Sounds Like A Cult – "The Cult of Romance Novels" (February 10, 2026)

Episode Overview

Theme:
This episode of Sounds Like A Cult dives into the fervent world of romance novels, investigating whether the passionate community of readers and writers constitutes a “cult”—and, if so, which type. Hosts Amanda Montell and newly-minted co-host Iman Harirukia discuss the allure, rituals, lingo, and sometimes fraught dynamics that shape the romance novel universe, joined mid-episode by bestselling romance author Alexa Martin. Together, they unpack the joys, pitfalls, and social implications of romance novel fandom—from heated rivalry tattoos to fraught book cons and parasocial conflicts online.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Romance Novel Fandom: Passion, Devotion, and Pilgrimage

• Cultish Devotion:

  • Amanda admits being new to this world, but after immersing herself in romance audiobooks, she marvels at the sometimes rabid devotion:

  “I truly believe... that romance readers are one of, if not the most cult-like fandom in all of media.” (06:37, Amanda)

  • Iman shares personal experiences of seeing the same fans travel to multiple events, likening them to "peripatetic acolytes," and admits to herself becoming a "culty defender" of romance’s intrinsic value.

• All-Encompassing Engagement:

  • The hosts outline rituals: book conventions, author tours, and active participation in theory podcasts and fan groups.
  • Quote:

  "I've reread interconnected romantasy series, taking notes, looking for Easter eggs, and then listened to theory podcasts... I've been in the hole. And I feel very seen when other people can laugh at how culty this behavior is because it consumes your life when you're in it." (19:53, Iman)

2. Defining What Makes a Romance Novel

• Strict Criteria:

  • Iman succinctly defines the genre:
    • 1. Central love story drives the plot.
    • 2. Must end in a “happily ever after” (HEA). (10:53–11:32, Iman/Amanda)

• Romance vs. Love Stories:

  • Not all love stories are romances; the “happily ever after” is a non-negotiable.

3. Culty Lingo, Rituals, and Fan Practices

• Insider Language:

  • Acronyms abound: HEA (happily ever after), FMC/MMC (female/male main character), DNF (did not finish), TBR (to be read).
  • "Spice" vs. "smut" distinctions—"spice is what's sprinkled on top, it's not the full meal." (16:22, Iman)

• Tropes as Dogma:

  • Fans classify books obsessively by trope (enemies-to-lovers, only one bed, etc.), mirroring practices found in fanfiction and kink communities.
  • Amanda notes:

  "Communities that could be considered fringe or really insular... tend to develop insidery language. It builds solidarity. It makes everybody feel like they're part of an in-group." (16:22–17:41, Amanda)

• Fan Activities:

  • “Book cons,” “NSFW fan art," collector’s items, and enthusiastic theory-crafting parallel cult rituals.
  • Quote:

  “You could have an entire conversation and only use acronyms and no one would know what you were talking about.” (46:34, Iman)

4. The Online “Parish”: Review Culture and Author-Reader Power

• Review Culture is Intense:

  • Goodreads, Storygraph, BookTok—platforms where reviewer zeal can make (or break) authors.
  • Amanda recognizes the line between supportive community-building and toxic negativity fostered by algorithms:

    “Negativity is often encouraged algorithmically... A very low stakes hate train can then impact the long term career of an established author.” (25:41–27:46, Iman)

• Parasocial Dynamics:

  • Readers sometimes direct intense criticism toward authors over character choices, blurring lines between fiction and personal ethics.

• From Fan to Author:

  • Iman reflects on moving from follower to “co-cult leader” as a published romance novelist, experiencing the zeal from both sides:

    “The best experience in the world, honestly, for me, was going from being a cult member to being one of the co cult followers or co cult leaders, I should say.” (23:14, Iman)

5. Social and Political Ramifications

• Romance as Hope, Education, and Resistance:

  • The genre offers models for relationships and self-understanding, serving as unofficial sex ed and empowerment for women and marginalized readers in a sex-negative society.
  • Quote:

  “A lot of people find a real sense of inner strength from reading romance... They start to explore their own sexuality, ask for more from the people in their lives, and they feel like they owe that in a lot of ways to the romance genre...” (27:54, Iman)

• Romance as Both Escape and Activism:

  • Iman:

  “Romance can be two things at once... People benefit from picking up something light and fluffy... but the other side... is incredibly deep and inherently political... Romance novels are actually... interconnected to our sex education system.” (29:16–31:18, Iman)

6. Dark Sides: Scams, Exclusion, and “Cult” Pitfalls

• Conventions Gone Wrong:

  • The hosts recount a notorious 2025 book convention debacle (the “Fyre Fest” of romance), exposing the perils of overzealous event culture and consumerism. (32:52–34:19)

• Exclusivity and Diversity:

  • Systemic issues in publishing mean that BIPOC and queer authors are under-advanced, under-promoted, and often gatekept.
  • Ripped Bodice’s annual survey found only 11% of romance books published in 2025 were by authors of color. (40:25)

• Publishing as a Cultish Power Structure:

  • Heated Rivalry, a gay hockey romance turned hit series, left the author and publisher grappling with supply shortages and missed promotional opportunities—highlighting industry reluctance to bet on diverse stories.

7. Interview with Alexa Martin (54:00–69:31)

Alexa’s Story

• From Reader to Author:

  • Alexa began as a secretive writer—“I never actually thought I would really write. And then an idea came to me and I actually hid in my basement and started writing. Like, I didn’t even tell my husband.” (54:07, Alexa)
  • Her books draw on her experience in NFL circles (her husband played pro football), and she discusses the crossover between sports romance and real-life fandom.

• Tropes, Community, and Identity:

  • On tropes: “I love an enemies to lovers... I really love, like, writing second chance romance a lot.” (66:19, Alexa)
  • On the reading community: “Romance readers are always like, ‘I read 150 books.’ People are like, ‘No, you didn’t!’ But, like, they do...” (57:49, Alexa)

• On Author-Reader Dynamics:

  • “I feel like the readers have a lot of power. I think we’re so careful because it does feel like a genre that gets very easily and often disrespected...” (56:50, Alexa)
  • On drama: There have been cases of fans harassing models at conferences, or blurring lines between fiction and reality, but the majority of fans are positive and community-minded.

• Financial Costs:

  • From event travel to collector’s editions, full immersion in the cult comes with literal buy-in.

Fun and Insightful Moments

• Tattoos & Tropes:
  • Amanda considering a Heated Rivalry “Gimme Kiss” tattoo:

    “I’m about to get a $150 heated rivalry tattoo. And that’s a bit. And it’s for fun, but it’s also like, ‘Look how much of a fan I am.’” (60:06, Amanda)

• Would You Rather Game:
  • “Would you rather find yourself in a romance trope every time you meet someone, or realize all your hobbies are gateways to cults?”
    • Alexa: “I mean, I feel like right now, all of my hobbies are gateways to cults anyway.” (66:02, Alexa)
• Discussion about Omegaverse and culty rituals produces much laughter and bewilderment.

Memorable Quotes

On Cultiness

• “They’re like peripatetic acolytes, like pilgrims.”
  (04:40, Amanda)

• “I love the two perspectives that we’re bringing today because you’re going to educate me so much... but also, I developed a fascination based on a documentary on Hulu called Naughty Books... there are some self-published erotica writers... who are multimillionaires.”
  (11:32, Amanda)

On Online Culture, Fandom, and Diversity

• “Negativity is often encouraged algorithmically... a very low stakes hate train can impact the long-term career of an established author.”
  (27:41, Iman)

• “There is this sort of, in some ways, codependency... I see it channeled for positivity way more... but, like all online culty book spaces, things snowball very quickly.”
  (28:42, Iman)

On Systemic Publishing Issues

• “These are usually white, straight, cis, able-bodied romances written by own voices... so [readers] have to then go out of their way to seek out diverse romances... it’s a catch-22.”
  (43:13, Iman)

On Community and Hope

• “...it makes people feel seen, it makes people feel connected. And romance isn’t just an exploration of romantic love, but of familial love, platonic love, self love. It’s a human character study.”
  (27:54, Iman)

Key Timestamps

• [03:33] — Amanda and Iman introduce the topic: “...sometimes it shows up in a book club. I don’t know, a steamy spicy book club.”
• [06:37] — Amanda on romance readers as the most cult-like fandom.
• [10:53] — Iman breaks down what defines a romance novel.
• [15:17] — Intro to cult lingo (HEA, DNF, FMC/MMC, spice/smut).
• [19:52] — Iman discusses personal cult-like reading behaviors.
• [22:36] — Amanda and Iman discuss Goodreads drama and how parasocial relationships can become toxic.
• [27:54] — Iman: “...real magic of romance is that this is a genre that gives people hope.”
• [29:16] — Iman connects romance novels to sex education and empowerment for marginalized people.
• [32:52] — The “Fyre Fest” of romance cons.
• [40:25] — Only 11% of published romance novels are by BIPOC authors.
• [47:21] — Heated Rivalry’s lack of reprint: industry reluctance re: queer stories.
• [54:00] — Alexa Martin joins for interview.
• [58:30] — On fandom boundaries crossing into harassment.
• [66:02] — “Would You Rather” game with Alexa Martin.
• [69:50] — The verdict: Romance novels cult is a “Live Your Life,” with a “halo” of “Watch Your Back.”
• [70:47] — Amanda’s closing thoughts; reminders re: fandom boundaries.

Conclusion: The Verdict

Final Cult Classification:
Iman: “Live your life.”
Amanda: “There is a halo of ‘watch your back’... but overall, you’re probably right. It’d feel irresponsible not to classify this as a ‘live your life.’” (69:50–71:10)

Final Reminders:
Iman: “Keep things on the page and not off it. Remember that just because someone may serve as inspiration for your favorite fan cast doesn’t mean that you have license to send them creepy DMs over Instagram.” (71:10, Iman)

In Short:
The community around romance novels has all the trappings of a cult—lingo, rituals, adulation, dogma, and occasional drama—but is ultimately a “cult” powered by joy, inclusivity, hope, and collective healing. However, as with all passionate communities, mindfulness of boundaries is key.

For listeners new or old to the world of romance novels, this episode reveals the subculture’s inviting charms, insular quirks, and ongoing struggles, offering both a thorough primer and an honest look at its shadow sides.

Notable Guests:

• Iman Harirukia: Author and co-host, newly added to the regular roster.
• Alexa Martin: USA Today bestselling romance author; shares perspective on fandom, industry pressures, and cultural meaning.

*For more on the “cult of romance novels” or related literary “cults,” follow @soundslikeacultpod on Instagram or check out Amanda Montell’s Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism.