Bridget and Shani hang out with bookstagrammer Amanda from @AmandasBookClub_, and things immediately go off the rails in the best way possible. Amanda, a self-proclaimed “dummy reader”, aka here for a good time, not a grammar check, is deep in her fantasy romance era—dragons, vampires, Omegaverse, you name it.
The trio dives into book club disasters (Viola Davis’ biography? Not the smut they signed up for), romance tropes that own their souls, and The Summer I Turned Pretty drama (Belly is the problem, actually). Also on the table: Loch Ness Monster smut, an absurd amount of orc fluids, and the eternal battle of Stefan vs. Damon. It’s chaotic, it’s hilarious, and it’s the kind of unhinged book chat every romance reader needs in their life
We decided:
Romance books don't need to be serious; let's embrace the joy of ridiculous plots like vampires and aliens, shall we?
Being a mood reader means I might dive into a rom-com one day and a dark fantasy the next, because who needs consistency?
We can all agree that if a book has dragons or shifters, it's an instant win in the fun department, right?
It's a wild ride trying to escape reading slumps, but sometimes you just gotta reread your faves and hope for the best.
Why read serious biographies when you can enjoy a rom-com about being abducted by aliens? Life's too short for boring books!
The absurdity of love triangles in books is just that: absurd, but somehow we keep falling for them, don't we?
Bridget has read all these books and they're unhinged in the best way. Orc Sworn by Finley Fenn
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Welcome to Romance at a Glance, a podcast that uses romance novels to dive into candid conversations about life, relationship dynamics, and sexual desires.
As hosts Bridget and Shani review books and interview some of romance's biggest authors, they explore the breadth of the genre, openly embracing the sex, diverse couplings, and taboos to create a safe space for listeners to be exposed to different lifestyles, fantasies, and to pique their naughty curiosity.
Expect 100% honest reviews, spontaneous singing, life lessons, indecent anecdotes, and bawdy humor.
Oh, well, hello everyone, and welcome to an episode of Romance at a Glance. I'm your host, Bridget, and with me today I have my co host, Shani. Hi, Shani.
Shani:
Hi, Bridget. Excited to be here.
Bridget:
I'm excited to be here too, because we have a special co host, guest Amanda from Bookstagram.
Shani:
Hi, Amanda.
Amanda:
Hi, everyone.
Bridget:
Tell everyone a little bit about what your favorite things to read are and a little bit about what you cover on your Bookstagram.
Amanda:
Okay, I was prepared for this. Let me see. So I have this.
Okay, I wanna first start by saying I have this video that did pretty well on my Instagram and my TikTok where I call myself a dummy reader. And what I mean by that is basically like very much low maintenance. Very like, I'm not the person who's gonna pick out the plot holes.
I'm not the person who's gonna catch grammar errors. I'm there for a good time. I'm enjoying whatever the author is telling me. I believe them.
So that's kind of like what I review on my Bookstagram and Booktok. Like, just really fun books. Fantasy, romance. I'm trying to get into thriller this summer. It's not really working.
Fantasy has me in a chokehold right now. But yeah, like, I'm really like dragons, you know, vampires. Shifter. Omegaverse. If y'all in the building.
Bridget:
Yeah, so.
Amanda:
So that's pretty much. I'm like a very fun book person. And before, I used to be really like, okay, like one time I went to this book event and it was like serious books.
And I was like, yeah, like I'm.
Shani:
Reading Blood of Hercules, you know?
Amanda:
Yeah. You know, why choose. And then to explain that. It was so funny. But yeah, I'm like a fun book.
That's what I would describe myself as, like, really fun books.
Bridget:
I did see that TikTok and it was very funny. And I love your Instagram because it's so relatable. It's just like, guys, they're vampires. Let them be vampires. Let's just enjoy it. Okay?
Let the monsters be monsters. Let's just have fun.
Amanda:
Exactly. Yeah.
Bridget:
I also recently joined a book club in my neighborhood. And when I tell you. When they told me the first book we were reading was Viola Davis's biography, I was shocked.
Amanda:
Oh, my goodness.
Bridget:
Oh, it's kind of that book. I didn't know it was gonna be a bunch of.
Amanda:
Nothing against Viola. You know what I mean? Nothing against Viola.
Bridget:
Well, and then I go, no, she's wonderful. And I'm sure the book is great because her life Is fascinating and she's awesome. But also, I thought it was gonna be a fict.
And then I was like, oh, what did you read last month? Like, hoping they. Hoping they were gonna say, you know, like some fantasy book or just fiction in general or romance or something.
And I was like, oh, this is gonna be okay. Well, perhaps I won't be available every month. We shall see.
Shani:
But maybe they'll all be really nice.
Bridget:
And maybe I can steer them into a more exciting direction.
Amanda:
Exactly. Or maybe they'll grab you.
Bridget:
You know what? Maybe I'll just be reading biographies all the time. You guys, I actually do enjoy a good biography every now and again.
If the person's life is interesting. And I will listen on audible if it is someone who's funny. Like Kevin Hart's biography. If you guys didn't listen to it. Phenomenal to listen to.
Amanda:
I can see that. I can see that. He's really funny.
Bridget:
Yeah. Tina Fey, because her delivery is so good.
Shani:
I like Tina Fey.
Bridget:
So any comedian who writes a biography and they read their own biography, I would listen to that. Or I would read. I mean, I do, guys. I read. It's not like I don't read other stuff. I didn't know.
Okay, well, you guys, we are going to rag on romance, and we're going to talk about all kinds of books that Amanda likes and doesn't like, and all of the monsters and the fun peoples and all the good stuff. So let's get it popping. Romance at a glitch. Romance at a glance.
Shani:
What'd you say now? Romance at a glance.
Bridget:
Go ahead. When you are deciding what to read next, are you a planner? Like, oh, I have my tbr. I read in order. I know when it comes out.
