639. RT Rewind: November 2015 Reviews

639. RT Rewind: November 2015 Reviews

Author: Sarah Wendell November 1, 2024 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! But we have some books to talk about so let’s get to it!


So many small town contemporaries, so many historicals, so many Four Star reviews with word salad. And some cat poo.


TW/CW: very brief and nonspecific discussion of abusive relationships in the Erotica section.


Please note: I don't have a visual aids post for this episode, but the Ads & Features certainly will!


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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
675. Celebrating Confident Fat Black Women with Danielle Allen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Danielle Allen is the author of 55 books, including the new release Plus Size Player, part of the Curve series alongside Curvy Girl Summer, and Big Girl Blitz. And the player, as you’ll find out, is the heroine.The trilo…
674. Enchanted Romantasy Feasts with Gaby Leon, HappyGabyCooks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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673. RT Rewind: May 1995 Ads & Features [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:34
This is a delightfully unhinged issue. We’ve got a plethora of old-skool covers, weird language about China and Taiwan, Poconos hot tubs, and Elizabeth Lowell is thrown under the bus – twice?Are you one of the most privi…
672. Part III of A Soul to Keep with Heaving Bosoms [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:39
Every now and again, I get to do a crossover episode with the Heaving Bosoms podcast. We pick a truly bonkers sexy book, and recap it across two shows. In this case – it’s three shows.Hi Heaving Bosoms listeners! I’m so…
671. RT Rewind: May 1995 Reviews [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:15
Amanda and I are traveling back to May 1995 – yes, thirty years ago.I know, me too.We’ve got weird reviews, outstanding side character names, a debut of a much-loved historical romance author, and a few side trips into p…
669. RT Rewind - February 2015 Ads & Features Part II [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:14
At the suggestion of some listeners, I split the Ads & Features into two parts, in part because it was very long, and also because there are 5 Fridays in May. Woot!You can find Part I here (or in your favorite podcast ap…
668. Hot Takes with Sarah & Amanda [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:52
Inspired by a recent episode of The Sam Sanders Show, Amanda and I are sharing our own hot takes and possibly controversial opinions about romance.We’re talking:Third act bleak moments!Transcending the genre!Rom coms!Coz…
667. RT Rewind - February 2015 Ads & Features Part I [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:33
We are back in the time machine with HelenKay Dimon and Darby Kane, who are thankfully one person so we have extra room in the cabin for snacks. And we are headed back to February 2015 to take a look at the ads and featu…
666. HelenKay Dimon and Darby Kane are Really Interesting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:35
We were supposed to record an episode, but we started talking about romantic suspense instead. We talk about what inspired me to start the RT Rewind series, and start talking about the cover…and then we talked about chan…