Jess and Trisha are joined by the wonderful Sarah Wendell ofSmart Bitches, Trashy Booksfor a mid-year check in, and they discuss all things romance in 2019 so far – big news, breakout authors, and books we’ve loved and want everyone to read.

This episode is sponsored byLibro.fm audiobooks,Sourcebooks(featuringKingdom of Exilesby Maxym M. Martineau), andLifelinesby Heidi Diehl.

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NEWS

Sarah’swebsiteandpodcastwill both add delight and books to your life.

Sarah talked about a 1997 lawsuit involving Nora Roberts, and you can read about ithereandhere.

Allow Courtney Milan to remind youabout the #CopyPasteCris situation.(You can also revisit some of our episodes from the spring.)

Listen toSarah’s interview with Kristy (CaffeinatedFae) and Claire Ryan, and visit the website for Claire’s software in progressthat will help detect plagiarism.

Here are a couple of links to remind you about whatwent very wrongwiththe RITA nominations, anda statement from the RWA Boardabout what they want to do differently.

The Bridgerton Series madesome great casting announcements.

Here’s that Book Riot “Best of 2019 So Far” list we mentioned.

And here’sthe episode ofSmart Podcast, Trashy Booksfeaturing Jess and Trisha.

BOOKS

Beyond Heaving Bosoms: The Smart Bitches’ Guide to Romance Novelsby Sarah Wendell

Everything I Know About Love I Learned from Romance Novelsby Sarah Wendell

Lighting the Flamesby Sarah Wendell

These are the authors who are breaking out in 2019 (or who are about to!) along with where you can start with their books:

Linda Holmes –Evvie Drake Starts Over

Alisha Rai – The upcoming book isThe Right Swipe

Jasmine Guillory – Coming this month isThe Wedding Party, and the holiday book Jess mentioned isRoyal Holiday

Anna Zabo – The Twisted Wishes series starts withSyncopation

We also talked about these books that we’ve loved so far this year:

The Key to Happily Ever Afterby Tif Marcelo

Wolf Packby Abby Wambach (which is non-fiction, not romance…and while you’re at it with commencement speeches turned into books, also listen toDream Moreby Dolly Parton)

Kiss and Cryby Mina V. Esguerra

The Flatshareby Beth O’Leary

The Bookish Life of Nina Hillby Abbi Waxman

American DreamerandAmerican Fairytaleby Adriana Herrera

Can’t Escape Loveby Alyssa Cole

The Ultimate Pi Day Partyby Jackie Lau

A Prince on Paperby Alyssa Cole

Pride, Prejudice and Other Flavorsby Sonali Dev

Ayesha At Lastby Uzma Jalaluddin

Let us know what romance authors you think are having a big 2019 and what you’ve been reading and loving this year! Find Sarah online atsmartbitchestrashybooks.comor (for the podcast)smartbitchestrashybooks.com/podcast; on Instagram and Twitter @smartbitches; OR you can email her at sarah@smartbitchestrashybooks.com! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the shiny new WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com) or you can still catch us attrisha@riotnewmedia.comandjessica@riotnewmedia.com. You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown).

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