When In Romance

This week, Trisha and special guest Liberty Hardy talk about reality show competition romance: what we like about it, why it works, and some of our favorites.

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Are you looking for the perfect Valentine’s gift for your bookish boo? Gift Tailored Book Recommendations!

Book club is back!!! We’re reading After Hours on Milagro Street by Angelina M. Lopez, and we’ll be talking about it when we record on March 2. 

The Harper Collins strike continues – please support the workers however you can.

The 2022 Swoon Book Awards are open for nominations until Jan 30!

And yes, Roxane Gay has confirmed that she’s writing a romance novel with Channing Tatum.

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After Hours on Milagro Street by Angelina M. Lopez

This Bird Has Flown by Susanna Hoffs (4/4/23)

Georgie All Along by Kate Clayborn

Looking for Group and Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake by Alexis Hall

Battle Royal by Lucy Parker

Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev

D’Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins

Track Liberty down at a whole bunch of places: What’s My Page Again, the Book Riot New Books newsletter, the All the Books podcast, and/or on Instagram (@franzencomesalive). 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).

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Jess and Trisha cover some recent romancelandia news, look back on favorites of 2022, and look ahead to possible future favorites for 2023.

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

Book club is back!!! We’re reading After Hours on Milagro Street by Angelina M. Lopez, and we’ll be talking about it in early March. 

Romance author Susan Meachen lied about her death in 2020 (CW for suicide) [Rolling Stone]

If you or someone you know needs to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in the Unites States, you call dial 988. The website is here.

USA Today is no longer publishing a bestseller list [Publisher’s Weekly]

The Harper Collins strike continues – please support the workers however you can.

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

After Hours on Milagro Street by Angelina M. Lopez

Must Love Cowboys by Carly Bloom

Second Chance at Rancho Lindo by Sabrina Sol

You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi

Tanked by Mia Hopkins

Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake

Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola

Ship Wrecked by Olivia Dade

The House on Mulberry Street by Jeannie Chin (3/07)

Sorry, Bro by Taleen Voskuni (1/31)

The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest (2/28)

Codename Charming by Lucy Parker (8/15)

Hotel of Secrets by Diana Biller (3/28)

Diamond Ring by KD Casey (4/11)

Let us know what you’re excited to read in 2023! 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).

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Jess and Trisha close out the year by recommending queer friends-to-lovers books, romances with a criminal element, and more in part two of our annual recommendation request episode.

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

A reminder to learn more about the Harper Collins strike and support the workers however you can.

Gift Tailored Book Recommendations this holiday season!

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For a complete list of books discussed in this episode, visit our website https://bookriot.com/listen/pine-pine-pine-pine-pine/.

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It’s that time again!! Jess and Trisha recommend steamy sci-fi, romance with characters over 40 (and sometimes 50!), and more in part one of our annual recommendation request episode.

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

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

Please learn more about the Harper Collins strike and support the workers however you can.

We mentioned our episode from earlier this year that included some romances about older MCs, and you can check it out here.

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Paris Daillencourt is About to Crumble by Alexis Hall

Silver Silence by Nalini Singh

Read Between the Lines by Rachel Lacey

Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade

Ghosting, a Love Story by Tash Skilton

Act Your Age Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert

The Jekh Saga by HE Trent starting with Erstwhile

Deal with the Devil (and many other books) by Kit Rocha

Monsters Love Curvy Girls series starting with His Human Nanny by Michele Mills

Asking for It by Lilah Pace

Better Off Red by Rebekah Weatherspoon

The Beards and Bondage series starting with Haven by Rebekah Weatherspoon

Syncopation and others by Anna Zabo

Flirting with 50 by Jane Porter

Wherever is Your Heart by Anita Kelly

Something About You by Reese Ryan

The Worst Guy by Kate Canterbury

Let us know if you have other recs for these requests…and you might still be able to sneak in a request of your own! 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).

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Jess and Trisha start talking about 2022 recommendations, including No-Shirt November and their favorite backlist romance reads of 2022.

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Jess mentioned the Brown Book Series — check it out here!

Jess was at RRAW this year — maybe we’ll all join her next year??

Are you ready for Shop Your Shelves BINGO from Love in Panels? Of course you are.

The Vibrant Years by Sonali Dev

Cupid Calling by Viano Oniomoh

Play it by Ear by Tara Frejas

The Men at Work series — including Her Naughty Holiday — by Tiffany Reisz

Harbor (or anything in the Beards and Bondage series, honestly) by Rebekah Weatherspoon

Thirsty (and similarly, anything in the Eastside Brewery series) by Mia Hopkins

Royally Screwed (and the rest of the Royally series) by Emma Chase

Whiteout by Adriana Anders

Battle Royal by Lucy Parker

Deal With the Demon by Chace Verity

You Had Me at Hola and A Lot Like Adiós by Alexis Daria

The Worst Guy by Kate Canterbury

If You Love Something by Jayce Ellis

Check, Please! By Ngozi Ukazu

The time has come — send us your recommendation requests for any gifting (or just for you)!! 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 Jenn discuss the increasing number of romances in best-of lists (even if they are coming way too early) and the massive phenomenon that is holiday romance.

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

Check out the giveaway to win a copy of Book Riot’s Reading the Stars with an Obvious State celestial print, notebook, and tote bundle.