Or are you, like, letting just the world come to you like me, where you're like, oh, but I've seen this author, and now I've read everything that they've ever written. And now I will move on to a new book series.
Amanda:
That is a really good question. I'm actually a mood reader, so none of the above. Like, I really. I don't even know how I decide what I'm reading.
Like, sometimes I'll pick a book and I'm like, I'm really gonna read this? Because I had it on my shelf for a long time and I love it.
And then, like, Amazon package will come with a new book, and I'm like, okay, yeah, obviously I'm gonna read this and I'll throw the book that I plan to read. You know what? I'm saying away. And yeah, like, I'm such a mood reader. Like, it depends on how I'm feeling.
Like, sometimes I'm like, ah, this is fantasy is too serious right now. Let me go back to Mafia romance, you know? Or I'm reading the Mafia and I'm like, this is heavy. Let me go back to fantasy.
Like, it' yeah, I'm so, like, all over the place. I do aspire to be, like, organized because I have a lot of books on my tbr.
But I just don't think that that's the life, you know, that was chosen for me.
Bridget:
I don't think it is for me either. And I started a book podcast. And then I quickly realized, like, oh, I made a mistake.
Because when we interview authors, like, right now I'm booking someone for May, which is awesome. I'm excited to talk to this author. I'm excited to read this book at this moment. But in May, who knows where I'll be?
Amanda:
Who knows where I'll be? Yeah.
Bridget:
And I will read the book. I always do. But sometimes I'm like, but I just wanted to read this other book today. And now I have to read this book. And then I stop my little thing.
Shani:
We thought we were going to read start this year off with billionaires. We were talking about it and we're like, you know what? We're in a billionaire's mood. Let's. Let's read.
You know, sometimes we'll chunk them together, like, read three or four together. We read one, and it was underwhelming and we were like, you know what? Let's pivot.
Bridget:
Let's just move right on. Let's. Luckily, the next book saved me. We just finished reading I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now I'm Trapped in a rom com by Kimberly Lemming.
Amanda:
Oh, wow.
Bridget:
And it's like an alien sci fi rom com. It's excellent. It's excellent. Five stars. And I was so happy to dip in because I was like, joy is alive. Joy is alive in my heart again. The slump.
The slump has ended and I'm back.
Amanda:
Yes.
Bridget:
When you're in a slump, do you go for a book you've already read that you know will get you out of it? Or are you, like, go for, like, an author that you know, like, oh, they have a new book. I know. I was like, their books.
Amanda:
You know what? That's so funny. Like, I have not reread a book in a really long time. Like, I don't really reread. I kind of just stay in the slump. And I just.
Like, I'm so sad about it. And then I scroll through, like, TikTok, and everybody's talking about what they're reading, and I punish myself. I'm like, you should be reading.
Like, that's literally what I do. And it's so bad because it doesn't help me out. The slump.
Bridget:
And then you've got yourself in there.
Amanda:
Literally. Literally. And then, like, I just get out of it, and I'm like, okay, we're gonna read. Like, I don't know. It's so weird.
It really is the weirdest thing.
That's why when I'm talking to someone else about their slump, and they're like, I just reread this really good book, and I'm like, what a great method. You know what I mean? Like, that's. But, yeah, no, like, I just.
My slump, like, has a mind of its own, and it'll go away, and I'm like, yeah, I'm free, but then it'll come back.
Bridget:
Wait, so if Yuri, for instance, we were both talking online about Oathbound is coming out by Tracy Dion, which is book number three, which I'm so excited about. But you won't reread book one and two before three. You just trust your memory.
Amanda:
No. Okay. No. Actually, fun fact. I have a terrible memory.
But what happened was I was in such a reading slump after Legendborn, I ended up waiting so long that it was February, and I was like, oh, I could just read Bloodmark now and then when I wanted to read Bloodmark, I was still like, well, obviously, I wasn't in a long reading slump. It happened, like, on and off. But I was like, I don't care if I'm in a reading slump. I'm reading Bloodmark because.
Because Oathbound comes out next month. And so I kind of force myself. So, no, I don't rely on memory. I just, like, I'm just winging it.
Which is ironic because in everyday life, I'm so, like, organized and, like, just, you know, plan, plan, plan. But, like, when I'm reading, like, I don't know who this person is. Like, I'm just like, whatever. Whatever goes.
Bridget:
So you're gonna go, like, you'll go into a book three and, like, kind of remember, like, oh, they're kind of giving you a little pieces of exposition, I guess, about the last books. Oh, well. And then before, when we were in the forest, and you're like, oh, yeah.
Shani:
They were in the forest.
Amanda:
Yeah. And I think when I really like books, I get so obsessed with it that I like. Okay. I don't remember any, like, other.
Like, when you read so much, you read and then you forget what it's about. Well, that's what I do. But, like, when I really love a book, I obsess over it and those details stick in my mind. Yeah.
Like, I'm still thinking about Bri and Cell. Like, I'm still thinking about Nick. I'm like, alice, girl, are you okay? So that's like, gonna be in my mind until Oathbound, so I'm good.
Bridget:
Okay. Well, while we're here, can we talk really quickly about how I am hoping that it is y choose? I am desperately, desperately hoping for y cheese.
Shani has not read these book series yet. I'm not spoiling anything for you right now.
Amanda:
Oh, my God.
Bridget:
Desperately. And I had. I had hope when they were in. I'm not spoiling too much from the second book.
But, like, when they were in the dreamscape in the set, when they both went to the dreamscape and they were leaning against the wall together, like, looking at her, I was like, yes, we are close. We are close.
Amanda:
I know.
Bridget:
Cells already said that he was, like, in love with him as a child or like a young teenager.
Amanda:
Exactly.
Bridget:
And I'm like, the door is there for which us all to fly through.
