When In Romance

A whole lotta drama no matter what Oct 28, 2024

Jess and Trisha get ready to announce dates for the next WIR Book Club and recommendations episodes and then dive into a discussion about age gap romances.

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This October, Tailored Book Recommendations is giving away a pair of Beats Fit Pro headphones! TBR is the perfect way to take the guesswork out of finding your next favorite read. To get started with TBR, just fill out a quick survey about your reading likes and dislikes, and we’ll pair you with a professional book nerd— aka bibliologist— who uses their bookish knowledge to match you with three books they think you’ll dig. You can sign up to receive your recommendations via email or have your bibliologist’s picks delivered right to your door as either hardcovers or paperbacks.

And if you sign up or gift TBR in the month of October, you’ll be automatically entered to win a pair of Beats Fit Pro headphones! Current TBR subscribers also have a chance to win by purchasing a drop-in round of recommendations in October. Sign up today at mytbr.co

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News

It's time to start reading The Siren of Sussex!

Have you watched A Family Affairor Lonely Planet?

Books Discussed

The Fall that Saved Usby Tamara Jerée

The Talk of Coyote Canyonby Brenda Novak

Stepdaddy Seasonby Natisha Raynor

Ella Gets the Dby Tanvier Peart

Part of Your Worldby Abby Jimenez

The Art of Scandal by Regina Black

Everything For Youby Chloe Liese

You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi

So Sweet by Rebekah Weatherspoon

Let us know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading! And of course, 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), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown), and Jess is even on TikTok (@jess_isreading).

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We Call Shenanigans Oct 14, 2024

Jess and Trisha talk updates and seasonal reading and then offer some magical/paranormal/supernatural recs.

Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!

This October, Tailored Book Recommendations is giving away a pair of Beats Fit Pro headphones! TBR is the perfect way to take the guesswork out of finding your next favorite read. To get started with TBR, just fill out a quick survey about your reading likes and dislikes, and we’ll pair you with a professional book nerd— aka bibliologist— who uses their bookish knowledge to match you with three books they think you’ll dig. You can sign up to receive your recommendations via email or have your bibliologist’s picks delivered right to your door as either hardcovers or paperbacks.

And if you sign up or gift TBR in the month of October, you’ll be automatically entered to win a pair of Beats Fit Pro headphones! Current TBR subscribers also have a chance to win by purchasing a drop-in round of recommendations in October. Sign up today at mytbr.co

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

News

We have a new book club book! Get ready to read The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews with us later this year.

As we mentioned, there are ways to support those dealing with hurricane recovery - you can preorder anthologies Loving Carolina and Of Storms and Stardustnow!

Books Discussed

The Palace of Eros by Caro de Robertis

Pucking Sweet by Emily Rath

Lips Like Sugar by Jess K. Hardy

The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews

Unwritten Runes by KD Casey

Deja Brew by Celestine Martin

Best Hex Ever by Nadia El-Fassi

A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston

Splinter by Jasper Hyde

Magic in the Air by Adrianna Schuh

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

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).

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Could Stand Alone But Shouldn’t Sep 30, 2024

Jess and Trisha announce a new WIR Book Club book and then talk about the impact of book bans on romance authors and readers before offering some recs for Bisexual Awareness Week.

Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!

This October, Tailored Book Recommendations is giving away a pair of Beats Fit Pro headphones! TBR is the perfect way to take the guesswork out of finding your next favorite read. To get started with TBR, just fill out a quick survey about your reading likes and dislikes, and we’ll pair you with a professional book nerd— aka bibliologist— who uses their bookish knowledge to match you with three books they think you’ll dig. You can sign up to receive your recommendations via email or have your bibliologist’s picks delivered right to your door as either hardcovers or paperbacks.

And if you sign up or gift TBR in the month of October, you’ll be automatically entered to win a pair of Beats Fit Pro headphones! Current TBR subscribers also have a chance to win by purchasing a drop-in round of recommendations in October. Sign up today at mytbr.co

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

News

We have a new book club book! Get ready to read The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews with us later this year.

Jess mentioned the great work Book Riot’s Kelly Jensen has done related to book bans and censorship, and there’s a TON of her writing out there, but to start, you can find her pieces on how to fight and explain book bans on bookriot.com.

Books Discussed

Baking Me Crazy by Karla Sorensen

Demon’s Dream by Elle Kayson

The Love Study by Kris Ripper

The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews

Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail by Ashley Herring Blake

Role Playing by Cathy Yardley

Wrong to Need You by Alisha Rai

Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings

Xeni by Rebekah Weatherspoon

Even If We’re Broken by A.M. Weald

Neighborly by Katrina Jackson

Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert

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).

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Sweet and Murdery Sep 16, 2024

Jess and Trisha get caught up on all of the news that's been happening and all of the books they’ve been reading while they’ve been away.

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Join Book Riot's editorial staff and expert guest writers at The Deep Dive, your destination for deep thoughts on all things reading, behind-the-scenes insights, informed takes, and so much more. Whether we're analyzing book deal trends, whittling down the best books of the century, or letting you in on the best book club book of the summer, you'll find something to nerd out over and enrich your reading life. With decades of experience in books and publishing between us, we have a wealth of knowledge, thoughts, and curated goodness we can't wait to share with you. Go ahead and take the plunge.

Visit bookriot.com/deepdive to subscribe for free, or become an All Access member starting at $6 per month or $60 per year and get unlimited access to members-only content in 20+ newsletters, community features, and the warm fuzzies knowing you are supporting independent media.

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News

Trisha was delighted to hang out with Kendra on Read or Dead last month.

Time Magazine did a whole romance thing (and we approve)! [Time]

NaNoWriMo did a whole AI thing (and we do not approve). [By Laura Wheatman Hill for Slate]

Books Discussed

Dating Dr. Dil by Nisha Sharma

Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver

Demon’s Dream by Elle Kayson

Nine Tailed by Jayci Lee

Cubs and Campfires by Dylan Drake

Curvy Girl Summer by Danielle Allen

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

The Oath by T M Richardson

The Vibrant Years by Sonali Dev

The Next Best Fling by Gabriella Gamez

Queen of Dreams by Kit Rocha

A Little Kissing Between Friends by Chencia C. Higgins

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).

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Guest Post: We Saw IT ENDS WITH US So You Don't Have To Aug 19, 2024

Jess and Trisha are off this week, so we're sharing an episode that went live on the Book Riot Podcast about the adaptation of Colleen Hoover's It Ends With Us, starring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni — notably not a romance novel, though as we've lamented on When in Romance, it often gets characterized as such.

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Was [Redacted] The Original Bachelor? With Guest Emily Martin Aug 05, 2024

Jess is joined by All The Books co-host Emily Martin! They talk news around adaptations and recommend some reality TV romances worth checking out.

