If you are like me in any way, the beginning of the year hits, and you are looking at your TBR and thinking, “Which book am I going to start the year with?” If you are like me, you want structure… but not the kind that feels like a lot of homework. You want a challenge… but one that still leaves room for mood-reading, surprise obsessions, and those “I said one chapter” late nights.
So, today’s post is exactly that: a Spicy Romance Reading Challenge Ideas for 2026—fun, flexible, and built for readers who like their romance high-heat and their rules optional. You can pick one challenge, mix a few together, or create your own “choose-your-own-chaos” version.
And yes—every single idea below is made to help you to read more spicy romance in 2026 without thinking too hard.
1) The “Mood Reader’s” Spicy Challenge (Low Pressure, High Heat)
This one is for readers who refuse to be controlled by a list (with respect). Instead of strict prompts, you choose categories based on how you vibe.
Pick 10–20 prompts like:
- Read a spicy romance with only one bed
- Read a book with a possessive hero
- Read a romance with jealousy
- Read a book you picked because of the cover alone
- Read a short spicy novella in one sitting
- Read a book with a banter-first, feelings-later couple
Why it works: You still have structure, but you can swap anything that doesn’t fit your mood.
Grab this book on Amazon here: Built to Fall
If you want more high-heat recs, you’ll love this list too: Soft-Biker MC Romance: Gentle Outlaws, Fierce Love
2) The “Tropes Only” Challenge (Because Tropes Are a Love Language)
This is the challenge for the reader who has a “type” and isn’t ashamed of it.
Pick 12 tropes—one per month:
- January: Enemies to lovers 🔥
- February: Forced proximity 🔥
- March: Age gap 🔥
- April: Grumpy/sunshine 🔥
- May: Second chance 🔥
- June: Forbidden romance 🔥
- July: Workplace romance 🔥
- August: Fake dating 🔥
- September: Secret relationship 🔥
- October: Dark romance 🔥
- November: Friends to lovers 🔥
- December: Holiday spice 🔥
Make it spicier: Add a rule like “must be at least 4🔥 heat level” or “must include explicit scenes.”
Grab this book on Amazon here: Luca
3) The “Heat Ladder” Challenge (Turn It Up Slowly… Then Don’t)
This is a fun way to build your year from sweet-ish to absolutely feral.
Create levels:
- Level 1: Warm (2🔥)
- Level 2: Spicy (3🔥)
- Level 3: High Heat (4🔥)
- Level 4: Unhinged (5🔥)
- Level 5: “I Need Water” (5🔥 + taboo/darker themes depending on your comfort)
Your goal: read 3–5 books at each level.
Why it works: It keeps the year interesting and helps you determine which heat level you enjoy most.
Grab the book on Amazon: Madness: A Dark Revenge Romance
4) The “Spicy Series” Challenge (For Readers Who Love a World)
This one is so satisfying because you’re not just reading random books—you’re living inside a universe.
Rules:
- Choose 3 romance series
- Read at least 3 books from each series
- Bonus points for interconnected standalones or spin-offs
- Dark romance, MC romance, MM romance, High-heat contemporary, Paranormal romance
- You can start the Alliance Series, a dark mafia romance series, on Amazon.
5) The “Bingo Card” Challenge (The Fun One You’ll Share Everywhere)
Make a 5×5 bingo card and fill it with spicy prompts. Every time you get a row, treat yourself to something small (a new bookmark, a fancy coffee, a book haul—no judgment).
Bingo ideas:
- A book with praise kink (if that’s your thing)
- A romance with touch-her-and-die energy
- A book with a morally gray hero
- A book with a knife scene (again—only if you’re into it)
- A romance where the heroine is older
- A book with “who did this to you?”
- A romance that made you scream into a pillow
Grab Empire of Sin on Amazon
6) The “Monthly Mini Challenge” (Perfect If You Get Overwhelmed)
If big goals stress you out, try bite-sized mini challenges.
Examples:
- Weekend Spice: Read 1 novella Friday–Sunday
- One-Trope Week: 3 books, same trope, different authors
- New-to-Me Author Month: Read 4 books by authors you’ve never tried
- Backlist Month: Read 3 older releases that are still highly rated
Why it works: Small wins stack up fast, and you don’t feel behind.
This is the one I’m starting with on: Glory
7) The “Reader Ratings” Challenge (Only 4+ Star Vibes)
Sometimes you want to avoid flops. This challenge is simple:
Rules:
- Only read spicy romance with 4.0+ average rating
- Read at least:
- 3 dark romance
- 3 MC romance
- 3 MM romance
- 3 high-heat contemporary
- 3 paranormal romance
Why it works: It helps you stay in “worth it” territory without wasting time.
If you want a book to start–check out this one out on Amazon: Dirty Salvation
8) The “Re-Read & Recover” Challenge (Because Sometimes You Need a Sure Thing)
This is the cozy-but-spicy option.
Rules:
- Re-read 6 favorites during the year
- Pair each re-read with a “new pick” that has similar vibes
Example: If you re-read a mafia romance you loved, your new pick should be mafia too.
Why it works: Re-reads keep you out of slumps, and the pairing keeps it fresh.
Get the book on Amazon: Dark Lover
If you’re a re-reader, you might like this list too: Best Paranormal MC Romance: Wolves, Vamps, Magic.
Helpful Resources
- If you want more spicy picks to match these prompts, check out this post next: 15 Best Enemies-to-lovers MC Romance.
- If you love dark romance and want more recs, start here: 9 Dark & Spicy Romance Books.
- If you’re building your 2026 TBR, add this one from Amazon: Beautiful Venom.
Final Thoughts
The best part about doing a spicy romance reading challenge in 2026 is that you get to make it fit you. Your mood, your schedule, your comfort level, your favorite tropes—everything. No pressure, no perfection, just a fun way to read more of what you love and actually enjoy the process.
Love hard, read harder—and always choose the wild ones.
~Kay~
