Hopeless Romantics
Episodes
Quickie: Best-selling Author Lucy Score On Smut, Success And Self Belief
28 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This mini episode is a special moment from our chat with bestselling romance author Lucy Score (who we all fell in love with after our episode) We ge...
Quickie: Does 'About Time' give us the greatest life lesson of any rom-com?
26 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As we ease out of Christmas and into that strange, reflective space before the New Year, we’re revisiting one of our favourite conversations from la...
Andrew Papas talks Boy Bands and Big Love
21 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Hopeless Romantics, we’re joined by Andrew Papas, singer, musical theatre powerhouse and star of & Juliet, which is heading to Aotearo...
Revisiting Rob Reiner's 'The Princess Bride' with Meg Mansell
19 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A re-release of one of my favorite episodes, in memory of Rob Reiner, whose direction gave us one of the most enduring love stories of all time. Som...
Revisiting the Cosy Christmas Romance of 'You've Got Mail'
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week we’re diving deep into the warm, nostalgic chaos of You’ve Got Mail with Tash Stamos, a certified pop-culture obsessive and fellow rom...
'Champagne Problems' ... The Review Nobody/Everybody Asked For
06 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’re back with another round of our Netflix Christmas film deep dives, and this week Alice James jumps in with us to unpack Champagne Problems. ...
Nickson Clark Finds His Happily Ever After
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Hopeless Romantics, we get a chance to see the softer side of NZ broadcast legend Nickson Clark, and honestly, we’re still recovering. ...
What Love Actually has ACTUALLY Taught Us About Love
29 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Christmas has fully landed at Hopeless Romantics and honestly, we’re thriving. This week Damaris Treasure jumps back in with us as we revisit one of...
Kaylee Bell and The Magic Of A Good Christmas Love Song
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’re going FULL FESTIVE ROMANCE this week with the brilliant country superstar Kaylee Bell, who drops in to talk Christmas music, big feelings and ...
'A Merry Little Ex-mas' Kicks Off Our Christmas Reviews
22 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’re officially in Christmas mode, team. Alice James is back and we’re diving straight into Netflix’s newest holiday movie, A Merry Little Ex...
Nobody Wants This Season 2: Love, Ick and Lost Riz
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Alice James is back (now with added newborn!) to debrief season two, and honestly… we have a lot of feelings. We still loved the show, but the spark...
Christmas Movies...Love, Loneliness, and Holiday Magic!
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’re officially in Christmas movie season and honestly, we could not be happier. Emma’s back with us this week and we fall headfirst into the fes...
Quickie: Do we all hate this male character in Emily in Paris?
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With the return of Emily in Paris slated for December 10, we're looking back at this moment from our season 4 episode with the ever hilarious Alice Ja...
Matt Hansen, the troubadour with 4 million followers and a whole lotta love.
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you know Matt's music, you'll know that he is undoubtedly a hopeless romantic, so of COURSE I jumped at the chance to interview him during his rece...
What The Beckhams have taught us about LOVE.
24 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
She was a popstar. He played football. The most famous couple on earth got married, had babies, weathered a couple (many) storms, and emerged after ...
WINE! How to order it. How to enjoy it! (with Angus O'Loughlin)
19 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Wine is something a lot of us enjoy, but not many of us feel super confident ordering. And given that wine can often play a big part in setting the m...
We Love You Diane Keaton (with Steph Vizard)
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Australian writer Steph Vizard joins me to bask in our collective grief and gratitude as we mourn the loss of Diane Keaton, whose talent br...
What Frozen has taught as about LOVE.
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You'd be forgiven for only associating the Disney film 'Frozen' with earworms, Elsa costumes and the 1hr 42 minutes of peace you can enjoy while the k...
Quickie: Did Adam Brody give us the best TV kiss of 2024?
10 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If our full episodes are a deep dive, consider this more of a dip of the toe. Maybe a waist-deep wade? We are less than TWO WEEKS away from the retu...
Clint Randell reflects on 17 years of marriage and the power of doing 'the work'.
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Clint Randell is a very recognisable face and name here in NZ where he's fronted TV and radio shows for well over a decade. But when I think of Clint...
Quickie: Is this the best scene in Notting Hill?
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If our full episodes are a deep dive, consider this more of a dip of the toe. Maybe a waist-deep wade? In this quickie, Harriet Power and I take a l...
Lucy Score...Bestselling Author! Sexual Revolutionary! Taylor Swift Fan!
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I Love Lucy! Hello small town rom-com queen Lucy-freaking-Score! You may know her as the author of the tik-tok sensation Things We Never Got Over (a...
Keli Holiday is dancing (and loving) through life x
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Adam Hyde (a.k.a. Keli Holiday) joins me this week for an open hearted chat about the profound power of love, the profound impact of personal loss an...
What Downton Abbey has taught us about LOVE.
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we head to the cinema (art house, obviously) to see the new Downton Abbey film and return with tales of squeaky chairs, loud sobs (Ash's, ...
Harrison Keefe (just can't help falling in love)
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You may know him as the 'vibes guy' on the internet or the host of Edge arvos on your radio station (if you live in NZ). But after this chat, you'll ...
Hopeless Hotline ... "I Just Assumed We Had Shared Values..."
12 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the first Hopeless Hotline, where I answer listener-submitted dilemmas - ranging from love and friendship to identity crises and existentia...
Dan Webby on navigating loneliness and ultimately finding 'the One'
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What an honour to have Kiwi radio host (and one of the funniest men I know) Dan Webby join me on the first ever episode of ‘Hopeless BROmantics’. ...
Friday Threesome ... Margot Robbie's finger. Jacob Elordi's mouth (and more!) with Damaris Treasure
05 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Happy Friday, lovers! Another week, another threesome of romance-adjacent recommendations for your weekend. This week we’ve got: Two new trail...
We owe Taylor Swift our gratitude (and our joy!)
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone seems to have an opinion on Taylor's engagement news. We don't have an opinion, as much as we have feelings (and plot twist...they're good ...
Friday Threesome … ‘Windy City’ / ‘Too Much’ / ‘Wimbledon’
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Damaris Treasure joins me for a romantic threesome to get you through the weekend! On today’s episode: A sports romance series that’s mor...
What is Hopeless Romantics?
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Friday Quickie...Persuasion / Summer in the City / The Guilded Age
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As always...three great reccos for your weekend romance fix! I've decided to start including some romance CLASSICS in the mix, which means this week...
AUTHOR CHAT with Rachael Johns
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With a lazy 22 published novels under her belt, Rachael Johns knows a thing or two about writing fiction for women. It was SUCH a pleasure to have h...
Friday Quickie...Overcompensating / The Wedding Forecast / Problematic Summer Romance
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As always...three great reccos for your weekend romance fix! This week: A college 'coming of age' series that had me LOLling and crying. One of...
'Materialists' with Damaris Treasure
19 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week we welcome Hopeless Romantic newbie Damaris Treasure as we unpack Celine Song's 'Materialists' which is currently in cinemas. We exp...
Friday Quickie ... Ever Blessed / Cover Story / Materialists
12 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
An early Friday quickie because I feel like a lot of you need to just see Materialists ASAP! This week: Australian author Olivia O'Flynn blows it...
AUTHOR CHAT with Amy Matthews
06 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I am delighted to welcome Amy Matthews to the podcast, who is not only an award-winning author but also an Associate Professor in Creative Writing at ...
'The Devil Wears Prada' with Steph Monks
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Come for the Miranda Priestly chat...stay for the deep heart to heart about how it feels to be a woman in the workplace who is JUST TRYING HER BEST! ...
BONUS EP : The juggle/struggle of career and motherhood with Steph Monks
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Before we actually got to our 'Devil Wears Prada' deep dive, Steph and I found ourselves deep in a 15 minute discussion about Steph's return to work w...
Friday Quickie ... People We Meet on Vacation / A Kingdom of Dreams / The Life List
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Two killer books and a Netflix movie this week, my loves!! They include: The old Emily Henry book that I finally read (and enjoyed more than Great...
Counting down the top 5 TV couples with Sharyn Casey
08 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
TV and radio powerhouse Sharyn Casey joins me this week to countdown the HR community's top voted TV couples. But mainly this episode is just two ho...
One on One with Eden Victoria (@edenvictorria)
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Eden Victoria is an English #BookTok creator (with a lazy 750 thousand followers) turned published author, whose debut novel Close Protection hit shel...
Friday Quickie ... An Astrological Guide / The Wedding People / Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow
01 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A smorgasboard of delicious romantical treats await you in today's quickie, Hopeless Romantics! This week: An Italian Rom Com series that I'm ANN...
'It Ends With Us' (2025) with Guy Mansell
01 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
NOTE: This film deals with a very prominent DV storyline, and as such this is discussed within the episode. It's the episode I never saw coming, an...
Friday Quickie ... Ransom Canyon / Swept Away / First Time Caller
24 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Stuck in a funk? Need a recommendation from a trusted friend? I got you boo! (and all in under 10 minutes because WE BUSY!) Also this episode is spoil...
'Love Actually' (2003) with Emma Clifton
24 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The book is out, I have recovered (just!) and so now...the podcast returns. And WHAT A TITLE to return with! 'Love Actually' is not only the most...
'Crazy Stupid Love' (2011) with Amelia Stamos
20 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Infidelity, fate, Fboys and Ryan Gosling's abdominals. It's all here, people! This movie rules, and this was such a fun episode to do with first ...
Matthias and Maxime (and ten other movies) with Chris Parker
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Chris Parker is a kiwi comedian, writer, actor and perhaps most notably the guest who initially suggested the most absurd 'romance' film (it was Deep ...
Part of Your World / Yours Truly (Abby Jimenez) with Jess Farchione
12 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
DOUBLE TROUBLE BABY! We liked 'Part of Your World' but we LOVED 'Yours Truly' and as such we present to you, the double header episode of your Abby...
Moulin Rouge (2001) with Eli Matthewson
08 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
All you need is love! And...well a couple of other things really. Welcome to the podcast OUR VERY FIRST MAN! And what a man we have for you this ...
'We Live in Time' (2025) with Hannah Diviney
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week we welcome back Hannah Diviney to the podcast! Hooray! 'We Live in Time' starring Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield was the best kind of so...
Friday Quickie...the new Bridget Jones
27 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
One of the most surprising films of the year has hit cinemas and it had us laughing but mostly crying. This week's Friday Quickie is dedicated to th...
'Holding the Reins' (Paisley Hope) with Belle Terese (@belleslibrarybooks)
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
'Officially in my cowboy smut era'. Welcome to the poddy Belle Terese of @belleslibrarybooks fame for a deep dive into Paisley Hope's 'Holding ...
Friday Quickie...The one where Alice learns what BDSM stands for
20 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Need a new book? Not sure what to watch next? WE GOT YOU! This Friday Alice James makes her podcast return and we discuss: The tiktok famous tril...
Sleepless in Seattle (1993) with Harriet Power
16 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"She's a ho, my Dad's been captured by a ho!" Every now and then you need to just whip out a classic, and this week, it felt oh so right to return to...
Friday quickie!
13 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Introducing The Friday Quickie - a triple dose of swoon-worthy romance books, films and TV shows that have JUST dropped (all in less than 15 minutes...
'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo' with @katelovesbooks_
10 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
'It ripped my heart from my chest...6 stars!' Welcome the poddy #BookTok's own @katelovesbooks_who joins me for a Taylor Jenkins Reid deep dive. ...
'500 Days of Summer' with Tegan Yorwarth
02 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
'Break-ups, therapy and uncooked chicken'. Legendary bad bish Tegan Yorwarth is my guest this week and our 'film chat' turned into a deep dive into...
'The Princess Bride' (1987) with Meg Mansell
26 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
'Death cannot conquer true love, only delay it for a while...' Welcome back for a swoonworthy new season of Hopeless Romantics! Woohoo! It's a fil...
MY DEBUT NOVEL! (with Yvie Jones)
22 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The time has FINALLY come! 'Love on the Air', my debut novel, is on its way out into the world after living in my mind and on my MacBook Pro for thre...
Notting Hill (1999) with Harriet Power
07 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Let's be honest, this week we all need a comfort watch, and they don't get much more comforting than Notting freaking Hill. I don't think any woman ha...
Practical Magic (1998) with Claudia Zeine-Hayes
30 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There's murder! There's curses! There's demon possessed ex lovers! There's dead parents! And to top it all off? There's a gorgeous love story between ...
SPECIAL EP: The return of our teenage hearth throbs with Alice James
22 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes you gotta just throw the podcast premise out the window and dedicate an entire episode to the fact that Sept/Oct 2024 has been a big month f...
Wild Love / Wild Eyes (Elsie Silver) with Jordon Lott
08 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
EXPLICIT CONTENT WARNING: there is some very spicy language in this episode. Not one to read with little ears around :) The first two books in th...
Nobody Wants This (2024) with Alice James
02 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Everybody. Wants. This. Seth Cohen. Veronica Mars. The best first kiss. Main characters in their 40's. This show is everything. This episode is a li...
'Challengers' (2024) with Annalise Ball
25 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Zendaya love triangle film that we didn't know we needed! Who knew tennis could be so hot and heavy? Sexy churros, steamy saunas and a sly smile f...
Emily in Paris s4 with Alice James
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Gabriel. Get a haircut. For the love of God and all things holy. Hopeless Romantics welcomes Alice James to the poddy for the first time to talk abou...
Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging (2008) with Em Vernem
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you've watched 'Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging' as a teenager, then it is a scientific fact that you also loved it. Because it's the perfect te...
A Family Affair (2024) with Annalise Ball
04 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today's episode took many unexpected and wonderful directions, from short kings to cougars to sexy vampires. We welcome the ever hilarious foetus (she...
EMERGENCY EPISODE - 'My Lady Jane' cancellation. Jordon and I are angry.
26 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What the absolute F, you guys. My Lady Jane (watch it on Prime Video ASAP!) has not been renewed for another season, and not only have we now been le...
Romeo and Juliet (1996) with Harriet Power
22 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you were born in the mid eighties and somebody asks you which film was your sexual awakening, chances are Baz Luhrman's 'Romeo and Juliet' might ge...
Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) with Hannah Diviney
12 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Hannah Diviney joins us to discuss 'Four Weddings and a Funeral' which was made before she was born. HA! Expect a whole lot of Hugh Grant f...
Romantic Comedy (Curtis Sittenfeld) with Jess Farchione
05 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When the podcast is dedicated to romantic comedies, it would be remiss of us to overlook one off my personal favourite books of the last year, Curtis ...
10 Things I Hate About You (1998) with Natasha Stamos
24 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I want you. I need you. Oh baby. Oh baby. 10 Things I Hate About You is easily one of the most requested films on this podcast, for good reason. It's...
The Hating Game (Sally Thorne) with Jordon Lott
15 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week we're all about the OG Tik-Tok romance 'The Hating Game' by Canberra's own Sally Thorne. I'm probably the last romance fan on earth to read ...
The Holiday (2006) with Claudia Zeine-Hayes
08 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jude Law, Jude Law, Jude Law the end. This would have been my version of the podcast if I did it alone. Lucky for you, this week one of my besties Cla...
'Don't You Forget About Me' (Mhairi McFarlane) with Natasha Stamos
03 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mhairi McFarlane has done it again with a hilarious, sharp, witty and emotional read that had as laughing (out loud) and crying (also out loud). Oh an...
About Time (2013) with Harriet Power
26 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
After last week's 'All of Us Stranger' sob-fest you'd think I'd go for an Adam Sandler film but ALAS the tissues are back for one of the ALL TIME GREA...
Bridgerton (Season 3) with Jess Farchione
21 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you are looking for a hard hitting, serious, deep discussion on the thematics and messaging behind Bridgerton S3, then this is not the episode for ...
'All of Us Strangers' (2024) with Natasha Stamos
19 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hot Priest + Paul Mescal + unbelievably strong supporting cast = holy shit this movie is so good. This episode should have been sponsored by Kleenex. ...
'Just For The Summer' (Abby Jimenez) with Jordon Lott
19 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jordon Lott returns for a goodie! 'Just For The Summer' is the latest drop from Abby Jimenez and (unsurprisingly) she has written a new book boyfriend...
'Some Kind of Wonderful' (1987) with Yvie Jones
12 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We're heading back to the 80's, baby! And we're bringing the bright-shining Yvie Jones with us! While this episode is about the legendary John Hughes...
'The Things We Leave Unfinished' (Rebecca Yarros) with Jess Farchione
12 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We're back baby, and this episode is a ROLLERCOASTER OF THOUGHTS FEELINGS AND SO MUCH LAUGHTER! What a book. What a guest host. What a time to be aliv...
'You've Got Mail' (1998) with Natasha Stamos
05 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
'Don't cry, shopgirl' I'm crying, you're crying, we're all crying! The incredible Natasha Stamos joins me on this episode as we dissect the greatest r...
'Funny Story' (Emily Henry) with Jordon Lott
05 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We love ourselves some Emily Henry, and 'Funny Story has not let us down. Jordon Lott joins me for EPISODE ONE which is just one big Miles Nowak swoon...