Shows
Plot TrystsRe-release: My Lady Quicksilver by Bec McMasterLaine and Meg like honorable men who go bad for the right reasons, decadent costumes, and nuanced world views. This book has all of those things, so this episode was a lot of us fangirling over Sir Jasper. We're not sorry.2024-10-2656 minPlot TrystsTo Cage a God by Elizabeth MayLaine and Meg once again read Romantasy. Meg is glad they aren't teenagers, Laine has questions.2024-05-2731 minPlot TrystsSweetest Scoundrel by Elizabeth HoytLaine and Meg talk about sexy consent, sexy violence, and our lines when it comes to sexual violence in romance.2023-01-0642 minPlot TrystsRE-RELEASE: The Hollow of Fear by Sherry ThomasLaine and Meg squeal over this perfect book. It's third in the Lady Sherlock series, but first in our hearts. Somehow we keep this spoiler free, so listen and prepare for the Art of Theft coming October 2019.2022-11-1524 min
Plot TrystsRE-RELEASE: His Mistress by Morning by Elizabeth BoyleLaine and Meg found the perfect sexy fun historical with minimal agnst and depth and then spend the episode talking about Freud, feminism, and the historical purpose of vanity. We promise it's fluffy, sexy, and fun.2022-10-1834 minPlot TrystsThe Ugly Duchess by Eloisa JamesLaine and Meg talk about fairy tales, BEEF, and beefcakes.2022-06-2425 minPlot TrystsRERELEASE: The Lord I Left by Scarlett PeckhamLaine and Meg disagree about this story of an aspiring whipping governess and a pastor. Meg thinks Henry's piousness and consistency are sexy and intriguing, Laine thinks the book lacks depth and fails to problemitize evangelism. Also Laine hates foot stuff and this book has a lot of it.2022-05-1044 minPlot TrystsBridgerton Season 2 DiscussionLaine an Meg are once again joined by Maria (a romance novice) to discuss Bridgerton. This time, it's season 2! Our opinions were mostly aligned, which amused Laine and Meg given how book-centric they felt.2022-04-1257 minPlot TrystsNine Rules to Break When Romancing A Rake by Sarah MacLeanLaine and Meg talk about Sarah MacLean’s First Romance Novel and the “girl who is very hot but doesn’t know it” trope.2022-03-2420 minPlot TrystsThe League of Gentlewoman Witches by India HoltonLaine and Meg were both seemingly delirious when recording this episode, but managed to string enough coherent sentences together to review this book. It's fun, it's pithy, the characters are sexy, but something about this just maybe isn't for us? We're still a bit undecided on this series, but it's a romp!2022-03-1831 minPlot TrystsAfter Dark by Jayne CastleLaine and Meg have a difference of opinion on this one. Meg admits to a bias toward Amanda Quick and all of her other noms de plume, which Laine lacks. Laine admits to expecting a very different book based on the novella, and Meg had read this before. Scooby Doo, plucky women in consulting, and sassy best friends are all topics of conversation for this one.2021-10-1934 minPlot TrystsRE-RELEASE: Devil’s Bride by Stephanie LaurensLaine and Meg talk about kissing your future wife next to your cousin’s body, very stupid nicknames, and familial justice. Buckle up, this one is wild.2021-10-0740 minPlot TrystsRE-RELEASE: The Duchess Deal: Girl Meets Duke by Tessa DareLaine and Meg talk about wedding tropes and scars. Also cats.2021-09-2822 minPlot TrystsLord Holt Takes a Bride by Vivienne LorretLaine and Meg go back to the beginning with the Mating Habits of Scoundrels to see where it all began. We love a good road trip romance, but this book has a few too many of our pet peeves to be a favorite. The series premise remains excellent, and we'll definitely be reading more Lorret.2021-09-0722 minPlot TrystsI'm Only Wicked with You by Julie Anne LongLaine and Meg are joined by special guest Natalie to discuss the most recent in the Grand Palace on the Thames series. The series' charm remains as strong as the