Jennifer Prokop 2/14/24 Jennifer Prokop 2/14/24

S06.23: Casinos, Gaming Hells, and Clubs in Romance Novels

We’re talking about gaming hells! Is it residual Derek Craven love? Probably. Why does Sarah love a casino so much? Why are we so into ladies being wagered by the idiot men in their lives? What makes these places that are so not sexy in real 2024 life so incredibly hot in a) James Bond movies, b) heist movies, and c) historical romances? We’re getting to the bottom of it—or at least, we’re going to talk about books we love. That’s the Fated Mates promise.

We’re betting you’re going to love this one! (see what we did there?)

We also talk about Fated Mates Live! Join us in Brooklyn, NY, at the gorgeous William Vale Hotel, on March 23rd, along with a collection of special guests and a roomful of other romance-obsessed listeners for a night of romance shenanigans at a live taping of Fated Mates! While we’re never sure quite how it’s going to go, we can guarantee there will be books, booze and bantr…and you’ll leave full of joy from all the fun. We’ve even got The Ripped Bodice on hand to sell books, and the room will be available for hanging with other Firebirds after the live! Tickets and info are at fatedmates.net/live.

If you just can’t get enough of us, consider joining our Patreon! You get an extra episode of banter every month and access to the Fated Mates discord, full of people who love romance as much as we do. It’s pretty great, we have to say. Learn more at patreon.com/fatedmates.

Our next read along is Heather Guerre’s Preferential Treatment, one of Sarah’s favorite romances of 2022. Get it at Amazon, or with your monthly subscription to Kindle Unlimited.

Show Notes

Get Fated Mates Live tickets for March 23, 2024 in Brooklyn.

We think that waking up married is different than casinos.

Derek Craven is of course our favorite casino-owner, but Sarah wrote a pretty famous casino series, too.

In modern times, casinos are owned by giant conglomerates and they are definitely making a ton of money, Especially this past weekend since the Superbowl was in Vegas.

The Taylor Swift Effect is real.

Have we mentioned that there are lots of movies about casinos out there in the world.

“Fuck me gently with a chainsaw” is a reference to Heathers, not a dark romance.

An explainer about fantasy sports and where they are legal.

You can join Sarah and Julia Quinn next Tuesday, February 20, online via Zoom. They'll be talking about all things Bridgerton, about romance, about reading and writing, and taking questions! Register for the free event, sponsored Illinois Libraries Present, and join them!

Books Mentioned This Episode

Dreaming of You

Devil in Winter

The Player

Prince of Broadway

One Night is Never Enough

An Earl Like You

Between the Devil and Desire

The Rake Gets Ravished

A Hellion in Her Bed

King of Diamonds

Drag Me Up

S04.25: "Waking Up Married" Romance

We’re still doomscrolling, so we’re still releasing goofy, bantr-y episodes about tropes we cannot quit! This week, we’re talking about a very specific one that we adore — Waking up Married! We talk about Vegas, about why you shouldn’t drink and espouse, about The Hangover, and about how…when a trope ain’t broke, you definitely shouldn’t fix it.

This episode is sponsored by Christi Caldwell, author of For Love of the Duke, and BetterHelp Online Therapy.

Next week, we’ve got a trailblazer episode! Our next read along is Diana Quincy’s Her Night With the Duke, which was on our Best of 2020 year-end list! Get it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Kobo, or at your local bookstore. You can also get it in audio from our partner, Chirp Books!

Show Notes

You might be wondering how Las Vegas became the wedding capital of America.

Jen and Sarah have some strong feelings about phones! The rotary phone was a real trip. Back in 1996, when Jen was in Houston doing TFA, they added 281 to the Houston area codes (yes, she said zip code on the pod, but you know what she meant!), but by now we’re over having area code pride.

Meanwhile, we still want to know why international dialing is so expensive.

I’m sorry to report that we don’t ever think we’ll have a Fated Mates Discord, and whatever Quordle is, that’s not the way Jen’s brain works.

Help us make a Fated Mates glossary by filling out this form.

You should all listen to On Being with Krista Tippet, which is a podcast dedicated to answering questions about what it means to be human.

It’s not wonder kid, it’s wunderkind. Just ask Nate.

Not that kind of Prince Albert.

The Hangover is a very funny movie.