Fated Mates - Romance Books for Novel People

The brilliant Jayne Ann Krentz, romance trailblazer and royalty, joins us this week to talk about one of her favorite tropes--the shotgun wedding! We're talking all things forced marriage...how it differs from marriage of convenience, how it underscores the inherent conflict in romance, and how it often ends up being more like romantic suspense than one would expect! We also talk a bit about how secret babies (and babies in general) play into this trope. Did Jayne also say something that Sarah had to stop the interview to write down? Of course she did!If you have favorite forced marriage/shotgun weddings, maybe you want to join the Fated Mates patreon? There, you get an extra monthly episode from us and access to the incredible readers and brilliant people on the FM Discord! Support us and learn more at fatedmates.net/patreon.Our next read along will be Ruby Dixon’s Ice Planet Barbarians (you’re welcome). Get it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, your local indie, libro.fm, or with your monthly subscription to Kindle Unlimited.The BooksThe Shop on Hidden Lane by Jayne Ann KrentzInto the Storm by Rachel GrantA Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaughtBroken Whispers by Neva AltajThe Duke’s Shotgun Wedding by Stacy ReidBecause the Baron BroodsStolen Touches by Neva AltajMafia Virgin by Mila FinelliThe King’s Spinster Bride by Ruby DixonRavished by Amanda QuickNotesWelcome Jayne Ann Krentz, who also writes as Jayne Castle and Amanda Quick. Her new book is The Shop on Hidden Lane. Listen to Jayne Ann Krentz's trailblazer interview.“Shotgun wedding” is an American phrase dating back to 1929, but forcing people to get married because of pregnancy, politics and patriarchy has been around for a long time.Get your own bank account, women.You can listen to our trailblazer interview with Elda Minger to hear more about the first condom in romance.A romantasy that Jen liked a lot (with no pregnancy plot, that’s why it’s in show notes instead of the photo array) is Silver & Blood by Jessie Mihalik.When talking about The King’s Spinster Bride, Jen kept saying “epilogue” when she meant “prologue.” I have no excuse for this.SponsorsLexi Davis, author of Pretty Vicious, available in print and ebook at Amazon or with your monthly subscription to Kindle Unlimited.The Romantasy Letters, A new kind of romantic fantasy storytelling, delivered right to your door twice monthly. Use the code FATED to get 20% off your year's subscription. Learn more at romantasyletters.com.Sotto Voce Scents, candles for the romance lovers in your life. Go to sottovocescents.com and use code FATEDMATES for 10% off your order.Lee Taylor, author of A Satchel of Richards, available in print or ebook from Amazon or B&N.

As it's the beginning of 2026, we're talking about how we think about our reading years. What kind of strategies does Jen use? How is Sarah attempting to control the chaos? Which books do we already have on our TBR piles for 2026, and how do we structure our reading year to make ourselves happy and prepare for the podcast? We're also talking about some books by romance novelists who are publishing outside the romance genre this year.If you want to talk to more people about reading strategies this year, maybe you want to join our Patreon? You get an extra monthly episode from us and access to the incredible readers and brilliant people on the Fated Mates Discord! Support us and learn more at fatedmates.net/patreon.Our next read along will be Ruby Dixon's Ice Planet Barbarians (you’re welcome). Get it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, your local indie, libro.fm, or with your monthly subscription to Kindle UnlimitedNotesVaccinations are good, actually. In between recording this episode and when it aired, Caroline Kennedy’s daughter Tatiana Schlossberg, who wrote about her cancer diagnosis in the New Yorker, has sadly died.It will shock no one to learn that Jen learned about immunizations from books. In her childhood, the books The Great Brain by John Dennis Fitzgerald. We also recommend Everything is Tuberculosis by John Greene and On Immunity by Eula Biss.Amazon is forcing AI tools into the kindle books themselves, and it’s all awful. Use your own brain, we don’t know what else to say.BooksEverything is Tuberculosis by John GreenOn Immunity by Eula BissThe Paris Match by Kate ClaybornThe Romance Revival by Christina LaurenShe Fell Away by Lenore NashAs Far as She Knew by Diana AwadThe Duke by Anna CowanLady X by Molly FaderThe Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary, 12 EditionAlphabet in Motion by Kelli AndersonSponsorsAvon Books, publishers of Emma Alban's Like in Love with You, available in print, ebook and audio at Amazon, B&N, Kobo, Apple Books or wherever you get your books.Lumi Gummies, microdose gummies available nationwide. Use the code FATEDMATES to get 30% off your first order. Learn more at LumiGummies.com.Caroline Linden, author of How to Get Away with Scandal, available in print, ebook and audio at Amazon, B&N, Kobo, Apple Books or wherever you get your books.Allison Bettes, author of Red Flag Warning, available in print, ebook and audio at Amazon or with your monthly subscription to Kindle Unlimited.The RestFor even more info about this episode, and to explore everything Fated Mates has to offer, visit: https://fatedmates.net/episodes/2026/1/12/0817-setting-new-years-reading-resolutions If you wish you had six more days in a week of people talking about romance, may we suggest joining our Patreon? Aside from an additional episode every month you get access to our Discord, where other romance readers are talking about books they love (and many other things!) all the time. It’s so fun! Learn more about the Patreon and go join those cool people who love romance as much as you do at patreon.com/fatedmates. Beyond your favorite podcast app, you can find us on Instagram, Threads, Blue Sky, Tumblr, and probably some other places, too, if you look hard enough. If you've never listened to our Stop Book Banning episode, there's no better time than now.

Sarah's still catching up, but Jen, Adriana Herrera, and Joanna Shupe have seen it and they have a lot to say.

Your discoverabilibuddies are back! It's a new year which means we're dropping our Winter 2026 reads episode, in which we talk about the million trillion 2026 romance books coming out in January, February and March (ok, not a million trillion, but enough that Eric came out of his studio this morning with a thousand-yard stare!). As a reminder, we have not necessarily read all these books, but they are on our TBRs and should be on yours!If you want more recommendations and more people with whom you can discuss 2026 romance novels, maybe you want to join our Patreon? You get an extra monthly episode from us and access to the incredible readers and brilliant people on the Fated Mates Discord! Support us and learn more at fatedmates.net/patreon.Our next read along will be Ruby Dixon's Ice Planet Barbarians (you’re welcome). Get it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, from your local indie or with your monthly subscription to Kindle Unlimited.January 2026 New ReleasesChampagne Taste on a Bad Boy Budget by Zuri DayDrive me Crazy by Lizzy DentSilver & Blood by Jessie MihalikA Scandal Changes Everything by Josie JohnsDom-Com by Adriana AndersOnly on Gameday by Kristen CallihanJanae Sanders’ Second Time Around by LaQuetteThe Lust Crusade by Jo SeguraThe Ex Dilemma by Elle WrightWish I May by Hannah MurrayAlmost One Night Stand by AJ PineThe Re-Do List by Denise WilliamsDefinitely Maybe Not a Detective by Sarah FoxChasing the Ring by Lauren RoweLast First Kiss by Julian WintersPlaying for Keeps by Alexandria BellefleurFalling for the Fake Lumberjack by Sara NeyInto the Midnight Wood by Alexandra McCollumWe Who Have No Gods by Liza AndersonWild Russian Storm by Odette StoneFebruary 2026 New ReleasesFalling for the Rabbi by Jennifer WilckSkate it Till You Make It by Rufaro Faith MazaruraSubatomic Love by Shannon KirkOver and Over by Becky HunterWhispers and Wildfire by Claire KingsleyThe Lovers by Kristen CastOne and Only by Maurene GooOnly Friends by Lydia San AndresThe Regency Switch by Helen GaskellIt’s All in Your Head by Sabina NordqvistBooks & Bewitchment by Isla JewellA Little Buzzed by Alys MurrayIn Her Spotlight by Amy SpaldingGet over it, April Evans by Ashley Herring BlakePersonal Bodyguard by Danielle HaasFree Falling by Jill ShalvisMarch 2026 New ReleasesRears & Vices by EM CaroStolen by Her Viking Enemy by Roxy HarperHold Me Like a Grudge by Celine OngSparring Partners by Erin RoseFallen Hero by Riley EdwardsThe Starter Ex by Mia SosaA Change of Pace by JA StevensA Lady for All Seasons by TJ AlexanderCasually Yours by Vivian Jia LacIn My Tudor Era by Kate BromleySecond Chance Duet by Ana HolguinIt Seemed Like a Good Idea by Lauren BlakelyThirty Love by Tom VellnerConvenient Wife Conditions by Rebecca HunterAnderson in Bloom by Jennifer DuganThings That Break Us by Michelle HeardSponsorsThe Steamy Bookworms Box, a book box, featuring dark and monster romances with special edition covers, original art, stickers and more. Learn more at SteamyBookworms.com.Lucy Morris, author of Reclaiming His Viking Queen, available in print, ebook and audio at Amazon, B&N, Kobo, Apple Books or wherever you get your books.LYX Books, publishers of Selina Mae's Lessons in Faking, available in print, ebook and audio at Amazon, B&N, Kobo, Apple Books or wherever you get your books.Eve Silver, author of Darkest at Dusk, available in print, ebook and audio at Amazon, or with your monthly subscription to Kindle Unlimited.The RestFor even more info about this episode, and to explore everything Fated Mates has to offer, visit: https://fatedmates.net/episodes/2026/1/5/0816-2026-winter-preview If you wish you had six more days in a week of people talking about romance, may we suggest joining our Patreon? Aside from an additional episode every month you get access to our Discord, where other romance readers are talking about books they love (and many other things!) all the time. It’s so fun! Learn more about the Patreon and go join those cool people who love romance as much as you do at patreon.com/fatedmates. Beyond your favorite podcast app, you can find us on Instagram, Threads, Blue Sky, Tumblr, and probably some other places, too, if you look hard enough. If you've never listened to our Stop Book Banning episode, there's no better time than now.

