One of the stars of The Real Housewives of New Jersey is stirring up a big controversy. Critics say her new book actually advocates marital rape.

Melissa Gorga's just released book, Love, Italian Style offers this advice from her husband Joe: "I know you think your woman isn't the type who wants to be taken. But trust me, she is. Every girl wants to get her hair pulled once in a while. If your wife says 'no', turn her around and rip her clothes off.  She wants to be dominated."

Online reaction has been swift.

"How about love caveman style" wrote one reader.

Another commented: “Generations of women have fought for the legal right to refuse sex, even inside marriage. Non consensual sex is rape."

Melissa said she is shocked by the negative reaction. She appeared on a local TV show in New York on Friday where reporter Jodi Applegate said, “Some of the things your husband says about the bedroom, ‘If your wife says no, she doesn't really mean no, she means yes.'”

Melissa said, “She really means 'yes.'”

Applegate said, “That is not sitting well with some people.”

Melissa replied, “I hear you. But you know if you read the whole book from front to back, you will get the context of what is put in there. He means to be playful. It's about being flirty and you know playing hard to get and to be aggressive with your wife, and I think it got a little twisted.”

Melissa says she and her husband, who appears on Real Housewives with her, have a great relationship filled with love.

Another thing Melissa suggests in the book is always dress sexy for your guy.