Friends to Lovers

This week on the pod, Mackenzie and Lily talk about beloved self-published romances that should be in readers' starter packs as well as other self-pubbed romances they personally adore. Mackenzie discusses her recent affinity for toxic bully romances, and Lily somehow finds a way to mention Eden Finley yet again.Major episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (3:48), Introduction to Main Topic (4:36), Book Recommendations (18:58), What Else We're Reading (51:42), Conclusion (57:01).You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292095932008569.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com). 

It's Lily's time to shine! This week, Lily (with an assist from Mackenzie) takes everybody on a journey to understanding asexuality and the current landscape of asexual romance novels. The pair also continue to stan visionary, icon, and legend Angela Chen.Major episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (3:14), Introduction to Main Topic (4:17), Book Recommendations (33:36), What Else We're Reading (51:16), Conclusion (1:00:00).NOTE: There are spoilers for Claire Kann's book Let's Talk About Love during the 36:36-37:36 mark.Content warnings: This episode very briefly mentions sexual coercion, sexual assault, and conversion therapy.You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292095932008569.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com). 

It's the first episode of season four and we're ready to go! This week, Mackenzie and Lily unpack why the romance genre has such narrow beauty ideals for straight male love interests and what we miss out on when we don't expand that fantasy. Major episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (2:46), Introduction to Main Topic (6:58), What Else We're Reading (35:53), Conclusion (41:15).You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292095932008569.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com). 

Welcome back to season 4 of Friends to Lovers, a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Our 10-episode fourth season launches on January 24th, so get ready for a many more shenanigans.You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292095932008569/.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com).

Look at that, it's the final episode of season three! The podcast will return on January 24, 2022, but until then, check out this ep where Mackenzie and Lily dive into which books to recommend to all of the people in your life who haven't perused their bookshelves in a while and don't know what to read now.Major episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (2:06), Introduction to Main Topic (3:18), What Else We're Reading (34:07), Conclusion (40:18).You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292095932008569.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com). 

BookTok has become one of the most influential literary spaces on the internet, and yet it's only just starting to get recognition. Luckily, Mackenzie and Lily are joined by Kendra Keeter-Gray, better known as @kendra.reads on the platform, to get to the bottom of all things BookTok.Note: This recording was originally completed in August 2021.Major episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (1:20), Introduction to Main Topic (2:12), Interview with Kendra (5:06), What Else We're Reading (55:19), Conclusion (50:59).You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292095932008569.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com). 

The Classified series is back at it again! For this season's installment, Mackenzie and Lily are diving into popular contemporary romance duo Christina Lauren's 11 published standalone adult romance novels. There's banter, Big Trope Energy, and a whole lot more.Note: Portions of this recording were originally completed in June 2021.Major episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (2:00), Introduction to Main Topic (2:55), Ranking (18:00), Conclusion (47:43).You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292095932008569.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com). 

Hey, look who it is! The gals of Friends to Lovers are BACK and ready to finish out season three (and start preparing for the absolute banger that's going to be season four). For today's regularly scheduled midseason Q&A episode, Mackenzie and Lily took audience questions about dating, romance, relationships, friendship, and marriage and gave their non-therapist perspectives on those matters. Note: There are a few small sections of spotty audio, and portions of this recording were originally completed in June 2021.Major episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (5:44), Main Topic (7:45), Conclusion (49:33).You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292095932008569/.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com).

Another week, another F2L episode! In this lil' jaunt, Mackenzie and Lily dive into the world of romance novels that are in series: What makes a great romance series, and which books will leave you totally confused if you were to attempt to read them out of order as standalones?Major episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (2:37), Introduction to Main Topic (3:43), Discussion of What Makes a Good Series and Recommendations (8:18), What Else We're Reading (29:09), Conclusion (32:45).You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292095932008569/.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com).

Trope Talk is BACK, and this season, Mackenzie and Lily are talking about a beloved trope that many people don't necessarily have experience with IRL: Fake dating. Find out why it's so cherished — and why Lily believes she'd be awesome at it if the opportunity ever arose.Major episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (2:05), Introduction to Main Topic (3:28), Discussion of Fake Dating Book Recommendations (12:22), What Else We're Reading (32:13), Conclusion (36:49).You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292095932008569/.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com).

How the heck did "beach reads" come to be, and why is the domain often ruled by rich white ladies? Mackenzie and Lily unpack it all. Plus, Lily teases an upcoming release that she says perfectly incapsulates what the romance genre is all about.Major episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (2:11), Introduction to Main Topic (3:16), Criteria for Beach Reads (12:51), Discussion of Beach Read Books (19:04), What Else We're Reading (35:46), Conclusion (47:53).You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292095932008569/.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com).

After a brief unexpected (and now resolved!) hiatus, we're BACK and ready to continue on the odyssey that is season three! This week is one of F2L's most anticipated episodes of all time: We talked to Jason Rogers and Jake Gronsky, two straight men who are avid romance readers and advocates for the genre, about all things romance.Major episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (2:09), Introduction to Main Topic (2:56), Jason Rodgers and Jake Gronsky Introductions (12:49), Question About How They Started Reading Romance Novels (16:44), Question About Their Favorite Recent Romances (33:28), Question About Their Book Boyfriends or Girlfriends or Favorite Couples (45:25), Question About What They've Learned From Reading Romance (49:04), Question About If They Find Portrayals of Men in Romance Realistic (1:01:11), Question About How to Talk to Men About Reading Romance (1:08:00), Question About Jake's Romance Novel (1:17:24), What We're Reading (1:21:50), Conclusion (1:30:09).You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292095932008569/.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com).

This week on the pod, Mackenzie and Lily talk about recent contemporary romance releases that should be in readers' starter packs as well as other contemporary romances they adore. As always, Mackenzie enjoys a good age-gap romance, and Lily can't stop talking about love stories where people hate each other at first.Major episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (2:32), Introduction to Main Topic (3:41), Main Contemporary Romance Starter Pack List (9:01), Mackenzie and Lily’s Five Personal Contemporary Romance Picks (34:07), What Else We’re Reading (48:34), Conclusion (54:45).You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292095932008569/.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com).

F2L is baaaaaack! On this first episode of season three, Mackenzie and Lily dive into one of the most requested topics from listeners: What does it actually look like for a romance novelist to write a sex scene? They're joined by beloved author Adriana Herrera to get down to business.Major episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (19:08), Introduction to Main Topic (20:18), Introduction to Adriana Herrera (21:15), How Adriana Got Into Writing Romance (25:05), Adriana’s Favorite Tropes, Subgenres, and Book Significant Others (30:09), What Drew Adriana to Writing Explicit Sex Scenes (32:12), Coming Up With Romance and Sexual Acts (33:25), If Adriana Gets Banxiety From Her Own Books (36:12), Logistics of Writing Sex Scenes (37.24), Writing Every Book’s Sex Scenes Differently (39:33), Sex Words and Phrases She Does and Doesn’t Use (42:37), Writing About Sexual Acts She Doesn’t Have Experience With (45:58) Working With Sensitivity Readers (49:23), Romance/Erotica Authors She Admires (50:39), Steamy Romance Recommendations (55:35), What’s Next for Her (58:05), What Else We’re Reading (1:02:04), Conclusion (1:09:08).You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292095932008569/.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com).

Welcome back to season 3 of Friends to Lovers, a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Our 10-episode third season launches on May 17th, so get ready for a lot more chaos.You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292095932008569/.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com).

It's romance challenge time! In the final episode of season two, Mackenzie and Lily talk about Bad Bitch Book Club's 2nd Annual Spring Romance Challenge, which kicks off on April 15th. Enjoy all of the picks that book club members are reading seven weeks in a row from mid-April to the end of May, and join BBBC to learn more about the challenge and participate in these Zoom calls.Major episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (3:11), Introduction to Topic (4:26), Spring Romance Challenge Selections (13:32), Honorable Mentions (39:30), What Else We’re Reading (49:40), Conclusion (53:46).You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292095932008569.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com).

