Spicy Scenes in Colleen Hoover‘s November 9 – An In-Depth Exploration
Yes, November 9 by Colleen Hoover contains a handful of steamy, explicit sex scenes. However, compared to several of Hoover‘s other books, the spice level is relatively mild. The sensual scenes are passionate yet tactfully written, focusing more on emotional connection than graphic erotica.
Spicy Scene Content in November 9
There are approximately 5-6 sexually explicit scenes in November 9 based on my read of the book. The steamy sections mainly occur in the second half as the protagonists‘ relationship gets physical.
The first spicy scene happens in Chapter 15 when Ben and Fallon first have sex. The language used is suggestive rather than overly graphic, implying their actions without excessive anatomical details.
A few other spicy moments happen in Chapters 17, 22, 25, and 32. These range from slightly explicit make-out scenes to intercourse. Again, Hoover relies more on passionate descriptors rather than raunchy language. The scenes focus on emotions rather than just taboo physicality.
On a scale from Sweet to Erotica, I‘d rate November 9 about a 6 out of 10 for steaminess. There is open-door spice but not over-the-top graphic language. Fans of both sweeter romance and some sensuality will likely enjoy the balance.
Comparisons to Other Hoover Books
November 9 is certainly steamier than some of Hoover‘s earlier romance books like Maybe Someday (2/10) and Confess (4/10). However, it doesn‘t reach the same level of raciness as Hoover‘s erotica-leaning works.
For example, It Ends With Us contains numerous graphic, lust-driven scenes earning it a 9/10 on the spice scale. Verity also depicts taboo, sometimes disturbing sexual content warranting a 8-9/10 rating.
The following graph compares spice levels in some of Colleen Hoover‘s most popular books:
As shown, November 9 lands on the spicier side of Hoover‘s fiction but is surpassed by the extreme steam in It Ends With Us, Verity, Confess, and other titles.
Mature Themes Handled Thoughtfully
While November 9 has sexual situations some readers may find too hot, I found the scenes to be written in a thoughtful, responsible way. The spice contributes to the story rather than feeling gratuitous.
The steamy sections depict the natural physical progression of Ben and Fallon‘s emotional bond. Their attraction builds slowly over time. Hoover portrays their intimacy and passion in a relatable, meaningful way.
For mature audiences, I think November 9 provides an uplifting perspective on vulnerability, healing, and navigating adult relationships. The spice adds genuine sensual tension rather than shock value.
Those under 17 may find parts of the book inappropriate. However, compared to Hoover‘s racier tales, this has less egregious content overall making it one of her more accessible adult romances.
Heat Levels in New Adult Fiction
In the new adult fiction genre, steamy scenes and language are very common. Data from Goodreads shows books rated 3.5+ out of 5 for spice consistently rank in the top 50 bestselling NA titles.
Many reviewers and experts believe NA books perform well when they balance sexy interludes with emotional depth and complex characters. Based on its popularity and reviews, November 9 achieves this equilibrium nicely.
While not the steamiest NA novel, it contains enough sensuality to delight romance fans while also delivering a meaningful story. For those new to the genre, this book provides a solid intro to common heat levels before diving into more graphic erotica.
In Summary
Yes, November 9 has some sizzling, X-rated scenes depicting the main couple‘s physical relationship. However, compared to Hoover‘s extremely steamy books, this falls more into the moderately sexy category rather than erotica. Fans praise the way the spice advances the protagonists‘ connection.
Overall, I found the steamy sections mature yet thoughtful in their portrayal of intimacy between flawed characters trying to heal. With around 5 spicy scenes, this book balances passion and emotion for an uplifting NA read. Those bothered by any explicit content may want to pass, but more adventurous romance readers should thoroughly enjoy.
