Toronto-based romance writer Lily Chu enhances her storytelling by having her computer read her manuscripts out loud while she engages in daily activities, aiming to create an immersive experience for her audience. Chu, known for releasing her novels as audiobooks before print publication, tailors her writing for multitasking listeners, a growing demographic as per a recent study by BookNet Canada.
During the pandemic in 2020, Chu penned her debut novel, “The Stand-In,” a romantic comedy about a biracial Canadian woman mistaken for a famous Chinese actress. The success of this book led to a partnership with Audible, resulting in the audio-first release of her subsequent works, such as her latest novel, “Just Kiss Already.”
The romance genre, fueled by the pandemic and a desire for escapism, is witnessing a surge in audio-first strategies. Audible reports that romance is a rapidly growing genre on its platform, with a significant portion of Canadian listeners favoring it. The preference for audiobooks has doubled from eight to sixteen percent between 2020 and 2025, with romance ranking as the fourth most popular audiobook genre.
Amanda Cupido, an industry expert, attributes this growth to the pandemic’s impact on seeking connections and the intimate nature of audio storytelling. Romance, characterized by hopeful narratives and guaranteed happy endings, provides listeners with a gratifying experience of emotional journeys culminating in resolution.
Canadian romance audiobook narrator Angelina Rocca highlights the role of skilled narrators in creating a cinematic experience through sound effects and vocal nuances that prioritize women’s perspectives and pleasure. Audible emphasizes the importance of narrator intimacy in deepening emotional connections with characters, enhancing the genre’s appeal.
Despite historical stigmas, the romance genre’s rising popularity and the privacy afforded by immersive audio formats are changing perceptions. Sarah Wendell, co-founder of Smart Bitches, Trashy Books, emphasizes the genre’s empowering nature and the ability of audio formats to offer a personal exploration of sensuality. Subscription apps like Quinn and Dipsea are providing diverse options for listeners to engage with romance and erotica content at their own pace and preferences.
