Whoa!mance: Romance, Feminism, and Ourselves

We were in the books in 2024 and now 2024 is in the books. Hardest and softest no!s and whoa!s, the places we visited the most in literature, what we did great at and where we came up short. All that and more as we look back on the year that was...2024.

One last round of eggnog, we're talking "MEET ME IN LOS FELIZ" by KELLY REYNOLDS. Nora accidentally barges in on Bowie peeing and catches feels for the (sort of) Short King. Is king a slur if you're a Brit in LA who inherited a house and tea shop(pe)? Amid the hustle of trying to make it as an actress, Nora makes room for a new love. What makes a novella work? Does normalizing rough sex minimize it? How much are CBD lattes going for in your local area? Pick your exit off the 210 carefully, we're parked in this holiday traffic.

Ellie from the Butt Out Baby Podcast had the best idea. For all of us to watch Carol (2015) directed by Todd Haynes and then talk about it. Therese gets a funny feeling when she first sees the glamorous Carol, and it isn't just because its Christmastime. But it is the 1950s, and Carol is going through a divorce, and is a devoted mother, and is at least a decade older and a gajillion dollars richer, and it's Christmas! What is it they about the course of true love? Do age gaps matter? Does Christmas matter? And what even happened with that ending! Be sure to tune into this romance-centered discussion of Carol. And, by the way, I like your hat...

If Whoa!mance had a nickel for every time we discussed a novel featuring a werewolf who flies personal aircraft, we would have TWO nickels. Thanks for the hypothetical pay raise, COLD HEARTED by HEATHER GUERRE. Grace has to Teach for America her way away from her terrible ex and terribler Chicago. So she makes her way to the small, insular, warm yet secretive community of Longtooth, Alaska. Even thought Grace really sets local boy Caleb's maybe-metaphorical-maybe-literal tail to wagging, he's been burned by City Folk before and he isn't going to be heartbroken again, dang it! When it turns out Grace's ex was worse and more supernatural than just a boring stalker, he's going to have to put his feelings aside...or actually, for some reason, centering them works better? What makes a comfort read comfortable? Is a villain more captivating than the main character a failure in a romance, or just the The Nature of the Beast? Its 10 p.m., do you know how many copies of "Watership Down" are within driving distance of you right now? Turn "Deadliest Catch", we've got something much sexier and equally Alaskan to discuss.

Here it is, the last chapter. The bow tie. The final thoughts. The Darcy. The Rochester. The end.

Ready for some dark romance this holiday season? Sure you are! The days are short anyway. We've got a labrador retriever male main character who makes masked man thirst traps and does some stalking. And we've got a snarky female main character who loves those thirst traps and is looking for a little IRL action. Listen while Morgan and Isabeau untruss this popular bird, get at the juicy bits and carve out what makes this a mega romance audiobook hit.

Pride and Prejudice gets PENULTIMATE! In this, the second to last chapter of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, there are lots of sweet nothings and victory laps to be had. And the conversation begins circling the drain that leads to...romance novels?

Darcy and Lizzy need to tell the Bennets what's what

What webs we weave, indeed! This episode we attempt to unknot that cross-over of the century - the NINETEENTH century that is - PRIDE AND PROMETHEUS by JOHN KESSEL. Mary Bennet decides to take one last crack at life before resigning herself to spinsterhood and two people wind up dead. That's what happens when you pin your hopes to the saddest Swiss nerd at the ball. Especially when they have the kind of baggage that is super tall, speaks at least three languages, has committed murder in the name of loneliness, and is technically their child. Do the major differences of "Frankenstein" and "Pride and Prejudice" boil down to imagination vs. domesticity? Where is the fascination of sex to be found without love and affection? What can be made of men talking about women talking about men? Trigger warnings - we talk about anatomy, sterilization, murder, and miscarriages in this episode.

We're back, and we're going totally medieval on THE FALCON AND THE SWORD by PATRICIA WERNER for the final act of this Ice Wine season. Judith, the most normally named character in this whole book, abandons a convent to find herself in the kingdom of Neustria amongst a bunch of Franks who will never get her as a Visigoth. Along comes handsome-in-a-different-kind-of-white-way, advisor to the King of Austrasia to spark her interest, and then away he goes for the vast majority of the book until he returns in the fourth (eighth?) act to profess his love in the murder mystery cum Medieval slice of life this Romance Novel is. Why did romance in the 90s spend so much effort towards everything but character? What does the centering of small folk tell us about a place and time? What is the difference between Visigoths and Goths? Hope you've got a knee brace, because these Middle Ages are hard on your joints.

