What to Read Next Podcast l Book Recommendation Show

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What happens when the one that got away becomes the inspiration for your bestselling book boyfriend… and then walks back into your life?In this episode, I sit down with Kara McDowell to talk about her latest novel, The Write-Off—a second chance romance packed with college nostalgia, writer drama, and all the angst we love. We dive into dual timelines, messy twenties, and why sometimes love only works the second time around.We also chat about balancing writing and motherhood, the “glass vs. plastic balls” metaphor for life, and Kara shares her favorite contemporary romance reads right now.📚 Books Mentioned The Write-Off by Kara McDowell — Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅Is She Really Going Out With Him? by Sophie Cousens — Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center — Romantic Comedy | Audio ✅Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood — Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia — Small Town Romance | Audio ✅Birding with Benefits by Sarah T. Dubb — Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅⏱️ Time Stamps[00:00] – Meet Kara McDowell & writing from the sidelines[01:00] – Balancing writing, motherhood & deadlines[02:00] – The “glass vs. plastic balls” life metaphor[03:00] – Inside The Write-Off (plot + inspiration)[05:00] – Book boyfriend inspired by real life[06:00] – Why second chance romance hits differently[07:00] – College vs adult love stories[08:00] – Kara’s reading habits & favorite genres[09:00] – Is She Really Going Out With Him? rec[10:00] – Why The Rom-Commers is a perfect romcom[12:00] – Ali Hazelwood & dual timeline romance[14:00] – Cozy small-town vibes in If It Makes You Happy[17:00] – Birding with Benefits & fake dating trope[18:00] – Where to find Kara online Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.I read 32 books in Q1 2026—and I’m breaking down the cozy mysteries, thrillers, romances, and standout 5-star reads you need on your radar.In this episode, I’m sharing my honest reading recap from the first quarter of the year, including what worked, what didn’t, and the books I’m still thinking about. From bingeing cozy mysteries in Puerto Rico to discovering new favorite romances and thrillers, this is your inside look at what’s worth adding to your TBR.📚 Books MentionedCozy Mysteries:Death al Dente by Leslie Budewitz The Rocky Road to Ruin by Meri Allen Catch Me If You Candy by Ellie AlexanderSticks and Scones by Ellie AlexanderKilling Me Soufflé by Ellie AlexanderThe Diva Takes the Cake by Krista DavisDeath of a Country Fried Redneck by Lee HollisDeath of the Kitchen Diva by Lee HollisThrillers:We Were Never Friends by Kaira Rouda The Storm by Rachel HawkinsAnatomy of an Alibi by Ashley ElstonRomance:The Grumpiest Billionaire by Pippa GrantStill Into You by Erin ConnorIt Seemed Like a Good Idea by Lauren BlakelyIn Her Spotlight by Amy SpaldingPicnics and Promises in the Strawberry Fields by Victoria WaltersThe Cherry Crush Flower Shop by Harper GrahamMistakes Were Made by Lucy ScoreMysteryThe Primrose Murder Society by Stacey HackneyNon-fictionAll Consuming by Ruby TandohParks and Rec by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong5⭐ Reads:Rachel West and the Fallen Starlet by Emma Mills (Mystery)Too Blessed to Stress by Alli Hoff Kosik (Women’s Fiction)The Heir by Sophia Travers (Romance - KU)Hunter’s Treasure by Olivia Jackson (Romance)Before We Wake by Sophia Glock (Graphic Novel)This Story Will Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum (Thriller)⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] – Intro + Q1 reading recap overview[01:00] – Cozy mystery binge in Puerto Rico[02:00] – Books that didn’t work for me[03:00] – 4-star cozy mysteries[03:30] – Thriller recommendations[04:30] – Cozy mystery series I loved[05:00] – Romance reads (billionaire, rockstar, small town)[07:00] – Cottagecore + flower shop romances[08:00] – Mother-daughter mystery rec[09:00] – Nonfiction reads[10:00] – Small town romance highlight[11:00] – 5-star reads overview[13:30] – First graphic novel experience[14:30] – Thriller with immersive audio[15:00] – Wrap up + final thoughtsJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What happens when you’re forced to attend your ex-husband’s family wedding… in Paris? 