In this episode, Craig and Olivia sit down with New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kennedy Ryan to talk about the power of romance, the craft of building interconnected worlds, and why representation—on and off the page—matters.
In the wake of her latest novel’s release, Can’t Get Enough, Kennedy shares how her emotionally rich, socially conscious love stories give voice to characters and communities often overlooked, and why she considers rest a form of resistance. The conversation explores the artistry of series writing, the importance of friendships and family relationships in romance, and her passionate advocacy for audiobooks as an equally valid form of reading.
Listen to the full episode
There may come a day when I write [a] standalone, but for me, I have always enjoyed creating a universe… I get to build out these relationships, because it’s not just a series, it is a network of relationships.
— Kennedy Ryan on the Libro.fm Podcast
Use the promo code SWITCH when signing up for a new Libro.fm membership to get two additional credits to use on any audiobooks—meaning you’ll have three from the start.
About our guest
Kennedy Ryan is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author and one of the most celebrated voices in contemporary romance, praised by Entertainment Weekly as “one of the finest romance writers of our age.” Her award-winning Skyland series—including Before I Let Go, This Could Be Us, and Can’t Get Enough—has earned honors from TIME, Amazon, and Publisher’s Weekly, and is currently in development at Peacock, where she serves as Executive Producer. A two-time Audie Award winner and the first Black author to win the RITA Award for romance, Ryan is also the co-founder of LIFT 4 Autism, which has raised over $500,000 for KultureCity.
Get Kennedy’s Books
Can’t Get Enough
By Kennedy Ryan • Narrated by Wesleigh Siobhan, Jakobi Diem & Kennedy Ryan
Reel
By Kennedy Ryan • Narrated by Jakobi Diem, Eboni Flowers, Nicole Small & April Christina
This Could Be Us
By Kennedy Ryan • Narrated by Ines del Castillo, Jakobi Diem & Kennedy Ryan
Audiobooks discussed on today’s episode
Indigo
By Beverly Jenkins • Narrated by Robin Eller
Seven Days in June
By Tia Williams • Narrated by Mela Lee
August Lane
By Regina Black • Narrated by Bahni Turpin, William DeMerritt, January LaVoy & Stephanie Cannon
Restore Me
By J.L. Seegars • Narrated by Bianca Drew & Winston James
The Ministry of Time
By Kaliane Bradley • Narrated by George Weightman & Katie Leung
Kill Creatures
By Rory Power • Narrated by Valerie Rose Lohman
Wilder Girls
By Rory Power • Narrated by Eileen Stevens & Jesse Vilinsky
The Girls Who Grew Big
By Leila Mottley • Narrated by AhDream Smith, Erin Spencer & Khaya Fraites
Nightcrawling
By Leila Mottley • Narrated by Joniece Abbott-Pratt