Before we deep dive into the story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette talk about Mama Mia and Jessen's past obsession with putting on Celine Dion performances (01:00). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of When Beauty Tamed the Beast (6:01). Spoiler Section: Juliette and Jessen compete in a Showdown where they each offer up their favorite scene to see which one reigns supreme (14:12). Then, take a deep dive into all th...
Aug 21, 2019•1 hr 25 min
Before we deep dive into the story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette talk about looking forward to 2020 - we know, Jessen is crazy! The google doc for our 2020 episode list will be available to our Sweetheart - and higher tier - level patrons (00:54). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of Angels' Blood (3:30). Spoiler Section: Juliette and Jessen compete in a Showdown where they each offer up their favorite scene to s...
Aug 14, 2019•1 hr 39 min
Before we deep dive into the story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette talk about Blush Magazine and curvy heroines (01:01). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of That Kind of Guy (4:29). Spoiler Section: Juliette and Jessen compete in a Showdown where they each offer up their favorite scene to see which one reigns supreme (11:14). Then, take a deep dive into all the SPOILERY details of this heart-warming, friends to lo...
Aug 07, 2019•1 hr 20 min
Before we deep dive into the story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette talk about Jessen's encountering with The Bunny of Death (00:48). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of Egomaniac (4:52). Spoiler Section: Juliette and Jessen compete in a Showdown where they each offer up their favorite scene to see which one reigns supreme (9:14). Then, take a deep dive into all the SPOILERY details of this hilarious friends to lov...
Jul 31, 2019•1 hr 11 min
Before we deep dive into the story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette talk about Ollie bookblocking Jessen while she's reading and being cat v dog person (01:00). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of Bittersweet (4:45). Spoiler Section: Juliette and Jessen compete in a Showdown where they each offer up their favorite scene to see which one reigns supreme (12:38). Then, take a deep dive into all the SPOILERY details of...
Jul 24, 2019•1 hr 12 min
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Jul 17, 2019•1 hr 13 min
Before we deep dive into the story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette talk about seasonal music preferences and Goodreads reading challenge goals (00:53). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of Dating-ish (6:30). Spoiler Section: Juliette and Jessen compete in a Showdown where they each offer up their favorite scene to see which one reigns supreme (12:48). Then, take a deep dive into all the SPOILERY details of this bea...
Jul 10, 2019•1 hr 5 min
Before we deep dive into the story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette talk about 2019 - The Year of Keanu Reeves (00:56). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of Parental Guidance (4:33). Spoiler Section: Juliette and Jessen compete in a Showdown where they each offer up their favorite scene to see which one reigns supreme (8:04). Then, take a deep dive into all the SPOILERY details of this fun dating-app romance (14:13)...
Jul 03, 2019•1 hr
It's here! The Deal is one of our favorite enemies to friends to lovers romance. It's just so well done that we couldn't NOT include it on the podcast. Before we deep dive into the story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette talk about Top Secret, WAGs, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (01:04). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of The Deal (6:54). Spoiler Section: Juliette and Jessen compete in a Showdown where they e...
Jun 26, 2019•1 hr 9 min
Another age-gap romance! Is Jessen trying to convert anti-age-gappers? Nah, everybody has their likes and dislikes. BUT, we do like to highlight when the trope is done well and not in a creepy way. Penelope Ward delivers a relaxing slowburn romance perfect for summertime. Before we deep dive into the story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette talk about lake vacations and Jessen's run-in with a raccoon (00:58). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during thei...
Jun 19, 2019•1 hr 12 min
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Jun 13, 2019•29 min
Are there certain things that make you want to grind your teeth while reading romance novels? Jessen & Juliette have come up with a list of author/publisher practices, character traits, and plot devices that make us roll our eyes. There's no mention of any specific book or author because that's not how we roll - but there are specific situations that we describe which are grabbed right out of romance books! Support the show
Jun 05, 2019•35 min
In our previous Minisode on Game of Thrones, we discussed our top ships, most anticipated character reunions, and who we thought would survive the series finale of this epic show. We're back to see how accurate our predications were and talk about our top favorite and least favorite moments, and go over our overall impression of the final season. Support the show
Jun 03, 2019•40 min
Before we deep dive into the story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette talk about Blush Magazine and casting our favorite book characters in movies (00:52). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of The Bride Test (9:58). Spoiler Section: Juliette and Jessen compete in a Showdown where they each offer up their favorite scene to see which one reigns supreme (16:04). Then, take a deep dive into all the SPOILERY details of thi...
May 29, 2019•1 hr 14 min
Before we deep dive into the story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette talk about Juliette trip to a comic book store and her own honeymoon in Maui (1:11). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of The Unhoneymooners (5:59). Spoiler Section: Juliette and Jessen compete in a Showdown where they each offer up their favorite scene to see which one reigns supreme (10:41). Then, take a deep dive into all the SPOILERY details of ...
May 22, 2019•1 hr 9 min
Before we deep dive into the story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette talk about book taste testers and book reviewing etiquette (1:04). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of The Viscount Who Loved Me (2:57). Spoiler Section: Juliette and Jessen compete in a Showdown where they each offer up their favorite scene to see which one reigns supreme (9:25). Then, take a deep dive into all the SPOILERY details of one of this ...
May 15, 2019•1 hr 7 min
Before we deep dive into the story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette talk about book taste testers and book reviewing etiquette (00:52). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of Dirty Exes (7:56). Spoiler Section: Juliette and Jessen compete in a Showdown where they each offer up their favorite scene to see which one reigns supreme (14:16). Then, take a deep dive into all the SPOILERY details of one of this love triangle...
May 08, 2019•1 hr 7 min
A woman scorned, Blaire has made a business out of exposing cheaters. When she and her best friend are hired by a socialite convinced that her estranged husband is cheating, she runs into The One That Got Away. While gathering intel for her new client, she meets a flirty bartender that she can't help but banter with. This love triangle will have you at the edge of your seat wondering which guy is the RIGHT guy for Blaire. Before we deep dive into the story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in w...
May 01, 2019•1 hr 8 min
Mythology, magic, shifters, vampires - you name it, Magic Bleeds has it! Welcome to the world of Kate Daniels - our favorite urban fantasy romance series! Before we deep dive into the story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette talk about The OA and The Umbrella Academy (00:59). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of Magic Bleeds (4:46). Spoiler Section: Juliette and Jessen compete in a Showdown where they each offer up th...
Apr 24, 2019•1 hr 13 min
Who doesn't love a good accent? Juliette and Jessen sure do - especially if it's Scottish! Get ready for this hilarious secret identity, friends-to-lovers themed romance - it's gonna be a fun ride! Before we deep dive into their story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette talk about unusual names - like Jessen - and Juliette's trouble with shutting off her writer brain (00:52). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of Talk B...
Apr 17, 2019•56 min
Call the banners because Winter Is Here! We've got our fangirl t-shirts, wine, and decorations all ready for Sunday. Before the premiere of Game of Thrones, Jessen and Juliette discuss their favorite romance ships, their most anticipated character reunions, and predictions on who will be the last man/woman standing by the end of the final season! Support the show
Apr 12, 2019•34 min
You've heard us drool over Sebastian St. Vincent in Episode 6, now meet his daughter Phoebe in this wonderful historical romance filled with out favorite tropes. You'll see quite a few cameos from Kleypas' other series, including Sebastian and Evie themselves! Before we deep dive into their story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette talk about the musical Hamilton (01:26). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of Devil's Da...
Apr 10, 2019•1 hr 9 min
Need any salt with that burn? Vera, a food truck owner, and the renowned head chef of Lilou - Killian Quinn - go head to head, when Vera parks right across from his restaurant. Sparks fly and these rival chefs become something more during the course of their friendly (oftentimes hilarious) competition. One of our favorite enemies-to-lovers plots! Before we deep dive into their story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette as they talk about their major anticipation of the ...
Apr 03, 2019•1 hr 5 min
Some romances keep you on your toes - dragging out the story and making our characters work for their HEA. And then there are INSTALOVE romances, where the hero and heroine know that something is special right from the first. Jessen and Juliette discuss what they find makes instalove romances more realistic, and give examples of book that get it right! Support the show
Mar 29, 2019•21 min
The ultimate journey of friends to lovers - Torn will tear you up and put you back together again. Age-gap romances are hard to do well, but Carian Cole has got the magic touch and tackles the tough-to-tell stories in a way that feels completely realistic. Kenzie and Toren have a unique relationship and it grows and changes throughout the years. Before we deep dive into their story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette as they talk about the Starz adaptations of Philippa...
Mar 27, 2019•1 hr 17 min
Beyond excited for this review because Lingus needs a whole hellavalot more love than it gets. It's one of our top three Zapata books and we are here to share the love. And yes, the title means exactly what you're thinking! Buckle up for this unconventional friends-to-lovers romance. Before we deep dive into their story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette as they talk about appendectomies and grand-parent names - we were very random in this round of chit-chats (00:56)....
Mar 20, 2019•1 hr 5 min
***TRIGGER WARNING*** This episode will discuss scenes depicting sexual assault and violence, which may be upsetting to listeners. "I'd play you at the five." Que major swoon, because August West is taking a shot at winning the heart of Iris - but the play isn't that simple. It's not an easy road to their HEA, but the journey is raw and real. Before we deep dive into their story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette as they talk about the wonders of synesthesia and recor...
Mar 13, 2019•1 hr 20 min
Pirate-historical romance? Yes, please! The harrowing story of the survivors of Newgate Prison continues in Kerrigan Byrne's latest installment which focuses on The Rook. He may not remember his past, but fans of the Victorian Rebels series are sure to connect a few dots to discover his identity! Before we get into the fangirling zone, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette as they talk about Jessen's moving struggles and the new role that Juliette's husband is playing in ...
Mar 06, 2019•1 hr 7 min
To celebrate the Mardi Gras season, Juliette and Jessen give listeners a glimpse of what life is like living in the Acadiana area of Louisiana! They clear up common misconceptions popularized by Hollywood, explore the different cultures around Acadiana, and have a mini lesson in Cajun lingo. Stick around for a small sample of zydeco music to cap off the episode! Support the show
Mar 01, 2019•31 min
You all knew this one was coming. We have waxed poetic about our favorite sexual lumbersnack and the not-so-Banana-Cake-Queen in previous episodes as well as our Book Boyfriend and Girlcrush minisodes. Now you get an entire episode dedicated to Cletus Winston and Jennifer Sylvester! We also have a special segment where you get Juliette's live reaction to reading selected parts of Dr. Strange Beard. Before we get into the fangirling zone, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Julie...
Feb 27, 2019•1 hr 21 min
