The Historical Romance Review

The Historical Romance Review

by Sarah Brain and Amy Way

Season 1

SofF 2: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

In this State of the Field episode, Amy and Sarah discuss the rise and popularity of romance fiction. Why is it so popular with female readers and authors? Why now? What are audiences getting from this genre that they don't get elsewhere? How has it become so successful? And is romance fiction the solution to the increasingly-divisive discourse of contemporary gender politics? #romancebooks #romance #fiction #smut #stateofthefield #books #booktok #tiktok #kindle #kindlereader #reading #happilyeverafter #bookreview #genderpolitics #femalecreators #femalereaders Follow us on Instagram @historicalromancereview Watch us on YouTube @HistoricalRomanceReview Credits: The Historical Romance Review is written, recorded and produced in Meanjin/Brisbane, on the unceded land of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera and Turrbal peoples. Editing: Sarah Brain Cover art and branding: Sarah Brain and Amy Way Original artwork: Caitlin Adams @caitlin_a_art Original theme music: Jonny Barahona @jonnyenvivo Sound support: Zac Costa Recording equipment: John Board Thank you to everyone who continues to support this project with their expertise and enthusiasm.

Episode 7: Hot For Slayer

In this episode, Amy and Sarah celebrate Valentine's Day with their first novella, Ali Hazelwood's Hot For Slayer. A vampire in New York, a slayer with amnesia, and utterly ridiculous character names, this book and its 500 years of heated rivalry is an enemies-to-lovers for the ages. Grab a cuppa (or a glass of red) and get comfy, we have much to discuss. #romancebooks #romance #fiction #alihazelwood #hotforslayer #vampireromance #buffy #spike #paranormalromance #books #booktok #tiktok #kindle #kindlereader #reading #enemiestolovers #oppositesattract Follow us on Instagram @historicalromancereview Watch us on YouTube @HistoricalRomanceReview Credits: The Historical Romance Review is written, recorded and produced in Meanjin/Brisbane, on the unceded land of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera and Turrbal peoples. Editing: Sarah Brain Cover art and branding: Sarah Brain and Amy Way Original artwork: Caitlin Adams @caitlin_a_art Original theme music: Jonny Barahona @jonnyenvivo Sound support: Zac Costa Recording equipment: John Board Thank you to everyone who continues to support this project with their expertise and enthusiasm.

SotF 1: What is the State of the Field?

In this episode, Amy and Sarah introduce a new format, the State of the Field! Instead of a deep-dive book review, these episodes are a chance to discuss broader, genre-based questions and issues. Why has romance fiction become so popular in the 2020s? What's the line between romance and smut? Is it a 'true' romance plot if there's no Happily Ever After? Which trope are you breaking up with, and which Book Boyfriend are you taking home? Learn more about the State of the Field and your two fabulous hosts in this introductory episode. #romancebooks #romance #fiction #smut #stateofthefield #books #booktok #tiktok #kindle #kindlereader #reading #happilyeverafter #bookreview Follow us on Instagram @historicalromancereview Watch us on YouTube @HistoricalRomanceReview Credits: The Historical Romance Review is written, recorded and produced in Meanjin/Brisbane, on the unceded land of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera and Turrbal peoples. Editing: Sarah Brain Cover art and branding: Sarah Brain and Amy Way Original artwork: Caitlin Adams @caitlin_a_art Original theme music: Jonny Barahona @jonnyenvivo Sound support: Zac Costa Recording equipment: John Board Thank you to everyone who continues to support this project with their expertise and enthusiasm.

Episode 6: People We Meet On Vacation

In this episode, Amy and Sarah celebrate the release of Emily Henry's first film adaptation by reviewing her beloved second novel, People We Meet On Vacation. An annual summer travel tradition, horrendous air conditioning, a major weather event (because of course, it's EmHen), and flashbacks to fantastical holidays around the globe, this book has ten years of chemistry hot enough to change all your carefully laid life plans. Grab a cuppa (or a crisp glass of chablis) and get comfy, we have much to discuss. #romancebooks #romance #fiction #emilyhenry #peoplewemeetonvacation #alexandpoppy #netflix #summerromance #books #booktok #tiktok #kindle #kindlereader #reading #friendstolovers #oppositesattract #emhen Follow us on Instagram @historicalromancereview Credits: The Historical Romance Review is written, recorded and produced in Meanjin/Brisbane, on the unceded land of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera and Turrbal peoples. Editing: Sarah Brain Cover art and branding: Sarah Brain and Amy Way Original artwork: Caitlin Adams @caitlin_a_art Original theme music: Jonny Barahona @jonnyenvivo Sound support: Zac Costa Recording equipment: John Board Thank you to everyone who continues to support this project with their expertise and enthusiasm.

Episode 5: Pride and Prejudice (Part 2)

In this episode, Amy and Sarah promenade into perhaps the most historic romance of all time, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. First published in 1813, this beloved story has it all: embarrassing family members, a grumpy billionaire, witty banter, class consciousness, terrible first impressions, and the most insulting marriage proposal on record. Grab a cuppa (or some excellent boiled potatoes) and get comfy, we have much to discuss. #romancebooks #romance #fiction #historicalfiction #janeausten #prideandprejudice #pnp #books #booktok #tiktok #kindle #kindlereader #reading #classics #mrdarcy #darcyandlizzy #enemiestolovers #grumpysunshine Follow us on Instagram @historicalromancereview Credits: The Historical Romance Review is written, recorded and produced in Meanjin/Brisbane, on the unceded land of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera and Turrbal peoples. Editing: Sarah Brain Cover art and branding: Sarah Brain and Amy Way Original artwork: Caitlin Adams @caitlin_a_art Original theme music: Jonny Barahona @jonnyenvivo Sound support: Zac Costa Recording equipment: John Board Thank you to everyone who continues to support this project with their expertise and enthusiasm.