heroes and we definitely recommend this one.2021-09-0359 minPlot TrystsErrata 7: So Much SebastianLaine and Meg some of our favorite outtakes, romance musings, and excerpts from our conversations with the Lit Wallflowers!2021-08-1721 minPlot TrystsFilm Review - WitnessLaine and Meg are joined by "Just Plain Wrong" podcast hosts Erin and Tillie to discuss the romance in Witness. Harrison Ford is hot, the cops are really violent, and Laine comes up with the perfect sequel.2021-06-111h 03Plot TrystsLike No Other Lover by Julie Anne LongLaine and Meg talk about marrying for money, bad girls, and the funniest drinking game in the genre.2021-06-1025 minPlot TrystsDevil's Daughter by Lisa KleypasLaine and Meg both really like Phoebe and West. They're cute together, well suited, and largely pretty sexy. However, there are some ill-conceived notions of masculinity and even MEG agrees there's too much Sebastian FKA St. Vincent.2021-06-0843 minPlot TrystsThe Bride of Larkspear by Sherry ThomasLaine and Meg review a novella/writing exercise from Sherry Thomas in this one. It's... hard to talk about as a book because it mirrors Tempting the Bride so closely, but it does provide a lot of conversation fodder. Did he make his daughter a dog? Was anal sex a metaphor?2021-06-0434 minPlot TrystsA Dance in Moonlight by Sherry ThomasLaine and Meg usually looooovveeee Sherry Thomas, and this book does have some cute moments and was was sexier than expected. But neither of us could really come around on rooting for a woman who was setting herself and her kids up to life as a mistress of an honorable dude.2021-04-0628 minPlot TrystsWho's that Earl? by Susanna CraigLaine and Meg enjoyed the tropes and the excellent chemistry between the two main characters. We were more than a little confused by the plot and the emotional arc, but overall thought this was an enjoyable read.2021-03-1933 minPlot TrystsCold-Hearted Rake by Lisa KleypasLaine and Meg don't know what this book was about, who the characters were, or why so much time was spent on subplots. This book is bad, you guys, but it's also kinda bonkers in an almost Cynster way and you know we're reading the rest of the Ravenels regardless.2021-03-0938 minPlot TrystsThe Princess and the Rogue by Kate BatemanLaine and Meg had a blast talking about this one! Do we have some questions about Russian titles, how to go on the run, and when desk sex is the right call? Yes. Did we like the Imperial Russian spin on the Renaissance man meets down on her luck lady? Also yes.2021-01-2246 minPlot TrystsBeguiling the Beauty by Sherry ThomasLaine and Meg talk about seductive seduction and what counts as sex while imploring our heroine to GET SOME ALREADY.2021-01-0730 minPlot TrystsIt's in His Kiss by Julia QuinnLaine and Meg love Lady Danbury and debate the relative merits of her grandson.2020-12-2337 minPlot TrystsTo Sir Phillip with Love by Julia QuinnLaine and Meg talk about when kids become a trope, the inherent sexiness of celibacy, and Laine fangirls over Julie Andrews.2020-12-1535 minPlot TrystsA Wallflower Christmas by Lisa KleypasLaine and Meg are joined by the Lit Wallflowers to dive into The Wallflower Christmas novella! The main couple here is an afterthought, so much so that the heroine isn't even mentioned on the jacket. That said, if you love the wallflowers (especially Marcus and Sebastian) this is a very rewarding trip down memory lane. They even have a proper Christmas tree!2020-12-1529 minPlot TrystsThe Duke and I by Julia QuinnLaine and Meg talk about what a difference 20 years makes, characters who maybe shouldn't have ended up together, and wondering how an adaptation of this will even work.2020-12-0138 minPlot TrystsA Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem by Manda CollinsLaine and Meg like good guys working for corrupt institutions and the women who seek to broaden their