The luscious, literary, and sometimes illicit Romance novel has been around for centuries, reflecting and inspiring women’s private lives and their position in society.
Victorian women devoured Romance novels in a sensually fueled quest to break from their prescriptive ranks and land their very own Mr. Darcy. Anaïs Nin, secretly (and scandalously) broke into the bedrooms of housewives across America with her diaries and short stories. Novelist, poet, and second-wave feminist icon Erica Jong cracked the New York literati glass-ceiling with her seminal work, Fear of Flying.
And the genre’s takeover of the publishing world continues.
Today, Romance novels account for nearly a quarter of adult print fiction sold in the United States, and six of the top 10 best-selling fiction authors in the United States so far this year are Romance writers.
So, what is it about forbidden love, age gaps, love triangles, second chances, friends to lovers, and steamy love scenes that women find so timelessly appealing? What does it say about what women have vs. what they want – physically, and mentally?
Hosted by Allie Martina, a professional Romance novel audiobook narrator, Zipless takes a smart, fun, and spicy look at how Romance novels provide mirrors and windows into women’s lives past and present. From Evie Dunmore to Sara Cate, Zipless offers a unique peek behind-the-scenes at how Romance novels shape and reflect women's sexuality on and off the page.