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Romance on the Rocks Podcast

Sip, Read, and Get Swept Away in a World of Romance

Season 3 Episode 14: Gettin’ Hot in Here

July 7, 2026

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Episode Description:

July’s Summer Lovin’ theme kicks off with two forced proximity romances that transport Nicole and Meghan from the shores of Door County, Wisconsin, to the rolling hills of Tuscany.

First up, Meghan reviews The Other Room by Katherine Hastings. Jo has spent years avoiding her former best friend, Matt, after he broke her trust. But when Matt suddenly finds himself without a place to live, Jo reluctantly agrees to let him move into her tiny beachfront cabin in Door County. Sharing close quarters with old wounds, unresolved feelings and one particularly nasty cat proves far more complicated than either of them expected. Meghan also shares how accurately Katherine Hastings captures life in Door County, from the housing shortage and bar dice to familiar local landmarks.

Then Nicole reviews One Hot Italian Summer by Karina Halle. Scottish author Grace Harper is struggling to write her first solo novel without her late best friend and co-author when her new literary agent offers her a month at an Italian villa to help overcome writer’s block. The plan goes sideways when the villa’s owner unexpectedly returns home with his 10-year-old son. The owner just happens to be Grace’s agent’s ex-husband, Claudio Romano. As the three share the villa in Tuscany, Grace begins to heal, rediscover her creativity and question whether falling for Claudio is worth the risk.

Along the way, Nicole and Meghan debate forced proximity romances and enjoy their typical witty banter.

Books & Beverages for this Episode:

The Other Room by Katherine Hastings
The Bernie Shot (tequila with orange and cinnamon sugar) and Peach Barn Farmhouse & Brewery The Door County Sunset Tropical Sour

One Hot Italian Summer by Karina Halle
Limoncello Kisses

Whether you’re craving a Wisconsin beach vacation or an Italian escape, grab your favorite beverage and join us for another romance-filled adventure.

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Podcast Credits:

Theme Music Created by Adam Wroblewski
Main Art by PersonalisePortrait

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Categories: Podcast Episodes, Season 3

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Welcome in! Romance on the Rocks Podcast is hosted by Meghan Leigh & Nicole Danielle -- two bookish biddies who imbibe and share their love of romance novels.

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romanceontherockspodcast

Romance on the Rocks is a podcast featuring Meghan Leigh & Nicole Danielle — bookish biddies who imbibe and share their latest romance novel reads.

