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The Sex Detective
Not yet published
Expected 19 Jan 27Xochitl Ruth Bader Bernstein Buenaventura works in the public health department to ensure that all the citizens of Los Angeles County can have all the safe, shame-free sex their hearts desire. But her own sex life is nonexistent now that she's living at home with her Ashkenazi Jewish family after a miserable break-up. She's always felt like an outlier ever since her Mexican mother died. But at least she has her work. Until the patient in her latest case turns out to be her former high school crush.
Cristian Martinez has been kicked out of the art residency program that was supposed to lead to his dream career. Then he really hits rock bottom when a Public Health caseworker informs him that he's been exposed to an STI. An extremely flustered, strangely familiar caseworker, who, for some reason, he can't stop thinking about.
When his ex-girlfriend denies everything, Cris and Xochi team up and uncover a shocking underground adultery ring that busts Xochi's case load wide open. As secrets come to light, their growing attraction threatens to ruin everything Xochi has worked for. Because the most important rule of being a good Sex Detective is never to fall for your client.
Cristian Martinez has been kicked out of the art residency program that was supposed to lead to his dream career. Then he really hits rock bottom when a Public Health caseworker informs him that he's been exposed to an STI. An extremely flustered, strangely familiar caseworker, who, for some reason, he can't stop thinking about.
When his ex-girlfriend denies everything, Cris and Xochi team up and uncover a shocking underground adultery ring that busts Xochi's case load wide open. As secrets come to light, their growing attraction threatens to ruin everything Xochi has worked for. Because the most important rule of being a good Sex Detective is never to fall for your client.
- GenresRomance
Kindle Edition
Expected publication January 19, 2027
About the author
Anna Natasha
1 book23 followersAnna Natasha is a writer who works in reproductive healthcare and feels like it’s her professional duty to sneak sexual health tidbits into her characters’ mouths.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 3.5 of 5
I have to admit that the premise of The Sex Detective immediately caught my attention. And how often do you read a book with a main character whose name is Xochitl AND you happen to have a relative with that name?
Xochitl Buenaventura works for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health as a sexual health worker, tracking down people who may have been exposed to sexually transmitted infections. Her latest case becomes considerably more complicated when she discovers that the client in question is Cristian 'Cris'Martinez, a guy she had a crush on back in high school. And now, because of her work, she’s not supposed to fall for him. But of course she does.
Cris has problems of his own. He’s been kicked out of an art residency and is trying to figure out what comes next when Xochi arrives to tell him that he may have been exposed to an STI. When his ex-girlfriend denies being responsible, Xochi and Cris start looking into what is actually going on and uncover a much larger situation involving an underground adultery ring. Meanwhile, the professional relationship between them becomes increasingly difficult to maintain as the attraction grows.
I really liked the basic concept here. There’s something fun about having a sexual health worker become romantically involved with the very person she is supposed to be investigating, particularly when he happens to be someone she already had feelings for. The romance itself worked pretty well for me, and Xochi is an interesting character with a job that makes for a somewhat unusual romantic-comedy setup.
Cris was a little more problematic. He’s almost too simple as a character and seems remarkably easy to change. Much of Xochi’s attraction to him also seems to be physical, and I never quite felt that there was enough underneath that attraction to make the relationship as convincing as it might have been. She's willing to support him and encourage him as an artist, and he's more than willing to learn all about her faith.There are certainly moments when the two of them work well together, but I wanted a little more character development from Cris.
My biggest problem with the book, though, was the amount of religion. I generally don’t care for books that take a specific religion (ANY religion) and turn it into a major cause or answer, and this one pushed that particular button for me. More importantly, Cris is so willing to accept it that the whole thing didn’t really ring true to me. It felt less like an organic part of his character and more like a “Mary Sue” moment designed to make everything fall neatly into place.
That said, this is Anna Natasha’s debut novel, and I’d definitely be interested in seeing what she does next. There’s a good idea here and enough enjoyable writing and romance to make me curious about her future books.
Looking for a good book? The Sex Detective by Anna Natasha is a fun contemporary romance with an unusual premise, an appealing female protagonist, and a romance that mostly works, even if some of the character development didn’t quite convince me.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.
I have to admit that the premise of The Sex Detective immediately caught my attention. And how often do you read a book with a main character whose name is Xochitl AND you happen to have a relative with that name?
