He Read She Read

About He Read She Read

Book reviews, reading life reflections, and recommendations from an eclectic mood reader and former English teacher. chelsey.substack.com (https://chelsey.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

Chelsey Feder

Category

arts · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

14 Jun 2023

Latest episode

23 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

2 of 13 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   23 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Fantasy plus Romance does NOT equal Romantasy

   Host Chelsey and avid fantasy reader Curtis explore why "Romantasy" doesn't always blend their reading tastes, revealing what hooks Curtis on the genre and its broad appeal.

2. 

   17 Jul 2026

   Our favorite books of 2026 (so far)

   This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chelsey.substack.com (https://chelsey.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_7) Hey, Readers! Thanks to Curtis’ new work from home schedule, we were able to record a podcast episode all about our favorite books at the halfway point of 2026. He’s got a lot of fantasy heavy hitters to share, and I’ve got my usual mix of literary fiction, romance, and memoir. We used to record conversations about reading, buddy reads, and bookish habits for the He Read She Read podcast (2018-2021). Now a couple of Australians seemingly trademarked the name—but no matter! We hope to record more episodes for The Eclectic Reader with Curtis as a featured guest. If you like hearing us banter about books, sign up as a paid subscriber (https://chelsey.substack.com/b7595948) to hear more. Find all the books we mentioned today in show notes at chelsey.substack.com.

3. 

   2 Jul 2026

   An English cottage, a fantastic short story collection, and early chapter books for little readers

   Hey, Readers! I decided to make my June Reading Reflections episode public, so everyone can preview what these reading wrap-ups sound like each month. If you enjoy hearing me chat about my recent reads, join the paid tier to get these monthly episodes directly in your podcast app. Paid subscribers also get Electic Recs (https://chelsey.substack.com/t/electic-recs) and seasonal printables (https://chelsey.substack.com/p/the-2025-fall-romance-collection) in their inbox. The Eclectic Reader is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber @ chelsey.substack.com (http://chelsey.substack.com) Books Mentioned * Mercy Watson: Adventures of a Porcine Wonder Series (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780763657093) by Kate DiCamillo * The Princess in Black Series (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780763697778) by Shannon & Dean Hale * Thistlemarsh (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780593819883) by Moorea Corrigan * Maisie Dobbs (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781616954079) by Jacqueline Winspear * Emily Wilde’s Enclyclopaedia of Faeries (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780593500156) by Heather Fawcett * Game of Rogues (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780063464803) by Julie Anne Long * Make Your Way Home (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781963108286) by Carrie R. Moore * Young Lions Fiction Award (https://lithub.com/carrie-r-moore-has-won-the-2026-young-lions-fiction-award/) * Rickey Fayne & Carrie R. Moore on Writing the Blackness of the South (https://electricliterature.com/rickey-fayne-and-carrie-r-moore-on-writing-the-blackness-of-the-south/) Some of the links in this newsletter are Bookshop affiliate links. If you shop these links, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my work in this way. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chelsey.substack.com/subscribe (https://chelsey.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)

4. 

   12 May 2026

   Build your analog summer reading list with BookPage

   A few months ago, I published a newsletter all about how I find book recommendations without any attention-sucking apps. It was my most popular newsletter to date, mostly because of all the comments and questions readers sent in about BookPage, a physical publication I pick up every single month at my public library. I reached out to the editor-in-chief of BookPage to see if we could chat about their book review process, and she said yes! I hope you enjoy my conversation with Trisha and Phoebe, two passionate editors whose love of reading shapes every issue of BookPage. Curious about BookPage? Visit their website (https://www.bookpage.com/) to learn more or follow them on TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@readbookpage), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/readbookpage/), and Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/readbookpage.bsky.social) @readbookpage. Purchase an Individual Subscription (https://subscribe.bookpage.com/), Find BookPage (https://www.bookpage.com/find/) at your library or bookstore, and sign up for BookPage Newsletters (https://www.bookpage.com/email/) in your inbox. For more book recommendations, reading life reflections, or stories from my adventures in gardening, subscribe to The Eclectic Reader newsletter (http://chelsey.substack.com). Books Mentioned Dear Monica Lewinsky (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780385551502) by Julia Langbein The Missed Connection (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781538770269) by Tia Williams The Lesbian Bar Chronicles (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780807023440) by Rachel Karp A Tale for the Time Being (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780143124870) by Ruth Ozeki The Typing Lady (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780593832714) by Ruth Ozeki The Magnificent Ruins (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781643755861) by Nayantara Roy Sisters of a Halved Heart (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781643757698) by Nayantara Roy Whistler (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780063511637) by Ann Patchett Bel Canto (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780060838720) by Ann Patchett The Yahoo Boys (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780374609306) by Carlos Barragán This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chelsey.substack.com/subscribe (https://chelsey.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)

5. 

   6 Mar 2026TRANSCRIPT

   A+ literary fiction, a buzzy marriage memoir, and the best romance novel I've read in a long time

   This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chelsey.substack.com (https://chelsey.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_7) I read some fantastic, memorable books in February, and I have a lot to say about them in this episode! In addition to ten book reviews, I share how I’m grappling with inconsistency in my reading life as a mom with potential neurodivergence. I hope you enjoy this reading wrap-up—it’s one of my favorite newsletters to send out. Books Mentioned * Still True (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780299339340) by Maggie Ginsberg * Kin (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780525659181) by Tayari Jones * Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780593733318) by Belle Burden * Evil Genius (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780063466487) by Claire Oshetsky * Country Place (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780063260092) by Ann Petry * Dominion (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780374609337) by Addie E. Citchens * Dom-Com (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781538773116) by Adriana Anders * The Story of Gumluck the Wizard (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781797234106) by Adam Rex * An Academic Affair (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781668092330) by Jodi McAllister * Meet the Newmans (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781250372444) by Jennifer Niven Some of the links in this newsletter are Bookshop affiliate links. If you shop these links, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my work in this way.

6. 

   30 Jan 2026

   Anchor Texts: Introducing 'Country Place' by Ann Petry and Annotating Chapters 1-2

   This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chelsey.substack.com (https://chelsey.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_7) Hey Readers! Welcome back to Anchor Texts, our quarterly book club and close reading series. I’m excited to continue our year of Ann Petry together with Country Place (https://www.moonpalacebooks.com/item/Vus7kAU5V3XBC_A18boz5Q), a slim, small town novel packed with tension. In today’s introductory episode, I’m sharing my annotations from the first two chapters, including notes on the narrator, possible themes to track, and Petry’s expertise in building suspense from the jump. If you are new to Anchor Texts, welcome! Here are some previous posts to catch you up on our project—but please know you aren’t missing anything or “behind” if you’re just joining us now. This is a low key, loose schedule, choose-your-own-adventure kind of reading group. We will meet via video call to discuss Country Place on February 25 at 6 pm Central/7 pm Eastern. Links to our book club meeting and our exclusive Discord chat await you on Substack.

7. 

   23 Dec 2025

   The best books He Read and She Read in 2025

   Hey, Eclectic Readers! I’m excited to share my favorite reads of 2025 with all of you—and even more excited to welcome a special guest to this yearly wrap-up episode. My husband and former podcast co-host Curtis joins me today to discuss how parenting small children has impacted our reading lives, what books we loved this year, and what we’re hoping to read in 2026. You’ll get to experience the complete breadth of our reading tastes in this episode, with recommendations from nearly every genre. Special thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for occupying the four-year-old, and to our one-year-old for napping long enough for us to record this episode. It took an entire month to make the time, and we both had terrible colds, but we got it done! Books Mentioned * The Palace of Rogues series (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780062867469) by Julie Anne Long * The Ferryman (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780525619499) by Justin Cronin * The Passage (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780345504975) by Justin Cronin * The Twelve (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780345542373) by Justin Cronin * Audition (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780593852323) by Katie Kitamura * 5 books to read if you liked (https://chelsey.substack.com/p/5-books-to-read-if-you-liked-audition)Audition (https://chelsey.substack.com/p/5-books-to-read-if-you-liked-audition) * Lonesome Dove (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781439195260) by Larry McMurtry * The Devil Three Times (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780316575171) by Rickey Fayne * We Few (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781636240534) by Nick Brockhausen * Whispers in the Tall Grass (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781612007755) by Nick Brockhausen * Surprise, Kill, Vanish (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780316441421) by Annie Jacobsen * MACV-SOG (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Assistance_Command,_Vietnam_%E2%80%93_Studies_and_Observations_Group) (Wikipedia) * Sex of the Midwest (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9798998954702) by Robin Ryle * The Street (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780358187547) by Ann Petry * Country Place (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780063260092) by Ann Petry * The Anchor Texts Project (https://chelsey.substack.com/p/anchor-texts-a-quarterly-practice) * The Stormlight Archive series (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780765365279) Brandon Sanderson * The Dark Tower series (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781501143519) by Stephen King * Grant (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780143110637) by Ron Chernow This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chelsey.substack.com/subscribe (https://chelsey.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)

8. 

