Romance on the Rocks

Send us Fan Mail Nicole and Meghan dive headfirst into uncharted territory with their first-ever romance novel exchange. And things get spicy faster than either of them anticipated. After exchanging books based on loose personal connections (Nicole's husband is named Bob), the hosts discover they've accidentally thrust each other into the deep end of the romance pool. Nicole tackles &quo...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what happens when you inherit a bookstore from your murdered grandfather? Or when a city lawyer falls for a struggling resort owner in rural Minnesota? This episode dives deep into two contemporary small-town romances that explore what happens when urban professionals leave behind their city lives for love in communities where everyone knows your business. Meghan rev...

Send us Fan Mail Summer heat has us craving refreshing drinks and equally refreshing romance novels! We're diving into contemporary romance novels this month, and both our selections had us staying up late turning pages. Nicole sips a piña colada (perfectly matching her book) while discussing " Mixed Signals " by B.K. Borison . This slow-burn romance features Caleb, a Spanish-teachi...

Send us Fan Mail Christmas in July heats up as the Romance on the Rocks podcast tackles two holiday-themed romances that push boundaries in very different ways. Hosts Meghan and Nicole deliver equal parts humor and literary criticism while enjoying seasonal beverages — a festive "Snowball Old Fashioned" for Nicole and iced coffee for Meghan (who's admirably sticking to her health ch...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when you mix Christmas romance novels with scorching July temperatures? Pure magic, as it turns out! We're kicking off our "Christmas in July" theme with two delightfully different holiday romances that prove festive love stories work beautifully year-round. Nicole takes us through " Cowboy, It's Christmas " by Heatherly Bell , where auto...

Send us Fan Mail Fantasy worlds should sizzle with magic and romance, but what happens when the promised heat fizzles out like a damp sparkler? We tumble headfirst into two Fae romance novels that left us wanting more in the spice department, though they certainly delivered on world-building and character development. Meghan explores "A Dance with the Fae Prince" by Elise Kova , followin...

Send us Fan Mail Prepare for a brutally honest journey through the enchanted — and sometimes disturbing — world of fairy romance as Nicole and Meghan tackle two wildly different novels that left them questioning everything they thought they knew about the genre. When Nicole's chamomile-infused bourbon meets Meghan's aptly named "Bitter End" cocktail, you know you're in for...

Send us Fan Mail Dive beneath the waves as we explore two captivating underwater romances in our Mermaid Month special! Our oceanic journey takes us through magical underwater kingdoms, body-positive representation, and the universal challenges of communication in relationships. The first stop on our underwater adventure is "Call of the Sea" by Emily B. Rose, featuring Princess Makenna....

Send us Fan Mail Dive beneath the waves with us as we explore two vastly different underwater romance novels featuring magical sea creatures seeking human connection. Our special "Siren" cocktail (which might taste suspiciously like brackish seawater) sets the mood for a deep dive into mythological maritime love stories. Meghan takes us through "The Kraken's Sacrifice" by...

Send us Fan Mail Heatherly Bell transforms everyday love into extraordinary storytelling. In this revealing conversation, she takes us behind the curtain of her creative process as a romance novelist who expertly balances humor with genuine emotional depth. Beginning as a reader who was always drawn to the romantic subplots in novels across genres, Bell has crafted her own distinctive voice in the...

Send us Fan Mail Two cocktails, two small towns, and two heartfelt love stories by Heatherly Bell have us swooning on this episode of Romance on the Rocks. Grab your Topo Chico Ranch Water or Fireman's Sour and settle in as we explore what makes Bell's romance novels so addictively relatable. First stop: Stone Ridge, Texas, where elementary teacher/EMT Sadie Stephens returns to her homet...

Send us Fan Mail Two vastly different romance novels reveal the same profound truth: recognizing genuine love often comes after experiencing relationships that fall short. In this lively discussion, Nicole and Meghan explore what happens when characters mistake manipulation for affection before finding their perfect match. Meghan dives into "Tricks of the Trade," an LGBTQ romance set in...

Send us Fan Mail The perils of consent, agency, and "apple boobs" take center stage as Meghan Leigh and Nicole Danielle continue their Scottish/Irish reading theme with two wildly different romance novels. We kick things off with a slew of trigger warnings as Nicole delves into Bertrice Small's The Border Lord's Bride, a historical romance that doesn't shy away from graphi...

