Lit with Lara Ashley

This week on Lit with Lara Ashley , Lara dives into an early review of Fortune and Glass by John Mutter: a historical literary novel blending espionage, political unrest, and a layered love story set during the rise of Nazi Germany in the 1930s and 1940s. In this episode, Lara discusses: 1. The emotional and political themes woven throughout the novel 2. Sarah and Rudi’s morally complex relationsh...

In this deeply reflective episode of Lit with Lara Ashley , Lara Ashley discusses one of the most intense and unforgettable books she’s read this year: Tweak by Nic Sheff. Recommended by her husband, this raw and unfiltered memoir pulled Lara into a world she had little personal exposure to growing up: drug addiction, relapse, survival, and the emotional destruction that comes with substance abuse...

In this special, vibe-filled episode of Lit with Lara Ashley , Lara Ashley pairs books with music to create the ultimate reading experience, where every story has a soundtrack. From soft, emotional longing to bold confidence and self-discovery, this episode explores how the right song can transform the way you connect with a book. Featuring pairings like: “missin u” by Tori Kelly with Open Water “...

In this August reset episode of Lit with Lara Ashley , Lara Ashley shares a curated list of self-help and personal growth books designed to help you get back into your routine, realign your mindset, and step into the version of yourself you’ve been envisioning. From building confidence and discipline with You Are a Badass to gaining control of your finances with Rich AF, this episode explores prac...

In this summer-inspired episode of Lit with Lara Ashley , Lara Ashley shares a curated list of books that will transport you, whether you’re boarding a flight or just dreaming of your next getaway. From the emotional, reflective journey of One Italian Summer to the fun, chemistry-filled energy of Just for the Summer, this episode explores stories that feel like travel, escape, and summer in book f...

In this deeply personal Juneteenth episode of Lit with Lara Ashley , Lara Ashley reflects on the meaning of Juneteenth through the lens of her great-grandmother’s life. While Juneteenth marks the delayed announcement of freedom for enslaved Black Americans, this episode explores what freedom looked like in the generations that followed, and how systems of labor, control, and survival continued to...

This week on Lit with Lara Ashley , I’m joined by author Allie Samberts to discuss her novel Not a Strong Enough Word: a story that goes far beyond romance. Together, we discuss burnout, creativity, publishing pressure, women’s friendship, emotional healing, and what it means to return to yourself after life quietly breaks you apart. We also dive into: Scarlett’s emotional journey throughout the n...

In this deeply personal episode of Lit with Lara Ashley , Lara Ashley steps into a new chapter; not just as a reader, but as a writer. Inspired by the life and love story of her grandmother, Lara shares why she decided to begin writing a loosely based romance novel rooted in memory, legacy, and emotional truth. She reflects on the process of turning personal history into storytelling, the vulnerab...

In this Mental Health Awareness Month episode of Lit with Lara Ashley , Lara Ashley explores the quiet weight of perfectionism: how it shows up in our daily lives, why it’s so hard to release, and what it looks like to choose peace instead. Through personal reflection and insights inspired by Nedra Glover Tawwab and her work in Set Boundaries, Find Peace, this episode unpacks the connection betwee...

In this Mental Health Awareness Month episode of Lit with Lara Ashley , Lara Ashley explores the quiet weight of perfectionism: how it shows up in our daily lives, why it’s so hard to release, and what it looks like to choose peace instead. Through personal reflection and insights inspired by Nedra Glover Tawwab and her work in Set Boundaries, Find Peace, this episode unpacks the connection betwee...

In this Mental Health Awareness Month episode, Lara Ashley reflects on burnout: what it looks like today, how it affects us emotionally and physically, and how we begin to recover. Through personal reflection and insights from Rest Is Resistance by Tricia Hersey, this episode explores the importance of rest, boundaries, and redefining productivity. Lara also shares accessible mental health resourc...

In this special episode of Lit with Lara Ashley , Lara Ashley takes you inside the world of BookCon, one of the most exciting events in the book community where readers, authors, and publishers come together. Whether you’re planning to attend or just curious about what happens behind the scenes, this episode breaks down everything you need to know: from author panels and book signings to navigatin...

Spring is a season of becoming, and in this episode of Lit with Lara Ashley , Lara Ashley dives into The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham, a story filled with secrets, shifting friendships, and the quiet pressure to belong. Set in an elite boarding school, The Academy explores what it means to enter new spaces and navigate identity, ambition, and social dynamics while trying to st...

It’s time for a different kind of spring cleaning. In this cozy, reflective episode, Lara Ashley takes you inside her home library, shelf by shelf: sharing the stories behind her collection, what she’s loving, what she needs to read next, and where she’s learning to slow down. From a romance shelf that’s almost full (and a reminder to read before buying more), to banned books, graphic novels like...

In honor of Women’s History Month, Lara Ashley explores The Look by Michelle Obama; a powerful reflection on fashion, identity, and the cultural weight of being seen. This episode goes beyond style and into symbolism. Lara discusses how Michelle Obama used fashion intentionally during her time as First Lady and beyond: elevating emerging designers, redefining political image, and navigating public...

Released on Fat Tuesday, this Mardi Gras–inspired episode of Lit with Lara Ashley dives into Park Avenue . A novel about wealth, ambition, romance, and the quiet cost of success. In this episode, Lara Ashley reflects on power and performance, the masks we wear in our careers and relationships, and what it means to pursue ambition without losing ourselves. Using the spirit of Mardi Gras as a lens,...

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Lara Ashley switches things up with Lights Out . A dark, spicy romance that’s addictive, chaotic, and impossible to put down. In this episode of Lit with Lara Ashley , Lara unpacks the appeal of dark romance, the difference between fantasy and real-life relationships, and why stories filled with red flags can still be fun, compelling, and deeply entertaining on th...

In the first official episode of Lit with Lara Ashley , host Lara Ashley reflects on The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea ; a lyrical fantasy inspired by Korean mythology and centered on sacrifice, courage, and compassion. Lara shares how this book found her at the end of the year, why Mina resonated so deeply as a quiet but brave heroine, and what made this story the perfect place to begin the podca...

Welcome to the soft launch of Lit with Lara Ashley ! In this special debut episode, I’m stepping behind the mic to share the heart behind this podcast — why I created it, what held me back from starting, and what I hope to build with this community. In this episode, I talk about: The vision for Lit with Lara Ashley How fear and perfectionism delayed my start The kind of bookish content you can exp...