A Lesson in Writing Great Sex Scenes

I recently finished The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang, and I was impressed with how the sex scenes were written. Instead of focusing on the mechanics, the author wrote what happened and then focused on how it made the characters feel. Many readers relish graphic passages that mention bodily fluids and dive into nitty-gritty details. That said, I think readers also enjoy explicit scenes with more focus on sensation. While I could be wrong, I have a feeling the second option is more popular.

Click the cover to go to Audible. I receive no incentive to send you there, and only include it to make it easier for you if you would like to try the audio. :)

I would rate this novel at about three peppers on a five-pepper scale, because there are five or six steamy scenes. I do not recall the exact number. What I really liked was the buildup to physical intimacy and how well written each moment in the journey was portrayed.

Stella, the main female character, has autism, and her previous sexual interactions resulted in negative experiences. While not SA, they were uncomfortable…even painful.

So when she hires Michael, who is an escort, to teach her how to be good at sex, there’s this wonderful premise of a woman who is self-conscious in her body, and this guy who is not. But he has his own internal battle too, because he had to give up on his dreams to help his family. The story is a lovely intermingling of awkwardness and people learning about each other.

The encounters unfold at a slow pace, enabling us to enjoy each small step toward intimacy. As observers, we watch this unfolding of experience through touch, smell, kisses, and foreplay until they finally ‘do the deed’.

Writers, take notes if you choose to examine this story. The initial couple of sensual sequences are like a workshop in showing the progression of physical intimacy.

Details and descriptions I found particularly well-done:

• Stella’s reaction to Michael’s natural scent in their first encounter.

• The first kissing scene where they progress from chaste kisses to French kisses.

• Michael’s account of Stella’s nipples, and why they were so attractive. (The detail is incredible by providing exactly what he likes without over-informing.)

• The description of both Stella’s and Michael’s sounds during steamy scenes.

So, if you are seeking a romance that provides a framework for building intimacy, The Kiss Quotient is an excellent example.

*Please note that I listened to the audiobook, so I do not have page numbers or specific quotes, but I hope this short breakdown still offers some insight for writing great sex scenes.