If You Love Romance, Try These Literary Fiction Gems

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This episode originally aired in March 30, 2023.

Craving literary fiction that still scratches your romance itch? This episode is your cozy bridge between genres.

Laura Anne Bird joins Laura to share beautifully written, emotionally satisfying novels with unforgettable heroines, deep friendships, and just enough love to keep romance readers turning pages.

You’ll hear why these picks feel approachable (not intimidating!), how they honor big feelings and found family, and where they overlap with today’s rom-dram trends. Expect nuanced characters, heart-healing endings, and book-club-ready discussion vibes.

📚 Books Mentioned

All This Could Be Different by Sarah Thankam Mathews — Buy on Amazon | Literary Fiction, Friendship, Millennial Life | Audio ✅

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin — Buy on Amazon | Literary, Friendship Epic, Creativity | Audio ✅

The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell — Buy on Amazon | Historical Literary, Power, Survival | Audio ✅

The Sentence by Louise Erdrich — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Literary, Indigenous MC, Bookstore | Audio ✅

This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub — Buy on Amazon | Time Travel, Family, Second Chances | Audio ✅

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus — Buy on Amazon | Women-in-STEM, 1960s, Found Family | Audio ✅

Crossing the Pressure Line by Laura Ann Bird — Buy on Amazon | Middle Grade, Adventure, Outdoors

⏱️ Time Stamps

00:00 Welcome back + midlife pep talk

03:00 Why lit fic works for romance readers (representation, big feelings)

05:00 All This Could Be Different — messy 20s & found family

09:00 Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow — love without romance

12:00 The Marriage Portrait — historical stakes + female friendship

15:00 The Sentence — bookstore life, 2020, tender marriage core

18:00 This Time Tomorrow — time travel, father–daughter heart

21:30 Lessons in Chemistry — women-in-STEM sparkle

24:00 Where to follow Laura Bird + show wrap

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