Amanda:
Exactly. And that's why I'm so scared. Because I'm like, she's setting it up. Like. Like, we're not making this up. We see it.
Like, everybody that I've talked to have seen it, but I'm like, what are you going to do with it, though? Because she. I feel like she's having fun with our reactions.
Bridget:
I think so.
Amanda:
I'm just like, she's. What are you gonna do with it? She's gonna try with us. Yeah. Yes. But I also said, like, if it's not why choose, then it has to be so.
Because I will lose. Like, I can't lose another love triangle. Like, I was a step in girly if you watch Vampire Diaries.
Bridget:
No, you were.
Amanda:
I was a step in girl.
Bridget:
Who are you? I was a step in girl off our podcast.
Amanda:
I was a step in girl and I was going through hell watching the rest of the seasons.
Bridget:
Like, here's my thing about Stefan is part 100% not a Stephan girly. However, I think they did him and Caroline the dirtiest because Carol and Klaus, you have to admit, Caroline and Claus should have been endgame.
Amanda:
Okay. I will admit. Okay.
Bridget:
They had the best chemistry.
Amanda:
Don't kick me off for this one. I like Sterling I did like, Starline. I did. I was like. Because I'm a friends to lovers girl, so them like, having that friendship.
And then for her to be, like, the one who told him, like, kind of like Elena, Damon are like, they're hooking up. And he was like, what? So, like, I like that.
But I do agree that, like, Caroline and Klaus had, like, such great chemistry, and it was a perfect enemies to lovers. And, yeah, Julie just hated us.
Bridget:
I wanted them, like, what I wanted was her to jump to the other series when Vampire Diaries ended.
Amanda:
Yeah, that would have been good.
Bridget:
But then they couldn't do that because they had the Stefan storyline. And I'm like, can't we just add another character for him to fall? Does it have to be original people? Like, let's. Can we buy a new character?
Amanda:
Exactly. But then also, she couldn't go to originals because Cami. You know what I mean? Like, Klaus and Cammie.
And I'm not gonna lie, I did like Klaus and Cami. Like, they were cute.
Bridget:
I didn't hate it. But it was not the same.
Amanda:
No.
Bridget:
Yeah.
Amanda:
No, it wasn't. They just had built up Caroline and Klaus just to do nothing with it. I think that was the issue.
Bridget:
Yeah. Okay, wait. What other love triangles are you feeling like you're losing? Are winning triangles of the day?
I didn't read. I read book one. I read book One and that. No, I only watched the show.
Bridget:
Yeah, Okay. I didn't read the books either. And I only watched the show and I jellyfish for life. I mean, yes.
Amanda:
You know, I heard in the books that Jeremiah cheated on her, so I.
Bridget:
Was like, yeah, you know, I don't know if they're going to do that in the show, though.
Shani:
They should.
Bridget:
Okay. So one of my favorite things of books translating to shows and movies, one of my favorite and least favorite is that they can evolve.
So I like it when they evolve in a good way. And I hate it when they add unnecessary stuff and you're like, you had to cut out a bunch of this book. Why are you adding stuff?
Like, you already cut everything out? Like, just use this in the book. But in this case, I think it's interesting because when the books are written, I feel, like, problematic. Why?
Like, why a books with sort of, like, problematic boyfriends ended up being the winner? So, like, he's mean to her.
He, like, sort of discards her he doesn't treat her well, but then he would end up being like, the one she chooses at the end, sort of against her maybe better judgment.
And I feel like, from what I've heard, I didn't read it, from what I've read online, is that he, like, the only thing they could do to make like the reader's not like Jeremiah is like, make him cheat on her. That's like the ultimate sin. But, like, before that, he, like, treats her well and he's kind to her.
Like, in the show, he's always, like, thinking of her feelings and like, I thought you'd be hungry. And so, like. But because I didn't read the books and I'm just watching the show from the point of, like, a show watcher, I'm like.
But, like, I want her to choose Jeremiah because I want us all to have evolved to, like, choose the one who treats you right. You know what I mean? Even though that darker one, he's. You know, they have that, like, delicious energy together.
But also I'm like, he's mean to her sometimes. And I don't think you should marry the one who's mean to you. You should marry the nice one who's going to treat you right for the rest of your life.
But that's like. That's more of just like. But like, 15 years ago, I would have been like, well, obviously Conrad.
Amanda:
Yeah. You know what's so funny? That's actually why I picked Stefan, like, for the nice. Like, he was just really nice.
But I think, okay, like, not excusing him, but he definitely had an amazing excuse for why he was the way he was. Like, when found out everything that he was dealing with.
I think my thing, like, at first I was liking Jeremiah, but I think I was like, if I was Jeremiah's best friend, I would tell him not to date Belly because I'm like, she spent.
Bridget:
So.
Amanda:
You know what I mean? Yeah, that's what I'm like, she spent. She was not thinking about you. Like, it was always Conrad for her.
And so, like, I was thinking about it from that standpoint. I'm like, her number one has always been her number one. And I wouldn't even want to ever be anybody's number two.
And if it was my best friend, I wouldn't want him to be anybody's number two. So I was like, I just can't get on board with it.
Bridget:
Yeah, very true. I mean, yeah, she's the problem. Like, she's the Taylor Swift song. Hi, it's me. I'm The.
Amanda:
Literally, yeah.
Bridget:
What, like, books are you recently, like, reading or loving or excited to tell the people it's about?
Amanda:
Okay, I am reading. I don't know which one, but I'm reading one of the books that I got drunk. And, like, the one you just talked about.
I think I'm reading the very first one. I'm still, like, reading it on Kindle. I haven't, like. Like, I'm, like, 1% in, but I know that I'm gonna love it because just the titles are so fun.
