If you’ve ever seen people on BookTok or Instagram talking about reading books before release day and wondered how they pulled that off, the answer is simple: they’re ARC readers.

ARC stands for Advance Reader Copy, and being an ARC reader means you get early access to new books in exchange for an honest review. It’s one of the best ways to support authors, discover hidden gems, and be part of the buzz that helps launch a story into the world. In this post, I’m breaking down what ARC readers do, why authors rely on them, and how you can start your own ARC reading journey.

What does your dark romance obsession say about you? From morally gray heroes to slow-burn tension, your favorite love stories might reveal more about your personality than you realize. Let’s dive into the psychology, astrology, and emotional depth behind why dark romance hits so hard.

“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies…the man who never reads lives only one.” - George R.R. Martin