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Sex in Public: The Transformative Social Power of Our Erotic Lives
A prize-winning sociologist’s radical vision of the social power of erotic life.
“Fearless, candid, and bold, Sex in Public is necessary reading for anyone interested in imagining a different kind of world.” ―Jennifer C. Nash, author of Black Feminism Reimagined
Whether we are contending with shame, healing from trauma, or experimenting in the bedroom, there is a common tendency to cast anything sexual as a problem best solved in private. Fears of judgment fuel an air of oppression around something that should be liberating. According to feminist sociologist Angela Jones, we must reject this solitary vision of desire to claim the pleasure fundamental to our freedom.
Sex in Public offers a revolutionary new paradigm for understanding sexuality. Sex is never strictly personal, but relentlessly social, shaped by power relations, and possessing outsized power of its own. To make this case, Jones charts the inner and interrelated workings of our desires, behaviors, identities, relationships, and communities.
Guiding readers through field-leading sociology, sexual science, and the voices of sexual rule-breakers worldwide, Jones pinpoints the repressive forces that distort eroticism’s power, but also reveals our means of breaking free. Championing a rebellious spirit that uplifts bodily autonomy, justice, and care, Sex in Public makes a tantalizing better sex lives and empowerment await, if only we dare to know our sexualities fully, reimagining society as we do.
“Fearless, candid, and bold, Sex in Public is necessary reading for anyone interested in imagining a different kind of world.” ―Jennifer C. Nash, author of Black Feminism Reimagined
Whether we are contending with shame, healing from trauma, or experimenting in the bedroom, there is a common tendency to cast anything sexual as a problem best solved in private. Fears of judgment fuel an air of oppression around something that should be liberating. According to feminist sociologist Angela Jones, we must reject this solitary vision of desire to claim the pleasure fundamental to our freedom.
Sex in Public offers a revolutionary new paradigm for understanding sexuality. Sex is never strictly personal, but relentlessly social, shaped by power relations, and possessing outsized power of its own. To make this case, Jones charts the inner and interrelated workings of our desires, behaviors, identities, relationships, and communities.
Guiding readers through field-leading sociology, sexual science, and the voices of sexual rule-breakers worldwide, Jones pinpoints the repressive forces that distort eroticism’s power, but also reveals our means of breaking free. Championing a rebellious spirit that uplifts bodily autonomy, justice, and care, Sex in Public makes a tantalizing better sex lives and empowerment await, if only we dare to know our sexualities fully, reimagining society as we do.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published June 16, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 16, 2026
4.5 stars rounded up
A very interesting and thought-provoking book! Sex in Public posits that our private sex lives are really not so private, because they have a direct connection to and impact on society in a variety of ways. Sex is tied to privilege and power, to gender, race, and class. Jones is a sociologist who takes an inclusive approach to examining desire, relationship structures, and erotic groups such as swinging clubs and BDSM collectives through a critical lens that centers the experiences of the disabled, people of color, trans folks, and the oft forgotten ace community. They offer a different perspective on consent and the reasons people might legitimately engage in sexual activity, whether in personal relationships or as a part of sex work. They also interrogate how organizational structure can either enable or disrupt social norms around things like race and gender. The audio narration is really excellent and I think this is well worth the read. I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
A very interesting and thought-provoking book! Sex in Public posits that our private sex lives are really not so private, because they have a direct connection to and impact on society in a variety of ways. Sex is tied to privilege and power, to gender, race, and class. Jones is a sociologist who takes an inclusive approach to examining desire, relationship structures, and erotic groups such as swinging clubs and BDSM collectives through a critical lens that centers the experiences of the disabled, people of color, trans folks, and the oft forgotten ace community. They offer a different perspective on consent and the reasons people might legitimately engage in sexual activity, whether in personal relationships or as a part of sex work. They also interrogate how organizational structure can either enable or disrupt social norms around things like race and gender. The audio narration is really excellent and I think this is well worth the read. I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
October 21, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for advance access to this audiobook!
I really enjoyed this; although I work in this field and am already familiar with a lot of things discussed here, the updated context, historical information, and intersectional lenses of race, disability, gender diversity, and sexual diversity. Exploring how we can and should examine the role of eroticism and intimacy in our lives beyond the bedroom is fascinating. Dismantling shame and the feeling of needing to hide our actions and desires is essential to freeing us all from wider social issues, and would secure a safer world for women, girls, sex workers, trans people, POC, and others. Working to affect organizational and social structures around issues like gender and race is also important, and enabling or disrupting these existing structures is worth our time--and Jones gives us some ideas on how to start in. I really enjoyed this book, especially the audio version, and will continue hand-selling it to those that would be open to the messages it contains!
