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Kiss and Tell: How to Write Unforgettable Sex Scenes
Learn how to confidently write smoldering sex scenes...even if the idea of it has you nervous-giggling into a glass of Chardonnay.
This book is the holy grail for all spicy romance authors. Whether you’re a newbie who isn’t sure where to start or you’ve banged out so many sex scenes that your keyboard needs a cigarette break, this one’s for you.
As the author of nine critically-acclaimed—and very steamy—romances, I understand that lecturing yourself to “write this hotter!” isn't enough. I’ve been a certified writing coach for nearly a decade, so I can lead you step-by-step through ACTUAL THINGS YOU CAN DO to turn your open-door scenes from “okay, let’s get this over with” to “melt your Kindle.”
Here's a taste of what you'll get:
• Take the guesswork out of what makes something sexy or not.
• Stand out from the herd by writing sex scenes with depth: character specific, emotionally complex, and hot as h*ll.
• Deploy sneaky sentence-level tricks that will drive your readers’ subconscious experience.
• Choose vocabulary that doesn’t sound like you’re teaching sex ed.
• Advice that works for queer and straight romances alike. Nope, we’re not going to be hetero-norming over here!
• Break down how to write a Big Kiss scene that has the trumpets swelling.
• Analyze examples from authors at the top of their game, like Katee Robert, Tiffany Reisz, Natalie Naudus, and more!
• BONUS: I'll reveal the dirty secret of sex-scene writing that no one is supposed to say out loud—the one that's going to revolutionize the way you look at sex scenes!
Grab some popcorn, kick your feet up, and let's have a laugh along the way to making your happy couple even happier!
This book is the holy grail for all spicy romance authors. Whether you’re a newbie who isn’t sure where to start or you’ve banged out so many sex scenes that your keyboard needs a cigarette break, this one’s for you.
As the author of nine critically-acclaimed—and very steamy—romances, I understand that lecturing yourself to “write this hotter!” isn't enough. I’ve been a certified writing coach for nearly a decade, so I can lead you step-by-step through ACTUAL THINGS YOU CAN DO to turn your open-door scenes from “okay, let’s get this over with” to “melt your Kindle.”
Here's a taste of what you'll get:
• Take the guesswork out of what makes something sexy or not.
• Stand out from the herd by writing sex scenes with depth: character specific, emotionally complex, and hot as h*ll.
• Deploy sneaky sentence-level tricks that will drive your readers’ subconscious experience.
• Choose vocabulary that doesn’t sound like you’re teaching sex ed.
• Advice that works for queer and straight romances alike. Nope, we’re not going to be hetero-norming over here!
• Break down how to write a Big Kiss scene that has the trumpets swelling.
• Analyze examples from authors at the top of their game, like Katee Robert, Tiffany Reisz, Natalie Naudus, and more!
• BONUS: I'll reveal the dirty secret of sex-scene writing that no one is supposed to say out loud—the one that's going to revolutionize the way you look at sex scenes!
Grab some popcorn, kick your feet up, and let's have a laugh along the way to making your happy couple even happier!
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 16, 2026
1 person is currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Hazen
25 books456 followersMichelle Hazen is a nomad with a writing problem.
Years ago, she and her husband ducked out of the 9 to 5 world and moved into a life as digital nomads. She found her voice with the support of the online fanfiction community, and once she started typing, she never looked back.
As a result, she's written most of her books in odd places, including a bus in Thailand, an off-the-grid cabin in the Sawtooth Mountains, a golf cart in a sandstorm, a rental car during a heat wave in the Mohave Desert, a century-old Creole cottage in New Orleans, and a beach in Honduras. These days, she's writing all the romance and friendship scenes her heart can hold, while working as a freelance editor and writing coach with Sanctuary Editorial.
She's currently addicted to Shadow & Bone, rock climbing, and Tillamook cheese.
Michelle is the award-winning author of Breathe the Sky, Unbreak Me, So You Think You're a Match, and the Sex, Love, and Rock and Roll series. Find her at http://michellehazenbooks.com/ on Facebook or Instagram at @MichelleHazenAuthor, or follow her on Twitter @michellehazen.
Years ago, she and her husband ducked out of the 9 to 5 world and moved into a life as digital nomads. She found her voice with the support of the online fanfiction community, and once she started typing, she never looked back.
As a result, she's written most of her books in odd places, including a bus in Thailand, an off-the-grid cabin in the Sawtooth Mountains, a golf cart in a sandstorm, a rental car during a heat wave in the Mohave Desert, a century-old Creole cottage in New Orleans, and a beach in Honduras. These days, she's writing all the romance and friendship scenes her heart can hold, while working as a freelance editor and writing coach with Sanctuary Editorial.
