I’ve been listening to this podcast for years, it’s one of my favorites. But Sarah please, please stop interrupting Jen! It happens constantly and Jen never gets to finish the thought she started and it’s driving me insane. I want to hear what she has to say!

Far and away the best podcast on romance lit that I’ve heard. Sarah and Jen are fun to listen to and have terrific guest authors. They treat the genre with respect. I’ve learned a lot about the craft of writing romance while being thoroughly entertained.

Just found this podcast and I freaking LOVE it! I’ve been binging episodes the past week and laughing and feeling ridiculous amounts of giddy joy. I just listened to the Romance Science episode and it is hands down my favorite podcast episode ever. 💗💗💗

I was excited to see there’s a podcast about romance books! And is from one of my favorite author! It is enjoyable, but I’m not sure if it’s really helpful for me. The one thing I loved you more than anything is to skip the bulk of the sec scenes. Every book is always the same with different adjectives and adverbs. Yawn. I love the story, but not a the porn! Unfortunately in this podcast and it really is focus on the sex versus the story so I really have a problem with finding any books from this podcast. It is enjoyable, but can’t be a little tiring. And many of the books that are reviewed or talked about really aren’t available on Audible… with my vision I don’t read anymore unfortunately so I skip any there are not also available on audiobooks. I don’t mind in some sex in the books, but not to Weir. It’s only about it. I want the plot Not being only about romance! The broadcast is interesting and I think a lot of people would like it, but not necessarily me!

I love Sarah MacLean’s books and I love listening to these two fabulously smart ladies discussing romance! I get a lot of book recommendations from this podcast and learn new things.

Fated Mates is an absolute favorite podcast. I started listening because I love Kresley Cole and I stayed because Sarah and Jen are so smart and funny. They have helped me understand and articulate why I love romance so much. I’ve also gotten so many book recommendations. A must listen!

Love listening weekly, am all in for the ride. These two hosts remember (or refresh their minds) about details I could never retain. I still can’t believe I was very “sure, that could happen” when I first read the gorilla brothers book. They’ve built a lovely community around this podcast - good for them!!!! Pet Peeve: overuse of “Right?” when new information is being shared. How do I know that’s right if it’s new information? But I’m easily bothered by language ticks.

As a romance reader, Jen and Sarah have made it easier to find more titles and TBR than I could have found on my own. Love the deep dives that they go into with each book, trope, and read alongs. The new Trailblazer episodes are a surprising insight to authors that you know and have grown up reading. Thank you and looking forward to new episodes - Becky

You are in good hands with these hosts. Jen and Sarah are the smartest, most knowledgeable resource for romance books — and its socioeconomic context, if you’re really nasty like that. They love these books. No snarky takedowns here. It’s just mad, passionate love for romance novels and the feeling of falling in love, chapter after chapter.

Like so many if us I got into romance during the pandemic - I found this podcast last summer and have been working through the archives - it’s fantastic. I’ve found so many books through the pod and Jen and Sarah are such experts it’s really great. Highly recommend.

Thank you for creating such an audio delight! I listen to you in the car on my way to work, on my way home and while grocery shopping. I have earned myself a few glances in the store from breaking out in spontaneous laughter from something funny Jen or Sarah said. I feel like I’m a friend listening to another conversation among friends. Thank you for sharing your extensive knowledge on such a delightful topic. The world can be so weary at times, thank you for adding more happiness to it!

I discovered this podcast in mid 2020. I’ve since gone back and listened to almost all of the episodes. It’s a great midweek pick me up. I love the dynamic of the hosts and how joyful and funny they are. They clearly love spending time together and talking romance. This podcast has introduced me to so many amazing books and authors, and a whole online community that is so welcoming. I love it!

Why is my TBR list so long and basically unreadable at this point you ask? It’s because of this podcast. I love it and everything they suggest. Keep it coming ladies!

Fated Mates is the podcast I most look forward to during the week. Sarah

I was scrolling social media and saw a post from Lisa Kleypas about Derek Craven day and this podcast. I’m a big fan of Sarah’s and didn’t realize that this podcast existed. I blame Instagram algorithms. After binging about 10 episodes, I decided to try the IAD series. I usually am not a paranormal fan, but Jen and Sarah convinced me to try it. If you are a fan of romance you need to listen. I get more ideas of what to read than looking through Goodreads.

