Rephonic
Artwork for Heaving Bosoms
Romance
Romance Novels
Patreon
Family Dynamics
Consent
Romantic Relationships
Mental Health
Sexual Assault
Christmas
Devil In Spring
Feminism
Monster Romance
Hockey
Vampires
Historical Romance
Friendship
Ne'er Duke Well
The Time Traveler's Wife
Sapphic Romance
Marriage

Melody Carlisle and Sabrina Bradley love romance and they do it out loud! Every Monday, these long-distance best friends recap romance novels from a comedic, intersectional feminist, sex-positive perspective. If you're itching for a BFF book club or just love raucous slumber party vibes, this is the show for you! Whether you've read the book or not, all are welcome! Giggling, tangents, and sincere... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes855Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsBooksComedy

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Artwork for Heaving Bosoms

Latest Episodes

Hey HBs! Happy Pride Month! We're baaaaaaack with Fresh Ice by Marina Vivancos! It's a fluffy MM hockey omegaverse that we loved!

Bonus Content: Mel's obsessed, golden retrievers and black cats, bad parents, knot sacks, Bus(c)h Beans, and so much mo... more

Hey HBs! It's part 2 of our 2023 Podiversary! Mel, Sabrina, Kimberly Lemming, Alexis the Sword, and Naima Simone start with Harems and then move on to so so so many diabolical Would You Rather scenarios!

This Friday on PATREON, Sabrina and Mel talk ... more

Hey HBs! It's the final week of our mid-year break and we're celebrating with the Podiversary episode in which we announced Sabrina as a full-time cohost! Along with M & S, Kimberly Lemming, Alexis the Sword, and Naima Simone joined in to celebrate i... more

YouTube

Hey HBs! It's the final part of this book! You better get ready to find out who the murder is!

Bonus Content: Sabrina putting the mystery's puzzle pieces together in real time, and so much more!

Mel: Hoopla! OMG! Librarian HBs, if you know of a way... more

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Kimberly Lemming
Friend of the hosts featured in Podiversary episode
Episode: ENCORE: Podiversary 2023 (Part 1) | 428.1
Alexis the Sword
Guest introduced as a friend and participant in the discussion
Episode: ENCORE: Podiversary 2023 (Part 1) | 428.1
Zach Evangelist
Friend and guest on the podcast
Episode: 8th Podiversary Celebration! (Part 1) | 400.1
Jaime P. Bradley
Author and romance novelist
Episode: 387.1 - Muriel's Wedding with Jaime P. Bradley (Part 1)
Sarah Wendell
Co-host of Smart Bitches Trashy Books, passionate about romance novels
Smart Bitches Trashy Books
Episode: A Soul To Keep by Opal Reyne with Sarah Wendell (Part 1 of 3) | 386.1
Naima Simone
Author extraordinaire
Episode: Your Fault (Movie) with Naima Simone! | 385.1
Anita Kelly
Author of Love & Other Disasters
Episode: Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly | Ep. 340

Hosts

Melody Carlisle
Host of Heaving Bosoms; co-host with a focus on witty recaps, feminist critique, and warm banter.
Sabrina Bradley
Host of Heaving Bosoms; co-host known for sharp humor, enthusiastic book recaps, and candid conversations.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.9k ratings
  • Fun most of the time

    I have listened and subscribed for years now. Melodie and her various partners in romance reading are fun, funny, and legitimately make me laugh out loud. Since last year, I have really wished for episode bookmarks. Sometimes I am ok with the banter between Sabrina and Melodie and sometimes I don’t have the time. Simply put, what should reliably be a 60 minute podcast has become much too long. Consistent bookmarks might help me love this pod as much as I used to.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Tabatha In The Garden
    United States4 months ago
  • New listener

    I listened for the first time when these ladies talked about Heated Rivalry. Their banter was delightful. It’s like being at brunch with your hilarious best friends. If you love romance novels and want to smile, check them out!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    grammar betty
    United States5 months ago
  • Weird tension between hosts

    Just listening to the Bride by Ali Hazelwood (1st part) episode.. and the hosts are sharing their recent experiences with one another.. and there just seems to be some really weird tension between them. Like they are only responding to one another because they have to. Is it me or do these two actually hate each other? It’s literally making me uncomfortable.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    OAF33
    United States7 months ago
  • Tons of fun. The title of the second book is the second half of a sentence starting with the first. "Act your age, not your shoe size."

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Beenhamean
    7 months ago
  • Good joooob HBssss good joooooob

    This podcast is like a warm hug, if a warm hug also made the best jokes. When things get hectic this is the one podcast I keep up with, without fail. Come for recaps and commentary on a perfectly curated cross section of romance books; stay for the callbacks, community, and joy. HB is my lady love.

    (PS—I know the list is long, but Priestess by Kara Reynolds is the best thing I’ve read in so so long and I’d LOVE to hear you discuss on pod!)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Linzvonchillinstein
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Many appreciate the balance of light banter with thoughtful critique on themes and consent.
Fans praise the show's energy, humor, and strong host chemistry.
Audience often mentions the show as a comforting, quotable, and binge-worthy romance hub.
Listeners love the honest, spoiler-filled recaps and inclusive community.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#132
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#181
Netherlands/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#183
New Zealand/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#188
Indonesia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#221
South Africa/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#235
Brazil/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Year in Smut with our Reading Smut Pals! | 411
Q: What are your smut reading origin stories?
Melody shared her experience from childhood and reconnecting with romance literature post motherhood.
All My Boyfriends Are Monsters Kimberly Lemming | 402.1
Q: Why did you choose to focus on monster romances this spooky season?
The hosts express enthusiasm for the Halloween theme and how it serves as a bridge to rom-coms starting with the winter season.
All My Boyfriends Are Monsters Kimberly Lemming | 402.1
Q: What did you think of the priestess concept in the story?
The hosts discuss their interpretations of being a priestess, referencing empowerment and the erotic undertones in the narrative.
A Soul To Keep by Opal Reyne with Sarah Wendell (Part 1 of 3) | 386.1
Q: What is the significance of the garden he has?
The garden represents his attempt to provide for future humans and keep them safe, showcasing his desire for companionship.
A Soul To Keep by Opal Reyne with Sarah Wendell (Part 1 of 3) | 386.1
Q: How long has it been since you've done a crossover episode?
We haven't done one in a while, but it's exciting to have Sarah here from Smart Bitches Trashy Books.

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 Heaving Bosoms

What is Heaving Bosoms about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A lively, friendship-oriented recap show that blends spoiler-filled romance book discussions with candid banter, feminist perspectives, and lots of humor. Hosts dissect romance across subgenres—from historicals to paranormal to contemporary—while weaving in personal anecdotes, community vibes, and thoughtful notes on consent, representation, and reader engagement. The show stands out for its warm, irreverent vibe, strong chemistry between hosts, and a willingness to tackle big themes within a playful, booking-club format that welcomes newcomers and lifelong romance fans alike.

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How many listeners does Heaving Bosoms get?

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What are the audience demographics for Heaving Bosoms?

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How many subscribers and views does Heaving Bosoms have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Heaving Bosoms 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 Heaving Bosoms?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Heaving Bosoms:

1. Fated Mates - Romance Books for Novel People
2. Reading Smut
3. Overdue
4. The Worst Bestsellers
5. Long Game: a Heated Rivalry Podcast

How many episodes of Heaving Bosoms are there?

Heaving Bosoms launched 9 years ago and published 855 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 Heaving Bosoms?

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 Heaving Bosoms?

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What guests have appeared on Heaving Bosoms?

Recent guests on Heaving Bosoms include:

1. Kimberly Lemming
2. Alexis the Sword
3. Zach Evangelist
4. Jaime P. Bradley
5. Sarah Wendell
6. Naima Simone
7. Anita Kelly

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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