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Romance on the Rocks Podcast

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

Season 3 Episode 5: Safe Words and Sinners

March 3, 2026

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Episode Description:

What happens when a rugby surprise pregnancy rom-com collides with a lapsed Catholic love story? Season 3 Episode 5 of Romance on the Rocks dives headfirst into two contemporary romances that blend real-world complexity with serious heat.

Nicole Danielle reviews Every Version of You by Sloan Spencer, a sports romance in the Rugby Lovers series that delivers friends to lovers, surprise pregnancy and β€œkinky cute” spice. Angie, a therapist who helped raise her siblings after losing her mother, finds herself unexpectedly pregnant after a tequila-fueled night with her lifelong bestie Rafael, a CFO and weekend rugby player. What follows is co-parenting with boundaries, negotiated kink, therapy normalized on the page and a cat named Razzle Dazzle stealing scenes. Beneath the playful safe words and woods-chase shenanigans is a story about compromise without self-erasure and the kind of partner care that looks like snacks on the nightstand and pillow delivery even after a fight.

Meghan Leigh unpacks Sinner by Sierra Simone, a theologically layered romance originally published in 2018. Sean Bell is a real estate closer grappling with religious trauma while caring for his mother through cancer. Zenobia β€œZenny” Iverson is a novice nun encouraged to experience the world before taking her final vows. When a business deal threatens the Catholic nonprofit where Zenny serves, Sean steps in to repair the damage and instead finds himself navigating grief, faith and desire in equal measure. The intimacy is open door yet thoughtful, centering consent, aftercare and emotional responsibility. The novel explores theology and what it truly means to earn someone’s trust.

Both books land at habanero on our Spicy Scoville Scale. The heat is real but so are the conversations about boundaries, belief systems and adult partnership. From Spotify playlists and rugby terminology to religious doubt and character growth, this episode celebrates romance that respects both brain and body.

If you love sports romance, surprise pregnancy tropes, religious themes in fiction and open-door intimacy with emotional depth, this episode is for you. Hit play, subscribe and let us know which book made you blush harder.

Books & Beverages for this Episode:

Nicole’s Book & Beverage:  Every Version of You by Sloan Spencer with Dolly Parton’s Dirt Road Martini