A Re!mance for an extremely special ocassion. Plus an update on Ice Wine Deux.

Naturopathic Practicioner Raven is thrown back into the measured embrace of regular, degular Dr. Jeff when she is accused of poisoning her clients. Because he loves her so darn much, and because it is obviously not her fault, and because it is 1997 and these things just happen, the McSteamy and Holistic Hottie team up to uncover the cause of this mystery illness and get infected with love along the way. Also with the mystery illness. What can a post-AIDS romance novel about disease teach us about Pandemic patterns? Are characters their jobs or is it just the Capitalism talking again? Can a person in 1996 be good, even if they are allergic to salad? Look out - there's gateway drugs in the echinacea!

Wherein Darcy and Elizabeth have one conversation and Darcy makes all men, and romance heroes look like fools for the next two hundred odd years. #ThanksJaneAusten

In this chapter Darcy shows up and all the young people go for a walk. On the walk Darcy makes all other romance heroes look like fools, for the next 200 odd years. #ThanksJaneAusten

One last time to Nantucket before the cold winds blow! Free-spirited, head-strong Lizzie trades her youthful exuberance for matronly measure and stead-fastness in exchange for the love of one Tavis Mackinoon in 19th Century Nantuckey. Or...maybe "trades" has too much agency? What was America's perspective on history in the halcyon, Laura-Ashley-strewn days of 1994? How do we honestly feel about "blossoming"? How was the shape of women's identity and autonomy fraying against itselt? Try and remember the difference between port and starboard, we're setting sail in to some choppy waters with this one.

Mr Bennet receives a letter he can't wait to share with his favorite kid. Spiraling ensues

Ice Wine Deux launches LIVE and in style from Love's Sweet Arrow (in Tinley Park, IL) with a real bi-coastal bitch - A DANGEROUS MAN by ROSEMARY ROGERS. Tory doesn't care what her dad thinks, or her uncle, or even Sexy, Dark and mysterious "Texas Ranger" Nick Kincade. But she is forced to rely on the latter as she tries to escape her own Manifest Destiny on an adventure up proto-Pacific Coast Highway. And maybe even, fall in love? What does The Brat signify in the emergence of third-wave feminism? Does a romance hero even need to like the heroine? What IS wrong with a little bump'n'grind? Prepare to ford the river, and chill that red as much as possible. We're getting very wet for this one.

When the dog days of summer start barking, the cubes start clinking. Yr grls are revisiting their ICE WINE project, a time to interrogate texts published by and for a previous generation. This round, we're pouring (over ice, of course): A DANGEROUS MAN by ROSEMARY ROGERS HEAVEN KNOWS by ELAINE COFFMAN FEVER RISING by MAGGIE FERGUSON But Whoa!mance needs your help choosing between THE DRAGON AND THE JEWEL by VIRGINIA HENLEY or THE FALCON AND THE SWORD by PATRICIA WARNER so be sure to vote on our Instagram or email whoamancemail@gmail.com It is Ice Wine Season - do you know where your Newt Gingrich is?

Knock knock! Who's there? Why! It is Catherine De Burgh! Here to rip Lizzie a new one while Jane and Bingley canoodle in the shrubbery. The worst part is? No one even visits the hermitage. That was here the whole time???? A split decision on this chapter folks, with a scathing rating of three out of five stars from one of our readers. Metadrama and metaconflict abounds.

Monty is all set up for one sexy summer when he embarks on his Grad Tour with hot friend he's falling for, Percy. But this would-be teen sex comedy get real weird as Monty and Percy face a vengeful duke, a sinking crypt, a dead alchemists lonely adult children, their own marginalized identities, and falling in puppy love! What does it look like to write conscientious historical romance, effectively? Can anyone tell the difference between an adventure story, a romance, and bildungsroman? And, PLEASE! SOMEBODY! What even is "Young Adult"??? Light the braziers and tune up your crystals - we're turning lead into gold for real on this one!

In chapter 55 Bingley stops by Longbourne, again. And again. And again. What is he UP to?

We did it. We watched Bridgerton Season 3. And it hurt our feelings. Join us as we excavate the societal wounds that have led to this latest outing in the Bridgerton universe.

