Jess and Trisha share listener recs, reveal the May WIR Book Club pick, talk about the Vivians and romance awards generally, and discuss and recommend slow burn romances. 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! This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission. News  We’re discussing Vivid by Beverly Jenkins on our episode that comes out May 17! Feel free to send us all of your thoughts and feelings before we record that episode on May 13.  The Vivian finalists have been announced. If you don’t remember how the Vivian Awards came to be, let Jess remind you.   For comparison, check out the Swoon Awards, the Ripped Bodice Awards, and the ReadRChat awards. Books Discussed Sweet Disorder by Rose Lerner Wrong Number, Right Woman by Jae Office Hours by Katrina Jackson If the Boot Fits by Rebekah Weatherspoon Yes & I Love You by Roni Loren Craving Flight by Tamsen Parker The Preacher’s Promise by Piper Hughley Twice Shy by Sarah Hogle Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert Well Met by Jen DeLuca Signal Boost by Alyssa Cole His Perfect Partner by Priscilla Oliveras Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid Send us your thoughts on slow burn romances…and any insight you have on what a toaster oven romance is. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When In Romance

E81: Quick to Bed, Slow to Feelings

Jess and Trisha talk about the next round of the WIR book club and discuss and recommend romances featuring married couples. 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! This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission. News  The WIR book club is back! Send your votes to wheninromance@bookriot.com! (Options are below)   Books Discussed Sweet Disorder by Rose Lerner (Book club option!) Wrong Number, Right Woman by Jae (Book club option!) Vivid by Beverly Jenkins (Book club option!) Office Hours by Katrina Jackson (Book club option!) The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams Maybe Next Time by Christina C. Jones Rend by Roan Parrish A Bollywood Affair by Sonali Dev The Captain’s Midwinter Bride by Liana de la Rosa Send us your book club votes! And your favorite adventure romances! And your favorite married couple romances! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

E80: You Can Keep It

Jess and Trisha dive into romance films, discussing the way non-romance readers view adaptations, debating whether certain films marketed as romance actually fit the definition, and offering a few recommendations. 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 all of you who reminded us of the excellent work Lee and Low Books has done with their Diversity Baseline Survey. We also talked a bit about Nick and Ari’s full critique of the Ribbed Bodice Diversity in Romance report. Please enjoy this delightful news about the adaptation of Rebekah Weatherspoon’s Cowboys of California trilogy [The Hollywood Reporter by Lexy Perez]  Films Discussed Happiest Season The Mummy The Big Sick Crazy Rich Asians The Lovebirds The Wedding Plan Tangled Juanita Deliver Us from Eva Share your thoughts on all things romance film – including what films you play “is it a romance?” with! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

E79: Mind-blowingly Chemical

Jess and Trisha discuss three news stories related to inclusion, exclusion, and diversity in romance. Then they talk about books they’ve been reading (and how one of those books is like a cancelled TV political drama). 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 (current version of the) Sourcebooks/E L James press release.  Meryl Wilsner’s twitter thread about their experience being disinvited from a library event is here. The most recent Ripped Bodice “State of Racial Diversity in Romance Publishing” is out as well, though some on Twitter raisedconcerns.  And if you need additional information about Designated Survivor, I don’t blame you and have you covered.  This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission. Books Discussed Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner Touch Me by Alexandria House The Home I Find With You by Skye Kilaen A Lady’s Formula for Love by Elizabeth Everett If The Boot Fits by Rebekah Weatherspoon Let us know what romance topics you’re thinking about and what you’re reading! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

E78: What Are We Disrupting?

Jess and Trisha discuss some non-terrible Valentine’s week romance coverage, talk about the way romance represents the experience of being Black in history…and Trisha has a confession to make. 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! This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission. News As discussed, our fellow Rioters Silvana and Carole are just the best.  Please enjoy the romance coverage from NPR via podcast and this interview Beverly Jenkins did with Karen Grigsby Bates. Also the New York Times has come a long way, y’all. [NYT] There WAS in fact a Reading Pathways piece on Book Riot about Beverly Jenkins! And it was written by yet another of the actual best, Amanda Diehl [insert heart eyes emoji]. This is your regular reminder (from Trisha) to read this Book Riot piece about Bridgerton (by Jess). Post show note: Okay, we were wrong, and Black Panther came out in 2018. Time is complicated! Books Discussed Indigo, Forbidden, and basically everything else by Beverly Jenkins That Could Be Enough and Agnes Moor’s Wild Knight by Alyssa Cole Confessions in B Flat by Donna Hill The Preacher’s Promise by Piper Hughley A Duke, the Lady, and a Baby by Vanessa Riley The Duke Who Didn’t by Courtney Milan Rafe and Xeni by Rebekah Weatherspoon Two Rogues Make a Right by Cat Sebastian Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn Please send Trisha your favorite romances that aren’t especially plot-driven (she clearly needs the help). As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