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To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!

Make this your most bookish summer yet with personalized reading recommendations from Tailored Book Recommendations! Our bibliologists (aka professional book nerds) are standing by to help you find your next favorite read. Get your recommendations via email, or opt to receive hardcovers or paperbacks delivered right to your door. And with quarterly or annual plans available, TBR has something for every budget. Get started today from just $18!

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News

Benedict Bridgerton, it's your time!

Amazon's Fourth Wingadaptation has a showrunner.

Did you know there were TikTok Book Awards?

Books Discussed

Happiness Fallsby Angie Kim

Just Some Stupid Love Storyby Katelyn Doyle

The Earl Who Isn't by Courtney Milan

Get a Life, Chloe Brownby Talia Hilbert

Looking for a Signby Susie Dumond

Funny Storyby Emily Henry

One-Star Romanceby Laura Hankin

The Daughter of Doctor Moreauby Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Here for the Wrong Reasons by Annabel Paulsen and Lydia Wang

Never Ever Getting Back Togetherby Sophie Gonzales

Natural Disaster by Erin McLellan

D'Vaughn and Kris Plan a Weddingby Chencia C. Higgins

Sight Unseenby Kasha Thompson

Love & Other Disastersby Anita Kelly

If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy

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). Find Emily on instagram @emandhercat.

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The Good, the Bad, and the Adaptations Jul 22, 2024

Jess and Trisha talk briefly about the possible romance world implications of Project 2025 and then discuss their many — MANY — feelings about The Idea of You (both the book and film).

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To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!

Make this your most bookish summer yet with personalized reading recommendations from Tailored Book Recommendations! Our bibliologists (aka professional book nerds) are standing by to help you find your next favorite read. Get your recommendations via email, or opt to receive hardcovers or paperbacks delivered right to your door. And with quarterly or annual plans available, TBR has something for every budget. Get started today from just $18!

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News

People and Wikipedia both have Project 2025 information that you might find informative.

Here’s an interview with Robinne Lee that discusses the process of getting her book published. [Ty Cole for BET]

Don’t forget to check out the new Black Romance has a History podcast!

Books Discussed

The Idea of You by Robinne Lee

Only for the Week by Natasha Bishop

Before I Let Go and This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan

Consort of Fire and Queen of Dreams by Kit Rocha

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).

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Favorites of 2024 So Far Jul 08, 2024

Jess and Trisha discuss their favorite romance reads — frontlist and backlist — of the year so far.

Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!

Make this your most bookish summer yet with personalized reading recommendations from Tailored Book Recommendations! Our bibliologists (aka professional book nerds) are standing by to help you find your next favorite read. Get your recommendations via email, or opt to receive hardcovers or paperbacks delivered right to your door. And with quarterly or annual plans available, TBR has something for every budget. Get started today from just $18!

News

Our adaptation discussion of The Idea of You is coming in our next episode (yes, we know about the book HEA questions - we want to talk about them!), so send your thoughts by July 18.

And check out the new Black Romance Has a History podcast!

Books Discussed

Even Though I Knew the End by C.L. Polk

Guava Flavored Lies by JJ Arias

A Shore Thing by Joanna Lowell

I’ll Conjure For You by Charish Reid

You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian

Even If We’re Broken by A. M. Weald

Meegan by Rebekah Weatherspoon

The Sitcom Star and The Reluctant Heartthrob by Jackie Lau

The Marquess Makes His Move by Diana Quincy

Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood

Thank You For Sharing by Rachel Runya Katz

Molly Molloy and the Angel of Death by Maria Vale

Love in Color by Bolu Babalola

The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz

Consort of Fire by Kit Rocha

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).

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A Nice Fun Thing Jun 24, 2024

Jess and Trisha discuss the marketability of historical romance and then jump into our When In Romance book club pick, Consort of Fire by Kit Rocha.

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Learn something new, sharpen your skills, and expand your horizons with our Better Living Through Books newsletter. Better Living Through Books is your resource for reading material that helps you live the life you want. From self-help to cookbooks to parenting to personal finance, relationships, and more, Better Living Through Books has got you covered. If it’s part of life, it can be part of your reading life. That's what Better Living Through Books is all about. Visit bookriot.com/betterliving to subscribe for free, or become an All Access member starting at $6 per month or $60 per year and get unlimited access to members-only content in 20+ newsletters, community features, and the warm fuzzies knowing you are supporting independent media.

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News

We’re talking best of 2024 so far in our next episode, so send us your thoughts!

And our adaptation discussion of The Idea of You is coming July 22 (yes, we know about the book HEA questions - we want to talk about them!), so send your thoughts by mid-July.

Books Discussed

Heartwaves by Anita Kelly

Road to Ruin by Hana Lee

One and Done by Frederick Smith

Consort of Fireby Kit Rocha

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).

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Most Frequently Recurring Dumpster Fire Jun 10, 2024

Jess and Trisha talk about what are — and are NOT — the reasons RWA filed for bankruptcy and then recommend some romances with good mental health rep.

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To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!

Learn something new, sharpen your skills, and expand your horizons with our Better Living Through Books newsletter. Better Living Through Books is your resource for reading material that helps you live the life you want. From self-help to cookbooks to parenting to personal finance, relationships, and more, Better Living Through Books has got you covered. If it’s part of life, it can be part of your reading life. That's what Better Living Through Books is all about. Visit bookriot.com/betterliving to subscribe for free, or become an All Access member starting at $6 per month or $60 per year and get unlimited access to members-only content in 20+ newsletters, community features, and the warm fuzzies knowing you are supporting independent media.

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

News

WIR Book Club is back! Read Consort of Fire by Kit Rocha with us and send us your thoughts for our June 24 show.

Our next adaptation discussion is The Idea of You (yes, we know about the book HEA questions - we want to talk about them!), so get ready for that episode in July.

Jess joined Vanessa to talk about Bridgerton, and it's delightful.

Join Jess and the Someplace Generous team at their virtual book launch on June 13!

RWA files for bankruptcy [The Guardian], and our friend Sarah Wendell puts a voice to the frustration we all have (or should have) with the coverage of the story.

Books Discussed

A Liaison with her Leading Lady by Lotte R. James

Someplace Generous, edited by Elaina Ellis and Amber Flame

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan

Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

A Brush with Love by Mazey Eddings

Even If We’re Broken by A.M. Weald

Getting His Game Back by Gia de Cadenet

Trade Me by Courtney Milan

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).

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Needing the Beach to Cool Down May 13, 2024

Jess and Trisha belatedly share listener emails and talk (again) about what makes a romance a romance. Plus! Romances to get you ready for the summer.

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To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!

Looking for a thoughtful Mother's Day gift? Go beyond the tried and true flowers and chocolate and give the gift of reading with Tailored Book Recommendations! Our bibliologists are standing by to help your mom find her next favorite read, delivered right to her inbox or doorstep. And with gifts starting at just $18, there’s something for any budget! Head to mytbr.co/gift to send the gift of reading to the book nerd in your life!

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News

WIR Book Club is back! Read Consort of Fire by Kit Rocha with us and send us your thoughts for our June 24 show.

And our next film adaptation discussion is The Idea of You. Our conversation will be mostly focused on the film, but you can also check out the book, also called The Idea of You, by Robinne Lee. (Yes, we know about the book HEA questions - we want to talk about them!)

Plus, many thanks to Michelle, who suggested that Calibre could help to address our book cover and re-purchasing book situations (and Trisha's are many).

Books Discussed

That Summer Feeling by Bridget Morrissey

Along for the Ride by Mimi Grace

The Key to Happily Ever After by Tif Marcelo

The Language of Seabirds by Will Taylor

The Prospects by KT Hoffman

The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa

Compromised into a Scandalous Marriage by Lydia San Andres

Out of Office by AH Cunningham

The Matchmaker Bay series (starting with Mermaid Inn) by Jenny Holiday

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).

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Come for the Puns Apr 29, 2024

Jess and Trisha talk about author identities and pen names, bookish events gone wrong, and road trip romances.

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To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!

Looking to elevate your reading life? Tailored Book Recommendations is here to help with handpicked recommendations. Tell the Bibliologists at Tailored Book Recommendations about what you love and what you don't. You can get your recommendations via email or receive hardcovers or paperbacks in the mail. And with quarterly or annual plans available, TBR has something for every budget. Plans start at just $18! Subscribe today.

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News

Check out this first person account of Readers Take Denver 2024 by Jessica Mack at Latest Book Crush.

Books Discussed

You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian

Dating Dr. Dil by Nisha Sharma

In Which Margo Halifax Earns Her Shocking Reputation by Alexandra Vasti

A Shore Thing by Joanna Lowell (June 18)

Signal Boost by Alyssa Cole

Never Cross a Highlander by Lisa Rayne

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).

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Consent to Tell Me the Story Apr 15, 2024

Trisha is joined by special guest Vanessa Diaz, Managing Editor for Book Riot, and they talk about reading habits, books they love, and why third person present narration is so weird.

Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!

Looking to elevate your reading life? Tailored Book Recommendations is here to help with handpicked recommendations. Tell the Bibliologists at Tailored Book Recommendations about what you love and what you don't. You can get your recommendations via email or receive hardcovers or paperbacks in the mail. And with quarterly or annual plans available, TBR has something for every budget. Plans start at just $18! Subscribe today.

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Books Discussed

The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo

Aphrodite and the Duke by J.J. McAvoy

The Kiss Countdown by Etta Easton

The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller

Boyfriend Material and 10 Things That Never Happened by Alexis Hall

The Switch and The Road Trip by Beth O’Leary

The Sitcom Star and The Reluctant Heartthrob by Jackie Lau

The Primas of Power series, including A Lot Like Adiós, You Had Me at Hola, and Along Came Amor by Alexis Daria

Vanessa also mentioned Alyssa Cole - there’s no wrong place to start with Alyssa Cole, but if you’re looking for ideas, check out Let It Shine and/or A Princess in Theory!

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), and Vanessa is on the socials @BuenosDiazSD.

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Low Stakes Bookish Pet Peeves Apr 01, 2024

Jess and Trisha cover a few potpourri topics and updates before talking about romances that are worth the hype.

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Want to make your book club the best club? Sign up for our In the Club newsletter. In the Club will deliver recommendations for the best books to discuss in your book clubs. From buzzy new releases to brilliant throwbacks, the books highlighted in this newsletter will drive your book club discussions. We’ll also share some book club-friendly recipes and interesting bookish updates from all over. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features. In other words, we’ll keep you well-met, well-read, and well-fed. Sign up today!

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News

Check out the Lammy award nominees and let us know which books you liked and which books are missing.

As recommended by Jess, a fantastic conversation with some of our faves.

Books Discussed

This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

Bride by Ali Hazelwood

The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan

You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Amezi

Pucking Around by Emily Rath

Morning Glory Milking Farm by C.M. Nascosta

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).

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Be the Jack Rourke of Your Book World Mar 18, 2024

Jess and Trisha talk about the impact of AI and machine learning on books and then take a virtual visit to the Tucson Festival of Books.

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To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!

Want to make your book club the best club? Sign up for our In the Club newsletter. In the Club will deliver recommendations for the best books to discuss in your book clubs. From buzzy new releases to brilliant throwbacks, the books highlighted in this newsletter will drive your book club discussions. We’ll also share some book club-friendly recipes and interesting bookish updates from all over. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features. In other words, we’ll keep you well-met, well-read, and well-fed. Sign up today!

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News

Check out a couple of Book Riot posts on books and AI here and here.

And the Washington Post has a great piece on AI bias by Nitasha Tiku, Kevin Schual, and Szu Yu Chen.

Books Discussed

That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Human by Kimberly Lemming

Do Me a Favor by Cathy Yardley

How You Get The Girl by Anita Kelly

White Whiskey Bargain and Play to Win by Jodie Slaughter

For Never & Always by Helena Greer

Thank You For Sharing by Rachel Runya Katz

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).

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Immersed In That Angst Mar 04, 2024

To celebrate February 29, Jess and Trisha go all in on books they love that were published in Leap Years.

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Want to make your book club the best club? Sign up for our In the Club newsletter. In the Club will deliver recommendations for the best books to discuss in your book clubs. From buzzy new releases to brilliant throwbacks, the books highlighted in this newsletter will drive your book club discussions. We’ll also share some book club-friendly recipes and interesting bookish updates from all over. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features. In other words, we’ll keep you well-met, well-read, and well-fed. Sign up today!

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Books Discussed

The Boyfriend Subscription by Steven Salvatore

Meegan by Rebekah Weatherspoon

Forbidden and Indigo by Beverly Jenkins

A Rogue by Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean

The Soldier’s Scoundrel by Cat Sebastian

Hold Me by Courtney Milan

Looking for Group by Alexis Hall

Magnate and Tycoon by Joanna Shupe

Harbor by Rebekah Weatherspoon

Queen Move by Kennedy Ryan

Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade

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).

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She Can’t Plot Feb 19, 2024

Jess and Trisha reflect on the major theme of Valentine’s romance coverage and then recommend some romance short stories and novellas.

Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!

2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Visit bookriot.com/readharder to sign up.

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

News

Jess and Trisha had a great chat with Jeff on the Book Riot podcast.