In the penultimate episode of season two, Mackenzie and Lily tackle a few of their favorite non-romance Smart People Books™ that'll not only give you plenty of food for thought but are also just delightful reads.Major episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (3:33), Introduction to Main Topic (4:58), Discussion of Infinite Country by Patricia Engel (6:16), Discussion of A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purnell (8:15), Discussion of What Doesn’t Kill You by Tessa Miller (11:58), Discussion of A Measure of Belonging edited by Cinelle Barnes (15:41), Discussion of Mediocre by Ijeoma Oluo (17:30), Ace by Angela Chen (21: 28), What Else We’re Reading (27:15), Conclusion (32:00).You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292095932008569.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com).

The Classified series is back! For this season's installment, Mackenzie and Lily are diving into popular contemporary romance author Jasmine Guillory's five published novels and unpacking what makes a quintessential JG book.Major episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (3:57), Introduction to Main Topic (5:22), What Makes a Quintessential Jasmine Guillory Book (8:28), Discussion of Media and Publisher Reaction to Jasmine Guillory’s Books (13:35), Discussion of Ranking Criteria (24:00), Discussion of Overall Thoughts on Jasmine Guillory’s Books (25:00), Ranking of Jasmine Guillory’s Books (31:53), What Else We’re Reading (58:15), Conclusion (1:03:38).You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292095932008569.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com).

This week, Mackenzie and Lily go into controversial territory and unpack five of the most polarizing popular romance and love story-adjacent novels to come out in the past couple of years. Get ready for hot takes on hot takes.Major episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (1:23), Introduction to Main Topic (2:17), Discussion of In Five Years by Rebecca Serle (3:54), Discussion of The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo (10:10), Discussion of The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver (24:20), Discussion of The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai (29:42), Discussion of Anxious People by Fredrik Backman (38:31), Honorable Mentions (45:42), What Else We’re Reading (48:34), Conclusion (51:24).You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292095932008569.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com).

It's midway through the second season of Friends to Lovers, and you know what that means: It's Q&A time! In this episode, Mackenzie and Lily give romance recommendations for a number of listener questions, including the books that encapsulate them as romance readers, books that'll make you need to call your therapist, and more.Major episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (1:29), Introduction to Main Topic (2:43), Romances That Talk About Mental Health (3:53), Romances With Independent Women Who Don’t Change for a Man (8:22), Romances You Loved That Featured a Trope You Weren’t a Fan Of (13:48), Top Three Recommendations for Favorite Romance Trope (18:45), Romance Recommendations Similar to Over-Recommended Books (28:03), Romances That Left Us Sobbing (33:12), Three Romance Novels Perfectly Encapsulate Us as Romance Readers (38:54), Romances That Had No Business Being as Good as They Were (43:52), Other Romances We Haven’t Gotten to Talk About on the Podcast Yet (49:18), What Else We’re Reading (54:26), Conclusion (58:01).You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292095932008569.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com).

In 2011, E.L. James published the erotic romance Fifty Shades of Grey, which became one of the best-selling books of the 21st century. However, critics quickly pointed to its problematic depictions of BDSM practices and relationships at large, despite its massive readership. Now, a decade after publication, Mackenzie and Lily talk to Kim Pham, founder of food company Omsom who's been open about her BDSM journey, about the misconceptions surrounding kink, fetish, and BDSM—and what we all need to know instead.Content warning: Discussions of abusive and manipulative relationships, sexual assault, and sexual violence.Spoiler timestamp: This episode contains spoilers of Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James from 53:48-1:22:22.Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (1:40), Introduction to Main Topic (2:32), Introduction to Kim Pham (9:15), Discussion of Major BDSM, Kink, and Fetish Definitions (13:47), Question About How the Internet Gate-Keeps Sex-Positive Content (17:16), Discussion of Common Misconceptions About BDSM (18:40), Discussion of Common Misconceptions That Seemingly Well-Informed People Have (21:19), Examples of Kink That Isn’t Physical or Sexual (23:48), Discussion of How Pop Culture Gets BDSM Wrong and What Better Depictions Look Like (28:15), Discussion of Aftercare (35:25), Discussion of Resources for BDSM Newbies (41:20), Kim’s Concluding Points (50:17), SPOILERS: Discussion of Fifty Shades of Grey (53:48), What Else We’re Reading (1:22:22), Conclusion (1:28:04).You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292095932008569.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com).

