Romance Unzipped

30. Loving the Legend by Kit Grey, an M/M Sports NBA BasketBall Romance

NBA highs, grief lows, and Sid King—the world’s greatest baller—drive Ty 'Pretty Boy' Washington’s story in Loving the Legend, by Kit Grey. An M/M sports romance with high steam, high angst, and a (newly coined trope just for this book!) very hot Gentle Sports Daddy in the spectacular form of Sid King. As Sid and Ty’s love unfolds, Ty works to grow from a young heartbroken man to a top-tier NBA star who has to face his PTSD and depression or lose the man he loves. Mental health themes and grief are heavy in this one. As is a very b*dass, head-on approach to shutting down homophobic bigotry in professional sports. Kit Grey writes awesome dialogue as Sid King, the seasoned NBA champion who falls for Ty. Sid, and Ty's teammates lines responding to invasive questioning about their private lives will have you taking notes for your next family reunion. AND, obviously, we all need a Gentle Sports Daddy like Sid to get us monogrammed slippers for the yacht and our first edition print of The Three Musketeers and really all the love and affirmation and neck hickeys one could ever need. Sid's mentorship of Ty and their eventual love is a beautifully written. As is the author's creation of two emotionally attuned apex athletes. How refreshing and unique to read about the two actual best B-ball players in the world also being sensitive and thoughtful, while also both being alpha in their own right. Join us for a rollercoaster of emotions, spicy takes on DP, and very excellent pun-uenndos. The good times are waiting for you in the full episode!  #LovingTheLegend #MMRomance  #RomanceCommunity #NBAromance #SportsRomance #GentleSportsDaddy

29. Truth and Measure by Roslyn Sinclair

Who doesn't love a good ol' age gap romance? We explore the high paced fashion world of Vivian Carlisle, the powerful editor-in-cheif of a fashion magazine giving shades of Anna Wintour meets Miranda Priestly. Things get interesting when she finds out she's pregnant in the midst of a contentious divorce and she pulls her devoted assistant, Julia, into an increasingly personal and vulnerable role as her ultimate caretaker. Julia feels equally terrified and mesmerized by her boss, and can't help but fall head over heels. These two are hot for each other. The build up is slow throughout Truth and Measure, the first book in the duology, but then really picks up steam in Above All Things. Roslyn Sinclair takes us on a steamy ride as they navigate their tricky power imbalance. Be sure to check this book out if you are looking for an FF love story without a 3rd act breakup. * We're Annie + Hollie and we're co-writing our first romance. We mention our writing process, but mostly each episode is a love letter to the world's greatest genre, its authors, and the sheer joy of reading irresistible HEAs.

28. I Think They Love You by Julian Winters

Need M/M second-chance fake-dating? Julian Winters delivers. Braylon + Denz, two super attractive college exes turned, ‘holy sh*z heartbreaker, it’s been literal years, but my fake date flaked on me, my parents are walking up to meet the relationship I lied about to trick them into believing I’m emotionally mature enough to vie for CEO of the family empire, and I am in a BIND. So, although it’s our first interaction in half a decade, and I haven’t even said hello, will you pretend to be my boyfriend? no pressure.' It’s romance, so obvi Braylon tells Denz yes. Characters develop, fake and real lines blur, and love wins in the end, again. Thank god! Julian Winters’ writing is fun, the dialogue darling, the ‘growing up emotionally’ story line entirely relatable, with a VIP invite into the fancy Atlanta party scene as a bright backdrop to it all. Join us on @RomanceUnzipped as we book podcast this slowburn, medium steam, low angst—but emotionally intelligent—romance novel. Side note: we need to read Julian Winters’ next book titled, ‘As You Walk on By,’ solely for the tagline, ‘The Breakfast Club Meets Can't Hardly Wait’.

27. Lizards Hold the Sun by Dani Trujillo

Ready to be immersed in a lyrical world of familial ties, cultural reverence and comforting food? Join us on the Bunchberry reservation in Dani Trujillo's Lizards Hold the Sun. Xiomara and Callehan are instantly connected, but they hold their cards close for an achingly sweet slow burn as they navigate through their own grief and family responsibilities. This is a beautiful debut novel that's just what you need to break out of a reading slump. * We're Annie + Hollie and we're co-writing our first romance. We mention our writing process, but mostly each episode is a love letter to the world's greatest genre, its authors, and the sheer joy of reading irresistible HEAs.

26. Berries + Greed by Lily Mayne Cozy Monster Romance

Cozy stoner monster romance? Berries and Greed, by Lily Mayne, a m/f, soft femdom munchie-heaven escapism love fest turns it all upside down w/ 35-year old accidental ingenue bailing on her sex cult via a 7-foot, outwardly sexy, inwardly socially dying monster of a man. Late night snacks ensue. Then some very creative sexy times. Join us on Romance Unzipped where we're bookclubbing the H-E-Double-Hockey-Sticks outta the world's greatest genre. Get your lit on and learn about new lands with a new book review each episode. Have you read Lily Mayne before? And most importantly, would you date Gried?