LONDONERS CAN GET FREE DECOY BOOK COVERS TO HIDE THEIR SPICY READS, AS OVER HALF ADMIT TO FEELING EMBARRASED

New research reveals that almost one in four (23%) avoid reading their spicy novels in the open over fears of judgemental glances from strangers, with almost half (48%) admitting they feel stigma over it. Despite the nation’s obsession with romantasy novels being hotter than ever, with the category dominating the inaugural #BookTok Bestseller List, 59% of Brits feel people can be dismissive about romantasy as ‘serious’ reading.

As a result, the nation’s favourite genre is still being kept under wraps, with 27% of readers skipping or skimming a romance scene and 3 in 10 (29%) even admitting to abandoning a book over fear of judgement.

The new research also uncovers the rise of ‘performative culture’, with over half (51%) confessing they’d feel more confident holding a classic novel compared to a steamy romance on a train, while 1 in 5 (21%) admit they’ve chosen a book to look more interesting or intelligent during a journey.

Despite the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover”, Trainline’s findings show that in fact we do, with a third (33%) admitting they make assumptions based on what someone is reading. To help Brits read judgement-free this summer, Trainline has launched a series of decoy book covers to disguise guilty-pleasure reads. The aim is to empower travellers to enjoy their favourite spicy stories without the side-eye, helping travellers feel more in control and confident on every journey.

The free, limited-edition covers will be available at select WHSmith stores in stations across the UK and will also be available to download from Trainline’s website. Featuring titles like ‘Dense Classics For The Performative Reader’ by Hugo Vaine, ‘Beige: A History’ by Alotta Light-Brown, and ‘Perfecting Paint Drying’ by Paige Turner-Smythe, each ‘disguise’ is designed to keep fiery fairy affairs under wraps – transforming swoon-worthy reads into seemingly mundane cover reads.

Trainline has teamed up with the internet’s resident librarian, Jack Edwards, to unveil the new collection of covers. Known for championing books online, he is encouraging the nation to embrace their train reading choices without judgement this summer.

Jack Edwards comments: “Reading can help you explore new worlds or learn more about our own. So, whether you’re reading a historical drama, a sizzling memoir, or a spicy romance, don’t let anything get in your way. I’m teaming up with Trainline on a mission to challenge preconceptions and let people read whatever what they enjoy, because that’s what reading is all about!”

Nat Marques, Head of Creative Innovation at Trainline, said: “From the daily commute to weekend adventures and holiday escapes, reading on the train is a ritual for so many of us, with our research showing a quarter of readers (24%) saying train travel is their preferred time for reading. Across the summer months alone, we predict travellers will spend nearly 15,000 hours reading on trains – averaging 41 minutes per journey. At Trainline, we’re focused on giving passengers more confidence and control over how they spend their time onboard. That’s why we’re excited to launch our new covers with Jack, helping everyone enjoy their journeys, their way.”

Trainline’s new book covers are available for free from 20th May until stocks last at select WHSmith stores across the nation, and to download here: https://www.thetrainline.com/information/press/cover-stories