First Dates & Soulmates: A Romance Podcast

Meg Casebolt & Nikki McKnight

Two avid romance readers discuss their love of the genre, the writing process, and share their favorite book recommendations. firstdatesandsoulmates.substack.com

  1. 6D AGO

    100 | Live Reactions to Romance's Greatest Hits (and it's our 100th episode!)

    Episode 100 is here. Nikki and Meg are popping every metaphorical champagne bottle and celebrating the way all great romance milestones should be celebrated : with live reactions, hot takes, and a deep dive into the most iconic romance moments ever put on screen. To mark the occasion, Nikki pulled together a set of YouTube clip compilations covering the top rewatched romance movie scenes, the greatest TV couples of the 2010s, and the best love confessions in pop culture. Meg, in full form, has not seen most of them. They cover everything from the Princess Bride (perfect) to Grease (iconic but those are not high schoolers) to the When Harry Met Sally love confession (the one). There are strong opinions about who belongs on the list and who absolutely does not — 500 Days of Summer, we’re looking at you. Along the way, Nikki and Meg also talk about why romance matters, why women are allowed to enjoy it loudly, and why a hundred episodes in, neither of them is done. Our Ships: * Parallel by L. O’Rourke: https://amzn.to/3NukfI7 * Under the Surface by N.R. Walker: https://amzn.to/40Zttz3 Videos We Watched: Top 20 Most Rewatched Scenes in Romance Movies Best Confessions of Love Top 10 Greatest TV Couples of the Decade How You Can Support The Show Discover your romance trope and get a custom play list at https://firstdatesandsoulmates.com/quiz/ Follow Us On Social: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/firstdatesandsoulmates/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@firstdatesandsoulmates YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstDatesSoulmates Email us at firstdatesandsoulmatespod@gmail.com Share the show with a friend or loved one! Got a Little Extra Money to Spend? Buy our official merch on TeePublic: http://tee.pub/lic/6TtnpmFagAk Get Meg’s Latest Book: https://amzn.to/4altuTv Shop our affiliate book recs on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/caseboltcreative Upgrade to a paid tier on Substack Get full access to First Dates & Soulmates: Romance Podcast at firstdatesandsoulmates.substack.com/subscribe

    57 min

  2. MAR 25

    99 | New Release! Two Wrongs Don't Make a Playwright by Bailey Seaborn

    Nikki has put Meg back in the hot seat as her romance author persona Bailey Seaborn to celebrate the release of “Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Playwright”, the third full-length novel in the All or Nothing universe. This episode dives into: * The pandemic romance-novel dreams about Chris Evans-type hometown reunions to a massive dual-timeline story that became the emotional center of the entire series * Characters who are both SO right and SO wrong at the same time * Why Meg refuses to let characters escape hard decisions with convenient cheating plots * Chaos gremlin side characters doing their absolute best work * Writing a dual-timeline, dual-POV story without losing your mind The result is a romance about timing, growth, and the idea that once someone changes you, you’re never quite the same again. Buy Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Playwright by Bailey Seaborn: https://amzn.to/4cOlNH5 Join the Bailey Seaborn mailing list here: https://baileyseaborn.com/ Follow Bailey on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baileyseabornauthor/ How You Can Support The Show Discover your romance trope and get a custom play list at https://firstdatesandsoulmates.com/quiz/ Follow Us On Social: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/firstdatesandsoulmates/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@firstdatesandsoulmates YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstDatesSoulmates Email us at firstdatesandsoulmatespod@gmail.com Share the show with a friend or loved one! Got a Little Extra Money to Spend? Buy our official merch on TeePublic: http://tee.pub/lic/6TtnpmFagAk Get Meg’s Latest Book: https://amzn.to/4altuTv Shop our affiliate book recs on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/caseboltcreative Upgrade to a paid tier on Substack Get full access to First Dates & Soulmates: Romance Podcast at firstdatesandsoulmates.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 4m

  3. MAR 18

    98 | Sweet Home Alabama: The Love Triangle Romance That Makes You Yell at the Screen

    Meg & Nikki celebrate Second Chance Month with a rewatch of Sweet Home Alabama, starring Reese Witherspoon, Josh Lucas, and Patrick Dempsey. This episode breaks down: * Hidden identities and the “reinvent yourself in Manhattan” fantasy * Small-town roots vs. big-city ambition * The ethics of not mentioning you’re still married * Whether the reunion is romantic… or just nostalgia with humidity The real debate: is this a sweeping second chance romance or a woman shrinking herself back into an old version to make everyone comfortable? Ships: * Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Playwright by Bailey Seaborn: https://amzn.to/4cP6hdX * Blue Balling the Demon by Callie Colby: https://amzn.to/3P7WF4h * Wings & Whispers series by Calli Colby: https://amzn.to/41516zk How You Can Support The Show Discover your romance trope and get a custom play list at https://firstdatesandsoulmates.com/quiz/ Follow Us On Social: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/firstdatesandsoulmates/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@firstdatesandsoulmates YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstDatesSoulmates Download your copy of the 2025 book bingo card at https://bit.ly/fdsmbingo Email us at firstdatesandsoulmatespod@gmail.com Share the show with a friend or loved one! Got a Little Extra Money to Spend? Buy our official merch on TeePublic: http://tee.pub/lic/6TtnpmFagAk Get Meg’s Latest Book: All Twerk No Play: https://amzn.to/3Ee2O9Z Shop our affiliate book recs on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/caseboltcreative Upgrade to a paid tier on Substack Get full access to First Dates & Soulmates: Romance Podcast at firstdatesandsoulmates.substack.com/subscribe

    52 min

  4. MAR 11

    97 | Second Chance Romance: Why We Love Getting Back Together

    This week on the show Meg & Nikki deep dive into second chance romance trope with a deep dive: the emotionally volatile, nostalgia-soaked, “but what if this time?” category of love stories. This is not just “they loved each other once.” This is: * Why shared history creates instant emotional gravity * The “we’ve already suffered” bonding mechanism * The rupture: it cannot be something dumb like “miscommunication and vibes” * Time apart: did they grow, or did they just get hotter and richer? * What proof of change actually looks like Because sometimes it’s romantic. And sometimes it’s just texting your ex in 4K. Our favorite second chance novels: * Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Playwright, Bailey Seaborn: https://amzn.to/4beU0wZ * Again the Magic, Lisa Kleypas: https://amzn.to/4b9ixTY * Love & Other Words, Christina Lauren: https://amzn.to/4bfnDOV * The Ex Vows, Jessica Joyce: https://amzn.to/3Pn1bvC * Repeat, Kylie Scott: https://amzn.to/4bfo6AF * Hot for Slayer, Aly Hazelwood: https://amzn.to/4b8uvNH * Before I Let Go, Kennedy Ryan: https://amzn.to/4b7O3lp Movies discussed: * The Notebook * The Vow * What’s Your Number? Also discussed (not second chance): * Saddle to Sunup, Emmy Sanders: https://amzn.to/3Ndv6po Ships: Faking It and Crashing Together by AJ Claremont: https://amzn.to/4ssGrB1 Doppelbanger by WH Lockwood: https://amzn.to/4uf1I2M How You Can Support The Show Discover your romance trope and get a custom play list at https://firstdatesandsoulmates.com/quiz/ Follow Us On Social: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/firstdatesandsoulmates/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@firstdatesandsoulmates YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstDatesSoulmates Download your copy of the 2025 book bingo card at https://bit.ly/fdsmbingo Email us at firstdatesandsoulmatespod@gmail.com Share the show with a friend or loved one! Got a Little Extra Money to Spend? Buy our official merch on TeePublic: http://tee.pub/lic/6TtnpmFagAk Get Meg’s Latest Book: Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Playwright: https://amzn.to/4beU0wZ Shop our affiliate book recs on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/caseboltcreative Upgrade to a paid tier on Substack Get full access to First Dates & Soulmates: Romance Podcast at firstdatesandsoulmates.substack.com/subscribe

