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Messy reality TV chat turns into a smart, warm conversation about disability representation in romance. Laura and Becky from Buzzing About Romance share go-to authors, tropes, and why authentic, own-voices rep matters.

In this episode, we talk about how disability and mental health are portrayed on the page (beyond “love cures all”), the rise of neurodivergent heroines and heroes, chronic illness storylines, mobility device users, and thoughtful depictions of PTSD, OCD, dyslexia, Menière’s disease, and more—plus a stack of recs across indie and trad romance. Perfect for readers building an inclusive, feel-good TBR.

📚 Books Mentioned 

Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Limb difference rep | Audio ✅

Next of Kin by Hannah Bonam-Young — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Found family | Audio ✅

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Autism rep | Audio ✅

Knitting in the City/Green Valley (selected titles) by Penny Reid — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Neurodivergent rep

Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake by Mazey Eddings — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Mental health & neurodivergent rep

Unsteady by Peyton Corinne — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Vertigo/Menière’s & hearing loss | Audio ✅

Unloved by Peyton Corinne — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Dyslexia rep | Audio ✅

Inscrutable Mr. Yang by Lindo Forbes — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Social anxiety rep

Holding (St. Louis Hockey) by Alexandria House — Buy on Amazon | Sports Romance | Bipolar rep | Audio ✅

Bet On It by Jodie Slaughter — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Anxiety & depression rep | Audio ✅

My True Love by Melissa Foster — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Amputee + PTSD rep | Audio ✅

Knot My Type by Evie Mitchell — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Wheelchair user rep | Audio ✅

The Royals Next Door by Karina Halle — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | C-PTSD rep | Audio ✅

⏱️ Time Stamps (Topics)

[00:00] – Welcome + intro to Becky & Buzzing About Romance

[01:00] – Nicknames, Bravo chat, Vanderpump & Below Deck detour

[08:00] – Today’s focus: disability rep in romance

[09:00] – From stigma to normalization: talking mental health on-page

[10:00] – Neurodivergent rep grows post-2015 (ASD, anxiety, depression)

[11:00] – Own-voices standouts (Helen Hoang, Penny Reid, Maisie Eddings)

[12:00] – “Love doesn’t fix you”: acceptance vs. cure narratives

[15:00] – Authors to watch: Hannah Bonam-Young

[16:00] – Limb difference on the page: Out on a Limb

[17:00] – Vision-impaired rep + authentic voices

[18:00] – Peyton Corinne’s Unsteady (Menière’s) & Unloved (dyslexia)

[19:00] – Lindo Forbes and social anxiety rep

[21:00] – Quick recs: Alexandria House, Jodie Slaughter

[22:00] – Sensitivity readers & veterans’ amputee/PTSD storylines

[24:00] – Evie Mitchell’s mobility device & chronic illness rep

[25:00] – C-PTSD on page: Karina Halle’s The Royals Next Door

[26:00] – Where to find Becky & show wrap

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