The perils of consent, agency, and "apple boobs" take center stage as Meghan Leigh and Nicole Danielle continue their Scottish/Irish reading theme with two wildly different romance novels.
We kick things off with a slew of trigger warnings as Nicole delves into Bertrice Small's The Border Lord's Bride, a historical romance that doesn't shy away from graphic content. Ellen MacArthur faces tragedy when her grandfather and fiancé are murdered, only to be forced into marriage with Duncan Armstrong, a border lord twice her age. What begins as a potentially promising relationship turns dark when Ellen is kidnapped and subjected to horrific treatment — while her husband makes only minimal efforts to rescue her. The novel's explicit content and troubling events prompt a deeper conversation about how romance handles villains and male accountability.
Meanwhile, Meghan pops the bubbly (literally) for Lynn Kurland's All For You, featuring the unfortunately named Peaches Alexander and professor Stephen de Piaget. What should be a straightforward contemporary romance with historical elements turns confusing when Meghan discovers she's reading the thirteenth book in an unexplained series featuring time travel, ghosts, and interconnected families across centuries. With a first kiss that doesn't happen until page 200 and sexual content that never materializes, this "green pepper" level romance leaves much to be desired.
The stark contrast between these books — from their handling of sexual content to their portrayal of relationships — highlights the broad spectrum within romance fiction. Whether you prefer your Scottish heroes with a "turgid cock" or a "chaste kiss," we've got opinions about it all. Join us for this spirited discussion, and don't forget to follow us for our upcoming "Fools in Love" episode and details about our Bookish Biddie Brunch in Milwaukee this September!
Meghan's Cocktail: Freixenet
Nicole's Cocktail: Leith Lemon Garden
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