172: Manifold Pleasures-You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty Akwaeke Emezi

In this episode Morgan and Isabeau dive into the deep end of what makes a romance a romance. Sure it's the beats, the structure and that all important HEA but...but...is there something more?

Feyi is a young widow trying to bring herself back to life. She meets a handsome consultant whose dad is big in the art world, helping Feyi land an exciting exhibition on a tropical island. It's a picture-perfect romantic escape with artistic dreams realized—until Feyi finds herself thunderously attracted to the very last person on the island she should have the hots for. And wowza, does she have the hots!

This book is steamy, confrontational, and insistent on its romance. It's not easy, but that's what makes it so different and worthwhile.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: Chapter 51 - Public Access Read-a-Long

Knock knock! Who's there? A whole ass wife in the form of Lydia, of course.

In chapter 51 Lydia and Wickham return to make everything awkward over the course of a short ten days. Just enough time for Lydia to drop a bombshell at the very end of the chapter.

Does the text like Lydia, or is it just us giggling and kicking our feet in the air every time she gets the spotlight?

171: Razor Blades vs. Blunt Axes - "San Francisco Earthquake 1906" by Kathleen Duey

This episode, yr grls feel the earth move under their feet thanks to SAN FRANCISCO EARTHQUAKE 1906 by KATHLEEN DUEY.

Sierra, she of the old-fashioned braids and humble dreams, works as maid in the grand Palace Hotel of San Francisco. Joseph Harlan, he of the ranch inheritance and general decency, is staying in The Palace Hotel. Joe is completely smitten with Sierra but she is coming to terms with her crush turning out to be a gold digger. Sierra and Joseph collide just as the Pacific Plate and North Atlantic Plate, and thus find themselves on the greatest adventure known to man. No, not love. Surviving the aftermath of an up to 8.3 on the richter scale earthquake in turn-of-the-century San Fran.

Remember when men were men and young adult fiction was for young adults? And also historical? Have we expanded the possibilities to the point of choking out skilled, professional writing?

You know what they say. If the tent's a-quakin', look out for the ensuing fires.

Re!mance: Episode 163 Hart And Mercy By Megan Bannen

Taking your back to a criminally underrated book and episode:

Saddle up the Equimare or fuel up the Autoduck - in "HART AND MERCY" by MEGAN BANNEN, Marshall Hart's desperate plea for companionship transcends realms, landing in the hands of his nemesis, the super hot and sassy Undertaker Mercy. Amidst a backdrop of longing and rivalry reminiscent of "You've Got Mail" and "The Shop Around the Corner," Hart and Mercy reach out into the void for the connection they're missing, finding solace in anonymous correspondence.

Dive into this poignant fantasy romance to unravel the depths of empathy, the allure of escapism, and the tingles of a country dance. Plus there are zombies.

Don't miss out, it's a heart-tugger!