Spread Your Wingspan

Episode 30 - Off Campus & Heated Rivalry - Hockey Romance TV Adaptations Compared
Sara and Jennie dig into two hockey romance book-to-TV adaptations — Off Campus (Prime Video) and Heated Rivalry (Crave/HBO Max) — and discuss what makes these adaptations more than "hot guys play hockey." They talk about how Heated Rivalry landed as comfort viewing, why its portrayal of consent between Ilya and Shane felt like "good programming" they wish every young man would watch, and how Off Campus handles Hannah's history of sexual assault and Garrett's history of witnessing domestic abuse without sensationalizing either. It's a compare-and-contrast episode and a conversation about what responsible, healing depictions of trauma and intimacy can look like on screen — plus book-to-show fidelity, favorite one-liners, and a running mystery about why hockey specifically inspires this much romance.
Spoilers: Full spoilers for Off Campus Season 1 and Heated Rivalry Season 1, as well as their source novels The Deal by Elle Kennedy and Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid.
Content Warnings: Discussion of sexual assault and its aftermath, discussion of domestic abuse, explicit discussion of on-screen sexual content, discussion of consent and sexual safety, brief discussion of the sexualization of minors and age-appropriate reading, strong language/profanity throughout, and brief mention of homophobia (including its legal status in Russia).
Chapters
00:23 - Welcome back & introducing today's topic: hockey romance TV adaptations01:54 - Tangent: a space opera detour (The First Sister and The Second Rebel by Linden A. Lewis)03:57 - Off Campus summary: Hannah, Garrett, and the fake-dating premise06:47 - Book vs. show: how the adaptation changes Garrett's confrontation with Hannah's assailant08:56 - The portrayal of trauma, consent, and healing in Off Campus14:00 - Favorite scenes and one-liners from Off Campus23:39 - Heated Rivalry summary: Shane, Ilya, and a decade-long secret relationship26:02 - Why Heated Rivalry hit different on release, and its faithfulness to the books29:47 - Consent, foreplay, and authenticity in Heated Rivalry's intimacy scenes32:24 - Comparing the two shows: themes, tropes, and book-to-screen fidelity35:57 - Tangent: adapting books into series vs. movies, and other favorite adaptations40:52 - On shelving smutty YA and how young is too young to read romantasy50:05 - Final thoughts and a listener callout: why is hockey romance such a specific niche?
Mentioned in This Episode
Off Campus (TV series, Prime Video), based on The Deal by Elle Kennedy
Heated Rivalry (TV series, Crave/HBO Max), based on Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid
The First Sister and The Second Rebel by Linden A. Lewis
A Court of Thorns and Roses, Throne of Glass, and Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
The Magicians by Lev Grossman
House of the Dragon and Outlander (mentioned briefly in comparison)
FAQ
What TV shows do Sara and Jennie discuss in Episode 30?
They discuss Off Campus on Prime Video (based on Elle Kennedy's The Deal) and Heated Rivalry on Crave/HBO Max (based on Rachel Reid's novel of the same name), comparing how each adapts its source material and portrays intimacy and trauma.
Are these adaptations faithful to their books?
Heated Rivalry is described as a very faithful adaptation of Rachel Reid's novel. Off Campus diverges more from Elle Kennedy's The Deal, particularly in how it handles a pivotal confrontation involving Hannah's assailant.
Does this episode contain spoilers?
Yes — full spoilers for both shows and their source novels.
Got a question or a book/author you want us to check out? Email us at hello@spreadyourwingspan.com Find us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/spreadyourwingspan/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@spreadyourwingspan
 

