Hopeless Romantics

Welcome to the first Hopeless Hotline, where I answer listener-submitted dilemmas - ranging from love and friendship to identity crises and existential meltdowns. This week, our 'hopeless romantic' has a question about a big clash in values between herself and her partner. It's taken her by surprise, and left her wondering if she's misread him - and them - all along. Have your own question for the...

What an honour to have Kiwi radio host (and one of the funniest men I know) Dan Webby join me on the first ever episode of ‘Hopeless BROmantics’.   In this episode, we discuss the beautiful innocence of childhood love, navigating a tough break up, and the winding path that ultimately led him to find the undisputed GOAT and love of his life, Hanna.   This is an episode for existing fans of Dan, and...

Happy Friday, lovers! Another week, another threesome of romance-adjacent recommendations for your weekend.  This week we’ve got: Two new trailers that have us gagging (for different reasons).  The newest ‘Wuthering Heights’ adaptation starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, and Brett Goldstein’s sci-fi romance ‘All Of You’ A Khalil Gibran poem on love in honour of Ash’s dad A father’s day classi...

Everyone seems to have an opinion on Taylor's engagement news.  We don't have an opinion, as much as we have feelings (and plot twist...they're good ones)  In this quickie, Damaris Treasure joins me to ask the question..."why can't people just be happy for Taylor Swift?" LINKS: Follow me on tikok and instagram Follow the podcast on instagram Order my debut novel Love on the Air Learn more about yo...

Damaris Treasure joins me for a romantic threesome to get you through the weekend!  On today’s episode: A sports romance series that’s more ‘porno’ than ‘Pulitzer’ The Netflix series for anyone who’s ever been told they’re too much (ie me) A classic (and highly underrated) tennis rom-com in honour of the US Open  LINKS: Follow me on tikok and instagram Follow the podcast on instagram Order my debu...

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As always...three great reccos for your weekend romance fix!  I've decided to start including some romance CLASSICS in the mix, which means this week you're getting: The best (according to me) Jane Austen novel, Persuasion NYT Beststeller Alex Aster's latest rom-com 'Downton Abbey' but make it New York in the 1880's... Love you, more than a friend x   LINKS: Follow me on tikok and instagram Follow...

With a lazy 22 published novels under her belt, Rachael Johns knows a thing or two about writing fiction for women.  It was SUCH a pleasure to have her on this week to talk about the trials and tribulations of establishing herself as a working author, and what that struggle looked like before she was able to finally break through. This is a must-listen for anyone who's dreamed of getting published...

As always...three great reccos for your weekend romance fix!  This week: A college 'coming of age' series that had me LOLling and crying.  One of the best rom-coms I've read in ages (and the author is Aussie!) The latest drop from Ali Hazelwood  Love you, more than a friend x   LINKS: Follow me on tikok and instagram Follow the podcast on instagram Order my debut novel Love on the Air Learn more a...

This week we welcome Hopeless Romantic newbie Damaris Treasure as we unpack Celine Song's   'Materialists'  which is currently in cinemas.  We explore themes of love, security, and the complex decisions we make in relationships.  This is less of a review, and more of a rumination on some of the confronting questions this film poses, as well as the way this film was (perhaps unfairly, but intention...

An early Friday quickie because I feel like a lot of you need to just see Materialists ASAP!  This week: Australian author Olivia O'Flynn blows it outta the water with her debut romantasy novel 'Ever Blessed'  My girl Mhairi Mcfarlane is back with 'Cover Story' Materialists.  My honest and very fresh thoughts.    LINKS: Follow me on tikok and instagram Follow the podcast on instagram Order my debu...

I am delighted to welcome Amy Matthews to the podcast, who is not only an award-winning author but also an Associate Professor in Creative Writing at Flinders University. Long story short? This woman knows (and loves) talking romance.  Under her many pen names she's written titles such as 'Someone Else's Bucket List', 'Best, First and Last', 'The McBrides of Montana' series and the 'Frontiers of T...

Come for the Miranda Priestly chat...stay for the deep heart to heart about how it feels to be a woman in the workplace who is JUST TRYING HER BEST! Broadcaster Steph Monks joins me this week! This episode was kinda like therapy for both of us (which is always a good thing!) In it we discuss: Our surprising levels of empathy towards Miranda Priestley How Adrian Grenier isn't really as much of the...

