What makes a romance novel steamy? And do other people think some of your favorite sexy romance novels are all that steamy? This week, Mackenzie and Lily dive into creating a five-level "steam scale" for how to rank the steaminess of books. Mack also discusses what level of the steam scales she taps out at, and Lily describes the novel that made her head implode.

Major episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (1:23), Introduction to Main Topic (3:46), Discussion of Taylor Jenkins Reid's Novels (13:14), Discussion of Mhairi McFarlane's Novels and Would Like to Meet by Rachel Winters (14:12), Discussion of Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton and The Stationary Shop by Marjan Kamali (17:37), Discussion of Katherine Center’s Novels (19:50), Discussion of The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory (20:22), Discussion of The Trouble with Hating You by Sajini Patel (22:00), Discussion of Roomies by Christina Lauren (24:04), Discussion of Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren (25:13), Discussion of Twice in a Blue Moon and Other Novels by Christina Lauren (25:51), Discussion of Talia Hibbert and the Brown Sisters Trilogy (30:37), Discussion of The Idea of You by Robinne Lee (31:54), Discussion of The Marriage Game by Sarah Desai and The Dutchess Deal by Tessa Dare (34:23), Discussion of The Roommate by Rosie Danan (40:06), Discussion of Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas (40:37), Discussion of Him by Elle Kennedy and Sarina Bowen and Lush Money by Angelina M. Lopez (43:36), Discussion of Priest by Sierra Simone (50:28), Discussion of the Beards & Bondage Series by Rebekah Weatherspoon (52:23), What Else We’re Reading (56:18), Conclusion (01:03:05).

You can get full show notes and episode transcriptions on the Bad Bitch Book Club website: http://badbitchbookclub.com/podcast.

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Friends to Lovers is a Bad Bitch Book Club podcast hosted by BBBC founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer, editor, and bestie Lily Herman. Each week, they use books as a jumping off point to talk about sex, relationships, dating, love, romance, and more.

Podcast logo by MKW Creative Co. (https://mkwcreative.co/) and music by Eliza Rose Vera (http://www.elizarosevera.com). Full episode transcription by Colleen Ward.