Jen Trinh on Grumpy Heroines, Authentic Storytelling, and Flaws That Make Us Relatable Artwork

We Read Smut: Bookish Conversations for Romance Readers

Finally, a home for the spice you love and the representation you deserve. We Read Smut, hosted by Alesia, builds a judgment-free zone for readers who crave spicy plots and substance. We celebrate high-heat stories and inclusive casts. If you want open-door romance that features every body, you found the right show.

What to expect:

Trope Breakdowns: We dissect the best (and hottest) tropes in the genre.
Author Interviews: Hear the story behind the spice from your favorite creators.
Shelf Help: Expert guidance to help you conquer your TBR pile.
Inclusive Stories: We prioritize representative leads and diverse voices.

Whether you're a seasoned smut reader or just dipping your toes into the genre, this podcast is for you. We leave the shame at the door and celebrate the power of a well-written romance.

Join the Circle: Want personalized book picks and a private chat with Alesia? Join the After Dark Circle on Substack. Supporters get full access to every post and our private community of romance fans.

Connect with us: Follow @WeReadSmut on Instagram and use the hashtag #WeReadSmut to share your current read.

All Episodes

We Read Smut: Bookish Conversations for Romance Readers

Jen Trinh on Grumpy Heroines, Authentic Storytelling, and Flaws That Make Us Relatable

November 19, 2025 • WeReadSmut • Season 2 • Episode 20

0:00 | 33:07

If you've been listening to We Read Smut for any amount of time, you know I love grumpy female main characters! Today, I'm joined by author Jen Trinh to discuss why flawed, nuanced characters make for the most compelling stories, using her popular book Coming Clean as an example.

We dive into the importance of authentic storytelling and why strong Asian American representation is vital in romance. Jen shares her journey from burnout to publishing before turning 30, and why her experience with Hollywood and public personas inspired her to write a delicious secret relationship. No boring characters over here—these characters have depth, nuance, and, quite frankly, some flaws that make them so relatable.

Jen Trinh is an award-winning novelist who writes sexy books for nerds and weirdos. Previously a physicist/tech worker on the West Coast, Jen now lives in a pile of blankets near a pretty nice Wawa, along with her husband, his mini-him, and a medley of very sad plants.

Key Takeaways

Flaws Make Better Characters: Jen intentionally writes characters who are not bland ("toast characters"), arguing that flaws, trauma, and rich cultural lives create genuine depth and authenticity that keep readers engaged.
Writing the Grumpy Heroine Fantasy: Jen reveals that her grumpy female main character in Coming Clean is a fantasy of who she wishes she could be: someone who can set boundaries and say "no" without having to smile or apologize.
The Hollywood Paradox: We discuss how the setting of Hollywood allowed Jen to explore themes of authenticity versus public persona, drawing parallels to the parasocial relationships authors face online.
The Author Peer Problem: We tackle the tough bookish hot take on reviewing fellow indie authors, agreeing that maintaining a boundary (like not reviewing/rating every book) is crucial to protect your peers and avoid backlash.

If you're ready for romance with rich cultural representation and grumpy heroines you can root for, start with Jen Trinh's Coming Clean!

CONNECT WITH JEN TRINH:

Website

Instagram

Join the After Dark Substack Community

Connect with Alesia:
Storygraph

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This podcast was produced by Galati Media.
Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.