Rebel Ever After

My guest this week is a returning champion, my friend Laura Piper Lee! Her third romance POT SHOT comes out on May 19th and was just named an indie next pick. We talked about what inspired her to write about a woman living with Crohn's Disease who opens a dispensary in her hometown, happily-ever-afters that include chronic illness, and why the world needs more stoner rom-coms. This episode contains a lot of conversation about cannabis, and I apologize in advance for how much I sound like a narc. I promise I am not anti-weed, I am just from Connecticut and deeply uncool.  Follow Laura on Instagram and Threads @laurapiperlee, and at laurapiperlee.com Purchase Laura's books from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore at bit.ly/REAbooks Remember to get your tickets to Laura's book tour events! You can find more information at linktr.ee/laurapiperlee. Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, Ella's newsletter, and other bonuses! Save 10% when you buy an annual membership — your financial support makes this independent podcast possible.  Other media mentioned this episode: Parks & Rec Broad City Laura's past books Hannah Tate, Beyond Repair and Zoe Brennan, First Crush Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons.

In this episode, TJ Alexander and I celebrate their new historical romance A Lady For All Seasons, a Shakespearean-esque screwball comedy with an unforgettable genderfluid lead. Then TJ introduces me to the real queer historical figures who inspired their characters, like the Ladies of Llangollen and Lord Byron. Plus: what you should know about the first proposed national book ban, and the importance of annoying queer representation. Pretentious queer artists deserve rights too, you guys.  Follow TJ on Instagram as @tjalexandernyc, and find their newsletter and other links at tjalexander.com Purchase TJ's books from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore at bit.ly/REABooks Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, Ella's newsletter, and other bonuses! Save 10% when you buy an annual membership — your financial support makes this independent podcast possible.  Learn more about HR 7661 and other censorship threats by supporting Authors Against Book Bans.  Other media mentioned this episode: The Allusionist podcast episode about Fiona Macleod.  TJ's latest guest episode on the Historical Romance Sampler.  Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons.

This week my guest is queer BDSM romance author Kate Hawthorne, who also writes as Nikki Markham. We talked about the nuance of depicting ongoing negotiation and consent on the page, accountability in kink communities, and the long-lasting appeal of submissive coming out stories. Plus: why everyone needs a good platonic spanking. We do discuss some potentially triggering topics like what abuse can look like within a BDSM dynamic, particularly in undernegotiated power exchange relationships. That being said, BDSM is not inherently abusive and we do not conflate the two. Follow Kate on Instagram and Threads @kate.hawthorne or go to www.katehawthornebooks.com.  Breaking The Mold is available for pre-order now! You can find Kate's books on Kindle Unlimited, and in the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore on Bookshop.org at bit.ly/REAbooks  Reserve your ticket to our Romance Read-In to benefit Authors Against Book Bans on April 29th: https://bookclubbar.com/events/4612720260429 Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Save 10% when you buy an annual membership! Your financial support makes this independent production possible.  Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons. Books and authors mentioned this episode: Danielle Steele Norah Roberts Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James Heated Rivalry (Crave, 2025) The Princess Knight by Cait Jacobs  

This week on Rebel Ever After, my guest is Adib Khorram, a queer Iranian American author of fiction for all ages. His adult romances are I'LL HAVE WHAT HE'S HAVING and IT HAD TO BE HIM, and his newest YA novel ONE WORD, SIX LETTERS comes out March 17th. We had a wide ranging conversation about queer joy versus queer liberation, writing hot sex scenes with occasional farts, and dysmorphia and body neutrality in fiction. Plus: Checking in with the Iranian diaspora, and why we should all move to Kansas City.  Follow Adib on Instagram/Threads @adibkhorram and on BlueSky at @adibkhorram.bsky.social. Join Adib's Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ChateauAdib Purchase Adib's books from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore at bit.ly/REABooks Reserve your ticket to our Romance Read-In to benefit Authors Against Book Bans on April 29th: https://bookclubbar.com/events/4612720260429 Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Save 10% when you buy an annual membership! Your financial support makes this independent production possible.  Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons. Books and authors mentioned this episode: Rafe by Rebekah Weatherspoon Adriana Herrera's Dreamers series Alexis Daria Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson Sierra Simone Julian Winters M.A. Wardell  

This week my guest is LaQuette, author of many contemporary romances including The King's Pregnancy Proposition and the brand new rom-com Janae Sanders' Second Time Around. We talked about her Savvy, Sexy, and Single Club series about couples in their 40s that explores communication, healing and mental health. Then we discussed the beautiful ridiculousness of romance and the perils of expecting a character's choices to be "plausible."  Plus: LaQuette told me about her Ph.D. research on representations of Black women in popular media and how stereotypes limit the types of stories Black romance authors are able to get published. Follow her on Instagram @la_quette and at https://laquette.com/.  Purchase LaQuette's books from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore at bit.ly/REABooks Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Save 10% when you buy an annual membership! Your financial support makes this independent production possible.  Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons. Books and authors mentioned this episode: Carole Mortimer's The Devil's Price Kimberla Lawson Roby Donna Hill Sandra Kitt Rochelle Alers Francis Ray Zane Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee is an all-volunteer, grassroots, multiracial, and multinational immigrant rights mass-movement organization. MIRAC fights for legalization for all, an end to immigration raids and deportations, an end to all anti-immigrant laws, and full equality in all areas of life. Donate to MIRAC here: www.miracmn.com  

This week I'm the guest! I went on my friend Emily Hessney Lynch's podcast It's A Lot to talk about my romance novel, BUT HOW ARE YOU, REALLY. We dug into my writer's block and the depression a lot of authors experience thanks to the shifting goal posts of success in this industry. Plus I shared some conspiracy theories about why best-seller lists are rigged and if hardcover books are doomed to fail. Be sure to subscribe to the It's A Lot podcast! Emily does a great job interviewing folks about social media, parenting, books, and all sorts of stuff that feels way too much.  Buy BUT HOW ARE YOU, REALLY in any format here or at bit.ly/buthowareyoureallynovel  Join my Patreon community for free and get email updates about the show and my upcoming events at patreon.com/brosandprose.  Get tickets for my 2/5 event at the Ripped Bodice with Jennifer Iacopelli: https://www.therippedbodice.com/brooklyn-events  

In the first Rebel Ever After episode of 2026, my guest is Ashley Herring Blake! I asked the author of DELILAH GREEN DOESN'T CARE and countless other queer books about her shift from writing kid-lit to adult romance, and the authors who inspired her along the way. Then we broke down the role of astrology and tarot in her new book GET OVER IT, APRIL EVANS (Feb 2026) and why queers love our star charts so much.  I also asked Ashley for her advice on how to live and work in line with your values in an industry where having principles can feel like a luxury. Plus: writing about kink and queerness in small-town settings, and why third-act breakups are the best, actually. Find Ashley on Instagram @ashleyhblake or at www.ashleyherringblake.com Pre-order Get Over It, April Evans from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore at bit.ly/REABooks Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee is an all-volunteer, grassroots, multiracial, and multinational immigrant rights mass-movement organization. MIRAC fights for legalization for all, an end to immigration raids and deportations, an end to all anti-immigrant laws, and full equality in all areas of life. Donate to MIRAC here: www.miracmn.com Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Save 10% when you buy an annual membership! Your financial support makes this independent production possible.  Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons. Books and authors mentioned this episode: The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner The Brown Sisters series by Talia Hibbert Rebekah Witherspoon  Kennedy Ryan Nicole Brinkley

