Smart Women Read Romance
233 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 months ago - ★★★★★ - 281 ratingsNiece and aunt duo, Jessen Judice and (author) Juliette Cross, bond over their shared love of romance novels, and want to include fellow romance enthusiasts in on the conversation. We started this podcast as a big middle finger to the stigma associated with reading and loving romance novels. We love to fangirl about our favorite books, authors, and characters and are challenging people to think of romance novels as more than just "mommy porn" - though there's nothing wrong with a copious amount of sexy times. Bring that *ish on!
This one goes out to all the fangirls! Life's better with a little HEA.
Links:
Apple Podcast
Google Podcast
Closed Facebook Group
Patreon
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Ep. 65 - Kiss of a Demon King by Kresley Cole
April 08, 2020 05:00 - 53 minutes - 36.6 MBSupport the show
Ep. 64 - A Cowboy to Remember by Rebekah Weatherspoon
March 25, 2020 05:00 - 1 hour - 44.8 MBSupport the show
Ep. 63 - Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon
March 18, 2020 05:00 - 55 minutes - 37.9 MBSupport the show
Ep. 62 - Waking Up With the Duke by Lorraine Heath
March 11, 2020 05:00 - 54 minutes - 37.2 MBSupport the show
Ep. 60 - The Billionaire Book Club by Max Monroe
February 26, 2020 06:00 - 58 minutes - 40.4 MBSupport the show
Ep. 59 - Hearts in Darkness by Laura Kaye
February 19, 2020 06:00 - 46 minutes - 32 MBSupport the show
Ep. 58 - On a Wild Night by Stephanie Laurens
February 12, 2020 06:00 - 1 hour - 43.6 MBSupport the show
Ep. 57 - The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa
February 05, 2020 06:00 - 56 minutes - 38.8 MBSupport the show
Ep. 56 - Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh
January 29, 2020 06:00 - 1 hour - 46.9 MBSupport the show
Ep. 55 - Him by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy
January 22, 2020 06:00 - 57 minutes - 39.7 MBSupport the show
Ep. 54 - Still by Kennedy Ryan
January 15, 2020 06:00 - 49 minutes - 34.1 MBThe Grip Series Review - Part 2. Still is the final installment of the epic Gripstol romance! Before we deep dive into the story, listen to Juliette and Jessen list their most anticipated books of 2020 (1:10). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of Still (11:00). Spoiler Section: Take a deep dive into all the SPOILERY details of one of this incredibly moving second chance romance (13:18). Then, Juliette and Jessen compete in a Showdown where...
Ep. 53 - Flow & Grip by Kennedy Ryan
January 08, 2020 06:00 - 1 hour - 44.8 MBWhat better way to start 2020 than with the series that landed at the top of our "Best of 2019 reads" list! One of the best love stories that we've ever read. PERIOD. Before we deep dive into the story, listen to Juliette and Jessen list their 2020 resolutions (1:10). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of The Grip series (5:07). Spoiler Section: Take a deep dive into all the SPOILERY details of one of this incredibly moving second chance ro...
Minisode 13 - Wolf Gone Wild by Juliette Cross Sneak Peak
January 03, 2020 06:00 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MBSupport the show
Ep. 52 - Get to Know Us (Again!)
January 01, 2020 06:00 - 40 minutes - 27.8 MBIt's our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! We're bringing it back to the beginning and delivering our "redo" Get to Know Us episode. We talk about behind the scenes shenanigans, how the podcast has changed us, and answer some fan question. Bring it on 2020! Support the show
Ep. 51 - Holiday Romance Movie Minisode
December 18, 2019 06:00 - 26 minutes - 18.1 MBSupport the show
Ep. 50 - Wrapped Up in You by Jill Shalvis
December 11, 2019 06:00 - 41 minutes - 28.5 MBA less cliche, Christmas-heavy romance this time around! An opposites attract romance with just a hint of the holiday season for those who don't enjoy straight up holiday romances. Before we deep dive into the story, listen to Juliette & Jessen discuss the right time to decorate for Christmas and Jessen's experience working retail during the holidays (00:59). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of Wrapped Up in You (13:18). Spoiler Section: J...
