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Question: How many sex scenes occur in a book before you start rolling your eyes and/or skimming over them???? lol

Question:

How many sex scenes occur in a book before you start rolling your eyes and/or skimming over them????

lol

Vonetta #questionnaire

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179 Answers

Samantha

Unless it’s a romance novel I’d say about 2 or 3 and I start to get annoyed.

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Maggie

The first one

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Salvatore

There are only two sex scenes in my novel. Both further the plot. And it is a romance.

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Teresa

Don’t read The Beautiful Bastard books then ?

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Tricia

Note to self. Read beautiful bastard.

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Leesa

or 50 shades of grey

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Trudy

50 Shades were crap. That wasn’t sex, but abuse

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Beth

@Trudy it was like Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz was getting molested several times a day. Ugh!

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Trudy

Dorethy got molested? Be still my beating heart ?

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Tara

50 shades wasn’t abuse. She consented to it.

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Leanne

Honestly the sex scenes don’t really annoy me that much

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VonettaQuestion author

They usually don’t bother me if it enhances the story or to show the relevance of a relationship going to the next level. But sex, just for the sake of sex…..I usually flip over it to get back to the story.

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Annette

They don’t worry me at all….in fact I have been known to skip over other content to get to the sex scenes ?

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Kristy

??????

1
Melissa

Depends if I like the sex scenes or not ?

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Sarah

1 I can’t be bothered with them at all.

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Louise

Depends how they and the rest of the book are written.

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Stephanie

One

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Tina

Find them disgusting and am always glad when I‘ve actually found a book without them, which, unfortunately, seems to be a rare occurrence these days. ? And, no, I never ever read romance, but mostly mystery and crime novels.

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Denise

I’d rather they didn’t have any

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Tricia

The more the merrier ?

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Jennifer

Im happy with sex scenes but i have read a few where the sex takes over the story and i find myself getting annoyed and skimming the scenes to get on with the story.
I can think of three books/series where i have done this

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Aeron

Dont read game of thrones then

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Elaine

Sometimes, it can be used to tell part of the story, the development and growth of a character. And they can be made different in terms of where, why, and what mood the characters are in at the time.

Sex, for the sake of sex, doesn’t always work for me, and in that case I’d skip forward to the story.

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Carmel

Doesn’t bother me at all…

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Lauren

Haha the first one lol i skim through it. Unless its a romance where its expected

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Julie

Jilly Cooper sex scenes are extremely entertaining because they are awful
.generally i still skim through them as fast as ANY sex scene because i dont ever feel they do much for the story.

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Crystal

1 or 2 perhaps. It all depends on how descriptive it gets really. If it’s a couple paragraphs with vague descriptions then it’s easy to pass over but when it becomes a few pages then I’m not a fan.

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Liza

One. Most of the ones I have read the way certain things are described, especially body parts are just cringy as fuck. I don’t like romance in books and I even less like sex scenes.

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Emy

One too

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Ann

I do that at the first one and usually just skim the rest of the book. I find other people having sex very boring.

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Claire

I never skip a sex scene ???
Saying that I read mainly horror. There’s not that many sex scenes but when they are it doesn’t bother me at all

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Wendy

One

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Aaron

With pictures?

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Matt

They always make me cringe

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Susan

The more the merrier for me ?

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Amber

If a book has anymore than like 3-4 sex scenes it gets annoying. Fifty shades of grey made me so embarrassed to read it in public. I hate all the fifty shades books.

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Cara

Depends if they’re well written.

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Dorine

One..

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Kim

I will never skip them. Some books just need them in it.

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Lynda

I love them. They’re the best part of the book. No eye rolling here.

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Renee

I’m good with one or two.

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Donna

Sex scenes don’t bother me, I don’t skim them as they’re part of the book, I don’t roll my eyes but I might giggle a little lol

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Kayla

Non they’re the best parts ?

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Eniko

Depends, some are so awkward you actually give up on sex ?

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Francine

One or two if they add to the plot.

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Kelly

lol back in the day reading 50 shades i ended up skipping them lol

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Gill

One!

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Author

I don’t mind at all…

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Catherine

@Lindzi

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January

IDK. I read a book where every other chapter was a scene I got annoyed when I realize they all had the same pattern.

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Jennifer

Too much ‘sex’ information makes me cringe!

