Hey y’all, welcome to the Kissing Books newsletter. I hope your spirit is doing well today. I’m PN Hinton, your guide through the roller coaster of a ride that the world of romance can be. If this is your first time reading this newsletter, I’m glad that you’re here. If you’re a regular reader, welcome back; it’s always good to see you.
I can’t believe it’s already May. I’m sure by now we’ve all been inundated with all the Justin Timberlake memes floating around, notifying us of what month it was going to be. Seriously, who knew that one line in a song from 22 years ago (yes it’s been that long, suffer with me) would have such lasting power? I have to say though that every time I see a variation of this meme, I immediately think of him making this face and I laugh even harder.
Romance Reflection
I saw a tweet the other day that tickled a memory for me from way back when I was just diving into the world of romance. One day in French class after my work was done, I was reading a book. The teacher noticed me reading and when she saw what it was gave a sad little sigh. When I asked why, she replied that it was going to give me unrealistic expectations.
This is a common argument against the romance genre. And, as much as it pains me to admit it, on some levels I get it.
Hear me out before you get the pitchforks.
Based on what I read in early romance novels, I was somewhat terrified of having sex for the first time. Between the descriptions of the pain, the blood, and everything else…it was unsettling to say the least. Even more so when you factor in that in most of those same books, consent was not a thing and the male main character barely cared for her pleasure.
Now, while I’m fairly confident that this wasn’t what the naysayers had in mind when they warned against unrealistic expectations, it is one of ones that I had. And it’s not a great one to have if you’re someone who wants to actually engage in intercourse. While there are selfish lovers out there, not everyone is that way. And, yes, the first time isn’t always pleasant; but it isn’t always as traumatic as those old school novels would have us believe.
And honestly? This fear is something that can be avoided by implementing comprehensive sexual education in our schools. That way, everyone knows what to expect their first time and how to prepare for it. This would mean the removal of abstinence-only teaching, which is utter nonsense and no one can convince me otherwise. It is entirely possible to be in love with someone and be sexually incompatible with them. That kind of thinking could leave someone signing up for a lifetime of disappointing sex, which is just not fair.
So, thanks romance haters; you inadvertently just came up with a great reason we should throw out abstinence-only teaching and focus on healthy sexual education.
Around the Web in Romance
There’s a new all-romance bookstore for our purchasing pleasures now! It’s the Happily Ever After Bookstore and, while purchases are only available online currently, stores should be popping up around Toronto soon.
Here’s an engaging interview with Sonya Singh on what prompted her to write Sari, Not Sari.
Take this quiz to find your Marvel crush, ex, and soulmate. I got Bucky, Natasha, and Sam respectively and I am a-okay with it.
Here are some more small town romances for your reading pleasure.
New Releases
Here are some of the new releases slated for release this week. That is of course barring any shipping delays or other forms of the various shenanigans that have been hitting the world as a whole lately.
Succession by B. Love (5/3)
One Chance Only by Elysabeth Grace (5/3)
Gaga Crazy by Camaa pearl (5/3)
A Bennett Wedding by Rhonda McKnight (5/3)
Singing With the Devil by Cassandra Rose Clark (5/3)
Under One Roof by Ali Hazelwood (5/3)
Rose and Wicked by Rebel Carter (5/3)
Still Loving You by Jay Quin (5/3)
Dark Savior by Melissa Combs (5/3)
Queerly Beloved by Susie Dumond (5/3)*
By the Book by Jasmine Guillory (5/3)
The Duet by Harper Bliss (5/4)
Count On You by Sienna Waters (5/5)
Everything About You by Jenna St. James (5/7)
*Book Riot Contributor
And that’s all I have for you today. I hope that your Monday started off on the right foot and even if it was a bit more of a challenge, here’s to the hope that it was the worst day you have this week. I’ll be back on Thursday with a fresh new edition and if you want a little bit more of me in the meantime, I can be found posting on Twitter under @PScribe801. Until then!