Romance ME Podcast

In this episode, we discuss The Highlander’s Pirate Lass by Heather McCollum.
It’s a pirate's life for Eliza. She’s grown up with salty sea air in her hair, an unblemished horizon as a future heading, and hatred in her heart for the scoundrel who murdered her family. Eliza has no plans to ever be a wife or even to fall in love. Meanwhile, highlander Beck needs a wife so that his family island can once again support a community and be rid of the curse that has plagued them. 
Beck rescues Eliza from being stranded on an island, and the chemistry between them is overwhelming. They develop a friendship and maybe more. But, with such different life paths, how will they ever manage to chart a course that will bring them together?
Content warning: Human trafficking (including children), references to rape, sexual assault, trauma survivorship
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Coming next: The Bodyguard by Katherine Center

In this episode, we discuss The Lady and the Orc by Finley Fenn.
Once upon a time, there was a Lady who was doomed to a loveless, childless, and comfortless marriage. As luck would have it, Lady Jule’s situation gets worse, when her husband Lord Norr abandons her to be captured by orcs. 
Orc Captain Grimarr makes Jule the centerpiece of his plan to win his war against her husband, and Jule, in spite of herself, is on board. But, this means she has to surrender, in all ways, to her orc enemy.
Content warning: Dubious consent, non-consent, exhibitionism, emotional manipulation, and domestic violence (but not between the couple).
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Coming next: The Highlander’s Pirate Lass by Heather McCollum

In this episode, we discuss Ask, Tell by E.J. Noyes.
Amid the oppression of the U.S. government's Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy, Army Surgeon Capt. Sabine Fleischer is busy in Afghanistan, patching up injured bodies while keeping her crush on her commanding officer under surgical wrap. Forced to internalize her struggles so she doesn’t face career ending consequences for revealing her sexuality, Sabine battles personal challenges related to finding her place in the military, from which she feels increasingly isolated. And, while her commanding officer Col. Rebecca Keane seems to be dropping hints that she returns Sabine’s interest, the timing could not be worse. Taking a risk for love may not be worth it if it means ruining both of their livelihoods. 
Content warning: cheating (but not between the couple), homophobia, PTSD, graphic depictions of combat, casualties, injuries, and death
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Coming next: The Lady and the Orc by Finley Fenn

In this episode, we discuss The Break-Up Artist by Erin Clark and Laura Lovely. Narrated by Regan Linton
When life gets her down, Zelda applies her creative writing gifts to the composition of break-up e-mails for others using facts provided to her by the dumper. It's a stress reduction outlet she doesn’t question until one day she realizes that the recipient of one of her creations is someone she knows and likes. 
Newly single Jake recently received a message brutally canceling his previous relationship, a fact that Zelda soon discovers and finds deeply upsetting. Now, Zelda has a front row seat to the devastation she helped cause while falling for the same guy she’d mocked for being a loser. Unfortunately for her, karma wields a jackhammer when it becomes evident that Zelda’s secret identity will be revealed, one way or another. 
As Zelda’s choices come back to haunt her, what will happen to the blooming relationship she’s developing with Jake?
Content warning: Ableism, homophobia, transphobia, death of family members, grieving death of a parent.
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Coming next: Ask, Tell by E.J. Noyes

In this episode, we discuss An Easter Demon for Eloise by Chloe Alice Balkin. Bouquet of basil, yellow carnation, and butterfly weed anyone? Florist Eloise would love to give her demonic captors the arrangement of hatred, disdain, and let me go, but unfortunately she’ll have to settle for breaking out of her confinement and rescuing herself.
Almost immediately, she is found by Killian, a loathsome demon who has come to save her. You see, they’ve met before. And, they didn’t like each other before. But, now they have to work together if they want to get out of this hellacious landscape or else they’ll be captured, tortured, and killed by his family.
Content warning: Descriptions of past torture, character experiences episodes of trauma, panic, and anxiety 
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Coming next: The Break-up Artist by Erin Clark and Laura Lovely

In this episode, we discuss Crushing on You by Jen Trinh.
When Anna sits next to Ian on the plane, she immediately decides she wants nothing to do with him, even after learning they are traveling to the same event. But, by the end of the weekend, Anna realizes that there may be more to him than she’d first suspected. He’s not the well-mannered stereotype she had thought him to be. Perhaps it’s even safe for her to open up to him about her own hardships. As they get to know each other, they share passions and sorrows, and eventually learn there is a validity to living life differently.
Content warning: Abusive parents, alcohol addiction, racism, death of family members
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Coming next: An Easter Demon for Eloise by Chloe Alice Balkin

