004. Brazen and the Beast by Sarah MacLean with Esme Brett

Esme Brett (Feminist Romance) and Andrea discuss Brazen and the Beast by Sarah MacLean, plus-size representation in romance novels, ladies with skillz, and introduce a new game to Romancelandia: Hot Damn/No Ma’am.

CW: Discussion of body size from 31:30 - 43:45.

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• Guest Host: Esme Brett
• Instagram: @Feminist_Romance
• Website: https://feministromance.home.blog/

• Brazen and the Beast by Sarah MacLean
• Sarah’s website and links to buy
• Fated Mates Podcast - Definitely check out the Derek Craven (Dreaming of You - Lisa Kleypas) episode which is season 2, ep. 3.

Kassi from Wyoming, Aaliyah from Instagram, @Shannyspants, @Authoralexandraayers, @Now_booking, @RosaMValdez, @HEAApologist

• More information about Te reo Māori – the Māori language
• Twitter - Men Write Women
• Falling Inn Love - Netflix Original Movie
• Beyond Heaving Bosoms - The Smart Bitches Guide to Romance Novels by Sarah Wendell and Candy Tan.
• @MyShittyBookstagram - discusses “Romance Fat”
• I sew my own clothes! Here’s my sewing instagram
• Rebel Lite / Devil in Winter + angsty/problematic heroes: see episode 1
• Am I The Ashole? Reddit post about an (asshole) who leaves his girlfriend alone at the ER to lift weights at the gym

Trope: Ladies with Skillz

Recommendations:

• Hate to Want You by Alisha Rai (Contemporary M/F)
• The Governess Game by Tessa Dare (Historical M/F)
• The Rogue of Fifth Avenue by Joanna Schupe (Historical M/F)
• A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole (Contemporary, M/F)
• A Week to be Wicked by Tessa Dare (Historical M/F)
• Polaris Rising by Jessie Mihalik (in the episode I incorrectly say this book is by Ada von Hasenberg, which is the name of the main character) (Space opera, M/F)
  • For fans of Dune + The Fifth Element
  • Listen to: Deltron 3030
• Lacy Literacy has an amazing blog on STEM heroines in romance
   

Recommended throughout the episode:

• The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt (Esme’s fave, historical romance, M/F)
• The Wallflower Wager by Tessa Dare (historical romance, M/F)
• Cherice Sinclair - recommended “dubious consent” books, if it’s something you’re interested in

New Zealand Romance Writers

• Natalie Anderson - category romance
• Esme’s fave: Pleasured in the Playboy’s Penthouse (Contemporary M/F)
• Nalini Singh - paranormal romance
• Lenora Bell - historical romance

The Romance Book Club at Word Bookstore in Brooklyn, NY

• Book Club Page on Word Bookstore’s website
• Organizer: Maddie Caldwell
• Location/Host organization: Word Bookstore
• When: First Saturday of every month, 2:45 pm

Shelf Love:

• NEW! Substack for original writing and stuff | Website | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
• Email: Andrea@shelflovepodcast.com