My romance debut, Sunshine and Spice, inspired many non-romance reader friends to step into (or out of, depending on your point of view) the darkness and read their first happily-ever-after novel. Their foray into the world of quivering members and tumescence, however, seemed to come with a rosy-cheeked degree of shame: in public spaces, they read my book while trying to hide its cover and contents, they shared my book with others under the reassurance that it was “not just a romance novel,” and they were quick to let me know that they don’t usually read this kind of thing.
But I could tell their curiosity was piqued afterwards, and rightfully so! The romance genre has come a long way from the clinch covers of a half-naked Fabio caressing a fair maiden’s soft cheek and yet, bafflingly, some mindsets in the book world have not.
That’s where the real shame lies, if you ask me.
Traditionally written for and marketed to women (whom, we all know, have traditionally been considered evil and bad), and then used by women across the world to earn an income and autonomy (again, women bad, women evil), the genre has received its fair share of unsightly labels. Despite a growing demand (that continues to keep the lights on at most publishing houses), this genre is often categorized as unrealistic, pornographic, poorly written, and formulaic.
I have a few opinions on why critics refuse to embrace this complex and culturally impactful literary genre. Positions of privilege and power often operate within a very narrow worldview and in that regard, the female gaze can be rather intimidating and unwelcome. Also, nuanced storytelling that positions human emotions and connection at its forefront is generally considered anti-capitalistic, which threatens to destabilize these same positions of privilege and power. And finally, the reason why some of you may have hesitated before clicking the title of this article, romance and sex make people uncomfortable. (What a coincidence, much like the treatment of women: sex bad, sex evil).
Lucky for you, I know better than to try to make a romance reader out of a non-believer; the best advice I’ve ever received as an author is that not every reader is my reader. If stories rich with emotional depth, healing and hope, and profound human understanding don’t appeal to you, keep calm and read on, friend. Likewise, if a genre that celebrates diversity and inclusion, is unparalleled in its ability to genre bend and blend (hello romantasy, horromance, romance thriller and sci fi, and so much more), and offers a glimpse to how wonderful life could be if we could learn to listen to, understand, and care for each other, makes you feel like you’ve swallowed a spoonful of dry chia seeds, please, take a sip of water and continue on your way.
But if you’re one of the few willing to open your mind, and heart, to the unknown, consider this your formal invitation to join Team Women Bad, Women Evil.
Maybe you hopped on the Heated Rivalry train and yearn for more off-the-charts chemistry and tenderness. Perhaps you want to feel something other than dread and disappointment after too much time spent doom scrolling. Or maybe you no longer want to fight the lure of momentary escapism into a world where, no matter what, the characters you root for will get their happy ending and everything will be okay.
Regardless, we love newcomers. Literally, this genre – both readers and authors – is one of the most welcoming around. Maybe it’s because every romance enthusiast knows the true value of a hard won second chance, that under the grumpiest love interest beats a heart of gold, and how to see the bright side in everyday dilemmas, like only one bed.
As I mentioned above, I’m not here to convince you to do as I say (…but, imagine if I could…); however, if your fancy has been tickled, here are some recommendations to get you started (and, hopefully, hooked!):
If representation is what you crave:
If women in STEM speak to your heart and brain:
Love and Other Brain Experiments
For unexpected, genre-bending good times:
The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels
For prose that will both ruin and revive you:
Lighter, heartfelt reads:
That Time I Got Drunk and Saved A Human
A first generation Bengali-Canadian, Aurora Palit grew up in rural Alberta, where she was always the only South Asian student in her class. Her love of reading began at age four but it wasn’t until high school—when she wandered into the romance section of a bookstore—that she realized happily-ever-afters are her jam.
Aurora is now writing those stories with her own unique brand of humor, perspective, and belief that people of colour deserve love stories too. Her debut novel, Sunshine and Spice, was published by Berkley Romance in 2024 and featured in the New York Times, followed by Honey and Heat in 2025.
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