Shelf Love

Sought, Surrender, and the Alien Erotics of Inevitability
May 24, 2026
Dame Jodie Slaughter is back to discuss *Sought* by Evangeline Anderson, a sci-fi alien romance from the *Brides of the Kindred* series featuring twin alien heroes, fated mates, dubiously consensual erotic worldbuilding, and a surprisingly useful framework for understanding what different readers seek from romance. Rather than treating *Sought* as simply good, bad, hot, weird, or problematic, we use it as a case study in readerly fantasy: why do some romance novels need to name coercion explicitly, while others use worldbuilding to make coercion feel erotic or safe? And what happens when a book’s fantasy is legible but fundamentally not yours? We talk about dubious consent, consensual non-consent, body betrayal, alien biology, plus-size desirability fantasies, “safe” dangerous men, competence porn, monster/self-cest logic, paranormal romance, sexy animals, and why Andrea wants everyone to stop talking and negotiate better while Jodie is perfectly willing to be carried away by the right kind of chaos. This is an episode about *Sought*, but it is also an episode about reader reception: not whether a fantasy is objectively good or bad, but what emotional problem it solves.
Julia Quinn on JQ Editions: Curating Historical Romance
Jan 13, 2026
Get the scoop on Julia Quinn's new venture straight from the source: JQ Editions is a subscription book box dedicated to curating historical romance to help new readers discover a love for the subgenre. Julia shares insights about the inspiration behind this project, her curation process, and the challenges facing historical romance in the market today.
Alchemised: Capitalizing Fanfic
Nov 4, 2025
Fangirl Jeanne, fanfic elder, is back to revisit the fan fiction formerly known as “Manacled,” now traditionally published as “Alchemised” by SenLinYu. Three years after our initial discussion about Manacled in episodes 116 and 117, we delve into the transformation of this Harry Potter/”Dramione” (aka Draco-Hermione) + Handmaid’s Tale fanfic into a commercially-published romantasy novel. What happens to subtext when you remove the context of the text? What are the ethics of profiting from fanfic? What’s the harm in supporting derivative works of a prolific anti-Trans activist? File off those serial numbers and sit back and relax an absolute descent into madness as we try to figure out what the heck went on here.
Rewriting the Wallflowers: Revisionist History
Oct 14, 2025
Have you read Lisa Kleypas's neogothic duology: Devil in Winter and It Happened One Autumn? Tehyah Carver shares her provocative claims about Kleypas’s Wallflower series, including how St. Vincent is a gothic heroine. We also discuss the revisions the author made to the texts around 2021, theories on why the changes were made, and how we feel about them. What differentiates a villain from an interesting character in romance and how have contemporary romance readers' expectations evolved and what are the broader implications of rewriting problematic elements in historical romance fiction?
Morbid Curiosity Meets Romance with Dr. Coltan Scrivner
Sep 30, 2025
Are readers of dark romance or bodice rippers more morbidly curious than those who read sweet romcoms? Is the allure of horror and scary romance similar. Dr. Coltan Scrivner joins Shelf Love to discuss his new book, “Morbidly Curious,” and its insights on why people are drawn to scary media. The conversation delves into how understanding morbid curiosity can provide new perspectives on romance readers, the stereotypes surrounding both horror and romance fans, and the psychological underpinnings of consuming these genres. Dr. Scrivner shares his research on formidability dynamics within horror, how horror media impacts its audience, and the surprising therapeutic benefits they may offer.
Dominate Your Desire
Sep 24, 2025
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Feudal Fantasy: Devil's Bride
May 20, 2025
Impale yourself on your fate: marrying the Devil can be heaven. Semilore Sobande shares her all-time favorite romance, "Devil's Bride" by Stephanie Laurens. This book has it all: Honoria Prudence Anstruther-Weatherby, a heroine who balances strength and vulnerability, and a hero who might just be Batman in disguise and has a similarly ridiculous name. Discover how this historical romance stands out with its compelling characters, feudal fantasies, and unexpectedly humorous plot twists, all while reimagining the dynamics of power and partnership in the Cynster family saga.
Falling in Love with Your Monster
Mar 21, 2025
Morgan and Isabeau from the Whoa!mance podcast join to discuss the 2024 film “Your Monster.” We discuss how the movie explores female rage and personal discovery, drawing parallels with romance novel conventions. We are divided in our opinions: did the film succeed in merging romance and horror? The conversation highlights how individual experiences and tastes shape reception of the film, making for an engaging discussion on the intersection of romance, rage, and narrative structure.
Beyond Ballrooms: Under-Appreciated Historical Romance Books with Alice Murphy
Mar 18, 2025
Alice Murphy, a historical romance author, joins to recommend and discuss under-appreciated non-Regency historical romance. The discussion touches on Alice's upcoming book, "A Showgirl's Rules for Falling in Love," and a rich variety of historical romance novels set in diverse time periods and locations. We travel through Ancient Egypt, medieval Wales, 19th century Japan, the Gilded Age, the Civil Rights Movement in the US in the 1960s, and more. This episode is jam-packed with book recommendations!
Jane Austen's Bookshelf with Rebecca Romney
Feb 11, 2025
Why do we read Jane Austen but not the authors Jane Austen read and loved? The answer is a BIT more complicated than just "sexism." Guest: Rebecca Romney, rare book dealer and author of the new book, Jane Austen's Bookshelf.

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Guests

Alice Murphy, 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, Coltan Scrivner, 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, Julia Quinn, Julie Moody-Freeman, Karelia Stetz-Waters, Kassi, Kate Clayborn, Katee Robert, Katherine Grant, Katrina Jackson, Kelly Reynolds, Kennedy Ryan, Kianna Alexander, Kini Allen, Kit Rocha, Laura J. Mayo, 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, Semilore Sobande, Sionna Fox, Sri Savita, Steve Ammidown, Suzanne Jefferies, Talia Hibbert, Tamara Lush, Tasha L. Harrison, Tehyah Carver, The Swoonies, Tif Marcelo, Tina Benigno, Whoa!mance, Whoamance, fangirl jeanne

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