world views. We also would have liked some train sex.2020-11-1339 minPlot TrystsClaiming the Duchess by Sherry ThomasLaine and Meg enjoyed this short flashback to how two characters from "Beguiling the Beauty" first met. We were left wanting more, but this is a fun and free add on to a good book.2020-11-0916 minPlot TrystsSay Yes to the Marquess by Tessa DareLaine and Meg thought this book was sexy. Like... Really sexy. Clio is a badass who is finally asking for what she wants and deserves and Rafe is pining for her more than ever. We were already hooked and then he did this thing to her hand...2020-09-1424 minPlot TrystsA Night Like This by Julia QuinnLaine and Meg don't find stalking romantic and require more sexual tension than this book provides to look past a woman driven by trauma and a man who falls immediately in love with the first person he sees at home who doesn't share his DNA.2020-09-0424 minPlot TrystsLord Perfect by Loretta ChaseLaine and Meg like flirtatious couples with similar senses of humor. Throw in a sexy road trip and a treasure hunt and you know we were all about this book.2020-08-2433 minPlot TrystsThe Duchess Wager by Katherine GrantLaine and Meg like desk sex and crushing the patriarchy, and so does Katherine Grant. Overall a fun read, if a bit on the tame side compared to our usual fare.2020-08-1832 minPlot TrystsScandal in Spring by Lisa KleypasLaine and Meg finish their recap of The Wallflowers with this tale of a manic pixie dream girl and the guy who is obsessed with her. What it lacks in substance it makes up for in angst-free cuteness.2020-08-0327 minPlot TrystsJust Like Heaven by Julia QuinnLaine and Meg grin through this review of an adorable and trope-y love story. Sometimes you just need to read about two compatible people bantering, and this book has that in spades.2020-07-3129 minPlot TrystsDaring and the Duke by Sarah MacLeanLaine and Meg really enjoyed the finale to the Bareknuckle Bastards series. This book is fun, sexy, and capable of laughing at its own absurdity, which always wins points in our books.2020-07-1435 minPlot TrystsErrata Not Erotica 5: Romance in GamingLaine and Meg (and Conner) talk about their favorite romantic plots in video games. Meg likes fidelity and Laine likes bros.2020-07-0746 minPlot TrystsBarrayar by Lois McMaster BujoldLaine and Meg rave about this novel and Bujold's mastery of her craft. Bujold herself called this book what happens after the happily ever after. What this lacks in explicit sexiness it makes up for in everything else.2020-06-3046 minPlot TrystsMiss Wonderful by Loretta ChaseLaine and Meg gush about the Carsington Brothers' perfection and lament how hard it is to be clever about something that's just very very good.2020-06-1938 minPlot TrystsAll About Passion by Stephanie LaurensLaine and Meg complain about parental sex tips, offensive selections of mental illness, and why we are so entertained by the Cynsters.2020-06-1651 minPlot TrystsErrata not Erotica 4Laine and Meg go on tangents about boats, the Kleypas universe, and Mr. Rochester's wife.2020-06-0531 minPlot TrystsThe Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony HopeLaine and Meg rave about swashbuckling romantic heroes, mistaken identities, and doomed love with yearly gestures. If you've never read Prisoner of Zenda, what are you waiting for?2020-05-2525 minPlot TrystsHave His Carcase by Dorothy SayersLaine and Meg talk about how important a raw and honest fight can be to a budding relationship, what to do when you're suspected of murder (again), and swoon at the idea of a man who cares about clothes.2020-05-2232 minPlot TrystsErrata Not Erotica 3: Interview with a Romance Simulation Game ExpertLaine and Meg sit down with Conner, author of the blog "Reader, I Clicked on Him," to discuss the dating sim featured in Alyssa Cole's "A Prince on Paper." Important topics discussed include whether or not you have eyes, dating pigeons, and the importance of paying for what you like. Check her out on Twitter @kaleido_leopard or www.readericlicked.wordpress.com2020-05-1844 minPlot TrystsStrong Poison by Dorothy SayersLaine and Meg break down this excellent murder mystery/romance and the excellent character development in the series so far. She's a badass with a quick wit and courage. He's Lord Peter. What more can we say?2020-04-3038 minPlot TrystsUndercover Bromance by Lyssa Kay AdamsLaine and Meg compare this to the first book (mostly favorably) while praising the complex characters and ranting about Chardonnay. Ok the last part is just Laine but STILL.2020-04-2146 minPlot TrystsLove in EgyptLaine and Meg talk about several books set in Egypt and where they go wrong. All of them have different issues, but a woman can talk to panthers and uses her skills to save Cleopatra's life so we had our fun.2020-03-3151 minPlot TrystsMy Beautiful Enemy by Sherry ThomasLaine and Meg talk about what makes a romance and how to make us love tropes we usually hate.2020-03-2626 minPlot TrystsThe Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay AdamsLaine and Meg review a meta sports romance! Cute, fun, and irreverent in a loving way, we really enjoyed this summer-y read.2020-03-1232 minPlot TrystsSecrets of a Summer Night by Lisa KleypasLaine and Meg start reviewing the wallflower series with this dive into class conflict and hotel sex. What this one lacks in substance it makes up for in gems, snake bites, and linen closets.2020-03-0933 minPlot TrystsOne Night With A Prince by Sabrina JeffriesLaine and Meg are very excited to read about seduction by whist between two fully-formed adults.2020-02-2736 minPlot TrystsAgain the Magic by Lisa KleypasLaine and Meg talk about good boys pretending to be jerks because of their pain, how to have sex without revealing disfiguring scars, and whether sex is more important than character development.2020-02-1025 minPlot TrystsA Week to be Wicked by Tessa DareLaine and Meg rave about a set up that involves carriages and only one room at the inn, though also discuss how (not) sexy a hero can be when he's pushy and jealous. Francine the fossil is along for the ride.2020-02-0621 minPlot TrystsA Prince on Paper by Alyssa ColeLaine and Meg *gasp* disagree. Meg loved this cute tale of a bad-boy prince and a sheltered uppercrust African woman. Laine could have done without references to eggplant emojis mid hookup.2020-02-0442 minPlot TrystsTo Pleasure a Prince by Sabrina JeffriesLaine and Meg talk about Ottoman inspired sex cabins, the realistic difficulties of harp playing in the nude, and well-written low-stakes angst. Oh, and carriage sex.2020-01-3039 minPlot TrystsErrata Not Erotica 2Laine and Meg admit their mistakes, Laine gets quizzed on quotes from classic literature, and the connotations of the word "naughty" are dissected.2020-01-2727 minPlot TrystsSoulless by Gail CarrigerLaine and Meg talk about Victorian Steampunk Romance. We liked it.2020-01-2426 minPlot TrystsA Well-Favored Gentleman by Christina DoddLaine and Meg talk about the Scottish economy in Opals, whether mortals can use magic selkie tools, and how a young woman disguises herself as an old crone in this very realistic novel.2020-01-2134 minPlot TrystsIt's Getting Scot in Here by Suzanne EnochLaine and Meg talk about Scottish alpha males, lament missed opportunities in carriages, and speculate wildly on the series.2020-01-1724 minPlot TrystsA Well-Pleasured Lady by Christina DoddLaine and Meg take you on a journey through this acid-trip of a book where the aristocracy doesn't care about their heirs and women must be seduced against their better judgement (and will). Buckle up.2020-01-1430 minPlot TrystsA Rake's Vow by Stephanie LaurensLaine and Meg compare Stephanie Laurens to Agatha Christie and