I really enjoyed this; although I work in this field and am already familiar with a lot of things discussed here, the updated context, historical information, and intersectional lenses of race, disability, gender diversity, and sexual diversity. Exploring how we can and should examine the role of eroticism and intimacy in our lives beyond the bedroom is fascinating. Dismantling shame and the feeling of needing to hide our actions and desires is essential to freeing us all from wider social issues, and would secure a safer world for women, girls, sex workers, trans people, POC, and others. Working to affect organizational and social structures around issues like gender and race is also important, and enabling or disrupting these existing structures is worth our time--and Jones gives us some ideas on how to start in. I really enjoyed this book, especially the audio version, and will continue hand-selling it to those that would be open to the messages it contains!
August 12, 2026
My only issue with this book is that it wasn't 300 pages longer. The writing was so engaging and made the themes easy to understand. The author invites you in and holds your attention the whole time. Sex education at it's finest!
June 12, 2026
Such a fascinating read. The author immediately captures you with her introduction chapter and makes it clear the purpose of this book. I found myself doing a lot of reflecting and unlearning and learning things. I appreciate all of the research and thoughtful put into this book and this “taboo” topic!
Thanks Netgalley!!
Thanks Netgalley!!
July 17, 2026
Read this if… you want nonfiction that does more than teach you something; you want a book that challenges your traditional convictions, expands how you understand society, and still feels like a conversation with a brilliant friend who has known you for years.
Sex in Public is an exploration into the limitations of our views, behaviors, and treatment of sex in society. Jones illuminates how the way we treat sex hinders our ability to see the connective tissue between sex, politics, and the economy. Her approach is what makes this book so powerful: she brings the reader deeper into the sociology of sex without making the work feel distant, clinical, or inaccessible.
A clear academic in the way she structures her research and the depth she brings to the subject, Jones still writes in a way that feels deeply accessible. In fact, it felt less like I was reading a PhD-level researcher and more like my bestie was sitting across from me, walking me through something profound with care, clarity, and conviction. I already know this is a book I will return to, not because I missed something, but because it keeps asking the kind of questions that deepen each time you sit with them.
Narration: It is not easy to make a deeply researched nonfiction book sound like a gripping story, but January LaVoy does exactly that in Sex in Public. With the way the author’s personal experience is woven alongside the research, I seriously forgot I was listening to a narrator and not the author herself. LaVoy gives the words the right rhythm, warmth, and emphasis, as if she were the one who had lived with these ideas long enough to write them. January LaVoy could read the phonebook to me, and I would still be seated and attentive!
After reading this, I am left thinking… WOW, where is Jones' class? I need to attend, online or virtual! The way Jones’ analysis pushes you to think beyond the status quo of what you know is masterful.
My Deep Thought: Liberation requires us to examine the limits we have inherited, especially the ones we mistake for normal. This book left me thinking about how narrowly society defines acceptability, who gets excluded by those definitions, and who had the power to define them in the first place.
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing for providing this ARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Sex in Public is an exploration into the limitations of our views, behaviors, and treatment of sex in society. Jones illuminates how the way we treat sex hinders our ability to see the connective tissue between sex, politics, and the economy. Her approach is what makes this book so powerful: she brings the reader deeper into the sociology of sex without making the work feel distant, clinical, or inaccessible.
A clear academic in the way she structures her research and the depth she brings to the subject, Jones still writes in a way that feels deeply accessible. In fact, it felt less like I was reading a PhD-level researcher and more like my bestie was sitting across from me, walking me through something profound with care, clarity, and conviction. I already know this is a book I will return to, not because I missed something, but because it keeps asking the kind of questions that deepen each time you sit with them.
Narration: It is not easy to make a deeply researched nonfiction book sound like a gripping story, but January LaVoy does exactly that in Sex in Public. With the way the author’s personal experience is woven alongside the research, I seriously forgot I was listening to a narrator and not the author herself. LaVoy gives the words the right rhythm, warmth, and emphasis, as if she were the one who had lived with these ideas long enough to write them. January LaVoy could read the phonebook to me, and I would still be seated and attentive!
After reading this, I am left thinking… WOW, where is Jones' class? I need to attend, online or virtual! The way Jones’ analysis pushes you to think beyond the status quo of what you know is masterful.
My Deep Thought: Liberation requires us to examine the limits we have inherited, especially the ones we mistake for normal. This book left me thinking about how narrowly society defines acceptability, who gets excluded by those definitions, and who had the power to define them in the first place.
