Why Does YA Need Spice Anyway? The argument against explicit content in young adult books with guest host, ReadingRosy episode artwork

EPISODE · Jul 28, 2026 · 1H 1M

Why Does YA Need Spice Anyway? The argument against explicit content in young adult books with guest host, ReadingRosy

from The Clean Romance Podcast · host The Clean Romance Podcast

Why is there spice in YA books? Has young adult fiction changed over the years, and… who is the YA category really for anyway?In this episode, we’re discussing the rise of explicit content in young adult books, how BookTok and publishing trends have influenced the genre, and the debate surrounding books for teens. We also explore why some books are removed from school libraries and how parents can help protect their kids from explicit content.Whether you’re a reader, parent, teacher, librarian, or author, this conversation dives into one of the biggest debates in publishing today.Many thanks to our clean young adult book sponsor this week: Love, Sax and All That Jazz by Amy C. Shaw! Check out this rivalry to love story between two high school saxophone players here: https://amzn.to/4fBWJmuDon’t forget to follow Rosie on Instagram, where she features closed door/no-spice and clean books here: https://www.instagram.com/reading.rosy/And while you’re there, follow The Clean Romance Podcast on IG too: https://www.instagram.com/thecleanromancepodcast/Links & info from this week’s episode:Guess the tropes game, books featured:The Enemies' Island by Jessica King: https://amzn.to/4vVQccuPack of Dawn and Destiny by KM Shea: https://amzn.to/4xbwVopFirst Love, Second Draft by Becca Kinzer: https://amzn.to/4fBXITINo Match Found by Martha Keyes: https://amzn.to/4fEHF7qBookmarked for Love by Sarah Monzon: https://amzn.to/3TnH0jnHow Smut Affects Your Brain: https://youtu.be/_xOBxUV7ZXg?si=NiLwo7Je79r_inJE“Falling for You” by Becky Wade: https://amzn.to/4yGra3oResources for finding Young Adult books with NO explicit content:Closed Door Romance database (with detailed content guides): https://closeddoorromance.com/database-preview/https://www.romance.io/No Spice YA Fantasty Database with detailed spice rating system: https://authorbrittanywang.wixsite.com/nospiceyafantasyCommon Sense Media: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/Good Pictures Bad Pictures, Jr (ages 3-6): https://amzn.to/4fBWuI6Good Pictures Bad Pictures (ages 6+): https://amzn.to/4fGQFZWThis week’s clean YA book recommendations:Brittany Wang, On the Wings of Dust and Ash (fantasy): https://amzn.to/4vQ1xKUFlameheart by Dalton and Emily Bequette (fantasy): https://amzn.to/4vQ1xKUOlivia McCarthy, Reach (sci-fi/dystopian): https://amzn.to/3RZ1DlBMy Refuge and My Way by Ashley Al Saliby (contemporary Christian, international setting): https://amzn.to/4yJrb6IKasie West, By Your Side (contemporary romance): https://amzn.to/4hAi564Sarah Sutton (contemporary romance): https://amzn.to/4bAi12LJoin the conversation on your favorite social channel!Instagram YoutubeTikTokCheck out our website: www.thecleanromancepodcast.com to learn more about Tiffany and Sarah and for links to all the five star reads!To find out more about Tiffany and Sarah’s books, check them out here:Tiffany’s books can be found here: AmazonSnag a free book by Tiffany at www.tiffanynoellechacon.comSarah’s books can be found here: Amazon Check out freebies from Sarah at www.sarahhickner.comThank you to RCC Music for letting us use your song! If you love Christian music, you will LOVE RCC Music. Check them out on ...

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Why is there spice in YA books? Has young adult fiction changed over the years, and… who is the YA category really for anyway? In this episode, we’re discussing the rise of explicit content in young adult books, how BookTok and publishing trends have influenced the genre, and the debate surrounding books for teens. We also explore why some books are removed from school libraries and how parents can help protect their kids from explicit content. Whether you’re a reader, parent, teacher, librar...

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Why Does YA Need Spice Anyway? The argument against explicit content in young adult books with guest host, ReadingRosy

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