Yeah. I'm excited, obviously, for Oathbound to come out. Like, I'm losing my mind. I was literally losing my mind after Bloodmark.
Like, I was like, how is everybody just walking around? Okay. Like, this book didn't shatter my heart.
Bridget:
Like, thank you.
Amanda:
It was. It was. Yeah. I was, like, crashing out bad.
Bridget:
I read. So I got them from the library so I could reread them, and I read. Let's see, today's Wednesday.
Tuesday, I read all of Bloodmarked, and Monday I read all of. And my kids are like, my husband and my kids are like, you're from. You're done with both already? They're so big, and I'm like, well, they're so good.
And I finished book number one, and my husband was like, what are we gonna have for dinner? And I was like, I don't know. That's a you problem, because I only have 10 pages left.
And then I, like, closed the book, and I, like, slammed it shut, and I was just like, it's such a good book. And then I, like, skipped into the kitchen. I was like, my face is all red. So I was just like, it's just so good. I'm just so excited. I'm just excited.
Amanda:
I'm also. Oh, yeah. Like, I'm also about to start, like, if my mood reading doesn't kick in. And, like, we're going to read something else. Lore of the Wilds.
Because that has been on my TBR for the longest. It's also a love triangle, too, in there, though. So I'm like, this one just destroyed me. I'm gonna jump into another one.
But, like, oh, this is whatever. But I think that is it for right now. Like, what else? Yeah, I don't think I'm reading anything. Oh, I just read My Dark Prince by Park.
What is his name? Park. I forgot his name. I'm so L.J. shen and somebody else. It's, like, in the series of books.
Bridget:
And Parker as Huntington.
Amanda:
Yes, yes, yes. I loved My Dark Romeo and the Second one. I didn't love this one, but I didn't hate it.
Like, it was good, but it wasn't as good as, like, the first and second one.
Bridget:
To me, it's like my dark Romeo and my dark desire.
Amanda:
Yes. Oh, my God. Like, my. My dark Romeo was like, my. Like, I love that one so much.
Like, Dallas and Romeo, like, they had cracking up, like, the whole entire book. I was just like, yo, this is so good.
Bridget:
Nice. Oh, arranged marriage with a cruel billionaire. Shani, maybe that's the one we need. Maybe that's the billionaire we've been waiting for.
Amanda:
Very entertaining. Let's try it.
Shani:
Because, like, right now, the escapism that I need in my life, I just need to escape. And I want to think of somebody with a lot of money.
Bridget:
I know. You know what? Shani sent me a list or, like, a video of yesterday is where billionaires hang out in Chicago. The restaurants and the places.
Amanda:
And then I read, and I was.
Bridget:
Like, I'm already married. You don't even live here. I don't need this information.
Shani:
I wrote underneath it, bridget, take me there.
Bridget:
I mean, I. And then I wrote back. I have been to the second one. It's a very fancy cocktail bar.
The cocktails are, like, the cheapest one's like, $50 for a cocktail. It's crazy. Oh, my God. It's really cool, though. Okay, I will give a shout out to this place. It's called Alenia. It's a. Oh, wait, no.
Alenia is the restaurant. What is the cocktail place next to it called? Aviary in Chicago. And I would rec. Even though it is crazy expensive.
If you go, it's in Fulton Market, which is west of downtown. If you go, I would recommend it merely for the fact that it's, like, art. If you love cocktails and you love, like, food, art and stuff like that.
When they bring you the stuff, like, everything is so cool.
It's like an ice cube, and then you crack the ice cube and then the cocktails inside of it, or everything's smoking, or they bring this little, like, thing, and they, like, cook it next to the thing where you're sitting. Or they bring it in this, like, really cool glass. And, like, as it. It.
As you drink it down, it adds more and more herbs to it, so the flavor of it changes throughout the meal. Like, it is so cool. It is definitely expensive.
And it is not somewhere that I personally have the funds to be going all the time, but for, like, a once. And, oh, I'm gonna go to this, you know, I've never had the food, so I don't know. But the cocktail place is awesome.
It's like this, this dark room and you just feel like. Like a cool ass badass who's drinking a fancy cocktail. And like, you're a fancy person and I'm not. But it feels like it for that one moment in time.
Where are you based? Actually, I forget.
Amanda:
I am based in New York. No, not Atlanta.
Bridget:
New York.
Amanda:
I'm a New Yorker.
Bridget:
Okay. Because there were two Oathbound book parties. You're doing the New York one, and then someone else I was looking at was doing the.
Amanda:
Yeah, someone's doing one in Atlanta. And yeah, I've been sharing a bunch of them. Yeah, like, I've been trying to share like a bunch of them, like, for people who want to like, go.
And they're not like, in New York. So like. But yeah, they're. They're happening like. And I'm like, yes.
Bridget:
Like, yeah, I'm excited. But also, I told my husband, I was like, there's no way. I first, I personally go to bed at like 30. Yeah. The party doesn't start till till 10.
And then you have to wait till midnight to get your book and take it home. And the one in Chicago, where I live, is like an hour, probably in.
Amanda:
The middle of the night.
Bridget:
It's like a solid hour. And I'm like, I'm gonna be driving home at like 1 in the morning.
Amanda:
Like, yeah, no, it's. It's definitely insane. I don't know like what I was thinking, obviously, because definitely I'm in bed by like 10 kind of girl. And I'm like.
And my boyfriend, when I told my boyfriend about it, he was like, midnight release party.
Bridget:
Oh.
Amanda:
And I'm like, I know. You know what I mean?
Bridget:
I know.
Amanda:
I get it. But like, yeah, I think if anything would bring me out, it's that it's Oathbound, like, you know.
Bridget:
Oh, for sure. I know. I'm like, can. Can I have like, at some release. You know, do like a breakfast release party?
Amanda:
Yeah, right. I was like, how about five? No. Okay.
