Podcast Summary: Fated Mates - S07:13 Getting Pearl Jammed: Romance After 40

Release Date: December 3, 2024

Hosts:

• Sarah MacLean: Bestselling author of romance novels.
• Jen Prokop: Renowned romance critic and editor.

Introduction to Seasoned Romance

In this episode of Fated Mates, Sarah MacLean and Jen Prokop delve into the evolving landscape of romance novels, specifically focusing on romance after 40. They explore how the genre has expanded to include more diverse and mature characters, addressing the unique challenges and opportunities that come with writing and reading romance stories featuring older protagonists.

Historical Romance Trends and Predictions

Sarah (00:05):
“It is always the 11th [of November]. And they also do this in the UK, too. It's like Armistice Day, Remembrance Day, I think.”

Jen (02:14):
“Are we talking about the one who does the podcast, the rom com brackets? Allie? Yes, Allie Parker.”

The conversation begins with reflections on historical events, segueing into a prediction made by their friend Allie Parker. Allie anticipates that the next wave in historical romance will gravitate towards the 1980s and 1990s, moving away from traditional settings like the Gilded Age.

Sarah (02:19):
“Allie is writing. Is her fate. Is her handle everywhere. Ali, this morning said made a prediction about historical romance that the next really set you back of historical romance.”

They discuss the implications of this shift, suggesting that the genre is seeking fresh narratives beyond the well-trodden paths of earlier historical periods.

The Rise of Indie Romance and Its Impact

Sarah (10:24):
“We are really at this in a really interesting place in romance right now, where indie romance is really... Romantasy was indie first. So many of these, like, big contemporary sports, the hockey thing, all of it, it's all bubbling out of indie first.”

Jen and Sarah highlight the significant role indie romance plays in shaping current trends. They emphasize how indie authors have been at the forefront of introducing diverse subgenres, such as dark romance and sports romance, before major publishers recognized and adopted these niches.

Jen (14:49):
“If you are considering buying now, I know a lot of you don't even really pay attention to or know if it's like indie or not. Right. And I think the way you would look is you just look and see who the publisher is.”

They provide practical advice for listeners on supporting indie authors, recommending purchasing directly from authors' websites to ensure that creators receive a larger share of the profits.

Defining Seasoned Romance

Sarah (08:12):
“We have also done those episodes and continue to do them because we enjoy those books. And that is essentially, like, age gap. He's a silver fox and a daddy.”

The hosts clarify the distinction between seasoned romance and other related subgenres. Seasoned romance typically features protagonists who are both over 40 or have matured life experiences, unlike age-gap romances where there's a significant age difference between main characters.

Jen (17:18):
“Listen, it's Spell forward, and we're not doing those either.”

They express a preference for narratives that focus on genuine relationships without emphasizing age disparities for the sake of kink or erotica.

Book Reviews and Recommendations

1. "Axes and O's" by Kayla Gross

Sarah (18:18):
“Nathan Clark, our hero, did not plan on crashing his car in the middle of nowhere... But he has an Inside that cabin are Fox and Morgan Malone, a married couple.”

A holiday novella set in a secluded cabin during Christmas, exploring themes of unexpected romance and personal transformation.

Jen (20:01):
“If you are looking for a Christmas novella where everyone is snowed in, there's Plus Size Rep plus A Bisexual Awakening, then X's and O's might be for you.”

2. "Mr. Loverman" by Bernadine Evaristo

Jen (25:53):
“He is a sexist. I mean like maddening to read him... He and Morris do, like, end up together at the end.”

A poignant exploration of a 74-year-old man's struggle with identity and societal expectations, culminating in a heartfelt connection with a long-time secret lover.

Sarah (22:33):
“When you're listening to the podcast, you know, a book, one book that I'm definitely going to talk about today... these characters feel different post-election.”

3. "Becoming Crone" by Lydia M. Hawke

Jen (32:33):
“Claire Emerson... becomes crone instead of becoming the slayer.”

A fantastical narrative about a 60-year-old woman discovering her magical powers, blending elements of adventure and self-discovery.

4. "Pickup" by Nora Dalia

Sarah (33:21):
“Sasha, our heroine, is really going through it. She has divorced her husband... It is really charming.”

A Brooklyn-set enemies-to-lovers workplace romance that navigates the chaos of single parenthood and professional challenges.

Jen (39:08):
“Having to deal with all of that… it's really gonna hit in that way.”

5. Sponsored Book Highlights

While advertisements are part of the episode, the host briefly discusses various sponsored books like "Reaper Stand" by Joanna Wilde and "A Jingle Bell Mingle" by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone, highlighting their appeal to specific romance subgenres and mature audiences.

Exploring Diverse Narratives

Jen and Sarah discuss the importance of representation in romance novels, emphasizing stories that reflect the real-life struggles and triumphs of women over 40. They argue that seasoned romance not only provides relatable content but also challenges societal norms by showcasing mature, empowered heroines.

Sarah (25:48):
“These books are really interesting because age is a thing that renders us freeze.”

They stress that these narratives allow for deeper character development, exploring themes like self-identity, societal invisibility, and personal responsibility.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, Sarah and Jen encourage listeners to explore the seasoned romance subgenre, celebrating its growth and the plethora of rich, diverse stories it offers. They reiterate the significance of supporting indie authors and highlight various platforms and resources for discovering new books.

Jen (111:49):
“So support independent bookstores, support authors.”

Sarah and Jen express their gratitude to listeners, promising continued discussions and recommendations in future episodes.

Notable Quotes:

• Sarah (02:19):
  “Allie is writing. Is her fate. Is her handle everywhere. Ali, this morning said made a prediction about historical romance that the next really set you back of historical romance.”

• Jen (14:49):
  “If you are considering buying now, I know a lot of you don't even really pay attention to or know if it's like indie or not. Right.”

• Sarah (08:12):
  “...seasoned romance means either both main characters are over 40 or the heroine is over 40.”

• Jen (25:53):
  “He and Morris do, like, end up together at the end.”

Recommendation:

For listeners interested in exploring romantic narratives that center around mature protagonists and rich character development, this episode offers a treasure trove of book recommendations and insightful discussions. Whether you're a long-time fan of romance novels or new to the genre, Fated Mates provides valuable perspectives on the evolving landscape of romance literature.