Romance loves a fresh start. Real life loves a mess.

In this episode of The Quick and Dirty Romance Podcast, we unpack why romance loves reinvention and why the fantasy hits hardest in January.

From fresh starts and glow-ups to the reality of change that is anything but tidy, we explore how romance stories let characters grow without erasing who they already are.

Sarah's new release is out now! CLICK HERE

Skye has two books on preorder! CLICK HERE

Is his size really the point… or is it just shorthand for fantasy?

In this episode, we start with a cheeky romance-reader favorite and dig into the deeper conversation underneath: why romance novels so often depict “ideal” men, how those ideals intersect with body image, and where readers (and writers) draw the line between realism and fantasy.

We talk about:

Why romance heroes are idealized on purpose

What fantasy bodies do (and don’t) mean about real people

Whether idealized men create unrealistic expectations or safe emotional escape

And why romance doesn’t have to apologize for being fantasy

It’s funny, honest, a little spicy, and ultimately about what romance is really offering us when we open the book.

Check out Skye's books here.

Check out Sarah's books here.

When a meet-cute becomes a meet-hate.

Want to talk conflict, sparks, and all the delicious tension that comes when two people shouldn’t be meeting, yet absolutely do? In this episode, hosts Sarah Smith & Skye McDonald dive into the trope of the “meet-hate,” that moment when attraction isn’t instant, misunderstandings fly, and rivalry becomes the unlikely prelude to romance.

We’ll unpack:

Why authors love pitting characters against each other at first sight

How a strong “hate” stake raises the emotional and romantic tension

Examples of meet-hates in our books romance

Reader reactions: what works, what flops, and when the hate flips to love

Whether you’re a writer building your next meet-hate scene, or a reader who thrills at enemies-to-lovers in fast-forward, you’re going to want your headphones for this one. It’s quick, it’s dirty (romance-style), and we promise to leave you satisfied.

Tune in and let’s stir up some tension. 🔥

Join Sarah & Skye for the Quick & Dirty ins and outs of Romance Book Conventions.

In this episode, we dive deep into:

💖 What makes cons an amazing place for readers & authors to connect

🙅‍♀️The pitfalls, disasters, and behind-the-scenes drama of book conventions gone wrong

⁉️ A sneak peek at a possible bookish retreat with us (yes, it could really happen!)

If you’ve ever wondered what really happens at a romance book convention—or you’re planning to attend your first—this episode is packed with tips, laughs, and insider secrets.

Put the headphones in for this one! Sarah and Skye are talking about the steamy bits in books, and we are explicit! 

Skye recently polled her newsletter and Facebook group to learn what readers want in their steamy romances. Do you agree? We break down the "dirty" data and discuss how it informs our writing. 

Join Skye's the Limit by clicking here.

Read Sarah's Books Here.

New Year, New Topic, Same Fascinating Conversations! 

Sarah and Skye kick off 2025 by diving deep on how fast romance authors should publish books. In the Bookstagram/Booktok era of rabid fandoms, authors are working hard to make sure they give their readers more, more, more. 

Is this a smart approach? Must you crank out a book a month to keep a fanbase? Should you push the speed of your publishing as an indie author?

We tackle all these questions and more!

Have an idea for an episode? Reach out!

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Read Sarah's books here.

Read Skye's books here.

What A Year! Skye & Sarah look back on 2024's highs and lows of author life. 

Join us as we celebrate another year of friendship and romance. AND we're celebrating 5 years of Quick & Dirty Romance Podcast! 

Read Skye's New Holiday Novella Free on KU. CLICK HERE

Read Sarah's Books! CLICK HERE

Sarah & Skye, both professional romance authors, dive deep on what it's like to write for a living. Join us as we discuss our daily schedule for cranking out word counts, how we juggle marketing and writing books, plus what we REALLY think about social media!

Read Sarah's DIRTY PUCKER now.

Read Skye's IN THE CREASE now.

Enter to win our hockey book box! 

Should authors vent about their jobs on social media??

Skye & Sarah are ruffling feathers! 

Hot takes on whether authors are doing themselves favors by bemoaning the publishing industry on social media. Warning-we don't hold back here! 

**We both have new releases right now! And we're giving away a hockey themed book box!**

Hockey Book Box Rules & Submission: CLICK HERE

Read Skye's books! Click here.

Read Sarah's books! Click here.

Join Skye & Sarah for a discussion of why choose romance. From rebranding (reverse harem) to polyamory, from Adirondack chairs to upside down pineapples, we get quick and dirty on this trope and its rise in popularity!

Read Skye's books! Click here.

Read Sarah's books! Click here.