In this episode, we discuss My Phony Valentine by Courtney Walsh.
In order to prove to her childhood bully that she isn’t a romantic late bloomer, Poppy claims a random man as her boyfriend without at first realizing that he was so hunky, or such a well-known hockey player. As luck would have it, said hockey player Dallas feels magnanimous towards a pretty stranger and plays along. 
Once they get to know each other and their respective situations better, they devise a mutually beneficial plan to enter into a fake relationship. But, once her business is no longer in the red and his reputation is no longer in a fiery dumpster, will they be brave enough to admit their real feelings?
Content warning: Character’s past includes neglectful abuse. Financially abusive ex. 
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Coming next: Crushing on You by Jen Trinh

In this episode, we discuss Neon Gods by Katee Robert.
Persephone is on the run from a forced marriage when she crosses the River Styx and falls into the arms of Hades, King of the Underworld. At first, she’s confused, because Hades isn’t supposed to exist, and yet, here he be… and he be hot. 
Wanting shelter from the coming storm of her alleged fiance’s wrath, Persephone makes a mutually beneficial deal with Hades. Their fake relationship has a time limit, but as the end date approaches, will they admit to themselves that there is real love between them?
Content warning: Exhibition kink; aggressive, but consensual, oral sex; abusive parent
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Coming next: My Phony Valentine by Courtney Walsh

In this episode, we discuss Ambrosia by C.N. Crawford.
After almost becoming a ice sculpture, Ava falls through a portal and finds herself in an unfamiliar, hostile world with few allies and fewer options. She wants to reconnect with Torin. She wants to go home. She might not want to face the truth about herself and her nature. But when she meets the land’s sadistic queen, Ava is forced to make a gut wrenching decision in the hope that her vicious actions might save the man she loves.
Content warning: Abusive family members, captivity and torture
Listen to our review of the previous book in the series: Frost by C.N. Crawford
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Coming next: Neon Gods by Katee Robert

In this episode, we discuss Homecoming King by Penny Reid.
Pro-football player Rex is always a boyfriend but never a husband, sending many of his exes into the arms of his teammates. Meanwhile, bartender and crafter Abby had a fairytale love story gone bad, convincing her to give up on love.
When Abby’s lifelong crush Rex walks into her bar, Abby is suddenly forced to reexamine her views on love. Rex has a proposal that will hopefully help both of them out and Abby agrees in spite of herself. 
As they spend more time with one another, will Rex take a chance and lower his grumpitudinous walls? Will Abby continue to assume her childhood crush is too good to be true?  And what does too good to be true really mean, anyway?
Content warning: Abusive and predatory ex, and stalking
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Coming next: Ambrosia by C.N. Crawford

In this episode, we discuss Frost by C.N. Crawford.
There is rock bottom, and then there is the layer of crap Ava finds herself in the morning after her worst birthday ever. Involuntarily single and not ready to mingle, she finds herself jobless as well. Cue the handsome Seelie King Torin to rush in, saying words that amount to, “I hate you, so, marry me and I’ll give you a bunch of money."
Nothing in life is easy, and neither is this staged courtship. Ava must compete against, even sword fight, magic-using princesses to give her a shot at winning Torin’s hand. While Torin helps her survive the deadly challenges, undesired feelings develop. Can Torin keep his distance from Ava and save his people? Or will his love for her doom them all? 
Content warning: Cheating, but not between the couple. Ends on a cliffhanger, but we’ll be doing the next book as our first book for the new year!
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Coming next: Homecoming King by Penny Reid

