When I was younger, I struggled a lot with recognizing what was healthy or unhealthy in a sexual relationship. Sex has been a part of my life for a long time as someone who is attracted to multiple genders and does not fall anywhere on the asexual spectrum, but unhealthy relationships and exposure to unhealthy scenarios as a teen messed up my views on what it should look like, and honestly, Erika Moen's Oh Joy, Sex Toy webcomics were a tremendous help. In fact, I have to say that I think I first learned sex positivity from Erika's words. Because of my eternal gratitude to her and her partner Matthew for their guidance, when I saw that they were coming out with Drawn to Sex, I naturally felt like I had to review it.

I can't say that I learned anything new from this book, because 1) I followed their webcomic for years, and 2) I've been around the block long enough at this point to have learned these things firsthand. That said, this is such a fantastically comprehensive guide and I would absolutely encourage anyone and everyone to read it, regardless of your sexuality and gender identity—Erika and Matthew cover it all.

On top of how in-depth everything is, the representation in the comics? Flawless. Erika so strongly normalizes different races, sexualities, identities, body types, disabilities, and anything else you can think of. It's something I first noticed about the webcomic back in the day, and I was so happy to see that she still focuses so strongly on including as many people as possible. There's also a lot of attention paid to phrasing—instead of using binary terms, she'll use phrases like "people with *insert sexual term here*"—and she even takes time more than once to point out that asexuality comes in many different layers, and each and every one of those layers is perfectly valid.

I would recommend Drawn to Sex to anyone and everyone, and am so proud of Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan for the work they're doing. ♥

Thank you so much to Oni Press for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book is a compilation of educational comics featuring various subjects surrounding sex. It's essentially a silly sex-positive comic. There's humor. There's heart. There's sex. There's information.

There is a great amount of information in this book. There's a chapter on asking yourself if you're ready for sex. There's many chapters on contraception and STI prevention. I wasn't aware of the different types of IUDs. There are also chapters on different sexual activities including some tips and tricks.

This is the way sex education should be taught. It's casual, but informative. There are resources provided in case you want more information on a subject. This book is absolutely queer friendly. I love the amount of diversity shown in the illustrations. This would be a great read for any young adult, whether they're sexually active or not. I give this a 5/5.

I didn’t expect to like this as much as I did, but I loved it! I think sex-positivity is super important and I love that more and more people are talking about it. Whether it be a from lack of sex education in school, not having an adult figure to talk to, or being afraid of getting judged, many people don’t have a lot of guidance when it comes to sex, so they don't talk about it.
At the beginning of the book, one of the pages of the comic strip said:
“At the end of the day, what kind of sexual activities you do or don’t do will not change your worth as a person. You are whole, you are valid, you matter, and you deserve empathy and compassion. Sex doesn’t change that and anybody who tells you otherwise is projecting their own issues on to you.”
I think this is so important. So often, I’ve seen the message passed that certain sexual practices are shameful or having sex before marriage makes you a bad person. These things can mold our minds into feeling shameful about sex and, in turn, feeling shameful about ourselves for any sexual experiences we may have. This comic strip encourages the reader to stop feeling guilty because at the end of the day sex doesn’t change your worth as a person and being informed about consensual, safe, sex makes it better for you and your future partners.
One of my favorite things about this was that the authors reiterate multiple times that what one person may want/believe/think is right might not be the same for the next. They tell you time and time again that your idea of sex positivity might not be the same as theirs and that’s okay.
The illustrations were also amazing. There were so many different types of people shown in the illustrations. That was definitely something about it that I loved because it really drives home that this is a book for everyone.
This book provided sex education in a fun, informative, non-judgmental way. It had some humor, but it also had some very important messages. The comic strip covers a broad variety of topics from consent, to different methods of birth control, masturbation, and different sexualities. It is written in a way that makes it an enjoyable learning experience. It is definitely something I wish I had growing up when the only sex education I received was that abstinence was the way to go, so in my later years I knew nothing about contraception, STIs, sex, or masturbation. I think this is a great book if you want to learn the basics that you aren't getting taught in school. If I had children I wouldn’t mind giving them when they are older.

A perfect, well-designed and carefully measured guide for the modern teenager (and younger) into the world of sex. Self-love, toys, protection, and the ins and outs are all here; nothing is patronising; nobody is left out (which is bloody annoying, in a way, because they have to say things like "people with vulvas" because "female" is wrong now, or something) – it's just ideal, fresh and accurate.

An amazing, affirming, informative book that I will definitely make any future children I have read someday. I thought I was fairly knowledgeable about sex, but I had to look up a few terms used in here! I really appreciated the positive and accepting attitude that shone through the pages and the message that you're OK no matter what as long as you're not harming anyone. It was a joy to read and has sparked many productive discussions between my boyfriend and myself. Highly recommended!

I received a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

I am not sure what the target the group is for this publication, but it is very informative, plainly written, and illustrated. I think this is an excellent tool for the appropriate age group.

Thank you NetGalley, for the opportunity to read for a fair review.

Very informative and useful. I loved the informal tone of this book because it makes sex less taboo and more approachable.

HOLY COW!
This book was perfect!!! I am a Planned Parenthood advocate and volunteer and one of my passions is nursing, especially sexual health nursing. This book is a brilliant guide on sex. The illustrations are indeed super graphic so I do not recommend reading it in public unless you are comfortable doing so, but even then, it may be uncomfortable for others around you so be wise.
Erika and Matthew have clearly done their research! They even provide websites and resources where you can fact check them or just get more information about the topics they discuss.
Also, this graphic novel is very LGBTQIA+ friendly. It discusses different sexual and gender identities as well as illustrates them too. They did not leave anyone out! This is the kind of inclusive and sex positive literature that I think needs to be apart of any sex education class. (Although, I did come from a small school where we were told abstinence is the only way to a happy life, so I am a little bitter about that still, haha.)
The education in this book was amazing, the illustrations were inclusive and descriptive, and lastly, I love that the authors did not just use medical lingo that not everyone will understand. They use multiple terms to describe and educate. This makes it a more fun and casual way to get educated.
I am so excited for this book to hit shelves. I hope other people find it as amazing and educational as I did.

Speaking from honesty, THIS was one of the books I needed as a teenager/young adult. My household was one of those where you waited until entering a monogamous marriage before even thinking about having sex, and the fear of getting pregnant still runs rampant in me to this day (and I've been married for 3 years now and know I don't want kids). This text actually helps the reader examine their body, what they might (or might not) be feeling as teenagers and adults, and makes it all fairly understandable.

What I really appreciate most is the non-judgemental tone of the overall text, especially when referring to so many attributes of sex that we are taught as being "taboo" in many circles of society. However, because this text will be published, I believe we're on the right track in becoming a more open and accepting society. Not completely, mind you, since things won't change overnight, but the first steps are the most important and having access to books like Drawn to Sex is a big step in the right direction.

Explicit. Informative. Positive.

Awesome.

Drawn to Sex: The Basics is the most direct guide to sex I have ever come across (pun intended) covering topics the sexually interested and sexually artistic can learn something from. There is always more to learn about your sexual self.

Share this with the young adults in your life. This is a great resource with a much better message then television, peer pressure or a watered down politically correct sex ed curriculum can offer.

I cannot wait to see the other books in the series.

I like how informal this book is. The illustrations are very amusing and the overall comic book feel takes away some of the awkwardness of the subject matter. That being said, it's not really my taste. While it does try to answer some of the more basic questions in matters of sexual relationships, it seems almost too light a tone at times and doesn't portray the gravity of such an intense involvement to me, but I am old fashioned and have never gotten into or agreed with the concepts of casual sex.

Drawn to Sex is an excellent overview of topics that are frequently overlooked in high schools in comic format. This book encourages body positivity and sends a non-judgemental message.

OH. MY. GOD. I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sex education is SO IMPORTANT! And more often than not, it's only education for the men.
Not only did this book explain the workings of both sex's sex organs, but included body positivity by showing a wide range of all body types. I cannot express how much I loved this book! I so hope they include more information in their next book (and their better be a next one!)

This book has a wealth of information on topics that many young people are curious about when it comes to sex. Living in a country where sex education seems to be considered taboo and where young adults everywhere are more clueless about their own sexuality than not, I can definitely see how this graphic novel could be a positive influence. Topics such as individual readiness for sex, consent, STDs, tolerance for others, communication, and methods of protection presented in such a sex positive light, young people no longer have to rely on misinformation from friends, peer pressure, and the media to create their own knowledge and opinions about sex. This graphic novel helps normalize sexuality for young people who may feel embarrassed or uncomfortable about it and helps create conversations with trusted others. At the end of the book, the authors even refer readers to other resources where they can learn even more about their sexuality.

I was disappointed to say the least. Instead of delivering from what I hoped to be more educational aspect, it attempted to be more entertaining, with a no-holes-barred approach. Little regard was given for respecting the upbringing of the reader, as it attempts to force any and every method of sexual gratification on the pages. Artwork was dull and the book tried to cram way too much information in a cartoony type approach.

Wow.

