The Impact of Steamy Novels on Women’s Sex Lives

More than a third of women who read steamy novels dream about their literary heartthrob in bed, according to a new study. A survey of 2,000 women who read romantic literature found that great sex shouldn’t just be reserved for romance novels. More than a third of women admit that they have imagined their partner as a character from their book.

The Frequency of Reading Steamy Novels

The average respondent reads these hot books twice a week – and reported feeling aroused just as often. From “Lights Out” to “It Ends With Us” to “A Court of Thorns and Roses,” respondents’ spice in their favorite reads varies.

Realism in Romance Novels

While most think intimate scenes in the books they read are realistic, one in five are not always convinced. Even if the books are well-written, 58% wish they were more realistic by better portraying emotions or nervousness and having more realistic dialogue. Others believe these books could benefit from more realistic scenery and more tension or foreplay in the build-up.

The Purpose of Reading Romance Novels

While six out of ten are interested in exciting books for fun, others turn to heated novels to escape from everyday life and to relax. A third say these scenes allow them to explore their fantasies and curiosities, and almost a quarter even find sexual inspiration on their pages.

Normalizing Taboo Conversations

Romance novels do more than just stimulate the imagination; they normalize conversations that were once taboo. Two-thirds of respondents believe scenes in these books help normalize things that may have previously been misunderstood. More than half of respondents believe the taboo on women discussing their intimate desires has improved over the past year, with the rise of #BookTok and other romance reader communities.

The Impact on Relationships

55 percent of women surveyed feel more able to have open conversations about sex with their partner after reading romance novels. A similar percentage discuss the books they read with their partner. However, two-thirds of women who openly discussed it reported feeling even more comfortable with their intimate needs and more curious about trying new things in bed.

Trying New Things in Bed

Most erotica readers have tried something they read in a book in bed, with 27% saying they have even role-played a specific scene from a book. On average, respondents use “extras” in bed, such as sex toys, lingerie, and lube, twice a month. To add to the excitement, the women surveyed shared that they would like to be more adventurous with sex toys, restraints, costumes, and lubricants.

The Most Popular Romance Novels

The most popular love/erotic books for women include:

• The black flamingo
• The notebook
• Light off
• The kiss quotient
• The “Twilight” saga
• Fifty shades of gray
• Ugly love
• Tell me to stop
• Fourth wing
• A court of thorns and roses
• Glass throne
• Wild love
• The coldest winter
• It ends with us
• Twisted love
• Adeline pursues

The Most Unrealistic Parts of Literary Intimate Scenes

The most unrealistic parts of literary intimate scenes include:

• They tend to leave out the natural things that can happen during sex
• Duration of the performance
• People are always young, good-looking and have no problems with sex
• Sometimes they just take the clothes off or don’t bother with the right lubricant
• The characters have sex too early in the story
• Evil acts are committed in public
• How perfect everything seems to be
• Some of the locations/positions do not appear to be possible
• They are always in tune with their partner and both always reach orgasm
• The frequency of intense sexual encounters
• Often they achieve full penetration without foreplay
• It’s the highlight of the couple at the same time
• Sometimes the size of certain body parts is a little unrealistic
• Both partners are immediately ready for action and experience a high level of consistent pleasure and are already practiced at pleasuring each other

Research Methodology

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 women who read romance/erotic novels, half of whom are in a relationship and have access to the Internet. The survey was commissioned by KY and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between November 7 and November 17, 2025.