Feb. 25, 2021
Choose Your Own Trope Adventure
Most romance makes me feel warm, optimistic and hopeful. But sometimes hot and kinky is what you need. A touch of BDSM. Sex with an alien. The wild fantasies of some contemporary romances practically catch fire on the page. And sometimes non-fancy hot sex with good communication and a considerate fictional character who appeals to you does the trick. It's risk-free, shame-free pretend in this episode, in any flavor you want. Vanilla? I'm here to support it all.
Feb. 11, 2021
Love, Sex and Romance - After 40 Edition
I've been having fun reading a ton of contemporary romances featuring buff young things getting it on. But it's time to get real: which means ageless love, with plenty of imperfection, wisdom and fun thrown in. It's romance full of humor, honesty, acceptance and kindness. The sexiest combo I know.
Jan. 28, 2021
Tardy to the Alpha Party: Fifty Shades/Crazy Rich Asians
It's all about the alpha male today. Because he likes it that way, and dammit, makes me like it too. Plus, nobody ties a sexier Windsor knot than Jamie Dornan as Christian Grey. https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com Is it hot in here? The official, and super steamy, Fifty Shades of Grey trailer. And then, it gets Fifty Shades Darker. Crazy Rich Asians trailer. The Romcomathon podcast episode on Crazy Rich Asians.
Jan. 14, 2021
The New Ton: Bridgerton & Sanditon
Who knew that Empire-waist dresses, waistcoats, cravats and women discovering their own power could be so sexy? Well, fans of Regency romance know. It's all about the debs and the Dukes in this episode. These two shows are the place to start your new, fresh, modern costume drama love affair. https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com Fascinating interview with Bridgerton showrunner Chris Van Dusen. He talks about adapting the books, the mostly female writers' room, the female gaze throughout…
Dec. 31, 2020
The Comfort of Corny Romance
Nothing wrong with indulging in slightly corny and comforting romantic movies. I talk about a bunch of my favorites in this episode, chock full of cheese (the tasty romantic kind). https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com Movies mentioned: The screwball comedy I featured is His Girl Friday (1940) starring Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell. What a chemistry set! The Holiday The Lake House Message in a Bottle Leap Year The Proposal Grease 2 Blue Lagoon Bridges of Madison County Only You Ever Af…
Dec. 17, 2020
A Cozy, Humorous Holiday: Little Women/The Family Stone
The March and Stone families give us the cozy, faithful and often funny holiday we all need this year. https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com Trailers: Little Women (1933) Little Women (1949) Little Women (1994) Little Women (2019) The Family Stone Download the Little Women ebook at Project Gutenberg
Dec. 3, 2020
Grand Romantic Gestures & the Little Things
This episode is about one of my favorite romantic tropes of all time: the grand--or small but meaningful--romantic gesture. https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com Stream NBC's Lipstick Jungle here The Age of Innocence trailer Elizabeth's thank you to Darcy and the second proposal scene from the 1995 BBC Pride & Prejudice The breathtaking glider scene from Fifty Shades of Grey. One Last Night by Vaults is on constant repeat lately, and I can picture every moment of this scene when I hear i…
Nov. 19, 2020
Tale of Woe: the Heartbreak and Happiness of Jane Eyre
In this episode I talk about one of the best filmed versions of the classic novel Jane Eyre: the 2011 romantic movie with Michael Fassbender and Mia Wasikowska. In my humble opinion, ahem. https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com <p> Project Gutenberg, a library of more than 60,000 free e-books!</p> <p>The Mr. Rochester book. </p> <p>The second fireside conversation between Mr. Rochester and Jane.</p> <p> The proposal scene. Passion played out in the woods and/or nature! Always a winner! Se…
Nov. 5, 2020
Chilly, Twisted Love: Rebecca
In this episode, I talk about the classic romantic suspense novel Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier and the sexy 2020 Netflix adaptation. https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com <p>The full Alfred Hitchcock version of Rebecca from 1940.</p> <p>The 2020 Netflix Rebecca trailer.</p> <p>The Rebecca episode from A Novel Adaptation.</p>
Oct. 30, 2020
Can't Stop Extra: the Gutsy Rom-Com The Duchess
In this episode, I talk about the hilarious, often crude new Netflix rom-com series The Duchess starring comedian/actress/writer Katherine Ryan. https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com <p>A lot of the material for The Duchess seems to have been inspired by this Katherine Ryan Netflix special .</p>