Inside An Academic Affair: Academic Rom-Com with Jodi McAlister

from What to Read Next Podcast l Book Recommendation Show

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Ever wish your favorite academic rivals-to-lovers romance felt real? Author and researcher Dr. Jodi McAlister joins me to prove it can be.In this episode, I chat with Australian author and romance scholar Dr. Jodi McAlister about her new novel The Academic Affair — a smart, funny rom-com set inside the cut-throat world of higher ed. We talk about how academia inspired her rivals-to-lovers + marriage-of-convenience story, what it’s like to study popular romance for a living, and how genres like New Adult and rom-coms have evolved. Jodi also shares her favorite Australian and New Zealand romance authors you need on your TBR.📚 Books Mentioned ListAn Academic Affair by Jodi McAlister — Buy on Amazon | Rom-Com · Rivals to Lovers · Marriage of Convenience | Audio ✅Here for the Right Reasons by Jodi McAlister — Buy on Amazon | Reality TV Rom-Com · Bachelor-style drama | KU ✅ / Audio ✅Battle Royal by Lucy Parker — Buy on Amazon | Rom-Com · Enemies to Lovers · Baking Show | Audio ✅A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske — Buy on Amazon | Historical Fantasy Romance · Queer | Audio ✅The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love by India Holton — Buy on Amazon | Cozy Historical Fantasy Rom-Com | Audio ✅Five Bush Weddings by Clare Fletcher — Buy on Amazon | Australian Rom-Com · Friends to Lovers | KU ✅Love Unleashed by Melanie Saward — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance · Indigenous Heroine | Paperback only ⏰ Timestamps [00:00] Intro + why I loved The Academic Affair[02:00] Jodi’s double life as author and academic[03:00] How romance genres evolve (+ New Adult deep dive)[07:00] Reality TV and The Bachelor franchise[14:00] Inside The Academic Affair setup and themes[19:00] Why the marriage of convenience trope still works[20:00] Australian & New Zealand romance recs[25:00] Where to find Jodi onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

NOW PLAYING

0:00 26:57

1×

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

Shadowwork and The Divine Union Within

Dec 5, 2025 ·50m

You gotta RELEASE to RECIEVE Babes 💁🏽‍♀️

Oct 9, 2025 ·33m

The Manifestation Matrix 👁️

Oct 3, 2025 ·40m

Reclaiming the Divine Feminine Throne as The Crone 👑🖤🌙

Sep 11, 2025 ·31m

Why destiny swap when you can just do this?

Aug 27, 2025 ·39m

One thing is for sure, two are for certain…

Aug 18, 2025 ·54m

Similar Podcasts

Big Old Life: Heather Blackbird interviews people on planet earth. Heather Blackbird loves asking questions. This podcast is a learning experience. Join me, Heather Blackbird, as I talk to people about their lives. Frequency of new episodes is a little all over the place and I'm learning as I go. Big Old Life is a small way of talking about the vastness of life, one person at a time. If you are reading this or found this podcast it's probably because someone you know gave you a link to it. :) Explicit Tales Of A Superstar DJ The Insomniac Spun seemingly out of nowhere from her complacent life in the corporate world, turned seemingly overnight from 16-Hour shift work and into the life of a literally starving artist and working musician, The Protagonist navigates her supposed rise to fame and superstardom on a journey through spiritual awakening, coming-of-age, and intimate self-realization--guided by an omnipresent force and equipped with the power of love, magic, and music. {Enter The Multiverse.} [The Festival Project] The Festival Project, Inc.™ is a multidimensional multimedia platform which encompasses exploratory and artistic social personifications and expressions on cosmic theory, spirituality, growth, health & wellness, philosophy and theoretic dynamics in entertainment such as music, design, film, television, radio, dance and festival culture, art, fashion, literature, and science. The Festival Project™ and its subsidiary Non-Profit, The Collective Complex © aims to challenge modern artistic and philosop Explicit Bitcoin Is Dead Trey Carson Welcome to Bitcoin is Dead, the ultimate Bitcoin variety show where host Trey takes you on a journey through the ever-evolving world of Bitcoin. Each episode brings new personalities, fascinating locations, and insightful conversations with politicians, educators, and innovators shaping the future of Bitcoin. Whether you're a seasoned Bitcoiner or just starting your journey, tune in for thought-provoking discussions, unique perspectives, and a deep dive into the ideas and people driving the Bitcoin revolution. Explicit The Sacred +Profane Podcast nephtaragrace The Sacred + Profane Podcast is a provocative conversation dedicated to cementing a better future for all. We specialize in unpacking the nuances of what is considered sacred and profane, particularly focusing on sex, death, and all that pertains to the circle of life. Our aim in focusing on such ”taboo” subject matter is to demystify what is unconscious, bring to light what has been known for centuries as ”the occult,” and empower the rapid transformation that is occurring on the Planet. Explicit

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of What to Read Next Podcast l Book Recommendation Show?

This episode is 26 minutes long.

When was this What to Read Next Podcast l Book Recommendation Show episode published?

This episode was published on November 12, 2025.

What is this episode about?

Is there a transcript available for this episode?

Yes, a full transcript is available for this episode. You can read the complete transcript on the episode page.

Can I download this What to Read Next Podcast l Book Recommendation Show episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.

URL copied to clipboard!