Chastity is for Lovers

by Arleen Spenceley

In 2012, journalist Arleen Spenceley outed herself as a twenty-six-year-old virgin in aTampa Bay Times op-ed that went viral. In Chastity Is for Lovers, Spenceley expands on that piece, advocating Catholic teaching on sex and marriage with candor and humor, and without judgment.  

In her debut book, seasoned journalist and self-professed “happy virgin” Arleen Spenceley offers a mature, funny, and relatable vision of Catholic teaching on chastity for young adults. Chastity Is for Lovers provides perspective on a variety of topics—the difference between chastity and abstinence, how virginity is an affirming and valuable life choice, how the word “purity” can be harmful in ministry settings, how to date well, and why sexual self-control is the best form of marriage preparation—and gives single adults the best possible chance to find true love. She carefully avoids using language that shames readers and instead presents a view of chastity that is joyful and positive.

Features & Benefits

• Spenceley is a staff writer at the Tampa Bay Times, was featured on NPR’s Tell Me More, and has written for both secular and religious media—Chicago Sun Times, Tampa Bay Times, the Austin American, the Florida Catholic, Ignitum Today, LifeTeen.com, CatholicLane.com, and elsewhere.
• Spenceley’s approach is similar to Jason Evert’s successful If You Really Loved Mebut distinct in that she is both a woman and a virgin and writes in solidarity with singles.
• Spenceley’s networking savvy and steadily growing online presence (arleenspenceley.com, @ArleenSpenceley) position her as an increasingly influential figure in Catholic media.