Articles on feminism & romance

Romance novels are booming — and diversifying — and this Nashville book club is loving it (September 2023)

https://wpln.org/post/romance-novels-are-booming-and-diversifying-and-this-nashville-book-club-is-loving-it/

The Alarming Rise of the Wholesome Romance (August 2023)

https://time.com/6303477/red-white-and-royal-blue-wholesome-romance/

The Romance Genre and Feminism (July 2023)

https://www.feministbookclub.com/the-romance-genre-and-feminism/

Romance Writer Sarah MacLean: 'Happiness is terrifying to tyranny' (June 2023)

https://www.bkmag.com/2023/06/12/sarah-maclean/

All Things Considered: Even as overall book sales are declining, romance novels are on the rise (June 2023)

https://www.npr.org/2023/06/02/1179850128/even-as-overall-book-sales-are-declining-romance-novels-are-on-the-rise

The Extremely Nerdy Love Stories That Are Burning Up the Bestseller List (June 2023)

https://slate.com/culture/2023/06/ali-hazelwood-new-book-stem-romance.html

This 1920s Jewish Suffragette Romance Novel Still Feels Fresh Today (March 2023)

https://www.heyalma.com/this-1920s-jewish-suffragette-romance-novel-still-feels-fresh-today/

BookTok is propagating pseudo-feminism (March 2023)

https://www.thedailystar.net/shout/news/booktok-propagating-pseudo-feminism-3266061?amp

China’s ‘rotten girls’ are escaping into erotic fiction about gay men (March 2023)

https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/13/chinas-rotten-girls-are-escaping-into-erotic-fiction-about-gay-men

Fascinating romance novel trends in 2023 (February 2023)

https://bookriot.com/romance-novel-trends/

Love is for everyone. Modern romance writers are breaking barriers to show it (February 2023)

https://www.cnn.com/style/article/romance-novels-diversity-lgbtq-cec/index.html

Unlocking desire through smut, plus the gospel of bell hooks (February 2023)

https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1156585379

The Backlash Against America’s Most Popular Novelist Is Way Less Satisfying Than I’d Hoped (February 2023)

https://slate.com/culture/2023/02/colleen-hoover-domestic-violence-ends-with-us.html

Unguilty Pleasures: My Year of Reading Romance Novels (January 2023)

https://lithub.com/unguilty-pleasures-my-year-of-reading-romance-novels/

Romance Books Were Hot in 2022 (January 2023)

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bookselling/article/91298-romance-books-were-hot-in-2022.html

Romance Novel Sales Statistics (2022)

https://wordsrated.com/romance-novel-sales-statistics/

Derided for Centuries, Romance Novels are a Huge Business (2022)

https://observer.com/2022/09/derided-for-centuries-romance-novels-are-a-huge-business/

Why romance novels, more diverse than ever, are having a moment (2022)

https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/books/why-romance-novels-more-diverse-than-ever-are-having-a-moment/

Misogyny, spice and the gender politics of romance novels (2022)

https://www.lawrentian.com/archives/1022704

Writing Romance Novels is a Feminist Act (Aunna Beranek, 2022)

https://studybreaks.com/culture/reads/writing-romance-novels-is-a-feminist-act/

Ali Hazelwood Talks Love on the Brain, Feminist Romance, and Her Roots in Fanfic (2022)

https://www.pastemagazine.com/books/ali-hazelwood/love-on-the-brain-interview

Romantic Fiction And Feminism: Is It Unfeminist To Enjoy Pulpy Romance Novels? (2022)

https://feminisminindia.com/2022/01/13/romantic-fiction-and-feminism-is-it-unfeminist-to-enjoy-pulpy-romance-novels/?amp

Gen Z is diving sales of romance books to the top of bestseller lists (2022)

https://www.npr.org/2022/08/29/1119886246/gen-z-is-driving-sales-of-romance-books-to-the-top-of-bestseller-lists

The love boom: why romance novels are the biggest they’ve been for 10 years (2022)

https://amp.theguardian.com/books/2022/dec/13/love-boom-romance-novels-biggest-10-years-young-readers

What W. E. B. Du Bois’s Forgotten Romance Novel Taught Me About Writing (2022)

https://www.theatlantic.com/books/archive/2022/08/dark-princess-dubois-romance-novel/671125/

Feminists and Romance Fans: Let’s Fight Our Common Enemy (2021)

https://mythcreants.com/blog/feminists-and-romance-fans-lets-fight-our-common-enemy/

Talia Hibbert: An Author Diversifying The Romance Genre On Their Own Terms (2021)

https://pulsespikes.org/story/talia-hibbert#:~:text=%E2%80%9CI'm%20black%2C%20I,to%20be%20a%20successful%20author.