Episode 5: Pride and Prejudice (Part 1)

In this episode, Amy and Sarah promenade into perhaps the most historic romance of all time, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. First published in 1813, this beloved story has it all: embarrassing family members, a grumpy billionaire, witty banter, class consciousness, terrible first impressions, and the most insulting marriage proposal on record. Grab a cuppa (or some excellent boiled potatoes) and get comfy, we have much to discuss. #romancebooks #romance #fiction #historicalfiction #janeausten #prideandprejudice #pnp #books #booktok #tiktok #kindle #kindlereader #reading #classics #mrdarcy #darcyandlizzy #enemiestolovers #grumpysunshine Follow us on Instagram @historicalromancereview Credits: The Historical Romance Review is written, recorded and produced in Meanjin/Brisbane, on the unceded land of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera and Turrbal peoples. Editing: Sarah Brain Cover art and branding: Sarah Brain and Amy Way Original artwork: Caitlin Adams @caitlin_a_art Original theme music: Jonny Barahona @jonnyenvivo Sound support: Zac Costa Recording equipment: John Board Thank you to everyone who continues to support this project with their expertise and enthusiasm.

Episode 4: Good Spirits

In this episode, Amy and Sarah continue to get Christmassy with B.K. Borison's brand new release, Good Spirits. A cutesy antique shop, a curly-haired FMC and an (allegedly) Irish MMC might sound like your average romance, but this one also has time travel, magic mistletoe and a VERY unconventional pairing. Amy and Sarah found this haunting holiday romance...interesting to say the least. Grab a cuppa (or a handful of candy canes) and get comfy, we have much to discuss. #romancebooks #romance #fiction #bkborison #goodspirits #books #booktok #tiktok #kindle #kindlereader #reading #christmas #christmasromance #holidayromance #enemiestolovers #ghostromance Follow us on Instagram @historicalromancereview Credits: The Historical Romance Review is written, recorded and produced in Meanjin/Brisbane, on the unceded land of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera and Turrbal peoples. Editing: Sarah Brain Cover art and branding: Sarah Brain and Amy Way Original artwork: Caitlin Adams @caitlin_a_art Original theme music: Jonny Barahona @jonnyenvivo Sound support: Zac Costa Recording equipment: John Board Thank you to everyone who continues to support this project with their expertise and enthusiasm.

Episode 3: Lovelight Farms

In this episode, Amy and Sarah kick off the festive season with a trip to the snowy town of Inglewild in B.K. Borison's Lovelight Farms. A struggling Christmas tree farm, a cast of (extremely attractive) small-town characters, and a fake-dating plot built on NINE YEARS of foreplay, this seasonal romance will warm you like a chestnut on an open fire. Grab a cuppa (or a peppermint mocha latte) and get comfy, we have much to discuss. #romancebooks #romance #fiction #bkborison #lovelightfarms #books #booktok #tiktok #kindle #kindlereader #reading #christmas #christmasromance #holidayromance #friendstolovers #fakedating Follow us on Instagram @historicalromancereview Credits: The Historical Romance Review is written, recorded and produced in Meanjin/Brisbane, on the unceded land of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera and Turrbal peoples. Editing: Sarah Brain Cover art and branding: Sarah Brain and Amy Way Original artwork: Caitlin Adams @caitlin_a_art Original theme music: Jonny Barahona @jonnyenvivo Sound support: Zac Costa Recording equipment: John Board Thank you to everyone who continues to support this project with their expertise and enthusiasm.

Episode 2: Great Big Beautiful Life

In this episode, Amy and Sarah take a trip to picturesque Little Crescent Island with Emily Henry's Great Big Beautiful Life. Journalistic rivalry, a reclusive celebrity, and decades of family drama, there's more than just livelihoods at stake in this steamy romance-turned-mystery. Grab a cuppa (or iced green tea + croissant) and get comfy, we have much to discuss. #romancebooks #romance #fiction #emilyhenry #greatbigbeautifullife #books #booktok #tiktok #kindle #kindlereader #reading #booklovers #emhen #emilyhenrybooks Follow us on Instagram @historicalromancereview Credits: The Historical Romance Review is written, recorded and produced in Meanjin/Brisbane, on the unceded land of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera and Turrbal peoples. Editing: Sarah Brain Cover art and branding: Sarah Brain and Amy Way Original artwork: Caitlin Adams @caitlin_a_art Original theme music: Jonny Barahona @jonnyenvivo Sound support: Zac Costa Recording equipment: John Board Thank you to everyone who continues to support this project with their expertise and enthusiasm.

Episode 1: Flawless

In this first episode of their new podcast, Amy and Sarah dive into the world of romance fiction with Elsie Silver’s Flawless. Hot cowboys, bull riding, and pissing off the dairy industry, there's something for everyone on this wild ride. Grab a cuppa (or a milk based drink of your choice) and get comfy, we have much to discuss. Follow us on Instagram @historicalromancereview Credits: The Historical Romance Review is written, recorded and produced in Meanjin/Brisbane, on the unceded land of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera and Turrbal peoples. Editing: Sarah Brain Cover art and branding: Sarah Brain and Amy Way Original artwork: Caitlin Adams @caitlin_a_art Original theme music: Jonny Barahona @jonnyenvivo Sound support: Zac Costa Recording equipment: John Board Thank you to everyone who continues to support this project with their expertise and enthusiasm.

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