Every genre of romance sits on an arc of spicy heat level. Many readers have a preference of how much spice they are comfortable with. These readers range from those who want a strong story-line with the sexual attraction more modest to those individuals who only scan the pages looking for the sex scenes.
I give a disclaimer here: these are my definitions of each genre and yours may differ. As an avid reader, I’ve read books in all these degrees. I definitely prefer milder heat.
Let’s start with the hottest temperature and slide down the scale
Erotica.
Reading erotica was an unintentional choice based on the book blurb. I didn’t get very far in before I removed it from my Kindle. Just as I steer away from food so spicy it makes my eyes run, I avoid erotica. Erotica portray women as sex objects, and this goes against the hard fight for women to be respected as equals on every level. The characters have sex everywhere and the storyline is merely there to glue the sex scenes together.
Steamy
Steamy romance has various degrees of sexual tension. Some novels barely skirt the edges of erotica but have a more developed storyline. While others save the heated intimacy for the climate scenes where love is confessed, or after marriage. One author always adds a line at the end of her book blurbs that indicates the reader may find themselves in the arms of the one they love after reading her novel.
I was once surprised to read an inspirational romance (Christian characters) where the author kept the bedroom door open on the wedding night. I felt it was too graphic for the genre.
The next three levels can be interchangeable
Sweet
Sweet Romance has attraction and want between the characters. Making out and kissing between unmarried people but no sex. Even married couples’ love life is tastefully described, and leave any details to the imagination of the reader. The characters are intelligent people struggling with real- life problems that are the focus of the story. Their happily-ever-after always end with a wedding or an engagement.
Wholesome
Wholesome romance to some is the same sweet romance, and clean romance. As far as the storyline this is true. But I have seen a difference. The romantic interests often take longer to get together. Their kisses are more chaste. They framed every intimate thought in an innocent description, and their happily-ever-after never begins in the bedroom.
Clean
Again, this description is similar to sweet romance and wholesome romance, but it is even more sterile, and the characters sometimes can appear unrealistic in their response to the opposite sex. If the setting is historical than the culture of the time dictates how one must behave and the stakes are higher if one crosses the line. Sex was a taboo subject in centuries past, so ignorance on the parts of the characters is acceptable.
Spice choices
Every romance genre has a measure of spice in it and those who prefer much less need to keep that in mind when choosing a book. This applies to romantic suspense, paranormal romance, or inspirational romance as well.
Look for disclaimers at the end of the book blurb. And study the book covers. Scantily clothed men and women are an obvious tell and the lustful looks on their faces should make thing clear that it a steamy romance. The back cover will use words like steamy, erotic, or sexy romp.
Clean, sweet, and wholesome romance covers have models with all their clothes on and more chaste poses. There may be children, dogs, or kittens on the cover. And the words sweet, wholesome, romantic are descriptors.
Final thoughts
From time to time the covers and book blurbs can be misleading and they have no disclaimer. If you find you’ve purchased one just throw it away, delete it from your kindle or return it to the bookstore.
However, writing a negative review because the novel is too steamy for your taste is like telling someone that the pepper they hold in their hand is hotter than a jalapeño and they dare you to eat it. It will probably garner the author more sales from those who prefer that level.
The romance genre is the hottest selling on the market no matter the heat level. And as a writer the heat in my novels is at the same level as the spice on my food, mild.
What is your favorite romance genre? How hot do you like it?