Another year, another chaotic New Year's episode, with one of our favorites, the Lauren half of Christina Lauren! Y'all. When we say headphones in, we mean HEADPHONES IN. This is not for your kids, or your mechanic, or Kate. Today, we're getting into the kink Sarah has been dancing around at Fated Mates Lives for years...the one Sandra Brown and Bertrice Small installed, and Lisa Kleypas and Christina Lauren continued in a grand, noble tradition. Strap in, friends, we're talking lactation kink! You're welcome!Happy New Year, pervs. We love you.If you want other people to discuss brand new romance authors with, maybe you want to join our Patreon? You get an extra monthly episode from us and access to the incredible readers and brilliant people on the Fated Mates Discord! Support us and learn more at fatedmates.net/patreon.Our next read along will be Ruby Dixon's Ice Planet Barbarians (you’re welcome). Get it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, from your local indie, or with your monthly subscription to Kindle Unlimited.BooksSunny Chandler’s Return by Sandra BrownAnother Dawn by Sandra BrownAll the Sweet Tomorrows by Bertrice SmallDreaming of You by Lisa KleypasFresh Cream by X CallistoThe Milky View by Luna StarkHeaven, Texas by Susan Elizabeth PhillipsMilking the Rabbi by Violet DareBigger by Casey CaneA Splash of Cream at the Alabaster Cafe by Astra RoseMorning Glory Milking Farm by CM NascostaThe Wild One by Daisy JaneFather Knows Best by Daisy JaneMountain Daddy’s Milk & Honey by Elena DawneDaisy Unchained by Elena DawnePS. You’re Intolerable by Julia WolfBeautiful Beloved by Christina LaurenNotesLauren Billings of Christina Lauren as our special guest this New Year’s Eve, but frankly Christina has way too much sense for tonight’s nonsense. There’s a Twilight fic called Vulturi Dairy. It’s lactation kink, not adult breastfeeding. The AO3 tag is “ABF” just in case you need to know. But it’s been around for a long time, including in classics like Dracula.We are embarrassed not by this episode, but by the fact that we didn’t do any MPreg recommendations.The book Lo mentioned that made her say “Honey are you okay?” is Milk for Money by Amber Sunwell.Read up on induced lactation, which according to the Mayo Clinic “might” be possible.You can find out more about the Alexa Riley AR Taboo pen name at their website. Be sure to check your content warnings before diving in over there.Rob Lowe!SponsorsMichelle Dayton, author of Every Other New Year's Eve, available in print and ebook at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, or Apple Books.Avon Books, publishers of Stacia Clark's We Who Will Die, available for preorder in print, ebook, audio, or with your monthly subscription to Kindle Unlimited. Get it at Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books or wherever you get your books.831 Stories, publisher of fun, sexy romance novellas available wherever you get your books, or delivered to your door via The Ones membership box. Get more information at 831stories.com where you can use code FATEDMATES to get 10% off your first order on eligible products.The Steamy Bookworms Box, a book box, featuring dark and monster romances with special edition covers, original art, stickers and more. Learn more at SteamyBookworms.com.Lumi Gummies, microdose gummies delivered right to your door. Go to lumigummies.com and use code FATEDMATES for 30% off your order.The RestFor even more info about this episode, and to explore everything Fated Mates has to offer, visit: https://fatedmates.net/episodes/2025/12/30/s0815-its-new-years-milkin-eve If you wish you had six more days in a week of people talking about romance, may we suggest joining our Patreon? Aside from an additional episode every month you get access to our Discord, where other romance readers are talking about books they love (and many other things!) all the time. It’s so fun! Learn more about the Patreon and go join those cool people who love romance as much as you do at patreon.com/fatedmates. Beyond your favorite podcast app, you can find us on Instagram, Threads, Blue Sky, Tumblr, and probably some other places, too, if you look hard enough. If you've never listened to our Stop Book Banning episode, there's no better time than now.