We made it. In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, we are coming to the end of the first Ripped & Ravished Book Club, Francesca (Under the Covers Book Blog) and Becky (Too Stupid to Live Podcast) cover Chapters 9-10 of The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, and the last two chapters feel like the book suddenly swerves into an entirely different genre with an epic finale. We finally get the long teased romance payoff (yes, that probing scene, Becky clocked the exact page), plus the most chaotic party in Charleston, peak jealousy, and the book's ultimate talent: miscommunication as a lifestyle. Then the story goes full gothic romance meets slasher: blackmail, bodies turning up, a surprise reveal, and Heather's London past crashing back into the present. We also talk about what actually works here (tension, suspense, and the feeling that Woodiwiss was writing from pure author freedom and desire rather than market formulas), what still doesn't, and why this book remains such an important artifact in romance history, even if it's complicated to "rate" with modern eyes. Catch up here (and watch the video of this episode): https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/the-flame-and-the-flower-review/ Content warnings: discussion includes rape/forced seduction, coercion, violence, murder/death, blackmail, and misogyny. Please take care of yourself. What's next: We're not done with Ripped & Ravished, coming up, we'll be talking with romance authors who loved this book when it first hit, and what it's like to revisit it now. And of course announcing what is our next read for March/April. Timestamps00:00 Why It Feels Original 00:25 Podcast Setup And Warnings 01:39 Final Chapters Reaction 02:17 Horse Ride Flirting 06:39 Party Jealousy And Louisa 08:41 Assault Trope And Gothic Vibes 12:45 Miscommunication And Consent Tension 21:47 Upstairs During The Party 28:23 Chapter Ten Serial Killer Twist 29:02 Whodunit Clues And Blackmail 31:13 Louisa Murder Suspicions 31:43 Doubt and Confession 32:39 Heather Blackmail Spiral 33:50 Romance Meets Suspense 35:10 Explosive Final Chapters 36:24 He Knew All Along 37:36 Accountability and Consent 41:41 Female Pleasure Awakens 42:52 Can You Rate This 54:55 The Bath Obsession 59:38 Publishing Then vs Now 01:03:00 Why Readers Want Original 01:07:16 Wrap Up and Next Steps Links to join the book club + resourcesRipped & Ravished Book Club hub: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/bodice-ripper-book-club/ Sign up for the book club newsletter: https://underthecovers.myflodesk.com/ripped-ravished Kathleen E. Woodiwiss Author Guide: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/kathleen-e-woodiwiss-author-guide/ Romance Evolution through the Decades (1970s): https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/history-of-1970s-romance-novels/ 1970s Romance: Iconic Romance Novels: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/1970s-romance-novels/ Follow Becky / Too Stupid to Live Podcast: https://tstlpodcast.substack.com https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/too-stupid-to-live-romance-reviews-%245-and-under/id1141770521 https://open.spotify.com/show/2rhn2BiyPFDZNMXIHxi2jC https://www.instagram.com/tstlpodcast/?hl=en ✨ Loved the episode? Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕 💌 Talk to Me: Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message. ☕ Support the Show: Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing. 📚 Stay Connected: Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates. 💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!