Before we actually got to our 'Devil Wears Prada' deep dive, Steph and I found ourselves deep in a 15 minute discussion about Steph's return to work when her son Rocco was just three months old.  What followed was, what I believe is an important discussion around this impossible juggle.  The constant push and pull of guilt and grief.  While not exactly very 'romantic' I still feel like a lot of yo...

Two killer books and a Netflix movie this week, my loves!!  They include: The old Emily Henry book that I finally read (and enjoyed more than Great Big Beautiful Life) Smut set in the 1400's Another Netflix romcom you can enjoy while scrolling  Love you, more than a friend x LINKS: Follow me on tikok and instagram Follow the podcast on instagram Order my debut novel Love on the Air Learn more abou...

TV and radio powerhouse Sharyn Casey joins me this week to countdown the HR community's top voted TV couples.  But mainly this episode is just two horny mums in their late 30's drooling over men we will never even be in the same room as.  I laughed a lot during this episode, I laughed a lot editing it, and I hope it brings you all the joy as you let yourself get carried away into a world of sexy T...

Eden Victoria is an English #BookTok creator (with a lazy 750 thousand followers) turned published author, whose debut novel Close Protection hit shelves in March.  This week we sit down to compare our experiences as romance fans and now first time authors! This episode is one for all the #BookTok fans out there, as well as those of you keen to turn your hand to writing (you can do it!!!) Big love...

A smorgasboard of delicious romantical treats await you in today's quickie, Hopeless Romantics!  This week: An Italian Rom Com series that I'm ANNOYED nobody told me about until now A wickedly funny novel set during a million dollar wedding on Rhode Island Possibly one of the best books I've ever read.  For reals.  As always, if you've got a suggestion for something you think I'd love SEND IT THRO...

NOTE: This film deals with a very prominent DV storyline, and as such this is discussed within the episode.  It's the episode I never saw coming, and the film I never thought I'd watch!  This week, my mate Guy Mansell joins us to discuss 'It Ends With Us' in a STRICTLY PERIPHERAL DRAMA FREE episode.   Some of the questions posed: Why isn't the actor who plays Atlas in everything? And can he drop h...

Stuck in a funk? Need a recommendation from a trusted friend? I got you boo! (and all in under 10 minutes because WE BUSY!) Also this episode is spoiler free :)  This week we're doing: Hot daddy cowboys in the new Netflix drama 'Ransom Canyon' A one night stand that turns into an adventure at sea in Beth O'Leary's 'Swept Away'  The OTHER radio romance book, 'First Time Caller' by BK Borison Love y...

The book is out, I have recovered (just!) and so now...the podcast returns.  And WHAT A TITLE to return with!  'Love Actually' is not only the most requested film, but also the one that comes up the most during other episodes.  I am delighted to welcome publishing superstar Emma Clifton to the poddy, who has seen this film more than 20 times (which doesn't sound as crazy when you do the maths and...

Infidelity, fate, Fboys and Ryan Gosling's abdominals.  It's all here, people!  This movie rules, and this was such a fun episode to do with first time Hopeless Romantic Amelia Stamos.  We go deep (can a relationship survive infidelity?) and we go shallow (would you have sex with Ryan Gosling after meeting him at the bar for ten minutes?). Love you, more than a friend x  LINKS: Follow Amelia on in...

Chris Parker is a kiwi comedian, writer, actor and perhaps most notably the guest who initially suggested the most absurd 'romance' film (it was Deep Impact.  And to be fair he argues a great point at the start of this episode). We settled on French Canadian director Xavier Dolan's stunning film Matthias and Maxime which I'd not heard of before the podcast, but absolutely ADORED.  You don't need t...

DOUBLE TROUBLE BABY!  We liked 'Part of Your World' but we LOVED 'Yours Truly' and as such we present to you, the double header episode of your Abby Jimenez dreams!!! Jess Farchione returns which means: lotsa food chat and lots of horny sex chat.  What else could you possibly want in life, people? Bit of spicy language in this one, so this is definitely one to listen to when you don't have little...

All you need is love!  And...well a couple of other things really.  Welcome to the podcast OUR VERY FIRST MAN! And what a man we have for you this week!  Kiwi comedian Eli Matthewson joins us to discuss a movie he saw twelve times...in the cinema (OK so to be fair he has a plausible explanation that makes that sound less shocking).   This is one of my fave episodes so far - lots of laughs - and a...