One of the best parts of hosting a romance book po One of the best parts of hosting a romance book podcast is discovering new authors.
Recently, author Audrey Goldberg Ruoff sent us a copy of Vengefully Matched, and Meghan couldn't wait to share it. She calls it the perfect palate cleanser and says it's been a fun, lighthearted read filled with mystery, witches and what promises to be an enemies-to-lovers romance.
If you're looking for your next read, be sure to check out Audrey and Vengefully Matched:
https://audreygoldbergauthor.com/
Are you a romance author with a book you'd like us to consider for the podcast? We'd love to hear from you. Send us a DM to learn more about submitting your book for review.
#RomanceOnTheRocks #RomanceBooks #BookRecommendations #IndieAuthor #BookPodcast
Want to see what happens when Nicole and Meghan ta Want to see what happens when Nicole and Meghan take their pirate romance discussions off the audio feed and onto the screen?
The full video version of Season 3 Episode 17: Pillaged & Plundered is on YouTube.
Watch Nicole tackle Fabio's Pirate while Meghan discusses Katee Robert's Hunt on Dark Waters, complete with pirate-themed books & beverages, plenty of opinions and all the nonsense you expect from Romance on the Rocks.
Watch the full episode on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/kafwmbL01do
Prefer audio? You can listen wherever you get your podcasts.
Some pirate romances are swashbuckling adventures. Some pirate romances are swashbuckling adventures.
Others are... Pirate by Fabio.
Nicole's latest book review takes a look at this 1993 historical romance featuring a privateer, a tropical island, kidnappings, questionable decisions and some very questionable romance tropes.
It wasn't the worst book she's ever read. It wasn't exactly good, either.
Spice Level: Habanero ... sort of
Nicole's Rating: 2/5 stars
Read the full review:
https://romanceontherockspodcast.com/pirate/
#PirateByFabio #Fabio #HistoricalRomance #PirateRomance #RomanceBookReview
Coming up on the next episode of the podcast, we'r Coming up on the next episode of the podcast, we're hittin' the books for our Back to School theme for September. 
Meghan is reading Take the Lead by Johnny Diaz and Nicole is reading Heartless Game by Jo Brenner.
Tune in on September 1 for Season 3 Episode 18 and our reviews of these two romance novels.
Theme nights are one of the best parts of LoveLit Theme nights are one of the best parts of LoveLit Cruise and the 2027 theme night lineup is already looking fun.
Scarlet Night? Obviously.
Wild Hearts and Western Nights? Our cowboy boots are ready.
Meet Cute at Midfield? Meghan already has the baseball earrings.
And we JUST hear about Palomas and PJs. (Did they know Palomas are Nicole's favorite?!)
We're officially part of the LoveLit Cruise Hype Squad and we'll be sharing more as the cruise gets closer. Follow @lovelitcruise for all the latest announcements and cruise updates.
Are you joining us on the LoveLit Cruise? What theme night are you most excited about?
Arr-gust continues and we're heading back out to s Arr-gust continues and we're heading back out to sea.
Season 3 Episode 17: Pillaged & Plundered is out now!
Meghan read Hunt on Dark Waters by Katee Robert, a fantasy romance featuring witches, vampires and a band of monster-hunting pirates.
Nicole read Pirate by Fabio, a 1993 historical romance featuring a privateer, a tropical island, kidnappings and some very questionable romance decisions.
And, naturally, we paired them with pirate-worthy beverages.
Listen now wherever you get your podcasts:
https://romanceontherockspodcast.com/season3-episode17/
Are you reading along with us for Arr-gust?
A pirate cocktail needs to look the part. For Seas A pirate cocktail needs to look the part.
For Season 3 Episode 17: Pillaged & Plundered, Meghan went with a Blood Orange White Claw and added blue curaçao to turn it into a very ocean-y drink.
Pirate Month continues Tuesday, August 18.
#RomanceOnTheRocks #Arrgust #PirateMonth #BookPodcast #RomanceBooks
Meghan thought Nicole was simply showing her a vin Meghan thought Nicole was simply showing her a vintage Fabio romance novel.
Then Nicole opened the cover.
Meghan was not prepared.
Watch the reaction, then join us on Tuesday, August 18 as Pirate Month continues with another episode of Romance on the Rocks featuring The Pirate by Fabio.
Have you ever opened a book and discovered ... ano Have you ever opened a book and discovered ... another cover hiding inside?
Nicole brought her vintage copy of The Pirate by Fabio to the podcast, expecting a fun bit of nostalgia and shared the surprise waiting beneath the dust jacket.
Let's just say Meghan's reaction was priceless.
Get a sneak peek at one of the conversations from our upcoming second Pirate Month episode, airing Tuesday, August 18.
Will Nicole become a Fabio fan? You'll have to tune in to find out.
One of our favorite things about books is how they One of our favorite things about books is how they connect people across generations.
Meghan recently got a message from her grandmother asking for help tracking down a book she wanted to gift a friend. As soon as Meghan heard the title, she knew exactly which author Grandma was looking for.
Sometimes being a romance reader really does come in handy.
And if you're curious, the author is Katherine Hastings, whose novel -- The Other Room -- Meghan reviewed earlier this summer on Romance on the Rocks.
Book lovers in Wisconsin, this one's for you: A.L. Book lovers in Wisconsin, this one's for you:
A.L. Wilder, who's sent us books for Romance on the Rocks before, is helping put together what sounds like is going to be one hell of a book fair in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin next year.