Drawn to Sex by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan is definitely a bit of a shocker the first time you read it. But, I have to say, it was pretty amazing. In a society that regularly has issues with sex education and being inclusive, this book was a breath of fresh air. Not only did this book include people of all sexualities, but it also included transgender and disabled. It also includes all kinds of body types, which was absolutely wonderful to see. Those aren’t things I come across in books very often and therefore it was definitely something I appreciated.

Overall, the book was overwhelmingly positive. And best of all it was informative, offering a great deal of information on a variety of sexual topics as well as links to websites that will provide readers with even more very important information. Of course, as this is a graphic novel of web comics, there was quite a plethora of NSFW content. And I think this is something anyone who picks up this book should expect. But, if for some reason you did not expect that, you have been warned. This book might be a little bit much for some of you out there.

I personally do think it’s worth reading, though. And while I can imagine a fair number of parents not wanting their teens to be reading this—and to be fair, some of the topics are definitely very adult (threesomes, for example)—but I do feel that since the sex education in this country is disguistngly subpar, it’s very beneficial for teenagers to have access to certain information. Especially that which involves consent STIs, and safe sex. Not enough people teach young people about these things (properly!) and the more opportunities they have to find this information, the better off they will be. I deeply appreciated this book for its goal to educate people accurately.

The only thing I didn’t care for with this book was its regular reference to its readers as perverts. I don’t think it’s particularly problematic, but it did bug me a little. The referencing was not indented to be negative in any way and so this dislike is a personal preference on my end. At the end of the day, I’m glad that this book exists. It’s worth reading.

Whereas most educational books focus on sex as a way to explain where babies come from, this book focuses on understanding your body, contraception/safer sex and sex for pleasure. "People deserve to know how their shit works, to be empowered to ask for what they want, and to feel secure in saying 'yes' or 'no' or 'Let's try it but I reserve the right to change my mind'" (page 28).

The artwork is great quality and features cartoon versions of the authors answering questions from a diverse range of characters. The language used is inclusive of different genders and sexualities, and the authors use a broad definition of what "counts" as sex. The advice is non-judgemental and there is a strong focus on consent and respect. The authors are very clear that no one should be pressured into doing anything they don't want to, and that if someone doesn't want to have sex- now or ever- then that is always the right decision for them.

The book serves as an introduction to different topics and the authors point to Planned Parenthood and Scarleteen as more in-depth sources of information. It is very accessible and completely unashamed which means a refreshing change from the cringy advice most people got in their youth. It would be useful both for people who think they know a lot about sex and those who know very little. It would not be suitable for explaining sex to children, but nor is it meant to be.

There are a lot of books about sex, and understanding it, out there, but Erika and her husband Matt, have written the clearest, most comprehensive, easy to understand book about sex out there.

Erika and Matt have been running their site, <a href="https://www.ohjoysextoy.com/" target="_blank">Oh Joy Sex Toy</a>, to talk about toys, but they also get into the ins and outs, no pun intended, of, well sex. Erika has a very easy on the eyes cartoon style, and she tries to include all types of sexualities, as well as bodies, when she draws her stories.

This book is a collection of the strips she did about sex.

This page is part of the three or four page story about consentual sex, and how to know what it is.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-865" src="http://www.reyes-sinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Screen-Shot-2018-08-16-at-8.38.19-AM.png" alt="Drawn to sex" />

and this page is about condoms, and Matt's first experience purchasing one.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-866" src="http://www.reyes-sinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Screen-Shot-2018-08-16-at-8.37.47-AM.png" alt="drawn to sex" />

All of the stories cover the basic things you need to know about sex, from what STDs are, to what the best method of birth control might be for you, from the pill to the condom, to the IDU.

Each story is told without shame, without assumptions, and the characters in the story ask the questions that you might be too embarrassed to ask.

This is a valuable resource, as well as fun to read. It gives you a lot to think about, and answers questions you might not even have thought of to ask. Even if you think you know everything there is to know about sex, you might be surprised to learn a few things, and be entertained in the process. Highly recommended.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

This is an interesting and unique way of looking at sex education. It's great to see that educational materials can be fun. Also, this book is not just for educating youth about sex; it is a great refresher course or introduction for people of all ages. I especially love that the authors cover such a wide range of sex topics, from what sex even is to forms of consent (and what consent is not) to sex positive language. Kudos and I can't wait to read the next two books in the series.

If this is the basics I don’t want to think what the advanced book is about LOL. At any rate, this comic is explicit but it’s funny and informative at the same time, I learned new things myself, so don’t think you’re ever too old to learn about sex and contraception.