Xochitl Buenaventura works for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health as a sexual health worker, tracking down people who may have been exposed to sexually transmitted infections. Her latest case becomes considerably more complicated when she discovers that the client in question is Cristian 'Cris'Martinez, a guy she had a crush on back in high school. And now, because of her work, she’s not supposed to fall for him. But of course she does.
Cris has problems of his own. He’s been kicked out of an art residency and is trying to figure out what comes next when Xochi arrives to tell him that he may have been exposed to an STI. When his ex-girlfriend denies being responsible, Xochi and Cris start looking into what is actually going on and uncover a much larger situation involving an underground adultery ring. Meanwhile, the professional relationship between them becomes increasingly difficult to maintain as the attraction grows.
I really liked the basic concept here. There’s something fun about having a sexual health worker become romantically involved with the very person she is supposed to be investigating, particularly when he happens to be someone she already had feelings for. The romance itself worked pretty well for me, and Xochi is an interesting character with a job that makes for a somewhat unusual romantic-comedy setup.
Cris was a little more problematic. He’s almost too simple as a character and seems remarkably easy to change. Much of Xochi’s attraction to him also seems to be physical, and I never quite felt that there was enough underneath that attraction to make the relationship as convincing as it might have been. She's willing to support him and encourage him as an artist, and he's more than willing to learn all about her faith.There are certainly moments when the two of them work well together, but I wanted a little more character development from Cris.
My biggest problem with the book, though, was the amount of religion. I generally don’t care for books that take a specific religion (ANY religion) and turn it into a major cause or answer, and this one pushed that particular button for me. More importantly, Cris is so willing to accept it that the whole thing didn’t really ring true to me. It felt less like an organic part of his character and more like a “Mary Sue” moment designed to make everything fall neatly into place.
That said, this is Anna Natasha’s debut novel, and I’d definitely be interested in seeing what she does next. There’s a good idea here and enough enjoyable writing and romance to make me curious about her future books.
Looking for a good book? The Sex Detective by Anna Natasha is a fun contemporary romance with an unusual premise, an appealing female protagonist, and a romance that mostly works, even if some of the character development didn’t quite convince me.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Sex Detective • Anna Natasha
One phrase: STIs, second chances, and spectacularly bad timing 🍆🔎
NO BECAUSE IMAGINE THIS.
You're working in public health, minding your business, helping people have safe, shame-free sex, and your latest STI exposure case turns out to be your HIGH SCHOOL CRUSH.
I would simply resign.
Immediately.
Xochi is smart, passionate about her job, and an absolute mess when it comes to her own love life. And Cris? This man is already dealing with a failed art residency, a cheating ex, and now an extremely awkward reunion with the girl who used to crush on him.
Naturally, the next logical step is to investigate an underground adultery ring together.
WHAT?!
I genuinely had so much fun with this one. The awkwardness, banter, ridiculous situations, and surprisingly sweet romance had me giggling. But what I appreciated most was how it handled sexual health without making it shameful.
I also loved that there was more to these characters than their romantic chaos. Xochi's complicated relationship with her cultural identity and family, along with Cris trying to rebuild his confidence, gave the story some real heart.
Were they a mess? Absolutely.
Was I rooting for them anyway? Obviously.
✨ Tropes and vibes:
🔎 Sex detective FMC
💋 Former high school crush
🩺 Public health romance
😂 Awkward reunions
🖤 Forbidden attraction
🕵️ Accidental investigators
💔 Cheating ex drama
🔥 Slow building chemistry
🏠 Complicated family dynamics
💕 Self discovery
📚 Read this if you like:
Romantic comedies, awkward reunions, former crushes, quirky mysteries, sex positive stories, multicultural family dynamics, messy but lovable characters, and couples who somehow turn an STI notification into a love story.
Funny, chaotic, surprisingly heartfelt, and proof that romance really can start in the most unfortunate places.
#TheSexDetective #AnnaNatasha #RomanticComedy #ContemporaryRomance #BookReview
One phrase: STIs, second chances, and spectacularly bad timing 🍆🔎
NO BECAUSE IMAGINE THIS.
You're working in public health, minding your business, helping people have safe, shame-free sex, and your latest STI exposure case turns out to be your HIGH SCHOOL CRUSH.
I would simply resign.
Immediately.
Xochi is smart, passionate about her job, and an absolute mess when it comes to her own love life. And Cris? This man is already dealing with a failed art residency, a cheating ex, and now an extremely awkward reunion with the girl who used to crush on him.
Naturally, the next logical step is to investigate an underground adultery ring together.
WHAT?!
I genuinely had so much fun with this one. The awkwardness, banter, ridiculous situations, and surprisingly sweet romance had me giggling. But what I appreciated most was how it handled sexual health without making it shameful.
I also loved that there was more to these characters than their romantic chaos. Xochi's complicated relationship with her cultural identity and family, along with Cris trying to rebuild his confidence, gave the story some real heart.
Were they a mess? Absolutely.
Was I rooting for them anyway? Obviously.
✨ Tropes and vibes:
🔎 Sex detective FMC
💋 Former high school crush
🩺 Public health romance
😂 Awkward reunions
🖤 Forbidden attraction
🕵️ Accidental investigators
💔 Cheating ex drama
🔥 Slow building chemistry
🏠 Complicated family dynamics
💕 Self discovery
📚 Read this if you like:
Romantic comedies, awkward reunions, former crushes, quirky mysteries, sex positive stories, multicultural family dynamics, messy but lovable characters, and couples who somehow turn an STI notification into a love story.
Funny, chaotic, surprisingly heartfelt, and proof that romance really can start in the most unfortunate places.
#TheSexDetective #AnnaNatasha #RomanticComedy #ContemporaryRomance #BookReview
August 29, 2026
Most of the couples in romance books are a mess, but Xochitl and Cris are a FUN mess to read about. Their shenanigans are so exciting and fun, paired with the awkward dialogue at first that slowly turns into a more comfortable and banter-filled relationship. I found myself laughing out loud multiple times, and the large amount of Spanglish was a lot of fun as someone who just learned Spanish as a third language. I thought there were some discrepancies / continuity issues here and there, but nonetheless this is a solid 4 stars and I would absolutely recommend this to any romance reader down for a good time. And last but not least, thank you NetGalley for the eARC. This is the first ARC I’ve ever received, and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What a lovely book! I got hooked and couldn't do anything other than read it straight till the end.
First, two things that were completely weird and immediately got me into the story: the name of the FMC - Xochitl - and the word gonorrhea!!!
The story starts with quite an unexpected plot, with Xochitl working for the health department and calling people with STIs to try to prevent the spread of the infection. Well, as she tracks down the sexual partner of one of her patients who got gonorrhea, to tell him to get tested and treated, she finds out that he was her high school CRUSH.
Of course, the guy doesn't even recognise her. It was quite a painful unrequited crush!!! But this time, the guy needs Xochitl. He realises that his girlfriend has been cheating on him, and Xochitl is the sex detective he needs to team up with...
It was such a funny story with this awkward partnership. Slowly, the attraction starts to grow between them while they investigate together. We also get to know more about the family dynamics of these characters, one is jewish mexican, the other latinos and both are back at their parents' houses after feeling like they have failed in life.
I really enjoyed this book and really grew to like these two characters. We get to feel their emotions and empathise with them. The author also does a good job of bringing in their cultural backgrounds. And we really feel for their messy lives, their families' expectations and what they actually want to do with their lives.
So it's also a story about self-growth and being true to yourself. If you love a good romance with lots of funny moments and some emotional ones too, go and read it!
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC.
First, two things that were completely weird and immediately got me into the story: the name of the FMC - Xochitl - and the word gonorrhea!!!
The story starts with quite an unexpected plot, with Xochitl working for the health department and calling people with STIs to try to prevent the spread of the infection. Well, as she tracks down the sexual partner of one of her patients who got gonorrhea, to tell him to get tested and treated, she finds out that he was her high school CRUSH.
Of course, the guy doesn't even recognise her. It was quite a painful unrequited crush!!! But this time, the guy needs Xochitl. He realises that his girlfriend has been cheating on him, and Xochitl is the sex detective he needs to team up with...
It was such a funny story with this awkward partnership. Slowly, the attraction starts to grow between them while they investigate together. We also get to know more about the family dynamics of these characters, one is jewish mexican, the other latinos and both are back at their parents' houses after feeling like they have failed in life.
I really enjoyed this book and really grew to like these two characters. We get to feel their emotions and empathise with them. The author also does a good job of bringing in their cultural backgrounds. And we really feel for their messy lives, their families' expectations and what they actually want to do with their lives.
So it's also a story about self-growth and being true to yourself. If you love a good romance with lots of funny moments and some emotional ones too, go and read it!