Elizabeth and Darcy are finally in a room together at another party and then... Well and then Morgan threatens to quit the project. Tune in to find out why!

Entrepreneur? I hardly know her! This week your girls are discussing whether or not THE DUKE GETS DESPERATE by DIANA QUINN can stand on business. Raya just wanted to meet a penpal. Strick just wanted to own his Ducal castle. Instead, they end up in bed together - business-style! And also the other way. While Raya tries to get over the betrayal of her brother forcing her out of the business she helped build back in New York, The Duke of Strickland is trying to get over the betrayal of his father willing the family castle to her cousin (who then died mysteriously and willed it to Raya). But you know what they say, the best way to get over one capitalist venture is to get under another. But when the worlds of tourism, real estate, and The Nobility collide, sparks might fly. Can one appreciate a novel that isn't meant for them, politically? What if the politics are like thiiiiis close? Is a murder plot really necessary? Get the permits and a good respirator. We're going to take this one down to the studs.

We did it. We figured it out--in a far reaching conversation which starts when Mrs. Bennet comes out as a surprising mama bear for Lizzie, and Lizzie hates...every...second of it...we discover a few things. This book doesn't have enough affection for other women, and it's not wet enough. Come probe the spongy depths of our thinking as we tackle Bingely's return to Netherfield Park! Shut up Jane we know you're excited! Stop lying!

In this public access read a long Lizzie receives a letter from her favorite aunt explaining all the important deets about Mr Darcy and the mystery surrounding Lydia's big day. As beloved Mrs. Gardiner reveals Mr. D's real problem isn't all the things we've talked about--it's obstinance. Do we agree? Do you? Listen and let us know!

In this episode Morgan and Isabeau dive into the deep end of what makes a romance a romance. Sure it's the beats, the structure and that all important HEA but...but...is there something more? Feyi is a young widow trying to bring herself back to life. She meets a handsome consultant whose dad is big in the art world, helping Feyi land an exciting exhibition on a tropical island. It's a picture-perfect romantic escape with artistic dreams realized—until Feyi finds herself thunderously attracted to the very last person on the island she should have the hots for. And wowza, does she have the hots! This book is steamy, confrontational, and insistent on its romance. It's not easy, but that's what makes it so different and worthwhile.

Knock knock! Who's there? A whole ass wife in the form of Lydia, of course. In chapter 51 Lydia and Wickham return to make everything awkward over the course of a short ten days. Just enough time for Lydia to drop a bombshell at the very end of the chapter. Does the text like Lydia, or is it just us giggling and kicking our feet in the air every time she gets the spotlight?

In Chapter 50, Jane Austen creaks open a window in Mr. Bennet's pysche. And it sends your readers into a discussion of family, community, growing, and - of course - love. It also recalls Jane Eyre.

This episode, yr grls feel the earth move under their feet thanks to SAN FRANCISCO EARTHQUAKE 1906 by KATHLEEN DUEY. Sierra, she of the old-fashioned braids and humble dreams, works as maid in the grand Palace Hotel of San Francisco. Joseph Harlan, he of the ranch inheritance and general decency, is staying in The Palace Hotel. Joe is completely smitten with Sierra but she is coming to terms with her crush turning out to be a gold digger. Sierra and Joseph collide just as the Pacific Plate and North Atlantic Plate, and thus find themselves on the greatest adventure known to man. No, not love. Surviving the aftermath of an up to 8.3 on the richter scale earthquake in turn-of-the-century San Fran. Remember when men were men and young adult fiction was for young adults? And also historical? Have we expanded the possibilities to the point of choking out skilled, professional writing? You know what they say. If the tent's a-quakin', look out for the ensuing fires.

Taking your back to a criminally underrated book and episode: Saddle up the Equimare or fuel up the Autoduck - in "HART AND MERCY" by MEGAN BANNEN, Marshall Hart's desperate plea for companionship transcends realms, landing in the hands of his nemesis, the super hot and sassy Undertaker Mercy. Amidst a backdrop of longing and rivalry reminiscent of "You've Got Mail" and "The Shop Around the Corner," Hart and Mercy reach out into the void for the connection they're missing, finding solace in anonymous correspondence. Dive into this poignant fantasy romance to unravel the depths of empathy, the allure of escapism, and the tingles of a country dance. Plus there are zombies. Don't miss out, it's a heart-tugger!

Do you love books? Do you love the vicarious thrill of blind dates? How about we combine those two? And you listen to us unwrap some delicious stranger novels, and delight each other with the contents. Support your local bookstores!

Well, well, well. Guess who got discovered. Mmhm. And guess who continues to be overly optimistic? You got it. And guess who is kind of a classist jerk to their domestic workers? BINGO. You know what, maybe just sit this chapter out. You already know what's up.

We had a blast talking with Megan Mackie, Samara Breger, Melanie Moschella, Tamara Jerée at the first ever Romantasy Fest at Otherworld Theatre. We dished about Romantasy history both public and personal, influences, Romantasy vs. supernatural, comparing fantasy and romance, and the unique process of authoring a romance novel. A note on sound - we recorded the panel using one mic, so the sound isn't what you're used to with our show. It is worth the listen, though!

Uhhhh, so who was going to remind us that Mr. Collins truly blows? Must run in the family…looking straight at you Mr. Bennet. After the Bennett receive a really mean letter from their current cousin/former paramour, their dear father returns home to say he's taking responsibility for his family. Papa then goes on to earn that letter and top spot as Bad Dad on the Whoa!mance bookshelf. We also talk about conservative faced men.

You're going to want to double KNOT your Easter Bonnet for this one - because BRIDE by ALI HAZELWOOD is likely to blow it clean off. Vampyre, Misery, enters an arranged marriage with Alpha Werewolf, Lowe to protect a tentative truce between their cultures. And then...well, guess. We bet you can guess what happens next. Go ahead. What do you think? C'mon. Don't be shy. We know why you're here. We're right here with ya. Yeah. That's right. Omegaverse-style canid sex. Why do we seek out the bestial in our most human, romantic stories? When does Virginity stop being a social issue and become a personal one? What kind of personal aircraft will be acceptable when the revolution comes?

There seems to be nothing to do except return home after Lydia goes missing. But sometimes, as Lizzie is about to discover, family can be cold comfort in a crisis.

When you call, Whoa!mance answers! A special listener recommended THE SECRET HEART by ERIN SATIE when we asked for weird books. So you KNOW we had to pick it up and lay it down. I guess you could say we felt similarly to Adam, Earl of Bexley, when he first sees Caro Small in her ballet smalls - intrigued and horny! Caro decides to take advantage and improve her circumstances by throwing them both on the assignation-to-wedding pipeline. Sure he's her best friend's better-to-do cousin, and sure he's an entrepreneur (barf) AND secret pugilist-she can deal. But when Caro finds HERSELF kicking her feet and smiling, it all gets complicated in a new way. What's the distinction between bad and unlikeable? How responsible are masc characters for their predilections? Is the general obsession with lady smallness eeking anybody else out? If you have a book you'd like us to discuss, hit yr grls up via our socials or whoamancemail@gmail.com And if you'd like to join us for a LIVE romantasy panel, go to otherworldtheatre.org

Baby sisters ruin everything. Or in this case Lydia's antics seriously harsh the vibe of Pemberly and the folks enjoying the views of the woods, and the views of Darcy's adorable face. Is all hope now as lost as Lydia's virtue? Only time and a few more chapters will tell

Quick Q - How whimsical are the jars you store your herbs in? Doesn't matter. Either way, Isabeau and Morgan are chatting IN CHARMS WAY by LANA HARPER. In the halcyon days of a Great Lakes region summer, Delilah's magically-caused memory loss (read: desperate circumstances) call for turning to blood magic and the help of sexy, gladiator-sandal-sporting, half-fae mercenary Catriona (read: desperate measures). But are their magical adventures mere illusion? Only two ways to find out! Reading the book or listening to this podcast. What can mend a righteous anger? How can romantasy ground a reader for maximum, magical effect? Is a rogue succubus just a tradwife (probably)? Want to join yr girls AND Lana Harper for a discussion of Romantasy? Get your tickets at https://www.otherworldtheatre.org/ for our panel March 23 @ 11am (feat. mimosa, ever heard of her?) Thank GODDESS we like this book, right?

Well Lizzie is back at Pemberly and this time she's joined by a former frenemy: Caroline Bingley. Caroline attempts some pretty petty quips and only hurts herself. We also learn that Darcy thinks Lizzie is one of the handsomest women of his aquaintance! Thank you so much Caroline.

Time to get cuffed - winter is upon us. Wynter of the Craig is the King of Wintercraig, and also a Weather Mage (guess what kind of weather he controls). Thamsin, a.k.a. Storm is a princess of Summerlea, and also a Weather Mage. They end up together for political reasons, but stay together for both-being-sexy reasons. But when the winds of magical evil and state-based evil converge against them, will they be able to weather the storm??? Where is the line between romance and fantasy? Or fantasy and historicism? What is camp and does it translate to the necessarily warm feelings romance inspires? Do you know how chimneys work? Don your furriest loin cloth, this one is chill in a NOT chill way.

The soil of A Court of Thorns and Roses is rich, and from it bountiful fan theories bloom. At the dusk of reading the most recent installment, A Court of Silver Flames, for the podcast, and at the dawn of Cresecent City 3's release, yr erstwhile grls met to inhale the fragrance of and admire the colorful bloom from just such flowers. Moonbeams, owls, and that Ilyiad musical on TikTok all blossom in this conversation. Morgan even sprouts her own fan theory about the author. Spoilers abound, so make sure your caught up on our ACOTAR series episodes.

SARAH J. MAAS may have tried with A COURT OF SILVER FLAMES, but hasn't written one too long for us yet! Political wunderkind and human-turned-fae-by-mystical-creation-myth-cauldron Nesta is running from her problems in self-destructive ways. So her sister, her sister's mate, and her sister's mate's B-Fri's seclude her a mountain mansion until she can turn that frown upside down. The B-Fri in charge is Cassian, a bat-hunk who knows a thing or two about regret as well as tai chi as well as battle training, but is lacking in Diplomacy. I think you know where this is going. (A five page beej scene). How does the structure of a romance differ from a fantasy? And what are the nuances of both? What's going on with the portrayal of the Illyrians? WHERE IS THE THREESOME??? Shoot us a rude gesture down the bond if you must, just make sure to listen first.

You know that feeling when your crush shows up and you want everything to go just right, and you want everyone in the room to think you're smart and funny? But you can't stop worrying that you're gonna put you're foot in your mouth so you spend the whole time like a ball of anxiety saying not that much at all and feeling really hot and bothered but not in a good way? Yeah no us neither. And not the dauntless Lizzie Bennet either....Are we all just a little bit Mrs. Bennet?

We did it y'all. Lizzie and Darcy meet back up at his place. It's so embarrassing. It was an accident. He was sweaty. She was nervous. His housekeeper is really into giving him compliments. Big feels. Big fiz.

We're adjusting a rearview to take in a (disappointing) spreadsheet and share our objective data and subjective views on the texts and discussions from the Whoa!mance feed in 2023. What are our In/Outs and Resos for the year ahead? How did we live up to our own hopes for 2023? Glenn Howell????

In this chapter Lydia is gone, relative calm returns to Longbourne house and the narrator gets contemplative on the conjugal felicity of Mr and Mrs Bennet or rather the horrific lack apparently. IS this a romance or a buildings roman? You decide, dear reader.

In this chapter Lizzie confronts her dad about Lydia's reckless flirtations and too frivolous behavior. She really tries to get dear ole dadio not to let Lydia go to Brighton. But Pops does not see it Lizzie's way and Lizzie refuses to be more honest about her fears and concerns.

Over the hills and through the woods, to Velaris we go! Feyre and Rhysand are getting ready for their first C̶h̶r̶i̶s̶t̶m̶a̶s̶ WINTER SOLSTICE together. All while reconciling the recent trauma of the War (see episodes 157, 158). What makes a Holiday Special special? How has the messaging around the true meaning of Christmas morphed in our current therapy-speak moment? Do you feel like you've been sufficiently fan serviced today? Join us as we weave the threads of The Star Wars Christmas Special, "It's A Wonderful Life", and Tom Bombadil together to make sense of the Phenom that is The Worst Book In This Series.

Ho! ho! ho no. This eppy, yr grls go whatever the opposite of carolling is about - Christmas Masquerade: A Pride & Prejudice Intimate Variation by Vivien Norville Lizzie and Darcy (who you know...) are spending their first Christmas together and Darcy is BLOWING it. Or wait, Lizzie is blowing it? Honestly, no one is getting blown. When did the public opinion pendulum swing from sweet to spicy? Is self-publishing the field from which we must harvest the bitter oats sown by celebrating ROI and SEO instead of the HEA as Romance's primary virtue? Is it just a conifer? This Christmas, get duped by Capitalism. Again!