Why are there so few plus-size protagonists or love interests in romance novels? And why are there even fewer books with plus-size protagonists AND love interests in the same story? This week, Mackenzie and Lily dive into the romance genre's ongoing issues with fatphobia and discuss which books and authors are at least getting the conversation going.

Content warning: This episode discusses clothing sizes, disordered eating, and weight.

Major episode timestamps: Introduction (0:00), Housekeeping (2:25), Introduction to Main Topic (3:10), Discussion of Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade (12:43), Discussion of Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert (17:51), Discussion of Xeni by Rebekah Weatherspoon (21:52), Discussion of One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London (26:23), Discussion of Brazen and the Beast by Sarah MacLean (33:05), Discussion of If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy (34:24), What Else We’re Reading (36:08), Conclusion (43:18).

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

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Buy all books mentioned on Friends to Lovers: https://bookshop.org/lists/friends-to-lovers-podcast.

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.