Must Love Books

Lindsay Merbaum, best-selling author of the smutty horror-comedy hit VAMPIRES AT SEA, joins Krystle Hope on Must Love Books Podcast for the release of her latest novel, WITCHES OF THE WHEEL. We dive into one of our favorite topics for spooky season: feminist horror. Let’s talk about the expression of feminist ideals in horror, shifting from a male-centered perspective, and the empowerment journey...

JR Ward, best-selling author of the hit series THE BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD joins Krystle Hope on Must Love Books Podcast for the release of her latest novel, LOVER ENTHRONED. 20 years of stories, spanning dozens of novels, JR Ward talks about the inspiration behind her popular paranormal romance series and how this novel stands out and brings in a new romance. Move over Alpha Male MMCs, it’s time...

The darkness isn’t empty. It’s hungry. Tatiana Schlote-Bonne is BACK on Must Love Books Podcast to chat about her fungal horror fantasy, WHAT FEEDS BELOW. Check out Tatiana’s previous episodes on Must Love Books Podcast: 103. Girlhood and Murderous Cults with Tatiana Schlote-Bonne, THE MEAN ONES 36. Horror Would You Rather with Tatiana Schlote-Bonne, SUCH LOVELY SKIN Thank you everyone so much for...

By the pricking of my thumb, something wicked this way comes… It’s officially Spooky Season on Must Love Books Podcast! Jasmine Smith joins Krystle Hope for her debut novel, DEATH CARD, a witchy coming of age novel set in New Orleans, featuring familial witches, Black girl magic (literally!), grief, ancestral ties, mystery, and romance. We also talk about favorite witches and Halloween traditions!...

The weather is getting chillier, so let’s heat it up! Megan from Cantina Book Club podcast joins Krystle Hope to share some bookish hot takes, such as… - Audiobooks are reading! - Thoughts on the Wuthering Heights Adaptation! - Taylor Swift music is overused on Bookstagram (sorry Swifties!) - Cheese! (what else?) And more! Thank you everyone so much for listening – be sure to subscribe so you don’...

A war-scarred mage, a sentient ship, and a secret that could drown empires – H Leighton Dickson joins Krystle Hope to talk about her slow-burn epic romantasy SHIP OF SPELLS, using her STEM background to build a fantasy world and magic system, and her education in Romantasy 101 We also talk about our favorite topic on this podcast: cheese! Thank you everyone so much for listening – be sure to subsc...

Roll the dice, strike up the band, and get ready for a swoon-worthy gaming romance that blends the magic of D&D with the camaraderie of band camp—from the bestselling author of Dating and Dragons!   Best-selling author Kristy Boyce joins Krystle Hope on Must Love Books Podcast for her latest novel in the Quest for Love series, ROLLS AND RIVALRY.   We chat about all things D&D and romance,...

Who doesn’t love a little chaos? Best-selling author Shanora Williams joins Krystle Hope on Must Love Books Podcast for a latest hit, MAYHEM AND THE MORTAL. A mortal with nothing left to lose, an assassin with everything to hide. Mayhem and the Mortal is a fun romantasy featuring slow-burn danger, quests with impossible odds, and an epic adventure. We also talk about Dungeons and Dragons! Thank yo...

The world is on fire – so take a deep breath and have some cake and snuggle up with a cozy fantasy! Sarah Beth Durst joins Krystle Hope on Must Love Books Podcast to talk about all things cozy, the importance of taking breaks when things are tough, and her latest novel, THE FARAWAY INN. Thank you everyone so much for listening – be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode, and if you like wh...

SA Barnes returns to Must Love Books Podcast for her latest release, DEATH’S DAUGHTER, a contemporary dark academia romantasy featuring ancient gods, territorial wars, a legacy no one asked for, and unresolved daddy issues. Don’t miss SA Barnes’ previous episodes on Must Love Books Podcast: Episode 45. Crafting atmospheric space horror with SA Barnes, GHOST STATION Episode 63. Space Horror Q&A...

Puzzles and spooky vibes, oh my! Calling all Dungeons and Dragons fans – Deborah Ann Woll is on Must Love Books Podcast to talk about the Tales From Woodcreek season 2 campaign on Kickstarter! Krystle and Deborah talk gaming, DnD, puzzles, and some cool merch and stretch goals available for a limited time on the Kickstarter campaign. Time is running out, so after you listen head to TalesFromWoodcr...

Shelly Page, author of BREWED WITH LOVE, joins Krystle Hope to talk about her newest sapphic cozy romantasy, CHARMED AND DANGEROUS, as well as the importance of representation, showcasing sapphic characters and Black joy, and why we need more diversity in romantasy. Thank you everyone so much for listening – be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode, and if you like what you hear, consider...