😬✨ In this episode, I sit down with romance author Kate Clayborn to talk about her newest release The Paris Match and why messy adulthood makes the best love stories.We dive into second chances, complicated family dynamics, and what it really means to rebuild your life in your thirties. Kate also shares how she approached writing Paris as more than just a setting—and why romance readers keep coming back to stories that feel both grounded and emotionally rich.📚 Books Mentioned The Paris Match by Kate Clayborn — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅Beginner’s Luck by Kate Clayborn — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅Isola by Allegra Goodman — Buy on Amazon | Historical Fiction | Audio ✅Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅⏱️ Time Stamps[00:00] – Introduction to Kate Clayborn[01:00] – Beginner’s Luck and pandemic reading memories[02:00] – Overview of The Paris Match[03:00] – Grumpy sunshine dynamic + character setup[04:00] – Writing Paris as a character[06:00] – Language, culture, and realism in Paris[07:00] – Layla’s career and emotional avoidance[08:00] – What a hospitalist does (and why it matters)[09:00] – Life in your 30s vs 20s vs 40s[11:00] – Griffin’s character and isolation[12:00] – Kate’s reading life (romance + beyond)[13:00] – Favorite romance subgenres and tropes[14:00] – Auto-buy authors and recommendations[15:00] – Where to find Kate onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Romantasy before it was cool? In this episode, I sit down with Elly Blake to talk about her journey writing fantasy romance—and how the genre has completely transformed over the years.We chat about the evolution from YA fantasy to adult romantasy, what readers really want (hint: it’s the romance), and how Elly built her newest Thirstwood series from fairy tales, folklore, and a haunting “bloodthirsty forest” idea. If you love enemies-to-lovers, forbidden romance, and magical worlds with high emotional stakes, this episode is for you.📚 Books Mentioned Frostblood by Elly Blake — Buy on Amazon | Fantasy Romance | Audio ✅Forest King’s Daughter by Elly Blake — Buy on Amazon | Romantasy, Fairy Tale Inspired | Audio ✅Curse Queen’s Daughter by Elly Blake — Buy on Amazon | Romantasy, Enemies-to-Lovers | Audio ✅Until the Clock Strikes Midnight by Alicia Dow — Buy on Amazon | YA Fantasy Romance, Fairytale | Audio ✅⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Introduction to Elly Blake[01:00] Her journey into fantasy & romantasy[02:30] What “romantasy” really means[04:30] How romance reshaped the fantasy market[06:00] YA vs adult fantasy—what’s changing[08:00] Overview of Thirstwood series[10:00] The bloodthirsty forest concept[11:30] Book 1: friends-to-enemies-to-lovers setup[12:30] Book 2: Hades & Persephone vibes + mystery[14:30] Coming-of-age themes in fantasy[16:00] Reading habits: paper vs audiobooks[17:00] Book recommendation: Alicia Dow[19:30] Where to find Elly BlakeJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Graphic novels aren’t just for kids—and this episode completely changed how I think about them.In this conversation, I sit down with cartoonist Sophia Glock to talk about her haunting and emotional graphic novel Before We Wake. We dive into how comics can explore big themes like grief in a way that feels accessible, immersive, and deeply personal—and why adults should absolutely be reading graphic novels.We also talk about nostalgia (hello early 2000s 👀), the creative process behind blending art and storytelling, and where to start if you’ve never picked up a graphic novel before.📚 Books Mentioned Before We Wake by Sophia Glock — Buy on Amazon | YA Graphic Novel | Grief, paranormal, friendshipMaus by Art Spiegelman — Buy on Amazon | Historical Graphic Novel | Holocaust, memoirPersepolis by Marjane Satrapi — Buy on Amazon | Graphic Memoir | Iran, coming-of-ageFun Home by Alison Bechdel — Buy on Amazon | Literary Graphic Memoir | Family, identityThis One Summer by Mariko Tamaki & Jillian Tamaki — Buy on Amazon | YA/Adult Graphic Novel | Coming-of-ageSpinning by Tillie Walden — Buy on Amazon | Graphic Memoir | Identity, adolescenceCharity and Sylvia by Tillie Walden — Buy on Amazon | Graphic Novel | Historical ⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Intro + meeting Sophia Glock[01:00] Why graphic novels are underrated for adults[02:00] Writing about grief in Before We Wake[04:00] Sophia’s creative process (writing vs drawing)[05:30] Plot overview + lucid dreaming concept[07:00] Setting the book in early 2000s nostalgia[09:30] Nostalgia, pop culture, and generational memory[12:30] Where to start with graphic novels[15:00] YA vs adult tone in storytelling[16:00] Where to find Sophia online Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.From sorority sisters to bookish besties—this episode is all about finding your reading groove and building a community that keeps you turning pages.In this episode, I sit down with Nathalie Cañadas to talk about her reading glow-up—from occasional reader to devouring 200+ books a year. We chat about audiobooks, immersive reading, Kindle Unlimited, and how joining a book club completely changed her reading life. Plus, we dive into her favorite romance reads, dark twists, and underrated gems you need on your TBR.If you’ve ever struggled to find time to read—or didn’t know where to start—this episode is for you.📚 Books MentionedBroken Romeo by Leisa Rayven — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅ Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage — Buy on Amazon | Cowboy Romance | Audio ✅ Pen Pal by J.T. Geissinger — Buy on Amazon | Romantic Suspense | Audio ✅ Carnal Urges by J.T. Geissinger — Buy on Amazon | Mafia Romance | Audio ✅ Bourbon Boys Series by Victoria Wilder — Buy on Amazon | Romantic Suspense Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] – Welcome + how Nathalie and I met[02:00] – What Latin sororities actually look like[05:30] – Nathalie’s reading journey (pre-2024 vs now)[07:30] – Discovering audiobooks + Libby + Hoopla[08:30] – What is immersive reading (and why it works)[09:30] – Finding your reading groove[10:30] – Romance genre deep dive + BookTok impact[13:00] – Library hacks + how to get multiple cards[15:30] – Supporting libraries + budget reading[16:00] – Book recommendations begin[16:30] – Broken Romeo discussion[17:30] – Cowboy romance (Lyla Sage)[18:30] – Dark twist reads (Pen Pal)[20:00] – Mafia romance recs[22:00] – Dark romcoms + Lights Out[23:00] – Bourbon Boys series[24:00] – Abby Jimenez spotlight[25:30] – Inside the Baddies Book Club[27:30] – Book club retreat + community building[28:30] – Nathalie’s Instagram + where to followFollow Nathalie on Instagram: Nats Next BookJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What happens when romance meets real life—immigration, identity, and the courage to choose joy anyway?In this episode, I sit down with Sonali Dev to talk about her latest novel How Simi Got Her Groom Back—a deeply emotional story about sisterhood, love, and what it really means to belong. We dive into the themes behind the book (including immigration and chosen family), plus a powerful conversation about romance as a tool for healing, self-worth, and rewriting the rules we’ve been given.If you love romance with depth, second chances, and stories that make you feel something real—this episode is for you.📚 Books Mentioned How Simi Got Her Groom Back by Sonali Dev — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance / Women’s FictionThe Caste and the Star by Leylah Attar — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance / Second ChancePartners in Crime by Alisha Rai — Buy on Amazon | Romantic Comedy / Second Chance / Heist Romance⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Welcome back Sonali Dev01:00 – Behind the scenes of her latest book release03:00 – Writing process & juggling multiple books04:30 – What How Simi Got Her Groom Back is about06:30 – Immigration, legality vs. morality, and storytelling08:00 – Why joy is an act of rebellion10:00 – How books build empathy11:00 – Romance novels and self-worth13:30 – Raising your standards in love & life15:00 – Choosing joy in everyday decisions17:00 – Visibility, bravery, and showing up authentically19:30 – What Sonali loves to read21:30 – Reading across genres vs. sticking to romance24:00 – Book rec: The Caste and the Star27:00 – Book rec: Partners in Crime30:00 – Where to find Sonali DevJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What happens when a neuroscientist writes a romance set in academia? In this episode, I’m chatting with debut author Hannah Brohm about Love and Other Brain Experiments—a workplace romance inspired by the chaotic world of research labs, anonymous peer reviews, and the surprising ways love can show up when you least expect it.We talk about Hannah’s journey from cognitive neuroscience to romance writing, how academia shaped the story, and why romance became a comforting escape during grad school and the pandemic. Plus, we dive into her reading life—from workplace romcoms to cozy mysteries—and she shares a few book recommendations that belong on your TBR.If you love smart romcoms, STEM heroines, and enemies-to-lovers tension, this conversation is for you.📚 Books MentionedLove and Other Brain Experiments by Hannah Brohm — Contemporary Romance | STEM RomanceAll in Your Head by Sabina Norquist — Contemporary Romance | Fake Dating | Disability RepAnd Then There Was the One by Martha Waters — Cozy Mystery Rom-Com | HistoricalThe Friendship Fling by Georgia Stone — Romantic Comedy | Friends to Lovers | LondonThe Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon — Workplace Romance | MediaThe Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas — Fake Dating RomanceAnna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins — YA RomanceThe Hating Game by Sally Thorne — Enemies to Lovers | Workplace Romance⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Introduction to Hannah Brohm and her debut romance[01:00] What cognitive neuroscience is and how it inspired the book[03:00] The realities of working in academia and postdoc life[05:00] The premise of Love and Other Brain Experiments[06:00] Hannah’s romance reading journey and early influences[07:00] Discovering adult romance during grad school and COVID[09:00] How peer review inspired the book’s enemies-to-lovers setup[10:00] Balancing academia, writing, and reading[12:00] Why writing romance can be cathartic[14:00] Hannah’s reading tastes and current reads[15:00] Fake dating romance recommendation: All in Your Head[16:00] Cozy mystery rom-com recommendation[17:00] Romcom set in London recommendation[20:00] Writing New York as a setting and personal connections to the city[21:00] Where to find Hannah onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.If you love mystery-romance heroines who are juggling work, family, and the occasional international investigation, you’re going to love today’s episode. I’m joined by author Sam Tschida to talk about the latest installment in the Gabby Green series and the chaos that comes with writing spy-adjacent romantic mysteries.In this conversation, Sam shares how she built the second Gabby Green adventure—from tropical settings and Hollywood wellness culture to espionage twists and unexpected romance. We also talk about writing messy but lovable heroines, the reality of balancing motherhood with high-stakes careers, and why cozy mystery fans love returning to the same sleuth again and again.We also chat about writing inspiration, the real-life research behind spy stories, and the books we’ve been loving lately.⏱️ Episode Timestamps[00:00] Welcome & catching up with Sam Tschida[00:01] Writing the second Gabby Green mystery[00:03] The tropical investigation setting and spy elements[00:05] Researching espionage and consulting real sources[00:06] Why the book’s setting changed from Hawaii to the Azores[00:07] Plot twists, mystery pacing, and balancing romance[00:08] Delegation, chaos, and Gabby learning she can’t do everything[00:09] Possible movie adaptation news for Errands and Espionage[00:10] Why readers love returning to the same sleuth in mystery series[00:11] Cozy mysteries, baking mysteries, and comfort reads[00:12] Laura’s dream Puerto Rican cozy mystery series[00:16] Book recommendations from Sam[00:18] Where to find Sam online📚 Books MentionedGabby Green Who Knows Whodunit by Sam Tschida — Mystery Romance | Amateur Sleuth | SeriesErrands and Espionage by Sam Tschida — Mystery Romance | Travel Mystery | Amateur SleuthUndead and Unwed by Sam Tschida — Paranormal Romance | Vampire Comedy | Audio ✅Matchmaking for Psychopaths by Tasha Coryell — Dark Comedy Thriller | Mystery | Audio ✅Love Letters to a Serial Killer by Tasha Coryell — Thriller | Dark Romance | Audio ✅The ReDo List by Denise Williams — Contemporary Romance | Cinnamon Roll Hero | Audio ✅Pride and Protest by Nikki Payne — Romantic Comedy | Classic Retelling | Audio ✅Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What happens when a rom-com meets a slasher movie? In this episode, I’m joined by debut author Shaylee Thompson to talk about her wildly fun genre-bending novel How to Kill a Guy in 10 Dates — a slasher rom-com set during a speed-dating event gone horribly wrong.We chat about how Shaylee blended two formula-driven genres, her journey from English teacher to full-time writer, and why sometimes the book that becomes your debut isn’t the first book you wrote. If you love horror movies, rom-coms, and stories that break the rules, this conversation is packed with behind-the-scenes insights.Plus, Shaylee shares a few book recommendations for readers who love horror comedy, meta storytelling, and genre-bending fiction.📚 Books Mentioned How to Kill a Guy in 10 Dates by Shailee Thompson — Slasher Rom-Com | Horror ComedyButcher and Blackbird by Brynne Weaver — Dark Romantic Comedy | Serial Killer Romance | KU ✅ | Audio ✅The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix — Horror | Slasher Film Tribute | Thriller | Audio ✅Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan — Fantasy | Villain Story | Meta Fantasy | Audio ✅Your Favorite Scary Movie by Ashley Cullins — Nonfiction | Horror Film Analysis | Pop CulturePersuasion by Jane Austen — Classic Romance | Literary Fiction | Audio ✅⏱️ Time Stamps[00:00] Introduction to Shaylee Thompson and her debut novel[01:00] The premise of How to Kill a Guy in 10 Dates[02:00] Combining rom-com and slasher genres[04:00] Why the book released around Valentine’s Day[05:00] Shaylee’s writing journey and early books[07:00] Signing with an agent and finding the right debut[08:00] Writing discipline and finishing a draft in four months[09:00] Becoming a full-time writer[11:00] Shaylee’s reading tastes and favorite genres[12:00] Book recommendations for horror and rom-com fans[14:00] Where to find Shaylee onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.If you’ve ever masked your anxiety while looking wildly “high-functioning,” this episode is going to hit.Today I’m chatting with returning guest Cat Sebastian about her new contemporary romance Star Shipped — a slow-burn, forced-proximity love story between two actors on a long-running sci-fi show who “hate” each other in the most domestic way possible.We talk about why Cat took a risk moving from historical to contemporary romance, how fandom and sci-fi shaped this book, and why she wanted to write a character with anxiety, OCD, and migraines who doesn’t magically “heal” by the final chapter. This is a conversation about radical acceptance, surviving in a noisy world, and finding love without fixing yourself first.If you loved the emotional intensity of hockey romances but want celebrity PR chaos instead, this one’s for you.⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Welcoming Cat back + what she’s been up to[00:01] Inside Star Shipped — enemies-to-lovers on a sci-fi set[00:02] The Gene Roddenberry letter that inspired the book[00:04] Taking the risk from historical to contemporary[00:06] Researching fandom vs. TV industry details[00:08] Writing invisible disability & high-functioning anxiety[00:12] No “pink cloud” healing — why incremental growth matters[00:16] Radical acceptance in romance[00:18] Romance recommendations with buttoned-up/chaos pairings[00:23] Where to find Cat + newsletter over social media📚 Books Mentioned Star Shipped by Cat Sebastian — Contemporary Romance | Celebrity | Enemies-to-Lovers | Anxiety Rep | Audio ✅Something Wild & Wonderful by Anita Kelly — LGBTQ+ Romance | Outdoors Setting | Neurodivergent Rep | Audio ✅With Love, from Cold World by Alicia Thompson — Workplace Romance | Opposites Attract | Slow Burn | Audio ✅Chef’s Kiss by TJ Alexander — Workplace Romance | Queer Romance | Polyamory Rep | Audio ✅A Gentleman’s Gentleman by TJ Alexander — Historical Romance | Queer Romance | Tender Slow Burn | Audio ✅

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What happens when book bans aren’t just headlines — but federal law?In this episode, I’m chatting with historical fiction author Shelley Noble about The Sisters of Book Row, a novel set in 1915 New York during the height of the Comstock censorship laws. We talk about rare bookstores, banned poetry, Margaret Sanger, and why 100-year-old history feels… uncomfortably familiar today. If you care about protecting books, women’s voices, and literary legacy — this one will stay with you.We also dive into Shelley’s unexpected path to publishing (spoiler: it started with a dare), why she left mysteries for historical women’s fiction, and her favorite historical mystery comfort reads.⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Shelley’s journey from dancer to published mystery author[03:00] Writing historical mysteries vs. women’s fiction[06:30] Discovering the Tiffany Girls & shifting genres[07:45] The Comstock Laws explained[09:30] Margaret Sanger and censorship in 1915[11:00] The Sisters of Book Row premise[14:30] Book banning today vs. 1915[18:30] Research process & using primary sources[22:00] Historical mystery & romantic suspense recommendations📚 Books Mentioned The Sisters of Book Row by Shelley Noble — Historical Women’s Fiction | Bookstore Drama | Women’s RightsThis Rough Magic by Mary Stewart — Romantic Suspense | Classic MysteryThe Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley — Time Slip Romance | Historical FictionCrocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters — Historical Mystery | Victorian Egypt | HumorJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What happens when influencer culture, megachurch ambition, and algorithm-driven community collide?This week, I’m joined by longtime friend and fellow early-podcaster Alli Hoff Kosik to talk about her debut novel, Too Blessed to Stress — a sharp, nuanced story about faith, friendship, ambition, and the very online world we’re all living in.We talk about how her MFA journey led her here, why religion in fiction felt like a “risky” topic just a few years ago, and how influencer culture (hello Mormon wives and MomTok 👀) makes this story more relevant than ever. If you love messy friend groups, big institutions, powerful men, and complicated women trying to build something meaningful — this one is for you.🕒 Timestamps[00:00] Early podcast days & friendship origin story[02:00] Alli’s MFA journey and first abandoned manuscript[05:00] The Christian influencer rabbit hole[07:30] Influencer monetization & megachurch power[10:00] Religion, algorithms & modern politics[14:00] Community after the pandemic[21:30] Behind the Scenes podcast (BTS-TBTS)[24:00] Book recommendations: cults, ambition & satire[37:00] Where to find Alli & audiobook details📚 Books Mentioned Too Blessed to Stress by Alli Hoff Kosik — Book Club Fiction | Influencer Culture | Literary FictionLittle One by Olivia Muenter — Cult Fiction | Dual Timeline | Psychological DramaPaper Cut by Rachel Taff — Literary Fiction | Power & Family DynamicsTehrangeles by Porochista Khakpour — Satire | Reality TV Culture | Pandemic FictionGlossy by Marisa Meltzer — Nonfiction | Business Biography | Millennial CEOWorkhorse by Caroline Palmer — Literary Fiction | Publishing Industry | Ambitious Female LeadJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Queer joy, Hollywood theater, and why romance doesn’t have to earn its happy ending.In this episode, I’m joined by returning guest Amy Spalding to talk about In Her Spotlight, her latest sapphic romance set at the intersection of celebrity culture, live theater, and second-chance love. We dig into why queer joy matters, how power dynamics shift when fame enters the room, and why it finally feels possible to tell coming-out stories without centering tragedy.We also chat about reading across genres, unexpected nonfiction rabbit holes, and Amy’s favorite sapphic and bisexual romances to add to your TBR—especially if you love stories about ambition, community, and women figuring it out together.📚 Books MentionedIn Her Spotlight by Amy Spalding — Sapphic Romance | Celebrity Romance | Second Chance | Theater SettingRooting Interest by Cat Dibasato — Sapphic Romance | Sports Romance | Career-Driven CharactersFlirting Lessons by Jasmine Guillory — Sapphic Romance | Contemporary Romance | Wine Country SettingWriters & Lovers by Lily King— Literary Fiction | Women’s Fiction | Writing & AmbitionAlice Rue Evades the Truth by Emily Zips — Bisexual Romance | Contemporary Romance | While You Were Sleeping Retelling⏱️ Episode Timestamps[00:00] Welcome back + first impressions of In Her Spotlight[01:00] Writing queer joy during bleak times[02:00] Why sapphic romance has changed so much[04:00] Coming-out stories with nuance and community[05:00] In Her Spotlight elevator pitch[06:00] Power, consent, and the #MeToo context[08:00] Celebrity culture vs. theater life[11:00] Companion standalones & the Out in Hollywood series[12:00] Reading across genres as a writer[13:00] Nonfiction deep dives & pop culture obsessions[15:00] Sapphic and bisexual romance recommendations[19:00] Where to find Amy onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Quick Note Before You Press Play: The audio quality on this episode isn’t my usual standard (thank you for your grace 😅). If you want the best experience, I highly recommend watching the video version — it includes captions and the sound is much clearer. You can find it on Spotify and YouTube.Thank you for being here and for always supporting the show. 💛--------------------------What happens when a virgin sex toy engineer asks her coworker for sex lessons… and ends up getting way more than she bargained for?This week, I’m chatting with author Alys Murray about her steamy new romance A Little Buzzed, why sex scenes need emotional arcs, and how the sex toy industry has completely transformed over the last decade. We talk mutual pleasure, power dynamics, writing for Hallmark vs. high-heat romance, and why “horny jail” only lasts so long.If you love workplace romance, sex-positive stories, mafia rom-coms, and books that balance spice with heart — this episode is for you.📚 Books MentionedA Little Buzzed by Alys Murray — Contemporary Romance | Workplace | Sex Lessons Trope | High HeatThe Seduction of Mr. Alfred Saintsbury by Lydia Lloyd — Regency Historical Romance | Power Dynamics | High SpiceDom Com by Adriana Anders — Workplace Romance | High Heat | Sex-Positive RomanceThe ReDo List by Denise Williams — Contemporary Romance | Second Chance at Life | Emotional GrowthLove Most Fatal by Kath Richards — Mafia Rom-Com | Female Mob Boss | Cinnamon Roll Hero⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Welcome + why Alys and I have similar book taste[02:00] The premise of A Little Buzzed[03:30] Mutual “sex lessons” + flipping the virgin trope[04:30] How the sex toy industry has evolved[07:00] Virginity, pleasure, and agency in 2026[08:00] Why sex scenes need emotional arcs (Heated Rivalry reference 👀)[10:00] Screenwriting for Hallmark vs. writing spicy romance[14:00] Lydia Lloyd’s filthy Regency recommendation[16:00] Workplace spice: Dom Com[17:00] The Redo List by Denise Williams[17:30] Mafia rom-com obsession: Love Most FatalJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What happens when you drop a retired serial killer into a luxury retirement home full of former investigators? You get chaos, secrets… and one very suspicious death.In this episode, I chat with British comedian-turned-mystery author Fergus Craig about his latest cozy crime novel, I’m Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home. We talk about writing a likable serial killer, the art of “cracked cozy” mysteries, and how parody crime novels unexpectedly launched his fiction career. If you love cozy mysteries with a dark twist — and characters who blur the line between wrong and relatable — this one’s for you.We also dive into his favorite reads (including a book he calls the best he’s ever read), and why sometimes escape fiction is exactly what readers need right now.📚 Books Mentioned I’m Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home by Fergus Craig — Buy on Amazon | Cozy Mystery | Dark Comedy | Serial Killer ProtagonistThe Bee Sting by Paul Murray — Buy on Amazon | Literary Fiction | Family DramaEast of Eden by John Steinbeck — Buy on Amazon | Classic Literary Fiction⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Introduction to Fergus Craig[01:00] The premise behind I’m Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home[02:00] What is a “cracked cozy” mystery?[03:00] Writing a likable serial killer[05:00] Balancing flashbacks and present-day mystery[06:00] From comedian and actor to novelist[07:00] Parody crime novels and landing a book deal[08:00] Why readers want escape fiction right now[09:00] Fergus’s reading life and audiobook habits[10:00] The Bee Sting by Paul Murray recommendation[12:00] Literary fiction and reading widelyJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What happens when a swoony rom-com set in Venezuela meets fake dating, music, and telenovela-level drama? I’m joined by debut author Maria José Morillo to talk about romance, bilingual reading, and writing against the odds.In this episode, I’m chatting with Maria José Morillo, a Venezuelan author making her Big Five debut with The Ex-Perimento. We talk about growing up bilingual, discovering romance through Harry Potter and Twilight, and what it means to write English-language romance from Venezuela.We also dive into celebrity rom-com tropes, Latin American pop culture (yes, Miss Universe matters), and how Maria José went from fanfiction to landing a traditional publishing deal. If you love high-concept rom-coms, global romance, or behind-the-scenes publishing journeys, this episode is for you.📚 Books Mentioned The Ex-Perimento by Maria José Morillo — Contemporary Romance | Celebrity RomanceYou Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle — Rom-Com | Enemies-to-LoversPeople We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry — Friends-to-Lovers | Travel RomanceHappy Place by Emily Henry — Second-Chance Romance | Emotional RomanceThe Sun and the Void by Gabriela Romero-Lacruz — Fantasy | Venezuelan FolkloreBochica by Carolina Florez-Cerchiaro — Gothic Horror | Latin American Folklore⏱️ Episode Timestamps[00:00] Welcome & why Venezuela pop culture feels familiar[02:00] Becoming a reader through Harry Potter[05:00] Switching from Spanish to English reading[07:00] E-reading vs physical books outside the U.S.[09:00] From fanfiction to writing original romance[12:00] Why writing in English opened publishing doors[15:00] The book that didn’t sell — and why that matters[17:00] The origin story of The Ex-Perimento[20:00] Miss Universe, telenovelas & Latin American fame[24:00] Romance recommendations & reading for joyJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What happens when a pandemic side project turns into a full-time creative career? In this episode, I’m joined by fantasy romance author Kate Golden to talk about writing through uncertainty, leaving a stable career, and why urban fantasy is having a moment.We get into Kate’s journey from working as a studio executive in Hollywood to indie publishing A Dawn of Onyx, landing a traditional book deal with Berkley, and finally quitting her day job to write full-time. We also dive deep into Half City, her dark academia–meets–urban fantasy trilogy set in a reimagined New York City — complete with demon hunters, secret colleges, forbidden romance, and Buffy-level vibes.This conversation is for readers who love grounded fantasy, creative career pivots, and honest talk about monetizing passion projects without losing your mind.Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!