Meghan’s Book & Beverage:  Sinner by Sierra Simone with Mulled Wine

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

Scarlet Night was absolutely wild. I cannot say en Scarlet Night was absolutely wild. I cannot say enough about how wonderful it is to be on The Scarlet Lady for LoveLit Cruise!
#lovelitcruise2026 #lovelitcruise #scarletnight #virginvoyages
🚨 NEW EPISODE DROPS TOMORROW 🚨 Season 3 Episode 5 🚨 NEW EPISODE DROPS TOMORROW 🚨
Season 3 Episode 5 is coming in hot. 🌢️🌢️
Nicole Danielle and Meghan Leigh are diving into:
πŸ‰ Every Version of You by Sloan Spencer
β›ͺ Sinner by Sierra Simone
Expect:
πŸ”₯ Surprise pregnancy + friends to lovers
πŸ”₯ Rugby-adjacent rom-com energy
πŸ”₯ Religious tension + open-door intimacy
πŸ”₯ Habanero-level spice
πŸ”₯ Theology, consent and safe words
This one gets deep. And spicy. And a little holy.
Set your reminder. We’ll see you tomorrow. 🍸
#RomanceOnTheRocks #RomancePodcast #SportsRomance #ReligiousRomance #SpicyBooks #RomanceReaders @sloan_spencer_author @thesierrasimone
New month. New books. New beverages. March on Roma New month. New books. New beverages.
March on Romance on the Rocks with co-hosts Nicole Danielle & Meghan Leigh:
✨ 3 – Safe Words & Sinners
✨ 17 – Recipe for Romance
✨ 24 – BONUS: Our Not So Drunkest Episode
✨ 31 – Close Encounters of the Threesome Kind
From safe words to aliens, from sinners to throuples… we’re covering range this month.
Save this post so you don’t miss a drop.
#RomanceOnTheRocks #RomancePodcast #Bookstagram #PodcastSchedule #RomanceReaders
Beach read! Meghan and I were so excited to receiv Beach read! Meghan and I were so excited to receive this ARC copy from one of our favorite authors and podcast guests, Heatherly Bell. So, of course, Nicole knew she needed to bring it for a beach read for the LoveLit Cruise. Just a little sunshine, sand and Bookish Story in Turks & Caicos. #beachread #abookishstory #lovelitcruise2026 #lovelitcruise #heatherlybellauthor @heatherly.bell
First full day of LoveLit Cruise and we’re just ge First full day of LoveLit Cruise and we’re just getting started. Author panels in the morning, writers’ workshop in the afternoon and now bracelet making. Later tonight, we’re doing maffia glam!
#lovelitcruise2026 #lovelitcruise #romanceontherockspodcast #virginvoyages
Last night’s introductory mixer for the LoveLit Cr Last night’s introductory mixer for the LoveLit Cruise. This is such an amazing, well planned and executed cruise!
#lovelitcruise2026 #lovelitcruise #virginvoyages
It’s LoveLit Cruise time! #lovelitcruise2026 #love It’s LoveLit Cruise time!
#lovelitcruise2026 #lovelitcruise
What is Romance on the Rocks Podcast Co-Nicole doi What is Romance on the Rocks Podcast Co-Nicole doing in Miami? Stay tuned to find out. It’s going to be a VERY fun weekend!
πŸ“¬ WE GOT MAIL πŸ“¬ And not just any mail β€” a surprise πŸ“¬ WE GOT MAIL πŸ“¬
And not just any mail β€” a surprise romance from one of our listeners + romance author πŸ’•
Huge thank you to Esmeralda Stone for sending us her book Loving Remains πŸ–€
⚰️ Death industry romance
πŸ› Funeral home setting
πŸ”₯ Forced proximity
πŸ’€ β€œNot everything is as it seems…”
Honestly? A death industry romance might be exactly our vibe.
Now the real question is…
Who gets to read it first? πŸ‘€
Or do we both dive in?
Thank you, Esmeralda! We love getting book mail from our Romance on the Rocks community πŸ’•
#RomanceOnTheRocks #BookMail #RomanceReaders #IndieAuthor #DeathIndustryRomance #PodcastLife
Stormy seas. Red dresses. Broody fishermen. 🌊❀️ If Stormy seas. Red dresses. Broody fishermen. 🌊❀️
If you’re reading It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey, podcast co-host Meghan Leigh recommends sipping accordingly.
For Season 3 Episode 4: Pergola Worthy, the pairings are:
🌊 Dark β€˜n’ Stormy – stormy seas + broody fisherman energy (Brendan coded)
🍊 Aperol Spritz – bubbly LA rooftop vibes (Piper coded)
πŸ₯ƒ Smoked Old Fashioned – rugged, woodsy, slow-burn intensity
Grumpy sunshine deserves intention.
Small-town tension deserves a proper pour.
Which one are you choosing? πŸ‘‡
#RomanceOnTheRocks #ItHappenedOneSummer #TessaBailey #RomanceBooks #BookInspiredCocktails #GrumpySunshine #SmallTownRomance #Bookstagram
Reading Book Lovers by Emily Henry? Sip accordingl Reading Book Lovers by Emily Henry? Sip accordingly. πŸΈπŸ“š
For Season 3 Episode 4: Pergola Worthy, podcast co-host Nicole pairs the book with:
πŸ₯ƒ Manhattan – because Nora and Charlie drink them in the novel. We respect the source material.
πŸ’ Cherry Bounce – made with Cheerwine, a true North Carolina staple (and the book is set in NC πŸ‘€).
🍺 Golden Ale from Highland Brewing Company – a craft nod to the Asheville-area vibes that inspired Sunshine Falls.
Enemies to lovers. Small-town tension. Proper pours.
Which one are you choosing? πŸ‘‡
#RomanceOnTheRocks #BookLovers #EmilyHenry #RomanceBooks #CocktailsAndBooks #SmallTownRomance #NorthCarolina #Bookstagram
πŸ“šβœ¨ READ ALONG WITH US βœ¨πŸ“š Season 3 Episode 5 of Rom πŸ“šβœ¨ READ ALONG WITH US βœ¨πŸ“š
Season 3 Episode 5 of Romance on the Rocks drops March 3 and here’s what we’re reading:
