As a life coach and advice columnist, my brain is wired to seek out non-fiction. Give me any bookstore, and I'll leave with at least two finds from the self-help section under my arm (I stopped counting after reaching 1,000 self-help books years ago). 

But this year, something shifted in my interest. Instead of reaching for books that promise personal development, I've found myself craving stories that simply let me disappear into someone else's life experience. 

Not just any fiction. Specifically, syrupy, sexy tales where plot, slow-build tension, and ample chemistry combine. Given the intimate nature of the smut genre, I wasn't really sharing with my community about my latest read, like I normally would the latest Brené Brown, for example. Which is probably why I thought I was the only one with a newfound need for more smut. 

The health, emotional, and sexual benefits of reading smut Intimacy boosting

This one seems obvious, but it’s worth taking seriously. I was at brunch with two friends recently who encapsulated this in a single exchange. 

Sipping a Bloody Mary, one friend gave us an update on her progress in therapy. She’s looking to “spice up her marriage,” tired of just collapsing into a Netflix binge fest most evenings and weekends with her husband. 

My other Mimosa-sipping friend said, “Therapy’s bothersome and expensive! Just read the smut!” 

We all laughed. But it gets better…

Learning in, she replied in a (loud) whisper, “THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT MY THERAPIST PRESCRIBED: SMUTTY BOOKS!”

It's not an unsubstantiated suggestion. A 2016 University of Groningen study found that women who read erotic fiction saw legitimate improvements in their sexual well-being. This is because the brain is the body's largest erogenous zone — not a factor to be overlooked! 

Plus, the written form is especially useful for women whose desire often responds to storytelling. 

Bonus points: Because reading smut is private and entirely self-directed, it gives readers room to explore in private (and skip the couple's therapy co-pay). Romance fiction platform Galatea surveyed over 2,000 readers worldwide and found that 51 percent of smut fans were drawn to the material because it provided a “safe space to explore fantasies."

Stress relief

For just a few bucks, you can calm your nervous system. Yes, really! Reading is linked to decreased anxiety, easier sleep, lower blood pressure, and reduced heart disease risk. 

Research shows that taking as little as six minutes to relax with a book can lower your stress levels by as much as 68 percent. I mean, if that were a potion for sale in a bottle, I’d buy it on the spot. This is compared to the success rate of other stress-relieving activities, such as listening to music (61 percent) and walking (42 percent).

And unlike the genre of self-help, for example (which often gives you work to do on yourself), or thrillers that have you on edge and unable to sleep at 2 a.m., a smutty novel invites your brain to exhale for a while.

Galatea found that 82 percent of smut readers rely on the genre to navigate everyday stress.

Emotional support

Galatea reported that 56 percent of respondents saw reading smut as an act of self-care.

Sexy literature is not just easy escapism; it's a real form of emotional simulation. 

This is why we feel so attached to characters, storylines, loss, love, and the many messy layers among them all. You’re reconnecting with dormant parts of yourself, giving less active emotional facets of you a fresh workout. 

Decreased screentime

There's something almost rebellious about putting your devices to one side for a few minutes at home, at the pool, or on a plane. 

You pick up an actual book! Spine cracking! Pages turning! A tangible experience! 

Looking for a genre entry point? Start here. 

The One She Left Behind by Sloane Waverley

The perfect place to start if you're after a sexy, emotionally rich page-turner, this new release follows the ambitious, deeply relatable Sara Sinclair, who unexpectedly runs into the first man she ever loved at a glittering London conference, while on the verge of the biggest career move of her life. 

One look is all it takes for a decade of distance to disappear; the chemistry between them is impossible to ignore. Sebastian is the one who got away — the embodiment of every what-if in her life. And he reappears at the exact moment another man — a tall, charming Englishman — is offering her stability, family, and a future any woman would want. Clear your calendar for the weekend — you’re about to be engrossed.

Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

In the mood for an emotional rollercoaster? When Tate falls for airline pilot Miles, he offers her just two rules: don't ask about his past, and don't expect a future. What begins as a no-strings arrangement soon unravels into a deeply moving story of heartbreak, grief, and healing.

Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid

Wild Love by Elsie Silver 

Wild Love is for bookworms who love slow-burn chemistry with lots of heat. Set in a picturesque small town, it follows two fiercely independent people whose undeniable attraction is matched only by their emotional baggage. Expect sparkling banter, swoon-worthy romance, unforgettable side characters, and just the right amount of smut.

Kings of Sin by Ana Huang

The Kings of Sin series will satisfy you if billionaire romance is your preferred guilty pleasure. Inspired by the seven deadly sins, each book follows a powerful, morally gray hero who meets the one woman capable of challenging his carefully controlled world. Expect glamorous settings, irresistible chemistry, high-stakes drama, swoon-worthy romance, and plenty of spice.

---

Susie Moore is a British life coach, author, and advice columnist. She’s a sought-after expert for media outlets and has been featured on the TODAY Show, Good Morning America, Oprah, and more.