Have you ever wondered how romance novels can tackle tough topics like trauma and healing?

Today, we're diving deep into the world of trauma-informed romance with author Jack Whitney. Jack writes romantic suspense with elements of dark romance and paranormal romance, and her books offer a unique perspective on healing and finding love amidst challenging circumstances. We discuss her Rockstar series (Young Decay), where characters navigate past traumas and find solace and strength in each other.

This episode contains the following potential triggers:

• Discussions of parental addiction, emotional neglect, and childhood trauma
• Mentions of suicidal thoughts and struggles with depression
• Brief mentions of stalking and past substance abuse

Jack Whitney is a dark, romantic suspense author from North Carolina, USA. She writes emotionally dark and high-angst stories with a twist. Her books explore themes of trauma, healing, and the power of love.

In this episode, we're discussing:

• Trauma-informed romance: How this subgenre allows for exploration of healing and healthy relationships in the context of past trauma.
• Characters who exist outside their romantic relationships: Jack emphasizes the importance of her characters having independent lives and not being solely defined by their romantic partners.
• The power of music: How music can be a source of comfort and connection for those who have experienced trauma.
• Neurodiversity representation: Jack discusses incorporating her own experiences with ADHD into her characters and the importance of authentic representation.
• Addiction and recovery: The Rockstar series touches on addiction and recovery with sensitivity and nuance, highlighting the importance of support systems and personal choice.
• Romance as a tool for healing: How romance novels can offer hope and empowerment to readers who have experienced trauma.

Jack Whitney's books offer a powerful and insightful look at how love and healing can intertwine. Be sure to check out her Rockstar series and other works on Amazon, and connect with her on Patreon, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook! Let's continue the conversation about the power of romance to help us heal and grow.

CONNECT WITH JACK WHITNEY:

Website

Instagram

Patreon

Amazon

BOOKS MENTIONED:

Dirty Texas Series by JA Low (Amazon)

Built to Fall by Julia Wolf (Amazon)

Captivated by Danger by Endiya Carter (Amazon)

Haunting Adeline by HD Carlton (Amazon)

Running list of books mentioned (Doc)

Thank you for listening to the We Read Smut Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag @WeReadSmut. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast.

Connect with Alesia:
Storygraph

This podcast was produced by Galati Media.
Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.

Ready to escape the everyday stresses and dive headfirst into a world of literary adventures? This week, we're joined by Lynell, the Weekend Reader, who has mastered the art of turning weekends into rejuvenating bookish retreats. Discover how she creates dedicated time for reading, balances her TBR list, and cultivates a vibrant online community around her love for books.

Weekend Reader reads and reviews contemporary fiction, specifically romance but enjoys reading diversely. Additionally, Weekend Reader is committed to supporting indie authors and authors of color in her recommendations. When the Weekend Reader isn't reading or reviewing she's baking.

In this episode, we're discussing:

• Rediscovering the Joy of Reading: Lynell shares her journey back to reading for pleasure and the importance of choosing books that spark joy.
• The Power of Balance: Learn how Lynell balances different genres and reading challenges to keep her reading experience fresh and engaging.
• Creating Intentional Retreats: Discover Lynell's process for planning and executing weekend reading retreats, including setting the ambiance, minimizing distractions, and connecting with fellow readers.
• Prioritizing Self-Care: Explore how dedicated reading time can be a form of self-care and rejuvenation, and how to communicate your needs to loved ones.
• Embracing Your Reading Pace: Let go of pressure and comparison, and embrace your own unique reading rhythm.

Carving out time for intentional reading retreats can be a powerful way to recharge, reconnect with your love of reading, and show up as your best self in all areas of your life. Whether you dedicate a full weekend or just a few hours each week, prioritize creating a space for immersive reading and self-care. Embrace the joy of reading, connect with fellow book lovers, and allow yourself to be transported to new worlds through the power of storytelling.

CONNECT WITH WEEKEND READER:

Website

Instagram

Thank you for listening to the We Read Smut Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag @WeReadSmut. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast.

Connect with Alesia:
Storygraph

This podcast was produced by Galati Media.
Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.

