Episodes

  • Hampus Gets Called to the Principal's Office

    Hampus Gets Called to the Principal's Office
    Jul 31 2025
    This week, the team dives into Jenna's hockey romance featuring Hampus, a troubled player facing ultimatums from team management. Listen as three romance authors dissect a tense office scene, debate whether dogs can "chuff" (spoiler: they can), and provide 742 comments on character development, setting details, and the fine art of writing close POV. Plus: Why yellow highlighting means love, the proper way to describe pen-flipping, and a heated discussion about furniture descriptions that gets surprisingly deep.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    58 mins
  • Resting Brood Face Syndrome

    Resting Brood Face Syndrome
    Jul 17 2025

    We're deep in Resting Brood Face territory this week as Vicki's Catching Trouble continues with Maxime's chapter two, where our grumpy hero discovers that scowling at customers might not be the best business strategy. From "wild, untamed Poseidon king" energy (our first yellow highlight!) to the eternal struggle of whether your protagonist wants to "please them or poison them," we're unpacking what happens when your brooding MMC needs an attitude adjustment.


    Expect fierce opinions on missing paragraph breaks that leave us guessing who's speaking, the fine art of making your hero's stakes crystal clear without getting vague and foreshadowy, and why "I'm not changing meat suppliers" might be the funniest defensive response we've heard all year.


    There's also a heated sidebar on French beach club terminology (spoiler: it's not what you think), spatial confusion that had us wondering if characters were teleporting across tables, and the ongoing mystery of when exactly coffee became an evening beverage.


    Come for the business advice critique, stay for the collective realization that sometimes your chapter just needs more work—and that's perfectly okay because we're all here to help you polish that diamond.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 20 mins
  • Stop Harassing My Wife (and Other Logistics Fails)

    Stop Harassing My Wife (and Other Logistics Fails)
    Jul 3 2025

    We’re deep in scene logistics, missing windows, and rogue dental appointments this week as Heather's submission hits the group chat. From personified smiles to hallway entrances that don’t quite make sense, we’re unpacking character movement, setting gaps, and what it really means to widen your stance (and direct it at a human, not a desk).


    Expect fierce opinions on all-caps dialogue, the eternal “shoved” dilemma, and why your editor should absolutely be flagging things that would never fly in a trad pub line edit. There’s also a heated sidebar on proper abbreviation punctuation, a cameo by Joel’s shorts (we missed them), and the collective unraveling that happens when someone’s on mute too long.


    Is it personification or poetic license? Do we hate this line or love it enough to keep it? And how many times can one character say “damn” before it becomes a drinking game?

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Mistakes Were Made. Horses Were Spotted.

    Mistakes Were Made. Horses Were Spotted.
    Jun 19 2025

    In this episode of Kissing Books Critique, we dive headfirst into Vicki’s brand-new first chapter, an angsty, small-town cowboy romance inspired by a classic '90s country hit. From navigating car logistics (who’s driving again?) to unpacking the emotional weight of fictional towns and old flames, we’re tackling it all with our usual blend of craft, chaos, and cackling. We discuss grounding your reader, writing character-specific setting, and how your past (and your ex) might just inspire your bestseller.


    Come for the critique, stay for the snort-laughs and made-up men who hit differently.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr
  • Critique and Ice Cream Cliffs: Chloe’s Chapter Takes the Stage

    Critique and Ice Cream Cliffs: Chloe’s Chapter Takes the Stage
    Jun 4 2025
    We’re back in action, and this time it’s Vicki’s turn in the hot seat! Join us as we dive into the second half of Chapter One from the final book in her globe-trotting, language-blending trilogy. This one stars Chloe. Former sidekick, current leading lady, and the kind of character we all want to grab drinks with. We dig into voice, visual clarity, and the magic of reading your work aloud (even if it makes you cringe a little). Expect sprinkles of craft talk, ice cream metaphors, and our usual blend of honest critique and uncontrollable giggles.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    51 mins
  • French Kisses, Freckles, and First Chapters

    French Kisses, Freckles, and First Chapters
    May 21 2025
    This week on Kissing Books Critique, it's Vicki's turn in the hot seat as we dive into the sparkling first chapter of her upcoming (and final!) book in the French Kisses trilogy. We talk freckle problems, seaside settings, and what exactly comes to mind when someone says "French kiss" (spoiler: it’s not subtle). As always, we sandwich the critique between some well-earned praise, lovingly dissect Chloe’s sun-drenched arrival in a charming French village, and offer feedback on tone, setting, and reader expectations. Join us for beachy vibes, writing laughs, and a whole lot of tongue-in-cheek commentary - pun absolutely intended.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    57 mins
  • That Scene Where He Takes His Shirt Off (Sorta)

    That Scene Where He Takes His Shirt Off (Sorta)
    Apr 23 2025
    This week on Kissing Books Critique, the spotlight turns to Jenna’s upcoming romance Unleashed—and things heat up fast (literally). Heather and Vicki dive into a rain-soaked, tension-filled chapter where sparks fly and shirts come off. We critique everything from setting clarity and physical grounding to repeated metaphors and emotionally immersive POV. Along the way, we unpack how to handle romantic tension, first-draft indulgences, and the fine line between repetition and resonance. Plus, we debate whether five mentions of citrus spice are too many (spoiler: they are). Come for the critique, stay for the laughter, and leave with tools to level up your writing.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    50 mins
  • Starting Off Wobbly: Why First Chapters Are So Hard

    Starting Off Wobbly: Why First Chapters Are So Hard
    Apr 9 2025
    We’re back—and just a little too excited about it. In this giddy return to the pod, Jenna reads the first chapter of Heather's current WIP, featuring Mason and Ronnie, two characters with too much communication and a whole lot of tension. Vicky brings the critique, and together we dive into why first chapters are so dang hard to get right. Spoiler: nobody’s first draft is sacred. Join us as we navigate awkward openings, info-dump avoidance, and the very real struggle of finding your voice on page one.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 23 mins