In this episode, we dive into the question: are we really living through a “smut renaissance”? After reading a recent New York Times article on the rise of romance, erotica, and romantasy by Amanda Hess, we wanted to push back on a few of its more negative assumptions.

We talk about how smut actually fits into women’s lives: whether it replaces sex, enhances relationships, or just provides a little escapist fun after a long day. Along the way we discuss the difference between romance, romantasy, and true erotica, the rise of audio erotica and discreet Kindle reading, and why the idea that women can’t distinguish fantasy from reality feels a little outdated.

We also get into some bigger questions about modern culture...declining sex statistics, realistic expectations for men, and the idea that romance novels might actually help women articulate what they want in relationships. Plus, we react to everything from BookTok trends and hockey romance to anti-porn religious wife TikTok and the strange ways smut keeps getting blamed for broader social anxieties.

Finally, we wrap up with what we’re currently reading - from a delightful baseball romance (thank you Liz Tomforde for the delightful In Her Own League!) to a darker fantasy that has us questioning whether the male lead can possibly be redeemed (looking at you, Kane Ferron from Alchemized).

If you’ve wondered why people get so worked up about women reading romance, this episode is for you. Happy reading!