Nerdy Romantics Podcast

 We wrap up our discussion of Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu with characters we love, Easter Eggs, and star ratings, among other things. Spoiler alert! This episode will spoil the Mandalorian show and the movie.  Topics we discuss: Pacing Issues and character intros What about the side characters? Or Grogu's powers? Mando, Grogu, and other memorable character moments Rotta da Hutt, the...

Marcie, Jen and Staci join Y. M. Nelson in talking about the newest movie in the Star Wars franchise, Star Wars: The Manadlorian and Grogu. TOPICS TO DISCUSS: A Star Wars Background (mild spoilers) First impressions/How did you find this? Story and the big/smallness of the plot Big Screen $ means Big Screen Story The Show Factor The Aftermath of a Regime Change (possible foreshadowing?) Slowed pac...

Y. M. Nelson and guests Millard and Marcie get nostalgic about 90s romcoms while reviewing the movie You, Me, & Tuscany. They talk characters, funny moments, and rate this cute bright movie. Topics we Discuss How we found this Movie and why the finding was weird Viewers' pattern for watching rom-coms and movie politics The MCs: Anna and Michael 90 romcoms v. today's streaming Charact...

Y. M. Nelson and co-hosts discuss Bridgerton, season four's female friendships, Benedict perceptions, what we might see next season, and wrap up with a star rating. TOPICS WE DISCUSS Side Stories: Lady Danbury and Queen Charlotte Female Friendships Is this the steamiest season so far? Benedict strikes a romantic chord Francesca and ... Michaela? Star Rating Show us some love with a text! Supp...

THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS! We've got the whole gang here to talk about season 4 of the Netflix TV show Bridgerton. In this part 1 we talk expectations for the show, the main couple, and some other couples we saw this season.  TOPICS WE DISCUSS: Were we excited for Season 4? Lady Whistledown reveal aftermath The elusive Daphne and the Duke Upstairs/Downstairs Trope and Cinderella re-tellin...

Tanvier Peart talks about her rugby romance One Knight's Stand , the first in the Buffalo Steele rugby romance series, and nerdy female MCs, thick thighs, and why friends to lovers is not her jam. She also gives us a long list for our TBRs. No spoilers, so hang out with us! TOPICS WE DISCUSS: The Buffalo Steel Rugby Series - why rugby? Trope talk: no friends-to-lovers? Miriam is the Blerd we...

We weren't surprised when Wonder Man got a season 2. On this episode find out why we think so, including our ratings for the season.  Topics we Discuss: Wonder Man in the Comics Simon's family dynamic Ben Kingsley as Trevor Slattery, aka Simon's buddy The agent and the rest of the great cast Trevor Slattery in the MCU. Who is he, again? Cameos! Scheduling mishaps, but bingeable TV S...

Staci, Marcie and I (Y. M. Nelson) didn't know anything about this Marvel character going in, nor did we know about the series. But we were filled with wonder (I know, bad pun) at this highly entertaining series. Hear what we have to say about this great show. This review of Marvel's Wonder Man has spoilers. TOPICS WE DISCUSS: First impressions/how we found out about this show Overall th...

Y. M. Nelson shares her best books, movies, and TV that celebrate the nerdy and the romantic. She delves into superhero, sci-fi, fantasy, and romance genres to pick the best reads, listens and watches of the year. Best Books of 2025 Curvy Girl Summer Losing Sight Children of Blood and Bone Can't Get Enough Only for the Week My release for 2025: The Accidental Proposal Best Movies of 2025 Sinn...

 Jen and host Y. M. Nelson recommend 7 holiday romances for 2025 that will keep you in the holly jolly spirit. Y. M. Nelson also has an announcement for a new mini-series in the new year!  Books We Recommend: Single and Ready to Jingle by Piper Rayne Brown Sugar this Christmas by Lula White Not So Merry in Maldives by Mia Heintzelman Wrapped by Rebekah Weatherspoon A Man for Mrs. Claus by Rebekah...

Y. M. Nelson hosts the second part of a review of the Fantastic Four: First Steps with guests Marcie and Perry. They talk an award-worthy performance of Sue Storm, the Richards' kid, Villains in the 828, and rate the movie with a star rating. Topics We Discuss Sacrificing too much for the greater good Superhero movies and award worthy performances City comes together with Mr. Elder (that rhym...

Y. M. Nelson hosts a deep dive into the Marvel movie The Fantastic Four: First Steps . She and guests Perry and Marcie discuss the fantastic four characters, movie pacing, and why this is the best version of them all. TOPICS: How did we discover /first watch the movie? What was with the "Jetsons" look? Character Portrayls: Mr. Fantastic and others The rest of the Fantastic Four: Ben, Joh...