Falencia Jean-Francois joins Krystle Hope on Must Love Books Podcast to celebrate DEVIL OF THE DEEP, releasing on April 7, 2026! Join us as we chat about our love for pirates and mermaids, queer-normative fantasy, inspirations from Haitian culture and mythology, and writing characters as self-reflection. Pre-order now from Left Unread Books on Bindery , or your favorite bookseller Thank you everyo...

Elise Kova returns to Must Love Books Podcast to share all about her latest novel, DRAGON CURSED – and dish on some major cinematic news! In Dragon Cursed, Vingard is the last remaining foothold standing against the dragon scourge that has ravaged the world. Within the city walls, those that are dragon cursed will slowly turn into vicious mindless beasts bent on destruction. Fear has left the peop...

Must Love Books Podcast is BACK for season 3! For the premiere episode, best-selling author Melissa de la Cruz joins Krystle Hope to talk about her latest novel, RINGS OF FATE.   Inspired by cozy fantasies like Legends & Lattes and a deep love for Lord of the Rings, Rings of Fate features a fake engagement between a mysterious prince hiding a deep secret and a burnt-out tavern bartender dreami...

It is the season 2 finale for Must Love Books Podcast! Shae Winter (formerly known as shae.reads, now known as _shaewinter) has returned to the podcast to celebrate the holiday season with some of our favorite holiday romances, as well as a little sneak peek into an Australian Christmas. For this episode, we read: I’ll Be Gone for Christmas by Georgia K Boone Holiday Ever After by Hannah Grace The...

The world ended 10 years ago when vampires showed up and took over. Vampire slayer-in-training Ruby is forced to strike a deal with the dangerous vampire X in order to save her twin sister Riply, who has become one of the undead. Kalla Harris joins Must Love Books Podcast to celebrate her debut YA dystopian romance, THE GROUND THAT DEVOURS US and shares her top 10 vampire rankings – sink your teet...

Tatiana Schlote-Bonne returns to Must Love Books Podcast to talk about her latest horror thriller, THE MEAN ONES. Join us for some murderous cults, dual timelines reminiscent of Yellow Jackets, the power of girlhood, and main characters that find their inner strength. This was my favorite horror read of 2025, so be sure to add this one to your TBR! Thank you for listening – be sure to subscribe fo...

Joe Chianakas joins Must Love Books Podcast to talk about the importance of Pride and representation, as well as the release of PRIDE AND PERSISTENCE, sequel to SINGLETS AND SECRETS and book 2 of the Unveiling Aiden series. Pride and Persistence is an official finalist for Young Adult Book of the Year at the 2025 Imaginarium Awards, and the audiobook has officially released today! It was also part...

Author Julia Fine joins Must Love Books Podcast to celebrate the release of the first novel under her new pen name Margaux Eliot, HONEYMOON STAGE. Brimming with wit and romance, this twisty trip back to the early 2000s follows Cassidy, a former production assistant whose upcoming marriage descends into the confusion, chaos, and karmic consequences of reality TV. 📌 Important Links 📌 Instagram: @m...

It’s the 100 th episode of Must Love Books Podcast! The Something Smutty Book Club are celebrating with books we love and hate, funny stories and hidden talents, talk some smack, and play some games! Thank you everyone so much for listening to Must Love Books Podcast! I am truly grateful for each and every one of you. Here's to 100 more! If you have enjoyed listening to Must Love Books Podcast...

This is our very first “Not Just Books” project on the Must Love Books Podcast Patreon: Stranger Things reactions, theories, and predictions. For this episode, we are going to dive into season 1 of Stranger Things, from initial thoughts, ships, character development, plot reactions, and predictions. There will of course be some spoilers, so if you haven’t watched yet, this is your warning to come...

Emily Krempholtz joins Must Love Books Podcast to celebrate the release of her debut novel VIOLET THISTLEWAITE IS NOT A VILLAIN ANYMORE and talk about her writing inspirations, publishing journey, and what you should know about traditional publishing. Thank you for listening – be sure to subscribe for new episodes, leave a 5-star rating, and check out these important links below! 📌 Important Link...

Happy Life Day – a Star Wars Holiday dedicated to family, friendship, gratitude, and joy! First created by the infamous 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special, a made for TV special, Life Day has become a Star Wars celebration world wide with multiple animated specials on Disney+ and celebrated at Disney Parks. Star Wars cosplayer and indie filmmaker Blue Milk Drinker (also known as Tyler D Martin) joins...

Beware! This episode is cursed! Sangu Mandanna, the best-selling author of THE VERY SECRET SOCIETY OF IRREGULAR WITCHES, visits Must Love Books Podcast to talk about her latest witchy romance: A WITCH’S GUIDE TO MAGICAL INNKEEPING, plus challenges to writing and why you can’t separate the art from the artist. 📌 Important Links 📌 Instagram: @sangumandanna Threads: @sangumandanna Website:  www.san...