Advertise on podcast: Queerly Recommended

This week, Kris returns to the podcast all the way from Iceland to tell us facts about volcanoes, the sheep to human ratio, and what the TSA makes of peanut butter. Official Recommendations  From Kris: Fairyland (2023) Kris's official recommendation this week is Fairyland, a film based on Alysia Abbott's Fairyland: A Memoir of My Father. It follows Alysia from the age of six when she loses her mother to a car accident and moves with her gay father to San Francisco in the 70s.   From Tara: In What World by Bridget Morrissey Tara's official recommendation this week is In What World by Bridget Morrissey, which did the thing that all readers hope for: it surprised her. High school rivals reconnect as adults and are given a glimpse at all the kinds of worlds as they search for their missing mentor. Is this vague? Absolutely. Tara wants you to go in as blind as possible so you can have that same surprising treat. Check it out! Works/People Discussed Love is Blind: UK (Netflix) Jeopardy! Masters (ABC) Balatro (LocalThunk) Power Wash Simulator The Marvel Cinematic Universe  The Forever Match by Clare Lydon Support & Follow the Show Buy us a Ko-fi Facebook Instagram Threads Bluesky TikTok YouTube Get all our links on Linktr.ee

Kris is on vacation, so Tara is joined by friend of the pod, Becks Quirk! They talk about the trends they're seeing in sapphic fiction publishing and share marketing advice for authors.  Follow Becks on Instagram, Facebook, Threads.  Support & Follow the Show Buy us a Ko-fi Facebook Instagram Threads Bluesky TikTok YouTube Get all our links on Linktr.ee

We return from our break with tales of GCLS and family trips, before diving into our deep backlog and emerging with fresh recommendations to get you through the end of summer. Official Recommendations From Kris: Crash Into You by E. J. Noyes Kris's official recommendation this week is Crash Into You by E. J. Noyes. This powerful book is about a twin overcoming the loss of her sister and her struggle to rebuild her life in the aftermath of that loss. Kris was absolutely wowed by this one, considering it less of a romance and more of a deep character study with romantic elements. It's a heavy book, so check the tags and trigger warnings before you dive in. If and when you do? Kris is confident that you'll find something powerful to get lost in. From Tara: Never Date a Celebrity by Claire Forsythe Tara's official recommendation this week is Never Date a Celebrity by Claire Forsythe. Imogen is brutally dumped by her influencer girlfriend online, causing her to withdraw from social media and get talked into taking over a pub in a small Irish town with her two closest friends. Celebrities are everywhere these days, though, and an increasingly famous actor can't help but be charmed by the way Imogen has no idea who she is. Tara loves the chemistry in this book and the smalltown setting. Works/People Discussed Josh Johnson Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert: A Novel by Bob The Drag Queen Conan the Barbarian (1982) The Other Bennet Sister (BBC One) Welcome to Ero-TEA-Ca by Alyson Root Those Who Wait by Haley Cass Support & Follow the Show Buy us a Ko-fi Facebook Instagram Threads Bluesky TikTok YouTube Get all our links on Linktr.ee

This week, Kris and Tara talk pets and compare parenting styles across species. Kris shares her 28-hour look into a life with young kids and says, "No thanks!", while Tara has started seeing a chiropractor after a life of being suspicious of them and…maybe it's working?  Official Recommendations  From Kris: Crush (2022) Kris's official recommendation this week is Crush. It's a teenage romantic comedy about a high school girl who joins the track team to pursue her crush, only to fall for someone she doesn't expect. Kris applauded this low-stress, amazingly cast, clever and sex-positive movie, and thinks you should check it out too. From Tara: The Guest Book by Mae Marvel Tara's official recommendation this week is The Guest Book by Mae Marvel, a sapphic romance about two very different American women who find themselves (and each other!) in Europe on a romantic treasure hunt. Tara found this to be a very special book, with a beautiful and unique voice and great characters.  Works/People Discussed The Pitt (HBO Max) Alone (History Channel) House of the Dragon (HBO) RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars (Paramount+) The Witches of Eastwick (1987) Ice Princesses by Maria Rigou Support & Follow the Show Buy us a Ko-fi Facebook Instagram Threads Bluesky TikTok YouTube Get all our links on Linktr.ee

