When In Romance

Jess and Trisha match romances to conversation heart sayings and recommend romances for all of your Valentine’s/Galentine’s/Palentine’s Day needs.

This episode is sponsored by The Handsell; Never Kiss a Duke by Megan Frampton, published by Avon Books; and Book Riot Insiders.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

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

NEWS

None! We took the week off from news – it’s our “Alentine’s” Day gift to you.

BOOKS DISCUSSED

Take the Lead by Alexis Daria

His Convenient Husband by Robin Covington

Mating the Huntress by Talia Hibbert

Royally Matched by Emma Chase

A Prince on Paper by Alyssa Cole

My Boyfriend is a Bear by Pamela Ribon and Cat Farris

The Undoing by Shelly Laurenston

Just One More by Jodie Slaughter

The Twisted Wishes series by Ana Zabo (first book is Syncopation)

The Governess Game by Tessa Dare

The Fixer, The Enforcer, and The Negotiator by HelenKay Dimon

Candy Hearts by Erin McLellan

A Big Surprise for Valentine’s Day by Jackie Lau

Send us your favorite Val/Gal/Palentine’s Day picks! And let us know the romance titles you’d match with candy hearts (or feel free to just concur with Trisha about which candies are gross). As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address ([email protected]). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown).

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Jess and Trisha are a little underwhelmed about some news updates, are delighted by Get a Life Chloe Brown, and are ready to point you toward the romance you need to achieve your new year’s resolution.

This episode is sponsored by Book Riot’s Read Harder 2020 Challenge, the new podcast Novel Gazing, and Book Riot Insiders.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

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

NEWS

In the ongoing RWA debacle, Damon Suede resigned and Executive Director Carol Ritter is leaving as of January 31.

Just a general shout out to #readRchat team and the #readRchat awards and also to the lovely people behind Romance Sparks Joy.

In case you need a reminder, here’s the episode we did about the Dreamspinner story. And here’s an update.

BOOKS DISCUSSED

Get A Life Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn

The AI Who Loved Me by Alyssa Cole

A Delicate Deception by Cat Sebastian

One Last Chance by Therese Beharrie

Thanks for all of the feedback about Chloe Brown and Goodreads reviews! Send us your additional Chloe Brown thoughts and which books you’re using to support your new year’s goals. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address ([email protected]). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown).

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Jess and Trisha try to explain the destructive disaster that engulfed RWA, talk about the implications of the organization’s implosion, and discuss 2020 resolutions and romance titles they’re ready for.

This episode is sponsored by Book Riot Insiders, Book Riot’s Read Harder 2020 Challenge, and Libro FM.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

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

NEWS

Here’s the SBTB rundown of the RWA debacle, and here’s Claire Ryan’s detailed timeline of the events leading up to it.

Jess did some very thoughtful reflecting on the situation as well.

Romance Sparks Joy created a list of books by underrepresented authors which were withdrawn from the RITA awards (which have now been cancelled).

And here’s the original of the comic Jess was describing by Alex Norris. (There’s another version with a fourth panel, but we’re not sure who created that fourth panel.)

BOOKS DISCUSSED

The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon (Coming June 9th)

Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev (Coming May 26th)

Get A Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert (which we’re discussing on the next episode of WIR!)

Send us your 2020 resolutions, books you can’t wait for, and your Goodreads reviewing tips! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address ([email protected]). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown).

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Jess and Trisha pass along some recs from listeners, run through some recent romance news, and celebrate some of their 2019 reading highlights.

This episode is sponsored by the Read Harder Journal, Regretting You by Colleen Hoover from Amazon Publishing, and Libro FM.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

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

NEWS

Don’t forget to check out The Lesbian Review for great f/f options!

Here’s Christine Feehan’s second statement.

We’re sending good vibes/energy/magic to Donna, and as of this writing the Feel Better Bundle is still available at kitrocha.com/surgery.

And here’s Jenny Trout’s rundown of the many ways defenses of Lucia Franco’s book are a BIG problem.

BOOKS DISCUSSED

From the additional request section:

Wait by Susan Fanetti

Secrets Well Kept and Chain Reactions by Lynn Ames

The Witch of Stalingrad (and others) by Justine Saracen

The Journey Home by K’Anne Meinel

Letters Never Sent by Sandra Moran

Kitten by Jack Harbon

The Fixer by HelenKay Dimon

Hearts of Ishira by Bethany Aan

Chosen by Stacy Jones

Other books discussed:

Well Met by Jen DeLuca

Blitzed by Alexa Martin

World Turned Upside Down by Elyse Springer

My Fake Rake by Eva Leigh

Work For It by Talia Hibbert

Flashed by Zoey Castile

Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin

The Bride Test by Helen Hoang

Once Ghosted, Twice Shy by Alyssa Cole

The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite

The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller

I Think I Might Love You by Christina C. Jones

Get A Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert (which we’re discussing on the WIR ep coming Jan 27!)

Huge thanks to everyone who sent recommendations for other listeners. Let us know what romance you loved in 2019 and what you’re excited about for 2020 – we’ll meet you there! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address ([email protected]). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown).