Is this the end of F2L? This week, Mackenzie and Lily come to virtual blows (sort of) about one of the genre's most popular tropes—and one of Lily's personal favorites: Enemies-to-lovers. Is it really as great as everyone says it is? Or is it totally overrated?Spoiler timestamp: This episode contains spoilers of The Simple Wild by KA Tucker from 13:07-23:21.Major episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (1:12), Introduction of Main Topic (1:58), Discussion of Block Shot by Kennedy Ryan and It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey (7:44), SPOILERS: Discussion of The Simple Wild by KA Tucker (13:07), Discussion of The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa (23:21), Discussion of Top Secret by Elle Kennedy and Sarina Bowen (25:56), Discussion of Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (28:04), Discussion of The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata (30:52), Discussion of The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai (34:19), What We’re Reading Now (39:39), Conclusion (47:20).You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292095932008569.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com). Full episode transcription by Colleen Ward.

Why are there so few plus-size protagonists or love interests in romance novels? And why are there even fewer books with plus-size protagonists AND love interests in the same story? This week, Mackenzie and Lily dive into the romance genre's ongoing issues with fatphobia and discuss which books and authors are at least getting the conversation going.Major episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (2:25), Introduction to Main Topic (3:10), Discussion of Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade (12:43), Discussion of Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert (17:51), Discussion of Xeni by Rebekah Weatherspoon (21:52), Discussion of One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London (26:23), Discussion of Brazen and the Beast by Sarah MacLean (33:05), Discussion of If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy (34:24), What Else We’re Reading (36:08), Conclusion (43:18).You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292095932008569.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com). Full episode transcription by Colleen Ward.

What makes a romance novel steamy? And do other people think some of your favorite sexy romance novels are all that steamy? This week, Mackenzie and Lily dive into creating a five-level "steam scale" for how to rank the steaminess of books. Mack also discusses what level of the steam scales she taps out at, and Lily describes the novel that made her head implode.Major episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (1:23), Introduction to Main Topic (3:46), Discussion of Taylor Jenkins Reid's Novels (13:14), Discussion of Mhairi McFarlane's Novels and Would Like to Meet by Rachel Winters (14:12), Discussion of Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton and The Stationary Shop by Marjan Kamali (17:37), Discussion of Katherine Center’s Novels (19:50), Discussion of The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory (20:22), Discussion of The Trouble with Hating You by Sajini Patel (22:00), Discussion of Roomies by Christina Lauren (24:04), Discussion of Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren (25:13), Discussion of Twice in a Blue Moon and Other Novels by Christina Lauren (25:51), Discussion of Talia Hibbert and the Brown Sisters Trilogy (30:37), Discussion of The Idea of You by Robinne Lee (31:54), Discussion of The Marriage Game by Sarah Desai and The Dutchess Deal by Tessa Dare (34:23), Discussion of The Roommate by Rosie Danan (40:06), Discussion of Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas (40:37), Discussion of Him by Elle Kennedy and Sarina Bowen and Lush Money by Angelina M. Lopez (43:36), Discussion of Priest by Sierra Simone (50:28), Discussion of the Beards & Bondage Series by Rebekah Weatherspoon (52:23), What Else We’re Reading (56:18), Conclusion (01:03:05).You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292095932008569.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com). Full episode transcription by Colleen Ward.

Season two of the podcast kicks off with a trip down hot mess memory lane. In this episode, Mackenzie and Lily reminisce about the YA books they read during their teen years that gave them the absolutely wrong romantic ideas in adulthood.Major episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (3:34), Introduction to Main Topic (5:04), Discussion of The Clique by Lisi Harrison (13:52), Discussion of Gossip Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar (17:08), Discussion of the Alice Series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor (23:26), Discussion of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares (28:59), Discussion of Sarah Dessen’s Books (35:56), Discussion of the TTYL/Internet Girl Series by Lauren Myracle (44:09), What Else We’re Reading (48:30), Conclusion (58:03).You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292095932008569/.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com). Full episode transcription by Colleen Ward.

Welcome back to season 2 of Friends to Lovers, a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Our 10-episode second season launches on January 11th, so get ready for a lot more chaos. Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292095932008569/.You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com).

