Why Cozy Romance Is Taking Over w/ Laurie Gilmore | Talk Spicy to Me

For the Season 3 finale of Talk Spicy to Me, bestselling romance authors Giana Darling and Kandi Steiner are joined by #1 New York Times bestselling author Laurie Gilmore, creator of the beloved Dream Harbor series and The Pumpkin Spice Cafe. Laurie takes us behind the scenes of her newest release, Big Bad Wolf, a cozy paranormal romance with Little Red Riding Hood vibes, werewolves, slow burn tension, and a few more red flags than readers might expect from Dream Harbor. We're also diving into why cozy romance is having such a huge moment, the surprising overlap between cozy and dark romance readers, how Laurie's Gilmore Girls love influenced her author name, and the incredible journey that turned The Pumpkin Spice Cafe from a side project into a career-changing phenomenon. Plus, Laurie shares how she protects the joy of writing after massive success, what makes a fictional small town feel truly cozy, why her romances are still open door, and which Dream Harbor man she would choose for herself. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Welcome to the Season 3 finale 04:11 - Meet Laurie Gilmore 05:50 - Big Bad Wolf + cozy werewolf romance 11:55 - Did Gilmore Girls inspire "Gilmore"? 23:43 - Why cozy romance is having a huge moment 26:42 - Why readers need cozy books right now 31:48 - What actually makes a romance "cozy"? 36:48 - Where does spice fit into cozy romance? 42:09 - The Pumpkin Spice Cafe phenomenon 45:24 - How The Pumpkin Spice Cafe took off 53:22 - Werewolves, red flags & "touch her and die" energy 1:00:10 - Red Flag, Green Flag: Only One Bed 1:04:29 - Favorite tools for writing a novel 1:13:30 - Talk Spicy to Me Book Club 1:26:40 - Saying goodbye to Season 3 💬 QUESTION OF THE EPISODE: Are you a cozy romance reader, a dark romance reader… or are you happily reading BOTH? FOLLOW LAURIE GILMORE: Website: https://www.thelauriegilmore.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauriegilmore_author/?hl=en SPONSORS: This season of Talk Spicy to Me is brought to you by Lauren Blakely and Kat Singleton! Lauren Blakely is the bestselling author of sexy, funny, feel-good romance, including Just Playing for Keeps, a grumpy-sunshine hockey romance with fake dating, viral heartbreak, and a broody tattooed hockey hero. Follow Lauren Blakely: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenblakelybooks/ Website: https://laurenblakely.com/ Kat Singleton is the author of In Good Company, a forbidden billionaire romance featuring an ex's brother, private chef, age gap tension, and a dreamy Hamptons setting. Follow Kat Singleton: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorkatsingleton/?hl=en Website: https://authorkatsingleton.com BOOK CLUB: We're reading The Hot Shot by Piper Rayne! Join us for the September 9th episode when Giana and Kandi break it all down. Want more Talk Spicy to Me? Join us on Patreon for early access, exclusive content, surprise book mail, and uncensored After Dark episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/TalkSpicytoMePodcast If you loved Season 3, make sure to like, subscribe, and leave us a comment telling us who you want to see on the podcast next season!  #LaurieGilmore #TalkSpicyToMe #CozyRomance #ThePumpkinSpiceCafe #BigBadWolf #DreamHarbor #RomanceBooks #BookTok #KandiSteiner #GianaDarling