Ep. 49 - Montana Secret Santa by Debra Salonen
December 04, 2019 06:00 - 46 minutes - 32 MBIt's the holiday season and we're kicking off the month of December with a cute Christmas romance set in the fictional town of Marietta, Montana! Before we deep dive into the story, listen to Juliette and Jessen discuss Christmas traditions and Jessen's most memorable Christmas present (1:06). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of Montana Secret Santa (8:45). Spoiler Section: Juliette and Jessen compete in a Showdown where they each offer up...
Ep. 48 - When We Kiss by Tia Louise
November 20, 2019 06:00 - 49 minutes - 34.2 MBHOT SEX SCENES AHEAD! Guys, we could not stop talking about the smoking hot sex scenes between our main characters. Tia Louise sure know how to write 'em! Before we deep dive into the story, listen to Juliette discuss some Game of Thrones news that they are really excited about if the length of this chit chat is anything to go by (00:53). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of When We Kiss (8:32). Spoiler Section: Juliette and Jessen compete ...
Ep. 47 - The One You Can't Forget by Roni Loren
November 13, 2019 06:00 - 1 hour - 58.2 MBThis entire series is amazing, but we think you can guess why Jessen wanted to review this one for the podcast....hottie chef. It's a weakness! Before we deep dive into the story, listen to Juliette discuss Jessen's book bible project that she insisted she do for Wolf Gone Wild and their plot parties (1:44). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of The One You Can't Forget (9:03). Spoiler Section: Juliette and Jessen compete in a Showdown where...
Ep. 46 - Beard Necessities by Penny Reid
November 06, 2019 06:00 - 1 hour - 45.7 MBThe HEA we've all been waiting for! Billy and Claire will finally come to terms with their tragic past and move forward with the help of the well-meaning Winston Brood. Before we deep dive into the story, listen to Jessen explain why she is only mostly dead while recording this episode and how the universe is having a laugh at her optimism (1:00). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of Beard Necessities (3:45). Spoiler Section: Juliette and J...
Ep. 45 - Beard with Me by Penny Reid
October 30, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 67.4 MBTechnically not a romance book in its own right, but it IS a part of the Billy and Claire duet. A very integral part in our opinion. Touted for being the most angsty book that Penny has delivered in the Winston Brother series, Juliette and Jessen found that the reading experience was enjoyable, and not too much to bear. Before we deep dive into the story, listen to Jessen and Juliette sort the Winston siblings into Hogwarts Houses (1:10). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes durin...
Ep. 44 - Baking Me Crazy by Karla Sorensen
October 23, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 48.1 MBMore books in the Pennyverse?! Yes, please! We are so excited to discover new authors writing in one of our favorite settings, Green Valley. Before we deep dive into the story, listen to Jessen and Juliette talk about their wacky dreams (1:01). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of Baking Me Crazy (5:33). Spoiler Section: Juliette and Jessen compete in a Showdown where they each offer up their favorite scene to see which one reigns supreme (...
Ep. 43 - Earls Just Want to Have Fun by Shana Galen
October 16, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 52.5 MBAfter months and months of Juliette's pleading, we are finally featuring her favorite Shana Galen book! I am kicking myself for waiting this long. Before we deep dive into the story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette where they talk about tv streaming services and FOMO (00:57). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of Earls Just Want to Have Fun (6:57). Spoiler Section: Juliette and Jessen compete in a Showdown where...
Ep. 42 - Work for It by Talia Hibbert
October 09, 2019 05:00 - 59 minutes - 41.1 MBOur first M/M romance! Whoop! Before we deep dive into the story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette talk about how Jessen's controversial "sexiest accent" statement made in Episode 39 played out on The Swoon Zone (1:20). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of Work for It (5:20). Spoiler Section: Juliette and Jessen compete in a Showdown where they each offer up their favorite scene to see which one reigns supreme (...
