### #BookTok
Maybe Fourth Wing was your gateway drug into romance, maybe the Netflix show Bridgerton inspired a deeper dive, or maybe you read Fifty Shades of Grey ten years ago and the algorithm is just catching up to you. But if you've been scrolling through #BookTok on TikTok lately, you've probably started seeing Gothic-looking book covers adorned with skulls, roses, and the occasional shirtless man in stark black and white.

Welcome to the dark side—let’s explore the wild world of dark romance. We’ll show what you can expect from dark romance authors, the common tropes in these love stories, and some book recommendations for you to explore dark themes. 

### What is dark romance?
Let's get one thing straight: Dark romance isn't for everyone. It's not about kisses, butterflies, and happy endings where the heroine rides off into the sunset with her love interest. No, dark romance is a subgenre of romance that’s all about the messy, complicated, and sometimes downright twisted side of love and relationships. It (sometimes) even explores themes of violence, abuse, and trauma.

That's what makes dark romance so addictive to its fans. It has all of the most delicious themes common in most romance—love, chemistry, and spice. But where most romance keeps its characters unequivocally good and its themes light, dark romance is not afraid to explore the darker aspects of human nature and relationships. 

This genre delves into taboo themes like power dynamics, obsession, and fear. And its characters often walk a very thin line between good guy and bad guy.

### 3 common tropes found in dark romance
There is a diverse spectrum of dark romance novels. While some popular BookTok books are full-on stalking fantasies, many are closer to a beach read with a dose of darkness. Let’s explore three common themes that tie the dark romance genre together.

__1. Morally gray characters and anti-heroes__

The male protagonists of dark romance are often flawed, not-so-good guys who may engage in questionable or even criminal behavior. They might even be a straight-up serial killer. Often, they’ll stop at no cost to protect what they love (usually, their girl). 

In a typical romance, a love interest might quit bull riding for his lover or practice figure skating lifts with her. Dark romance MMCs tend to ruthlessly destroy the lives of (or in some cases, like, actually kill) any man who’s ever wronged their beloved. Kind of a different storyline!

__2. Internally consistent (but not traditional) moral codes__

The men of dark romance may not abide by a traditional definition of right and wrong, but they do usually have a code they live by that is consistent with their own morals, and tend to be extremely pragmatic in a violent and unjust world. 

Zade of Haunting Adeline has no qualms killing people if they are violent men who prey on the weak (women and children). 

Draco in Manacled (a popular Harry Potter fanfic with a juicy enemies to lovers trope) will do anything to protect and defend his mother, and is also critically aware that if he didn’t do the Dark Lord’s dirty work, someone else would.

Hades in Forbidden Fruit, a spicy audiobook on Dipsea, refuses to play by the rules of the other gods. He’s happy to let them think that Persephone is kept in the Underworld against her will, because he will do absolutely anything to have her. 

But whether the MMCs in dark romance are villains or just seem like villains, across the board they are willing to be the “monster” if it means protecting, loving, and cherishing their princess. And while the men (and gods) of dark romance certainly aren’t good, they are usually only bad for a very good reason. 

__3. Taboo themes and intense emotional journeys__

Dark romance novels often explore controversial topics such as obsession, captivity, violence, BDSM, and dubious consent or non-consensual acts. The flawed characters of this genre are often working through childhood trauma or otherwise living in violent circumstances that have shaped their ruthless attitudes and informed their personal moral codes. 

These themes create a sense of intensity and extremity which heighten the drama and addictiveness of the stories, but these challenging topics also act as deep paths of connection between the main characters. They can heal, protect, and cherish each other in a world that has been cruel to them or does not understand them. 

### Books recs for beginners

For those just starting their journey into the tantalizing world of dark romance, dipping your toes into the genre can be both thrilling and slightly intimidating. To ease your way into this spicy realm, here are five popular dark romance books that serve as perfect entry points for beginners:

"Still Beating" by Jennifer Hartmann: This gripping standalone novel introduces readers to a world where love and danger collide in unexpected ways. Following the tumultuous relationship between a young woman named Ava and a mysterious man with a troubled past, "Still Beating" explores themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the healing power of love. With its compelling storyline and complex characters, this book is sure to keep you hooked from beginning to end.

"Hawke" by Jescie Hall: If you're a fan of steamy romance with a hint of suspense, "Hawke" is the perfect choice. Set in a small town where secrets run deep, this novel follows the forbidden romance between a brooding bad boy named Hawke and a fiercely independent woman named Liv. As their attraction intensifies, they must navigate the dangerous consequences of their love in a town where everyone has something to hide. With its sizzling chemistry and edge-of-your-seat suspense, "Hawke" is a must-read for fans of dark romance.

The Never After series by Emily McIntire: Dive into a world of forbidden love and dark magic with this captivating series. Set in a dystopian future where society is ruled by ruthless leaders, these books follow the journey of a young woman named Elara as she navigates a dangerous romance with a mysterious stranger named Kael. Filled with twists, turns, and heart-pounding suspense, "The Never After series" will keep you guessing until the very end.

"Does It Hurt?" by H.D. Carlton: For readers who enjoy their romance with a side of psychological intrigue, "Does It Hurt?" delivers in spades. This chilling tale follows the twisted relationship between a young woman named Lily and a seductive stranger named Jack. As Lily becomes entangled in Jack's dark world of obsession and manipulation, she must confront her deepest fears and desires. With its haunting prose and spine-tingling suspense, "Does It Hurt?" is a must-read for fans of psychological dark romance.