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed this one. The whole “Sex Detective falls for her client” setup immediately caught my attention, and I loved how it mixed a serious public health job with a messy, unexpected romance. Xochi and Cris already have history, so watching that old crush come back into the picture made their relationship feel more personal.
Xochi was probably my favorite. She’s smart, passionate about her work, and clearly cares about helping people, but she’s also dealing with feeling like she doesn’t completely fit in anywhere. I liked that she isn’t just defined by her job—there’s a lot going on with her family, her breakup, and everything she’s trying to figure out for herself.
Cris was also really easy to like. He’s going through his own career struggles, and the fact that he reconnects with Xochi under such an awkward circumstance makes their chemistry even more entertaining. Their banter and growing attraction were definitely some of my favorite parts.
I also really liked the mystery involving the adultery ring because it gave the story something beyond just the romance. It kept things moving and created plenty of opportunities for Xochi and Cris to get closer while knowing they probably shouldn’t.
Overall, this was funny, spicy, surprisingly heartfelt, and just a really entertaining read. I loved the combination of romance, public health, family dynamics, and mystery, and Xochi and Cris were such a fun couple to follow.
Xochi was probably my favorite. She’s smart, passionate about her work, and clearly cares about helping people, but she’s also dealing with feeling like she doesn’t completely fit in anywhere. I liked that she isn’t just defined by her job—there’s a lot going on with her family, her breakup, and everything she’s trying to figure out for herself.
Cris was also really easy to like. He’s going through his own career struggles, and the fact that he reconnects with Xochi under such an awkward circumstance makes their chemistry even more entertaining. Their banter and growing attraction were definitely some of my favorite parts.
I also really liked the mystery involving the adultery ring because it gave the story something beyond just the romance. It kept things moving and created plenty of opportunities for Xochi and Cris to get closer while knowing they probably shouldn’t.
Overall, this was funny, spicy, surprisingly heartfelt, and just a really entertaining read. I loved the combination of romance, public health, family dynamics, and mystery, and Xochi and Cris were such a fun couple to follow.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed the premise of this one! The whole idea of a public health caseworker calling herself a “Sex Detective” and unexpectedly reconnecting with her former high school crush immediately caught my attention. I loved how it combines romance, humor, and mystery while exploring topics like sexual health, family expectations, and figuring out where you belong.
Xochi was an interesting main character. I liked that she’s passionate about her work and genuinely wants to help people, even while her own personal life is a bit of a mess. Her struggles with feeling like an outsider with her family, dealing with a painful breakup, and living with her family add another layer to her character that makes her feel relatable. I loved seeing Xochi open up as to how she feels like she is not good enough for her Jewish family and feels like she is an imposter with her mexican heritage since she lost her mom so young and is not in contact with those relatives. I loved that her opening up allowed her to have more open conversations with her family and know that she is loved for who she is and how proud they all are.
Cris was a fun character to follow. Having him reconnect with Xochi during such an awkward and unexpected situation makes their dynamic even more intriguing. I love a romance where the characters already have some history, and the fact that they’re drawn to each other while dealing with a complicated situation makes their growing attraction feel even more entertaining. Cris is also dealing with a lot and i love how Xochi cheered him on and made sure he knew that he is worth so much more than he knows. It was beautiful to see him slowly believe in himself again.
The mystery surrounding the underground adultery ring is another aspect I really like. It adds something extra to the story beyond the romance and gives Xochi and Cris a reason to work together, even when their personal feelings threaten to complicate everything. I also appreciate that the story seems willing to tackle sexual health in a way that’s funny and approachable without losing sight of its importance.
Overall, this book was such a fun, spicy, and heartfelt read! I love the combination of workplace drama, second-chance-at-love vibes, family dynamics, and mystery. Xochi and Cris sound like a couple worth rooting for and I loved all of the side characters!
Xochi was an interesting main character. I liked that she’s passionate about her work and genuinely wants to help people, even while her own personal life is a bit of a mess. Her struggles with feeling like an outsider with her family, dealing with a painful breakup, and living with her family add another layer to her character that makes her feel relatable. I loved seeing Xochi open up as to how she feels like she is not good enough for her Jewish family and feels like she is an imposter with her mexican heritage since she lost her mom so young and is not in contact with those relatives. I loved that her opening up allowed her to have more open conversations with her family and know that she is loved for who she is and how proud they all are.
