Ch. 75: Sweet or Spicy Romance Books with Michelle & Vanessa

"Just found out the wife is writing a book about our honeymoon called 50 Shades of Just OK." - Conan O'Brien It is no surprise that I have some contrary ideas about romance novels. I love a good romance, after all, I've been feasting on romcoms & romance novels for the past 40+ years, and I have seen how the world has changed in its acceptance of romance novels in popular culture. There is a difference between smut and romance, and I am happy to sit down with two romance readers today to talk about what they love about the genre and what critiques they have about tropes, book boyfriends, and steamy scenes. Michelle and Vanessa are regulars around the bookshop, and it is a genuine delight to spend time with them. I knew their bookish relationship would be one that you'd enjoy too, so I was eager to invite them onto the pod. Enjoy this convo, and don't worry, I will have more in future episodes about strong opinions about the genre... I hold nothing back. ;-) Books Discussed: A Court of Thorns and Roses Butcher and Blackbird Lights Out Swift & Saddled The Forty Year Kiss Birthday Girl Wild Love/Wild Eyes/Wild Side Fourth Wing Throne of Glass The Fault in Our Stars Flawless/Heartless/Powerless/Reckless The Friend Zone Truth or Beard The Striker Ready or Not Prayer For the Crown Shy Bright Side Ice Planet Barbarians Funny Feelings Dungeon Crawler Carl Outlander Haunted Ever After Things We Never Got Over My Best Friend's Exorcism The Way of Kings Into Shadow The Fine Print The Time I Got Abducted By Aliens and Now I'm Trapped in a Romcom Say You'll Remember Me Lord of the Rings Kingdom of Ash Harold and the Purple Crayon The Pandas Take a Vacation The Widow's Guide to Dead Bastards Project Hail Mary   ** For information on the upcoming Booktruck BOOK, please go to my BLOG for updates, access to sneak peeks, and more! Let's get social - follow Daisy Chain Book Co. on Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok, or email me at [email protected] Our bookstore offers audiobooks that you can listen to on your iPhone, Android device, or PC. These audiobooks are available through our partner, Libro.fm, and all sales support our store. Choose to support indie bookstores with your audiobooks - it MATTERS. If you are in the Edmonton area, come and see our beautiful store in High Street, and if you are in the community of Beaumont, come and see us on Main St. as the only bookshop in town! For updates on all the bookish events at the bookstore, and an online database of our marvelous books visit Daisy Chain Book Co.  Podcast theme music created and performed by the incredible Kerri Bridgen.