Shani:
I think like, well, I'm just like, like being from Miami and having like party start at midnight and raving into the morning. Like, it just sounds cool to do like midnight release party.
Amanda:
But then.
Shani:
But then like, when I moved to LA, they closed the clubs at like 1:30, like, lights up or whatever. And I remember this. I remember the first night I was out and I was like, I got there at midnight and I was dancing for like one hour.
And then the lights went up and I was like, what the fuck is this? But then I realized. But then I realized it was so great because I would tell people, like, when.
When the lights would go on, I'd be like, man, this sucks, man. People don't know how to party in la. But then secretly, I would take my ass to bed and I'd be like, this is fantastic. This is fantastic.
Amanda:
That is hilarious.
Shani:
I don't know how to get down. But I think that's so cool that.
Amanda:
You guys are doing that.
Shani:
Like, I love that.
I think when we got into doing this podcast and stuff, it was right before the pandemic, and Bridget and I were like, we're gonna have events, we're gonna do retreats, we're gonna go to festivals, we're gonna go to every bookcon. We're gonna. We're go. So we can throw our own book con. Like, we had all these ideas of, like, grandeur of what we were going to do.
Bridget:
And then Covid started, and I was like, well, I won't leave my house for the next 18 months.
Shani:
So I like.
So I like that I'm hearing that more stuff is going on and popping up and that people are taking the initiative to throw that because, like, at the end of the day, somebody's got to do the labor for everybody wants it to happen, and the labor is not so fun.
Amanda:
Exactly. Like, I'm. I'm actually freaking out about it. Like, I was like, okay, like, what are we gonna have? What are we gonna do?
Like, and then my, like, the person that I'm, like, collabing with, she's so amazing, but I feel like she's more chill than I am about it because she's like, okay, this is gonna. And I'm like, no, like, it's coming up. It's coming up soon. We gotta. And I'm like, okay, let me calm down. So it's.
Yeah, I think definitely the labor is a lot. I think what I'm holding on to, though, is that, like, if we weren't doing it, one wouldn't be happening in New York.
And, like, there's a lot of people who, like, want to get together. They want to talk about this series, they want to, like, meet other.
Like, some people don't have book friends at all, and they want to meet other people who are interested in books. And, like, you know, if I could be a part of providing a space like that, I'm like, that's really cool. So, like, yeah, I'm gonna stay my.
I Don't know if I'm curious. I'm gonna stay my butt, you know, up past 12.
Shani:
Yeah. We talk about alien jizz.
Bridget:
We talk a lot. A lot of weird stuff on this podcast.
Amanda:
That's what I like.
Bridget:
I remember early on, we read this book and a dragon shifter, and. But, like, while he was in dragon form, there was a lot of, like, foreplay, like, a lot of vibes. The vibes reviving.
So we get on the podcast and we start the episode. And then I was like, oh, sh. And I said, she's like, oh, how's it going? And I was like, johnny, did you think she's gonna fuck that dragon?
And she's like, yeah, I did, because I thought she was gonna. That dragon. She did. I mean, he shifted back to human and she had sex with him. But, like, I thought she was. I mean, like, it was starting to get real.
Amanda:
Oh.
Bridget:
And I was like, what book is that? She was like, sliding down his scales. It's by G.A. aiken.
Amanda:
Okay.
Bridget:
I actually just recommended this to someone the other day. It is called. Hold on one second.
Shani:
The funniest part of that is we had one episode in the very beginning where we were like, should we try to keep this, like, PG 13 or whatever? And then, like, that book, we were like, there's no way to talk about romance as a.
Bridget:
No, no. PG 13.
Amanda:
Not at all.
Bridget:
a fantasy romance. It's from:
Hot abs on the COVID And if you read it, you will definitely be like, oh, where are we? I feel like she walked so that, like, Lillian Lark could fly. Do you know what I'm saying?
So, like, the monster romance authors could fly and so that they could actually.
Amanda:
The dragons. Okay, note it.
Bridget:
I also recently read one speaking of monsters. It's about a woman who's American but of. Of Scottish descent, who goes back to Scotland to, like, reconnect with her roots near Loch Ness.
And she may or may not fall in love with the Loch Ness monster.
Amanda:
I like that. I like that.
Bridget:
It's called Under Loch Ness and Key by Lana Ferguson.
Amanda:
It has perfect title, though. Wow.
Bridget:
I know. It has an animated cover. And there is a partial shift is where I will leave you all and let you take that into your imagination. Where you will.
Amanda:
Okay.
Bridget:
You're welcome.
Amanda:
Oh, yeah. Like, over the summer. Was it over the summer? I'm bad with time as well. Like, I'm. I promise, guys, I'm pretty smart.
It's just not when it comes to reading, you know, my brain. I don't know, but I read. Exactly. I read get in My Swamp. I forgot who the author is. I'm so sorry. But it's a play on Shrek. Really, really interesting.
I loved it. Not much plot, but it was really good.
Bridget:
And Ogre Romance.
Amanda:
Yeah, my first one, too. It was my first one. I was like, okay. Like, I saw the title, it made me laugh. I was like, you know what? Why not?
Bridget:
It's by GM Fairy. Like fairy. Like a fairy tale.
Amanda:
Yes, it was really good.
Bridget:
The Orc Sworn book books.
Amanda:
Speaking of, I have not tapped in, but I've been eyeing them. I haven't tapped in yet.
Bridget:
They. I've read all of them so far, except for the most recent one, which just came out because I just haven't gotten to it yet.
I feel like if you like them, you love them and if you don't like them, you hate them. I don't know that there's many people in the middle because I feel like if you're like, down to clowns, monster romances, and you're fine with a.
Fine with babies being born because there are like, as the books go on, you, like, see the other couples, like, from previous books, aren't the main couple, but they're, like, still there and they have now had children because there's no birth control that can stop an orc sperm. You know what I'm saying?
