The Realism of Romance

Isn't it an odd criterion to judge an inherently escapist genre on? Whilst romance can be realistic, this isn't the real thing that its readers look for nor what its writers strive for. We are sitting down to discuss whether romance needs to be realistic, but also, when is the suspension of disbelief going too far (yes, we've strayed into dark romance territory).

TRIGGER WARNING: Discussions of rape, including some graphic one in the context of recalling what was written in a dark romance book.


Books mentioned in this episode (alphabetical by author):
H.D. Carlton, "Hunting Adeline" (2022)
Penelope Douglas, "Credence" (2020)
Elsie Silver, "Flawless" (2022)
Sierra Simone, "Priest" (2015)

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All art courtesy of @aga.futa.art.
All music courtesy of Stephen James Rowlatt.