Beowulf. While Vane's story doesn't have the literary merit of either, it outshines both in sheer absurdity. A cat unlocks and opens a third story window exactly as a lover arrives in stealth and our only response was, 'sure' because then they immediately hook up and we are easy, apparently.2020-01-0940 minPlot TrystsHot Toy by Jennifer CrusieLaine and Meg wrap up our 12 Novellas of Christmas with this tale involving Chinese spies, deadbeat dads, and awkwardly running into that guy you went out with a few times. We swear it's a cute, angst-free holiday story!2020-01-0212 minPlot TrystsThe Duke of Christmas Present by Sarah MacLeanLaine and Meg like secret passageways, hot chocolate, and old lovers reuniting. We don't like long separations or agnst, but we like this novella anyway.2020-01-0112 minPlot TrystsHeiress Alone by Sophie JordanLaine and Meg basically rewrite this one as a comedy in the line of home alone. Heiress Alone is fun, but we like our version better.2019-12-3115 minPlot TrystsMeet Me in Mayfair by Tessa DareLaine and Meg talk about the lack of sex in Christmas novellas, whether frolicking in the snow is festive or stupid, and it turns out neither of us have respect for a squatting family of 8 who never pay their bills.2019-12-3012 minPlot TrystsTwelve Kisses to Midnight by Karen HawkinsLaine and Meg talk about sex cabins, mentos commercials, and terrible book jackets (again) as we continue the 12 podcasts of Christmas.2019-12-2616 minPlot TrystsOne Wicked Winter Night by Mary Jo PutneyLaine and Meg wrap up our review of Seduction on a Snowy Night with a discussion of cat abduction and racism. Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to all!2019-12-2515 minPlot TrystsA Christmas Abduction by Madeline HunterLaine and Meg rage about a Christmas novella that doesn't even try to get into the Christmas spirit. Unless you find mass horse murder, making out with the guy who you think knocked up your sister, or nearly drowning and freezing to death romantic, probably pass on this.2019-12-2414 minPlot TrystsA Perfect Match by Sabrina JeffriesLaine and Meg continue the 12 podcasts of Christmas with this novella that definitely should have been a novel. This has a ton of Christmas and allusions to Cyrano de Bergerac, but it's also simultaneously cloying and agnsty. We were a bit conflicted.2019-12-2324 minPlot TrystsLady Louisa's Christmas Knight by Grace BurrowesLaine and Meg talk about stupid secrets, war wounds, and smart, bad-ass ladies. Sadly, we don't really talk about Christmas.2019-12-1327 minPlot TrystsChristmas in Central Park by Joanna ShupeLaine and Meg talk about advice columnists, sexy hookups in closets between people who are lying, and Christmas in New York (not to be confused with the Pogues' song, Fairytale of New York).2019-12-0916 minPlot TrystsWild Oats by Pamela MorsiHappy Turkey Day! Laine and Meg talk about sexy consent, unsexy overalls, and how refreshing it is to ocassionally diversify beyond the landed aristocracy.2019-11-2833 minPlot TrystsThe Thing About Love by Julie JamesLaine and Meg talk about how professional adults who are great at their jobs, care about how they look, and communicate with each other about what they're looking for is really really sexy.2019-11-2527 minPlot TrystsCotillion by Georgette HeyerLaine and Meg talk about romantic classics, the fake betrothal trope, and how much we love well written casts.2019-11-2228 minPlot TrystsThe Day of the Duchess by Sarah MacLeanLaine and Meg talk about weird grottos, marriage in crisis and how we don't love it, and bad book jackets.2019-11-1831 minPlot TrystsTreasured by Candace CampLaine and Meg talk about frustrated make outs and cute sex while complaining about unnecessary B plots. Laine forgets the gift of the magi.2019-11-1536 minPlot TrystsBeast by Judith IvoryLaine and Meg talk about evocative writing with unlikable