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing for providing this ARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I would like to express my gratitude towards Angela Jones, Basic Books, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read an Advanced Copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Sex in Public written by Angela Jones is a passionate research novel that dives into Sex. By diving in, Jones provides examples from not only her own experience, but also interviews that she conducted to provide a bigger picture on the dynamics of Sex, the core, and its meaning. It has been so long since I have read an academic novel filled with so much well-meaning research and I definitely enjoyed this read. I will say, her research was indeed thorough and I was caught by surprise to see the author providing her own experience of purchasing a sex doll, which is definitely something people do not talk about. A crucial aspect from that experience was the minimal purchases made for these dolls that were black, which highlighted fetishzation, but also a tie with white supremacy. Jones brought so much material to the table ranging from relationships to identity. As a young woman of color, I agreed with many statements that Jones had included in her writing, because it is true that Sex is social. Communities are a crucial foundation tied by it especially with the key aspect of identity. Without communities or socialization, many individuals will have a skewed perspective on sex and identities. Which in turn will enable narrow-minded perspectives that will grow shame around Sex. In addition to this, her overall message that there is a dire need for Sexual Literacy due to the inability of many public institutions that stray from having meaningful conversations in regards to Sex itself, allows the shame and condemnation of Sexual Education to only grow. Recalling my own experiences learning about Sex, and the heavy push for abstinence with a side of the rise of white supremacy, things need to be heavily changed. Overall, interacting with this book shaped my experience with Sexual Literacy, and brought new ideas that were incredibly needed. I definitely do reccomend Sex in Public by Angela Jones, it is a thought provoking read coming out June 16h!
Sex in Public written by Angela Jones is a passionate research novel that dives into Sex. By diving in, Jones provides examples from not only her own experience, but also interviews that she conducted to provide a bigger picture on the dynamics of Sex, the core, and its meaning. It has been so long since I have read an academic novel filled with so much well-meaning research and I definitely enjoyed this read. I will say, her research was indeed thorough and I was caught by surprise to see the author providing her own experience of purchasing a sex doll, which is definitely something people do not talk about. A crucial aspect from that experience was the minimal purchases made for these dolls that were black, which highlighted fetishzation, but also a tie with white supremacy. Jones brought so much material to the table ranging from relationships to identity. As a young woman of color, I agreed with many statements that Jones had included in her writing, because it is true that Sex is social. Communities are a crucial foundation tied by it especially with the key aspect of identity. Without communities or socialization, many individuals will have a skewed perspective on sex and identities. Which in turn will enable narrow-minded perspectives that will grow shame around Sex. In addition to this, her overall message that there is a dire need for Sexual Literacy due to the inability of many public institutions that stray from having meaningful conversations in regards to Sex itself, allows the shame and condemnation of Sexual Education to only grow. Recalling my own experiences learning about Sex, and the heavy push for abstinence with a side of the rise of white supremacy, things need to be heavily changed. Overall, interacting with this book shaped my experience with Sexual Literacy, and brought new ideas that were incredibly needed. I definitely do reccomend Sex in Public by Angela Jones, it is a thought provoking read coming out June 16h!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2026
This was such a fascinating read. I feel like every time I pick up a book on sexuality, I walk away having learned something new, and Sex in Public was no exception.
One of my favorite sections was the deep dive into asexuality. I came away with a much better understanding of the spectrum than I’ve ever had before, and I was especially interested in the discussion about how asexuality can develop or evolve over the course of someone’s life. It challenged some assumptions I didn’t even realize I had.
I also really enjoyed learning more about swingers and polyamory. As someone who reads a lot of why choose romance, I’ve always been fascinated by those relationship dynamics. It was interesting to see the real-life perspectives behind them, and I appreciated how the book approached these communities without sensationalizing them. It made lifestyles that are often treated as taboo feel much more human and understandable.
What I appreciated most overall is that this book reminds us that sex isn’t something separate from society. It’s deeply intertwined with our culture, relationships, politics, and identities. Angela Jones encourages readers to reflect on how gender, race, power, and privilege shape our experiences with sexuality, and I found those conversations incredibly thought-provoking.
Whether or not I agreed with every point, I loved how much this book made me think. It’s the kind of nonfiction that leaves you reflecting long after you’ve finished the last page.
I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for this ALC!
One of my favorite sections was the deep dive into asexuality. I came away with a much better understanding of the spectrum than I’ve ever had before, and I was especially interested in the discussion about how asexuality can develop or evolve over the course of someone’s life. It challenged some assumptions I didn’t even realize I had.
