My Perfect Romance

About My Perfect Romance

Valerie, Courtney and Lisa share and discuss all things romance whether it be books, movies, love stories or your stories.

Publisher

Valerie, Courtney & Lisa

Category

arts · society & culture · tv & film

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

18 Sept 2024

Latest episode

28 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

113 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   28 Oct 2026

   111 | Lights Out by Navessa Allen - MPR Takes a Deep Dive into Stalker Tropes, Morally Grey Heroes & Dark Romance

   Today we reviewd, Lights Out by Navessa Allen This episode covers a dark romantic comedy with heavy kink, stalking, trauma, and consent issues, while also asking a bigger question: can two deeply damaged people build something real from an intentionally unreal setup? Val, Courtney, and Lisa unpack the chemistry, the ethical gray areas, and the emotional logic behind the story’s “mask and anonymity” dynamic, and whether the relationship could actually last. Key Topics In this episode, the hosts break down Lights Out by Navessa Allen, a 2024 dark romantic comedy that blends horror, humor, and kink. They discuss Allie, an overworked ER trauma nurse who uses adrenaline, intense workouts, and dark online content as escapism after a devastating loss. They explore Josh, the masked thirst-trap creator, whose own childhood trauma and identity crisis stem from being the son of a notorious serial killer. The conversation centers on the book’s central kink setup, including masked roleplay, power exchange, voyeurism, and the tension between fantasy and real-world boundaries. The hosts note that both leads are high-functioning but deeply guarded, using intensity and sexual risk as a way to avoid emotional vulnerability. They spend time on the biggest ethical question in the book: Josh’s stalking and surveillance are deeply violating, even if the story frames parts of it as kink-adjacent and eventually consensual. They compare Josh’s fear that he is becoming like his father with Allie’s fear that she may hurt the people she loves if she ever slows down or gets close. The discussion also covers the “real villain” in the book, a wealthy sociopath whose violence raises the stakes and pushes Josh into a protective role. The hosts reflect on how the story uses fear, desire, and trauma bonding to create intimacy, and how that can be compelling on the page even when it would be alarming in real life. They also touch on the book’s humor, especially the cat Fred, and praise the writing for making a very strange premise surprisingly readable. Connect With Us If you have a romantic movie or a must-read book suggestion, a tricky “what would you do?” scenario for us, or you've published your own romance, we are also eager to hear from you! Go to our website, and send us a quick message or fill out the query form if you'd like to interview with us. My Perfect Romance Website MPR on Instagram MPR on TikTok MPR on YouTube Before you go... make sure to follow and rate or review our show. Your support and feedback means everything to us! Coming Up: The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros Safekeeping with Claudia Hinz Pearl Harb...

2. 

   21 Oct 2026

   110 | WWYD #21 when a boyfriend's best friend keeps tagging along

   WWYD #21 Who am I dating? When a boyfriend’s best friend keeps tagging along Val, Lisa Owens, and MPR unpack a listener dilemma about boundaries, couple time, and a best friend who acts like he’s automatically included in every plan. The conversation focuses on whether the boyfriend is truly respecting his partner’s needs, or just avoiding conflict by letting his friend steamroll the relationship. They also dig into whether the friend is simply clueless, lonely, or trying to force his way into a throuple. Key topics We discuss a boyfriend’s best friend who keeps showing up to dates, movie nights, and trips without being invited. Val frames the issue as a boundary problem, especially after the friend bought a non refundable airline ticket for a couple’s trip. Lisa points out that unclear relationship rules can make someone think they are welcome when they are not. The hosts question whether the boyfriend is actually enforcing boundaries or just pacifying his partner in the moment. They explore whether the friend has no other social circle, is socially unaware, or may be overly dependent on the boyfriend. The group considers whether the friend’s behavior is innocent cluelessness or something more intentional. They discuss how the girlfriend should protect couple time without forcing an unnecessary ultimatum. The hosts emphasize that a boundary is about what you will accept, not just what you want someone else to do. Practical advice centers on keeping the trip separate, not sharing full plans, and making it clear that the destination does not make it a shared vacation. The episode closes with a reminder that the hosts are not professionals and that listeners should seek professional advice when needed. Timestamps 00:00 - Cat cameo and setup for a listener advice question 00:30 - The boyfriend’s best friend keeps joining every plan 01:48 - Why vague relationship expectations create confusion 03:00 - The listener already tried talking to her boyfriend 03:57 - The friend buys a non refundable ticket anyway 05:33 - Is he clueless, lonely, or trying to force inclusion? 07:03 - Are they secretly in a throuple? 08:15 - The real issue: boyfriend avoids discomfort with his friend 10:47 - Why the friend’s behavior may come from social inexperience 12:43 - Possible compromise: include him sometimes, but not this trip 13:29 - Did the boyfriend actually agree, or just pacify her? 15:24 - Why avoidanc: they are not professionals Notable quotes “A boundary is not an expectation of an action from someone else. A boundary is what you're willing to expose yourself to.” “He needs to be her safe place.” “He can talk about things after you've done them with his best friends. And yeah, I mean, it's okay just take time, just the two of you.”e keeps the boundary problem alive 16:23 - A possible social coaching solution for the friend 17:38 - How to keep the trip private and separate 20:34 - When sharing flight details becomes a boundary breach 21:29 - Why people who cross boundaries often test how far they can go 22:36 - Final advice: separate trips, no shared plans, no invites 23:34 - Moving forward, the couple needs an agreement about the third party 26:00 - Closing reminder WWYD #21 Who am I dating? When a boyfriend’s best friend keeps tagging along Val, Lisa Owens, and MPR unpack a listener dilemma about boundaries, couple time, and a best friend...

