Confessions of a Closet Romantic – Détails, épisodes et analyse

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After losing my sweet senior dog this week, I find myself mired in waves of grief, but in between, also feeling grateful for love: human, animal, loving relationships in all of their forms and however they come into our lives. The love of an animal is a very special experience, and my heart goes out to other pet guardians who may be experiencing anticipatory grief of their own.

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It's hard to describe how sexy, funny yet heartbreaking this mini series is. Based on real-life best friends Molly and Nikki, who created a podcast about Molly's sexual adventures while in hospice, it's one woman's story of healing, emotional fulfillment and discovering who she is as a romantic and sexual being. It's also a comical, heartfelt, life-affirming look at the deep bonds and love shared between female friends. (CW: explicit descriptions of kink and sex, reference to childhood SA)

"I want to feel everything for as long as I can."

The full cast and crew of Dying for Sex.

"The show taught me so much about what sex could be...” Variety interviews Dying for Sex co-showrunners Kim Rosenstock and Elizabeth Meriwether.

"Molly wanted to fall in love, and she did; she fell in love with herself...so whatever is on your list of things to do before you die—you better get started.”

"Love isn’t just doing what you think is best for someone, whether or not they want it. It’s learning how they want to be loved and loving them that way." Awesome interview with Dying for Sex co-showrunner Kim Rosenstock.

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It's the season: bring on the witchy energy. These movies could be called dark romcoms, because they center romantic love in their plots, and they're often funny, but it's a corrupted or disappointing love, with witches as the main characters scrambling to find their power and the right sorcery for success, illegal illicit or otherwise. On the way to making us laugh or cry, these movies explore some fairly serious themes around domestic violence, sexual consent, cultural conditioning, emotional abuse and how the patriarchy often strives to minimize and control women's innate power. You will definitely laugh, too.

https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com

I guess horror comedy works too. Sex magik creates love magic, sex magik creates…

Oh geez: another weird retro trailer. Even Variety agrees with me. Fortunately they have another chance to get it right, because Practical Magic 2 is now officially in the works.

Bell, Book and Candle, the full movie on YouTube.

The only witchy polycule that I know of.

The anatomy of a spell.

Witch history and self-help.

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Human beings exist on a spectrum of diversity and differences, and romances that reflect that are touching my heart lately. The widest range of life experiences represented in stories can only be a good thing.  Being seen and accepted, not treated as an exception, is inspiring. It's all part of the flow of life.

https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com

April 2 was World Autism Awareness Day, and April is National Autism Awareness Month in the US. Audible has a fantastic roundup of audiobooks in all genres that celebrate neuro difference and diversity.

Interesting article in Forbes on disability representation in film.

I call Michael, the hero of The Kiss Quotient, a cinnamon roll in this episode and realized not everyone's familiar with the character labels of Romancelandia. There are so many I still don't know :) A cinnamon roll hero is the sweetest, kindest, most supportive, all around nicest person to a heroine. Here's a great roundup of books featuring cinnamon roll heroes.

The Bride Test audiobook. Have I mentioned how much I love it? It's narrated by Emily Woo Zeller. She has won awards. I would follow that voice anywhere.

The third book in the series, The Heart Principle, is coming soon! Learn more about bestselling author Helen Hoang here.

At the moment, it looks like Doc Martin can be streamed on Hulu, Acorn TV and YouTube TV in the US.

Here's the  compilation of the Doc's most awkward moments from S1 and S2.

Michael is described as looking like a particular K-drama heartthrob in The Kiss Quotient. If you haven't watched these, they're like a romance/soap opera combo. Netflix has a ton and wow, they're addictive. I used to work in book publishing, so I'm currently gobbling up the K-drama  Romance Is a Bonus Book.

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Some of my favorite romantic stories create intimate worlds where true, vulnerable, heartfelt things can be said--and done. Sometimes it takes half the story to get there, sometimes it takes most of the story, but it's always worth the wait for that magic moment when characters finally bare their hearts.

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Original vintage trailer for The Shop Around the Corner. Oh, the charm.

Nora Ephron followed the original  first date scene very closely in her remake, You've Got Mail. Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullavan were very good friends in real life and Jimmy carried a tiny torch for her for a long time.  Thinking that's why they're so adorable together in this movie!

The trailer for You've Got Mail. It doesn't do this movie justice. At all. See it!

Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn  is worth the read in any format, but the audiobook, performed by Nicol Zanzarella, is sublime.

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Unrequited love, "the timing's wrong" coupling, enemies to friends, friends to lovers, and then sometimes back to friends. What are these relationships about? Does chemistry even need a category? Some unforgettable romantic movies pin down that bittersweet, undeniable connection.

https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com


Change the World  and Change Your Mind are the soundtrack to this episode. Yep, I'm an idealist.


Featured in order:

500 Days of Summer

When Harry Met Sally

The Age of Innocence

La La Land

The Red Shoes is a glorious, groundbreaking visual trip of a movie that explores how love and romance connect with the artistic process.

Made of Honor

Sex and the City

The Broken Hearts Gallery
 

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Most romance makes me feel warm, optimistic and hopeful. But sometimes hot and kinky is what you need. A touch of BDSM. Sex with an alien. The wild fantasies of some contemporary romances practically catch fire on the page. And sometimes non-fancy hot sex with good communication and a considerate fictional character who appeals to you does the trick. It's risk-free,  shame-free pretend in this episode, in any flavor you want. Vanilla?  I'm here to support it all.

Confessions of a Closet Romantic

If you like exploring story forms in any genre, TV Tropes is the place to be online. Plan on a week--or at least being late for dinner.


Book excerpts in order:

Savor You from the Fusion series by Kristen Proby. This whole series is on fire, especially in audiobook.

An Indecent Proposal from the O'Malleys series by Katee Robert. Haven't read the whole series yet, but oh I'm going to get to it. If you like your romances hot and spicy with a bit of  kink, Katee Robert is your one-stop shop.

Best Man with Benefits, by Samanthe Beck, part of the Wedding Dare series. This series is hot, hot, hot.

Savor You 

There wasn't enough space, but I'm in love with the hot hockey hunks with hearts of gold in the Chicago Rebels series by Kate Meader. Unmissable for professional-sports hero trope lovers!

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I've been having fun reading a ton of contemporary romances featuring buff young things getting it on. But it's time to get real: which means ageless love, with plenty of imperfection, wisdom and fun thrown in. It's romance full of humor, honesty, acceptance and kindness. The sexiest combo I know.

https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com

The Heaving Bosoms podcast features different romance novels that best friends Erin and Melody have enjoyed--or just have opinions about. Hysterical, smart opinions.

At Home in Mitford

Movies/TV Shows mentioned:

Something's Gotta Give

Our Souls at Night

Book Club

Grace and Frankie

State of the Union

Geraldine bags Johnny Depp!! in this Vicar of Dibley special.

It's Complicated

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It's all about the alpha male today. Because he likes it that way, and dammit, makes me like it too. Plus, nobody ties a sexier Windsor knot than Jamie Dornan as Christian Grey.


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Is it hot in here? The official, and super steamy, Fifty Shades of Grey trailer.

And then, it gets Fifty Shades Darker.

Crazy Rich Asians trailer.

The Romcomathon podcast episode on Crazy Rich Asians.

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Who knew that Empire-waist dresses, waistcoats,  cravats and women discovering their own power could be so sexy? Well, fans of Regency romance know. It's all about the debs and the Dukes in this episode. These two shows are the place to start your new, fresh, modern costume drama love affair.

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Fascinating interview with Bridgerton showrunner Chris Van Dusen. He talks about adapting the books, the mostly female writers' room, the female gaze throughout and a controversial sex scene.


The Duke and Daphne's first dance. With all kinds of fireworks.

Every costume drama dance scene is the best dance scene to me, but Oh This Dance. It's worth watching the entire season of Sanditon for this moment.

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