ROMANCE OR DEPRAVITY: TRACKING ADOLESCENT RECEPTION OF DARK ROMANCE IN THE AGE OF BOOKTOK

Genesis Velazquez Atienza

Co-Presenters: Individual Presentation

College: College of Liberal Arts

Major: BA.ENG/TCHRED/TSD

Faculty Research Mentor: Samina Ali

Abstract:

Through BookTok’s celebration and aestheticization of dark romance novels such as H.D. Carlton’s Haunting Adeline, rape and violence are increasingly romanticized in the eyes of adolescent female readers. Children as young as seven are exposed to horror erotica without foundational education on relationships and consent, raising serious concerns about their psychological development and internalized gender expectations. This research conducts a textual analysis of Haunting Adeline, focusing on themes of interpersonal violence, blurred consent, and trauma. In parallel, a qualitative digital content analysis of BookTok videos and comment sections reveals how these themes are echoed, amplified, and normalized in online adolescent discourse. By comparing literary tropes with user-generated content, this study identifies a pattern of confluent love disguised as romantic love, layered with post-feminist ideals and psychological consequences. The findings indicate that romantic narratives continue to grapple with societal lessons about consent, power, and healthy emotional intimacy, often privileging patriarchal dominance and desire over mutual connection. These results underscore the urgent need for media literacy and consent education, particularly for adolescent girls, to foster critical engagement with popular media and mitigate the internalization of harmful romantic ideologies.