Ep. 41 - Talon by Carian Cole
October 02, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 57.6 MBWe're back in the Ashes & Embers world, and this time with the famous #cockstar guitar player, Talon! Before we deep dive into the story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette talk about all of Jessen's adolescent boy band dreams coming true (1:14). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of Talon (6:04). Spoiler Section: Juliette and Jessen compete in a Showdown where they each offer up their favorite scene to see which o...
Ep. 40 - Project Duchess by Sabrina Jeffries
September 25, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 48.8 MBBefore we deep dive into the story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette talk about how Jessen keeps historical fashion straight and what she thinks about the trends of the early 1800s (0:54). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of Project Duchess (4:20). Spoiler Section: Juliette and Jessen compete in a Showdown where they each offer up their favorite scene to see which one reigns supreme (9:01). Then, take a deep di...
Ep. 39 - Third Grave Dead Ahead by Darynda Jones
September 18, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 57.8 MB"Son of Satan" - a swoony chant that I heard from dozens of screaming fans during a panel at RT Vegas. After eliciting such a reaction, I had to find out who this hero was and holy hell was I glad I did! Before we deep dive into the story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette talk about Jessen's new obsession with rugby, the Amazon documentary on the NZ All Blacks, and the debate on what is the sexiest accent: Scottish or Kiwi (1:07). Get to know the characters, sett...
Ep. 38 - Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews
September 11, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 55 MBOne of my favorite things about this podcast is having a ton of new people to speculate about ongoing romance series. This is a big one! Not only do we get a change in POV for the series, but we have some new mysteries to uncover to go along with those plot threads that were left hanging at the end of Wildfire (Hidden Legacy #3). Before we deep dive into the story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette talk about kulning and the shenanigans of Juliette's other half wh...
Ep. 36 - Dirty Talker by Piper Rayne
August 28, 2019 05:00 - 54 minutes - 37.7 MBBefore we deep dive into the story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette talk about potatoes v. rice and what's acceptable to put in chili (00:56). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of Dirty Talker (5:12). Spoiler Section: Juliette and Jessen compete in a Showdown where they each offer up their favorite scene to see which one reigns supreme (09:12). Then, take a deep dive into all the SPOILERY details of this enemie...
Ep. 35 - When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James
August 21, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 58.4 MBBefore we deep dive into the story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette talk about Mama Mia and Jessen's past obsession with putting on Celine Dion performances (01:00). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of When Beauty Tamed the Beast (6:01). Spoiler Section: Juliette and Jessen compete in a Showdown where they each offer up their favorite scene to see which one reigns supreme (14:12). Then, take a deep dive into a...
Ep. 34 - Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh
August 14, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 67.9 MBBefore we deep dive into the story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette talk about looking forward to 2020 - we know, Jessen is crazy! The google doc for our 2020 episode list will be available to our Sweetheart - and higher tier - level patrons (00:54). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of Angels' Blood (3:30). Spoiler Section: Juliette and Jessen compete in a Showdown where they each offer up their favorite scene...
Ep. 33 - That Kind of Guy by Talia Hibbert
August 07, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 55.1 MBBefore we deep dive into the story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette talk about Blush Magazine and curvy heroines (01:01). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of That Kind of Guy (4:29). Spoiler Section: Juliette and Jessen compete in a Showdown where they each offer up their favorite scene to see which one reigns supreme (11:14). Then, take a deep dive into all the SPOILERY details of this heart-warming, friends ...
Ep. 32 - Egomaniac by Vi Keeland
July 31, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 48.6 MBBefore we deep dive into the story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette talk about Jessen's encountering with The Bunny of Death (00:48). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of Egomaniac (4:52). Spoiler Section: Juliette and Jessen compete in a Showdown where they each offer up their favorite scene to see which one reigns supreme (9:14). Then, take a deep dive into all the SPOILERY details of this hilarious friends t...
