Book Lovers Series

Book Lovers: Episode 54

Episode 54: Romance Redux

February 14, 2024


We've talked about romance novels before on the podcast, but this episode takes a different approach, because Joseph has a lot of questions about the genre. Why do we read romance? What are the implications of the genre on readers, and how do we as a society view romance novels? For that matter, what’s the difference between a romance book and a romance movie? Jess and Rea explain the importance of romance, the reimagining of the marriage plot, and major trends in romance, all whilst swooning over the many romance novels they’ve read recently.



Titles & topics mentioned:

  • Jane Austen
  • The marriage plot
  • A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole
  • Bridgerton, created by Shonda Rhimes
  • The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
  • Jasmine Guillory
  • Georgette Heyer
  • Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree
  • Baldur’s Gate 3 on PS5
  • An Archive of Our Own
  • Sarah J. Maas
  • Rebecca Yarros
  • Jennifer L. Armentrout
  • Set on You by Amy Lea
  • Exes and O’s by Amy Lea
  • 50 Shades of Grey by E L James
  • Grace and Frankie, created by Marta Kauffman and Howard J. Morris
  • The Before trilogy, directed by Richard Linklater
  • The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren
  • The Second Chance Year by Melissa Wiesner
  • Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
  • War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
  • Penelope, directed by Mark Palansky
  • Titanic, directed by James Cameron
  • While You Were Sleeping, directed by John Turteltaub
  • Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
  • Past Lives, directed by Celine Song
  • Casablanca, directed by Michael Curtiz
  • Love Story, directed by Arthur Hiller