This week my guest is Allie Oleander, author of the dark-ish romance WILLING PREY about a woman who gets paid $30,000 to let a sexy, awkward lawyer hunt her in the woods. We talked about the definition of primal kink, how Allie approached consent and power dynamics in the book, and the differences between BDSM and Dark Romance. Plus: Why do some readers find Dark Romances so cathartic to read? Allie patiently helped me make sense of my complicated feelings about the subgenre's rising popularity.  Content warning: This episode is definitely not safe for work and includes discussion of kink, stalking, trauma and sexual violence. Follow Allie on Instagram and Threads @allie.oleander. You can also subscribe to her Patreon for free at Patreon.com/AllieOleander. Purchase Willing Prey from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore at bit.ly/REABooks Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Save 10% when you buy an annual membership! Your financial support makes this independent production possible. Please reach out at rebeleverafterpod.com/contact with advertising and sponsorship inquiries.  Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons.   Books mentioned this episode: The works of Nenia Campbell Rebecca Kinkade's Streams and Schemes trilogy

This week my guest is Katherine Grant, indie romance author and the host of the Historical Romance Sampler podcast. We talked about the conclusion of her historical romance series The Prestons and how her characters live by their progressive principles in Regency Era England. On a craft level, Katherine shares how she interrogates thorny issues of labor exploitation and divesting from the slave trade while writing character-driven romance novels. Plus: How she approached writing the sexuality and personal growth of characters in their 60s in THE WIDOWER WITHOUT A WILL. Then we dove into the state of historical romance in the indie publishing space. Is it true that indie authors will keep the subgenre alive? How are hist-rom authors doing these days? And how can historical romance appeal to new and young readers? Find Katherine on Instagram as @katherine_grant_romance and at katherinegrantromance.com. Listen to the Historical Romance Sampler wherever you get your podcasts, and follow the show on Instagram at @historicalromancesampler. Purchase Katherine's romances from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore at bit.ly/REABooks Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Save 10% when you buy an annual membership! Your financial support makes this independent production possible. Please reach out at rebeleverafterpod.com/contact with advertising and sponsorship inquiries.  Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons. Books mentioned this episode: The work of Nicholas Sparks The work of Jodi Picoult The work of Mary Higgins Clark The work of Mary Balogh What a Wallflower Wants by Maya Rodale Magic and Mischief at the Wayside Hotel by Elizabeth Everett The Sea Witch by Eva Leigh The Roman Heirs series by Jenna Bigelow Mate by Ali Hazelwood Princess Weekes's Dramione video The work of Emma R. Alban The work of Adriana Herrera  

This week my guest is Marisa Kanter, author of the adult rom-com FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS, as well as several YA romance novels. We talked about writing the ultimate contemporary marriage-of-convenience about best friends who get married for health insurance and housing. We had a good venting session about ableism and misogyny in romance reviews, and the weird trend of readers wanting to "rescue" male main characters from their chronically ill heroines. Topics include: Romance characters who don't want to get married, the disgraceful state of the United States healthcare system, and if escapism has to mean a love story completely untethered from economic reality.  Follow Marisa on Instagram @marisakanter and visit her website at marisakanter.com. Purchase Marisa's FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore here! My second-chance college reunion romance BUT HOW ARE YOU, REALLY is available wherever books are sold and at bit.ly/buthowareyoureallynovel Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Your financial support makes this independent production possible. Please reach out at rebeleverafterpod.com/contact with advertising and sponsorship inquiries.  Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons. Books referenced this episode include: The works of Sarah Dessen The works of Meg Cabot The Hating Game by Sally Thorne The Broposal by Sonora Reyes

My guest this week is Rachel Runya Katz, the author of Thank You For Sharing, Whenever You're Ready and the brand new instant USA Today Best Seller Isn't It Obvious? We talked about writing rom-traum-coms, balancing serious subjects with swoony romance, bipolar representation and our love of Michael Hobbes podcasts. Plus, should we be concerned about all the condomless big penises taking over sex scenes? And our hot takes about You've Got Mail. Follow Rachel on Instagram @rachelrunyakatz and on Substack here. Purchase Rachel's books from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore here! Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Your financial support makes this independent production possible. Please reach out at rebeleverafterpod.com/contact with advertising and sponsorship inquiries.  Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons.   Books and podcasts mentioned this episode: The works of Jasmine Gillory The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest Can't Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan The View Was Exhausting by Mikaella Clements & Onjuli Datta Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury Maintenance Phase podcast You're Wrong About podcast If Books Could Kill podcast   P.S. My second-chance college reunion romance BUT HOW ARE YOU, REALLY is available wherever books are sold and at bit.ly/buthowareyoureallynovel

My guest this week is Julian Winters, the author of adult rom-coms I THINK THEY LOVE YOU and LAST FIRST KISS, as well as many books for teens and children. We talked about his passion for writing inclusive love stories that make people feel seen and celebrated. Julian walked me through how he approached demisexuality and pansexuality on the page of his new book LAST FIRST KISS in a responsible and character-driven way. Plus: Discovering your queer identity at your own pace, no matter your age; conversations about safe sex between characters; and writing ideal "first" sexual experiences. Follow Julian on Instagram @wintersjulian at julianwinters.com. Purchase Julian's books from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore here! Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Your financial support makes this independent production possible! Please reach out at rebeleverafterpod.com/contact with advertising and sponsorship inquiries.  Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen.  Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons. Get tickets for my event with Candice Jalili at Powerhouse Arena (Brooklyn 10/14): https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/powerhousebookstores/book-launch-seeing-stars-by-candice-jalili Get tickets for my event with Cait Jacobs at The Next Chapter (Huntington NY, 10/20): https://www.thenextchapterli.com/product/cait-jacobs-book-talk-signing-monday-october-20th-7pm/20275   Other books mentioned this episode: How to Be a Normal Person by TJ Klune Black Boy Joy: 17 Stories Celebrating Black Boyhood Love and Other Conspiracies by Mallory Marlowe The works of Keith Miller  

This week my guest is former journalist and current novelist Chloe Angyal! In her Dancers Down Under trilogy, Chloe writes about ballet dancers as athletes, employees, and hotties. We talked about her decision to self-publish BARRE FIGHT, the final book in the series, and how she wove the extensive research she did for her nonfiction book Turning Pointe: How a New Generation of Dancers is Saving Ballet From Itself into genre romance novels. Plus: how she wrote a high-steam romance novel without any penetrative sex scenes in POINTE OF PRIDE, the current conservative project to disenfranchise women, and her real-life meet cute with her husband Zach Wahls, who is now running for Senate in Iowa. Follow Chloe on Instagram as @chloe.angyal.writes and on Substack at https://chloeangyal.substack.com/ Order a signed copy of BARRE FIGHT here: https://chloeangyal.substack.com/p/how-to-get-a-signed-copy-of-barre  Support Zach Wahls for Senate: https://zachwahls.com/    Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Your financial support makes this independent production possible! Please reach out at rebeleverafterpod.com/contact with advertising and sponsorship inquiries.  Get tickets for my event with Candice Jalili at Powerhouse Arena (Brooklyn 10/14): https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/powerhousebookstores/book-launch-seeing-stars-by-candice-jalili Get tickets for my event with Cait Jacobs at The Next Chapter (Huntington NY, 10/20): https://www.thenextchapterli.com/product/cait-jacobs-book-talk-signing-monday-october-20th-7pm/20275 Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons.

