Episode 225 - Queer Romance

It’s episode 225 and just in time for Valentine’s Day we talk about Queer Romance! We discuss what counts and doesn’t count as romance, ice hockey, regency, spies, demons, and more! Plus: Matthew reads a book he actually likes, Jam reads a book they dislike, and a fairly large chunk of the episode wasn’t recorded and had to be edited around! Guess what parts were re-recorded!

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In this episode

Anna Ferri | Meghan Whyte | Matthew Murray 🦇 | Jam Edwards

Things We Read (or tried to…)

• Betrothed to the Emperor by Kai Butler (2025)
• Emperor’s Wrath by Kai Butler (2025)
• If I Told You, I’d Have To Kiss You by Mae Marvel (2025)
• The Devil She Knows by Alexandria Bellefleur (2025)
• The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer (2021)
• With Stars In Her Eyes by Andie Burke (2025)
  • Jam’s review
• Icebreaker by A.L. Graziadei (2022)
• A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall (2022)
• A Gentleman’s Gentleman by TJ Alexander (2025)
• Not discussed
  • Learning Curves by Rachel Lacey (2025)
  • The Unexpected Heiress by Cassidy Cane (2025)
  • One Love by Matt Cain (2025)
  • Swordcrossed by Freya Marske (2024)
  • First Time for Everything by Henry Fry (2022) - Not actually romance

Other Media We Mentioned

• Delilah Green Doesn't Care by Ashley Herring Blake (2022)
• Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid (2019)
• Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (2019)
• Bedazzled (2000 film)
• Bedazzled (1967 film)

Links, Articles, and Things

• Harlequin Enterprises
• Mills & Boon
• Episode 210 - Romantasy
• Episode 207 - Monster Romance
• Episode 189 - Romantic Comedies & Humorous Romance
• Episode 168 - Holiday Romance

25 Queer Romance Books by BIPOC Authors:

Every month Book Club for Masochists: A Readers’ Advisory Podcast chooses a genre at random and we read and discuss books from that genre. We also put together book lists for each episode/genre that feature works by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, & People of Colour) authors. All of the lists can be found here.

• Can't Let Her Go by Kianna Alexander
• Fire From the Sky by Moa Backe Åstot, translated by Eva Apelqvist
• Stars in Your Eyes by Kacen Callender
• Hangry Hearts by Jennifer Chen
• Once Ghosted, Twice Shy by Alyssa Cole
• How to Find a Princess by Alyssa Cole
• Kiss Me, Maybe by Gabriella Gamez
• Friday I'm in Love by Camryn Garrett
• Canto Contigo by Jonny Garza Villa
• Futbolista by Jonny Garza Villa
• Flirting Lessons by Jasmine Guillory
• A Little Kissing Between Friends by Chencia C. Higgins
• A Dash of Salt and Pepper by Kosoko Jackson
• I'll Have What He's Having by Adib Khorram
• The Secret Crush Book Club by Karmen Lee
• Make Room for Love by Darcy Liao
• Love Points to You by Alice Lin 
• Ready When You Are by Gary Lonesborough
• Just Like This by Cole McCade
• Cash Delgado is Living the Dream by Tehlor Mejia
• A Bánh Mì for Two by Trinity Nguyen
• Tell Me How You Really Feel by Aminah Mae Safi 
• Ready to Score by Jodie Slaughter
• Chocolate Chip City by Be Steadwell
• Last First Kiss by Julian Winters

Give us feedback!

• Fill out the form to ask for a recommendation or suggest a genre or title for us to read!

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Join us again on Tuesday, February 17th when we’ll be discussing our 2026 Reading Resolutions (or non resolutions).

Then on Tuesday, March 3rd we’ll be talking about Computer Science books (as suggested by Lea).