6 Most Exciting Upcoming Spicy TV Shows Based On Books

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Get ready for some sizzling TV! Six popular romance and romantasy books known for their passionate content are being adapted for the screen. While not everyone is interested in explicit scenes, it’s true that steamy stories often attract a large audience, and there’s nothing wrong with enjoying that kind of content.

Thankfully, steamy romances are becoming more common on television. Shows like Bridgerton, True Blood, and Heated Rivalry – all adapted from books – demonstrate that viewers enjoy seeing their favorite characters in intimate situations. Heated Rivalry quickly gained a following, captivating audiences within just the first two episodes.

Great news for readers who enjoy steamy romance! Streaming services are starting to adapt books with compelling stories and satisfying intimate scenes. Here are six highly-rated spicy books that are being turned into TV shows we’re excited about.

6. Enigma Variations

Spice Level: 3.5 Out Of 5 Spicy Peppers

André Aciman’s novel Enigma Variations is being adapted into a Netflix miniseries, set to premiere in January 2025. Jeremy Allen White will executive produce and star as Paul, a bisexual man whose romantic life and attractions are explored throughout the story, spanning different stages of his life.

While Enigma Variations contains romantic and sensual themes, it’s notable that most of the explicit sexual content takes place within the main character’s thoughts and fantasies. There are a few actual sex scenes, but only one is truly graphic, and even that one is fairly mild.

Even so, Enigma Variations contains very clear descriptions of the narrator’s desires, and these will probably be shown as dreamlike scenes in the television series. Removing these imagined moments would leave the story too thin for even a movie, let alone a full miniseries.

5. Cleat Cute

Spice Level: 4.5 Out Of 5 Spicy Peppers

Meryl Wilsner’s Cleat Cute is a wonderful book, and I’m thrilled it’s being adapted into a TV series! It’s a charming story about Grace, a seasoned soccer player who’s a bit of a cynic, and Phoebe Matthews, a cheerful new player, as their relationship evolves from rivals to friends with benefits, and ultimately, to lovers.

If you enjoyed Heated Rivalry, you’ll likely love Cleat Cute. Both books feature a compelling enemies-to-lovers plot and steamy scenes, though the intimate moments begin a bit later in Cleat Cute. That alone makes it a book to watch out for!

Furthermore, the show is being created by two lesbian women, which suggests it will feature intimate scenes designed for and by women attracted to women, instead of being geared towards a male gaze.

4. See You At The Finish Line

Spice Level: 2 Out Of 5 Spicy Peppers

Zac Hammett’s sweet and charming novel, See You At The Finish Line, is being adapted into a new project. It tells the story of Lucas and George, rivals on the Cambridge University rowing team who unexpectedly fall in love.

This romance novel features steamy scenes, but the focus is more on the emotional intimacy between George and Lucas during those moments than on explicit details. It’s a great option for readers who like some heat in their stories without it being overly graphic.

The See You At the Finish Line TV show is shaping up to be great, not just because the book is a thrilling spicy romance, but also because it feels similar in style and storytelling to the popular series Red, White & Royal Blue. It’s also promising that author Zac Hammett, who also writes screenplays, is heavily involved, suggesting the show will closely follow the book’s plot.

3. Fourth Wing

Spice Level: 3.5 Out Of 5 Spicy Peppers (Based On The Whole Empyrean Series)

Custom image by Yeider Chacon.

Rebecca Yarros’ popular Empyrean series, beginning with Fourth Wing, is being adapted into a TV show on Prime Video, and many believe it has the potential to be as big as Game of Thrones. Without giving away too much of the plot, the story centers on Violet, a young woman unexpectedly compelled to enroll in a dangerous and deadly dragon-rider academy.

Despite being called “dragon smut,” the first book in the Fourth Wing series doesn’t actually have a lot of explicit content. While there are a couple of chapters with detailed sex scenes, the sequels are much more explicit, with around five such chapters in each book.

If the Fourth Wing TV show continues beyond the first book, expect plenty of intense and dramatic moments. The series will likely feature realistic and violent dragon battles, making for a thrilling and action-packed viewing experience.

2. Forget Me Not

Spice Level: 2.5 Out Of 5 Spicy Peppers

Julie Soto’s first novel, Forget Me Not, is being adapted into a TV series by Universal International Studios (according to Collider), and promises some steamy scenes for viewers. The story centers on Ama, a wedding planner, and her former florist, Elliot. They’re forced to collaborate on a big wedding, even though they had a difficult breakup. What they don’t know is that the two brides are secretly trying to get them back together.

Julie Soto’s book features four sex scenes, which are well-written but fairly straightforward. Whether that’s a positive or negative depends on what you’re looking for. Beyond those scenes, the story also builds some good sexual tension.

If you enjoy heartwarming stories about unlikely couples, especially those with a bit of humor and steam, you’ll likely love the upcoming movie version of Forget Me Not.

1. Twisted Love

Spice Level: 4.5 Out Of 5 Spicy Peppers

Ana Huang’s Twisted Love is a hugely popular, steamy read on BookTok, and all four books in the series are being made into a Netflix show. Each book focuses on a different couple, all connected through a shared group of friends. While definitely spicy, the stories explore mature and sometimes difficult themes like stalking, past trauma, and violence, falling somewhere between dark romance and romance with darker elements. The series would have received a perfect score if the first book had been as steamy as the rest.

Instead of adapting each story separately, the Twisted Love TV show will follow all four best friends and their complicated romances simultaneously. Plus, the show aims to stay true to the books’ passionate and explicit scenes, promising a steamy and mature series.

The project is still moving forward, which is great news. Ana Huang is working closely with the Netflix team and has been keeping everyone updated on its progress. Just last month, she even asked her followers for input on which scenes from Twisted Love absolutely had to be included in the show. Because the books are so popular, there’s a lot of pressure to make the TV adaptation perfect, especially when it comes to the more intense moments.

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2025-12-08 02:10