# S08.35: Sad Boys Who Punch Things with Veronica Roth

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/fated-mates-romance-books-for-novel-people-607367/s08-35-sad-boys-who-punch-things-with-veronica-roth
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/fated-mates-romance-books-for-novel-people-607367/s08-35-sad-boys-who-punch-things-with-veronica-roth.md
Podcast: [Fated Mates - Romance Books for Novel People](https://stenobird.com/podcast/fated-mates-romance-books-for-novel-people-607367)
Published: 2026-05-20T04:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://fatedmates.net/episodes/2026/5/18/s0835-sad-boys-who-punch-things-with-veronica-roth
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/e0f80aa7-8c95-44f2-bf2e-943d38255464.mp3
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Duration seconds: 5490

## Resource

This week, we’re joined by one of the greatest, Veronica Roth, whose new book, Seek the Traitor’s Son , features one of her most beloved of tropes: Sad Boys Who Punch Things. We were delighted when she suggested we do an episode on this very particular, very delicious romance concept, and of course, we invited her to join us! We talk about how it works, why we love soft boys who are full of rage, and how we stan a hero who is willing to stand back and let his partner be awesome. We also talk about The West Wing & Ladyhawke (makes sense). And of course, we talk about her books! If you’d like to continue the conversation about sad boys who punch things or about Veronica’s deep backlist, please join the Fated Mates Discord, which is accessible to our Patreon subscribers. By joining the Patreon, you meet other Fated Mates listeners and get an extra monthly episode from us. Support us and learn more at fatedmates.net/patreon . Our next read along is Seven Days in June by Tia Williams. Get it at Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Kobo , Apple Books , wherever you get your books , or with your monthly subscription to Kindle Unlimited . Books Seek the Traitor’s Son by Veronica Roth When Among Crows by Veronica Roth Divergent by Veronica Roth Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor Shadow’s Claim by Kresley Cole Lothaire by Kresley Cole Managed by Kristen Callihan These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean The Professor by Charlotte Stein How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang The Dragon and the Pearl by Jeannie Lin Love in the Afternoon by Lisa Kleypas Wait For It by M. O’Keefe Paladin’s Grace by T. Kingfisher A Discovery of Witches b y Deborah Harkness Notes Veronica Roth’s newest release is Seek the Traitor’s Son , the first in a dystopian fantasy duology with a strong romance s…

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