Plot Trysts

Meg and Laine were both super intrigued by this book but omg is it visceral. Perfect execution; Meg cried and Laine was waiting to get punched, which is not what we generally expect from Romance novellas.

Meg and Alex are joined by Jill Tew to discuss a Vorkosigan novel without any Vorkosigans in it.

Henry is very put upon! Georgina is too mouthy for governessing! They figure it out!

Laine and Meg once again read Romantasy. Meg is glad they aren't teenagers, Laine has questions.

Charis writes fairy tales so well, and Laine wasn't even annoyed by the kids. This is the kind of living in a cave we can get behind.

Alix Harrow joins Alex and Meg to discuss Memory: the transition book between young Miles and Lord Vorkosigan.

None of us can remember the name of Sarah's hometown so we just call it Grover's Corners, which is fitting given how forgettable she is as a character. We also didn't recall how much of this book was threats of sexual violence. We had a great time recording, but make no promises as to your listening experience.

We're far enough into Susanna Craig that the appearance of characters from past series is a delight! We both really enjoyed this spin on the actor and his critic, and the low stakes found us both in the right moment.

Jo Walton joins Meg and Alex to discuss Mirror Dance. Come for the clones, stay for the amnesia.

We're back with more sentient space dildos! Meg loves virgins and Laine needs some innovation.

This series continues to impress, even when exploring our less-enjoyed tropes.

This book just did a lot of things right. It struck a balance: well researched without being explosive, a slow burn that knew how to incorporate early heat, and a dramatic set up but two characters who communicate.

Meg and Alex are joined by Olivia Waite to discuss this entry in the Vorkosigan saga. Is there a more fun way to represent issues of a fractious identity than clones?

Katherine Grant always impresses us with the diversity of experiences she puts in her romances. Both of us enjoyed reading this! Meg had a lot of thoughts on Persuasion and was into it, Laine thought the reality was a little TOO real to be sexy.

We are officially Sarah MacLean completionists with this book. We are NOT fans of this couple, but it was very fun to see how far MacLean has come.

This is a very promising debut, especially on the hot tamale scale. We just couldn't get over the hero's lack of conviction and making out with her cousin.

Meg and Alex are joined by Katherine Addison, author of the Goblin Emperor, to discuss Cetaganda. For a romp, there's quite a bit of social and political commentary.

Is this the biggest disagreement ever on plot trysts?

The title is meant to be Not! Jeopardy reference, but even though we loved this book all I can think is "baby don't hurt me."

We (reasonably IMO) expected a sex book. This was NOT a sex book.

We interrupt your usual Naismith/Vorkosigan family hijinks to explore some speculative, old-school SciFi. What if a planet inhabited only by men ran out of ova? One intrepid scientist must even *gasp* speak to a woman to find a solution!

This is a bite-sized good time, even if neither of us can articulate more than "it was fun and we figured out the mystery too soon so there should have been more sex."

This book really takes some chances and explored new-to-us things in Romance. We liked it overall, but if we're being honest Thorne's way of... taking control... is what really sold us here.

I think this is the closest we've ever come to grading on a curve. Is this good? No? Did it have potential that Sarah MacLean later realized. YES.

Max Gladstone joins Meg and Alex for a deep dive into three novellas. Buckle up! Start - Mountains of Mourning; 25 Minutes - Labyrinth; 65 Minutes - Borders of Infinity.