The Ultimate Romance Beginner’s Guide: Spice Levels, Bookish Terms, and 2026 Reading Challenge Artwork

We Read Smut: Bookish Conversations for Romance Readers

Finally, a home for the spice you love and the representation you deserve. We Read Smut, hosted by Alesia, builds a judgment-free zone for readers who crave spicy plots and substance. We celebrate high-heat stories and inclusive casts. If you want open-door romance that features every body, you found the right show.

What to expect:

Trope Breakdowns: We dissect the best (and hottest) tropes in the genre.
Author Interviews: Hear the story behind the spice from your favorite creators.
Shelf Help: Expert guidance to help you conquer your TBR pile.
Inclusive Stories: We prioritize representative leads and diverse voices.

Whether you're a seasoned smut reader or just dipping your toes into the genre, this podcast is for you. We leave the shame at the door and celebrate the power of a well-written romance.

Join the Circle: Want personalized book picks and a private chat with Alesia? Join the After Dark Circle on Substack. Supporters get full access to every post and our private community of romance fans.

Connect with us: Follow @WeReadSmut on Instagram and use the hashtag #WeReadSmut to share your current read.

All Episodes

We Read Smut: Bookish Conversations for Romance Readers

The Ultimate Romance Beginner’s Guide: Spice Levels, Bookish Terms, and 2026 Reading Challenge

January 07, 2026 • WeReadSmut • Season 3 • Episode 1

0:00 | 32:23

Are you new to the world of romance and feeling overwhelmed by the endless acronyms and specific spice ratings? Whether you’re trying to figure out if a book is sweet and subtle or scorching, or you simply don't know your HEA from your HFN, this episode of We Read Smut is for you. Host Alesia Galati breaks down the essential romance terms, explains her signature 5-level spice scale, and shares how to find the best diverse recommendations from BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ authors.

Key Takeaways:

Understanding the 5 Spice Levels: Alesia categorizes books from Level 1 (Sweet & Subtle/Fade to Black) to Level 5 (Scorching/Heavy Kinks), helping you know exactly what level of graphic content to expect before you open the first page.
Decoding Romance Acronyms: Master the terms of the bookish world, including character identities (MC, MMC, FMC), reading statuses (TBR, DNF), and genre requirements like HEA (Happily Ever After) and HFN (Happily For Now).
Navigating Consent Dynamics: Learn the crucial differences between NonCon (non-consent), DubCon (dubious consent), and CNC (consensual non-consent roleplay), terms that are vital for informed and safe spicy reading.
Archetypes You’ll Love: Discover common character types like the Alpha-hole, the Cinnamon Roll, and the Stern Brunch Daddy (a mix of disciplined, dominant, and doting).
The 2026 Diverse Trope Challenge: Join Alesia’s annual reading challenge focusing on a different trope each month (like Fake Dating or Secret Identity) written exclusively by BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ authors.

Life is too short to read books you don’t enjoy, so don't be afraid to use that DNF button! No matter what kind of reader you are, there is a perfect romance out there waiting for you.

BOOKS/AUTHORS MENTIONED:

And Everything Nice by Ada Maria Soto

You Never Forget Your First by Millie Perez

The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks by Shauna Robinson

Roadside Attractions by Mara Quinn

Mickey Chambers Shakes It Up by Cherish Reid

Curvy Girl Summer by Danielle Allen

Streams and Schemes by Rebecca Kinkade

Sweet Surrender by Viano Oniomoh

Diverse Reading Challenge hosted by bookasaurusbex Storygraph | Instagram Post

Diverse Trope Challenge 2026 Instagram | Storygraph

Running list of books mentioned (Doc)