Hello everyone! Happy October! How are you? Did you have a lovely September?
Mine was busy and busy. And cold. And gray. God, I miss summer!
I’m back on the blog today to talk about…sex! Yeah, you read that right. We’re in 2022 and sex can still be such a taboo topic and sometimes really inaccessible to young people. I think books can bring a lot of useful information and can even help fighting some stigmas surrounding it.
So, here’s a lovely list of 10 sex positive YA books that highlight the importance of topics such as consent and safe sex. Enjoy!
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10 sex positive YA books that explore sex (awkwardly) right
Alex, Approximately, Jenn Bennett
This modern re-telling of You’ve Got Mail will give you all the feels! The romance is deliciously romantic and sex positive. I loved how the characters really communicated with each other and the talk about consent before sex was A+! I was also pleased at the mention of Bailey masturbating. It was refreshing to have a YA book show it positively. Other sex positive romances by Jenn Bennett : Starry Eyes and The Anatomical Shape of a Heart.
Find on Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
The Best Laid Plans, Cameron Lund
This one is sex-positive in a lot of ways, it focuses on the decision about having sex and the social struggles that can go with any sexual decision in teenage years. It’s thought-provoking in its conversations about the double standards around sexual behavior for men and women. And if you’re wondering, it’s not too explicit by any means but beware, there is a bit of slut-shaming in there…
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Today Tonight Tomorrow, Rachel Lynn Solomon
A romantic comedy about two rival overachievers? Yes please! This book speaks openly and frankly about sex! Masturbating, asking if this is okay, being awkward, being affectionate. It’s all in there and it’s glorious! Plus it’s brilliantly written, heartfelt and swoon worthy, it’s definitely one of my favorite YA contemporary ever! Go read it now! Another sex positive contemporary story by Rachel Lynn Solomon : We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This.
Find on Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Just Visiting, Dahlia Adler
A great contemporary read, dealing with important themes of growing up, taking off for college and leaving the life you’ve always known behind. It’s a strong tale about friendship! In this one, the sex issues brought real and positive vibes to me : there are talks about protection, consent, and not an ounce of slut-shaming. If you’re looking for an honest, relatable and diverse YA story, this one’s for you!
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Always Never Yours, Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka
Megan is the forgotten supporting character in her life, the Rosalind to everyone else’s Romeo and Juliet. It’s inevitable, each of her relationships starts with the perfect guy and ends with him falling in love… with someone else. One of the things that I liked the most about Megan was that she was pretty secure in her sexuality. She sees a boy she likes and will go and flirt with him, I absolutely loved her confidence and to see that in a YA book was really refreshing! There’s humor, sex and some really vulnerable moments, you’ll absolutely love it!
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
It Only Happens in the Movies, Holly Bourne
Audrey is over romance. While dealing with her parents’ contentious divorce and a breakup of her own, she has every reason to feel cynical. But then she meets Harry, brash, impulsive and a major flirt… It’s funny, insightful, feminist, empowering and achingly real! This is literally one of the best representations of sex I’ve seen in a YA book. The way characters in this book deal with it is so well done, not only boyfriends but friends offering support. Amazing!
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
My Life Next Door, Huntley Fitzpatrick
A lovely read about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another. It’s the kind of story that you expect to be light and fluffy, but it’s much more than that. This book unabashedly tackles on teenage sex. From thinking about it, to losing our virginity and buying condoms for the first time, how different it is from the movies, the blushes and awkwardness of doing it for the first time… It was so realistic!
Find on Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
If This Gets Out, Sophie Gonzales & Cale Dietrich
A famous newly-found boy band. Four young members discovering stardom. Two of them slowly falling for each other. This queer boy band romance deals with mental health and the abuse that exists within the entertainment industry. A YA contemporary that addresses sex as a part of a relationship with great discussions around safe gay sex, and I’m glad it’s becoming more commonplace. If you’re wondering, all sex scenes are fade to black.
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
When Dimple Met Rishi, Sandhya Menon
This book had me smiling from page one, with great, relatable, three-dimensional characters and an adorable romance! Dimple has it all figured out and she’s more than ready for a break from Mamma’s inexplicable obsession with her finding the “Ideal Indian Husband.” Rishi is a hopeless romantic and actually wants an arranged marriage. What’s going to happen when those two opposites meet?! I really appreciated the conversation that Dimple and Rishi had regarding the expectations of their culture when it came to sex and what they both really wanted.
☂️ Buy on: Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Nothing Left to Burn, Heather Ezell
The autumn morning after Audrey loses her virginity, she wakes to a loud, persistent knocking at her front door. The enormous wildfire has spread and it’s time to evacuate. We follow Audrey as she wrestles with the possibility of losing her home and recalls her early, easy summer days with Brooks, the charming, passionate, but troubled volunteer firefighter. It’s a story about a teen dealing with what virginity means to her and a destructive relationship… Compelling, dark and completely fascinating!
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Blackwell’s
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For more books recommendations, check out these blog posts:
- 10 guilty pleasure YA books you’ll love to cozy up to
- 10 YA books that would be hits on Netflix
- 10 adult books on my radar
📌 Pin 10 sex positive YA books that explore sex (awkwardly) right on Pinterest!
What did you think of my list? Saw anything you liked? Any other recommendations?
Do you think YA books should talk more openly about sex?
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This is a lovely, lovely list. Thank you for compiling it!
Thank you, I’m so happy you liked it! 😊
Great post! I love when books are sex positive. I think it’s part of why I love all of Jenn Bennett’s books.
Thank you! ☺️ Yeees, totally! 😊
Love this.
Thank you so much! ☺️☺️
I haven’t read any so far but would like to. Thanks for this list.
You’re welcome! Hope you’ll enjoy them all 😊
Thanks for stopping by! 😘