Ready to turn up the heat on your date nights? In this episode of We Read Smut, Alesia sits down with author Anna P. to discuss the art of crafting the perfect date night in romance novels. They explore why dates are crucial for character development and building intimacy, delve into the elements that make a date truly swoon-worthy, and share some hilarious and cringeworthy date-night disaster stories.

Anna studied journalism and has a Masters in Creative Writing, and a love for music and writing got her jobs with Rolling Stone India and Sony Music, and after a couple of years of selling her soul to advertising, she’s finally following her childhood dream of writing books. She’s currently working as a freelance copy consultant and book editor, while sipping on copious amounts of black tea and white wine.

In this episode, we're discussing:

• The Importance of Dates in Romance: Discover why Anna believes dates are essential for creating believable relationships and building tension, especially in strangers-to-lovers stories.
• Elements of a Perfect Date: Learn about the key ingredients that make a date truly special, including understanding your partner's interests, keeping things casual and pressure-free, and incorporating meaningful conversations.
• Date Night Disasters: Alesia and Anna share their own dating horror stories and discuss red flags to watch out for, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and genuine interest.
• A Sneak Peek at Anna's Cricket Romance: Get excited about Anna's upcoming sports romance featuring a cricketer and learn why she chose this unique setting.

Don’t forget to check out Anna’s new novel, Stumped.

CONNECT WITH ANNA P:

Website

Instagram

THINGS MENTIONED:

Love In Wildes Series by Anna P (Amazon*)

Thank you for listening to the We Read Smut Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag @WeReadSmut. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast.

Connect with Alesia:
Storygraph

This podcast was produced by Galati Media.
Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of addiction, overdose, and mental health that may be upsetting to some listeners.

Are you ready to break free from the algorithm and discover a world of captivating stories?

In this inaugural episode of We Read Smut, Alesia dives deep into the importance of diversifying your reading list. She explores why representation matters in romance, how reading diversely can broaden your horizons and challenge biases, and how to break free from the limitations of algorithms that often promote only mainstream titles.

Key Takeaways:

• Why Diverse Reading Matters: Alesia shares her personal journey and emphasizes the power of seeing yourself reflected in the stories you read, as well as gaining empathy and understanding for experiences different from your own.
• The 2025 Reading Challenge: Discover the exciting new reading challenge designed to help you explore diverse authors and popular tropes. Each month focuses on a different trope, encouraging you to find books by BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ authors that feature that trope.
• Practical Tips for Diversifying Your Reading: Alesia offers actionable advice on how to actively seek out diverse authors and characters, including following diverse bookstagrammers, exploring different genres, and supporting publishers who prioritize diverse voices.

Ready to embark on a reading adventure that will open your mind and heart? Join the 2025 Reading Challenge and discover the incredible power of diverse reading!

Thank you for listening to the We Read Smut Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag @WeReadSmut. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast.

Connect with Alesia:
Storygraph

This podcast was produced by Galati Media.
Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.

Welcome to the "We Read Smut" podcast, a safe space for celebrating diversity and exploring all things romance! Join your host, Alesia, as she dives into the world of smutty romance books, discussing inclusive stories, self-development, and sexuality exploration. This podcast is not your typical romance book review show; it's a community for open and honest conversations about smut and the power of diverse love stories.

Key Points:

• Celebrating Diversity: This podcast celebrates stories that showcase diverse characters and experiences, including those of marginalized communities.
• Exploring Sexuality: We Read Smut provides a platform for exploring intimacy, consent, women's pleasure, and healthy relationships through the lens of romance novels.
• Book Recommendations and Discussions: Discover new authors and books, get recommendations, and engage in conversations about various romance tropes and themes.
• Solo Episodes and Educational Content: Alesia will share her reading journey, insights, and tips for navigating the world of romance, including book slump solutions and trope definitions.
• Community and Engagement: Join the We Read Smut community on Instagram to connect with other romance readers and share your thoughts.

Thank you for listening to the We Read Smut Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag @WeReadSmut. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast.

Connect with Alesia:
Storygraph

This podcast was produced by Galati Media.
Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.