Your Next Romance Audiobook by Spice Level
By Erin Murphy
We’ll say it: our spice scale is way sexier than the Scoville.
We’ve ranked some of our beloved romances by level of spice so you can pick the swoon-worthy story that best suits your mood. From nostalgic teenage love to completely NSFW, we’ve got you covered–whatever you pick is between you and your headphones.
Sweet
Love blooms in these picks that don’t go further than good ol’ fashioned making out.
Ex Marks the Spot by Gloria Chao
As far as Gemma knew, all her grandparents—and thus her ties to Taiwanese culture—were dead. Until one day when a mysterious man shows up at her door with two shocking things: the news that her grandfather has just recently passed, and the first clue to a treasure hunt that Gemma hopes will lead to her inheritance. There’s just one major problem: to complete the hunt, she has to go to Taiwan. And the only way Gemma can get there is by asking her ex and biggest high-school rival, Xander, for help. After swallowing her pride, she finds herself halfway across the world, ready to unearth her life-changing prize…until she discovers that the treasure hunt is about much more than money.
Brewed with Love by Shelly Page
Plant witch Sage Bishop intends to run her family’s apothecary one day. The doors just have to stay open until she can take over from her nana. She certainly doesn’t need their latest hire—and her ex–best friend—Ximena Reyes causing any distractions. Alas, at the first sight of Ximena’s cheeky smile, Sage flees the shop, allowing someone to break into Bishop Brews and steal the tonic she’s been tinkering with, one that wipes their high school cheer captain’s memory. With Bishop Brews now at risk of being shut down, Sage reluctantly partners with Ximena to find the culprit. As the mystery deepens, so do pesky old feelings.
Mild
The action in these audiobooks is for the lovers to know about, and us to infer through their tension and chemistry.
Taming 7 by Chloe Walsh
Tommen’s cheekiest lad, Gerard ‘Gibsie’ Gibson, has always been a comedian, but most people don’t see what lurks beneath the surface. Claire Biggs, the epitome of sunshine, has always loved Gibsie, her brother’s friend and her favorite neighbor. She has always seen a side to him that no one else seems to notice. She becomes determined to tame her wild-at-heart childhood best friend. When lines are crossed, will Gibsie and Claire’s friendship blossom into something more, or will they lose themselves in the wild?
The Love Lyric by Kristina Forest
Iris Greene used to be a woman with a plan. But all of that changed after she met the love of her life at twenty-five…and then became a widow and a single mother all in a little over two years. She just needs to catch her breath—and one night, when she steps outside to do just that, she sees pop R&B singer Angel Hughes. Angel is in a rut: he’s not producing songs he’s passionate about, and there’s a gaping hole in his love life. When he visits the Save Face Beauty office to kickstart his brand ambassador campaign, he’s delighted to see Iris, his stylist’s sister—the woman he’s had a crush on for years. Despite their obvious attraction to each other, they must stay professional throughout the campaign tour—a goal that doesn’t quite pan out.
Warm
The door is going to close and the screen is going to fade to black before our lovers get too hot-and-heavy. Cue your imagination.
The Favorites by Layne Fargo
Katarina Shaw has always known that she was destined to become an Olympic skater. When she meets Heath Rocha, a lonely kid stuck in the foster care system, their instant connection makes them a formidable duo on the ice. Kat and Heath go from childhood sweethearts to champion ice dancers, captivating the world with their scorching chemistry, rebellious style, and roller-coaster relationship. As the ten-year anniversary of their final skate approaches, Kat’s telling her story: from the childhood tragedies that created her all-consuming bond with Heath to the clash of desires that tore them apart. Sensational rumors have haunted their every step for years, but the truth may be even more shocking than the headlines.
Match Me if You Can by Swati Hedge
Jia Deshpande spends her days writing listicles for Mumbai’s top women’s magazine. When she can, Jia dishes the truth of real love on her anonymous blog and ignores her feelings for her childhood friend. If that wasn’t enough, Jia needs to successfully set up a coworker to get the green light for her new matchmaking column. Thankfully, organizing meet-cutes has never been difficult for her. Local pub owner Jaiman Patil can’t help but be enamored with Jia and her meddling spirit. He’s always been an honorary part of her family, and he wouldn’t risk losing that for the world. When Jia’s attempts at matchmaking go haywire, risking new friendships and her relationship with Jaiman, she must reevaluate her own thoughts on love. Luckily, happily-ever-afters are never in short supply in Mumbai.
Hot
Are we intruding? Our lovers are getting it on, and we’re flustered while washing the dishes. No complaints.
Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young
High school sweethearts Sarah and Caleb Linwood have always been a sure thing. For the past seventeen years, they have had each other’s backs through all of life’s ups and downs. But Sarah has begun to wonder . . . who is she without her other half? In a desperate attempt to fix what they fear is breaking, Sarah and Caleb make the spontaneous decision to get out of their comfort zones and join a grueling hiking trip intended to guide couples through rough patches. What follows is a life-affirming comedy of errors as two nature-averse people fight their way out of the woods in order to find their way back to their roots.
Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
Scarlett Vandermeer keeps her head down. She’s concentrating on getting into med school and on recovering from the injury that almost ended her diving career. Lukas Blomqvist thrives on discipline. It’s how he wins gold medals and breaks records. On the surface, Lukas and Scarlett have nothing in common. Until a well-guarded secret slips out, and everything changes. So they start an arrangement. And as the pressure leading to the Olympics heats up, so does their relationship. But when staying away from Lukas becomes impossible, Scarlett realizes that her heart might be treading into dangerous water…
Spicy
Have a glass of milk and a pen handy, because these are ghost pepper hot and leave no detail to the imagination. You’ll want to take notes.
Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson
Keyanna “Key” MacKay is used to secrets. Raised by a single father who never divulged his past, it’s only after his death that she finds herself thrust into the world he’d always refused to speak of. With just a story about a monster that saved her father’s life and the name of her estranged grandmother, Key has no idea what she’ll find in Scotland. Lachlan Greer has his own secrets to keep, especially from the bonnie lass with captivating eyes and the last name he’s been taught not to trust. He’s looking for answers as well, and Key’s presence on the grounds they both now occupy presents a real problem. Up against time, mystery, and a centuries old curse, they’ll quickly discover that magic might not only be in fairy tales, and that love can be a real loch-mess.
Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Chandler Cohen has never felt more like the ghost in “ghostwriter” until her latest author doesn’t even recognize her. The evening turns more promising when she meets a charming man at the bar. But when they have an awkward hookup, she decides this night is better off forgotten. Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done. Her next project is ghostwriting a memoir for Finn Walsh, best known for playing a lovable nerd on a cult classic werewolf show. Chandler knows him better from their one-night stand mishap. Chandler’s determined to keep their partnership professional, but when she admits to Finn their night together wasn’t as mind-blowing as he thought it was, they strike a deal: when they’re not working on his book, Chandler will school Finn in the art of satisfaction. As they grow closer both in and out of the bedroom, if business or pleasure is more important.
