628. Real Housewives and Romance Readers with Shana

628. Real Housewives and Romance Readers with Shana

Author: Sarah Wendell August 16, 2024 Duration: 53:50

Continuing my exploration of reality franchises that are favorites of romance readers, Shana joins me to talk about the Real Housewives franchise: her favorite Real Housewives locations and seasons, and what aspects of this reality franchise appeal to romance readers.


We cover relationships, conflict, and the blend of fiction and “reality,” and some of the ethical considerations as well, especially with the Real Housewives of Dubai.


Are you a Real Housewives watcher? Which ones? Do you think there’s a reason why romance readers are often also Real Housewives watchers?


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If you’ve ever felt a little defensive about loving romance novels, or just want to dive deeper into the books you can’t put down, Smart Podcast, Trashy Books: A Romance Novel Podcast is your perfect companion. Host Sarah Wendell approaches the genre with a critic’s sharp mind and a fan’s enthusiastic heart, creating conversations that are as thoughtful as they are joyful. This isn’t just author interviews, though you’ll hear brilliant voices like Ilona Andrews, Sarah J. Maas, and the wonderfully unique Chuck Tingle. The scope of the podcast is deliberately wide, bringing in reviewers, librarians, editors, and publishing professionals to examine every facet of the romance world. You’ll get honest talk about tropes and trends, the business behind the books, and why these stories resonate so powerfully with millions of readers. Regular appearances from Amanda Diehl add another layer of camaraderie and insight. Listening feels like being part of a smart, welcoming book club where no opinion is dismissed and passion is a given. It’s a celebration of a genre that dominates fiction, explored with humor, intelligence, and genuine curiosity. Whether you’re a longtime devotee or a curious newcomer, this podcast offers a rich, engaging, and deeply human look at the stories we love.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Smart Podcast, Trashy Books: A Romance Novel Podcast
Podcast Episodes
642. Books Journalism and Social Media with Sophie Vershbow [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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641. RT Rewind: November 2015 Ads & Features [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:02
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640. Cozy Witchcraft with Lucy Jane Wood [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:11
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639. RT Rewind: November 2015 Reviews [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:08
It’s time to take a look at the new books in November 2015 inside Romantic Times! We’ve got spanking and small towns, and a magazine that seems more targeted toward aspiring writers than readers. That yielded a mixed bag…
638. Smart Bitches After Dark - Tara interviews Sarah & Amanda [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:58
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637. RT Rewind October 1988 Ads & Features [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:43
It’s time for the Ads & Features of the October 1988 (!!) issue of Romantic Times Magazine.Y’all. We’ve got:Vintage gossip!Blind items that are very easy to guess!Danielle Steel’s two blue Mercedes!Fuchsia covers with gi…
636. Swordcrossed Cozy Romantasy with Freya Marske [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:53
Freya Marske’s new book Swordcrossed is out this week, and she’s joining us from the other side of the planet to talk about what she calls, “Fantasy of manners, mercantile edition.” We also talk about writing fanfic and…