”Wicked Words” an audiobook on the Dipsea app: When celebrity biographer Adrienne Stone's father passes away, he leaves the family estate to her reckless brother. But her brother, burned by his debts, is forced to sell it to notorious tech mogul, Alexander Blackwood. In a twist of fate, Adrienne finds herself agreeing to write Alexander's biography and, despite their initial animosity, she discovers a man far different from what the headlines suggest. With its blend of intrigue, passion, and unexpected twists, "Wicked Words" will keep you enthralled from start to finish.

### Trigger warnings and critiques of dark romance
There are a few critiques of dark romance and dark fantasy that often come up.

Some people argue that this subgenre romanticizes and glorifies toxic relationships and unhealthy behaviors. There's a concern that readers, especially younger ones, might internalize these problematic dynamics and view them as desirable or acceptable in real life. 

Critics also point out that the power imbalances and non-consensual elements in many dark romance stories can be triggering or harmful to readers who have experienced trauma or abuse. There's a fine line between exploring these themes in a fictional setting and glamorizing them, and some believe that dark romance writers cross that line. 

However, at Dipsea we think that dark romance provides a safe space to explore these darker themes and fantasies without real-world consequences. And we’re confident that readers are capable of distinguishing between fiction and reality. Ultimately, as with any genre, it's up to individuals to decide what they're comfortable with.

In most dark romance books, there are trigger warnings which will tell you what to expect beforehand. If you’re worried about encountering content that disturbing or upsetting, make sure you read these warnings ahead of time!

### Explore the dark side of romance
Fiction plays a unique role in everyone’s lives and we’re not here to shame you! 

If you have a fresh download on your Kindle or are browsing Amazon listings, you can check trigger warnings and content warnings on Goodreads. 

If you’re listening on a spicy audiobook platform like Dipsea, you can get all the information you need in the tags before you press play.


### #BookTok
Maybe Fourth Wing was your gateway drug into romance, maybe the Netflix show Bridgerton inspired a deeper dive, or maybe you read Fifty Shades of Grey ten years ago and the algorithm is just catching up to you. But if you've been scrolling through #BookTok on TikTok lately, you've probably started seeing Gothic-looking book covers adorned with skulls, roses, and the occasional shirtless men in stark black and white.

Welcome to the dark side—let’s explore the wild world of dark romance. We’ll show what you can expect from dark romance authors, the common tropes in these love stories, and some book recommendations for you to explore dark themes. 

### What is dark romance?
Let's get one thing straight: Dark romance isn't for everyone. It's not about kisses, butterflies, and happy endings where the heroine rides off into the sunset with her love interest. No, dark romance is a subgenre of romance that’s all about the messy, complicated, and sometimes downright twisted side of love and relationships. It (sometimes) even explores themes of violence, abuse, and trauma.

That's what makes dark romance so addictive to its fans. It has all of the most delicious themes common in most romance—love, chemistry, and spice. But where most romance keeps its characters unequivocally good and its themes light, dark romance is not afraid to explore the darker aspects of human nature and relationships. 

This genre delves into taboo themes like power dynamics, obsession, and fear. And its characters often walk a very thin line between good guy and bad guy.

### 3 common tropes found in dark romance
There is a diverse spectrum of dark romance novels. While some popular BookTok books are full-on stalking fantasies, many are closer to a beach read with a dose of darkness. Let’s explore three common themes that tie the dark romance genre together.

__1. Morally gray characters and anti-heroes__

The male protagonists of dark romance are often flawed, not-so-good guys who may engage in questionable or even criminal behavior. They might even be a straight-up serial killer. Often, they’ll stop at no cost to protect what they love (usually, their girl). 

In a typical romance, a love interest might quit bull riding for his lover or practice figure skating lifts with her. Dark romance MMCs tend to ruthlessly destroy the lives of (or in some cases, like, actually kill) any man who’s ever wronged their beloved. Kind of a different storyline!

__2. Internally consistent (but not traditional) moral codes__

The men of dark romance may not abide by a traditional definition of right and wrong, but they do usually have a code they live by that is consistent with their own morals, and tend to be extremely pragmatic in a violent and unjust world. 

Zade of Haunting Adeline has no qualms killing people if they are violent men who prey on the weak (women and children). 

Draco in Manacled (a popular Harry Potter fanfic with a juicy enemies to lovers trope) will do anything to protect and defend his mother, and is also critically aware that if he didn’t do the Dark Lord’s dirty work, someone else would.

Hades in Forbidden Fruit, a spicy audiobook on Dipsea, refuses to play by the rules of the other gods. He’s happy to let them think that Persephone is kept in the Underworld against her will, because he will do absolutely anything to have her. 

But whether the MMCs in dark romance are villains or just seem like villains, across the board they are willing to be the “monster” if it means protecting, loving, and cherishing their princess. And while the men (and gods) of dark romance certainly aren’t good, they are usually only bad for a very good reason. 

__3. Taboo themes and intense emotional journeys__

Dark romance novels often explore controversial topics such as obsession, captivity, violence, BDSM, and dubious consent or non-consensual acts. The flawed characters of this genre are often working through childhood trauma or otherwise living in violent circumstances that have shaped their ruthless attitudes and informed their personal moral codes. 

