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The perils of consent, agency, and “apple boobs” take center stage as Meghan Leigh and Nicole Danielle continue their Scottish/Irish reading theme with two wildly different romance novels.
Nicole Danielle’s Book: The Border Lord’s Bride by Bertrice Small
We kick things off with a slew of trigger warnings as Nicole delves into Bertrice Small’s The Border Lord’s Bride. It’s a historical romance that doesn’t shy away from graphic content. Ellen MacArthur faces tragedy when her grandfather and fiancé are murdered, only to be forced into marriage with Duncan Armstrong, a border lord twice her age. What begins as a potentially promising relationship quickly turns dark. Ellen is kidnapped and subjected to horrific treatment — while her husband makes only minimal efforts to rescue her. The novel’s explicit content and troubling events prompt a deeper conversation about how romance handles villains and male accountability.
Meghan Leigh’s Book: All for You by Lynn Kurland
Meanwhile, Meghan pops the bubbly (literally) for Lynn Kurland’s All For You. This novel features the unfortunately named Peaches Alexander and professor Stephen de Piaget. What should be a straightforward contemporary romance with historical elements turns confusing when Meghan discovers she’s reading the thirteenth book in an unexplained series featuring time travel, ghosts, and interconnected families across centuries. With a first kiss that doesn’t happen until page 200 and sexual content that never materializes, this “green pepper” level romance leaves much to be desired.
The stark contrast between these books — from their handling of sexual content to their portrayal of relationships — highlights the broad spectrum within romance fiction. Whether you prefer your Scottish heroes with a “turgid cock” or a “chaste kiss,” we’ve got opinions about it all. Join us for this spirited discussion. And don’t forget to follow us for our upcoming “Fools in Love” episode and details about our Bookish Biddie Brunch in Milwaukee this September!
Resources
Have you read either of these Scottish romances? What did you think of them? Comment below! We’d love to hear from you. Interested in reading these Scottish-themed, historical romance novels yourself? You can purchase The Border Lord’s Bride here and All For You here. To learn more about NY Times bestselling author Bertrice Small, click here. And to learn more about author Lynn Kurland, click here. Want to listen to the podcast episode? We’re available on pretty much all your favorite podcast streaming services. Or you can visit our podcast player page here.
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