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So many best of lists already!

Publishers Weekly Best Books 2022

NPR Books We Love

Barnes & Noble Best Romance of 2022

What the Hex by Alexis Daria

Hiding in the Smoke by Ofelia Martinez

Partners in Crime by Alisha Rai

Drunk on Love by Jasmine Guillory

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston

Heroine Complex by Sarah Kuhn

Mating the Huntress by Talia Hibbert

A Scatter of Light by Malinda Lo

Beach Read by Emily Henry

Bottle Rocket by Erin McLellan

Lighting the Flames by Sarah Wendell

The Matzah Ball by Jean Melzer

The Mistletoe Affair by Farrah Rochon (the Kwanzaa one!)

Holiday Temptation by Donna Hill etc (The Green Book)

Just One More by Jodie Slaughter

Candy Hearts by Erin McLellan

Party Favors by Erin McLellan

Stocking Stuffers by Erin McLellan

No, Thank You by Alexandra Warren

Thank You, Next by Nicole Falls

Thank Me Later by Christina C. Jones

A Match Made for Thanksgiving by Jackie Lau

A Second Chance Road Trip for Christmas by Jackie Lau

A Fake Girlfriend for Chinese New Year by Jackie Lau

A Big Surprise for Valentine’s Day by Jackie Lau

Wanting a Witch by Lauren Connolly

Trick by Shae Sanders

Treat by Shae Sanders

Pumpkin Pounder by Laura Lovely

Halloween Boo by Sarah Spade

The Rivals of Casper Road by Roan Parrish

Matzah Ball Surprise by Laura Brown

A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone

Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory

A Holly Jolly Diwali by Sonya Lalli

How to Excavate a Heart by Jake Maia Arlow

Season of Love by Helena Greer

You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince by Timothy Janovsky

Amor Actually by Adriana Herrera, Alexis Daria, Diana Munoz Stewart, Zoey Castile, Mia Sosa, Priscilla Oliver’s, and Sabrina Sol

Grand Theft NYE by Katrina Jackson

…Sorry.

Let us know your thoughts about the excessive number (if there is such a thing) of holiday romances, very early best-of lists, and what you’re hoping to read by the end of the year!

As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address ([email protected]). You can also find Jess and Jenn on Twitter (@jessisreading and @jennIRL), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @iamjennirl).

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Jess and special guest Vanessa Diaz talk about what they’re reading, discuss some upcoming Good News in romance and offer season-appropriate romance recs.

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

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

Check out the giveaway to win a copy of Book Riot’s Reading the Stars with an Obvious State celestial print, notebook, and tote bundle.

Follow The Rom Con on instagram and check out the tiers of their crowdfunding campaign.

The Love Hypothesis has been optioned for film!

There’s been a male director announced for the People We Meet On Vacation adaptation.

Watch The Flatshare! In the UK or continental Europe 🙁

If you an author from a historically or systemically excluded group in the US or Canada, check out the Romance Includes You Mentorship program.

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Her Majesty’s Royal Coven by Juno Dawson

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

A Thief in the Night by KJ Charles

The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri

The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller

What the Hex by Alexis Daria

The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston

I’ll Come Back For You by Charish Reid

How to Succeed in Witchcraft by Aislinn Brophy

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

Let us know what season-appropriate books you’re reading, what you think about vampires, and if you’re excited for RomCon!

As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address ([email protected]). You can also find Jess and Vanessa on Twitter (@jessisreading and @buenosdiazsd), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @buenosdiazsd).

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Jess and Trisha talk through some news and updates and then discuss Witchmark – including whether it can be classified as a romance.

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

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

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As mentioned, this McSweeney’s post by Rachel Mans McKenny will brighten your day. 

Join Jess at the RRAW Experience later this month (or just read about it and be jealous)! 

Partners in Crime by Alisha Rai

Wicked Beauty by Katee Robert

Witchmark by C.L. Polk

Let us know what your fantasy recs are and what you’re reading and thinking about! 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 unreasonable expectations of authors and then offer a few “if you like this, try that” romance recs.

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

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

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Book club is back!! We’re reading Witchmark by CL Polk, so give it a read and send us your thoughts by Sept. 29.

A little extra background on the Katee Robert signature story can be found here, here, and here. 

The Sweetest Remedy by Jane Igharo

The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker

The Dragon’s Bride by Katee Robert

The Stand-Up Groomsman by Jackie Lau (October 25, 2022)

If You Love Something by Jayce Ellis

A Virtuous Ruby and The Preacher’s Promise by Piper Hughley

Let us know what your “if you this try that” recs are! 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 baby epilogues and revisit a classic romance trope: fake dating stories.

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Book club is back!! We’re reading Witchmark by CL Polk, so give it a read and send us your thoughts by Sept. 29 (note the date change!).

Check out what you might have missed on Bookstore Romance Day.

The Wedding Crasher by Mia Sosa

Ruby Fever by Ilona Andrews

The Out on the Ice series by Kelly Farmer

Jilted by Lilah Suzanne

How to Find a Princess by Alyssa Cole

Rent a Bae by Unoma Nwankwor

Luck of the Draw by Kate Clayborn 

To Catch a Raven by Beverly Jenkins

Honey and Spice by Bolu Babalola

Let us know what you think of baby/child epilogues, and what you think of fake dating. 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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