When In Romance: Recent Episodes
Book Riot
When In Romance is a biweekly show dedicated to romance novel news, gushing, and book recommendations!
Special guest Jenn Northington joins Trisha to talk about anthologies and books to help you break a reading slump. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! Wanna escape the Dog Days of summer with purrfect book recommendations? Let Tailored Book Recommendations pick awesome books to keep you entertained. Touch grass, grab some lemonade, and enjoy TBR's picks. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
News Book club meets an adaptation discussion with The Perfect Find! We’re discussing the book by Tia Williams and the adaptation at the end of September, so send us your thoughts!
Books Discussed Maroons by adrienne maree brown A Walk in the Park by Rebekah Weatherspoon Sword Stone Table edited by Swapna Krishna and Jenn Northington Fit for the Gods edited by Jenn Northington and S. Zainab Williams Black Love Matters edited by Jessica P. Pryde Amor Actually edited by Mackenzie Walton Hamilton’s Battalion by Rose Lerner, Courtney Milan, and Alyssa Cole The Honey Badger Chronicles (first book is Hot and Badgered) by Shelly Laurenston The Blessings series (first book is Bring on the Blessings) by Beverly Jenkins The Wallflowers series (first book is Secrets of a Summer Night) and Ravenels series (first book is Cold-Hearted Rake by Lisa Kleypas The Witches of Thistle Grove series (first book is Payback’s a Witch) by Lana Harper Think of England by KJ Charles The Meant to Be series (first book is If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy) Mrs. Martin’s Incomparable Adventure by Courtney Milan The Heart is a Universe by Sherry Thomas The Girl With Stars in her Eyes by Xio Axelrod A Summer for Scandal by Lydia San Andres Let us know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown), and Jess is even on TikTok (@jess_isreading). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess is joined by Book Riot's resident velocireader, Liberty Hardy, who listens patiently while Jess discusses news and then actually gets the chance to talk when the pair discuss witch romances (with many detours along the way). Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! News When In Romance Book Club is back! We'll be reading The Perfect Find by Tia Williams AND discussing the adaptation on Netflix, and discussing it at the end of September. Check out Tailored Book Recommendations! The Seattle Times does a good rundown on the BookTok/Kraken drama. Here's Marines's video on TikTok. Strength, solidarity, and healing vibes to Emily McIntyre. Visit A Novel Romance if you're in Louisville! Find Jess at Steamy Lit Con! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed The Bad Ones by Melissa Albert Snow Place Like LA by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone Crossed by Emily McIntyre The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna Not the Witch You Wed by April Asher The League of Gentlewoman Witches by India Holton Binding Shadows by Jasmine Silvera Let us know what you think about witch romances and tell us your favorite! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @franzencomesalive), and Jess is even on TikTok (@jess_isreading). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha check in on the current state of romance publishing and then talk about some of their favorite romances of 2023 so far. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
News Subscribe to First Edition on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your podcatcher of choice. Check out Book Riot’s list of the best books of 2023 so far (romance and all).
Books Discussed The Bride by Julie Garwood Goal by Alexandria House We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez Hostile Takeover by Christina C. Jones Role Playing by Cathy Yardley Something Wild and Wonderful by Anita Kelly The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest Let us know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown), and Jess is even on TikTok (@jess_isreading). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha talk about Regency romance and why so many romances are set in that 9 year(!) period and then share what romances they’re excited about in the second half of 2023. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
News Subscribe to First Edition on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your podcatcher of choice. Check out Jess’s piece on Regency romance (you’ll be glad you did).
Books Discussed Single Dads Club by Therese Beharrie We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian Play it Forward by Frederick Smith It Happened One Fight by Maureen Lee Lenker (coming 7/11) First Time for Everything by Mina V. Esguerra Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date by Ashley Herring Blake (coming 10/24) Next Door Nemesis by Alexa Martin (coming 11/14) Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura (coming 12/5) The Duke Gets Desperate by Diana Quincy (coming 9/26) Thank You For Sharing by Rachel Runya Katz (coming 9/12) Full Moon Over Freedom by Angelina M. Lopez (coming 9/5) Let us know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown), and Jess is even on TikTok (@jess_isreading). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha jump back into book club and then take a minute to pay tribute to Julie Garwood and the legacy and place of older romance books. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
News Ready to take The Deep Dive? Check out the details and choose your membership level at bookriot.substack.com. Friend of the podcast Sarah Wendell paid tribute to Julie Garwood at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books.
Books Discussed Rules of Engagement by Stacey Abrams writing as Selena Montgomery Chef’s Kiss by Stephanie Shea Flirting with Fire by Jane Porter The Bride by Julie Garwood Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie Vivid and Captured by Beverly Jenkins Say Jesus and Come to Me by Ann Allen Shockley
Let us know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown), and Jess is even on TikTok (@jess_isreading). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha discuss how racism impacts sports romance publishing and talk about some basketball romances they love. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
News Book Club is back!! We’re reading Rules of Engagement by Stacey Abrams writing as Selena Montgomery. We’re discussing on June 22 for our next episode! Ready to take The Deep Dive? Check out the details and choose your membership level at bookriot.substack.com. Books Discussed Unhinged by Onley James The Enchanted Hacienda by J.C. Cervantes Crimes of Passion by Jack Harbon The Hating Game by Sally Thorne How You Get the Girl by Anita Kelly (coming February 2024) Let Me Hold You by Alexandria House Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan His Best Shot by J. Nichole Slamdunked by Love by Jamie Wesley Let us know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown), and Jess is even on TikTok (@jess_isreading). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It’s that time again!! Jess and Trisha recommend steamy sci-fi, romance with characters over 40 (and sometimes 50!), and more in part one of our annual recommendation request episode. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! NEWS Please learn more about the Harper Collins strike and support the workers however you can. We mentioned our episode from earlier this year that included some romances about older MCs, and you can check it out here.
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BOOKS DISCUSSED Paris Daillencourt is About to Crumble by Alexis Hall Silver Silence by Nalini Singh Read Between the Lines by Rachel Lacey Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade Ghosting, a Love Story by Tash Skilton Act Your Age Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert The Jekh Saga by HE Trent starting with Erstwhile Deal with the Devil (and many other books) by Kit Rocha Monsters Love Curvy Girls series starting with His Human Nanny by Michele Mills Asking for It by Lilah Pace Better Off Red by Rebekah Weatherspoon The Beards and Bondage series starting with Haven by Rebekah Weatherspoon Syncopation and others by Anna Zabo Flirting with 50 by Jane Porter Wherever is Your Heart by Anita Kelly Something About You by Reese Ryan The Worst Guy by Kate Canterbury Let us know if you have other recs for these requests…and you might still be able to sneak in a request of your own! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha start talking about 2022 recommendations, including No-Shirt November and their favorite backlist romance reads of 2022. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
News Jess mentioned the Brown Book Series — check it out here! Jess was at RRAW this year — maybe we’ll all join her next year?? Are you ready for Shop Your Shelves BINGO from Love in Panels? Of course you are.
Books Discussed The Vibrant Years by Sonali Dev Cupid Calling by Viano Oniomoh Play it by Ear by Tara Frejas The Men at Work series — including Her Naughty Holiday — by Tiffany Reisz Harbor (or anything in the Beards and Bondage series, honestly) by Rebekah Weatherspoon Thirsty (and similarly, anything in the Eastside Brewery series) by Mia Hopkins Royally Screwed (and the rest of the Royally series) by Emma Chase Whiteout by Adriana Anders Battle Royal by Lucy Parker Deal With the Demon by Chace Verity You Had Me at Hola and A Lot Like Adiós by Alexis Daria The Worst Guy by Kate Canterbury If You Love Something by Jayce Ellis Check, Please! By Ngozi Ukazu
The time has come — send us your recommendation requests for any gifting (or just for you)!! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Jenn discuss the increasing number of romances in best-of lists (even if they are coming way too early) and the massive phenomenon that is holiday romance. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! Check out the giveaway to win a copy of Book Riot’s Reading the Stars with an Obvious State celestial print, notebook, and tote bundle. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
News So many best of lists already! Publishers Weekly Best Books 2022 NPR Books We Love Barnes & Noble Best Romance of 2022
Books Discussed What the Hex by Alexis Daria Hiding in the Smoke by Ofelia Martinez Partners in Crime by Alisha Rai Drunk on Love by Jasmine Guillory Book Lovers by Emily Henry The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston Heroine Complex by Sarah Kuhn Mating the Huntress by Talia Hibbert A Scatter of Light by Malinda Lo Beach Read by Emily Henry Bottle Rocket by Erin McLellan Lighting the Flames by Sarah Wendell The Matzah Ball by Jean Melzer The Mistletoe Affair by Farrah Rochon (the Kwanzaa one!) Holiday Temptation by Donna Hill etc (The Green Book) Just One More by Jodie Slaughter Candy Hearts by Erin McLellan Party Favors by Erin McLellan Stocking Stuffers by Erin McLellan No, Thank You by Alexandra Warren Thank You, Next by Nicole Falls Thank Me Later by Christina C. Jones A Match Made for Thanksgiving by Jackie Lau A Second Chance Road Trip for Christmas by Jackie Lau A Fake Girlfriend for Chinese New Year by Jackie Lau A Big Surprise for Valentine’s Day by Jackie Lau Wanting a Witch by Lauren Connolly Trick by Shae Sanders Treat by Shae Sanders Pumpkin Pounder by Laura Lovely Halloween Boo by Sarah Spade The Rivals of Casper Road by Roan Parrish Matzah Ball Surprise by Laura Brown A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory A Holly Jolly Diwali by Sonya Lalli How to Excavate a Heart by Jake Maia Arlow Season of Love by Helena Greer You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince by Timothy Janovsky Amor Actually by Adriana Herrera, Alexis Daria, Diana Munoz Stewart, Zoey Castile, Mia Sosa, Priscilla Oliver’s, and Sabrina Sol Grand Theft NYE by Katrina Jackson …Sorry.
Let us know your thoughts about the excessive number (if there is such a thing) of holiday romances, very early best-of lists, and what you’re hoping to read by the end of the year! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find Jess and Jenn on Twitter (@jessisreading and @jennIRL), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @iamjennirl). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and special guest Vanessa Diaz talk about what they’re reading, discuss some upcoming Good News in romance and offer season-appropriate romance recs. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! Check out the giveaway to win a copy of Book Riot’s Reading the Stars with an Obvious State celestial print, notebook, and tote bundle. NEWS Follow The Rom Con on instagram and check out the tiers of their crowdfunding campaign. The Love Hypothesis has been optioned for film! There’s been a male director announced for the People We Meet On Vacation adaptation. Watch The Flatshare! In the UK or continental Europe 🙁 If you an author from a historically or systemically excluded group in the US or Canada, check out the Romance Includes You Mentorship program.
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BOOKS DISCUSSED Her Majesty’s Royal Coven by Juno Dawson The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna A Thief in the Night by KJ Charles The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller What the Hex by Alexis Daria The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston I’ll Come Back For You by Charish Reid How to Succeed in Witchcraft by Aislinn Brophy The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas Let us know what season-appropriate books you’re reading, what you think about vampires, and if you’re excited for RomCon! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find Jess and Vanessa on Twitter (@jessisreading and @buenosdiazsd), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @buenosdiazsd). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha talk through some news and updates and then discuss Witchmark – including whether it can be classified as a romance. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. NEWS As mentioned, this McSweeney’s post by Rachel Mans McKenny will brighten your day. Join Jess at the RRAW Experience later this month (or just read about it and be jealous)! BOOKS DISCUSSED Partners in Crime by Alisha Rai Wicked Beauty by Katee Robert Witchmark by C.L. Polk Let us know what your fantasy recs are and what you’re reading and thinking about! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha talk about unreasonable expectations of authors and then offer a few “if you like this, try that” romance recs. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. NEWS Book club is back!! We’re reading Witchmark by CL Polk, so give it a read and send us your thoughts by Sept. 29. A little extra background on the Katee Robert signature story can be found here, here, and here. BOOKS DISCUSSED The Sweetest Remedy by Jane Igharo The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker The Dragon’s Bride by Katee Robert The Stand-Up Groomsman by Jackie Lau (October 25, 2022) If You Love Something by Jayce Ellis A Virtuous Ruby and The Preacher’s Promise by Piper Hughley Let us know what your “if you this try that” recs are! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha talk about baby epilogues and revisit a classic romance trope: fake dating stories. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
News Book club is back!! We’re reading Witchmark by CL Polk, so give it a read and send us your thoughts by Sept. 29 (note the date change!). Check out what you might have missed on Bookstore Romance Day.
Books Discussed The Wedding Crasher by Mia Sosa Ruby Fever by Ilona Andrews The Out on the Ice series by Kelly Farmer Jilted by Lilah Suzanne How to Find a Princess by Alyssa Cole Rent a Bae by Unoma Nwankwor Luck of the Draw by Kate Clayborn To Catch a Raven by Beverly Jenkins Honey and Spice by Bolu Babalola Let us know what you think of baby/child epilogues, and what you think of fake dating. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha cover a grab bag of topics before talking about backlist romances they’re glad to have found this year. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
News Book club is back!! We’re reading Witchmark by CL Polk, so give it a read and send us your thoughts by Sept. 15. Here’s the link to the Apollycon statement we mentioned. Get excited about the Black Romance Book Club (especially if you live in Canada)!
Books Discussed The Hookup Plan by Farrah Rochon The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston Coffee Boy by Austin Chant An Heiress’s Guide to Deception and Desire by Manda Collins Wild Rain and Tempest by Beverly Jenkins Hold Me by Courtney Milan The Worst Guy by Kate Canterbary
Let us know what backlist books you’ve discovered so far this year, and what you think of Witchmark. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha talk about Fire Island and the essence of a good retelling/adaptation, and offer up some recommendations for Disability Pride Month. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
NEWS Book Riot is hiring! Check out our Best Books of the Year So Far. MidContinent Public Library’s RomanceGenreCon is back! Watch Fire Island on Hulu!