Ep. 31 - Bittersweet by Sarina Bowen
July 24, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 49.6 MBBefore we deep dive into the story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette talk about Ollie bookblocking Jessen while she's reading and being cat v dog person (01:00). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of Bittersweet (4:45). Spoiler Section: Juliette and Jessen compete in a Showdown where they each offer up their favorite scene to see which one reigns supreme (12:38). Then, take a deep dive into all the SPOILERY deta...
Ep. 29 - Dating-ish by Penny Reid
July 10, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 44.4 MBBefore we deep dive into the story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette talk about seasonal music preferences and Goodreads reading challenge goals (00:53). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of Dating-ish (6:30). Spoiler Section: Juliette and Jessen compete in a Showdown where they each offer up their favorite scene to see which one reigns supreme (12:48). Then, take a deep dive into all the SPOILERY details of th...
Ep. 28 - Parental Guidance by Avery Flynn
July 03, 2019 04:00 - 59 minutes - 40.9 MBBefore we deep dive into the story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette talk about 2019 - The Year of Keanu Reeves (00:56). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of Parental Guidance (4:33). Spoiler Section: Juliette and Jessen compete in a Showdown where they each offer up their favorite scene to see which one reigns supreme (8:04). Then, take a deep dive into all the SPOILERY details of this fun dating-app romance (...
Ep. 27 - The Deal by Elle Kennedy
June 26, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 31.5 MBIt's here! The Deal is one of our favorite enemies to friends to lovers romance. It's just so well done that we couldn't NOT include it on the podcast. Before we deep dive into the story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette talk about Top Secret, WAGs, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (01:04). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of The Deal (6:54). Spoiler Section: Juliette and Jessen compete in a Showdown where t...
Ep. 26 - When August Ends by Penelope Ward
June 19, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 33.2 MBAnother age-gap romance! Is Jessen trying to convert anti-age-gappers? Nah, everybody has their likes and dislikes. BUT, we do like to highlight when the trope is done well and not in a creepy way. Penelope Ward delivers a relaxing slowburn romance perfect for summertime. Before we deep dive into the story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette talk about lake vacations and Jessen's run-in with a raccoon (00:58). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during ...
Minisode 10 - Book Boyfriends: Historical Romance Edition
June 13, 2019 04:00 - 28 minutes - 13.2 MBSupport the show
Minisode 9 - Top Pet Peeves in Romance Novels
June 05, 2019 04:00 - 35 minutes - 16.1 MBAre there certain things that make you want to grind your teeth while reading romance novels? Jessen & Juliette have come up with a list of author/publisher practices, character traits, and plot devices that make us roll our eyes. There's no mention of any specific book or author because that's not how we roll - but there are specific situations that we describe which are grabbed right out of romance books! Support the show
Minisode 8 - Game of Thrones: The Final Verdict
June 03, 2019 04:00 - 40 minutes - 18.4 MBIn our previous Minisode on Game of Thrones, we discussed our top ships, most anticipated character reunions, and who we thought would survive the series finale of this epic show. We're back to see how accurate our predications were and talk about our top favorite and least favorite moments, and go over our overall impression of the final season. Support the show
Ep. 25 - The Bride Test by Helen Hoang
May 29, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 33.8 MBBefore we deep dive into the story, listen to a brief chit-chat/check-in with Jessen and Juliette talk about Blush Magazine and casting our favorite book characters in movies (00:52). Get to know the characters, setting, and tropes during their spoiler-free discussion of The Bride Test (9:58). Spoiler Section: Juliette and Jessen compete in a Showdown where they each offer up their favorite scene to see which one reigns supreme (16:04). Then, take a deep dive into all the SPOILERY details ...