When In Romance
Episodes
WIR Book Club: Shenanigans Ensue
13 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha share some listener feedback, discuss Rose Lerner’s Sweet Disorder, and look back (and a little bit ahead) at 2021 romance. Subscr...
Going About Their Hallmark Business
29 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It’s our 2021 recommendation request show (part 2)! Jess and Trisha recommend books for readers looking for romance without sex on the page, progres...
A Longer Longing Experience
15 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It’s our 2021 recommendation request show (part 1)! Jess and Trisha recommend books for readers looking for pining, queer paranormal romance, vampir...
How You Deal with Your Enemies
01 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha discuss the present and future of romance conventions, and then talk about some romances that probably shouldn’t have worked for the...
Quite Sexy, Quite Time-y
18 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha have some updates – including a new book club book! – and spend some time talking about how they find new books and what they thin...
Feelings From Across the Quad
04 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha revisit goals from the last episode and the WIR survey from this summer, discuss sexiness and academia in Office Hours, and have some ...
A Big Pinch of Himalayan Pink Salt
20 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha talk about a publisher taking advantage of an author’s idea, explain what on earth is happening with a certain ice planet (and the b...
A Trapper Keeper Diversion
23 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha have a few updates and then discuss how to talk about sexual content in romance before recommending romances with teachers and school ...
The External Accountability Flaw
09 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha discuss why some corners of the romance book world have seen progress regarding inclusion and others have very much not, talk about a ...
The Return of the Toaster Oven
26 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It’s WIR Book Club time again! Jess and Trisha discuss Wrong Number, Right Woman by Jae and then talk about their most anticipated romances for the ...
Sexy Clash
12 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha share feedback from their listener survey and recommend some backlist titles in case you’re having trouble getting your hands on new...
All the Cool Vibes
28 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha talk about how their reading habits have changed and ask for listener input before discussing their favorite romances of 2021 so far. ...
Succession But With Cowboys
14 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha dive into the world of romance between women, discussing the current publishing landscape and recommending some titles you should chec...
If Men In Black Was a Romance
17 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Trisha is joined by very special guest Jenn Northington to discuss Beverly Jenkins’s Vivid and to offer some SFF (and P) romance recs. Subscribe...
Cover Coverage-ing
03 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
After some kitchen appliance romance-related follow-up, Jess and Trisha return to the topic of romance covers and recommend some options for your #Spr...
Quick to Bed, Slow to Feelings
19 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha share listener recs, reveal the May WIR Book Club pick, talk about the Vivians and romance awards generally, and discuss and recommend...
You Can Keep It
05 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha talk about the next round of the WIR book club and discuss and recommend romances featuring married couples. Subscribe to the podcas...
Mind-blowingly Chemical
22 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha dive into romance films, discussing the way non-romance readers view adaptations, debating whether certain films marketed as romance a...
What Are We Disrupting?
08 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha discuss three news stories related to inclusion, exclusion, and diversity in romance. Then they talk about books they’ve been readin...
A Beautiful Frankenstein
22 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha discuss some non-terrible Valentine’s week romance coverage, talk about the way romance represents the experience of being Black in ...
Watch It Or Don’t
08 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha discuss Nora Roberts’s lack of time for nonsense, authors behaving badly, and the unique world of category romance – along with a ...
Accidental Queer Vegas Wedding
25 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha do a bit of Bridgerton follow-up, celebrate a When In Romance anniversary, and discuss romances by debut authors they’re watching fo...
It’s All in the Sideburns
11 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha celebrate a new year, discuss Netflix adaptation Bridgerton, and talk about the books they’re ready for – and hoping for – in 20...
The Voice On the Other End
14 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha discuss news they’ve missed in recent weeks, give some “best of” list updates, and recommend a few of their favorite romances fr...
It’s Gonna Be Sexy
30 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It’s recommendation request time – part 2! Jess and Trisha offer recs to readers looking for comedic romance, underrepresented authors, cruelty-fr...
Feathers, Scales, and an Accidental Kidnapping
16 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It’s recommendation request time!! Jess and Trisha offer recs to readers looking for soapy drama, storylines related to social justice, SFF without ...
Why Are These Lists?
02 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha discuss where “best of” lists come from and what they’re for, and then they do a deep dive into meet cutes – and not so cutes ...
Welcome To When In Romance
29 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
When In Romance is a biweekly romance podcast dedicated to romance novel news, enthusiasm, and romance book recommendations from Book Riot! Join hosts...
A Real Landmark
19 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha do some quick updates, talk about a complicated decision from Harlequin, and recommend romances with great friendships. This episode...
The Motion Train
05 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha talk about the end of Audible Escape and why the “all you can read” model is a challenge in romance, and they recommend books with...
We Eat Books
21 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha talk about the impacts of the pandemic on romance publishing, brainstorm possible ways it will affect future stories, and share favori...
A Side of Side Eye
24 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha discuss the impact Corey Alexander had on romance discourse, check in about Bookstore Romance Day, and recommend romances involving sp...
Look for the Trains
10 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha flag some upcoming romance events, discuss how we talk about who writes and reads romance, and recommend romance series in which you c...
Either A Month Or Seven Years
27 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha talk about things people love about reading romance and then offer some non-romance novel entertainment options that might share simil...
Grown-up Humans Communicating
13 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha talk about all of the many things they liked about Getting Schooled by Christina C. Jones and and recommend some favorite romance read...
This is Chocolate, Not Broccoli
29 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha discuss some more RWA work, takeaways from a Juneteeth Book Fest panel on writing Black romance, the delight for all readers in readin...
Clear and Not Weird
15 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha talk about the impact of anti-Black racism in publishing, an RWA awards decision, and books we love by Black authors. Plus! We announc...
“It Comes Down to Weather”: An Interview with Tosca Musk
01 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha talk with Passionflix founder and CEO Tosca Musk about romance adaptations, managing fan and author expectations, and what being a “...
A Quarter of a Thumb
18 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha talk about the importance of inclusive language, have MANY thoughts about an adaptation of Safe Harbour by Danielle Steel, and recomme...
Shenanigans with Row-mates
04 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha chat about remote romance author events, share their thoughts on the adaptation of Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella, and offe...
Wealthy Know-It-Alls
20 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha discuss some recent RWA developments, review the adaptation of Beverly Jenkins’s Deadly Sexy, and recommend some favorites by Ms. Be...
"Why are there so many Colonels?": The Austen Episode
06 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and special guest host Jenn Northington (Co-host of Book Riot podcasts Get Booked and SFF Yeah! and all-around person of awesomeness) talk All Th...
Some Of It Is Nice News
23 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha know that things are super weird and rough right now, but they’ve got some ideas and book recs for romance fans. They also discuss t...
Not Helping You In Any Way
09 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha talk about some maybe promising RWA news and a literacy fundraiser, romances about people overcoming obstacles, and stories that grab ...
Not Surprising But Still Disappointing
24 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha discuss the way the RWA debacle somehow keeps getting worse, celebrate the Ripped Bodice Awards, offer you some short reads for this s...
The Challenge is Hibernation
10 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha match romances to conversation heart sayings and recommend romances for all of your Valentine’s/Galentine’s/Palentine’s Day need...
Lessons In S’mores
27 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha are a little underwhelmed about some news updates, are delighted by Get a Life Chloe Brown, and are ready to point you toward the rom...
It’s Gotta Be All Up From Here
13 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha try to explain the destructive disaster that engulfed RWA, talk about the implications of the organization’s implosion, and discuss ...
“Wanted” vs. “Desired”
16 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha pass along some recs from listeners, run through some recent romance news, and celebrate some of their 2019 reading highlights. This e...
Cozy With a Side of Crime
02 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
It’s part two of romance recs! Jess and Trisha talk historicals, slow build romance, SFF romcoms, and much (much) more! This episode is sponsored by...
Only One Bed For All Those Feelings
18 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the recommendation show!! Jess and Trisha rec books that deal with infertility, romance with disabled characters, holiday titles that may not b...
That Was Pretty Feelsy
04 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha announce the next WIR book club pick, talk about romance authors who write in multiple subgenres, and discuss how to fill the gap when...