3. 

   14 Oct 2026

   109 | The Bride: a gothic love story about voice, choice, and becoming

   The Bride: a gothic love story about voice, choice, and becoming Valerie and Lisa unpack The Bride, a stylized 1930s horror romance that is as much about consent and selfhood as it is about monsters. They discuss how Maggie Gyllenhaal’s film turns a Frankenstein story into a layered conversation about silence, power, healing, and what it means to choose someone and be chosen in return.In this episode, the hosts explore why the film is emotionally heavy, visually striking, and far more romantic than expected. They also connect its themes to real relationship dynamics, from learning to speak up to repairing trust after harm. Key topics Valerie and Lisa frame The Bride as a “heavy” film with strong metaphor, not a background watch Maggie Gyllenhaal is credited as writer, director, and producer, and her stylistic vision is praised throughout Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale are singled out for especially strong performances The film’s family connection is noted, with Peter Sarsgaard and Jake Gyllenhaal involved in the cast The opening image of the bride vomiting black ink becomes a symbol of words unspoken and silenced trauma The repeated phrase “I’d rather not” is treated as the film’s central statement about consent and agency Frank begins as shy, inarticulate, and deeply lonely, but grows into a more direct and protective partner The movie theater scene is read as a moment about public boundary-setting and speaking up for another woman The movie’s Frankenstein roots are discussed, including the original bride’s silence and refusal The ending is interpreted as a full-circle reversal where the bride chooses herself, her name, and her future Timestamps (09:30) Introducing October horror and the film’s unexpected romance (10:17) Why The Bride is not a light watch (11:13) Maggie Gyllenhaal’s stylistic approach and production scale (12:10) A “five-course meal” movie with heat, metaphor, and density (14:09) Jessie Buckley, Christian Bale, and the strength of the cast (15:03) The family connection behind the cast and creative team (16:13) Why the movie feels like a wild mix of influences (17:27) Mary Shelley, Frankenstein history, and the original bride (19:48) Why the original Bride of Frankenstein matters here (21:10) The bride’s introduction and the nightclub setting (22:13) The meaning of “I’d rather not” and the first act of refusal (24:39) Frank’s loneliness, humility, and desire for connection (27:23) Reanimating the bride and the symbolism of black ink (30:02) Domesticity, grooming, and Frank learning he must change (31:15) Movies, dancing, and the first big steps into the world (35:15) The alley attack and Frank defending her (37:28) Speaking up for another woman in the theater (39:27) Frank’s response shows he is growing, not threatened (41:47) Their outlaw road trip begins like a weird Bonnie and Clyde romance (43:34) The train, the officer, and the danger of being recognized (44:46) The detectives, the mob, and the larger women’s story (47:09) Meeting Ronnie Reed and the pain of celebrity disappointment (48:28) The women’s movement and the black face paint symbol (49:32) The bride’s memory starts contradicting Frank’s story (50:21) Questions about their past and the proposal story (51:50) Another boundary crossed, another “no” ignored (52:46) The drive-in reveal and the truth coming to light (53:37) She cla...

Who has been a guest on My Perfect Romance

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Scarlett Xavier
• Darren
• Casey
• Tara
• Gary

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

11

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

8 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

8 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 66 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

87

Social presence

0

YouTube

63

Engagement

51

Contact My Perfect Romance

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about My Perfect Romance