Discussion Questions: 1. Do you agree with my 3 types of Dark Romance Readers? 2. Do you think there are more? If so, tell me and we'll discuss. 3. Which type are you? If you want to share. 4. What's a Dark Romance that YOU connected with or were moved by in a real way?
@taylorburks6835
5 сағат бұрын
Hey Jen I like to read dark romance because it's interesting to see the psychology of people it's also fun to get caught up an fictional situation that you know would never happen in real life😊
@Bookedbykatinka
2 сағат бұрын
Such a great video and I agree with everything you said. Love your passion! ❤For me dark romances often touch me so deeply and they can be so healing. Often we get the literal ”I would burn down the world for you” in dark romances and I love that.
@pennyhanks5303
4 сағат бұрын
Well done, Jenn. As an older reader who doesn't shy away from the majority of books, I applaud the younger generation of readers who read want they want and enjoy, with no apologies. I was very lucky that my Mom was very liberal and she didn't police what I read when I was in my teens. I think in my younger years there was this idea that "good girls" don't read those kinds of books. But both my sister and I never cared for the double standard. However, I do think that's part of what continues to give the romance genre this raised eyebrow thought of "good girls don't". Because, of course, some people still think women can't be sexual beings the same way as men can. A whole topic that I could go on and on about. In some ways, some of our older historical romance books dealt with dark romance issues. The non-consent issue comes up often, to the point that authors have gone back and rewritten those books. But history was like that. Unless you were a woman of a wealthy family, you weren't necessarily safe in the world. That was life. So, I have no problem with those books as they exist. Part of the reason I love an enemy to lover trope, is there's nothing better than seeing a strong, confident hero put aside his ego and grovel for forgiveness. I will say that I drew the line at Pam Goodwin's "Sea of Ruin", I just couldn't get by how many times Bennett was abused in that book. It was, however, true to life for what she was doing. I have to admire her strength. On the other hand, I had no problem with Pam's "Vanquish". Just an example of how one book by an author can be too much for someone and another book, just the right amount of "too much"! As you said about "Where Violets Bloom", would we have a problem with a police officer acting like that in real life? Absolutely! But it's fiction.
@twbooklover
5 сағат бұрын
Jen I love the dark romances you recommended. I admire that you can be proud of what you like.
@TheBookRefuge
3 сағат бұрын
Aww, thank you! Thanks for the encouragement and thanks for watching!
@liezllovesbooks
Күн бұрын
I read dark romance because I just find it interesting and watching the main character journey unfold and how even though they go through horrible, unspeakable things, they crawl out of the darkness and begin to see hope on the other side
@sarahschelde4900
2 сағат бұрын
I first became aware of your channel when I watched your defence of 362 Days, and I felt so seen and validated by it. This is another one of your videos that make me stand a little taller and prouder for being a dark romance reader. Thankyou!
@TheBookRefuge
Сағат бұрын
OMG! I'm glad I didn't scare you away with that. haha! And I'm glad you feel it. That is what I want my channel to be. First and foremost.
@allie9855
Күн бұрын
I have to be in a very specific headspace to read dark romance because I know I need to have the spoons to deal with the darker elements. But all that being said, I think your 3 categories are great! I'd say I'm mostly the 3rd and a little bit of the 2nd categories. The empathy and understanding I get from reading is what I love about reading any book not just romance and being exposed to other perspectives has been so helpful in my growing and changing as a person. The 2nd category for me, even though I've never been through something like that, it is very healing with my own body issues and seeing characters connect to their bodies and power is very healing for me. Also, I'm so sick of things being trashed just because women are the majority of the fans/interested parties 🙄 it's dumb. Get over it. Awesome video Jenn!!! 💚💚
@crystalsbookishlife
Күн бұрын
You broke this down so perfectly. I love how you are loud and proud about it and I agree it is important and needed! Even the ones that I don't like or truffle with the writing like Haunting Adeline, I can acknowledge that it has a space here.
@TheBookRefuge
3 сағат бұрын
Every genre has the relative we'd all rather ignore...
@titianiaeubanks9259
3 сағат бұрын
Well done. I love reading dark romance. I love reading point blank...I'll read anything that tickles my fancy.
@CharissaPlans
3 сағат бұрын
There are a lot of reasons I love dark romance and I can make a giant list BUT in a way I think it just makes sense for me as a person lol I have always loved horror and thrillers. I grew up loving horror media and goosebumps and all the spooky things. I ALSO love romance and love. I feel like dark romance combines this at a good level for me as a person. Once I started to read it I really discovered all the other reasons.
@karenbell6800
3 сағат бұрын
Thanks Jenn. I read dark romance for the thrill of danger and the exploration of human psychology which I find fascinating. I am a Christian pastor so I probably read ‘lighter’ dark romance but I still love Pam Godwin, even though I do stay away from some tropes. This was a great discussion! ❤️
@TheBookRefuge
3 сағат бұрын
I love this perspective! Thank you for watching. Not everything is for everyone, but I love that we can acknowledge that others can enjoy what they want without it affecting anyone else. :)
@ktymchyn
2 сағат бұрын
Love this video and I think its very accurate. I feel like I fall somewhere in between the categories 1 & 2 for fun and for healing. I have read a lot of dark romances for fun (I don't have a lot of triggers) but there have been a few that have been healing...Twisted Emotions being one but also contemporary the Deal. I also wonder how my experiences have influenced my boundries and triggers and how that plays into my experience with dark romance...I feel like its so nuanced and complicated and I appreciate your thoughts 🖤
@TheBookRefuge
Сағат бұрын
It's so interesting to think about how our experiences influence our triggers and what we need to feel satisfied with a book. I'm glad you mentioned it! Sometimes being OTT and sexy is enough, and sometimes I want to be challenged and learn to think in a new way. There's so much to it.
@ruthregan8986
4 сағат бұрын
Thanks for this video that lets people know it really is okay to read what they enjoy or what they need. I have been reading what, looking back now, are dark romances for almost 50 years, starting with some of Johanna Lindsey's books in the mid to late 70's. For years, when asked what I read, I would say "everything" and while that is somewhat true, I now openly also say I read a lot of dark romance and, if others don't like it, my theory is, as Tim Walz says, "Mind your own damn business".
@meganlong8087
Күн бұрын
I definitely fall into all 3 categories, but not at the same time. That depends on the book I'm reading and the mood I'm in, and how much plot/psychological stuff is in it (or not). Really love this video! I'm so glad you spoke out against the shame/hate dark romance gets. No one thinks you're going to turn into an unaliver because you read horror/thrillers. Unfortunately, I think people (especially men) look down on it because romance is still (but not only) read mainly by women. And women, no matter what anyone says, don't have all the rights/privileges that men do. Just my 2 cents.
@carepetie6464
Күн бұрын
I love to read all types of dark romance books of all genres. I did get blindsided by one book which I won't mention. I try to be vigilant about what I'm reading due to certain circumstances. As a rule I can read just about anything. Just that one was triggering to me. There were no trigger warnings or I would have avoided it. I love to explore with dark romances because I like living vicariously through the characters. Thank you for being our book warrior for dark romance!!! Peace.🤗❤️🔥🤗📚
@Georgia7Pap
Сағат бұрын
From what I've read so far i generally like dark romances because I love obsessive and over the top heroes. I also like to learn and understand how other people think. From a dark romance i learned a thing called shadow play. Where the couple replicate a past traumatic experience and in this way they take back their power. It's really interesting stuff. But I've found that i want some kind of plot too. For example when they talk all the time about bidy parts and how horny they are I don't like that either Jenn. The only books i can't read are the ones with daddy/little girl kink. They creep me out real bad. There's still so much that I haven't read. From Untouchable do you know what part I loved? When they are cuddling on the couch and they start talking about what exactly excites him. When she asks "Do you see me as week or strong? " I loved that book.! I wonder what kind of research Sam has done on the matter or is she a psychologist or something? Because it was beautifully written and it's the only one I've read from her.
@TheBookRefuge
Сағат бұрын
I love that you pointed that out! I'm all about their mental back and forth too. He finds he likes to dominate her, but ONLY because she is his mental equal.. he'd be bored with anyone else. It's fantastic. I don't actually know her history, it could all just be how she sees it, but I love it!
@OneJTwoCOneO
5 сағат бұрын
I love dark romance, the darker the better.
@coffee_cookies_books
5 сағат бұрын
Here's my biggest complaint about DR, which I actually enjoy reading. It's just that most of them seem to be set in either a mafia or academy-type setting, and I don't care for either. So it is pretty rare for me to find one that isn't. I also am not a massive fan of MC settings either, but I have read a few that I didn't mind. The Cat and Mouse Duet, as an example, I enjoyed it. I am quite open to trying more, and when I find something suggested that is not any of those settings and/or tropes, I will grab it.
@TheBookRefuge
3 сағат бұрын
That's a great Idea for a rec video.... I'll have to think on it. Non-Mafia, MC, or Dark Academia... I'll have to workshop it. haha!
@coffee_cookies_books
3 сағат бұрын
@@TheBookRefuge I never even thought of that, but you're right it would make a great video, and if anyone can pull enough examples, it would be you :) LOL
@MelLovesMoviesAndBooks
4 сағат бұрын
Now I’m curious what your lines are?? Lol 5:59
@TheBookRefuge
3 сағат бұрын
Lols, well, I'll tell you a few. Some types of inc*st, I don't really care for pet play, Huccow erotica, master/slave dynamic is VERY hard for me. I only trust certain authors with it, I don't care for "water sports". Those are just a few that pop up. There are more I'm sure and there is also always an exception... Haha! I'm willing to try anything once. haha! And also, PG has written almost all of those in ways i have liked so...the line is very fuzzy at best
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