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September's theme for the podcast is "back to school" and we're picking romance books with college campus settings for this episode.

Nicole reads Heartless Game by Jo Brenner, the second book in the Kings of Reina University series. It features a star hockey player with ties to organized crime and a journalism student determined to uncover his secrets. Meghan reads Take the Lead by Johnny Diaz, following a Boston journalism professor navigating relationships, family, career ethics and a new connection with a dance instructor.

We'll talk about college romance, hockey, mafia drama, journalism ethics, age gaps, questionable decisions and why sometimes a book can be well-written and still not be your cup of tea.

Class is in session. Grab your drink and join us.

Books & Beverages:

Meghan: Take the Lead by Johnny Diaz with seasonal Red Bull and vodka
Nicole: Heartless Game by Jo Brenner with Gray Whale Gin with LaCroix Sunshine

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Credits:
Theme Music Created by Adam Wroblewski
Main Art by PersonalisePortrait

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Arr-gust continues with our second pirate romance episode and this time we're sailing into very different waters.

Meghan reads Hunt on Dark Waters by Katee Robert, a fantasy romance featuring a witch, a vampire, a powerful sea captain and a band of monster-hunting pirates. Nicole tackles Pirate by Fabio, a 1993 historical romance featuring a privateer, a tropical island, kidnappings, questionable decisions and plenty of very 1990s romance.

We'll talk about what worked, what absolutely didn't, questionable historical romance tropes, pirate pets, Fabio's ghostwriter, the return of "manroot" and whether Pirate was actually as bad as Nicole expected.

And, of course, no pirate episode would be complete without appropriately themed beverages. Meghan goes ocean-y with a blood orange White Claw topped with blue curaçao, while Nicole mixes up an Oceanside with Gray Whale gin, lime, simple syrup, sea salt, mint and soda water.

Plus, we'll preview the books coming up for our next theme: Back to School.

Grab your drink, climb aboard and join us for Pillaged & Plundered.

Books & Beverages:
Meghan: Hunt on Dark Waters by Katee Robert with a Blood Orange White Claw with Blue Curaçao

Nicole: Pirate by Fabio with an Oceanside

Support the show

Our The Ripped Bodice Affiliate Link: https://www.therippedbodice.com/aff/romanceontherockspodcast_26867
(the best way to get your smut while supporting a fabulous women-owned business and our podcast!)

Follow us on our socials:
Facebook ... https://www.facebook.com/romanceontherockspodcast
Instagram ... https:/www.instagram.com/romanceontherockspodcast
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Credits:
Theme Music Created by Adam Wroblewski
Main Art by PersonalisePortrait

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Ahoy, romance readers! Arr-gust is officially underway and we're setting sail with two very different pirate romances.

Nicole reviews Poppy and the Pirate by Elizabeth Cole, a historical romance featuring a spirited wallflower, a charming sea captain who's more privateer than pirate, and a murder mystery set along the Cornish coast. Between smuggling rings, enemies-to-lovers tension and just the right amount of slow-burn spice, this swashbuckling adventure proved to be a delight.

Meanwhile, Meghan tackles Sea of Ruin by Pam Godwin, a dark pirate romance that sparked one of our most passionate discussions yet. We dive into difficult topics including consent, sexual violence and the difference between dark romance that thoughtfully explores trauma versus stories that appear to glorify abuse. If you're considering this book, you'll definitely want to hear Meghan's honest review first.

Of course, no pirate episode would be complete without pirate-inspired drinks! Nicole samples traditional grog for the very first time while Meghan invents her own Angry Ahoy -- a cocktail combining apple cider tea and Fireball that turned out far better than expected.

We also chat about Fabio's legendary pirate novels, the challenges of finding memorable book scents and the books we'll be reading next as Arr-gust continues.

Book & Beverage Pairings

📚 Nicole: Poppy and the Pirate by Elizabeth Cole
🍹 Beverage: Grog

📚 Meghan: Sea of Ruin by Pam Godwin
🍎 Beverage: Angry Ahoy

Support the show

Our The Ripped Bodice Affiliate Link: https://www.therippedbodice.com/aff/romanceontherockspodcast_26867
(the best way to get your smut while supporting a fabulous women-owned business and our podcast!)

Follow us on our socials:
Facebook ... https://www.facebook.com/romanceontherockspodcast
Instagram ... https:/www.instagram.com/romanceontherockspodcast
Pinterest ... https:/www.pinterest.com/romanceontherockspodcast

Credits:
Theme Music Created by Adam Wroblewski
Main Art by PersonalisePortrait