Podcast appearances and mentions of Christina Lauren

Our goal words, as a reminderSarina: presenceJess: growthJennie: Teflon™KJ: inner compass#AmReadingJess: Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins ReidKJ: The Spy Coast by Tess GerritsenJennie: Shakespeare: The Man Who Plays the Rent by Judi DenchSarina: Say You'll Remember Me by Abby JimenezTranscript below!EPISODE 454 - TRANSCRIPTKJ Dell'AntoniaHey, writers. KJ here announcing a new series and a definite plus for paid supporters of Hashtag AmWriting it's Writing the Book, a conversation between Jennie, who's just finished a Blueprint for her next nonfiction book, and me, because I've just finished the Blueprint for what I hope will be my next novel, Jennie and I are both trying to, quote, unquote, play big with these next go rounds, which is a meta effort for Jennie, as that's exactly what her book is about. And we're basically coaching each other through creating pages thoughts and encouragement, as well as some sometimes hard to hear honesty about whether we're really going in the right direction. So come all in on Team Hashtag AmWriting and you'll get those Writing the Book episodes right in your pod player, along with access to monthly AMAs, the Booklab: First Pages, episodes, and come summer, we shall Blueprint once again. So sign yourself up at AmWriting podcast.comMultiple Speakers:Is it recording? Now it's recording, yay. Go ahead. This is the part where I stare blankly at the microphone. I don't remember what I'm supposed to be doing. Alright, let's start over. Awkward pause. I'm going to rustle some papers. Okay, now one, two, three.KJ Dell'AntoniaHey, listeners, its KJ here. And this is Hashtag AmWriting, the weekly podcast about writing all the things, short things, long things, pitches, proposals, fiction, nonfiction. This is the podcast about getting that work done. And this week we're all here with a mid-year check in, but still introduce yourselves, people.Jess LaheyI'm Jess Leahy. I am the author of The Gift of Failure and The Addiction Inoculation, and you can find my journalism at The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Atlantic.Sarina BowenI'm Sarina Bowen, the somewhat exhausted author of many romance and thriller novels, and my brand new one is called Dying to Meet You.Jennie NashI'm Jennie Nash. I'm the founder and CEO of Author Accelerator and the author of 12 books in three genres. And today, not so tired. So you know, day by day.KJ Dell'AntoniaYay. I'm KJ Dell'Antonia, the author of three novels, most popular, which is The Chicken Sisters, and the most recent is Playing the Witch Card. And also the former editor and lead writer of The Motherlode at The New York Times, which feels like a total past life, And this is our mid-year "Are we achieving our goals?" check-in, and I badly wanted to make fun of Jess, who said she had to go get her notebook—so she would know her goals. But then I didn't realize I didn't have to, I didn't know mine, so I had to go get my notebook. So now I can't, and it's pretty much a crushing blow to me. So anybody achieved anything so far? I can't. I can totally believe we're six months into the year. It's been a really long six months, and also, I haven't done anything. Okay, that's me.Jennie NashKJ, you were saying that. Actually, it's funny, because you were saying that about was it January or February? You kept saying this month is lasting forever. You think you're just having that year.KJ Dell'AntoniaI am.Sarina BowenAren't we all though?KJ Dell'AntoniaI thought we were all having that year, but maybe not.Sarina BowenI'm looking at my goals page here, and I'm kind of astonished to see that I really am accomplishing a lot of them, because every day feels like such a battle. You know, it's I have write a romance, write a thriller, plan another romance, and maybe revise this one other thing. And, man, I'm doing it. I have written the words count for one entire book, even though neither of them is finished yet, but I'm, I'm chugging along. The other stuff I wrote down for doing at home and in my personal life is sort of happening, but it just feels, um, it feels hard, like the weight of the world is weighing down on my week. And so it's actually kind of lovely to look at this and see like, oh, okay, yeah. Well, we're getting some of this done.Jess LaheyThat's why we do this. That's why it's nice to check in. And I think it also, you know, it's, it goes back to a long time ago. We used to talk about accountability buddies, or accountability bunnies, as we have called them sometimes. And I think it's just great to have them, not just to hold you to task when you're not doing the stuff, but to help you, help you remember that it's important to check in and realize that we are getting the stuff done it may not look exactly like what we were expecting, and in fact, mine going forward, I'll go ahead and go next, because mine looks so different from what I expected it to be, and yet it's going really well. But before I move on, Sarina, is there any chance you could share with us for the big picture like mile high view, what was your word for this year?Sarina BowenWell, I did just notice that I left...KJ Dell'AntoniaOh! I have it your word was "present". I wrote them down. Your word was "present".Sarina BowenYou know. And I am. I am not doing a terrible job on presence. I'm not doing a bad job.KJ Dell'AntoniaJennie, your word was "Teflon".Jennie NashThat's what I thought. Let's stick with Sarina a minute, though, because I'm fascinated by the fact that the way you're describing that you're feeling, and the fact that you achieve these goals and you feel like you're doing well, all of that happened despite the fact that you didn't think it was... like, it's just the daily actions that that lead up to the goals, right? I mean, that sounds silly, but that's like you sit down and you do the work, and you achieve the things.Sarina BowenI guess I do. And part of what's disorienting about this year is that I'm actually writing less overall, and I am going more places. You know, presence means my presence is in several different states and countries, and so that it feels disorienting because I've had to be better at switching from working on the novel, to being on vacation with my family, to working on the novel, to doing a book tour in May, which was super time consuming. But I guess, you know, with some hiccups here and there, like I've been able to switch tasks in a way that is getting it done.Jennie NashThat's very cool.Jess LaheyIt's also nice every once in a while, you know, to look back on those stickers that are on the calendar. And for those of you who have joined us recently, we haven't really talked about stickers in a long time, but our sticker thing is, you know, we all tend to have the same kind of plan book, and on our calendar we get a sticker if we reach whatever goal it was for that day. Often it's a word count goal, and it's really nice to be able to look back... well, I guess it depends on the month, but generally speaking, it's really nice to be able to look back at the calendar and see those little stickers. Plus at the first day of every month, we have a little text thread where we decide what the sticker is going to be, what kind of vibe we're feeling that month, because we do have a lot of stickers. There's a lot of stickers, but Sarina has been killing it with her stickers, and I'm very impressed with her.Sarina BowenI do love to flip back and see how, you know, like, last month, it's like, oh, look at the good job you did. That's so pretty.Jess Lahey People ask me all the time if that undercuts that… you know, one of the things I talk about in The Gift of Failure and when I'm speaking at schools, is about, you know, trying to use the carrot and stick method to make kids do what you want them to do. And you're we're not supposed to rely exclusively on extrinsic motivators. We're supposed to rely on things that make us like want to do the thing for the sake of the thing itself. But when you when you reward yourself with something. It is an intrinsic process. And I think that the sticker, for us anyway, has been such a now, it's been going on for a long time, and it's such part of our language as a group of people, and it is really rewarding to slap that sticker on there.Sarina BowenI really believe you about intrinsic versus extrinsic goals, because I know for sure that no sticker chart I ever made for one of my children was any damn good, but like but mine is for me, and that's why it works.Jess LaheyDo you know that there's an exception when it comes to sticker charts? There is one situation in which sticker charts work really well for kids, and that's potty training, because there appears to be something about getting out of the diaper and into big boy or big girl panties/underpants, that makes them intrinsically motivated to do it. So if parents out there hearing this and thinking, oh man, sticker charts don't work, and they don't over the long term, but for potty training, for some reason they do anyway, I think it's great. And plus, when we buy the stickers, we're just envisioning all that writing we're going to do. And so when you put the little sticker on there, it's our nice little reward. Am I going next?Multiple Speakers: [Overlapping voices]: Yeah. You go next. Go for it.Jess LaheyAlright. So my year, my word this year, was a really appropriate and very topic specific, uh, one for me, and my word this year was "growth". And many of you know, I went back and went back to school and I got my master gardening certificate, and I'm now in my intern phase. I have to do two; I have to do 40 hours of volunteer work over the next two years to get my full certification. Working on that. But all things, looking back the first six months of this year, which is when this class ran, and when I was doing studying like I had to study botany and entomology and all that sort of stuff, I have grown a lot this year. In other news, I also after 10 years of debating and planning and learning, I finally got a beehive. So I now have bees, and I have my gardens going. So for me on that side, growth is crazy. And then in terms of my goals, something really interesting happened. And this is another reason having other writers or creatives in your life so important. So I was really struggling with the book proposal I actually wrote. I completed it, and my agent was liking how it was going, and everything was good. And then I just realized through the process of writing it, that it wasn't feeling like the right thing for me to be writing right now. And Sarina had planted an idea in my head months before about something she really wanted me to write like it occurred to her that it would be a really good idea, and I poo pooed it at first, and then I let my brain sort of ruminate on it for a bit, and I realized, oh my gosh, you're right. This is such a great topic. So I started again, which is fine, it's my book proposal. I can do what I want people, don't look at me like that all of you people. They would never do that because they don't look at me like that. I started with a new topic that's really exciting for me, and also requires a lot of growth for me. This isn't like something I could just spit out because I already know the material, and I it's caught... it's forcing me to have to grow in some ways, especially as doing statistical analysis and things like that. And thank you, Sarina, because I know at the moment you mentioned it in the first place, I dismissed it. And I didn't mean to sound dismissive, but you were right. It was a really good idea.Sarina BowenWow, I didn't know. I mean, I remember this conversation so well, but of course, like it's kind of your friend's jobs to spit ideas at you, like nobody is under any obligation to weigh them. But I find that when people spit ideas at me, I often have an early No, and then it it almost always takes till later until I'm like, Oh, wait...Jess LaheyYeah. Well, it wasn't until I do what I do as part of my process, which is to think, okay, from that angle, that's interesting. What would the chapters be? Let's say, just for fun, if I were to think about this, what would the chapters be? What might my introductory chapter look like? Oh, wait, there's that anecdote that would fit really well here. In fact, yesterday, I got a spam email that I saved because something in that email triggered an idea about something. So it's really... this one has been fun, and I have to credit Sarina with this one. So my goals are going to look a little bit different. But then this other thing happened, which is, I decided to start this new series for this from soup to nuts series that's sort of like a I have a really interesting idea for a nonfiction book. What do I do now? And you can get on that series if you if you become a supporter, because episode one was free, and the rest are going to be for supporters. And I'm guiding this person through the entire book process, the book proposal process. And I realized, aha, if I'm doing this in real time, this is a fantastic excuse for me to be doing the sections I'm assigning to her at the same time. So I'm working through my new proposal for this new idea at the same time she's working through her proposal, which also gets me in a really nice headspace for discussing those sections with her. I have to be very deep in those sections. She's working on her introduction right now and thinking about agents that she's going to query. And while I don't have to query an agent, I very much have to write the introduction. So we've been going back and forth on that, and it's caused me to have to think very deeply about mine too. So it's all, I think this is one of those, like, you know, right thing, right time. I like it. I'm happy, even though I haven't met the goals. I'm very happy.Jennie NashAre you sharing what your topic is? The new topic?Jess LaheyNot yet.Jennie NashOkay.Jess LaheyNot yet. Soon, I maybe, maybe for our end of the year, check in. I will.Jennie NashOkay.Jess LaheyI don't want to lose the juju.Jennie NashMy Word of the Year, thank you for reminding me was—thank you for reminding me was “Teflon.” And the reason for that was I had been involved in a trademark battle last year that was very upsetting to me, and I was wanting to step into my power, I think, is what that word “Teflon” meant, and not be pushed around by the winds of fortune, but to stand strong, in what I was doing, and who I was, and what I was standing for. That's what that's what “Teflon” meant to me. And here in the mid-year, oh, my tangible goals were, I wanted to write a book this year, a book about writing and KJ and I have been doing a series where we have been chronicling that progress. And where I stand today is, I feel great about it. I feel great about it, and the process of writing it has been kind of aligned with that idea of Teflon, of keeping really understanding what I want to say, what I believe, stepping into that power. That's actually what the book is about as well. So it's very meta, and it's been hard, much harder than I thought it was going to be, and also much more satisfying than I thought it was going to be, which is nice. And my other goals had to do with my business. I needed to get my business into... the way I describe it is to get it into integrity. I, at the end of last year, 2024, I did a last chance sale on the price that my book coaching certification course was priced at, and the intention was that I needed to raise my price a lot to bring it into integrity with what we were offering and what it was. And I made those moves. I had that and end of year sale, I raised the price, and I joined a business mastermind of other entrepreneurs in nobody's in a space topically close to mine, but a lot of people are in spaces that are similar-ish and the they're all women. Well, that's not true. There's we have one man and are in our cohort, but just people really trying to step into their power as entrepreneurs. And and I've been really giving myself over to this, the work of this business mastermind, and to learning from the coach who's running it. And in terms of Teflon, it feels like all, all of a piece, all the same thing of becoming who, who I am, and really tapping into what I believe. And I've been really surprised at how much more there is to learn. My