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It’s part two of romance recs! Jess and Trisha talk historicals, slow build romance, SFF romcoms, and much (much) more!

This episode is sponsored by the Read Harder Journal, TBR from Book Riot, and Libro FM.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

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

NEWS

Not news exactly, but here’s the SFF Yeah! episode we mentioned that highlights SF/F romance.

And here’s the Kit Rocha “search by theme/trope” page – have fun!

BOOKS DISCUSSED

The Tiger and Del series (starting with Sword-Dancer) by Jennifer Roberson

Slave to Sensation and Silver Silence (which is the first in the later trilogy) by Nalini Singh

Hither, Page by Cat Sebastian

Bring on the Blessings and Destiny’s Embrace by Beverly Jenkins

The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley

The Ladies Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Oliva Waite

Dithered Hearts by Chace Verity

Beyond Jealousy by Kit Rocha

Ayesha At Last by Uzma Jalaluddin

The Bollywood Bride, A Distant Heart, and Pride, Prejudice and Other Flavors by Sonali Dev

In Her Sights (first in the Rocky Mountain Bounty Hunters series by Katie Ruggle)

Sanctuary and Xeni by Rebekah Weatherspoon

Beard Science by Penny Reid

Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey

Flirting With Disaster by Victoria Dahl

Rend and In the Middle of Somewhere by Roan Parrish

Reverb by Anna Zabo

Shadows You Left by Jude Sierra and Taylor Brooke (Quick correction: we named the wrong “Taylor” in this ep. Taylor Brooke is the very talented co-author of this book – our apologies for the error!)

Unsolicited Duke Pic by Nico Rosso

In Case You Forgot by Frederick Smith and Chaz Lamar

Anything by by Jay Northcote (A Family For Christmas is a great option!)

Anything by T.J. Klune (Wolfsong is a great place to start!)

The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller

The Unleashing by Shelly Laurenston

Legend of the Highland Dragon by Isabel Cooper

Soulless and The Sumage Solution (which kicks off the San Andreas Shifters series) by Gail Carriger

The Liberators of Willow Run by Marianne K. Martin

Heart’s Orders by Jaycie Morrison

Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer

Thank you again for all of your enthusiasm, and let us know if you have recs we missed – especially for the requests that left us a little bit stumped! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address ([email protected]). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown).

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It’s the recommendation show!! Jess and Trisha rec books that deal with infertility, romance with disabled characters, holiday titles that may not be on your radar, and more.

This episode is sponsored by A Story Most Queer from Mischief Media and Book Riot Insiders.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

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

NEWS

Don’t forget to find yourself a copy of Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert so that you’re ready for the WIR Book Cub discussion coming in January.

For more great info about romance titles featuring characters with disabilities, check out the wonderful Sense and Disability site.

And stay tuned for the next episode if we didn’t get to your question today!

BOOKS DISCUSSED

Love Around The Corner by Sally Malcolm

A Second Chance Road Trip for Christmas and One Bed For Christmas by Jackie Lau

Auld Lang Syne by Rebel Carter

A Family For Christmas by Jay Northcote

MILF on a Shelf by Nico Rosso

Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas

So Good by Darcy Burke

Snow-Kissed by Laura Florand

The Countess Conspiracy by Courtney Milan

Can’t Escape Love by Alyssa Cole

Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare

Autumn by Cole McCade

Worth It All by Claudia Connor

Play It Again by Aidan Wayne

Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy Reichert

Pride, Prejudice and Other Flavors by Sonali Dev

The Matched to Perfection series (starting with His Perfect Partner) by Priscilla Oliveras

How to Be a Normal Person and How to Be a Movie Star by T.J. Klune (Do note Jess’s epic caveat on this one!)

The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley

The Hidden Blade and My Beautiful Enemy by Sherry Thomas

The Spymaster’s Lady by Joanna Bourne

Thank you for all of the recommendation requests and for all of your enthusiasm about great books and stories! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address ([email protected]). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown).

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Jess and Trisha announce the next WIR book club pick, talk about romance authors who write in multiple subgenres, and discuss how to fill the gap when your favorite author stops writing romance – or just does it a bit more slowly than you might like.

This episode is sponsored by Mischief Media, Book Riot’s Read This Book giveaway, and Book Riot’s TBR subscription service.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

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

NEWS

Thanks to Melody from the Heaving Bosoms podcast for pointing us toward HEAs All Day: Romance Novels as Social Justice Narratives, a Goodreads book club hosted by Maria DeBlassie! Check out both the book club, which is related to our discussion from the last episode, and the HB podcast, which is delightful.

Find yourself a copy of Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert so that you’re ready for the WIR Book Cub discussion coming in January!

Here’s Jessica Avery’s rad BR post about Tiffany Reisz books if you need more guidance (or even if you don’t).

And this is our last call for any recommendation requests! Send them to [email protected] by November 11!

