Do you love the enemies-to-lovers trope as much as I do? Author Ruby Rana joined us to share her unique take on this beloved romance trope, diving into the emotional depth and nuanced character dynamics that make it so captivating.

Ruby Rana is an elder millennial who writes spicy, funny, and heartfelt romance about sassy brown girls. She excels in sending messages where autocorrect has gone terribly wrong. When she's not battling typos, you can find her explaining Midwestern slang to her East Coast-raised husband, being used as a jungle gym by her young children, or experimenting in the kitchen.

In this episode, we're discussing:

• How Ruby Rana's debut novel "Snapshot" expertly blends the enemies-to-lovers trope with a hockey romance backdrop, creating a story of childhood friends turned adversaries.
• The importance of portraying realistic emotional scars and growth, highlighting how past traumas can shape a character's present-day actions and perceptions.
• The value of supportive female friendships in Ruby’s books, providing a safe space for her characters to be their authentic selves.
• Insights on how the enemies-to-lovers trope allows for meaningful character development, as the characters learn to love each other despite their differences.
• The athleticism and camaraderie within the world of professional hockey, which serves as an engaging setting for Rana's stories.

Feeling inspired to dive into Ruby Rana's unique take on the enemies-to-lovers trope? Discover her novels and connect with the author on social media to continue the conversation. Romance readers won't want to miss this insightful discussion!

CONNECT WITH RUBY RANA:

Website

Instagram

BOOKS/AUTHORS MENTIONED:

Snap Shot (Amazon)

Butterfly Effect (Amazon)

Played by Naima Simone (Amazon)

Scribbles Book Shop

Steamy Lit

Running list of books mentioned (Doc)

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Connect with Alesia:
Storygraph

This podcast was produced by Galati Media.
Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.

As readers, it's important to diversify our bookshelves and seek out stories that reflect the rich tapestry of cultures and experiences. In this episode, Alesia sits down with Carla Is Reading to discuss the significance of Latinx representation in romance novels. Carla shares her personal journey of discovering diverse authors and the importance of empathy and authenticity in literature.

Carla is a plus-size Boricua who discovered her love of reading through romance novels and later delved into the world of diverse romance, particularly Latinx and Black Romance. She finds joy in platforming, reviewing, and uplifting marginalized authors and their books. Through this work, she has learned about community and experiences outside of her own.

In this episode, we're discussing:

• Carla's evolution from casual reader to active book reviewer.
• The impact of discovering Latinx-centered stories.
• The value of reading across cultures to foster empathy and broaden perspectives.
• Understanding the nuances between Latinx and Hispanic heritage.
• Best practices for addressing stereotypes and misrepresentation in books.
• Carla's recommendations for must-read Latinx romance authors.
• Strategies for intentionally diversifying your reading habits throughout the year.

Diversifying our reading choices is a powerful way to celebrate the richness of Latinx culture and amplify underrepresented voices. By supporting Latinx authors, engaging in thoughtful discussions, and continuously expanding our literary horizons, we can create a more inclusive and empathetic reading community. Remember, there's a world of smutty, heartwarming, and empowering Latinx stories waiting to be discovered.

CONNECT WITH CARLA:

Instagram

TikTok

BOOKS/AUTHORS MENTIONED:

Alexis Daria (Amazon)

Adriana Herrera (Amazon)

Ofelia Martinez (Amazon)

Alexandria House (Amazon)

Mia Sosa (Amazon)

Natalie Caña (Amazon)

Jade Hernández (Amazon)

Aleera Anaya Ceres (Amazon)

A.H. Cunningham (Amazon)

All podcast books/authors mentioned (Doc)

Diverse Baseline Challenge

Thank you for listening to the We Read Smut Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag @WeReadSmut. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast.

Connect with Alesia:
Storygraph

This podcast was produced by Galati Media.
Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.

Have you ever wondered how romance novels can tackle tough topics like trauma and healing?

Today, we're diving deep into the world of trauma-informed romance with author Jack Whitney. Jack writes romantic suspense with elements of dark romance and paranormal romance, and her books offer a unique perspective on healing and finding love amidst challenging circumstances. We discuss her Rockstar series (Young Decay), where characters navigate past traumas and find solace and strength in each other.

This episode contains the following potential triggers:

• Discussions of parental addiction, emotional neglect, and childhood trauma
• Mentions of suicidal thoughts and struggles with depression
• Brief mentions of stalking and past substance abuse

Jack Whitney is a dark, romantic suspense author from North Carolina, USA. She writes emotionally dark and high-angst stories with a twist. Her books explore themes of trauma, healing, and the power of love.

In this episode, we're discussing:

• Trauma-informed romance: How this subgenre allows for exploration of healing and healthy relationships in the context of past trauma.
• Characters who exist outside their romantic relationships: Jack emphasizes the importance of her characters having independent lives and not being solely defined by their romantic partners.
• The power of music: How music can be a source of comfort and connection for those who have experienced trauma.
• Neurodiversity representation: Jack discusses incorporating her own experiences with ADHD into her characters and the importance of authentic representation.
• Addiction and recovery: The Rockstar series touches on addiction and recovery with sensitivity and nuance, highlighting the importance of support systems and personal choice.
• Romance as a tool for healing: How romance novels can offer hope and empowerment to readers who have experienced trauma.

Jack Whitney's books offer a powerful and insightful look at how love and healing can intertwine. Be sure to check out her Rockstar series and other works on Amazon, and connect with her on Patreon, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook! Let's continue the conversation about the power of romance to help us heal and grow.

CONNECT WITH JACK WHITNEY:

Website

Instagram

Patreon

Amazon

BOOKS MENTIONED:

Dirty Texas Series by JA Low (Amazon)

Built to Fall by Julia Wolf (Amazon)

Captivated by Danger by Endiya Carter (Amazon)

Haunting Adeline by HD Carlton (Amazon)

Running list of books mentioned (Doc)

Thank you for listening to the We Read Smut Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag @WeReadSmut. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast.

Connect with Alesia:
Storygraph

This podcast was produced by Galati Media.
Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.