Y. M. Nelson hosts the continuing discussion of Thunderbolts. She and Jen, Perry and Marcie talk about female led Marvel movies, depression and grief, standout characters in a fun ensemble cast, and we give the movie a star rating. TOPICS WE DISCUSS: Marketing Thunderbolts* A Greenlit surprise Standout characters in the Thunderbolts* ensemble The Thunderbolts v. Valentina Bob aka The Sentry/The Vo...

Jen, Perry, Marcie and host Y. M. Nelson talk about why Thunderbolts* was a great character study in a superhero disguise. TOPICS WE DISCUSS: Perry's Update First thoughts on Thunderbolts*/viewing experience Is this the connector movie we needed? The Reluctant Hero Trope The dramatic side of the movie Family relationships: Yelena and Alexi Marketing and reception of Thunderbolts* Show us some...

Host Y. M. Nelson and guests Staci, Perry, and Jen continue to review and then rate James Gunn’s version of Superman. In this episode, we talk about the “Justice Gang” – Mr. Terrific, Guy Gardner, and Hawkgirl – Superman’s posse, and we talk about the Daily Planet gang – notably Lois, Perry, Jimmy and Steve – Clark Kent’s posse. We also give this one a star rating. Topics We Discuss: Secondary Cha...

Host Y. M. Nelson and guests Staci, Perry, and Jen review James Gunn's version of Superman. We went political, we went comic book, we went totally nerdy with this review of the new DCU iteration. This was one lively discussion you can't miss. Topics We Discuss: How excited were we about James Gunn's Superman? A Comic Book Feel - The James Gunn Effect The Origin Story Omission If you...

Staci and host Y. M. Nelson wrap up discussion of this YA fantasy with a little politics, world building, and look ahead to what the movie version of this book may entail. We finish our review with a Goodreads rating. Topics we discuss: 0:47 When magic means power - The politics of the story 9:13 The politics of the book - The Author's Note 15:23 The World of Children of Blood and Bone 21:50...

Y. M. Nelson and guest Staci discuss the folklore, the appeal, and the plot of the best selling fantasy Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi. Topics we discuss: First impressions of the book The lack of African folklore in American culture Zelie and the heroine's journey Racism and Colorism in Children of Blood and Bone Growing into a leader - The reluctant hero trope Coming of Age for...

Jen G and host Y. M. Nelson recommend books that will scare you, or if you prefer, that will make you feel cozy while drinking your pumpkin spice latte and cuddling in your sweater. We also pay tribute to two romance authors we lost this summer: Carla Luna, who was also a guest on the show, and Twyla Turner. Books we Discuss: 1:05 A Personal Moment: In Memorium - Carla Luna and Twyla Turner 6:59 J...

Staci, Marcie, and host Y. M. Nelson talk the secondary characters of Ironheart, including a long-awaited surprise character, and give the show a Goodreads star rating. Topics we discuss: The timing of Riri's story The Hood, aka Parker Robbins and his crew Magic in the Neighborhood - Zelma, Madeline, and ... Dr. Strange? The SURPRISE GUEST Joe, aka Ezekiel Stane, aka Iron Monger GoodReads rat...

Y. M. Nelson and guests Marcie and Staci talk about the Marvel TV series Ironheart. All of us had something to say about Riri Williams and her status as a legacy hero. And in light of the censorship and extortion of Jimmy Kimmel, what I say about a certain media company's IP is particularly relevant right now.  Topics discussed: How we found the show and the controversy around that Rotten Tom...

We wrap up our discussion of Superman and Lois with a chat about season 4, the final season of the series. We talk about the correlation between the Death of Superman comic and  the show, villains Lex Luthor and Doomsday, the last episode, and we give this one a GoodReads rating. Topics We Discuss: 1:30 Lex Luthor 10:29 Doomsday v. Superman 12:12 A rushed ending 23:55 The Clark Kent reveal to the...

In this episode Y. M. Nelson and guest Perry C. discuss the reasons why season 3 of Superman and Lois was the most real of the CW Arrowverse. Topics We Discuss: 01:55 The Death of Superman and the Doomsday character 05:29 Season 3 highlights 12:35 Superman and Lois in the comics 15:22 The new Johnathan Kent 24:23 The CW teen show dynamic 31:47 The Lois and Clark romance 47:36 Season 3 villain: Bru...

 We give YOU, season 5 some of the lowest ratings we have ever given anything. Find out why we did that. Also hear what we had to say about the one bright spot in this season, Amanda Camp as Reagan and Maddie, and why she should get an Emmy nod.  Topics we discuss: The Lockwoods and twins Reagan and Maddie Henry, Joe's son The final episode of YOU Goodreads star rating Show us some love with...

In part 1 of this review, Dana, Staci, Marcie, and host Y. M. Nelson rip apart season 5 of YOU, the final season of the Netflix thriller show based on the Carolina Kepnes series of books. Topics we discuss: Our initial expectations Joe Goldberg, the impossible white man Too much unbelievable story Why S5 should have been shorter Episode 8, the return of Joe's past loves Show us some love with...