Despite its popularity with readers, the romance genre is often looked down upon. Despite this, however, none can deny the power that 'bodice-rippers' and supernatural romance have come to have in libraries and bookstores - with millions of fans all over the world.
And in today's age, one of the best tools for staying up to date on the latest and greatest releases is the podcast. Between author interviews, book reviews, and in-depth analyses of what makes a good romance so moving, a good podcast can provide listeners with a remarkably insightful experience.
Not Your Mom's Romance Book Club
Many burgeoning young romance lovers begin their romance novel journey by stealing away their mother's books emblazoned with Fabio's face - but would be abashed to acknowledge these steamy books in their mother's presence. On Not Your Mom's Romance Book Club this isn't the case.
Hosts "Ellen and Mom" read some of the most romantic (and occasionally graphic) romance novels together, discussing their perspectives on the books. The mother-daughter pair provide unique perspectives based on their generations, ages, romantic histories, and more, giving a delightful experience to listeners.
Heaving Bosoms
Erin and Melody are the hosts of Heaving Bosoms, a sex-positive podcast in which they review, recap, and explore romance novels. The comedic perspective the women provide brings out a new perspective on the romance genre, showing that these books are as funny as they are emotional.
The real insights that Erin and Melody provide come from their feminist perspectives, which reveal some of the shortcomings of these novels, as well as the unexpected steps forward for women in the genre. This podcast is among the most lighthearted takes on the romance novel genre.
Fated Mates
Fated Mates is a podcast from the minds of author Sarah MacLean and romance critic Jen Prokop. These women offer a much more professional and critical eye to the romantic works that they read. The two women have a long history in the industry on both sides of the pen.
Fated Mates might be among the most discerning of podcasts, providing readers with very well-considered takes and picks. This podcast might be best for those who are interested in writing romance themselves, or even those who have an interest in ing the industry on the back-end.
Learning The Tropes
Erin and Clayton discuss romance novels from their dual perspectives in Learning the Tropes. Erin is a longtime reader of romance, while Clayton is often coming into the genre with fresh eyes. Their collaboration through this podcast is designed to enlighten and bring a fresh perspective to old and new listeners and readers alike.
This podcast may sound like it examines the genre from a more nuts-and-bolts perspective of how and why the romance genre has its many tropes, the podcast is actually far more accessible than may be assumed. The pair each come to the novels very sincerely, and with a lot of love for the idea of romance.
When In Romance
When in Romance is a sub-section of the larger Book Riot podcasting umbrella, which is dedicated to being a place for news, reviews, and opinions about all things book. When In Romance itself is focused on being a news-oriented podcast about all things related to the romance novel.
Jess and Trisha usually discuss some aspect of romance novels that they find funny or interesting to think about - from marriage to enemies to lovers - while also providing some of the latest and greatest that involve their topic. This podcast is an excellent way to dip a toe into romance for new readers.
Guys Read Romance
For a podcast with an interesting gimmick, check out Guys Read Romance. The main concept is that the host, Margot Radcliffe, is a romance author with a long history of writing, reading, and loving romance of all kinds. But for this podcast, Margot brings on her closest male friends to see their opinions.
This podcast is an excellent examination of the different (and similar!) ways that men and women see romance and relationships. Margot is a professional, but her rotating cast of male friends are from all walks of life, providing discussions with a little flare of unexpected insight and profundity from unexpected places.
Bonkers Romance
Romance novels can have a reputation for being a bit over the top - this is what pushes Bonkers Romance on. This podcast is a love letter to the absurd stories that can push stories of all kinds through their romantic exploits. But it would be a mistake to assume this pod is all about mocking romance.
Hosts Jenny Nordbak and Melody Carlisle read a new book every week, exploring the latest and most way-out-there concepts available to romance. While there is an understanding of absurdity, Jenny and Melody also give each story a fair chance, taking it seriously and meeting it halfway.
Black Romance Podcast
Black Romance Podcast provides the romance novel industry with a Black voice often disregarded or ignored. Julie Moody-Freeman is the host, and she discusses romance novels with a wide array of guests. The focus is not just on Black authors in the romance space, but also on black romance as a genre.
The discussions on Black Romance Podcast often tend toward the professional, discussing the nature of the industry as it pertains to Black culture. But within each discussion, Julie and her guests find space to enjoy themselves as they discuss things from a professional and academic perspective.
Hot And Bothered
To be quick, Bridgerton author Julia Quinn. To be long, this podcast is hosted by Vanessa Zoltan, a longtime podcaster, and each season explores a different facet of the romance novel as a practice, art, and industry.
The first season is all about writing a novel, with accompanying 'assignments' from Quinn herself, who is no stranger to writing romance plots in Bridgerton. But each season after (though there are only three so far) explores different genres within the romance sphere, providing listeners and readers with a guided tour of the romance novel as a whole.
Smart Women Read Romance
If the idea of reading romance with a mother is daunting, imagine reading romance with an aunt. In Smart Women Read Romance, Jessen Judice and her aunt Julien Cross explore romance from a purely non-judgemental and enthusiastic place of love for the genre as a whole.
The two women are very professional and educated women who make it a point to emphasize that there is more to romance novels than 'mommy porn' or bodice-ripping - but that there's nothing wrong with either of those things either. This podcast is refreshingly grounded and earnest thanks to these two women.