A glistening mane flowing over disproportionately top-heavy muscles, bulging under hairless and perfectly-tanned skin. This zeus of a man holds the tiniest of women, also top heavy and surely breathless. No shade on Fabio, but what about the rest of us? The romance genre is seeing a new era. Still every bit as fun — and hot — authors and readers are steering away from "inspiration porn" and towards experiences they understand. From swiftly expanding queer options, to body size and ability, to...merfolk...we've got your happily ever after.

From romance book stores to dedicated book clubs to a genre-expanding author, this episode sheds light on why we're no longer hiding the covers of what we're reading, even in the traditionally conservative South.

Guests

• Tonya Pineda, owner, Slow Burn
• Katie Garaby, coordinator, Between the Covers Romance Book Club
• Caleb Haynes, romance novel enthusiast
• Tracy Crum, newly self-published author of "On The Outside", a love story where disability isn't the tragedy