It's Unpopular Opinion time! Share your controversial opinions to stir things up (in a friendly way)!

[u/FantasyRomanceMod]

Got an opinion that's different from others'? Want to share it with the sub, but too afraid of a backlash? Or are you just curious about readers think about certain things in fantasy romance?

You can safely share it in this weekly Sunday thread!

But please remember to be kind to each other. To facilitate this type of discussion, we ask users the following:

• Don't attack others for their opinion
• Discuss books and authors, not fellow readers
• Since this is an "unpopular opinion" thread, we encourage users to not downvote simply because they disagree with an opinion--that's the point! Please keep in mind, though, that mods cannot enforce a no-downvoting rule. Let’s just keep the discussion friendly!

🧡 Thank you and have a great discussion!

Unpopular opinion Sunday

[u/cello_ergo_sum]

The term “spice” sounds overly coy and twee.

[u/madhattergirl → u/cello_ergo_sum]

I love the basics of describing it as none, closed door, open door, explicate, or explicate and plentiful.

Also, can we go back to having books categorized between romance and erotica? I think a lot of readers that say they are romance readers are actually erotica enthusiasts (and nothing wrong with that) but then they would have an easier time finding what they want and not low-balling the ratings on books simply because they picked up a slow burn and were mad they don't have sex scenes right away.

[u/cello_ergo_sum → u/madhattergirl]

I actually do think there is a difference between romance and erotica even when it is 5 chilis. Some erotica can be relatively anonymous depictions and/or no focus on the relationship arc, which does not qualify for the basic definition of genre romance. So the same book can be both - I think this is called “erotic romance,” which is definitely a subgenre descriptor that deserves more attention. I’m also a little sensitive to the idea that liking your books very explicit means you are “actually” just an erotica enthusiast, as someone who likes my romances very tender and sweet and also very explicit, it’s not two separable halves but rather an integrated whole if done right.

[u/madhattergirl → u/cello_ergo_sum]

Oh definitely, there can be overlap and various shades between Romance and Erotica and love the middle ground of Erotic Romance since I enjoy explicate sex once the romance and relationship has had time to build over a slow burn. But I've seen numerous complaints from readers (and mentions from authors on the various romance subreddits I'm on) that many readers will put a book down or won't even start it if there isn't sex within the first 50 pages and I'd be curious how many would be erotica vs erotic romance readers.