Love this podcast! I’ve been turned on to so many great books from Sarah and Jen, many from genres I didn’t think I would be interested in but ended up loving. Also great analysis of the voice, story, and structure which has helped my own writing. Sarah and Jen are easy to listen to, the type of women you want to be friends with and be in a Bookclub together 😃

I’m a newer listener but have already binged about 20 episodes. After listening to about 5, I decided to write my own romance. I love how they break down tropes and provide recommendations on good books to read too. I also just feel like we’re all best friends hanging out talking about something we love. Jen and Sarah are wonderful!!

I really enjoy this podcast, it has the feel of a fun book club. Pros: The hosts strike a great balance between not taking themselves too seriously and analyzing not only individual books but trends and history of the genre. I enjoy their banter and get great recommendations Cons: Questionable editing- sometimes the background music nearly drowns out their speaking. Plus weird radio show-style sound effects were added often in earlier episodes. Additionally, I think the hosts are excellent at discussing books but they aren’t skilled interviewers. Questions to guests aren’t particularly open ended and seem like they expect a certain answer. Doesn’t lead to organic conversations with the guest

Love this podcast! ❤️ Still catching up 😉This show is really fun to listen to! 🎧 Still have yet to do a read-along... Sounds fun though! Interstitials are great! 👏🏽They’re my constant companions 👯‍♀️ Just read The Wisteria Society Of Lady Scoundrels and love listening to corresponding podcast episodes 😁

I was a real fan of the show until I got blocked on Twitter by Sarah by disagreeing with her. I am hurt because I am a real person with opinions and feelings and I’ve just been treated like an annoying fly. Unfollowing I’m kind of done with romance genre too - ladies that pretend to be feminists but all they do is complain about patriarchy but secretly or openly thirst after patriarchal millionaires.

I can’t tell you how much joy this podcast has been bringing me since a friend recommended it! Love all the recs, the dialogue, the romance history, all the friends that come on the pod, there’s just so much to love about this show! Only problem is how many books it’s causing me to add to my TBR!

UGH. It’s just the best. I happily listen to a lot of romance podcasts, but I’m happiest listening to this one.

Thank you for the laughs and the recommendations. My TBR pile is getting longer with each podcast. I too have eclectic taste and have read from the tame to the crazy banana books you discuss. Please keep the recommendations coming.

I follow Sarah and OSRBC but I’m not really a podcast person!!! This is awesome and funny and insightful and just fun!!! Jen and Sarah dynamics are wonderful.

Updated review: Still loving this podcast, especially the trailblazer episodes. Hopefully they can get J.R. Ward on. I adore Jen and Sarah. It’s so refreshing hearing them talk about romance as a serious genre, and not one to be scoffed at or mocked. I’m also forever indebted to them for giving me the push to finally read the Immortals After Dark series.

I love all the seasons of this podcast, but I am especially loving this current season interviewing the Trailblazers of Romance. I’m learning so much and falling in love with romance books even more!

Jen and Sarah are the best. I love the thought, passion and heart they bring to their discussions

Update 3/16/22: Still love this so much! Finally reading IAD and listening to season 1 plus the newest season. Sarah and Jen are funny and sassy hosts! I know that I’m always going to laugh and talk out loud with every episode. I didn’t listen to the first season because I hadn’t read IAD but I’m going to have to go listen to the interstitial episodes once I’m caught up with the current season. At the moment my favorite episode is the pegging one! Brilliant! I wish I were friends with these two IRL. 😁

Sarah and Jen are amazing podcast hosts. Their banter and insight on the romance genre is supremely entertaining. My only complaint is my TBR list has been inundated thanks to this show. (Talk about champagne problems.) Keep up the great work, gals!

This podcast is the only show that can pull me away from listening to my audiobooks. So much fun to listen to Sarah and Jen and I love having so many episodes that I have yet to listen to from the previous seasons. I’ve worked my way through half of season one (since I’m a huge IAD fan) but have also given in to temptation to listen to the most recent episodes so I guess I’ll end up in the middle at some point soon (if the book recommendations they make that grows my TBR pile don’t distract me further). Thank you!!!!!

This podcast is amazing! 5 stars! I love the commentary and humor you both bring to the show. Its absolutely delightful! I came here for the Immortals after dark book reviews and I thoroughly enjoyed all of your insights. And lets talk about the effort of the show notes… They are super detailed. I appreciate all the effort that goes into it. Basically, Its the #bestpodcastever. Many thanks to Jen and Sarah for putting this together. I cant wait for the Munro episode!

Sarah and Jen have made what was my least favorite part of the day now my favorite. My favorite romance podcast by far.

When it comes to industry knowledge and history Sarah & Jenn can’t be beat. I love hearing about their lifelong journeys with romance, how they put things into context, and that peek behind the curtain.