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Annette

I have no problem at all with sex scenes in books … as long as they’re believable and work within the plotline then I’m good to go. I mean, really, who has sex 47 times a day in 96 different positions with 400 people ?!?!
Absolutely no judgement if you do, of course … 😉
I tend to not skip any narrative, just in case I miss something and have to trawl back through looking for the one line that explains it all !
The 50 shades books were, in my opinion, just, really badly written, soft porn … and of course there’s a place for that – if there wasn’t then it wouldn’t have sold so well ! I thought I’d give them a fair read but, dear god, by the 9643rd time she called on her ‘inner goddess’, I was soooooooooooo over it !
And, sometimes, an author not known for adding in ‘sexy time’ who writes about it … well, I’ve cringed more than once !
Sex is a fact of life, most of us do it, have done it, will do it at some point and some of us will write about it … it’s even mentioned in the Bible !
If you really, REALLY can’t stand to see anything of that nature then better subject choice is key … and this is where groups like this come in – getting opinions from like-minded folk is a huge help 🙂

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Maria

I wouldn’t put a number on it but just when you get to one and you think, really another one! I read a wide range of books and most of them don’t have sex scenes but I take each book as I find it and judge it on its own merits and what feels right or wrong for it, in my humble opinion. LOL

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Mary

I tend to skip if it becomes repetitive (think Ayla and jondalar in clan of the cavebear series)

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Hailee

I can’t do the FiftyShades style, nopers-not for me. I do however LOVE everything I’ve ever read by Colleen Hoover and she does 3-4 sex scenes per book but they are tasteful and believable and not overly descriptive of the details. Her books are about the love story and only a “normal” amount of sex.
I’m like you Annette, no one-not even the well experienced and professional have sex 47 times in one day! You would be dead! Lol ?

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Sara

Normally skim the first one

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Kristy

Never! Although, I do roll my eyes when an author has the male character tell the female character to “let go” and then she does on que. ? Whateva!

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Lynn

Hence I haven’t read 50 shades

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Vicky

I don’t think I skim at all- must be a pervert! If the book is written well you kind of get taken along with the moment x

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Trudy

LS Hilton books have sex scenes of all sorts

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Jackie

Not a fan of those type of books. I do avoid some authors that tend to have repetitive sex scenes in their books. I do skim over if they get detailed. TMI
We are adults. We know what goes on in a bedroom.?

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Trudy

Depends on the book….sometimes it adds to the story, sometimes it doesn’t

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David

Can never be too many if they are exciting …….?

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Tina

Always skim

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Sarah

Depends on what they are like. If it is all cliched “stud with chiseled abs” sex, then I’ll start rolling my eyes with the first scene.

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Sarah

Not because I’m a prude or anything, but can’t it be different for once? Tired of tall, chiseled, and brooding. Where are the chubby guys?

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Leslie

Never skim. Sex is a part of being human. Our desires are a part of us and help define who we are so I think they are integral to the development of the character.. just like our own development.

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Kim

One. I don’t want to read the details any more than I’d want to peep in someone’s window. Unnecessary.

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Kristina

I don’t read books with sex scenes.

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Trudy

Eliminates a few books. Not judging, just saying

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Kristina

Huh?

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Trudy

There are books that have good sex scenes, some that don’t

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Erin

I also have never read books with sex scenes. I read 50 Shades because I’m kinky and wanted to see how it went “mainstream” (horrible), and I read a ton of nonfiction which deal with rape but I can’t think of any sex scenes in “regular” books that I’ve read…. not a one, lol

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Trudy

Never read books with sex scenes, but read 50 shades of Grey…..

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Trudy

@Erin love your status

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Tara

Man you’re missing out on some good bookz.

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Trudy

What is my status?

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Trudy

@Tara bookz. I believe that’s books

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Kristina

@Erin I agree with you! I don’t seek out books with sex. And it’s not my preferred genre, by far. But you’re right, that a ton of books focus on rape or similar situations. That’s not the kind of sex I’d be interested in reading about. And romance novels are ?

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Trudy

@Kristina so pick your books. I don’t like these either

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Kristina

@Trudy Pick my books? As opposed to someone else picking them for me?

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Trudy

As I mean pick the genre you like to read. Don’t be judging people who read what you dont

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Kristina

Lmao who’s judging? You’re way off.

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Trudy

Pick the genre you like to read. Don’t judge,or name, people that don’t agree with your genre

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Trudy

I didn’t judge anyone

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Tara

Wow @Trudy no need to correct me so rudely.

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Trudy

Wasn’t correcting anyone

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Kristina

@Trudy I wasn’t aware opinions were judgements now.

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Trudy

Wow

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Erin

Can I bring it back to topic? I was saying that I haven’t found a book yet but if someone else has one that they like I’m totally open to reading it I’m not judging anyone or saying “I only/never read ___”, I’m simply looking for a good recommendation from someone who has more experience with erotica genres. Personally I love epic true stories of survival. For women, unfortunately this often goes hand in hand with sexual abuse of some kind. It doesn’t bother me but I can totally see how it’s not for everyone.

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Trudy

LJ Harris is a read. Soft porn is involved. Probably nothing different than a J Collins

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Mary

I just skim over.

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David

Time and place for everything.

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Katie

As soon as I see the word thrust or member I roll my eyes and skip!

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Brittany

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Andrea

Doesn’t bother me but I don’t read romance novels so I don’t encounter a lot of the cheesy descriptions. I’m always surprised when I hear someone only reads romance novels. It makes me want to go buy them a million good books so they see what else they’re missing.

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Teresa

The genres i pick have very few ‘sex’ scenes. When i do come accross them i some times think “TmI”. As if i am intruding.

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Lisa

Yes! This!

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Shannon

I never skim…I’m a curious human!

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Erin

I heard that a lot of women prefer to read erotica over watching porn but I have never come across any full length books. Is there actually any good erotica?! 50 Shades was horrible on many levels but I found the sex scenes so lame (and not female positve) the only thing she ever said was “ohh. Uhh.” I think even my cat has better sex…

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Trudy

The 50 Shades was not Erotica…. I read Jackie Collins that was better

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Erin

It was to thousands of vanilla housewives lol

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Shannon

This is my favorite!

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Sharon

I always skip over it. To me, it’s just filler for when the author needed a break from the actual story.

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Tamara

2

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Tara

I don’t skim over sex scenes lol
I read them.

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Sandy

A little goes a long way….

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Sally-Ann

Honestly that’s why i don’t read a lot of romance. I don’t need pages of too much detail. I prefer when it’s just implied they went to bed then left alone.

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Trudy

Different books, different sex

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Barbara

1

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Abbi

One. I find them unnecessary most of the time and just want to get back to the story.

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Melissa

I didn’t know sex bothered so many people. It’s such a normal thing.

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Heather

I think you are reading the wrong genre of book if you are skimming over most of it.

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VonettaQuestion author

Never said I was skimming through most of a book.

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Sam

Vonetta Watson I get where you are coming from I love Nora Roberts but if you read her too much the scenes all blend together I’m more into the overall story line then the several paragraphs of sex scenes/ book.

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VonettaQuestion author

@Sam……Exactly.

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VonettaQuestion author

I can pick up and read any book I choose to. If i like a certain author and their storytelling I will read them. If that said author drops multiple sex scenes in the book it becomes repetitive…..”to me”. Therefore I skim through those scenes.

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Sam

Depends how into the story I am. If I’m caught I’m I’m not skipping a word.

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Megan

I don’t read romance or erotica.. just not my thing. I don’t mind a sex scene here and there if it’s well done and works with the story but when there are pages and pages of detail, I’ll skim. I love sex.. but I don’t love reading about it. I find sex scenes to typically be written awkwardly.

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Sandra

Right away, except once in a while I will vicariously enjoy Eve Dallas and Rourke

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Darcie

Depends on the kinda sex and how it is written.

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Dawn

If they are written well and aren’t repetitive I’m ok with it ?

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Jill

Those cheap Eroticas can get really annoying. Sex on page 5 haha.. page 11, 20, 26, 32… 40…

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Ashlyn

Right away

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Eileen

Doesn’t do anything for me – I look for a good story, don’t need to know what sexual activity they’re getting up to, just to know they’re getting up to something is enough for me. I always remember reading that when Peter Benchley first presented “Jaws” for publication, he was told it wouldn’t sell unless he put a sex scene in – really?? What do publishers think about we readers?

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LJ

So I mean 2-3 in a book are cool. More than that and it’s repetitive.

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Jennie

One.

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Katie

One

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Ali

I’d never skim over it lol. If it’s in the book, it’s gets read! ?

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Lulu

It depends if it’s part of the story or just there for the hell of it!

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Don

Generally, one is more than I need.

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Lillie

I’ve never read a book with that unfortunately 🙁 point me in the direction plz hahahah

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Rock

I don’t mind well-written sex scenes, but most of my reading is in microhistory & theology, so I don’t often encounter them.

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Susan

After the 1st. I am done….not a prude, just find them in nessessary, wasting time.

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Nodnarb

All of them, and then roll my eyes in disappointment that they are over

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Carol

3rd I reckon

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Terence

One, I don’t enjoy any of them.