A Hard-Earned HEA
21 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha talk about what's great and what can be challenging about book clubs, the role of romances that address social and cultural issues, an...
Spooky But Not Creepy
07 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha discuss how sexual content ratings could work in romance, talk about how to learn more about the history of romance and romance trailb...
What Is the Right Amount of Embroidery?
23 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha share some thoughts about book displays; discuss plot, characters, science, and embroidery for the Great Big Romance Read; and talk ab...
Late, But Happy To Be Invited
09 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha discuss an unprofessional move by a writer in New Zealand, authors who aren’t getting paid by a romance publisher, and the romance a...
Some Things to Ponder
26 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha are not surprised that romance sales are up, talk a little about romance book printing and supply decisions, and recommend books in wh...
The Date and Time Are Unclear
12 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha celebrate important progress at the RITAs, talk through romance authors writing outside their own experience, and brainstorm what roma...
The Beginning of a New Destiny
29 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha are delighted about a new award for excellence in romance fiction, discouraged by some publishing news, and thinking about how tragedy...
We Need To Go The Bunker Now
15 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha are joined by the wonderful Sarah Wendell of Smart Bitches, Trashy Books for a mid-year check in, and they discuss all things romanc...
Ep #37: It Probably Won’t Be The Otter
01 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha do a bit of follow-up, discuss an article about the online abuse romance writers face, mention a few releases for the second half of 2...
Ep #36: Equal Opportunity to All Pronunciations
17 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha discuss new revelations about discrimination at the school Nicholas Sparks founded; suggest some romance-focused Patreons you might co...
Ep #35: Ugh. Emotions.
03 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha talk through what they want from book cons, respond to a reader request for own voices romance by Asian and Asian-American authors, an...
Ep #34: Not Live from New Orleans
20 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha are together at Book Lovers Con in New Orleans talking about the good and bad things about using series to tell romance stories and th...
Ep #33: Private Plane Problems
06 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha have updates, talk about how they became romance readers, and recommend some titles for the beginning of #RomBkLove. This episode is s...
Ep #32: Sometimes Dukes Travel
22 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha do a bit of follow-up, try to design the perfect starter catalogue for book stores new to romance, talk about some upcoming titles the...
Ep #31: Cinnamon Roll Heroes From the Corner of the Pan
08 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Author Andie J. Christopher joins Trisha to discuss shady book repackaging practices, the RITA mess, how content warnings help readers, and Andie’s ...
Ep #30: If You Don’t Read It, Ask a Friend
25 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha discuss the problem with calling non-explicit romance “clean,” explore why Trisha rereads and Jess doesn’t, and talk about what ...
Ep #29: They Keep Bumping Into Each Other
11 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha discuss the Ripped Bodice’s annual report on the state of racial diversity in romance, talk through some of the romance sales issues...
Ep #28: Who is the Frankenstein in this situation?
25 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha try to sort out a romance plagiarism garbage fire, discuss all of things they appreciate about Thirsty for the WIR book club, and give...
Ep #27: Easing People In
11 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha talk about the first ever romance in Reese Witherspoon’s book club, a new title by E L James, romances that are rare – or sometime...
Ep #26: Either Saluting You or Calling You Out
28 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha celebrate their first pod-iversary, have some words for people who aren’t inclusive readers, discuss the characteristics of a good r...
Ep #25: Hang-Ups From Growing Up In The Irish Mob
14 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha start the year off right by discussing all the things they’re going to do better in 2019, a few of the many books they’re excited ...
Ep #24: All Of The Wet Shirts
18 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha discuss Pride by Ibi Zoboi as part of the Great Big Romance Read; offer quick takes on some of the best and strangest news of 2018; an...
Ep #23: The Healing Power of Romance: Our Holiday Recommendations Show
03 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
It’s all recs all the time this week as Jess and Trisha offer romance recommendations for under the radar picks from 2018, books for the romance fil...
Ep #22: Going Hard in the Paint With Random Objects
19 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha are joined by delightful and insightful author Rebekah Weatherspoon to follow up on romance covers, discuss what makes a romance “fl...
Ep #21: Let’s Just Call Him “Not Calvin”
05 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha talk about sports and independent women in Intercepted, wonder whether you should be able to judge a book by its cover, and share a fe...
Ep #20: All Worked Up By Pockets
22 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha tease the Intercepted book club discussion, come to terms with their 2018 romance resolution shortcomings, look ahead to 2019 release...
Friendly and Smiley and Handing Out Coffee
08 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha take a deep dive into Butterfly Swords by Jeannie Lin for the When In Romance book club, talk about how and why romance authors are ...
Ep #18: Completely Distracted By Things
24 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha preview their When In Romance book club discussion, chat about what they’re reading, and do quick takes on topics from bad takes on...
Ep #17: Look How We Accidentally Recommended All the Strippers
10 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha discuss the plagiarism and Kindle Unlimited stuffing, announce the first read for the When In Romance book club, chat about what they...
Ep #16: Miss Scarlet is More Interesting Than Hester Prynne
27 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha shout out romance bestsellers, talk about a whole bunch of romance series and what draws us in, discuss Trisha’s arbitrary list of ...
Ep #15: People Who Aren't Evil Deserve An HEA
13 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha discuss RITA judging past and future, Jess’s non-definitive list of who deserves an HEA, and depressing reminders that Twitter trol...
Ep #14: The Difference Between “You” and “We”
30 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha discuss some excellent and important RWA speeches by Suzanne Brockmann and Sonali Dev; note the anti-climactic end of a certain trad...
Ep #13: Our Diamond Shoes Are So Tight: A Romance Mid-Year Check In
16 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha discuss the biggest romance news, books, and authors in 2018 so far. Plus, Jess has the top score on the first ever “When In Romance...
Ep #12: The Farmer Might Be The Nudist
02 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha discuss the challenges in finding romance by AOC with queer characters, plan to get better acquainted with the Emma Award winners, and...
Can I Say That On This Podcast?
18 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha are joined by special guest co-host Sarah MacLean, and the three of them discuss what might be “taboo” in romance; what should def...
Ep #10: Adorable People With So Many Issues
04 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha give some (non-lawyer) updates on #cockygate, talk about the role of fan-voted “best of” lists, offer a podcast high-five to Stace...
Ep #9: From The RT Convention: First, Last, and Everything
21 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha offer some thoughts and updates on #cockygate; react to the news that the Romantic Times publication, convention, and awards are comin...
Ep #8: You Get To Experience Brainstorming Live
07 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha delight in the winners of the (still odd) RT Awards, offer thoughts about preparing for RT and other book cons, and toss around a bunc...
Bonus: Alisha Rai Recommends
30 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Please enjoy this bonus excerpt, courtesy of the Recommended podcast, featuring Alisha Rai recommending Sonali Dev's A Distant Heart. See omnystudio...
Ep #7: Tropetonite Bingo
23 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha discuss the implications of how race and class are represented in historical romance, have some VERY strong feelings about the denigra...
Ep #6: Twenty Different Happy Ever Afters
09 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Trisha and Jess discuss about Amazon changing the categories and rules for erotica, talk about why it matters that the RITA awards are failing hard at...
#5: Literally, Don’t Judge the Book By Its Cover
26 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha talk about who’s losing with Audible’s romance subscription service, consider some of what makes romance unique in the world of se...
This Is Very Complicated
12 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Trisha and Jess wade into an author identity maelstrom, work to untangle the implications of The Ripped Bodice’s Report on Diversity in Romance Publ...
A Mountain of a Man Named Stone
26 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha make an important clarification about who gets publishing deals in romance, discuss who is and is not - EVER – redeemable even in fi...
When in Romance Ep. #2: Valentine’s Day and Adorable Ferrets
12 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Trisha and Jess talk about how non-romance fans talk and write about romance in the Valentine’s Day season; discuss romance authors’ use of pseudo...
When In Romance Ep. #1: Bemusedly Wary
29 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha discuss consensual sex in romance, puzzle over the lack of movies based on romance novels, and shrug at an announcement from the New Y...
When in Romance Ep. #0: Welcome to Romancelandia
19 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Jess and Trisha introduce When in Romance, Book Riot's new biweekly podcast about all things romance novels.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...