Podcast Summary: Fated Mates - Romance Books for Novel People
Episode: 07.29: Spring 2025 New Releases: Teasing Your TBR
Release Date: March 31, 2025
Hosts: Sarah MacLean & Jennifer Prokop
Description: The most listened-to romance novel podcast, Fated Mates, is co-hosted by bestselling author Sarah MacLean and romance critic Jen Prokop. Weekly episodes include romance novel read-alongs and lively discussions of the genre, highlighting the romance novel as a powerful tool in fighting the patriarchy—with absolutely no kink shaming.
Introduction
As spring blossoms, co-hosts Sarah MacLean and Jennifer Prokop dive into their Spring Preview for romance novels slated for release in April, May, and June 2025. This episode sets the stage for listeners to update their to-be-read (TBR) lists with an array of exciting new titles across various subgenres within romance.
Organizational Tools
Jennifer Prokop shares her newfound productivity hack, discussing her switch to the Arc browser, recommended by their producer Eric. This tool has revolutionized how she organizes book previews and maintains separate screens for different aspects of her work.
Jennifer Prokop [03:10]: "I realized today that I can create a folder for the preview books and then nested folders underneath. It's all neatly organized now."
Sarah MacLean echoes the sentiment, highlighting the efficiency Arc brings to their book selection process.
Supporting Indie Authors
The hosts emphasize the crucial role of pre-ordering indie romances, especially those by marginalized authors. They discuss how pre-orders can significantly impact an author's visibility and success.
Jennifer Prokop [04:04]: "Pre-orders matter because the publisher starts to see there's interest here, especially for books that don't get promotion from major publishers."
Sarah MacLean [04:45]: "Indie booksellers will often order more copies if they see a strong pre-order trend, increasing the book's presence."
They encourage listeners to explore indie titles and support authors by pre-ordering their books.
March Releases: Wrapping Up the Month
Before delving into upcoming months, Sarah and Jen briefly touch on a few notable indie releases from March, highlighting fresh voices and unique storylines that merit attention.
April Releases
Royal Bride Demand by Laquette
Sarah and Jen introduce Laquette's new Harlequin Presents title, "Royal Bride Demand," a tale of royalty and romance where a crown prince must rekindle his relationship with his former love to secure his kingdom's future.
Wyoming Double Jeopardy by Juno Rushton
A gripping romantic suspense featuring an assistant district attorney and a detective whose professional responsibilities intertwine with personal protection, creating a high-stakes environment ripe for romance.
Any Trope but You by Victoria Levine
Victoria Levine's debut explores the challenges of a romance author who hides non-traditional endings in her novels. After her work leads to professional setbacks, she attempts to start fresh in Alaska, where fate brings her into a forced proximity romance.
Whisk Me Away by Georgia Beers
A cooking romance featuring rival pastry chefs competing in a high-stakes retreat for ownership of a sought-after bakery. Their professional rivalry ignites personal sparks amidst culinary creativity.
Playing for Keeps by Lainey Davis
A sports romance where a rookie hockey goalie and a cellist find themselves unexpectedly married after a drunken escapade in Vegas. Their journey explores balancing personal ambition with newfound love.
The Nanny is Off Limits by QB Tyler
An enticing age-gap romance where a widowed father hires a young nanny to help raise his children, setting the stage for a deep and meaningful connection despite societal expectations.
May Releases
Time Loops and Meet Cutes by Jackie Lau
A charming time-loop romance where an engineer named Noel is stuck reliving the same day until she can connect with a brewery owner, encouraging her to embrace change and love.
The Singular Life of Arya Patel by Samira Ahmed (YA Romance)
A young adult romance blending parallel universes and self-discovery, where Arya navigates shifting realities while grappling with her identity and love for her boyfriend across different lives.
Bad Publicity by Bianca Gillum
A romantic mystery where a publicist must manage her nemesis, a charismatic author, while navigating a high-profile book tour, leading to unexpected romantic developments.
Showgirl's Rules for Falling in Love by C. Travis Rice
Set in gilded age New York, this dual-timeline romance intertwines a vaudeville performer's struggles with a present-day descendant uncovering historical love and intrigue.
Love in Focus by Lila Lee
A second-chance romance between a relationship columnist and her ex, exploring themes of professional ambition and rekindled love as they collaborate on a photography project.
Gold Coast Dilemma by Nana Malone
A commercial novel tackling love and cultural identity, where a Ghanaian heiress grapples with family expectations and personal desires, aided by a supportive partner.
Hunted Through Italy by Delaney Diamond
A thrilling romantic suspense featuring an interpreter accused of murder, paired with a CIA agent to uncover plots and navigate their growing attraction amidst danger.
June Releases
Whisk Me Away by Lolo Sinclair
An Alaskan adventure romance between a marine biologist and a grumpy fisherman, set against the backdrop of natural beauty and wildlife encounters.
Fly by Night by Kelly Kane
A corporate romance where an airline pilot defies family traditions to represent her company while navigating romantic entanglements with a corporate recruiter.
Nanny Is Off Limits by QB Tyler
(Reiterated in April; possibly a scheduling overlap or cross-promotion.)
Empire of Seduction by Mila Fennelli
A Mafia romance set in Connecticut, blending organized crime with passionate encounters as the heroine confronts past relationships and present dangers.
Take That Part Out by Kelly Armstrong
A detective romance where a young officer delves into the murder case of a rock star, finding himself irresistibly drawn to his prime suspect.
Rich Throne by Lisa Stalder
(A potential book discussed but not fully detailed in the transcript.)
Notable Quotes
-
Sarah MacLean [03:24]: "One thing to remember is, pre-ordering really does help an author."
-
Jennifer Prokop [12:28]: "We all deserve rewards for how well we read and how many books we read."
-
Sarah MacLean [29:33]: "I really like it when it's kind of built into the system."
Conclusion
Sarah and Jen wrap up the episode by emphasizing the abundance of exciting romance novels on the horizon for spring. They encourage listeners to engage with their curated lists on the Fated Mates website and participate in their Pagebound challenges for added interaction and community building.
Listeners are invited to join their Patreon for exclusive content and to become part of the Fated Mates Discord community, fostering a vibrant space for romance enthusiasts to discuss and discover new books.
For those eager to dive into these new releases, all featured titles are meticulously listed in the episode’s show notes, ensuring that both casual listeners and dedicated romance readers can easily find their next favorite novel.
Stay Connected:
Website: fatedmates.net
Patreon: patreon.com/fatedmates
Social Media: Instagram, Threads, Blue Sky
Survey: fatedmates.net/survey
Follow the Hosts:
- Sarah MacLean: Bestselling author known for her captivating romance novels.
- Jennifer Prokop: Renowned romance critic and editor with a passion for uncovering hidden gems in the genre.
Next Episode Preview:
Looking ahead, Sarah and Jen tease their upcoming summer reads, promising an array of new titles to keep listeners' TBR lists vibrant and engaging.
Note: This summary excludes advertisements, initial greetings, and concluding remarks unrelated to content discussions to maintain focus on the episode's core content.