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Sex Positive
The first in a sexy new adult college romance series, Sex Positive is about taking control of your own pleasure. Perfect for fans of Hannah Grace and Elle Kennedy.
She wants experience. He wants her.
College senior, Charlotte “Charlie” Rogers is so over abstinence-only sex education. She dreams of dismantling patriarchal shame-tactics and launching her own comprehensive sex education curriculum.
The only catch? She’s still a virgin.
Sex-positive Charlie has a secret: she’s never practiced what she preaches.
Enter Wesley Quinn: Archwood University’s resident playboy and Charlie’s best friend-turned-nemesis who broke her heart three years ago. When Charlie lies to a failed hookup she slept with Wes, he confronts her. In a moment of vulnerability, Charlie reveals her secret.
But then Wes offers to sleep with her for real.
Convincing herself it’s purely for experimental purposes, Charlie agrees. But soon, old emotions resurface, the line between physical attraction and something more begins to blur, and Charlie discovers Wes might not be the arrogant man she thought he was.
When Charlie’s dream of a sex positive sex education program is put at risk, she must decide whether she’s willing to lose her ultimate goal or let go of the heart-stopping connection she thought she’d lost forever.
She wants experience. He wants her.
College senior, Charlotte “Charlie” Rogers is so over abstinence-only sex education. She dreams of dismantling patriarchal shame-tactics and launching her own comprehensive sex education curriculum.
The only catch? She’s still a virgin.
Sex-positive Charlie has a secret: she’s never practiced what she preaches.
Enter Wesley Quinn: Archwood University’s resident playboy and Charlie’s best friend-turned-nemesis who broke her heart three years ago. When Charlie lies to a failed hookup she slept with Wes, he confronts her. In a moment of vulnerability, Charlie reveals her secret.
But then Wes offers to sleep with her for real.
Convincing herself it’s purely for experimental purposes, Charlie agrees. But soon, old emotions resurface, the line between physical attraction and something more begins to blur, and Charlie discovers Wes might not be the arrogant man she thought he was.
When Charlie’s dream of a sex positive sex education program is put at risk, she must decide whether she’s willing to lose her ultimate goal or let go of the heart-stopping connection she thought she’d lost forever.
412 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 4, 2026
About the author
Brooklyn Rose
1 book41 followersBrooklyn Rose is a writer of romance stories full of sex positivity, female empowerment, and characters who are funny and opinionated but flawed.
Her passion and work for reproductive justice, sexual health, and the right to choose what to do with your body extends to her fictional romance as she strives to teach and encourage people how to advocate for themselves and their pleasure.
When she’s not writing, you can typically find her reading any kind of book (but specifically romance with strong female leads), going for a long run, or binge watching her latest TV obsession. Born and raised in Michigan, she currently lives in New Hampshire with her partner and an abundance of books.
Follow along for updates:
Instagram: instagram.com/brooklynrosewrites
Newsletter: https://booksbodiesbreathe.substack.com/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brooklynrosew...
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@brooklynrose...
Her passion and work for reproductive justice, sexual health, and the right to choose what to do with your body extends to her fictional romance as she strives to teach and encourage people how to advocate for themselves and their pleasure.
When she’s not writing, you can typically find her reading any kind of book (but specifically romance with strong female leads), going for a long run, or binge watching her latest TV obsession. Born and raised in Michigan, she currently lives in New Hampshire with her partner and an abundance of books.
Follow along for updates:
Instagram: instagram.com/brooklynrosewrites
Newsletter: https://booksbodiesbreathe.substack.com/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brooklynrosew...
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@brooklynrose...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 410 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
✨ARC Book Review✨
I loved this book so much! I had a similar upbringing to Charlie. She was raised in a devout religious home with a strong emphasis on purity culture, and I really connected with that aspect of her story.
I loved watching Charlie learn about sex and her own body outside of what she’d been taught by others and through faith alone. Taking a job at a women’s health clinic that focused on all aspects of women’s healthcare was incredibly brave, in my opinion. At the same time, she’s open to explore her own sexuality and accidentally name drops her longtime crush in an awkward moment by claiming he’s a prior sexual partner, setting off a series of events that brings the two of them together.
With the clinic she works at is in danger of closing, Charlie does everything she can to help raise funding. She discovers that her longtime crush, Wesley, is friends with a viral blogger who could benefit from improving his public image. In exchange for an introduction to the blogger, who could bring positive light to the clinic, Charlie agrees to tutor Wesley for the LSAT.
Wesley constantly wants to know why Charlie named dropped him as a prior sexual partner. One day when he’s pushing the topic, she opens up to him about her experiments in learning about her body and sexuality. He offers to help her, and believe me sis was way cooler than I would have been… What starts as a mutually agreement to explore that together, evolves into so much more! I loved how they took their time, allowing Charlie to become comfortable with each new level of intimacy. It felt so sweet, respectful, and incredibly endearing.
Alongside the romance, the story follows the clinic’s fight to stay open, which gave the story so much more depth! Charlie always seemed to have such a level head on her shoulders in regard to the clinic, and I found myself wanting everyone to recognize the value the clinic brought to the community and invest to save it!
I absolutely loved the deeper topics explored in this book. The discussions surrounding purity culture, women’s health, consent, and embracing sexuality were handled so well. I especially loved the ending! It was both heartwarming and endearing.
This was such a sweet romance, but it was also an impactful read for anyone who has struggled with the messages society or religion has placed on women’s bodies and sexuality.
I loved this book so much! I had a similar upbringing to Charlie. She was raised in a devout religious home with a strong emphasis on purity culture, and I really connected with that aspect of her story.
I loved watching Charlie learn about sex and her own body outside of what she’d been taught by others and through faith alone. Taking a job at a women’s health clinic that focused on all aspects of women’s healthcare was incredibly brave, in my opinion. At the same time, she’s open to explore her own sexuality and accidentally name drops her longtime crush in an awkward moment by claiming he’s a prior sexual partner, setting off a series of events that brings the two of them together.
With the clinic she works at is in danger of closing, Charlie does everything she can to help raise funding. She discovers that her longtime crush, Wesley, is friends with a viral blogger who could benefit from improving his public image. In exchange for an introduction to the blogger, who could bring positive light to the clinic, Charlie agrees to tutor Wesley for the LSAT.
Wesley constantly wants to know why Charlie named dropped him as a prior sexual partner. One day when he’s pushing the topic, she opens up to him about her experiments in learning about her body and sexuality. He offers to help her, and believe me sis was way cooler than I would have been… What starts as a mutually agreement to explore that together, evolves into so much more! I loved how they took their time, allowing Charlie to become comfortable with each new level of intimacy. It felt so sweet, respectful, and incredibly endearing.
Alongside the romance, the story follows the clinic’s fight to stay open, which gave the story so much more depth! Charlie always seemed to have such a level head on her shoulders in regard to the clinic, and I found myself wanting everyone to recognize the value the clinic brought to the community and invest to save it!
I absolutely loved the deeper topics explored in this book. The discussions surrounding purity culture, women’s health, consent, and embracing sexuality were handled so well. I especially loved the ending! It was both heartwarming and endearing.
This was such a sweet romance, but it was also an impactful read for anyone who has struggled with the messages society or religion has placed on women’s bodies and sexuality.
Read
August 1, 2026a book about sex that is sadly unsexy...
this book was pitched to me as a rivals to lovers, sort of second chance, with tension galore, what it actually ended up being was one very long (but important) conversation about sex education and abortion access. i need to say, i support everything going on with the clinic and the conversations surrounding sex positivity and education, i think thats all great and needs to be in more mainstream media. however, i don't understand why this is was pitched as a book where the girl learned about sex from this guy she has a history with... it was not.
charlie is a college student who never goes to class, is a genius, and is basically running and funding/fundraising this clinic. very impressed with her getting a 178 on the lsat (is that good..lmk) because girl is never in class. she has history with wes, a lacrosse player who is never practicing but always studying for the lsat he doesn't want to take. wes is gonna help her with sex/intimacy but these two have no chemistry so its not as fun as it seems.
like i said, the whole book is basically just about the clinic, not the romance or any actual character development, so i didn't love it. i think all the ideas and conversations being had are important but this wasn’t a very romancey romance book...
