Sexy Book Club

I always thought of romance novels as cheesy pulpy affairs with Fabio on the cover. It wasn’t until a friend disclosed that she was a fan of them, and that her friend had authored several – featuring Asian-American leads, no less – that I became intrigued and picked one up for the first time.

I was blown – by the steamy sex scenes, and female-centered pleasure and desire.

I was thrilled – by the engaging contemporary romantic comedy, the strong yet imperfect female lead, the hot sex (which I did not expect from a romance novel, as opposed to erotica), the inclusion of consent, and the bonus edgy Asian-American representation in Jen Trinh’s debut novel.

All in a quick, absorbing read, which I polished off in a weekend. Super FUN and highly satisfying (wink).

A Safe Space to Explore Sexuality

I spoke with the author and learned how romance novels differ from erotica – romance novels are about development of the relationship between two characters, where the sex scenes add to the plot and their emotional connection, whereas erotica is primarily about the sex, and spicier.

I came away with an appreciation for the value of the trend in romance novels: a safe space to explore sexuality and fantasy by reading about characters’ experiences, including how they navigate balancing and communicating needs and wants in and out of the bedroom.

Diversity in the Genre

I’d never read a book featuring a confident, skilled (in dating and in bed) Asian-American male lead before (particularly one that also happened to be a software engineer and close with his immigrant, Chinese-speaking parents). I found the combination surprising, which is telling of the lack of such positive, powerful depiction in mainstream media.

Turns out I am not alone in enjoying the pleasure of a romance novel, especially one featuring diverse characters – sales in this billion-dollar industry increased 32% in 2021, due to readers wanting comfort during the pandemic as well as the increase in diverse voices in the genre. With more demand for all kinds of representation in books, non-white and queer authors and stories are now marketed more broadly, rather than segmented by audience based on race or sexual orientation as in the past.

Notably, while romance readers (and authors) are mostly women, 18% are men. The Ripped Bodice romance bookstore in Los Angeles estimates that nearly one-third of its customers are male. I am encouraged by this, as both men and women being exposed to modeling of conversations around consent, pleasure, and partnership could contribute to healthier, more mutually satisfying sexual experiences and relationships for all involved.

If you are in the mood for a story with smoldering sex scenes served in a literary way complete with twists and conflict, character growth, and ending on a loving note, give one a read – and let’s discuss! This is a book club I’d be happy to be a part of.

If you already have a nightstand-full, send me your favorite titles!