   10 Oct 2025

   Romance novels I did NOT include in The Fall 2025 Romance Collection

   Hey, Eclectic Readers! I’m taking you on a behind the scenes tour of The Fall 2025 Romance Collection (https://chelsey.substack.com/p/the-2025-fall-romance-collection) to share how I source books, sort books, and cement my final curated list. Along the way, you’ll find out which books did NOT make the final cut, and why. I hope you enjoy this chatty how-did-this-get-made episode, and I can’t wait to share more podcast chats with you soon. Books Mentioned * Mate (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780593952580) by Ali Hazelwood * Bride (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780593550403) by Ali Hazelwood * People Watching (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780593871881) by Hannah Bonam-Young * Soul Searching (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780593977774) by Lyla Sage * After Hours at Dooryard Books (https://books2read.com/dooryard) by Cat Sebastian * The Sea Witch (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781335143761) by Eva Leigh * Witch of the Wolves (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781250393074) by Kaylee Archer * Learning Curves (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781662529238) by Rachel Lacey * Love Walked In (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781250894748) by Sarah Chamberlain * An Academic Affair (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781668092330) by Jodi McAlister This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chelsey.substack.com/subscribe (https://chelsey.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)

9. 

   5 Sept 2025

   Favorite Reads from Summer 2025

   Hey readers! I’m excited to be back on the mic for a seasonal reading wrap-up. I have more podcast episodes coming your way, including monthly reading reflections for paid subscribers. Grab a 20% discount on annual subscriptions and get your TBR lists ready! Books Mentioned * Reel (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781538769621) by Kennedy Ryan * Let’s Make a Scene (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781668051979) by Laura Wood * Under Your Spell (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781668051900) by Laura Wood * Alanna: The Graphic Novel Adaptation (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781419765575) by Tamora Pierce, Vita Alaya, and Sam Beck * Promise (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780593241943) by Rachel Eliza Griffiths * The Wedding (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780385471442) by Dorothy West * Copper Script (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781912688272) by KJ Charles * Audition (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780593852323) by Katie Kitamura Also Mentioned * Eclectic Recs (https://chelsey.substack.com/t/electic-recs) * Unstacked Reads Ranked (https://tracithomas.substack.com/p/july-reads-ranked-and-august-books) * Fiction Matters Ranked Reading Recap (https://fictionmatters.substack.com/p/books-that-challenged-my-attention) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chelsey.substack.com/subscribe (https://chelsey.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)

10. 

    31 Dec 2023

    The best books He Read & She Read in 2023

    Happy New Year’s Eve! I’m so excited to share this special 2023 wrap-up podcast episode with you all. If you’ve followed my creative journey online for the last several years, you know I used to host a podcast called He Read She Read (http://hereadsheread.org/podcast/) with my husband and favorite bookstore browsing buddy, Curtis. We discussed books in a book club style format, shared recommendations based on audience requests, and discussed our different reading tastes and approaches to the reading life. It was a blast, and I learned so much about podcasting, sharing work with an audience, and generating entertaining, educational content. Curtis deployed in 2020, we had our son in 2021, and we moved in 2022. It was a LOT, and we had to put the podcast on permanent hiatus. We won’t be returning any time soon, but I thought it would be fun to bring Curtis on for a special end of year episode for my Eclectic Readers. Thank you for your continued support as I navigate new platforms and projects. I hope you enjoy today’s little blast from the past. How to listen to Substack podcasts in your podcast app. (https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/articles/4519588148244-How-do-I-listen-to-episodes-on-my-podcast-app-) Books Mentioned The Way of Kings (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780765365279) by Brandon Sanderson The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780593422946) by James McBride The Color of Water (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781594481925) by James McBride Tom Lake (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780063327528) by Ann Pachett Alexander the Great (https://amzn.to/48yIjOQ) by Philip Freeman Hannibal (https://amzn.to/48cD87r) by Philip Freeman The Ferryman (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780525619475) by Justin Cronan The Last Ranger (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780593535110) by Peter Heller The Golden Spoon (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781668008003) by Jessa Maxwell Alone at Dawn (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781538729663) by Dan Schilling More of Chelsey’s 2023 Favorites 2023 Romance Novels (https://chelsey.substack.com/p/my-favorite-romance-novels-of-2023) Out On a Limb (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781778027796) by Hannah Bonam-Young Disoriental (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781609454517) by Negar Djavadi Monsters (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780525655114) by Claire Dederer Congratulations, the Best is Over! (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780593496268) by R. Eric Thomas Family Lore (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780063207264) by Elizabeth Acevedo The Rachel Incident (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780593535707) by Caroline O’Donoghue You Could Make This Place Beautiful (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781982185855) by Maggie Smith Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781984881076) by J. Ryan Stradal A Little Devil in America (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781984801203) by Hanif Abdurraqib Some of the links in this newsletter are affiliate links. If you shop these links, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my work in this way. To find out more about my current reads, favorite things, and life updates follow me on Instagram (http://instagram.com/chelseyreads). If you’re interested in reading classic literature with accessible guidance and a cozy community, check out the Novel Pairings podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/novel-pairings/id1500764291) and Patreon (http://patreon.com/novelpairings). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chelsey.substack.com (https://chelsey.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

11. 

