In this week’s episode of Romance on the Rocks, we’re pairing Odd Girl Out by Ann Bannon with Savor It by Tarah DeWitt, mixing brambles and beer while we dig into jealousy, growth and the kind of love that forces you to choose who you want to be.
First, we head back to 1957. Odd Girl Out follows college freshman Laura as she falls for magnetic upperclassman Beth in a relationship that has to exist behind closed doors. The emotional stakes feel young because they are. There’s jealousy, possessiveness and miscommunication; but there’s also honesty, tenderness and a love triangle without a true villain. We talk about secrecy shaped by the era, the presence of victim-blaming and self-harm, and why this foundational lesbian romance still feels emotionally authentic nearly 70 years later.
Then we shift to contemporary small-town Spunes, Oregon in Savor It. Fisher, a burned-out New York chef, lands in town after professional implosion and personal loss. Sage, a community-rooted teacher with a hobby farm, becomes his neighbor and eventual partner in both the Festival of Spunes and something much more vulnerable. We break down the banter, the communication that actually works and the grief that gets processed instead of glossed over. Indy’s storyline hits especially hard, proving that found family can be just as powerful as romance.
We also dive into audiobook performance, including dual versus duet narration and why Jacob Morgan/Zachary Weber’s voice acting can elevate chemistry on the page. Spice level lands at jalapeño. Cozy without being corny. Emotional without losing its edge.
As always, we close with scent notes, a booby prize showdown and a reminder that love stories are not just about who ends up together. They're about who grows, who risks and who learns to breathe easier.
Pour a drink and join us.
Meghan's Beverage & Book: Odd Girl Out by Ann Bannon with Point Beer & a Martini
Nicole's Beverage & Book: Savor It by Tarah DeWitt with The "S
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Credits:
Theme Music Created by Adam Wroblewski
Main Art by PersonalisePortrait
