'Tis the season! Jess and Trisha offer recommendations for paranormal romances that aren’t toxic, queernorm romance, epistolary romances, and more!

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We’ve got the chops to match the book lover in your life with their next favorite read. And it only takes a few clicks to gift Tailored Book Recommendations! Simply head to mytbr.co/gift to get started.

News:

Send us your favorite romances of 2025, your most anticipated of 2026, and/or your book club suggestions!!

Books Discussed:

When the Tides Held the Moon by Venessa Vida Kelley

Seasons of Love by Helena Greer

His True Alpha by Chencia C. Higgins

Son of the Morning by Akwaeke Emezi

Big Bad Wolf by Suleikha Snyder

The Psy/Changling series (Book 1 is Slave to Sensation) by Nalini Singh

Briarley by Aster Glenn Gray

Witch You Would by Lia Amador

Our Vicious Oaths by N.E. Davenport

The Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna

Nine Tailed by Jayci Lee

Hot and Badgered and other titles by Shelley Laurenston/ G.A. Aiken

Deadly Ever After by Brittany Johnson

Paranormal romances by Viano Oniomoh, Rebel Carter, and Holley Trent

Iris Kelley Doesn’t Date by Ashley Herring Blake

Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree

Worst Soulmate Ever by Haruta 

Hana Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin

The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest

The Flatshare by Beth O Leary

Isn’t It Obvious by Rachel Runya Katz

Follow My Voice by Ariana Godoy

Wrong Number, Right Woman by Jae

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Let us know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address ([email protected]). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown), and Jess is even on TikTok (@jess_isreading).

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Jess and Trisha share adaptation news, highlight books by Native and Indigenous romance authors, and remind listeners to send in their recommendation requests.

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Ready for a cozy, bookish autumn? Let Tailored Book Recommendations help you find your next favorite read with handpicked suggestions from professional book nerds. Get started today from just $18!

News:

Send your requests for romance recs to [email protected] ASAP - ideally before the end of October…or close to it. ;-)

If you can, bid on something at the Steamy Lit Foundation auction - and/or share the auction before November 2.

Here are a lot of adaptations that are coming. We are excited about some! Not so much about others! You’ll be able to tell who we think is missing:

Red, White & Royal Wedding [Deadline]

Adventures in Love and Birding (Here’s a video of Sarah listening to the Wait Wait audio.)

Reminders of Him [Vulture]

People We Meet on Vacation [YouTube Trailer]

The Love Hypothesis [Marie Claire]

The Bodyguard [The Viewer’s Perspective]

Savvy Sheldon Feels Good as Hell [The Wrap]

Books Discussed:

Zomromcom by Olivia Dade

The Crownless King by Dria Andersen

Yours for the Season by Uzma Jalaluddin

The Truth According to Ember and Love is a War Song by Danica Nava

Pivot by Anna Pulley

Shoot Your Shot by Lexi LaFleur Brown

The Road Home by Christina Berry 

His Convenient Husband by Robin Covington 

Winning the Neonatal Doc’s Heart by Amy Ruttan

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Let us know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address ([email protected]). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown), and Jess is even on TikTok (@jess_isreading).

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Jess and Trisha talk about fall, The Enchanted Hacienda, and some magicky romance appropriate for this (or any) season.

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Ready for a cozy, bookish autumn? Let Tailored Book Recommendations help you find your next favorite read with handpicked suggestions from professional book nerds. Get started today from just $18!

News:

Send your requests for romance recs to [email protected] ASAP (or at least this month)!

Books Discussed:

Under a Strawberry Moon by Tasha L. Harrison

His Small-Town Challenge by Kelli Storm

My Boyfriends Are All Monsters by Kimberly Lemming

A Gentleman’s Gentleman by TJ Alexander

Her Knight at the Museum by Bryn Donovan

The Brightest Star in Paris by Diana Biller

Looking for Love in All The Haunted Places by Claire Kann

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches and A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna

The Redemption of Philip Thane by Lisa Berne

Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper

Losing Sight by Tati Richardson

Let us know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address ([email protected]). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown), and Jess is even on TikTok (@jess_isreading).

