Husband objects to me reading romance novels with sex scenes

[Utterlyincandescently]

Firstly, I'm not reading the books for the sex scenes. I just like romance books and many of them happen to have a sex scene. I also read lots without sex scenes or "fade to black" scenes. Most of the time, I don't even know if the book has a sex scene, until I get to it, and then I skim over them because they're usually pretty cringe-worthy to read.

Anyway, my DH doesn't like them and gets in a huff when he sees me reading them. He thinks its adjacent to watching porn, which he doesn't do, and doesn't like the idea of me "lusting after fictional men"🙄. Imo, it's exactly the same as watching a movie, that happens to have a sex scene in, and we do that all the time.

I could just read romance without sex scenes, but that severely limits my choice. Sitting down with my coffee and reading my sappy books is honestly one of my favourite things to do and I'm reluctant to give it up. AIBU to want to continue reading my books?

Once. He read one scene once. Does he really think ALL romance books are just the same with lots of sex loosely tacked together with a wee bit of story? I'd give him a few good ones to actually READ.

To put it in perspective I like Science Fiction and Fantasy. Some of the fantasy books I've read lately have had pretty graphic sex scenes in them and I'm not talking just Sarah Maas, plenty of other authors. I have a fantasy writer I adore but I know without doubt there will be one big sex scene in there. Like you I just skip it and get on with the books, they are so good I just want to get on with them

He wouldn’t like being with me-I love to read very sexy fanfic about a couple of very male TV detectives! My dp just disparages me for it and threatens to tell all my friends…..

As I said earlier - say no.

I think I would ask him every single time why he needs to know.

I still wouldn't term that an addiction.

But in any case, it's not your issue or problem so why are you getting shit about it and being got at for doing normal things. Romance is a massively popular genre for a reason.

It's like an alcoholic getting at their partner for eating some brownies, that have some vanilla essence in them, that has (as most vanilla extract does) a minute smidgeon of alcohol in the blend.

But that doesn't even seem to cover the while "you're not allowed to even have an accidental fantasy about a fictional man" craziness.

If he has such issues, maybe he needs counselling.

You don't need to stop reading romance novels.

Wow! Jealous about fictional characters in a book! Read it allowed and watch his reaction. If he really can't stomach it then start reading the Financial Times in bed and make moaning and groaning noises....