021. Secret Baby in Romance with Kini Allen

Short Description

Minisode! Kini Allen and I talk about the secret baby trope in romance novels, I share all the ones I forgot I had read, and then she shares some favorites. Then, listeners weigh in on the trope and I make the case for representing other reproductive choices in romance.

This episode may not be for everyone.

Content Warning: We talk about unintended pregnancy in the course of this episode, and in the outro I talk about contraception, abortion, and miscarriage in romance novels.

Show Notes

Shelf Love:

Guest Host: Kini Allen (Smexy Books)

Instagram: @1KiniLei
Twitter: @kinilei1

Listen to: Episode 5 with Kini Allen, where we discuss Time Served by Julianna Keyes

Books/Media

The Cad and the Co-Ed by Penny Reid and LH Cosway (Rugby player and...co-ed)
- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34273458-the-cad-and-the-co-ed?from_search=true&qid=VLxIEd8dAE&rank=1
What A Girl Wants (2003)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_a_Girl_Wants_(film)
Bountiful by Sarina Bowen (hockey player and bartender)
- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34099086-bountiful
Nobody’s Baby But Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (football player and astrophysicist)
- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/73080.Nobody_s_Baby_But_Mine?from_search=true&qid=7YmoY4JybA&rank=1
Forever My Girl by Heidi McLaughlin
- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16119079-forever-my-girl?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=iWi0uTU2Em&rank=1
Never Enough #4 from The Brown Family Series by Lauren Dane
- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9273113-never-enough?from_search=true&qid=abky6xMeIi&rank=4
Hold on Tight by Serena Bell
- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43835264-hold-on-tight?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=grzhyNVFEh&rank=5
Willing Victim by Cara McKenna changed the way Kini was reading romance (but no secret baby)
- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30901481-willing-victim?from_search=true&qid=z2p8yIL8Fo&rank=1

Listener recommendations:

Simply Irresistible by Rachel Gibson (@a_huszka)
@HannahHeartsRomance begrudgingly admitted to liking Scoring the Player’s Baby by Naima Simone despite not liking this trope.
@Phoenixindacity and @b.andherbooks seconded Kini’s recommendation for Bountiful by Sarina Bowen, and Phoenix also seconded The Cad and the Co-Ed.
@MarisaElaineGettas loves Fumbled by Alexa Martin.

Notes:

Guttmacher Institute Study about abortion: https://www.guttmacher.org/news-release/2017/abortion-common-experience-us-women-despite-dramatic-declines-rates

Transcript

Listen now!

Guests

Alyssa Cole, Amanda Allen, Amanda Cinelli, Amanda Diehl, Andrea Martucci, Andrew Piper, Angela Toscano, Arielle Zibrak, Ash Dylan, Becky, Bree, Bree Hill, Candice Ransom, Carter Sherman, Charish Reid, Christina Fattore, Copper Dog Books, Dani Lacey, Danielle Knafo, Denise Williams, Diana Filar, Dr. Margo Hendricks, EE Ottoman, Emma, Emma Barry, Eric Selinger, Erin Leafe, Esme Brett, Fangirl Jeanne, Felicia Grossman, Funmi B., Hannah Hearts Romance, Helena Greer, Hsu Ming Teo, Huike Wen, Jack Harbon, Jayashree Kamble, Jennifer Crusie, Jess, Jessica Lyn Van Slooten, Jhen, Jodi McAlister, Jodie Slaughter, Joe Martucci, John Jacobson, Julie Moody-Freeman, Karelia Stetz-Waters, Kassi, Kate Clayborn, Katee Robert, Katrina Jackson, Kelly Reynolds, Kennedy Ryan, Kianna Alexander, Kini Allen, Kit Rocha, Leigh Kramer, Lucy Hargrave, Lucy Score, Lynell, Margarita Guillory, Margo Hendricks, Maria DeBlassie, Megan Erickson, Mia Sosa, Nicola Welsh Burke, Nicole Falls, Norma Perez-Hernandez, Penny Reid, Philippa Borland, Rebecca Romney, Rebekah Weatherspoon, Reformed Rakes, Renee Dahlia, Rosie Danan, Ruby Lang, Sandra Kitt, Sarah Rutherford, Sarah Skilton, Scarlett Peckham, Sionna Fox, Sri Savita, Steve Ammidown, Suzanne Jefferies, Talia Hibbert, Tamara Lush, Tasha L. Harrison, The Swoonies, Tif Marcelo, Tina Benigno, Whoa!mance, Whoamance, fangirl jeanne