*thank you to house of hearts for the copy!*
this book was pitched to me as a rivals to lovers, sort of second chance, with tension galore, what it actually ended up being was one very long (but important) conversation about sex education and abortion access. i need to say, i support everything going on with the clinic and the conversations surrounding sex positivity and education, i think thats all great and needs to be in more mainstream media. however, i don't understand why this is was pitched as a book where the girl learned about sex from this guy she has a history with... it was not.
charlie is a college student who never goes to class, is a genius, and is basically running and funding/fundraising this clinic. very impressed with her getting a 178 on the lsat (is that good..lmk) because girl is never in class. she has history with wes, a lacrosse player who is never practicing but always studying for the lsat he doesn't want to take. wes is gonna help her with sex/intimacy but these two have no chemistry so its not as fun as it seems.
like i said, the whole book is basically just about the clinic, not the romance or any actual character development, so i didn't love it. i think all the ideas and conversations being had are important but this wasn’t a very romancey romance book...
*thank you to house of hearts for the copy!*
Read
June 14, 2026Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op
The RSE curriculum in the UK was updated in 2019... for the first time in 20 years. Relationship and Sex Education needs to be taken more seriously, particularly in an age of misinformation and rolling back of progressive legislation.
For me, this book was not only a fun romance between two people who genuinely care for one another and are doing their best to work together, but also a critical examination of the stigma and reluctance around sexual health conversations. I really want to applaud Rose for the passion that is so obviously behind this novel, and hope we see more romance work from her in future <3
The RSE curriculum in the UK was updated in 2019... for the first time in 20 years. Relationship and Sex Education needs to be taken more seriously, particularly in an age of misinformation and rolling back of progressive legislation.
For me, this book was not only a fun romance between two people who genuinely care for one another and are doing their best to work together, but also a critical examination of the stigma and reluctance around sexual health conversations. I really want to applaud Rose for the passion that is so obviously behind this novel, and hope we see more romance work from her in future <3
August 16, 2026
✨ Rating: 3.5⭐️
🫧 Vibes: more than a college romance
🎶 Song: what a girl wants - christina aguilera
📖 Favourite Quote: "Everything you say has an impact, Charlie."
📚 Would I recommend? yes
💬 tldr thoughts: a decent debut by this author!
In the package:
📦 friends to lovers
📦 lessons
📦 it's always been you
Thoughts: I think people should be aware that the romance in this book is pretty much secondary (not that I minded). It's also told in third person and it's from a single POV from the FMC. For this reason, I wasn't really feeling the tension and angst between Charlie and Wes as much as I wanted to. The pacing was also a little off the way it would jump from scene to scene. Aside from that, I did thoroughly enjoy this book and the commentary on sex education/women's health in this current political climate that we're in. Especially during a time of misinformation. I loved how determined Charlie was and how much she cared about making a difference.
I do wish we got more of an explanation as to why Wes said those things about Charlie in freshmen year.. it was kind of glossed over even though it was a big part of the plot. I'm wondering if Theo and Victoria will get a book because I was picking up on some vibes 👀
Thank you NetGalley and Brooklyn Rose for the eARC!
✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok and instagram⋆☾✩⁺₊✩
🫧 Vibes: more than a college romance
🎶 Song: what a girl wants - christina aguilera
📖 Favourite Quote: "Everything you say has an impact, Charlie."
📚 Would I recommend? yes
💬 tldr thoughts: a decent debut by this author!
In the package:
📦 friends to lovers
📦 lessons
📦 it's always been you
Thoughts: I think people should be aware that the romance in this book is pretty much secondary (not that I minded). It's also told in third person and it's from a single POV from the FMC. For this reason, I wasn't really feeling the tension and angst between Charlie and Wes as much as I wanted to. The pacing was also a little off the way it would jump from scene to scene. Aside from that, I did thoroughly enjoy this book and the commentary on sex education/women's health in this current political climate that we're in. Especially during a time of misinformation. I loved how determined Charlie was and how much she cared about making a difference.
I do wish we got more of an explanation as to why Wes said those things about Charlie in freshmen year.. it was kind of glossed over even though it was a big part of the plot. I'm wondering if Theo and Victoria will get a book because I was picking up on some vibes 👀
Thank you NetGalley and Brooklyn Rose for the eARC!
✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok and instagram⋆☾✩⁺₊✩
June 25, 2026
4.5
Okayyyy, it’s been a while since I read a genuinely good one on NetGalley.
I went into this expecting a cute, light read, but the author had other plans. They wanted readers to feel something. They wanted us to have an experience. There was so much intention woven into every part of this story, and I could feel it while reading.
The whole sex-lessons trope isn’t even a favorite of mine, but I really enjoyed how it was handled here. It felt natural, meaningful, and added so much to the characters’ growth and connection.
Okayyyy, it’s been a while since I read a genuinely good one on NetGalley.
I went into this expecting a cute, light read, but the author had other plans. They wanted readers to feel something. They wanted us to have an experience. There was so much intention woven into every part of this story, and I could feel it while reading.
The whole sex-lessons trope isn’t even a favorite of mine, but I really enjoyed how it was handled here. It felt natural, meaningful, and added so much to the characters’ growth and connection.
July 23, 2026
I love finding a new-to-me author whose writing I immediately connect with, and Brooklyn Rose definitely qualifies. Huge thanks to Love Notes PR for turning me on to this wonderful author and this series - which I’m now fully vested in finding out what’s in store for Dr Victoria and Theo.
Undergrad Charlie was befriended by and then developed a full blown and terribly inconvenient crush on Wes in their freshman year, only to overhear part of a conversation not meant for her ears that she was (rightly) offended by, then promptly moved him to the enemies column.
Now seniors, Charlie needs Wes’s podcaster friend to help bring awareness to the imminent closure due to lack of funding of the low- and no-cost reproductive care center at which Charlie has been working tirelessly for three and a half years. Wes agrees to help Charlie if she’ll tutor him for the LSATs, but he’s got ulterior motives, which I won’t spoil. Oh and Charlie is technically a v!rg!n who lies to a potential hookup about having done the deed with Wes…
Their chemistry is delightful, as is their banter. Both have family of origin issues/hangups, and it colors their approaches to their connection to each other. The spice is delicious, and consent is always front and center. This passes the Bechdel test for sure, as they both have full lives and interests outside of their interactions with each other.
As I stated at the beginning, I’m eager to see where the series leads, and look forward to the next book. I was generously provided an advance reader copy, and I’m sharing my honest review.
Undergrad Charlie was befriended by and then developed a full blown and terribly inconvenient crush on Wes in their freshman year, only to overhear part of a conversation not meant for her ears that she was (rightly) offended by, then promptly moved him to the enemies column.
Now seniors, Charlie needs Wes’s podcaster friend to help bring awareness to the imminent closure due to lack of funding of the low- and no-cost reproductive care center at which Charlie has been working tirelessly for three and a half years. Wes agrees to help Charlie if she’ll tutor him for the LSATs, but he’s got ulterior motives, which I won’t spoil. Oh and Charlie is technically a v!rg!n who lies to a potential hookup about having done the deed with Wes…
Their chemistry is delightful, as is their banter. Both have family of origin issues/hangups, and it colors their approaches to their connection to each other. The spice is delicious, and consent is always front and center. This passes the Bechdel test for sure, as they both have full lives and interests outside of their interactions with each other.
