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Episode 41 - Romantasy & the Alpha Appeal: The Popularity of Spicy Fantasy Books with Ashley Mariani
Why are so many of us drawn to “spicy” romance novels with powerful, dominant male leads—and what does that do to our expectations of our partners? In this episode we dig into the surge of steamy books, the psychology behind alpha-male characters, and the thin line between passionate fantasy and problematic behavior.
Our guest Ashley Mariani joins us to unpack:
Why dominant characters are so appealing in romance fiction
Ways these stories shape our views of intimacy, passion, and “fixing” partners
The warning signs of coercion and control versus healthy, consensual dominance
Practical tips…
The skinny
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