Tom Severin! He sucks, we love him. In this week's episode, Beth and Emma try to figure out just how Lisa Kleypas pulls off making us love a book with a landlord hero. The answer involves extended set-pieces, deft pacing and a third act kidnapping, all Kleypas hallmarks.

In a Patreon poll, our patrons voted for us to read a book by Lorraine Heath. We went in with good faith, but In Bed with the Devil runs counter to much of what the Rakes love about romance. This week’s episode explores the many reasons why this book just did not hit for us.

New episode! The Phoenix Bride is an achingly romantic book set in London, 1666 and unlike anything we've ever read. Siegel managed to make an under explored setting feel very lived and pulls off the kind of happily-ever-after we wish we saw more of in the genre.

Back with a new episode! Honeytrap is unlike any genre romance we’ve ever read—asking what can new settings, structures and even endings can look like in the genre, all while being romantic and delightful!

new episode! this week we’re talking about sex work, mistresses, theater, jewelry, estates and more with @scarr.bsky.social! His Lordship’s Mistress is a charming Signet Regency that explores many topics that newer readers might assume a stuffy Regency would shy a way from.

We’re going to Bath! This week, Emma talks to Beth and Chels about her favorite author, Mary Balogh, and the history of “category” and “Regency” romances.

New episode! This week @bayleyreads.bsky.social joins us to talk about Katherine Arden’s The Warm Hands of Ghosts! A WWI magical mystery romance, this book is incredibly special and Bayley helps us figure how Arden pulls off this magic trick. Available on all podcast platforms!

The Rakes are back for Season 3 with THE COUNTESS CONSPIRACY by Courtney Milan. Featuring friend of the pod @haleystew.bsky.social, we discuss labor, hot girl hobbies and kissing in this long time favorite book.