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My Romance Reading Journey: From Sweet to Steamy and Everything In Between
- Theresa Wilson
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Romance has been a constant in my reading life, but it hasn’t always looked the same. Over the years, my tastes have shifted—from the sweet, innocent stories that made me smile to the steamy, heart-thumping novels that keep me turning pages late into the night.
This journey through romance genres has been as much about discovering different kinds of love as it has been about discovering what moves me as a reader. In this post, I’m sharing how my romance reading has evolved over time — from those first tender stories to the bold, passionate reads I enjoy now. Whether you’re a fellow romance fan or just curious about the genre, I hope you find a bit of your own reading journey reflected here.
💗 Where It All Began: Sweet and Wholesome
I didn’t start out reading spicy romance. Like many readers, my first steps into the romance world were gentle and tender—full of sweet moments that made my heart flutter but never raced too fast. I remember curling up with YA romances where the most intimate scene might be a shy glance across the school hallway or a hand brushed accidentally during a slow dance. Those innocent moments felt monumental at the time, and I was completely hooked.
I also gravitated toward small-town love stories and historical romances where the pace was slower and the emotions simmered quietly. The tension was subtle, often simmering under stolen glances, secret notes, or a heartfelt conversation beneath the stars. In these stories, the focus was on character growth, friendship turning into love, and the joy of discovering connection.
Looking back, those early reads laid the groundwork for my romance taste today. They showed me that romance could be tender, comforting, and full of hope — a safe space where love felt pure and reassuring. There’s something beautifully calming about a sweet romance that wraps you up like a warm blanket on a chilly day.
Even now, I still pick these up when I want to slow down, recharge, and remember that love doesn’t always have to be complicated.
💋 Testing the Waters: Flirting With Steam
As I grew older and became more comfortable with the genre, my reading tastes naturally evolved. I started seeking stories with a bit more heat—books that weren’t afraid to show more of the characters’ chemistry, their vulnerability, and the complexities of adult relationships. The transition wasn’t abrupt; it was more like a gentle nudge. I found myself moving from fade-to-black romances to those with steamy scenes that left just enough to the imagination but still made my heart race.
Books with tropes like enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, or friends-to-lovers became staples on my shelves. I found I enjoyed the push-and-pull, the witty banter, and the slow build-up to intimacy. I loved when authors layered emotional depth with physical connection, showing that sex could be a powerful expression of trust and love, not just an add-on.
This phase was exciting. It opened up new dimensions of romance for me—where characters could be flawed and messy, yet their passion and tenderness shone through. I started to appreciate the balance between tension and release, between sweet moments and bold declarations. And honestly? Sometimes, a little spice just makes the slow burn all the more satisfying.
🔥 Open Doors & No Apologies
Today, I read across the entire spectrum of romance. One day I’m curled up with a sweet cowboy romance that feels like a warm hug, full of slow-build connection and heartfelt moments. The next, I’m diving into a dark kidnapping mafia romance that twists my heart and tests my limits. And sometimes, I take a complete pivot and find myself absorbed in a monster romance—yes, those unexpected, fantastical love stories that are wildly different but just as captivating.
My reading tastes are constantly changing, and I love that about the genre. I’m no longer shy about admitting I enjoy a book that makes me swoon and blush in equal measure, no matter how varied the style or intensity. There’s something incredibly empowering about owning your preferences without apology.
Romance, at its heart, is about connection—emotional, physical, and sometimes messy. The genre is so vast and varied that there’s truly something for every mood and moment. Whether it’s a quick, cozy novella or an epic multi-book series, I’m here for every slow-burn confession, every heated scene, and every tear-jerking happily-ever-after.
What I’ve learned is that romance isn’t just about love stories—it’s about feeling seen and understood through the characters’ journeys. It’s about escapism, empowerment, and celebration of desire in all its forms. And that’s a beautiful thing.
💞 What I Read Now (And What I Still Avoid)
These days, my TBR is wonderfully diverse. I find myself diving into everything from small-town romances to mafia anti-heroes, from fake dating disasters to second-chance love stories. Tropes like forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine duos, and found family continue to be favorites. My romance reads truly cover the gamut of shades of grey—from the purest white to the darkest black—and I’m happy to read it all. These stories keep my reading fresh, exciting, and full of surprises.
That said, I’m particular about how darker themes are handled. I don’t shy away from violent, gritty, or morally gray romances—I’ve read books like The Sacrifice and Den of Vipers without blinking—but I don’t enjoy when overt abuse becomes the central focus. Usually, this comes through family dynamics or past relationships, and while I can handle it in short flashbacks or background context, I don’t like when that kind of pain takes over the story. At the end of the day, even in the darkest romances, I still want to see emotional depth and a meaningful connection between the main couple.
I also don’t typically reach for LGBT romances—not out of judgment, but simply because they aren’t my personal preference. The beauty of the romance genre is its diversity, and I love that there’s truly something for every reader, even if my own tastes lean in a specific direction.
At the end of the day, I seek books that move me emotionally, with characters I can root for and stories that celebrate love’s many facets without relying on shock value or needless drama.
📚 Romance Is a Journey—And I’m Still On It
One of the things I love most about romance is how much it grows and changes with you. Your tastes don’t stay fixed—what you crave in a love story shifts depending on your mood, your experiences, and even the season of life you’re in. Sometimes you want a gentle, comforting read that soothes your soul after a long day. Other times, you seek something intense and passionate that gets your heart pounding and keeps you hooked until the very last page. My own romance reading journey is far from over. It’s constantly evolving. One day I’ll find myself immersed in a sweet cowboy romance full of warm, slow-building connection. The next, I might be reading a dark kidnapping mafia romance that pushes boundaries and explores raw, complicated emotions. And sometimes, I even pivot completely and get lost in a monster romance or a fantastical tale that takes me somewhere unexpected.
Every book I pick up teaches me something new about connection, vulnerability, desire, and the many ways love can be expressed. Romance is never just about happily-ever-afters; it’s about the messy, imperfect, beautiful reality of relationships. It’s about growth, second chances, and learning to accept and love people fully—including ourselves. For me, romance will always be my go-to genre because it makes me feel deeply. It can make me laugh, cry, blush, and dream all in one sitting. And really, isn’t that what great reading is all about? Feeling something real, even through fiction.
How has your romance reading taste evolved over the years? Are you team sweet, team steamy, or somewhere in between? I’d love to hear your story—drop a comment below or tag me in your next #RomanceReads post!
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