Hopeless Romantics

This mini episode is a special moment from our chat with bestselling romance author Lucy Score (who we all fell in love with after our episode) We get into the weird shame writers sometimes feel about their early work, and how standing in a stadium at the Eras Tour helped Lucy flip the script and actually feel proud of how far she’s come. We talk touring, the not-so-glam travel, and the surprising little splurge that reminds her she earned this life. Lucy also lets us in on the realities of writing sex scenes, how much choreography actually goes into them, and why romance readers really are some of the best people on the planet. And yes, there is Taylor Swift fangirling. Obviously. LINKS: Follow Lucy Score on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠ Follow Lucy Score on ⁠Goodreads⁠ Follow me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠tikok⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow the podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order my debut novel ⁠⁠⁠⁠Love on the Air⁠⁠ CREDITS Host: Ash London Producer: Ash London Social Producer: Lily Gichard Executive Producer: Anna Henvest Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we ease out of Christmas and into that strange, reflective space before the New Year, we’re revisiting one of our favourite conversations from last year. Ash and Harriet chat Richard Curtis’ About Time, a film that somehow sneaks life’s biggest lessons into what looks like a simple rom-com. This episode shares the final moments of a longer chat, where we unpack why About Time hits so much harder than expected. From the devastatingly beautiful father and son relationship, to the idea that love stories are often found in family, memory, and the smallest everyday moments, this one stays with you. If you’re doing a bit of New Year thinking, planning, or gentle manifesting, this is a beautiful place to start. And if it leaves you wanting more, the full episode is waiting for you too. LINKS: Follow Ash on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tikok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow the podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order Ash's debut novel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Love on the Air⁠⁠⁠ CREDITS Host: Ash London Producer: Ash London Social Producer: Lily Gichard Executive Producer: Anna Henvest Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Hopeless Romantics, we’re joined by Andrew Papas, singer, musical theatre powerhouse and star of & Juliet, which is heading to Aotearoa in early 2026. Andrew talks us through his journey from a church kid landing his first school musical lead, to boy band life with Titanium, to finding his way back to theatre and into the role of a very different Romeo. We also get into the real stuff. Falling in love young, navigating long distance while touring overseas, building a marriage rooted in trust, and what it’s actually like being a stay at home dad while your partner’s radio career takes off. There are romantic grand gestures, Lana Del Rey car rides, framed song lyrics, and some very honest reflections on staying connected when life gets loud. LINKS: Get your tickets to see & Juliet in Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch Follow Andrew on ⁠⁠instagram Follow Ash on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tikok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow the podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order Ash's debut novel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Love on the Air⁠⁠ CREDITS Host: Ash London Producer: Ash London Social Producer: Lily Gichard Executive Producer: Anna Henvest Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A re-release of one of my favorite episodes, in memory of Rob Reiner, whose direction gave us one of the most enduring love stories of all time. Some movies don’t just entertain you. They quietly shape who you become. This week on Hopeless Romantics, we’re revisiting The Princess Bride with Meg Mansell, a film that taught us about love, loyalty, humour, and why “as you wish” hits harder than it ever should. We talk about watching it as kids, rewatching it as adults, and how different the story feels once you’ve lived a little. From Buttercup and Wesley’s version of true love, to the heartbreak and purity of Inigo Montoya and his father, this conversation goes far beyond fairy tales and sword fights. We also unpack how romance changes with age, why anxiety once passed for butterflies, and how friendship, safety, and humour end up mattering more than grand gestures. Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz LINKS: Follow Meg on ⁠⁠instagram Follow Ash on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tikok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow the podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order Ash's debut novel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Love on the Air⁠⁠⁠⁠ CREDITS Host: Ash London Producer: Ash London Editor: Lily Gichard Executive Producer: Anna Henvest Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re diving deep into the warm, nostalgic chaos of You’ve Got Mail with Tash Stamos, a certified pop-culture obsessive and fellow rom-com tragic. We rewind to that golden era of cinema when Meg Ryan ruled our hearts, Tom Hanks somehow became everyone’s dream man, and dial-up internet felt like the height of romance. Together we unpack the scenes that ruined us emotionally, the cosy New York that probably never existed, and the sheer magic of watching two people fall in love before smartphones made everything… less magical. We also get into the wild debates: is Joe Fox a charming anti-ghoster or an absolute menace? Is Parker Posey the underrated queen of the film? And does You’ve Got Mail still set the bar for rom-com endings? If you’re due for a rewatch or you’ve simply forgotten how good it feels to cry at a perfectly delivered Nora Ephron line, this episode is your sign. (Note: this episode was originally posted in 2024 as audio-only) LINKS: Follow Tash on ⁠substack⁠ Follow Ash on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tikok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow the podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order Ash's debut novel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Love on the Air⁠⁠⁠ CREDITS Host: Ash London Producer: Ash London Filmed at: Session in Progress , Melbourne. Social Producer: Lily Gichard Executive Producer: Anna Henvest Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re back with another round of our Netflix Christmas film deep dives, and this week Alice James jumps in with us to unpack Champagne Problems. Honestly, this one had us in our feelings. It’s way better than your average festive cheese, which somehow makes judging it on our chaotic little matrix even funnier. We get into everything from Minka Kelly’s unreal skin to the dangerously hot lead who had at least one of us 'sliding off the couch'. There’s snow, there’s champagne, there’s a tiny fart in a cute knit, and there’s Roberto, who absolutely steals the show… and maybe our hearts. We break down the movie category by category, debate the gift-giving crimes, admire the Paris backdrop and yes, we absolutely give bonus points for men crying with their dads. A Christmas miracle if ever there was one. Come hang out, have a laugh, and add Champagne Problems to the list. It’s a beauty. LINKS: Follow Alice on ⁠tikok⁠ Follow Ash on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tikok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow the podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order Ash's debut novel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Love on the Air⁠ CREDITS Host: Ash London Producer: Ash London Social Producer: Lily Gichard Executive Producer: Anna Henvest Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Hopeless Romantics, we get a chance to see the softer side of NZ broadcast legend Nickson Clark, and honestly, we’re still recovering. Nickson lets us into the love story at the centre of his life with Sarah. Before the nappies and the gentle chaos of new parenthood, it was just the two of them figuring out who they wanted to be together and the kind of life they wanted to build. We talk about the intentional way he and Sarah want to raise their son, why kindness is the non-negotiable in their home, and how becoming a parent has forced him to slow down, breathe and learn a whole lot of patience. It’s honest, emotional and full of those little moments that remind us why love is always worth it. Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz LINKS: Follow Nickson on ⁠instagram Follow Ash on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tikok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow the podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order Ash's debut novel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Love on the Air⁠⁠⁠ CREDITS Host: Ash London Editor: Lily Gichard Social Producer: Lily Gichard Executive Producer: Anna Henvest Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christmas has fully landed at Hopeless Romantics and honestly, we’re thriving. This week Damaris Treasure jumps back in with us as we revisit one of the greatest festive films of all time, Love Actually, and unpack what it has actually taught us about love. We break down the big storylines that still hit hard as adults. Mark and Juliet’s placard moment, Harry and Karen’s heartbreak, Jamie and Aurelia’s whirlwind fantasy, Sarah and Carl’s almost-love, and the unexpectedly beautiful bond between Billy Mack and his manager. Some of it is romantic, some of it is messy, and some of it is just painfully real. It’s our Christmas deep dive with a little Aussie/Kiwi/Brit honesty, a lot of laughter, and a few emotional gut punches along the way. Merry Christmas, darling. Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz LINKS: Follow Damaris on substack Follow Ash on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tikok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow the podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order Ash's debut novel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Love on the Air⁠⁠ CREDITS Host: Ash London Producer: Ash London Social Producer: Lily Gichard Executive Producer: Anna Henvest Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re going FULL FESTIVE ROMANCE this week with the brilliant country superstar Kaylee Bell, who drops in to talk Christmas music, big feelings and the joy of giving back. Kaylee tells us the story behind her brand new Christmas single, written years ago in a Nashville flat full of fairy lights and mates who loved the season as much as she does. After her little one arrived earlier this year and spent time at Starship, she wanted to do something meaningful. So now every Spotify playlist add sends one dollar to Starship. Absolute angel behaviour. We also dive into our favourite modern Christmas songs, why December turns everyone into a nostalgic romantic mess, and how the season forces us all to slow down, take stock and maybe even admit who we actually want under the mistletoe. It’s cosy, it’s silly, it’s heartfelt and it’s very us. LINKS: Listen to Kaylee's new Christmas track here Follow Kaylee on instagram Follow Ash on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tikok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow the podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order Ash's debut novel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Love on the Air⁠ CREDITS Host: Ash London Producer: Ash London Social Producer: Lily Gichard Executive Producer: Anna Henvest Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re officially in Christmas mode, team. Alice James is back and we’re diving straight into Netflix’s newest holiday movie, A Merry Little Ex-mas. This week we break down the Alicia Silverstone and Oliver Hudson flick using our very scientific Hopeless Romantics scoring matrix. We talk daddy energy, vegan treacle tarts, snowstorms that don’t quite hit the mark, and the surprisingly relatable heartbreak of divorced parents trying to keep the peace at Christmas. Plus we unpack the chaos of their side characters, the lack of magic, and why Jameela Jamil’s character had us both yelling at the screen. Stick around for our final score, what made us laugh out loud, and the big celebrity comeback energy that carried the whole thing. And yes, we manifest a Hilary Duff x Chad Michael Murray Christmas movie because the world deserves nice things. LINKS: Follow Alice on tikok Follow Ash on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tikok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow the podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order Ash's debut novel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Love on the Air CREDITS Host: Ash London Producer: Ash London Social Producer: Lily Gichard Executive Producer: Anna Henvest Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices