The Rating System
The Scale
One consistent scale for every book. No vague "hot" or "steamy" labels — just a clear, defined tier that means the same thing across every rating.
No Romance
No romantic subplot whatsoever. The book is purely plot, adventure, or literary fiction — romance is absent from the story entirely.
Background Romance
Romance exists as a minor thread but is not the focus of the story. It may be a side couple or a background relationship. You could remove it without affecting the plot.
Steam, No Sex
Romantic tension, slow burns, and meaningful emotional connection — but all scenes close the door before anything explicit. Twilight energy. Great for readers who want the feelings without the mechanics.
Mildly Spicy
1–2 short, open-door scenes. Sex is present but brief and not particularly descriptive. The focus remains on the emotional arc.
Moderately Spicy
2–3 longer open-door scenes with moderate description. The romance subplot is significant. This is probably what mainstream romance readers expect from the genre.
Spicy
3+ substantial scenes; plot and spice are equally weighted. This is where the explicit content begins to be a meaningful part of the reader experience.
Very Spicy
Lots of spice with moderate to high explicitness. Multiple scenes, some length, some graphic detail. The spice is a feature of the book, not a side effect.
Extremely Spicy
Frequent, graphic, and detailed scenes. Plot still exists but the explicit content is clearly a primary selling point. Written for readers who want the spice.
Smut
Plot? No promises. The explicit content IS the book. Written for readers who are here specifically for the sex scenes. High volume, high explicitness.