As mentioned, The Washington Post (Sarah Wendell) and Entertainment Weekly (Maureen Lee Lenker) were among the many outlets covering romantasy this Valentine’s Day.

And look how many romance book stores there are! [Forbes]

Books Discussed

Play to Win by Jodie Slaughter

Olivia and the Masked Duke by Grace Callaway

All or Nothing by Rose Lerner

Moonlight by Jasmine Nicole

Rosie and the Dreamboat by Sally Thorne

Prisoner of Love by Beverly Jenkins

Love in Color by Bolu Babalola

The Companion by EE Ottoman

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).

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Read Harder in…Every Year Feb 05, 2024

Jess and Trisha talk about romance covers, genre data (or lack thereof), and romance books that fit the 2024 Read Harder Challenge.

Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!

2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Visit bookriot.com/readharder to sign up.

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

News

Check out the Shelf Love Substack, and specifically the post “The Data Does Not Exist to Support ‘Romance is a Billion Dollar Industry.’”

Read Harder in 2024! (Just like maybe you did in 2023!)

Books Discussed

Night Song by Beverly Jenkins

The Sitcom Star and The Reluctant Heartthrob by Jackie Lau

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams

Luke and Billy Finally Get a Clue by Cat Sebastian

The One Month Boyfriend by Roxie Noir

Always Only You by Chloe Liese

Love Flushed by Evie Mitchell

That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming

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).

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Darling But Dangerous Jan 22, 2024

Jess and Trisha kick off 2024 WIR Book Club by discussing The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich and then discuss other books with mistaken identities or disguises.

Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!

2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Visit bookriot.com/readharder to sign up.

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Books Discussed

The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz

Fly With Me by Andie Burke

Role Playing by Cathy Yardley

Girls with Bad Reputations by Xio Axelrod

Meegan by Rebekah Weatherspoon

The Wolf and the Wildflower by Stacy Reid

A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole

One Night in Hartswood by Emma Denny

The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest

Kiss the Girl by Zoraida Córdova

The Marquess Makes His Move by Diana Quincy

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).

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Excited by the Shenanigans Jan 08, 2024

Jess and Trisha talk about 2023 books they still want to get to and the books they’re most excited about coming out in 2024.

Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!

2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Visit bookriot.com/readharder to sign up.

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

News

Book club is coming back in our next episode! Read The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz along with us! Send us your thoughts by January 18 for our January 22 episode.

Books Discussed

The Wildest Ride by Marcella Bell

Change of Plans by Dylan Newton

Forever Your Rogue by Erin Langston

Outfield Assist by Cat Giraldo

Ruined by Sarah Vaughn, illustrated by Sarah Winifred Searle and Niki Smith

Technically Yours by Denise Williams

Fly With Me by Andie Burke

Something Wild & Wonderful by Anita Kelly

A Little Kissing Between Friends by Chencia C. Higgins

Night for Day by Roselle Lim

Birding With Benefits by Sarah T. Dubb

The Spy and I by Tiana Smith

The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava

Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban

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).

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We Love a Lady Blacksmith — Favorites of 2023 Dec 11, 2023

Jess and Trisha talk about their favorite romance reads of 2023. Prepare your TBR for many, many books — front list AND back list.

Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!

It's happening, readers — we're bringing paperbacks! Whether you (or a reader you know and love) hate carrying around bulky hardcovers, you're on a budget, you want a wider range of recommendations, or all of the above, you can now get a paperback subscription from TBR, curated just for you by one of our Bibliologists. The holidays are here, and we've got three different levels for gifting to suit every budget. Get all the details at mytbr.co.

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

News

Book club is coming back in early 2024! Read The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz along with us! Send us your thoughts by January 18 for our January 22 episode.

Books Discussed

Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura

A Necessary Chaos by Brent Lambert

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Molly Molloy and the Angel of Death by Maria Vale

Before I Let Go and Reel by Kennedy Ryan

So This is Christmas by Jenny Holiday

Something Like Love and Captured by Beverly Jenkins

Second Chance at Rancho Lindo by Sabrina Sol

The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann

Wild Pitch by Cat Giraldo

The Scoundrel Falls Hard by Sophie Jordan

Switch Hitter by E.M. Lindsey

Something Wild & Wonderful by Anita Kelly

Stars in Your Eyes by Kacen Callender

We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian

Role Playing by Cathy Yardley

The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest

All The Right Notes by Dominic Lim

Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

Time to Shine by Rachel Reid

A Spinster’s Guide to Danger and Dukes by Manda Collins

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).

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Having Affairs and Running a Hotel Nov 27, 2023

It’s part two of our 2023 recommendation request episodes! Jess and Trisha talk about romances with tough female heroines, queer fantasy romance, immersive romance series, and more!

Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!

It's happening, readers — we're bringing paperbacks! Whether you hate carrying around bulky hardcovers, you're on a budget, you want a wider range of recommendations, or all of the above, you can now get a paperback subscription from TBR, curated just for you by one of our Bibliologists. You can also gift it (and the holidays, they are coming.) Get all the details at mytbr.co.

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

News

Book club is coming back in early 2024! Read The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz along with us!

Books Discussed

Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon

The Cowboy Whisperer by Sabrina Sol

The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz

Love and Other Disasters by Anita Kelly

Kiss Her Once for Me by Alison Cochrun

Role Playing by Cathy Yardley

The Flowers of Time by A.L. Lester

Reverb by Anna Zabo

Lost Hearts by Ellie Green

Vanlife by Nicolette Dane

Even Though I Knew the End by C.L. Polk

Thorn by Anna Burke

The Bright Falls series by Ashley Herring Blake, starting with Delilah Green Doesn't Care

D’Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins

Once Upon a Marquess by Courtney Milan

Any series by Nalini Singh, including the Hard Play series (starting with Cherish Hard) and the Psy/Changling series (starting with Slave to Sensation)

Game Changer by Rachel Reid

Hot and Badgered by Shelly Laurenston

The Wallflowers and Ravenels series by Lisa Kleypas

Anything by Christina C. Jones, including the Love Sisters series, starting with I Think I Might Love You

A Lady of Rooksgrave Manor by Kathryn Moon

Pack Queen by Zelda Knight

The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann

Play It Again by Aidan Wayne

How to Be a Normal Person and How to Be a Movie Star by TJ Klune

A Thorn in the Saddle by Rebekah Weatherspoon

Wild Rain by Beverly Jenkins

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan

Hotel of Secrets by Diana Biller

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).

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Scathing Dislike, Scorching Chemistry Nov 13, 2023

It’s part one of our 2023 recommendation request episodes! Jess and Trisha talk about diverse paranormal romances, romances with ace representation, holiday romances, and more!

Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!

It's happening, readers — we're bringing paperbacks! Whether you hate carrying around bulky hardcovers, you're on a budget, you want a wider range of recommendations, or all of the above, you can now get a paperback subscription from TBR, curated just for you by one of our Bibliologists. You can also gift it (and the holidays, they are coming.) Get all the details at mytbr.co.

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News

Book club is coming back in early 2024 - huge thanks to everyone who sent suggestions! We're reading The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz, so read along with us!

Also, check out Jackie Lau’s Kickstarter while you still can!

Books Discussed

The Duke Gets Desperate by Diana Quincy

The Grim Reaper’s Lawyer by Mea Monique

Human Enough by E.S. Yu

Big Bad Wolf by Suleikha Snyder

What the Hex by Alexis Daria

The Blacksmith Queen by G.A. Aiken

Bitterburn by Ann Aguirre

Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Canas

Their Troublesome Crush by Xan West

Perfect Rhythm by Jae

The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann

Thaw by Elyse Springer

The Lights on Knockbridge Lane by Roan Parrish

In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

Lighting the Flames by Sarah Wendell

Merry Inkmas by Talia Hibbert

Three Holidays and a Wedding by Uzma Jalaluddin and Marissa Stapley

Second Chances in New Port Stephen by T.J. Alexander

It’s a Fabulous Life by Kelly Farmer

Being Merry by Meka James

Time to Shine by Rachel Reid

Mistletoe and Mishigas by M.A. Wardell

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).

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Continuing the Podcast Magic Oct 30, 2023

Jess and Trisha talk about the current “steaminess” discourse in romance and new books with some of their favorite tropes.

Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!

Autumn is here, which means it's time to curl up with a great read and get cozy — whatever your version of cozy looks like. Whether it's romance, creepy reads, modern classics, or escapist reads you crave, TBR can help you find the perfect books for your fall reading, with options curated to your specific reading tastes. Visit mytbr.co to find out more and sign up — it only takes a few minutes!

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News

Join Jess in conversation with the one and only Beverly Jenkins on Nov 2!

Here’s the video from Jessen Reads Romance that we discussed – thanks again to Polly for sharing.

And here are some related thoughts from Mimi Matthews.

Plus! Next episode is our annual recommendation show, so send us requests for a family member, friend, or just yourself: wheninromance@bookriot.com!

Books Discussed

A Christmas to Remember by Beverly Jenkins

Violet Made of Thorns by Gina Chen

The Marquis Who Mustn’t by Courtney Milan

Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland

Stars in Your Eyes by Kacen Callender

It’s a Fabulous Life by Kelly Farmer

Do Your Worst by Rosie Danan

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).

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Having a Moment in Costumes in the Library Oct 16, 2023

Jess and Trisha talk about the popular practice of republishing previously self-published romances and offer a few of their recs for Bang in the Night BINGO.

Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!

Autumn is here, which means it's time to curl up with a great read and get cozy — whatever your version of cozy looks like. Whether it's romance, creepy reads, modern classics, or escapist reads you crave, TBR can help you find the perfect books for your fall reading, with options curated to your specific reading tastes. Visit mytbr.co to find out more and sign up — it only takes a few minutes!

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News

Play along with Bang in the Night BINGO!

Books Discussed

No Proper Lady by Isabel Cooper

Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas

An Extraordinary Lord by Anna Harrington

Full Moon Over Freedom by Angelina M. Lopez

Better Off Red by Rebekah Weatherspoon

Haunted Hookup by Eliza McLane

Single Dads Club by Therese Beharrie

The Tenant by Katrina Jackson

The Brightest Star in Paris by Diana Biller

The Wolf of Wall Street by Lucy Eden

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).

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Song Fails on a Book Podcast Oct 02, 2023

Jess and Trisha dive deep into The Perfect Find, talking about both the novel and the Netflix adaptation.

Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!

Autumn is here, which means it's time to curl up with a great read and get cozy — whatever your version of cozy looks like. Whether it's romance, creepy reads, modern classics, or escapist reads you crave, TBR can help you find the perfect books for your fall reading, with options curated to your specific reading tastes. Visit mytbr.co to find out more and sign up — it only takes a few minutes!

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Books Discussed

Dirty Steal by KD Casey and Lauren Blakeley

What The Hex by Alexia Daris

The Enchanted Hacienda by J.C. Cervantes

The Perfect Find by Tia Williams

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).

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Great Movie, Weird Faces Sep 18, 2023

Jess and Trisha are reunited(!) and get caught up on romance news, adaptations, and their reading over the last couple of months.

Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!

Book Riot's editorial team is writing for casual and power readers alike over at The Deep Dive! During the month of September, all new free subscribers will be entered to win Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler, plus 5 mystery books from The Deep Dive. To enter, simply start a free subscription to The Deep Dive. No payment method required!

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News

Book club meets an adaptation discussion with The Perfect Find! We’re discussing the book by Tia Williams and the adaptation on September 28 for our Oct 2 episode, so send us your thoughts! (The adaptation is on Netflix, BTW.)

Just in case you want to be ready for next year’s Steamy Lit Con…

Books Discussed

The Perfect Find by Tia Williams

The Marquis Who Musn’t by Courtney Milan

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Wild Pitch by Cat Giraldo

Pestilence by Laura Thalassa

Cold-Hearted Rake by Lisa Kleypas

You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi

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).

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There’s Only One Dog Aug 21, 2023

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.

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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).

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The One With All The Witches with Liberty Hardy Aug 07, 2023

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 Findby 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 Onesby Melissa Albert

Snow Place Like LAby Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone

Crossedby Emily McIntyre

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witchesby Sangu Mandanna

Not the Witch You Wed by April Asher

The League of Gentlewoman Witchesby India Holton

Binding Shadowsby 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).

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Our Favorite Romances of 2023 So Far Jul 24, 2023

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!

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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).

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Romances with Real People on Earth Jul 10, 2023

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!

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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 Everythingby 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).

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The Second Half of the Last Page Jun 26, 2023

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.

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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).

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A Benign Stalker Jun 12, 2023

Jess and Trisha discuss how racism impacts sports romance publishing and talk about some basketball romances they love.

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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).

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Ranking the Most Impactful Romance of the Last Decade May 15, 2023

Jess and Trisha do something a little different and spend the show ranking the most influential romance novels that have come out in the last decade (based on their very subjective opinions).

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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 June 26 episode.

Subscribe to First Edition on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your podcatcher of choice.

Books Discussed

A Bollywood Affair by Sonali Dev

American Dreamer by Adriana Herrera

An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole

Beach Read by Emily Henry

Forbidden by Beverly Jenkins

Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon

Neon Gods by Katee Robert

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Sinner by Sierra Simone

Take the Lead by Alexis Daria

The Duke Who Didn’t by Courtney Milan

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

The Wedding Date and The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory

Truth or Beard by Penny Reid

Wicked and the Wallflower by Sarah MacLean

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).

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Not As Much Eye Reading May 01, 2023

Jess and Trisha announce a new book club book and get into why contemporary romance isn’t always the same as a romcom (which is different from a romantic comedy)…and where does “chick lit” fit into all of this?

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News

Check out Book Riot’s new First Edition podcast – there’s something for everyone!

Book Club is back!! We’re reading Rules of Engagement by Stacey Abrams writing as Selena Montgomery. Get ready – we’re discussing on June 22 for our June 26 episode.

Books Discussed

Something Wild and Wonderful and Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly

Codename Charming by Lucy Parker

Wrong to Need You by Alisha Rai

Trade Me by Courtney Milan

The Dating Playbook by Farrah Rochon

Battle Royal by Lucy Parker

Second Chance at Rancho Lindo by Sabrina Sol

The Tyrant Alpha’s Rejected Mate by Cate C. Wells

Let us know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking (especially about romcoms), 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).

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Normal People with Quirky Friends Apr 17, 2023

Jess and Trisha do a bit of follow-up from last time, talk about why romance book adaptation news so often goes nowhere, and recommend some favorite romances with STEM characters.

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News

Check out this episode of the Big Gay Fiction Podcast with Anna Zabo and L.A. Witt.

The blog post by Jane Friedman that Trisha mentioned about book adaptations is here.

Books Discussed

Hotel of Secrets by Diana Biller, audiobook narrated by Carlotta Brentan

Calling the Shots by Kelly Farmer

The Eastside Brewery series (starting with Thirsty) by Mia Hopkins

Wrong Number, Right Woman by Jae

A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole

Reckless at Heart by Zoe York

The Countess Conspiracy by Courtney Milan

The Viscount Made Me Do It by Diana Quincy

Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail by Ashley Herring Blake

Digging Up Love by Chandra Blumberg

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).

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Somewhere In Between Apr 03, 2023

Jess and Trisha talk about the jobs and activities we do and don’t see in romance (and what it means) and discuss and recommend second chance romances.

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Books Discussed

The Spy and Her Serpent by Maria Ying

Rookie Mistake by by Anna Zabo and LA Witt

Appealed by Emma Chase

Before I let Go and Coming Home by Kennedy Ryan

How to Catch a Queen by Alyssa Cole

Faded by Lisa B. Trinidad

A Lot Like Adiós by Alexis Daria

Unwritten Rules by KD Casey

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).

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The Body Falls for the Guard Mar 20, 2023

Jess and Trisha talk about the trans rights readathon (starting March 20!) and then discuss comfort reads.

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News

Join the Trans Rights Readathon March 20-27!

Here’s a list of free books you can read for the readathon.

Books Discussed

The Taming of Jessi Rose by Beverly Jenkins

The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks by Shauna Robinson

Drag Me Up by RM Virtues

The Craft of Love by EE Ottoman

Sing Anyway by Anita Kelly

Reverb by Anna Zabo

Hotel of Secrets by Diana Biller

Love at First Psych by Cara Bastone

That Kind of Guy by Talia Hibbert

Your Dad Will Do by Katee Robert

Hot and Badgered by Shelly Laurenston

Running Away With the Bride by Sophia Singh Sasson

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).

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Trading Off Words Mar 06, 2023

Jess and Trisha discuss a social media situation impacting romance authors and why it matters more broadly and then dive into After Hours on Milagro Street for WIR Book Club.

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NEWS

Looking for fascinating stories, informed takes, useful advice, and more from experts in the world of books and reading? Subscribe to Book Riot’s newest newsletter, The Deep Dive, at bookriot.substack.com

The Spoutable situation is a little tricky to piece together, but here’s a Twitter thread from Courtney Milan about her experience.

Go check out the Swoon Awards winners!!

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BOOKS DISCUSSED

Black Love Matters by Jessica P. Pryde

Scoreless Game by Anna Zabo and LA Witt

A Week to be Wicked by Tessa Dare

After Hours on Milagro Street and Full Moon Over Freedom by Angelina M. Lopez

Send us all of your thoughts on anything, but especially After Hours on Milagro Street and the Swoon Awards. 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).

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All of the Unfurling Feb 20, 2023

Jess and Trisha talk about positive Valentine’s Day romance coverage, happy Harper Collins strike news, and romance mysteries.

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NEWS

Book club is back!!! We’re reading After Hours on Milagro Street by Angelina M. Lopez, and we’ll be talking about it March 2 for our March 6 episode.

The Harper Collins strike is finally ending!!

Another “B” romance imprint is coming…

And hooray for positive romance coverage this Valentine’s Day! Check out this coverage from CNN, this podcast from NPR, and a couple of podcasts featuring our own Jess Pryde(!!): one from Iowa Public Radio and another from American Libraries Magazine.

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BOOKS DISCUSSED

After Hours on Milagro Street by Angelina M. Lopez

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan

The Fastest Way to Fall by Denise Williams

Something About You by Julie James

The Hidden Moon by Jeannie Lin

Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Proper English by KJ Charles

The Whitaker Island books, starting with Her Other Secret by HelenKay Dimon

Hither Page by Cat Sebastian

Murder at Pirates Cove by Josh Lanyon

Send us all of your thoughts on anything, but especially After Hours on Milagro Street and your favorite mystery 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), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown), and Jess is even on TikTok (@jess_isreading).

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Lying with Each Other Feb 06, 2023

Jess and Trisha talk about some news and listener emails before getting real about fake relationships: why the trope works, why they like it, and some of the fake relationship romances they’ve been reading lately.

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NEWS

Book club is back!!! We’re reading After Hours on Milagro Street by Angelina M. Lopez, and we’ll be talking about it on March 2 for our March 6 episode.

The Harper Collins strike continues – please support the workers however you can.

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

BOOKS DISCUSSED

After Hours on Milagro Street by Angelina M. Lopez

The Spymaster’s Lady by Joanna Bourne

Night and Day by Lily Seabrooke

Only When It’s Us by Chloe Liese

Not Your Valentine by Jackie Lau

A Spinster’s Guide to Danger and Dukes by Manda Collins (3/28/23)

Fake It Till You Bake It by Jamie Wesley

The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann

Well Matched by Jen DeLuca

Everything’s Better with Lisa by Lucy Eden

Send us all of our thoughts on anything, but especially After Hours on Milagro Street and your favorite fake dating 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), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown), and Jess is even on TikTok (@jess_isreading).

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Reality Through Fiction Jan 23, 2023

This week, Trisha and special guest Liberty Hardy talk about reality show competition romance: what we like about it, why it works, and some of our favorites.

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NEWS

Are you looking for the perfect Valentine’s gift for your bookish boo? Gift Tailored Book Recommendations!

Book club is back!!! We’re reading After Hours on Milagro Street by Angelina M. Lopez, and we’ll be talking about it when we record on March 2.

The Harper Collins strike continues – please support the workers however you can.

The 2022 Swoon Book Awards are open for nominations until Jan 30!

And yes, Roxane Gay has confirmed that she’s writing a romance novel with Channing Tatum.

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BOOKS DISCUSSED

After Hours on Milagro Street by Angelina M. Lopez

This Bird Has Flown by Susanna Hoffs (4/4/23)

Georgie All Along by Kate Clayborn

Looking for Group and Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake by Alexis Hall

Battle Royal by Lucy Parker

Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev

D’Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins

Track Liberty down at a whole bunch of places: What’s My Page Again, the Book Riot New Books newsletter, the All the Books podcast, and/or on Instagram (@franzencomesalive). 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).

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The Year of the Cowboy Jan 09, 2023

Jess and Trisha cover some recent romancelandia news, look back on favorites of 2022, and look ahead to possible future favorites for 2023.

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NEWS

Book club is back!!! We’re reading After Hours on Milagro Street by Angelina M. Lopez, and we’ll be talking about it in early March.

Romance author Susan Meachen lied about her death in 2020 (CW for suicide) [Rolling Stone]

If you or someone you know needs to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in the Unites States, you call dial 988. The website is here.

USA Today is no longer publishing a bestseller list [Publisher’s Weekly]

The Harper Collins strike continues – please support the workers however you can.

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

BOOKS DISCUSSED

After Hours on Milagro Street by Angelina M. Lopez

Must Love Cowboys by Carly Bloom

Second Chance at Rancho Lindo by Sabrina Sol

You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi

Tanked by Mia Hopkins

Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake

Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola

Ship Wrecked by Olivia Dade

The House on Mulberry Street by Jeannie Chin (3/07)

Sorry, Bro by Taleen Voskuni (1/31)

The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest (2/28)

Codename Charming by Lucy Parker (8/15)

Hotel of Secrets by Diana Biller (3/28)

Diamond Ring by KD Casey (4/11)

Let us know what you’re excited to read in 2023! 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).

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Pine, Pine, Pine...Pine, Pine Dec 12, 2022

Jess and Trisha close out the year by recommending queer friends-to-lovers books, romances with a criminal element, and more in part two of our annual recommendation request episode.

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NEWS

A reminder to learn more about the Harper Collins strike and support the workers however you can.

Gift Tailored Book Recommendations this holiday season!

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BOOKS DISCUSSED

For a complete list of books discussed in this episode, visit our website https://bookriot.com/listen/pine-pine-pine-pine-pine/.

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Roll the Dice with Me Nov 28, 2022

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.

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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.

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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).

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Best of Our 2022 Backlist! Nov 14, 2022

Jess and Trisha start talking about 2022 recommendations, including No-Shirt November and their favorite backlist romance reads of 2022.

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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).

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All The Holidays with Special Guest Jenn Northington Oct 31, 2022

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.

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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.

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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).

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This Might Be My WIDOW OF ROSE HOUSE Oct 17, 2022

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).

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Back on the Book Train Oct 03, 2022

Jess and Trisha talk through some news and updates and then discuss Witchmark – including whether it can be classified as a romance.

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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).

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Time for a Different Form Sep 19, 2022

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.

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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).

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Giving Up on Calendars Aug 22, 2022

Jess and Trisha talk about baby epilogues and revisit a classic romance trope: fake dating stories.

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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).

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The Ghost and the Ghostwriter Aug 08, 2022

Jess and Trisha cover a grab bag of topics before talking about backlist romances they’re glad to have found this year.

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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).

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But No Poles Jul 25, 2022

Jess and Trisha talk about Fire Island and the essence of a good retelling/adaptation, and offer up some recommendations for Disability Pride Month.

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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).

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Annoyance to Love Jul 11, 2022

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.

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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).

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The Disney Crime Lord Universe Jun 27, 2022

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.

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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).

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A Wig Doing a Lot of Work Jun 13, 2022

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.

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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).

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A Proxy Husband On a Boat May 16, 2022

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.

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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).

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Finger, Pulse, Etc. May 02, 2022

Jess and Trisha talk about their current reads, romance novel cover history, and backlist books to add to – or move up on – your TBR.

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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).

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It’s Probably Something Adorable Apr 18, 2022

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.

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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).

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Especially The Library – With Special Guest Liberty Hardy Apr 04, 2022

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.

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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).

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Take It to the Group Chat Mar 21, 2022

Jess and Trisha talk about recent romance (bad) news stories and recommend romances with main characters above the age of 40.

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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).

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An Elevator with Only One Bed Mar 07, 2022

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.

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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).

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Episode 100 and the Return of the When In Romance Quiz Feb 21, 2022

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

Wolf s ong 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.

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Some Other Exploration Together Feb 07, 2022

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.

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While We’re Ahead Jan 24, 2022

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.

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A New Earth Year Jan 10, 2022

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.

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WIR Book Club: Shenanigans Ensue Dec 13, 2021

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.

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Going About Their Hallmark Business Nov 29, 2021

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.

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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 t o 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.

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A Longer Longing Experience Nov 15, 2021

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.

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How You Deal with Your Enemies Nov 01, 2021

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.

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Quite Sexy, Quite Time-y Oct 18, 2021

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).

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Feelings From Across the Quad Oct 04, 2021

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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This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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.

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A Big Pinch of Himalayan Pink Salt Sep 20, 2021

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.

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A Trapper Keeper Diversion Aug 23, 2021

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.

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The External Accountability Flaw Aug 09, 2021

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.

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The Return of the Toaster Oven Jul 26, 2021

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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This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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.

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Sexy Clash Jul 12, 2021

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.

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All the Cool Vibes Jun 28, 2021

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.

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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).

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Succession But With Cowboys Jun 14, 2021

Jess and Trisha dive into the world of romance between women, discussing the current publishing landscape and recommending some titles you should check out.

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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.

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If Men In Black Was a Romance May 17, 2021

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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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.

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Cover Coverage-ing May 03, 2021

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.

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Quick to Bed, Slow to Feelings Apr 19, 2021

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.

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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.

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You Can Keep It Apr 05, 2021

Jess and Trisha talk about the next round of the WIR book club and discuss and recommend romances featuring married couples.

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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.

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Mind-blowingly Chemical Mar 22, 2021

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.

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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

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.

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What Are We Disrupting? Mar 08, 2021

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).

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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.

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A Beautiful Frankenstein Feb 22, 2021

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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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.

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Watch It Or Don’t Feb 08, 2021

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.

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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).

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Accidental Queer Vegas Wedding Jan 25, 2021

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.

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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).

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It’s All in the Sideburns Jan 11, 2021

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.

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The Voice On the Other End Dec 14, 2020

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.

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It’s Gonna Be Sexy Nov 30, 2020

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.

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Feathers, Scales, and an Accidental Kidnapping Nov 16, 2020

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).

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Why Are These Lists? Nov 02, 2020

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.

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Welcome To When In Romance Oct 29, 2020

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.

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A Real Landmark Oct 19, 2020

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.

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The Motion Train Oct 05, 2020

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.

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We Eat Books Sep 21, 2020

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).

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A Side of Side Eye Aug 24, 2020

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).

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Look for the Trains Aug 10, 2020

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).

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Either A Month Or Seven Years Jul 27, 2020

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

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).

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Grown-up Humans Communicating Jul 13, 2020

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).

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This is Chocolate, Not Broccoli Jun 29, 2020

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.

To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!

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.

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Clear and Not Weird Jun 15, 2020

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.

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“It Comes Down to Weather”: An Interview with Tosca Musk Jun 01, 2020

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.

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A Quarter of a Thumb May 18, 2020

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.

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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).

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Shenanigans with Row-mates May 04, 2020

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).

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Wealthy Know-It-Alls Apr 20, 2020

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).

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"Why are there so many Colonels?": The Austen Episode Apr 06, 2020

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).

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Some Of It Is Nice News Mar 23, 2020

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.

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Not Helping You In Any Way Mar 09, 2020

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.

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Not Surprising But Still Disappointing Feb 24, 2020

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).

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The Challenge is Hibernation Feb 10, 2020

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).

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Lessons In S’mores Jan 27, 2020

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).

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It’s Gotta Be All Up From Here Jan 13, 2020

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).

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“Wanted” vs. “Desired” Dec 16, 2019

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 Youby 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).

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Cozy With a Side of Crime Dec 02, 2019

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).

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Only One Bed For All Those Feelings Nov 18, 2019

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).

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That Was Pretty Feelsy Nov 04, 2019

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.

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A Hard-Earned HEA Oct 21, 2019

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.

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Spooky But Not Creepy Oct 07, 2019

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.

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What Is the Right Amount of Embroidery? Sep 23, 2019

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.

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Late, But Happy To Be Invited Sep 09, 2019

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.

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Some Things to Ponder Aug 26, 2019

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.

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The Date and Time Are Unclear Aug 12, 2019

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.

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The Beginning of a New Destiny Jul 29, 2019

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.

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We Need To Go The Bunker Now Jul 15, 2019

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.

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Ep #37: It Probably Won’t Be The Otter Jul 01, 2019

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 Thawby 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.

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Ep #36: Equal Opportunity to All Pronunciations Jun 17, 2019

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:

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.

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Ep #35: Ugh. Emotions. Jun 03, 2019

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:

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.

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Ep #34: Not Live from New Orleans May 20, 2019

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 Flavorsby 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 Dealand 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.

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Ep #33: Private Plane Problems May 06, 2019

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.

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Ep #32: Sometimes Dukes Travel Apr 22, 2019

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.

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Ep #31: Cinnamon Roll Heroes From the Corner of the Pan Apr 08, 2019

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 Sightsby Katie Ruggle, and the audiobook edition of The Girl He Used to Knowby 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).

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Ep #30: If You Don’t Read It, Ask a Friend Mar 25, 2019

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).

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Ep #29: They Keep Bumping Into Each Other Mar 11, 2019

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 Dirtyby 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).

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Ep #28: Who is the Frankenstein in this situation? Feb 25, 2019

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).

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Ep #27: Easing People In Feb 11, 2019

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).

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Ep #26: Either Saluting You or Calling You Out Jan 28, 2019

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.

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Ep #25: Hang-Ups From Growing Up In The Irish Mob Jan 14, 2019

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.

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Ep #24: All Of The Wet Shirts Dec 18, 2018

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 Secretby 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.

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Ep #23: The Healing Power of Romance: Our Holiday Recommendations Show Dec 03, 2018

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.

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Ep #22: Going Hard in the Paint With Random Objects Nov 19, 2018

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.

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Ep #21: Let’s Just Call Him “Not Calvin” Nov 05, 2018

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.

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Ep #20: All Worked Up By Pockets Oct 22, 2018

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 Designby Maya Rodale, Unleashedby 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.

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Friendly and Smiley and Handing Out Coffee Oct 08, 2018

Jess and Trisha take a deep dive into Butterfly Swordsby 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 Primrosesby 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.

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Ep #18: Completely Distracted By Things Sep 24, 2018

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 Hotby Lynsay Sands and The Cost of Betrayal: Three Romantic Suspense Novellasby 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.

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Ep #17: Look How We Accidentally Recommended All the Strippers Sep 10, 2018

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 Youby 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.

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Ep #16: Miss Scarlet is More Interesting Than Hester Prynne Aug 27, 2018

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 Bondby 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.

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Ep #15: People Who Aren't Evil Deserve An HEA Aug 13, 2018

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.

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Ep #14: The Difference Between “You” and “We” Jul 30, 2018

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 Igniteby 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.

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Ep #13: Our Diamond Shoes Are So Tight: A Romance Mid-Year Check In Jul 16, 2018

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.

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Ep #12: The Farmer Might Be The Nudist Jul 02, 2018

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.

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Can I Say That On This Podcast? Jun 18, 2018

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 Wavesby 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.

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Ep #10: Adorable People With So Many Issues Jun 04, 2018

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.

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Ep #9: From The RT Convention: First, Last, and Everything May 21, 2018

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 Beby Christina June and Chemistry Lessonsby 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.

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Ep #8: You Get To Experience Brainstorming Live May 07, 2018

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 Geekerellaby Ashley Poston and The Luck of the Brideby 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!

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Bonus: Alisha Rai Recommends Apr 30, 2018

Please enjoy this bonus excerpt, courtesy of the Recommended podcast, featuring Alisha Rai recommending Sonali Dev's A Distant Heart.

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Ep #7: Tropetonite Bingo Apr 23, 2018

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 Fadesby Abbi Glines and The Perfect DuchessbyErica 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.

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Ep #6: Twenty Different Happy Ever Afters Apr 09, 2018

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!

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#5: Literally, Don’t Judge the Book By Its Cover Mar 26, 2018

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!

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This Is Very Complicated Mar 12, 2018

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.

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A Mountain of a Man Named Stone Feb 26, 2018

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.

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When in Romance Ep. #2: Valentine’s Day and Adorable Ferrets Feb 12, 2018

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!

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When In Romance Ep. #1: Bemusedly Wary Jan 29, 2018

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.

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When in Romance Ep. #0: Welcome to Romancelandia Jan 19, 2018

Jess and Trisha introduce When in Romance, Book Riot's new biweekly podcast about all things romance novels.

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