Exploring the Appeal of Enemies to Lovers with Ruby Rana

We Read Smut: Bookish Conversations for Romance Readers

Do you love the enemies-to-lovers trope as much as I do? Author Ruby Rana joined us to share her unique take on this beloved romance trope, diving into the emotional depth and nuanced character dynamics that make it so captivating.

Ruby Rana is an elder millennial who writes spicy, funny, and heartfelt romance about sassy brown girls. She excels in sending messages where autocorrect has gone terribly wrong. When she's not battling typos, you can find her explaining Midwestern slang to her East Coast-raised husband, being used as a jungle gym by her young children, or experimenting in the kitchen.

In this episode, we're discussing:

• How Ruby Rana's debut novel "Snapshot" expertly blends the enemies-to-lovers trope with a hockey romance backdrop, creating a story of childhood friends turned adversaries.
• The importance of portraying realistic emotional scars and growth, highlighting how past traumas can shape a character's present-day actions and perceptions.
• The value of supportive female friendships in Ruby’s books, providing a safe space for her characters to be their authentic selves.
• Insights on how the enemies-to-lovers trope allows for meaningful character development, as the characters learn to love each other despite their differences.
• The athleticism and camaraderie within the world of professional hockey, which serves as an engaging setting for Rana's stories.

Feeling inspired to dive into Ruby Rana's unique take on the enemies-to-lovers trope? Discover her novels and connect with the author on social media to continue the conversation. Romance readers won't want to miss this insightful discussion!

CONNECT WITH RUBY RANA:

Website

Instagram

BOOKS/AUTHORS MENTIONED:

Snap Shot (Amazon)

Butterfly Effect (Amazon)

Played by Naima Simone (Amazon)

Scribbles Book Shop

Steamy Lit

Running list of books mentioned (Doc)

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This podcast was produced by Galati Media.
Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.

فصول

1. Enemies to Lovers Trope Overview (00:00:00)

2. Character Dynamics and Emotional Layers (00:04:02)

3. Realistic Portrayal of Emotions and Growth (00:09:36)

4. Importance of Female Friendships (00:10:58)

5. Character Development and Enemies to Lovers Trope (00:21:39)

6. Challenges and Process of Writing (00:29:41)

7. Hockey as a Setting and Characteristics (00:32:49)

8. Reader Engagement and Book Availability (00:44:10)