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. 16 HRS AGO

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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
  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. FEB 4

    92 | Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1: Mistresses, Masquerades, and Maid Wars

    The first four episodes of Bridgerton Season 4 are here and they might be the strongest opening since Season 1. SO MANY SPOILERS. Nikki and Meg break down: * Benedict Bridgerton as a flawed hero (and why the internet needs to relax) * Upstairs vs. downstairs storytelling (maids, money, power, respect) * The Lady Whistledown problem now that everyone knows who she is * Violet Bridgerton’s late-in-life desire arc (icon behaviour) * Lady Danbury, the Queen, and choosing your own damn shoes And be sure to come back in March for part 2 of season 4 :) 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

    1h 27m

  7. JAN 28

    91 | Benedict Bridgerton & Cinderella? An Offer from a Gentleman

    We’re continuing our march through the Bridgerton universe with Benedict’s book, An Offer From a Gentleman, the Cinderella-inspired romance featuring a masquerade ball, a missing glove, and one heroine who absolutely refuses to become a kept woman. Listen in for: * Cinderella romance tropes and secret identity reveals * Sophie Beckett as a heroine with principles and punch * Why “I’ll take care of you” isn’t romantic (or is it??) * Violet Bridgerton as the blueprint * Book vs show differences and Season 4 speculation 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 Pre-order Two Wrongs Don't Make a Playwright: https://amzn.to/4r6Vr6S 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

  8. JAN 21

    90 | The Second Annual Tingly Awards: Our 2025 best romance novel recommendations

    It’s awards season, romance-style. Nikki and Meg are back with the second annual Tingly Awards, where spreadsheets fear us and yearning reigns supreme. This episode is a full retrospective of everything that gave us tingles in 2025: books, series, tropes, authors, movies, TV, rereads, rabbit holes, and the unhinged emotional damage we willingly signed up for. Once you do something twice, it’s a tradition. Science. In This Episode: * Rereads, first-time reads, and “how did I end up here?” rabbit holes * Why emotional devastation is sometimes the goal * Romance as escapism, nervous-system regulation, and personal attack * Books we never would’ve read without this podcast (and survived anyway) * The joy of discovering new authors through interviews and themed episodes And Meg & Nikki’s picks for: * The Year of the Reread * Unexpected Plot Twists We Did Not See Coming * Most Bingeable Authors * Trilogies That Emotionally Wrecked Us (Affectionate) * Top Fantasy / Paranormal / “Why Is This Actually So Good?” Reads * Weird Stuff We Only Read Because of the Podcast * Favorite New-to-Us Authors * Romance TV & Movies of the Year * Best New Series * Book of the Year Want to check out our award winners? Note, these are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission on any purchases at no additional cost to you: The Fall by Tal Bauer: https://amzn.to/3ZlBg9u A Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams: https://amzn.to/49vROSh Pounded by Produce by GM Fairy https://amzn.to/49IR0Ix My Date with An Ampersand by Nicole Parker https://amzn.to/4sJBeWB Skyland by Kennedy Ryan: https://amzn.to/4qYQZXP Friendship by Kate Canterbary https://amzn.to/3LC5Cl2 Las Leonas by Adriana Herrera https://amzn.to/49OmOf3 The Atrous series by NR Walker https://amzn.to/3NStT6T Teachers in Love by MA Wardell https://amzn.to/45hINJX Love & Steel by Jessica Topper https://amzn.to/3LzghwP Matzo Ballers by Jessica Topper and Amanda Usen https://amzn.to/4jNAZ8N The Playbook by Alexa Martin https://amzn.to/4jQiUqz By the Bootstraps by Alexa Martin https://amzn.to/45g8hYb Soft Launch by Olivia Carter https://amzn.to/4sVftTR The Wages of Sin series by Neve Wilder & Onley James https://amzn.to/3LzdJyL Secret Service by Tal Bauer: https://amzn.to/49F3fpn The Luckless series by Cari Z: https://amzn.to/3ZltLzm The Year of Us by EM Denning & Kate Hawthrone: https://amzn.to/4jQmz7N The Jilted Exes’ Club series by Riley Hart https://amzn.to/3LqIjdU Charmed Away Temp Agency series by Amy Padilla https://amzn.to/4pIPADX Lovers of the Damned series by Colette Rivera : https://amzn.to/49uTATJ The Brannon Boys series by Katherine McIntyre https://amzn.to/4sEPjEy Leather & Lattes series by Katherine McIntyre https://amzn.to/4pKSxUk Dungeons & Dating series by Katherine McIntyre https://amzn.to/49OmHA9 Raven of the Woods by Mary Calmes https://amzn.to/45F4J1Z A Matter of Time by Mary Calmes https://amzn.to/3Nu5Gnp Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon https://amzn.to/460xhCS Atlantic City Most Wanted by Charity Parkerson https://amzn.to/49EsHLO Sent to a Fantasy World and Now All the Men Want Me by Jaclyn Osborn: https://amzn.to/4qy3nhR Adopt a Vampire by AJ Sherwood https://amzn.to/49LvDX9 Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez: https://amzn.to/49IMBoN 10 ways to accidentally fall in love by Emmy Sanders: https://amzn.to/4pIktYX The Edge of Fate by Sheena Jolie: https://amzn.to/45jWAje 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

    49 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

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

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