E77: A Beautiful Frankenstein

Jess and Trisha discuss Nora Roberts’s lack of time for nonsense, authors behaving badly, and the unique world of category romance – along with a few recs, of course. 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! This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission. News Nora Roberts doesn’t care what you think [Entertainment Weekly] Here’s a way not to write outside of your own experience.  In case you’re curious, here a bit more info about category romance…and here’s a little more info about Pregnesia. Books Discussed Seducing His Secret Wife by Robin Covington Bane by Brenda Jackson The Flapper’s Fake Fiancé by Lauri Robinson Pregnesia by Carla Cassidy Let us know if YOU have favorite category romance – and keep sharing your romance reading origin stories! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

E76: Watch It Or Don’t

Jess and Trisha do a bit of Bridgerton follow-up, celebrate a When In Romance anniversary, and discuss romances by debut authors they’re watching for. 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 Read Jess’s excellent piece about the Bridgerton adaptation casting decisions and trauma centered on Black characters. We talked about WIR Ep #22, featuring special guest Rebekah Weatherspoon. And Trisha stands by her Carrie Underwood reference. Books Discussed For the Love of April French by Penny Aimes Happy Endings by Thien-Kim Lam A Lady’s Formula for Love by Elizabeth Everett Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers Love in Color: Mythical Tales From Around the World, Retold by Bobu Babalola Sweethand by N.G. Peltier Let us know what your favorite WIR moments have been, share your romance origin stories, and tell us what romance titles you’re excited about in 2021. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

E75: Accidental Queer Vegas Wedding

Jess and Trisha celebrate a new year, discuss Netflix adaptation Bridgerton, and talk about the books they’re ready for – and hoping for – in 2021. 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 You can watch Bridgerton (or not) on Netflix. Books Discussed The Duke and I by Julia Quinn Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert (Out March 9, 2021) Incense and Sensibility by Sonali Dev (Out July 6, 2021) How To Find A Princess by Alyssa Cole (Out May 25, 2021) Cinnamon Roll and Weave the Dark, Weave the Light by Anna Zabo Loose Ends Series by Rebekah Weatherspoon The Bride Bet by Tessa Dare The Devil Comes Courting by Courtney Milan (Out February 9, 2021) Let us know what you thought of Bridgerton and what you’re excited to read in 2021. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

E74: It’s All in the Sideburns

Jess and Trisha discuss news they’ve missed in recent weeks, give some “best of” list updates, and recommend a few of their favorite romances from 2020. 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 Romancing the Runoff raised a bonkers amount of money. [Per EW, with a longer piece on this and similar efforts on Jezebel] Courtney Milan made the NYT notable fiction list with an independently published book because she is an unstoppable badass. [NYT] Since we talked about the Goodreads Readers Choice awards, here’s what happened there. Vote in the ReadRChat awards! And ICYMI, here’s the Book Riot Best of 2020 list. This KFC thing is happening for some reason…? [Washington Post] Books Discussed Deal with the Devil by Kit Rocha Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev The Duke Who Didn’t by Courtney Milan Two Rogues Make a Right by Cat Sebastian Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade Thanks to everyone who rode the 2020 roller coaster with us! Let us know what your favorite books have been, and always feel free to send us your thoughts and questions. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

E73: The Voice On the Other End

It’s recommendation request time – part 2! Jess and Trisha offer recs to readers looking for comedic romance, underrepresented authors, cruelty-free paranormal romance, and more. 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! Books Discussed Polaris Rising by Jesse Mihalik The Blacksmith Queen by G.A. Aiken Highland Dragon Warrior by Isabel Cooper The Rebel Wears Plaid by Eliza Knight Agnes Moor’s Wild Knight by Alyssa Cole The Winter Sea and The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley Being Hospitable by Meka James Heartbeat Braves by Pamela Sanderson Taking on the Billionaire by Robin Covington Second Chance on Cypress Lane by Reese Ryan The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams The Love Study by Kris Ripper Between a Rock and a Hot Mess by Phyllis Bourne The Duke Who Didn’t by Courtney Milan Truth or Beard by Penny Reid Ghosting by Tash Skilton Mangoes and Mistletoe by Adriana Herrera Stripped by Zoey Castile The Baldwin Village and Holidays with the Wongs series by Jackie Lau The Sumage Solution by G.L. Carriger Deal with the Devil by Kit Rocha The Last Wolf by Maria Vale Hot and Badgered by Shelly Laurenston The Demigod’s Legacy and Prince in Leather by Holley Trent Comedic Romances Discussed This Year Get a Life, Chloe Brown and Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert The Roommate by Rosie Danan You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang Meet Cute Club by Jack Harbon Conventionally Yours by Annabeth Albert Do You Want To Start a Scandal? by Tess Dare Fumbled by Alexa Martin Thanks to everyone who wrote in with recommendation requests, and always feel free to send us your thoughts and questions! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

E72: It’s Gonna Be Sexy

It’s recommendation request time!! Jess and Trisha offer recs to readers looking for soapy drama, storylines related to social justice, SFF without the alpha males, funny and quirky narrators, and more.  This episode is sponsored by TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering reading recommendations personalized to your reading life; First We Were IV by Alexandra Sirowy (KidsBuzz); and Just the Two of Us by Ryu Hyang with POPPYPUB and KPIPA. 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  No news on this episode, but Jess did recommend Crash Landing on You (available on Netflix). Books Discussed The Austen Playbook by Lucy Parker The Rakess by Scarlett Peckham After the Wedding by Courtney Milan Wicked and the Wallflower by Sarah MacLean Island Affair by Priscilla Oliveras The Key to Happily Ever After by Tif Marcelo Life is Sweet by Lily Seabrooke Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin Thirsty by Mia Hopkins Guarding Temptation by Talia Hibbert The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite Open House by Ruby Lang The Undoing by Shelly Laurenston The AI Who Loved Me by Alyssa Cole The Rose by Tiffany Reisz Strange Love by Ann Aguirre Intercepted by Alexa Martin Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur  So Forward by Mina V. Esguerra The Bollywood Bride and Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev Rumor Has It by Cheris Hodges Theirs for the Night and Forever Theirs by Katee Robert Lush Money by Angelina M. Lopez More recommendations still to come, and as always, feel free to send us your thoughts and questions! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

E71: Feathers, Scales, and an Accidental Kidnapping

Jess and Trisha discuss where “best of” lists come from and what they’re for, and then they do a deep dive into meet cutes – and not so cutes – that includes a pop quiz and some recommendations. This episode is sponsored by TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering reading recommendations personalized to your reading life; Sorrow by Tiffanie DeBartolo from Woodhall Press; and If The Boot Fits by Rebekah Weatherspoon from Kensington Books. 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  Publishers Weekly has weighed in on the best romances of the year, and Goodreads has asked readers to do the same.   Send us your recommendation requests for our holiday rec episode! Books Discussed His Convenient Husband by Robin Covington Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert I Think I Might Love You by Christina C. Jones One Last Chance by Therese Beharrie My Fake Rake by Eva Leigh Strange Love by Ann Aguirre Play It Again by Aiden Wayne Xeni by Rebekah Weatherspoon The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang Send us your holiday recommendation requests! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

E70: Why Are These Lists?

When In Romance is a biweekly romance podcast dedicated to romance novel news, enthusiasm, and romance book recommendations from Book Riot! Join hosts Jess and Trisha every other Monday as they dig into the joys and complexities of the genre. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome To When In Romance

Jess and Trisha do some quick updates, talk about a complicated decision from Harlequin, and recommend romances with great friendships. This episode is sponsored by TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering reading recommendations personalized to your reading life; Sips by: Experience the joy of personalized tea discovery; and Book Riot Insiders, the digital hangout spot for the Book Riot community. 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  Brenda Jackson’s books are getting the adaptation they so richly deserve! [Variety] And speaking of adaptations, we have a premiere date for the Shonda Rhimes Bridgerton adaptation! [Deadline] We adore Roan Parish and still have some thoughts about this because more than one thing can be true.  Jess wrote this great piece on friendships in Black and multicultural romance for Book Riot. Send us your recommendation requests for our holiday rec episode! Books Discussed París Puede Esperar by Marisa Sicilia Bane by Brenda Jackson The Duke and I by Julia Quinn Sustained and the whole Legal Briefs series by Emma Chase Meet Cute Club and Kitten by Jack Harbon The Love Study by Kris Ripper Thanks to everyone who sends us emails and input! Feel free to keep ‘em coming. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

E69: A Real Landmark

Jess and Trisha talk about the end of Audible Escape and why the “all you can read” model is a challenge in romance, and they recommend books with bisexual characters.  This episode is sponsored by Book Riot’s mystery thriller podcast, Read or Dead; TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering reading recommendations personalized to your reading life; and The Return by Nicholas Sparks. 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 Audible Escape is ending and romance readers aren’t pleased about the new option supposedly replacing it. [Distractify] But according to The Digital Reader, many romance authors had been frustrated with the service for some time.  And if all of this sounds familiar, you might be remembering when this happened at Scribd. [The Guardian] Books Discussed Two Rogues Make a Right by Cat Sebastian Wrong to Need You by Alisha Rai Xeni by Rebekah Weatherspoon Better Than People by Roan Parrish Just Like That by Cole McCade From Scratch by Katrina Jackson Out on the Ice by Kelly Farmer Let us know if you have feelings about the end of Audible Escape or favorite romances with bi characters. As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

E68: The Motion Train

When In Romance is a biweekly show dedicated to romance novel news, gushing, and book recommendations!

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When In Romance

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