It's time for another Rebel Ever After's premium episode! This month my guest is Katherine Morgan, the owner of Grand Gesture Books, Portland's first romance bookstore. She shared what she has learned during the store's first year at 814 SW 10th Ave — from managing stock to building community at events. She shared her advice on how authors can build strong relationships with their local booksellers, and how you can still support indie bookstores if you're on a book buying freeze. Plus we talked about all those beautiful hardcover special editions… and wondered what makes a special edition "special" anyway?  You can listen to the full episode at patreon.com/brosandprose. Subscribe for $3/month to support the show and pay an independent podcaster's rent. Follow Grand Gesture Books on Instagram and Threads at @grandgesturebooks, and @grandgesturebks on TikTok. Learn more about the store and sign up for the newsletter at https://linktr.ee/grandgesturebooks.

This week my guest is Alexandria Bellefleur, the author of many queer romances including Written In The Stars, The Fiancée Farce, and Truly Madly Deeply! We talked about her groundbreaking career and what it was like to publish one of the earliest breakout sapphic rom-coms in the trad space during this era of romance. We also discussed bi4bi romances, navigating the expectations of queer readers, and the way stories about bisexual characters are often put in ill-fitting boxes. Then Alexandria told me about her upcoming paranormal sapphic romance The Devil She Knows, inspired by the underrated 2000 comedy Bedazzled starring Elizabeth Hurley and Brendan Fraser. You can follow Alexandria on Instagram and Threads as @a.m.bellefleur. Purchase all of Alexandria's books from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore here! Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Your financial support makes this independent production possible! Please reach out at rebeleverafterpod.com/contact with advertising and sponsorship inquiries.  Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. Thank you for your support! Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons.   Books and other media mentioned this episode: Cora Carmack Tessa Bailey  Elle Kennedy Mariana Zapata Brighton Walsh Get Over It, April Evans by Ashley Herring Blake Rachel Harrison's horror novels Buffy the Vampire Slayer The Hunger Games

It is spooky witchy season, and this week's guest is Celestine Martin! She is the author of the Elemental Love series, including Witchful Thinking, Kiss and Spell, and Deja Brew. We talked about finding inspiration in the history and liminal magic of the Jersey Shore, and giving black women the paranormal fairytale romances they deserve. Plus why cozy low-stakes romances are having a moment! As a head's up, there is some city noise in the background during our conversation. If you hear police sirens, that's us, not you. You can follow Celestine on Instagram as @celestinemartinauthor and on Patreon here. Purchase all of Celestine's books from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore here! Attend my event with Sarah Beth Durst at Northport books on 9/11 at 7pm! Reserve your free ticket here.  Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Your financial support makes this independent production possible. Please reach out at rebeleverafterpod.com/contact with advertising and sponsorship inquiries.  Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. Thank you for your support! Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons.   Books and other media mentioned this episode: Midnight by Beverly Jenkins The work of Nisha Sharma  The work of Sarah Beth Durst ZomRomCom by Olivia Dade The work of Virginia Hamilton The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling Witch Please by Ann Aguirre The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna Charmed (1998 - 2006) Ever After (1998) Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe

My guest this week is Elissa Sussman, author of Funny You Should Ask and Once More With Feeling. She walked me through writing her new book Totally and Completely Fine, about a widow and single mom still grieving her late husband when she meets a famous, younger actor. Then we talked about her new podcast But How's the Sex about the sex lives of fictional characters, and how romance novels celebrate and respect horny women. Plus: Are small-town romances "cozy" or homogenised? And why are heroines in their 40s so rare? Follow Elissa on Instagram as @elissa_sussman or visit elissasussman.com. Purchase Totally and Completely Fine from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore here! Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Your financial support makes this independent production possible. Please reach out at rebeleverafterpod.com/contact with advertising and sponsorship inquiries.  Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. Thank you for your support! Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons.

This week on Rebel Ever After, my guest is the wonderful London Sperry, author of the 2024 rom-com Passion Project. London and I talked about the range of mental health representation in romance and her quest to write a self-destructive, grieving baddie who deserves love. Content warning that this episode touches on depression, anxiety, mourning and some light references to suicidal ideation. I promise we laughed a lot about being weirdos in New York City, golden retriever love interests, and our love for Sebastian St. Vincent. Follow London on Instagram @londonsperrywrites. Purchase PASSION PROJECT from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore here! Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Your financial support makes this independent production possible. Please reach out at rebeleverafterpod.com/contact with advertising and sponsorship inquiries.  Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. Thank you for your support!!   Books mentioned this episode: Passion Project by London Sperry City People by London Sperry (a work in progress!) But How Are You, Really by Ella Dawson Devil In Winter by Lisa Kleypas Wedding Dashers by Heather McBreen   Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons.

This week my guest is Eva Leigh, the author of My Fake Rake, Scandal Takes the Stage, Forever Your Earl, and many more historical romances. Her new romantasy The Sea Witch publishes this August with Canary Street Press. Eva writes fantastically bold heroines who find freedom and power despite the patriarchy. We talked about sustaining a career in the romance genre, why pirates should be your next obsession, and embracing female rage. Plus, Eva's decision to write a happily-ever-after for a sex worker in Dare to Love a Duke. Follow Eva on Instagram as @evaleighauthor and on BlueSky as @evaleigh.bsky.social‬, or visit her website, evaleighauthor.com Learn more about the pre-order campaign for The Sea Witch on Eva's Instagram here!   Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Your financial support makes this independent production possible. Please reach out at rebeleverafterpod.com/contact with advertising and sponsorship inquiries.  Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen.   Books and authors mentioned this episode include: Judith McNaught Jude Deveraux Johanna Lindsey Eva's earlier work as Zoe Archer Lady Viper and The Bastard, Eva Leigh Dare to Love a Duke, Eva Leigh The work of Cat Sebastian The work of KJ Charles The Blades of the Rose, Zoe Archer To Catch a Raven, Beverly Jenkins (Btw, Eva looked into the source of "Comparison is the thief of joy" and most folks do attribute it to Theodore Roosevelt. Still a mystery when/where he said it!)   Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons.

This week my guest is Olivia Dade, the author of Spoiler Alert, All The Feels, At First Spite, 40-Love and many others. She has two books coming out this year, ZOMROMCOM in August and Second Chance Romance in November. We had a sprawling conversation about her dive into paranormal romance, writing fat heroines who are older than 27 years old, and the unique challenges of editing sex scenes.  Follow Olivia Dade on Bluesky as @oliviawrites.bsky.social‬, and sign up for her newsletter at go.oliviadade.com/Newsletter. Pre-order ZOMROMCOM, SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE and other romance novels featured on Rebel Ever After in my affiliate bookstore at bookshop.org/lists/rebel-ever-after Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the brand new Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast! Your financial support makes this independent production possible.  Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. Books mentioned this episode include: The Flesh Series, Kylie Scott Reawakening, Charlotte Stein Last Light, Claire Kent Hold, Claire Kent The Spoiler Alert series, Olivia Dade Cover Me, Olivia Dade But How Are You, Really, Ella Dawson (that's me!) The Hating Game, Sally Thorne The work of Emma Barry

My guest for Pride month's premium episode is Nina Haines, the founder of the virtual sapphic book club Sapph-Lit and the brand new publishing imprint of the same name. Nina is an advocate for queer authors and a community builder both online and offline. I asked her about her career as a bookish content creator, her thoughts on sapphic representation, and her decision to partner with Bindery to publish sapphic romance novels. Yes, you will hear the word "sapphic" a million times in this episode! We also gossiped about brands turning their backs on the LGBTQ community, and why book reviewers are so hard on lesbian characters.  Listen to the full episode at patreon.com/brosandprose !  Rebel Ever After be back on July 14th. If you miss me, get on the Rebel ever After Discord and chat with me and fellow listeners! Patreon subscribers have access. Join the Sapph-Lit community on Bindery: https://sapphlit.binderybooks.com/ Follow Nina on Instagram as @nina.haines, and Sapph-Lit as @sapphlit. Books mentioned this episode include: The Warrior Cats series by Erin Hunter The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller The works of Audre Lorde, Cookie Mueller, and Eileen Myles Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters Saturn Returning by Kim Narby (coming in Spring 2026) Bless The Blood: A Cancer Memoir by Walela Nehanda All This Could Be Different by Sarah Thankam Mathews You Exist Too Much by Zaina Arafat Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner The Bright Falls series by Ashley Herring Blake Here For The Wrong Reasons by Annabel Paulson and Lydia Wang The work of Emily Austin Triple Sec by TJ Alexander Single Player by Tara Tai The Secret Summer Promise by Keah Brown One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

My guest this week is author, actress, and journalist Keah Brown. She has published three books, the 2019 essay collection The Pretty One: On Life, Pop Culture, Disability, and Other Reasons to Fall In Love With Me; the 2022 children's book Sam's Super Seats, and her YA romance debut The Secret Summer Promise in 2023. Keah, like the protagonist of The Secret Summer Promise, has cerebral palsy, and we talked about what better disability representation can look like in romance and beyond. We also discussed about why loving yourself is a lifelong process and Keah's decision to come out as bisexual. Plus: Do teens today read Sarah Dessen? Does Hollywood still do chemistry tests? Why aren't there kisses in rom-coms anymore? And when will Drew Barrymore be our friend? Follow Keah @keah_maria on Instagram and Threads, and @keahbrown.bsky.social‬ on BlueSky. You can also find her at keahbrown.com. Purchase THE SECRET SUMMER PROMISE and other romance novels featured on Rebel Ever After in my affiliate Bookshop at bookshop.org/lists/rebel-ever-after You can listen to Keah and I gab about The Pitt on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose — Patreon subscribers get access to premium episodes of Rebel Ever After, as well as access to our Discord server! Join starting at $3/month and have the satisfaction of supporting an indie podcast production that could really use your help.  Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. FILMS AND BOOKS MENTIONED INCLUDE: The Parent Trap (1998) Gotta Kick It Up (2002) The Pitt (2025) Just Listen, Sarah Dessen The Truth about Forever, Sarah Dessen This Lullaby, Sarah Dessen 50 First Dates (2004) Ever After (1998) Never Been Kissed (1999) A Walk To Remember (2002) Anyone But You (2023) Twisters (2024) Back In Action (2025) Bridget Jones's Diary (2001) The Holiday (2006) Pride & Prejudice (2005)  

My guest this week is Tara Tai, whose debut novel SINGLE PLAYER came out this January. It's a queer rom-com about two video game developers who clash over whether or not to include romantic storylines in their blockbuster new game Compass Hollow. Tara and I talked about what it was like for them to write a romance novel about gaming culture, and the similar social stigma of romance and gaming as adult hobbies. What are the key differences between writing a romance novel and a romantic video game storyline, and what games should romance readers play next? Plus, how the immersive experience of video games leads to incredible storytelling at its best… and dangerous fan behavior at its worst.  Follow Tara on Instagram @tarzaparzagagapan, on Bluesky @taratai.com‬, and at their website taratai.com. Purchase SINGLE PLAYER and other romance novels featured on Rebel Ever After in my affiliate Bookshop at bookshop.org/lists/rebel-ever-after Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the brand new Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast! Your financial support makes this independent production possible.  My second-chance bisexual romance BUT HOW ARE YOU, REALLY with its beautiful new digital cover is available wherever books are sold and at bit.ly/buthowareyoureallynovel Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen.   Games mentioned include:  Ghost of Yotei Date Everything Dragon Age: The Vielgard Dungeons and dragons Clair Obscur Split Fiction Zelda: Breath of the Wild Stardew Valley The Sims Rollercoaster Tycoon Baldur's Gate Dragon Age Mass Effect Fire Emblem The Last of Us Part I and II   Books mentioned:  Love In Focus, Lyla Lee

My guest this week is Chip Pons, the author of You And I, Rewritten and the forthcoming reality TV romance Winging It With You. He walked me through his publishing journey, from querying agents to self-publishing to making his trad pub debut during Pride 2025. Then we talked about the radically beautiful cover of his rom-com. Finally, how can we bring more gay men into the romance community as readers and as authors?  Follow Chip Pons on Instagram and learn about his book tour dates at @booksovrbros. Purchase WINGING IT WITH YOU and other romance novels featured on Rebel Ever After in my affiliate Bookshop at bookshop.org/lists/rebel-ever-after Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the brand new Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast! Your financial support makes this independent production possible.  My second-chance bisexual romance BUT HOW ARE YOU, REALLY with its beautiful new digital cover is available wherever books are sold and at bit.ly/buthowareyoureallynovel Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen!   Books mentioned in this episode include:  Slammed by Colleen Hoover Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston You And I, Rewritten and Winging It With You by Chip Pons

Welcome to PRIDE, y'all!! This week's guest is Joanna Lowell, the author of historical romances including A Shore Thing, The Duke Undone, and A Rare Find, which comes out on June 10th. She is also a Professor in the English Department at Wake Forest University.  We talked about her experience teaching modern romance novels alongside classics like Jane Austen in the classroom, and the threat the Trump administration poses to historical research and academia. Then she took us inside her writing process and collaborating with her partner to create trans and nonbinary characters. After all, people have lived and loved outside the gender binary throughout history. Follow Joanna on Instagram @JoannaLowellAuthor and visit her website at joannalowell.com You can find A Shore Thing and other romance novels featured on Rebel Ever After in my affiliate Bookshop at bookshop.org/lists/rebel-ever-after Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the brand new Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes fo the podcast! Your financial support makes this independent production possible.  My second-chance bisexual romance BUT HOW ARE YOU, REALLY with its beautiful new digital cover is available wherever books are sold and at bit.ly/buthowareyoureallynovel Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen! Books mentioned this episode include: The works of Jane Austen The Bromance Book Club, Lyssa Kay Adams The Kiss Quotient, Helen Hoang An Extraordinary Union, Alyssa Cole The Prospects, KT Hoffman A Gentleman's Gentleman, TJ Alexander Unmasked by the Marquess, Cat Sebastian Las Leonas series, Adriana Herrera Luna Sisters series, Liana De la Rosa Damsels of Discovery and Secret Scientists of London series, Elizabeth Everett Ladies In Hating, Alexandra Vasti  

Buckle up for the first ever Rebel Ever After quarterly romance discourse round-up. This month I analyzed the bad vibes of 2025: Why is the Chicago Sun Times recommending books that don't exist? Has publishing abandoned diverse voices? Why are popular books by black authors so hard to find in bookstores lately? Is Silver Elite a worthy successor to The Hunger Games? And what the hell is up with straight influencer Tinx publishing a sapphic "romance" novel? I discuss all of that and more in this premium episode. Listen to the full episode by subscribing for $3/month at patreon.com/brosandprose   

This week's guest is Harper St. George, the author of many historical romances including The Heiress Gets A Duke, The Stranger I Wed, and Eliza and The Duke (out on June 24th). We talked about writing relationships between equals across different time periods, from Vikings to the Victorian Era to the Wild West. Plus: Is indie publishing the future for historical romance? Are progressive heroes "historically inaccurate"? And what's it like to write a category Harlequin romance?  Pre-order ELIZA AND THE DUKE from Eagle Eye Books to get a signed copy and a stunning art print! Here's the link to do so: https://eagleeyebooks.com/book/9780593441023 Follow Harper on Instagram and Threads @harperstgeorge, and subscribe to her newsletter at harperstgeorge.com. Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the brand new Rebel Ever After Discord server! Your financial support makes this indie podcast possible.  My second-chance romance BUT HOW ARE YOU, REALLY with its beautiful new digital cover, is available wherever books are sold and at bit.ly/buthowareyoureallynovel Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen!