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Caitlyn

If the story is better than the sex scene lol

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Dario

1

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Carole

One……it’s unnecessary and gets in the way of a good story.

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Kit

Totally agree! I hate it when I’m reading a good book and then they have to throw a sex scene in. It’s like publishers think the public can’t keep interest in a book unless sex is part of the formula

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Naomi

I think the only book I’ve read with a sex scean (butchered the spelling on a simple words go me lol) in it was A Fault in our Stars

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Steph

I skim the first and all following.

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Terryl

Depends on how well it is written and whether it is germane to the story line. In 50 Shades of Grey it was needed to explain the story, but in a thriller, even 1 might be too many.?

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Caitlyn

Why is there a hand beside your name?

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Terryl

@Caitlyn I am not sure what you mean?

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Terryl

I don’t know. I am new maybe it is something that lets people know to say hello? Hmmm…

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VonettaQuestion author

@Terryl I have it too.

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Caitlyn

It doesn’t show one on my end for you @Vonetta

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Terryl

@Vonetta are you new too?

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Caitlyn

I just noticed hers and was like.. when did that get there

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VonettaQuestion author

Yes…..but it looks like mine went away.

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Sally

When it becomes the whole story.

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Jenna

If the story is good I can usually skip. If I’m not in the mood I’ll skip. If the story isn’t all that great after the 3rd or 4th sex scene I get bored and stop reading

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Candance

Just 1.

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Megan

Like the 3rd one. Fifty shades made me roll my eyes.

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Whitney

Hey, it’s part of a lot of books. If you don’t like it, don’t read the book. You’re not obligated to finish the book, you know. 🙂

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Liza

How the hell are we meant to know if there is a sex scene? It’s not usually even hinted at in Synopis’s.
For example. You read the synopsis for Nevernight by Jay Kristoff there isn’t even a slight mention of a romance let alone, I think it was 2, cringy as fuck sex scenes.
The only way you could always avoid sex scenes is only reading Middle Grade. I would like to hope there was no sex scenes as the MC is usually 12..

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Liza

Also sometimes the book is bloody great, that doesn’t mean if there is a sex scene we automatically DNF it?!

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Regina

Some books I like the story line but I don’t like the sex scenes. So I skip them. Who says I have to read them. As far as Im concerned they could just put they made love and be done with it.

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Liza

@Regina exactly.

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Whitney

I don’t really understand what the big deal is, though. It’s not like you are are watchin it in a movie. It’s a book. Sex scenes usually only last for a few paragraphs. But everyone is different and to each their own.

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Levi

I wish books were rated so we know what’s in them, like movies. Then others who don’t want to deal with that can skip the book.

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Eileen

So you’re supposed to expect sex scenes in a lot of books? Not in a lot of books I read there aren’t.

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Deborah

2 is too many.

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Janet

Fifty shades of grey.

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Chrissy

2

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Becky

Usually ALL of them get skimmed over. I don’t need a play by play. Just the cliff notes please.

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Jill

Exactly!

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Jill

One. No-one seems to have any idea of how to write one without sounding ridiculous or like a try-hard (They went for 12 hours?? 12 hours??? She’s going to need a wheelchair to get around for the next week … But no, they’re back at in another hour .. ) ?

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Savanah

I don’t get annoyed at all

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Janet

FROM BEGINING TO THE END.

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Robin

I always listen to audio books and sometimes hearing it, instead of reading it, makes me laugh!

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Lissa

Depends on the writing. If it’s awkward (which they almost always are), I can’t even get through it. If it’s beautifully…succinct–which my writing tries to accomplish–I think it really adds to the story and its characters, rather than just “fills” it.

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Kirsten

I always skim over them.

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Febinger

Depends

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Levi

I don’t want to read those scenes. One is enough for me to put a book down. I just don’t want to deal with that., it’ll taint me and destroy my innocence. LOL. I never finished Wicked because of the naughtiness. Nope. Nope. I’m trying to be a good Christian. I try to avoid that kind of exposure. But that’s just me and my upbringing soooooo, yeah.

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Lis

It depends on how they are written. You can have a scene that alludes to more without a bunch of details and that is fine. If written where every single thing is written out and tons of adjectives- then I skim over it. I like Kleypas, but always think if she took out those parts or made them shorter with leaving some things to the imagination it would be better. Same with TV and movies – I think they can still have a steamy scene while leaving some of it to the imagination. I mean really, what you imagine is probably better anyway.

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