Books are Chic

Everyone knows I have a soft spot for a thriller that feels straight out of a ’90s movie and  Yours Always  absolutely delivers. Corinne Sullivan’s dark, twisty love triangle is a true page-turner, and I was beyond excited to welcome her to the podcast. Fun fact: Corinne is  Cosmopolitan’s  resident reality TV expert and news reporter so yes, reality TV by day and twisty thrillers by night…sign me...

Such a joy chatting with fellow New Englander Riss M. Neilson as we celebrated her latest romance,  The Bridge Back to You . Set against the backdrop of a restaurant and a touch of forced proximity, it’s the perfect recipe for heart, heat, and so much more. I found myself telling Riss again and again her stories feel like the people we know and the lives we’ve lived. After speaking with her, it’s...

Beyond thrilled to welcome this month’s GMA Book Club pick and March Book of the Month author, Elizabeth Arnott, to  Books Are Chic ! Her latest, The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives, is a glamorous, darkly delicious tale that defines  killer chic . Elizabeth joined me during the U.S. leg of her book tour, and honestly I could have talked books and true crime with her for hours. We dive into h...

I was so excited to welcome Cara Bastone back to the pod. Our first conversation was such a standout, Cara is such an intentional romance writer, creating characters that feel deeply real and meet you right at life’s crossroads. Her latest, No Matter What, is brimming with heart, heartbreak and healing power of art. We dove into art therapy, navigating life’s inevitable road bumps, her signature r...

It’s always chic to take two takes—especially when it’s with Jenna Blum and we’re celebrating her latest:  Murder Your Darlings , her incredible first thriller. It has all the perfect ingredients for a true page-turner: a dash of stalking, a hint of murder, and a heaping spoonful of the writer’s life—with just the right amount of spice. I’m still a little shocked that, with Jenna’s incredible back...

Beyond excited to welcome  Allison Pataki  to  Books Are Chic  for her inaugural visit! We got together to celebrate and chat about her latest novel,  It Girl . A fictionalized, deliciously juicy story filled with fame, scandal, and so much more,  It Girl  brings to life the original influencer, showgirl, and true pop culture sensation,  Evelyn Nesbit . If you love  The Gilded Age  or have been li...

One of my favorite guests joy in human form joined me to celebrate his best yet:  That’s What Friends Are For . I was beyond thrilled to welcome back Wade Rouse to the show. We celebrated this absolute gem of a novel, one that carries so many personal connections for Wade. Yes, it’s a love letter to The Golden Girls, but it’s also so much more. It’s part of his story a Palm Springs tale only Wade...

Okay but when I tell you I found my reality TV–loving, reader soulmate in Alli Hoff Kosik… I mean it. And somehow it gets even better — because she’s also the author of the fun, juicy, influencer-coded debut  Too Blessed to Stress . If you’re obsessed with The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives or The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City (we absolutely are), this is your next read. Four religious influence...

In the words of Danny Pellegrino — queen, icon, legend and that title fits Kate White perfectly. She joined me again to celebrate her latest psychological thriller,  I Came Back for You , and truly… what a gift. Longtime listeners know the Bailey Weggins series is one of my ultimate literary Roman Empires, the gateway into the brilliant, twisty world of Kate White. Any chance I get to talk with he...

If you’re craving a book that channels the delicious, edge-of-your-seat thrill of those iconic ’90s psychological dramas — think  The Hand That Rocks the Cradle  or  Single White Female  — look no further. Jennifer Van Der Kleut’s debut,  The Better Mother , delivers. It’s unhinged in the best way, deliciously chaotic, and anchored by a lead villain you’ll absolutely love to hate. Tense, twisty, a...

I’ve been collecting vintage Marilyn Monroe books since college (shoutout to Brattle Book Shop in Boston), so I was beyond thrilled to welcome Lynn Cullen to the show to talk about her latest novel,  When We Were Brilliant . In this stunning work of historical fiction, Lynn illuminates the deeply authentic friendship between Marilyn Monroe and legendary photographer Eve Arnold. The novel is as muc...

I was so excited to welcome Marisa Walz to Books Are Chic to celebrate her debut psychological thriller, Good Intentions. This fast-paced, page-turning novel centers on twin sisters—one whose life is cut tragically short, and the other who blurs the lines between obsession and justice. Walz pulls together all the best elements of a great thriller and delivers them at a perfectly calibrated pace. I...