In the final episode of season one (!), Mackenzie and Lily give their recommendations for underrated books under 250 pages that you can read this holiday season. Plus, Mackenzie shares her favorite trash human read of quarantine and Lily discusses not knowing what a book's about even six months after reading it. If that wasn't enough, there are season two teasers at the end of the episode. See y'all on January 11th!Major episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (1:00), Introduction to Main Topic (2:12), Discussion of This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone (6:09), Discussion of Thick and Other Essays by Tressie McMillan Cottom (9:31), Discussion of Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey (12:59), Discussion of Kim Ji-young, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-ju (14:52), Discussion of Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong (16:54), Discussion of Notes to Self by Emilie Pine (19:14), Introduction to Bad Bitch Book Club Member Recommendations (21:52), Discussion of Ghosts in the Schoolyard by Eve Ewing (22:17), Discussion of Sabrina & Corina by Kali Fajardo-Anstine (23:11), Introduction to What We're Reading Now (25:06), Discussion of Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas (25:17), Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith (27:58), Conclusion (30:23).You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292095932008569/.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com).

In the penultimate episode of season one, Mackenzie and Lily talk about their favorite love stories (not exclusively romance novels!) of 2020. Find out why ghosts deserve love too, who becomes the first male author ever mentioned on the podcast, why Lily believes everybody's read Mexican Gothic incorrectly, and more.Major episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (1:03), Introduction to Main Topic (1:57), Discussion of The Roommate by Rosie Danan (3:07), Discussion of Anxious People by Fredrik Backman (6:41), Discussion of Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert (8:53), Discussion of Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall (11:55), Discussion of The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett (14:45), Discussion of Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender (18:00), Discussion of Layla by Colleen Hoover (21:20), Discussion of Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (25:19), Introduction to What We're Reading Now (30:08), Discussion of Act Your Age, Eve Brown (30:14), Discussion of Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness by Ingrid Fetell Lee (33:24), Conclusion (37:55).You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292095932008569/.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com).

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Classified, an ongoing series where Mackenzie and Lily read and rank all of the existing work by a romance or romance-adjacent author. We're kicking things off with the work of Taylor Jenkins Reid because Mackenzie is founder, president, and CEO of the TJR fan club, and Lily has also read all of her books. (She likes them too, she swears!)Note that there are NO spoilers in this episode!Production note: We're aware that this episode has some hinky audio. Because it was based around the element of surprise, we didn't want to re-record and not capture those reactions. We'll be back to our baseline quality audio next week!Major episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (1:37), Introduction to Main Topic (2:00), Introduction to Taylor Jenkins Reid (3:59), Discussion of What Makes a Quintessential Taylor Jenkins Reid Novel (7:46), Discussion of the Ranking System (19:49), Discussion of Our Last Place and Second-to-Last Place Books (22:02), Discussion of Our Fourth Place Books (31:51), Discussion of Our Second and Third Place Books (37:54), Discussion of Our First Place Books (54:40), Recommendations for TJR Starter Books (1:06:24), Conclusion (1:09:44).You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292095932008569/.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com).

Why do so many romance novels not touch on contraception, consent, or STI status in their pages? Why are erotica authors calling including safe sex practices in their books "propaganda"? And which romance novel that was dubbed a "modern classic" goes super STI-negative? This week, Mackenzie and Lily are joined by cultural commentator and writer Ella Dawson to talk all things consent and condoms (and more).Major episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (2:05), Introduction to Main Topic (3:23), Introduction to Ella Dawson (6:48), Question About How Ella Got Started Writing as a Cultural Commentator (8:53), Question About Why We're So Fearful as a Society of Discussing Safer Sex Practices (13:47), Questions about STI Misconception and Destigmatizing Talking About STI Status (19:21), Question About Ella's Work Writing Romance and Erotica (24:40), Questions About How Ella's Thoughts Have Shifted on Writing STIs in Romance Over the Years (27:52), Question About How Consent Comes Up in Romance Novels in a Post-#MeToo World (30:11), Question About Books That Have Good Representation for Safe Sex (39:48), Discussion of Books With Problematic STI Mentions (46:03), Question About Ella's Romance Novel and Other Erotica Work (56:04), Question About Where to Find Ella's Work Online (59:07), Conclusion (1:00:30).You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292095932008569/.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com).

