Erotic Fiction: Is it a Thorn or Rose of Wellbeing?

A Court Of Thorn And Roses may have been published in 2020, but this year it took on a life of its own - so much so that it’s Amazon’s fifth best-selling book of the year. The most interesting part of ACOTAR (as it’s known) rise is that it’s best described as ‘fairy smut’, or an erotic fantasy tale.

It’s not the only erotic fiction book that’s trending at the moment though. This year alone there’s been Miranda July’s All Fours, the story of a perimenopausal woman told through her sexual desires and encounters, and Emily Henry’s Funny Story, a rom-com with a heavy dose of spice.

These books, and the many like them, are so popular that The Cut, a magazine from The New York Times, ran a whole week’s worth of content dedicated to The Summer of Smut. 

The most obvious reason why erotic fiction is trending is due to BookTok, TikTok’s reading community. There, videos by creators read, recommend and gossip about their favourite steamy books, with many videos having over 300,000 likes.

On TikTok, virality feeds virality, so it’s not a surprise that books loved on the app go on to become bestsellers. But we can’t just blame TikTok stars for smut happening.

There are other reasons why people - in particular women - are lusting over books about sex and sexuality. Firstly, many (but by no means all) of the new wave of erotic fiction are experimental and empowering.

‘The reason romance novels have been so popular is that they openly discuss female pleasure - a subject long ignored,’ says Nina Mandair , a certified sex, love and relationship coach with a masters degree in psychology.

‘Consider the gender disparity in orgasms: half of women who sleep with men aged 18-35 report difficulties reaching orgasm with a partner, while 55% of men versus just 4% of women say they climax during a one-night stand. In general, there’s an orgasm gap of around 30% between heterosexual couples.’

And if orgasms have been the last thing on your mind during a stressful few years, you won’t be alone. ‘The cost-of-living crisis, ongoing societal pressures and the complexities of modern relationships have left many people disconnected from real-life pleasure,’ adds Mandair. ‘Modern dating culture, which reduces us to stats, swipes, and algorithms, has also all but killed the notion of true romance and courtship. Dating has become laborious; dates can feel like job interviews and certainly lack romance, and can feel very process-driven in a race to find a compatible partner.

‘Reports highlighting reduced sexual activity among Gen Z and millennials reflect a shift towards alternative outlets for intimacy and satisfaction. Erotic fiction steps in as a safe, stimulating, and judgment-free way to explore fantasies and reclaim a sense of joy. These books provide a

sanctuary where readers can engage with their desires without the complications of real-life relationships.’

With that in mind, is smut good for you? Well, embracing sexuality in any way improves your health and wellbeing, reminds Mandair. ‘Eroticism, when viewed through the lens of wellness, is about embracing pleasure, self-exploration, and emotional connection. Sexual pleasure is a profound aspect of our humanity that contributes to stress reduction, improved mood, and deeper self-understanding,’ she says.

‘However, societal conditioning often suppresses sexuality, particularly for women. Erotic fiction serves as a tool to reclaim this power, allowing readers to break free from limiting beliefs and explore boundaries. Most importantly, solo reading is a safe way to explore self-pleasure. This is essential for having a healthy and nourishing sexual relationship with yourself and someone else.’

The benefits of smut are perhaps best illustrated in regards to traditional video porn. While feminist porn exists, most widely available porn is violent, sexist and offers dangerous lessons about consent and relationships to viewers.

On the other hand, erotic fiction is more imaginative and slow-burning. ‘Erotic fiction focuses on emotional intimacy, character development, and detailed storytelling, which often aligns better with women’s arousal patterns. Women typically experience a different build-up to sexual pleasure, where emotional foreplay and activating multiple erogenous zones play crucial roles - areas that both porn and real-life experiences often neglect.’

Not to mention, reading how characters discuss consent, desire and sexuality gives us the language to use that in our own life. That can only improve our wellbeing.

Don’t just read your smut on the commute to work. Instead, make it a ritual to enhance the wellness outcomes.

‘Find a comfortable space free from distractions and light a candle or play soothing music to set the mood,’ says Mandair. ‘Consider pairing your reading with journaling to reflect on your feelings and fantasies too.’

Finding books with the type of sex you like or want to learn more about matters - don’t settle for reading erotic fiction that makes you uncomfortable or reinforces stereotypes you want to escape from.

However you read, know that stimulating your desire and exploring your sexuality is always good for you.