In this episode, we discuss Role Playing by Cathy Yardley.
At age 48, Maggie has learned to embrace her inner bog witch, possibly to the point of being detrimental to her mental and emotional well being. Various people in her life are encouraging her to be more social and less of a hermit, but the one with the power to reach her is her son, Kit. Based on Kit’s quid pro quo logic, she finds herself joining a local online guild where she can obtain loot, talk shit, and potentially make friends, like with the guild leader Otter. 
Unbeknownst to Maggie, Otter, who’s real world name is Aiden, isn’t a 20-something being nice to some woman old enough to be his mother, but instead a 50 year old nurse taking care of his actual mother. Isolated from the very family he’s helping, Aiden struggles to assert himself and fight for the life he wants. 
When they finally meet in person, their friendship grows. Can Maggie the bog witch give Aiden the confidence he needs so that he can tell his family to find another scapegoat for the things they don’t like about their own lives? And, in return, can a playful otter really fall in love with a grumbly old bog witch?
Content warning: Queerphobia, racism, emotionally abusive exes
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Coming next: Frost by C.N. Crawford

In this episode, we discuss Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert.
After a brush with death, Chloe rearranges her priorities and writes a list that will ensure she’ll be remembered well once she dies. Chloe is now determined to live her life to the fullest, despite living with the chronic pain of fibromyalgia. To complete the items on her list, she enlists the help of a man who doesn’t like her so she can successfully become all the Chloe she can be.
Always looking to play the knight in shiny armor, Red is a happy-go-lucky artist unless he is reminded of his painful romantic past, involving an upper class woman who, unfortunately, reminds him of Chloe. Despite this, he agrees to assist with getting Chloe a life in exchange for her professional website building expertise.
As Chloe and Red become friends, and maybe more, can they trust each other’s intentions once Chloe finally has achieved a life?
Content warning: An emotionally and physically abusive ex and living with chronic pain.  
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Coming next: Role Playing by Cathy Yardley

In this episode, we discuss Depraved by A.J. Merlin.
Having lived through a formative, terrifying experience when she was young, Sloane works and lives at a camp nestled into a residential area. Virgil is a serial killer just trying to get away from it all and take a little mini-vacay. Sloane finds him intriguing with his snake tattoo, charming looks, and easy way with her guard dog. But, once she finds out that he spends his leisure time un-aliving people, can she ever feel her heart is safe with him?
Content warning: Minimal animal cruelty, kidnapping, panic attacks/anxiety/PTSD, trauma survivorship. Dark romance including stalking, knife play, light strangling, primal play, light BDSM, consensual non-consent, and dubious consent.
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Coming next: Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

In this episode, we discuss A Night to Surrender by Tessa Dare.
Susanna’s idyllic seaside home is under invasion of a most brutish sort. These bombers of sheep, these red fever spreading cads, these teashop renaming bulls led by none other than the chief bull Bramwell, the recently elevated Earl of Rycliff. 
Susanna and Bram fight for the betterment of the locals – her by maintaining tranquility as well as an restorative atmosphere and him by preparing for a battle that may or may not happen. Will they be able to find common ground? Or will they make their demarcation lines in the sand?
Content warning: Dubious consent, FMC strikes the MMC
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Coming next: Depraved by A.J. Merlin

In this episode, we discuss Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks
Evelyn and Graeme are forced into an arranged marriage devised by their king to bring an end to the long-standing feud between their families. Both families think this is the worst thing that could ever happen, especially to poor, gentle Evelyn who is thought of as “daft.” How can she ever be a “true wife” to Graeme?
Once Graeme learns Evelyn’s secret and they begin to fall in love, they must now embark on the difficult task of overcoming the ingrained hatred between the families. And, now that Evelyn’s secret is out, Graeme must fight to protect Evelyn from her terrifying past. 
Content warning: Abilism, abuse, and captivity
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Coming next: A Night to Surrender by Tessa Dare

In this episode, we discuss Enemy Lines by Alex Lidell.
Kyan is determined to rescue everyone he can to make up for the one person he didn’t save. This includes his doctor Ivy, who moved to Denton Valley to escape the danger threatening her life. For mutual benefit, they make an arrangement: He will help her learn to function under constant pressure and she will help him get his medical clearance renewed. But, when Ivy backs out of their deal, will Kyan be able to forgive her and finally work to save himself?
Content warning: Trauma survivorship, unhealthy couple dynamics, emotional manipulation/abuse, physical altercation between the couple, indentured servitude
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Coming Next: Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks

In this episode, we discuss Beard in Mind by Penny Reid.
Beau has a vision of his future, and that vision does not include Shelly, the infuriating, rude mechanic his brothers hired to ensure their family business doesn’t turn into a parking lot. As he grapples with the complexity of Shelly’s prickly exterior, he realizes that there is more to the woman than he first assumed. When a family secret comes to light, will Mr. Fix-It Beau allow Shelly to provide him with the emotional support that he didn’t even realize he needed?
Content warning: OCD as a major theme, self harm
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com

In this episode, we discuss Bound to the Battle God by Ruby Dixon.
When Faith goes to check on a sound in an empty apartment, she inadvertently finds herself a plaything of the gods as she is sent to another world where she is now the low woman on the totem pole. All she wants to do is go home, where she's a slave to the dollar and not a sex slave or sacrificial lamb. 
The arrogant battle god Aron is being taught a lesson by the High Father when he's sent to walk amongst the mortals, who he assumes will be eager to provide him aid. His sole supporter is Faith, as she considers him her ticket out of trouble. Soon, the two set out to win Aron's battle to return back to the Aether. 
As they trek across the countryside and plan for victory, will god Aron keep taking his Faith for granted? Or will he move Aether and Aos to remain anchored forever? 
Content warning: Dubious consent, non-consent, slavery (including sex-slavery)
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com

In this episode, we discuss Ocean’s Echo by Everina Maxwell.
Dumpster-fire walking, Tennal is self-medicating and self-indulging in an effort to cope with the enhanced mental capabilities of his “reader” brain. He’s living the charmed life of a socioeconomically advantaged civilian as if there are no consequences… until there are, you know, consequences. The next thing he knows, he’s forcibly enlisted in the Cavalry and bullied into syncing with a babysitter, aka “architect”, Lt. Surit.
Hard working Lt. Surit is a model soldier. He doesn’t plan to disobey orders, but when he is ordered to sync with the non-consenting Tennal, Surit is forced to reevaluate why a social pariah like him was given this opportunity in the first place. 
Content warning: Themes surrounding a lack of consent
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Twitter: @romanceMEcast | Facebook: @romanceMEpod

In this episode, we discuss Happy Place by Emily Henry.
Although Harriet and Wyn know they have been broken up for five months, no one else does. When they are summoned to Maine for their annual Summer meetup with their besties, they don’t want to let said besties know that there is trouble in paradise. In fact, paradise is lost, possibly for good. 
So, to keep the peace for one final summer hang, they agree to remain fake-engaged before going back to their separate, uncoupled lives. But, as the forced proximity with Wyn causes Harriet to relive their greatest hits, she begins to wonder if her Happy Place is actually a place at all.
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Twitter: @romanceMEcast | Facebook: @romanceMEpod

In this episode, we discuss By the Book by Jasmine Guillory.
Isabelle works in publishing, helping to encourage authors to bring their stories to life. While she enjoys her work, she is feeling underappreciated by her boss. She wishes she could grow her career and she doesn’t really want to be a babysitter for a beastly writer who isn’t writing.
Beau, the grumpy pants author, has writer’s block and the bad attitude that often accompanies it. He is clearly not prepared for Izzy to intrude upon his domain, armed with tips, tricks, and a spine of steel. Izzy confronts Beau, his bullshit, his writer’s block, and his personal baggage. Izzy is clearly good for Beau, but is Beau good for Izzy?
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Twitter: @romanceMEcast | Facebook: @romanceMEpod

In this episode, we discuss Husband Material by Alexis Hall.
Four weddings, one funeral, but no Andi Macdowell in this romantic comedy. Instead, we are reacquainted with Luc and Oliver! They fell in love with each other in Boyfriend Material and now, two years later, they are still in love, watching those around them do the next socially expected thing: aka get married. As Luc and Oliver work out what they want in their ceremony, and struggle to compromise, they learn whether they are forever-level compatible.
Content warning: Homophobia, abusive parents.
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Twitter: @romanceMEcast | Facebook: @romanceMEpod

In this episode, we discuss The Duchess and the Cowboy by Debra Erfert.
Lady Jane has everything: a nice estate, pretty dresses, dutiful staff, and a husband she gets along with. But one day, her brother-in-law stages a duel with her husband, robbing her of her safe lifestyle. Jane decides to escape her nefarious brother-in-law by moving to Nevada where she meets cowboy Heath, who has his own issues. They become friends, but will their differences in social class and cultures stand in the way of falling in love?
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Twitter: @romanceMEcast | Facebook: @romanceMEpod