Adriana Herrera is with us this week to talk about feminism, romance, and how the two intersect. We talk about the history of the genre, about the evolution of feminism within it, and about what we want from the texts we're reading now, as the world does whatever it is it's doing.

Virginia state elections are November 4th. Virginia is our opening electoral salvo against the administration--a place where control of the State House of Delegates was decided in 2023 by just 975 votes. If you can, please join us in contributing. www.grapevine.org/giving-circl...

Adriana Herrera is with us this week to talk about feminism, romance, and how the two intersect. We talk about the history of the genre, about the evolution of feminism within it, and about what we want from the texts we're reading now, as the world does whatever it is it's doing.

Follow us in your fav podcast app! mf.fatedmates.net/listen #booksky #romancelandia

Get your copy. bookshop.org/a/5779/97808...

Virginia state elections are November 4th. Virginia is our opening electoral salvo against the administration--a place where control of the State House of Delegates was decided in 2023 by just 975 votes. If you can, please join us in contributing. www.grapevine.org/giving-circl...

We've been hearing from so many of you this year, asking us the question we're asking each other and anyone else who will listen--some version of "OMG WHAT DO WE DO?!"

Rich people, especially rich people in the media & entertainment industries right this moment: The point of having fuck you money is saying “fuck you” when it counts.

Follow us in your fav podcast app! mf.fatedmates.net/listen #booksky #romancelandia

We're back!

Ten historical romances that make it hard to imagine the protagonists will ever work it out.

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

I've resurrected my Kissing Books newsletter, and now we're in a new home on Ghost! If you've been a subscriber from the beginning, you should be all set up at the new digs, but if you want to subscribe now, I'd love to have you!

You don't seem to be able to buy or borrow this digitally anymore. You can get it used from: Thriftbooks, ebay, AbeBooks, Alibiris, and Amazon.

The prosecutor of Newport News, Virginia, never faced any opponent over his eight reelection races—over three decades. This year, he drew his first challenger—Shannon Jones, who identifies as a progressive prosecutor—and lost.

Six Best of the Year picks for $2 or less. Lenora Bell's DUCK MOST WICKED Hannah Earnest's ALL THE BEST NIGHTS Diana Quincy's THE MARQUESS MAKES HIS MOVE Synthia Williams's CARLESS WHISPERS Diana Quincy's HER NIGHT WITH THE DUKE Alexis Daria's YOU HAD ME AT HOLA #romancelandia #booksky

Some things that have made me laugh recently: The impromptu Midwestern Culture Quiz administered to author (and New Yorker) Sarah MacLean during the @fatedmates.net live show. Very nice example of white lady humor. fatedmates.net/episodes/202...

Great @fatedmates.net episode. Recorded live in St. Louis. With @kateclayborn.bsky.social as a guest. A fun and funny episode. fatedmates.net/episodes/202... #Romancelandia #FatedMates #RomanceBookSky #BookSky

It's been several years since the last time we talked about the allure of competency in romance, but it's a topic we adore, so here we are again, talking about characters with relentless competence and the characters who love them beyond measure.

99.6% of Fated Mates listeners bought or borrowed a book because of the show. 74% bought or borrowed more than 10. 30% bought or borrowed between 21 and 50. We're booking ads for the rest of 2025, including Best of the Year, Holiday Reads, and 2025 Debuts episodes. fatedmates.net/advertise-wi...

We’re wrapping up season seven by asking ourselves a simple question. Do we like this stuff? Yes? No? Maybe so?

A 20 point swing toward Democrats. Ready to run for office? @runforsomething.net will help. runforwhat.net

Joanna Shupe joins us this week to celebrate her new book, The Gilded Heiress, and talk about one of our favorite things—baddies with a heart of gold!

Joanna and Jen will be in conversation at The Last Chapter in Chicago on 8/28, and you can catch Joanna, Sarah, and Adriana Herrera together at The Ripped Bodice in Brooklyn on 9/9. joannashupe.com/tgh-tour/ She'll also be visiting St. Louis, Kansas City, Philadelphia, and DC!

The leaders that got us into this mess are not going to be able to get us out.

Joanna Shupe joins us this week to celebrate her new book, The Gilded Heiress, and talk about one of our favorite things—baddies with a heart of gold!