YA royalty, Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick, and  New York Times  bestselling author Emiko Jean joined me—and it was an absolute dream. Her latest YA romance,  Love Me Tomorrow , delivers a little magic, a dash of mystery, and a whole lot of heart. Sold as a duology, this novel will leave you desperately wanting more. Emiko was such a joy to chat with! We talked about what it’s like to be a Reese...

The ’90s. Hip-hop. Fashion. A fabulous, badass leading lady. A glossy magazine world. All the perfect ingredients for Amy DuBois Barnett’s stunning debut novel,  If I Ruled the World . I was beyond thrilled to welcome Amy to  Books Are Chic —she truly is the epitome of chic. If you love any (or all) of those elements, consider this the ultimate literary cocktail to add to your 2026 reading list. I...

Beyond excited to welcome back Karen Winn—my fellow Boston gal—for her latest twisty, suspenseful thriller,  The Society . Set in historic Beacon Hill, the novel follows two compelling leading ladies whose stories converge within a secret society where mystery and intrigue aren’t just encouraged—they’re required for membership. This is a book only Karen could write. A true Boston expert, she maste...

Episode 2 of Season 5  had me absolutely thrilled to chat with YA queen  Samantha Markum ! We came together to celebrate her latest novel,  The Roommate Arrangement —a laugh-out-loud enemies-to-lovers story filled with found family, big life decisions, and the kind of hijinks only college kids could pull off. Samantha was a total joy to talk to, sharing how her self-proclaimed “fan fiction degree”...

Thrilled to kick off Season 5 with Book of the Month pick and Reese’s Book Club alum, Ashley Elston! We’re celebrating her sophomore thriller, Anatomy of an Alibi —a twisty, addictive read featuring two compelling leading ladies that will have you questioning everything right up until the final page. Ashley and I chatted about what it’s been like being part of Reese’s Book Club, how she approached...

The final episode of Season 4—and episode 70—is here! I’m beyond thrilled to welcome debut YA author Katie Bernet to the podcast to celebrate her forthcoming novel, Beth Is Dead . Beth Is Dead reimagines Beth March—yes, that Beth March—at the center of a contemporary Little Women–inspired murder mystery. Katie and I chatted about her writing journey, the lasting influence of Louisa May Alcott’s or...

In the words of Danny Pellegrino- Queen, Icon, Legend Sophie Kinsella passed on December 10th, leaving an immeasurable hole in our bookish hearts. My feelings in a Books are Chic, she was also the MOST chic, minisode.

I had so much fun kicking off the holiday season with Rachel Cohn! We chatted all about her latest rom-com with Melissa de la Cruz, My Ex-Husband’s Ex-Husband —a laugh-out-loud, feel-good read built around a clever trope and an even more hilarious cast of characters. This book is pure holiday joy: you’ll travel, laugh, and celebrate right along with the characters. Rachel and I talked co-writing (...

One of our final episodes of the year features Jesse Q. Stutanto! We celebrated her latest novel,  Next Time Will Be Our Turn —an epic love story with heart. Jesse and I talked about the influence of her culture on the story, the role of patriarchy in her upbringing and family, and the ancestral stories we need to hold onto. We also dove into her writing schedule—she’s truly mastered her process a...

Beyond excited to welcome Amy Lea back to Books Are Chic! Romance icon, Bravo stan, and an absolute ball of joy, Amy is truly one of my favorite guests. Nothing was off-limits as we dove into Real Housewives drama, Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, the heartbreaking loss of romance legend Sophie Kinsella, and—of course—the star of the show— The Bodyguard Affair , her latest rom-com that delivers on sw...

Calling all pop-culture enthusiasts! ✨ Debut author Stephanie Burns joins the podcast to dish on her fabulous novel Far From the A-List ! We’re celebrating a debut that will have your inner Britney, Lindsay, and Paris absolutely screaming . Centered on a former childhood star, this book delivers family drama, romance, second acts, and all the nostalgic Hollywood magic you could want. This convers...

Sometimes you read a book that sparks so much joy you wish you could linger in its pages forever. It’s Different This Time by Joss Richards was exactly that for me. Rom-com writing at its finest, so naturally I was thrilled to welcome Joss to Books Are Chic . She radiated the same light and charm that shines through every chapter. We talked for over an hour about her writing journey, all things po...

Debut author Marisa Kashino joined me to celebrate her novel, Best Offer Wins —easily one of my top reads of 2025. I devoured this book. The leading lady is memorable, a little unhinged, and absolutely badass. Alongside its dark humor, twisty mystery, and delicious thrills, this story taps into the heavy load women carry every day—something that will hit home for so many readers. Whether you’ve su...