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Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson connected the moment they met.

"As soon as he walked in, I was like, 'Oh good, here's somebody who's gonna play with me," Nicole Kidman says in our exclusive Babygirl featurette. "We spent a lot of time in bed. Hours would go by, and it was like you would step out of there and you would say, 'What just happened?'"

"From the moment [Samuel] sees her, he's attracted to her. He realizes there's someone at the height of their power," Harris says. "There was an element of mystique that needed to be there for the exploration of the relationship."

Harris continues that "perhaps there's something unfulfilled going on," perhaps referencing Romy's fizzled-out marriage with Jacob, while Nicole adds that "she's searching for something else" as the movie examines "desires, wants, [and] needs."

"Drink it in and be transported," she says.

​And their chemistry in 'Babygirl' was so intense, Nicole Kidman had to take breaks from filming.

In addition to spending "hours" in bed (which, honestly sounds like a pretty good work day to me), Nicole told The Sun in October that filming those scenes with Harris Dickinson became so intense, she would need breaks. “There were times when we were shooting where I was like, ‘I don’t want to orgasm any more,'” she said. “Don’t come near me. I hate doing this. I don’t care if I am never touched again in my life!”

But having a woman at the helm of the film (writer-director-producer Halina Reijn) both made Nicole feel more comfortable, and empowered her to tell this story. "Doing this subject matter in the hands of the woman that wrote the script, that's directing it and is a really great actress herself — we became one in a weird way, which I'd never had with a director before," she says in a statement. "When you're working with a woman on this subject matter, you can share everything with each other.”

"I really decided in the beginning, I want to make a sexual film, just as sexual as all these films that I've always admired so much," Halina says, "but now I'm going to do it completely through female eyes. What does that mean and what does that look like?” See Babygirl in theaters December 25 to find out.

1. Fated Mates 

Baidachnaya says, "2024 was a year of shifting fantasies. At the beginning of the year, women leaned into escapism, and Fated Mates reigned supreme. These stories of love destined by fate offer reassurance and hope, a comforting reminder that some things are meant to be."

Our top picks for fated mates romance books:

The God and the Gumihoby Sophie Kim

Kim Hani may look like human, but she's harboring a secret that has ties to her mythical past. She's reformed because, well, she's full and doesn't need to eat as much as she did. Now she spends her time helping customers at a café where a grumpy god named Seokga frequently visits.

They're forced to work together when a powerful demon starts causing trouble in the town they live in and it seems their plans are destined to fail at first. However, time reveals that some things are bound by fate...even the love they develop for each other.

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams

Ricki Wilde and Ezra cross paths after the funeral heiress moves to Harlem to escape the expectations of her family. But the more the latter tries to put distance between them, the more they're drawn together. Eventually, it's revealed that Ezra's been harboring secrets that transcend time and Ricki's at the center of it all.

Sex, Lies and Sensibility by Nikki Payne

Nora is completely shocked when she realizes her father kept secrets about the way she was conceived — and it weighs heavy on her. She's also managed to do something that's had a lasting impact on her, leaving her to depend on her sister and vice versa.

Though she and her sister have to find a way to save an inn, they realize they're in over their heads for several reasons. One happens to be Ennis "Bear" Freeman. He has low expectations of them until he senses something in Nora that stirs his passion.

It's clear something strong exists between them, but there's more to "Bear" than he's willing to share.

3. Werewolves and Shape Shifters 

"As the year moved forward, we noticed a shift in preferences. By spring, the mystical allure of Werewolves and Shape Shifters captivated audiences. These tales resonate with listeners navigating personal transformations, offering an intriguing mix of wild passion and self-discovery," says Baidachnaya.

Our top werewolves and shape shifter picks:

Brideby Ali Hazelwood

Misery Lark decided to leave behind the politics of being a Vampyre coucilman's daughter by living undetected against normal beings. However, she's unable to refuse the call to perform her duty of marrying the Weres' alpha, Lowe Moreland.