Books Discussed Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall Husband Material by Alexis Hall Redeemed by Maggie Blackbird Can’t Escape Love by Alyssa Cole Kiss Hard by Nalini Singh Only When It’s Us by Chloe Liese Knot My Type and Love Flushed by Evie Mitchell The Bride Test and The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
Tell us what you liked about Fire Island and send us your recs for disabled protagonists! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha talk about the appeal (or not) of the enemies to lovers trope and then offer some picks for their best romances of 2022 so far. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. NEWS Book Riot is hiring! BOOKS DISCUSSED Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola Knot Again by Kwana Jackson (Coming July 26, 2022) A Heart of Blood and Ashes by Milla Vane D’Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake A Brush With Love by Mazey Eddings Tanked by Mia Hopkins A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall We got to some of your picks for favorite reads of 2022, but not all of them, so keep sharing your faves – front AND back list! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Book club is back as Jess and Trisha discuss The Beast by Katee Robert and then dive into the distinctions between steamy romance, erotic romance, and erotica. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. News Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston has some updates. Here’s the discussion Jess mentioned between Katee Robert and Beverly Jenkins [insert heart eyes here!] Books Discussed The Beast by Katee Robert Looking by Katrina Jackson American Royalty by Tracey Livesay Indigo by Beverly Jenkins A Lot Like Adios by Alexis Daria The Eastside Brewery series (first book is Thirsty) by Mia Hopkins Spoiler Alert and All the Feels by Olivia Dade Syncopation by Anna Zabo A Gentleman in the Streets by Alisha Rai (AOC) The Rose by Tiffany Reisz Harbor by Rebekah Weatherspoon The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty by Anne Rice, writing as A.N. Roquelaure Tell us what you thought of The Beast, your thoughts on erotic romance and erotica, and anything else you’re thinking or reading about. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha do a few updates, dive into a recent film that lives in the romance world (in more ways than one), and talk about some of the books they’re excited about for the rest of 2022. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. News Don’t forget! Read The Beast by Katee Robert to join in the WIR Book Club fun, and send us your thoughts by June 23. The Lost City is waiting for you. Here’s the Book Riot post by Annika Barranti Klein about fat representation on romance covers. Books Discussed You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston Husband Material by Alexis Hall (Coming August 2, 2022) The Stand-Up Groomsman by Jackie Lau (Coming October 25, 2022) The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen (Coming August 23, 2022) A Ghost in Shining Armor by Therese Beharrie (Coming September 27, 2022) Partners In Crime by Alisha Rai (Coming October 18, 2022) Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake by Mazie Eddings (Coming September 6, 2022) Tell us what you thought of The Lost City, what romances you’re excited about in the coming year, and let us know what else you’re reading and thinking about. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha talk about weddings in romance: why there are so many, their ties to different tropes, why all the weddings can be a problem, and some recommendations that include weddings in one way or another. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. News Read The Beast by Katee Robert to join in the WIR Book Club fun, and send us your thoughts by June 23. Books Discussed Mechanics of Love by Meka James The Emma Project by Sonali Dev American Sweethearts by Adriana Herrera The Billionaire’s Last Minute Marriage by Amanda Cinelli Running Away With the Bride by Sophia Singh Sasson Not Another Family Wedding Jackie Lau The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare D’Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins Tell us what you think about weddings in romance and let us know what else you’re reading and thinking about. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha talk about their current reads, romance novel cover history, and backlist books to add to – or move up on – your TBR. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
News Read The Beast by Katee Robert to join in the WIR Book Club fun, and send us your thoughts by June 23. “The Steamy, Throbbing History of Romance Novel Covers” by Kelly Faircloth [Jezebel] “Hey Right Quick: Fabio Was on Just a Minority of Romance Covers” by Kelly Faircloth [Jezebel] “The Origin of Romance Novel Clinch Covers” by Jessica Avery [Book Riot] “How Are Romance Novel Covers Made?” by Sarah Nicolas [Book Riot]
Books Discussed Kiss Hard by Nalini Singh (May 3, 2022) Tanked by Mia Hopkins Read Between the Lines by Rachel Lacey A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Mayhem by Manda Collins Waiting for the Flood by Alexis Hall First Comes Like by Alisha Rai All the Feels by Olivia Dade A Duke, the Lady, and a Baby by Vanessa Riley
Tell us what backlist books you’d recommend, and let us know what else you’re reading and thinking about. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha share some listener recommendations and other updates, announce a new book club book, and talk about authors who are new to them. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
News It’s time again for book club!! Read The Beast by Katee Robert to join in the fun, and send us your thoughts by June 23.
Books Discussed The Viscount Made Me Do It by Diana Quincy It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey Love Him Free by EM Lindsey I’m So (Not) Over You by Kosoko Jackson Tell us about your favorite “new to you” authors, and let us know what else you’re reading and thinking about. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess is joined by special guest Liberty Hardy, Book Riot’s resident velocireader. Important questions are asked and answered, and they wander into the world of monster romance. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed Thirsty, Trashed, and Tanked by Mia Hopkins Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake Deceived by the Gargoyle by Lillian Lark Morning Glory Milking Farm by CM Nascosta That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon and Mistlefoe by Kimberly Lemming The Dragon’s Bride by Katee Robert Sing Me to Sleep by RM Virtues Thanks to Liberty Hardy for joining as a special guest! Listen to her on All The Books and All The Backlist podcasts, read her posts on Book Riot proper and the New Books newsletter, and find her on Instagram @franzencomesalive. Send us your favorite monster romances, and let us know what else you’re reading and thinking about. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha talk about recent romance (bad) news stories and recommend romances with main characters above the age of 40. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. News Please keep in mind that many of this week’s news stories contain topics that could be triggering for listeners/readers. A TikTok explaining the Eros and Dana Isaly story An article by Alyssa Shotwell [The Mary Sue] about the reactions to ableism in the summary of Cora Reilly’s A Touch of Fate A Twitter thread with some information on the backlash and harassment related to Jennifer L. Armentrout’s new book Per another article by Alyssa Shotwell [The Mary Sue], somehow there are still romances about Nazis being sold… …And we’re also still dealing with books about enslavers. But!! In happier news!! Margo Hendricks’ Masterclass on Indigo by Beverly Jenkins is available online for anyone to enjoy! And here are a couple of Book Riot lists about romances with older main characters from Jess and our friend Annika. Books Discussed At Your Service by Sandra Antonelli If You Love Something by Jayce Ellis Something About You by Reese Ryan The Wedding Bait by Adele Buck Autumn by Cole McCade Second Wind by Ceillie Simkiss Mrs. Martin’s Incomparable Adventure by Courtney Milan Send us your favorite romances feature older (or even just “older”) couples, and let us know what else you’re reading and thinking about. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha dive into Written in the Stars for WIR book club and then talk through some of the other romance retellings they love. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. News We don’t deserve Dulcé Sloan. Jess and Jenn talked about Jane Austen adaptations way back in 2020. If you want to find out a little more about your star chart, check out Café Astrology. Books Discussed Written in the Stars and Count Your Lucky Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur Never Look Back by Lilliam Rivera Where the Rhythm Takes You by Sarah Dass A Thorn in the Saddle by Rebekah Weatherspoon Dating Dr. Dil by Nisha Sharma If I Loved You Less by Tamsen Parker Send us your thoughts on Written in the Stars and all of your other favorite romance retellings. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha celebrate episode 100 with a new quiz, look back (and forward!) at changes in the romance world, and share recommendations that come from WIR listeners.
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News
Don’t forget to check out our new line of bookish, Wordle-inspired merch!
Don’t forget – the first WIR Book Club book of 2022 is Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur. We’ll be discussing on our March 7 episode, so send your thoughts/feelings by March 3!
Books Discussed
Rafe by Rebekah Weatherspoon
Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin
The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller
A Cowboy to Remember by Rebekah Weatherspoon
Get A Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
Theirs for the Night by Katee Robert
Wolfsong by TJ Klune
Whiteout by Adriana Anders
Office Hours by Katrina Jackson
Thirsty by Mia Hopkins
Wrong Number, Right Woman (and other books!) by Jae
Payback’s A Witch by Lana Harper
Hana Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin
Thanks for hanging with us for 100 episodes! Send us your thoughts on Written in the Stars – and whatever else you’re reading. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha have some exciting news about episode 100(!), talk about the pros and cons of Twitter discussions, and recommend books that sat on the TBR for far too long.
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News
We want YOU to be a part of our 100th episode! Tell us about a book you love that we talked about at some point on the show. You can either send us a note OR send us a voice memo (30 seconds or less!) to wheninromance@bookriot.com. Send them in by February 15!
Don’t forget – the first WIR Book Club book of 2022 is Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur. We’ll be discussing on our March 7 episode, so send your thoughts/feelings by March 3!
Time to vote in the finals of the Swoon Awards.
Since you obviously like romance podcasts, check out Love Struck Daily.
Here’s a link to Jack Harbon’s tweet, and one to Jack Edwards’s tweet as well.
Books Discussed
Wherever You Are by Elle Wright
The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren
If She Says Yes by Tasha L. Harrison
Beginner’s Luck by Kate Clayborn
Check, Please by Ngozi Ukazu
Something Like Love by Christina C. Jones (not to be confused with Something Like Love by Beverly Jenkins)
Send us your favorite romances that we’ve talked about over the last 99 episodes, and let us know what you’re glad you finally got to on your TBR! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha discuss romance news updates, offer recs for the 2022 Read Harder Challenge, and chat about sports romance and what makes it unique.
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News
Big announcement alert!! The first WIR Book Club book of 2022 is Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur! We’ll be discussing on our March 7 episode, so send your thoughts/feelings by March 3!
You can vote now in the Swoon Awards – semi-final voting ends Jan 28.
Harlequin Plus is has arrived – is it for you?
Books Discussed
Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur
Syncopation by Anna Zabo
Say Jesus and Come to Me by Ann Allen Shockley
So Sweet by Rebekah Weatherspoon
Slippery Creatures by K.J. Charles
Unexpected Goals by Kelly Farmer
Aiming High by Tanya Chris
His Convenient Husband by Robin Covington
Unwritten Rules by KD Casey
Love Hard by Nalini Singh
Shots Not Taken by Nicole Falls
Let us know what romances you’re reading for reading challenges this year, and send us your favorite sports romances as well. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha share some follow-up from the recommendation request episodes, talk New Year’s resolutions, and get excited about the next six months in romance reading.
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News
All Book Riot all the time this week! Here’s reading log Trisha found in a BR newsletter; here’s the link to the Read Harder Challenge (and the accompanying newsletter), and here’s the Book Riot Insider’s link – try it out and hear Jess on the Read Harder podcast!
Books Discussed
Red Dot by Mike Karpa
The Lights on Knockbridge Lane by Roan Parrish
The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer
Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly (Jan 18, 2022)
D’Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins (Jan 25, 2022)
Never Cross a Highlander by Lisa Reyne (May 24, 2022)
The Emma Project by Sonali Dev (May 17, 2022)
You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi (May 24, 2022)
Black Love Matters by Jessica P. Pryde (Editor) (Feb 1, 2022)
Let us know if you have any thoughts on 2022’s WIR book club – or on 2022’s books in general! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha share some listener feedback, discuss Rose Lerner’s Sweet Disorder, and look back (and a little bit ahead) at 2021 romance.
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News
The best “Best of” booklist of the year (in our humble opinion) is now live!
Books Discussed
The Legend of All Wolves series by Maria Vale (first book is The Last Wolf)
Sweet Disorder by Rose Lerner
To Be Alone With You by Jodie Slaughter
The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes by Xio Axelrod
All The Feels by Olivia Dade
Amor, Actually by Adriana Herrera, Alexis Daria, Diana Muñoz Stewart, Mia Sosa, Priscilla Oliveras, Sabrina Sol, and Zoey Castile
The Lights on Knockbridge Lane by Roan Parrish
Thanks for listening in 2021! We’ll be back in January, but feel free to stay in touch while we’re away! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It’s our 2021 recommendation request show (part 2)! Jess and Trisha recommend books for readers looking for romance without sex on the page, progressive historical romance, and more!
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News
Read Sweet Disorder by Rose Lerner with us, and send us your thoughts by December 9!!
We spoke too soon about KissCon – it’s back (kinda)!
Some of the listeners looking for requests might find this 2019 episode helpful.
And with all of the caveats in WIR Episode 89, some of you might also appreciate the “Does It Bang?” social media accounts.
This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Books Discussed
Whiteout by Adriana Anders
Open House by Ruby Lang
The Bride Test by Helen Hoang
His Convenient Husband by Robin Covington
Witch Please by Ann Aguirre
The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling
Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper
Not the Witch You Wed by April Asher (coming Feb 2022)
A Taste of Her Own Medicine by Tasha L. Harrison
The Hidden Legacy Series, starting with Burn For Me, by Ilona Andrews
The Craft of Love by EE Ottoman
Think of England by K.J. Charles
Patience & Esther by SW Searle
Evie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes
Perfect Rhythm by Jae
The Matched to Perfection series, starting with His Perfect Partner, by Priscilla Oliveras
Twice Shy by Sarah Hogle
Spellbound by Allie Therin
A Duke in Disguise by Cat Sebastian
Let Us Dream and Let It Shine by Alyssa Cole
The Devil Comes Courting and The Brothers Sinister series, starting with The Duchess War, by Courtney Milan
Strange Love by Ann Aguirre
Pas De Deux by Lynn Turner
The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun
Kick Off Your Sunday Shoes by leiascully (via Archive of Our Own)
The Twisted Hearts Series, starting with Theirs for the Night, by Katee Robert
Harbor by Rebekah Weatherspoon
The Plot Twist series, starting with Writing Her In, by Holley Trent
Neighborly by Katrina Jackson
Behind these Doors by Jude Lucens
If I Loved You Less by Tamsen Parker
The Preacher’s Promise and Sweet Tea by Piper Huguley
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
How to Be a Movie Star by TJ Klune
Lean on Me by Pat Simmons
Incense and Sensibility by Sonali Dev
Ayesha At Last and Hana Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin
Wild Rain by Beverly Jenkins
The Hidden Blade and My Beautiful Enemy by Sherry Thomas
Milla Vane’s fantasy series starting with A Heart of Blood and Ashes
Morning Glory Milking Farm by C.M. Nascosta
The Fastest Way to Fall by Denise Williams
Spoiler Alert and All the Feels by Olivia Dade
If the Boot Fits by Rebekah Weatherspoon
Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall
The Christmas Escape by Sarah Morgan
Holly Jolly Diwali by Sonya Lalli
Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory
A Princess for Christmas by Jenny Holiday
Let us know what you’re reading and thinking about (and thinking about what you’re reading!) As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It’s our 2021 recommendation request show (part 1)! Jess and Trisha recommend books for readers looking for pining, queer paranormal romance, vampires, and more!
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News
Read Sweet Disorder by Rose Lerner with us, and send us your thoughts by December 9!!
Books Discussed
Scandalous Passions and Wicked Passions by Nicola Davidson
Highland Dragon Warrior by Isabel Cooper
Agnes Moor’s Wild Knight by Alyssa Cole
Butterfly Swords by Jeannie Lin
A Summer for Scandal by Lydia San Andres
Serving Sin by Angelina M. Lopez
The Brightest Star in Paris by Diana Biller
Role Model by Rachel Reid
Waiting for the Flood by Alexis Hall
The Devil Comes Courting by Courtney Milan
How to Find a Princess by Alyssa Cole
The library of Kit Rocha (for a specific title, take a peek at Deal with the Devil)
GL Carriger’s San Andreas Shifters series starting with The Sumage Solution
Holley Trent’s Noreston Wolves series starting with Beast and Masters of Maria series starting with The Demigod’s Legacy
Wanting A Witch by Lauren Connolly
Human Enough by ES Yu
Good Enough to Eat by Alison Grey and Jae
Soulless by Gail Carriger
Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
Romancing the Duke and The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare
The Duke Who Didn’t by Courtney Milan
The Infamous Miss Rodriguez by Lydia San Andres
The Companion by EE Ottoman
Two Rogues Make a Right by Cat Sebastian
The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite
Let us know what you’re reading and thinking about (and thinking about what you’re reading!) As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha discuss the present and future of romance conventions, and then talk about some romances that probably shouldn’t have worked for them…but did.
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News
Send us your recommendation requests – we’re recording on Nov 11, so send them ASAP!
Check out Book Riot’s new podcast: Adaptation Nation, all about TV and film adaptations of your favorite books. You can subscribe now – this very moment! – on your favorite podcatcher.
You can find all the info on the Romance for Roe anthology here.
Read Sweet Disorder by Rose Lerner with us, and send us your thoughts by December 9!
This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Books Discussed
Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper
Wild Rain by Beverly Jenkins
Saint by Sierra Simone
Just Like This by Cole McCade
The Wolf of Wall Street by Lucy Eden
The Dating Playbook by Farrah Rochon
Let us know what you’re reading and thinking about (and thinking about what you’re reading!) As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha have some updates – including a new book club book! – and spend some time talking about how they find new books and what they think about when they recommend them.