I also really enjoyed learning more about swingers and polyamory. As someone who reads a lot of why choose romance, I’ve always been fascinated by those relationship dynamics. It was interesting to see the real-life perspectives behind them, and I appreciated how the book approached these communities without sensationalizing them. It made lifestyles that are often treated as taboo feel much more human and understandable.
What I appreciated most overall is that this book reminds us that sex isn’t something separate from society. It’s deeply intertwined with our culture, relationships, politics, and identities. Angela Jones encourages readers to reflect on how gender, race, power, and privilege shape our experiences with sexuality, and I found those conversations incredibly thought-provoking.
Whether or not I agreed with every point, I loved how much this book made me think. It’s the kind of nonfiction that leaves you reflecting long after you’ve finished the last page.
I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for this ALC!
July 21, 2026
This book argues that physical intimacy is not private, but a social matter shaped by mores and power dynamics. Societal repression can distort eroticism's power, hindering pleasure and liberation. By drawing on sociology, science, and the experiences of rule-breakers, the book reveals how to break free from these constraints—championing justice, bodily autonomy, and more satisfying intimate lives.
This book does what it sets out to do, persuasively and inclusively. Driven by a mix of science, history, and personal stories, it's compelling and easy to understand. The author's hedonistic approach didn't resonate with me—sometimes I felt like she was saying that people who choose a straight, vanilla, monogamous approach to intimacy do so due to social pressure rather than because it makes them happy. The audiobook narration was well done.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This book does what it sets out to do, persuasively and inclusively. Driven by a mix of science, history, and personal stories, it's compelling and easy to understand. The author's hedonistic approach didn't resonate with me—sometimes I felt like she was saying that people who choose a straight, vanilla, monogamous approach to intimacy do so due to social pressure rather than because it makes them happy. The audiobook narration was well done.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
July 24, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley and Brilliance publishing for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for my review!
Audio:
The audio quality was great, as it is a nonfiction/research based book there was not much to emote to but the narrator did a good job of putting stress on the right words or stories and trying to imitate the author's intention with certain anecdotes. It was an easy listen
Book:
I enjoyed this book, I did not realize it was going to be more research-paperesque, from the blurb I moreso thought it would be a collection of other peoples stories, trails, and tribulations exploring their sexuality. While this is touched on it is more so done top-down, where the writer has all of the answers already. Ther was nothing strikingly new in this book that I did not already know about, as sexual politics is something I have enjoyed researching before, but I did appreciate the new LGBTQ+ and racial considerations that I had not previously delved into.
Audio:
The audio quality was great, as it is a nonfiction/research based book there was not much to emote to but the narrator did a good job of putting stress on the right words or stories and trying to imitate the author's intention with certain anecdotes. It was an easy listen
Book:
I enjoyed this book, I did not realize it was going to be more research-paperesque, from the blurb I moreso thought it would be a collection of other peoples stories, trails, and tribulations exploring their sexuality. While this is touched on it is more so done top-down, where the writer has all of the answers already. Ther was nothing strikingly new in this book that I did not already know about, as sexual politics is something I have enjoyed researching before, but I did appreciate the new LGBTQ+ and racial considerations that I had not previously delved into.
July 20, 2026
This book was fascinating, and liberating. Angela took us on a journey of looking at how society affects sex, and sex affects society, through time. She explores eroticism in various formats, and how sex is regulated/politicised for control. Angela talks about various communities such as sexual attractions, kinky, polyamorous, monogamy, BDSM, etc She has lived experiences, and done thorough research, and pretends her findings in a way that is educational, and, well, erotic. She is so sex affirming, exploration, and clear on safer practices, enthusiastic consent, trauma informed, and the need for ongoing communication.
As someone who has come from such a closed minded upbringing, where sex is presented as a duty, it is lovely to hear such positive exploration and explanations.
Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
As someone who has come from such a closed minded upbringing, where sex is presented as a duty, it is lovely to hear such positive exploration and explanations.
Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
August 14, 2026
It is a really interesting book that explores sex, identity, and how society shapes the way we understand them. Jones uses both her own experiences and interviews to make the research feel more personal and give different perspectives on the topic. One part that stood out to me was when she talked about buying a sex doll and how the lack of purchases of Black dolls connected to fetishization and white supremacy, which proves the idea that sex is social and that communities can influence how people view sex and identity. Overall, this book gave me a better understanding of sexual literacy and made me think about how important it is to have more honest conversations about sex and sexuality.
thank you netgalley for the copy
thank you netgalley for the copy
October 30, 2026
Sex in Public by Angela Jones
4.5 book/narration
9h 40 min
Narrator: January LaVoy
Both educational and essential for a greater understanding of power and its impacts on sexuality, desire, and rights.
