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Quick Note Before You Press Play:

The audio quality on this episode isn’t my usual standard (thank you for your grace 😅). If you want the best experience, I highly recommend watching the video version — it includes captions and the sound is much clearer. You can find it on Spotify and YouTube.

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What happens when a virgin sex toy engineer asks her coworker for sex lessons… and ends up getting way more than she bargained for?

This week, I’m chatting with author Alys Murray about her steamy new romance A Little Buzzed, why sex scenes need emotional arcs, and how the sex toy industry has completely transformed over the last decade. We talk mutual pleasure, power dynamics, writing for Hallmark vs. high-heat romance, and why “horny jail” only lasts so long.

If you love workplace romance, sex-positive stories, mafia rom-coms, and books that balance spice with heart — this episode is for you.

📚 Books Mentioned

A Little Buzzed by Alys Murray — Contemporary Romance | Workplace | Sex Lessons Trope | High Heat

The Seduction of Mr. Alfred Saintsbury by Lydia Lloyd — Regency Historical Romance | Power Dynamics | High Spice

Dom Com by Adriana Anders — Workplace Romance | High Heat | Sex-Positive Romance

The ReDo List by Denise Williams — Contemporary Romance | Second Chance at Life | Emotional Growth

Love Most Fatal by Kath Richards — Mafia Rom-Com | Female Mob Boss | Cinnamon Roll Hero

⏱️ Timestamps

[00:00] Welcome + why Alys and I have similar book taste

[02:00] The premise of A Little Buzzed

[03:30] Mutual “sex lessons” + flipping the virgin trope

[04:30] How the sex toy industry has evolved

[07:00] Virginity, pleasure, and agency in 2026

[08:00] Why sex scenes need emotional arcs (Heated Rivalry reference 👀)

[10:00] Screenwriting for Hallmark vs. writing spicy romance

[14:00] Lydia Lloyd’s filthy Regency recommendation

[16:00] Workplace spice: Dom Com

[17:00] The Redo List by Denise Williams

[17:30] Mafia rom-com obsession: Love Most Fatal

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