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More than a third of women who read steamy novels fantasize about their literary heartthrob in bed, according to new research<\/a>.<\/p>\n A survey of 2,000 women who read romantic literature found that great sex shouldn\u2019t just be saved for romance books.<\/p>\n More than a third of women admit they’ve imagined their partner to be a character from their book (38%).<\/p>\n Conducted by Talker Research on behalf of K-Y<\/a>, to help provide sexual wellbeing and intimacy support, results found that the average respondent read these steamy books twice a week \u2014 and report feeling turned on just as often.<\/p>\n From \u201cLights Out\u201d to \u201cIt Ends With Us\u201d and \u201cA Court of Thorns and Roses,\u201d respondents\u2019 spice levels vary in their favorite reads.<\/p>\n While most think that intimate scenes in the books they read are realistic (60%), one in five aren\u2019t always convinced.<\/p>\n Even when the books are well-written, 58% wish they were more realistic by better portraying emotions or nerves (33%) and incorporating more realistic dialogue (33%).<\/p>\n Others think these books can benefit from more realistic scene-setting (32%) and more tension or foreplay in the buildup (29%).<\/p>\n While six in 10 are interested in spicy books for fun (62%), others turn to steamy novels to escape everyday life (53%) and unwind and relax (52%).<\/p>\n A third (34%) say these scenes let them explore their fantasies and curiosities, and nearly a quarter even find sexual inspiration in their pages.<\/p>\n Romance novels are doing more than igniting imaginations, they are normalizing conversations that were once taboo. Two-thirds of respondents believe that scenes in these books help normalize things that may have previously been misunderstood.<\/p>\n More than half of respondents think that the taboo around women being able to speak about their intimate desires has gotten better over the past year (53%) \u2014 lining up with the rise of #BookTok and other romantic reader communities.<\/p>\n Social sharing is common: 30% have engaged with romantic book content on social media in the past year, and 41% use these platforms to find inspiration for their next steamy read.<\/p>\n Half of women surveyed revealed that they discuss the intimate books they read with their other female friends (52%).<\/p>\n And while it may be awkward to break the ice, 44% of these respondents now bond over originally feeling \u201cweird\u201d about it at first.<\/p>\n \u201cSpicy books often skip the real-life details of sex that make it more comfortable and enjoyable \u2014 like using a lubricant,\u201d said Bruno Funari, managing director of K-Y. \u201cRepresentation matters because it helps show readers that prioritizing comfort and pleasure is not only normal, but empowering.\u201d<\/p>\n These spicy conversations are bringing the heat off the page and carrying them over to the bedroom. Fifty-five percent of women surveyed feel more empowered to have open conversations about sex with their partner after reading romance books.<\/p>\n A similar percentage discuss the books they read with their partner (57%).<\/p>\n A third of those who don’t discuss their romance reads with their partner have said the main reason is they feel awkward bringing it up.<\/p>\n That said, the two-thirds of women who do talk about it openly have reported becoming even more comfortable with their intimate needs and more curious about trying new things in bed.<\/p>\n Most erotic readers have tried something in bed that they read in a book (53%), with 27% saying they\u2019ve even roleplayed a specific scene from a book.<\/p>\n Thirty percent have discovered more of what they\u2019re interested in \u2014 more appreciative of intimacy (29%) and using new toys, lubricants and other extras (22%).<\/p>\n On average, respondents use \u201cextras\u201d in bed twice a month, like sex toys (35%), lingerie (31%) and lube (26%).<\/p>\n To turn the heat up even more, women surveyed shared that they\u2019d like to get more experimental with sex toys (32%), restraints (24%), costumes (17%) and lube (16%).<\/p>\n “Women aren\u2019t just reading spicy stories \u2014 they\u2019re getting inspired and gaining real-life confidence from them,\u201d Funari said. \u201cWe’re tapping into this cultural moment because women deserve products that support comfort and pleasure beyond the page.”<\/p>\n Research methodology:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Talker Research surveyed 2,000 women who read romance\/erotic novels, half of whom are in a relationship, who have access to the internet;<\/strong> the survey was commissioned by K-Y<\/strong> and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Nov. 7 and Nov. 17, 2025. A link to the questionnaire can be found here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n To view the complete methodology as part of AAPOR\u2019s Transparency Initiative, please visit the Talker Research Process and Methodology page<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\nDiverse Subgenres and Spice Levels<\/b><\/h2>\n
The Role of Accessories and Intimacy Enhancers<\/b><\/h2>\n
Women\u2019s Favorite Romance\/Erotic Books<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Most Unrealistic Parts of Literary Intimate Scenes<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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