I learned that sexual literacy and expression is a human right and essential for well-being, justice, and public health.
The author is personally and professionally knowledgeable and shares a mix of evidence-based, researched, and personal experiences or interviews, to educate on sexuality and diverse needs and communities.
Narration by January LaVoy was excellent - clear, expressive and portraying with ease a variety of emotions, humour, and facts.
Thank you to the author, Angela Jones, Brilliance Audio, and NetGalley for this ALC; all opinions are my own.
4.5 book/narration
9h 40 min
Narrator: January LaVoy
Both educational and essential for a greater understanding of power and its impacts on sexuality, desire, and rights.
I learned that sexual literacy and expression is a human right and essential for well-being, justice, and public health.
The author is personally and professionally knowledgeable and shares a mix of evidence-based, researched, and personal experiences or interviews, to educate on sexuality and diverse needs and communities.
Narration by January LaVoy was excellent - clear, expressive and portraying with ease a variety of emotions, humour, and facts.
Thank you to the author, Angela Jones, Brilliance Audio, and NetGalley for this ALC; all opinions are my own.
September 8, 2026
What if the way we understand sex has less to do with what happens in private, and more to do with the society we live in? I went into this book thinking that the premise was quite interesting, and left feeling enlightened.
Angela Jones challenges us to see sexuality as deeply social, shaped by race, gender, power, politics, identity and most importantly the rules we've been taught to follow. Through research, personal experiences, and the voices of people who challenge conventional ideas about sexuality, Jones asks us to question who gets to define what is 'normal' desirable, acceptable or shameful.
What I appreciated most is that this isn't simply a book about sex. It's a book about power, freedom, autonomy and the stories we inherit about our bodies and our desires.
It will make you uncomfortable in the best way, and hopefully leave you asking: Who taught me what I should want, and what might I discover if I questioned it?
A truly thought-provoking read for anyone interested in the politics of our bodies.
Angela Jones challenges us to see sexuality as deeply social, shaped by race, gender, power, politics, identity and most importantly the rules we've been taught to follow. Through research, personal experiences, and the voices of people who challenge conventional ideas about sexuality, Jones asks us to question who gets to define what is 'normal' desirable, acceptable or shameful.
What I appreciated most is that this isn't simply a book about sex. It's a book about power, freedom, autonomy and the stories we inherit about our bodies and our desires.
It will make you uncomfortable in the best way, and hopefully leave you asking: Who taught me what I should want, and what might I discover if I questioned it?
A truly thought-provoking read for anyone interested in the politics of our bodies.
September 14, 2026
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an audio ARC.
This book is very thought provoking and I definitely enjoyed listening to it. The narration for this book was wonderfully done and was great to listen to. The subject is very well written and written in a way that is very engaging. I enjoyed how the author delved into the different topics and it is written to be easily digested.
This book is very thought provoking and I definitely enjoyed listening to it. The narration for this book was wonderfully done and was great to listen to. The subject is very well written and written in a way that is very engaging. I enjoyed how the author delved into the different topics and it is written to be easily digested.
August 1, 2026
This book was engaging from start to finish. I liked how the author cited her sources regularly and how accessible they made the subject. It is thought-provoking and definitely gave me lots of new arguments for future debates. I'm also happy with how intersectional this book was. Not centred on white people, including sex workers, ACE people (who are too often left out of those discussions). I enjoyed the authors giving examples from their personal life too. The audiobook narrator did a great job making this little gem even more enjoyable!
Thank you, Netgalley and Brilliance Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Thank you, Netgalley and Brilliance Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review
August 26, 2026
This book really made me reflect and change the way I see sex and sexuality. It made me realize how little I've understood about many of the themes introduced in this book. It opened my eyes to consider sex/sexuality beyond my own limited experience and identity.
Sex in Public brings up many topics often considered taboo, like polyamory, fetishes, sex clubs, etc. It also shares personal experiences of people from different communities, like disabled people, trans people, ace, poc and sex workers. On top of these personal stories, we get a lot of information from scientific studies. Even more academic information is introduced and explained in a way that it's easy to understand.
The narration of the audiobook was lively, natural, and very easy to keep up with and enjoy.
Sex in Public brings up many topics often considered taboo, like polyamory, fetishes, sex clubs, etc. It also shares personal experiences of people from different communities, like disabled people, trans people, ace, poc and sex workers. On top of these personal stories, we get a lot of information from scientific studies. Even more academic information is introduced and explained in a way that it's easy to understand.
The narration of the audiobook was lively, natural, and very easy to keep up with and enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews