Shelf Love: Romance Novel Discourse

004. Brazen and the Beast by Sarah MacLean with Esme Brett

Episode Summary

Esme Brett (Feminist Romance) and Andrea discuss Brazen and the Beast by Sarah MacLean, plus-size representation in romance novels, ladies with skillz, and introduce a new game to Romancelandia: Hot Damn/No Ma’am.

Episode Notes

Esme Brett (Feminist Romance) and Andrea discuss Brazen and the Beast by Sarah MacLean, plus-size representation in romance novels, ladies with skillz, and introduce a new game to Romancelandia: Hot Damn/No Ma’am.

CW: Discussion of body size from 31:30 - 43:45.

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Guest Information

• Guest Host: Esme Brett
• Instagram: @Feminist_Romance
• Website: https://feministromance.home.blog/

Book Pick

• Brazen and the Beast by Sarah MacLean
• Sarah’s website and links to buy
• Fated Mates Podcast - Definitely check out the Derek Craven (Dreaming of You - Lisa Kleypas) episode which is season 2, ep. 3.

Contributors

Kassi from Wyoming, Aaliyah from Instagram, @Shannyspants, @Authoralexandraayers, @Now_booking, @RosaMValdez, @HEAApologist

Links

• More information about Te reo Māori – the Māori language
• Twitter - Men Write Women
• Falling Inn Love - Netflix Original Movie
• Beyond Heaving Bosoms - The Smart Bitches Guide to Romance Novels by Sarah Wendell and Candy Tan.
• @MyShittyBookstagram - discusses “Romance Fat”
• I sew my own clothes! Here’s my sewing instagram
• Rebel Lite / Devil in Winter + angsty/problematic heroes: see episode 1
• Am I The Ashole? Reddit post about an (asshole) who leaves his girlfriend alone at the ER to lift weights at the gym

Book Recommendations (Trope Town)

Trope: Ladies with Skillz

Recommendations:

• Hate to Want You by Alisha Rai (Contemporary M/F)
• The Governess Game by Tessa Dare (Historical M/F)
• The Rogue of Fifth Avenue by Joanna Schupe (Historical M/F)
• A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole (Contemporary, M/F)
• A Week to be Wicked by Tessa Dare (Historical M/F)
• Polaris Rising by Jessie Mihalik (in the episode I incorrectly say this book is by Ada von Hasenberg, which is the name of the main character) (Space opera, M/F)
  • For fans of Dune + The Fifth Element
  • Listen to: Deltron 3030
• Lacy Literacy has an amazing blog on STEM heroines in romance
   

Recommended throughout the episode:

• The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt (Esme’s fave, historical romance, M/F)
• The Wallflower Wager by Tessa Dare (historical romance, M/F)
• Cherice Sinclair - recommended “dubious consent” books, if it’s something you’re interested in

New Zealand Romance Writers

• Natalie Anderson - category romance
• Esme’s fave: Pleasured in the Playboy’s Penthouse (Contemporary M/F)
• Nalini Singh - paranormal romance
• Lenora Bell - historical romance

Featured Romance Novel Book Club

The Romance Book Club at Word Bookstore in Brooklyn, NY

• Book Club Page on Word Bookstore’s website
• Organizer: Maddie Caldwell
• Location/Host organization: Word Bookstore
• When: First Saturday of every month, 2:45 pm