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I want to say it’s hard to believe, in this day and age, that sex work is more heavily shamed than it is supported, but unfortunately, it’s true. The true demographics are impossible to collect, but the stigma is very slow to work its way out of cultural consciousness. While folks who engage in the criminalized sex work categories might garner more empathy in contemporary conversation, those who choose to make their money in other forms of sex work—including adult entertainment, cam work, paid BDSM work, and other types of tittilating work that include the use of their bodies for visual and physical stimulation—are looked down upon as a less acceptable way to make money.
Sex work has always appeared in romance novels, but historically never in a positive way. In Old School historical romances in particular, both Regency and Western romance authors have come up with endless ways to introduce us to the destitute woman who could end up becoming a prostitute if she wasn’t rescued by the leading man. As the genre evolved and the sex-positive movement started to incorporate sex work, a more nuanced introduction to sex workers started to appear, including people working in categories where money was exchanged for physical intimacy. Beverly Jenkins has featured multiple characters who, far from being the stereotypical blushing virgins, have made lemonade out of their situations. And I’ve pulled together a few more books featuring people who engage in various kinds of sex work, including cam work, exotic dancing, and sex work in its most traditional form.
You, Me, U.S. by Brigitte Bautista
Liza and Jo are best friends making do in Manila. While Liza, a sales clerk, has been trying to land a green card marriage to get herself and her family out of poverty, Jo is (relatively) satisfied with her life as a sex worker. This is a slow, slow burn between two friends coming to terms with their feelings for each other, and involves both characters having sex with other people as they work their way towards each other romantically. It’s a spectacular novel, though it might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
Streams and Schemes by Rebecca Kinkade
When Valeria and her neighbor Landon discover that they are about to die, they decide to act on their attraction and go out with a literal bang. Then they discover the missile warning was an accident, and they have to deal with the fallout. Cam girl Valeria is hesitant to enter into a relationship with a lawyer, and Landon is hiding his own secrets. Come for the sexy times, stay for the hilarity (and the build-on of the second and third books in the series).
Plié by AH Cunningham
The stereotypical image of someone doing BDSM-related sex work is probably of a working domme, clad in vinyl and buckles, carrying a whip and ordering men to shut up and be a man. But AH Cunningham gives us a softer view, introducing us to a single father learning to be a Dom and the professional submissive working with him at the Gold Room. Outside of this club, the two butt heads with no knowledge of their other relationship; here, there’s just Aisha, a dance teacher, and Mr. Davenport, the father of one of her students.
Just for the Cameras by Viano Oniomoh
What happens when you do sex work as a couple, but the one thing that might make your life complete is your best friend and roommate joining in? Kian and Jordanne have a wonderful relationship and a successful channel. When a bit of fantasizing leads to Luka joining in, there’s a whole additional level of complication to navigate. I love Viano Oniomoh’s books for their unrelenting, unapologetic representation of queer, fat, Black characters who have both confidence and insecurities.
If you’re looking for more excellent examples of sex work, there are a few more that I didn’t have space to go into detail about, but want to make sure to mention:
If you’re looking for more books about sex work, check out this list of non-romance about sex work by sex workers. And of course, check out what we’ve been talking about in romance.
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