When In Romance

Latest Episodes:

Breaking the Podcast Timing Rules Aug 04, 2025

Show notes

Jess and Trisha talk about a TON of adaptations (or possible adaptations) and then get into the books they’re excited about for the second half of 2025.

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Book Riot is hiring a digital content specialist! If you love books and know the ins and outs of social media strategy, and especially social video, consider joining the team. Find details and apply by August 22, 2025, at riotnewmedia.com/careers.

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News:

My oh my there are a lot of adaptations (yay!?). Here’s a round up:

Hana Khan Carries On [The Hollywood Reporter]

People We Meet on Vacation [Deadline]

Funny You Should Ask [Deadline]

Before I Let Go [Deadline]

Rifts and Refrains [Deadline]

The New Haven novels [The Hollywood Reporter]

The Harlequin/CW deal [Variety]

Birding With Benefits [The Cinemaholic]

The Rose Hill series [Variety]

Books Discussed:

August Lane by Regina Black

Cross the Line by Simone Soltani

When Javi Dumped Mari by Mia Sosa

You’ve Got a Place Here, Too edited by Ebony LaDelle (08/12/2025)

How to Sell a Romance by Alexa Martin

Faster by Andie J. Christopher (9/9/25)

Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore by Emily Krempholtz (11/18/25)

Not You Again by Erin La Rosa (11/11/25)

Ladies in Hating by Alexandra Vasti (9/23/25)

Isn’t It Obvious by Rachel Runya Katz (10/21/25)

Every Step She Takes by Alison Cochrun (9/2/25)

The Re-Write by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn (08/12/25)

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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Lowercase “N” Nemesis Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

Jess and Trisha do a tiny bit of fun news and then get into the Dramione of it all before talking about favorite 2025 romance releases 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!

Looking to elevate your reading life? Tailored Book Recommendations is here to help! TBR delivers reading recommendations hand-picked just for you by real human book nerds. 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!

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News:

Book Riot’s list of the Best of 2025 so far is here!!

Here’s the Emily Rath video we discussed about commericalizing fanfic and the new Dramione books - and why they’re a problem.

Here’s the Romance Con statement we referenced.

Books Discussed:

The Broposal by Sonora Reyes

Futbolista by Jonny Garza Villa

A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic by J. Penner

Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt

Along Came Amor by Alexis Daria

Can’t Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan

Secret Spark by Kelly Farmer

I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now I’m Trapped in a Rom-Com by Kimberly Lemming

Love Letters from the Trail by Tif Marcelo

A Gentleman’s Gentleman by TJ Alexander

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A Bibliotherapy Session Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

Jess and Trisha do a little self-examination of their reading habits and then talk about their favorite backlist romance reads of the year so far.

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

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News:

Not live yet, but Book Riot’s list of the Best of 2025 so far is coming on July 9!!

Also not live yet, but sign up to get notified to be alerted of the After the End Kickstarter!

Books Discussed:

Shadowed Obsession by Evelyn Leigh

Her Night with the Duke by Diana Quincy

Whenever You’re Ready by Rachel Runya Katz

Murder Most Actual by Alexis Hall

Big Boy by Ruthie Knox

Hana Khan Carries On and Much Ado About Nada by Uzma Jalaluddin

Marriage and Masti by Nisha Sharma

Talk Me Down by Victoria Dahl

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Jane Austen June Part 2: The Protagonist is Also the Antagonist Jun 23, 2025

Show notes

Jess and Trisha talk about Jane Austen feelings - yours and theirs! - and then get into Kamila Knows Best for book club.

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

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

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News:

We got all caught up in Jane Austen and forgot to talk about it, but check out the After the End Kickstarter!

Books Discussed:

One and Done by Frederick Smith

Whenever You’re Ready by Rachel Runya Katz

Jana Goes Wild by Farah Heron

Daughter of Tides by Kit Rocha

Kamila Knows Best by Farah Heron

Northanger Abbey, Persuasion, Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Mansfield Park, Sense and Sensibility, and Lady Susan - all by Jane Austen

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Jane Austen June Part 1: Landed Gentry with More Land Jun 09, 2025

Show notes

Jess and Trisha talk through updates and news before diving into part 1 of Jane Austen June, featuring adaptations and retellings (video and book versions).

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

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News:

Book club is coming in June! We’ll be reading Kamila Knows Best by Farah Heron and talking about it in our June 23 episode. Send us your thoughts by June 17!

Check out Book Riot’s Best Beach Reads of All Time!

And maybe in 2026, you want to make plans to go to the Black Romance Book Fest and RITCR (BTW: Trisha was wrong, it’s in December, not July. At least this year. Sorry!)

Books Discussed:

Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt

Love and Sportsball by Meka James

Along Came Amor by Alexis Daria

Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev

Much Ado About Nada by Uzma Jalaluddin

Northranger by Rey Terciero and illustrated by Bre Indigo

Mismatched by Anne Camlin

If I Loved You Less by Tamsen Parker

Pride and Protest by Nikki Payne

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Spaceships Absolutely Count May 12, 2025

Show notes

Jess and Trisha talk through updates, the “Fyre Festival of Book Cons”, and - as promised - recommend some transportation-related romances.

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

Ready to level up your reading life? Become a Book Riot All Access member and explore our full library of members-only content, including must-reads, deep dives, and reading challenge recommendations. For a limited time, the first 50 new All Access annual members get a FREE copy of Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz courtesy of Tor Publishing! Join Book Riot All Access to level up your reading life and claim your free copy of Automatic Noodle.

Book club is coming in June! We’ll be reading Kamila Knows Best by Farah Heron and talking about it in our June 23 episode.

Perhaps you’ve heard: the A Million Lives book festival didn’t go great. At All. [Newsweek]

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Bananapants by Penny Reid

Can’t Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan (AOC)

Rules for Ruin by Mimi Matthews (AOC)

Time Loops and Meet Cutes by Jackie Lau (AOC)

My Fake Rake by Eva Leigh

Fly With Me by Andie Burke

The Best Bad Decision by S. Sidney

Aisle Be Yours by Nina High (AOC)

Big Boy and Ride with Me by Ruthie Knox

Tycoon by Joanna Shupe

The Stars Too Fondly by Emily Hamilton

The Relationship Mechanic by Karmen Lee (AOC)

Hooked on You by Ada Barume (AOC)

NewsBooks Discussed

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Someone With Binoculars Apr 28, 2025

Show notes

Jess and Trisha talk about WIR book club, why/if point of view matters in romance, and they have some recs for reverse adaptations.

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

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

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News:

Book club is coming in June! We’ll be reading Kamila Knows Best by Farah Heron probably in the second half of the month — stay tuned for specific dates.

Books Discussed:

Marriage and Masti by Nisha Sharma

The 7-10 Split by Karmen Lee

Compromised Into a Scandalous Marriage by Lydia San Andres

Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn

Flirting With Disaster by Naina Kumar

Love Letters from the Trail by Tif Marcelo

Hana Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin

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

Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake by Alexis Hall

The Last Guy You Kiss by Carla de Guzman

When Grumpy Met Sunshine by Charlotte Stein