Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
As her senior year of college comes to a close, Charlie knows it’s time to take a major step: figuring out what she wants in the bedroom and finding someone who can help her take control of her own pleasure. In a college town, that shouldn’t be too hard, right? Charlie works at the local clinic, educating patients on safe sex, and she’s preparing to launch a broader education program in the fall. But she’s missing one thing: firsthand experience with the topics she talks about every day. Unfortunately, the guys in town just aren’t doing it for her—except Wesley Quinn, the one who broke her heart and remains just out of reach. Will Charlie find a way to practice what she preaches, or will being “the virgin” become a challenge she can’t overcome?
A strong female lead, witty banter, and a sex-forward approach to storytelling have become synonymous with Brooklyn Rose’s work. Her latest release, Sex Positive, is no exception. With a fantastic cast of characters and a compelling premise, this book delivers a coming-of-age story for a college-aged audience. Focusing on sexual health and reproductive freedom, it aligns closely with the author’s work as a physician assistant in this field. The story offers a politically aware, emotionally direct narrative that reflects what many readers experienced in their teen years: abstinence-only education and the need to learn about consent and bodily autonomy from other sources. It’s a college romance that puts sex positivity, self-advocacy, and real conversations about pleasure at the center.
I give Sex Positive 4 out of 5 stars. I appreciate the book’s sex-forward plot for a college audience, especially the way it normalizes the fact that not everyone experiments or explores on the same timeline. I also appreciate how consent is framed throughout the story. Rose takes on politics and societal norms directly, challenging readers to consider the impact of these policies without letting the message overshadow the plot or characters. She balances both well. I did notice a timing inconsistency late in the book involving Wesley’s education path, but overall, I enjoyed the fact-driven conversations around sexual health and reproductive freedom.
Because of its sex-forward narrative, I would recommend this book for older teen and adult readers. While it is not especially “spicy,” sexual acts are discussed clearly on the page and may be too mature for younger readers. This would be one of my first recommendations for readers who like their romance bold, timely, and more politically aware than a standard Hallmark-style read. If you enjoy books like Ali Hazelwood’s Deep End, you may enjoy this one as well.
Sex Positive releases on August 4, 2026, and you can pre-order your copy from our Bookshop.org store today.
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What I’m Reading
- Current print book: Mother Daughter Sister Stranger, Hank Phillippi Ryan
- Current audio book: The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies, Kate Westbury
- Book I’m most looking forward to: The Magic of Chamomile Cottage, Heather Webber
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