Nerdy Romantics Podcast celebrates Valentine’s Day by showing our Book Boyfriends some love! Guests Jen and Mary join Y. M. Nelson in recommending romances by favorite book boyfriend. In episode 28, we feature romance novels by Angelina M. Lopez, Carlotta Hughes, Talia Hibbert, Alyssa Cole, Lisa Raynes, Rebekah Weatherspoon, and Eva Moore.
Do you have book recommendations or authors you like who have amazing cinnamon-roll heroes? Contact host@nerdyromanticspodcast.com We’d love to feature these books!
In this episode, we recommend:
Book Boyfriend: Kallum
Never Cross a Highlander by Lisa Rayne:
Known to the Highlands as the ruthless Black Devil, Kallum MacNeill uses that feared persona to secretly hide his true calling – freeing slaves. Ailsa Connery is about to break out of her enslavement at a castle when Kallum’s plans collide with hers. In order to keep his real life a secret, Kallum has to escort her home.
Book Boyfriend: Johan
A Prince on Paper by Alyssa Cole (Reluctant Royals, Book 3):
Johan von Braustein is sort of the spare heir, and he protects his brother (the real heir) by being paparazzi fodder. But when a royal referendum threatens his brother’s future, a fake engagement is the perfect way to keep the cameras on him. Nya Jerami is fleeing her video game creating life to attend a royal wedding – where she meets Johan, and ends up in his bed?
Book Boyfriend: Adrian
Opened Up by Eva Moore (Exposed Dreams, Book 1):
Sophia Valenti is the designer behind the Valenti Brothers construction firm, her father’s company, and finally she gets to showcase her talent on an HGTV- level reality show. But standing in the way of her recognition is Adrian Villanueva, long-time general contractor for the firm who’s also in the running to head the company. He’s pitted against Sophia in this reality show, but he can’t let go of his attraction to her. With only one winner, the stakes are high for their livelihoods and their love.
Book Boyfriend: Red (Redford)
Get A Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert (Brown Sisters, Book 1 ):
Chloe Brown has fibromyalgia and has confined herself to a life inside and solitary. When she realizes how unfulfilled she is, she creates a list of things she wants to experience. She enlists Redford Morgan, her hot motorcycle-riding, across-the-courtyard neighbor to help her complete some items on the list. Falling for him, however was not on the list.
Book Boyfriend: Thorn
Thorn’s Dove by Carlotta Hughes (Orc Matched, Book 0.5):
Ruth has had some past trauma. She’s decided to start a new life by buying an old farm and creating a Hobbit-themed bed-and-breakfast. Thorn, an Orc from a planet called Talam has washed up on Ruth’s shore. He recognizes her immediately as his destined mate. Maybe by helping her fix up her place, he can help her through past hurt to see that he’s the one for her.
Book Boyfriend: Rafe
Rafe by Rebekah Weatherspoon (Loose Ends, Book 1):
Dr. Sloan Copeland, newly divorced and a thousand miles from her former home with her twin 6-year-old girls in tow, has just lost the girls’ babysitter when she abruptly walks off the job. Her best friend and the kids’ teacher Xeni recommends Rafe, a nanny who just left a long-term job when his family moved to Australia. Rafe decides to take on the emergency assignment with Dr. Copeland.
Also by Rebekah Weatherspoon: Her Good Side, a YA Romance (release date: May 30, 2023)
Book Boyfriend: Jeremiah
After Hours on Milagro Street by Angelina M. Lopez:
Famous bartender Alejandra “Alex” Lopez is back in her small town Kansas childhood home. She’s decided to takeover her grandmother’s restaurant, so her grandma can finish healing from surgery and retire. She didn’t expect to meet history professor Jeremiah Post or get into a land dispute with an old enemy that would require Jeremiah’s help. She didn’t expect to fall for him either.
Book Boyfriend: Leo
Something Wilder by Christina Lauren:
Fate brings Leo Grady and Lily Wilder together after seven years. The pair had a summer of love until Leo left her father’s ranch abruptly without warning. Now Lily and Leo (and a group of Leo’s friends) are on one of Lily’s week-long treasure-hunting adventures, a business she’s running to get enough money to buy her father’s ranch back. When one of the friends decides to go rogue on the adventure, and others come after the group. Leo and Lily are forced to solve a mystery to survive. And forced to face the love they still have for each other.
What we point out:
- The title and author
- What the story is about
- Why we loved the hero
- Who these selections would be appropriate for (heat level, tropes, other items)
Where to find these books:
Support Indie Bookstores by buying at Bookshop:
*The Bookshop.org link/image above is linked to a list of books reviewed on the podcast . By purchasing a book from there, you support independent book stores, and I will receive a small commission for each purchase when using these links. (This does not affect what you pay.)
Where you can find some of our Nerdy Romantics Guests

Jen Graybeal
Jen Graybeal is “a book coach and freelance editor working with romance authors that want to take their books and their business to the next level.” She also loves talking all things nerdy, so look for her on more nerdy episodes.
Want to contact her?
Jen is accepting new clients for both coaching and editing. She offers a free 30-min coaching session for new clients. (sign up on her website).
Website: www.jengraybeal.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentheeditor/
Clubhouse: Romance Author Community https://www.clubhouse.com/club/romance-author-community

Mary Warren:
Mary Warren lives in central Illinois with her husband and 3 children. Her journey to seek out and encourage fat representation began after reading a book that had the fat representation she didn’t even know she needed. This spark inspired her to read as many fat main characters as she could.
After a while, she became an activist for representation on TikTok under #fatgirlsinfiction and then founded fatgirlsinfiction.com a website dedicated to the books and authors featuring positive portrayals of fat characters. Since then, she has kept reading and talking about fat girls.
She is now also writing about fat girls. In March of 2022 she will be contributing to the anthology Curves and Magic. A Highlander for Hannah, Mary Warren’s debut novel, has time travel, magic, and of course romance complete with HEA available now.
*This button is an Amazon affiliate link. (This does not affect what you pay.)
Want to contact her?
Website: https://fatgirlsinfiction.com/
Instagram: instagram.com/fatgirlsinfiction/
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@marywarrenwrites