He's as uneasy about their union as she is, but the difference is Misery has her eyes on one prize that she intends to reclaim by any means necessary.

Zodiac Rising by Katie Zhao

"A vampire, shapeshifter, mortal, and werewolf walk into a bar" isn't something you've heard before, but Zodiac Rising makes sure to introduce you to them anyway. They're an unlikely team, but none of that matters now that 12 zodiac statues are in the hands of evil.

To protect humanity and the mythical world, they'll have to band together to right the wrongs of history — that's if they can get along for five minutes.

So Thirsty by Rachel Harrison

Sometimes all you need is a new thirst for life to help you realize how much you've been running on auto pilot. Sloane Parker's in a loveless marriage and has stopped yearning for things until a birthday trip with her best friend Naomi changes everything. They meet a group of mysterious strangers that alter Naomi's reality and show her what she's been missing.

3. Alpha Males 

"Alongside this, Alpha Males swept listeners off their feet, embodying strength, passion, and stability in uncertain times. These rugged, dominant heroes captured hearts month after month, holding their ground as perennial favorites," adds Baidachnaya.

Our top picks where alpha males really shined:

The Duke's Unexpected Love by Alexa Aston

James Jones goes from not understanding much about himself to learning he's related to the Duke of Seaton in a short amount of time. He starts adjusting to knowing who he is and finds his place in the elite society.

But then there's Sophie Grant and the seemingly bad luck that's followed her based on her dad's decisions. Things seem to change for the better when Josiah Grant, a wealthy man, comes into her life and becomes her husband. Instead of treating her as beneath him, Josiah gives her the tool to run his business.

Years later, James and Sophie meet each other which makes the former's heart go pitter patter. He doesn't care what the rest of society thinks and pursues her with brilliant fervor that generates ton of whispers.

Failure to Match by Kyra Parsi

Determined not to fail her difficult client Jackson Sinclair, Jamie puts her all into finding him the perfect love match. He may be insanely rich and handsome, but he's insufferable. Still, she concocts the perfect plan of knowing as much about him as possible.

Things go horribly wrong when Jackson catches her and she's forced to be monitored in a way for a month. But when Jamie starts to see Jackson for who he is, it gets harder to ignore how perfect they are for each other.

Blood of Dragonsby Penelope Barsetti

After being captured by Talon, Calista can't tell whether she should like or despise him. He's not completely evil, as there's more to him than he likes to show. Still, he's the reason for her suffering so she makes a pact with her dragon Inferno: get rid of the Death King.

When she takes up refuge with her uncle and Queen Eldinar, she signs her fate and the Death King comes to collect — except his appearance makes her realize just how much trouble she's in.

4. Enemies to Lovers 

Baidachnaya says, "Toward the end of the year, modern and relatable themes took the spotlight. Enemies to Lovers, with its tension and emotional payoff, emerged as a late-year darling, showing how rivalry can transform into irresistible romance."

Books where enemies to lovers fell in defied the odds:

The Love Interestby Victoria Walters

Liv Jones is a librarian who has huge dreams of become an romance author, but you kind of need inspiration for that. Her problem is that she doesn't have any until her brother's best friend comes to visit. Aiden Rivers is the last person she wants to be around, but what's more frustrating is how attractive he is. Ironically, he gives her all the inspiration she needs to turn her book goals into reality.

But, she can't possibly be that inspired by him, right?

The Reason I Married Him by Meghan Quinn

Aubree Rowley's got a lot of baggage that doesn't make her the world's friendliest woman. It's surprising when she agrees to marry Wyatt Preston even though they can't stand each other. But, there's something in it for them.

This marriage grants Aubree farm land he's on while Wyatt will be able to snag the family cabin that's been promised to him.

They put on a show to make people believe they're in love, but they fall in love for real.

Right on Cue by Falon Ballard

Emmy Harper's known for her amazing writing skills in Hollywood, but that doesn't meant she gets it right every time. Because she took so long to settle on a main character, she's been tasked to be the center of Right on Cue.

To add to her irritation, she has to work with the annoying Grayson West. He's the perfect person to cast and Emmy knows this. He's so perfect that she wonders what it would be like if they took their relationship beyond a movie set.

5. Billionaire Romance

If You Give a Billionaire a Bride by Ann Einerson

Everly Townstead knows she shouldn't be thinking about her brother's rich best friend (Cash Stafford), especially knowing his family wants to stake their claim in. Yet, their 'marriage' trucks along despite her best attempts to pretend she doesn't feel anything for.

Til Heist Do Us Part by Sara Desai

Simi Chopra and her crew full of thieves did the unthinkable by stealing a diamond necklace, but they had the help of Jack Danger. Their problem? They get a little to cash happy and spend their shares of money.

As it turns out, the necklace they stole belonged to the mafia and they want it back ASAP. So, Simi and everyone rush to retrieve the diamond necklace from a rival. She'll also have to try to stay focused even though she can't stop looking at Jack.

Wild Love by Elsie Silver

Ford Grant went from being a successful billionaire to parenting a moody pre-teen, much to his dismay. To make matters worse, his best friend's sister is back.

Rosie Belmont has danger written all over her and dares to ask Ford for a job at his company. Even though he tries to ignore her, it gets harder each day until they decide to cross the lines with no care about repercussions.

Blake Lively's The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Co-Stars

Most upsetting is the unabashed exploitation of domestic violence survivors' stories to silence a woman who asked for safety. The hypocrisy is astounding.

We are struck by the reality that even if a woman is as strong, celebrated, and resourced as our friend Blake, she can still face forceful retaliation for daring to ask for a safe work environment. We are inspired by our sister's courage to stand up for herself and others.

For anyone seeking more information or engaging in this important conversation online, please read the full legal complaint in the investigative reporting by Megan Twohey, Mike McIntire, and Julie Tate for the New York Times.

Colleen Hoover, Author of It Ends With Us

Paul Feig, Director of A Simple Favor

Director Paul Feig also shared his thoughts about what it's like to work with Blake on X. He said, "I’ve now made two movies with Blake and all I can say is she’s one of the most professional, creative, collaborative, talented and kind people I’ve ever worked with. She truly did not deserve any of this smear campaign against her. I think it’s awful she was put through this."

Robyn Lively, Blake Lively's Sister

The sisterly energy is real and we're so glad Blake is surrounded by it. Robyn, Blake's big sister, shared her full thoughts in a lengthy Instagram caption just 10 hours!

While encouraging people to do research for themselves by reading The New York Times article that details the devious plot to publicly destroy Blake, she had other things to say. "We live in an age where we have access to people’s personal lives like never before — especially actors. It makes us feel like we know them. We see them on social media, watch clips of them, and make snap decisions about their character," she wrote. This reminds me of the parasocial relationships author Amanda Montell detailed in The Age of Magical Overthinking — definitely something for us all to keep in mind.

She also called out how easy it is for the media to warp the public's perception of the truth. "The 'truth' in the tabloids is hardly ever what you think," she added before eventually expressing how "proud" she is that her sister "didn't allow herself to be silenced in the face of adversity and lies."

Bart Johnson, Blake Lively's Brother-in-law

According to Page Six, Blake's brother-in-law Bart Johnson didn't hesitate to share his thoughts about the behavior of Baldoni and his team. He reportedly wrote, "Her complaints were filed during the filming. On record. Long before the public conflict. The cast unfollowed him [Baldoni] for a reason." in the comment section of the NYT Instagram post about the lengthy deep dive into what happened.

He continued by writing, "His PR team was stellar. Gross and disgusting but highly effective. Read the article, their text message exchanges and his PR campaign strategy to bury her by any means necessary. No one is with out [sic] faults. But the public got played."