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Today Ashley and Liz are setting the stage for our mini episode series about the infamous 50 Shades of Grey trilogy which starts this Friday and continues on for five episodes, including the original three books, a surprise bonus book, and a wrap up episode covering the movies and all of our final thoughts!

But today, buckle up for a spoiler free episode all about… ROMANCE NOVELS! The genre that changed the game for publishers… for readers… for writers… and for women. We've never read this series and want to examine it through a certain lens - what exactly did this series do for the genre as a whole? And who paved the way to make Fifty Shades of Grey a mainstream romance sensation?

We take you wayyyyy back to the “first” romance novel, explore the OG pioneers of the genre, explain what defines a book as “romance” in the first place, and delve into how the content and themes have changed over time, influencing literature of ALL genres. We discuss the different evolutions and iterations of these books primarily written by women, for women, and how despite the success, popularity, and numbers to back it up… the romance genre is repeatedly labeled as “less than literature” or reduced to “chick lit.” We want to (NEED TO) talk about why.

And don’t worry, even though it’s a little heavy, we still have a faves and fails and smash or pass, romance edition!

Check out this author interview! | Callie Hart NYT Bestseller Author of Quicksilver! | https://youtu.be/CED5s7qDBdQ?si=8xtIRO1IzX6Rsld4

Shop bookish apparel worn in this episode!

Ashley is Wearing: ACOTAR Valkyrie Tee from @thebeanworkshop | Use code: BOOKBESTIES10 to save! | * https://thebeanworkshop.store/products/to-the-stars-who-listen-and-the-dreams-are-answered-tee-shirt?_pos=9&_sid=823f6afe6&_ss=r

Liz is wearing: “If You Want to Save Animals, Stop Eating Them” Baby Tee from @dont.eat.the.homies | https://donteatthehomies.com/products/save-animals-tee

Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast!

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Articles / Resources:

• Writing 101: What Is a Romance Novel? Masterclass.com
• These Authors are Putting the Dark in Dark Romance wusf.org for NPR
• A Brief History of the Romance Novel by Amanda Pagan nypl.org
• Evolution of the Romance Novel by Cristin Harber cristinharber.com
• Pamela and the Early Origins of the Romance Novel smu.edu
• The Dark Romance of Ann Radcliffe by V.H. Leslie fiction thisishorror.co.uk
• How Jane Austen’s Resolve Sculpted Literary History by Evan Swensen medium.com
• Gothic Novel Masterpieces: Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights by Yehuda M.S. medium.com
• The History of the Wonderful Romantasy Genre by Danielle Tomlinson bookstr.com
• The Evolution of Dark Romance:

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Ashley
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