Amanda:
Yeah.
Bridget:
And you're fine with, like, just aggressive. Aggressive amounts of semen. Like, aggressive amounts. Like.
Amanda:
Like.
Bridget:
I cannot emphasize enough.
Amanda:
Like, boatloads.
Bridget:
Boatloads. But it's also nutritious. Okay.
Amanda:
Okay. Wow. Nice.
Bridget:
It helps the human women in all of the places where you might put it. Okay. Okay. It has a purpose. Okay.
Amanda:
Okay.
Bridget:
And. And also each of the cultures in the orc mountain like to have sex in a different way. So some of them like to have sex in front of everyone.
Little exhibition. Some of them like a little pain with their sex sex. Some of them like a. More what we would describe as like. Like just regular but rough sex.
Some of them.
Amanda:
Okay.
Bridget:
Like it up the booty. So, you know, I mean, so like, there's a little bit. A little bit for everyone.
Amanda:
Okay.
Bridget:
Male, male, male, female. There's a lot of things going on. Little. A little bit of poly in some of them. So if you like them, you love them. And I, like.
Amanda:
Noted still on the tbr. I would definitely be checking them out.
Bridget:
They're so fun. I feel like the. The thing I Like, most about fantasy is that it allows my brain to, like, unplug from reality.
So, like, especially if there's some sort of, like, vampire, a werewolf, or a monster of some kind, an alien, anything like that, that. Because then I don't have to apply what is, like, the structure of what I would expect or accept in real life.
I can just toss that out the window and be like, they're a creature. What you gonna do? We're gonna.
Exactly grace where it is, and we're gonna be happy with where that creature is, and then we're gonna let that creature do naughty things to us. So that is my favorite thing. What's it like? Is that part of what you like about it or what's the draw?
Amanda:
Yeah, yeah. I think, like, I like.
Like I said, I like to turn off my brain when I'm reading, and I feel like fantasy is perfect for that, but also, I think, for me is just so much deeper because I've been waiting to get my powers since I saw Twitches. You know what I mean? Since I watched Charmed, I've been waiting to be chosen. And, you know. Yes.
Like, all of these shows, like, really just shaped who I am. And I'm like, I've been waiting.
So, like, when I see these books and I'm like, obviously I haven't gotten any powers yet, but when I read these books, I'm like, hello? But when I read these books, I'm like, yeah, like, you know what? Like, hell, yeah. Like, people are like, oh. Like, this wasn't. Blah, blah, blah.
And this wasn't. And I'm like, literally, like, this is how it's supposed to be. Like, what are you picking this apart for? It's mad.
You're worried about, oh, why would she just go with him and she doesn't know him. He's a dragon. Like, that's. You know what I'm saying? Like, it doesn't matter. Who cares? You know what I'm saying? Like, we're not. This is not real.
Like, real life. Yes, we call Olivia Benson, but, like, right now, everything is fine. So I think that's what I really, really love about it.
I'm, like, it allows me to, like, be in that world as an adult and be like, okay, yeah, this is me. I'm. Because I'm the main character in any, like, book that I read. It's. It's me. I picture me. So I'm like, yeah, like, this is. This is life.
I'm living life right now.
Shani:
So I would argue, okay, because I've been on weight.
Amanda:
Oh, God.
Shani:
I'm not gonna argue you because I fully. I fully agree. Like, when I Reading. When I'm in the book, I am. I. That's why it doesn't matter to me.
When authors describe a character, I'm going to just make the character either me or, like, somebody I want that character to be. You could just say there's a girl, and I'd be like, boom, got her. Like, you know what I mean? But.
But, like, okay, so because I'm in, like, a life transition now, I'm getting fed all this stuff about manifestation and, like, getting through your. Your money blocks and all this stuff. And I'm following. I'm on that side of the Internet right now, right?
And people have said so much stuff about, like, reading books and escaping and, like, oh, are you a witcher? Or can you do this? And whatever. But when I see all these manifestation girlies talking about their life, they're just doing witchery.
Like, they're like, if you believe it enough, you could do it. Well, God damn it. I want to be a witch. God damn it. I would, like, set those in setting.
Bridget:
These and watch the univers.
Shani:
Okay. Yes. Do I want a kinky dom billionaire? I'm setting that intention for myself, thank you very much.
Bridget:
You.
Shani:
You reality. I want to be in the Lululand.
Bridget:
Shawnee. Shawnee. There is a billionaire kinky dom out there who is waiting to be your sugar daddy. He is waiting to be your sugar daddy.
He's gonna watch you walk down the street one day, and he is gonna watch you walk past, and he's gonna watch that booty, and then he's gonna be like, well, let me take her. Can you. Like, that is reality. Yeah, you just need to get yourself in front of them.
Amanda:
Exactly.
Shani:
You know, like. Like, what's the.
I was going through this talk about existentialism yesterday with my friend, and there's this girl who keeps asking AI questions, right? And she asked, AI, did we discover you?
And the AI asked her back, or did I just get you to a place of consciousness where you could see me, where you could perceive me?
Bridget:
I don't know why everyone is just fucking around with criminator shit right now. Did we not watch an entire series of warnings?
Amanda:
So many movies, so many. Like, and then the robots, too. Like, did you not iRobot? Like, did nobody.
Bridget:
Yes, they forgot you. Thank you. Like, I get so mad when people bring lifelike robots into their house. And I'm like. Like, were you not raised on science?
Obviously, you didn't read science fiction or watch science fiction as a child. And sad for you cuz your life sucks. But also you're dumb and that thing one day will kill you.
There's a movie out right now called Companion I have not seen. Yes, it's a horror movie.
Amanda:
Is that the one with Megan Fox?
Bridget:
No, it's the one where the, the, I want to call her like a fembot, but like, she's like a Sophie Thatcher, like a, like a, like a sex doll. Basically a subservient Android built for human companionship.
Turns bloody and violent naturally, I'm sure because she was being mistreated by the person who owns her and it looks creepy as. But again, another example of don't make them look human. Yeah, don't make them sentient. Okay?
Let's, let's put some human fail safes in the way of technology, okay?
Amanda:
I don't know what's wrong.
Shani:
Here's the deal, okay? I, I, this, this is a soapbox that I'm on, okay? So in the revolution, okay, black people were always meant to survive. And I'm gonna need.
This is the one time I'm gonna need black people to take a seat, okay?
Amanda:
Okay.
Shani:
Because. AI, let me, let me just tell you why, okay? Let me just tell you why, okay? Follow, follow my logic here, okay?
AI, facial recognition and everything else. Cannot recognize black people.
Bridget:
Can't see black people.
Shani:
It can't tell the difference between us. It's not been trained for us. And so whenever they are trying to like spot a black.
You know when you see like a iRobot where the cameras up above are following a black, like a person on the street. They can't do that with black people yet, okay?
So we are invisible right now to the AI, and there's all these black people online who are like, we are training the first AI model for black faces. And I'm like, no, you're not. No, no, don't do that.
Amanda:
Leave it alone.
Shani:
Leave recognized.
Amanda:
You know what?
Shani:
This is a time in history I want to go back to being invisible, okay? No DEI for me here. You relax. No one told you to do that. You see what?
Amanda:
Just don't worry about it.
Bridget:
Let's just let the white people, let's bridge ourselves with our stupid AI right now, okay?
Amanda:
Reparations.
Shani:
Listen, we got a win somewhere.
Amanda:
A win is a win.
Bridget:
A win is a win. Oh, my God.
You know, the craziest thing about that story is that it is true that they did not build any of the facial recognition to See, people whose skin wasn't white, you know, that does not tell you all you need to know about racism. Racism, that's blatant racism. That's just, like, under your skin that you don't even know. Racist. Like, there it is.
Friends, all the engineers, not one time tried it out on one person whose skin was in any shape or form. Brown didn't try it out one time.
Shani:
One of the funniest things, like, to this day, that I think is fucking hilarious. It's like these moments where there's no black people involved in a situation. So my brother.
My brother was doing VFX for one of the Marvel movies, one with Jamie Foxx in it. It was the one where I think it had, like, Dr. Octopus, whatever.
Amanda:
Oh, the Spider Man.
Shani:
Yeah, it was the Spider man one. Okay. So he's. He does VFX for all those types of things. And he. So he was on set and he was doing his VFX job, which is really boring.
And the director comes up to him and he's like, hey, man. And he's like. My brother's like, I don't know what he's trying to ask me. He's, like, hemming and hawing, like. And not.
And not getting to the point of the question. And he's. So finally he goes, you know, hey, Jamie Foxx went home, you know, and so he's like. And he's not going to be on set again, you know?
And my brother's like, like, do you need me to do something? Whatever? And he's like, yeah, we actually need to do a pickup spot where Jamie Foxx's hand grabs the. The.
He's got this, like, metal thing in his chest, and he, like, rips it off. In the Spider man movie, he's like, yeah, so can you stand in and can you do that so we can get that shot?
And my brother looked around, and that was the moment he realized that he was the only black man.
Bridget:
Only black person. The only black man who's dark enough to. Or at all, probably, but also to Pastor Jamie Fox. Oh, my God.
Amanda:
Like, oh, my gosh.
Bridget:
So when you see Shawnee, I thought of you yesterday because I watched this video, and it's one of those videos where the. Where the dad's like. Or the mom's like, I ran out of printer ink for my kids.
And it's, like, showing all the different kids, you know, and how, like, their genetics are just wild when they're all mixed together. At a certain point, it's like, look at this. Little brown baby. And then look at this one is slightly lighter.
And then look at this one kind of looks white. And it's like the dad was, like, probably in between your skin color and your brother's skin color, and the mom was white.
And the last little baby just bad bright blue eyes. And he was just like. You know, it's like one of those little videos that's like, explain genetics to me.
It made me think of you and your family because you guys have.
Shani:
Because everybody asked me if we have different dads all the time. They're like, do you guys have different dads? No, it's just. It's just a surprise. It's just how the.
Bridget:
It's how the soup. How the soup was made. Just everything.
Shani:
But. But, like, the saddest part is that, like, my older sister, right? She's what I would call a more like Richard Brown. Right? I'm like a high.
Like, in the. I'm barely on the high yellow spectrum here. And, like, she and I look the same. We have the same face. We have the same everything.
Like, you know, if we're standing next to each other, we look like sisters. Right. But people are always like, you guys don't look anything alike.
Right Now I have another sister who's high yellow like me, who I don't look anything alike with. Okay. She has a totally different face, different body, different hair texture, everything. People are like, you guys are twins. You're.
And I'm just like, yeah, I see what's happening here.
Bridget:
Yeah, Shani. That happens with my kids. People say Molly looks more like me, and I'm like, no, she doesn't. Because my husband is Korean, and my daughter.
One of my daughters is my coloring, but she has more of his features. And then my other daughter has more of his. Well, neither of them have his coloring, but closer to his coloring, especially her skin color.
She has dark brown hair like me, but his skin color. But her features are closer to mine. And they'll be like, molly looks just like you. And I'm like, no, she doesn't.
If you put my husband's hair color and skin color on her, you'd be like, they're identical. Look at the little faces. And I'm like, but it just.
Because they only look first at, like, the fact that we have the same skin color, the same skin tone, which I find very interesting, because people are just crazy.
Amanda:
Yeah. Like, my mom is, like, significantly, like, lighter than me, and, like, my sister is like, she's lighter than me as well. But when we were Younger.