This week's guest is Betty Cayouette, author of TELL ME HOW YOU REALLY FEEL and ONE LAST SHOT. We talked about writing a romance that starts with a third act breakup, if the miscommunication trope deserves the hate it gets, and why a second-chance needs an excellent apology. Then Betty and I talked about sneaking the wage gap into a rom-com, and romance heroines who have experienced sexual violence and trauma. Plus: the dark reality of internet fame, male heroes who have a lot of growing to do, and why we both support the Victims Rights Law Center.  Be advised that this episode contains discussion of sexual assault and harassment. Follow Betty as @bettysbooklist on Instagram and TikTok, and visit her website at bettysbooklist.com. You can buy her books at the Rebel Ever After affiliate Bookshop.org store at https://bookshop.org/lists/rebel-ever-after Donate and volunteer with the VRLC at victimrights.org Please rate, review, and subscribe to Rebel Ever After on your favorite podcast app! Support the show by becoming a patron at patreon.com/brosandprose starting at $3/month.  Listen to the first Rebel Ever After PREMIUM episode about STI stigma in romance at bit.ly/REABonusEp1 My second-chance romance But How Are You, Really with its BEAUTIFUL new cover is available wherever books are sold and at bit.ly/buthowareyoureallynovel

This week's guest is Myah Ariel, the author of two contemporary romance novels that take place in the entertainment industry. First we discussed how her mother's real life experience integrating an all-white school in the 1960s inspired her debut novel WHEN I THINK OF YOU. Then we dove into her new book NO ORDINARY LOVE, a deliciously sexy romance about a singer who falls in love with a baseball player while she's in the process of divorcing her unfaithful media mogul husband. We talked about writing heroes who are worthy of the trust of heroines recovering from abusive relationships, and the real life divas who inspired her main character, Ella Simone. Be advised that this episode contains discussion of emotional abuse and abusive litigation, weaponized prenups, and shitty men. Follow Myah as @myahmeetscute on Instagram and Threads, and visit her website at myahariel.com. You can buy her books at the Rebel Ever After affiliate Bookshop.org store at https://bookshop.org/lists/rebel-ever-after You can listen to Ariel's No Ordinary Love Spotify playlist here. Please rate, review, and subscribe to Rebel Ever After on your favorite podcast app! Support the show by becoming a patron at patreon.com/brosandprose starting at $3/month.  Listen to the first Rebel Ever After PREMIUM episode about STI stigma in romance at bit.ly/REABonusEp1 My second-chance romance But How Are You, Really with its BEAUTIFUL new cover is available wherever books are sold and at bit.ly/buthowareyoureallynovel

My guest this week is Leanne Schwartz! She is the author of several YA fantasy novels and the adult contemporary rom-com My Kind of Trouble, a brilliant homage to The Music Man. We talked about bringing a mid-century musical into the modern day with a stern librarian battling book bans in his community and a smoke show con artist who targets corrupt wealthy white men.  We also talked at length about autistic and neurodivergent representation in romance. Leanne shared how she writes autistic characters beyond the stereotypes we typically see in pop culture. Plus: fat heroines who love their bodies and the case for books that buck conventional tropes (sorry, we're bored of tiny ladies who can climb their hunky heroes like trees). Follow Leanne on Instagram, Threads and BlueSky as @schwartzwords and on TikTok at @lifebreakingin, or go to leanneschwartz.com. You can find My Kind of Trouble and other romance novels featured on Rebel Ever After in my affiliate Bookshop at https://bookshop.org/lists/rebel-ever-after This podcast is brought to you by the support of my patrons. For $3/month you can join my Patreon and help make Rebel Ever After sustainable, as well as get access to bonus episodes. You can subscribe at patreon.com/brosandprose. [Do not sign up within the iOS Patreon app on your iPhone because Apple tacks on a 30% fee — that money goes to Apple directly, not to me. I recommend joining the Patreon on your computer. Tech monopolies are bad.] Listen to the first Rebel Ever After PREMIUM episode about STI stigma in romance at bit.ly/REABonusEp1 My second-chance romance But How Are You, Really with its BEAUTIFUL new cover is available wherever books are sold and at bit.ly/buthowareyoureallynovel

My guest this week is New York Times best-selling author Allison Raskin, whose first rom-com Save The Date was published this April by Canary Street Press. You may know Allison from her podcast Just Between Us with Gabe Dunn, her mental health newsletter Emotional Support Lady, or her previous life as a BuzzFeed star. In this episode Allison shares the true story that inspired Save The Date, and what it's like to write a book about your fiancé walking out six months before your wedding. Then we talked about debunking the concept of soulmates, the difference between wanting to get married and wanting a wedding, and our solidarity with self-sabotaging mentally ill heroines.  Plus: Couples therapy! YouTube fame! Writing screenplays versus novels! Why wanting a serious relationship is not cringe! You can find all of Allison's books and sign up for her newsletter at allisonraskin.com! Follow her on Instagram @allisonraskin and on TikTok @allisonraskinbaby. This podcast is brought to you by the support of my patrons. For $3/month you can join my Patreon and help make Rebel Ever After sustainable, as well as get access to bonus episodes. You can subscribe at patreon.com/brosandprose. [Do not sign up within the iOS Patreon app on your iPhone because Apple tacks on a 30% fee — that money goes to Apple directly, not to me. I recommend joining the Patreon on your computer. Tech monopolies are bad.] Listen to the first Rebel Ever After PREMIUM episode about STI stigma in romance at bit.ly/REABonusEp1 My second-chance romance But How Are You, Really is available wherever books are sold and at bit.ly/buthowareyoureallynovel  

As traditional publishers adapt to Trump Era Part II, there is concern in Romancelandia that books are about to get a lot whiter, straighter, and more conventional. Luckily, indie authors don't have to deal with gatekeepers. Is self-publishing the future for diverse, queer, progressive romance novels? What should you know before you decide to go indie? My guest this week is Georgina Kiersten, who also writes as Jasper Hale. Their work includes Fall Into You, More to Love, their diverse Sleepy Hollow retelling Splinter, and the serial Dracula retelling A Vicious Thirst.  Georgina walked me through the many ways you can self-publish your work today, from print-on-demand to Wattpad to serialized newsletters. We talked about marketing, monetization and merch, and why going indie can be a better fit for neurodivergent writers than a traditional book deal. Then we addressed the elephant in the room. How do we keep writing when the situation in the United States is this dire? Is it true that dangerous times lead to incredible protest art? And why did so many MAGA women think politics would never touch their favorite romances?  You can find all of Georgina's books and sign up for their newsletter at georginakiersten.com. Follow them on all social media platforms @ingloriousgigi. Join my cover reveal team for the updated But How Are You, Really ebook artwork at bit.ly/ButHowCoverReveal Listen to the first Rebel Ever After PREMIUM episode about STI stigma in romance at bit.ly/REABonusEp1 This show is brought to you by the support of my patrons! For $3/month you can join my Patreon and help make this podcast sustainable, as well as get access to bonus episodes. Make sure you join on your computer and not on the Patreon iOS app on your iPhone, because Apple tacks on an extra 30% fee. Tech monopolies are bad! You can subscribe at patreon.com/brosandprose

