Women who are romance novel readers are reported to make love 74% more often with their partners than women who do not read romance novels.
Romance Readers Have 74% More Sex Than Non-Readers
According to research published in The Journal of Sex Research by Harold Leitenberg, women who read romance novels have 74% more sex with their partners compared to women who don't indulge in romantic fiction. That's not just a small bump—that's nearly double the intimate encounters.
The connection isn't about the books magically improving relationships. It's about fantasy. Leitenberg found that women who read romance and erotic novels fantasize more frequently, and their fantasies are more intense and realistic. This mental rehearsal translates directly into real-world desire and initiation.
The Fantasy-Reality Pipeline
When women read about passionate encounters, emotional connections, and adventurous scenarios, their brains don't just file that away as entertainment. The vivid imagery creates a kind of mental template that heightens anticipation and arousal in their actual relationships.
Leitenberg's research revealed another interesting finding: romance readers weren't just having more sex—they were having better sex. Both the readers and their partners reported being more adventurous and playful in the bedroom.
Books as Relationship Fuel
The 74% increase challenges the stereotype of romance novels as an escape from reality. Instead, they appear to function as relationship enhancers, keeping desire fresh and imagination engaged even in long-term partnerships.
Some key benefits romance readers reported:
- Increased desire: Regular exposure to romantic and intimate scenarios kept physical connection top of mind
- Better communication: Reading about relationships sparked conversations with partners
- Creative inspiration: Story scenarios provided ideas for trying new things
- Emotional connection: The emphasis on romance (not just sex) translated to more meaningful intimacy
This isn't an endorsement to force anyone into a genre they don't enjoy. But for the millions of women already reading romance—about 29 million in the U.S. alone—there's an unexpected fringe benefit beyond entertainment.
The romance publishing industry generates over $1 billion annually, and if Leitenberg's research is any indication, it might be doing more for relationships than couples therapy. At minimum, it's significantly cheaper.