Episode 29: Mother Tongue by Jenni Nuttall — A Nonfiction Deep Dive into the History of Women's Words
Sara and Jennie step away from romantasy for a nonfiction episode on Mother Tongue: The Surprising History of Women's Words by Jenni Nuttall — a history of the English language traced through words used to describe women's bodies, sexuality, motherhood, work, and aging. They dig into the book's best moments (British towns historically named after a certain four-letter word, the etymology of "seamstress," the loss of language like "singlewoman"), get into an interesting disagreement about the book's treatment of gender-neutral language, and go on a tangent about the neuroscience of how language shapes perception. 
Correction: In the episode, the hosts mention that Jenni Nuttall was a Cambridge University professor. She was actually a scholar at the University of Oxford, where she taught and researched medieval literature. Our apologies for misspeaking!
Spoilers: None — this is a nonfiction discussion, not a plot-driven book.
Content Warnings: Discussion of the historical influence of religion (particularly Christianity) on the oppression of women, brief mention of pregnancy loss, discussion of gender-neutral language debates (including a brief, non-judgmental discussion of "TERF" discourse), strong language/profanity throughout, and frank discussion of anatomy, menstruation, and childbirth.
Chapters
00:23 - Welcome back & introducing this season's nonfiction pick03:48 - Reading the book's summary and overview of its scope05:12 - Is this book intersectional? A discussion of its British, Old English-focused lens07:34 - Favorite historical finds: towns names after a fave 4-letter word, and British slang10:20 - "Flowers," "Aunt Flo," and disagreeing on period euphemisms11:14 - The legal history behind "spinster," "singlewoman," and married women's business rights12:15 - "Seamster" vs. "seamstress" and the linguistics of gendered suffixes14:06 - A tangent on the neuroscience of language and perception19:01 - Motherhood, poetry, and grief over lost language22:06 - Aging and menopause, and creating new language for "crone-hood"22:56 - Pregnancy and birth language — contractions vs. "surges"24:03 - Disagreement: was the author too neutral on gender-inclusive language?28:59 - Final ratings and why they'd recommend this one widely
Mentioned in This Episode
Mother Tongue: The Surprising History of Women's Words by Jenni Nuttall
FAQ
What book do Sara and Jennie discuss in Episode 29 of the Spread Your Wingspan podcast?They discuss Mother Tongue: The Surprising History of Women's Words by Jenni Nuttall, a nonfiction history of the English language as it relates to women's bodies, sexuality, and experiences.
Is Mother Tongue by Jenni Nuttall a romance or fantasy book?No — this is a nonfiction linguistics and history book, a departure from the show's usual romantasy and romance focus.
Do Sara and Jennie recommend Mother Tongue by Jenni Nuttall to their listeners?Yes — both hosts rate it a 9 out of 10 and call it highly accessible even for readers who don't typically read nonfiction.
Got a question or a book/author you want us to check out? Email us at hello@spreadyourwingspan.comFind us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/spreadyourwingspan/Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@spreadyourwingspan.
 

Season 3 Teaser: What's Coming Up — ACOTAR Reread, Author Interview & More
Sara and Jennie are back after a long break to give listeners a preview of Season 3. The headline: a full reread and recap of the ACOTAR series ahead of the publication of books six and seven, with some Crescent City and possibly Throne of Glass woven in. They also tease upcoming episodes on nonfiction, a hockey romance episode, an author interview with Jennifer MIchelle Herrera about her novel Siren Says, and Jennie’s plan to  pre-read Sierra Simone's Devil to scout it for content warnings before Sara dives in. 
Spoilers: None — this is a preview episode with no book discussion.
Content Warnings: None specific to this episode; brief mention that an upcoming book (Devil by Sierra Simone) carries its own strong content warning from the author.
Chapters
0:00 – Welcome back & why the long gap between seasons
0:33 – Announcing the full ACOTAR reread and recap, ahead of books six and seven
1:58 – Early reread reactions: revisiting Nesta and catching foreshadowing in the first chapters
3:21 – What else is coming: nonfiction, a hockey romance, and an author interview with Jennifer Michelle Herrera on Siren Says
3:36 – Previewing Sierra Simone's Devil and its content warning
Mentioned in This Episode
A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas
Crescent City series by Sarah J. Maas
Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Siren Says by Jennifer MIchelle Herrera
Devil (Priest series) by Sierra Simone
FAQ
What is Spread Your Wingspan covering in Season 3?Season 3 kicks off with a full reread and recap of Sarah J. Maas's ACOTAR series ahead of the release of books six and seven, plus episodes on nonfiction, hockey romance, and an author interview with Jennifer Herrera about Siren Says.
Will there be spoilers in the ACOTAR reread series?Yes — full spoiler discussion is expected once the reread episodes begin, since the hosts have read the entire series.

Summary
In this episode of the Spread Your Wingspan podcast, hosts Sara and Jennie dive deep into the latest installment of the Blood and Ash series, 'The Primal of Blood and Bone.' They discuss character arcs, plot developments, and the themes of love, obsession, and the complexities of relationships. The conversation also touches on the reactions from fans, the writing style of the author, and predictions as the series wraps up. With a mix of humor and insightful analysis, the hosts explore the intricacies of the story and its characters, making for an engaging discussion for fans of the series.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and Personal Anecdotes02:55 - Character Development and Emotional Impact08:47 - Themes and Symbolism14:54 - Climactic Moments and Revelations30:45 - The Weight of Leadership and Responsibility36:04 - Character Dynamics and Relationships42:33 - The Complexity of Ascension and Addiction53:28 - Reader Reactions and Authorial Choices01:05:10 - Looking Ahead: Future Themes and Representation01:06:36 - Outro

Summary
In this episode of the Spread Your Wingspan podcast, hosts Sara and Jennie chat with Canadian author J.M. Frey about her latest book, 'Nine Tenths.' They explore the inspiration behind the story, the themes of grief and colonialism, and the representation of mental health in characters. J.M. shares her writing journey, the significance of her characters, and the importance of research in crafting her narrative. The conversation delves into the meta-narrative techniques used in the book, the exploration of love and fear in relationships, and the social commentary on ethical wealth. J.M. also discusses her writing process and rituals, concluding with her hopes for readers to take away courage and kindness from her work.
You can find J.M. Frey at her website: jmfrey.netand @j.m.frey on Bluesky, TikTok, Instagram, & Threads
 