My guest this week is Joanna Shupe, best-selling historical romance author whose books take place during the Gilded Age. Her latest book The Gilded Heiress publishes this August with Avon.  Joanna's books have always been political, but apparently some of her readers didn't exactly pick up on the undertones of her work. When she wrote a newsletter reacting to Donald Trump's re-election, quite a few of them were surprised. She talked to me about the backlash she received when she pointed out the connections between the Gilded Age and the moment we find ourselves in. How do romance readers actually respond when authors make their politics clear? We also seethed about anti-vice activist Anthony Comstock and how his weird hang-ups about women's bodies currently threaten our access to abortion and birth control over a century after his death.  Plus: Has Elon Musk ruined the tycoon hero? Why aren't there more unmarried and childfree HEAs in romance? And will different approaches to cover art help historical romance break through with new readers? Follow Joanna on Instagram and Threads as @joannashupe. Sign up for her newsletter here: https://joannashupe.com/newsletter/ Preorder The Guilded Heiress here: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-gilded-heiress-joanna-shupe This show is brought to you by the support of my patrons. For $3/month you can join my Patreon and help make this podcast sustainable, as well as get access to bonus episodes starting in April. You can subscribe at patreon.com/brosandprose Follow Ella as @brosandprose on Instagram, Threads and BlueSky. Read But How Are You, Really at bit.ly/buthowareyoureallynovel  Get tickets to Ella's events in NYC this month: 4/9 with London Sperry at the Ripped Bodice to celebrate Passion Project: https://e.sparxo.com/London-Sperry-Passion-Project-BK-Ticketed 4/10 with Allison Raskin at The Strand to celebrate Save The Date: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/allison-raskin-ella-dawson-save-the-date-tickets-1155265794089  

My guest this week is Amy Spalding, author of many YA novels and the adult sapphic Out In Hollywood series. The latest installment, ON HER TERMS, was published in February by Kensington Books.  Topics tackled include: How much queer representation in the YA genre has improved in the last decade, and coming out as bisexual "later in life." Is "adulthood" a scam, and what does it look like outside of a cis-het framework? And how to write characters who want a different future (also known as a happily-ever-after) from what everyone else seems to want, i.e. moving in together, marriage and children. Plus: queer community rules, but you gotta build it!  As a reminder, you can support this podcast by joining my Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose for as little as $3/month. Independent podcasting is a labor of love and I am so proud of the conversations we're having on this show about romance and activism and community. My patrons make this podcast possible, and they have my sincere gratitude. You can follow Amy as @thatames on Instagram and Threads, or visit her website at theamyspalding.com. You can purchase her books from the Rebel Ever After shop at bookshop.org/lists/rebel-ever-after. You can follow Ella on Threads, Instagram and BlueSky @brosandprose for updates about the show and other romance/political shenanigans. My second-chance college reunion romance But How Are You, Really is available at bit.ly/buthowareyoureallynovel

This week's guest is Adriana Herrera, author of many contemporary and historical romances including a A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke. Adriana leads the pack when it comes to writing love stories that are bold, sexy and unwavering in their values. We talked about what it means to write brave romance novels, where the happily-ever-after includes a better world for everyone, not just the main characters. Has the idea that romance novels are inherently feminist outlived its usefulness? What does it mean for a romance to truly be feminist? We also discussed writing about survivors of domestic and sexual violence, and cishet male love interests who are viable partners but still have some learning to do.  Please consider this a content warning if you are sensitive to conversations about abuse and physical violence, or frank discussions of abortion and reproductive healthcare. As a reminder, you can support this podcast by joining my Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose for as little as $3/month. Independent podcasting is a labor of love and I am so proud of the conversations we're having on this show about romance and activism and community. My patrons make this podcast possible, and they have my sincere gratitude. You can follow Adriana as @ladriana_herrera on Instagram and Threads, or visit her website at adrianaherreraromance.com. You can purchase her books from the Rebel Ever After shop at bookshop.org/lists/rebel-ever-after. You can follow Ella on Threads, Instagram and BlueSky @brosandprose for updates about the show and other romance/political shenanigans. My second-chance college reunion romance But How Are You, Really is available at bit.ly/buthowareyoureallynovel

This week's guest is TJ Alexander, author of several queer contemporary romances including Chef's Choice and Second Chances In New Port Steven. TJ shared what readers can expect from their first historical romance, A Gentleman's Gentleman, publishing on March 11th. We talked about writing queer and trans identity back into history, and the many forms that masculinity can take.  Then I pestered them with questions about their groundbreaking polyamorous rom-com Triple Sec and how to write a happily-ever-after outside of the monogamous soulmate mold. Are traditional publishing houses — and mainstream romance readers — ready for poly love stories? Purchase TJ's books from the Rebel Ever After bookshop.org store here! Pre-order A Gentleman's Gentleman here. Follow them on Instagram as @tjalexandernyc and subscribe to their newsletter here.  Please rate, review, and subscribe to Rebel Ever After on your favorite podcast app! Support the show by becoming a patron at patreon.com/brosandprose starting at $3/month. Make sure you sign up on desktop or in a web browser instead of the Patreon iOS app, where Apple tacks on an extra 30% free because they are greedy. You can follow me on Threads, Instagram and BlueSky @brosandprose for updates about the show and other romance/political shenanigans. My second-chance college reunion romance But How Are You, Really is available here.

My guest is Andie J. Christopher, the author of many contemporary romances including Unrealistic Expectations, Thank You Next, and Hot Under His Collar. She is also the creator of Stern Brunch Daddy, both the concept and the Substack. Together we dissected the never-ending "smut" discourse. Why do we keep having the same circular conversations about romance novels getting too explicit, and is that even true? Is the fixation on Hannah Grace's Icebreaker and kids stumbling across sexual content just a moral panic? Should we blame Trump, or traditional publishing, or something else entirely?  Then we talked about how heteropessimism informs Andie's romance novels, and how she writes fictional cis men worth falling for when the real world isn't exactly sending its best. Plus! What ever happened to the bonkbuster, and is it time to bring back these sprawling, glamorous 80s romances?  Purchase Andie's books from the Rebel Ever After bookshop.org store here! Pre-order her Formula 1 romance Faster here. Follow her on Instagram as @authorandiej and subscribe to her Substack here.  Please rate, review, and subscribe to Rebel Ever After on your favorite podcast app! Support the show by becoming a patron at patreon.com/brosandprose starting at $3/month. Make sure you sign up on desktop or in a web browser instead of the Patreon iOS app, where Apple tacks on an extra 30% free because they are greedy. You can follow me on Threads, Instagram and BlueSky @brosandprose for updates about the show and other romance/political shenanigans. My second-chance college reunion romance But How Are You, Really is available here. Books mentioned this episode include: Unhinged by Vera Valentine Lights Out by Navessa allen Lucky by Jackie Collins Spring Collection by Judith Krantz The Joy of Sex Icebreaker by Hannah Grace Savage Thunder by Joanna Lindsay A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke by Adriana Herrera Zoey Draven's Horde King series  Empire of Temptation by Mila Finelli The Heroine's Journey by Gail Carriger

