For a long time, I tried to hide my love of romance novels. They and the readers who loved them were criticized. Any time someone would ask, “What’s your guilty pleasure?” I’d respond sheepishly “romance novels.” Then I realized how f****d up it was to be ashamed of something that brought me such joy. Today’s guest, Sarah MacLean, knows all about that. We’re starting a new series of episodes,  _______ Is Not a Guilty Pleasure, to open up the types of episodes that can be on TIGFY. Not monetizing your hobbies is a start, but we have to unlearn all the ways that we’ve been told not to enjoy ourselves. And Sarah is an incredible place to start.   Guest New York Times, Washington Post & USA Today bestseller Sarah MacLean is the author of historical romance novels. Translated into more than twenty-five languages, the books that make up “The MacLeaniverse” are beloved by readers worldwide. In addition to her novels, Sarah is a leading advocate for the romance genre, speaking widely on its place as a feminist text and a cultural bellwether. A columnist for the New York Times, the Washington Post and Bustle, she is the co-host of the weekly romance podcast, Fated Mates. Her work in support of romance and those who read it earned her a place on Jezebel.com's Sheroes list and led Entertainment Weekly to call her "the elegantly fuming, utterly intoxicating queen of historical romance."   Find Us Online - Twitter: @ThisIsGoodPod - Instagram: @ThisIsGoodPod - Merch: thisisgoodpod.com/merch - Patreon: thisisgoodpod.com/patreon - Nichole: @tnwhiskeywoman - Multitude: @MultitudeShows - Email: [email protected]   Production - Producer: Eric Silver - Editor: Brandon Grugle - Executive Producers: Amanda McLoughlin and Nichole Perkins - Theme Music: Donwill - Artwork: Jessica E. Boyd   About The Show Nichole Perkins wants people to stop feeling bad about feeling good, and This Is Good For You lets you know you are never alone in what you like. Every episode, Nichole explores something that people love—whether it’s needlepoint, watching bad movies with friends, or cowgirl exercise classes—and asks experts and devotees why it makes them happy. She ends each show with an Indulgence: a recommendation that listeners can enjoy with no remorse. There’s no such thing as a guilty pleasure when you learn to love it freely! To find out what’s good for you, listen to new episodes every other Friday.