Jennifer Prokop 5/15/24 Jennifer Prokop 5/15/24

S06.36: The Romance Matriarchy: Moms, Grandmothers, and Aunties

We don’t often talk about secondary characters in romance, but this week, we’re talking about the women who provide wisdom, council and laughs in romance—moms, grandmothers and aunties! We talk about the shocking epidemic of orphaned main characters in romance, about how extended family provides nuance in the books, and about our very favorite mothers, grandmothers, aunties and adopted older ladies in books.

Thanks to all the women who provide care and sage advice out in the world. We appreciate you.

Our next read along is Joanna Shupe’s The Devil of Downtown, from her Uptown Girls trilogy. It’s Jen’s favorite in the series. Get it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple or your local indie.

Happy anniversary to our founding Patreon members — May marks one year of our Patreon and our Discord! We love you a whole lot. Learn more about the Patreon and go join those cool people who love romance as much as we do at patreon.com/fatedmates.

Notes

Crush, the new apple ad is honestly so bleak, and the backlash was so extreme that they pulled the ad. Look how easily they could have made it cool, though.
The Matriarchy isn’t just a dream, as it turns out.
The Gaza Evacuation Fund Auction raised $160,000 and it’s not too late to donate to one of the funds of people trying to get to safety.

Books Mentioned This Episode

Genevieve by Loretta Chase

Amber Lynn by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Violet Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

Grandma Frieda by Ilona Andrews

(Evil) Grandmother Victoria by Ilona Andrews

Grandmother Iris by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward

Miss Della by Tia Williams

Kareena's Aunties by Nisha Sharma

Lips Like Sugar by Jess K Hardy

Simply the best by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Island Affair by Priscilla Olivers

Our Moms are Besties by Mac Marvel

06.11: Rend by Roan Parrish & the Lift 4 Autism Auction

This week, we’re doing things a little differently! A while back, we donated an episode for bid in the Lift 4 Autism auction, arranged by friend of the pod, Kennedy Ryan. Listener Julie won (thanks, Julie!) and selected Roan Parrish’s Rend for a deep dive read along, which we were so happy to do! After a shocking amount of Bantr, here it is — we’re talking about POV, about sadness in romances, about the way romance represents loneliness, and more.

We’re also taking a bit of time to recommend a group of books that have autism spectrum rep on page and that we, members of our Discord, and other authors adore. Enjoy!

If you want more Fated Mates in your life, please join our Patreon, which comes with an extremely busy and fun Discord community! Join other magnificent firebirds to hang out, talk romance, and be cool together in a private group full of excellent people. Learn more at patreon.com.