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Episode Description:
We’re wrapping up our April Pick a Number month with two very different reads and some very honest opinions about what worked, what didn’t and what we’re willing to forgive when the vibes are vibing.
Nicole dives into A Fate of Onyx & Ivory by O’Junea Brown, a 2024 romantasy featuring a fierce heroine, a magical kingdom called Solaris, and a fae king who may or may not be waving red flags under all that charm. We’re talking plot twists, a jalapeño-level slow burn, and the very real betrayal of a series that ends on a cliffhanger with no final book in sight.
Then Meghan brings The Pretend Wife by Bridget Asher, a fake relationship story that leans hard into grief, identity and emotional growth instead of a traditional romance formula. There’s a drunken agreement, a lakeside family visit, a love triangle that’s more complicated than it looks, and a green pepper spice level that keeps things firmly on the mild side. We also get into character development, beautiful writing moments, and whether you actually need a villain to justify your choices.
Of course, we keep our traditions alive:
– the spice scale 🌶️
– the first booby reference hunt (with some aggressively unsexy contenders)
– and a spirited debate over what even counts as a romance
Next up, we kick off our Mothers of Romance theme with Barbara Cartland and Judith McNaught, so prepare yourselves for vintage covers, dramatic plots and old school tropes.
Grab your drink of choice (box wine or liver-cleansing tea, we don’t judge), hit play, and come hang out with your favorite bookish biddies.
👉 Subscribe, share with a romance-loving friend, and leave us a review wherever you’re listening.
And tell us: are you okay with a cliffhanger … or do you need closure?
Books & Beverages for this Episode:
Meghan’s Book & Beverage: The Pretend Wife by Bridget Asher with dandelion tea
Nicole’s Book & Beverage: A Fate of Onyx & Ivory by O’Junea Brown with Bota Box Sauvignon Blanc
Support the Podcast:
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(the best way to get your smut while supporting a fabulous women-owned business and our podcast!)
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Podcast Credits:
Theme Music Created by Adam Wroblewski
Main Art by PersonalisePortrait
Drink Along with Us:
Want to drink along with us? We’ve got our special episode drinking game posted above. But we also have our all-episode Romance on the Rocks Podcast Drinking Game. It’s yours free when you subscribe to our email list! Just fill out this form and we’ll email you the PDF!
