Episodes

  • 2025: Still Astonished

    2025: Still Astonished
    Jan 6 2025
    Jess and Trisha talk about lists and roundups that closed out 2024, as well as their favorite backlist reads of the last year. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! A new year means a new Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons. To get recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. All Access subscribers get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. You can become an All Access member starting at $6 per month or $60 per year to get unlimited access to all members-only content in 20+ newsletters, community features, and the warm fuzzies of knowing you are supporting independent media. To join, visit bookriot.com/readharder. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed Rifts and Refrains by Tiye and Keisha Mennefee Just Playing House by Farah Heron The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter Demon’s Dream by Elle Kayson Fly with Me by Andie Burke Role Playing by Cathy Yardley Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton White Whiskey Bargain by Jodie Slaughter Love in Color by Bolu Babalola The Marquess Makes His Move by Diana Quincy Amor, Actually by Adriana Herrara et al The Broposal by Sonora Reyes (publishing 1/21/25) Secret Spark by Kelly Farmer (publishing 1/7/25) Let us know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown), and Jess is even on TikTok (@jess_isreading). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • (Still) Excited by the Shenanigans

    (Still) Excited by the Shenanigans
    Dec 23 2024
    We're on break for the holiday week, so we're rerunning an episode from earlier this year in which we reflect on the 2023 books we still want to get to and the books we were most excited about coming out in 2024. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed The Wildest Ride by Marcella Bell Change of Plans by Dylan Newton Forever Your Rogue by Erin Langston Outfield Assist by Cat Giraldo Ruined by Sarah Vaughn, illustrated by Sarah Winifred Searle and Niki Smith Technically Yours by Denise Williams Fly With Me by Andie Burke Something Wild & Wonderful by Anita Kelly A Little Kissing Between Friends by Chencia C. Higgins Night for Day by Roselle Lim Birding With Benefits by Sarah T. Dubb The Spy and I by Tiana Smith The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban Let us know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown), and Jess is even on TikTok (@jess_isreading). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    55 mins
  • Discovering Each Other: Favorites of 2024

    Discovering Each Other: Favorites of 2024
    Dec 9 2024
    Jess and Trisha offer a few more gifting recommendations and then talk about some of their favorite new books of 2024. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! At Tailored Book Recommendations, we’ve recommended over 150,000 books to readers of every type. And we’ve got good news— TBR makes a novel gift for the book lover on your list! All your gift recipient has to do is fill out a survey about their reading likes and dislikes, and our expert bibliologists will use their bookish knowledge to round up three personalized recommendations for reads we think they’ll love. Whether they’re a mystery maven, a historical fiction fanatic, or a contemporary connoisseur, we’ve got the chops to match the book lover in your life with their next favorite read. And it only takes a few clicks to gift TBR! Simply head to mytbr.co/gift to get started. You can even schedule the delivery of the welcome email, which means no more waiting on gifts to arrive last minute. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. News Check out Book Riot's Best Books of 2024! Books Discussed Fast Track Fiance by Amanda Cinelli Amor, Actually by Adriana Herrara et al Only Santas in the Building by Alexis Daria Loving the Secret Billionaire by Adriana Anders Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare At First Smile by Melissa Whitney Play it Again by Aidan Wayne The Turning Point by Francis Ray Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper Salt Magic, Skin Magic by Lee Welch Once Ghosted, Twice Shy by Alyssa Cole D’Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding by Chencia C. Higgens Tea for Two by C.M. Nascosta Romancing the Inventor by Gail Carriger The Stars Too Fondly by Emily Hamilton Aurora’s Angel by Emily Noon Make Room for Love by Darcy Liao Heat and Run by Adriana Herrera A Shore Thing by Joanna Lowell The Prospects by KT Hoffman A Little Kissing Between Friends by Chencia C Higgins A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams Even if We’re Broken by A.M. Weald Queen of Dreams by Kit Rocha Nine Tailed by Jayci Lee The Lily of Ludgate Hill by Mimi Matthews A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston Let us know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown), and Jess is even on TikTok (@jess_isreading). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • 2024’s Recommendation Request Show!

    2024’s Recommendation Request Show!
    Nov 25 2024
    Jess and Trisha respond to requests for recommendations for everything from romances with older couples to gentle reads to romcoms. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! Keep up to date with the world of books and reading with Today in Books, Book Riot's daily round-up of literary headlines at the intersection of politics, culture, media, and more. Our editors offer commentary, context, and the occasional clap-back to keep you informed and entertained. Visit bookriot.com/todayinbooks to subscribe for free, or become an All Access member starting at $6 per month or $60 per year and get unlimited access to members-only content in 20+ newsletters, community features, and the warm fuzzies knowing you are supporting independent media. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed A Tale of Two Florists by Brenna Bailey Midlife Crisis by Audra North Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory Role Playing and Do Me a Favor by Cathy Yardley Come As You Are and Lips Like Sugar by Jess K Hardy Autumn by Cole McCade Heartwaves by Anita Kelly Mrs. Martin’s Incomparable Adventure by Courtney Milan Hot and Badgered by Shelly Laurenston The Holiday Trap by Roan Parrish Riley Thorn and the Dead Guy Next Door by Lucy Score The Cock Down the Block by Amy Award The Wolf of Wall Street by Lucy Eden Lights out by Navessa Allen The Belle of Belgrave Square by Mimi Matthews The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian Worth Fighting For by Jesse Q Sutanto In Memoriam by Alice Winn A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams The Night Mark by Tiffany Reisz The Palace of Eros by Caro de Robertis The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley Angels’ Blood and Silver Silence by Nalini Singh Nine Tailed by Jayci Lee Shapechangers and Sword-Dancer by Jennifer Roberson A Heart of Blood and Ashes by Milla Vane Highland Dragon Warrior by Isabel Cooper An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir Let us know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown), and Jess is even on TikTok (@jess_isreading). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • Cared for in a Way Your Horse Deserves

    Cared for in a Way Your Horse Deserves
    Nov 11 2024
    It’s Book Club week! Jess and Trisha discuss The Siren of Sussex and similar historical romance books they recommend. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! Keep up to date with the world of books and reading with Today in Books, Book Riot's daily round-up of literary headlines at the intersection of politics, culture, media, and more. Our editors offer commentary, context, and the occasional clap-back to keep you informed and entertained. Visit bookriot.com/todayinbooks to subscribe for free, or become an All Access member starting at $6 per month or $60 per year and get unlimited access to members-only content in 20+ newsletters, community features, and the warm fuzzies knowing you are supporting independent media. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. News Send us your requests for recommendations AND your favorites of 2024 - you can send both to WhenInRomance@BookRiot.com Books Discussed Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews An Unnatural Vice by KJ Charles The Duke Who Didn’t by Courtney Milan Ana Maria and the Fox by Liana de la Rosa The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang The Wallflowers series by Lisa Kleypas (first book is Secrets of Summer Night) The Brothers Sinister Series by Courtney Milan (first book is The Duchess War) The Girl Meets Duke series by Tessa Dare (first book is The Duchess Deal) Let us know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (WhenInRomance@BookRiot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@JessIsReading), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @TrishaHaleyBrown), and Jess is even on TikTok (@jess_isreading). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr
  • A whole lotta drama no matter what

    A whole lotta drama no matter what
    Oct 28 2024
    Jess and Trisha get ready to announce dates for the next WIR Book Club and recommendations episodes and then dive into a discussion about age gap romances. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! This October, Tailored Book Recommendations is giving away a pair of Beats Fit Pro headphones! TBR is the perfect way to take the guesswork out of finding your next favorite read. To get started with TBR, just fill out a quick survey about your reading likes and dislikes, and we’ll pair you with a professional book nerd— aka bibliologist— who uses their bookish knowledge to match you with three books they think you’ll dig. You can sign up to receive your recommendations via email or have your bibliologist’s picks delivered right to your door as either hardcovers or paperbacks. And if you sign up or gift TBR in the month of October, you’ll be automatically entered to win a pair of Beats Fit Pro headphones! Current TBR subscribers also have a chance to win by purchasing a drop-in round of recommendations in October. Sign up today at mytbr.co This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. News It's time to start reading The Siren of Sussex! Have you watched A Family Affair or Lonely Planet? Books Discussed The Fall that Saved Us by Tamara Jerée The Talk of Coyote Canyon by Brenda Novak Stepdaddy Season by Natisha Raynor Ella Gets the D by Tanvier Peart Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez The Art of Scandal by Regina Black Everything For You by Chloe Liese You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi So Sweet by Rebekah Weatherspoon Let us know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading! And of course, send us your holiday recommendation requests! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown), and Jess is even on TikTok (@jess_isreading). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    58 mins
  • We Call Shenanigans

    We Call Shenanigans
    Oct 14 2024
    Jess and Trisha talk updates and seasonal reading and then offer some magical/paranormal/supernatural recs. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! This October, Tailored Book Recommendations is giving away a pair of Beats Fit Pro headphones! TBR is the perfect way to take the guesswork out of finding your next favorite read. To get started with TBR, just fill out a quick survey about your reading likes and dislikes, and we’ll pair you with a professional book nerd— aka bibliologist— who uses their bookish knowledge to match you with three books they think you’ll dig. You can sign up to receive your recommendations via email or have your bibliologist’s picks delivered right to your door as either hardcovers or paperbacks. And if you sign up or gift TBR in the month of October, you’ll be automatically entered to win a pair of Beats Fit Pro headphones! Current TBR subscribers also have a chance to win by purchasing a drop-in round of recommendations in October. Sign up today at mytbr.co This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. News We have a new book club book! Get ready to read The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews with us later this year. As we mentioned, there are ways to support those dealing with hurricane recovery - you can preorder anthologies Loving Carolina and Of Storms and Stardust now! Books Discussed The Palace of Eros by Caro de Robertis Pucking Sweet by Emily Rath Lips Like Sugar by Jess K. Hardy The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews Unwritten Runes by KD Casey Deja Brew by Celestine Martin Best Hex Ever by Nadia El-Fassi A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston Splinter by Jasper Hyde Magic in the Air by Adrianna Schuh The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna Let us know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown), and Jess is even on TikTok (@jess_isreading). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    57 mins
  • Could Stand Alone But Shouldn’t

    Could Stand Alone But Shouldn’t
    Sep 30 2024
    Jess and Trisha announce a new WIR Book Club book and then talk about the impact of book bans on romance authors and readers before offering some recs for Bisexual Awareness Week. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! This October, Tailored Book Recommendations is giving away a pair of Beats Fit Pro headphones! TBR is the perfect way to take the guesswork out of finding your next favorite read. To get started with TBR, just fill out a quick survey about your reading likes and dislikes, and we’ll pair you with a professional book nerd— aka bibliologist— who uses their bookish knowledge to match you with three books they think you’ll dig. You can sign up to receive your recommendations via email or have your bibliologist’s picks delivered right to your door as either hardcovers or paperbacks. And if you sign up or gift TBR in the month of October, you’ll be automatically entered to win a pair of Beats Fit Pro headphones! Current TBR subscribers also have a chance to win by purchasing a drop-in round of recommendations in October. Sign up today at mytbr.co This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. News We have a new book club book! Get ready to read The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews with us later this year. Jess mentioned the great work Book Riot’s Kelly Jensen has done related to book bans and censorship, and there’s a TON of her writing out there, but to start, you can find her pieces on how to fight and explain book bans on bookriot.com. Books Discussed Baking Me Crazy by Karla Sorensen Demon’s Dream by Elle Kayson The Love Study by Kris Ripper The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail by Ashley Herring Blake Role Playing by Cathy Yardley Wrong to Need You by Alisha Rai Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings Xeni by Rebekah Weatherspoon Even If We’re Broken by A.M. Weald Neighborly by Katrina Jackson Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert Let us know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown), and Jess is even on TikTok (@jess_isreading). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr