnight. Dragon riders, a brutal war college, and a slow burn romance between Violet and Xaden that readers genuinely cannot stop talking about. It’s the first in the Empyrean series, followed by Iron Flame, and Dymocks stocks both along with a gorgeous limited edition hardcover if you’re a collector.
If you want something contemporary and a little lighter
Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score is a grumpy sunshine, small town romance set in the fictional town of Knockemout, Virginia. It’s warm, funny, and spicy without being overwhelming, which makes it a lovely entry point if fantasy isn’t your thing. It’s the first in a series, so there’s plenty more to fall into if you love it.
A gentle note
These books are for grown women who want to enjoy grown up stories, and there’s nothing to be embarrassed about in that. But do check the heat level and content warnings before you gift one to your mother or leave it lying around, some of these get properly explicit, and that’s rather the point.