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Fated Mates - Romance Books for Novel People

Fated Mates
Romance Novels
Historical Romance
Romance
Contemporary Romance
Christmas
Romance Genre
Feminism
Holiday Romance
Tropes
Romantic Suspense
Fated Mates Live
Romance Literature
Book Recommendations
Lisa Kleypas
Character Development
Second Chance Romance
WNBA
Chicago
Community Support
Independent Bookstores

The most listened to romance novel podcast, Fated Mates is co-hosted by bestselling author Sarah MacLean and romance critic Jen Prokop. Weekly episodes include romance novel read-alongs and lively discussions of the work of the genre, highlighting the romance novel as a powerful tool in fighting the patriarchy…with absolutely no kink shaming.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes424Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArtsSociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Fated Mates

Latest Episodes

Early voting is happening in most states, with the remaining few coming online in the next few days. Enjoy this Season six episode on the way to or from the polls.

The Rest

• For even more info about this episode, and to explore everything Fated Ma... more

We’re talking about the mythmakers again this week with a chat about romance’s sister genre, horror! We’re joined by NEA fellow, Bram Stoker Award winner and bestselling horror writer Stephen Graham Jones, and librarian and horror expert Becky Spratf... more

YouTube

Revisit this season four episode on your way to or from your local No Kings March!

The Rest

• For even more info about this episode, and to explore everything Fated Mates has to offer, visit: fatedmates.net/episodes/2022/4/16/s0431-vampire-... more

This one is very meta (complimentary): Fated Mates (the duo) explains Fated Mates (the trope) on Fated Mates (the podcast). We can’t believe all these years in, we’ve never talked fated mates! We’re rectifying that right now with a collection of para... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Stephen Graham Jones
Bestselling horror writer, NEA fellow and Bram Stoker Award winner
Episode: S09.07: Why Horror with Stephen Graham Jones and Becky Spratford
Becky Spratford
Librarian, horror expert and author of Why I Love Horror
RA for All
Episode: S09.07: Why Horror with Stephen Graham Jones and Becky Spratford
Leah Greenberg
Co-founder and co-executive director of Indivisible
Indivisible
Episode: S09.05: Sweet Treats: Bakeries and Patisseries in Romance
Anders de la Motte
Author of The King of the Mountain and other thrillers, former police in training
Publisher in Sweden, writer
Episode: S08.42: Romance Reasons Meet Thriller Reasons with Anders de la Motte
Jessica Luther
Sports journalist, investigative journalist, author
Author, Burn It All Down contributor
Episode: BONUS: Sports Romance Rerun + Jen Chats with Gina Prodan Kelly [FIXED]
Mary Kay Andrews
Author known for mystery and rom-coms, Mary Kay Andrews (pen name)
Mary Kay Andrews / HarperCollins (publisher)
Episode: S08.37: Road Trips and a Chat With Mary Kay Andrews
Loretta Chase
Author of Regency Romances, single title Historical Romances, known for "Lord of Scoundrels."
Episode: RERUN: Trailblazer Loretta Chase
KJ Charles
Author known for queer historical romance; Trailblazer guest
Independent author/editor
Episode: RERUN: Trailblazer KJ Charles
Veronica Roth
Author of Divergent; Seek the Traitor's Son
Author
Episode: S08.35: Sad Boys Who Punch Things with Veronica Roth

Hosts

Sarah MacLean
Host of Fated Mates; romance novelist and commentator; co-host with extensive experience in romance writing and critique.
Jennifer Prokop
Co-host; romance critic/editor with deep knowledge of romance publishing, critique, and community.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.6k ratings
  • 5-star Romance podcast

    No one does it better than Sarah & Jen! They have introduced me to so many romances over the years & they have created such a great online community ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BostonSwiftie
    United States11 days ago
  • a good time was had by all

    I’ve listened to the pod since 2018, through the opening terror of the pandemic and multiple equally terrifying elections. Love Jen and Sarah’s banter, literary insight, and most of all their grounding in the history of romance and their own principles.

    DOWN WITH FIRST PRESENT

    UP WITH THIRD PAST

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    the Poultrynator
    United States13 days ago
  • The best romance books podcast

    Smart, irreverent, nerdy in the best way, sound quality TOP NOTCH

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RealSaiSai
    United States13 days ago
  • Endless apologies for what they like is insufferable in 2026

    I was looking for a romance podcast and this one was recommended everytime, but the constant “framing” and excusing and apologizing is insufferable. The same people who would never shame a kink and encourage real world deconstruction with zero plan, are apologizing for… escapism romance fiction. I’m not agist but these two seem really concerned with not being seen as clued in. Ladies you are because you apologize for crossing invisible lines with a crowd that reads BDSM fiction. Not for me and I... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Duhmojo256
    Canada3 months ago
  • These are definitely the romance readers you’re looking for

    Sarah and Jen are my Yoda and Obi Wan when it comes to romance. It’s largely because of them I’m hoping to open my own romance book shop! Long live the happy ever after, long live Fated Mates! 💖

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MrsLister
    United Kingdom4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Well‑researched guest interviews and strong book recs.
A few reviews mention interruptions or pacing issues in long episodes.
Inclusive, craft-focused discussions that fans appreciate.
Balanced and joyful exploration of romance with smart, nerdy enthusiasm.
Several praise the hosts' warmth and community focus.
Some listeners feel politics or framing can dominate episodes at times.
Sponsorship reads align with romance publishing and book culture.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#53
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#141
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#84
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#196
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#245
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#69
Australia/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

S09.07: Why Horror with Stephen Graham Jones and Becky Spratford
Q: Where does suspense end and horror begin?
Jones distinguishes surprise from suspense and suggests horror often adds a monster, plague or unsettling behavior. Spratford says horror establishes unease early, then must deliver on that tension; Jones frames its emotional range through dread and terror.
S09.07: Why Horror with Stephen Graham Jones and Becky Spratford
Q: What do people need to know about horror as a genre, especially if they are completely new to it?
Jones describes horror as a way to safely experience fear and feel alert, while Spratford emphasizes its ability to help readers process anxiety, develop empathy and explore more than just a monster or trope.
BONUS: Sports Romance Rerun + Jen Chats with Gina Prodan Kelly [FIXED]
Q: How does sports romance address issues like gender and representation in sports?
Jessica Luther and the hosts discuss how romance novels can safely explore these issues, offering narratives where women and LGBTQ+ athletes are central, while also critiquing real-world sports culture.
BONUS: Sports Romance Rerun + Jen Chats with Gina Prodan Kelly [FIXED]
Q: What makes the World Cup experience so special for fans who are new to soccer?
The hosts emphasize that you can enjoy a game even without deep knowledge of players, by immersing yourself in the energy, songs, and collective excitement that define the event.
RERUN: Trailblazer KJ Charles
Q: What was your journey to romance and publishing like?
Charles narrates starting as an editor at a major publisher, moving into editing and later transitioning to writing, with self-publishing providing a path to creative control and representation for queer stories.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Fated Mates

What is Fated Mates about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A lively, discussion-driven show centered on romance novels, author interviews, and industry trends. It consistently blends book recs, craft analysis, and author spotlights while celebrating the genre's vitality and inclusive community. Listeners likely value thoughtful critique, infectious enthusiasm, and behind-the-scenes insights from publishing and writing; the hosts' expertise and humor make it approachable for both seasoned readers and newcomers. A standout is the duo's advocacy for diverse voices and non-traditional heroines, plus frequent sponsor reads that align with reader interests.

Where can I find podcast stats for Fated Mates?

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How many listeners does Fated Mates get?

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What are the audience demographics for Fated Mates?

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How many subscribers and views does Fated Mates have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Fated Mates has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Fated Mates?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Fated Mates:

1. Reading Smut
2. Hot and Bothered
3. Culture Study Podcast
4. Bad On Paper
5. The Stacks

How many episodes of Fated Mates are there?

Fated Mates launched 8 years ago and published 424 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Fated Mates?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Fated Mates?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Fated Mates from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Fated Mates?

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What guests have appeared on Fated Mates?

Recent guests on Fated Mates include:

1. Stephen Graham Jones
2. Becky Spratford
3. Leah Greenberg
4. Anders de la Motte
5. Jessica Luther
6. Mary Kay Andrews
7. Loretta Chase
8. KJ Charles

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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