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News
Get your Book Riot merchandise – this month only!
As Jess mentioned, our friends at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books do some great work tagging the themes and subgenres in romance books.
Read Sweet Disorder by Rose Lerner with us, and send us your thoughts by December 9!!
‘Tis the season for recommendation requests – send those our way too!
This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Books Discussed
Knot My Type by Evie Mitchell
Battle Royal by Lucy Parker
The Brightest Star in Paris by Diana Biller
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood,
Seducing His Secret Wife by Robin Covington
Sing Anyway and Our Favorite Songs by Anita Kelly
That Could Be Enough by Alyssa Cole
The Duke Who Didn’t and Mrs. Martin’s Incomparable Adventure by Courtney Milan
Send us your Swiss army recs, and let us know what you’re reading and thinking about (and thinking about what you’re reading!) As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha revisit goals from the last episode and the WIR survey from this summer, discuss sexiness and academia in Office Hours, and have some fall romance recs that are more dark and stormy than pumpkin spice-y.
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News
Read about the results of the WIR listener survey – and thanks to everyone who completed it!
Books Discussed
Office Hours by Katrina Jackson
The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller (because Trisha can’t help herself)
The Tenant by Katrina Jackson
Her Other Secret by HelenKay Dimon
A Lady of Rooksgrave Manor by Kathryn Moon
Briarley by Aster Glenn Gray
Big Bad Wolf by Suleikha Snyder
The Wife in the Attic by Rose Lerner
Let us know what you think about this week’s conversations and anything you’re reading and thinking about (and thinking about what you’re reading!) As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha talk about a publisher taking advantage of an author’s idea, explain what on earth is happening with a certain ice planet (and the barbarians who reside there), and have some plans to read what they’ve got.
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News
Hear directly from R.M. Virtues about the Violet Gaze monster anthology mess, and if you’re interested, you can read the Violet Gaze apology as well.
Here’s a good rundown of the Ice Planet Barbarians – and larger Booktok – story. [CNN]
And ICYMI is a great internet culture podcast that also had a take on this story.
This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Books Discussed
Office Hours by Katrina Jackson (Read along with us for WIR Book Club!)
Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon
Battle Royal by Lucy Parker
Capturing the Silken Thief by Jeannie Lin
That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming
What We May Be by Layla Rayne
A Lot Like Adios by Alexis Daria
The Ones Who Got Away by Roni Loren
Let us know what you think about this week’s conversations and anything you’re reading (hopefully Office Hours!) and thinking about (and thinking about what you’re reading!) As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha have a few updates and then discuss how to talk about sexual content in romance before recommending romances with teachers and school settings.
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News
Aug 21 was Bookstore Romance Day! Find the events and participating bookstores online.
Learn a little more about the Romance for Haiti and Rom for Afghan Woman auctions – and then bid if you can.
Here’s where you can find out if it “bangs”, and here’s an episode in which we talked about romance without explicit sexual content.
And it’s time to start planning for the next WIR Book Club! We’ll be talking about Office Hours by Katrina Jackson on our October 4 episode (recording Sept 30).
Books Discussed
Then There Was You by Mona Shroff
Between the Sheets by Molly O’Keefe
Grumpy Jake by Melissa Blue
Sing Anyway by Anita Kelly
A Taste of Her Own Medicine by Tasha L. Harrison
The Professor Next Door by Jackie Lau
Just Like This by Cole McCade
Getting Schooled by Christina C. Jones
Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
Touch Me by Alexandria House
Teach Me by Olivia Dade
Let us know what you think about this week’s conversations and whatever else you’re reading and thinking about (and thinking about what you’re reading!) As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha discuss why some corners of the romance book world have seen progress regarding inclusion and others have very much not, talk about a recent review and how we think about trauma in romance, and recommend (and re-recommend) romances that involve trauma, grief, and other often difficult human experiences.
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News
Here’s a rundown from Book Riot’s Sarah Nicolas on the RWA/Vivian award terribleness.
The most recent statement from RWA about it is here.
The review of The Heart Principle that we discussed can be found on the Kirkus site.
Books Discussed
The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang
Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev
The Seducing the Sedgwicks series by Cat Sebastian
The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai
Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsale
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
Anything by Roan Parrish (Seriously, anything. Riven. In the Middle of Somewhere. Best Laid Plans. Or whatever else.)
Let us know what you think about this week’s conversations and whatever else you’re reading and thinking about (and thinking about what you’re reading!) As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It’s WIR Book Club time again! Jess and Trisha discuss Wrong Number, Right Woman by Jae and then talk about their most anticipated romances for the rest of 2021.
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Books Discussed
Wrong Number, Right Woman and Under a Falling Star by Jae
Donut Fall In Love by Jackie Lau
A Thorn in the Saddle by Rebekah Weatherspoon
The Love Con by Seressia Glass
The Cowboy’s Unexpected Family by Molly O’Keefe
Never Cross a Highlander by Lisa Rayne
The Lights on Knockbridge Lane by Roan Parrish
For the Love of April French by Penny Aimes
All The Feels by Olivia Dade
The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang
Role Model by Rachel Reid
A Lot Like Adios by Alexis Daria
The Brightest Star In Paris by Diana Biller
Breaking Badger by Shelly Laurenston
The Groom, The Maid of Honor, and the Runaway Bride by Katee Robert
The Devil You Know by Kit Rocha
Well Matched by Jen DeLuca
Let us know what you thought of Wrong Number, Right Woman and what books you’re excited about for the rest of 2021. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha share feedback from their listener survey and recommend some backlist titles in case you’re having trouble getting your hands on new releases.
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News
We’re discussing Wrong Number, Right Woman by Jae on July 22 for our episode coming out July 26 – read with us!
You can still take our survey! And please do!
This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Books Discussed
Human Enough by ES Yu
Real Men Knit by Kwana Jackson
You Had Me At Hola by Alexis Daria
Whiteout by Adriana Anders
Inheritance by Katrina Jackson
Thanks to everyone who took the WIR survey! We’re leaving it up for another week or so, so feel free to let us know how your reading is going if you haven’t already. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha talk about how their reading habits have changed and ask for listener input before discussing their favorite romances of 2021 so far.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.
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News
We’re discussing Wrong Number, Right Woman by Jae on July 22 for our episode coming out July 26 – read with us!
Jess mentioned the Book Riot reading log, so here you go if you wanna check it out.
We want to know how your reading is going, so take our survey!
Books Discussed
Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert
Wild Rain by Beverly Jenkins
The Devil Comes Courting by Courtney Milan
Best Laid Plans by Roan Parrish
Make It Sweet by Kristen Callihan
The Girl With Stars in Her Eyes by Xio Axelrod
Please take our survey! And let us know what your favorite romance of 2021 is so far – you can even do it in the survey! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha dive into the world of romance between women, discussing the current publishing landscape and recommending some titles you should check out.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.
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News
The podcast 99% Invisible has a new episode about romance novels and their covers!
Looking for just a bit more clinch cover coverage in your life?
One of our faves is getting a special anniversary re-release, and we are decidedly on board.
Books Discussed
Indigo by Beverly Jenkins
Once Ghosted, Twice Shy by Alyssa Cole
Mrs. Martin’s Incomparable Adventure by Courtney Milan
Satisfaction Guaranteed by Karelia Stetz-Waters
Knit, Purl, a Baby and a Girl by Hettie Bell
Prize Money by Celeste Castro
Small Town Secrets by Katrina Jackson
Femme Like Her by Fiona Zedde
Wrong Number, Right Woman by Jae (Our next book club pick!!)
Send us your favorite romances between (and among) women! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Trisha is joined by very special guest Jenn Northington to discuss Beverly Jenkins’s Vivid and to offer some SFF (and P) romance recs.
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This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
News
Listen to Jenn discuss all kinds of other bookish things on Get Booked and SFF Yeah!
If you are also a “cook or bake as you read” person, here’s the recipe Jenn used for what we’re now calling Miss Abigail bread. (It calls for a cast-iron skillet but you can use any oven-safe pan or cake tin of that approximate size.)
AND Jenn was kind enough to also share her (soon to be famous, probably) jam recipe with all of us: 2 cups blueberries; 1 tbs white sugar; ½ tbs lemon juice; a pinch of cinnamon (optional). Mix blueberries, sugar, lemon juice, and cinnamon in a saucepan; cook, stirring regularly, over medium heat until thickened, about 30 minutes. It will gel a little more as it cools; an easy way to know if it’s “done” is if you can draw a spoon through it along the bottom of the pan and it takes a second for the pan bottom to be covered up again. (TB note: this recipe apparently does not call for a dutch oven or a double boiler – I checked.)
Books Discussed
Vivid, Wild Rain, and Bring on the Blessings by Beverly Jenkins
The Books of Ambha series by Tasha Suri
In Deeper Waters by FT Lukens
The Heroine Complex series by Sarah Kuhn
Briarley by Aster Glenn Gray
Touched By An Alien by Gini Koch
The Off the Grid series by Alyssa Cole (First book is Radio Silence)
The Heart is a Universe by Sherry Thomas
Sword Stone Table: Old Legends, New Voices edited by Swapna Krishna and Jenn Northington (Out July 14)
Send us your favorite SFF(P) books AND your favorite bookish recipes! You can find Jenn on Twitter and Tumblr (@jennIRL) and on Instagram (@iamjennirl). And as always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
After some kitchen appliance romance-related follow-up, Jess and Trisha return to the topic of romance covers and recommend some options for your #SpringIntoLoveBingo reading.
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News
Use #SpringIntoLoveBingo and #RomBkLove on Twitter as ways to find your next spring read!
Don’t forget to send any questions or thoughts about Vivid by May 13 for our book club episode (which will drop Monday, May 17).
This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission.
Books Discussed
Vivid by Beverly Jenkins
The Lady’s Champion by Marie Lipscomb
Touch Me by Alexandria House
The Kindred Spirits Supper Club by Amy E. Reichert
Bear’s Gold by Yvette Hines
In the Middle of Somewhere by Roan Parrish
The Hate Project by Kris Ripper (Quick note on this one: Jess mentioned that a character in this book was deceased, but that relative is actually in care.)
Send us your thoughts on Vivid and whatever else you’re reading this spring! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha share listener recs, reveal the May WIR Book Club pick, talk about the Vivians and romance awards generally, and discuss and recommend slow burn romances.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.
To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!
This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission.
News
We’re discussing Vivid by Beverly Jenkins on our episode that comes out May 17! Feel free to send us all of your thoughts and feelings before we record that episode on May 13.
The Vivian finalists have been announced.
If you don’t remember how the Vivian Awards came to be, let Jess remind you.
For comparison, check out the Swoon Awards, the Ripped Bodice Awards, and the ReadRChat awards.
Books Discussed
Sweet Disorder by Rose Lerner
Wrong Number, Right Woman by Jae
Office Hours by Katrina Jackson
If the Boot Fits by Rebekah Weatherspoon
Yes & I Love You by Roni Loren
Craving Flight by Tamsen Parker
The Preacher’s Promise by Piper Hughley
Twice Shy by Sarah Hogle
Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn
Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert
Well Met by Jen DeLuca
Signal Boost by Alyssa Cole
His Perfect Partner by Priscilla Oliveras
Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid
Send us your thoughts on slow burn romances…and any insight you have on what a toaster oven romance is. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha talk about the next round of the WIR book club and discuss and recommend romances featuring married couples.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.
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This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission.
News
The WIR book club is back! Send your votes to wheninromance@bookriot.com! (Options are below)
Books Discussed
Sweet Disorder by Rose Lerner (Book club option!)
Wrong Number, Right Woman by Jae (Book club option!)
Vivid by Beverly Jenkins (Book club option!)
Office Hours by Katrina Jackson (Book club option!)
The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams
Maybe Next Time by Christina C. Jones
Rend by Roan Parrish
A Bollywood Affair by Sonali Dev
The Captain’s Midwinter Bride by Liana de la Rosa
Send us your book club votes! And your favorite adventure romances! And your favorite married couple romances! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha dive into romance films, discussing the way non-romance readers view adaptations, debating whether certain films marketed as romance actually fit the definition, and offering a few recommendations.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.
To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!
News
Thanks to all of you who reminded us of the excellent work Lee and Low Books has done with their Diversity Baseline Survey.
We also talked a bit about Nick and Ari’s full critique of the Ribbed Bodice Diversity in Romance report.
Please enjoy this delightful news about the adaptation of Rebekah Weatherspoon’s Cowboys of California trilogy [The Hollywood Reporter by Lexy Perez]
Films Discussed
Happiest Season
The Mummy
The Big Sick
Crazy Rich Asians
The Lovebirds
The Wedding Plan
Tangled
Juanita
Deliver Us from Eva
Share your thoughts on all things romance film – including what films you play “is it a romance?” with! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha discuss three news stories related to inclusion, exclusion, and diversity in romance. Then they talk about books they’ve been reading (and how one of those books is like a cancelled TV political drama).
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.
To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!
News
Here’s the (current version of the) Sourcebooks/E L James press release.
Meryl Wilsner’s twitter thread about their experience being disinvited from a library event is here.
The most recent Ripped Bodice “State of Racial Diversity in Romance Publishing” is out as well, though some on Twitter raised concerns.
And if you need additional information about Designated Survivor, I don’t blame you and have you covered.
This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission.
Books Discussed
Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner
Touch Me by Alexandria House
The Home I Find With You by Skye Kilaen
A Lady’s Formula for Love by Elizabeth Everett
If The Boot Fits by Rebekah Weatherspoon
Let us know what romance topics you’re thinking about and what you’re reading! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha discuss some non-terrible Valentine’s week romance coverage, talk about the way romance represents the experience of being Black in history…and Trisha has a confession to make.
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This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission.
News
As discussed, our fellow Rioters Silvana and Carole are just the best.
Please enjoy the romance coverage from NPR via podcast and this interview Beverly Jenkins did with Karen Grigsby Bates.
Also the New York Times has come a long way, y’all. [NYT]
There WAS in fact a Reading Pathways piece on Book Riot about Beverly Jenkins! And it was written by yet another of the actual best, Amanda Diehl [insert heart eyes emoji].
This is your regular reminder (from Trisha) to read this Book Riot piece about Bridgerton (by Jess).
Post show note: Okay, we were wrong, and Black Panther came out in 2018. Time is complicated!
Books Discussed
Indigo, Forbidden, and basically everything else by Beverly Jenkins
That Could Be Enough and Agnes Moor’s Wild Knight by Alyssa Cole
Confessions in B Flat by Donna Hill
The Preacher’s Promise by Piper Hughley
A Duke, the Lady, and a Baby by Vanessa Riley
The Duke Who Didn’t by Courtney Milan
Rafe and Xeni by Rebekah Weatherspoon
Two Rogues Make a Right by Cat Sebastian
Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn
Please send Trisha your favorite romances that aren’t especially plot-driven (she clearly needs the help). As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha discuss Nora Roberts’s lack of time for nonsense, authors behaving badly, and the unique world of category romance – along with a few recs, of course.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.
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This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission.
News
Nora Roberts doesn’t care what you think [Entertainment Weekly]
Here’s a way not to write outside of your own experience.
In case you’re curious, here a bit more info about category romance…and here’s a little more info about Pregnesia.
Books Discussed
Seducing His Secret Wife by Robin Covington
Bane by Brenda Jackson
The Flapper’s Fake Fiancé by Lauri Robinson
Pregnesia by Carla Cassidy
Let us know if YOU have favorite category romance – and keep sharing your romance reading origin stories! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha do a bit of Bridgerton follow-up, celebrate a When In Romance anniversary, and discuss romances by debut authors they’re watching for.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.