As I stated at the beginning, I’m eager to see where the series leads, and look forward to the next book. I was generously provided an advance reader copy, and I’m sharing my honest review.
July 19, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed this one. It reminded me a lot of my own college experience, since I was also really into sex education and women’s health and passionate about spreading more accurate information. Charlie and Wes were both so easy to love, and I’m always a sucker for the “sexy lessons” trope.
My only gripe: the reason Charlie pulled away from Wes freshman year felt glossed over on the way to their happy ending. He said some genuinely mean things, and we never really got an explanation or an apology for that? It felt like a loose thread that needed tying up.
Still, I’m excited for the rest of the series. Fingers crossed one of the future books is Theo and Vicky/Tori’s story!
Thanks to Brooklyn Rose through NetGalley for the ARC!
My only gripe: the reason Charlie pulled away from Wes freshman year felt glossed over on the way to their happy ending. He said some genuinely mean things, and we never really got an explanation or an apology for that? It felt like a loose thread that needed tying up.
Still, I’m excited for the rest of the series. Fingers crossed one of the future books is Theo and Vicky/Tori’s story!
Thanks to Brooklyn Rose through NetGalley for the ARC!
August 17, 2026
#Review: *Sex Positive* - Brooklyn Rose - ARC [18+]
4.6/5✨
3/5🌶️
Wesley 'Wes' Quinn used to be one of Charlotte's 'Charlie' Rogers best friends, but she decided to erect a wall between them and keep him as far as she could after Wes unconsciously broke her heart. But in a moment of panic, a couple of years after she ended their friendship, Charlie's thoughts still jumped to the boy she was trying to stay away from and Wes was the name that got out her mouth when asked about her previous hookups. From there on things only got complicated for Charlie, who was now face to face with her crush and his proposal of helping her with the experiment she has started, convinced that she wanted to lose her v card. Only the closeness to Wes will get to surface some old feelings she buried and that made it so hard for her to keep the grudge against him. But the fact that being with Wes might destroy the program she was part of and which Charlie was trying so desperately to save, will force her take some decisions which could be risky but worth taking.
I just loooved that constant bickering between Charlie and Wes!!! It was so INCREDIBLY good!! And that tension!! Ohh, yeah, you could truly cut it with a knife, especially when they were crossing things off Charlie's list, the one she made for her experiment. It was definitely super, super HOT and sweet at the same time!! 🔥 Wes was such a sweetheart and so careful with Charlie and I liked that he never gave up, even if she was a bit stubborn and kept on pushing him away 🤭. But that stubbornness was a good thing as well, because Charlie was so passionate about the program she was part of and she would literally do anything to save it. I liked that about her and how determined she was to overcome her lack of experience when it came to intimacy and to help others as well, who were in similar situations, with the support of the program.
This story had so many inspiring lessons from which you can learn something and I liked the way these characters were built in order to give an example of determination and resilience. Even if this book was written from a 3rd person point of view, I was captivated by the story and by the connection between the characters and it didn't bother me that much, even if I rarely read these types of stories nowadays.
Thank you so much House Of Hearts and the author for accepting and for sending me an e-ARC of this book. I truly enjoyed it!❤️
✨Tropes
▫️Rivals To Lovers
▫️He Falls First
▫️Self-Discovery Journey
▫️Steamy College Romance
▫️Lots Of Banter
▫️Golden Retriever
▫️Black Cat
▫️Virgin Heroine
4.6/5✨
3/5🌶️
Wesley 'Wes' Quinn used to be one of Charlotte's 'Charlie' Rogers best friends, but she decided to erect a wall between them and keep him as far as she could after Wes unconsciously broke her heart. But in a moment of panic, a couple of years after she ended their friendship, Charlie's thoughts still jumped to the boy she was trying to stay away from and Wes was the name that got out her mouth when asked about her previous hookups. From there on things only got complicated for Charlie, who was now face to face with her crush and his proposal of helping her with the experiment she has started, convinced that she wanted to lose her v card. Only the closeness to Wes will get to surface some old feelings she buried and that made it so hard for her to keep the grudge against him. But the fact that being with Wes might destroy the program she was part of and which Charlie was trying so desperately to save, will force her take some decisions which could be risky but worth taking.
I just loooved that constant bickering between Charlie and Wes!!! It was so INCREDIBLY good!! And that tension!! Ohh, yeah, you could truly cut it with a knife, especially when they were crossing things off Charlie's list, the one she made for her experiment. It was definitely super, super HOT and sweet at the same time!! 🔥 Wes was such a sweetheart and so careful with Charlie and I liked that he never gave up, even if she was a bit stubborn and kept on pushing him away 🤭. But that stubbornness was a good thing as well, because Charlie was so passionate about the program she was part of and she would literally do anything to save it. I liked that about her and how determined she was to overcome her lack of experience when it came to intimacy and to help others as well, who were in similar situations, with the support of the program.
This story had so many inspiring lessons from which you can learn something and I liked the way these characters were built in order to give an example of determination and resilience. Even if this book was written from a 3rd person point of view, I was captivated by the story and by the connection between the characters and it didn't bother me that much, even if I rarely read these types of stories nowadays.
Thank you so much House Of Hearts and the author for accepting and for sending me an e-ARC of this book. I truly enjoyed it!❤️
✨Tropes
▫️Rivals To Lovers
▫️He Falls First
▫️Self-Discovery Journey
▫️Steamy College Romance
▫️Lots Of Banter
▫️Golden Retriever
▫️Black Cat
▫️Virgin Heroine
August 22, 2026
Big fan of when it's obvious he's enamored with her from page 1. Charlie and Wes's relationship was so cute—she was prickly and guarded, with good reason, and Wes was the ultimate golden retriever, teasing and sullen at times, but just so willing to take any scraps that Charlie would toss his way. Their romance was accompanied by such a strong storyline surrounding sex ed, bodily autonomy, and deconstructing the misogynistic myths around pleasure.
It's clear that Brooklyn Rose feels so passionately about helpful, empowering sex ed. And that passion really comes through in Charlie's character. While Charlie is a virgin, that is not at all the most important nor the most interesting thing about her. She is determined, confident, unbelievably smart, and a force to be reckoned with when it comes to her goals. And her goals include saving the clinic that she works at, promoting STI and contraceptive education to her peers, and widening her own sexual experiences (all in the name of research).
And that is where Wes comes in. Charming, insouciant, rich Wes who used to be Charlie's best friend in freshman year—and someone that she might have had a tiny crush on. I really enjoyed the pacing of their relationship, including the reveal of what exactly their falling out three years ago was. It's clear that they both had lingering feelings, and I liked how they communicated and respected each other as they began to grow closer again. Charlie was smart, direct, and sure about what she wanted, and Wes was thoughtful, adoring, and lovely throughout all of their "experiments". But while there was this mutual pining and many sweet moments, I just wanted to feel the tension between them a little bit more.
The book really splits the pages and time between their romance and the clinic plot line quite evenly. It brought up so many important topics about how current sex ed programs can be lacking, and also tied back to Charlie's growth and personal experiences with a family that prioritizes purity culture. And I also like how Wes and his family (who have their own issues) also became entangled with saving the clinic, though I do think the resolution of it all at the end was a bit rushed.
Sex Positive is such a strong debut for Brooklyn—the writing is confident and empathetic, and her characters are impossible not to root for, especially Charlie who had such a strong voice and unshakable beliefs. Sex ed and sex culture aren't often addresses so directly, and I found this book's approach to it so refreshing and informative.
﹙ three-point-five stars ﹚
— thank you so much, brooklyn, for sending me an e-arc!
It's clear that Brooklyn Rose feels so passionately about helpful, empowering sex ed. And that passion really comes through in Charlie's character. While Charlie is a virgin, that is not at all the most important nor the most interesting thing about her. She is determined, confident, unbelievably smart, and a force to be reckoned with when it comes to her goals. And her goals include saving the clinic that she works at, promoting STI and contraceptive education to her peers, and widening her own sexual experiences (all in the name of research).
