The End of the Mass Market Paperback? What This Means for Romance Readers in 2025

The End of the Mass Market Paperback? What This Means for Romance Readers in 2025

Author: Under the Covers Book Blog July 12, 2025 Duration: 17:19

Is the mass market paperback dying? And what does that mean for the romance genre, especially for readers who grew up sneaking stepbacks and collecting every duke on the shelf?

In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, Francesca dives into the history and legacy of the mass market paperback format and how it helped shape genre fiction, especially historical romance, romantic suspense, and cozy mysteries. We’ll look at why the industry is moving away from this beloved format, how BookTok and the trade paperback boom accelerated the shift, and what it means for accessibility, binge-reading, and the future of romance publishing.

From clinch covers to collector’s editions, from Harlequin Intrigue to BookTok bestsellers. This is a love letter (and a bit of a rant) about what we’re losing… and where we go from here.

🔎 Topics We Cover:

  • The rise of the mass market paperback in genre fiction
  • How MMPB shaped the romance genre, especially historicals
  • The romcom boom and shift to trade paperback
  • The BookTok effect on what gets published and how
  • Why this change hits romance readers harder than most
  • Which subgenres (like cozy mystery, romantic suspense, and paranormal romance) are being impacted
  • What the end of MMPB means for access and affordability
  • Where romance might go next, and how readers can adapt

📚 Links & Resources:


🎙️ Let’s keep the conversation going!

Tell me your favorite MMPB memory, your go-to author back in the day, or what you’re collecting now. Come chat with me on Instagram @utcbookblog or leave a comment on the blog.

💌 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your favorite romance reader — especially the one still hoarding their Lisa Kleypas backlist in a plastic bin under the bed (no judgment, I am her).

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If you've ever stayed up far too late, utterly lost in the world of a romance novel, you're in the right place. Reading Under the Covers: A Romance Novel Podcast is that feeling, turned into a conversation. Hosted by the two friends behind the Under the Covers Book Blog, this podcast feels like pulling up a chair in your favorite bookstore café. Each episode is a deep, often hilarious, and always heartfelt dive into the books they can't stop thinking about. You'll hear genuine, spoiler-filled discussions that dissect everything from beloved tropes and character chemistry to the sheer craft of storytelling. It's a celebration of the genre in all its forms-historical, contemporary, fantasy, and everything in between. More than just reviews, it's about the shared experience of reading: the anticipation of a new release, the comfort of a re-read, and the joy of finding a perfect book boyfriend. This is a space for fellow enthusiasts who understand that a great romance novel isn't just a story; it's an escape, a comfort, and a source of genuine delight. Tune in for passionate recommendations, thoughtful analysis, and the kind of enthusiastic fangirling that only true friends and book lovers can share.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Reading Under the Covers: A Romance Novel Podcast
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