Honest, poignant, and diverse stories about first sexual experiences, The V-Word explores consent, relationships, pressure, and growing up—with helpful resources for teens and the adults who support them.

“Losing it.” “Popping your cherry.” “Handing in your V-card.”

There are plenty of ways to talk about your first sexual experience—but there’s no single way it’s supposed to happen. Will it be romantic or awkward? Exciting or disappointing? Something you’re ready for—or something you decide to wait on? And how do you know what’s right for you?

In The V-Word, seventeen writers—including Christa Desir, Justina Ireland, Sara Ryan, Carrie Mesrobian, Erica Lorraine Scheidt, and Jamia Wilson—pull back the sheets and tell honest, unfiltered stories about first sexual experiences. They explore everything from straight sex to queer sex, choosing to wait to feeling ready, and the complicated mix of excitement, uncertainty, pleasure, pressure, humor, and vulnerability that can come with intimacy.

Funny, sexy, awkward, meaningful, cringe-worthy, empowering, and sometimes transformative, these stories don’t preach or prescribe. Instead, they offer a range of real experiences and perspectives, giving teens space to think about consent, boundaries, relationships, readiness, and what they want for themselves.

Because there’s no “right” time, no perfect first time, and no one else’s experience that has to become your own. The V-Word is an invitation to ask questions, trust yourself, and make choices on your own terms.