It’s Pride Month, and Meg & Nikki are kicking things off with a reflective conversation about queer identity and coming out romance stories we love (especially the messy, nonlinear, and sometimes late-blooming kind).

Listen in for:

* What shaped their early understandings of sexual identity and orientation

* The multiple “F’s” in a framework designed for awakening…tingles…in the groiny bits…

* Their favourite queer awakening romance stories involving oblivious golden retriever types

* And why bisexuality deserves better storytelling

We’re kicking off a full month of celebrating queerness in all its forms: awkward, evolving, and absolutely worth honouring.

Books & Media We Mention:

* Trophy Doms New York series by Kate Hawthorne

* Zenni Optical

Our Fave Coming Out/Awakening Stories:

Nikki’s List:

* Fake It Till you Make Out by Isla Olsen

* Dirty Forty by Mia Monroe

* Thick as Thieves by Lucy Lennox

* Irresponsible Puckboy by Eden Finely and Saxon James

* The Wedding Date by Sean Ashcroft

* It’s Complicated by Willow Dixon

* Just a Bit Wrecked by Alessandra Hazard

* 10 Ways to Accidentally Fall In Love by Emmy Sanders

* The Fly Half by Charlie Novak

* Learning to Feel by NR Walker

* Party Favors by Erin McLellen

* Red White & Royal Blue

* Honeymoon for One by Keira Andrews

* Strawberry Kisses by Charlie Novak

Meg’s List:

* Tal Bauer

* You & Me

* Gravity

* How to say I do

* The Quarterback

* Crossroads by Riley Hart (double bi-awakening)

* Eden Finley

* Fake out

* Blindsided

* Fandom & Encore

* Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail by Ashley Herring Blake (FF)

* Set the record straight by Hannah Bonam Young

* Emmy Sanders

* Fool Hearts

* 10 ways to accidentally

* Sara Cate - salacious players club

* Give me more (MFM)

* Madame (FFM)

* Heated Rivalry

* Borrowing Blue by Lucy Lennox

How You Can Support The Show

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This week Nikki and Meg sit down with author Jessica Topper to dive into the world of rock star romance.

A librarian-turned-romance-writer, Jessica shares how her real-life concert experiences and love of music shape her stories — including her beloved Love & Steel series.

They explore:

* What makes musicians such compelling romantic leads

* Why found family dynamics hit differently in fictional bands

* The behind-the-stage drama of redemption arcs, messy characters, and their thoughts on bodyguard and manager relationships

Don’t worry, there’s enough fictional eyeliner to last you a lifetime.

About Our Guest

Jessica Topper has been in love with the beauty of the written word ever since she memorized Maurice Sendak's Chicken Soup with Rice at the age of three.

After earning a B.A. in English Literature and her Master's Degree in Library Science, Jessica went on to work as a librarian in New York City before trading in the books for bookkeeping. For seventeen years, she worked in the production office of an international touring rock band.

Jessica broke the rock romance mold with her 2013 debut novel LOUDER THAN LOVE. Her follow-up romantic comedy, DICTATORSHIP OF THE DRESS, was named one of Publishers Weekly's Best Books of 2015.

She lives in Western New York with her family - including two cats that love to walk across her keyboard.

Follow Jess:

Website: www.jessicatopper.com

Facebook - www.facebook.com/JessicaTopperAuthor

Instagram - www.instagram.com/jessicatopper/

Goodreads - www.goodreads.com/jessicatopper

BookBub - www.bookbub.com/profile/jessica-topper

Jess’s Recs:

* Under Your Spell - Laura Wood

* Charm City Rocks - Matthew Norman

* Juliet, Naked - Nick Hornby

* How to Kill a Rock Star - Tiffanie DeBartolo

* Don't Sleep with your Drummer - Jen Sincero

Meg’s Recs:

* VIP series (Idol, Managed, Fall, Exposed) by Kristen Callihan

* Stage Dive series (Lick, Play, Lead, Deep) by Kylie Scott

* Drive by Kate Stewart (but not the sequel, Reverse)

* The Happily Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez

Nikki’s Recs:

* Fallen Angels series by Ella Frank and Brook Blaine

* Fix It Up by Mary Calmes

* Code Red & Code Blue by NR Walker

* Replay series by KM Neuhold

* Famous series by Eden Finley

* GASP! by ZA Maxfield

* Caffeine Daydreams series by Lark Taylor

* Rhythm of Love series by Neve Wilder

* Jumping Jude (Made Marian book 3) by Lucy Lennox

* Starting From Series by Lane Hayes

* The Player by Lily Morton

**Check out our BRAND NEW merch**

https://www.teepublic.com/user/firstdatesandsoulmates to grab t-shirts, stickers, and more with our most loved running gags!

Get Meg’s Latest Book, All Twerk No Play: https://amzn.to/3Ee2O9Z

Follow the show on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/firstdatesandsoulmates/

Follow the show on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@firstdatesandsoulmates

Follow the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstDatesSoulmates

Download your copy of the 2025 book bingo card at https://bit.ly/fdsmbingo

View the full show notes on our Substack.

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Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe!

It’s the one-year anniversary of First Dates & Soulmates — and Nikki & Meg are getting a little misty-eyed about it. In this retrospective episode, they reflect on how the podcast came to be, how their reading (and recording) habits have changed, and what surprised them most over the last 54 episodes.

Listen in for:

* The emotional support voice notes that started it all

* The differences between reading for joy vs. reading for podcasting

* Tropes they’ve come to love more (or less)

* And what’s next for Year 2!

It’s a mix of gratitude, giggles, and a few goofs — the perfect wrap-up to a year of fake dating, groiny bits, and great books.

**Check out our BRAND NEW merch**

https://www.teepublic.com/user/firstdatesandsoulmates to grab t-shirts, stickers, and more with our most loved running gags!

Get Meg’s Latest Book, All Twerk No Play: https://amzn.to/3Ee2O9Z

Follow the show on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/firstdatesandsoulmates/

Follow the show on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@firstdatesandsoulmates

Follow the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstDatesSoulmates

Download your copy of the 2025 book bingo card at https://bit.ly/fdsmbingo

View the full show notes on our Substack.

Shop our affiliate book recs on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/caseboltcreative

Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe!

All Twerk No Play drops May 15th! Head over to the ‘Zon and download/buy your copy ASAP. Support indie writers! https://amzn.to/3Ee2O9Z

Now onto the show…

In this episode, Nikki interviews co-host Meg—er, Bailey Seaborn—about her newest release “All Twerk, No Play”, the second book in the All or Nothing series and follow up to “Peppermint Bark, No Bite”.

Join them as they dig into:

* Why Victoria is a mess and a marvel—and why Cruz might be her emotional match

* The role music played in crafting pacing, scenes, and character arcs

* What makes this book different from Peppermint Bark, No Bite, and what’s next in the All or Nothing series

* The emotional payoff of writing characters who figure it out while messing it up

Plus, Nikki demands future spoilers and everyone agrees that Alex is kind of a jerk (but we love him anyway).

Get the Playlist:

Pre-Order Meg’s next book, All Twerk No Play: https://amzn.to/3Ee2O9Z releasing May 15, 2025!

Follow the show on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/firstdatesandsoulmates/

Follow the show on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@firstdatesandsoulmates

Follow the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstDatesSoulmates

Download your copy of the 2025 book bingo card at https://bit.ly/fdsmbingo

View the full show notes on our Substack.

Shop our affiliate book recs on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/caseboltcreative

Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe!

Don’t forget, Meg’s new book All Twerk No Play drops May 15th! So get thee to the ‘Zon and download/buy your copy ASAP. Support indie writers! https://amzn.to/3Ee2O9Z

Now onto the show…

This week on First Dates & Soulmates, we're cracking open the windows, cranking up the tension, and diving into one of the most underrated romance environments: neighbours to lovers.

Meg and Nikki break down why this setting-based trope hits so hard, especially when your neighbor just might be your next emotional disaster or love story.

Listen in for:

* Voyeurism vs. Peeping Toms (yes, there’s a difference)

* What happens when your reset space becomes the drama space

* HOA battles, casseroles, and surprise goats

* Why grumpy-sunshine works extra hard when you share a wall

* Plus: Nikki checks for Mr. Rogers fanfic and we are all horrified (then not)

Our Big List of Neighbours to Lovers Romance:

* Everything for You, Chloe Liese — Ted Lasso, and also next door neighbors

* Get a Life, Chloe Brown!

* Fall, Kristen Callihan — rockstar next door

* Home Ice, Olivia Lynd

* Next Door Nemesis, Alexa Martin

* Reckless, Elsie Silver (this is the doctor that treated Cade’s hand in heartless)

* Don’t Hex & Drive, Juliette Cross

* Pint of Contention, Susanna Nix

* Life’s Too Short, Abby Jimenez

* Queen Move, Kennedy Ryan

* Beach Read, Emily Henry

* Whiskey Chaser, Lucy Score

* The Worst Guy, Kate Canterbury

* In a Jam, Kate Canterbury

* Protecting What’s His, Tessa Bailey

* Nashville Neighborhoods series, Nikki Sloane

* Love at First, Kate Clayborne (Romeo & Juliet retelling where they live in the same apt bldg)

* Ruthless Creatures, JT Geisslinger (he’s a mafia hitman hired to kill her, moved in next door and couldn’t go through with it)

* Sweet Spot, Stella Rhys — book #2, before Hothead

* Only Santas in the Building, Alexis Daria

* Clean Sweep, Ilona Andrews??

* Neighbor from Hell series, R. L. Mathewson

* Handy, K.M. Neuhold

* Nailed KM Neuhold

* Wallbanger, Alice Clayton

* Cheap Heat, Lily Mayne

* Crossroads by Riley Hart

* Watching Him by Jennifer Cody

* Beware of Geeks Bearing Gifts by Charlie Cochet

* The Jerk Next Door by Mia Monroe

* Dad Next Door by Willow Dixon

* How the Necromancer in the Gold Vest Saved My Life by Jocelynn Drake

* Beautifully Unexpected by Lily Morton (Magnus & Laurie)

* The Neighborly Thing by Allison Temple (accidental sex toy delivery)

* Keeping It Casual by Jax Calder (everyone wants to set up the new single dad with the other gay dude)

* The Geek Who Saved Christmas by Annabeth Albert (grumpy silver fox neighbour + happy young Xmas fan)

* You Can Count On Me by Fae Quinn (single dad + man with playboy rep)

Other Media We Mention:

* Starfire by AJ Sherwood

* Betrothed to the Emperor by Kai Butler

* Iron & Works series by EM Lindsey

Pre-Order Meg’s next book, All Twerk No Play: https://amzn.to/3Ee2O9Z releasing May 15, 2025!

Follow the show on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/firstdatesandsoulmates/

Follow the show on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@firstdatesandsoulmates

Follow the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstDatesSoulmates

Download your copy of the 2025 book bingo card at https://bit.ly/fdsmbingo

View the full show notes on our Substack.

Shop our affiliate book recs on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/caseboltcreative

Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe!

First off, Meg’s new book All Twerk No Play drops May 15th! So get thee to the ‘Zon and download/buy your copy ASAP. Support indie writers! https://amzn.to/3Ee2O9Z

Now onto the show…

This week on First Dates and Soulmates, Nikki and Meg unpack “Hothead” by Stella Rhys—a spicy sports romance that kicks off with a bar fight, a public meltdown, and a viral paparazzi photo that leads to fake dating.

They talk about:

* When fake dating is survival, not strategy

* How power dynamics shift when one character is emotionally volatile

* Why we need more groveling from alpha heroes

* The rare joy of watching someone finally snap on video

Books & Media We Mention

* Hothead by Stella Rhys

* Heartless by Elsie Silver

* Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

* Not That series by Isabel Murray (Not That Complicated, Not That Impossible, Not That Ridiculous)

Pre-Order Meg’s next book, All Twerk No Play: https://amzn.to/3Ee2O9Z releasing May 15, 2025!

Follow the show on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/firstdatesandsoulmates/

Follow the show on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@firstdatesandsoulmates

Follow the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstDatesSoulmates

Download your copy of the 2025 book bingo card at https://bit.ly/fdsmbingo

View the full show notes on our Substack.

Shop our affiliate book recs on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/caseboltcreative

Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe!

In this episode of First Dates and Soulmates, Nikki and Meg dive into The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood—a fan-favorite academic rom-com that sparked an entire wave of STEM heroines.

Click play on this week’s episode to hear:

* Why Olive is a chronic overthinker and why Adam is a misunderstood grump (who totally has a soft side)

* How this book walks the line between swoony slow-burn and sexy payoff

* The balance of realistic vs. wildly fictional about academia

Books & Media We Mention

* The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

* Deep End by Ali Hazelwood

* Reacher (tv show)

* To Love a Psycho series by CF White (Dream a Little Dream, Kiss me Honey Honey)

* The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

* The 12 stages of sexual intimacy

Pre-Order Meg’s next book, All Twerk No Play: https://amzn.to/3Ee2O9Z releasing May 15, 2025!

Follow the show on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/firstdatesandsoulmates/

Follow the show on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@firstdatesandsoulmates

Follow the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstDatesSoulmates

Download your copy of the 2025 book bingo card at https://bit.ly/fdsmbingo

View the full show notes on our Substack.

Shop our affiliate book recs on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/caseboltcreative

Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe!

This week on First Dates and Soulmates, Nikki and Meg dive into the first three books in Eden Finley’s Fake Boyfriend series—Fake Out, Trick Play, and Deke. Each features the beloved fake dating trope, but through different emotional, thematic, and public/private lenses.

Listen in as they break down:

* What works and what stresses us the hell out

* The joys of chaos gremlin side characters

* The ethics of journalism in romance novels (looking at you, A Christmas Prince),

* and what it means when your characters start bossing you around as a writer!

Books & Media We Mention

* Fake Out, Trick Play, Deke by Eden Finley

* I Can’t Say Goodbye by Eden Finley (next-gen spinoff)

* Rebound and It’s Complicated (mid-series novellas)

* Puckboy and Mike Bravo series (Eden Finley)

* Franklin University books (Eden Finley & Saxon James)

* Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

* Calling Chaos by Grae Bryan

* A Christmas Prince (Netflix)

* Lady Whistlethreads on Substack

Pre-Order Meg’s next book, All Twerk No Play: https://amzn.to/3Ee2O9Z releasing May 15, 2025!

Follow the show on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/firstdatesandsoulmates/

Follow the show on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@firstdatesandsoulmates

Follow the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstDatesSoulmates

Download your copy of the 2025 book bingo card at https://bit.ly/fdsmbingo

View the full show notes on our Substack.

Shop our affiliate book recs on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/caseboltcreative

Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe!

Continuing our April theme of fake dating, this week’s pick is Just Go With It (2011), starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston—and spoiler: Meg hated it.

In This Episode:

* When your “Save the Cat” moment is… never

* Catherine deserved a raise, not a ring

* Hawaii as the ultimate fake dating backdrop

* How this movie failed at its own emotional payoff

* Why all rom-coms should show the reveal AND the fallout

Subscribe. Review. Come yell with us about why male protagonists never have to grovel enough.

Books & Media We Mention:

* Just Go With It (2011)

* Mr. & Mrs. Smith

* The Morning Show (Jennifer Aniston)

* Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates

* Forgetting Sarah Marshall

* Murder Mystery (Netflix series)

* Uncut Gems

* Punch-Drunk Love

* Sleepless in Seattle

* The Bachelor (Chris O’Donnell again)

* Alien Mate for Christmas (previous episode reference)

* Book Boyfriend by Claire Kingsley

* Arden Fox’s Coveted Bonds series - How to Train Your Human Omega and How to Save Your Human Invader

Follow the show on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/firstdatesandsoulmates/

Follow the show on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@firstdatesandsoulmates

Follow the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstDatesSoulmates

Download your copy of the 2025 book bingo card at https://bit.ly/fdsmbingo

View the full show notes on our Substack.

Order Meg’s debut novel, Peppermint Bark, No Bite (affiliate link)

Shop our affiliate book recs on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/caseboltcreative

Strap in. We’re going deep. This week on First Dates & Soulmates, it’s a trope episode! And we’re dissecting every glorious and absurd nuance of fake dating.

Nikki may think this trope is the Chardonnay of romance (she’ll drink it if you serve it), while Meg is out here creating full frameworks while waiting in line at Disneyland.

In This Episode:

* Why so many fake dating books fall apart if the initial premise isn’t strong

* Why romantic vulnerability matters more than jellybeans

* The difference between fake dating for good vs fake dating for damage control

* The role of the designated extroverted friend and why we all need one

* When fake dating turns into real cheerleading, and why that’s hot

Meg loves a third-act breakup. Nikki wants to be your fake date and your designated hype woman.

Leave a review, comment on Substack, tell us your favourite fake dating books, or ask Nikki to be your designated fake fiance so you can get that promotion!

Shop Our Fake Dating Rec List *Amazon Affiliate Links

Books & Media We Mention:

* Heat Transfer by Cathryn McIntyre

* Reckless Hearts by Jax Calder

* Book Boyfriend by Claire Kingsley

* Fall Risk by Abby Jimenez

* The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

* Love Light Farms by B.K. Borison

* Not the Girl You Marry by Andie J. Christopher

* Best Man by Lily Morton

* Paper Roses by Lily Morton

* How Not to Fall and How Not to Let Go by Emily Foster

* Honestly, I'm Totally Faking It by Amanda Gambill

* Weight of It All by N.R. Walker

* The Confetti Hitched Series by Lily Morton

* The Brannon Boys Series (Heat Transfer is book one) by Katherine McIntyre

* The Kings of Chaos series by Jocelynn Drake

* The Edge of Fate by Sheena Jolie

* How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

* The Proposal

* 10 Things I Hate About You

* Just Go With It

* The Bachelor (Chris O’Donnell movie)

* Purple Hearts

* The Firm

* Sleepless in Seattle

* Bridgerton

* Sex and the City

Follow the show on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/firstdatesandsoulmates/

Follow the show on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@firstdatesandsoulmates

Follow the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstDatesSoulmates

Download your copy of the 2025 book bingo card at https://bit.ly/fdsmbingo

View the full show notes on our Substack.

Order Meg’s debut novel, Peppermint Bark, No Bite (affiliate link)

Shop our affiliate book recs on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/caseboltcreative

Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe!