‘Not just smut’: The rise of the romance book club
Romance book clubs are gaining popularity as women seek escapism and connection through literature. These clubs provide a space for fans to discuss romantic fiction and its themes, often reflecting real-world issues. Participants find solace in the idealized relationships portrayed in these books compared to their own dating experiences.
- ▪Larissa Chadwick started a romance book club to connect with other fans of the genre.
- ▪The club consists of members aged 20 to 30 who discuss works by authors like Sarah J. Maas and Elle Kennedy.
- ▪Romance novels often serve as an escape from the challenges of real-world dating for women.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","dateModified":"2026-05-18T05:37:07Z","datePublished":"2026-05-18T05:37:07Z","description":"Reading groups and clubs centred around romantasy and “sexy” books are booming as women seek a refuge from the perilous search for love in 2026.","headline":"‘Not just smut’: The rise of the romance book club","keywords":"Friendship, Sex & relationships, Millennials, Gen Z, Literature, OOHSydney","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Lauren Ironmonger","jobTitle":"Lifestyle…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Sydney Morning Herald.