To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!
News
Read Jess’s excellent piece about the Bridgerton adaptation casting decisions and trauma centered on Black characters.
We talked about WIR Ep #22, featuring special guest Rebekah Weatherspoon.
And Trisha stands by her Carrie Underwood reference.
Books Discussed
For the Love of April French by Penny Aimes
Happy Endings by Thien-Kim Lam
A Lady’s Formula for Love by Elizabeth Everett
Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers
Love in Color: Mythical Tales From Around the World, Retold by Bobu Babalola
Sweethand by N.G. Peltier
Let us know what your favorite WIR moments have been, share your romance origin stories, and tell us what romance titles you’re excited about in 2021. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha celebrate a new year, discuss Netflix adaptation Bridgerton, and talk about the books they’re ready for – and hoping for – in 2021.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.
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News
You can watch Bridgerton (or not) on Netflix.
Books Discussed
The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert (Out March 9, 2021)
Incense and Sensibility by Sonali Dev (Out July 6, 2021)
How To Find A Princess by Alyssa Cole (Out May 25, 2021)
Cinnamon Roll and Weave the Dark, Weave the Light by Anna Zabo
Loose Ends Series by Rebekah Weatherspoon
The Bride Bet by Tessa Dare
The Devil Comes Courting by Courtney Milan (Out February 9, 2021)
Let us know what you thought of Bridgerton and what you’re excited to read in 2021. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha discuss news they’ve missed in recent weeks, give some “best of” list updates, and recommend a few of their favorite romances from 2020.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.
To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!
News
Romancing the Runoff raised a bonkers amount of money. [Per EW, with a longer piece on this and similar efforts on Jezebel]
Courtney Milan made the NYT notable fiction list with an independently published book because she is an unstoppable badass. [NYT]
Since we talked about the Goodreads Readers Choice awards, here’s what happened there.
Vote in the ReadRChat awards!
And ICYMI, here’s the Book Riot Best of 2020 list.
This KFC thing is happening for some reason…? [Washington Post]
Books Discussed
Deal with the Devil by Kit Rocha
Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev
The Duke Who Didn’t by Courtney Milan
Two Rogues Make a Right by Cat Sebastian
Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade
Thanks to everyone who rode the 2020 roller coaster with us! Let us know what your favorite books have been, and always feel free to send us your thoughts and questions. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It’s recommendation request time – part 2! Jess and Trisha offer recs to readers looking for comedic romance, underrepresented authors, cruelty-free paranormal romance, and more.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.
To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!
Books Discussed
Polaris Rising by Jesse Mihalik
The Blacksmith Queen by G.A. Aiken
Highland Dragon Warrior by Isabel Cooper
The Rebel Wears Plaid by Eliza Knight
Agnes Moor’s Wild Knight by Alyssa Cole
The Winter Sea and The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley
Being Hospitable by Meka James
Heartbeat Braves by Pamela Sanderson
Taking on the Billionaire by Robin Covington
Second Chance on Cypress Lane by Reese Ryan
The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams
The Love Study by Kris Ripper
Between a Rock and a Hot Mess by Phyllis Bourne
The Duke Who Didn’t by Courtney Milan
Truth or Beard by Penny Reid
Ghosting by Tash Skilton
Mangoes and Mistletoe by Adriana Herrera
Stripped by Zoey Castile
The Baldwin Village and Holidays with the Wongs series by Jackie Lau
The Sumage Solution by G.L. Carriger
Deal with the Devil by Kit Rocha
The Last Wolf by Maria Vale
Hot and Badgered by Shelly Laurenston
The Demigod’s Legacy and Prince in Leather by Holley Trent
Comedic Romances Discussed This Year
Get a Life, Chloe Brown and Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
The Roommate by Rosie Danan
You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria
The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa
Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
Meet Cute Club by Jack Harbon
Conventionally Yours by Annabeth Albert
Do You Want To Start a Scandal? by Tess Dare
Fumbled by Alexa Martin
Thanks to everyone who wrote in with recommendation requests, and always feel free to send us your thoughts and questions! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It’s recommendation request time!! Jess and Trisha offer recs to readers looking for soapy drama, storylines related to social justice, SFF without the alpha males, funny and quirky narrators, and more.
This episode is sponsored by TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering reading recommendations personalized to your reading life; First We Were IV by Alexandra Sirowy (KidsBuzz); and Just the Two of Us by Ryu Hyang with POPPYPUB and KPIPA.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.
To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!
News
No news on this episode, but Jess did recommend Crash Landing on You (available on Netflix).
Books Discussed
The Austen Playbook by Lucy Parker
The Rakess by Scarlett Peckham
After the Wedding by Courtney Milan
Wicked and the Wallflower by Sarah MacLean
Island Affair by Priscilla Oliveras
The Key to Happily Ever After by Tif Marcelo
Life is Sweet by Lily Seabrooke
Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin
Thirsty by Mia Hopkins
Guarding Temptation by Talia Hibbert
The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite
Open House by Ruby Lang
The Undoing by Shelly Laurenston
The AI Who Loved Me by Alyssa Cole
The Rose by Tiffany Reisz
Strange Love by Ann Aguirre
Intercepted by Alexa Martin
Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall
Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur
So Forward by Mina V. Esguerra
The Bollywood Bride and Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev
Rumor Has It by Cheris Hodges
Theirs for the Night and Forever Theirs by Katee Robert
Lush Money by Angelina M. Lopez
More recommendations still to come, and as always, feel free to send us your thoughts and questions! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha discuss where “best of” lists come from and what they’re for, and then they do a deep dive into meet cutes – and not so cutes – that includes a pop quiz and some recommendations.
This episode is sponsored by TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering reading recommendations personalized to your reading life; Sorrow by Tiffanie DeBartolo from Woodhall Press; and If The Boot Fits by Rebekah Weatherspoon from Kensington Books.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.
To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!
News
Publishers Weekly has weighed in on the best romances of the year, and Goodreads has asked readers to do the same.
Send us your recommendation requests for our holiday rec episode!
Books Discussed
His Convenient Husband by Robin Covington
Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare
Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
I Think I Might Love You by Christina C. Jones
One Last Chance by Therese Beharrie
My Fake Rake by Eva Leigh
Strange Love by Ann Aguirre
Play It Again by Aiden Wayne
Xeni by Rebekah Weatherspoon
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
Send us your holiday recommendation requests! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When In Romance is a biweekly romance podcast dedicated to romance novel news, enthusiasm, and romance book recommendations from Book Riot! Join hosts Jess and Trisha every other Monday as they dig into the joys and complexities of the genre. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha do some quick updates, talk about a complicated decision from Harlequin, and recommend romances with great friendships.
This episode is sponsored by TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering reading recommendations personalized to your reading life; Sips by: Experience the joy of personalized tea discovery; and Book Riot Insiders, the digital hangout spot for the Book Riot community.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.
To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!
News
Brenda Jackson’s books are getting the adaptation they so richly deserve! [Variety]
And speaking of adaptations, we have a premiere date for the Shonda Rhimes Bridgerton adaptation! [Deadline]
We adore Roan Parish and still have some thoughts about this because more than one thing can be true.
Jess wrote this great piece on friendships in Black and multicultural romance for Book Riot.
Send us your recommendation requests for our holiday rec episode!
Books Discussed
París Puede Esperar by Marisa Sicilia
Bane by Brenda Jackson
The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
Sustained and the whole Legal Briefs series by Emma Chase
Meet Cute Club and Kitten by Jack Harbon
The Love Study by Kris Ripper
Thanks to everyone who sends us emails and input! Feel free to keep ‘em coming. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha talk about the end of Audible Escape and why the “all you can read” model is a challenge in romance, and they recommend books with bisexual characters.
This episode is sponsored by Book Riot’s mystery thriller podcast, Read or Dead; TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering reading recommendations personalized to your reading life; and The Return by Nicholas Sparks.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.
To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!
News
Audible Escape is ending and romance readers aren’t pleased about the new option supposedly replacing it. [Distractify]
But according to The Digital Reader, many romance authors had been frustrated with the service for some time.
And if all of this sounds familiar, you might be remembering when this happened at Scribd. [The Guardian]
Books Discussed
Two Rogues Make a Right by Cat Sebastian
Wrong to Need You by Alisha Rai
Xeni by Rebekah Weatherspoon
Better Than People by Roan Parrish
Just Like That by Cole McCade
From Scratch by Katrina Jackson
Out on the Ice by Kelly Farmer
Let us know if you have feelings about the end of Audible Escape or favorite romances with bi characters. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha talk about the impacts of the pandemic on romance publishing, brainstorm possible ways it will affect future stories, and share favorite romances by Latinx authors.
This episode is sponsored by TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering reading recommendations personalized to your reading life; Book Riot Insiders; the digital hangout spot for the Book Riot community, and Portrait of Loyalty by Roseanna M. White.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.
To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!
News
Publisher’s Weekly did a few articles on the impact of the pandemic on small and indie publishers.
But romance sales increased this spring…
And a printing backlog is compounding problems.
Trisha also mentioned this discussion about COVID impacts on pop culture from Pop Culture Happy Hour.
Books Discussed
You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria
The Infamous Miss Rodriguez by Lydia San Andres
His Quiet Agent by Ada Maria Soto
American Dreamer, American Fairytale, and American Love Story by Adriana Herrera
Let us know if you have predictions about how COVID might impact romance and what your favorite books with Latinx authors and characters are. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha discuss the impact Corey Alexander had on romance discourse, check in about Bookstore Romance Day, and recommend romances involving sports.
This episode is sponsored by TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering reading recommendations personalized to your reading life; Book Riot Insiders, the digital hangout spot for the Book Riot community; and The Switch by Beth O’Leary.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.
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News
Corey Alexander, who wrote under the name Xan West, has died. You can find their insightful blog here.
You can still experience Bookstore Romance Day via YouTube.
Romance critic @JenReadsRomance put together this map of romance-friendly indie bookstores.
Might be a good time to revisit Trisha’s post on why indie bookstores need to carry romance.
Oh, and listen to our friends Alice and Kim (from whom we shamelessly stole this sports books in lieu of the Olympics idea) on Book Riot’s For Real podcast for nonfiction.
If you’re looking for more sports romance titles, here’s a list of 100 Must Read Sports Romances, and a few more Jess put together when she was writing about sports romance and white supremacy culture.
Books Discussed
Nine of Swords, Reversed by Xan West
Their Troublesome Crush by Xan West
Eight Kinky Nights by Xan West
The Changeup by Nicole Falls
Love Hard by Nalini Singh
Neighborly by Katrina Jackson
Out on the Ice by Kelly Farmer
So Forward by Mina V. Esguerra
The Hat Trick Series (first book is Off the Ice) by Avon Gale and Piper Vaughn
The Hot Shot by Kristen Callihan
His Convenient Husband by Robin Covington
The Playbook series (first book is Intercepted) by Alexa Martin
The Nymphs and Trojans series (first book is Shots Not Taken) by Nicole Falls and Alexandra Warren
Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan
40-Love by Olivia Dade
Let us know what bookstores you love that love romance and which sports romances you’re reading in lieu of the Olympics. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha flag some upcoming romance events, discuss how we talk about who writes and reads romance, and recommend romance series in which you can completely immerse yourself.
This episode is sponsored by Read or Dead, Book Riot’s mystery/thriller podcast, Deal With the Devil by Kit Rocha from Tor Books, and TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering reading recommendations personalized to your reading life.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.
To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!
News
Listeners added Upload and The Baby-Sitters Club to our recommendations in the last episode
The Ripped Bodice Awards are back!
Check out the Summer of Black Love Virtual Book Fair (ends August 14) and Bookstore Romance Day (August 15)
Information about Sorcha Rowan’s horrifying behavior is here
Publisher’s Weekly interviewed Avi Steinberg/Dana Becker
Some guys started a bromance book club
Books Discussed
The Bromance Book Club by Lissa Kay Adams
The Blessings series by Beverly Jenkins (first book is Bring on the Blessings)
The Brothers Sinister series by Courtney Milan (first book is The Duchess War)
The Hidden Legacy series by Ilona Andrews (first book is Burn For Me)
The Sugar Baby series by Rebekah Weatherspoon (first book is So Sweet)
The Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carrigar (first book is Soulless)
The Gathering of Dragons series by Milla Vane (first book is A Heart of Blood and Ashes)
The Twisted Wishes series by Anna Zabo (first book is Syncopation)
The Seducing the Sedgwicks series by Cat Sebastian (first book is It Takes Two to Tumble)
The Westmoreland series by Brenda Jackson (first book is Delaney’s Desert Sheikh)
The Psy-Changeling series by Nalini Singh (first book is Slave to Sensation)
Let us know what series have hooked you from the first book (seriously, Trisha is almost done with the Blessings series and needs the recs). As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha talk about things people love about reading romance and then offer some non-romance novel entertainment options that might share similar qualities.
This episode is sponsored by TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering reading recommendations personalized to your reading life; Libro FM; and Book Riot Insiders, the digital hangout spot for the Book Riot community.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.
To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!
News Discussed
You – yes you! – can attend the virtual Romance GenreCon from the Mid-Continent Public Library!
Books and Non-Book Entertainment Discussed
Tangled
Playing House
The Great
Harlots
Ms. Marvel by G. Willow Wilson and illustrated by Adrian Alphona
Green Lantern Legacy by Minh Le and illustrated by Andie Tong
America Vol 1: The Life and Times of America Chavez and America Vol 2: Fast and Furtona by Gabby Rivera
Digital coloring, and specifically Happy Color and Color Planet
Sanjay’s Super Team
Purl
Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin with pictures by Betsy Lewin
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett and drawn by Ron Barrett
The Bold Type
The Weekend
Tig
Imagine Me & You
Kissing Jessica Stein
But I’m a Cheerleader
Free Solo
Let us know what you love about reading romance and whether you can get any of those feelings or perspectives through other media. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha talk about all of the many things they liked about Getting Schooled by Christina C. Jones and and recommend some favorite romance reads from the year so far – to the extent that they’ve been able to read.
This episode is sponsored by TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering reading recommendations personalized to your reading life; Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall, from Sourcebooks; and Book Riot Insiders, the digital hangout spot for the Book Riot community.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.
To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!
News
Book Riot’s best books of 2020 so far is here for your enjoyment and TBR-extending purposes.
Books Discussed
Getting Schooled by Christina C. Jones
The Rakess by Scarlett Peckham
Guarding Temptation by Talia Hibbert
Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
One Last Chance by Therese Beharrie
Two Rogues Make a Right by Cat Sebastian
Check, Please: Sticks and Scones by Ngozi Ukazu
Let us know what you thought of Getting Schooled (do you need the dark moment??) and what your favorite books of 2020 so far have been. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha discuss some more RWA work, takeaways from a Juneteeth Book Fest panel on writing Black romance, the delight for all readers in reading queer romance, and offer some favorites for Pride Month.
This episode is sponsored by Hey YA, Book Riot’s own podcast about all things young adult lit; Book Riot Insiders, the digital hangout spot for the Book Riot community; and TBR: Tailored Book Recommendations, Book Riot’s personalized reading recommendation service, which now has gifting!
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.
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News
Please take a few minutes and fill out our survey! You could win an ereader!
RWA is working to support Dreamspinner authors who are owed money.
Here’s a great longform piece from Vox on the racism in RWA and how a new board is trying to turn things around.
