Growing up, I scorned romance novels. I thought they were trashy and embarrassing. I had never actually read one.
I got the message loud and clear from peers and the media: reading romance novels was a shameful act. It took me until my mid-20s before I actually picked up a romance novel (metaphorically, I read it on my Kindle so no one would see the cover). Once I started reading them, I couldn’t stop.
Romance novels can be a great escape from work stress, the news, etc. True, some romance novels are cheesy and contain problematic story lines. But there are books in all genres with those flaws. I think the stigma around romance novels is tied to the stigma of women’s sexual pleasure. So as a feminist, I will say loud and proud that I think romance novels are great!
If you’re experiencing low libido, reading romance novels can spark desire. Libido is incredibly complex, and I don’t want to imply that reading an erotic book is a magic bullet. I do think romance novels can be a helpful tool. If you’re curious about reading one, here are five books to try.
1. Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal
Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows follows Nikki, a young woman living in London. Nikki leads an erotic storytelling workshop to a group of women at a community center. Because of the variety of erotic stories, this book could be a good place to start if you’re looking to dip your toes into the romance genre.
2. Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
The Prince of England falls in love with the son of the first female president. Need I say more? I honestly liked this book so much it hurt.
3. The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory
The Proposal follows Nik and Carlos. The premise is that Nik’s boyfriend of just a few months’ surprises her by proposing on a jumbotron. Nik wants to say no, but doesn’t know how to do it in public. Carlos swoops in to save the day. Cuteness ensues.
4. The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
The concept for this book was a “reverse Pretty Woman.” Stella is on the spectrum, and hasn’t had a lot of experience with dating. She wants to learn from a professional, so she hires Michael as an escort.
5. Poppy Jenkins by Clare Ashton
This book takes place in a small town in Wales. Poppy and Rosalyn grew up together, but they had a falling out in high school. Now Rosalyn is back, and Poppy has to sort out her feelings for her old friend.
Happy reading!