    30 Aug 2023

    Summer Romance Themes & Trends 2023

    To wrap up my short summer podcast series on romance novels, I’m sharing broad musings on the genre’s trends, themes, and historical context. I’m getting pretty nerdy in this episode—if you like this conversational literary criticism, I highly recommend checking out my podcast with Sara Hildreth (https://substack.com/profile/5760699-sara-hildreth): Novel Pairings (https://open.substack.com/pub/novelpairings) in which we hold educational chats like this one all the time. Today I’m discussing: * historical and social context in relation to romance novels * the trend of “wholesome romance” * starting over * tight-knit friend groups and found families * connecting today’s trends with our current moment in history * I also reference: Recipe for a Summer Romance 2023 (https://chelsey.substack.com/p/recipe-for-a-summer-romance-2023) What romance trends and themes have you noticed in your summer reading this year? I would love to discuss this more in the comments with you! Works Cited * Where are romance novels headed given the current state of women’s issues? (https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/books/sc-fam-romance-novels-future-0206-story.html) (Chicago Tribune) * The Consolation of Genre: On Reading Romance Novels (https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/consolation-genre-reading-romance-novels/) (Los Angeles Review of Books) * Fascinating Trends in Romance 2023 (https://bookriot.com/romance-novel-trends/) (Book Riot) * Popular Trends in Romance (https://www.writeforharlequin.com/popular-trends-in-romance/) (Harlequin) * Future Trends in Romance Novels (https://www.reddit.com/r/RomanceBooks/comments/iyh8ab/what_do_you_think_are_the_future_trends_for/?rdt=42485) (Reddit) * Find your next romance read with the genre’s hottest trends (https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/2517-find-your-next-romance-read-with-the-genre-s-hottest-new-trends) (Goodreads) * The Alarming Trend of the Wholesome Romance (https://time.com/6303477/red-white-and-royal-blue-wholesome-romance/) (Time) Novel Pairings: Hot takes on the buzzy books of last summer (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/128-hot-takes-on-the-buzzy-books-of-last-summer/id1500764291?i=1000625240445) & Summer book releases paired with backlist reads (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/121-sensational-summer-book-releases-paired-with/id1500764291?i=1000613205494) Chelsey This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chelsey.substack.com (https://chelsey.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

12. 

    14 Jul 2023

    Romance List Rejects

    Welcome to Recipe for a Bookish Life: the podcast! A few weeks ago, I shared the first episode in a small summer podcast series detailing my romance spice rating system (https://chelsey.substack.com/p/rating-spicy-romance-novels#details), and today I’m sharing which romance novels did NOT make it into my curated list of summer romance books: Recipe for a Summer Romance (https://chelsey.substack.com/p/recipe-for-a-summer-romance-2023). Thanks for reading Recipe for a Bookish Life! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. I read (and DNF’ed) many, many romance novels before choosing my 12 final titles, and a few popular books stood out as worthy of discussing in this episode. I also share some under-the-radar gems that, while fabulous, did not meet the criteria for my list. You can listen to this podcast episode in your internet browser, on the Substack app, or in your favorite podcast player. Here are some instructions to help you set it up (https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/articles/4519588148244-How-do-I-listen-to-episodes-on-my-podcast-app-). Books Mentioned: * The Neighbor Favor (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780593546437) by Kristina Forest * Happy Place by Emily Henry * Jana Goes Wild (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781538725450) by Farah Heron * The Fiancee Farce (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780063258495) by Alexandria Bellefleur * Desert Island Duke (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9798987329146) by Kate Bateman * A Rogue’s Rules for Seduction (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780063086296) by Eva Leigh * Knockout (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780063056794) by Sarah Maclean I’ll be back with one more summer romance episode this season. Let me know if you have specific questions, requests, or curiosities about Recipe for a Summer Romance (https://chelsey.substack.com/p/recipe-for-a-summer-romance-2023)—and feel free to share this episode with a romance reading friend. Happy Romance Reading, Chelsey Thank you for reading Recipe for a Bookish Life. This post is public so feel free to share it. Some of the links in this newsletter are affiliate links. If you shop these links, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my work in this way. To find out more about my current reads, favorite recipes, and life updates follow me on Instagram (http://instagram.com/chelseyreads). If you’re interested in reading classic literature with a cozy community and contemporary flair, check out the Novel Pairings Patreon community (https://www.patreon.com/novelpairings/). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chelsey.substack.com (https://chelsey.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

13. 