Learn about the Juneteenth Book Fest and then watch the “Black Love: Writing Black Romance” panel!
Books Discussed
Treasure by Rebekah Weatherspoon
Just Like That by Cole McCade
That Could be Enough by Alyssa Cole
Lord of the Last Heartbeat by May Petersen
Two Rogues Make a Right and It Takes Two to Tumble by Cat Sebastian
The Craft of Love by EE Ottoman
Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
Every Dark Desire by Fiona Zedde
Getting Schooled by Christina C. Jones (read it now for our book club discussion in the next episode!)
Let us know what you thoughts of the Juneteeth Book Fest romance panel and what thoughts and questions you have about Getting Schooled! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha talk about the impact of anti-Black racism in publishing, an RWA awards decision, and books we love by Black authors. Plus! We announce a new book club pick!
This episode is sponsored by Hey YA, Book Riot’s own podcast about all things young adult lit; Book Riot Insiders, the digital hangout spot for the Book Riot community; and TBR: Tailored Book Recommendations, Book Riot’s personalized reading recommendation service, which now has gifting!
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.
To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!
News
PublishingPaidMe has illustrated the systemic racism in publishing.
Lee and Low helped quantify it by posting their data about the appallingly low number of Black authors and publishing professionals.
RWA has dropped the RITA and replaced it with the Vivian, a new award named for RWA founder Vivian Stephens.
Books Discussed
The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon
That Kind of Guy by Talia Hibbert
Pink Slip by Katrina Jackson
Wherever You Are Are by Elle Wright
So Sweet by Rebekah Weatherspoon
In Case You Forgot by Frederick Smith and Chaz Lamar
Getting Schooled by Christina C. Jones (read it now for our July book club discussion!)
As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha talk with Passionflix founder and CEO Tosca Musk about romance adaptations, managing fan and author expectations, and what being a “producer” actually means.
This episode is sponsored by a Taste of Sage from Harper Paperbacks; Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev and William Morrow paperbacks; and TBR: Book Riot’s service for Tailored Book Recommendations, now available as a gift!
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.
To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!
News
Take a peek at Gabriel’s Inferno or one of the other romance novel adaptations on Passionflix.
Books Discussed
Gabriel’s Inferno by Sylvain Reynard
The Ravenswood Series (the first book is A Girl Like Her) by Talia Hibbert
Better Off Red by Rebekah Weatherspoon
Let It Shine by Alyssa Cole
Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner
The Driven series (the first book is Driven) by K. Bromberg
Fighting to Breathe by Aurora Rose Reynolds
Wicked by Jennifer L. Armentrout
You can find Tosca and Passionflix on Twitter and Instagram at @toscamusk and @passionflix, and as always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha talk about the importance of inclusive language, have MANY thoughts about an adaptation of Safe Harbour by Danielle Steel, and recommend a few more readalikes and some romances that are set entirely in one location.
This episode is sponsored by Lit Stitch: 25 Cross-Stitch Patterns for Book Lovers, made by Book Riot and Abrams; TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering Tailored Book Recommendations for readers of all stripes; and Stay with Me from author Becky Wade.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.
To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!
News
The GLAAD Media Reference Guide might be a useful resource for a lot of us.
Safe Harbour – with a “u” – may be the romance adaptation you need right now. It also very much may not be.
Books Discussed
Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors and Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev
Island Affair by Priscilla Oliveras
One Last Chance by Terese Beharrie
American Fairytale and American Love Story by Adriana Herrera
Rafe by Rebekah Weatherspoon
Sleeper by Kayley Loring
A Taste of Her own Medicine by Tasha L. Harrison
Do You Want to Start a Scandal? by Tessa Dare
A Cowboy to Remember by Rebekah Weatherspoon
Candy Hearts by Erin McLellan
Proper English by KJ Charles
Bear With Me by Lucy Eden
Keep sending us your recs for what romance adaptations we should discuss, and let us know what your favorite single setting romances are. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha chat about remote romance author events, share their thoughts on the adaptation of Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella, and offer read-alikes for some of the books and series they talk about most.
This episode is sponsored by TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering Tailored Book Recommendations for readers of all stripes; Libro FM; and Book Riot Insiders, the digital hangout spot for the Book Riot community.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.
To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!
News
Info about the May 1 Loyalty Bookstore event with Alyssa Cole, Rebekah Weatherspoon, Sharina Harris, and Mia Sosa is here! (Doesn’t look like there’s a video up at this point, so keep an eye out!)
Can You Keep a Secret? may be the romance adaptation you need right now…maybe.
Books Discussed
Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella
A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole
The Princess Trap by Talia Hibbert
The Princess Affair by Nell Stark
The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller
Glitterland by Alexis Hall
It Takes Two to Tumble by Cat Sebastian
Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh
Ayesha At Last by Uzma Jalaluddin
Unmarriageable by Soniah Kamal
Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn
The Marriage Game by Sara Desai (scheduled for release on June 9, 2020)
The Twisted Wishes series (first book is Syncopation) by Anna Zabo
The Rakess by Scarlett Peckham
Hot and Badgered by Shelly Laurenston
The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite
How to Talk to Nice English Girls by Gretchen Evans
Life is Sweet by Lily Seabrooke
Being Hospitable by Meka James
Keep sending us your recs for what romance adaptations we should discuss, and let us know what WIR faves you need read-alikes for. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha discuss some recent RWA developments, review the adaptation of Beverly Jenkins’s Deadly Sexy, and recommend some favorites by Ms. Bev.
This episode is sponsored by TBR, Book Riot's subscription service offering Tailored Book Recommendations for readers of all stripes; Book Riot Insiders, the digital hangout spot for the Book Riot community; and Sourcebooks’s Conventionally Yours by Annabeth Albert.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.
To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!
News
RWA has a brand new Board of Directors and one of the first orders of business was to offer some apologies.
Deadly Sexy on Amazon Video may be the romance adaptation you need right now.
Books Discussed
A Cowboy to Remember by Rebekah Weatherspoon
Do You Want to Start a Scandal? By Tessa Dare
Reverb by Anna Zabo
By Beverly Jenkins:
Destiny’s Embrace and the Destiny Series
Indigo
Through the Storm
Forbidden
Rebel
Keep sending us your recs for what romance adaptations we should discuss, and let us know what you’re reading to take care of yourselves these days. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and special guest host Jenn Northington (Co-host of Book Riot podcasts Get Booked and SFF Yeah! and all-around person of awesomeness) talk All Things Austen and Austen-related. They discuss Jenn’s participation in a Regency RPG, Drunk Austen’s VirtualJaneCon, share recs for Austen retellings, and talk about an Emma adaptation that people don’t talk enough about.
This episode is sponsored by TBR: Tailored Book Recommendations; Book Riot Insiders; and Libro FM.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.
To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!
News
Book Riot has a story stream collecting all of our bookish COVID-19 coverage.
Check out Good Society, the Regency Role Playing Game.
See the rundown of VirtualJaneCon, which was held over the weekend of March 28-29. Many of the video presentations are linked there or on Drunk Austen’s Facebook page.
See if there’s an event like Jane Austen Night at the Woodlands near you.
Books Discussed
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Persuasion by Jane Austen
Emma by Jane Austen
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Sanditon by Jane Austen
Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding (referenced)
Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors by Sonali Dev
Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev
If I Loved You Less by Tamsen Parker
Sophia Khan is Not Obliged by Ayisha Malik
Ayesha At Last by Uzma Jalaluddin
Longbourn by Jo Baker
Well Played by Katrina Ramos Atienza
And check out the 2009 adaptation of Emma starring Romola Garai and Jonny Lee Miller.
There was also some Clueless discussion.
Check out the interview with 2020 Emma director Autumn de Wilde on the Novel Gazing podcast.
Watch that version of Emma.
Here’s the Great Emma-Off from Gail Carriger’s blog.
Keep sending us your recs for what romance adaptations we should discuss, and let us know what you’re reading to take care of yourselves these days. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha (and Jenn!) at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @jennIRL), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @iamjennIRL). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha know that things are super weird and rough right now, but they’ve got some ideas and book recs for romance fans. They also discuss the annual Ripped Bodice report on the State of Racial Diversity in Romance Publishing.
This episode is sponsored by TBR: Tailored Book Recommendations; The Honey-Don’t List from the New York Times bestselling author of The Unhoneymooners, Christina Lauren; and My Way To You by Catherine Bybee.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.
To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!
News
Book Riot has a story stream collecting all of our bookish COVID-19 coverage.
If you want to support authors who have new releases out, the Book Riot Insiders New Release Index can help you find them.
And if you want to (and can!) support local bookstores, lots are delivering and/or shipping. We mentioned The Haunted Book Shop and The Ripped Bodice, but there are others!
Speaking of The Ripped Bodice, the annual racial diversity and inclusion report has been released, and Jess offered some reflections on it.
Virgin River on Netflix may be the romance adaptation you need right now. And these are the adaptations you may need ASAP.
Books Discussed
Hot and Badgered by Shelly Laurenston
The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller
Rafe, Xeni, A Cowboy to Remember, So Sweet, and Treasure by Rebekah Weatherspoon
Team Phison by Chace Verity
Conventionally Yours by Annabeth Albert
And feel free to check out this episode of WIR with Rebekah Weatherspoon for more fluffy reads.
Keep sending us your recs for what romance adaptations we should discuss, and let us know what you’re reading to take care of yourselves these days. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha talk about some maybe promising RWA news and a literacy fundraiser, romances about people overcoming obstacles, and stories that grab you right from the start.
This episode is sponsored by Book Riot Insiders, the digital hangout spot for the Book Riot community, and Flatiron Books, publisher of Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore and Anna K by Jenny Lee.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.
To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!
News
Here’s a list of those running for RWA positions courtesy of Melanie Greene.
Donate or spread the word about Romance for Literacy!
Books Discussed
Damaged Goods by Talia Hibbert
Think of England by KJ Charles
Thirsty and Trashed by Mia Hopkins
Fit by Rebekah Weatherspoon
Idol, Managed, and Fall by Kristen Callihan
Something About You by Julie James
Bear With Me and Blind Date With a Book Boyfriend by Lucy Eden
Mr. and Mr. Smith by HelenKay Dimon
Proper English by KJ Charles
White Whiskey Bargain by Jodie Slaughter
Send us your recs for what romance adaptations we should discuss! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha discuss the way the RWA debacle somehow keeps getting worse, celebrate the Ripped Bodice Awards, offer you some short reads for this short month, and toss out a couple of romances that fit the 2020 Read Harder Challenge.
This episode is sponsored by Book Riot’s Read Harder 2020 Challenge, The Handsell, and Chasing Cassandra by Lisa Kleypas.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.
To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!
News
The entire RWA board resigned.
You can read the RWA audit report for yourself, but you should definitely read some of the reactions to it as well.
Here’s a thread from the CIMRWA chapter (And quick clarification – as of our recording, the board of that chapter had voted to bring a vote of dissolution to their membership and the results of that vote aren’t public yet, so we don’t know yet whether they’ve voted to dissolve.)
The Ripped Bodice awards for Excellence in Romantic Fiction have been announced!
Books Discussed
House Rules by Ruby Lang
Team Phison by Chace Verity
Baggage Claimed by Alexandra Warren
Unsolicited Duke Pic by Nico Russo
Taken by Charlotte Stein
The Heart is a Universe by Sherry Thomas
White Whiskey Bargain by Jodie Slaughter
A Cowboy to Remember by Rebekah Weatherspoon
The Good, The Bad, and the Dad by Jaxon Knight
Send us your favorite short romances and the romances you’re Reading Harder in 2020! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha match romances to conversation heart sayings and recommend romances for all of your Valentine’s/Galentine’s/Palentine’s Day needs.
This episode is sponsored by The Handsell; Never Kiss a Duke by Megan Frampton, published by Avon Books; and Book Riot Insiders.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.
To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!
NEWS
None! We took the week off from news – it’s our “Alentine’s” Day gift to you.