These themes create a sense of intensity and extremity which heighten the drama and addictiveness of the stories, but these challenging topics also act as deep paths of connection between the main characters. They can heal, protect, and cherish each other in a world that has been cruel to them or does not understand them. 

### Books recs for beginners

For those just starting their journey into the tantalizing world of dark romance, dipping your toes into the genre can be both thrilling and slightly intimidating. To ease your way into this spicy realm, here are five popular dark romance books that serve as perfect entry points for beginners:

"Still Beating" by Jennifer Hartmann: This gripping standalone novel introduces readers to a world where love and danger collide in unexpected ways. Following the tumultuous relationship between a young woman named Ava and a mysterious man with a troubled past, "Still Beating" explores themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the healing power of love. With its compelling storyline and complex characters, this book is sure to keep you hooked from beginning to end.

"Hawke" by Jescie Hall: If you're a fan of steamy romance with a hint of suspense, "Hawke" is the perfect choice. Set in a small town where secrets run deep, this novel follows the forbidden romance between a brooding bad boy named Hawke and a fiercely independent woman named Liv. As their attraction intensifies, they must navigate the dangerous consequences of their love in a town where everyone has something to hide. With its sizzling chemistry and edge-of-your-seat suspense, "Hawke" is a must-read for fans of dark romance.

The Never After series by Emily McIntire: Dive into a world of forbidden love and dark magic with this captivating series. Set in a dystopian future where society is ruled by ruthless leaders, these books follow the journey of a young woman named Elara as she navigates a dangerous romance with a mysterious stranger named Kael. Filled with twists, turns, and heart-pounding suspense, "The Never After series" will keep you guessing until the very end.

"Does It Hurt?" by H.D. Carlton: For readers who enjoy their romance with a side of psychological intrigue, "Does It Hurt?" delivers in spades. This chilling tale follows the twisted relationship between a young woman named Lily and a seductive stranger named Jack. As Lily becomes entangled in Jack's dark world of obsession and manipulation, she must confront her deepest fears and desires. With its haunting prose and spine-tingling suspense, "Does It Hurt?" is a must-read for fans of psychological dark romance.

”Wicked Words” an audiobook on the Dipsea app: When celebrity biographer Adrienne Stone's father passes away, he leaves the family estate to her reckless brother. But her brother, burned by his debts, is forced to sell it to notorious tech mogul, Alexander Blackwood. In a twist of fate, Adrienne finds herself agreeing to write Alexander's biography and, despite their initial animosity, she discovers a man far different from what the headlines suggest. With its blend of intrigue, passion, and unexpected twists, "Wicked Words" will keep you enthralled from start to finish.

### Trigger warnings and critiques of dark romance
There are a few critiques of dark romance and dark fantasy that often come up.

Some people argue that this subgenre romanticizes and glorifies toxic relationships and unhealthy behaviors. There's a concern that readers, especially younger ones, might internalize these problematic dynamics and view them as desirable or acceptable in real life. 

Critics also point out that the power imbalances and non-consensual elements in many dark romance stories can be triggering or harmful to readers who have experienced trauma or abuse. There's a fine line between exploring these themes in a fictional setting and glamorizing them, and some believe that dark romance writers cross that line. 

However, at Dipsea we think that dark romance provides a safe space to explore these darker themes and fantasies without real-world consequences. And we’re confident that readers are capable of distinguishing between fiction and reality. Ultimately, as with any genre, it's up to individuals to decide what they're comfortable with.

In most dark romance books, there are trigger warnings which will tell you what to expect beforehand. If you’re worried about encountering content that disturbing or upsetting, make sure you read these warnings ahead of time!

### Explore the dark side of romance
Fiction plays a unique role in everyone’s lives and we’re not here to shame you! 

If you have a fresh download on your Kindle or are browsing Amazon listings, you can check trigger warnings and content warnings on Goodreads. 

If you’re listening on a spicy audiobook platform like Dipsea, you can get all the information you need in the tags before you press play.


Safely explore the dark side of romance books by learning what dark romance is, common tropes and trigger warnings, and what to expect from this spicy genre.

What is Dark Romance?

What is Dark Romance? Tropes, trigger warnings, and book recs

Ready to take your next solo sesh to a whole new level? That's what Dipsea is for.

Dipsea is an app for Sexy Stories, Sleep Scenes, and Wellness Sessions designed to turn you on and then tuck you in.

Go behind the scenes of Wings of Winter. Listen to the podcast or read along as the creative team talks about the inspiration behind Alex and Isa, and spills many series secrets. 

Raise the bar podcast cover art

The Making of Raise the Bar

Access all the amazing recommendations referenced in this podcast and more right now on the Dipsea app.

Go behind the scenes of Wings of Winter. Listen to the podcast or read along as the creative team behind the story spills all the series' secrets.

Romantasy Blog Picture

The Making of Wings of Winter

Go behind the scenes of Lone Wolf. Listen or read along as the creative team tell the story of how this modern western was made.