Send us Fan Mail The full moon and lunar eclipse bring out the wild side in our bookish biddies as Meghan Leigh and Nicole Danielle venture into the world of werewolf smut for a howling good time. Meghan delves into "The Wolf Wore Plaid" by Terry Spear, where Scottish clan werewolves provide security for a Hollywood film production at their ancestral castle. Heather McNeil, a successful...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how a simple listener suggestion could spice up our entire podcast? This month, we're embracing a Scottish and Irish theme on Romance on the Rocks -- complete with fiery Scotch bonnet peppers add to our Scoville scale. Nicole and Meghan's beverage choices -- an Irish Manor liqueur and an oatmeal porter from Highland Brewing -- set the stage for a robust dis...

Send us Fan Mail Can a Sauvignon Blanc truly capture the essence of a political romance novel, or does scotch pair better with Scottish intrigue? Nicole Danielle and Meghan Leigh put their drink-pairing skills to the test in this lively episode as they embark on an amusing journey through romance novels and beverages. With Nicole feeling like Dorothy from the Golden Girls and Meghan bravely opting...

Send us Fan Mail This episode of Romance on the Rocks Podcast dives into the intertwining worlds of romance and politics, exploring how authors present love stories against political backdrops. The hosts, Meghan Leigh and Nicole Danielle, discuss two books, “A Vote of Confidence” by Robin Lee Hatcher and “Till I Kissed You” by Laura Trentham, examining themes of ambition, communication, and the ch...

Send us Fan Mail Can a beverage really set the tone for an entire podcast episode? While Meghan finds solace in a cozy coffee mug adorned with Jane Austen's charm, Nicole takes a bold leap with the pizzatini, crafted by her innovative husband, Bob. This whimsical drink, with its Parmesan cheese rim and pizza-themed garnishes, serves as the perfect companion while we reminisce about our favori...

Send us Fan Mail Season Two of Romance on the Rocks begins with a heartfelt reflection on the previous season's highs and lows, alongside a discussion of new goals, upcoming themes, and community engagement. We delve into memorable reads and our plans to explore various facets of romance, all while embracing our quirky, fun-driven approach to romance novel reviews.  • Reflecting on Season One...

Send us Fan Mail Ever found yourself torn between a holiday romance novel and a festive cocktail? We’ve got the perfect blend for you. Grab your favorite yuletide drink — a bourbon and Cheerwine mix or maybe a chilled apple cider sangria — and join us as we unravel the romance in Lisa Kleypas' "A Wallflower Christmas." Despite what the cover suggests, it’s not Lady Natalie but her c...

Send us Fan Mail What if your holiday season could be spiced up with a touch of mystery and a dash of romance? This episode promises to take you on a whimsical journey through the world of holiday-inspired romance novels paired with festive cocktails. We explore the heat levels of our featured reads using our Spicy Scoville scale while Meghan Leigh sips on cozy hot chocolate spiked with brandy and...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how a literary giant could fall from grace, only to rise again and captivate readers? Join us as we unravel the scandalous story of Janet Dailey, whose admitted plagiarism in 1997 created shockwaves in the romance novel world. Despite the controversy, Dailey's ability to retain her fan base and continue her career raises intriguing questions about originality an...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how a simple holiday theme can transform your reading list? This Thanksgiving, join us for a festive edition of Romance on the Rocks, where Nicole and Meghan sip on mulled wine and Salted Caramel Martinis while uncovering the heartwarming delights of holiday romance novels. With no trigger warnings in sight, we dive straight into the essence of Thanksgiving captured...

Send us Fan Mail What makes a Southern-set romance novel irresistible? It might just be the heady mix of ambition, personal struggles and the often messy world of love found within their pages. This episode, we uncork the secrets behind Robert Vaughan's " Heart of Nashville " and Janet Dailey 's " Bluegrass King ," pairing them with themed cocktails like Ole Smoky Gat...

Send us Fan Mail Meghan & Nicole talk about their North Carolina romance book hunting experience to several thrifty locations in the southern portion of The Triangle, including Clayton, Garner and Smithfield. Find out what treasures the biddies found from flea market to second hand book store.  The ladies also chat about what guides them in choosing the perfect romance novel. Special shout out...