characters, deeply troubling commentary about Arabs, and how all 18 year olds are garbage.2019-11-0433 minPlot TrystsThe Art of Theft by Sherry ThomasLaine and Meg talk about a lot of spoilers Laine had to edit out, canne de combat, and sexy character development.2019-10-3133 minPlot TrystsNot the Duke's Darling by Elizabeth HoytLaine and Meg talk about good setups with weird plots, tragic backstories, and whatever the f a dunkelder is.2019-10-2228 minPlot TrystsThe Care and Taming of a Rogue by Suzanne EnochLaine and Meg admit their bias and talk about Rupert Carsington, their perceptions of historical accuracy, and the importance of seduction.2019-10-1740 minPlot TrystsHot Summer Nights by LuAnn McLaneLaine and Meg talk about Laine's thing for left-handed pitchers, Bull Durham, and race relations in Ohio.2019-10-1430 minPlot TrystsStriking Romance by Lindsey BrooksLaine and Meg talk about progressive politics, contraception, and New York sex appeal when discussing this debut novel from Lindsey Brooks.2019-10-0730 minPlot TrystsIn the Prince's Bed by Sabrina JeffriesLaine and Meg talk about scheming siblings, gold diggers, and the importance of sex at poetry readings.2019-10-0328 minPlot TrystsFly with Me by Chanel CleetonLaine and Meg talk about our interest in men in uniform and how it doesn't extend to a military kink, our aversion to bachelorette accessories, and how to talk about a book with no plot.2019-09-3037 minPlot TrystsBringing Down the Duke by Evie DunmoreLaine and Meg talk about how hard it is to not compare books about suffragists and dukes, reasons people should be sore in romance novels, and romance marketing.2019-09-2424 minPlot TrystsErrata (Not Erotica) 1Laine and Meg admit when they are wrong, discuss historical accuracy, and share a favorite outake.2019-09-1616 minPlot TrystsA Conspiracy in BelgraviaLaine and Meg talk about romantic magnifying glasses, spoiler-filled book jackets, and how sexy a build up can be.2019-09-1320 minPlot TrystsA Scot in the Dark by Sarah MacLeanLaine and Meg talk about being good enough for marriage, art heists, and dog themed items.2019-08-2930 minPlot TrystsRavished by Amanda QuickLaine and Meg talk about our obliviousness to the Beauty and the Beast retelling, femurs, and villains without a cause.2019-08-1927 minPlot TrystsA Night to Surrender by Tessa DareLaine and Meg talk about fragile masculinity, sex as physical therapy in the water, and believably desperate sex.2019-08-1524 minPlot TrystsThe Rogue Not Taken by Sarah MacLeanLaine and Meg talk about the only appropriate use for a carriage, badass women who can do better, and dudes with daddy issues.2019-08-0517 minPlot TrystsNever Judge a Lady by Her Cover - Sarah MacLeanLaine and Meg talk about secret identities, getting some when you’re already ruined, and pool sex.2019-08-0223 minPlot TrystsMy American Duchess by Eloisa JamesLaine and Meg talk about pineapple sex, American heiresses, and how to properly christen every room in a house on this Fourth of July themed episode.2019-07-0440 minPlot TrystsLady Sophia’s Lover by Lisa KleypasLaine and Meg talk about riding a chamber horse, evil brothers, and revenge gone wrong.2019-07-0134 minPlot TrystsThe Lady Travelers Guide to Scoundrels and Other Gentlemen - Victoria AlexanderLaine and Meg talk about Paris, well-crafted mysteries, and the absence of beef.2019-06-2424 minPlot TrystsThe Hating Game by Sally ThorneLaine and Meg talk about workplace fantasies, elevator trysts, and getting that promotion, girl.2019-06-1028 minPlot TrystsThe Duke I Tempted by Scarlett PeckhamLaine and Meg talk about BDSM as therapy, when to give an author another chance, and an abundance of tragedy.2019-06-0327 minPlot TrystsWelcome to Plot Trysts!Meet the hosts! Laine and Meg talk about what drew them to romance novels, what they like, and the content they’ll be covering.2019-05-2019 min