Fictional Men Written By Women: Lone Wolf

The Making of Lone Wolf

<p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">If you're looking for more or if you’re just looking to dip your toe into Romantasy, download Dipsea to check it out. 
</p>

<p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">Dipsea is an app for Sexy Stories, Sleep Scenes, and Wellness Sessions designed to turn you on and then tuck you in. You can download Dipsea from the App Store, Google Play Store, or online at app.dipseastories.com.</p>

<div class="blog-cta-centered">
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    href="https://app.dipseastories.com/?utm_source=web&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=romantasy-blog"
  >
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## __What exactly is Romantasy?__ 
  If you were just about anywhere online in 2023, you probably heard the term “Romantasy”, and wondered…what does it mean? In the simplest terms, “romantasy” is a literary category that blends the best elements of both romance and fantasy genres. Maybe you saw one of the [viral videos about Fourth Wing on #BookTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@gillianerin/video/7278565018915048747?lang=en), or saw a copy of A Court of Thorn and Roses at your local bookstore, and wondered what they were all about. You wouldn’t be alone—romantasy was one of the most popular book genres in the past year and it’s gaining more and more readers by the day. So what is it about romantasy that’s making people turn page after page? 

### __Epic Love:__ 
The characters in romantasy books traverse realms and  enemy lines for their love—it’s like regular romance, but the stakes are so much higher. And all that action creates an adrenaline filled story that’s nearly impossible to put down.  In the audiobook style story, [Wings of Winter](https://dipsea.app.link/vTkAA1JGMGb),  fae, humans, elves, and witches enter into a hunger-games style competition to return seasons back to their wintry realm. But Rowan, the son of the King, falls for a human warrior who enters the competition which makes what is already an intense story, much more high stakes. 

### __Escapism and Adventure:__ 
Sometimes a good book can feel like a great vacation, for a few minutes or a few hours, you’re whisked away from the routine of your day to day life and immersed in another world. Romantasy books, take literary escapism to the next level–readers explore worlds with supernatural creatures like fae and dragons and explore worlds completely unfamiliar from their own. In [Moonshadowe Chronicles](https://dipsea.app.link/uSSNpimHMGb), sworn enemies Fang and Lilla are forced to traverse hundreds of leagues from the Northern Kingdom to the Southern Kingdom, and along the way…fall in love. 

### __Extra Spicy Sex:__ 
  Romantasy doesn’t have to follow the rules of regular literature or even real life. Characters have supernatural strength and abilities… and all those extra abilities transfer over into the bedroom. In [Forbidden Fruit](https://dipsea.app.link/Tu9FalzHMGb), a greek myth reimagined, Hades and Persephone use magic to make their sex so much spicier–vines turn into bondage and crystals into sex toys…

It’s clear that Romantasy is here to stay. If you’re already a fan and looking for more or if you’re just looking to dip your toe into this new genre, download Dipsea to check out a wide array of series. 

<div style="width: 100%; height: 600px; margin-bottom: 20px; border-radius: 6px; overflow: hidden;"><iframe style="width: 100%; height: 600px;" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" allow="clipboard-write" seamless src="https://player.captivate.fm/show/59d229bd-fc34-4806-acf2-d2939d93e088"></iframe></div>


## __What exactly is Romantasy?__ 
  If you were just about anywhere online in 2023, you probably heard the term “Romantasy”, and wondered…what does it mean? In the simplest terms, “romantasy” is a literary category that blends the best elements of both romance and fantasy genres. Maybe you saw one of the [viral videos about Fourth Wing on #BookTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@gillianerin/video/7278565018915048747?lang=en), or saw a copy of A Court of Thorn and Roses at your local bookstore, and wondered what they were all about. You wouldn’t be alone—romantasy was one of the most popular book genres in the past year and it’s gaining more and more readers by the day. So what is it about romantasy that’s making people turn page after page? 

### __Epic Love:__ 
The characters in romantasy books traverse realms and  enemy lines for their love—it’s like regular romance, but the stakes are so much higher. And all that action creates an adrenaline filled story that’s nearly impossible to put down.  In the audiobook style story, [Wings of Winter](https://dipsea.app.link/vTkAA1JGMGb),  fae, humans, elves, and witches enter into a hunger-games style competition to return seasons back to their wintry realm. But Rowan, the son of the King, falls for a human warrior who enters the competition which makes what is already an intense story, much more high stakes. 

### __Escapism and Adventure:__ 
Sometimes a good book can feel like a great vacation, for a few minutes or a few hours, you’re whisked away from the routine of your day to day life and immersed in another world. Romantasy books, take literary escapism to the next level–readers explore worlds with supernatural creatures like fae and dragons and explore worlds completely unfamiliar from their own. In [Moonshadowe Chronicles](https://dipsea.app.link/uSSNpimHMGb), sworn enemies Fang and Lilla are forced to traverse hundreds of leagues from the Northern Kingdom to the Southern Kingdom, and along the way…fall in love. 

### __Extra Spicy Sex:__ 
  Romantasy doesn’t have to follow the rules of regular literature or even real life. Characters have supernatural strength and abilities… and all those extra abilities transfer over into the bedroom. In [Forbidden Fruit](https://dipsea.app.link/Tu9FalzHMGb), a greek myth reimagined, Hades and Persephone use magic to make their sex so much spicier–vines turn into bondage and crystals into sex toys…

It’s clear that Romantasy is here to stay. If you’re already a fan and looking for more or if you’re just looking to dip your toe into this new genre, download Dipsea to check out a wide array of series. 