This week, Tara and Kris talk kittens, killer hounds and Cameo.  Official Recommendations From Kris: Riley (2023) Kris's official recommendation this week is the film Riley (2023), a coming out story of a young closeted football player struggling to accept his identity. Kris loves these stories and how Riley shows a distinct contrast between how much more young queer people are accepted now compared to when she was growing up.  From Tara: Caroline's Courtesan by Jess Michaels Tara's official recommendation is Caroline's Courtesan by Jess Michaels. It wasn't until after she'd finished the book that Tara realized that this is book four in a series, and it turns out it doesn't matter that much. Tara describes this book as a gentle, perfect book for Regency romance lovers who always wanted them to be sapphic. Check it out. Works/People Discussed The Sheep Detectives (2026) Alone (History Channel) House of the Dragon (HBO) RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars (Paramount+) Dimension 20: A Court of Fey and Flowers (Dropout.tv) Losing Control by JJ Arias Support & Follow the Show Buy us a Ko-fi Facebook Instagram Threads Bluesky TikTok YouTube Get all our links on Linktr.ee

We're back for Pride, Part Two! Kris talks about the delightful romance bookshop she discovered in her city (shout out to Smitten Booktique). While comparing the relative merits and discomforts of different medical procedures, Tara and Kris provide their irregularly timed reminder to get your boobs squished, you know, professionally.  Official Recommendations  From Kris: Shrill (Hulu/Netflix) Kris's official recommendation this week is the TV series Shrill (originally released on Hulu, now available on Netflix). Kris loved this show, especially Aidy Bryant as the lead, and praised the queer representation in the show's side characters. From Tara: The Whole Truth by Haley Cass Tara's official recommendations this week is The Whole Truth by Haley Cass, an enemies-to-lovers sapphic romance set in the world of country music. Tara adored the chemistry between these two characters as they go from enemies with benefits to their happily ever after, and thinks you will too. Works/People Discussed Smitten Booktique, Kansas City Maternal Instinct (2026) Outlast: The Jungle (Netflix) Siren: Survive the Island (Netflix) RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars (Paramount+) The Birdcage (1996) Madame Hyde by Thea Belmont At Your Most Beautiful by Harper Bliss Support & Follow the Show Buy us a Ko-fi Facebook Instagram Threads Bluesky TikTok YouTube Get all our links on Linktr.ee

It's that most wonderful time of the year (Pride! And it's beach reads time!). Old Lady Tara rears her ancient head this episode, talking about respecting bedtimes and being excited for the rain to loosen up the soil for weeding flowerbeds. We also return to one of our favourite topics of conversation: book covers. Official Recommendations  From Kris: Love is a Contact Sport by Frederick Smith Kris's official recommendation this week is the gay romance novel Love is a Contact Sport by Frederick Smith. You may remember Smith from previous episodes where we've officially recommended his book One and Done and had the opportunity to sit down with him for a conversation. This second chance romance includes aspects of relationships we don't often see on page, like therapy and safe sex practices. Kris loved this one. From Tara: For the Bride by Becca Grischow Tara's official recommendation this week is For the Bride by Becca Grischow, an enemies to lovers sapphic romance that Tara couldn't put down. She may have quibbles about the cover's colour scheme, but only because it suggests the book is a cozy, rom-com kind of affair, which it is not (and that's a very good thing). The main character, Alice, is a mess and Tara hasn't seen this kind of character work in a long time. 2026 has been a great year for books and For the Bride is right up there. Works/People Discussed The Matrix (1999) The Four Seasons (Netflix) The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026) RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars (Paramount+) Project Hail Mary (2026) Madame Hyde by Thea Belmont Support & Follow the Show Buy us a Ko-fi Facebook Instagram Threads Bluesky TikTok YouTube Get all our links on Linktr.ee

Kris is writing again, and in a way she never thought she'd do it. Tara returns from surviving the plague with a list of books they read during all that horizontal time (her pain is your gain). We also get some deep Tara reading lore about how they read in high school and university, before Kris and Tara expand the definition of the second chance romance. Official Recommendations From Kris: Running Point (Netflix)  Kris's official recommendation this week is Running Point, a sports comedy about a wealthy and highly dysfunctional family trying to make it all work in the NBA. Kris loved it and found the character development over the two seasons worth the journey. Check it out! From Tara: Girlfriend Goals by Clare Lydon Tara's official recommendation this week is Girlfriend Goals by Clare Lydon. Tara describes this romance as a best friends to ghosting to rivals to lovers and the experience of reading it challenged and expanded their understanding of the second chance romance trope.  Works/People Discussed Love is a Contact Sport by Frederick Smith Jeopardy! (NBC) The Devil Wears Prada 2 (2026) Death Becomes Her (1992) The Fall Guy (2024) Miss Woodhouse and Miss Fairfax by Maisie Jardelle At Her Service by Anna Stone Hers to Keep by Anna Stone The Princess Match by Clare Lydon Support & Follow the Show Buy us a Ko-fi Facebook Instagram Threads Bluesky TikTok YouTube Get all our links on Linktr.ee