    1 hr

  5. MAR 4

    96 | Bridgerton Season 4 part 2: A Cottage, a Courtroom, a Crown

    Meg and Nikki are back in the ton to close out Bridgerton Season 4 with Part 2 : the grief arc, the jail that wasn’t dramatic enough, the cottage proposal, and women choosing themselves. This episode breaks down: * The longing and insane chemistry between characters * The jail scene we deserved vs. the legal logistics we got * Francesca’s grief arc and why Episode 7 quietly owns the season * How this story’s Gossip Girl (aka Lady W) is setting up future intrigue Overall: they stuck the landing. But we have thoughts. Media we mentioned: * An Offer From a Gentleman (Benedict & Sophie): https://amzn.to/4bkZNCl * When He Was Wicked (Francesca & Michael): https://amzn.to/4r1yn9b * To Sir Philip, With Love (Eloise & Philip): https://amzn.to/4r6IXMk * On the Way to the Wedding (Gregory & Lucinda): https://amzn.to/46Fklmp Our Ships this week: * Meg: Julia Quinn’s Curated Romance Book Box Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/juliaquinn/jq-editions-julia-quinns-curated-romance-book-box?ref=3ncuzi * Nikki: The Regressor King by AJ Sherwood: https://amzn.to/4skDbrl How You Can Support The Show Discover your romance trope and get a custom play list at https://firstdatesandsoulmates.com/quiz/ Follow Us On Social: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/firstdatesandsoulmates/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@firstdatesandsoulmates YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstDatesSoulmates Download your copy of the 2025 book bingo card at https://bit.ly/fdsmbingo Email us at firstdatesandsoulmatespod@gmail.com Share the show with a friend or loved one! Got a Little Extra Money to Spend? Buy our official merch on TeePublic: http://tee.pub/lic/6TtnpmFagAk Get Meg’s Latest Book: https://amzn.to/4altuTv Shop our affiliate book recs on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/caseboltcreative Upgrade to a paid tier on Substack Get full access to First Dates & Soulmates: Romance Podcast at firstdatesandsoulmates.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 13m

  6. FEB 25

    95 | The Atrous series by NR Walker: Love, Music, & Second Chances

    Today Meg & Nikki are talking about a trilogy that made their top Tingly Awards this year: Atrous by NR Walker (Code Red, Code Blue, Code Word). This episode explores: * The pressure of fame on romantic relationships * The difference between rock band chaos and boy band polish * What happens when talent outpaces emotional maturity * The original band dynamic (talent? yes. therapy? no.) * How public performance magnifies private wounds Atrous becomes a case study in musician-based romance ecosystems. Who feels safe? Who feels replaceable? Who gets to be messy? Who gets punished for it? Rock Star Romance recommendations w/ affiliate links: • Atrous Trilogy by NR Walker: https://amzn.to/4kOGTHd• Stage Dive Series by Kylie Scott: https://amzn.to/3ZBxklh• VIP Series by Kristen Callahan: https://amzn.to/4aTlycf• Louder Than Love by Jessica Topper: https://amzn.to/4aTlycf• Sinners on Tour by Olivia Cunning: https://amzn.to/4amlykY Want more rock star romance? Check out episode 55 with author Jessica Topper: How You Can Support The Show Discover your romance trope and get a custom play list at https://firstdatesandsoulmates.com/quiz/ Follow Us On Social: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/firstdatesandsoulmates/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@firstdatesandsoulmates YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstDatesSoulmates Download your copy of the 2025 book bingo card at https://bit.ly/fdsmbingo Email us at firstdatesandsoulmatespod@gmail.com Share the show with a friend or loved one! Got a Little Extra Money to Spend? Buy our official merch on TeePublic: http://tee.pub/lic/6TtnpmFagAk Get Meg’s Latest Book: All Twerk No Play: https://amzn.to/3Ee2O9Z Shop our affiliate book recs on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/caseboltcreative Upgrade to a paid tier on Substack Get full access to First Dates & Soulmates: Romance Podcast at firstdatesandsoulmates.substack.com/subscribe

    1 hr
  7. 94 | Reality TV in Romance: Fake Dating, Real Feelings, Terrible Producers

