Your Guide to Book Genres Beyond the Marketing Labels

Your Guide to Book Genres Beyond the Marketing Labels

Author: Under the Covers Book Blog January 23, 2026 Duration: 8:55

Let’s settle the "Romantasy" debate once and for all. (And yes, we need to talk about Bride by Ali Hazelwood).

Does anyone else feel like book genres have gotten completely out of hand lately? We’re throwing around terms like they’re interchangeable (spoiler: they’re not), and don’t even get me started on the Bride discourse.

Today on the Reading Under the Covers podcast, I’m breaking down the Genre Funnel in a simple way. We’re going to look at the actual hierarchy of these sub-genres, define where the hard lines are, and finally explain why mislabeling books is actually hurting your reading experience.

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/oz7iyAjpi_c

We’re getting into the weeds of:

- The difference between a Romantasy and actual High Fantasy with romantic elements.

- Why tropes in marketing are confusing everyone

- And my official defense of why Ali Hazelwood's Bride is absolutely NOT an Omegaverse book.

👇 WANT TO GO DEEPER?

If you want to really understand your reading tastes and stop wasting time on books that aren't for you, I’m running a free email mini-series diving deep into genres!

→ Sign up here: https://underthecovers.myflodesk.com/book-genres

⏳ TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Introduction: The Confusion of Book Labels

00:53 - Understanding Book Genres: The Basics

01:49 - Diving Deeper: Subgenres and Tropes

05:17 - The Romantasy Debate

06:59 - Case Study: Why "Bride" isn't Omegaverse

08:16 - Conclusion and Final Tips

💬 Let's Chat: Do you agree with my distinction between genres, subgenres and tropes? And where do you stand on the Bride debate? Let me know in the comments!

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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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