Today's episode Val, Courtney, and Lisa dive into the evocative novel Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman, exploring its themes of summer romance, self-identity, and profound emotional and physical connection. They analyze the symbolism woven into the story, discuss the characters' journeys, and share personal insights on love and acceptance.

In this episode:

• Key insights into Elio and Oliver's relationship, exploring themes of obsession, self-discovery, and mutual acceptance

• The symbolism of peaches and bodily intimacy in expressing connection and identity

• Discussions on age differences, societal acceptance, and the significance of authentic love

• Personal anecdotes highlighting the universality of fleeting yet impactful summer relationships

• The importance of honesty, vulnerability, and embracing one's true feelings

• The cultural context of sexuality and relationships in the 1980s versus today

Resources & Links:

• Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman - Amazon link for the book

• André Aciman - Official website

• Call Me By Your Name (Movie)

Connect with us:

Let’s Chat! Have a love story to share or a book recommendation we can’t miss? Maybe you have a "What Would You Do?" dilemma for us to tackle? We’d also love to hear from published authors or fellow relationship podcasters interested in an interview!

Head over to My Perfect Romance to connect.

But while you're here… don’t forget to follow the show and leave a rating or review. It means the world to us!

Upcoming reviews & topics:

• Colleen Hoover - Woman Down

• The Drama starring Robert Pattinson and Zendaya

• Interview with Lindsay Goldstein, author of The Gap Year

• (00:00:00) - THE PERFECTION OF ROMANCE
• (00:00:31) - Oh My Perfect Romance
• (00:00:53) - To Find Me: The Book and Movie
• (00:03:11) - The Summer of Elio
• (00:04:22) - The Color of Love
• (00:06:55) - The Love Story of Elio and Oliver
• (00:12:29) - The Couple's Wedding in Italy
• (00:13:59) - The Summer of Love
• (00:16:42) - The Secret To Sharing A Bathroom
• (00:20:06) - Peeing In Front Of My Love Interest
• (00:23:55) - The Poop in Love
• (00:24:50) - In the Elevator With Emily
• (00:25:41) - "Man to Man Love Story"
• (00:28:40) - The Story of Ilio And Oliver
• (00:31:49) - Could These Guys Ever Get Together?
• (00:36:45) - How To Scratch An Itchy Face
• (00:39:00) - In The Elevator With Courtney
• (00:41:46) - Andre on Talking About How He Feels
• (00:44:20) - The Importance Of Love
• (00:49:09) - MY PERPETUAL ROMANCE

In this episode, we explore how to handle unwanted attention from neighbors, setting clear boundaries, and addressing uncomfortable situations tactfully yet assertively. Whether you're dealing with persistent friendliness or subtle flirting, learn practical strategies to protect your space and peace of mind.

Key topics:

• Recognizing signs of boundary crossing in neighborly interactions
• The importance of trusting your instincts when something feels off

Let’s Chat! Have a love story to share or a book recommendation we can’t miss? Maybe you have a "What Would You Do?" dilemma for us to tackle? We’d also love to hear from published authors or fellow relationship podcasters interested in an interview!

Head over to www.myperfectromance.com to connect.

But while you're here… don’t forget to follow the show and leave a rating or review. It means the world to us!

Coming Up:

• Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman
• The Gap Year by Lindsey Goldstein
• The Drama starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson

• (00:00:00) - In the Elevator With Our Friends
• (00:00:38) - The Neighbors' Flirting
• (00:03:08) - What To Do About A Neighbor's Flirting
• (00:06:19) - "It's Not Okay To Ask Questions Like That"
• (00:07:10) - "He Wanted To Use Me As A Matchmaker"
• (00:10:30) - How To Deal With a Creepy Neighbor
• (00:14:32) - I'm Just Not Interest In Having A Neighborly Relationship
• (00:18:21) - My Perfect Romance: What Would You Do?

Join Val and Lisa as they dive into the intense world of two NHL superstars caught in a fierce rivalry turned romantic. This episode explores themes of love, identity, and societal pressures within the high-stakes world of professional hockey.

Key Topics:

• The premise and storyline of Heated Rivalry, based on Rachel Reed’s novel, focusing on two top NHL players and their complex relationship.
• How rivalry in sports can evolve into deep understanding and love.
• The real-life challenges faced by LGBTQ+ athletes in male professional sports, emphasizing the lack of openly gay players historically.
• The characters Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilia Rosinov (Connor Story), their backgrounds, personal struggles, and cultural differences.
• The impact of external pressures like family expectations, national culture (Russia vs. Canada), and societal rejection.
• The significance of timing, proximity, and internal growth in making a relationship work under extraordinary circumstances.
• The portrayal of LGBTQ+ love stories in sports media, with an appreciation for authenticity and the potential for inspiring change.

Connect with Us:

Let’s Chat! Have a love story to share or a book recommendation we can’t miss? Maybe you have a "What Would You Do?" dilemma for us to tackle? We’d also love to hear from published authors or fellow relationship podcasters interested in an interview!

Head over to www.myperfectromance.com to connect.

But first, while you're here… don’t forget to follow the show and leave a rating or review. It means the world to us!

Resources & Links:

• Rachel Reed's novel Heated Rivalry
• HBO Official Site

Coming Up;

• Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/36336078-call-me-by-your-name
• Interview with Lindsey Goldstein Author of Gap Year: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/57052023.Lindsey_Goldstein
• The Drama starring Robert Pattinson & Zendaya: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zmKcUa4Xxk

• (00:00:00) - The Perfect Romance
• (00:02:54) - Ender's Game: The Rivals
• (00:07:12) - Shane Ilya vs Ilya
• (00:11:17) - Shane on Being Gay in Canada
• (00:13:02) - How Do Gay Men Get To Know Each Other?
• (00:17:58) - Shane and Ilya's First Night Together
• (00:22:11) - Ilya And Shane's Love Letter
• (00:25:50) - Shane Had Sex With Rose in The Bathroom
• (00:28:02) - Shane and Ilya's Coming Out Story
• (00:32:47) - Shane and Ilya's Coming Out Story
• (00:36:37) - "This Is For Adults"
• (00:38:19) - Reviewer: First Ghost Pepper
• (00:38:43) - The Perfect Romance
• (00:41:31) - "My Perfect Romance"