own brain, my own habits, my own tendencies, my own fears and weaknesses and strengths. It just as it just is really surprising to me, the older I get them, that there's still so much to learn. I don't, I don't, I guess I must have thought it so in some part of me that that you get to a place where you think you know everything, and it's just not true. It's just not true. So I've been really enjoying the learning, and I feel that my business is coming into a place that I always wanted it to be, and the word I would use for that is easeful, full of ease. And that doesn't mean that it's easy, but that it there's an elegance to it and a naturalness to it, and it keep using this word integrity, but it feels like a business that has a lot of integrity. And so I, too, Sarina, feel proud of this year so far and that I have done what I set out to do, and I find it curious that I have already raced to put in new goals and bigger goals and more goals, even for this year, that that it's not enough just to reach the big goals. So that's another topic, perhaps for another day, but kind of aligned with stopping to celebrate that you have achieved those things. I tend to be really bad at about that, and I just keep back filling new goals and new things. And, you know, the goal post keeps moving, but, yeah, I feel good about where I sit.Sarina BowenWell, fantastic. My....Jess LaheySuper happy for you.KJ Dell'AntoniaBig surprise in opening my notebook is that I too, am exactly on track to achieve my goal. Because my goal, at least the only one in capital letters, is "COMPLETE NOTHING", and I, I, in fact, am exactly on track to complete nothing this year. I did put some things under that, which is, I do want to draft about a book, but draft means draft. It says that right here on this page; it says draft does not mean finish. So, um...Sarina BowenAnd are we drafting?KJ Dell'AntoniaWe ,Well, we are sort of barely drafting, but we are, we are we are pulling together a book that is harder than the last ones that I have pulled together. I think, um. And my other goal for this year was my word was, well, they're words, but it was "inner compass". I am supposed to be stopping looking at other people to compare what I'm doing. I'm supposed to be letting other people, you know, do their thing without feeling responsible to it, listening to myself, not absorbing the tension of the world around me, and I, I am definitely still working on that. Like that has been a daily preoccupation of mine, is to work on this book, not some other book, not some more appealing book, not the book that some friend is is working on, not the book that I just read, that I really liked, but this book. Yeah, I'm I am doing it. I can't. I'm striving towards enjoying that process, right? Yeah, yeah. I want. I want. I don't want to be living so much in the world right now. That's and that's not actually a commentary on the world. I just think I need to write this book out of my own head. So it's kind of hard.Jess LaheyYeah, it is hard, but it's also, you know, for me, sometimes reassuring, to find ways to block the other stuff out. I mean, I had to make a very specific choice this year to get off Instagram. I'm not off completely, but I'm on it a lot less because I was finding myself. We've talked about this before. We've talked about jealousy and we've talked about FOMO before, but I had some friends who had terrific success with a book, and they absolutely 100% deserved it. And the they got insane media. And every time I went on there, I would see them or someone else and get... I felt it happen in me, in that moment, I felt myself go. But why didn't I get that? Why didn't I do that? And I had to, and I turned to Tim and I said, I have to stop going on Instagram, because it's making me feel really bad about myself, and about and not good for my friends who are having these incredible successes. And so, you know, I think it's just a maybe it's because I'm not putting a book out this year or whatever, but I it was, it was forcing me into a bad place. So sometimes shutting that stuff out, man, it's been good. And you know, my new favorite thing to do, instead of going into on Instagram, is...Jennie NashBees!Jess LaheyAnd I sit, I know! I go up and I sit with them. And I was just talking to my dad about this. He said, you know, he was watching the bees with me. And he said, you know, you could, like, if you put a chair up here, you could just sit up here for a long time and watch the bees go in and out and see how much pollen is on their legs and all that sort of stuff. And I said, oh, no, I do that. I sit up there, and it's like “Bee TV”, and I watch them go in and out and in and out and in and out, and I just watch what they do. And that's I'm trying to anytime I feel the need to, like, get on Instagram. I'm like, No, go, and watch the bees instead. That's more fun anyway, and it doesn't make you feel bad about yourself.Jennie NashI love that “Bee TV”. Come on. That's great.KJ Dell'AntoniaThey're pretty cool. I also love like, you know, like the this is where my head goes, and this is the thing I want to stop. Don't put, like, a camera on them and monetize them and, like, make them famous, viral bees, you know, like... ‘Come watch the bee camera channel and you can relax'. And like, I, I mean, you know, we totally do that, if you if you want to, but like, I need to stop having those thoughts about everything. Yeah, like, I have chicks? Should I be putting them on Instagram so everyone can see my chick? They're just they're chicks. I have chicks. It's fine to have chicks, without having chicks loudly, right?Jess LaheyWell, I actually had a really interesting— speaking of that. I had a very interesting moment where I realized I had been listening to music when I was gardening, and sometimes I'm listening to books. Shout out to Taylor Jenkins Reid's new book Atmosphere. I couldn't gobble it down fast enough. But I also can't hear what the bees are doing when I'm listening to something. So I can't and I have to listen, because you can tell when they're starting to get upset by the sound of their buzzing. Not it gets louder, it gets more intense. Little things happen, and so you can sort of back off or use the smoker and calm them down a little bit. And it's been really nice. And so I've taken the ear buds out of the ears, but in the defense of the people who have gone before me doing this and took the time to film it, I've learned a ton from them. So I'm very grateful to a bunch of people who. Did think to turn the camera on the bees, but I'm not going to be doing that myself.KJ Dell'AntoniaYeah, that wasn't meant to like, you know, yeah, no, no, no there. And I was just watching a YouTube video to show me how to set up a smoker. I mean, you know, yeah, all that stuff is great.Jess LaheyYeah it's, there's a I had to do something in the hive that really scared me. I had to get rid of some extra comb that was sticking up, and it's going to make the bees mad when you do it, because things are going to die, and I'm going to squish some things. And so I watched like, 10 instructional videos by other people on how to do it, so I'd covered every angle from an educational perspective. And Tim was like, “I have never seen you this intimidated to do anything... like you're so fearless”, and I'm like, but it's the bees. I'm freaked. I'm going to hurt the bees. So I watched a lot of videos to do that, and that was great. I learned a lot. So anyway, ah, but no, I will not be monetizing my bees. Those are for me. Those are for me. Alright. How's everybody feeling? Everybody good? I think this is good. Because you all going into this, people are like, oh, no, I'm afraid to look at my word. What if I didn't accomplish anything? And I think all of us are sort of leaving this feeling like, Oh, we did some stuff.KJ Dell'AntoniaThis is good, yeah, at least being the person that I, that I that I wanted to be this year.Jennie NashKJ, loved that you put complete nothing like you were trying to give yourself a break, right? You're trying to let yourself just be different, kind of be than bees, but and maybe you haven't allowed yourself that, but it gives you so much leeway, right? And drafting a book to your point is, there can be a lot of definitions of that.KJ Dell'AntoniaYeah, and I don't know, I just and I think it possibly has to do with having been in such a prominent and high profile position earlier in my career that I have this tendency to feel like, if I'm not getting feedback, I'm not doing anything. Like if I'm not sort of constantly, you know, loudly announcing myself to people, and telling them what I think, and what I'm doing, and how it feels to be doing the thing, and maybe what they should be doing, then I'm, I'm, you know, like, who even am I? And I can name like, writers that I want to be like, that are not like sort of living hugely and putting their chicks on social media unless they want to, like you could tell the difference between people who really want to and people who don't. And but I am scared that I am not as good as those writers, and therefore I should probably just stick to being a shouty person begging you to pay attention to me and I, yeah, um, I'm definitely just sort of trying to figure that, figure out my way within that world right now.Jess LaheyFair enough. Yeah, sometimes you need to do that.Sarina BowenYeah.Jess LaheyAlright. Well, I like it.KJ Dell'AntoniaOkay. Well, we know Jess has read something good lately because she mentioned, yes, Taylor Jenkins Reid's Atmosphere. Atmospheric?Jess LaheyLoved it. I listened on audio, by the way, and there are two female audio book narrators, one whom you probably have heard of a million times, Julia Whelan, who's everywhere, and she's fantastic. And then the other one I'm going to look up so that I can come up with it. But um...KJ Dell'AntoniaWhile you're looking her up, I wanted to say... I was trying to figure out why I'm not going to read this, this book. I like, love Taylor Jenkins Reid, I've loved her last ones, and I was, I don't like, I only like space books if they're like, set in the future, and space is sort of under control. Other than that, a space book, to me, is like a water book. And I, I don't, I don't like it. It's too much scary, okay, too much scary, unwieldy stuff. So I don't plan on reading this.Jess LaheyIt's just so you know, it's hardly about space. And by the way, the other narrator, narrator is Kristen DiMercurio, and it is a it is a romance, it is an adventure, it is a thriller. It's all those things, and it's just, she's, she really, the language is really, she's the language is just great.KJ Dell'AntoniaBut also, there's plenty of books. It's fine. If one does not interest you in this moment, read a different book. It's all good.Jess LaheyAbsolutely.KJ Dell'AntoniaYeah.Jennie NashI'm so curious. I know this is a ridiculous question to ask any writer, but how she lands on her topics. Because, like, tennis, you know, Malibu, celebrity space, like, it's so great, and...Jess LaheyShe had to do a lot. Lot of research for this book, because there's a lot of really highly technical stuff, and her protagonists are highly technical people. And so yeah, that she had to do a lot of research.KJ Dell'AntoniaThe Book Riot people pointed out that she's kind of the queen of women doing jobs.Jess LaheyYeah, But to also Lauren, Christina Lauren, also, they are big fans of like, they're, you know, agents, they're dude ranchers, they're, you know, they hop from thing to thing, and that's one of the things I enjoy about them. It's sort of like I could do this, or I could do that, and you get to, like, sample all these different lives through the characters that they do as well. Anything else people have read?KJ Dell'Antonia I just finished the book.Multiple Speakers:[All laughing]KJ Dell'AntoniaThank you. I just finished Tess Gerritsen's The Spy Coast at Sarina's recommendation, and it was so good, just really endlessly, just really entertaining. And not a low stress read, but a really great read. I'm going to read the next one.Jess LaheyIt's on my list too.Sarina BowenThen I would like you to know, that the next one I actually feel might be even better.KJ Dell'AntoniaOh, can't wait.Sarina BowenBecause she's done such a fantastic job of setting up this pretty unusual group of people. And in the second book, she really like... not eases, but sort of sinks into it and let's, lets the strange setup really play out in a way that is totally charming.Jennie NashWell, I've had rocky personal things going on in the last month, and so my reading has been sort of interestingly. I've gravitated towards different things that I might normally and there's a book that I've been gravitating toward at night when I want to sort of turn my brain off and just get ready to go to bed. And it's called Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent by Judi Dench. And it is the most charming book you will ever read. It's, it's Judi Dench talking to her friend, Brendan O'Hea about the roles that she's played over the years, the Shakespearean role she's played over the years. And so you'll get a chapter on like Lady Macbeth. But it's, it's just Judi Dench riffing about like that time when Anthony and, you know, Sir Anthony, and she's talking about, you know, like all the famous actors, and it's, and then she's, you know, Brandon will ask her, Well, how do you play the scene when she's, you know, washing her hands or whatever, and she'll just say these very charming things about... it's just so fun and insightful, and you can just, it's almost like reading poems. They're just little snippets of, oh, now we're going to read about when she played Titania. And it's just so great. So it's just nothing but total delight. And it also makes you realize the incredible work that actors do. So...Jess LaheyI may have to do that one on audio, because I'm assuming she reads that one, and oh my gosh, that would just be an amazing audio read.Jennie NashShe does. And my daughter listened to it and said, it could not be more charming. Yeah.KJ Dell'AntoniaSarina, have you read anything lately?Sarina BowenI am in a big drafting phase and not a big reading phase, and everything I checked out of the library ends up being recalled before I finish it. It's just really pathetic over here.KJ Dell'AntoniaWell, I'm going to, I'm going to do one for you then. We both read, Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez. And we enjoy Abby Jimenez.Sarina BowenYes, we did!KJ Dell'AntoniaWe both enjoyed the heck out of that one. And also it has lots of career in it. If you like a hot vet. Yeah, that's a hot vet book.Sarina BowenIt was darling. And what we especially loved about it is how much she gets out of a book that, on paper, not a whole lot happens, which sounds like a condemnation of the book, but it's absolutely not. Like she just doesn't need... big drama to make this book fantastic. And that was just really skillful.KJ Dell'AntoniaYeah, no, it's, it's excellent, huge fun. Alright, kids, we would love to hear, if you, I mean, go back, look at your goals from the beginning of the year. Are you also surprisingly achieving what you set out to achieve? Um, or, you know, do you want to regroup? What's going on with you? We would, we would love to hear back. If you hit the show notes and comment in the in the comments, we will absolutely talk back to you, because, you know...Jess LaheyYeah, yeah.KJ Dell'AntoniaThat's our idea of fun. Jess LaheyMight even have to do a little chat thread in, in, in Substack when this comes out. Well, we'll see how it goes.KJ Dell'AntoniaYeah, I don't know. People don't seem to love chatting or comments. I can't figure this out. We cannot figure out how to talk to y'all, but we would like to. We're trying. Okay?Jess LaheyWe very much miss some of the forums part of it, but we'll figure it out. Alright. This has been fantastic, and until next week, everyone keep your butt in the chair and your head in the game. The Hashtag AmWriting podcast is produced by Andrew Perilla. Our intro music, aptly titled Unemployed Monday was written and played by Max Cohen. Andrew and Max were paid for their time and their creative output, because everyone deserves to be paid for their work. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amwriting.substack.com/subscribe

Hi Booklovers! This week, Amy & the podcast team sat down to chat about Christina Lauren's Beautiful Bastard and all things smut-tastic! Where are the lines between romance, erotica and porn? What makes sex in a rom-com novel 'good'? We explore the length, width and depth of this very slippery topic! Christina Lauren is the combined pen name of long-time writing partners and best friends Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. The #1 international bestselling co-author duo writes both Young Adult and Adult Fiction and has produced twenty New York Times bestselling novels together. They are published in over 30 languages, have received multiple starred reviews, been inducted into the Library Reads Hall of Fame, named Amazon and Audible Romance of the Year, a Lambda Literary Award finalist, and been nominated for several Goodreads Choice Awards. They have been featured in publications such as Forbes, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, Time, Entertainment Weekly, People, Today, O Magazine and more. Follow Christina Lauren on IG: @christinalauren Follow Christina Lauren on Facebook: ChristinaLaurenBooks Check out more from Christina Lauren here: ChristinaLaurenBooks Follow the Amy & Podcast on IG: @amyandpodcast Check out our YouTube for video content: AmyAndPodcast Follow Amy Matthews on IG: @amymatthewsauthor Follow Amy Barry on IG: @amybarryauthor See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's time to step into the world of professional wrestling! We read Wild Side by Elsie Silver and thought of John Cena the whole time. When Tabitha's sister dies, leaving behind her 3 year old son, she knows she'll do anything to keep what's left of her family together. But when she finds out that her sister named her reclusive, hulking, hot neighbor/landlord, Rhys, as her nephew's legal guardian, Tabitha has to pivot. So that's exactly what she does: pivots right down the aisle. With Rhys. Up Next: Funny Business by Kayley LoringSOS Novella: Pounded by the Pommel Horse by Sabrina CrossWhat else we're reading:Love vs. the Scarecrow by Cassandra GannonThe Girlfriend Zone by Lauren Blakely (audio)The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren (audio)That Time I Accidentally Took Over the Mafia by Rebekah SinclairSHOW INFORMATION: Join the DiscordFollow us on Spotify! (It helps us with sponsors!)Patreon: Support Us HereWebsite: www.chicklitbookclubpodcast.comMerch: https://chicklitbookclubpodcast.threadless.com/TikTok: ChickLitBookClubInstagram and Threads: ChickLitBookClubPodcastPinterest: ChickLitBookClubPodcastBlueSky:@clbcpodcast.bsky.socialYoutube: @ChickLitBookClubEmail: chicklitbookclubpodcast@gmail.com

Amy & Harry talk with special guests, the legendary duo Christina Lauren! Through the laughs, we discuss the upcoming re-release of their 'Beautiful Series', we talk all things smut, its place in our day and age (hint, it's still incredible and we all love it), and where the unsexiest place is in an office for... Christina Lauren is the combined pen name of long-time writing partners and best friends Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. The #1 international bestselling coauthor duo writes both Young Adult and Adult Fiction and has produced twenty New York Times bestselling novels together. They are published in over 30 languages, have received multiple starred reviews, been inducted into the Library Reads Hall of Fame, named Amazon and Audible Romance of the Year, a Lambda Literary Award finalist, and been nominated for several Goodreads Choice Awards. They have been featured in publications such as Forbes, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, Time, Entertainment Weekly, People, Today, O Magazine and more. Follow Christina Lauren on IG: @christinalauren Follow Christina Lauren on Facebook: ChristinaLaurenBooks Check out more from Christina Lauren here: ChristinaLaurenBooks Follow the Amy& Podcast on IG: @amyandpodcast Join the Amy& BookClub: Amy & BookClub Follow Amy Matthews on IG: @amymatthewsauthor Follow Amy Barry on IG: @amybarryauthor See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a SUPER special episode because it marks the 100th episode of the She Reads Romance Books Podcast! To celebrate this momentous episode, I am sharing all of the reasons why I love reading romance books and why I think more readers should too. Take a listen as I talk about 20 reasons why I am obsessed with reading romance books!BOOKS:First Time Caller by B.K. Borison: https://amzn.to/4ijjVGbFourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros: https://amzn.to/4bQVE84The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary: https://amzn.to/4kGapyuBrutal Vows by J.T. Geissinger: https://amzn.to/4kBbuHTRock Bottom Girl by Lucy Score: https://amzn.to/3iQVtC2Beautiful Stranger by Christina Lauren: https://amzn.to/4htJmnhBlind Side by Kandi Steiner: https://amzn.to/3Wev8wbPillow Talk by Maya Banks: https://amzn.to/41L4v6FDating-ish by Penny Reid: https://amzn.to/43qvzKLIf Tomorrow Never Comes by Allison Ashley: https://amzn.to/4hpea8CSay You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez: https://amzn.to/4hyYGiASummer Romance by Annabel Monaghan: https://amzn.to/41E5Ko5Wicked Sexy by J.T. Geissinger: https://amzn.to/4hbUchzMotorcycle Man by Kristen Ashley: https://amzn.to/3UZg9VQHard to Handle by K. Bromberg: https://amzn.to/41KiBoMSome Sort of Happy by Melanie Harlow: https://amzn.to/3WixLwTFangirl Down by Tessa Bailey: https://amzn.to/4bFFxtXThe Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan: https://amzn.to/3uMeJTZThe Romantic Pact by Meghan Quinn: https://amzn.to/3hn5d6GReverse by Kate Stewart: https://amzn.to/3WgGxvvLEAVE A REVIEW!Please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform. Thanks!This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We all need a break from romantasy sometimes and Katie is fully invested in her contemporary romance era: enter her current obsession with Christina Lauren. Check out the whole series for a dual, first person POV style, and for bonus points, the audiobook has a very nice British narrator for the MMC.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62361081-the-true-love-experimentOther books mentioned in this episode:The Soulmate Equation by Christina Laurenhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58438593-the-soulmate-equation?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=4UmZfqwnEQ&rank=1 The Bodyguard by Katherine Centerhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58724801-the-bodyguard?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_14Bride by Ali Hazelwoodhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/181344829-bride?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_12

I was so thrilled to welcome photographer Chandra Wicke to Books are Chic! Chandra is a romance reader and lover and took her vision of a beautiful, romance readers dream of a book and brought it to life. Say hello to The Happily Ever After Society. This book is a collection and celebration of romance authors, their books and the effect romance books have in our society. Featuring authors such as Julia Quinn, Christina Lauren, Ali Hazelwood, Adriana Herrera, Julie Soto and MORE, it truly is a book lovers portal into one of the best-selling genres. BUT Chandra needs our help. This book will only be published if Chandra can meet her goal. This is fully being crowd sourced. Chandra's vision was without limitations and wants to continue this dream. This is such a special project from an incredible fellow reader and dreamer, let's support her and make this happen!

In today's episode, I'm sharing 10 steamy romance books that will turn up the heat this month. If you are a fan of spicy romance books and love a bit of open-door action, then these are the romance novels for you to add to your must-read list.BOOKS MENTIONED:Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren: https://amzn.to/3EsWECAAct Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert: https://amzn.to/4hwHhHVTwisted Hate by Ana Huang: https://amzn.to/4122bZJHIM by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy: https://amzn.to/42PWBLrHeated Rivalry by Rachel Reid: https://amzn.to/42HoHbpAmerican Queen by Sierra Simone: https://amzn.to/4gq1QVfGive Me More by Sara Cate: https://amzn.to/4gvf6YFThe Bet by Max Monroe: https://amzn.to/4aR04LnHalo by Ella Frank and Brooke Blaine: https://amzn.to/4aPTtB5Wicked Lust by Sawyer Bennett: https://amzn.to/415QhOgLINKS MENTIONED: Join the She Reads Romance Books Book Club: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/bookclubLeave me a message: https://www.speakpipe.com/shereadsromancebooksFOLLOW ME! Join My Email List: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/joinBlog: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/ Podcast: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shereadsromancebooks Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/shereadsromancebooks Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shereadsromancebooksblog/LEAVE A REVIEW!If you liked this episode or got a book recommendation you can't wait to read, please give a star rating and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform. It helps me know what you like and want to hear. Thanks!This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this festive episode, Michelle and Lauren dive into their favorite holiday traditions, from Christmas trees to cozy drinks and the joy of family gatherings. They chat about their beloved Feast of Seven Fishes, filled with oysters, crab salad, and all the Italian-American Christmas Eve magic. Between laughs and nostalgic stories, they also dish on holiday party outfits, Midnight Mass, and a family Christmas app they are thrilled no one no longer makes. With a side of Christmas trivia and a lot of heart, this episode is a warm hug for anyone ready to embrace the holidays. Hot Topics: In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren, Alice & Wonder (Chicago shopping), and holiday flicks! If you love Cozy Conversations with The Sister Project and would like to show your support for the content created, please visit Anchor.com (link in show notes) for more information. Thank you! Resource Links: Netgame Cozy AF Candle @thesisterproj Curaleaf Dispensaries sponsored this episode. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cozy-conversations/support

Hello Everyone, I want to begin by expressing my gratitude for your continued listening to our podcast, ChasingStories Podcast. It has been an incredible year of podcasting, and I am truly grateful for your support. I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Buffalo Bills for securing their fifth consecutive AFC East Championship title. I want to extend my heartfelt wishes for a speedy recovery to Christian McCaffrey from his injury sustained during the Bills game. Book Recommend to read over the holiday. The Christmas Pig by J.K. Rowling; perfect for the whole family to read. The Hunt for Christmas by Ashleigh Underwood. Young Adult/New Adult Classic Literature: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren; Holiday Rom-Com. Our Children's Book The Journey with Dad Series: Jasmine Adventures. You can fin at https://destinysmagicalcreations.com/ and Amazon.com Podcast:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://chasingstoriespodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Support:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/chasingstoriespodcast/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Destiny's Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://destinysmagicalcreations.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Destiny's Amazon Author Page: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Destiny-Constantin/e/B08QW84ZHN?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1619256834&sr=8-1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Remember to follow us on social media! X @_chasingstories Destiny's X @WriterDestiny Destiny's Instagram @WriterDestiny94 Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/chasingstories2⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ As always, thank you for taking the time to listen to our podcast. Thank you for listening! Everyone has a story to chase; it's apart of our life's journey. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/chasingstoriespodcast/support

October Reads and a Deep Dive into "The Pumpkin Spice Cafe"Hey bookworms, it's Stacey and Rebecca from My Sister's TBR, back again with another episode recap! We've got a stack of October reads to chat about, some unexpected gems, and a few new favorites. But the highlight of today's episode is definitely our deep dive into our featured read, "The Pumpkin Spice Cafe" by Laurie Gilmore. This book was promised to be the perfect blend of cozy and heartwarming, with just a dash of mystery thrown in for good measure. We'll be discussing everything from the characters we loved (and maybe a few we didn't!), to the twists and turns that kept us guessing until the very end.  Our October ReadsWe had a pretty good reading month, with Stacey finishing an impressive (for her) eight books! Christina Lauren's "Something Wilder" provided an adventurous escape, while Jennifer Hartman's "Lotus" offered a dark romance with a surprisingly sweet male lead.  Rebecca finally broke out of her reading rut, thanks to a captivating Hermione and Draco fanfiction recommendation from Stacey. "Sex and Occlumency" offered a delicious dose of Dramione romance, proving that Draco Malfoy is the exception to every rule.  But the reading fun didn't stop there! Stacey also finished "Breath, Mints, and Battle Scars," another Dramione fanfiction that she rated 4.5 stars. This one had her hooked from beginning to end, and she can't wait to share all the juicy details with you.  And of course, we can't forget about Sarah J. Maas! Stacey also finished "House of Sky and Breath," the second book in the Crescent City series, and she's officially obsessed. This series has her in a chokehold, and she can't wait for you to read it so you can freak out over the ending together.  Featured Read: "The Pumpkin Spice Cafe"Our featured read for October was "The Pumpkin Spice Cafe" by Laurie Gilmore. This contemporary romance follows Jeannie, a city girl who inherits her aunt's beloved Pumpkin Spice Cafe in the small town of Dream Harbor.  We both rated it a 3, and we're on the same wavelength with this one. The insta-love gave us the ick, and the mystery side of it was a bit unbelievable. We didn't really connect with the characters, and the plot felt a little too predictable.  Looking AheadWe're excited to announce that November is Harry Potter Fanfiction Month! In the spirit of "Manacled" getting published as "Alchemist," we've chosen another fanfiction that's also getting published: "The Auction" by LovesBitca8. This is another dark one, and we've got high hopes for it.  Join the ConversationThat's all for today's episode recap. We hope you enjoyed this glimpse into our October reads and our discussion on "The Pumpkin Spice Cafe." Don't forget to tune in to the full episode for more bookish banter and laughs. And be sure to follow us on Instagram (@mysisterstbr) for updates on future episodes and reading recommendations.  My Sister's TBR is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to My Sister's TBR at www.mysisterstbr.com/subscribe

In this episode of the She Reads Romance Books Podcast, I'm joined by the lovely romance author, Laura Carter to talk about the fake relationship trope and her new romance book release, Stuck in Paradise with You. We also chat about:Why we love the fake relationship trope so much,Why the moment when both characters realize it's no longer fake for them is the BEST,What it's like writing fake relationship romance,Why readers will love her fake relationship romance, Fake It Til You Make It, andOur favorite fake relationship romance book recommendations!Plus, you can hear even more from Laura in my exclusive, extended video interview when you join the She Reads Romance Books Book Club! Join today and get access to this interview and all of my exclusive author interviews available only to members.BOOKS MENTIONED:Fake It ‘til You Make It by Laura Carter: https://amzn.to/481cRd1Happy Place by Emily Henry: https://amzn.to/400U3ZtBlind Side by Kandi Steiner: https://amzn.to/402KKYSThe Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood: https://amzn.to/4eWAIg7The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson: https://amzn.to/4f21ALAThe Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren: https://amzn.to/487WNGuThe Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas: https://amzn.to/3Y1Prj1Stuck in Paradise With You by Laura Carter: https://amzn.to/3zVwu9C FOLLOW ME! Join My List: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/joinBlog: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/ Podcast: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shereadsromancebooks Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/shereadsromancebooks Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shereadsromancebooksblog/ Find all of Laura Carter's Books: https://amzn.to/3A3TEdVLEAVE A REVIEW! If you liked this episode, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Thanks!This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

.Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions about infant death.In this week's episode of Black Girl Charmed, Nelle and Rae break down the Charmed episode, "Black As Cole," aka "Girl Is You Dumb?" The two aren't sure who deserves the title more—Phoebe, for her shock over Cole's desire for marriage, or Paige, who's suddenly channeling her inner Karen. Meanwhile, Piper writes Paige a check for that dang doll, leaving them annoyed.The girls get sucked into TikTok's The Queen of Afternoon Tea and gush over their latest book picks. Nelle is all in on her Y Choose series and Dead Girls Club, while Rae kicks off Christina Lauren's Improbable Meet Series. Rae stumbles upon The Rewatchables podcast while Nelle pleads with her to finally catch up on Reasonable Doubt.To top it all off, the girls agree—Leo is absolutely adorable in this episode.

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions about infant death. In this week's episode of Black Girl Charmed, Nelle and Rae break down the Charmed episode, "Black As Cole," aka "Girl Is You Dumb?" The two aren't sure who deserves the title more—Phoebe, for her shock over Cole's desire for marriage, or Paige, who's suddenly channeling her inner Karen. Meanwhile, Piper writes Paige a check for that dang doll, leaving them annoyed. The girls get sucked into TikTok's The Queen of Afternoon Tea and gush over their latest book picks. Nelle is all in on her Y Choose series and Dead Girls Club, while Rae kicks off Christina Lauren's Improbable Meet Series. Rae stumbles upon The Rewatchables podcast while Nelle pleads with her to finally catch up on Reasonable Doubt. To top it all off, the girls agree—Leo is absolutely adorable in this episode. 

Subscribe to our Substack for full, linked shownotes: https://thatromcompod.substack.com/Writes4Women RWA Conference Round Up Tenderly I Am Devoured, Lyndall Clipstone ‘Romance Novels Are Literature', Casey McQuiston, TIME MagazineThe Paradise Problem, The Unhoneymooners, Beautiful Player, The True Love Experiment, Christina Lauren The Hating Game, Sally Thorne The Book Ninja, While You Were Reading, Fancy Meeting You Here, Ali Berg & Michelle Kalus Books On The RailNicci FrenchThe Glass House, Graeme Simsion & Anne Buist Stuck Up And Stupid, Angourie & Kate Rice The View Was Exhausting, Mikaella Clements and Onjuli Datta The Wedding Forecast, Nina Kenwood Experienced, Kate Young Recorded on Gadigal land. | Editing: Joshua Broadbent, Marker Creative Co. | @thatromcompod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy watching, reading, and listening this week! Margery:Watch: John Mulaney: Baby J on Netflix Read: A Grief Observed by C. S. Lewis https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/894384-a-grief-observedListen: Anything by AdeleElizabeth:Watch: Clarkson's Farm on Amazon Prime Read: Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199797582-the-paradise-problemListen: The Wellness Mama podcast https://wellnessmama.com/Schuler Shoes – Fall footwear is here. Yay! Check out special pricing on kid's shoes happening right now. Meet the fit experts who will help you find the right shoe for you and for your children. We always find the best brands at Schuler Shoes: Birkenstock, Haflinger, Hoka, Sorel and so many more. Get on your feet and go where life takes you! https://www.schulershoes.com/Pour Moi Climate Smart Skincare –– This is the skin care regimen we both use and love. It's affordable luxury skincare from France. Use code HEAT20 for an extra 20% off With a 100% money-back guarantee. https://shop.pourmoiskincare.com/Connect with Us!Our Website: https://www.besttothenest.com/On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/besttothenest?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1088997968155776/Best to the Nest is our podcast all about creating strong, comfortable, beautiful nests that prepare us to fly. We are the podcast that brings you home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Happy watching, reading, and listening this week!  Margery: Watch: John Mulaney: Baby J on Netflix  Read: A Grief Observed by C. S. Lewis https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/894384-a-grief-observed Listen: Anything by Adele Elizabeth: Watch: Clarkson's Farm on Amazon Prime  Read: Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199797582-the-paradise-problem Listen: The Wellness Mama podcast https://wellnessmama.com/ Schuler Shoes – Fall footwear is here. Yay! Check out special pricing on kid's shoes happening right now. Meet the fit experts who will help you find the right shoe for you and for your children. We always find the best brands at Schuler Shoes: Birkenstock, Haflinger, Hoka, Sorel and so many more. Get on your feet and go where life takes you! https://www.schulershoes.com/ Pour Moi Climate Smart Skincare –– This is the skin care regimen we both use and love. It's affordable luxury skincare from France. Use code HEAT20 for an extra 20% off With a 100% money-back guarantee.  https://shop.pourmoiskincare.com/ Connect with Us! Our Website: https://www.besttothenest.com/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/besttothenest?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Our Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1088997968155776/ Best to the Nest is our podcast all about creating strong, comfortable, beautiful nests that prepare us to fly. We are the podcast that brings you home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us in discussing our book for July, The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren. We discuss books we have recently read, books we have added to our TBR, our book of the month, and much more bookish fun! Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @bestfriendsandtheirbooks! See ya next month for our discussion on The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali.

Welcome to episode 35 of Erotically Neurotic! On this week's episode, Kayla & Amanda discuss their Roman Empire, Love & Other Words by Christina Lauren. Join them as they gush over their all-time favorite MMC, discuss their preferred terms for genitals, and reminisce over important life advice they've received!

Happy August! In this episode of The Readheads we are recapping and discussing The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren. This book was a Sntich's choice and it was Snitchy in every sense - the perfect summer read! We're talking about how this book ranks on the SMUT scale, our favorite characters, and the best and worst moments from the book.The next book is Jackie's choice and she chose Husbands and Lovers by Beatriz Williams.The overall Readheads rating for The Paradise Problem is 3.7Submit a question or comment to us at thereadheadsbookclub@gmail.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We are back for Season 4 of Booklandia! and we kick off the season with The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren. This marriage of convenience with only one bed and one see-through shower will steam up even the stoniest of hearts or will it?

For the last few years, The Ripped Bodice bookstore has published a Summer Romance Bingo Card and this year, we're helping you win! With absolutely no prep, we're recommending books for every bit of the game, from Lost Treasure to Time Travel to the Olympics. Head to The Ripped Bodice's instagram feed to see the bingo card and get reading! Books Mentioned Only and Forever by Chloe LieseA Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston One Last Shot by Betty CayouetteRemember Summer by Elizabeth LowellFire on the Ice by Tamsen ParkerSeduction on the Slopes by Tamsen ParkerFrom Lukov with Love by Mariana ZapataThe Amorous Education of Celia Seaton by Miranda NevilleHottie Scotty and Mr. Porter by R. Cooper Breath of Magic by Theresa MedierosOutlander by Diana GabaldonCrazy Stupid Bromance by Lyssa Kay AdamsShaken and Stirred by Kathleeen O'ReillyDouble Down by Katie PorterCopper by Lily AtlasSanta's Baby by Chloe MaineLighthouse on Moonglow Bay by Lori WildeDragged to the Wedding by Andrew GreyLooking for a Sign by Susie DumondStar Crossed Seduction by Jenny BrownaA Touch Magical by Sonia HartlReaper's Property by Joanna WyldeWaylon by Theodora TaylorDo Your Worst by Rosie DananThis Scot of Mine by Sophie JordanSummertime Punchline by Betty CorrelloWild Ride by Jennifer Crusie and Bob MayerSomething Wilder by Christina Lauren

Join us in discussing our book for June, One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware. We discuss books we have recently read, books we have added to our TBR, our book of the month, and much more bookish fun! Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @bestfriendsandtheirbooks! See ya next month for our discussion of The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren.

Happy July! The new episode of The Readheads is here and it's all about Real Americans by Rachel Khong - a Becky's choice! The Readheads are recording in person, in studio together for the first time in YEARS and the energy is electric! They're talking about their favorite moments from the book, the most confusing plotlines and their overall thoughts on this month's book.The next book is Margo's choice and she chose The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren.The overall Readheads rating for Real Americans is 3.95.Submit a question or comment to us at thereadheadsbookclub@gmail.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Checking in on 2024We reflect on how the year is going so far, remind ourselves of our words for the year, and look ahead to the second half of 2024.Life latelyAbby is starting a new job.Sarah loved the show The Break: A New Rock Musical.Reading latelyAbby thoroughly enjoyed Ink, Blood, Sister, Scribe by Emma Törzs.Sarah recommends two romantic comedies: Funny Story by Emily Henry and The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren.Eating latelySarah tried a new breakfast casserole (with croissants!).Abby's family enjoyed this street corn recipe.If you'd like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sit and Chat and Snack with Kara and Katera to discuss Christina Lauren's just released "The Paradise Problem" and have a tropical drink and fruit with us! Enjoy this summer read with your friends on a beach trip! Visit us at http://www.booksandbrunchpodcast.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/booksandbrunch/support

In today's episode, I'm sharing my June 2024 reading list to help you discover romance books that I think you should read and romance books that I think you should just skip. This is another month full of new releases so tune in to see what books I think are worth adding to your TBR list.BOOKS MENTIONED:People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry: https://amzn.to/4erzOJ6Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle: https://amzn.to/3zaaZ4fNot in Love by Ali Hazelwood: https://amzn.to/3KxOhFtTo Catch a Firefly by Emmy Sanders: https://amzn.to/3xm4JpkFalling for Gage by Mia Sheridan: https://amzn.to/3z37yfrWhat I Should've Said by Max Monroe: https://amzn.to/3VElBRuThe Graham Effect by Elle Kennedy: https://amzn.to/45t9SIOCrossroads by Devney Perry: https://amzn.to/3RwRCc3Morning Glory Milking Farm by C.M. Nascosta: https://amzn.to/45v6CNeSo This is War by Meghan Quinn: https://amzn.to/3KUx21f Tangled Up in You by Christina Lauren: https://amzn.to/3XvOC3gLINKS: She Reads Romance Books Book Club: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/bookclubMost Anticipated Romance Books of 2024: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/books-to-read-in-2024/2024 Romance Book Reading Challenge:https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/reading-challenge-2024/FOLLOW ME! Blog: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/ Podcast: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shereadsromancebooks Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shereadsromancebooksblog/LEAVE A REVIEW!If you liked this episode, please give a star rating and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform. Thanks!This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Book Fix podcast, hosts Cheli and Yajaira dive into Christina Lauren's highly anticipated novel, The Paradise Problem. They humorously explore the main character's dilemma of having to marry a man for cheaper rent - then having to pretend to actually be married to her husband (weird!). Throughout the book, watch the hosts' also reflect on the dynamics of the family (mostly Liam's!).Support the Show.become our Patron ♡ https://www.patreon.com/BookFixbuy us a book ♡ https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thebookfixBusiness Inquiries: thebookfixpodcast@gmail.comfollow us on Tiktok! ♡ https://www.tiktok.com/@thebookfix

In today's episode, I'm sharing my May 2024 reading list. I'm discussing each romance book that I read this past month and sharing what I really thought of them. I'll tell you which romance book I highly recommend you read and which romance book I think you should just skip. This month is full of new and recent releases with a few throwback titles so tune in to see what romance novels I think you should add to your TBR list.BOOKS MENTIONED:Teach Me by Neve Wilder: https://amzn.to/3wVJLgUThe Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren: https://amzn.to/44v8aGzSwift and Saddled by Lyle Sage: https://amzn.to/3yEalvvWhat I Did for a Duke by Julie Anne Long: https://amzn.to/3VnXredHow to End a Love Story by Yuli Kuang: https://amzn.to/3yO067STruth or Wolf by Anne Marsh: https://amzn.to/3vILINfThis Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune: https://amzn.to/3Gr6J0GLies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan: https://amzn.to/4bDfNNXNine Month Contract by Amy Daws: https://amzn.to/4aFVgHkThe Air He Breathes by Brittainy Cherry: https://amzn.to/3WW11gKThe Problem With Players by Brittainy Cherry: https://amzn.to/3X3vdXgNot in Love by Ali Hazelwood: https://amzn.to/3yEgN5HCurvy Girl Summer by Danielle Allen: https://amzn.to/3yJQ9ZqThe Graham Effect by Elle Kennedy: https://amzn.to/4bDmj7nLINKS MENTIONED: Join the She Reads Romance Books Book Club: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/bookclubJoin the 2024 Romance Book Reading Challenge:https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/reading-challenge-2024LEAVE A REVIEW!If you liked this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform. Thanks!This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Family life latelyWe chat about what's going well and not so well in our families these days, as well as share some optimism about things that have been hard in the past and aren't any more.Life latelySarah's children are out of school and summer has begun!Abby is eagerly anticipating a friend group camping trip to Rickwood Caverns State Park.Reading latelySarah read the nonfiction book The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt.Abby enjoyed the spicy romance Scandalized by Ivy Owens, which is a pseud for Lauren Billings (half of romance-writing duo Christina Lauren).Eating latelyAbby is very into these probiotic sodas from Trader Joe's.Sarah introduced her children to cinnamon sugar bagels, and they are a hit.If you'd like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We discuss The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren.  If you love reality dating shows like The Bachelor and you love romance novels, this is DEFINITELY the book for you.  A romance author goes on a dating show with a cast of real-life romance tropes.  What more could you want?

Links to Things to keep you company: Click here to listen to Sentimental Garbage's episode recapping the novel The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides Click here to listen to the You Are Good podcast's episode recapping the film The Virgin Suicides Click here to get the edition of The Virgin Suicides I got from Amazon. Click here to watch the Back to Trailer movie trailer. NOT DEAD YET forever! click here to learn more about the show. See more about Ghosts season 3 here. Meet the bakers from Spring Baking Championship here. Click here to get a copy of Funny Story by Emily Henry from Amazon. Click here to get a copy of Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez  Get your copy of The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren here. Get your copy of Secretly Married to a Prince by Ally Blake here. You can get your copy of Morning Glory Milking Farm here. Click here for the Improbable Meet-cute collection     ♡ ♡If you enjoyed today's episode and listen via Apple Podcast, please consider rating and leaving the podcast a review. This is the easiest way to support us and will help other Category Romance readers find us ♡ For a list of all the places where you can find the podcast along with where you can find us on social media, click here for our linktree! Our Email is thecategoricallyromancepod@gmail.com ♡ This podcast is engineered by Sincere Alexander and contains music from Lukrembo  

Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books.We have received ARCs from the publishers for early review. Thank you. Please note our opinions are our own. In this episode, Laura and Amy dive into the hottest beach reads for Summer 2024. From traditionally published gems to indie treasures, we've covered your summer reading list. Join us as we discuss our top picks and give you the lowdown on what to read, borrow, or skip. Whether you're into romance, drama, or light-hearted fun, there's something here for everyone.BOOKS MENTIONED:Ready or Not by Cara Bastone https://amzn.to/3Va3lzbFan Girl Down by Tessa Bailey  https://amzn.to/3KaSe2LHow to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang https://amzn.to/3Kc9KnlFunny Story by Emily Henry  https://amzn.to/3Ve63nGThe Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren  https://amzn.to/3yJy11sWild Love by Elsie Silver  https://amzn.to/3wZCBrVJust for the Summer by Abby Jimenez  https://amzn.to/3ytG6avSavor it by Tarah DeWitt https://amzn.to/3QX8hozThe Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley  https://amzn.to/4bR0ot1The Dixon Rule by Elle Kennedy https://amzn.to/3WYHcoRSwift and Saddled by Lyla Sage https://amzn.to/4aBZob5Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand https://amzn.to/4dW9YMWThe Rule Book by Sarah Adams https://amzn.to/3V1IoW7This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune https://amzn.to/3WXdRuYThe Rom-Commers by Katherine Center  https://amzn.to/4bRE82cA Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston https://amzn.to/4dTF8oUnder Your Spell by Laura Wood  https://amzn.to/3yFeVKcWhere to Find Amy:Instagram: @novelgossipBlog: novelgossip.comWant to check out more book recommendations?Visit What to Read Next Blog for reader tips, popular books like recommendations and many more posts. Looking for more summer book recommendations, then check out our 50  Summer Reading Book List: https://whattoreadnextblog.com/50-summer-romance-books/Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetterLicense code: IP29FC0QKB6DV2UEBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/what-to-read-next-podcast-l-book-recommendation-show--5263998/support.

LOJ Book Club: The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren. There is a story floating around about Graceland and Lori has her doubts about it  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

LOJ Book Club: The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren. There is a story floating around about Graceland and Lori has her doubts about it  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode Summary: In this episode, Kelly and Alix share all the hot new beach reads releasing this spring and summer to add to your TBR! Prepare for a summer filled with romance, humor, and a bit of fantasy, too.Topics Discussed:[3:18] Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey[5:13] Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez[7:09] The Rule Book by Sarah Adams[9:14] Funny Story by Emily Henry[13:09] The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren[18:07] Twelfth Knight by Alexene Farol Follmuth[22:08] The Wren in the Holly Library by KA Linde[25:34] Daydream by Hannah Grace[28:38] Not In Love by Ali Hazelwood[31:55] The Wedding People by Alison EspachOther Books MentionedThe Cheat Sheet by Sarah AdamsThe Unhoneymooners by Christina LaurenThe Atlas Six by Olivie BlakeI Am Legend by Richard MathesonThe Maple Hills series by Hannah GraceBride by Ali HazelwoodThe Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann BrasharesWhat's New at LitJoy?The Ocean at the End of the Lane Illustrated Special EditionKingdom of the Wicked CollectionFablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star LitJoy EditionFollow LitJoy!Make sure to RATE & REVIEWJoin our Lunacorns private membership group at https://litjoycrate.com/podcast-lunacornsFollow us on Instagram @litjoycrateFollow us on TikTok @litjoycrateUse the code PODCAST10 for a 10% discount! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase booksJoin us on this week's What to Read Next Podcast episode, where we sit down with Sarah Symonds (@dragonflyreads), a former tech professional who has carved out a new niche in the book world. Sarah shares her journey from managing a demanding tech job and family life to embracing her passion for books, leading her to a fulfilling career managing a subscription box and boutique. Learn about the pivotal role of networking and friendships in navigating career transitions and how Sarah balanced her professional pivot with her commitment to personal well-being through fitness regimes like Orange Theory.In addition to her career journey, Sarah dives into her favorite genre with some must-read romantic comedy recommendations. Whether you're a seasoned Rom-Com lover or just looking for a delightful escape, Sarah's picks from authors like Christina Lauren and Tarah DeWit promise to add laughter and light to your reading list.  Tune in for a dose of, laughter, and love—perfect for any book lover looking to mix a bit of romance with their reading adventures. Happy Reading!BOOKS RECOMMENDEDJosh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren https://amzn.to/4a9e6WLThe Love Wager by Lynn Painter https://amzn.to/3wgBi7UFunny Feelings by Tarah Dewitt https://amzn.to/3JTIb25Sweet Addiction by J. Daniels https://amzn.to/3wpY25cWhere I Belong by J. Daniels https://amzn.to/3QyUYL9Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young https://amzn.to/4b6GfiKRainfall by Alison Rhymes https://amzn.to/3QznPPeDon't have Kindle Unlimited? Click here to see if you have access to free or a low-cost offer to Kindle Unlimited (https://whattoreadnextblog.com/ku) Affiliate LinkCONNECT WITH SARAH Instagram (@dragonflyreads)Want to check out more book recommendations?Visit What to Read Next Blog for reader tips, popular books like recommendations and many more posts. If you love reading Christina Lauren, check out our list of their Top 10 Best Christina Lauren novels! Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetterLicense code: IP29FC0QKB6DV2UEBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/what-to-read-next-podcast-l-book-recommendation-show--5263998/support.

In honor of this being the 50th podcast episode, I wanted to commemorate it by talking about some of the best romance books of all time. Tune in to hear about some of the best romance books I've ever read, the ones that earned 5 stars and then some, and which stand the test of time as the best of the best. Trust me when I say you're going to want to read all of these books.BOOKS MENTIONEDParadise by Judith McNaught: https://amzn.to/3WetlKQKingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught: https://amzn.to/3Uh1pTZDrive by Kate Stewart: https://amzn.to/4dtpj7NThe Guy in the Middle by Kate Stewart: https://amzn.to/44jPUjfThe Edge of Never by JA Redmerski: https://amzn.to/3UDvNtmHim by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy: https://amzn.to/3UDw13GUs by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy: https://amzn.to/3UzfVaXThe Rivals by Vi Keeland: https://amzn.to/3xVKcblTruce by RL Matthewson: https:/amzn.to/3Qpq2N9After We Fall by Melanie Harlow: https://amzn.to/3xLSGl5Some Sort of Happy by Melanie Harlow: https://amzn.to/4bdoVbyThe Notebook by Nicholas Sparks: https://amzn.to/3UBmfz0Beautiful Stranger by Christina Lauren: https://amzn.to/4aQcnXPWicked Envy by Sawyer Bennett https://amzn.to/3QkiP0JCruel Paradise by JT Geissinger: https://amzn.to/4dtpRKTThe Dugout by Meghan Quinn: https://amzn.to/3w8JGGoThe Lineup by Meghan Quinn: https://amzn.to/3wimZPVLINKS MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST Join the She Reads Romance Books Book Club: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/bookclubFOLLOW ME! Blog: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/ LEAVE A REVIEW!If you liked this episode or got a book recommendation you can't wait to read, please give a star rating and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform. It helps me know what you like and want to hear. Thanks!This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In chapter 16, Torry (she/her) and Becky Feldman (she/her) from Too Stupid To Live: Romance Reviews $5 and Under recap The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren (11:09). Then get into their Internet Investigation, Wonder Whys, Gripes and Grumbles, and Sequel Scoop (1:10:28). Content Warning: Discussion about sexual assault survivors between 56:17-1:02:22. Take care! Spoiler Warning: While we explore The Unhoneymooners in detail, rest assured that there won't be any spoilers in the episode beyond this book. Becky's Previous Appearances Episode 144: Petty about Kylie Jenner's Tiktoks, Plastic Surgery in Hollywood, and Lea Michele at the Tonys Episode 123: Petty about The Price of Glee, Harry and Meghan Part 1, and Katie Holmes' 2000s Look Listen to Torry and Becky discuss The Worst Guy on Too Stupid To Live. Leave a voicemail question or comment for Torry to include in a future episode. Suggest a book here. Follow Torry on Instagram, Twitter, Letterboxd, and GoodReads. Check out Torry's pop culture podcast: Ready to Be Petty. Subscribing and leaving a rating helps us find new listeners! Thank you. Music by Simon Tebbenham.

Don't miss this episode where I share my top 9 most anticipated new romance book releases coming this May 2024 PLUS I announce the launch of the She Reads Romance Books Book Club! So many great books to talk about and to share how you can join the awesome community of romance readers in the Book Club.BOOKS MENTIONED:Band Together by Piper Sheldon: https://amzn.to/3QkiQCbThis Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune: https://amzn.to/3Gr6J0GMistakes We Never Made by Hannah Brown: https://amzn.to/4aNQqrJLove at First Book by Jenn McKinlay: https://amzn.to/3PWqzpyThe Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren: https://amzn.to/485kqOKTruth or Wolf by Anne Marsh: https://amzn.to/3vILINfLies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan: https://amzn.to/3t9ctZKSavor It by Tarah DeWitt: https://amzn.to/3uIqAFTTate by Victoria Denault: https://amzn.to/3Je9XGbLINKS MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST Join the She Reads Romance Books Book Club: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/bookclub,Grab the Romance Book Reading Journal: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/romance-book-journal/Upcoming New Romance Book Releases: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/upcoming-book-releases/FOLLOW ME! Blog: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/ Podcast: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shereadsromancebooks Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/shereadsromancebooks Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shereadsromancebooksblog/LEAVE A REVIEW!If you liked this episode or got a book recommendation you can't wait to read, please give a star rating and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform. It helps me know what you like and want to hear. Thanks!This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the first of three episodes inspired by the incredible time we had at Fated Mates Live in Brooklyn. During the event (which was so so fun we love every single one of you who came!), we asked guests Nikki Payne, Kate Clayborn and Lauren Billings of Christina Lauren to choose an interstitial topic they would like us to tackle on the show. Lauren chose a great one: Exceptions to our rules, meaning…tropes we don't care for that are done really really well. So! This one is for everyone who's ever asked Jen for Secret Baby or Virgin Heroes and anyone who's ever asked Sarah for Friends to Lovers or Spies. We talk about the books that make us go…not that…but maybe that? We also want to thank the following publishers and authors for their incredible generosity in making sure that almost every attendee of the Live went home with a romance novel. We are so lucky to share Romancelandia with you: Avon Books, Ballantine Books, Blue Box Press, Dell, Grand Central/Forever, Gallery Books, Lauren Blakely, LJ Evans, Pippa Grant, Ana Huang, Parker S. Huntington & LJ Shen, Elle Kennedy, Avery Maxwell, Ava Miles, Max Monroe, Kathryn Nolan, Amari Nylix, Meghan Quinn, Piper Rayne, P Rayne, Stephanie Rose, Lucy Score, & TL Swan.Photo credits: Stephanie KeithShow NotesWe had the very best time at Fated Mates Live, and it wouldn't have been nearly as fun without Lauren being there. Christina Lauren's newest book, The Paradise Problem, is out May 14th. Preorder it now, and check out their tour schedule to go see them (they're even more terrific in person) when they're near you!Solar eclipses are very cool, and Jen really should have gone home…. as it turns out, 95% is not anything like 100%! If you have the chance, you should go get in that path of totality. Jen's brother Erik was at his office rooftop in downtown Cleveland and saw people getting married, and also took a very cool video at totality. New York earthquake twitter was pretty funny, too. Jen, staunchly anti- virgin heroes since 2018.Kevin Costner's speech about luck from Bull Durham. The book about women in the CIA is called The Sisterhood: The Secret History of Women at the CIA by Liza Mundy.

The cornerstone of the genre. The one thing that, when thrown into question, is guaranteed to enrage every corner of Romancelandia. We're talking about Happily Ever After (HEA). Its promise, its importance, its relevance to us as readers, writers and people in the world. We talk about what really makes it hard won and deserved for us — which means yes, we're talking about grovels and yes, we're talking about third act break ups, and yes, we're talking about patriarchy. Because of course we are. You've probably heard us talk about all the books we're mentioning here…greatest hits are hits for a reason, y'all.There are a handful of tickets left for Fated Mates LIVE in Brooklyn, NY, this Saturday, March 23, at the gorgeous William Vale Hotel! Join us, along with Kate Clayborn, Lauren Billings (one-half of Christina Lauren), Nikki Payne, and a roomful of other romance-obsessed listeners for a night of romance shenanigans at a live taping of Fated Mates! While we're never sure quite how it's going to go, we can guarantee there will be books, booze and bantr…and you'll leave full of joy from all the fun. Get Kate's The Other Side of Disappearing three days early (and books from everyone else!) from The Ripped Bodice—links, tickets and more info are at fatedmates.net/live. If you just can't get enough of us, consider joining our Patreon! You get an extra episode of banter every month and access to the Fated Mates discord, full of people who love romance as much as we do. It's pretty great, we have to say. Learn more at patreon.com/fatedmates. Our next read along is Heather Guerre's Preferential Treatment, one of Sarah's favorite romances of 2022. Get it at Amazon, or with your monthly subsc Show NotesOpe! Jen's mic wasn't fully connected for the first 10 minutes of the episode, so that's why it sounds terrible. User error on her part, Eric would never. Hang in there, she figures it out! Let John Green and the good folks at Crash Course teach you about European History and The Hundred Years' War. The 2024 Audie Award winners included The True Love Experiment for best romance. Three more days until Fated Mates Live… a handful of tickets are left! Join us! Looking for all kinds of perfect HEA stickers, check out the Romancelandia Shop! UPDATE: The book Sarah was looking for when she was talking about Enemies to Lovers was Johanna Lindsey's Prisoner of My Desire. All the content warnings, friends…but if you do wade in, don't miss our chat with Joanna Shupe where we talk about it from Season 1.

A classic among classics, we're talking enemies to lovers this week! We get to the bottom of what we think of as “enemies,” and how it differs from “rivals-to-lovers” and “friends-to-enemies-to-lovers” and “friends-to-lovers” (jk, we'll never understand friends-to-lovers). We revisit some of our very favorite romances, talk about stakes, about impossible situations, and about how sexy hating someone can be. There are a handful of tickets left for Fated Mates LIVE in Brooklyn, NY, on March 23, at the gorgeous William Vale Hotel! Join us, along with Kate Clayborn, Lauren Billings (one-half of Christina Lauren), Nikki Payne, and a roomful of other romance-obsessed listeners for a night of romance shenanigans at a live taping of Fated Mates! While we're never sure quite how it's going to go, we can guarantee there will be books, booze and bantr…and you'll leave full of joy from all the fun. We've even got The Ripped Bodice on hand to sell books, and the room will be available for hanging with other Firebirds after the live! Preorder Kate's The Other Side of Disappearing three days early (and books from everyone else!) from The Ripped Bodice—links, tickets and more info are at fatedmates.net/live. If you just can't get enough of us, consider joining our Patreon! You get an extra episode of banter every month and access to the Fated Mates discord, full of people who love romance as much as we do. It's pretty great, we have to say. Learn more at patreon.com/fatedmates. Our next read along is Heather Guerre's Preferential Treatment, one of Sarah's favorite romances of 2022. Get it at Amazon, or with your monthly subscription to Kindle Unlimited.Show NotesPandora Ravenel owns a boardgame company, but I don't think she made ouija boards. You should watch Only You (1994), directed by Norman Jewison who also directed Moonstruck! Don't forget how charming Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is, a very different vibe from Ripper Street.Jen thought about Kiss an Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips when she read an article about the updating of the gorilla enclosure at the Brookfield Zoo. IYKYK, and if you don't, listen to Jen on Learning the Tropes.Sarah said there's only one friends-to-lovers romance she likes. It's Christina Lauren's Josh & Hazel's Guide to Not Dating.

Sometimes you just have to get to the bottom of something, and that's what we're here for. Today, we're taking an unexpected, unexpectedly thorough at what might be one of the rarest and most maligned heroes in Romancelandia—the Himbo. He's darling, he's sweet, and he's made of nothing but love and abs. Journey with us as we consider the place of these lovable dummies in the pantheon of this great genre of ours. We just released a final 25 tickets to Fated Mates LIVE in Brooklyn, NY, on March 23, at the gorgeous William Vale Hotel! Join us, along with Kate Clayborn, Lauren Billings (one-half of Christina Lauren), Nikki Payne, and a roomful of other romance-obsessed listeners for a night of romance shenanigans at a live taping of Fated Mates! While we're never sure quite how it's going to go, we can guarantee there will be books, booze and bantr…and you'll leave full of joy from all the fun. We've even got The Ripped Bodice on hand to sell books, and the room will be available for hanging with other Firebirds after the live! Preorder Kate's The Other Side of Disappearing three days early (and books from everyone else!) from The Ripped Bodice—links, tickets and more info are at fatedmates.net/live. If you just can't get enough of us, consider joining our Patreon! You get an extra episode of banter every month and access to the Fated Mates discord, full of people who love romance as much as we do. It's pretty great, we have to say. Learn more at patreon.com/fatedmates. Our next read along is Heather Guerre's Preferential Treatment, one of Sarah's favorite romances of 2022. Get it at Amazon, or with your monthly subscription to Kindle Unlimited.Show NotesIf you like Matthew Macfadyen in Pride and Prejudice, perhaps you will also like him on Ripper Street.Coming to Fated Mates Live this month? Go see a musical or a dance performance or eat some pizza when you're in New York.Apparently, we're all talking about himbos, and because of Ken, apparently 2023 was the year of the himbo.A truly excellent himbo: Chris Hemsworth in Ghostbusters.

Y'all enjoyed Romance Science so much, we figured, why not tackle romance law next! This week, we're discussing wills and trusts, inheritances, guardianship, and more than a few HR violations! We also begin the episode with an important addendum to Romance Science (apologies to the Passion fans in the crowd).There's still time for you to join us for Fated Mates LIVE in Brooklyn, NY, at the gorgeous William Vale Hotel, on March 23rd, along with Kate Clayborn, Lauren Billings (one-half of Christina Lauren), Nikki Payne, and a roomful of other romance-obsessed listeners for a night of romance shenanigans at a live taping of Fated Mates! While we're never sure quite how it's going to go, we can guarantee there will be books, booze and bantr…and you'll leave full of joy from all the fun. We've even got The Ripped Bodice on hand to sell books, and the room will be available for hanging with other Firebirds after the live! Preorder Kate's The Other Side of Disappearing three days early (and books from everyone else!) from The Ripped Bodice—links, tickets and more info are at fatedmates.net/live. If you just can't get enough of us, consider joining our Patreon! You get an extra episode of banter every month and access to the Fated Mates discord, full of people who love romance as much as we do. It's pretty great, we have to say. Learn more at patreon.com/fatedmates. Our next read along is Heather Guerre's Preferential Treatment, one of Sarah's favorite romances of 2022. Get it at Amazon, or with your monthly subscription to Kindle Unlimited.Show NotesListen to the Romance Science episode.Pride & Prejudice won the 2024 romance bracket, hosted by Ali Parker of the RomEverAfter Pod.Romance biology addendum: the hymen, the Passion episode.Romance Law probably started with our love of TV Law: LA Law, Ally McBeal, The Good Wife, and Law & Order.

We're joined this week by the fabulous Nikki Payne, author of Pride & Protest and this month's new release Sex, Lies & Sensibility to talk about home renovation romance and why we all love it so much! Is it because of competence? Yes. Because we like it when characters have to walk through fire together? Definitely. Because of the metaphor for our lives and futures? Absolutely. We talk about all these things, and how Old School historical really did the business on this trope. And — a bonus! Sarah finally gets to talk with someone about Jane Austen!Nikki is joining us at Fated Mates Live! Join us in Brooklyn, NY, at the gorgeous William Vale Hotel, on March 23rd, along with Kate Clayborn, Lauren Billings (one-half of Christina Lauren) and a roomful of other romance-obsessed listeners for a night of romance shenanigans at a live taping of Fated Mates! While we're never sure quite how it's going to go, we can guarantee there will be books, booze and bantr…and you'll leave full of joy from all the fun. We've even got The Ripped Bodice on hand to sell books, and the room will be available for hanging with other Firebirds after the live! Preorder Kate's The Other Side of Disappearing three days early (and books from everyone else!) from The Ripped Bodice—links, tickets and more info are at fatedmates.net/live. If you just can't get enough of us, consider joining our Patreon! You get an extra episode of banter every month and access to the Fated Mates discord, full of people who love romance as much as we do. It's pretty great, we have to say. Learn more at patreon.com/fatedmates. Our next read along is Heather Guerre's Preferential Treatment, one of Sarah's favorite romances of 2022. Get it at Amazon, or with your monthly subscription to Kindle Unlimited.Show NotesWelcome Nikki Payne, author of Sex, Lies, and Sensibility. She'll be at the Ripped Bodice on Feb 23, and at Fated Mates Live, along with Kate Clayborn, Lauren Billings from Christina Lauren, and a few hundred Magnificent Firebirds on March 23, 2024. You can get signed copies of her books at East City Books in DC.Jen had to read A Separate Peace in high school and doesn't have the best memories of it, to be honest.The mid-90s were a real high tide for Austen adaptions: in 1995 the movies Clueless and Sense and Sensibility and a miniseries of Pride and Prejudice, and the following year the movie Emma.A little bit more about the rights of American women to have their own bank accounts, but women's access to fair credit is still unjust.A few movies we discussed this week: The Money Pit, Something New, and Baby Boom.

Hey book besties! We have SUCH an exciting episode this week! Christina (one half of […]

We are so so excited to announce our incredible guest lineup for Fated Mates Live in Brooklyn, NY, on March 23, 2024! Get tickets and more info at fatedmates.net/live!We'll be joined by some of our very favorites: Kate Clayborn, Fated Mates five-timer and author of Georgie, All Along and the upcoming (three days after FML!) The Other Side of Disappearing. Nikki Payne, author of Pride & Protest and the brand new Sex, Lies & Sensibility, andOne half of Christina Lauren! Lauren Billings (aka Ivy Owens) is coming from the other side of the world (ok, LA, but STILL) to join us—and just might have a few early copies of The Paradise Problem to share!The Ripped Bodice will be on hand to sell books the night of, but we urge you to preorder your books (especially Kate's latest, The Other Side of Disappearing, which is available early at this event exclusively) before you come at The Ripped Bodice website! In addition to these amazing authors, we'll be joined by some of our favorite people, in general, and by so many Firebirds! We've reserved the room at The William Vale for after the event so people can hang, make new friends, and meet the authors. Get tickets and more info at fatedmates.net/live, and preorder books now from The Ripped Bodice!

Christina Hobbs! Lauren Billings!! The writing juggernaut known as Christina Lauren* joins Red Scott and Maggie Tokuda-Hall in Hawaii to discuss the 1998 Outside Magazine article Life's Swell by Susan Orlean and its adaptation into the 2002 classic, Blue Crush. *Christina Lauren is the combined pen name of long-time writing partners and best friends Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. The #1 international bestselling coauthor duo writes both Young Adult and Adult Fiction, and together has produced nineteen New York Times bestselling novels. Their third YA novel, Autoboyography was released in 2017 to critical acclaim, followed by Roomies, Love and Other Words, Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating, The Unhoneymooners, In a Holidaze, and The Soulmate Equation and Something Wilder. You can read Life's Swell, by Susan Orlean, here. Order Maggie's newest book, The Siren, the Song, and the Spy If you like us, you'll also enjoy: Following the pod on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/failuretoadaptpodcast/ Following the pod on X: https://x.com/FailureAdapt Supporting Failure to Adapt on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FailureToAdaptPodcast

What can we do when our storybook romance ends? Good Material lets us laugh our way through the thick of heartbreak with sharp wit, the warmth of friendships and all too relatable moments from the throes of a breakup. Alderton joins us to talk about writing from the male perspective, the things we all do when our hearts get broken, the unspoken grief when relationships don't work and more with guest host, Jenna Seery. We end this episode with TBR Topoff book recommendations from Marc and Mary.     This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Jenna Seery and mixed by Harry Liang.           Follow us here for new episodes Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays).   Featured Books (Episode):  Good Material by Dolly Alderton  Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton  Ghosts by Dolly Alderton  Featured Books (TBR Topoff): Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors  Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren