<![CDATA[Your Mom's Romance Shelf]]>What happened to the romance books your mom read before BookTok existed?

Welcome to Your Mom’s Romance Shelf, where we revisit the romance novels that shaped the genre from the 1970s through the early 2000s—and ask the question: do they still hold up today?

Hosted by romance creator Alli Mowrey (@allireadstoomuch), each episode digs into the books, authors, tropes, and cultural moments that helped build modern romance. From Judith McNaught and Johanna Lindsey to Linda Howard and Susan Elizabeth Phillips, we’re revisiting the classics, talking about what made them so influential, and taking a very honest look at what has (and hasn’t) aged well.

Along the way, Alli talks with authors, booksellers, editors, publishers, academics, and lifelong romance readers about the books that shaped the genre we love today.

Nostalgia, romance history, questionable heroes, iconic heroines, and plenty of “did we really think this was romantic?” moments included.

]]>https://allireadstoomuch.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Sat, 10 Oct 2026 11:26:35 GMTTue, 15 Sep 2026 00:42:02 GMT60Alli Mowrey<p>What happened to the romance books your mom read before BookTok existed?</p><p>Welcome to <b><strong>Your Mom’s Romance Shelf</strong></b>, where we revisit the romance novels that shaped the genre from the 1970s through the early 2000s—and ask the question: <b><strong>do they still hold up today?</strong></b></p><p>Hosted by romance creator Alli Mowrey (@allireadstoomuch), each episode digs into the books, authors, tropes, and cultural moments that helped build modern romance. From Judith McNaught and Johanna Lindsey to Linda Howard and Susan Elizabeth Phillips, we’re revisiting the classics, talking about what made them so influential, and taking a very honest look at what has (and hasn’t) aged well.</p><p>Along the way, Alli talks with authors, booksellers, editors, publishers, academics, and lifelong romance readers about the books that shaped the genre we love today.</p><p>Nostalgia, romance history, questionable heroes, iconic heroines, and plenty of “did we really think this was romantic?” moments included.</p>episodicAlli Mowreyallireadstoomuch@gmail.comyes<![CDATA[Romance, Sexism & the Books That Shaped the Genre with Jodi McAlister]]>Why has romance been dismissed for so long—and what can the books of the past tell us about the genre today?

In the first episode of Your Mom’s Romance Shelf, I’m joined by romance author and scholar Jodi McAlister to talk about the history and evolution of romance, from bodice rippers and bonkbusters to dark romance and the books that shaped the genre.

We talk about sexism and the stigma around romance, why older romances were so wildly popular, how the genre has changed, and what we can learn from the books readers loved decades ago.

Learn more about the podcast:
allireadstoomuch.com/podcast

Follow Alli:
Instagram · TikTok · YouTube · Facebook

Follow Jodi McAllister:
Instagram · TikTok

Join theYour Mom’s Romance Shelf book club:
Fable Book Club

Books Mentioned in the Podcast:

Jodi McAllister

  • An Academic Affair — Jodi McAlister — Amazon
  • A Study in Sparkling — Jodi McAlister — Amazon

Books Discussed & Recommended

  • Welcome to Temptation — Jennifer Crusie — Amazon
  • The Flame and the Flower — Kathleen Woodiwiss — Amazon
  • Scruples — Judith Krantz — Amazon
  • Hollywood Wives — Jackie Collins — Amazon
  • Lady Boss — Jackie Collins — Amazon
  • Paradise — Judith McNaught — Amazon
  • Bet Me — Jennifer Crusie — Amazon
  • Lovelight Farms — B.K. Borison — Amazon
  • Devil in Winter — Lisa Kleypas
]]>9559b4bf-68f0-4d94-bb3b-e7296f9e6d65Wed, 07 Oct 2026 18:41:30 GMT<p><b><strong>Why has romance been dismissed for so long—and what can the books of the past tell us about the genre today?</strong></b></p><p>In the first episode of <i><em>Your Mom’s Romance Shelf</em></i>, I’m joined by romance author and scholar <b><strong>Jodi McAlister</strong></b> to talk about the history and evolution of romance, from bodice rippers and bonkbusters to dark romance and the books that shaped the genre.</p><p>We talk about sexism and the stigma around romance, why older romances were so wildly popular, how the genre has changed, and what we can learn from the books readers loved decades ago.</p><p><b><strong>Learn more about the podcast:</strong></b><br /><a href="https://www.allireadstoomuch.com/podcast?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">allireadstoomuch.com/podcast</a></p><p><b><strong>Follow Alli:</strong></b><br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/allireadstoomuch/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Instagram</a> · <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@allireadstoomuch?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">TikTok</a> · <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@allireadstoomuch?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">YouTube</a> · <a href="https://www.facebook.com/allireadstoomuch?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Facebook</a></p><p><b><strong>Follow Jodi McAllister:</strong></b><br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jodimcalister/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Instagram</a> · <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jodimcalister?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">TikTok</a></p><p><b><strong>Join the</strong></b><i><b><strong>Your Mom’s Romance Shelf</strong></b></i><b><strong> book club:</strong></b><br /><a href="https://fable.co/club/you-moms-romance-shelf-with-allison-mowrey-402199741406?club_type=free&amp;utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Fable Book Club</a></p><p><b><strong>Books Mentioned in the Podcast:</strong></b></p><p>Jodi McAllister</p><ul><li><b><strong>An Academic Affair</strong></b> — Jodi McAlister — <a href="https://amzn.to/4hAsxue?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Amazon</a></li><li><b><strong>A Study in Sparkling</strong></b> — Jodi McAlister — <a href="https://amzn.to/4yDlUgw?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Amazon</a></li></ul><p>Books Discussed &amp; Recommended</p><ul><li><b><strong>Welcome to Temptation</strong></b> — Jennifer Crusie — <a href="https://amzn.to/4zcETi2?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Amazon</a></li><li><b><strong>The Flame and the Flower</strong></b> — Kathleen Woodiwiss — <a href="https://amzn.to/4yy28mJ?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Amazon</a></li><li><b><strong>Scruples</strong></b> — Judith Krantz — <a href="https://amzn.to/4i8XK7S?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Amazon</a></li><li><b><strong>Hollywood Wives</strong></b> — Jackie Collins — <a href="https://amzn.to/4rQvWZ8?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Amazon</a></li><li><b><strong>Lady Boss</strong></b> — Jackie Collins — <a href="https://amzn.to/4jJj5Ga?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Amazon</a></li><li><b><strong>Paradise</strong></b> — Judith McNaught — <a href="https://amzn.to/4zoPExW?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Amazon</a></li><li><b><strong>Bet Me</strong></b> — Jennifer Crusie — <a href="https://amzn.to/4y5eQbm?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Amazon</a></li><li><b><strong>Lovelight Farms</strong></b> — B.K. Borison — <a href="https://amzn.to/4zjRJLl?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Amazon</a></li><li><b><strong>Devil in Winter</strong></b> — Lisa Kleypas</li></ul>no00:58:0411Romance, Sexism & the Books That Shaped the Genre with Jodi McAlisterfull<![CDATA[Introducing Your Mom’s Romance Shelf: A Nostalgic Romance Book Podcast]]>What can the romance novels women have loved for generations tell us about us? Welcome to Your Mom’s Romance Shelf, a new podcast exploring the books, authors, fantasies, and cultural conversations behind the romance genre. New episodes coming soon

]]>a57145c1-32e2-49a8-8094-8008bf610301Fri, 02 Oct 2026 16:39:02 GMT<p>What can the romance novels women have loved for generations tell us about us? Welcome to Your Mom’s Romance Shelf, a new podcast exploring the books, authors, fantasies, and cultural conversations behind the romance genre. New episodes coming soon</p>no00:00:581Introducing Your Mom’s Romance Shelf: A Nostalgic Romance Book Podcasttrailer