Why do so many romance novels not touch on contraception, consent, or STI status in their pages? Why are erotica authors calling including safe sex practices in their books "propaganda"? And which romance novel that was dubbed a "modern classic" goes super STI-negative? This week, Mackenzie and Lily are joined by cultural commentator and writer Ella Dawson to talk all things consent and condoms (and more).

Major episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (2:05), Introduction to Main Topic (3:23), Introduction to Ella Dawson (6:48),  Question About How Ella Got Started Writing as a Cultural Commentator (8:53), Question About Why We're So Fearful as a Society of Discussing Safer Sex Practices (13:47), Questions about STI Misconception and Destigmatizing Talking About STI Status (19:21), Question About Ella's Work Writing Romance and Erotica (24:40), Questions About How Ella's Thoughts Have Shifted on Writing STIs in Romance Over the Years (27:52), Question About How Consent Comes Up in Romance Novels in a Post-#MeToo World (30:11), Question About Books That Have Good Representation for Safe Sex (39:48), Discussion of Books With Problematic STI Mentions (46:03), Question About Ella's Romance Novel and Other Erotica Work (56:04), Question About Where to Find Ella's Work Online (59:07), Conclusion (1:00:30).

You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.

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Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.

Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com).