What your fave smut genre says about you

Don’t make me pick, darlings, it’s too difficult. One minute I’m craving a morally grey man who rips seams and ties knots faster than you can say, ‘Don’t stop’. Next I want to imagine writhing under the touch of a fae queen and her many, many courtiers. But that’s me: fickle and feral. 

I know some of you just can’t get enough of that one spicy genre, and I love a little literary analysis. I'm the Sherlock of smut. So, if you’ve ever wondered what your favourite smut genre says about you, here’s my unbridled and unhinged takes. (All done in good faith and fun–take what you love and leave anything you don’t.)

You devour dark romance

Serene, sunny, and a little reserved might be how acquaintances describe you. But what lies beneath the surface is something else entirely. You need your love stories intense and a little (or a lot) unhinged. You’re deeply self-aware, emotionally curious and have no fear exploring the messier corners of desire. You need elite tension with morally grey characters that have you fantasising about safe words. Might be heard saying, ‘It’s the psychological complexity,’ and meaning it (mostly).

You’re relentless for romantasy

It’s more of a vital need than a preference, because you’re straight-up allergic to boredom. You need everything, all at once: epic personal stakes, political strategy, magical abilities and, obviously, an enemies-to-lovers arc. But you’re an escapist with standards–the payoff has to be devastating, and back-archingly delicious. While you flirt with chaos (because how else are you going to meet your morally complex fae lover?) you also feel deeply, falling hard for chosen family. Throw in an ancient prophecy and your fate is sealed.

You sweat for sports romance

The only goal you’ve been near recently is your monthly KPIs. But that’s exactly why you get fired up by physicality. By day, you’re the picture of professionalism, poised and high-performing. By night, you’re set free with fantasies of filthy banter and physical face-offs creating enough sexual tension to power a small city (or your favourite vibe). You’re drawn to confidence, discipline and people who work hard, but also unleash themselves in the hottest possible way. Locker room scenes live rent-free in your mind.

You’re gripped by gothic romance

If you’re not regularly on stage, you should be. You live for drama and atmosphere, even when danger creeps in alongside. You’re introspective and romantic. You can see why ‘light and breezy’ appeals, but it doesn’t light a fire in you the same way that longing, secrets and forbidden desire does. If the emotional intensity isn’t so thick it can’t be cut by a ceremonial dagger in a crumbling, haunted estate, you don’t want it. 

You’re swept away by small-town romance

A grounded romantic with a soft side and high emotional standards. Being fully known makes you weaker than any BDSM scene could. The idea of someone remembering your coffee order, clocking your mood before you do or meddling in your love life with suspicious enthusiasm? It’s over (and over, and over…) You might get drawn in by the cosy settings and found family tropes, but it’s the shared history and slow burn that really gets you hooked. When the chemistry peaks and the walls finally come down, it’s so good you forget your own hometown.

You never DNF new adult

Who needs screens when you’ve got a photoreal imagination? As a pro daydreamer with no trouble revisiting your favourite scenes (written or lived), nostalgia is the best escapism. Maybe you’re quick to pressure yourself to do more and do better, but there’s something healing and hot about people figuring themselves out for the first time. You believe growth is messy and bad decisions are the best part of a great narrative arc. The ache, the hope and the gentle chaos of becoming who you are gets you every time.

‍

If you're newly smut-curious and want a tease for what each genre offers, read my guide to smut genres, tropes and terms.