<div style="width: 100%; height: 600px; margin-bottom: 20px; border-radius: 6px; overflow: hidden;"><iframe style="width: 100%; height: 600px;" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" allow="clipboard-write" seamless src="https://player.captivate.fm/show/59d229bd-fc34-4806-acf2-d2939d93e088"></iframe></div>


What Is Romantasy?

If you're looking for more or if you’re just looking to dip your toe into Romantasy, download Dipsea to check it out.

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Get the story behind the spicy story, and meet the team building the next-gen of romance.

Dipsea | Blog

<p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">Ready to hear what men written by women actually sound like? Dipsea has you covered.</p>

<p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">Dipsea is an app for Sexy Stories, Sleep Scenes, and Wellness Sessions designed to turn you on and then tuck you in. You can download Dipsea from the App Store, Google Play Store, or online at app.dipseastories.com.</p>

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It’s no secret that male authors aren’t always the most adept when it comes to writing female characters. If you’ve read almost any book written by a man, it’s pretty immediately apparent that many may have never interacted with an actual woman before. Or, if they have, it might have just been the apparition of a woman, which they themselves psychically projected. 

Should you need evidence of this strange, perplexing, and sometimes actually offensive phenomenon, the subreddit [r/menwritingwomen](https://www.reddit.com/r/menwritingwomen/) does an exceptional job of chronicling examples of men attempting to write women across multiple forms of media. Aptly given the headline, “She breasted boobily down the stairs.....” posts you’ll find on this thread run the gamut from lesser-known authors doing their best (worst?) to describe what a woman’s body looks like, to better-known authors, like Stephen King, who talks about a kindergarten-aged girl experiencing symptoms of menopause. 

Perhaps male authors have no idea how women actually move, talk, or just generally experience the world because historically, men [don’t read books written by women](https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/jul/09/why-do-so-few-men-read-books-by-women). We’re not here to make excuses for anyone, mostly because too many of the examples on r/menwritingwomen are inexcusable, but this would appear to be a pretty damning reason. 

According to The Guardian, of the top 10 bestselling female authors, just 19% of their readership are men, while 81% are women. Of the top 10 bestselling male authors, 55% are men, and 45% are women. 

Of course, the study doesn’t account for what percentage of that male readership are also authors themselves, so really their inability to realistically portray women could be for any number of reasons. Our bet is on the general misogyny that permeates much of (most of?) society, culture and has for essentially all of history. In many ways, that’s an oversimplification of the idea, but it does best get the point across. 

As a counter conversation, over on TikTok, users have begun posting under the hashtag #menwrittenbywomen. To be fair, most of the men being talked about are not fictional characters but real-life human men, who the posters believe to be so perfect they could only have been written into existence by a woman. However, the trend derived from the realization that women wrote many of the best men in film, television, and literature. 

![men-by-women](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/ba7sdYvx57nDgegULHZDr/53834c12093b481a5e6b2040d0787026/Screen_Shot_2021-07-29_at_11.45.00_AM.png)

Naturally, at Dipsea, all the men are written by women, which is just one reason why the men of Dipsea are so great. The women of Dipsea are also written by women, for what it’s worth, which might be why they come across as actual people, rather than just caricatures of what a woman might be like. 

<a href="https://player.captivate.fm/show/47ee60a7-be99-4845-8cb7-252807ff2929" class="embedly-card" data-card-width="100%" data-card-controls="0">Embedded content: https://player.captivate.fm/show/47ee60a7-be99-4845-8cb7-252807ff2929</a>

Every once in a while, we look to the real world for some good old-fashioned inspiration. We can neither confirm nor deny that any of these men will appear as characters in the Dipseaverse one day, but we can confirm that we had a great time watching these TikToks!

### I mean, it’s obvious

<blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@healingmushroom04/video/6975145486965689606" data-video-id="6975145486965689606" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;" > <section> <a target="_blank" title="@healingmushroom04" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@healingmushroom04">@healingmushroom04</a> <p>Ah <a title="fyp" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fyp">#fyp</a> <a title="foryou" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/foryou">#foryou</a> <a title="foryoupage" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/foryoupage">#foryoupage</a> <a title="menwrittenbywomen" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/menwrittenbywomen">#menwrittenbywomen</a> <a title="benbarnes" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/benbarnes">#benbarnes</a> <a title="colinfirth" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/colinfirth">#colinfirth</a> <a title="newt" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/newt">#newt</a> <a title="harrystyles" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/harrystyles">#harrystyles</a> <a title="andrewgarfield" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/andrewgarfield">#andrewgarfield</a> <a title="greenscreen" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/greenscreen">#greenscreen</a></p> <a target="_blank" title="♬ Bills, Bills, Bills - Destiny's Child" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/Bills-Bills-Bills-222597111081832449">♬ Bills, Bills, Bills - Destiny's Child</a> </section> </blockquote> <script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>

### The energy we need 

<blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@cringeykelly/video/6944005382327094533" data-video-id="6944005382327094533" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;" > <section> <a target="_blank" title="@cringeykelly" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@cringeykelly">@cringeykelly</a> <p>they’re just so much better <a title="menwrittenbywomen" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/menwrittenbywomen">#menwrittenbywomen</a> <a title="mybacksachingmybrastootight" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/mybacksachingmybrastootight">#mybacksachingmybrastootight</a> <a title="myhipsareshakingfromlefttoright" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/myhipsareshakingfromlefttoright">#myhipsareshakingfromlefttoright</a> <a title="fictionalmenarebetter" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fictionalmenarebetter">#fictionalmenarebetter</a></p> <a target="_blank" title="♬ the real sorority check - elizabeth the first" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/the-real-sorority-check-6737698700086233861">♬ the real sorority check - elizabeth the first</a> </section> </blockquote> <script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>

### For your consideration

<blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@dipseastories/video/6983009837789629702" data-video-id="6983009837789629702" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;" > <section> <a target="_blank" title="@dipseastories" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@dipseastories">@dipseastories</a> <p>Dipsea, where all men are written by women 😘 <a title="dipseastories" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/dipseastories">#DipseaStories</a> <a title="menwrittenbywomen" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/menwrittenbywomen">#menwrittenbywomen</a> <a title="forwomenbywomen" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/forwomenbywomen">#forwomenbywomen</a> <a title="femalewriters" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/femalewriters">#femalewriters</a> <a title="malecharacters" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/malecharacters">#malecharacters</a></p> <a target="_blank" title="♬ loverboy - <3" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/loverboy-6937758895574141702">♬ loverboy - <3</a> </section> </blockquote> <script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>

Want a few shining examples of what it looks like when men and women are both written as fully realized, sensual characters with agency? Check them out above! 

  <div style="max-width: 41.25em; margin: 0 auto">
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row">

<div style="text-align: center; margin: 0 10px 0 0">
  <a target="_blank" href="https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/on-the-apps">
    <img src="//images.contentful.com/03of3q5qzesq/2ebxEGrODZph41PqNMP1IJ/fc2ae0b5569fb5827594290359ede194/329_OnTheApps_JosephineRais.png?h=250" />
    <p style="text-align: center;">On the Apps I</p>
  </a>
</div>

<div style="text-align: center; margin: 0 0 0 10px">
  <a target="_blank" href="https://app.dipseastories.com/stories/wild-hearts-i">
    <img src="//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/uKUgJ2jViYBbPf0TOBUyi/d8679a95ce52a3c2b153068f6657e48c/473_OffSeasonI_SarahAliceRabbit.png?h=250" />
    <p style="text-align: center;">Wild Hearts I</p>
  </a>
</div>

</div>
</div>

<br /><br />


It’s no secret that male authors aren’t always the most adept when it comes to writing female characters. If you’ve read almost any book written by a man, it’s pretty immediately apparent that many may have never interacted with an actual woman before. Or, if they have, it might have just been the apparition of a woman, which they themselves psychically projected. 

Should you need evidence of this strange, perplexing, and sometimes actually offensive phenomenon, the subreddit [r/menwritingwomen](https://www.reddit.com/r/menwritingwomen/) does an exceptional job of chronicling examples of men attempting to write women across multiple forms of media. Aptly given the headline, “She breasted boobily down the stairs.....” posts you’ll find on this thread run the gamut from lesser-known authors doing their best (worst?) to describe what a woman’s body looks like, to better-known authors, like Stephen King, who talks about a kindergarten-aged girl experiencing symptoms of menopause. 

Perhaps male authors have no idea how women actually move, talk, or just generally experience the world because historically, men [don’t read books written by women](https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/jul/09/why-do-so-few-men-read-books-by-women). We’re not here to make excuses for anyone, mostly because too many of the examples on r/menwritingwomen are inexcusable, but this would appear to be a pretty damning reason. 

According to The Guardian, of the top 10 bestselling female authors, just 19% of their readership are men, while 81% are women. Of the top 10 bestselling male authors, 55% are men, and 45% are women. 

Of course, the study doesn’t account for what percentage of that male readership are also authors themselves, so really their inability to realistically portray women could be for any number of reasons. Our bet is on the general misogyny that permeates much of (most of?) society, culture and has for essentially all of history. In many ways, that’s an oversimplification of the idea, but it does best get the point across. 

As a counter conversation, over on TikTok, users have begun posting under the hashtag #menwrittenbywomen. To be fair, most of the men being talked about are not fictional characters but real-life human men, who the posters believe to be so perfect they could only have been written into existence by a woman. However, the trend derived from the realization that women wrote many of the best men in film, television, and literature. 

![men-by-women](//images.ctfassets.net/03of3q5qzesq/ba7sdYvx57nDgegULHZDr/53834c12093b481a5e6b2040d0787026/Screen_Shot_2021-07-29_at_11.45.00_AM.png)

Naturally, at Dipsea, all the men are written by women, which is just one reason why the men of Dipsea are so great. The women of Dipsea are also written by women, for what it’s worth, which might be why they come across as actual people, rather than just caricatures of what a woman might be like. 

<div style="width: 100%; height: 600px; margin-bottom: 20px; border-radius: 6px; overflow: hidden;"><iframe style="width: 100%; height: 600px;" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" allow="clipboard-write" seamless src="https://player.captivate.fm/show/47ee60a7-be99-4845-8cb7-252807ff2929"></iframe></div>

Every once in a while, we look to the real world for some good old-fashioned inspiration. We can neither confirm nor deny that any of these men will appear as characters in the Dipseaverse one day, but we can confirm that we had a great time watching these TikToks!

### I mean, it’s obvious

<blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@healingmushroom04/video/6975145486965689606" data-video-id="6975145486965689606" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;" > <section> <a target="_blank" title="@healingmushroom04" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@healingmushroom04">@healingmushroom04</a> <p>Ah <a title="fyp" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fyp">#fyp</a> <a title="foryou" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/foryou">#foryou</a> <a title="foryoupage" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/foryoupage">#foryoupage</a> <a title="menwrittenbywomen" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/menwrittenbywomen">#menwrittenbywomen</a> <a title="benbarnes" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/benbarnes">#benbarnes</a> <a title="colinfirth" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/colinfirth">#colinfirth</a> <a title="newt" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/newt">#newt</a> <a title="harrystyles" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/harrystyles">#harrystyles</a> <a title="andrewgarfield" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/andrewgarfield">#andrewgarfield</a> <a title="greenscreen" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/greenscreen">#greenscreen</a></p> <a target="_blank" title="♬ Bills, Bills, Bills - Destiny's Child" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/Bills-Bills-Bills-222597111081832449">♬ Bills, Bills, Bills - Destiny's Child</a> </section> </blockquote> <script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>

### The energy we need 

<blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@cringeykelly/video/6944005382327094533" data-video-id="6944005382327094533" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;" > <section> <a target="_blank" title="@cringeykelly" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@cringeykelly">@cringeykelly</a> <p>they’re just so much better <a title="menwrittenbywomen" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/menwrittenbywomen">#menwrittenbywomen</a> <a title="mybacksachingmybrastootight" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/mybacksachingmybrastootight">#mybacksachingmybrastootight</a> <a title="myhipsareshakingfromlefttoright" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/myhipsareshakingfromlefttoright">#myhipsareshakingfromlefttoright</a> <a title="fictionalmenarebetter" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fictionalmenarebetter">#fictionalmenarebetter</a></p> <a target="_blank" title="♬ the real sorority check - elizabeth the first" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/the-real-sorority-check-6737698700086233861">♬ the real sorority check - elizabeth the first</a> </section> </blockquote> <script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>

### For your consideration

<blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@dipseastories/video/6983009837789629702" data-video-id="6983009837789629702" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;" > <section> <a target="_blank" title="@dipseastories" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@dipseastories">@dipseastories</a> <p>Dipsea, where all men are written by women 😘 <a title="dipseastories" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/dipseastories">#DipseaStories</a> <a title="menwrittenbywomen" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/menwrittenbywomen">#menwrittenbywomen</a> <a title="forwomenbywomen" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/forwomenbywomen">#forwomenbywomen</a> <a title="femalewriters" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/femalewriters">#femalewriters</a> <a title="malecharacters" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/malecharacters">#malecharacters</a></p> <a target="_blank" title="♬ loverboy - <3" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/loverboy-6937758895574141702">♬ loverboy - <3</a> </section> </blockquote> <script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>

Want a few shining examples of what it looks like when men and women are both written as fully realized, sensual characters with agency? Check them out above!


Fictional Men Podcast Cover Art

Men written by women

Ready to hear what men written by women actually sound like? Dipsea has you covered.

<p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">Whether you’re sapphic, or just sapphic curious, there’s so much romance and erotica for you to explore. Start a free trial to check out sapphic stories on Dipsea. 
</p>

<p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">Dipsea is an app for Sexy Stories, Sleep Scenes, and Wellness Sessions designed to turn you on and then tuck you in. You can download Dipsea from the App Store, Google Play Store, or online at app.dipseastories.com.</p>

<div class="blog-cta-centered">
  <a
    class="blog-cta-purple-pill"
    href="https://app.dipseastories.com/?utm_source=web&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=sapphic-blog"
  >
    Try Dipsea Free
  </a>
</div>

## What does “Sapphic Mean” 

According to the dictionary, the word “Sapphic” originates from the Greek goddess Sappho, who lived on The Isle of Lesbos. In the nineteen fifties, “sapphic” began being used to describe women who were into women. And today it’s taken on a more expansive meaning, referring to attraction between women, whether they identify as lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, non-binary or queer. Although the mythological Sappho lived long ago, some of her tradition still lives on through erotica written about women who love women. 

You might not be able to visit an island full of sensual sapphics, but you can certainly read stories that transport you to worlds full of queer fantasy. 

At Dipsea, we make all kinds of queer erotica, here’s a few of our favorite Sapphic Stories:  

__[Goddess of the Hunt](https://dipsea.app.link/27FolvJJMGb):__  
This series reimagines the Greek myth of Artemis and Callisto, but instead of having their love be cursed, it gets to bloom in full. There’s woman warriors, mortal peril, and some very very spicy sapphic scenes. 

__[The Ticket](https://dipsea.app.link/J755uG1JMGb):__  
Looking for an escape, but not into fantasy? The Ticket is like taking a very sexy vacation without ever leaving home. In this series, Juliette, a wealthy and mysterious woman, whisks the protagonist away on adventures where they have high stakes sex, often in public. 

