Kink Curious: A Guide to Exploring Your Kinks, Dispelling Shame, and Staying Safe

by Gigi Engle

Listen up! Humans are kinky!

Kink has been around as long as humans have existed, but comes with an astonishing amount of myths and misunderstandings. This is a sex-positive, shame-free guide to kink for everyone from curious beginners to seasoned kinksters.

This book delves deep in every corner of the kink sphere. It jumps headfirst into the foundations of powerplay, at the differences between kink and fetish, and gives you the low-down on all kinds of bondage and impact play styles, while putting mental and physical health at the forefront. Whether you want a 101 in flogging safely, to plan a roadmap for experimenting with different kinds of niche play, or learn how to explore what your desires and boundaries are in a fun, consensual and trauma-informed way - this is the guide for you.
With kink exercises, journal prompts, worksheets and agony aunt letters, this has all the practical tools you'll need for a spicy, shame-free kink journey.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help

336 pages, Paperback

Expected publication January 21, 2026

Reviews

[Krystelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

This is a really good first foray into the world of kink for people who are not familiar with it. It is informative, comprehensive, and it also takes time to pull together a lot of self-reflection and analysis at the end of every chapter.

I do think it could have done with a little more information in terms of some of the communities and approaching kink safely, especially from the online perspective, but it was pretty good nonetheless. The tone is a little weird sometimes (I do feel like it tries a little hard sometimes to talk down to the audience like they’re of a certain age and ilk, but that’s to be expected as a first book for this kind of thing!).

There should, I think, be a couple of extra warnings about what is and isn’t okay in the community. There’s definitely some communities and areas that are not the best, and a section about what to look out for in terms of red flags would have been great (beyond the consent call-outs already in the book, of course!).

I do think this is an excellent resource and something well worth adding to your shelf if you’ve never interacted with the world of kink and you’re, well, curious.

[Vmndetta ᛑᛗᛛ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lol. I don't think I'm kinky enough for this book. In my opinion, it seems like this book focuses too much on BDSM-type kinks, so other things I interested aren't really discussed or explained. Or is that just my feeling? I don't know. But I feel that what I wanted to read about isn't fully covered here. It's still a good book if you're interested in all that stuff. Could give it a try! And forget my review lol!

[nia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This book is quintessentially a guide to BDSM and kinks from the ground up, it lays a foundation of what is kink, how shame is embedded in our brains, and then details all the basics of engaging in kink safely - or as the author says, as safely as possible.

This book definitely won't be for everyone, but it is written as a guide so the nervous reader who is unsure could easily dip in and out as required to grow comfortable or skip over sections they are uncomfortable with.

I really like how this book is laid out, with journal prompts at the end of each segment to reflect on what you've read and how it might fit into your life - and in many ways I wish this book had been circulated around my high school, it would've helped a lot of people.

I also really like how the author has purposefully broken down the chapters into sub sections to make the information easier to read and also to consider if you aren't sure whether that section is for you. The guide reads well and is easily understood, it really work as a book and the number of headings also really help mark where you are and whether that applies to you.

Personally, I could've done without the dear gigi agony aunt style letters but I understand that is a big part of the author's identity and hence why it was included. It's a nice addition but the rest of the book is strong whether this was included or not.

Overall this really works as a guide and I can only wish it was circulated widely because the way it talks about the impact of corn really resonates with what I've seen and if books like this has beaten corn into the classroom, we might not be where we are today. A good read for those just starting out and those with a little knowledge wanting to learn more as well as a refresher for the more experienced who need a little bit of extra knowledge that is well researched.

[John (LHBC) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kink Curious by Gigi Engle landed firmly outside my usual reading lane, and honestly, that is part of why it interested me. I went in curious but cautious, and came out impressed by how grounded, approachable, and genuinely educational this book is. Engle treats kink not as something shocking or fringe, but as a normal part of human sexuality that has been tangled up in shame thanks to a deeply puritanical culture. The tone is sex-positive without being preachy, and welcoming without assuming where the reader is starting from. It reads less like a manifesto and more like a calm, well-informed conversation you did not know you needed.

