'Not just smut' - Why it's happily ever after for romance books
Published: 6/20/2025
Romance books are gaining recognition beyond being labeled as just "smut," offering high-quality writing with strong world-building and character development. With a surge in romantic and fantasy sales surpassing £1bn in the UK, the genre is diversifying to appeal to a broad audience, including romantasy fans on TikTok. Despite some stigma, the commercial success of romance novels is prompting shifts in attitudes within the publishing industry, recognizing the economic force of romance readers and the genre's literary merit.
