Best 2026 Smut Recs: What Should You Read When You Want Spice (+ recs from @girlsgetoff Insta girlies!)

Be honest. You’ve opened a “best smut books 2026” list, saved 14 titles, then immediately forgotten what any of them are. Same.

So here’s a fun, low-effort guide to smut in 2026: what’s trending, what to try based on your mood, and how to build a lil reading ritual that feels hot, cosy, and zero shame. Because we’re not doing weird guilt around pleasure in this economy.   

Why is romance (and smut) having such a moment?

Romance is booming right now. In the UK, romance and sagas reportedly jumped from about £20m a year for ages to £69m in 2024, and US romance print sales have doubled over five years. 

Circana BookScan has also called romance the leading growth category in the print book market, with huge jumps in romantasy and sports romance especially. 

Translation: the girls are reading, and the girls are not pretending the kissing scenes are “just for the plot”.

What kind of smut reader are you this year?

Pick your 2026 vibe below and steal a rec from each row.

Quick “Smut Mood” table (aka decision fatigue support group):

(If you’re new to smut: start with cute-but-spicy, then work your way into the deep end when you’re ready.) 

So what are the best smut recs of 2026?

Instead of pretending I’ve read every 2026 release already (I have a life, sadly), these are credible “most anticipated” 2026 romance picks and where they sit on the spice spectrum. Use them as your starting line, then let your TBR spiral responsibly.

1) If you want “romantasy but make it unhinged”

Book Riot’s roundup of anticipated 2026 romance is a great place to hunt for romantasy and fantasy-leaning spice. 

There’s also mainstream buzz around new romantasy releases announced for 2026, including big author launches. 

Best for: readers who want plot + tension + “I should not be thinking about them at work”.

2) If you want spicy romance that’s easy to binge

Lists like SheReads’ “most anticipated spicy romance books of 2026” are basically a conveyor belt of readable, fun picks across sub-genres. 

Best for: the “one more chapter” babes (who then look up and it’s 2:11am).

3) If you want a big publisher shortlist

Penguin Random House’s “romance coming soon” list is handy if you like mainstream releases and want a clean, scrollable starting point. 

Best for: readers who love a glossy cover and a guaranteed happily-ever-after.

4) If you want “I have 400 tabs open” energy

Goodreads has a massive “2026 Adult Romance Releases” list that’s great for falling down rabbit holes. 

Best for: mood readers, spreadsheet makers, and anyone who says “I’ll just browse quickly” (liar).

Does smut actually do anything for you, or is it just vibes?

It can be both.

There’s research looking at erotic fiction as a bibliotherapy tool for low sexual desire, and it discusses earlier findings that erotic reading can increase arousal and sexual desire in some women. 

No pressure to “achieve” anything, though. Sometimes smut is self-discovery. Sometimes it’s stress relief. Sometimes it’s just a lil treat because you’re alive.

Very GGO energy: pleasure without shame, performance, or weird judgement. 

Want to make it a full ritual (and not just doom-scrolling BookTok)?

Here’s a simple smut + self-care combo that’s not cringe:

• Set the scene: low light, phone on do not disturb, water nearby
  
  

• Pick your spice level: sweet, medium, or “oh hello”
  
  

• Add a pleasure side-quest: if you want, pair your reading with your best female sex toy moment (solo or partnered, both are valid)
  
  

• Aftercare: quick clean-up (like GGO’s “After Banger” sex toy cleaner, and “Cleanies” Intimate wipes), comfy clothes, and a snack like you’re in your own romcom montage

If you’re looking to turn up the heat this year, these fan-favorite smut reads are dominating 2025 TBR lists.

• Iron Flame — Rebecca Yarros

• Fourth Wing — Rebecca Yarros

• Haunting Adeline — H.D. Carlton

• Does It Hurt? — H.D. Carlton

• The Ritual — Shantel Tessier

Your favorite smut as submitted by you

We asked you on Instagram to share your go-to smut recs after one very thoughtful Husband of the Year posted asking for help — and you delivered 🔥 From spicy fantasies to steamy contemporary romances, here are the titles you all recommended as your favourite smut reads:

Fantasy & Paranormal Romance Smut:

• A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR series) — Sarah J. Maas

• A Court of Silver Flames — Sarah J. Maas

• Zodiac Academy — Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti

• From Blood and Ash — Jennifer L. Armentrout

• Hades x Persephone series — Scarlett St. Clair

• Plated Prisoner series — Raven Kennedy

• Ice Planet Barbarians — Ruby Dixon

• Dark Olympus series — Katee Robert

• The Witch Collector — Charissa Weaks

• Black Dagger Brotherhood — J.R. Ward

• Kiss of the Basilisk — Lindsay Straube

Dark & Contemporary Romance Smut:

• Priest — Sierra Simone

• Salt Kiss series — Sierra Simone

• Dance With My Demons series — Steph Macca

• Lights Out — Navessa Allen

• Den of Vipers — K.A. Knight

• Crimson Ridge series — Elliott Rose

• The Hunting Wives — May Cobb

Steamy & Spicy Standalones / Series Smut:

• Dear Reader — Tate James

• Madison Kate series — Tate James

• Hades series (start with 7th Circle) — Tate James

• Losers series — Harley Laroux

• Older — Jennifer Hartmann

• Knotted — Pam Godwin

• Forged by Shadows — Maddison Cole

• Does It Hurt? — H.D. Carlton

• Haunting Adeline / Hunting Adeline — H.D. Carlton

• Butcher and Blackbird — Brynne Weaver

• Credence — Penelope Douglas

• Vicious Lost Boys series — Nikki St. Crowe

Sports & Small Town Heat Smut:

• Icebreaker — Hannah Grace

• Pucking Around series — Emily Rath

• Chestnut Springs series — Elsie Silver

• Rebel Blue Ranch series — Lyla Sage

Bonus Smut:

• The Crossfire Series — Sylvia Day

• On Dublin Street — Samantha Young

• Want — Gillian Anderson