Boobies & Noobies: A Romance Review Podcast

This episode is sponsored by The Most Eligible Viscount in London, the latest from bestselling author, Ella Quinn.
The Novel:
The Intimacy Experiment
The Author:
Rosie Danan
The Noobie:
Kini Allen
Twitter: @kinilei1
The Synopsis:
Naomi Grant has built her life around going against the grain. After the sex-positive start-up she cofounded becomes an international sensation, she wants to extend her educational platform to live lecturing. Unfortunately, despite her long list of qualifications, higher ed won't hire her.
Ethan Cohen has recently received two honors: LA Mag named him one of the city's hottest bachelors and he became rabbi of his own synagogue. Taking a gamble in an effort to attract more millennials to the faith, the executive board hired Ethan because of his nontraditional background. Unfortunately, his shul is low on both funds and congregants. The board gives him three months to turn things around or else they'll close the doors of his synagogue for good.
Naomi and Ethan join forces to host a buzzy seminar series on Modern Intimacy, the perfect solution to their problems--until they discover a new one--their growing attraction to each other. They've built the syllabus for love's latest experiment, but neither of them expected they'd be the ones putting it to the test.
Show Notes:
- Sponsored Ad for The Most Eligible Viscount in London (00:00:05 - 00:01:25)
- A few quick announcements: #ThirtyFlirtyAndReading, Reviews, and Patreon updates
- Introducing blogger and podcaster, Kini Allen
- The fear of self-promotion
- Check out Kini's podcast, Romance Romp
- Hidden romance reads
- Shoutout to Sarah Wendell of Smart Bitches, Trashy Books
- Romance readers helping other romance readers (and podcasters)
- "Love Between the Covers" Documentary
- "There's room for everybody here"
- Shoutout to author, Beverly Jenkins
- Kini's 2021 Romance Picks (00:19:48)
- A brief synopsis for The Intimacy Experiment (00:23:31)
- Overall impressions
- Modern Intimacy vs. Modern Dating
- More talk on modern intimacy and post-pandemic dating in my Steamy Spotlight interview with Rosie Danan
- Falling for Naomi Grant (00:34:06)
- Exploring faith in romance novels
- Everything to love about Ethan (00:41:50)
- Friendships between men and women in romance novels
- Finding real themes in fiction
- A few steamy sexcerpts (00:57:55)
- "Tab B" and other vulva euphemisms
- Heart, Heat, & Humor Ratings (01:06:04)
- Finding and creating community
Books Mentioned:
- Twice Shy by Sarah Hogle
- You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle
- Hot Copy by Ruby Barrett
- Second First Impressions by Sally Thorne
- The Dating Playbook by Farrah Rochon
- How to Marry Keanu Reeves in 90 Days by K.M. Jackson
- Come As You Are... by Emily Nagoski
- Craving Flight by Tamsen Parker
Follow Boobies & Noobies on Twitter, Instagram, & Facebook @boobiespodcast and check out our blog, merch, and more on our brand new Boobies & Noobies website.
*Boobies & Noobies is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts*

The Novel:Cathian
The Author: Laurann Dohner
The Noobies: Mikaley Osley (@kaleskorner)Novel Predictions Podcast (@novelprediction)
The Synopsis: When Nara Barns and her tiny crew find themselves with a choice between jail or the sex-slave auction block, it’s an easy choice. Especially when they plan to escape their buyers as soon as possible, anyway. Even better, Nara’s buyer wants her for just six days, long enough to get him through his heat until women from his planet can come to his aid. Six days and then freedom? Sign her up.However, Nara’s completely unprepared for the impact Captain Cathian Vellar has on her body. To survive his heat, the Tryleskian must feed—and Nara is his favorite meal. Her body can barely withstand the rapture. Soon, her heart is just as engaged. But enduring the pinnacle of Cathian’s heat he could kill Nara, and he refuses to risk her life.