What does Mackenzie actually think of Reese's Book Club? Is Lily really reading 400 books this year? What were some of the worst reads in 2020? In their first-ever midseason Q&A, Mackenzie and Lily keep the goss piping hot.Major episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (1:19), Introduction to Q&A Episode (2:50), Question About Where Mackenzie Sees Bad Bitch Book Club Going (3:43), Question About Why Mackenzie Thinks BBBC Caught On (7:01), Question About What Mackenzie and Lily Do Professionally (12:44), Question About How Significant Others Support Mackenzie and Lily's Love of Books (17:59), Question About Best Career Advice (21:14), Question About How Mackenzie and Lily Organize Their TBRs (24:37), Mention of Next Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton (26:39), Question About How Mackenzie and Lily Read Over 50 and 400 Books, Respectively, in a Year (31:38), Question About Book Boyfriends and Favorite Romance Tropes (40:09), Mention of The Idea of You by Robinne Lee (40:31), Mention of One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid (41:10), Mention of Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas (42:43), Mention of Queen Move by Kennedy Ryan (43:15), Mention of Beach Read by Emily Henry (44:07), Mention of Beard Science by Penny Reid (44:32), Question About the Most Disappointing Reads of the Year (46:00), Mention of The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver (46:23), Mention of Saint X by Alexis Schaitkin (48:06), Mention of Untamed by Glennon Doyle (49:58), Mention of Kiss My Cupcake by Helena Hunting (51:12), Mention of How to Walk Away by Katherine Center (52:05), Mention of Loathe at First Sight by Suzanne Park (53:09), Conclusion (54:35).You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292095932008569/.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com).

Why does Mackenzie get heart emoji eyes every time she sees a book with love at first sight in it while Lily wants to gouge her eyes out? In the inaugural Trope Talk episode, insta-love books are front and center, and the hot takes are abound. This episode does have a few short places with spoilers, so be sure to check out the timestamps below.Spoiler timestamps: This episode contains spoilers of The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory (29:44-32:00), November 9 by Colleen Hoover (35:16-37:55), and The Happily Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez (47:16-52:19).Major episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (1:24), Introduction to Trope Talk Topic (2:23), Choosing Insta-Love as the First Trope (5:50), Discussion of Insta-Love In Real Life (10:09), Discussion of Amatonormativity (17:49), Explanation of Ze/Zir Pronouns (20:29), Return to Discussion of Amatonormativity (22:30), Introduction to Insta-Love Tropes in Book (27:33), LIGHT SPOILERS (First 20% of the Book): Discussion of Jasmine Guillory's The Wedding Date (29:44), SPOILERS: Discussion of November 9 by Colleen Hoover (33:58), Discussion of 28 Summers by Elin Hildebrand (37:55), Brief Mention of The Idea of You by Robinne Lee (43:34), Brief Mention of It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover (44:07), SPOILERS: Discussion of The Happily Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez (45:09), Discussion of One Day in December by Josie Silver (52:19), Discussion of Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center (55:47), Conclusion (58:58).You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292095932008569/.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com).

What does it take to write one of the most exquisite blow job scenes in historical romance history (according to F2L's co-hosts, of course)? Mackenzie and Lily continue their conversation with bestselling author Sarah MacLean, discuss which romance writer always has a wall fucking moment, give BBBC member recommendations for books with Empowering Blow Jobs™, and offer a brief glimpse into what else they're reading.This is the second part of a two-part episode. The first segment was published on October 5th, and you should definitely listen to that episode before diving into this one.Spoiler timestamp: This episode contains spoilers from 15:03-24:50.Major episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00) Questions About How Sarah Creates Her Series (1:35), Question About How Sarah Create Her Couples (5:16), Question About How Sarah Write Scenes of Intimacy in Her Books (11:37), SPOILER: Question About How Sarah Wrote the Blow Job Scene in Brazen and the Beast (15:03), The Difference Between Sarah MacLean and Tessa Dare (24:50), Sarah's Recommendations for New Historical Romance Readers (28:38), Discussion of Tessa Dare Books (29:04), Discussion of The Virgin and the Rogue by Sophie Jordan (29:23), Discussion of Uptown Girls series by Joanna Shupe (33:47), Discussion of Ravishing the Heiress by Sherry Thomas (34:28), Teaser for Sarah MacLean's Upcoming Series Hell's Belles (37:14), Teaser for Sarah's Upcoming Short Story in Anthology Naughty Bits (41:23), Introduction to Bad Bitch Book Club Member Recommendations (43:13), Discussion of The Rebel King by Kennedy Ryan (44:55), Discussion of The Player Next Door by KA Tucker (45:55), Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory (46:53), Introduction to What Else We've Been Reading (48:21), Discussion of Ordinary Girls by Jaquira Diaz (48:29), Discussion of Xeni by Rebekah Weatherspoon (50:26), Conclusion (53:24).You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292095932008569/.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com).

Can blow jobs ever be empowering for women? In part one of this episode, Mackenzie and Lily give an abbreviated world history of blow jobs and begin their discussion with award-winning and bestselling historical romance novelist Sarah MacLean about what the romance genre tells us about women over the last 50 years, how Christian Grey became a recession-era daddy, and which romance author she thinks writes the best dirty talk.Part two of this episode (including a discussion about a very nautical blow job) will be available on Wednesday, October 7th.Content warning: Brief discussions of rape, sexual assault, and non-consensual acts in a historical context.Major episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (1:18), Introduction to Episode Topic (2:24), An Abbreviated History of Blow Jobs (5:18), Introduction to Sarah MacLean (20:46), Sarah MacLean Bio (28:20), Question About How Sarah Got Into Romance Writing (30:55), Discussion About the Twilight Franchise's Influence in the Romance Genre (33:08), Question About What the Romance Genre Tells Us About Women in General Through the Decades (37:44), Discussion of the Rise of Consent in Romances (47:48), Conclusion (51:05).Content warning timestamps: Discussions of Sexual Assault in a Historical Context (13:15-13:53), Discussion of Rape in Kathleen Woodiwiss' The Flame and the Flower (42:07-43:41), Romances with #MeToo Themes (48:09-48:58).You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292095932008569/.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com).

In this special additional episode (y'all are spoiled!), Mackenzie and Lily continue their conversation with couples therapist and sexuality educator Jennifer Litner all about interpolitical dating and romantic partnerships. Mack and Lil also provide ample politically-minded romance novel recommendations and a peek into what else they're reading.This is the second part of a two-part episode. The first segment was published on September 28th, and you should definitely listen to that episode before diving into this one.You can learn more about F2L guest Jennifer Litner at https://www.embracesexualwellness.com/ and on Instagram at @embracesexualwellness. F2L listeners also get 20% off her e-course Building Ease Talking About the Birds and the Bees™ with the promo code F2LPODCAST, which is valid now through October 31, 2020: https://builidingease.mykajabi.com/offers/HV43zLAn/checkout?coupon_code=F2LPODCASTIt's a digital course for parents, guardians, and caregivers who want to learn how to communicate developmentally appropriate sex-ed information with their children. Lesson material is based on the standards for comprehensive sexuality education, has been peer-reviewed, and is designed to be inclusive, shame-free, anti-oppressive, and scientifically accurate.Parents can also download her free guide to developmentally appropriate conversations with youth here: https://builidingease.mykajabi.com/conversationsguideMajor episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Question About How to Handle a Partner's Unsavory Political Opinions (1:56), Question About Why Our Society Loves the Idea of "Opposites Attract" (7:12), Question About If You Should Try to Change a Partner's Political Affiliation or Views (14:20), Question About Supporting a Loved One in a Mixed Partisan Relationship (22:24), Question About What to Do If This Podcast Has Caused a Relationship Crisis (27:08), Post-Jennifer Litner Conversation Debrief, (32:07), Introduction to Member-Generated Politically Minded Romance Recommendations (36:39), Yes, No, Maybe So by Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed (37:07), Running by Natalia Sylvester (37:20), The Kingmaker and The Rebel King by Kennedy Ryan (38:28), Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (39:18), The Voting Booth by Brandy Colbert (40:46), Introduction to What Else We're Reading (41:18), Engagement and Espionage by Penny Reid (41:26), Good Morning, Destroyer of Men's Souls by Nina Renata Aron (43:46), Conclusion (46:48).You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.

Why are there suddenly romance novels coming out about Democrats and Republicans falling in love? How many interpolitcal couples really exist in actuality? And can they thrive without massive amounts of compartmentalization and avoidance? Mackenzie and Lily are joined in the first of a two-part episode by couples therapist and sexuality educator Jennifer Litner to discuss what's really at the heart of mixed partisan partnerships and if there's something to be said for "opposites attract"—or are you royally fucked?Part two of this episode will be available on Wednesday, September 30th.You can learn more about F2L guest Jennifer Litner at https://www.embracesexualwellness.com/ and on Instagram at @embracesexualwellness. F2L listeners also get 20% off her e-course Building Ease Talking About the Birds and the Bees™ with the promo code F2LPODCAST, which is valid now through October 31, 2020: https://builidingease.mykajabi.com/offers/HV43zLAn/checkout?coupon_code=F2LPODCAST It's a digital course for parents, guardians, and caregivers who want to learn how to communicate developmentally appropriate sex-ed information with their children. Lesson material is based on the standards for comprehensive sexuality education, has been peer-reviewed, and is designed to be inclusive, shame-free, anti-oppressive, and scientifically accurate.Parents can also download her free guide to developmentally appropriate conversations with youth here: https://builidingease.mykajabi.com/conversationsguideMajor episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (1:25), Introduction to Episode Topic (2:21), Introduction to Interpolitical Romance Novels (3:25), Introduction to The State of Us by Shaun David Hutchinson (6:21), Introduction to Meet You in the Middle by Devon Daniels (9:02), Discussion of Mackenzie and Lily's Political Views (13:27), Discussion of Interpolitical Relationships Research (15:43), Discussion of Meet You in the Middle by Devon Daniels (27:04), Introduction to Jennifer Litner (40:29), Question About Differences and Similarities Between Core Values and Political Views (42:02), Questions About Opposing Values and Views That Mixed Partisan Couples Have (46:37), Pros and Cons of Mixed Partisan Romance Relationships (49:35), Conclusion (51:36).You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com).

In this week's episode of Friends to Lovers, Mackenzie and Lily discuss why Sally Rooney's novel Normal People is so hyped, what makes a true Angsty Youth™ book, why Old Navy's men's section has the best graphic T-shirts, and which "groundbreakingly terrible" piece of fiction they both threw across the room while reading.Major episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (1:26), Introduction to Main Discussion (4:11), Introduction to Normal People (5:15), Introduction to Angsty Youth™ Definition (16:22), The Ensemble by Aja Gabel (20:14), The Mothers by Brit Bennett (23:43), Trust Exercise by Susan Choi (27:12), All My Mother's Lovers by Ilana Masad (36:01), Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzales (39:13), Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah (42:37), Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls (47:02), Bad Bitch Book Club Member Recommendations (47:29), Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender (47:45), Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan (48:48), Emergency Contact and Permanent Record by Mary HK Choi (49:06), Conclusion (49:41).You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com).

Welcome to Friends to Lovers! On the inaugural episode of the first season, Mackenzie and Lily dive into romances that won't make your pearl-clutching grandma break out in hives from the utter steaminess and sexual tension.Major episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (2:00), Introduction to Main Discussion (11:22), Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin (13:44), Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes (15:47), The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali (18:36), Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton (22:04), You Me Everything by Catherine Isaac (24:55), Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center (29:18), The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows (31:42), Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay (31:42), The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (31:42), After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid (31:42), Maybe In Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid (31:42), One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid (31:42), What Else We're Reading (34:19), Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall (34:19), and Pizza Girl by Jean Kyoung Frazier (34:19).You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com).

Welcome to Friends to Lovers, a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.Friends to Lovers launches its first 10-episode season on September 14, 2020. Give us a five-star rating wherever you get your podcasts, and say hi to us at @F2LPodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can also join the private F2L Facebook group.You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.If you want to support Bad Bitch Book Club's initiatives (including this podcast), become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/badbitchbookclub.Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com).