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction to J.M. Frye and Nine Tenths03:05 - The Journey of Self-Publishing06:21 - Inspiration Behind Nine Tenths09:15 - Exploring Themes of Grief and Colonialism12:02 - Character Development and Personal Experiences15:22 - Meta Storytelling and Writing Process18:15 - Research and Historical Context21:06 - Anxiety Representation in Fiction24:01 - Romance and Speculative Fiction31:08 - Navigating Grief and Love33:02 - Character Development and Relationships34:49 - Exploring Dark Themes in Fantasy36:39 - The Role of Fantasy in Society38:57 - Ethical Wealth and Responsibility43:14 - The Creative Process and Writing Rituals52:05 - The Intersection of Science and Fantasy56:48 - Courage in the Face of Fear01:00:51 - Outro

Summary
In this episode, Jennie and Sara discuss the book 'Nine Tenths' by J.M. Frey. They explore the themes of wealth inequality, the complexities of relationships, and the representation of anxiety and bisexuality within the narrative. The conversation also touches on the world-building aspects of the story, including its historical context and cultural commentary. The hosts share their personal reflections on the characters and the dynamics of their relationships, ultimately providing a rating for the book and expressing excitement for the upcoming author interview.
 
Content Warningsaccidental injury between domestic partners, enslavement, loss of parent
 
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and Excitement for the Interview04:38 - Themes Explored in the Book09:48 - Historical Context and Cultural Commentary17:39 - Spice Rating and Relationship Dynamics39:56 - Outro

Summary
In this episode, the hosts discuss the fourth and final book in the Flesh and Fire series, 'Born of Blood and Ash.' They explore its complex themes, including trauma, leadership, and the balance between fate and free will. The conversation delves into character development, romantic dynamics, and the implications of parenthood in a chaotic world. The hosts also express their excitement for future installments in this literary universe and reflect on the impact of page length on storytelling.
 
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and Episode Overview00:24 - Content Warnings and Themes of the Book02:40 - Summary of 'Born of Blood and Ash'06:23 - Character Development and Relationships10:40 - Exploring Leadership and Decision-Making14:19 - The Role of Fate and Free Will18:39 - Reflections on Writing and Page Length22:30 - Pregnancy and Its Implications in the Story26:37 - Final Thoughts and Future Expectations35:11 - Outro

Summary
In this conversation, Jennie and Sarah delve into the third book of the Flesh and Fire series, discussing its themes, character arcs, and the complexities of morality and monstrosity. They discuss the development of the protagonist Sera, and the intricate dynamics of villainy and heroism. The episode also touches on the portrayal of romantic relationships and the pacing of the narrative. Overall, the conversation highlights the depth of the characters and the writing style, while setting the stage for the last installment in the series.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and Context Setting05:34 - Character Development and Themes of Monstrosity14:22 - Character Dynamics and Relationships21:31 - Empathy and Human Experience28:01 - Exploring Consent and Trauma in Romance34:05 - The Journey of Healing and Recovery39:11 - Romance and the Gray Areas of Consent47:03 - Outro

Summary
In this conversation, Jennie and Sara discuss 'A Light in the Flame', the second book in the Blood and Ash prequel series Flesh and Fire. They explore themes such as enemies to lovers, atonement, and the complexity of morality. The discussion highlights character development, the nature of good and evil, and the interplay of fate and free will. They also touch on the significance of the Draken and the terrifying villain Kolis, while reflecting on the emotional depth of the characters and their relationships.
 
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction06:32 - Themes of Enemies to Lovers and Atonement12:21 - Character Depth and Mental Health Themes18:27 - The Stakes of Mortality and Humanity26:16 - Sera and Nyktos: Love and Sacrifice31:56 - The Complexity of Love and Relationships37:07 - Villains and Betrayals: The Nature of Evil42:28 - The Draken: Love and Loyalty46:51 - Outro

Summary
In this conversation, the hosts delve into the second book of the Flesh and Fire series, a prequel to the Blood and Ash series by Jennifer L. Armentrout. They discuss the complexity of the plot, and the themes of fate versus free will, consent, and found family. The hosts also explore the emotional depth of the characters, particularly in relation to mental health, and the representation of relationships in the narrative. They provide insights into the writing style, pacing, and the spicy elements of the romance, ultimately sharing their ratings and impressions of the book.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and Character Debate05:36 - Themes of Fate and Free Will11:33 - Narrative Style and Writing Critique17:40 - Concluding Thoughts and Future Predictions23:50 - The Art of Smut: What Works and What Doesn't29:51 - Found Family: The Heart of the Story34:52 - Emotional Representation: Panic and Depression43:00 - Spice Ratings: The Heat of the Narrative