Fated Mates - A Romance Novel Podcast

By: Fated Mates
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  • Summary

  • The most listened to romance novel podcast, Fated Mates is co-hosted by bestselling author Sarah MacLean and romance critic Jen Prokop. Weekly episodes include romance novel read-alongs and lively discussions of the work of the genre, highlighting the romance novel as a powerful tool in fighting the patriarchy…with absolutely no kink shaming.
    Copyright 2025 Fated Mates
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Episodes
  • 07.26: Romance Novels With a Ticking Clock

    07.26: Romance Novels With a Ticking Clock
    Mar 12 2025
    This one's for those of you who've been asking us to talk more about craft on the podcast! We're talking romances with ticking clocks and clear time frames, about how this impacts conflict and makes books more breathless, and of course about the books that deploy this strategy perfectly. Inside, you'll find road trips and adventures, vacation romances and romantic suspense, house parties and that classic romance chestnut: "I have 30 days to get pregnant." It's going to be fun.If you want more Fated Mates in your life, please join our Patreon, which comes with an extremely busy and fun Discord community! Join other magnificent firebirds to hang out, talk romance, and be cool together in a private group full of excellent people. Learn more at patreon.com.Next week, we're reading Julie Anne Long's What I Did For a Duke, available in print, ebook, and audio at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books or wherever you get your books. The BooksIt Had to Be You and Heaven, Texas by Susan Elizabeth PhillipsHot Touch by Deborah SmithWhiteout by Adriana AndersWaking up with the Duke by Lorraine HeathPerfect by Judith McNaughtFiasco by Constance FayOne Good Earl Deserves a Lover by Sarah MacLeanHer Night with the Duke by Diana QuincyAlong Came Amor by Alexis DariaCurvy Girl Summer by Danielle AllenSexy in Stilettos by Nana MaloneFan Service by Rosie DananAgain the Magic by Lisa KleypasOne Last Night by Lauren FordTycoon by Joanna ShupeInto the Woods by Jenny HolidayOne Stormy Night by Jules BennettSins of a Wicked Duke by Sophie Jordan
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    1 hr and 45 mins
  • 07.25: Sci-Fi Romance: There's No Book Banning in Space

    07.25: Sci-Fi Romance: There's No Book Banning in Space
    Mar 5 2025
    Maybe you're rooting for the asteroid, but you gotta have a plan! To help, this week, we're keeping track of what romance is looking like off-planet--it's Romance! In! Space! (Part 2, but the first episode we did was six years ago, so we figured it's time.) Headphones in, loves, this one covers space scavengers, aliens, anatomy, crash landings, abductions, talking lions and people in Space Army (what happens in Space Army stays there, unless it's here). If you want more Fated Mates in your life, please join our Patreon, which comes with an extremely busy and fun Discord community! Join other magnificent firebirds to hang out, talk romance, and be cool together in a private group full of excellent people. Learn more at patreon.com.Our next read along is Julie Anne Long's What I Did For a Duke, available in print, ebook, and audio at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books or wherever you get your books. The Books Fiasco and Chaos by Constance FayFull Speed to a Crash Landing and How to Steal a Galaxy by Beth Revis Space Deputy by Jenny SchwartzI Got Abducted By Aliens and Now I’m Trapped in a Rom-Com by Kimberly LemmingWinter’s Orbit by Everina MaxwellHeart Song by Heather GuerreRuling Sikthand by Victoria AvelineStranded by Heather Fox Raw Desires by Cynthia SaxCathian by Laurann DohnerSpace Army Recruits by Kinley GreyThe Murderbot Diaries by Martha WellsThe NotesBad news: the asteroid can’t save us, so we’ll just have to save ourselves. You can read Jen’s newsletter here, she’ll be writing about the grand gesture...
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    1 hr and 39 mins
  • 07.24: He's *NOT* a Billionaire

    07.24: He's *NOT* a Billionaire
    Feb 25 2025
    It's been the longest month of our lives and as self-care, we're not thinking about billionaires this week (or at least for the duration of this episode). Instead, we're talking about those men who are rich in other ways, in throwing a punch, chasing a tornado, camping, playing an instrument, you get it. We've got a bunch of books we love and not a ten-figure bank account to be seen!If you want more Fated Mates in your life, please join our Patreon, which comes with an extremely busy and fun Discord community! Join other magnificent firebirds to hang out, talk romance, and be cool together in a private group full of excellent people. Learn more at patreon.com.Enter the Macmillan Audio sweepstakes to win one of five free copies of the audiobook of Charlotte Stein's My Big Fat Fake Marriage.Our next read along is Julie Anne Long's What I Did For a Duke, available in print, ebook, and audio at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books or wherever you get your books.The BooksForbidden by Beverly JenkinsThirsty by Mia Hopkins Stealing the Rogue’s Heart by Erica MonroeA Substitute Wife for the Prizefighter by Alice ColdbreathIn the Morning Sun by Lena HartAn Unseen Attraction by KJ CharlesWhirlwind by Kayla GrossGone Too Deep by Katie RuggleTake Me Home Tonight by Erika KellyInto the Woods by Jenny HolidayDrilled by Brill HarperSinner (was Sinful Temptation) by London Hale Pardon my Frenchie by Farrah RochonSleeping With the Frenemy by Natalie CañaCommon Ground by Melanie GreeneDemon from the Dark by Kresley ColeMorning Glory Milking Farm by CM Nascosta
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    1 hr and 55 mins

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Profile Image for jid679

Your new book bffs

Tldr: Do you delight in female friendship and banter? Do you despise the patriarchy but love sexy, well-written books? Put these two ladies in your ear holes this instant.
Romance recommendations meets intersectional feminism. Turns out I'm trash for this.

I don't know where I would be without Fated Mates.
I started listening in fall 2018 when Kresley Cole wrote about it in her newsletter before going AWOL. I was elated. Here were these books, which I'd read for years, and there was no one IRL I could talk to about them! Enter two, highly intelligent, articulate fan girls who were dissecting each book? Yes. Please.
The first season was an excellent ushering into the world of romance. In fall 2018 I moved from Missouri to Utah. It was a tough move and the cultural differences are intense. These two bantered and talked about my all-time favorite books and for an hour every week, I started to feel a little less alone.
At first, I came just for Kresley. When I ran out of Kresley episodes (it happened fast as this was still 2018), I became curious about the interstitials. I'd never read much romance outside of SJ Maas, Kresley Cole, and JR Ward, so I wasn't sure what to expect. But I'm so glad I took that plunge. I love Sarah's books, and I have yet to read a bad recommendation from both Jen and Sarah. I even loved all the contemporaries I've read!
The second and third seasons have been a deep dive into romance as a genre and all the ways it intersects with race and gender and sexuality and history. I've learned so much I feel like I've taken a course on gender studies. Jen and Sarah have helped me develop a deeper understanding of patriarchy. It didn't make me "woke," but my eyes are certainly wider today than they were 3 years ago. My reading is certainly more diverse. I understand historicals in a way I never did before.
Currently settling in for the night with my latest recommendation. Love these ladies and my wonderful new life in the romance community.

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Profile Image for darci Hoesley

So Much Fun!

I love the series Immortals After Dark and listening to you ladies chat about it is so much fun! It feels like the ultimate girls night I've always dreamed of! if you ever need a fan on your show then I'm your girl! I could talk IAD anytime! Thanks for all that you do!

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Profile Image for Elaine Stevens

Fabulous Interview

This was my introduction to this podcast and I sincerely look forward to listening to more. really well done.

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Profile Image for H. Truehart

The BEST!

I love this podcast. Sure it's a Romance Novel podcast but it's also history, politics, and a dozen other subjects. I love the differing perspectives and how much I learn when I listen. It's one of my happy places.

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Profile Image for CK

Talk romance with these 2 characters

I have been listening to Fated Mates since season 1. Romance lovers discussing books and themes in all their steamy glory.

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My TBR pile keeps growing

Thank you for the smart conversation about a topic i love. Sarah and Jen are hilarious, intelligent and so knowledgeable about the different genres. I found my tribe.

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