So, authors and readers alike, keep an eye on this one.
@a.l_wilder_author
Book mail is always a good day. Romance on the Roc Book mail is always a good day.
Romance on the Rocks Podcast Co-Host Nicole recently treated herself to Willow Winters' XL Book Lovers Mystery Box and decided to share the entire unboxing. If you love special editions, smutty books and bookish surprises, this one's for you.
Have you picked up a mystery box from one of your favorite authors? Tell us whose you'd recommend next!
Not all pirates wear eye patches. Some solve murde Not all pirates wear eye patches.
Some solve murder mysteries, outsmart smugglers and slowly fall in love along the way.
Nicole's latest bookreview features Poppy and the Pirate by Elizabeth Cole, a charming historical romance that ticked all the boxes. While she's usually not drawn to slow burns or mysteries, this one struck the perfect balance between romance, adventure and historical charm.
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Spice Level: Jalapeño
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Nicole's Rating: 4/5 Stars
Read Nicole's full review:
https://romanceontherockspodcast.com/poppy-and-the-pirate/
Have you read any pirate romances? Share your favorites in the comments!
#RomanceOnTheRocks #PoppyAndThePirate #ElizabethCole #PirateRomance #HistoricalRomance #BookReview
Want to see what happens behind the microphones? W Want to see what happens behind the microphones?
We've uploaded a full video version of Season 3 Episode 16: Ship Happens to YouTube!
Watch Nicole and Meghan discuss Poppy and the Pirate by Elizabeth Cole and Sea of Ruin by Pam Godwin, sample pirate-inspired drinks and enjoy all the laughs, reactions and moments you don't get with audio alone.
Watch the full video here:
https://youtu.be/EWPHUtsa0E8
Prefer to listen? The audio version is available wherever you get your podcasts:
https://romanceontherockspodcast.com/season3-episode16/
What's a pirate romance without pirate drinks? To What's a pirate romance without pirate drinks?
To kick off Arr-gust, Nicole and Meghan paired this week's books with two very different beverages.
Nicole tried classic grog for the very first time, while Meghan invented her own cocktail, the Angry Ahoy.
Watch the clip, then catch the full conversation in Season 3 Episode 16: Ship Happens, available now.
Watch the full episode:
https://youtu.be/EWPHUtsa0E8
Listen on your favorite podcast app:
https://romanceontherockspodcast.com/season3-episode16/
August is Arr-gust at Romance on the Rocks and we' August is Arr-gust at Romance on the Rocks and we're spending the month sailing the high seas one romance at a time.
Here's what's coming up:
August 4
Season 3 Episode 16: Ship Happens
Nicole reviews Poppy and the Pirate by Elizabeth Cole, while Meghan tackles Sea of Ruin by Pam Godwin.
August 18
Season 3 Episode 17: Pillaged & Plundered
Nicole dives into Pirate by Fabio and Meghan sets sail with Hunt on Dark Waters by Katee Robert.
Grab your copies, read along with us and get ready for a month of pirate romances, pirate-inspired cocktails and plenty of laughs.
Which book are you most excited to read?
It's officially Arr-gust and we're kicking off Pir It's officially Arr-gust and we're kicking off Pirate Month with an episode full of adventure, romance and a whole lot of opinions.
This week, Nicole reviews Poppy and the Pirate by Elizabeth Cole, while Meghan tackles the much darker Sea of Ruin by Pam Godwin. From privateers and smuggling to consent, redemption and everything in between, these two pirate romances couldn't be more different.
Of course, we also paired the books with pirate-inspired drinks, discussed Fabio's legendary novels and answered the important question: What exactly is grog?
Set sail with us and listen now:
https://romanceontherockspodcast.com/season3-episode16/
Have you read either of these books? We'd love to hear what you thought.
#RomanceOnTheRocks #Arrgust #PirateRomance #BookPodcast #RomanceBooks
Looking for a cocktail worthy of Pirate Month? For Looking for a cocktail worthy of Pirate Month?
For our Arr-gust kickoff, Meghan created the Angry Ahoy. This cocktail combines apple cider tea with Fireball for a drink that's equal parts warm spice and pirate attitude.
Whether you're reading a pirate romance or just looking for a new sip, the Angry Ahoy is worth adding to your cocktail list.
Gonna try it? Let us know what you think!
#RomanceOnTheRocks #CocktailRecipe #PirateMonth #BookInspiredCocktails #Fireball #Bookstagram
🏴‍☠️ Nicole is finally reading ... Fabio. Yes, tha 🏴‍☠️ Nicole is finally reading ... Fabio.
Yes, that Fabio.
Thanks to one of our amazing listeners, Meri, Nicole is diving into her very first Fabio pirate romance just in time for Arr-gust, our month celebrating pirate romances!
Will it live up to the legendary cover model's reputation?
You'll have to tune in to find out ...
⚓ Episode 17 drops August 18!
Who's read a Fabio romance before? Tell Nicole what she's in for!
#RomanceOnTheRocks #Arrgust #Fabio #PirateRomance #RomanceBooks
🥵 Summer recording sessions in North Carolina and 🥵 Summer recording sessions in North Carolina and Wisconsin... are both brutal.
Between overheated computers, melting podcasters and discussions about naked gardening (don't worry ... it never happened 😂), this behind-the-scenes moment perfectly captures what recording in July is really like.
Catch this hilarious outtake from our Christmas in July Bonus Episode: Sleigh My Name.
🎧 Listen here:
https://romanceontherockspodcast.com/bonus-episode-sleigh-my-name/
What's the hottest weather you've ever tried to work through?
#RomanceOnTheRocks #PodcastLife #SummerHeat #BehindTheScenes #BookPodcast
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