Like, I.
For some reason, I don't know, something that happens with black people sometimes is you get older and like your skin gets like lighter for some reason. Like, when I was young, I was really, really dark skinned. Like my mom.
Bridget:
We're just inside.
Shani:
Listen, listen.
Bridget:
We're inside reading. I don't know why my skin hasn't tanned.
Shani:
Listen, that is. That is 100% what it is, okay? Because my. My dumbass. My. My God. Listen, I was a swimmer. I was like, in competitive swimming.
I was dark skinned as a child. You couldn't tell me I wasn't dark skinned. I love. I was like, yes, look at how dark this chocolate goodness. Right? Right?
And so after living and I had a fibroid and I had anemia and all this, right? And I'm staying with my cousin while I'm recovering from surgery, and she says to me, like, oh, man, I ran out of foundation.
And I go, that's okay, girl. You can use mine. And she's like. She goes, shani, we are nowhere near the same complexion. And I was like, that's not true. I am dark skinned.
And mind you, I'm in my late 20s at this point, okay? And I said it with all the confidence in my chest. And she stood me.
Bridget:
She stood me in front of a.
Shani:
Mirror and stood herself in front of a mirror. And she said, shawnee, look at you and look at me. And when I tell you the existential crisis that hit me, I said, who.
Bridget:
The fuck is that?
Shani:
That's a white woman.
Bridget:
Oh, my God.
Amanda:
I lost.
Shani:
It's the goddamn sun. You probably did have much richer, darker skin.
Amanda:
Yeah. You know what? It really is?
Bridget:
Yep.
Amanda:
Cause even now, but too now, like in the winter, I'm like, this is not me. Like, I don who this is, but this girl is not me, okay? I'm away for the sun to come. Like, I get so pale and I'm like, no. Like, I don't.
I don't know who's staring back in this mirror, but it's not me.
Shani:
Then you got to really rely on your curls. You're like girls, you're holding. You're holding it together. I have my black card by the.
Amanda:
Skin of my teeth.
Bridget:
Oh, my God, you guys. I spent an hour last night just watching braiding videos. I love them. I find them so therapeutic.
Would I ever want to have to do that all the time for my own hair?
Shani:
No.
Bridget:
Because I was not raised with that. And so I'd never had to do it, and so I would not have the patience. However, I would want to braid other people's hair because that, to me is their.
I'm like, let me just sit there all day. Just. First of all, next one, I did Bridget.
Shani:
I just wanted. I just want to tell you, I threw Bridget in the deep end. She didn't know I was going to do this. I needed my hair done. Done for some reason.
I can't remember why, but I. So I just brought a bag of, like, hair, and she was visiting in.
Bridget:
La and she showed up with a bag, and I was like, can you do my hair? And I was like, sure.
Shani:
Literally, I was like, can you crochet this in? I know you never crocheted anything or whatever, but I think you just hook it through. I had never crocheted.
Amanda:
Crocheted.
Shani:
Just FYI. I watched. I watched two YouTube videos, and she's like, I'm in town for a couple hours. Why don't you come hang out with me?
I show up with this bag of hair, and I'm like, could you just try to figure out how to crochet this in the next two hours?
Bridget:
That is so turned out good considering the first time I've ever done it.
Amanda:
Yeah, crocheting is, like. It's not hard once you get a hang of it, but, like, to. To just go in. I crochet, like, my hair. And like, that for that first time was rough.
So, you know, props to you.
Bridget:
Well, the funny thing also, like, my kids were there, and so my kids are like, you know, like natural little kids. And also, they've known Shani their whole lives, and so they're, like, wanting to touch her. I was like, don't.
Don't touch black people's hair without asking. And then I was like, actually, just don't touch black people's hair. And Shani was like this. Good parenting. Unless they invite you. Leave their hair.
Amanda:
Yes. Got to teach them young.
Bridget:
Oh, my God. So funny. Amanda, we could talk to you all day. I feel like we could all be best friends if we lived in the same city.
Amanda:
I agree.
Bridget:
But sadly, we do not tell the people where they can find you. What is your TikTok and Instagram?
Amanda:
My TikTok is Amanda, please one. Please do not get that mistaken with Amanda, please, because that is my main account. And there's not books. There's just a lot of crazy.
But feel free, you know, if you want to follow me on there too, feel free. And then on Instagram, my bookstagram is Amanda's book club. Underscore. Underscore. Because they wouldn't Let me just put one underscore.
Bridget:
Someone else had the one underscore. So you had to be.
Amanda:
I'm like, I was looking for her too. I'm like, where is this at? But I didn't find her.
Bridget:
My maiden name. I never had anyone who had the same maiden name as globally, and that's not very common.
And when I moved to Bridget Chun, I was like, because my husband's Korean, I was like, well, there's not going to be very Korean Bridgets. Like, that would be crazy if there's. And there is someone who has Bridget Chunky on Gmail. And I remember being like.
I wanted to email them and be like, who are you? I thought I would be the only one, but I didn't because it's called self restraint.
Dear listeners, make sure that you go follow Amanda and check out all of her hilarious videos that she's making. And if you're in New York, you can go and hang out with her at the Oath Found. Which bookstore is that at?
Amanda:
Liz's Book Bar.
Bridget:
At Liz's Book Bar, you can go for the midnight screening. Or screening. It's not a screening, it's a book. The midnight party. Lunch party of Oathbound.
And as always, until next time, may your books be your lover and your.
Shani:
Hand your best friend. Yeah, thanks for hanging in with us, romance readers. Head over to Instagram to continue chatting with us. We're super friendly.
We want to cackle with you. We want to know what your favorite sex scene was, and we need more book recommendations.
If you want to read along with us, go to our website, romanceataglance.com to see what we're reading next. And we'll see you next podcast.