This episode is sponsored by Love at First, an uplifting and unforgettable story of love and second chances by critically acclaimed author, Kate Clayborn. The Novel:Call Me Maybe The Author: Cara BastoneThe Noobie:Adam Murphy IG: @photography.by.acmThe Synopsis: Paint your toes. Pick up the wrong coffee and bagel order. Drive from Brooklyn to Jersey in traffic so slow you want to tear your hair out. It’s amazing all the useless things I can accomplish while on hold for three hours with customer service. Three hours when I should be getting the Date-in-a-Box website ready to launch at the big business expo in a few days. Except my shiny new website is glitching, and my inner rage-monster is ready to scorch some earth... when he finally picks up. Not the robot voice I expected but a real live human named Cal. He’s surprisingly helpful and really knows his stuff, even if he’s a little awkward.... in an adorable way.And suddenly I’m flirting with him? And I think he’s flirting back.And suddenly it’s been hours, and we’re still on the phone talking and ordering each other takeout while he trouble shoots my website.And suddenly we’re exchanging numbers and sending texts and DMs every day, leaving voice mails (who even does that anymore?!).And suddenly I’m wondering if it’s possible for two people fall in love at first talk.Because I’m falling... hard.***Vera Hoffman has just days to make sure her website for her new Date-in-a-Box business launches. When the darn thing glitches, she calls her IT company and connects with Cal Kantola. An intense week of phone calls, DMs, voice messages, and texts ensue, and in between troubleshooting, these two start to develop feelings. But will their systems be compatible when they actually meet face-to-face?Show Notes:- Sponsored promo for Love at First by Kate Clayborn (00:00:05 - 00:01:42)- Introducing IT dude and friend-of-the-pod, Adam- A Very Corona-Quarantined Birthday Part Two- Audiobook noobies!- Remembering "books on tape", the original audiobook - Other Audible originals to check out: Getting Schooled by Emma Chase and The A.I. Who Loved Me by Alyssa Cole- Call Me Maybe by Cara Bastone (00:11:10)- Writing for an Audible Original vs. a traditionally-published book- Shoutout to My Worst Date!- The not-so-brief synopsis for Call Me Maybe (00:15:34)- Overall impressions- Vera is the new Sookie- The romanticism of falling in love with a telemarketer- "Jack of all trades, master of none"- Date in a Box - the subscription box we all need! (00:36:40)- Gifting an experience vs. a gift- Real life IT woes (00:40:43)- The modern "You've Got Mail" (but without AIM)- A minor obsession with true crime- To catfish or not to catfish? (00:49:20)- Heart & Humor Ratings - Absolutely no heat (00:54:20)- A very delayed discussion of Adam's history with romance- Check out Patreon for our alien-romance talk!- Adam's beautiful photographyFollow Boobies & Noobies on Twitter, Instagram, & Facebook @boobiespodcast and check out our blog, merch, and more on our brand new Boobies & Noobies website.*Boobies & Noobies is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts*

The Novel:Holidate (Dating #3)The Author: Monica MurphyThe Noobies: Alanna ReganThe Synopsis:Candice Gaines loves Christmas. Not only does she bask in the twinkling lights, sing Christmas carols and go crazy with the decorations, she’s also in the giving spirit, donating much of her time and wealth to various charities in the local area.Charlie Sullivan despises Christmas. Though it keeps his family afloat, considering they own Sullivan Family Christmas Tree Farm, the main provider for Christmas trees on the Monterey peninsula. He’d much rather work among the trees versus have to deal with people.But Charlie’s parents are taking on more philanthropic projects—and as their oldest child, they want him to be their official public representative. He just has to play nice and convince everyone he’s not a total holiday hater.When Charlie’s mom asks Candice to accompany him to a variety of holiday parties and events, she reluctantly agrees. She thinks Charlie is a big ol’ Grinch, but is determined to change his mindset and help him spread Christmas cheer. Charlie finds Candice too chatty, too sweet, too much. Do people like her really exist?Why yes, yes they do. The more time they spend together—along with a few kisses under the mistletoe—the more they start to like each other. Hopefully Charlie can convince Candice he doesn’t have a heart that’s two sizes too small before the ball drops on New Year’s Eve.Show Notes: - The 2nd Day of Boobsmas is here!- Remembering the emo 2000's with my guest, Alanna- Middle school fashion faux-pas...- The struggle of celebrating the holidays with multiple families in multiple places (00:05:34)- Traveling during the 2020 Holiday Season- Hallmark movie rec: "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year"- Creating new holiday traditions during the pandemic- The great debate on holiday music (00:12:31)- Kelly's favorite "winter cafe jams" - Introducing Holidate by Monica Murphy - NOT the Netflix movie (00:15:36)- Holidate vs. "Holidate" (Netflix)- The not-so-quick synopsis (and a potential drinking game?)- A California Christmas story- Wall Street billionaire meets Christmas tree lot owner?- Serial killers can own Christmas tree farms, too... (00:38:09)- Surprise amnesia?!?- Opposites attract- A few flirty KISScerpts (00:50:05)- Heart, Humor, Heat and Holidays (00:55:11)- Wrapping up with Alanna- The 2nd Day of Boobsmas giveaway (01:02:30)- The 2nd Day of Boobsmas jingle courtesy of Cooper BaldwinGiveaway Winner:Facebook: Nicole BoedeckerFollow Boobies & Noobies on Twitter, Instagram, & Facebook @boobiespodcast and check out our blog, merch, and more on our brand new Boobies & Noobies website.*Boobies & Noobies is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts*