BOOKS DISCUSSED

Radio Silence, A Princess in Theory, and Let It Shine by Alyssa Cole

Trade Me and The Duchess War by Courtney Milan

Haven, Better Off Red, and Rafe by Rebekah Weatherspoon

The Night Mark and The Rose by Tiffany Reisz

Writing Her In and Erstwhile by Holley/HE Trent

Jane Doe by Victoria Helen Stone

Between the Sheets by Molly O’Keefe

The Forbidden Hearts series (beginning with Hate to Want You) by Alisha Rai

The Third Mrs. Durst and the 2B trilogy (beginning with I Want It That Way) by Ann Aguirre

To Love A Scandalous Duke by Liana de la Rosa

A Bollywood Affair and Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors by Sonali Dev

In the Middle of Somewhere and Riven by Roan Parrish

The Ultimate Pi Day Party and A Match Made for Thanksgiving by Jackie Lau

Tell us your favorite multi-subgenre romance authors and what writers you’ve turned to when you can’t get your hands on a book by your favorite author. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address ([email protected]). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown).

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Jess and Trisha talk about what's great and what can be challenging about book clubs, the role of romances that address social and cultural issues, and some recs for books that do just that.

This episode is sponsored by Book Riot’s blind date with a book giveaway; Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren, available now from Gallery Books; and The Library of Lost Things by Laura Taylor Namey.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

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

NEWS AND UPDATES

Thanks again to Jackie Horne from Romance Novels for Feminists for her book list on romance history and romance literary criticism! For the full list from Jackie, check out the full show notes for this episode at Book Riot.

And check out Sense and Disability and the RomBkPod podcast for great romances that include disability rep!

BOOKS

Butterfly Swords by Jeannie Lin

Intercepted by Alexa Martin

The Bride Test by Helen Hoang

The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai

His Convenient Husband by Robin Covington

Fumbled by Alexa Martin

Thirsty and Trashed by Mia Hopkins

Roomies by Christina Lauren

Ayesha At Last by Uzma Jalaluddin

American Love Story and American Fairytale by Adriana Herrera

Goalie Interference by Avon Gale and Piper Vaughn

Can’t Escape Love by Alyssa Cole

Tell us your thoughts about book cubs (and specifically the When In Romance book club) and romances that deal with serious social issues. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address ([email protected]). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown)

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Jess and Trisha discuss how sexual content ratings could work in romance, talk about how to learn more about the history of romance and romance trailblazers, and recommend some romance you might want to read this autumn.

This episode is sponsored by Book Riot’s blind date with a book giveaway and No Judgement by Meg Cabot from William Morrow Paperbacks.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

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

NEWS

Learn more about romance history from the RWA’s Romance Trailblazers page and from the Love Between the Covers Resource Guide.

BOOKS

Background and history on the romance genre:

Desert Passions: Orientalism and Romance Novels by Hsu-Ming Teo

Dangerous Books for Girls by Maya Rodale

A Natural History of the Romance Novel by Pamela Regis

Dangerous Men and Adventurous Women: Romance Writers on the Appeal of Romance edited by Jayne Ann Krentz

Beyond Heaving Bosoms: The Smart Bitches Guide to Romance Novels by Sarah Wendell and Candy Tan

Everything I know About Love I Learned From Romance Novels by Sarah Wendell

Romance Recs:

Perfect Rhythm by Jae

Mating the Huntress by Talia Hibbert

Goalie Interference by Avon Gale and Piper Vaughn

Suckerpunch by Elyse Springer

Halloween Boo by Sarah Spade

The Winston Brothers Series by Penny Reid (the first book is Truth or Beard)

A Match Made for Thanksgiving by Jackie Lau

Tell us your thoughts on how to signal sexual content in romance, ways to learn about and appreciate trailblazers across romance history, and what you’re reading this season. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address ([email protected]) or you can still catch us at [email protected]and [email protected]. You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown).

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Jess and Trisha share some thoughts about book displays; discuss plot, characters, science, and embroidery for the Great Big Romance Read; and talk about buzzworthy books still to come in 2019.

This episode is sponsored by Book Riot’s mysteries giveaway, Libro FM, and Frankly In Love by David Yoon from Penguin Random House Audio.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

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

NEWS

ICYMI, here’s the Barnes & Noble info about their increase in romance sales

If you’re looking for a romance cause to support, check out the Sandra Hyde Romance Writers Trust.

We got to talk about The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Oliva Waite for the Great Big Romance Read!

BOOKS

Primary Suspect by Laura Scott

The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Oliva Waite

A Little Light Mischief by Cat Sebastian

The Write Escape by Charish Reid (out September 30)

The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller (out October 8)

Lush Money by Angelina M. Lopez (out October 14)

Blitzed by Alexa Martin (out December 3)

Beard Necessities by Penny Reid (out November 4)

American Love Story by Adriana Herrera (out October 7)

My Fake Rake by Eva Leigh (out November 26)

Not the Girl You Marry by Andie J. Christopher (out November 12)

Tell us how your bookstores display romance, what you thought of The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics, and what you can’t wait to read for the rest of 2019. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address ([email protected]) or you can still catch us at [email protected]and [email protected]. You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown).

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