Cris was a fun character to follow. Having him reconnect with Xochi during such an awkward and unexpected situation makes their dynamic even more intriguing. I love a romance where the characters already have some history, and the fact that they’re drawn to each other while dealing with a complicated situation makes their growing attraction feel even more entertaining. Cris is also dealing with a lot and i love how Xochi cheered him on and made sure he knew that he is worth so much more than he knows. It was beautiful to see him slowly believe in himself again.
The mystery surrounding the underground adultery ring is another aspect I really like. It adds something extra to the story beyond the romance and gives Xochi and Cris a reason to work together, even when their personal feelings threaten to complicate everything. I also appreciate that the story seems willing to tackle sexual health in a way that’s funny and approachable without losing sight of its importance.
Overall, this book was such a fun, spicy, and heartfelt read! I love the combination of workplace drama, second-chance-at-love vibes, family dynamics, and mystery. Xochi and Cris sound like a couple worth rooting for and I loved all of the side characters!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was pulled in by the plot of a public health caseworker falling in love with a patient. Obviously it blurs boundaries but out of all the cases that Xochitl has come across, unfortunate for both her and Cris is she had a major crush on him in high school! She reconnects and has a second chance with a side of he was just exposed to a STI.
The investigative portion of the story was what lost me a little. I felt like Xochi really crossed some professional boundaries that made me side-eye her. I also expected more spice from a book about a sex detective.
What did work for me is Xochi exploring her family background and identity. I thought it was really interesting her connection to her Jewish family and how Cris really helped her reconnect to her Mexican heritage.
Overall I think it was cute and unique but wasn't my favorite story.
Thank you to Cosmo Reads for the opportunity to read and review this book. It will be published in January 2027!
The investigative portion of the story was what lost me a little. I felt like Xochi really crossed some professional boundaries that made me side-eye her. I also expected more spice from a book about a sex detective.
What did work for me is Xochi exploring her family background and identity. I thought it was really interesting her connection to her Jewish family and how Cris really helped her reconnect to her Mexican heritage.
Overall I think it was cute and unique but wasn't my favorite story.
Thank you to Cosmo Reads for the opportunity to read and review this book. It will be published in January 2027!
September 22, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.
The title of this book made me wary of reading it but the blurb was the seller.
This is a classic rom-com which I enjoyed.
The characters were lovable and sweet and although the way they connect is unusual, it brings some light hearted humour to the story.
Both of them go through hard times, which is lightly touched upon. It would have been nice for these to have been more core to the storyline to really build the emotion.
This was a nice, easy read that was good to pick up and put down at any point.
The title of this book made me wary of reading it but the blurb was the seller.
This is a classic rom-com which I enjoyed.
The characters were lovable and sweet and although the way they connect is unusual, it brings some light hearted humour to the story.
Both of them go through hard times, which is lightly touched upon. It would have been nice for these to have been more core to the storyline to really build the emotion.
This was a nice, easy read that was good to pick up and put down at any point.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
The Sex Detective blends mystery, humor, and modern relationship dynamics into a clever and unconventional story. Anna Natasha takes a fresh approach by centering the plot on intimate secrets and the misunderstandings that often surround them, creating a narrative that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. The novel balances its investigative elements with sharp observations about communication, trust, and human behavior. Readers who enjoy lighthearted mysteries with contemporary themes will likely appreciate its wit, memorable characters, and unusual premise.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
This book is an adorable friends-to-lovers story, that focuses on finding yourself and being true to that person. I immediately fell in love with Xochitl and Cris and their sleuthery and companionship. I fell in love with them so much, that I finished this gem in a day.
I enjoyed learning about the different cultures in the book and the Author’s attention to detail.
The side characters are amazing too— looking at you Safta and Benny!
Thank you Edelweiss+, Sourcebooks, and Anna Natasha for this perfect eARC and adorable duo!
I enjoyed learning about the different cultures in the book and the Author’s attention to detail.
The side characters are amazing too— looking at you Safta and Benny!
Thank you Edelweiss+, Sourcebooks, and Anna Natasha for this perfect eARC and adorable duo!
October 9, 2026
i loved it. imagine my shock finding out it’s the writers first novel. it’s so well written. this was a proper romcom. absolutely hilarious and romantic and sweet. it gets a little preachy sometimes but it’s such a fun book.
thank you to netgalley for the arc
thank you to netgalley for the arc
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews