Reading Romance Is Good For You
Originally posted Jan 18 2023 (edited May 30 2025)
Did you know that in 2018, 25% of all books and one of two mass-market paperbacks sold were romance novels? Reports state that the industry is worth about $1.8 billion annually.
That’s a lot of steamy writing, and it’s good for your overall health. Truth.
Why is romance so popular?
Well, hell, it should be obvious. Women, generally speaking, are under a lot of pressure, whether it’s work, kids, aging parents, pandemics, or pets. As a result, we’re all tired, stressed, and worried, and that’s a massive cold shower on our love lives. When you escape into a romance, the pressures of life fade away. You get to slip into a fantasy world where there’s always a happy ending. Sounds lovely, doesn’t it?
Take it to the next level - Fairy Smut. There is grumbling amongst “serious writers” that the market is flooded with ROMANTASY. Ugh. The horror. Well, fuck those people. If you want to read about Shifters getting mate bites, go for it.
Back to your brain and how orgasms make you healthy.
According to The Journal of Sex Research, women who read romance or erotic novels have an astonishing 74% more sex with their partners than ladies who don’t.
When we read romance, it permits us to explore feelings around sex, intimacy, and fantasy. Your brain starts thinking sexy, and then your body naturally follows. Most women need mental stimulation to get in the mood. It’s called Responsive Desire, and revving up your mind is the quickest way to heat the sheets.
When you read, your mind creates scenes from the words; that’s the beauty of books. And a well-written romance helps you shift from your daily life into your sexual self, opening you up to more fun, exploration, and pleasure.
Women need more orgasms. Fact.
Here’s why -
The brain releases neurotransmitters and neuropeptides during sexual stimulation and orgasm. The most familiar is oxytocin, the pleasure hormone, which floods the body during orgasm. Cortisol, the stress hormone, decreases. That right there will positively benefit your body and emotions, making you feel good.
Orgasms help you sleep better. And sleep makes everything better.
Orgasms increase body confidence (and what woman doesn’t want that?)
Blood flow increases in the brain (among other places), but washing the brain in fresh blood provides nutrients and clears stagnation.
Healthier hair. Go figure. The increase in circulation caused by an orgasm goes all the way to your scalp.
Better skin. Orgasms increase collagen, keeping your skin looking plump. Nice.
Improved immunity. The chemical DHEA is released during an orgasm, which balances your immune system, helps repair tissue, and promotes bone health.
Strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. This is wonderful because no one wants to wet themselves when they sneeze.
They relieve menstrual cramps and pain in general. Have a headache? Well, skip the aspirin and grab a steamy romance.
If Fairy Smut or Romantasy gets you hot around the collar, good for you!
I wrote a filthy series under a pen name about sexy firefighters. Here’s what one of my friends had to say after reading Book One:
“Thank you for sending me your story. While I will respectfully send you edits on your fine work, I must first admonish you for forcing me to take a 45-minute cold shower in 15-degree weather. Shame on you for writing such tortuous smut! May the succubi of the earth’s fiery, molten core continue to be your muses!”
So, I encourage you to dive into whatever makes you happy and horny.
And men? These books are mostly written by women. There’s a thing called a “book boyfriend,” and these are the depictions of how our ideal man would behave. Sure, some are wildly overdramatized, outright outlandish, but there might be a thing or two in there you could pick up and take to the bedroom. I bet your lovers would thank you for reading.