My guest this week is Elizabeth Everett, the author of The Secret Scientists of London series and The Damsels of Discovery series. We discussed her book The Love Remedy, about a female apothecary in Victorian England who provides reproductive healthcare to women, and The Lady Sparks a Flame, which comes out in March. As a content warning, this episode includes a lot of discussion of abortion through a historical and political lens, as well as self-harm and recovering from child abuse.  We also talked about the false assumption that everyone in the past was less progressive than we are today, and the criticism that kind and open-minded men aren't "historically accurate." Purchase Elizabeth's books from the Rebel Ever After bookshop.org store here! Follow her on Instagram as @ElizabethEverettAuthor or visit her website. Other books mentioned in this episode: Adriana Herrera's A Tropical Rebel Gets The Duke Joanna Shupe's The Duke Gets Even Nikki Payne's The Princess and the PI Libby Hubscher's Meet Me In Paradise, If You Ask Me, and Heart Marks The Spot Please rate, review, and subscribe to Rebel Ever After on your favorite podcast app! Support the show by becoming a patron at patreon.com/brosandprose starting at $3/month. Make sure you sign up on desktop or in a web browser instead of the Patreon iOS app, where Apple tacks on an extra 30% free because they are greedy. You can follow me on Threads, Instagram and BlueSky @brosandprose for updates about the show and other romance/political shenanigans. My second-chance college reunion romance But How Are You, Really is available here.

Put on your cryptid-hunting gear! My guest this week is Mallory Marlowe, author of the contemporary romance Love and Other Conspiracies. Her 2024 debut was one of my favorite books of last year and features a heroine healing from an emotional abusive relationship. We talked about leaving behind toxic partners and workplaces, and how Mallory wrote a healthy romantic partnership worth swooning over. We also discussed gray ace representation, depression, and consent in romance.  Plus: Why is the Mothman's butt so nice? When do conspiracy theories cross the line between harmless curiosity about cryptids into bigoted paranoia? Where can I meet a hot woke conspiracy theorist?? Follow Mallory Marlowe on Instagram @mallorymarlowewrites or visit her website. Read Love and Other Conspiracies here, and pre-order Love at First Sighting here. Browse all the books featured on this podcast in my bookshop.org affiliate bookstore! Other books mentioned in this episode include: Temple of Swoon by Jo Segura Wedding Dashers by Heather McBreen Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future Of Blizzard Entertainment by Jason Schreier (non-fiction) Please rate, review, and subscribe to Rebel Ever After on your favorite podcast app! Support the show by becoming a patron at patreon.com/brosandprose starting at $3/month. Make sure you sign up on desktop or in a web browser instead of the Patreon iOS app, where Apple tacks on an extra 30% free because they are greedy. You can follow me on Threads, Instagram and BlueSky @brosandprose for updates about the show and other romance/political shenanigans. My second-chance college reunion romance But How Are You, Really is available here.

[As a head's up I apologize for the low volume in this episode. I edited myself into a corner and cannot fix it. Normal volume episodes will return next week!] My guest this episode is Liana De la Rosa, the author of fantastic historical romances — most recently the Luna Sisters series, which takes place in England during the second Franco-Mexican War. Gabriela and His Grace, the last book in the trilogy, comes out in August 2025.  We talked about our love of historical romances and whether or not the rumors of its demise are exaggerated. Liana walked me through how she balances historical accuracy with romantic tension, and makes the case for readers new to histrom to give it a shot. Plus we wonder: Why didn't the Bridgerton Bump last? Do publishers know how to market historical romance to a new generation of readers?  Follow Liana on Instagram as @lianainbloom, visit her website here, and subscribe to her newsletter here. You can pre-order Gabriela and His Grace and buy her other books discussed in the episode from the Rebel Ever After booklist on Bookshop.org.  Please rate, review, and subscribe to Rebel Ever After on your favorite podcast app! Support the show by becoming a patron at patreon.com/brosandprose starting at $3/month. Make sure you sign up on desktop or in a web browser instead of the Patreon iOS app, where Apple tacks on an extra 30% free because they are greedy. You can follow me (Ella) on Threads, Instagram and BlueSky @brosandprose for updates about the show and other romance/political shenanigans. My second-chance college reunion romance But How Are You, Really is available here.

In this week's episode I interview my friends Lydia Wang and Annabel Paulsen, the writing duo behind the sapphic Bachelor-inspired rom-com HERE FOR THE WRONG REASONS. We talked about reality television romance novels, the toxic polyamory of dating competition shows, and how compulsory heterosexuality hurts us all. Then we had a gossip about GoodReads review culture and the unfair burden readers place on sapphic books to represent the entire queer experience. Justice for basic Stanley cup femmes!! Follow Annabel and Lydia at @annabelandlydia on Instagram, and learn more about their work on their website. Order your copy of Here For The Wrong Reasons from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore here. Please rate, review, and subscribe to Rebel Ever After on your favorite podcast app! Support the show by becoming a patron at patreon.com/brosandprose starting at $3/month. Make sure you sign up on desktop or in a web browser instead of the Patreon iOS app, where Apple tacks on an extra 30% free because they are greedy. You can follow me (Ella) on Threads, Instagram and BlueSky @brosandprose for updates about the show and other romance/political shenanigans. My second-chance college reunion romance But How Are You, Really is available here.

My guest this week is Laura Piper Lee, the author of Hannah Tate, Beyond Repair and Zoe Brennan First Crush, which comes out Tuesday January 21. We talked about putting the comedy back in romantic comedy, the intense power of your first crush, why we need more casually queer characters, and the subversiveness of the single mom as a romantic hero.  Follow Laura on Instagram @laurapiperlee, and order her books from the Bros & Prose affiliate store here.  Please rate, review, and subscribe to Rebel Ever After on your favorite podcast app! Support the show by becoming a patron at patreon.com/brosandprose starting at $3/month. Make sure you sign up on desktop or in a web browser instead of the Patreon iOS app, where Apple tacks on an extra 30% free because they are greedy. You can follow me (Ella) on Threads, Instagram and BlueSky @brosandprose for updates about the show and other romance/political shenanigans. My second-chance college reunion romance But How Are You, Really is available here.

My guest this week on Rebel Ever After is Jessica P. Pryde! She is a contributing editor at Book Riot and the co-host of their biweekly romance podcast, When In Romance. In 2022, Jessica edited the essay anthology Black Love Matters: Real Talk on Romance, Being Seen, and Happily Ever Afters. Most recently, her short story "Why Won't you Die?" was published in Someplace Generous: An Inclusive Romance Anthology. In this episode you'll hear our conversation about Black Romance as an art form of joy and rebellion. We also dug into the barriers Black authors still face in traditional publishing and why more folks are turning to indie and self-publishing. And yes, we did touch on the Bridgerton of it all, and why traditionally published interracial romances are typically about a white man paired with a woman of color. Follow Jessica on Instagram and BlueSky, and listen to her podcast When In Romance here. Please support REBEL EVER AFTER by joining the Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose, and by giving us 5 stars on your favorite podcast app! You can follow Ella on Threads, Instagram and BlueSky at @brosandprose for updates about the show and other romance takes. Her queer millennial second-chance romance But How Are You, Really is available wherever books are sold.