It's Kris's birthday today! Happy Birthday, Kris. (How old is she? She'll never tell.) This birthday episode is special in more ways than one. Our hosts compare war stories over driver's license photos and Kris discovers Tara's "sexy angry" face from the distant past. Then it's time for the *check notes* ONE official recommendation? That's right, folks, there's only one official recommendation today and it's The Devil Wears Prada 2. The original film still has a thriving fanfic community, which is very important personally to Tara. Dive in with them as they discuss the original film's legacy, the new movie, and all the fun they had. Works/People Discussed Million Dollar Secret (Netflix) Survivor (CBS) Project Hail Mary (2026) Love is a Contact Sport by Frederick Smith Summer Official by Rebekah Weatherspoon The Long Con by Jenna Voris The Duke by Anna Cowan Support & Follow the Show Buy us a Ko-fi Facebook Instagram Threads Bluesky TikTok YouTube Get all our links on Linktr.ee

Things have been mostly quiet here at the old QR HQ, but the only news is good news! Kris's book Scandalous is up for a Goldie in the contemporary romance: mid-length novels category. In place of any new developments, Tara brings an extra official recommendation to the party. Official Recommendations  From Kris: Pillion (2025)  Kris's official recommendation this week is the movie Pillion. It's the story of a dreary wallflower of a young man who meets a biker and is carried into the world of BDSM. Kris learned a lot from this movie and enjoyed it thoroughly. From Tara: The Miseducation of Caroline Bingley by Lindz McLeod and The Second Draft by Carrie Byrd This week, Tara's first recommendation isThe Miseducation of Caroline Bingley by Lindz McLeod. It's the second story in her Ausentatious series, which asks "what if?" about sapphic partnerships among the side characters of Pride and Prejudice. Tara recommended the previous book, The Unlikely Pursuit of Mary Bennet, waaaaay back in episode 104 and came away from this one liking it more. In this story, Caroline Bingley asks Georgiana Darcy to teach her how to be a good person, and they find love along the way. The writing nails the balance between sounding period appropriate and remaining compelling for a modern audience (plus it has all the sex scenes that Austen didn't put in, but probably wanted to). The second recommendation is The Second Draft by Carrie Byrd. Tara adored this one. The only problem is, all the reasons she loved it most are spoilers! What she can tell you is that it's a later-in-life coming out story bundled with a sweet and emotional friends-to-lovers arc. The writing moved her and she thinks it'll move you too. Works/People Discussed Shrinking (Apple TV+) Paradise, Season Two (Hulu) Love on the Spectrum (Netflix) The Red Duet (Chasing Red & Catching Red) by Alix Marren Support & Follow the Show Buy us a Ko-fi Facebook Instagram Threads  Bluesky TikTok YouTube  Get all our links on Linktr.ee

This week, Kris returns to the pod smelling of peppermint and burdened with so much toilet paper and toothpaste, you wouldn't believe it. Together with Tara, they talk about the television finales that have let us down and the rigged reality shows that break our hearts. Finally, they make their moves and recommend what's been stirring their hearts lately. Listen to your pit crews, listeners. They might just save your life. Official Recommendations  From Kris: Make Your Move by Melissa Brayden Kris's official recommendation this week is the soon-to-be-released Make Your Move by Melissa Brayden. Taking place in the world of F1 racing, Kris found this sapphic romance to be a fast and furious read. She praises Brayden's exploration of a new world and how deeply the author delves into her characters.  From Tara: Keep Talking by J.J. Arias Tara's official recommendation this week is Keep Talking by J.J. Arias, an age gap romance set in the world of sapphic audiobook narration. Tara adored this book for its writing and its characters, and says it's the one to beat so far in 2026 for best books. Definitely check it out. Works/People Discussed Game of Thrones (HBO) March Madness Love on the Spectrum (Netflix) Age of Attraction (Netflix) Trixie & Katya watch Age of Attraction Season One Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles (Square Enix) RuPaul's Drag Race (World of Wonder) Extracted (Fox) Culinary Class Wars: Season Two (Netflix) Intercepting Her Heart by KatDeMedi Strap In by Lou Morgan Support & Follow the Show Buy us a Ko-fi Facebook Instagram Threads  Bluesky TikTok YouTube  Get all our links on Linktr.ee