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Jess and Trisha talk about your recommendations for first time romance readers before digging into theirs - from historical to contemporary, dramatic to comedic, and low heat to...The Dragon’s Bride.

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Ready for a cozy, bookish autumn? Let Tailored Book Recommendations help you find your next favorite read with handpicked suggestions from professional book nerds. Get started today from just $18!

News:

Book club is coming!! Read The Enchanted Hacienda by J.C. Cervantes with us for our Oct 13 episode.

Books Discussed:

Pucking Strong by Emily Rath

Ride With Me by Simone Soltani

Ready or Not and Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone

The Enchanted Hacienda by J.C. Cervantes

His Perfect Partner by Priscilla Oliveras

Check, Please! By Ngozi Ukazu

We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian

Indigo by Beverly Jenkins

The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren

Role Playing by Cathy Yardley

The Duke Who Didn’t by Courtney Milan

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

The Dragon’s Bride by Katee Robert

Take a Hint Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert

Let us know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address ([email protected]). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown), and Jess is even on TikTok (@jess_isreading).

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Jess and Trisha talk about the success of the Kickstarter model for book publishing and celebrate Sapphic September with some recs.

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Ready for a cozy, bookish autumn? Let Tailored Book Recommendations help you find your next favorite read with handpicked suggestions from professional book nerds. Get started today from just $18!

News:

Book club is coming!! Read The Enchanted Hacienda by J.C. Cervantes with us for our Oct 13 episode. 

You can still join the After the End Kickstarter party!

You can also play Sapphic September Bingo!

Books Discussed:

The Enchanted Hacienda by J.C. Cervantes

Chocolate Chip City by Be Steadwell

Along Came Amor by Alexis Daria

How to Sell a Romance by Alexa Martin

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date by Ashley Herring Blake 

An Unexpected Turn by Meka James

Flirting Lessons by Jasmine Guillory

Even Though I Knew the End by C.L. Polk

Secret Spark by Kelly Farmer

Let us know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address ([email protected]). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown), and Jess is even on TikTok (@jess_isreading).

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Jess and Trisha talk through some updates (book club is back!!) and then turn the conversation to vacation/getaway-themed romances.

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Book Riot is hiring a digital content specialist! If you love books and know the ins and outs of social media strategy, and especially social video, consider joining the team. Find details and apply by August 22, 2025, at riotnewmedia.com/careers.

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News:

Did someone say WIR Book Club? Trisha and Jess did! Read The Enchanted Hacienda by J.C. Cervantes with us for our October 13 episode. 

It’s not too late to experience Bookstore Romance Day (not Romance Bookstore Day)! Check out the BRD YouTube channel for a bunch of fun conversations.

Books Discussed:

The Enchanted Hacienda by J.C. Cervantes

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Because Fat Girl by Lauren Marie Fleming

Fumbled by Alexa Martin

Adam and Evie’s Matchmaking Tour by Nora Nguyen

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

It Had to be Him by Adib Khorram

Island Affair by Priscilla Oliveras

Never Been Shipped by Alicia Thompson

The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann

10 Things That Never Happened by Alexis Hall

Let us know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address ([email protected]). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown), and Jess is even on TikTok (@jess_isreading).

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Jess and Trisha talk about a TON of adaptations (or possible adaptations) and then get into the books they’re excited about for the second half of 2025.

Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!

Book Riot is hiring a digital content specialist! If you love books and know the ins and outs of social media strategy, and especially social video, consider joining the team. Find details and apply by August 22, 2025, at riotnewmedia.com/careers.

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News:

My oh my there are a lot of adaptations (yay!?). Here’s a round up:

Hana Khan Carries On [The Hollywood Reporter]

People We Meet on Vacation [Deadline]

Funny You Should Ask [Deadline]

Before I Let Go [Deadline]

Rifts and Refrains [Deadline]

The New Haven novels [The Hollywood Reporter]

The Harlequin/CW deal [Variety]

Birding With Benefits [The Cinemaholic]

The Rose Hill series [Variety]

Books Discussed:

August Lane by Regina Black

Cross the Line by Simone Soltani

When Javi Dumped Mari by Mia Sosa

You’ve Got a Place Here, Too edited by Ebony LaDelle (08/12/2025)

How to Sell a Romance by Alexa Martin

Faster by Andie J. Christopher (9/9/25)

Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore by Emily Krempholtz (11/18/25)

Not You Again by Erin La Rosa (11/11/25)

Ladies in Hating by Alexandra Vasti (9/23/25)

Isn’t It Obvious by Rachel Runya Katz (10/21/25)

Every Step She Takes by Alison Cochrun (9/2/25) 

The Re-Write by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn (08/12/25)

Let us know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address ([email protected]). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown), and Jess is even on TikTok (@jess_isreading).

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Jess and Trisha do a tiny bit of fun news and then get into the Dramione of it all before talking about favorite 2025 romance releases so far.

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Looking to elevate your reading life? Tailored Book Recommendations is here to help! TBR delivers reading recommendations hand-picked just for you by real human book nerds. You can get your recommendations via email, or receive hardcovers or paperbacks in the mail. And with quarterly or annual plans available, TBR has something for every budget. Plans start at just $18!

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News:

Book Riot’s list of the Best of 2025 so far is here!! 

Here’s the Emily Rath video we discussed about commericalizing fanfic and the new Dramione books - and why they’re a problem.

Here’s the Romance Con statement we referenced.

Books Discussed:

The Broposal by Sonora Reyes

Futbolista by Jonny Garza Villa

A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic by J. Penner

Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt

Along Came Amor by Alexis Daria

Can’t Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan

Secret Spark by Kelly Farmer

I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now I’m Trapped in a Rom-Com by Kimberly Lemming

Love Letters from the Trail by Tif Marcelo

A Gentleman’s Gentleman by TJ Alexander

Let us know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address ([email protected]). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown), and Jess is even on TikTok (@jess_isreading).

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Jess and Trisha do a little self-examination of their reading habits and then talk about their favorite backlist romance reads of the year so far.

Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!

Looking to elevate your reading life? Tailored Book Recommendations is here to help! TBR delivers reading recommendations hand-picked just for you by real human book nerds. You can get your recommendations via email, or receive hardcovers or paperbacks in the mail. And with quarterly or annual plans available, TBR has something for every budget. Plans start at just $18!

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News:

Not live yet, but Book Riot’s list of the Best of 2025 so far is coming on July 9!! 

Also not live yet, but sign up to get notified to be alerted of the After the End Kickstarter!

Books Discussed:

Shadowed Obsession by Evelyn Leigh

Her Night with the Duke by Diana Quincy

Whenever You’re Ready by Rachel Runya Katz

Murder Most Actual by Alexis Hall

Big Boy by Ruthie Knox

Hana Khan Carries On and Much Ado About Nada by Uzma Jalaluddin

Marriage and Masti by Nisha Sharma

Talk Me Down by Victoria Dahl

Let us know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address ([email protected]). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown), and Jess is even on TikTok (@jess_isreading).

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Jess and Trisha talk about Jane Austen feelings - yours and theirs! - and then get into Kamila Knows Best for book club.

Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter!

Looking to elevate your reading life? Tailored Book Recommendations is here to help! TBR delivers reading recommendations hand-picked just for you by real human book nerds. You can get your recommendations via email, or receive hardcovers or paperbacks in the mail. And with quarterly or annual plans available, TBR has something for every budget. Plans start at just $18!

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News:

We got all caught up in Jane Austen and forgot to talk about it, but check out the After the End Kickstarter!

Books Discussed:

One and Done by Frederick Smith

Whenever You’re Ready by Rachel Runya Katz

Jana Goes Wild by Farah Heron

Daughter of Tides by Kit Rocha

Kamila Knows Best by Farah Heron

Northanger Abbey, Persuasion, Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Mansfield Park, Sense and Sensibility, and Lady Susan - all by Jane Austen

Let us know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address ([email protected]). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown), and Jess is even on TikTok (@jess_isreading).

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