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The Host by Stephenie Meyer, book cover

The Host

by Stephenie Meyer

Spice 1 out of 5, Sweet1/5 · Sweet: Kisses only

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of their human hosts while leaving their bodies intact, and most of humanity has succumbed. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, knew about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the too vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind. Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of the man Melanie loves-Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer yearns for a man she's never met. As outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off to search for the man they both love.

Spice
1/5
Burn
Slow
Pages
~619
Ending
HEA

KU Is it on Kindle Unlimited? Check on Amazon

How spicy is The Host?

The Host is a 1 out of 5 on our spice scale: sweet (kisses only). Kissing, longing looks, maybe a fade-to-black. Nothing on the page.

  • Steam: Glimpses and kisses
  • Burn: Slow burn
  • Pairing: One man, one woman
  • POV: First person, heroine's POV only
  • Ending: Happily ever after

Content warnings

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Show 3 content warnings
  • Suicide / suicidal ideation
  • Graphic violence
  • Serious or terminal illness

Our editorial notes, which may be incomplete. If something is a hard limit for you, check the author's own content notes too.

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    The Host: quick answers

    How spicy is The Host?

    The Host is a 1 out of 5 on our spice scale: sweet (kisses only). Kissing, longing looks, maybe a fade-to-black. Nothing on the page.

    Is The Host a standalone?

    Yes, The Host is a standalone. You can read it on its own.

    What tropes are in The Host?

    The Host features aliens, love triangle, post-apocalyptic. It is a slow burn M/F romance that ends with a happily ever after.

    Does The Host have content warnings?

    Our notes for The Host include: suicide / suicidal ideation, graphic violence, serious or terminal illness. This list may not be complete; check the author's own content notes if anything is a hard limit for you.

    What should I read after The Host?

    If you loved The Host, try Matched by Ally Condie, Poison Princess by Kresley Cole, Legend by Marie Lu. They share its aliens and love triangle energy at a similar spice level.