At it’s core, this is a very practical book, not just theory or vibes. Engle spends a lot of time on communication, consent, boundaries, and safety, and does so in a way that feels realistic rather than clinical. The chapter summaries, journaling prompts, worksheets, and exercises make it easy to pause, reflect, and actually apply what you are reading. Even if you never move beyond curiosity, the emphasis on negotiation, aftercare, and emotional awareness feels broadly useful. There is a strong case made here that the skills involved in kink are essentially advanced relationship skills. Don’t get hung up on the word “kink.” You could remove the word “kink” and much of this this book would still be the healthiest relationship advice on your shelf. Radical honesty, clear boundaries, and ongoing check-ins are things most people could use more of, regardless of what happens in the bedroom.

This was an ARC read, and I would comfortably recommend it to anyone who wants a 101-level, shame-free introduction to kink, or anyone who simply wants to better understand desire and communication. It is inclusive, modern, and refreshingly practical.

[Summer R Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Gigi Engle for the ARC. I leave this review voluntarily and happily. Also thank you publishers for your hard work!

This is definitely something a lot of people need to read. There are so many people out there that dont understand the things that are explained in this book. This book i didn't have to read all of it as i knew some of what was described in detail. This has a lot of material I think people need to know about kink, fetishes, BDSM, and so much more. So many think its disgusting and shouldn't be talked about but its completely normal and healthy.

This book was very easy to understand and I felt comfortable reading through each topic. Some things I did look up to better understand and learn more about but that's what this book is for. For us to learn about things and find out about ourselves in a healthy and safe way.

This is definitely not for children or young teens. This is for those old enough to understand that there is more than just regular sex and they want more information about it. If you have a partner this is definitely a good book to go through together if you'd like to explore more adventurous things in the bedroom.

[Foxx Writer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've ever read fifty shades of gray and thought 'that looks interesting' this is the book you need to read. if you've ever read fanfiction and discovered something that you didn't realize you were into, this is the book you need to read. if you are interested, even vaguely, about kink, alternate lifestyles, or anything outside of missionary, this is the book you need to read. filled with the basics of what kink is, to how to ask, and give consent, to some of the more intense things you can do and how to do them safely and with full awareness of risks. This is the book you need to read if your going to do anything with ropes, power dynamics, or just want to know more about the lifestyle. this is the book of books, easy to read with explanations for both the most basic of concepts, and the most intense of desires. if your gonna play, then this is the book for you. for beginners and experts alike!

[Emory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I think this book is a good introduction to kink. If you're asking whether you might be interested in kink, this book is for you. The book generally focussed much more on BDSM than kink as a broader term, so the title is somewhat misleading.

I think the structure is a little confusing, as sections of the book frequently stops delving too deep into a topic because it is going to be discussed more later. Personally, I didn't get on with that, and some of the conversational tone of the book came across as deeply patronising.

That being said, the information is generally accurate and provides a good foundation for understanding more about BDSM, with the author deferring to interviews with other people who have more experience in certain areas. I valued the large section discussing consent and safety, which is not only well written but vital for exploring any kind of kink.

With thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Kirstyn]

*ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

I’m a girl that likes to know a little bit about everything. So when I saw this book available to review, I said hmmmmm sure. As someone not necessarily aware of kinks (other than typical stuff most of us know), I appreciated the simplicity and breakdown of language and through processes.

I think the book repeated definitions and ideas ALOT, which was kind of annoying (but also I just like to get to the point).

Overall, I did learn a lot and have so many new thoughts and considerations for not only myself and what makes me comfortable, but accepting what other people enjoy.

And hey, we don’t kink shame around here (as long as it is consensual and no one is being harmed!)

[Ashley Tovar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clearly well researched with lots of informative references & very respectfully done. Add in a playful writing style & this was very impressive.

Big thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for allowing me to enjoy this.

[Cat's Bookery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Gigi Engle, and the publisher for this ARC!

A refreshing guide into the world of kink, perfect for beginners and professionals alike. Gigi has done her research and it shows!