The Novel: Bishop (Arizona Vengeance #1)
The Author: Sawyer Bennett
The Guest: Dr. Alysa Lucas, Host of Fataliteas Podcast, Best Forevers, and Unrequited (Coming Soon) Twitter: @FriendswAlysa Instagram: @friendswithalysa
The Synopsis: Meet the Arizona Vengeance, hockey’s hottest new team. They’re burning up the ice—until a one-night-stand with the coach’s daughter freezes one player in his skates.
Bishop Scott, co-captain. Not too shabby, huh? It’s all part of my fresh start with the NHL’s latest expansion team, and that means new teammates, a new coach, a new city, and a big new contract. Basically, I cannot f***ing wait to show my old squad what they’re missing.
But first, I decide to check out the town before the grind begins. Turns out Arizona chicks are totally smokin’, and I’m fortunate enough to meet one who’s looking for the same thing I am: a night of anonymous, unforgettable, no-strings-attached sex.
Fast forward to the Vengeance arena. It’s the last place I expect to see her again—let alone in her own office. Then bells go off and I finally realize who this girl is: Brooke Perron. My new coach’s daughter. All of a sudden, we’re picking up right where we left off, which means our hands are all over each other. That’s when her dad—my boss—walks in. And before I can get a word out, Brooke’s introducing me as her fiancé.
Sure, she just saved my ass. So why do I get the feeling Brooke’s going to turn my world upside down? Maybe it’s because this fake relationship feels way too real...
Show Notes:
- Welcoming back Alysa Lucas (heard previously in our review of 40-Love episode)
- Why hockey romance (over all the other sports)?
- Alysa's podcasts - all rooted in friendship, relationships, and communication (00:10:43)
- Plus a tangent on "The Tinder Swindler" plus a few Lady Pod Squad plugs: My Worst Date and Book of Lies (both of whom have been on Boobies & Noobies)
- The "truth bias"
- Introducing today's read, Bishop, a fake-dating hockey romance (00:23:15)
- Looking ahead at the rest of the series
- Book synopsis (00:30:52)
- Accurately detailed... without the jargon
- Sex in Chapter 1
- Mouth porn... (00:40:56)
- Why are you teasing me with the butt stuff?? Also, the UTI's...
- Friendship break-ups in romance novels
- The third act "pause" rather than the third act break-up
- Why are we so surprised by healthy love? (00:57:46)
- Next up, give us more male friendships in romance
- A few steamy sexcerpts... and a post-massage nap (01:07:13)
- From oral sex to "Mary Poppins"...
- Heart, Humor, & Heat Ratings (01:15:13)
- Charming, not funny
- Send Alysa your sports romance recommendations!
Books & Films Mentioned:
- Elle Kennedy's Off-Campus series
- Olivia Dade's 40-Love
- Female friendships on screen: "For a Good Time, Call..." and "Booksmart"
Links:
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*Boobies & Noobies is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to on Frolic's website.