BOOKS DISCUSSED
Take the Lead by Alexis Daria
His Convenient Husband by Robin Covington
Mating the Huntress by Talia Hibbert
Royally Matched by Emma Chase
A Prince on Paper by Alyssa Cole
My Boyfriend is a Bear by Pamela Ribon and Cat Farris
The Undoing by Shelly Laurenston
Just One More by Jodie Slaughter
The Twisted Wishes series by Ana Zabo (first book is Syncopation)
The Governess Game by Tessa Dare
The Fixer, The Enforcer, and The Negotiator by HelenKay Dimon
Candy Hearts by Erin McLellan
A Big Surprise for Valentine’s Day by Jackie Lau
Send us your favorite Val/Gal/Palentine’s Day picks! And let us know the romance titles you’d match with candy hearts (or feel free to just concur with Trisha about which candies are gross). As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha are a little underwhelmed about some news updates, are delighted by Get a Life Chloe Brown, and are ready to point you toward the romance you need to achieve your new year’s resolution. This episode is sponsored by Book Riot’s Read Harder 2020 Challenge, the new podcast Novel Gazing, and Book Riot Insiders. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! NEWS In the ongoing RWA debacle, Damon Suede resigned and Executive Director Carol Ritter is leaving as of January 31. Just a general shout out to #readRchat team and the #readRchat awards and also to the lovely people behind Romance Sparks Joy. In case you need a reminder, here’s the episode we did about the Dreamspinner story. And here’s an update. BOOKS DISCUSSED Get A Life Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn The AI Who Loved Me by Alyssa Cole A Delicate Deception by Cat Sebastian One Last Chance by Therese Beharrie Thanks for all of the feedback about Chloe Brown and Goodreads reviews! Send us your additional Chloe Brown thoughts and which books you’re using to support your new year’s goals. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha try to explain the destructive disaster that engulfed RWA, talk about the implications of the organization’s implosion, and discuss 2020 resolutions and romance titles they’re ready for. This episode is sponsored by Book Riot Insiders, Book Riot’s Read Harder 2020 Challenge, and Libro FM. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! NEWS Here’s the SBTB rundown of the RWA debacle, and here’s Claire Ryan’s detailed timeline of the events leading up to it. Jess did some very thoughtful reflecting on the situation as well. Romance Sparks Joy created a list of books by underrepresented authors which were withdrawn from the RITA awards (which have now been cancelled). And here’s the original of the comic Jess was describing by Alex Norris. (There’s another version with a fourth panel, but we’re not sure who created that fourth panel.) BOOKS DISCUSSED The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon (Coming June 9th) Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev (Coming May 26th) Get A Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert (which we’re discussing on the next episode of WIR!) Send us your 2020 resolutions, books you can’t wait for, and your Goodreads reviewing tips! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha pass along some recs from listeners, run through some recent romance news, and celebrate some of their 2019 reading highlights. This episode is sponsored by the Read Harder Journal, Regretting You by Colleen Hoover from Amazon Publishing, and Libro FM. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! NEWS Don’t forget to check out The Lesbian Review for great f/f options! Here’s Christine Feehan’s second statement. We’re sending good vibes/energy/magic to Donna, and as of this writing the Feel Better Bundle is still available at kitrocha.com/surgery. And here’s Jenny Trout’s rundown of the many ways defenses of Lucia Franco’s book are a BIG problem. BOOKS DISCUSSED From the additional request section: Wait by Susan Fanetti Secrets Well Kept and Chain Reactions by Lynn Ames The Witch of Stalingrad (and others) by Justine Saracen The Journey Home by K’Anne Meinel Letters Never Sent by Sandra Moran Kitten by Jack Harbon The Fixer by HelenKay Dimon Hearts of Ishira by Bethany Aan Chosen by Stacy Jones Other books discussed: Well Met by Jen DeLuca Blitzed by Alexa Martin World Turned Upside Down by Elyse Springer My Fake Rake by Eva Leigh Work For It by Talia Hibbert Flashed by Zoey Castile Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin The Bride Test by Helen Hoang Once Ghosted, Twice Shy by Alyssa Cole The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller I Think I Might Love You by Christina C. Jones Get A Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert (which we’re discussing on the WIR ep coming Jan 27!) Huge thanks to everyone who sent recommendations for other listeners. Let us know what romance you loved in 2019 and what you’re excited about for 2020 – we’ll meet you there! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It’s part two of romance recs! Jess and Trisha talk historicals, slow build romance, SFF romcoms, and much (much) more! This episode is sponsored by the Read Harder Journal, TBR from Book Riot, and Libro FM. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! NEWS Not news exactly, but here’s the SFF Yeah! episode we mentioned that highlights SF/F romance. And here’s the Kit Rocha “search by theme/trope” page – have fun! BOOKS DISCUSSED The Tiger and Del series (starting with Sword-Dancer) by Jennifer Roberson Slave to Sensation and Silver Silence (which is the first in the later trilogy) by Nalini Singh Hither, Page by Cat Sebastian Bring on the Blessings and Destiny’s Embrace by Beverly Jenkins The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley The Ladies Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Oliva Waite Dithered Hearts by Chace Verity Beyond Jealousy by Kit Rocha Ayesha At Last by Uzma Jalaluddin The Bollywood Bride, A Distant Heart, and Pride, Prejudice and Other Flavors by Sonali Dev In Her Sights (first in the Rocky Mountain Bounty Hunters series by Katie Ruggle) Sanctuary and Xeni by Rebekah Weatherspoon Beard Science by Penny Reid Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey Flirting With Disaster by Victoria Dahl Rend and In the Middle of Somewhere by Roan Parrish Reverb by Anna Zabo Shadows You Left by Jude Sierra and Taylor Brooke (Quick correction: we named the wrong “Taylor” in this ep. Taylor Brooke is the very talented co-author of this book – our apologies for the error!) Unsolicited Duke Pic by Nico Rosso In Case You Forgot by Frederick Smith and Chaz Lamar Anything by by Jay Northcote (A Family For Christmas is a great option!) Anything by T.J. Klune (Wolfsong is a great place to start!) The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller The Unleashing by Shelly Laurenston Legend of the Highland Dragon by Isabel Cooper Soulless and The Sumage Solution (which kicks off the San Andreas Shifters series) by Gail Carriger The Liberators of Willow Run by Marianne K. Martin Heart’s Orders by Jaycie Morrison Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer Thank you again for all of your enthusiasm, and let us know if you have recs we missed – especially for the requests that left us a little bit stumped! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It’s the recommendation show!! Jess and Trisha rec books that deal with infertility, romance with disabled characters, holiday titles that may not be on your radar, and more. This episode is sponsored by A Story Most Queer from Mischief Media and Book Riot Insiders. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! NEWS Don’t forget to find yourself a copy of Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert so that you’re ready for the WIR Book Cub discussion coming in January. For more great info about romance titles featuring characters with disabilities, check out the wonderful Sense and Disability site. And stay tuned for the next episode if we didn’t get to your question today! BOOKS DISCUSSED Love Around The Corner by Sally Malcolm A Second Chance Road Trip for Christmas and One Bed For Christmas by Jackie Lau Auld Lang Syne by Rebel Carter A Family For Christmas by Jay Northcote MILF on a Shelf by Nico Rosso Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas So Good by Darcy Burke Snow-Kissed by Laura Florand The Countess Conspiracy by Courtney Milan Can’t Escape Love by Alyssa Cole Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare Autumn by Cole McCade Worth It All by Claudia Connor Play It Again by Aidan Wayne Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy Reichert Pride, Prejudice and Other Flavors by Sonali Dev The Matched to Perfection series (starting with His Perfect Partner) by Priscilla Oliveras How to Be a Normal Person and How to Be a Movie Star by T.J. Klune (Do note Jess’s epic caveat on this one!) The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley The Hidden Blade and My Beautiful Enemy by Sherry Thomas The Spymaster’s Lady by Joanna Bourne Thank you for all of the recommendation requests and for all of your enthusiasm about great books and stories! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha announce the next WIR book club pick, talk about romance authors who write in multiple subgenres, and discuss how to fill the gap when your favorite author stops writing romance – or just does it a bit more slowly than you might like. This episode is sponsored by Mischief Media, Book Riot’s Read This Book giveaway, and Book Riot’s TBR subscription service. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! NEWS Thanks to Melody from the Heaving Bosoms podcast for pointing us toward HEAs All Day: Romance Novels as Social Justice Narratives, a Goodreads book club hosted by Maria DeBlassie! Check out both the book club, which is related to our discussion from the last episode, and the HB podcast, which is delightful. Find yourself a copy of Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert so that you’re ready for the WIR Book Cub discussion coming in January! Here’s Jessica Avery’s rad BR post about Tiffany Reisz books if you need more guidance (or even if you don’t). And this is our last call for any recommendation requests! Send them to wheninromance@bookriot.com by November 11! BOOKS DISCUSSED Radio Silence, A Princess in Theory, and Let It Shine by Alyssa Cole Trade Me and The Duchess War by Courtney Milan Haven, Better Off Red, and Rafe by Rebekah Weatherspoon The Night Mark and The Rose by Tiffany Reisz Writing Her In and Erstwhile by Holley/HE Trent Jane Doe by Victoria Helen Stone Between the Sheets by Molly O’Keefe The Forbidden Hearts series (beginning with Hate to Want You) by Alisha Rai The Third Mrs. Durst and the 2B trilogy (beginning with I Want It That Way) by Ann Aguirre To Love A Scandalous Duke by Liana de la Rosa A Bollywood Affair and Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors by Sonali Dev In the Middle of Somewhere and Riven by Roan Parrish The Ultimate Pi Day Party and A Match Made for Thanksgiving by Jackie Lau Tell us your favorite multi-subgenre romance authors and what writers you’ve turned to when you can’t get your hands on a book by your favorite author. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha talk about what's great and what can be challenging about book clubs, the role of romances that address social and cultural issues, and some recs for books that do just that. This episode is sponsored by Book Riot’s blind date with a book giveaway; Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren, available now from Gallery Books; and The Library of Lost Things by Laura Taylor Namey. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! NEWS AND UPDATES Thanks again to Jackie Horne from Romance Novels for Feminists for her book list on romance history and romance literary criticism! For the full list from Jackie, check out the full show notes for this episode at Book Riot. And check out Sense and Disability and the RomBkPod podcast for great romances that include disability rep! BOOKS Butterfly Swords by Jeannie Lin Intercepted by Alexa Martin The Bride Test by Helen Hoang The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai His Convenient Husband by Robin Covington Fumbled by Alexa Martin Thirsty and Trashed by Mia Hopkins Roomies by Christina Lauren Ayesha At Last by Uzma Jalaluddin American Love Story and American Fairytale by Adriana Herrera Goalie Interference by Avon Gale and Piper Vaughn Can’t Escape Love by Alyssa Cole Tell us your thoughts about book cubs (and specifically the When In Romance book club) and romances that deal with serious social issues. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha discuss how sexual content ratings could work in romance, talk about how to learn more about the history of romance and romance trailblazers, and recommend some romance you might want to read this autumn. This episode is sponsored by Book Riot’s blind date with a book giveaway and No Judgement by Meg Cabot from William Morrow Paperbacks. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! NEWS Learn more about romance history from the RWA’s Romance Trailblazers page and from the Love Between the Covers Resource Guide. BOOKS Background and history on the romance genre: Desert Passions: Orientalism and Romance Novels by Hsu-Ming Teo Dangerous Books for Girls by Maya Rodale A Natural History of the Romance Novel by Pamela Regis Dangerous Men and Adventurous Women: Romance Writers on the Appeal of Romance edited by Jayne Ann Krentz Beyond Heaving Bosoms: The Smart Bitches Guide to Romance Novels by Sarah Wendell and Candy Tan Everything I know About Love I Learned From Romance Novels by Sarah Wendell Romance Recs: Perfect Rhythm by Jae Mating the Huntress by Talia Hibbert Goalie Interference by Avon Gale and Piper Vaughn Suckerpunch by Elyse Springer Halloween Boo by Sarah Spade The Winston Brothers Series by Penny Reid (the first book is Truth or Beard) A Match Made for Thanksgiving by Jackie Lau Tell us your thoughts on how to signal sexual content in romance, ways to learn about and appreciate trailblazers across romance history, and what you’re reading this season. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com) or you can still catch us at trisha@riotnewmedia.comand jessica@riotnewmedia.com. You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha share some thoughts about book displays; discuss plot, characters, science, and embroidery for the Great Big Romance Read; and talk about buzzworthy books still to come in 2019. This episode is sponsored by Book Riot’s mysteries giveaway, Libro FM, and Frankly In Love by David Yoon from Penguin Random House Audio. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Booksnewsletter! NEWS ICYMI, here’s the Barnes & Noble info about their increase in romance sales If you’re looking for a romance cause to support, check out the Sandra Hyde Romance Writers Trust. We got to talk about The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Oliva Waite for the Great Big Romance Read! BOOKS Primary Suspect by Laura Scott The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Oliva Waite A Little Light Mischief by Cat Sebastian The Write Escape by Charish Reid (out September 30) The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller (out October 8) Lush Money by Angelina M. Lopez (out October 14) Blitzed by Alexa Martin (out December 3) Beard Necessities by Penny Reid (out November 4) American Love Story by Adriana Herrera (out October 7) My Fake Rake by Eva Leigh (out November 26) Not the Girl You Marry by Andie J. Christopher (out November 12) Tell us how your bookstores display romance, what you thought of The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics, and what you can’t wait to read for the rest of 2019. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com) or you can still catch us at trisha@riotnewmedia.comand jessica@riotnewmedia.com. You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha discuss an unprofessional move by a writer in New Zealand, authors who aren’t getting paid by a romance publisher, and the romance authors, series, and subgenres they came to a bit late. This episode is sponsored by Book Riot’s mysteries giveaway, Shadow Mountain Publishing, and the Recommended podcast. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! NEWS Check out the new inclusive romance podcast RomBkPod! Here is what a professional article about romance author Nalini Singh looks like. And if you want to learn more about a literary charity supporting New Zealand romance writers, check out the Sandra Hyde Romance Writers Trust. Tweets about the Dreamspinner Press non-payment debacle from Anna Zabo (not a Dreamspinner author), Avon Gale, and TJ Klune. We’re discussing The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics for the Great Big Romance Read in our next episode! Send us your thoughts before Sept 19! BOOKS I Think I Might Love You by Christina C. Jones Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh Wolfsong and How to Be a Movie Star by TJ Klune The Preacher’s Promise and A Champion’s Heart by Piper Huguley The Princess Trap, A Girl Like Her, and Damaged Goods by Talia Hibbert It Takes Two to Tumble by Cat Sebastian Stripped by Zoey Castile Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey Let us know your thoughts and questions about The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics and what series, authors, and genres you came to late. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com) or you can still catch us at trisha@riotnewmedia.com and jessica@riotnewmedia.com. You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha are not surprised that romance sales are up, talk a little about romance book printing and supply decisions, and recommend books in which the geographic setting is integral to the story. This episode is sponsored by Book Riot Insiders; Libro FM; and TBR, Book Riot’s new subscription service offering tailored book recommendations for readers of all stripes. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! NEWS Barnes & Noble is selling more romance (and the bestselling books are listed at that link). Podcast high-five for all of the booksellers involved in Bookstore Romance Day! The Great Big Romance Read caused a spike in sales for The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics – and don’t forget we’re discussing that next month! Here are Esi Sogah’s threads on book availability and on romance covers and trade paperback. And here’s the Book Riot piece on illustrated covers by Kelly Jensen. BOOKS The Big Burn by Timothy Egan We Are Never Meeting In Real Life by Samantha Irby Misadventures of a Curvy Girl by Sierra Simone The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite Once Ghosted, Twice Shy by Alyssa Cole Virgin River by Robyn Carr Three Part Harmony by Holley Trent Pride by Ibi Zoboi Wicked and the Wallflower by Sarah MacLean Brazen and the Beast by Sarah MacLean The World Turned Upside Down by Elyse Springer Indigo by Beverly Jenkins Rebel by Beverly Jenkins I Think I Might Love You by Christina C. Jones The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy E. Reichart Let us know your thoughtful thoughts on romance sales, supply, covers, and geography! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com) or you can still catch us at trisha@riotnewmedia.com and jessica@riotnewmedia.com. You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha celebrate important progress at the RITAs, talk through romance authors writing outside their own experience, and brainstorm what romance series they’d like to see get the fanfic treatment. This episode is sponsored by the podcast Hot and Bothered from Spoke Media; The Rogue to Ruin by Vivienne Lorret; and The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai, published by Avon Books. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! NEWS Ripped Bodice giveaway! Ripped Bodice Great Big Romance Read! You can still watch the RITAs AND the Romance Trailblazers video – lucky you! Here’s the post Jess wrote about the RITAs, the full list of RITA winners, and the statement about the process from the RWA Board. Jess mentioned this thread about writing and representation from the exceptionally thoughtful and talented Adriana Herrera. And here’s the list of new Smarty Pants Romance books. BOOKS The Color of Love by Sandra Kitt The Winston Brothers series (first book is Truth or Beard) Merry Inkmas by Talia Hibbert The Reluctant Royals series by Alyssa Cole (first book is A Princess in Theory) Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes Let us know what you think of romance written outside an author’s experience and what extended or alternate universes you’d like to see in romance! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com) or you can still catch us at trisha@riotnewmedia.com and jessica@riotnewmedia.com. You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha are delighted about a new award for excellence in romance fiction, discouraged by some publishing news, and thinking about how tragedy in a romance can impact the “happily” in an HEA. This episode is sponsored by Libro.fm audiobooks, The Rogue to Ruin by Vivienne Lorret, and Mom’s Perfect Boyfriend by Crystal Hemmingway. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! NEWS Get excited for The Great Big Romance Read from The Ripped Bodice! We’ll discuss The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite on Sept 23, so feel free to send us your thoughts about it between now and then! And then get excited about the Ripped Bodice Awards for Excellence in Romantic Fiction! This Harlequin/Carina Press news is less exciting, and here’s Angela James’ farewell to Carina. And some people are pretty frustrated about this Entangled Publishing news as well. (If you need a reminder about book stuffing, we talked about it last year in Episode 17, “Look How We Accidentally Recommended All the Strippers.”) Less Than Three Press is also closing because this week is full of publishing bummers. And here’s the list of 50 Must Read Romances from the 2010s that we talked about. BOOKS The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite Desire and the Deep Blue Sea by Olivia Dade The Perfect Date by Evelyn Lozada with Holly Lorincz Her Other Secret by HelenKay Dimon Let us know what you think of the new Ripped Bodice Awards and tragedy in romance, and what your favorite romances of the last decade are! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com) or you can still catch us at trisha@riotnewmedia.comand jessica@riotnewmedia.com. You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha are joined by the wonderful Sarah Wendell of Smart Bitches, Trashy Books for a mid-year check in, and they discuss all things romance in 2019 so far – big news, breakout authors, and books we’ve loved and want everyone to read. This episode is sponsored by Libro.fm audiobooks, Sourcebooks (featuring Kingdom of Exiles by Maxym M. Martineau), and Lifelines by Heidi Diehl. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! NEWS Sarah’s website and podcast will both add delight and books to your life. Sarah talked about a 1997 lawsuit involving Nora Roberts, and you can read about it here and here. Allow Courtney Milan to remind you about the #CopyPasteCris situation. (You can also revisit some of our episodes from the spring.) Listen to Sarah’s interview with Kristy (CaffeinatedFae) and Claire Ryan, and visit the website for Claire’s software in progress that will help detect plagiarism. Here are a couple of links to remind you about what went very wrong with the RITA nominations, and a statement from the RWA Board about what they want to do differently. The Bridgerton Series made some great casting announcements. Here’s that Book Riot “Best of 2019 So Far” list we mentioned. And here’s the episode of Smart Podcast, Trashy Books featuring Jess and Trisha. BOOKS Beyond Heaving Bosoms: The Smart Bitches’ Guide to Romance Novels by Sarah Wendell Everything I Know About Love I Learned from Romance Novels by Sarah Wendell Lighting the Flames by Sarah Wendell These are the authors who are breaking out in 2019 (or who are about to!) along with where you can start with their books: Linda Holmes – Evvie Drake Starts Over Alisha Rai – The upcoming book is The Right Swipe Jasmine Guillory – Coming this month is The Wedding Party, and the holiday book Jess mentioned is Royal Holiday Anna Zabo – The Twisted Wishes series starts with Syncopation We also talked about these books that we’ve loved so far this year: The Key to Happily Ever After by Tif Marcelo Wolf Pack by Abby Wambach (which is non-fiction, not romance…and while you’re at it with commencement speeches turned into books, also listen to Dream More by Dolly Parton) Kiss and Cry by Mina V. Esguerra The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman American Dreamer and American Fairytale by Adriana Herrera Can’t Escape Love by Alyssa Cole The Ultimate Pi Day Party by Jackie Lau A Prince on Paper by Alyssa Cole Pride, Prejudice and Other Flavors by Sonali Dev Ayesha At Last by Uzma Jalaluddin Let us know what romance authors you think are having a big 2019 and what you’ve been reading and loving this year! Find Sarah online at smartbitchestrashybooks.com or (for the podcast) smartbitchestrashybooks.com/podcast; on Instagram and Twitter @smartbitches; OR you can email her at sarah@smartbitchestrashybooks.com! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the shiny new WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com) or you can still catch us at trisha@riotnewmedia.comand jessica@riotnewmedia.com. You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha do a bit of follow-up, discuss an article about the online abuse romance writers face, mention a few releases for the second half of 2019 that they’re looking forward to, and shout out some underrated romance authors. This episode is sponsored by Libro.fm audiobooks, Her Other Secret by HelenKay Dimon, and Brazen and the Beast by Sarah MacLean. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Booksnewsletter! NEWS Apologies again for our error when talking about Thaw by Elyse Springer last week! By way of follow-up, you might want to check out the Patreon for The Lesbian Review. Here’s that Nicholas Sparks statement we mentioned. Jess tracked down a few tweets that relate to the “sex on the page” conversation we had, and you can find them here, here, here, here, and here. Here’s the Glamour article we discussed about the ways romance writers are targets for abuse online. As we mentioned on the podcast, CW for abuse. Support Rediscovered Books and Mostly Books! They support romance! Feel free to email us at the sparkly new When In Romance email address! It’s wheninromance@bookriot.com! BOOKS Her Perfect Affair by Priscila Oliveras (but like we said, also read Her Perfect Partner) Craving Flight by Tamsen Parker The Key to Happily Ever After by Tif Marcelo The Ballad of Whiskey Jax by Avon Gale The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Oliva Waite One Day to Fall by Therese Beharrie Sapphire Flames by Illona Andrews The Wallflower Wager by Tessa Dare Blitzed (and Intercepted and Fumbled) by Alexa Martin Love On My Mind by Tracey Livesay The Unleashing by Shelly Laurenston Only for a Night by Naima Simone Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors by Sonali Dev Taking the Lead by Cecelia Tan The Fandom series by Cathy Yardley (Level Up is the first book) Perfect Rhythm and Not the Marrying Kind by Jae Let us know what books you’re excited about and who your favorite underrated authors are! Find us on email at the new WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com) or you can still catch us at trisha@riotnewmedia.com and jessica@riotnewmedia.com. You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha discuss new revelations about discrimination at the school Nicholas Sparks founded; suggest some romance-focused Patreons you might consider supporting; and recommend books featuring characters who are asexual, aromantic, grey-asexual and greyromantic. This episode is sponsored by Libro.fm audiobooks, This Time Will Be Different by Misa Sugiura, and Fix Her Up by New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey, published by Avon. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! NEWS Like we said, no more comments section at Book Riot – but you can just contact Trisha and Jess! Our info is below! Here’s the link to the Romance GenreCon! It’s free! Click here to learn about how Nicholas Sparks went from sucking generally to being the actual worst. Here are the Patreons (PAtreons? PaTREons? PatreONs?) we talked about:
The Ripped Bodice
WOCINROMANCE
LGBTQReads
The Lesbrary
Smart Podcast Trashy Books
Love’s Sweet Arrow
Love in Panels
Romance Class
BOOKS Hot Licks by A.M. Arthur That Kind of Guy by Talia Hibbert Shadows You Left by Taylor Brooke and Jude Sierra Perfect Rhythm by Jae Writing Her In by Holley Trent Syncopation by Anna Zabo Thaw by Elyse Springer Correction: In discussing Thaw by Elyse Springer, our host incorrectly identified the asexual character. Abigail, rather than Gabrielle, is asexual; our apologies for the error. Play It Again by Aidan Wayne Let us know what Patreons you love (no matter how you pronounce it!) and what your favorite books are that feature characters who are asexual, aromantic, grey-asexual and greyromantic. Find us on email (trisha@riotnewmedia.comand jessica@riotnewmedia.com), Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha talk through what they want from book cons, respond to a reader request for own voices romance by Asian and Asian-American authors, and recommend some “unputdownable” romances for summer reading. This episode is sponsored by Book Riot’s All The Books podcast; Read Bliss, presented by Harlequin; and Rebel by Beverly Jenkins. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! NEWS The book and romance conventions we discussed are: Book Lovers Con Kiss Con Apollycon BookCon The Tucson Festival of Books The Baltimore Book Festival Romance GenreCon, sponsored by the Mid-Continent Public Library (We actually forgot to mention this one, but we meant to!) BOOKS Hidden Impact by Piper J. Drake My Beautiful Enemy by Sherry Thomas A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas Tikka Chance on Me by Suleikha Snyder Bollywood and the Beast (the third in the Bollywood series) by Suleikha Snyder Seared by Suleikha Snyder A Bollywood Affair by Sonali Dev The Bollywood Bride by Sonali Dev Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors by Sonali Dev His Cocky Valet by Cole McCade The Bride Test by Helen Hoang The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang Teach Me by Olivia Dade Talk Me Down (and the whole Tumble Creek series) by Victoria Dahl Riven by Roan Parrish Think of England by KJ Charles Ayesha At Last by Uzma Jalaluddin Let us know what you want from your book cons, what your favorite own voices books by Asian and Asian-American writers are, and what romance books you just couldn’t put down. Find us on email (trisha@riotnewmedia.com and jessica@riotnewmedia.com), Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha are together at Book Lovers Con in New Orleans talking about the good and bad things about using series to tell romance stories and the upcoming books they’ve heard about at the convention that they’re excited about. This episode is sponsored by Audible; Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors by Sonali Dev, published by William Morrow; and Read Bliss, presented by Harlequin. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! BOOKS: The Reluctant Royals series by Alyssa Cole (starts with A Princess In Theory and ends with A Prince on Paper) The Twisted Wishes series by Anna Zabo (starts with Syncopation and ends with Reverb) The Ravenswood series by Talia Hibbert (starts with A Girl Like Her and ends with That Kind of Guy) The Girls Meets Duke series by Tessa Dare (starts with The Duchess Deal and is ongoing!) The Regency Imposters series by Cat Sebastian (starts with Unmasked by the Marquess and is ongoing!) The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore Arctic Sun by Annabeth Albert Three Part Harmony by Holley Trent Let us know whether you can drop into a series or whether you have to start from the beginning and let us know what your favorite series are. Find us on email (trisha@riotnewmedia.com and jessica@riotnewmedia.com), Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha have updates, talk about how they became romance readers, and recommend some titles for the beginning of #RomBkLove. This episode is sponsored by Book Riot Insider, Every Last Breath by Juno Rushdan, and BookCon. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! NEWS: Nora Roberts is putting her lawyers where her mouth is: she’s filed a plagiarism lawsuit against Cristiane Serruya, better known on Twitter as #CopyPasteCris. Huge congratulations to Valen Cox, who is the first recipient of Avon Books’ Beverly Jenkins Diverse Voices Sponsorship. As we mentioned, here’s Ashley’s post about how a bunch of Rioters were turned on to romance. And read/share along with #RomBkLove! Here’s Jess’s post from last week. BOOKS: Legend by Jude Deveraux Insatiable by Meg Cabot She Went All the Way by Meg Cabot Neanderthal Seeks Human by Penny Reid About Last Night by Ruthie Knox Let It Shine by Alyssa Cole Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare Slave to Sensation (Psy-Changling Book 1) by Nalini Singh An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole Think of England by K.J. Charles In the Middle of Somewhere by Roan Parrish A Fashionable Indulgence (Society of Gentleman Book 1) by K.J. Charles Lover at Last by J.R. Ward Fumbled by Alexa Martin Rebel by Beverly Jenkins Getting Hot with the Scot by Melonie Johnson The Rose by Tiffany Reisz Ghost by Robin Covington A Prince on Paper by Alyssa Cole Let us know how you came to romance reading and what your #RomBkLove picks are. Find us on email (trisha@riotnewmedia.com and jessica@riotnewmedia.com), Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha do a bit of follow-up, try to design the perfect starter catalogue for book stores new to romance, talk about some upcoming titles they’re excited about, and recommend some light and delightful reads. This episode is sponsored by Libro fm, BookCon, and Unscripted by Claire Handscombe. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! NEWS: If you’re interested in the Hugo awards, here’s a piece on this year’s nominees by Book Riot’s Margaret Kingsbury. Romance Sparks Joy is sparking OUR joy. We hope Bookstore Romance Day is coming to a store near you this August! And Book Riot has a new podcast! Check out Kid Lit These Days for kid lit news and recommendations. BOOKS: Wrong to Need You by Alisha Rai Bad Blood by M. Malone My So-Called Bollywood Life by Nisha Sharma Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan The Duchess War by Courtney Milan Indigo by Beverly Jenkins Let It Shine by Alyssa Cole The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang Syncopation by Ana Zabo Truth or Beard by Penny Reid Flirting with Disaster by Victoria Dahl An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole Duchess by Design by Maya Rodale Rafe by Rebekah Weatherspoon Wolfsong by T.J. Klune Rebel by Beverly Jenkins Reverb by Anna Zabo Tell Me How You Really Feel by Aminah Mae Safi That Kind of Guy by Talia Hibbert Goalie Interference by Avon Gale and Piper Vaughn Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews Can’t Escape Love by Alyssa Cole The Key to Happily Ever After by Tif Marcelo A Duke in Disguise by Cat Sebastian The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare Let us know what books to recommend to our indie bookstores, and tell us what you’re excited to read this summer. Find us on email (trisha@riotnewmedia.com and jessica@riotnewmedia.com), Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Author Andie J. Christopher joins Trisha to discuss shady book repackaging practices, the RITA mess, how content warnings help readers, and Andie’s erotic romance recs. This episode is sponsored by Book Riot Insiders, In Her Sights by Katie Ruggle, and the audiobook edition of The Girl He Used to Know by Tracey Garvis Graves. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! NEWS: Here’s Shiloh Walker’s thread on book regurgitation. There’s too much going on with the RITAs to link to everything, but here’s Jess’s Book Riot post from right after the nominations, here’s a lot of data Bronwen Fleetwood pulled together related to the lack of diversity in RITA awards and nominations (and here’s some more), and here’s the RWA response we mentioned on the show. And just one more reminder to subscribe to our Kissing Books newsletter – written by Jess! – if you don’t want to miss romance news between podcasts. BOOKS: The One Night in South Beach series by Andie J. Christopher (the first book is Stroke of Midnight) Not the Girl You Marry by Andie J. Christopher Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan Damaged Goods by Talia Hibbert The Blank Canvas series by Adriana Anders (the first book is Under Her Skin) The Professor and Never Sweeter by Charlotte Stein Curio by Cara McKenna Priest by Sierra Simone Craving Flight by Tamsen Parker Misadventures of a Curvy Girl by Sierra Simone Theirs for the Night by Katee Robert Locked Box, Open Hearts, and Act Your Age by Eve Dangerfield Driven By Fate by Tessa Bailey Sin and Ink, Passion and Ink, and Scoring the Player’s Baby by Naima Simone Haven (which is ACTUALLY the first Beards and Bondage book), So Sweet, and Rafe by Rebekah Weatherspoon Syncopation by Anna Zabo Let us know if you have thoughts on content warnings and what your favorite erotic romances are. Find Andie on Twitter (@authorandiej) and Instagram (@authorandiej), and as always, you can find us on email (trisha@riotnewmedia.comand jessica@riotnewmedia.com), Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha discuss the problem with calling non-explicit romance “clean,” explore why Trisha rereads and Jess doesn’t, and talk about what they’ve been reading this week. This episode is sponsored by Book Riot Insiders. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! NEWS: On Book Riot, Sarah talks about why calling books “clean” is a problem. The Feminist Librarian makes an argument that a distinction between “erotica” and “porn” is harmful. BOOKS: Friends Without Benefits by Penny Reid Virgin River by Robyn Carr Worth the Fall by Claudia Connor So Sweet by Rebekah Weatherspoon Going Down by Barbara Bell Geek Out: A Collection of Trans and Genderqueer Romance Can’t Escape Love by Alyssa Cole The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan Let us know if you have thoughts on calling romance “clean,” and whether/why/when you reread books. Find us on email (trisha@riotnewmedia.com and jessica@riotnewmedia.com), Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha discuss the Ripped Bodice’s annual report on the state of racial diversity in romance, talk through some of the romance sales issues brought to light by a high-profile plagiarism event, and recommend books that sit all along the emotional spectrum. This episode is sponsored by Libro fm audiobooks and Down and Dirty by Rhenna Morgan, published by Carina Press. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! NEWS: Patricia covered the Ripped Bodice report for Book Riot, and the 2016 and 2017 reports can be found at the RB site as well. Nora Roberts has some feelings, and she is making them known in 2019. Here’s the Venn diagram we mentioned that Bree posted (and you should read the whole thread). Kilby Blades reflected on the ghostwriter issue on her blog. BOOKS: Perv by Dakota Gray Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan Hired by Zoey Castile Ripped Pages by M. Hollis American Dreamer by Adriana Herrera The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang Let us know if you have thoughts on Thirsty and what books you’ve loved for the Read Harder challenge. Find us on email (trisha@riotnewmedia.comand jessica@riotnewmedia.com), Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha try to sort out a romance plagiarism garbage fire, discuss all of things they appreciate about Thirsty for the WIR book club, and give you some romance recs so that you can Read Harder. This episode is sponsored by Audible, MIRA Books and HQN, and The Devil’s Daughter by Lisa Kleypas. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! NEWS: Carolina breaks down the #CopyPasteCris situation for Book Riot. Also, check out Courtney Milan’s blog post about it for more info and also for some personal reflections. Jess mentioned this tweet from Beverly Jenkins, which inspired this tweet from @allieiswriting, and then also this related t-shirt that you can buy. And that is the short version of why this week’s episode is marked explicit. Here’s the full Read Harder challenge list so you can read your way through. BOOKS: The Duchess War by Courtney Milan Thirsty by Mia Hopkins Intercepted by Alexa Martin (and here’s our book club convo about it) Thrall by Avon Gale and Roan Parrish The Boy Next Door by Meg Cabot My Beautiful Enemy and its prequel, The Hidden Blade by Sherry Thomas Behind These Doors by Jude Lucens The Craft of Love by E.E. Ottoman Love On My Mind by Tracey Livesay Let us know if you have thoughts on Thirsty and what books you’ve loved for the Read Harder challenge! Find us on email (trisha@riotnewmedia.comand jessica@riotnewmedia.com), Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha talk about the first ever romance in Reese Witherspoon’s book club, a new title by E L James, romances that are rare – or sometimes just older – and we announce our new WIR Book Club pick! This episode is sponsored by TBR, Healing Hearts from Shadow Mountain Publishing, and Never Let Go by Elizabeth Goddard and Revell Books, a Division of Baker Publishing Group. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! NEWS: Jasmine Guillory’s The Proposal is the Hello Sunshine book club pick for February! E L James has a new book out and Trisha has questions about it. Speaking of erotic romance, here’s a great Book Riot quiz if you wanna know what steamy romance you should be reading next. Here’s the Courtney Milan thread we mentioned about the VERY BAD take on erotic romance that was published (and very quickly removed) on Frolic. The Ripped Bodice is going old school, y’all. The responses to this tweet from Rebekah Weatherspoon will keep your TBR stocked for years. YEARS. Both Indigo and Morning Glory are, in fact, on this NPR list. We’re very bummed for the folks impacted by the shuttering of Loveswept (though we’re using the WIR book club to make lemonade out of lemons!) Jess mentioned that one of our listeners sent us the the ALA’s Reading List award for romance. The romance books on that list are books we loved from last year about AND they’re all authors of color. BOOKS: The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory Fifty Shades of Grey by E L James The Mister by E L James A Gentleman in the Street by Alisha Rai Bedroom Games by Alisha Rai Glutton for Pleasure by Alisha Rai The Crossfire Series by Sylvia Day, which starts with Bared to You Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer Indigo by Beverly Jenkins Thirsty by Mia Hopkins Let us know if you’re reading The Proposal, whether you’re going to read The Mister, what your favorite older romance is, and how excited you are to read Thirsty. Find us on email (trisha@riotnewmedia.com and jessica@riotnewmedia.com), Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha celebrate their first pod-iversary, have some words for people who aren’t inclusive readers, discuss the characteristics of a good romance novella, and recommend some of their favorites. This episode is sponsored by The Read Harder Journal by Book Riot and by the Avon Kisscon Weekend Affair. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! NEWS: Here’s a thread on the kind of disruption romance is actually in need of right now. And if you need good options for books coming out in early 2019, just read the list Book Riot’s Silvana Reyes Lopez put together. BOOKS: Untouchable by Talia Hibbert Only for a Night by Naime Simone Once Ghosted Twice Shy by Alyssa Cole Her Every Wish by Courtney Milan Craving Flight by Tamsyn Parker Welcome to Seaport by Katrina Jackson Ghost by Robin Convington Rogue Desire by many authors (including Grassroots/ Loving the Secret Billionaire by Adriana Anders) Rogue Nights by many authors The Seal’s Rebel Librarian by Anne Calhoun Tell us what your favorite historical romance by an AOC is, what novellas you like, and whether you’re going to KissCon (Trisha needs to know). Find us on email (trisha@riotnewmedia.com and jessica@riotnewmedia.com), Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha start the year off right by discussing all the things they’re going to do better in 2019, a few of the many books they’re excited about in 2019, and some of the romance they read while they were away. This episode is sponsored by The Read Harder Journal by Book Riot, The One You Fight For by Roni Loren, and Nightchaser by Amanda Bouchet. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! NEWS: Be like Jess – resolve to Read Harder in 2019! Here’s that whole big list of 2019 books we’re jazzed about at Book Riot and you’re welcome. BOOKS: Beard Necessities by Penny Reid An Unconditional Freedom by Alyssa Cole Ayesha At Last by Uzma Jalaluddin Unmarriageable by Soniah Kamal The Key To Happily Ever After by Tif Marcelo American Dreamer by Adriana Herrera Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews Tikka Chance on Me by Suleikha Snyder Fumbled by Alexa Martin Only for a Night by Naima Simone See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha discuss Pride by Ibi Zoboi as part of the Great Big Romance Read; offer quick takes on some of the best and strangest news of 2018; and help you decide exactly which holiday romance is right for your seasonal circumstances. This episode is sponsored by Dirty Little Secret by Jennifer Ryan and the Book Riot Read Harder journal. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Google Play AND find full show notes at the When in Romance page on Bookriot.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It’s all recs all the time this week as Jess and Trisha offer romance recommendations for under the radar picks from 2018, books for the romance film-lover in your life, non-book gifts from romancelandia, and more. This episode is sponsored by Cadenza by Stella Riley, an exquisite historical romance in The Times-recommended Rockliffe series; Penguin Random House Audio; and the Book Riot Read Harder journal. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Google Play AND find full show notes at the When in Romance page on Bookriot.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha are joined by delightful and insightful author Rebekah Weatherspoon to follow up on romance covers, discuss what makes a romance “fluffy,” and recommend some of our favorite fluffy reads. This episode is sponsored by My One and Only Duke on audiobook, written by Grace Burrowes and read by James Langton; Dragonshadow by Elle Katharine White; and Book Riot Insiders. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Google Play AND find full show notes at the When in Romance page on Bookriot.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha talk about sports and independent women in Intercepted, wonder whether you should be able to judge a book by its cover, and share a few thoughts on Goodreads Readers Choice romance picks. This episode is sponsored by Love, Lies, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Julie Wright, Shades of Wicked by Jeaniene Frost, and Book Riot Insiders. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Google Play AND find full show notes at the When in Romance page on Bookriot.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha tease the Intercepted book club discussion, come to terms with their 2018 romance resolution shortcomings, look ahead to 2019 releases, and recommend some books with friendly, non-surly heroes. This episode is sponsored by Duchess by Design by Maya Rodale, Unleashed by Caitlin Crews, and by TBR, Book Riot’s new subscription service offering Tailored Book Recommendations for readers of all stripes. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Google Play AND find full show notes at the When in Romance page on Bookriot.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha take a deep dive into Butterfly Swords by Jeannie Lin for the When In Romance book club, talk about how and why romance authors are writing employer/employee romance, and suggest a cool way you can support your local romance booksellers. Join the book club conversation by commenting on the show notes for this episode or on Twitter or Instagram. This episode is sponsored by Promises and Primroses by Josi S. Kilpack and by TBR, Book Riot’s new subscription service offering Tailored Book Recommendations for readers of all stripes. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Google Play AND find full show notes at the When in Romance page on Bookriot.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha preview their When In Romance book club discussion, chat about what they’re reading, and do quick takes on topics from bad takes on romance covers to this exciting time in romance film and TV development to when's the right time for Christmas cowboys (hint: not yet). This episode is sponsored by Vampires Like it Hot by Lynsay Sands and The Cost of Betrayal: Three Romantic Suspense Novellas by Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey, and Lynette Eason. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Google Play AND find full show notes at the When in Romance page on Bookriot.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha discuss the plagiarism and Kindle Unlimited stuffing, announce the first read for the When In Romance book club, chat about what they’re reading, and update everyone on the success of the #wheninromance hashtag. This episode is sponsored by Love You by Stacy Finz. Also! Go take the Book Riot Fall Reader Survey. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Google Play AND find full show notes at the When in Romance page on Bookriot.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha shout out romance bestsellers, talk about a whole bunch of romance series and what draws us in, discuss Trisha’s arbitrary list of rules for children in romance novels, and announce the short list for the WIR book club read. This episode is sponsored by It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Timeby Kylie Scott, Blood Bond by Helen Hardt, and Chica Chocolate. Also! Book Riot is giving away 16 of the books featured on our Recommended podcast! Go to bookriot.com/recommended3 before August 31 to enter. Vote on our book club books by emailing Trisha or Jess (or via Twitter/Instagram)!
A Night To Surrender by Tessa Dare
Glitterland by Alexis Hall
Butterfly Swords by Jeannie Lin
Intercepted by Alexa Martin
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Google Play AND find full show notes at the When in Romance page on Bookriot.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha discuss RITA judging past and future, Jess’s non-definitive list of who deserves an HEA, and depressing reminders that Twitter trolls are toxic and dangerous. This episode is sponsored by Book Riot Insiders, Bellewether by Susanna Kearsley, and Chica Chocolate. Also! Book Riot is giving away 16 of the books featured on our Recommended podcast! Go to bookriot.com/recommended3 before August 31 to enter. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Google Play AND find full show notes at the When in Romance page on Bookriot.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha discuss some excellent and important RWA speeches by Suzanne Brockmann and Sonali Dev; note the anti-climactic end of a certain trademark battle; and talk more about the romance (books) still to come in 2018. This episode is sponsored by Book Riot’s own Recommended Podcastand Ignite by Angel Payne. Also! Book Riot is giving away $500 worth of the year's best YA fiction and nonfiction so far!Go to bookriot.com/500yagiveaway to enter before July 31 to enter. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Google Play AND find full show notes at the When in Romance page on Bookriot.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha discuss the biggest romance news, books, and authors in 2018 so far. Plus, Jess has the top score on the first ever “When In Romance Mid-Year Quiz.” This episode is sponsored by Hot Response by Shannon Stacey. Also! Book Riot is giving away $500 worth of the year's best YA fiction and nonfiction so far! Go to bookriot.com/500yagiveaway to enter before June 31 to enter. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Google Play AND find full show notes at the When in Romance page on Bookriot.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha discuss the challenges in finding romance by AOC with queer characters, plan to get better acquainted with the Emma Award winners, and have some recommendations for anyone looking for romance with couples past the age of 40. This episode is sponsored by The Traitor’s Ruin by Erin Beaty and One Small Thing by Erin Watt. Also! Book Riot is giving away $500 worth of the year's best YA fiction and nonfiction so far! Go to bookriot.com/500yagiveaway before July 31 to enter. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Google Play AND find full show notes at the When in Romance page on Bookriot.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha are joined by special guest co-host Sarah MacLean, and the three of them discuss what might be “taboo” in romance; what should definitely be off-limit in romance (spoiler alert: it is still Nazis and it will always be Nazis); and recommend some great romances with LGBTQA+ characters for Pride Month. This episode is sponsored by Sweet Black Waves by Kristina Pérez and Frolic Media. Plus! Book Riot is giving away a $500 gift card to the bookstore of your choice! Go to bookriot.com/bookstore500 before June 21 to enter. Also, you should probably grab a copy of Sarah’s new book Wicked and the Wallflower. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Google Play! And find full show notes at the When in Romance page on Bookriot.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha give some (non-lawyer) updates on #cockygate, talk about the role of fan-voted “best of” lists, offer a podcast high-five to Stacey Abrams, and start talking about their favorite books of 2018 so far. Plus! Book Riot is giving away a $500 gift card to the bookstore of your choice! Go to bookriot.com/bookstore500 before June 21 to enter. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Google Play! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha offer some thoughts and updates on #cockygate; react to the news that the Romantic Times publication, convention, and awards are coming to an end; and talk about the books we’ve picked up at RT 2018 that have us excited. This episode is sponsored by Everywhere You Want to Be by Christina June and Chemistry Lessons by Meredith Goldstein. Plus! Book Riot is giving away a $500 gift card to the bookstore of your choice! Go to bookriot.com/bookstore500 to enter. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Google Play! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha delight in the winners of the (still odd) RT Awards, offer thoughts about preparing for RT and other book cons, and toss around a bunch of recs for the early days of May’s #RomBkLove challenge. This episode is sponsored by Geekerella by Ashley Poston and The Luck of the Bride by Janna MacGregor. Plus! Book Riot is giving away 15 of the best mysteries and thrillers of the year so far! Go to bookriot.com/mysterygiveaway to enter. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Google Play! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Please enjoy this bonus excerpt, courtesy of the Recommended podcast, featuring Alisha Rai recommending Sonali Dev's A Distant Heart. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha discuss the implications of how race and class are represented in historical romance, have some VERY strong feelings about the denigration of the romance genre by those who profit from it, and delight in some romance that’s either new or soon to be coming your way. This episode is sponsored by As She Fades by Abbi Glines and The Perfect Duchess byErica Taylor. Also! Book Riot is giving away 15 of the best mysteries and thrillers of the year so far. Go to bookriot.com/mysterygiveaway to enter! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Google Play!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Trisha and Jess discuss about Amazon changing the categories and rules for erotica, talk about why it matters that the RITA awards are failing hard at inclusion, and recommend some books that would win awards if Jess and Trisha ran the world. This episode is sponsored by Her Perfect Affair by Priscilla Oliveras and My Lady’s Choosing by Larissa Zageris and Kitty Curran. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Google Play! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha talk about who’s losing with Audible’s romance subscription service, consider some of what makes romance unique in the world of self-publishing, deliver news about a couple of publishers, and – as always – recommend books. This episode is sponsored by Raw Power by Jackie Ashenden and Falling Star by Terri Osburn. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Google Play! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Trisha and Jess wade into an author identity maelstrom, work to untangle the implications of The Ripped Bodice’s Report on Diversity in Romance Publishing, and wrestle with the age old question of what to read next. This episode is sponsored by The Sweet Spot by Heather Heyford, and Penguin Teen’s If You Come Softly by Jacqueline Woodson. Also! Book Riot is doing a giveaway for $500 of Penguin Clothbound classics over on our Instagram account but only until March 13! $500 WORTH OF BOOKS. Go to instagram.com/bookriot to enter (giveaway post is sticky at the top of the profile). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha make an important clarification about who gets publishing deals in romance, discuss who is and is not - EVER – redeemable even in fiction, and play Calvinball with romance awards for books from 2017. This episode is sponsored by Penguin Random House Audio 2018. Bonus! Book Riot is doing a giveaway for $500 of Penguin Clothbound classics over on our Instagram account. $500 WORTH OF BOOKS. Go to instagram.com/bookriot to enter (giveaway post is sticky at the top of the profile). Also – at about the 9 min mark of this episode we mention that you might want to skip ahead if the content of the next discussion isn’t for you. We promised to give the tick-tock for when you should rejoin us, and the magic moment to pop back in to the conversation is at 24:40. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Trisha and Jess talk about how non-romance fans talk and write about romance in the Valentine’s Day season; discuss romance authors’ use of pseudonyms; and offer recommendations featuring cranky dukes, dystopian settings, and two people partially brought together by a ferret (Jess swears it works). This episode is sponsored by audiOMG!, offering listeners three free audiobooks Feb 14-17, and by Moonlight Sins by Jennifer L. Armentrout, also available from audiOMG!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha discuss consensual sex in romance, puzzle over the lack of movies based on romance novels, and shrug at an announcement from the New York Times. This episode is sponsored by Your One And Only by Adrianne Finlay and Let’s Talk About Love by Claire Kann.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jess and Trisha introduce When in Romance, Book Riot's new biweekly podcast about all things romance novels.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices