Make Out Already

On this episode of Make Out Already, we take a trip down memory lane to revisit the Twilight Saga. How did we first encounter the series? Is it as baffling and problematic as we remember? (Spoiler alert: It is.) What holds up, and who would we cast in a reboot? Plus, Meg torments herself by binge-watching all five movies, and Liz points out the religious themes she thinks influenced Meyer’s work.

Make sure you follow us on Instagram @makeoutalreadypod and on Twitter @makeout_already.

Mentioned in this episode:

Jasmine Paige Moore on TikTok, who does the Twilight Without the Cringe series: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJ58dhgw/

Monica, who explains Twilight to the aliens who abducted her: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJ58B1Ps/

Christina Lauren discussing fandom on the Fated Mates podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fated-mates-a-romance-novel-podcast/id1440190146?i=1000493860687

Golden Thread Tarot: https://www.goldenthreadtarot.com

Mystic Mondays Tarot: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1452176388/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_u8LHFbBPJ0V3E

Hi friends! On this episode of Make Out Already, we discuss ConSensual Pod’s first season, “Ten Week Turnabout.” We talk about the experimental, immersive storytelling of the episodic romance novel, and pull some tarot cards for our hero and heroine.

A few things we mention in the episode:

1. Follow @uppercaseya on Instagram. We are so grateful for the lovely shoutout! https://instagram.com/uppercaseya?igshid=1pndjnixn51pt

2. Follow @thetarotlady on Instagram for her daily astrology and tarot forecasts. https://instagram.com/thetarotlady?igshid=y7yghv0oxytm

3. You can check out ConSensual on the podcatcher of your choice.

4. Our next book will be “The Unhoneymooners” by Christina Lauren, so start reading! The Unhoneymooners | IndieBound.org

Meg’s Aperol Spritz

Combine 1 part Aperol with 2 parts Prosecco and a splash of seltzer water. Garnish with an orange slice or green olives.

Bitter Spritz (nonalcoholic)

Mix 1 part orange juice (or orange soda, like San Pellegrino) and 1 part seltzer over ice and add a couple of dashes of aromatic bitters (especially citrus flavored or spiced bitters). Garnish with an orange slice and enjoy!

Make sure you follow us on Instagram @makeoutalreadypod and on Twitter @makeout_already.

On this episode of Make Out Already, we recap the Netflix original series Never Have I Ever, in honor of the show’s renewal for a second season. We phone a friend for the entire episode — Molly, who introduced us to the show. We talk about normalizing female rage and horniness; flawed love interests; cultural nuances; season 2 predictions, and so much more.

Meg’s Not-Too-Sour Lemonade

1 3/4 c sugar

Pinch salt

1 c water

1 1/2 c lemon juice

Boil the sugar, salt and water until all sugar is dissolved. Chill. Once syrup is chilled, stir in the lemon juice and enjoy!

Liz’s Turmeric Latte

1 cup milk (I prefer almond for this)

1/2 t turmeric powder

Dash of powdered ginger

Dash of black pepper

Cinnamon and sugar to taste

Combine the ingredients in a saucepan and stir until simmering.

Make sure to follow us on Instagram @makeoutalreadypod and on Twitter @makeout_already.

On this bonus episode of Make Out Already, we lovingly poke fun at the recurring tropes and turns of phrase in Ruby Dixon’s Ice Planet Barbarians series.

Meg shared an amazing sah-sah recipe that will make you not even mind all the resonance noise in a nearby cave:

https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/rosy-gin-kombucha-cocktail

Make sure to follow us on Instagram @makeoutalreadypod and on Twitter @makeout_already.

Hi friends! On this episode, we get the hell out of Dodge and land on Not-Hoth. That’s right, we are talking about Ruby Dixon’s bonkers and beautiful Ice Planet Barbarians series. Whether you’ve never heard of the series or you’re totally obsessed with the blue barbarians, this episode is going to get you khui-ready.

To see Ruby Dixon’s incredibly long list of books, go to www.rubydixon.com.

Liz first heard of this series on the Heaving Bosoms podcast, and we highly recommend checking it out.

If you want a deep dive into each book, make sure you check out the Ice Planet Podcast.

No potatoes? No problem. Get your stew on with some Dominican sancocho. Use dvisti if you’ve got it: Sancocho Recipe and Video (The Deluxe Dominican Stew)

Meg came up with an amazing sah-sah recipe that will make you not even mind all the resonance noise in a nearby cave:

https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/rosy-gin-kombucha-cocktail

Make sure to follow us on Instagram @makeoutalreadypod and on Twitter @makeout_already.

Hi friends! On the next episode, we’re going on a journey into the stars with a one-way ticket to Not-Hoth. Oh yes, we are diving into the beautiful, icy world of seven-foot-tall blue cavemen who know how to please an Earth girl, matchmaking parasites, and yummy, yummy filth. Make sure you’re subscribed, and follow us on Instagram @makeoutalreadypod for updates.

On this episode of Make Out Already, we savor the delectable peach that is Girl Gone Viral by Alisha Rai (long may she reign). We take a deep dive into some armchair psychology on the heroine and hero of this book, make a few predictions for the third book in the Modern Love series... and wonder if maybe we’re too horny for this rather modest pairing. For the luscious peach torte Meg made in honor of this book, follow the NYT Cooking recipe for a purple plum torte, but with ripe peaches instead: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/3783-original-plum-torte. Liz recommends Rai’s YouTube channel, Quarantine Cuisine: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyOL0ZfUCiN3BO4ffTwwyXg If you’re interested in getting into sourdough (though maybe not to the same extent Katrina is), check out Josh Weissman on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChBEbMKI1eCcejTtmI32UEw or @artisanbryan on IG! As always, make sure to follow us on Instagram @makeoutalreadypod and on Twitter @makeout_already. Have a book recommendation for us? Slide into our DMs, or email us at [email protected]. Until next time, air kisses!

We read romance because we believe joy, connection and love can heal humanity. But we don’t have joy in us right now. George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade and countless others should be alive today. People in the news and people hidden from it, people who loved and were loved, have died because of white supremacy. This moment is a test of our collective humanity, a test we’ve failed over and over again. It is not enough to be sad and angry. It is vital that we act.

We will do our very best to amplify the voices of activists and anti-racist organizations. Here are some small ways you can start to help:

1. Follow the work of @rachel.cargle, @mspackyetti, @ibramxk, @laylafsaad and @ijeomaoluo. Those are their Instagram handles.

2. Donate to community bail funds for the protesters putting their bodies on the line during a pandemic. Start with @mnfreedomfund and @blmlouisville Community Bail Fund.

3. Donate to anti-racist organizations such as @splcenter, @raicestexas, @colorofchange and your local @blklivesmatter chapter.

4. Remember that it is not just the crises making national news. @theblackfairygodmotherofficial organizes small fundraisers for families with urgent needs. @thelovelandfoundation funds mental health care for black women and girls. @thenapministry advocates for rest as a tool to dismantle white supremacist capitalism.

5. Call out racism when you see it, especially in your own families and communities. Make racists uncomfortable. Even if it’s a racist you love, love them better by not tolerating their racism. And remember that children are never too young to be educated about anti-racism.

6. Unlearn racist conditioning. Delete the phrase “I’m not a racist” from your vocabulary. We’re reading “Me and White Supremacy” by Layla F. Saad. Owning your own stuff is a great place to start.

7. Make sure your bookshelf reflects the world. Publishing does a terrible job with inclusivity, and romance is not exempt. See: @therippedbodice State of Racial Diversity in Romance Publishing Report. Romance is not trivial — fiction is a powerful tool to teach empathy. Black authors and stories deserve a place on your bookshelf.

Black lives matter. Our love to all. — Liz and Meg

On this episode of Make Out Already, we swear fealty to our queen Alisha Rai and highlight her books that we’ve read, in anticipation of our Girl Gone Viral discussion. We discuss the Forbidden Hearts series, the Modern Love series, and one of her earlier titles, A Gentleman in the Street.

We look at the picante factor of her different series and talk about the themes that resonate with us in Rai’s writing. Meg makes a strong case that she should be hired to write all back cover copy, and Liz makes a hella problematic case for why Gone Girl is a romance (she said what she said).

You should one thousand percent follow Rai on Instagram @alisharaiwrites. While you’re at it, follow us on Instagram @makeoutalreadypod and on Twitter @makeout_already. Do you have a comment, book recommendation, or indecent proposal for us? Slide into the DMs or email us at [email protected].

Books we mention:

Hate to Want You https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29422692

Wrong to Need You https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34217566

Hurts to Love You https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35068637

The Right Swipe https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39863092

Girl Gone Viral https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44148565

A Gentleman in the Street https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23569243

Hi friends! On this episode of Make Out Already, we take a break from piling on to your TBR so we can add to your streaming queue. We recommend two series that we think romance readers will love: Four Weddings and a Funeral, and Roswell, New Mexico. The shows have very different vibes, but share a library of romance tropes and both have casts stacked with pretty people.

We also discuss how we’re doing during the pandemic, recommend watch-alikes and some books to go with our picks (come on, we weren’t going to miss a chance to sneak some in), and make a case for some of that mattress money.

Make sure to follow us on Instagram @makeoutalreadypod and on Twitter @makeout_already.

“I’m A Stupid Cat” video: https://youtu.be/qpl5mOAXNl4