Reviews
“I’ve been listening to this podcast for years, it’s one of my favorites. But Sarah please, please stop interrupting Jen! It happens constantly and Jen never gets to finish the thought she started and it’s driving me insane. I want to hear what she has to say!”
Smh9856 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
07/17/24
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“New to this poddy but loving it it! Lots of fun and it brightens up my week. If you haven’t listened to any before, starting with the ‘Romance Science’ and ‘Romance Law’ eps is a must!”
Jfle7710 via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
06/08/24
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“Far and away the best podcast on romance lit that I’ve heard. Sarah and Jen are fun to listen to and have terrific guest authors. They treat the genre with respect. I’ve learned a lot about the craft of writing romance while being thoroughly entertained.”
Atty1981 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
06/04/24
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“Just found this podcast and I freaking LOVE it! I’ve been binging episodes the past week and laughing and feeling ridiculous amounts of giddy joy. I just listened to the Romance Science episode and it is hands down my favorite podcast episode ever. 💗💗💗”
cherylmclaws via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
05/15/24
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“Always enjoy but the romance science episode was particularly fabulous 😝”
Aly123B via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
01/31/24
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“I was excited to see there’s a podcast about romance books! And is from one of my favorite author! It is enjoyable, but I’m not sure if it’s really helpful for me. The one thing I loved you more than anything is to skip the bulk of the sec scenes. Every book is always the same with different...”Read full review »
Sepps61 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/01/24
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“The best part of every week is listening to Jen and Sarah’s banter. Two wonderfully intelligent and badass women. Listening in from Wales and looking forward to an episode on Welsh heroes/heroines one day 😉”
Lauren6570 via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
12/06/23
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“I often find myself laughing along with Sarah and Jen! Their banter is easy, they are both so knowledgeable and I love how much they love romance!! Their voices are clear and balanced and it’s really so fun to listen to them talk about so many great books. Their reviews and summaries are bang on....”Read full review »
Fanti02! via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
10/06/23
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“I love Sarah MacLean’s books and I love listening to these two fabulously smart ladies discussing romance! I get a lot of book recommendations from this podcast and learn new things.”
tyglendale via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
07/05/23
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“Fated Mates is an absolute favorite podcast. I started listening because I love Kresley Cole and I stayed because Sarah and Jen are so smart and funny. They have helped me understand and articulate why I love romance so much. I’ve also gotten so many book recommendations. A must listen!”
Em135445 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
06/17/23
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“Love listening weekly, am all in for the ride. These two hosts remember (or refresh their minds) about details I could never retain. I still can’t believe I was very “sure, that could happen” when I first read the gorilla brothers book.
They’ve built a lovely community around this podcast - good...”Read full review »
freshly via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
06/07/23
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“Super-positive, hilarious, but not uncritical. They like what they like, and my tastes don’t always match up with theirs, but they are so clear and thoughtful about what they love that it’s really broadened out my reading. And they have great politics!”
Anne Rubenstein via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
05/21/23
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“As a romance reader, Jen and Sarah have made it easier to find more titles and TBR than I could have found on my own. Love the deep dives that they go into with each book, trope, and read alongs. The new Trailblazer episodes are a surprising insight to authors that you know and have grown up...”Read full review »
lo75689 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
05/18/23
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“This podcast is all things joyful. Not that Jen and Sarah don’t talk about serious stuff, because they do and they do it well.
Jen and Sarah are so well informed, and have amazing conversations. They are engaging and compelling podcasters. And their guests are just plain amazing.
This is a...”Read full review »
Lori MacD via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
03/25/23
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“Sarah and Jen are everything and my love for romance has only grown thanks to listening to them discuss favourite tropes, authors, and craft. I am grateful for these women doing their thing and putting it into the universe.
Thank you for being you 🎉💜”
dannieboyd18 via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
03/18/23
“You are in good hands with these hosts. Jen and Sarah are the smartest, most knowledgeable resource for romance books — and its socioeconomic context, if you’re really nasty like that. They love these books. No snarky takedowns here. It’s just mad, passionate love for romance novels and the...”Read full review »
jkr7977 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/20/23
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“I started listening to Fated Mates a year and a half ago and quickly became obsessed. Jen and Sarah have gotten me back into reading romance and it is wonderful. I look forward to every new episode and am still making my way through the episode backlist! I am now an IAD reader and my TBR list is...”Read full review »
Amalea R via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
01/01/23
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“Learnt about so many great authors and it’s a podcast that it totally focussed on all the book genres I love to read. Sarah and Jen are funny and relatable.”
Lgw14 via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
12/23/22
“I am always searching for great romance podcasts, but this isn’t it. It’s mostly just promotion for books, the hosts are rarely critical or reflective, and they often downright don’t know what they’re talking about (e.g., confusing the term pansexual with demisexual). All in all, a disappointing...”Read full review »
Alja 🍉 via Apple Podcasts ·
Slovenia ·
10/06/22
“Like so many if us I got into romance during the pandemic - I found this podcast last summer and have been working through the archives - it’s fantastic. I’ve found so many books through the pod and Jen and Sarah are such experts it’s really great. Highly recommend.”
Mrs. Jody via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/04/22
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“Thank you for creating such an audio delight! I listen to you in the car on my way to work, on my way home and while grocery shopping. I have earned myself a few glances in the store from breaking out in spontaneous laughter from something funny Jen or Sarah said. I feel like I’m a friend...”Read full review »
Lisa Lou 81 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/02/22
“I discovered this podcast in mid 2020. I’ve since gone back and listened to almost all of the episodes. It’s a great midweek pick me up. I love the dynamic of the hosts and how joyful and funny they are. They clearly love spending time together and talking romance. This podcast has introduced me...”Read full review »
Kabarm via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/01/22
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“Been listening to FatedMates for years now, and every episode feels like I’m catching up with the girls! It’s a podcast that has two hilarious and whip smart friends catching up and goofing out over romance novels—and goofing out with top romance writers. I love it. I absolutely love it. I never...”Read full review »
Clara8elle via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
08/23/22
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“Why is my TBR list so long and basically unreadable at this point you ask? It’s because of this podcast. I love it and everything they suggest.
Keep it coming ladies!”
drc1116 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/10/22
“Fated Mates is the podcast I most look forward to during the week. Sarah”
DFWSusie via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
07/22/22
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“I was scrolling social media and saw a post from Lisa Kleypas about Derek Craven day and this podcast. I’m a big fan of Sarah’s and didn’t realize that this podcast existed. I blame Instagram algorithms. After binging about 10 episodes, I decided to try the IAD series. I usually am not a...”Read full review »
RalSonia via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
07/11/22
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“Love this podcast! I’ve been turned on to so many great books from Sarah and Jen, many from genres I didn’t think I would be interested in but ended up loving. Also great analysis of the voice, story, and structure which has helped my own writing. Sarah and Jen are easy to listen to, the type of...”Read full review »
TravelingWritingBlogging via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
07/10/22
“July 2022: Love the book talk, it is my favourite podcast for that, I listen to every episode and have bought so many books they have recommended.
Cons: They suffer extreme cognitive dissonance because they spend a lot of time complaining about the patriarchy but then behave as handmaidens to...”Read full review »
Evilgrapefruit via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
07/06/22
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“This is probably one of my top two podcasts I listen to! Jen and Sarah are amazing and always have incredibly thoughtful and insightful conversations about romance and how the genre fits into the world and current affairs. I’ve stared using “romance reasons” as an explanation for things and hope...”Read full review »
LuluK1985 via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
07/02/22
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“I’m a newer listener but have already binged about 20 episodes. After listening to about 5, I decided to write my own romance. I love how they break down tropes and provide recommendations on good books to read too. I also just feel like we’re all best friends hanging out talking about something...”Read full review »
KayKB via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
06/22/22
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“I really enjoy this podcast, it has the feel of a fun book club.
