The Evolution of a Romance Reader: A Conversation

Remember when you were obsessed with vampires and couldn’t get enough of brooding werewolves? I mean, I’m still in that phase! But, just like fashion trends, our reading tastes evolve. I recently had an epic chat with Angela (aka Ang) from PNR Book Lover Reviews on the Reading Under the Covers podcast, where we reminisced about how our romance reading habits have changed. From discovering unexpected new loves to finally embracing mood reading, we’ve grown and evolved like our favorite characters in a rom-com.

Listen to the podcast episode to hear our full chat

Curious about all the juicy details? Don’t miss out on the full convo—check out the podcast episode for all the laughs, insights, and some serious bookish nostalgia. We spilled the tea on everything from our first book crushes to the surprising genres we’re into now. It’s a fun ride, I promise!

5 Ways Our Romance Reading Tastes Have Leveled Up

Ang and I met before book blogging was a thing, back in the days when we would chat about our love for books on Yahoo and GoodReads groups. We started our book blogging journey around the same time as well and have been part of each others reading journey for a long time now.

Here are 5 ways our romance reading tastes have changed and evolved after almost two decades of reading and sharing about those books online.

1. Learning About Our Own Tastes and Limits

It’s like figuring out whether you’re a Hufflepuff or a Slytherin—knowing your bookish tastes is a game-changer. Ang and I have both learned what we love and what we can pass on. For Ang, cozy mysteries became her unexpected jam, even though she never thought she’d enjoy them. And she’s started to steer clear from dark romance reads or why choose trope. It’s all about recognizing what makes you happy and ditching the rest. Sometimes you have to say, “Thanks, but no thanks,” to certain genres or tropes, and just do you.

2. Mood Reading

Say goodbye to strict TBR lists and hello to mood reading! It’s like choosing your Netflix binge based on your vibe—sometimes you want something light and fluffy, and other times you’re all about the drama. Whether it’s diving into a spicy contemporary or a dark fantasy, we’re all about reading what suits our mood. No more forcing ourselves to read the latest hyped book just because everyone else is. In fact, it often means steering clear from those hyped books altogether!

3. Listening to Audiobooks

Audiobooks are perfect for multitasking, whether you’re commuting, working out, or just too lazy to hold a book. Ang and I both love how audiobooks make it easy to get through our reading list, especially during those busy days when there’s no time to sit down with a physical book or an ereader. But we’ve also been known to use the text-to-speech function on our phone/kindle. When adulting takes over your life, you have to embrace the tools that can keep you sane and audiobooks are one of the best ways to do that.

4. Trying Things I Never Thought I Would Like

Who knew cozy mysteries and historical romances could be so addictive? It’s like trying sushi for the first time and wondering why you waited so long. Ang and I have both ventured into genres we never thought we’d enjoy. It’s about being open to new experiences and stepping out of your comfort zone. You never know when you’ll find your next favorite book or favorite author, and sometimes it’s hiding in the most unexpected places!

5. Letting Go of the Pressure That Comes with Sharing About Reading Online

As much as we love sharing our bookish thoughts online, there’s a certain pressure that comes with it—like having to keep up with every new release or post constant reviews. But we’ve learned to let go and just enjoy the ride. Now, we focus on what we love without feeling obligated to review everything. It’s refreshing and has made reading more fun and less like a chore. It’s all about enjoying the journey, not just the destination!

Author Recap

We discussed authors from our reading journey and here’s a small recap:

Authors Ang Still Reads

1. Nalini Singh – Because who doesn’t love a good paranormal romance?
2. Patricia Briggs – The Mercy Thompson series is still her jam.
3. Shelly Laurenston – For the laughs and quirky characters.

Authors Ang No Longer Reads

1. Laurell K. Hamilton – I don’t think I would like the books if I kept reading them.
2. Charlaine Harris – The Sookie Stackhouse days are sadly behind her.
3. Sherilyn Kenyon – Moved on from the Dark-Hunter series.

Authors Francesca Still Reads

1. Nalini Singh – Forever a favorite for her intricate world-building.
2. Jeaniene Frost – Excited for any new adventure with our favorite vamps.
3. Ilona Andrews – Especially for their mix of urban fantasy and romance.

Authors Francesca No Longer Reads

1. Charlaine Harris – Loved the Sookie Stackhouse series, but it was time to move on.
2. Shelly Laurenston – I fell behind and haven’t been able to catch up.
3. Chloe Neill – I never went back to the Chicagoland Vamps.

Join the Conversation

How have your reading tastes evolved? Have you discovered new genres or let go of old favorites? Share your journey with us in the comments! Did any of these changes resonate with you? Let’s chat about it. And don’t forget to follow Ang on Instagram at PNR Book Lover Reviews.

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