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One of my favorite romantic tropes in all the world is chosen or found family. Rock bands, the military, college besties, your work husband and siblings, your little clique in high school, your beloved pets past and present—if they choose you and you choose them, they're family. If you had a less than ideal upbringing, stories like these full of emotional complexity along with acceptance, loyalty and love, are so healing and remind us that relations are always our choice.

https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com

Who wouldn't want to be related to these people?!

The amazing cast and crew of The Four Seasons.

The intrusive soundtrack drives me bonkers (yes, we know they met in the 80s!) but the camaraderie is just so dang good in Peter's Friends.

Friends with Kids owns the chosen family and friends-to-lovers tropes—though you have to suspend disbelief that no one seems to want Ed Burns, who represents the most perfect partner to ever roam the earth.

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After losing my sweet senior dog this week, I find myself mired in waves of grief, but in between, also feeling grateful for love: human, animal, loving relationships in all of their forms and however they come into our lives. The love of an animal is a very special experience, and my heart goes out to other pet guardians who may be experiencing anticipatory grief of their own.

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It's hard to describe how sexy, funny yet heartbreaking this mini series is. Based on real-life best friends Molly and Nikki, who created a podcast about Molly's sexual adventures while in hospice, it's one woman's story of healing, emotional fulfillment and discovering who she is as a romantic and sexual being. It's also a comical, heartfelt, life-affirming look at the deep bonds and love shared between female friends. (CW: explicit descriptions of kink and sex, repeated references to childhood SA)

"I want to feel everything for as long as I can."

The full cast and crew of Dying for Sex.

"The show taught me so much about what sex could be...” Variety interviews Dying for Sex co-showrunners Kim Rosenstock and Elizabeth Meriwether.

"Molly wanted to fall in love, and she did; she fell in love with herself...so whatever is on your list of things to do before you die—you better get started.”

"Love isn’t just doing what you think is best for someone, whether or not they want it. It’s learning how they want to be loved and loving them that way." Awesome interview with Dying for Sex co-showrunner Kim Rosenstock.

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I'm a true gore-phobe, but I was blown away by these unforgettable movies, and their amazing (and bloody) revenge moments. One is an intense, atmospheric Frankenstein horror story, the other a joyously funny Beauty and the Beast-inspired monster romcom with wit, hot monster sex and plenty of emotion. Different as they are, they're both about women coming into their own and reclaiming their power to scare away the monsters lurking everywhere, just waiting to tell them how imperfectly perfect they are.

As absurd and outrageous as all of the absurd and outrageous beauty standards that infect our daily lives.

"While it may feel like a cautionary tale for our times, the horrors at the heart of “The Substance” have been with us for many years, and the issues the movie uncovers are so much more than skin deep."

It got mixed reviews, maybe it wasn't perfect, but I absolutely adored Your Monster. I'm going to agree with the reviewer on Rotten Tomatoes who said it's a "wickedly delightful genre mashup."

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I'm recovering from a nasty flu that has affected my voice, but hope to be back soon, so let's revisit one of my favorite episodes from the past few years. As you know, one of my favorite topics is finding hot sex, love and romance past the age of 40, 50 or even 60 — my sweetie and I have been living this dream for more than two years now and I can tell you, it's glorious. Never give up on your desires!

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(I'll be taking a break in the next few weeks for my sweetie's extended visit!)

Seeking hot, healthy sex and love later in life is quite the adventure, as I have discovered. It helps to have a compassionate, wise guide for the journey like sex educator Dr. Donna Jennings PhD. I interviewed Dr. J a few years ago about healthy sexuality at every age, and how to identify your deepest sexual and romantic desires, and she's the positive role model we all need.

https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com

Dr. J wears many hats in the world of healthy sexuality — and hot romance.

She created the Purple Passion Reflections for Women, a card deck that aims "to help you create space for your sexual alignment so your true sexual nature can emerge...and become the sexual being you were always meant to be."

Joan Price is another smart, compassionate sex educator who advocates for healthy sexuality at every age.

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The new Amy Schumer romcom Kinda Pregnant follows how far one woman will go to realize her fantasy of motherhood and a family of her own. After her best friend gets pregnant and tired of waiting for her own moment, she decides to wear a fake baby bump — only part time — and a hilarious, sometimes sad farce ensues. Schumer's trademark earthy humor grounds a mix of funny and emotional insights about romance, relationships, and women's role in the baby industrial complex. (CW: graphic discussions of pregnancy, brief mention of abortion)

https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com

I ate a cupcake out of the trash! Time to get real about our lived experience, if only to support others who might cave and eat a cupcake out of the trash.

"This whole story, and working with all these women, it just felt kind of revolutionary and badass to me. This is for us."

The smart Slate review of this movie, which I mostly agree with.

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(Some clips in this episode have minor spoilers).

Oh I love a tone like this: funny, smart but also emotional, dark and dramatic: let's call it an American-neurotic cozy murder mystery. There is a mystery at the heart of this show, and an amazing house, but it's also about a beautiful neighborhood full of interesting couples grappling with serious issues and a desperate desire to own this classic Hollywood home, complete with mandarin tree, in trendy Los Feliz. Who does this house really belong to? Who deserves it more? Who has the resources to compete with the others for it? And should they? Despite some mildly gruesome moments, the story has a heartwarming, happy ending.


"Shit is about to get real."

It's all such a mind-tangle! Yes it is. I hope there's a season 2.

More about this "twisty series."

This entire cast! Every single person in the ensemble is equally fantastic.

Producer/creator Liz Feldman has such an interesting résumé. And of course she now has a podcast.

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