Ep 228: Grumpy or Black Cat
In this episode of Buzzing About Romance, Becky is joined by Heather and Leah to break down two beloved tropes: Grumpy-Sunshine and Black Cat-Golden Retriever! While Opposites Attract remains one of the most popular romance tropes, the addition of Grumpy and Black Cat dynamics brings even more depth and charm to these stories.
Join us as we discuss how these tropes add unique character layers, making relationships richer and more relatable. From the guarded and sometimes prickly nature of a Black Cat heroine to the sweet persistence of her Golden Retriever counterpart, we’re exploring why readers can’t get enough of these combinations. If you’re looking to add a little sunshine or a dash of grump to your reading list, this episode is for you!
Discussion Topics:
- Defining the Tropes
- Black Cat-Golden Retriever as a Tool for Character Depth
- How Opposites Highlight Growth
- Longevity of the Tropes in Romance – can this trope last? Will it age well?
Book of the Week:
Project Backlist:
Check out our Web Exclusive Q&A-
Thank you to Swag Pack Sponsoring Authors for Nov-authors Danica Flynn, Emma Foxx, and Shannon Elliot
Books Mentioned in this Episode:
Black Cat
- Forbidden Miles by Claire Kingsley
- Take Over by TL Swan
- After Hour on Milagro Street
- A Proposal they can’t refuse
- Next to You by Hannah Bonam Young
- All the Feels by Olivia Dade |40- love by Olivia Dade
- Always only You by Chloe Liese
- Hendrix by Sawyer Bennett
- Bain by Sawyer Bennett
- Rags to Royal by Erin Nicholle
- Right by Jana Aston
- Trapped in Love by Danica Flynn
- Against the Boards by Danica Flynn
- Shattered Truths by H Hunting
- Against the Grain by Lainey Davis
- Her Favorite Jack-o-Lantern by Rebecca Renick
- The Indomitable Mr. Temple by Lindo Forbes
- Used by Shannon Elliot
Grumpy –Sunshine
- A Favor for A Favor
- Only When it’s Us by Chloe Liese
- Happily Letter After by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward
- The Nanny and the Hot Head by Krista Sandor
- Not Your Average Vixen
- Ignite by Melanie Harlow
- Stone by Sawyer Bennett
- Drake by Sawyer Bennett
- Dr Heartless by J Saman
- In a Jam by Kate Canterbary
- For Never by Aurora Rose Reynolds
- Every Shade of Winter by Carrie Elks
- The Newspaper Nanny by Maren Moore
- Runaway Love by Melanie Harlow
- Man Scape by Vanessa Vale
- Strung along by Hannah Cowan
- Chasing the Wild by Elliott Rose
- Hockey Wife by Kate Meader
- Savior it by Tara Dewitt
Grumpy –Sunshine- she is grumpy
- My Darling Neighbor by Swati M.H
- Where Waves Break by Julia Wolf
- Strictly the Worst by Carrie Elks
- FOr Butter or Worse by Erin LaRossa
- Brazen One by Daisy Jane
- Morbidly Yours by Ivy Fairbanks
The Hero She Needs – Anna Hackett
One Night- Lena Hendrix
Unfinished Memory – Marie Johnston
Antsons Ambition- Quinn Ward (non binary writer)
Resisting You- EM Lindsey
The Hero She Craves- Anna Hackett
The Convict- RS McKinzie
The Outpost- Devney Perry
Rough Country- Kelly Fox
Easton- Riley Hart
The Punk- Kelly Fox
Hannah & The Hitman- Vanessa Vale
Just Between Us- Lena Hendrix (black cat/gold retreiver)
My True Love by Melissa Foster-Grumpy Sunshine
Golden Retriever Energy… Dirty Talker by Mari Lynn Kelly
Bossman Bridegroom by Meghan Quinn (almost golden retriever energy)
Finding Mayhem by Layla Frost-She is the grump
Wrong Side of the Tracks by Jessica Prince (Gypsy and Marco)
Hiding in the Smoke by Ofelia Martinez (but he doesn’t have that golden retriever energy…more feral raccoon)
Blow out by Elise Faber (Jules and Cat)
For more book recs check out our Listicle on The Black Cat Heroine
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Music by Cambo
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