Fated Mates – S08.02: "Feminism in Romance" with Adriana Herrera
Date: September 24, 2025
Guests: Sarah MacLean, Jennifer Prokop, Adriana Herrera
Main Theme
This episode brings genre-innovating author Adriana Herrera back to Fated Mates for a candid, incisive conversation about feminism and its complexities within romance novels. Sarah MacLean and Jen Prokop join Herrera in exploring the evolving relationship between feminist values and the romance genre—tracing its past, present, and possible futures. The trio discuss how their own definitions and expectations of feminist romance have shifted over time, offer pointed commentary on publishing, reading trends, and character development, and recommend books that exemplify feminist storytelling.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. The "After the End" Romance Collection (00:41–06:55)
- Collaborative Project: Herrera discusses her joint venture with Ali Hazelwood curating the "After the End" dystopian romance anthology, featuring prominent authors like Nikki Payne and Sherry Thomas.
- Publishing Philosophy: Herrera notes the project aims to nurture writers who may feel unwelcomed or unsupported in traditional publishing, removing barriers to creativity and emphasizing support and inclusivity.
- Mascot & Vibe: The anthology's mascot "Amorosa," a heart-shooting raccoon, represents the wild, passionate love of die-hard romance fans. The cover art intentionally pays homage to "clinches" from classic Joanna Lindsay romances with a pulpy, sci-fi flair.
"This is for the people that just love romance, love great romance, and want that feeling of like, these are books that are proud of just being what they are." — Adriana Herrera (05:01)
[Jump to Segment – 02:05]
2. Is Romance a Feminist Genre? (07:00–13:49)
- Evolving Definitions: The hosts reflect on the once-common claim that romance is inherently feminist for being "by, for, and about women," and why that framing no longer holds in a genre where authors and protagonists are not exclusively women, and the landscape is increasingly intersectional.
- Feminism as Foundation, Not Garnish: Herrera argues that feminism shouldn't be a superficial add-on to a story ("it can't be a spice"), but a value system woven into the narrative fabric.
"Feminism can't be something that you add in like a spice... it has to be the broth that everything is cooked in." — Adriana Herrera (09:31)
3. Defining Feminism in Romance Text (09:27–16:47)
- Beyond "Girlboss" Tropes: The panel cautions against equating feminism with literal displays of female empowerment or simple "girl power" moments.
- Structural Change: True feminism in narrative terms is about improving the world (or at least the community) as well as the protagonist’s individual freedoms—measured by a move toward tangible safety and equity for the vulnerable.
"In a feminist romance, everybody that was unsafe more is safer in the world that we have left." — Adriana Herrera (15:28)
4. The Fantasy of the 'Fully Evolved Hero' (30:30–37:55)
- Issues with "Perfect" Protagonists: There’s a trend in millennial romance for heroes who arrive on page one already emotionally fluent and feminist. The hosts question whether this truly serves storytelling or feels authentic, noting that bypassing the character’s journey can flatten both the narrative and its feminist themes.
"If everybody on page is perfect on page one, what are we doing?" — Sarah MacLean (34:12)
- Contrast to Gen X and Boomer Romance: Herrera distinguishes Gen X romance as driven by the hero’s transformative arc; new romance often centers the heroine’s journey or creates a ready-made feminist relationship but can lose the dynamism of growth.
5. Intersectionality in Modern Romance (29:13–30:27; 48:58–49:15)
- Necessity of Intersectional Feminism: Jennifer Prokop emphatically states, “We can't call a whole group of books feminist if they're not intersectional.” The conversation highlights that contemporary romance must take into account race, queerness, and other axes of identity.
- Point of View as Key: Herrera returns to the importance of narrative lens: true feminism arises from how authors and characters view and shape the world.
6. Community vs. Isolation in Feminist Romance (54:15–55:51; 58:34–62:56)
- Heroine's Journey to Community: Millennial romance is often marked by texts where heroines build community (sometimes instinctively) as an expression of feminist values.
"What is more feminist than saying, 'I'm going to turn away from this corporate situation...and build community around it?'" — Adriana Herrera (51:37)
- Caution re: Isolation: Books focused only on the couple, with no external ties, rarely feel feminist to the hosts because they reinforce individualism rather than collective safety and progress.
7. Feminism, Risk, and Publishing Pressures (63:39–68:44)
- On Risk-Taking: Millennial authors are praised for being willing to challenge the status quo despite publishing risk. Herrera notes for black women, queer writers, and writers of color, the very fact of writing their stories is inherently political and risky.
"For some of us, it's not a choice...just writing the books we're writing—with two people of color getting to be happy together—is already political." — Adriana Herrera (67:19)
8. Can All Romance be Called Feminist? (70:54–74:12)
- The Danger of Blanket Statements: The hosts warn against labeling all romance as feminist simply due to its authorship/readership, pointing to politics and privilege.
"If being a woman made you someone that is a feminist, then we wouldn't be in the position we're in right now." — Adriana Herrera (72:07)
- Interrogating the Text: The panel encourages readers to critically engage with what counts as feminism on the page.
9. Joy, Anger, and Feminist Identity (77:26–79:14)
- Pushing Back on Stereotypes: The hosts remind listeners that feminism is not synonymous with joylessness or being angry at men.
"The goal is to turn it into villainy, because god forbid we should all just be working toward a better life for as many of us as possible." — Sarah MacLean (77:56)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- "Feminism is a value system that contemplates the idea that we should all be safer. We should all have the opportunities to make our lives better and to make our children's lives better and that our communities are well off." — Adriana Herrera (79:14)
- "If you believe in the idea that the world should be better for everyone, people should be able to...be successful regardless of those external factors that other people might judge you for. Then you're feminist. Welcome to our club." — Jennifer Prokop (76:47)
- "I've started DNF’ing books where the heroine doesn’t come first...There is a lack of cunnilingus that I don't care for, and if she doesn't come first, I don't want it." — Sarah MacLean (84:53–85:11)
- "They can be bangers, too!" — Sarah MacLean (81:25), on how feminist romance can also be fun, sexy, and joyful reads.
Book Recommendations and Feminist Romance Examples
[~40:25–56:36, spreads across episode]
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Modern/Contemporary "Feminist" Texts:
- Careless Whispers by Synithia Williams (44:03) – deeply feminist, heroine re-discovers herself after patriarchal betrayal.
- Bone Clan and the Starling by Elizabeth Stevens (45:17) – a heroine whose presence forces the hero to lead more justly.
- Only Lovers in the Building by Nadine Gonzalez (49:15) – builds community, rejects corporate harm.
- August Lane by Regina Black – recommended for millennial intersectional feminism.
- Preferential Treatment by Heather Guerre – cited as both a "banger" and a sharp critique of billionaires.
- The Streams & Schemes series by Rebecca Kincaid (82:17) – erotic, intersectional, community-focused, and truly filthy. "They bring down the patriarchy...to me, that kind of romance, if we keep doing this, romance is going to be just fine." — Adriana Herrera (84:52)
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Classic "Hero's Journey" Feminism:
- Susan Elizabeth Phillips' Ain't She Sweet and Dream a Little Dream (52:54) — heroines improve their communities; hero's change is central.
- Joanna Lindsay and Lisa Kleypas historicals – Gen X-era texts focused on hero's transformation.
-
Romantasy/Fantasy:
- Heart of Blood and Ash by Milla Vane – feminist world-building.
- Everflame by Pen Cole – challenges power structures.
- Nikki Payne – intentionally feminist speculative romance.
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Adriana’s project "After the End": 02:05–06:55
- Main Topic Introduction ("Romance & Feminism"): 07:00
- What is Feminism in Romance? 09:27–12:15
- Individual Agency vs. World Change: 13:18–16:43
- Shifting Protagonists & Reader Expectations: 30:30–37:55
- Intersectionality & Community: 29:13–30:27, 54:15–55:51
- Examining Isolated vs. Community-focused Romances: 54:15–55:51, 58:34–62:56
- On White Feminism & Accountability: 68:44–74:12
- Final Thoughts: Feminism, Joy, and the Romancelandia Club: 77:26–81:05
- Rebecca Kincaid Recommendation: 82:11–85:41
Tone & Language
The episode is fast-paced, warm, and unapologetically passionate. There's explicit, often irreverent humor ("the Adriana cunt" (00:14), "plump and delicious" (78:44)), droll literary analysis, and blunt, analytical engagement with the real-world social and political context that informs both publishing and the writing of romance.
Summary Takeaways
- Feminism in romance is not a checklist of character traits or plot points but a world-building value system—focused on equity, safety, and the betterment of all, not just the protagonist.
- Intersectionality and community-building are now central signifiers of feminist texts.
- Feminist romance can and should provide joy, sexiness, fun, and banger stories—not just didactic messages.
- Authors and readers are invited to interrogate, question, and celebrate the books they love with critical excitement.
- There’s a book for everyone in Romancelandia—know what you’re reading, know what you want, and never be afraid to want more.
For further reading: See shownotes at fatedmates.net for Adriana’s reading list and additional recommended feminist romances.
“Feminism is...the broth that everything is cooked in.” — Adriana Herrera (09:31)