The Historical Romance Review

SotF 4: Hit Me With Your Best Trope

In this State of the Field episode, Amy and Sarah discuss TROPES: the good, the bad and the ugly. And this time, they're joined by long-time friend-of-the-pod Shania Bowa. Why is romance fiction always marketed with tropes? Where did they come from? Have publishers gone too far? Are we being trope-i-fied out of our minds? And do we think tropes will ever not be relevant to romance fiction? #romancebooks #romance #fiction #smut #stateofthefield #books #booktok #tiktok #kindle #kindlereader #reading #tropes #enemiestolovers #friendstolovers #brothersbestfriend #bestfriendsbrother #agegap #soulmates #rivalstolovers Follow us on Instagram @historicalromancereview [https://www.instagram.com/historicalromancereview/] Follow us on TikTok @historicalromancereview [https://www.tiktok.com/@historicalromancereview] Watch us on YouTube @HistoricalRomanceReview [https://www.youtube.com/@HistoricalRomanceReview] Credits: The Historical Romance Review is written, recorded and produced in Meanjin/Brisbane, on the unceded land of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera and Turrbal peoples. Editing: Sarah Brain Cover art and branding: Sarah Brain and Amy Way Original artwork: Caitlin Adams @caitlin_a_art [https://www.instagram.com/caitlin_a_art/] Original theme music: Jonny Barahona @jonnyenvivo [https://www.instagram.com/jonnyenvivo/] Sound support, camera equipment: Zac Costa Recording equipment: John Board Thank you to everyone who continues to support this project with their expertise and enthusiasm.

Episode 9: Out On A Limb

In this episode, Amy and Sarah encounter their first surprise pregnancy trope in Hannah Bonam-Young's Out On A Limb. Don't let this controversial narrative-device put you off. If you like witty banter, disability representation, pirate costumes and some Peeta-Katniss vibes, then this tender and wholesome lovers-to-friends-to-lovers is the book for you. Grab a cuppa (or a virgin cocktail of your choice) and get comfy, we have much to discuss. #romancebooks #romance #fiction #hannahbonamyoung #disabilityromance #disabilityconscious #limbdifference #onenightstand #pregnancytrope #unexpectedpregnancy #boandwin #friendstolovers #friendswithbenefits #books #booktok #tiktok #kindle #kindlereader #reading Follow us on Instagram @historicalromancereview [https://www.instagram.com/historicalromancereview/] and TikTok @historicalromancereview [https://www.tiktok.com/@historicalromancereview] Watch us on YouTube @HistoricalRomanceReview [https://www.youtube.com/@HistoricalRomanceReview] Credits: The Historical Romance Review is written, recorded and produced in Meanjin/Brisbane, on the unceded land of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera and Turrbal peoples. Editing: Sarah Brain Cover art and branding: Sarah Brain and Amy Way Original artwork: Caitlin Adams @caitlin_a_art [https://www.instagram.com/caitlin_a_art/] Original theme music: Jonny Barahona @jonnyenvivo [https://www.instagram.com/jonnyenvivo/] Sound support and video equipment: Zac Costa Recording equipment: John Board Thank you to everyone who continues to support this project with their expertise and enthusiasm.

SotF 3: Going To The Boy Aquarium

In this State of the Field episode, Amy and Sarah discuss the sub-genre-phenomenon that is sports romance. Why do so many readers get their kicks from sports' romance? Is it just an easy formula to create MMCs that are rich, fit and famous? Where are all the female athletes?! And why does reading (or watching) a heated sports romance often translate into real-world fandom? #romancebooks #romance #fiction #smut #stateofthefield #books #booktok #tiktok #kindle #kindlereader #reading #sportsromance #bookreview #heatedrivalry #formulaone #F1 Follow us on Instagram @historicalromancereview [https://www.instagram.com/historicalromancereview/] Follow us on TikTok @historicalromancereview [https://www.tiktok.com/@historicalromancereview] Watch us on YouTube @HistoricalRomanceReview [https://www.youtube.com/@HistoricalRomanceReview] Credits: The Historical Romance Review is written, recorded and produced in Meanjin/Brisbane, on the unceded land of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera and Turrbal peoples. Editing: Sarah Brain Cover art and branding: Sarah Brain and Amy Way Original artwork: Caitlin Adams @caitlin_a_art [https://www.instagram.com/caitlin_a_art/] Original theme music: Jonny Barahona @jonnyenvivo [https://www.instagram.com/jonnyenvivo/] Sound support: Zac Costa Recording equipment: John Board Thank you to everyone who continues to support this project with their expertise and enthusiasm.

Episode 8: Heated Rivalry

In this episode, Amy and Sarah skate through the cultural phenomenon that is Rachel Reid's Heated Rivalry. If you like a sports romance with minimal sporting details, occasional side characters, and explicit sex in EVERY chapter, then this queer rivals-to-lovers is the book for you. Grab a cuppa (or a glass of vodka) and get comfy, we have much to discuss. #romancebooks #romance #fiction #rachelreid #heatedrivalry #queerromance #LGBTQIA #shaneandilya #sportsromance #icehockey #boyaquarium #rivalstolovers #enemiestolovers #oppositesattract #books #booktok #tiktok #kindle #kindlereader #reading Follow us on Instagram @historicalromancereview [https://www.instagram.com/historicalromancereview/] Watch us on YouTube @HistoricalRomanceReview [https://www.youtube.com/@HistoricalRomanceReview] Credits: The Historical Romance Review is written, recorded and produced in Meanjin/Brisbane, on the unceded land of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera and Turrbal peoples. Editing: Sarah Brain Cover art and branding: Sarah Brain and Amy Way Original artwork: Caitlin Adams @caitlin_a_art [https://www.instagram.com/caitlin_a_art/] Original theme music: Jonny Barahona @jonnyenvivo [https://www.instagram.com/jonnyenvivo/] Sound support: Zac Costa Recording equipment: John Board Thank you to everyone who continues to support this project with their expertise and enthusiasm.

SofF 2: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

In this State of the Field episode, Amy and Sarah discuss the rise and popularity of romance fiction. Why is it so popular with female readers and authors? Why now? What are audiences getting from this genre that they don't get elsewhere? How has it become so successful? And is romance fiction the solution to the increasingly-divisive discourse of contemporary gender politics? #romancebooks #romance #fiction #smut #stateofthefield #books #booktok #tiktok #kindle #kindlereader #reading #happilyeverafter #bookreview #genderpolitics #femalecreators #femalereaders Follow us on Instagram @historicalromancereview [https://www.instagram.com/historicalromancereview/] Watch us on YouTube @HistoricalRomanceReview [https://www.youtube.com/@HistoricalRomanceReview] Credits: The Historical Romance Review is written, recorded and produced in Meanjin/Brisbane, on the unceded land of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera and Turrbal peoples. Editing: Sarah Brain Cover art and branding: Sarah Brain and Amy Way Original artwork: Caitlin Adams @caitlin_a_art [https://www.instagram.com/caitlin_a_art/] Original theme music: Jonny Barahona @jonnyenvivo [https://www.instagram.com/jonnyenvivo/] Sound support: Zac Costa Recording equipment: John Board Thank you to everyone who continues to support this project with their expertise and enthusiasm.