She's currently addicted to Shadow & Bone, rock climbing, and Tillamook cheese.
Michelle is the award-winning author of Breathe the Sky, Unbreak Me, So You Think You're a Match, and the Sex, Love, and Rock and Roll series. Find her at http://michellehazenbooks.com/ on Facebook or Instagram at @MichelleHazenAuthor, or follow her on Twitter @michellehazen.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 17, 2026
If you write romance (or romantic subplots), Kiss and Tell is the book you never knew you always needed. Michelle gives straightforward advice in a humorous and nonjudgmental way on writing sexual and emotional tension. Although I write closed-door romance, I still picked up lots of great information in this book. Michelle explains how a good scene isn't just "Insert Tab A into Slot B," but how much emotion and anticipation you include, whether or not the actual action is on the page. She also includes lots of good (and bad) examples, as well as exercises to try as you find your own voice. This is definitely a craft book you want in your collection!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 16, 2026
I am not the audience for this but I still really enjoyed it AND learned a few things that are really applicable and useful for writers. And if I felt like this, I can only imagine how much more useful this is for the correct audience. Michelle pulls you right in and walks you through all the elements of writing a hot scene. A really helpful and fun book for romance writers- but really anyone who wants to continue to hone their writing craft!
March 17, 2026
As someone currently writing a romantic comedy, I picked up Kiss and Tell looking for practical advice on writing sex scenes. I wanted the scenes to feel natural, sexy, and emotionally real rather than tipping into something too graphic or cringeworthy. As a male romance writer, that balance can sometimes feel a bit like being the only bloke in a Pilates class—you’re hoping you’re doing it right, but there’s always the nagging suspicion you might be embarrassing yourself.
Michelle Hazen’s book turned out to be exactly the craft guide I needed.
What I appreciated most is that she treats intimacy scenes as storytelling, not just anatomy. The focus is on character, emotional shifts, and how these moments move the relationship forward. That perspective alone made me rethink how these scenes should function within my own novel.
One tip I particularly loved was her advice to write the entire scene in one sitting, as quickly as possible, rather than stopping and starting. I tried exactly that while drafting a scene for my book and it worked brilliantly. Writing it in one burst kept the rhythm and emotional flow intact instead of overthinking every line.
Kiss and Tell is clear, practical, and refreshingly funny & honest. A fantastic guide for romance writers trying to get steamy sex scenes onto the page.
Michelle Hazen’s book turned out to be exactly the craft guide I needed.
What I appreciated most is that she treats intimacy scenes as storytelling, not just anatomy. The focus is on character, emotional shifts, and how these moments move the relationship forward. That perspective alone made me rethink how these scenes should function within my own novel.
One tip I particularly loved was her advice to write the entire scene in one sitting, as quickly as possible, rather than stopping and starting. I tried exactly that while drafting a scene for my book and it worked brilliantly. Writing it in one burst kept the rhythm and emotional flow intact instead of overthinking every line.
Kiss and Tell is clear, practical, and refreshingly funny & honest. A fantastic guide for romance writers trying to get steamy sex scenes onto the page.
March 19, 2026
Excellent writing aide to help you overcome the embarrasment of writing sex scenes, and digging deeper into the fact that you don't have to put everything out their in explicit glory but dig into the underlying character wants and needs, and develop the characters' emotional journey.
Michelle shows us many ways to describe love and romance, with plenty of practise exercises to illustrate what works and what doesn't.
Easy to read, some humour to break the unease! and some great real written examples and an explanation of why they work, or why they don't. It gives you a whole new way of looking at how to describe romantic relationships, not just the culminating end goal.
This book helps strengthen your writing, no matter where the romance fits into your story. The insights are so useful. I'm glad I read this book, even if I may never write a full on sex scene, I know this will help my characters relationship progress, tease, and so engage the reader more.
Michelle shows us many ways to describe love and romance, with plenty of practise exercises to illustrate what works and what doesn't.
Easy to read, some humour to break the unease! and some great real written examples and an explanation of why they work, or why they don't. It gives you a whole new way of looking at how to describe romantic relationships, not just the culminating end goal.
This book helps strengthen your writing, no matter where the romance fits into your story. The insights are so useful. I'm glad I read this book, even if I may never write a full on sex scene, I know this will help my characters relationship progress, tease, and so engage the reader more.
Review of advance copy received from Author
In Kiss and Tell, Michelle Hazen draws from her years of romance and editing experience to share ingenius tips and tricks (with great examples) on how to write sizzling sex scenes. This book will prove valuable to all levels of romance writers, from those who've just dipped a toe into the genre all the way to multi-published authors looking for some fresh inspiration. The advice is widely universal, covering topics such as how to build anticipation, hook the reader, heighten emotion, and avoid cliches, plus a whole lot of fun forays into extended areas (great kisses, sex toys, bdsm, and multiple actors). She even addresses how to handle closed door romance. Plus, the additional editing advice is evergreen for all writers, romance or not. This is a must-read reference book for any spicy romance author looking to steam up their sex scenes.