And that is where Wes comes in. Charming, insouciant, rich Wes who used to be Charlie's best friend in freshman year—and someone that she might have had a tiny crush on. I really enjoyed the pacing of their relationship, including the reveal of what exactly their falling out three years ago was. It's clear that they both had lingering feelings, and I liked how they communicated and respected each other as they began to grow closer again. Charlie was smart, direct, and sure about what she wanted, and Wes was thoughtful, adoring, and lovely throughout all of their "experiments". But while there was this mutual pining and many sweet moments, I just wanted to feel the tension between them a little bit more.
The book really splits the pages and time between their romance and the clinic plot line quite evenly. It brought up so many important topics about how current sex ed programs can be lacking, and also tied back to Charlie's growth and personal experiences with a family that prioritizes purity culture. And I also like how Wes and his family (who have their own issues) also became entangled with saving the clinic, though I do think the resolution of it all at the end was a bit rushed.
Sex Positive is such a strong debut for Brooklyn—the writing is confident and empathetic, and her characters are impossible not to root for, especially Charlie who had such a strong voice and unshakable beliefs. Sex ed and sex culture aren't often addresses so directly, and I found this book's approach to it so refreshing and informative.
﹙ three-point-five stars ﹚
— thank you so much, brooklyn, for sending me an e-arc!
July 29, 2026
My full ARC Review:
I’m not sure there is an eloquent way of expressing how much I loved this book. How it’s easily one of my top favorite books I’ve ever read. I am so glad that I stumbled across a post for this book months ago! I am also deeply grateful for the opportunity to have read not only an ARC, but a physical ARC of Sex Positive. Thank you so much, Brooklyn Rose 💚.
This book feels like a love letter of sorts to people who have similar lived experiences to various characters in the book as well as people who work in this field or the medical field/adjacent fields. The acknowledgment. It’s perhaps because I work in health research that this book hit so hard for me and that I saw myself in Charlie. I was FEELING emotions lol. Like the “Oh god, I need a tissue,” because I was at work and trying not to cry in my office lmao. Truly a beautiful debut.
Charlie, our FMC, is a college student and deeply passionate about her work at the university health clinic. She’s literally amazing. At the same time, she’s inexperienced, though it’s not for lack of trying. After telling a little lie about who she’s been with to get a mediocre man to back off, this lie makes it back to said person: Wes Quinn. They used to be friends but due to a miscommunication that fell apart, though it’s very one-sided. Don’t worry, they work through it! I so deeply identified with Charlie. She’s from Indiana (me too), and the way Brooklyn Rose crafted Charlie’s character and her experiences is incredibly accurate to what it’s like growing up in Indiana. Those same messages, the experiences…unless you have parents who are uh normal, you get bombarded with purity culture and all the stigma that comes with it. It’s deeply damaging for development & safety. Wes, our MMC, is actually a walking green-flag and for him there’s only ever been Charlie. Big fan of when he falls first 😌. He’s been down bad for Charlie for a longgg time. Under the ruse of studying for the LSAT, he strikes up an agreement with Charlie. She gets experience, he gets help with studying (though he doesn’t care about the LSAT lol.) He’s just SO good. He’s witty, respectful, and communicates. We also love a consent King. I could go on and on- I have so many parts of the book marked and color-coded lmao.
The chemistry and intimacy between them was AMAZING. I can’t sing enough praises here. Speaking of chemistry, I’m equally obsessed with what Dr. Victoria and Theo have going on. It was impossible to ignore to the point they had their own color-coded marker loooool. I cannot wait to see what Brooklyn Rose has in store for us next!!! I’ll be patiently and enthusiastically waiting.
My thoughts right after finishing:
Gonna circle back with more coherent thoughts in a bit, but like tell me why I was getting emotional in my office over this book???? Like legitimately holding back tears. Maybe it’s because I am in academia. I do health research, a large part of which is focused on women’s health and being in the thick of it with the state of everything and reading this book…it’s for those who need courage and reassurance…and for those fighting so hard for safety, choice, and knowledge. And unless you’ve grown up in a house like Charlie did or one similar, you may not get it, but I’m literally that girl who grew up in Indiana and the accuracy of it all…Damn, I feel seen. I could go on and on.
Amazing. Loved this book. I’ll never shut up about it. Obsessed with the characters doesn’t even begin to cover it. What a beautiful debut.
I’m not sure there is an eloquent way of expressing how much I loved this book. How it’s easily one of my top favorite books I’ve ever read. I am so glad that I stumbled across a post for this book months ago! I am also deeply grateful for the opportunity to have read not only an ARC, but a physical ARC of Sex Positive. Thank you so much, Brooklyn Rose 💚.
This book feels like a love letter of sorts to people who have similar lived experiences to various characters in the book as well as people who work in this field or the medical field/adjacent fields. The acknowledgment. It’s perhaps because I work in health research that this book hit so hard for me and that I saw myself in Charlie. I was FEELING emotions lol. Like the “Oh god, I need a tissue,” because I was at work and trying not to cry in my office lmao. Truly a beautiful debut.
Charlie, our FMC, is a college student and deeply passionate about her work at the university health clinic. She’s literally amazing. At the same time, she’s inexperienced, though it’s not for lack of trying. After telling a little lie about who she’s been with to get a mediocre man to back off, this lie makes it back to said person: Wes Quinn. They used to be friends but due to a miscommunication that fell apart, though it’s very one-sided. Don’t worry, they work through it! I so deeply identified with Charlie. She’s from Indiana (me too), and the way Brooklyn Rose crafted Charlie’s character and her experiences is incredibly accurate to what it’s like growing up in Indiana. Those same messages, the experiences…unless you have parents who are uh normal, you get bombarded with purity culture and all the stigma that comes with it. It’s deeply damaging for development & safety. Wes, our MMC, is actually a walking green-flag and for him there’s only ever been Charlie. Big fan of when he falls first 😌. He’s been down bad for Charlie for a longgg time. Under the ruse of studying for the LSAT, he strikes up an agreement with Charlie. She gets experience, he gets help with studying (though he doesn’t care about the LSAT lol.) He’s just SO good. He’s witty, respectful, and communicates. We also love a consent King. I could go on and on- I have so many parts of the book marked and color-coded lmao.
The chemistry and intimacy between them was AMAZING. I can’t sing enough praises here. Speaking of chemistry, I’m equally obsessed with what Dr. Victoria and Theo have going on. It was impossible to ignore to the point they had their own color-coded marker loooool. I cannot wait to see what Brooklyn Rose has in store for us next!!! I’ll be patiently and enthusiastically waiting.
My thoughts right after finishing:
Gonna circle back with more coherent thoughts in a bit, but like tell me why I was getting emotional in my office over this book???? Like legitimately holding back tears. Maybe it’s because I am in academia. I do health research, a large part of which is focused on women’s health and being in the thick of it with the state of everything and reading this book…it’s for those who need courage and reassurance…and for those fighting so hard for safety, choice, and knowledge. And unless you’ve grown up in a house like Charlie did or one similar, you may not get it, but I’m literally that girl who grew up in Indiana and the accuracy of it all…Damn, I feel seen. I could go on and on.
Amazing. Loved this book. I’ll never shut up about it. Obsessed with the characters doesn’t even begin to cover it. What a beautiful debut.
August 9, 2026
3 stars ⭐️ ARC Read
I was enjoying this book in the beginning, but then it really started to drag on and get boring. I really didn't like that this book was written in third person. I feel that if the book was in first person we would have gotten to know the characters deeper, especially Wes, who only got the epilogue chapter focused on him. I wish that this book was executed differently given the plot, but I'm still grateful I got to ARC read this.
I was enjoying this book in the beginning, but then it really started to drag on and get boring. I really didn't like that this book was written in third person. I feel that if the book was in first person we would have gotten to know the characters deeper, especially Wes, who only got the epilogue chapter focused on him. I wish that this book was executed differently given the plot, but I'm still grateful I got to ARC read this.
August 17, 2026
✨This was such a fun and spicy college romance! I really liked Charlie because she’s confident, outspoken, and knows exactly what she believes in,🥹but she also has this whole side of herself she’s still figuring out. I thought that made her character really interesting.❤️🩹
The history between Charlie and Wes definitely added to the story.🤭 These two had so much tension and unresolved feelings, and watching them go from best friends to basically enemies and then back to something more had me invested. 😏
Wes definitely has his moments at times 😂 but I ended up really liking him once we got to see more of what was underneath his playboy reputation. 🔥Their chemistry was probably one of my favorite parts, and the spice definitely delivered!🤌🏽
⭐️Overall, a fun, steamy read with lots of tension, and characters that kept me entertained. I also loved the overall message about taking away the shame around sex and being comfortable with your choices.🫶🏽 Definitely a good choice to read if you’re looking for a spicy college romance!🙌🏽
Thank you to the Author Brooklyn Rose and House of Hearts for the opportunity to read this ARC!🧡
The history between Charlie and Wes definitely added to the story.🤭 These two had so much tension and unresolved feelings, and watching them go from best friends to basically enemies and then back to something more had me invested. 😏
Wes definitely has his moments at times 😂 but I ended up really liking him once we got to see more of what was underneath his playboy reputation. 🔥Their chemistry was probably one of my favorite parts, and the spice definitely delivered!🤌🏽
⭐️Overall, a fun, steamy read with lots of tension, and characters that kept me entertained. I also loved the overall message about taking away the shame around sex and being comfortable with your choices.🫶🏽 Definitely a good choice to read if you’re looking for a spicy college romance!🙌🏽
Thank you to the Author Brooklyn Rose and House of Hearts for the opportunity to read this ARC!🧡
August 12, 2026
This book had my favorite tropes and it made me laugh,
Tropes:
Rivals to lovers
He falls first
Golden retriever x black cat
No kissing (but they really want to )
Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
Rivals to lovers
He falls first
Golden retriever x black cat
No kissing (but they really want to )
Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
June 21, 2026
For fans of:
College romance
Spicy lessons
It’s always been you
Frenemies to lovers
Golden retriever x black cat
He falls first
This book felt like a hug to my younger self. I picked it up expecting a fun college romance, and while it definitely delivered on that, it was also so much more. The conversations around sexual health, women’s rights, and the stigma that still exists around those topics were handled so well.
Charlie works at a sexual health clinic and is passionate about helping others, even though her work creates tension with her conservative family. When the clinic is threatened with closure, she ends up reconnecting with Quinn, a former friend she hasn’t fully forgiven. What starts as a deal between them quickly turns into something much more complicated. I really loved Charlie and Quinn together. The chemistry was there from the start, but what I enjoyed most was seeing them work through old hurt and learn how to trust each other again. Quinn was such a sweetheart and definitely gave golden retriever energy.
What stood out to me most was how personal this story felt. You can tell the author poured a lot of herself into these pages. The discussions about sex education never felt preachy or forced—they felt real, important, and naturally woven into the story. At the end of the day, this is a romance, but it’s also a story about finding your voice, challenging the beliefs you’ve grown up with, and learning that there’s no right timeline for figuring yourself out.
Such a strong debut, and I’m really excited to see what this author writes next.
College romance
Spicy lessons
It’s always been you
Frenemies to lovers
Golden retriever x black cat
He falls first
This book felt like a hug to my younger self. I picked it up expecting a fun college romance, and while it definitely delivered on that, it was also so much more. The conversations around sexual health, women’s rights, and the stigma that still exists around those topics were handled so well.
Charlie works at a sexual health clinic and is passionate about helping others, even though her work creates tension with her conservative family. When the clinic is threatened with closure, she ends up reconnecting with Quinn, a former friend she hasn’t fully forgiven. What starts as a deal between them quickly turns into something much more complicated. I really loved Charlie and Quinn together. The chemistry was there from the start, but what I enjoyed most was seeing them work through old hurt and learn how to trust each other again. Quinn was such a sweetheart and definitely gave golden retriever energy.
What stood out to me most was how personal this story felt. You can tell the author poured a lot of herself into these pages. The discussions about sex education never felt preachy or forced—they felt real, important, and naturally woven into the story. At the end of the day, this is a romance, but it’s also a story about finding your voice, challenging the beliefs you’ve grown up with, and learning that there’s no right timeline for figuring yourself out.
Such a strong debut, and I’m really excited to see what this author writes next.
August 5, 2026
3.75 ⭐ This is a great debut. Charlie and Wes were likeable, and I could get behind Charlie's crusade. I will say that I wish the message of sex positivity was woven more smoothly throughout the story because some parts read like an educational lesson, slowing the pacing and making it a bit clunky at times. Also, I wanted more page time for Nash (one of the antagonists) and Syeda (Charlie's roommate), especially Nash, to create more dramatic tension.
The theme of not caving to parental pressure and choosing your own path (and beliefs) was solidly written and something many young adults need to hear. In the end, you only have one life, so make choices that keep you true to yourself, your values, and what you love.
What I liked best was when Charlie and Wes were themselves around each other and open and honest about their feelings and their past.
I applaud how Brooklyn Rose took her first hand knowledge and applied it to this story. I look forward to seeing where her storytelling takes us next. Maybe Theo and Victoria will get a story? Hmmmm...
“𝐸𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑝𝑒𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒’𝑠 𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑎𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑎𝑡. 𝑃𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑛 𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠, 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑠𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑓𝑢𝑙. 𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑜 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑎𝑠 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑢𝑎𝑙𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑡𝑜 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑜𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑡𝑜 𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡’𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚, 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑦. 𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑𝑛’𝑡 𝑑𝑜 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑡’𝑠 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡.”
“𝐼 𝑛𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 ℎ𝑎𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑦𝑜𝑢, 𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑖𝑒. 𝐼𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑎𝑙𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑠𝑜 𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑦.” 𝐻𝑖𝑠 𝑙𝑖𝑝𝑠 ℎ𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑜 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑏𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡ℎ 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔. “𝑌𝑜𝑢’𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 ℎ𝑎𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝑜 𝑟𝑢𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑒.”
“𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝑚𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑙𝑦 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝐼’𝑚 𝑓𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓𝑖𝑠ℎ, 𝑅𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑠. <...> 𝐸𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑖𝑓 𝑖𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑠𝑛’𝑡 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑖𝑓 𝑖𝑡 𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑒 𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝐼 𝑔𝑜𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑡𝑜𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑦𝑜𝑢, 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑦𝑜𝑢, 𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑟𝑢𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑒, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑑𝑜 𝑖𝑡 𝑎𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛. 𝐵𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑒𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑛 𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑓𝑒𝑙𝑡 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑚𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠.”
The theme of not caving to parental pressure and choosing your own path (and beliefs) was solidly written and something many young adults need to hear. In the end, you only have one life, so make choices that keep you true to yourself, your values, and what you love.
What I liked best was when Charlie and Wes were themselves around each other and open and honest about their feelings and their past.
I applaud how Brooklyn Rose took her first hand knowledge and applied it to this story. I look forward to seeing where her storytelling takes us next. Maybe Theo and Victoria will get a story? Hmmmm...
“𝐸𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑝𝑒𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒’𝑠 𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑎𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑎𝑡. 𝑃𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑛 𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠, 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑠𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑓𝑢𝑙. 𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑜 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑎𝑠 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑢𝑎𝑙𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑡𝑜 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑜𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑡𝑜 𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡’𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚, 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑦. 𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑𝑛’𝑡 𝑑𝑜 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑡’𝑠 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡.”
“𝐼 𝑛𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 ℎ𝑎𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑦𝑜𝑢, 𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑖𝑒. 𝐼𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑎𝑙𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑠𝑜 𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑦.” 𝐻𝑖𝑠 𝑙𝑖𝑝𝑠 ℎ𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑜 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑏𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡ℎ 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔. “𝑌𝑜𝑢’𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 ℎ𝑎𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝑜 𝑟𝑢𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑒.”
“𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝑚𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑙𝑦 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝐼’𝑚 𝑓𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓𝑖𝑠ℎ, 𝑅𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑠. <...> 𝐸𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑖𝑓 𝑖𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑠𝑛’𝑡 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑖𝑓 𝑖𝑡 𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑒 𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝐼 𝑔𝑜𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑡𝑜𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑦𝑜𝑢, 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑦𝑜𝑢, 𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑟𝑢𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑒, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑑𝑜 𝑖𝑡 𝑎𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛. 𝐵𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑒𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑛 𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑓𝑒𝑙𝑡 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑚𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠.”
August 11, 2026
This book completely won me over from the very first chapter. It was heartwarming, funny, and emotional in all the right places, and I found myself flying through the pages because I simply didn't want to put it down.
Charlie and Wes had such a fun relationship to follow. Their journey from friends to enemies, back to friends, and eventually lovers felt natural and believable. I loved watching them work through their misunderstandings and slowly rediscover the connection they had lost. Their chemistry was undeniable, and so many of their interactions had me smiling, laughing, and occasionally giggling to myself.
One of the things I appreciated most about this book was that it wasn't afraid to tackle important issues. The story explores the ongoing debates surrounding women's, transgender, and reproductive rights in the United States, particularly through the lens of a clinic that provides abortion care. Rather than feeling forced, these themes were woven into the story in a way that added depth to both the characters and the overall plot.
The romance and the heavier topics balanced each other beautifully. Even while addressing difficult and timely issues, the book never lost its warmth or its heart. Charlie and Wes's relationship remained the emotional centre of the story, making it easy to become invested in both their individual journeys and the future they were building together.
Overall, this was a heartfelt, thought-provoking romance that managed to make me laugh, smile, and reflect all at once. I was hooked from beginning to end, and it quickly became one of those books that I didn't want to see end.
Charlie and Wes had such a fun relationship to follow. Their journey from friends to enemies, back to friends, and eventually lovers felt natural and believable. I loved watching them work through their misunderstandings and slowly rediscover the connection they had lost. Their chemistry was undeniable, and so many of their interactions had me smiling, laughing, and occasionally giggling to myself.
One of the things I appreciated most about this book was that it wasn't afraid to tackle important issues. The story explores the ongoing debates surrounding women's, transgender, and reproductive rights in the United States, particularly through the lens of a clinic that provides abortion care. Rather than feeling forced, these themes were woven into the story in a way that added depth to both the characters and the overall plot.
The romance and the heavier topics balanced each other beautifully. Even while addressing difficult and timely issues, the book never lost its warmth or its heart. Charlie and Wes's relationship remained the emotional centre of the story, making it easy to become invested in both their individual journeys and the future they were building together.
Overall, this was a heartfelt, thought-provoking romance that managed to make me laugh, smile, and reflect all at once. I was hooked from beginning to end, and it quickly became one of those books that I didn't want to see end.
August 14, 2026
This is how you write a love story that includes some heavy hitting topics as well!
After growing up in a family and place that preaches purity culture, all Charlie wants to do is spread awareness and information about positive sexual health practices and embracing it without guilt. She works in a clinic that provides services for those who want/need them while also preparing to become a lawyer. She also wants to finally find a good person to lose her virginity to. In comes Wes, her former friend from freshman year, who agrees to help her explore her sexuality in exchange for her tutoring him for the LSAT. But what happens when feelings run too deep between them that they aren’t able to avoid anymore?
Charlie is such a great character. She’s driven and headstrong. When she sets her mind to something, she gets it done no matter what. She is an absolute champion of sexual health awareness, despite her upbringing and lack of experience. Wes is charming and flirty, but he lives under his father’s shadow and struggles to break away from the expectations laid before him. The banter is so good, as well as the chemistry between them! This book has some really hot spicy scenes as well 🥵 but the best part is the care and love they show each other.
While the romance is a main plotline, so is Charlie’s advocacy. This book touches on some very important topics revolving around sexual health, especially women’s health, which is something we need more of. I truly loved this aspect of the story! Thank you, Brooklyn, for not shying away from this topic! This is definitely a must read in my opinion!!
After growing up in a family and place that preaches purity culture, all Charlie wants to do is spread awareness and information about positive sexual health practices and embracing it without guilt. She works in a clinic that provides services for those who want/need them while also preparing to become a lawyer. She also wants to finally find a good person to lose her virginity to. In comes Wes, her former friend from freshman year, who agrees to help her explore her sexuality in exchange for her tutoring him for the LSAT. But what happens when feelings run too deep between them that they aren’t able to avoid anymore?
Charlie is such a great character. She’s driven and headstrong. When she sets her mind to something, she gets it done no matter what. She is an absolute champion of sexual health awareness, despite her upbringing and lack of experience. Wes is charming and flirty, but he lives under his father’s shadow and struggles to break away from the expectations laid before him. The banter is so good, as well as the chemistry between them! This book has some really hot spicy scenes as well 🥵 but the best part is the care and love they show each other.
While the romance is a main plotline, so is Charlie’s advocacy. This book touches on some very important topics revolving around sexual health, especially women’s health, which is something we need more of. I truly loved this aspect of the story! Thank you, Brooklyn, for not shying away from this topic! This is definitely a must read in my opinion!!
August 11, 2026
Charlie Rogers wants to create her own comprehensive sex education curriculum to replace the abstinence-only programs found in many schools. Even though she is a virgin, she is eager to learn more about sex and discover what she likes. When she accidentally mentions that her old crush Wesley was a past partner, Wesley finds out and gets curious. After Charlie explains what really happened, Wesley offers to help her. As they spend more time together, their old feelings start to return. When the clinic where Charlie works faces closure, she must come up with new ways to raise money or lose her dream.
Sex Positive was an easy five-star read for me. I loved the story and the main characters so much that I finished the whole book in one day, something I haven’t done in a while. As someone who didn’t get much sex education and felt a bit lost, I think this book is not just a great romance but also really helpful for new adults learning about sex. I also appreciated how caring everyone was at the clinic and how well they treated their patients.
“They’re humans, Charlie.” Her tone was soft but insistent. “Whether it’s sex work or abortion care or hormone therapy, they all want to live a life they choose. It’s our job to treat them with empathy and respect. We have the power to ensure that they receive kindness and respect, so that’s what we do.”
With everything happening in the world right now, this quote really struck me. I think we need more of this attitude when it comes to sex and sex education.
This story wasn’t just about sex education; it was also a fun romance. Charlie and Wesley had great chemistry, and even when they argued, I found myself cheering them on. I loved seeing them support each other, with Wesley helping Charlie chase her dream of sex education and Charlie helping Wesley figure out his own future. I loved watching them help each other fight for their dreams.
This book will definitely be one of my top 10 favorites of 2026.
If you are a fan of College Romance, He Falls First and Rivals to Lovers, add this book to your TBR now.
Thank you to Brooklyn Rose, Books and Blooms PR and Love Notes PR for the opportunity to review Sex Positive. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Sex Positive was an easy five-star read for me. I loved the story and the main characters so much that I finished the whole book in one day, something I haven’t done in a while. As someone who didn’t get much sex education and felt a bit lost, I think this book is not just a great romance but also really helpful for new adults learning about sex. I also appreciated how caring everyone was at the clinic and how well they treated their patients.
“They’re humans, Charlie.” Her tone was soft but insistent. “Whether it’s sex work or abortion care or hormone therapy, they all want to live a life they choose. It’s our job to treat them with empathy and respect. We have the power to ensure that they receive kindness and respect, so that’s what we do.”
With everything happening in the world right now, this quote really struck me. I think we need more of this attitude when it comes to sex and sex education.
This story wasn’t just about sex education; it was also a fun romance. Charlie and Wesley had great chemistry, and even when they argued, I found myself cheering them on. I loved seeing them support each other, with Wesley helping Charlie chase her dream of sex education and Charlie helping Wesley figure out his own future. I loved watching them help each other fight for their dreams.
This book will definitely be one of my top 10 favorites of 2026.
If you are a fan of College Romance, He Falls First and Rivals to Lovers, add this book to your TBR now.
Thank you to Brooklyn Rose, Books and Blooms PR and Love Notes PR for the opportunity to review Sex Positive. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 2, 2026
Thank you to net galley and the publisher for this brilliant arc read. 4/5⭐️
I loved this book so much, like literally everything about this story was amazing. The characters were perfect for each other, I loved the banter between them and how funny Wes was! Even if he did make me a little mad at that party scene.
I love how Wes showed up for Charlie in every way he could (considering how hard his father was on him). And Charlie was so sweet and thoughtful, her resilience for her workplace/patients was something to be admired. And omg please say we’re getting more books for some of the side characters. I NEED the podcast from Victoria’s point of view!
I also feel like there was a great balance between spice and storyline/backstory which kept me engaged throughout.
I don’t want to spoil the book for anyone but I will say that if you love back and forth banter, “friends” with benefits and former best friends turned enemies you’ll really enjoy this story.
Also please be mindful of some darker story lines within this book regarding characters family members/upbringings. 🫶🏻
I loved this book so much, like literally everything about this story was amazing. The characters were perfect for each other, I loved the banter between them and how funny Wes was! Even if he did make me a little mad at that party scene.
I love how Wes showed up for Charlie in every way he could (considering how hard his father was on him). And Charlie was so sweet and thoughtful, her resilience for her workplace/patients was something to be admired. And omg please say we’re getting more books for some of the side characters. I NEED the podcast from Victoria’s point of view!
I also feel like there was a great balance between spice and storyline/backstory which kept me engaged throughout.
I don’t want to spoil the book for anyone but I will say that if you love back and forth banter, “friends” with benefits and former best friends turned enemies you’ll really enjoy this story.
Also please be mindful of some darker story lines within this book regarding characters family members/upbringings. 🫶🏻
August 4, 2026
5⭐️2🌶️
Wow this was such a cute, empowering and inspiring story! Charlie, our FMC, is a sex positive virgin who is looking for the right guy to ‘pop her cherry’ while Wes, our MMC, was the first guy to break Charlie’s heart their freshman year of college. Now it’s their senior year, and Wes cons Charlie into tutoring him for the LSAT while also helping her complete her ‘sex experiment’- finding out what exactly she likes in the bedroom. As we follow Charlie’s journey of self discovery and Wes’ journey to getting back into Charlie’s good graces, we learn more about Charlie’s struggle with her ultra religious parents and Wes’ problems with his dad’s expectations.
This book was so well written and dealt with real world issues that our society faces in this post-Roe America. Taking the shame out of sexual experiences and ridding the world of the virginity myth is so important and the author discusses these things so thoughtfully. Thank you to Brooklyn & LoveNotes PR for sending me this ARC!
Wow this was such a cute, empowering and inspiring story! Charlie, our FMC, is a sex positive virgin who is looking for the right guy to ‘pop her cherry’ while Wes, our MMC, was the first guy to break Charlie’s heart their freshman year of college. Now it’s their senior year, and Wes cons Charlie into tutoring him for the LSAT while also helping her complete her ‘sex experiment’- finding out what exactly she likes in the bedroom. As we follow Charlie’s journey of self discovery and Wes’ journey to getting back into Charlie’s good graces, we learn more about Charlie’s struggle with her ultra religious parents and Wes’ problems with his dad’s expectations.
This book was so well written and dealt with real world issues that our society faces in this post-Roe America. Taking the shame out of sexual experiences and ridding the world of the virginity myth is so important and the author discusses these things so thoughtfully. Thank you to Brooklyn & LoveNotes PR for sending me this ARC!
August 11, 2026
Thank you LoveNotes PR for the arc ❤️
I enjoyed this book. I loved the themes and conversations of the clinic, access to medical support, and female pleasure. But that's what the book was mostly about. It wasn't much enemies to lovers discovering their passion as much as it was about the clinic. Their romance felt a bit like a side plot in it's own story. I liked the characters well enough, but it did lag for me. I feel like it could have been 50-100 pages shorter, and there were some moments where I questioned what the characters wanted. Also there was communication but it felt like Charlie just didn’t wanna hear Wes at all?? She felt a bit childish trying to cosplay as an adult. Also I get she wanted to be a lawyer and that’s what got her and Wes together and studying, but it really didn’t feel like Charlie cared about being a lawyer. Also could she be drawing blood at the clinic if she wasn’t a NP? I hated Wes’s dad with a burning passion and I sympathize with Wes but also he could have pushed back way sooner?? Idk he was shit but also Wes was so mad it sometimes felt one sided until we saw who his dad was. Also I get the whole seeing what I like sexually, but that also didn’t feel like the focus either. Lots of plot. I liked it but I think this book could have gone through more editing.
I enjoyed this book. I loved the themes and conversations of the clinic, access to medical support, and female pleasure. But that's what the book was mostly about. It wasn't much enemies to lovers discovering their passion as much as it was about the clinic. Their romance felt a bit like a side plot in it's own story. I liked the characters well enough, but it did lag for me. I feel like it could have been 50-100 pages shorter, and there were some moments where I questioned what the characters wanted. Also there was communication but it felt like Charlie just didn’t wanna hear Wes at all?? She felt a bit childish trying to cosplay as an adult. Also I get she wanted to be a lawyer and that’s what got her and Wes together and studying, but it really didn’t feel like Charlie cared about being a lawyer. Also could she be drawing blood at the clinic if she wasn’t a NP? I hated Wes’s dad with a burning passion and I sympathize with Wes but also he could have pushed back way sooner?? Idk he was shit but also Wes was so mad it sometimes felt one sided until we saw who his dad was. Also I get the whole seeing what I like sexually, but that also didn’t feel like the focus either. Lots of plot. I liked it but I think this book could have gone through more editing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2026
First off, I want to thank Brooklyn Rose and House of Hearts Literary Services for the eARC of Sex Positive.
What a wonderful debut romance by Brooklyn Rose. As a product of purity culture, I resonated with this book so much. Charlotte (Charlie) and Wes were strong characters on their own, dealing with difficult parental relationships and navigating that weird in-between of being in your early twenties while also needing to be an adult. Together, they completely pulled me in, and I couldn't wait for every scene they shared because their chemistry was off the charts!
Sex education and sex positivity are such important topics, and they were woven into the plot perfectly. I loved the discussions on consent, the construct of virginity, and how sex in general is discussed in society and how it is moralized or villainized. This would be a great book for a spicy book club to read and discuss!
What a wonderful debut romance by Brooklyn Rose. As a product of purity culture, I resonated with this book so much. Charlotte (Charlie) and Wes were strong characters on their own, dealing with difficult parental relationships and navigating that weird in-between of being in your early twenties while also needing to be an adult. Together, they completely pulled me in, and I couldn't wait for every scene they shared because their chemistry was off the charts!
Sex education and sex positivity are such important topics, and they were woven into the plot perfectly. I loved the discussions on consent, the construct of virginity, and how sex in general is discussed in society and how it is moralized or villainized. This would be a great book for a spicy book club to read and discuss!
August 6, 2026
This review is much later than I intended but life has been kicking my butt.
ARC REVIEW!!
This book was so stinking fun and cute!! I loved the entire you teach me and I’ll teach you storyline!! The banter from all of the characters was unmatched. Seriously I ate this whole book up!!
Charlie was so relatable in her need to just be appreciated as she was and she was spunky and hilarious. She definitely didn’t take anyone’s crap!! Wes was hot and cocky, and confident but he was also playful and silly and a total golden retriever I loved it!! The way they got their second chance only to find out about their miscommunication from years past. Ugh I ate it up.
The spice, holy moly! It was so good. Even the side characters were loveable!! Theo and Victoria stole my heart I wishhhhhh they would get together and we get their story!
This book is definitely a must read!!!
ARC REVIEW!!
This book was so stinking fun and cute!! I loved the entire you teach me and I’ll teach you storyline!! The banter from all of the characters was unmatched. Seriously I ate this whole book up!!
Charlie was so relatable in her need to just be appreciated as she was and she was spunky and hilarious. She definitely didn’t take anyone’s crap!! Wes was hot and cocky, and confident but he was also playful and silly and a total golden retriever I loved it!! The way they got their second chance only to find out about their miscommunication from years past. Ugh I ate it up.
The spice, holy moly! It was so good. Even the side characters were loveable!! Theo and Victoria stole my heart I wishhhhhh they would get together and we get their story!
This book is definitely a must read!!!
August 7, 2026
Thank you to Love Notes PR for an arc copy for review!
I really enjoyed this book and I think the way sex was spoken about and discussed was hopeful and well crafted without being unrealistic rainbows and unicorns. The story was realistic in the way it discussed the negative but very real shadow patriarchy has cast over the way men and women view sex and the way women in society particular are viewed as sexual beings.
Charlie and Wes were fun to follow and I’m only slightly bothered by how quickly we moved past the reason for Charlie not speaking to him for a couple of years. That bit felt glossed over when I think it could have been dealt with a bit more comprehensively.
I really enjoyed this book and I think the way sex was spoken about and discussed was hopeful and well crafted without being unrealistic rainbows and unicorns. The story was realistic in the way it discussed the negative but very real shadow patriarchy has cast over the way men and women view sex and the way women in society particular are viewed as sexual beings.
Charlie and Wes were fun to follow and I’m only slightly bothered by how quickly we moved past the reason for Charlie not speaking to him for a couple of years. That bit felt glossed over when I think it could have been dealt with a bit more comprehensively.
July 28, 2026
A fun little, spicy romance. She tutors him while he provides sex lessons for her. I loved the sex positive (no pun intended) dealings throughout the book and open and honest discussions around the topic. There was no third act breakup and I couldn’t put this one down. Thank you to Love Notes PR for the ARC!
Did Not Finish
September 5, 2026Dnf at 5%
She is smart getting 178 in the lsat yet soo dumb when it comes to social relations with others not just her love intrest but also her best friend and why are we treating virginity as a secret?? I'm sorry if I missed the point but she and her friend talking about virginity like it's some sort of disease I dont like that .
She is smart getting 178 in the lsat yet soo dumb when it comes to social relations with others not just her love intrest but also her best friend and why are we treating virginity as a secret?? I'm sorry if I missed the point but she and her friend talking about virginity like it's some sort of disease I dont like that .
August 20, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
Thank you to Netgalley for the e-arc 🌸
This was cute although it definitely did feel more like a sex education class rather than a romance book.
There were a lot of interesting and important conversations made during this book which i loved, and i loved a lot of the characters but i sometimes felt that the romance between Wes and Charlie was a bit... flat(?) at some points.
I am absolutely obsessed with the cover of this book, im a sucker for a yellow book 🌻✨️💛
Thank you to Netgalley for the e-arc 🌸
This was cute although it definitely did feel more like a sex education class rather than a romance book.
There were a lot of interesting and important conversations made during this book which i loved, and i loved a lot of the characters but i sometimes felt that the romance between Wes and Charlie was a bit... flat(?) at some points.
I am absolutely obsessed with the cover of this book, im a sucker for a yellow book 🌻✨️💛
August 7, 2026
I had the pleasure of reading this ARC, and I absolutely loved it! 🤭✨ Charlie and Wes had me hooked from the very beginning. Their rivals-to-lovers chemistry was full of tension, witty banter, and so many laugh-out-loud moments. Watching Wes fall first (and hard 🥹) while Charlie slowly let her walls down made this story impossible to put down.
This book perfectly balances humor, heart, and plenty of spice while also touching on confidence, growth, and breaking down the stigma around sex education. If you love golden retriever x black cat energy, unresolved feelings, and a romance that keeps you smiling, this is definitely one to add to your TBR! 🌶️🖤📚
This book perfectly balances humor, heart, and plenty of spice while also touching on confidence, growth, and breaking down the stigma around sex education. If you love golden retriever x black cat energy, unresolved feelings, and a romance that keeps you smiling, this is definitely one to add to your TBR! 🌶️🖤📚
July 6, 2026
5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow, this is exactly what I needed in my life. I absolutely adored this book. As someone who grew up in the systemic Deep South, this one hit close to home. I absolutely adore the message the author put into this book, I felt so seen. Also the spice writing was immaculate.
I felt like the characters were built up perfectly. I really enjoyed the third person POV which I didn’t think I was going to. There was so much emotions portrayed in their actions that I eventually stopped noticing and didn’t feel like anything was lacking.
I would love to see a spin off to maybe Theo and Victorias story… I can definitely see something brewing there. I look forward to whatever this author writes next, I am fully invested!
💕rivals to lovers
💕they make a deal
💕one rule: no kissing
💕slutty little glasses
💕he falls harder
💕witty banter
💕consent is sexy
Thank you Brooklyn Rose and Netgalley for the ARC!!
Wow, this is exactly what I needed in my life. I absolutely adored this book. As someone who grew up in the systemic Deep South, this one hit close to home. I absolutely adore the message the author put into this book, I felt so seen. Also the spice writing was immaculate.
I felt like the characters were built up perfectly. I really enjoyed the third person POV which I didn’t think I was going to. There was so much emotions portrayed in their actions that I eventually stopped noticing and didn’t feel like anything was lacking.
I would love to see a spin off to maybe Theo and Victorias story… I can definitely see something brewing there. I look forward to whatever this author writes next, I am fully invested!
💕rivals to lovers
💕they make a deal
💕one rule: no kissing
💕slutty little glasses
💕he falls harder
💕witty banter
💕consent is sexy
Thank you Brooklyn Rose and Netgalley for the ARC!!
August 12, 2026
ADVANCED READER COPY FROM NETGALLEY
When I originally requested this book on NetGalley, it was because I kept seeing such good things about it! Let me tell you it absolutely lived up to the hype!! While it includes a lot of educational information, the story never lost my interest!!
The second chance romance between Wes and Charlie was such an amazing plot! I loved getting the history on why Charlie stopped talking to Wes in the first place and how she didn’t want to give him the chance to hurt her again, but also couldn’t stay away from him. I loved how they each became more confident in the other’s presence. Their dynamic felt genuine and heartfelt, and watching them both stand up to Wes’s dad was incredibly satisfying!!
The storyline was strong, the banter was fun, and overall I genuinely enjoyed this book. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read it before the release date!
When I originally requested this book on NetGalley, it was because I kept seeing such good things about it! Let me tell you it absolutely lived up to the hype!! While it includes a lot of educational information, the story never lost my interest!!
The second chance romance between Wes and Charlie was such an amazing plot! I loved getting the history on why Charlie stopped talking to Wes in the first place and how she didn’t want to give him the chance to hurt her again, but also couldn’t stay away from him. I loved how they each became more confident in the other’s presence. Their dynamic felt genuine and heartfelt, and watching them both stand up to Wes’s dad was incredibly satisfying!!
The storyline was strong, the banter was fun, and overall I genuinely enjoyed this book. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read it before the release date!
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