Relationships
“All is fair in love and war.” – John Lyly
The Epic of Gilgamesh: Humanity’s oldest story is a bromance
The tale of Gilgamesh is the oldest written story. At its core its a bromance that humbles and humanises its main character.
The Epic of Gilgamesh: Humanity’s oldest story is a bromance
The tale of Gilgamesh is the oldest written story. At its core its a bromance that humbles and humanises its main character.
My Illustrated Mum
How one Jacqueline WIlson book taught me my Mum was more than ‘mental’ and why we should treat the ‘maddened mother’ trope with more nuance. "What is a Bitch?" I asked. I sat cross-legged on my floor, nestled between my Sylvanian families, balancing Mr Hedgehog on my...
Are ‘book boyfriends’ turning us hopeless romantics into toxic women?
In a world where social media is adding to the countless romance titles on our ‘to be read’ lists, are our favourite book men setting the bar too high when it comes to our standards?
My Illustrated Mum
How one Jacqueline WIlson book taught me my Mum was more than ‘mental’ and why we should treat the ‘maddened mother’ trope with more nuance. "What is a Bitch?" I asked. I sat...
Are ‘book boyfriends’ turning us hopeless romantics into toxic women?
In a world where social media is adding to the countless romance titles on our ‘to be read’ lists, are our favourite book men setting the bar too high when it comes to our standards?
love is in the air (or is it?)
love is in the air (or is it?)
Cyber love: Romance novels in the digital era
From sliding into someone’s to DMs to swiping right on a dating profile, the digital era has changed how romance blossoms – in both the digital and real world.
Age gap relationships: Are they ever acceptable?
Two young women speak up about their experiences navigating age-gap relationships and how fiction strongly influenced their romantic ideals. It was a cool November when Hana Ong, 21, walked into her classroom at Hiroshima University. It was the first day of a new...
Rank these 10 romance tropes from best to worst
We’re asking you to rank these 10 romance tropes from your favourites to the ones you just can’t bear.
QUIZ: 50 Shades of Cringe (and downright concerning)
Big fans of 50 Shades of Grey? Yeah, neither are we. But that doesn’t mean we can’t find at least some entertainment in it. From creepy come-ons to “Did he really just say that?’, here’s a list of 10 squirm-inducing quotes for you to rank in order of cringe factor.
Teacher-student relationships: Why this trope needs to stop
In fiction, these taboo, secretive relationships can make for an exciting read. In real life, however, these romances are pretty unethical (and obviously illegal if the student is underage).
What is Dark Romance? And five books to get you started
Whether you’re wondering what on earth Dark Romance is or you don’t know where to start reading it, BLOT’s got you covered.
Five books to read when you’re feeling ‘spicy’
How hot do you like your books? Are you looking for a new sexy romance novel to read? Well look no further. These are BLOT’s top five books to read when you’re feeling spicy that are sure to satisfy your needs - and you’ll be pleased to hear none of them are 50 Shades...
Five LGBTQ+ love stories to read (that aren’t tragic)
Tired of reading LGBTQ books which always end tragically? Fear not as BLOT has put together this list of gay fiction that won’t leave you feeling so depressed.
Toxic Tropes: Should bad boys be banned?
From enemies to lovers to “I can change him”: Are romance tropes warping our idea of love?
‘It Ends With Us’ is being made into a movie, but why is it controversial?
It Ends With Us has outsold the Bible and is now being made into a movie. But if it’s so successful, why has it caused so much controversy?
The five most iconic love triangles in literature
It’s a trope which has stood the test of time, but which five love triangles are the most iconic, and who would you choose?
Age gap relationships: Are they ever acceptable?
Two young women speak up about their experiences navigating age-gap relationships and how fiction strongly influenced their romantic ideals. It was a cool November when Hana Ong, 21, walked into her classroom at Hiroshima University. It was the first day of a new...
Rank these 10 romance tropes from best to worst
We’re asking you to rank these 10 romance tropes from your favourites to the ones you just can’t bear.
Teacher-student relationships: Why this trope needs to stop
In fiction, these taboo, secretive relationships can make for an exciting read. In real life, however, these romances are pretty unethical (and obviously illegal if the student is underage).
QUIZ: 50 Shades of Cringe (and downright concerning)
Big fans of 50 Shades of Grey? Yeah, neither are we. But that doesn’t mean we can’t find at least some entertainment in it. From creepy come-ons to “Did he really just say that?’, here’s a list of 10 squirm-inducing quotes for you to rank in order of cringe factor.
What is Dark Romance? And five books to get you started
Whether you’re wondering what on earth Dark Romance is or you don’t know where to start reading it, BLOT’s got you covered.
Five books to read when you’re feeling ‘spicy’
How hot do you like your books? Are you looking for a new sexy romance novel to read? Well look no further. These are BLOT’s top five books to read when you’re feeling spicy that are sure to satisfy your needs - and you’ll be pleased to hear none of them are 50 Shades...
Toxic Tropes: Should bad boys be banned?
From enemies to lovers to “I can change him”: Are romance tropes warping our idea of love?
‘It Ends With Us’ is being made into a movie, but why is it controversial?
It Ends With Us has outsold the Bible and is now being made into a movie. But if it’s so successful, why has it caused so much controversy?
