Sure, big dick energy is great, I’m a huge fan of cocksure heroes and irl men, but it’s time to stop emulating a giant phallus and instead aspire for true greatness: BOE.
What is the definition of BOE, you might ask? It’s a woman that knows what she wants. She’s unapologetically herself, and takes what she needs without waiting for someone else to give it to her. She’s the kind of person that says no to things she doesn’t want to do, and owns every ounce of her crazy because she’s worth it.
Sometimes, she’s the woman people love to hate in books. They find her too annoying, too abrasive, too harsh, just too… much. This label is commonly associated when she’s take charge and exemplifies many traits that make heroes swoony. Other times, she’s the heroine we all love and adore. Regardless of where she fits in the likability spectrum, all BOE women should be celebrated for their perpetuation of strong women everywhere.
Some of my favorite BOE heroines include:
1. Violet Sutcliffe from Her Best Worst Mistake by Sarah Mayberry
Violet and Martin do NOT get along. He’s stuffy and boring while she’s vivacious and independent, and they make no secret of their mutual dislike. To top it off, Martin is the recent ex-fiancé of Violet’s best friend. But when the sexual tension that has underscored all of their bickering finally snaps, the two are electric. Violet is particularly amazing because of all that’s she overcome from a less than ideal childhood. She’s a self-made business woman that is uncompromising in who she is and what she wants out of life. She also is able to draw out the best in Martin to provide for a super delicious enemies to lovers read.
2. Harlow from Dirty Rowdy Thing by Christina Lauren
Finn may be the alpha Canadian fisherman of our dreams, but Harlow is the real alpha here. Sassy as they come, and a bad bitch through and through, Harlow isn’t afraid to go for exactly what she wants in life. I particularly love her incredible brand of forgiveness. She loves fiercely, protects her heart like a seasoned guard, but also allows people second chances, willing to keep herself open to love when it’s for the right person. That combination of career determination and eventual willingness to be vulnerable makes her the HBIC.
3. Alva from The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller
While Sam is the cinnamon bun hero that now owns my heart, Alva has some massive BOE that makes her the true star of this novel. The way she unflinchingly faces a society that scorns her, works to build something completely for herself, and is brave in not only conquering past trauma but continuing to fight the ghosts that haunt her, she is an ultimate heroine and has some amazing idgaf attitude we can all emulate.
4. Minerva from A Week to be Wicked by Tessa Dare
I’m not sure I’m able to rec books without adding AWTBW to the list, but when it’s good, damn it’s good. Minerva. Sweet Min. Bluestocking, misunderstood, meddling mama… she has quiet a slurry of societal obstacles stacked against her. But what makes Minerva have such amazing BOE is her unparalleled determination to live her best life. Smart as a whip, she has a lifetime of research that will not be silenced by men, yet she also grabs onto her personal autonomy and sexuality with both hands (wink, wink), determined to fully live her life in a way that all us bad bitches should aspire for.
5. Darcy from 99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne
Darcy is a sharp and prickly heroine that I really loved. In many ways, she’s a mess. She represents so many of us clueless millennial women just trying to find our way and find ourselves. What I like most about Darcy is her willingness to be selfish. So often, women are told to be selfless, put everyone else before themselves, and do what is expected of them. Darcy flips this on its head. Does it always work out well? Hell no. Was it refreshing to see a heroine that doesn’t have herself together and realistically messes things up? Hell yes. Plus, there are few things that make me grin more like an idiot than a sweet cinnamon roll beta softening the rough edges of a grumpy heroine.
Whatever your personal brand of BOE, I hope you take on 2020 with as much self-care and self-love you can muster. Big Ovary Energy women: may we know them, may we love them, may we raise them.
2 thoughts on “I Declare 2020 the Year of Big Ovary Energy”
Love, love, love!! Making 2020 my ovary year!!!
I also loved Darcy from 99 percent mine, so real in the victories and the struggles.
Thanks for this!
B.O.E, B.O.E!!!! Thank you so much for reading!