Let's do some more $0 recs. Cynthia Sax's RELEASING RAGE amzn.to/3JgDnXA Jade West's DIRTY BAD WRONG amzn.to/45qkN83 Kaye Blue's WHERE YOU LEAST EXPECT amzn.to/4mIxNLK Farrah Rochon's DELIVER ME amzn.to/4mR65wG Bella Andre's THE LOOK OF LOVE amzn.to/3Jqa2d4 Pam Godwin's DELIVER amzn.to/474oykI

A rec from this episode, Cynthia Eden's PROTECTING PIPER is $0. www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/... www.barnesandnoble.com/w/protecting... books.apple.com/us/book/prot... amzn.to/4oFuEy4

On this week's Realms Unknown, @alicefraser.bsky.social and @jenreadsromance.bsky.social from the excellent romance novel podcast @fatedmates.net discuss the use of POVs 📚 And Dave Bautista in Outlander? Imagine! pod.link/1791079569/e...

Jen & Sarah may have convinced me to finally watch the movie The Bodyguard with their discussion at the beginning of this podcast. The movie came out at the same time I was a fresh-faced 18-year-old, moving across the country to get married and live with my partner. Fast forward a few months...1/3

It’s Bodyguard Romance week, which feels impossible, honestly, considering we’ve definitely done this before, haven’t we?

There's a big romance audiobook sale going on at @libro.fm. Here's a list of books we've discussed on the podcast that are priced at $5 or less. CURVY GIRL SUMMER WHILWIND GET A LIFE CHLOE BROWN WHEN A SCOT TIES THE KNOT THE LADY GETS LUCKY DON’T LET YOUR DUKES GROW UP TO BE SCOUNDRELS

The DON'T LET YOUR DUKES GROW UP TO BE SCOUNDRELS and WHERE HAVE ALL THE SCOUNDRELS GONE audiobooks were already discounted, but now they're free! They're great! Links below.👇

Natural Born Charmer is SEP in her imperial period.

Hey that’s me! 🥰 excited to listen to the episode! 🎧 FYI Black and Deep Desires is 99 cents until 8/20 books2read.com/blackanddeepdesires

There's a big romance audiobook sale going on at @libro.fm. Here's a list of books we've discussed on the podcast that are priced at $5 or less. CURVY GIRL SUMMER WHILWIND GET A LIFE CHLOE BROWN WHEN A SCOT TIES THE KNOT THE LADY GETS LUCKY DON’T LET YOUR DUKES GROW UP TO BE SCOUNDRELS

After exhausting the histrom catalogues of Julie Ann Long, Lisa Kleypas, and Tessa Dare, I tried out Megan Frampton (A Wicked Bargain for the Duke, recommended by @bandherbooks.bsky.social and @melonreads.bsky.social) and holy hell she does not disappoint. 🔥😍🔥 www.goodreads.com/book/show/54...

We're back with a deep dive episode on one of our favorite Susan Elizabeth Phillips books, Natural Born Charmer. We're talking plot, character, risk-taking, and how romances can feel wildly expansive.

when it comes to porn panics, we're repeating the mistakes of the past every damn day www.404media.co/steam-itchio...

$1.99 ✦ A Wicked Bargain for the Duke by Megan Frampton A rigid Duke found the perfect lady to wed -- but instead ends up in a compromising position with her rebellious sister, which leads to a quick marriage of convenience. Historical Romance (MF) | amzn.to/4olbddN

There’s something intensely compelling about corrupting a person of the cloth. And being corrupted by them. fatedmates.net/hot-priests

If you did not see Magic Mike XXL in a crowded theater full of women, you missed out on a genuinely religious experience.

We've done deep dive episodes for three of the titles from this episode: DEVIL'S BRIDE The STAGE DIVE Series CARESSED BY ICE

June and July are gone, but there's still plenty of summer reading ahead. Good thing we organized our Hot 2025 Summer Reads by month.

Best of the year picks for $2! @evaleigh.bsky.social's DARE TO LOVE A DUKE bookshop.org/a/5779/97800... www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dare-to-lo... amzn.to/4lWg1Vo Tessa Bailey's FIX HER UP amzn.to/4l4z6U7 @catecwells.bsky.social's RUN POSEY RUN amzn.to/4ffcz5M

Why do we love romance novels? What do romance novels tell us about societal trends in sex, love, dating, and more! What should you read next? Find out on Fated Mates! @fatedmates.net (Shouting out my favorite media from women about love, sex, dating etc.) fatedmates.net/episodes

Carrying @hypervisible.bsky.social's words at #CivicsOfTech25 with me today and into the future: “Part of resistance is realizing you are not alone in this thing.”