The Unexpectedly Subversive World of Romance Novels (2020)

https://lithub.com/the-unexpectedly-subversive-world-of-romance-novels/

How Reading Romance Novels Has Made Me a Better Feminist. (2020)

https://feminisminindia.com/2020/10/07/romance-novels-feminist/

Smashing the Patriarchy+Falling In Love: On Writing Feminist Romance in YA (2020)

https://frolic.media/smashing-the-patriarchy-falling-in-love-on-writing-feminist-romance-in-ya-by-jamie-pacton/

Do Romance Novels Offer an Outdated Model of Feminism? (2020)

https://www.fairobserver.com/culture/hans-georg-betz-romance-novels-women-writers-literature-feminism-news-15262/

Romance Novels Are a Weapon Against Misogyny (2019)

https://www.fairobserver.com/culture/romance-novels-womens-rights-donald-trump-misogyny-culture-news-79544/

In Defense of “Unlikable” Heroines: A Case Study of Three Heroines from Nalini Singh’s Psy/Changeling Series (2019)

https://smartbichestrashybooks.com/2019/04/in-defense-of-unlikable-heroines-a-case-study-of-three-heroines-from-nalini-singhs-psy-changeling-series/comment-page-2/

Romance novels are feminist - TEDx (2019) https://www.ted.com/talks/jessica_van_slooten_romance_novels_are_feminist?language=en

Romance Novels Might Be Some of the Most Rebellious Books You Can Read Right Now (2018)

https://www.bustle.com/p/why-romance-novels-should-be-part-of-your-regular-feminist-reading-12103225

Are Romance Novels Anti-Feminist? (2018)

https://www.romanticallyinclinedreviews.com/post/are-romance-novels-anti-feminist

No, my book is not a ‘guilty pleasure’ just because I’m a woman (2018)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/posteverything/wp/2018/06/14/no-my-book-is-not-a-guilty-pleasure-just-because-im-a-woman/

Where are romance novels headed given the current state of women's issues? (2018)

https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/books/sc-fam-romance-novels-future-0206-story.html

The Changing Faces of Romance Novels (2018)

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/07/books/romance-novels-diversity.html

Writing Romance Novels is a Feminist Act (Christina Lauren, 2017)

https://time.com/4718350/romance-novels-are-feminist/

That thing with Hillary Clinton and romance novels… (2017)

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/that-thing-with-hillary-clinton-and-romance-novels_b_5a2a862de4b04e0bc8f3b3b5

It's Still Complicated: Romance Publishing (2017)

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/new-titles/adult-announcements/article/75360-it-s-still-complicated-romance-publishing.html

Romance Novels Through a Feminist Lens (2016)

https://today.duke.edu/2016/03/romance

How Reading Romance Empowers My Feminism (2016)

https://www.bustle.com/articles/170637-romance-novels-empower-my-feminism-because-the-genre-prioritizes-female-success-and-pleasure

Stop Calling Romance Novels “Just” Love Stories—They’re So Much More (2016)

https://www.themarysue.com/romance-novels-not-just-love-stories/

How Romance Novels Are Making a Huge Difference

https://www.bustle.com/articles/76077-romance-novels-are-primed-to-make-an-impact-on-society-so-stop-calling-them-trashy-ok

7 Reasons Romance Novels Are Totally Feminist (2015)

https://www.bustle.com/articles/80350-7-reasons-its-actually-totally-feminist-to-read-and-write-romance-novels-thank-you-very-much

Romance is not a feminist genre-and that’s okay (2015)

https://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/romance-is-not-a-feminist-genre-and-thats-okay/

Can you enjoy romance friction and be a feminist? (2015)

https://aeon.co/essays/can-you-enjoy-romance-fiction-and-be-a-feminist

“I’m a Feminist, But…” Popular Romance in the Women’s Literature Classroom (2014)

https://www.jprstudies.org/2014/10/im-a-feminist-but-popular-romance-in-the-womens-literature-classroomby-julie-m-dugger/

Beyond Bodice-Rippers: How Romance Novels Came to Embrace Feminism (2013)

https://www.theatlantic.com/sexes/archive/2013/03/beyond-bodice-rippers-how-romance-novels-came-to-embrace-feminism/274094/

Of Course Romance Novels are Feminist—and They’re Not Just Good for Women (2013)

https://slate.com/human-interest/2013/03/feminist-romance-novels-they-re-shaking-up-gender-roles-for-men-and-women-alike.html

Tell Me Lies: Lying, Storytelling, and the Romance Novel as Feminist Fiction (2012)

https://jprstudies.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/JPRS2.2_Zakreski_TellMeLies.pdf

Fantasy aisle: Harlequin romance novels steam through 50 years of changing mores (1999)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1999/02/20/fantasy-aisle-harlequin-romance-novels-steam-through-50-years-of-changing-mores/9310be9a-473b-400c-9293-80172cf16854/

Feminist romance novels: a reading list

We've recommended quite a few of these books on our podcast previously, but this list contains many new suggestions and brings them together in one place for your convenience. The authors listed have other (amazing) books not included here; this is not an exhaustive list, but a jumping-off point. Between us, Lydia and Taylor have read and enjoyed the majority of these, but there are some that still perch forlornly on our TBR stacks…

Contemporary romance

Adams, Lyssa Kay. The Bromance Book Club. 2019.
Bellefleur, Alexandria. Written in the Stars. 2020. (LGBTQIA+)
Claybourne, Kate. Love Lettering. 2019.
Cole, Alyssa. Reluctant Royals series. 2018-2019. (Includes LGBTQIA+ main character)
Dade, Olivia. Spoiler Alert series. 2020-2023.
Danan, Rosie. Shameless series. 2020-2021. (Includes LGBTQIA+ main character)
Daria, Alexis. You Had Me at Hola. 2020.
Dev, Sonali. Rajes series, including Recipe for Persuasion. 2019-2022.
Hall, Alexis. Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake. 2021. (LGBTQIA+)
Hazelwood, Ali. The Love Hypothesis. 2021. Love on the Brain. 2022. Love, Theoretically. 2023.
Herrera, Adriana. Dreamers series. 2019-2020. (LGBTQIA+)
Herring Blake, Ashley. Bright Falls series. 2022-2023. (LGBTQIA+)
Hibbert, Talia. Ravenswood series. 2018-2019. Brown Sisters series, starting with Get a Life, Chloe Brown. 2019-2021. (Each series includes an LGBTQIA+ main character)
Hoang, Helen. The Kiss Quotient series. 2018-2021.
Jackson, Kwana. Real Men Knit. 2020.
Jaigirdar, Adiba. The Henna Wars. 2020. (LGBTQIA+; YA)
Jalaluddin, Ushma. Ayesha at Last. 2019.
Kellogg, Camille. Just as You Are. 2023. (LGBTQIA+)
Lau, Jackie. Mr. Hotshot CEO. 2018.
Lauren, Christina. Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating. 2018.
McFarlane, Mhairi. If I Never Met You. 2020.
McQuiston, Casey. Red, White & Royal Blue. 2019. One Last Stop. 2021. (LGBTQIA+)
Menon, Sandhya. When Dimple Met Rishi. 2017. (YA)
O’Leary, Beth. The Flat Share. 2019.
Oliveras, Priscilla. Island Affair. 2020.
Parker, Lucy. London Celebrities series. 2015-2020. Palace Insiders series, 2021-2023.
Petrus, Junauda. The Stars and the Blackness Between Them. 2019. (LGBTQIA+; YA)
Rai, Alisha. The Right Swipe. 2019. Partners in Crime. 2022.
Reyes, Sonora. The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School. 2022. (LGBTQIA+; YA)
Rochon, Farrah. The Boyfriend Project. 2020.
Rogers, Morgan. Honey Girl. 2021. (LGBTQIA+)
Sharma, Nisha. Dating Dr. Dil. 2022.
Sosa, Mia. The Worst Best Man. 2020.
Wilsner, Meryl. Mistakes Were Made. 2022. (LGBTQIA+)

Sci-fi, fantasy, & paranormal romance

Baldtree, Travis. Legends and Lattes. 2022. (LGBTQIA+)
Mandanna, Sandu. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches. 2022.
Mihalik, Jessie. Consortium Rebellion series. 2020-2021. Starlight’s Shadow series. 2022-2023.
Singh, Nalini. Psy-Changeling series. 2006-2023 (ongoing).
Tsai, Mia. Bitter Medicine. 2023. (LGBTQIA+)
Yarrow, Rebecca. Fourth Wing. 2023.

Historical romance

Ashley, Jennifer. The Madness of Lord Ian McKenzie. 2009.
Biller, Diana. The Widow of Rose House. 2019.
Bourne, Joanna. Spymasters series. 2008-2014.
Bowen, Kelly. Duke of My Heart. 2016.
Cole, Alyssa. An Extraordinary Union. 2017.
Dare, Tessa. The Duchess Deal. 2017.
Hall, Alexis. A Lady for a Duke. 2022. (LGBTQIA+)
Herrera, Adriana. Las Léonas series. 2022-2023.
Holton, India. The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels. 2021.
Hoyt, Elizabeth. To Seduce a Sinner. 2008. Not the Duke’s Darling. 2018
Kleypas, Lisa. Dreaming of You. 1994.
Lerner, Rose. Sweet Disorder. 2014. Hamilton’s Battalion: A Trio of Romances (with Alyssa Cole and Courtney Milan). 2017. (LGBTQIA+)
Lin, Jeannie. The Pingkang-li Mysteries series. 2012-2023.
Lo, Malinda. Last Night at the Telegraph Club. 2021. (LGBTQIA+; YA)
MacLean, Sarah. Rules of Scoundrels series. 2012-2014. Bareknuckle Bastards series. 2018-2020.
Milan, Courtney. The Brothers Sinister series. 2012-2014. The Duke Who Didn’t. 2020.
O’Connell, Ellen. Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold. 2010.
Riley, Vanessa. A Duke, the Lady, and a Baby. 2020.
Quinn, Julia. Romancing Mr. Bridgerton. 2002. When He Was Wicked. 2004. It’s In His Kiss. 2005.
Thomas, Sherry. The Luckiest Lady in London. 2013.
Waite, Olivia. The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics. 2019. (LGBTQIA+)