Being sexualized IS a power fantasy for many women.
The OP brings up the men on romance covers, but the women that grace those covers aren't representing their target demographic, either. There's not many top-selling romances about a morbidly obese eczema-ridden bugbear woman, either. Unattractive women in women's power fantasies are generally very easily made attractive: Too thin rather than too fat, messy hair cured with a single brushing, glasses with the dumbest frames imaginable to be replaced with wireframes or contact lenses. And they WILL be made attractive before even the third act's begun, because they must, to give a power fantasy to the (woman) reader that they too can be sexually desirable.
It's why feminazis can only write female leads as Mary Sue's on traditionally male franchises. The idea that a female is inferior in any context is too much for their fragile egos so they always start overpowered rather than the heroes journey.
Being sexualized IS a power fantasy for many women.
The OP brings up the men on romance covers, but the women that grace those covers aren't representing their target demographic, either. There's not many top-selling romances about a morbidly obese eczema-ridden bugbear woman, either. Unattractive women in women's power fantasies are generally very easily made attractive: Too thin rather than too fat, messy hair cured with a single brushing, glasses with the dumbest frames imaginable to be replaced with wireframes or contact lenses. And they WILL be made attractive before even the third act's begun, because they must, to give a power fantasy to the (woman) reader that they too can be sexually desirable.
Male Power Fantasy: Being a strong badass who can save the world, do what he wants and get the girl.
Female Power Fantasy: Being the girl that the badass guy is completely obsessed with and devoted to by virtue of existing
It's why feminazis can only write female leads as Mary Sue's on traditionally male franchises. The idea that a female is inferior in any context is too much for their fragile egos so they always start overpowered rather than the heroes journey.