She Reads Romance Books Podcast

Leslie Murphy runs one of the most focused book podcasts out there: it's romance, all romance, nothing but romance. And that specificity is exactly what makes it valuable. The show covers recommendations, trope breakdowns, author interviews, and monthly top-10 new release lists, all filtered through Leslie's deep knowledge of the genre and its many subgenres. Episodes typically run 30 to 40 minutes for solo recommendation shows, stretching to about an hour for author interviews. The format keeps things accessible -- Leslie designed the episodes to be short enough that you can get solid recommendations during a lunch break or commute. She has strong opinions about what works and what doesn't, and she'll get specific about tropes, from forced proximity to second-chance romance to the increasingly granular micro-tropes that romance readers love to debate. With 138 episodes and a perfect 5.0-star rating (though from a smaller pool of 22 reviews), the show has earned genuine loyalty from its audience. New episodes drop one to two times per week. The companion website includes a book club, reading challenges, and curated lists that extend the podcast's recommendations. Leslie's tone hits a sweet spot between enthusiastic fan and knowledgeable critic -- she clearly reads an enormous amount of romance and remembers the details. If you're a romance reader looking for your next favorite book, or if you're curious about the genre and want a guide who actually knows the territory, this podcast does the job exceptionally well.