Although erotic romance novels have been around for ages, they’ve experienced a massive resurgence since the release of Fifty Shades of Grey. And let’s be honest—they’ve gone totally mainstream!
I remember when I wrote my first erotic romance over 20 years ago. Back then, you could only find these books tucked away in the secret corners of bookstores, in sex novelty shops, or discreetly delivered by mail in plain brown wrappers. How times have changed! Now, thanks to the rise of e-readers, the convenience (and addictive nature) of Amazon’s “one-click” buying, and the explosion of self-published books, finding erotic romance is more accessible than ever.
Back in the 90s, I was always the star of the show at cocktail parties whenever the hostess would drop the bombshell, “She writes erotic books.” It wasn’t common for a woman to write that kind of stuff, let alone admit it. The guys would crowd around, eager to ask if my stories were based on real-life experiences. Women, on the other hand, weren’t as open or keen to chat about sexy books back then.
Fast forward to today, and women are proudly embracing erotic romance novels. From what I’ve seen, they have no problem discussing sex, openly gushing over their favorite hot alpha male heroes, or even posting on social media about how a particular scene inspired them to, well, jump on hubby. The internet has turned reading into a social experience where women connect and share their excitement (and their critiques) with others.
And they absolutely adore the authors behind these books—like sisters, best friends, and fellow fans. It’s like being part of a sorority, where the authors are not only accessible but also genuinely warm and connected with their readers. Over the past year, there’s been a surge of multi-author book signings, bringing together bestselling authors at events like The Naughty Mafia in Las Vegas and Wicked Girls Book Night Out, where fans can meet and even party with their favorite writers.
The general consensus? Erotic romances are good for us! Sure, we might lose a little sleep because we just can’t put the book down, but it’s totally worth it to find out what happens next.
I had the chance to chat with some of today’s bestselling authors—Jasinda Wilder, M. Leighton, and Michelle A. Valentine—as well as a few psychologists to get their take on the benefits of this trend. Here’s what they had to say:
“I believe the steamy romance novel craze has empowered women to express their sexual desires to their partners in a healthy way,” says one author. “These novels give women a sense of control over their own needs and help them realize they’re not alone—it’s perfectly okay to want a fulfilling sexual relationship. I’ve had countless readers tell me that their husbands thank me! It’s amazing to know that my stories not only entertain but also improve the quality of their lives.”