March 16, 2026
Who better than a romance author to *talk you through it*?
I read an ARC of Kiss & Tell and loved it! I've never seen someone articulate all the layers of writing sex the way Michelle Hazen did. This craft book provides tons of strategies for making your characters' intimacy feel emotionally resonant, character-specific, memorable, AND hot! There's also an incredible amount of examples from real books that brings these techniques to life.
This book is for you if (shut up, it just is!):
- You write physical intimacy - closed door or open
- You have no idea where to start with spicy scenes
- You're tired of spicy scenes that are "hot" but still fall flat for some reason
- You're curious how someone can fill 250 pages with schmex-related how-tos
All in favor of nominating Michelle Hazen to rewrite all craft books, say aye!
I read an ARC of Kiss & Tell and loved it! I've never seen someone articulate all the layers of writing sex the way Michelle Hazen did. This craft book provides tons of strategies for making your characters' intimacy feel emotionally resonant, character-specific, memorable, AND hot! There's also an incredible amount of examples from real books that brings these techniques to life.
This book is for you if (shut up, it just is!):
- You write physical intimacy - closed door or open
- You have no idea where to start with spicy scenes
- You're tired of spicy scenes that are "hot" but still fall flat for some reason
- You're curious how someone can fill 250 pages with schmex-related how-tos
All in favor of nominating Michelle Hazen to rewrite all craft books, say aye!
March 18, 2026
This writing guide focuses on crafting spicy scenes, but what I really appreciated is how much of the advice applies to writing in general. Even beyond those specific scenes, there are plenty of useful tips that aspiring writers can take away and incorporate into their overall storytelling.
The guidance is clear, practical, and easy to follow, making it a valuable resource whether you’re focusing on romance or just looking to improve your writing skills in general.
My only critique is that while the book occasionally references studies to support its points, it doesn’t provide full citations. I would have loved to see proper references included so I could explore those studies further and understand their context in more depth.
Overall, it’s a very helpful and worthwhile read, especially for writers looking to strengthen their craft.
The guidance is clear, practical, and easy to follow, making it a valuable resource whether you’re focusing on romance or just looking to improve your writing skills in general.
My only critique is that while the book occasionally references studies to support its points, it doesn’t provide full citations. I would have loved to see proper references included so I could explore those studies further and understand their context in more depth.
Overall, it’s a very helpful and worthwhile read, especially for writers looking to strengthen their craft.
March 19, 2026
I absolutely love this book! It beautifully explains why we need spice in our romance novels and provides invaluable insights on how to write scenes full of tension. The author skillfully illustrates her points with great examples in each chapter, making the concepts easy to grasp.
The practical exercises allow every author to practice what they've learned, reinforcing the lessons and enhancing their writing skills.
I’ve learned a great deal about improving my writing, and I can confidently recommend this book to anyone who writes about couples, even if it’s just a simple kiss.
It's a must-read for both aspiring and experienced romance writers looking to add depth and excitement to their stories!
The practical exercises allow every author to practice what they've learned, reinforcing the lessons and enhancing their writing skills.
I’ve learned a great deal about improving my writing, and I can confidently recommend this book to anyone who writes about couples, even if it’s just a simple kiss.
It's a must-read for both aspiring and experienced romance writers looking to add depth and excitement to their stories!
March 17, 2026
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a complimentary copy.
I picked it up because I’ve always wanted to write a paranormal romance, but the sex scene has been my biggest stumbling block. This guide breaks that barrier beautifully. It’s packed with 29 chapters that walk you through getting started, setting the mood, choosing language that feels natural rather than clinical, and—best of all—practical writing exercises to help strengthen your craft.
I picked it up because I’ve always wanted to write a paranormal romance, but the sex scene has been my biggest stumbling block. This guide breaks that barrier beautifully. It’s packed with 29 chapters that walk you through getting started, setting the mood, choosing language that feels natural rather than clinical, and—best of all—practical writing exercises to help strengthen your craft.
March 16, 2026
This is a very useful read for those who want to write steamy stories. It shows you how to start with a great structure and how to plan it all. Really useful
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a brilliant ideas
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a brilliant ideas
March 20, 2026
The only book on crafting spicy scenes you’ll ever need! Perfect for seasoned authors looking for inspiration and new-to-romance writers eager to level up their craft. Approachable and actionable guidance, with the added bonus of Hazen’s humor and wit.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews