The Writers' Lounge

Very true, although I do think the distinction can become blurred. The problem arises where books that are, let's say, fantasy with romantic/sexual elements get classified as romance with fantasy elements. If said elements are gay, said book tends to be regarded as m/m (or purposely marketed as same), and everything gets a little muddied.

I find this happens less at the level of authors' websites (where, true, it's a marketing issue) and more in the places you have no control over, like retailers' websites, review blogs, bookstores etc., and it's a matter of classification screwing with perception. Trying to explain what I mean (brain go splat...): one early review of Breaking Faith - which was nonetheless a very positive review - called it a difficult read because of the degree of emotional realism, which the reviewer felt was unusual in romance. So, because the book was tagged as m/m and romance (and I was in the process of being labelled an m/m author), there was already an expectation that didn't necessarily match the blurb.

I stop waffle go find coffee now.