My guest this week is Nellie Wilson, a teacher and historian who is the author of romance novels including Curated, Corporate Mandated Holiday Romance, and Steel My Heart: An Appalachian Romance. Her fiction is proudly anti-capitalist, and we talked about the need for romance novels about folks who don't live in Stars Hollow or Hollywood. If you hate JD Vance, you'll love this episode. Other topics discussed include: reader reactions to HEAs that don't include monogamy, marriage or parenthood; writing neurodivergent characters; why the best "eat the rich" romances are historicals; Ella's love/hate relationship with Cinderella stories; why we need more female rakes; Nellie's defense of third act breakups; calling HR on boss/subordinate romances; and are characters allowed to grow anymore? Follow Nellie on Instagram at @woahnelliewrites, and buy her books on Amazon here. [Yes, we hate Jeff Bezos, but Nellie is self-published and this is the best way to make sure she gets paid]. Support REBEL EVER AFTER by joining the Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose, and by giving us 5 stars on your favorite podcast app! You can follow Ella on Threads, Instagram and BlueSky at @brosandprose for updates about the show and other romance takes. My queer millennial second-chance romance But How Are You, Really is available at bit.ly/buthowareyoureallynovel

It turns out I owe Blake Lively, and all of you, an apology. In this quick episode, I go over the allegations against Justin Baldoni and the smear campaign he orchestrated of his It Ends With Us co-star. You can read my essay about how I fell for the smear campaign and the specific allegations against Baldoni and his co-producer Jamey Heath here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/i-fell-for-act-118745786 And here's my reading list of romance novels about survivors of DV, abuse and sexual violence: https://bookshop.org/lists/romances-about-abuse-and-sexual-assault-survivors Join my Patreon to yell at me in the Rebel Ever After group chat or share your It Ends With Us opinions: https://www.patreon.com/brosandprose If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and abuse in the United States, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or texting "START" to 88788. You can also chat with the hotline virtually at https://www.thehotline.org/ I'll be back next week with a new author interview. Thanks everyone.

My guest this week is the effervescently funny Danica Nava, author of The Truth According to Ember, and the forthcoming Love Is a War Song, hitting bookstores in July 2025. Ember and Danuwoa's story is the first traditionally published romance novel by a Native author!  We talked about the woeful history of Native representation in pop culture and how little has changed (I'm looking at you, Taylor Lautner). We also discussed surviving the hell of corporate America, channeling resentment into inspiration, and our case for bringing back the big budget rom-com.  Please rate, review, and subscribe to Rebel Ever After on your favorite podcast app! Support the show by becoming a patron at patreon.com/brosandprose starting at $3/month. Make sure you sign up on desktop or in a web browser instead of the Patreon iOS app, where Apple tacks on an extra 30% free because they are greedy.  You can follow me on Threads, Instagram and BlueSky @brosandprose for updates about the show and other romance/political shenanigans. My queer millennial second-chance romance But How Are You, Really is available at bit.ly/buthowareyoureallynovel Follow Danica on Instagram at @danica_nava. Order your copy of The Truth According to Ember here: https://bookshop.org/a/56317/9780593642603 Pre-order Love Is A War Song here: https://bookshop.org/a/56317/9780593642627  

This week my guest is Jenny L. Howe, the author of The Makeup Test, On The Plus Side, and How to Get a Life In Ten Dates, which comes out this Tuesday December 10th. She's also the author of the forthcoming YA romance, Love at Full Tilt.  Topics discussed in this episode include: why every man in romance has the body of Chris Hemsworth, how romance often celebrates toxic masculinity, the fatphobia of (some) romance readers, how to write actual body diversity among your characters (not just the heroine! and also monsters don't count!), if horror is any better at fat representation, the current state of book discourse online, why reviews are not "feedback" for authors, and if we should worry about teenagers reading romance novels. Spoiler alert: ehh, sort of. You can follow Jenny as @jennylhowe on Threads, BlueSky, Instagram, and TikTok, and find her work at jennylhowe.com Please rate, review, and subscribe to Rebel Ever After on your favorite podcast app! Support the show by becoming a patron at patreon.com/brosandprose starting at $3/month. Make sure you sign up on desktop or in a web browser instead of the Patreon iOS app, where Apple tacks on an extra 30% free because they are greedy. You can a full, free transcripts of this episode on Patreon, too. You can follow me (Ella!) on Threads, Instagram and BlueSky @brosandprose for updates about the show and other romance/political shenanigans. P.S. My queer millennial second-chance romance BUT HOW ARE YOU, REALLY is available at bit.ly/buthowareyoureallynovel 

My guest this week is Shelly Jay Shore, the author of the best-selling novel Rules For Ghosting. We talked about writing escapism versus resistance in romance, and the role of authors and artists in fighting the Trump administration. We also discussed how romance creates a safe way for readers to engage in hard emotional topics like mourning and death, and why we want to see more abortion stories in romance! Plus: horror and romance are siblings, and Ella still has a stick up her @ss about tech billionaire romances.  Order your copy of Rules For Ghosting from bookshop.org here: https://bookshop.org/a/56317/9780593723944 Follow Shelly at @shellyjayshore on Instagram and BlueSky, and subscribe to their newsletter Creativity for Good at shellyjayshore.substack.com Please subscribe to Rebel Ever After on your favorite podcast app! Support the show by becoming a patron at patreon.com/brosandprose starting at $3/month. You can find free, full transcripts for each episode on my Patreon.  You can follow me (Ella!) on Threads, Instagram and BlueSky @brosandprose for updates about the show and other romance/political shenanigans. P.S. My queer millennial second-chance romance BUT HOW ARE YOU, REALLY is available at bit.ly/buthowareyoureallynovel 

In this episode, I interview Erin Baldwin about her debut novel Wish You Weren't Here, a sapphic YA romance about two girls who can't stand each other but are forced to share a cabin at beloved summer camp Fogridge. We talk about writing the enemies-to-lovers trope for a young audience, accurately representing Gen Z teenagehood, and what Erin wishes she didn't have to cut from her final draft.  Purchase your copy of Wish You Weren't Here from BookshopDotOrg here: https://bookshop.org/a/56317/9780593622698 You can follow Erin on Instagram as @erinbwrites and on bluesky at @erinbwrites.bsky.social. Please subscribe to Rebel Ever After on your favorite podcast app! Support the show by becoming a patron at patreon.com/brosandprose starting at $3/month. You can find free, full transcripts for each episode on my Patreon.  You can follow me (Ella!) on Threads, Instagram and BlueSky @brosandprose for updates about the show and other romance/political shenanigans. P.S. My queer millennial second-chance romance BUT HOW ARE YOU, REALLY is available at bit.ly/buthowareyoureallynovel 

During the innocent week before the 2024 election, I chatted with Becca Grischow about her debut novel I'LL GET BACK TO YOU, a sapphic Thanksgiving rom-com published by Penguin Books. We discussed Becca's career as a ghostwriter and what it's like to finally claim authorship of a book she wrote, including the downsides of being a queer author on TikTok. Plus the importance of writing broke, queer characters, and our bond as bisexual raccoon millennials. Purchase your copy of I'll Get Back To You from bookshop dot org here: https://bookshop.org/a/56317/9780143138419 You can follow Becca at @beegriz on Instagram and TikTok. Please subscribe to Rebel Ever After on your favorite podcast app, and support the show by becoming a patron at patreon.com/brosandprose. You can find free, full transcripts for each episode on my Patreon.  You can follow me (Ella!) on Threads, Instagram and BlueSky @brosandprose for updates about the show and other romance/political shenanigans. P.S. My queer millennial second-chance romance BUT HOW ARE YOU, REALLY is available at bit.ly/buthowareyoureallynovel