It's 2026, so we're talking about plagues and protests. Kris is sick again after spending too much time around small children, which means she has a bevy of binge-worthy television to recommend. Despite a board game haul and a blast from gaming past, Tara's also had time to read a book or two. They also talk about prologue protocol and epilogue etiquette.  Official Recommendations  From Kris: Deadloch (Amazon Prime) Kris's recommendation this week is Deadloch, an Australian black-comedy crime mystery series set in a remote town that's dealing with a murder. Kris praised the character work and the different approach to comedy (including its face-eating seal named Kevin). Deadloch is in its second season now, but Kris's recommendation is solely for its first. From Tara: Margin of Error by Rachel Lacey Tara's official recommendation this week is Margin of Error by Rachel Lacey. This sapphic romance begins with a chance meeting and a traumatic event that impacts the two leads, who reconnect a couple of years later in a small town in Vermont. Tara loved how this story shows two women coming to their sexuality later in life and the different ways that is expressed. It's a deliciously slow burn, and Tara thinks that if you're into slow, you'll love this book.  Works/People Discussed What's Wrong With You (game) Game of Thrones (HBO) Tempting Olivia by Clare Ashton Extracted (Fox) Bridgerton (Netflix) RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World (BBC Three) RuPaul's Drag Race (World of Wonder) Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles (Square Enix) Taylor Tomlinson: Prodigal Daughter (2026)  Of Potions and Honey by Cara N. Delaney Support & Follow the Show Buy us a Ko-fi Facebook Instagram Threads  Bluesky TikTok YouTube  Get all our links on Linktr.ee

As we hunker down for a horrible winter storm, Kris and Tara have their first-ever fight on the podcast. Lines are drawn, things are said that can't be taken back, but laughs are also had. Official Recommendations  From Kris: The Holiday Club (2024) Kris's official recommendation this week is The Holiday Club, a movie that follows two friends over the course of a year through various holidays as their relationship blossoms into something deeper and more romantic. Kris was charmed by this slow burn, low-angst story, and thinks you will be too. The Love Book by Gun Brooke Tara's official recommendation this week is The Love Book by Gun Brooke. It's a sapphic romance novel that's bursting with things. Too many things, some might say, but Tara found it just right. When the poorly performing assistant to a high powered literary agent (who the assistant is also in love with) accidentally sends them their own manuscript anonymously, the two begin a dance of deception intended to keep the assistant's job but might end up winning…their hearts. Works/People Discussed Paradise, Season Two (Hulu) Love is Blind (Netflix) RuPaul's Drag Race (World of Wonder) RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World (BBC Three) Drag Queens Trixie Mattel & Katya React to The Boyfriend Season 2 | Netflix (YouTube) and I fell heavy into your arms by Libstar (56k words) What's In A Name by InBetweens (18k words) Support & Follow the Show Buy us a Ko-fi Facebook Instagram Threads  Bluesky TikTok YouTube  Get all our links on Linktr.ee

This week, Kris has no news and Tara tells all about her latest boob squishing appointment. Get your boobs squished, y'all. It's important. They also talk about the Olympics and other current topics like the Newhart series finale. Official Recommendations From Kris: The 'Burbs (Peacock) Kris's official recommendation this week is The 'Burbs, a new TV adaptation of the 1989 movie starring Tom Hanks and Carrie Fisher. Kris found herself late to the Keke Palmer party, but now she's here and loving it.  From Tara: Moonstone Island (Studio Supersoft) Tara's official recommendation this week is Moonstone Island, an indie game described by Tara as a mix of Stardew Valley and Pokemon.  Works/People Discussed The Night Agent (Netflix) Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model (Netflix) RuPaul's Drag Race (World of Wonder) RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World (BBC Three) The Boyfriend (Netflix) The 'Burbs (1989) Support & Follow the Show Buy us a Ko-fi Facebook Instagram Threads  Bluesky TikTok YouTube  Get all our links on Linktr.ee

So… we skipped a week and didn't tell anyone. Sorry about that, folks. Life got in the way in a big way, but we're back with stories to tell. Kris and Tara share COVID stories. Kris dives into her experience at ReadOUT. And of course, we've got those tasty, tasty recommendations. Official Recommendations From Kris: Best in Show (2000) Kris's official recommendation this week is the film Best in Show, in honour of the late, great, and very much missed Catherine O'Hara. It's a mockumentary set in the wild and wacky world of competitive dog shows and the people who devote their lives to it. And, it turns out that the film aged fairly well. If you haven't seen it before, check it out. From Tara: When She Flies by Lee Winter Tara's official recommendation this week is When She Flies by Lee Winter. Despite a humiliating first encounter that only one of them remembers, Jasmine and Sienna reconnect later in life by chance and their relationship churns up a lot of things that need changing in their personal lives. Tara thinks this book would make an awesome mini-series. Works/People Discussed ReadOUT 2026 EF5 by Kris Bryant Bridgerton (Netflix) Queer Eye (Netflix) 60 Days In (A&E) The Traitors (Peacock) His and Hers (Netflix) RuPaul's Drag Race (World of Wonder) RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World (BBC Three) Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! (2026) This Love is Undeniable by MJ Duncan Support & Follow the Show Buy us a Ko-fi Facebook Instagram Threads  Bluesky TikTok YouTube  Get all our links on Linktr.ee