Romance Read Along

Romance Read Along

An Obsessive re-reader starts a book club. Come and join the fun! Guests recruited constantly, all are welcome! Special thanks to Jacob the Horse for letting us use their amazing song Sunshine for our theme music.

Episodes

December 31, 2025 22 mins

Summary

In this episode of Romance Read Along, Toni dives into her recent obsession with alien romance novels, particularly those featuring mail order brides. She discusses her preferences for softer, more devoted male characters and shares her thoughts on various books in the genre. Toni also reflects on her reading habits, the appeal of certain tropes, and her excitement for upcoming releases. 

 

If you want to yell at me you can...

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Summary

In this episode of Romance Read, Toni shares her latest reading adventures, discussing a variety of romance novels including 'Pounded by Produce', 'When She's Stuffed', and 'Mail Order Vow'. She talks about what makes a good absurd and how a free book is 10X better than one you have to pay for. 

The Book with the guys who turn into an eclair, a croissant and a cannoli is called Her Pastry Shifters (50pgs) by Mia Harlan and ...

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Summary

In this episode of Romance Read Along, Toni discusses the historical romance novel 'Saving Grace' by Julie Garwood. She reflects on her fond memories of the book, its characters, and the surprising revelation about the protagonist's age. Toni delves into themes of competence and resilience, the author's writing style, and humor, while also comparing it to other works by Garwood. 

 

If you want to yell at me you can find me ...

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November 3, 2025 37 mins

Summary

In this episode of Romance Read Along, Toni discusses Deborah Dunbar's 'Grumpy Pucking Orc,' a paranormal romance that combines humor, hockey, and orc culture. The conversation explores the plot, character dynamics, and the unique elements that make this book stand out in the romance genre. Toni shares personal reflections on her reading preferences, compares the book to other works, and offers recommendations for future re...

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October 19, 2025 24 mins
Keywords romance novels, Judith McNaught, Suzanne Brockmann, cyborg romance, book recommendations, reading community, classic romance, contemporary romance, author comparisons, reading journey Summary In this episode of Romance Read-A-Long, Toni discusses her recent reads, including cyborg romance novels and the influence of classic authors like Judith McNaught. She explores themes of repetitive storylines in romance, shares her o...

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September 8, 2025 36 mins

Keywords

romance, writing, character development, storytelling, emotional connection, publishing, dialogue, narrative style, action sequences, book cover design

Summary

In this engaging conversation, author John Gin discusses his debut romance novel, 'Idle Engines,' exploring themes of character development, emotional connection, and the writing process. He shares insights into his unique narrative style, the importance of relatab...

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Keywords

romance writing, character development, emotional health, Hollywood Heartbreakers, author interview, book discussion, reader expectations, relationships, redemption

So Many Spoilers! Read the book first!

Summary

In this engaging conversation, Toni and author Fancy B discusses her journey from being a lawyer to writing romance novels, particularly her book 'Hollywood Heartbreakers.' The discussion delves into character dev...

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Summary

In this conversation, author Robert Joseph Green discusses his book, The Gay Icon Classics of the World, exploring themes of love, emotional availability, and the role of gay romance in literature. The dialogue delves into the emotional impact of storytelling, the differences in writing styles between genders, and the importance of character development. Green emphasizes that love is an action rather than just an emotion an...

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August 10, 2025 33 mins

Summary

In this episode of Romance Read Along, Toni explores the evolution of reading preferences, particularly when favorite tropes begin to lose their charm. She discusses the importance of varying reading habits and the emotional impact of beloved books. The conversation shifts to the controversial topic of third act breakups in romance novels, weighing their effectiveness against reader expectations. Toni also delves into the r...

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June 23, 2025 73 mins

Summary

In this engaging conversation, Toni and Demri delve into the world of romance literature, discussing their personal reading journeys, influential authors, and the tropes that shape the genre. They explore character development, the balance of internal and external conflict, and the importance of dialogue in romance. The discussion also touches on reader expectations, the evolution of romance writing, and the significance of...

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Summary

In this engaging conversation, Toni and comedian Ronny Pascale delve into the quirky and absurd world of Vera Valentine's romance novel 'Unhinged'. They explore the unique characters, the humor embedded in the narrative, and the broader themes present in romance literature. The discussion also touches on nostalgia for childhood cartoons, travel experiences, and the intersection of superhero media with romance. Through their...

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Summary

In this episode, Toni and Seelie discuss 'What the Woods Took' by Courtney Gould, exploring its themes of identity, trauma, and the dynamics of relationships among characters. They delve into the expectations versus reality of the narrative, the role of horror in character development, and the constraints of YA fiction that often lead to convoluted plots. The discussion highlights the emotional intelligence of the character...

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Summary

In this episode of Romance Read Along, the hosts delve into Sandra Brown's novel 'Envy', exploring its intricate structure, character dynamics, and the balance of romance and suspense. They discuss the expectations readers have from the romance genre, the portrayal of disability, and the emotional depth of characters. The conversation highlights the diverse perspectives within romance literature and concludes with recommend...

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April 8, 2025 131 mins

In this engaging conversation, author Paloma Blue and I discusses her new novel The Saturnalia Queen  inspired by the film Gladiator, exploring themes of historical romance, character dynamics, and the balance between fact and fiction. The dialogue delves into the complexities of genre classification, the moral ambiguity of characters, and the role of tragedy in literature, all while maintaining a light-hearted and insightful tone....

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March 17, 2025 111 mins

Discussion with Author Jaye Pool

 

As always I'd love to hear from you romancereadalong@gmail.com

@chemangel.bsky.social

 

Many thanks to Jacob the horse for allowing us to sample their amazing song Sunshine for our theme music. You can get Jacob the Horse's music at BandCamp. com

 

 

 

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March 4, 2025 134 mins

Today on Romance read along we Talk with Abby from the Keeping the Bones Podcast.

We discuss 'Magic Bites' by Iona Andrews, exploring its themes, character dynamics, and the nuances of romance in fantasy literature. They delve into the challenges of podcasting, the intricacies of editing, and the expectations of romance novels, providing insights into both the book and the podcasting process. This conversation delves into the compl...

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February 23, 2025 18 mins

In this episode of Romance Read Along, Toni discusses her recent reading experiences, focusing on three books: 'The Snow Queen' by Elizabeth Gannon, 'Travels with a Fairy Tale Monster', and 'A Goddess Unraveled' by Morgan Ryder. She shares her thoughts on the characters, themes, and writing styles of these works, providing insights into her preferences and biases in romance literature. Toni invites listeners to engage with her abou...

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February 10, 2025 26 mins

In this episode of Romance Read Along, Toni discusses the book 'Frisco's Kid' from the Tall, Dark and Dangerous series by Suzanne Brockmann. She shares personal insights about the characters, particularly Frisco and Mia, and explores themes of personal growth, emotional struggles, and the impact of alcoholism. Toni emphasizes the importance of asking for help and the journey of self-acceptance that Frisco undergoes throughout the s...

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January 27, 2025 26 mins

Today on Romance Read Along Toni discusses 'Forever Blue,' the second book in Suzanne Brockman's 'Tall, Dark, and Dangerous' series. The conversation covers the book's main themes, character dynamics, and plot elements, including a murder mystery intertwined with a romance between Lucy, a police officer, and Blue, a Navy SEAL. 

 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Forever Blue 03:10 Plot Overview and Character Dynamics 06:35 Themes of ...

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Hello and Welcome to Romance Read Along! Today we discuss the commonalities and differences between romances and horror.

 

Keywords

Aviv Rubenstein, Lizzie Lazarus, romance novels, horror movies, vampire lore, storytelling, wildfires, Los Angeles, female protagonists, genre exploration, literary themes, character identification, romantic tropes, humor in romance, historical context, storytelling, filmmaking, plot twists, character ...

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