The HEA Book Club: Reading Romance with Friends

In this episode of The HEA Book Club, Melanie joins us to talk about stalker romances and see if we can answer the age old question of “Are red flags just another love language?”

Unfortunately, Kelsey has another swing and a miss with her book–a little too much topless prancing. 

We discuss all their unhinged book boyfriends and their irredeemable traits, realizing that some books are just too loud when it comes to revealing our true nature. 

Books mentioned:

Haunting/Hunting Adeline by HD Carlton

Make Me by Summer O’Toole

Loner by Jamie Schlosser

The Awakening of Ivy Leavold by Sierra Simone

My Step Sister is a Vampire by K.L. Mann

Nicky the Driver by Cate C. Wells

Untouchable by Sam Mariano 

Even if it Hurts by Sam Mariano

Sinners Anonymous by Somme Sketcher

Summer’s newest book, Make Me, is now a best seller! A dark crime syndicate romance, possessive alphahole, serial killer plot, and unholy amounts of spice.

In this episode, Summer and Kelsey celebrate the one year publi-versary of Summer’s first book and talk about how her latest release is climbing the charts. 

We talk about making our younger selves proud and even cry over a TikTok. Summer doesn’t hold back, sharing stats, tips, and lessons she’s learned four books later. 

If you’re an aspiring author or just starting out, you’ll not want to miss this!

Books mentioned:

Taken Series by Summer O’Toole

Make Me by Summer O’Toole

Summer’s newest book, Make Me, is now a best seller! A dark crime syndicate romance, possessive alphahole, serial killer plot, and unholy amounts of spice.

In this episode we have the honor of bringing co-authors, Brynne and Alexa, together on a call for the first time ever! 

We chat all about writing a female serial killer, their plans for the Black Sheep sequel (hint: it’s gonna be hot hot hot), and of course, pegging. 

We learn about their unique co-writing process and who they fancast for Kinky Kaplan and Bria, everyone’s favorite neighborhood killer. 

Books mentioned:

Black Sheep by Brynne Weaver and Alexa Harlowe

The Shadow Realm Series by Brynne Weaver

Wretched by Emily McIntire

Mindf*ck Series by S.T. Abby

The episode is a little different today. In celebration of Summer's latest release, Make Me, we hosted an Instagram live with some friends. This episode is an unedited, unfiltered recording of that live. 

We are joined by Val, Mary, Shani, and Meghan.

You can read Make Me for free on kindle unlimited now! 

All content warnings can be found here. 

In this episode we are joined by our dear friend, Angie from @hersoulforbooks to talk spooky smut and demon daddies. 

As always we take a detour to talk about Lords but Kelsey does have the chance to squeal with a fellow reader of Crescent City for once. 

In between discussion on plus-size rep and forked demon tongues, we have a healthy chat about non-con in romance and how characters and storylines can reckon with these tough subjects. 

Angie picks her Why Choose group and Kelsey stabs someone in the butt with a hot poker…sorta. 

Summer’s newest book, Make Me, is available for pre-order: Crime syndicate romance, possessive alphahole, serial killer plot, and unholy amounts of spice.

Books mentioned:

Nightshade by Keri Lake

Ghost by Kat Blackthorne

House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J Maas

Cat and Mouse Duet by HD Carlton

Royals of Forsyth University Series by Samantha Rue and Angel Lawson

Requiem by Callie Hart

Losers (Part 1) and The Dare by Harley Laroux

Souls Trilogy by Harley Laroux

Support the podcast and your favorite book boyfriends by voting in Battle of the Tropes at BattleofTheTropes.com

In this episode we are joined by the fabulously talented and hilarious author Naomi Loud to talk about reincarnation in romance books. 

We have very poignant and intellectual discussions on the differences between hot, spice, tension and slow burn and defining dark romance logic. 

Naomi answers what drinks her characters would be, Kelsey gives us an update on reading Lords and Summer picks a trope to describe her real life love story. 

Summer’s newest book, Make Me, is available for pre-order: Crime syndicate romance, possessive alphahole, serial killer plot, and unholy amounts of spice.

Books mentioned:

Riot House by Callie Hart

Dreamcatcher by Marilyn Barr

When We Crash by Cynthia A. Rodriguez

Was I Ever Here by Naomi Loud

Support the podcast and your favorite book boyfriends by voting in Battle of the Tropes at BattleofTheTropes.com

In a not so shocking turn of events, we sit down with Bonnie from @BonReviewsBooks to discuss bully romances. We dive into all the ways this unique sub genre redeems the irredeemable. 

We also battle the ever pressing question of are high school romances realistic? Especially when they are like the one Kelsey read. 

Summer’s younger brother weighs in on her taste in books and we are all a little traumatized. But by the end Summer and Kelsey promise to swap favorite reads!

Summer’s newest book, Make Me, is available for pre-order: Crime syndicate romance, possessive alphahole, serial killer plot, and unholy amounts of spice.

Books mentioned:

Savage Kings by LM Harrison

Corrupt by Penelope Douglas

Royals of Forsyth by Angel Lawson and Samantha Rue

Give Me More by Sara Cate

Support the podcast and your favorite book boyfriends by voting in Battle of the Tropes at BattleofTheTropes.com

Summer and Kelsey sit down with (unofficial) spicy booktok founding member, Rachel Baldwin from @FitTeacherRachel to chat about small town romances and sexy cowboys. Summer reads a book that leaves everyone shook with a surprise threesome with twins and we all get a lesson on snowballing and breeding kink–but please don’t fact check us!

Rachel breaks down her science for giving the perfect book recommendations and spills the tea on which book led to her own surprise baby trope. 

Summer’s newest book, Make Me, is available for pre-order: Crime syndicate romance, possessive alphahole, serial killer plot, and unholy amounts of spice.

Infamous Twilight Fart video can be found here. You're welcome. 

Books mentioned:

The Eden series by Devney Perry

Claiming the Cowboy by Kennedy Fox

The Montana Marshalls by Susan May Warren

Neon Gods by Katee Robert

ACOTAR by Sarah J Maas

Stolen at Sea by Summer O’Toole

Taken to Voraxia by Elizabeth Stephens

The Stop Over by TL Swan

Off Balance series by Lucia Franco

Madison Kate by Tate James

Beautifully Cruel by JT Geissinger

Hooked by Emily McIntire

Visit TheHEAmembership.com to snag discounts for our favorite bookish shops, including The Last Chapter Book Shop 

We had the privilege of sitting down with Amanda from The Last Chapter Book Shop and getting a behind the scenes look at how she has exploded her dream business in less than a year. 

We get exclusive announcements on future books and boxes and of course, talk about our favorite books. 

From our desert island picks to day dreaming of monster dick and getting kidnapped, this conversation was full of laughs and book recs (all are linked below!). 

–Make Me is available for pre-order: Crime syndicate romance, possessive alphahole, serial killer plot, and unholy amounts of spice.

Books mentioned:

The Beast by Jenika Snow

Neon Gods by Katee Robert

Blind Side by Kandi Steiner

Royals of Forsyth by Angel Lawson and Samatha Rue

Salacious Players Club series by Sara Cate

Say You Swear by Meagan Brandy

Midnight Mayhem series by Amo Jones

The Never King (The Vicious Lost Boys series) by Nikki St. Crowe

Black Sheep by Brynne Weaver and Alexa Harlowe

Lunar Witch (Dark Imaginarium Academy) by M. Sinclair

Creature Cafe series by Clio Evans

Kingdom of Stars and Shadows by Holy Renee

ACOTAR by Sarah J Maas

Episodes you may also like…

Hades and Persephone Retellings ft. Neon Gods

Royals of Forsyth and ACOTAR

Creature Café

Sports Romance

Support the podcast and your favorite book boyfriends by voting in Battle of the Tropes at BattleofTheTropes.com

Visit TheHEAmembership.com to secure discounts for The Brightside Candles and The Last Chapter Book Shop 

In part one of our cross-over episode with Romance at a Glance podcast, we attempted to talk about books we’ve never talked about before but ending up talking about our first periods, what happens when your toddler finds your sex toy and why men need better sex education. 

We do eventually get to books and hear about some of our favorite romcom Why Choose romances and the Highlander series that sent Summer spiraling to the pits of Smutshell. 

Listen to Part 2 here!

Summer's upcoming release, Make Me, is available for pre-order: Crime syndicate romance, possessive alphahole, serial killer plot, and unholy amounts of spice. 

Books mentioned:

Make Me by Summer O’Toole

The Secrets Charlotte Street by Scarlett Peckham

Interstellar Brides Program series by Grace Goodwin

The Highlander Takes a Bride by Lynsay Sands

The McCabe Trilogy by Maya Banks

The Devil and Devil’s Advocate by Ashley Jade

Call the Coroner by Avril Ashton

Nanny for the Neighbors by Lily Gold

Taken to Voraxia by Elizabeth Stephens

Romance at a Glance episodes mentioned: 

Tessa Bailey Interview

Melanie Harlow Interview

You may also like…

Why Choose (formerly called RH) episode

Highlander episode with Outlander TikTok

Author interview with Elisabeth Stephens

Enemies to lovers + Forced proximity episode ft. Taken to Voraxia

Support the podcast and your favorite book boyfriends by voting in Battle of the Tropes at BattleofTheTropes.com