Sarah - I read your books and love your writing and just two weeks ago discovered you have a podcast. I’ve listened to 5 episodes with you and Jen and can’t stop! The trailblazer episodes have been so fascinating so far-I started out reading Harlequin Romances found at my local used book store as a teenager and then started sneaking my mom’s Julie Garwood books. My TBR list which was not small to begin with has now exploded with many new books to explore. Thank you both for creating a fabulous listening experience. Now I’m going back to listening!

I’m late to the party, but just discovered this podcast and binged many “Interstitial”episodes - I love unpacking tropes and themes of Romance as much as reading it! Love the discussions and recs - brain candy in all the best ways. Thank you!!!

I am a HUGE fan, and your most recent episode with Elda Minger is getting an immediate re-listen, this time with my notepad open. She was absolutely fascinating and I learned so much about what I owe these amazing women who were the backbone of this genre. Thank you!!

The trailblazer interview episodes are amazing. Thank you for content that’s entertaining, informative and inspiring!

Thanks for the introduction to Harlequin. I started with The Men at Work Trilogy by Tiffany Reisz. I purchased the ebooks on Harlequin and then downloaded the Glose app on my iPad and I am binging them. Great podcast!

As a big lover of both romance novels and IAD, I have really enjoyed listening to this podcast. But after listening for a few seasons, it feels like they are constantly recommending the same authors over and over again. Maybe it’s just the way I am perceiving it, but it seems like they don’t bring much attention to less well known authors, and often prefer to just recommend their friends’ books. Also, I find it a little off putting when their guest on interstitials are authors, obviously friends of Jen’s and Sarah’s, who have never even written a book in that genre, when I am sure there are plenty of less well known authors from that genre who would love the opportunity to come on and talk about it. Still a good podcast, but lately I find myself losing interest and leaving episodes unfinished.

Hi Sarah and Jen! You guys rock. This podcast has become an obsession.

Love the deep-dives into the romance genre on this podcast. I’ve learned so much!!

I love this podcast. I always find I have a big goofy grin on my face when I’m listening. Probably cliche to say, but it totally feels like your discussing books with your best friends—if your best friends knew romance inside and out. Includes really fun chat about books, great discussions with guest authors, as well as deep dives and analysis into the history and current landscape of the genre.

I have been reading romance since 1983 at the age of 11 ✊🏻. Coming from a very dysfunctional home the public library in Far Rockaway Queens was my refuge, where I could sit for hours in my little hideaway from the chaos. The “Second Chance at Love “ books series was the gateway into my addiction for romance books. My biggest regret was leaving the majority of my 3,000+ books, a collection I started in 1988 when I moved to Florida😭in 1999. Never thought romance books would be so popular, between the movies, tv series and the Podcasts I now have a community that loves romance just as much as I do 😍😻✊🏻💯🇺🇸🇵🇷🇪🇸 Keep on doing what you’re doing ladies for the love of romance.

I’m a high school teacher in my twenties and 3 of my 4 years of teaching have been covid years. When you said “thank you to the teachers” I actually started to cry because I had been feeling so discouraged and that really made me feel seen. Listening to you both always feels like listening to my cool aunts and I appreciate you so much 💜💜💜

Just discovered this podcast and am loving it- great conversations and I get great recommendations!!

I found out about Fated Mates through their collaboration episode with Learning the Tropes. I am relatively new to reading romance and started with their episodes on Bridgerton and this has led me to just listening to all the episodes. By God, these ladies are amazing!!! I live for their snarky banter and their smart insights on basically anything. They are not afraid to say how they feel and to discuss subjects in romance that are otherwise ignored. I started the Waking up with the Duke episode and had to stop halfway through, because I knew I had to read it. Talk about a book the blooded me…thank you Sarah and Jen.

This podcast is funny, smart, interesting - pretty much the top podcast running today. I’ve rediscovered my love of romance through listening. Dive in!

Thank you for recommending this book. I enjoyed it. It was a rather original setup. I enjoyed your show about 50 Shades of Grey. I refused to read it on principle but it was interesting to hear the industry take

Its a decent podcast with some intelligent discussions. But most of the discussion is not very nuanced and has a very singular view of feminism centred around white women. I think there is a need to be more inclusive in the discussion of the genre. Also I have seen when they have POC guests who raise race issues - Jen and Sarah just go past it or just ignore it. I don’t know if its because they don’t care or that they are not comfortable discussing it because they are white. And it does get a bit repetitive - their viewpoints are good but not very nuanced so if you listen to a few episodes you start to see a pattern.

My favorite podcast. So fun and smart!