Episode 4 of Ripped & Ravished Book Club is here! In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, Francesca (Under the Covers Book Blog) and Becky (Too Stupid to Live Podcast) dive into Chapters 7-8 of The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss and we are officially in the "so close to the end… please give us something" zone.
These chapters bring big plot movement (hello, baby arrives) and yet somehow we're still drowning in domestic detail: baths, clothes, embroidery, household management, and a hero who keeps inching toward emotional growth… until he opens his mouth and resets the progress. We talk about how the book is crystal clear about his feelings, while Heather's inner life stays frustratingly out of reach, and why that makes the romance feel oddly hollow even as they're technically building a life together.
We also get into: the hot-and-cold communication spiral, Jeff's increasingly confusing role, George's surprising moment of remorse, and why certain "dramatic" beats feel like random drive by tension instead of true relationship stakes. Plus, we're still waiting for the book's legendary "female pleasure" reputation to show up on page (Becky is keeping score).
Catch up here (and watch the video of this episode): https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/the-flame-and-the-flower-review/
Content warnings: This episode discusses rape/non-consent (referenced), coercion, pregnancy/childbirth, misogyny, and controlling dynamics. Please take care of yourself.
Next up: Our final episode on this book discussion covers Chapters 9-10 and we want your thoughts before we wrap. Reply with where you're at: first-time reader vs reread, what's shifted for you, and whether the ending delivers the passion (and yes… the probing).
Timestamps
00:00 Probing and Passion Tease
00:14 Podcast Intro and Book Club
01:20 Chapters Seven and Eight Setup
01:58 Baths and Missing Chemistry
03:04 Hot and Cold Communication
04:59 Moving In and Blowups
07:23 Hattie the Wise Stereotype
09:40 Jeffs Forced Kiss and Vibes
10:48 George Confession Overheard
12:16 Brandon in New York Growth
17:18 Louise Debts and Power
21:51 Heather Changes and Birth POV
27:06 Her POV Missing
28:02 Becoming Mrs Birmingham
30:00 No Context for Competence
32:13 Shell of a Heroine
33:17 Stagnant Brandon Arc
36:08 Where Is the Heat
38:32 Yearning and Real Stakes
40:12 Side Characters and Style
43:35 Plot Finally Moves
49:08 Baths Without Purpose
50:57 One Bath That Works
51:57 Wrap Up and Next Read
Links to join the book club + resources
Ripped & Ravished Book Club hub:
https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/bodice-ripper-book-club/
Sign up for the book club newsletter:
https://underthecovers.myflodesk.com/ripped-ravished
Kathleen E. Woodiwiss Author Guide:
https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/kathleen-e-woodiwiss-author-guide/
Romance Evolution through the Decades (1970s):
https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/history-of-1970s-romance-novels/
1970s Romance: Iconic Romance Novels:
https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/1970s-romance-novels/
Follow Becky / Too Stupid to Live Podcast:
https://tstlpodcast.substack.com
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/too-stupid-to-live-romance-reviews-%245-and-under/id1141770521
https://open.spotify.com/show/2rhn2BiyPFDZNMXIHxi2jC
https://www.instagram.com/tstlpodcast/?hl=en
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