A groundbreaking new podcast, Zipless, set to launch on January 7, 2025, is offering a fresh perspective on the world of romance novels and audiobooks. Hosted by Allie Martina, a professional narrator of romance novels, and Jill Ruby, an award-winning podcast producer, Zipless delves into the sounds, stories, and emotions behind the beloved genre.
Available on all major podcast platforms such as Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible, and iHeart, Zipless aims to explore the nuanced art of romance storytelling. The podcast will examine everything from the allure of forbidden love to the power of the spoken word, as well as how audiobooks breathe life into the pages of these captivating tales.
Romance novels have long been a source of fascination for readers, particularly women. While once considered a taboo or secretive hobby, the genre has exploded in popularity in recent decades. Romance novels now account for nearly a quarter of all adult print fiction sold in the United States, with six of the top ten best-selling authors in 2025 falling under this category. Romance also represents more than 10 percent of audiobook sales and continues to be one of the fastest-growing genres in the audiobook market.
So, what is it about the genre that continues to captivate audiences? Zipless seeks to answer this question and more. The podcast explores the enduring appeal of classic tropes like age gaps, love triangles, and steamy love scenes, examining whether romance novels provide an escape into the lives women wish for or reflect the realities they already know. With the rise of audiobooks, the podcast also investigates the impact of narration, tone, and delivery—especially when it comes to the deeper male voices that can make romantic scenes all the more immersive.
Allie Martina, who hosts the show, will be joined by a variety of bestselling romance authors, including Evie Dunmore, Sara Cate, Sierra Simone, Stephanie Archer, and Xio Axelrod. Together, they will discuss how the genre mirrors and influences women’s experiences both on the page and in real life.
In addition to author interviews, the podcast also features professional romance novel narrator Gideon Frost, who will join Martina in unique scenarios where the performance and delivery of a romantic passage are explored. Through these in-depth discussions, listeners will gain an understanding of how a simple turn of phrase or a well-timed pause can elevate the emotional power of a scene.
With new episodes released every other week, Zipless promises to be an engaging and thought-provoking listen for romance fans. Whether you’re an avid reader of romance or a newcomer to the genre, the podcast will provide a fresh, insightful perspective on how these stories touch hearts and minds, both on and off the page.
Zipless is set to premiere in early January 2025, and fans can subscribe now to hear the first episode and beyond.