    14 Jun 2023

    Rating Spicy Romance Novels

    Welcome to Recipe for a Bookish Life: the podcast! I’m excited to experiment with this facet of Substack this summer to share behind the scenes morsels and scrumptious pairings for my curated list of summer romance novels: Recipe for a Summer Romance (https://chelsey.substack.com/p/recipe-for-a-summer-romance-2023). I’ve been podcasting in the literary space for about five years now, formerly on He Read She Read (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/he-read-she-read/id1436207095) (listen to our backlog before we permanently shelve our episodes) and now on Novel Pairings (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/novel-pairings/id1500764291), a podcast dedicated to making classic literature readable, relevant, and fun. No matter what I’m creating, be it a romance list, an Instagram post, or notes on Jane Austen’s life, I am always thinking in podcasts. I love the podcasting medium as an opportunity to share stories, conversations, and detailed thoughts—especially on books and reading. In today’s short podcast episode, I’m sharing how I created my spice scale for Recipe for a Summer Romance (https://chelsey.substack.com/p/recipe-for-a-summer-romance-2023), what I find so tricky about rating romance novels, and where to find the nuance between a number three and four spice rating. I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on spice ratings and summer romance reading in the comments. If you have specific, or sensitive, questions, feel free to send me a DM @chelseyreads (https://www.instagram.com/chelseyreads/) on Instagram. This episode does include a discussion of sex and sexy books. Nothing detailed! But I don’t think I’ve ever said the word “sex” so many times within a 10 minute span, so pop your air pods in while listening to this episode, folks. You can listen to this podcast episode in your internet browser, on the Substack app, or in your favorite podcast player (I recommend this method!). Here are some instructions to help you set it up (https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/articles/4519588148244-How-do-I-listen-to-episodes-on-my-podcast-app-). Episode Outline: * Why I’ve avoided spice ratings in the past * Why I thought a scale was necessary for Recipe for a Summer Romance (https://chelsey.substack.com/p/recipe-for-a-summer-romance-2023) * Why it was tough to conceptualize an inclusive, positive, and all encompassing spice scale * Subjective * Succinct * Nuanced * How I created my scale, with examples * A few books from my summer romance list that I found extra challenging to rate Books and Authors Mentioned: * All the Right Notes (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781538725382) by Dominic Lim * Priest (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781949364248) by Sierra Simone * The Nanny (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780593549353) by Lana Ferguson * Emily Henry (try Beach Read (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781984806734)) * Take a Hike (https://amzn.to/43WGEAb) by Mimi Grace * Business or Pleasure (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9780593548530) by Rachel Lynn Solomon * An Island Princess Starts a Scandal (https://bookshop.org/a/1154/9781335498243) by Adriana Herrera Other Links: * The Scoville Scale (https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-the-scoville-scale) * On Steaminess and Subjectivity (https://moonstruckreads.substack.com/p/on-steaminess-and-subjectivity) from Moonstruck Reads I’ll be back on the Substack podcasting platform with more summer romance episodes this season. Let me know if you have specific questions, requests, or curiosities about Recipe for a Summer Romance (https://chelsey.substack.com/p/recipe-for-a-summer-romance-2023)—and feel free to share this episode with a romance reading friend. Happy Romance Reading, Chelsey Some of the links in this newsletter are affiliate links. If you shop these links, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my work in this way. To find out more about my current reads, favorite recipes, and life updates follow me on Instagram (http://instagram.com/chelseyreads). If you’re interested in reading classic literature with a cozy community and contemporary flair, check out the Novel Pairings Patreon community (https://www.patreon.com/novelpairings/). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chelsey.substack.com (https://chelsey.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

Inside a recent episode

Fantasy plus Romance does NOT equal Romantasy

Published 23 Sept 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] And it's just now they're putting a name to it of this is a romantic genre and it incorporates things that I like. I like relationships. I like the things about ACOTAR and with the political intrigue. The things I like about the fourth wing books are everybody likes dragons. Everybody likes this. For me, I particularly like that. The school element. You like an academy. Yeah. And academy stories are good. And then for both of those series, there's really intense drama. combat there's war there's things that draw me in from my other fantasy history of you know reading lord of the rings growing up so That's yes, is the answer to your question, but it wasn't always in fantasy or sci-fi. […]

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