    FEB 18

    94 | Reality TV in Romance: Fake Dating, Real Feelings, Terrible Producers

    It’s Nikki’s birthday pick, and we’re talking reality TV romance: where NDAs are tighter than the contracts, producers are messier than the contestants, and love has to survive the edit. This episode breaks down: * Why reality TV is the perfect romance framework: fake dating, forced proximity, public vs private selves, producer interference, villain edits, and love as performance * How romance stories let love win despite the system (something reality TV almost never manages in real life) * Why love hitting despite the format is so satisfying * Grand gestures that actually make sense Reality TV romance novels mentioned: * The Boyfriend Game by Stella Starling: https://amzn.to/3Mlm75j * Treble Maker by Annabeth Albert: https://amzn.to/4rAKZ8F * Winner Bakes All series by Alexis Hall: https://amzn.to/4aPUvys * Facing Reality by Sienna Atwell: https://amzn.to/464w79H * The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren: https://amzn.to/3MxvtLb * Cupid Calling by Viano Oniomoh: https://amzn.to/4riWrFG * If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy: https://amzn.to/4rhSrFv * The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun: https://amzn.to/3OdGIsR We are shipping: * Meg: In a Rush by Kate Canterbary: https://amzn.to/40bk32U * Nikki: This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron: https://amzn.to/4qzYAeY How You Can Support The Show Discover your romance trope and get a custom play list at https://firstdatesandsoulmates.com/quiz/ Follow Us On Social: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/firstdatesandsoulmates/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@firstdatesandsoulmates YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstDatesSoulmates Download your copy of the 2025 book bingo card at https://bit.ly/fdsmbingo Email us at firstdatesandsoulmatespod@gmail.com Share the show with a friend or loved one! Got a Little Extra Money to Spend? Buy our official merch on TeePublic: http://tee.pub/lic/6TtnpmFagAk Get Meg’s Latest Book: All Twerk No Play: https://amzn.to/3Ee2O9Z Shop our affiliate book recs on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/caseboltcreative Upgrade to a paid tier on Substack Get full access to First Dates & Soulmates: Romance Podcast at firstdatesandsoulmates.substack.com/subscribe

    58 min

  8. FEB 11

    93 | Morning Glory Milking Farm: Yes It’s About Milking, No That’s Not the Point

    This week, Nikki and Meg finally dive into Morning Glory Milking Farm: the monster romance that launched a thousand awkward recommendations and at least one “wait… is this actually good?” group chat spiral. We talk: * Monster anatomy (briefly), consent (extensively), capitalism (of course), and why this book works far better than it has any right to. * From Minotaur milking logistics to Violet’s deeply relatable millennial “I just need a job that pays rent” energy * Monster romance as labor commentary (yes, really) Plus: capitalism discourse, bodily autonomy, and why Minotaurs might be better boyfriends than most humans. This week’s ships: NikkI: Wet by Cambria Hebert: https://amzn.to/4qYRi5i Meg: Mercy by Sara Cate: https://amzn.to/45QfjTP How You Can Support The Show Discover your romance trope and get a custom play list at https://firstdatesandsoulmates.com/quiz/ Follow Us On Social: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/firstdatesandsoulmates/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@firstdatesandsoulmates YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstDatesSoulmates Download your copy of the 2025 book bingo card at https://bit.ly/fdsmbingo Email us at firstdatesandsoulmatespod@gmail.com Share the show with a friend or loved one! Got a Little Extra Money to Spend? Buy our official merch on TeePublic: http://tee.pub/lic/6TtnpmFagAk Get Meg’s Latest Book: All Twerk No Play: https://amzn.to/3Ee2O9Z Shop our affiliate book recs on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/caseboltcreative Upgrade to a paid tier on Substack Get full access to First Dates & Soulmates: Romance Podcast at firstdatesandsoulmates.substack.com/subscribe

    51 min
See All (102)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Two avid romance readers discuss their love of the genre, the writing process, and share their favorite book recommendations. firstdatesandsoulmates.substack.com

Information

You Might Also Like