__[Office Hours](https://dipsea.app.link/ECHAr38JMGb):__  
This series is all about an off limits relationship between a professor and and her former student. It’s an intense and romantic, and so erotically charged 

__[Moonshadowe Chronicles](https://dipsea.app.link/llt1CCdKMGb):__  
This series was made for the romantasy booktok girls, for the fans of ACOTAR, and Fourth Wing…it’s got fae, magic, and so much enemies to lovers action. It’s the story of a woman warrior and princess traveling through a dangerous realm together, who over the course of their journey, fall in love. 

Whether you’re sapphic, or just sapphic curious, there’s so much romance and erotica for you to explore. 

<div style="width: 100%; height: 600px; margin-bottom: 20px; border-radius: 6px; overflow: hidden;"><iframe style="width: 100%; height: 600px;" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" allow="clipboard-write" seamless src="https://player.captivate.fm/show/407d0dcb-7e6b-4c8a-acfc-69cedfdf712e"></iframe></div>

## What does “Sapphic Mean” 

According to the dictionary, the word “Sapphic” originates from the Greek goddess Sappho, who lived on The Isle of Lesbos. In the nineteen fifties, “sapphic” began being used to describe women who were into women. And today it’s taken on a more expansive meaning, referring to attraction between women, whether they identify as lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, non-binary or queer. Although the mythological Sappho lived long ago, some of her tradition still lives on through erotica written about women who love women. 

You might not be able to visit an island full of sensual sapphics, but you can certainly read stories that transport you to worlds full of queer fantasy. 

At Dipsea, we make all kinds of queer erotica, here’s a few of our favorite Sapphic Stories:  

__[Goddess of the Hunt](https://dipsea.app.link/27FolvJJMGb):__  
This series reimagines the Greek myth of Artemis and Callisto, but instead of having their love be cursed, it gets to bloom in full. There’s woman warriors, mortal peril, and some very very spicy sapphic scenes. 

__[The Ticket](https://dipsea.app.link/J755uG1JMGb):__  
Looking for an escape, but not into fantasy? The Ticket is like taking a very sexy vacation without ever leaving home. In this series, Juliette, a wealthy and mysterious woman, whisks the protagonist away on adventures where they have high stakes sex, often in public. 

__[Office Hours](https://dipsea.app.link/ECHAr38JMGb):__  
This series is all about an off limits relationship between a professor and and her former student. It’s an intense and romantic, and so erotically charged 

__[Moonshadowe Chronicles](https://dipsea.app.link/llt1CCdKMGb):__  
This series was made for the romantasy booktok girls, for the fans of ACOTAR, and Fourth Wing…it’s got fae, magic, and so much enemies to lovers action. It’s the story of a woman warrior and princess traveling through a dangerous realm together, who over the course of their journey, fall in love. 

Whether you’re sapphic, or just sapphic curious, there’s so much romance and erotica for you to explore. 

<div style="width: 100%; height: 600px; margin-bottom: 20px; border-radius: 6px; overflow: hidden;"><iframe style="width: 100%; height: 600px;" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" allow="clipboard-write" seamless src="https://player.captivate.fm/show/407d0dcb-7e6b-4c8a-acfc-69cedfdf712e"></iframe></div>

Sapphic Blog Art

Sapphic Erotica: Women Loving Women Fantasy and Romance

Whether you’re sapphic, or just sapphic curious, there’s so much romance and erotica for you to explore. Start a free trial to check out sapphic stories on Dipsea.

## Frequently Asked Questions

---

### __What is Dipsea?__

Dipsea is the app for spicy audiobooks and more, featuring your favorite tropes and irresistible characters. Crafted by a team of professional writers and top-tier narrators, it’s next-gen romance created by and for women.

You can download Dipsea in the App Store, Google Play Store, or browse audiobooks [here](https://www.dipseastories.com/discover/). 

### __What can I listen to with a free trial?__

You’ll get access to the entire Dipsea library when you sign up for a free trial. Choose an annual or monthly subscription and explore 1000+ spicy audiobooks, romance novels, sleep scenes, and steamy sounds. 

### __How often is there new content?__

New content is released each week and with thousands of stories to explore, there’s plenty to discover.

### __Who are the people behind the app?__

We're a women-led team of writers, producers, and engineers who are obsessed with making the very best audio romance. Every story on Dipsea has been created by us. And we partner with an incredible network of narrators to guarantee the quality of every single story.

### __What makes Dipsea different?__

We like to think of Dipsea as HBO for your ears. It isn’t just your average romance audiobook—it’s like the juiciest scenes from your favorite spicy story, but better… Crafted with care by our team of professional writers, voice actors, and audio producers, each story in our library is a high-quality, immersive sonic experience. And because our content is created by women, the female gaze is always front and center.

### __Can I work for Dipsea?__ 

We’re only as great as the people we work with, and we’d love to meet you. Check out the current opportunities for working with us:

- [Work with us](https://angel.co/dipsea/jobs)
- [Voice act for us](https://www.dipseastories.com/voice/)  


Read the FAQs to find out what Dipsea is and learn more about the team behind it.

Dipsea FAQ

FAQ-v2

Ready to explore a new side of yourself? That's what Dipsea is for. 

Your all-access pass to the creative inspiration behind your favorite Dipsea stories, books, and characters. From first drafts to final chapters, tropes and archetypes, get the story behind the spicy story, and meet the team building the next-gen of romance.

The Dipsea Blog

What is Dark Romance? Tropes, trigger warnings, and book recs

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