πŸ”₯ Sinner by Sierra Simone
πŸ‰ Every Version of You by Sloan Spencer
We’ve got:
✨ Best friend’s little sister
✨ A woman about to become a nun
✨ Rugby
✨ Accidental pregnancy
✨ Childhood best friends
✨ Banter, angst and BIG feelings
If you’ve been wanting to read along before an episode drops, this is your sign πŸ‘€ Grab your copy and meet us back here March 3.
Which one are you picking up? πŸ‘‡
#RomanceOnTheRocks #RomanceReaders #ReadAlong #Bookstagram #RomanceBooks #PodcastReads
Big-city ambition meets small-town slow burn. 🌢️🌢️ Big-city ambition meets small-town slow burn. 🌢️🌢️🌢️
My full review of Book Lovers by Emily Henry is now live on the blog.
Inside the post:
πŸ“š Enemies-to-lovers tension
πŸ”₯ JalapeΓ±o spice rating (3/5 peppers)
🎧 Honest audiobook thoughts
🍸 Cocktail pairings inspired by the book
πŸ’¬ The quote that absolutely wrecked me
If you love sharp banter, career-driven FMC energy and small-town North Carolina vibes, this one’s for you.
Read the full review at the link in bio.
#BookLovers #EmilyHenry #RomanceBooks #RomanceReview #EnemiesToLovers #SlowBurn #SpicyBooks #RomanceReaders
🚨 She did a coffee tequila pickle back for romance 🚨 She did a coffee tequila pickle back for romance. 🚨
On today’s episode of Romance on the Rocks – Season 3, Episode 4: Pergola Worthy, Meg recreates one of the most cringe party moments ever … inspired by her podcast read, It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey.
Yes.
It involves:
β˜• Coffee tequila
πŸ₯’ A pickle back
⚰️ Funeral instructions mid-shot
πŸ’€ And immediate regret
All in honor of Piper’s chaotic party entrance.
If that doesn’t deserve a subscribe, what does? πŸ˜‚
🎧 Watch the full episode wherever you stream podcasts
🌐 Or visit: https://romanceontherockspodcast.com/season3-episode4/
Would YOU attempt a coffee tequila pickle back for a book moment? Be honest. πŸ‘€
#RomanceOnTheRocks #Bookstagram #RomanceReaders #BookishChaos #CocktailsAndBooks #TequilaMistakes @tessabaileyisanauthor
🚨 NEW EPISODE 🚨 Season 3 Episode 4: Pergola Worthy 🚨 NEW EPISODE 🚨
Season 3 Episode 4: Pergola Worthy is LIVE. πŸΈπŸ“š
Nicole Danielle and Meghan Leigh are diving into:
🌊 It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
πŸ™οΈ Book Lovers by Emily Henry
We’re talking:
✨ Grumpy sunshine fisherman energy
✨ Enemies-to-lovers publishing banter
✨ Slow burns vs. demonstrative love
✨ Pot pie fears
✨ Pergola-level devotion
✨ And a brand new Boobie Prize record πŸ‘€
Plus, we paired both books with intentional cocktails (because obviously).
If you love small-town romance, sharp dialogue, sister bonds and a little chaos in your book chat β€” this episode is for you.
🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.
Tell us:  are you more Brendan broody or Charlie snarky? πŸ‘‡
#RomanceOnTheRocks #RomanceBookPodcast #PergolaWorthy #TessaBailey #EmilyHenry #GrumpySunshine #EnemiesToLovers #RomanceReaders #BookPodcast
🚨 NEW EPISODE DROPS TOMORROW 🚨 Season 3 Episode 4: 🚨 NEW EPISODE DROPS TOMORROW 🚨
Season 3 Episode 4: Pergola Worthy lands February 17. πŸΈπŸ“š
Nicole Danielle and Meghan Leigh are diving into:
🌊 It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
πŸ™οΈ Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Expect:
✨ Grumpy sunshine fisherman energy
✨ Enemies-to-lovers publishing banter
✨ Slow burn tension
✨ Jalapeño-level spice 🌢️🌢️🌢️
✨ Cocktail pairings that actually make sense
✨ And a new podcast record you won’t see coming
Set your reminders. Charge your headphones.
We’ll see you tomorrow. 🍸
#RomanceOnTheRocks #RomanceBookPodcast #PergolaWorthy #TessaBailey #EmilyHenry #RomanceReaders #BookPodcast
Romance on the Rocks Podcast Co-Host Nicole shares Romance on the Rocks Podcast Co-Host Nicole shares her book synopsis for Season 3 Episode 4. She's reading Book Lovers by Emily Henry. The episode drops Tuesday, Janary 17. Catch it wherever you get your podcasts!
Happy Valentine's Day from Romance on the Rocks! Happy Valentine's Day from Romance on the Rocks!
Romance on the Rocks Podcast Co-Host Meghan shares Romance on the Rocks Podcast Co-Host Meghan shares her book blurb for Season 3 Episode 4 which drops February 17. It's It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey. Catch the episode wherever you stream your podcasts!
February = Billionaires, Boundaries and Being Perg February = Billionaires, Boundaries and Being Pergola Worthy πŸ’…πŸ“šπŸΈ
This month on Romance on the Rocks:
✨ Season 3 Episode 3: Billionaires & Boundaries β€” aired February 3
✨ Season 3 Episode 4: Pergola Worthy β€” drops February 17
We’re talking big money energy, messy feelings, small towns, slow burns, demonstrative love, and at least one cocktail decision that required courage.
If you love:
πŸ’‹ Enemies to lovers
🌞 Grumpy sunshine
🏑 Small town vibes
πŸ”₯ Moderate spice
🍸 Cocktails with your romance
February is for you.
Which episode are you most excited for (or already obsessed with)? πŸ‘€πŸ‘‡
#RomanceOnTheRocks #RomanceBookPodcast #RomanceReaders #BookPodcast #SpicyBooks #BookishBiddies #TBR #RomanceTropes
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