Pros: The hosts strike a great balance between not taking themselves too seriously and analyzing not only individual books but trends and history of the genre. I enjoy their banter and get great recommendations
Cons: Questionable...”Read full review »
mks000001 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
06/10/22
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“Love this podcast! ❤️ Still catching up 😉This show is really fun to listen to! 🎧 Still have yet to do a read-along... Sounds fun though! Interstitials are great! 👏🏽They’re my constant companions 👯♀️
Just read The Wisteria Society Of Lady Scoundrels and love listening to corresponding podcast...”Read full review »
precious0321 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
05/28/22
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“I was a real fan of the show until I got blocked on Twitter by Sarah by disagreeing with her.
I am hurt because I am a real person with opinions and feelings and I’ve just been treated like an annoying fly.
Unfollowing
I’m kind of done with romance genre too - ladies that pretend to be...”Read full review »
Zitaatiz via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
05/21/22
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“I can’t tell you how much joy this podcast has been bringing me since a friend recommended it! Love all the recs, the dialogue, the romance history, all the friends that come on the pod, there’s just so much to love about this show! Only problem is how many books it’s causing me to add to my TBR!”
KDubb305 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
05/13/22
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“UGH. It’s just the best. I happily listen to a lot of romance podcasts, but I’m happiest listening to this one.”
misterrogerscardigan via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/20/22
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“Thank you for the laughs and the recommendations. My TBR pile is getting longer with each podcast. I too have eclectic taste and have read from the tame to the crazy banana books you discuss. Please keep the recommendations coming.”
FruitfulGardner via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/19/22
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“I follow Sarah and OSRBC but I’m not really a podcast person!!! This is awesome and funny and insightful and just fun!!! Jen and Sarah dynamics are wonderful.”
jenafair via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/18/22
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“This show has everything; banter, side-eye, sass, laughs and loads and loads of romance! Both Sarah and Jen exude love for the genre and respect for craft! Listening to this podcast is the highlight of my week. They are dedicated, hilarious, and have impeccable taste. Seriously, I haven’t been...”Read full review »
NewlymintedHUFFLEPUFF via Apple Podcasts ·
New Zealand ·
04/13/22
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“Updated review: Still loving this podcast, especially the trailblazer episodes. Hopefully they can get J.R. Ward on.
I adore Jen and Sarah. It’s so refreshing hearing them talk about romance as a serious genre, and not one to be scoffed at or mocked. I’m also forever indebted to them for giving...”Read full review »
PodcastAddictt via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/06/22
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“I love all the seasons of this podcast, but I am especially loving this current season interviewing the Trailblazers of Romance. I’m learning so much and falling in love with romance books even more!”
sl214257 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/23/22
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“Jen and Sarah are the best. I love the thought, passion and heart they bring to their discussions”
99907993 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/20/22
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“Update 3/16/22: Still love this so much! Finally reading IAD and listening to season 1 plus the newest season.
Sarah and Jen are funny and sassy hosts! I know that I’m always going to laugh and talk out loud with every episode. I didn’t listen to the first season because I hadn’t read IAD but...”Read full review »
Samba2405 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/16/22
“I kept fast forwarding but it seemed like it would never end I had to shut it off.”
Htown7890 via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
03/14/22
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“Sarah and Jen are amazing podcast hosts. Their banter and insight on the romance genre is supremely entertaining. My only complaint is my TBR list has been inundated thanks to this show. (Talk about champagne problems.)
Keep up the great work, gals!”
ana h.m. via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/11/22
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“This podcast is the only show that can pull me away from listening to my audiobooks. So much fun to listen to Sarah and Jen and I love having so many episodes that I have yet to listen to from the previous seasons. I’ve worked my way through half of season one (since I’m a huge IAD fan) but have...”Read full review »
Knitting Bookworm via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/27/22
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“This podcast is amazing! 5 stars! I love the commentary and humor you both bring to the show. Its absolutely delightful! I came here for the Immortals after dark book reviews and I thoroughly enjoyed all of your insights. And lets talk about the effort of the show notes… They are super...”Read full review »
Club bouha via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/12/22
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“Sarah and Jen have made what was my least favorite part of the day now my favorite. My favorite romance podcast by far.”
Madison397 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/06/22
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“When it comes to industry knowledge and history Sarah & Jenn can’t be beat. I love hearing about their lifelong journeys with romance, how they put things into context, and that peek behind the curtain.”
CarlaGMiller via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/20/21
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