Bring Your Own: A Bookish Podcast for Romance Readers

In this week’s episode, author Iman Hariri-Kia joins us to discuss the future of the romance genre and how contemporary romance is evolving. We talk about romance novels we love (including her own!), the wins and woes of modern romance publishing, and what today’s readers are looking for in romantic fiction. Follow Iman on Tiktok and Instagram Subscribe to Iman’s Newsletter! Join the BYO book club...

In this week’s episode we’re looking forward and discussing our goals for 2026, both bookish and beyond! Join Kayla, Kendra, and Brandi as we think intentionally about our reading in the coming year, what we hope to change from the last few year, and some personal hopes for 2026. Be sure to tell us your goals as well! Join the BYO book club ⁠on Patreon⁠! Our January 2026 pick is Son of the Morning...

This week, we’re discussing the highly anticipated People We Meet on Vacation movie starring Tom Blythe and Emily Bader on Netflix! We share our initial reactions to the film, what we loved, what we hated, and what changed from book to screen. Have you watched yet? Be sure to tell us your thoughts on the movie! Join the BYO book club on Patreon! Our January 2026 pick is Son of the Morning by Akwae...

We asked our listeners to share their LEAST FAVORITE reads of 2025 and we are reacting live! Some submissions make us giggle, some break our hearts, and some make our inner defense attorneys come to life. Tune in now to find out which books made the list! Join the BYO book club on Patreon! Our January 2026 pick is Son of the Morning by Akwaeke Emezi! Watch on YouTube! Follow us on Instagram @Bring...

This week Kendra, Kayla, and Brandi kick off Season 6 of Bring Your Own by sharing their top ten reads of 2025, some honorable mentions, and their favorite shows and music thrown in to round it out! This is also BYO’s first full video episode - watch on Youtube now! Join the BYO book club on Patreon! Our January 2026 pick is Son of the Morning by Akwaeke Emezi! Follow us on Instagram @BringYourOwn...

As we begin to round out 2025 we are handing out bookish superlatives to the best and the worst of 2025. Join us as we award books the title of Most Emotional Read, Worst of the Year, Best Audiobook, Worst Book Boyfriend, and more! Listen in to see if you faves made the list. Tell us who would win these categories in YOUR bookish award ceremony on Patreon, Instagram, or TikTok! Join our book club...

This week we’re joined by our friend Gracie (@grapiedeltaco on TikTok) to discuss her infamous BookTok Bingo Board and other notable drama that swept the bookish community by storm this year. As we know, the best kind of drama is the kind you’re not involved in, so kick up your feet and get ready to gossip! Join our book club on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! This December, we're reading The Everlasting by Alix E....

This week we're leaning into the holiday vibes and putting together our Bookish Naughty & Nice Lists. Anything and everything from the book community is fair game, from authors and books to our favorite bookish activities and more. Tune in to see who’s getting a candy cane and who’s getting a lump of coal. Join our book club on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! This December, we're reading The Everlasting by Alix E....

Winter is near and so are new book releases. We share the romance and fantasy books everyone will be picking up from December 2025 to February 2026! Join our book club on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠! This December, we're reading The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow! Follow us on instagram @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BringYourOwnPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Brandi @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brandos. Books⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Kendra @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kendra. Readz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Kayla @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kayl...

Happy Thanksgiving! We’re celebrating by presenting you with various Thanksgiving tables filled with our favorite and least favorite book characters. Pick your table and enjoy the feast! Join our book club on Patreon⁠⁠⁠! This November, we’re reading It’s Different This Time by Joss Richard! Follow us on instagram @⁠⁠⁠⁠BringYourOwnPod⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Brandi @⁠⁠⁠⁠Brandos. Books⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Kendra @⁠⁠⁠⁠Ken...

We’re back with another Tier Ranking! We’ve gathered 21 of the most popular romance and fantasy books released this year and rank them on how good they actually are. Join our book club on Patreon⁠⁠! This November, we’re reading It’s Different This Time by Joss Richard! Follow us on instagram @⁠⁠⁠BringYourOwnPod⁠⁠⁠ Follow Brandi @⁠⁠⁠Brandos. Books⁠⁠⁠ Follow Kendra @⁠⁠⁠Kendra. Readz⁠⁠⁠ Follow Kayla...

This week, we reveal the books we refuse to read and why! These books include BookTok and Bookstagram favorites, and a few iconic classics. Think you can change our minds on any of these? Join our book club on Patreon⁠! This November, we’re reading It’s Different This Time by Joss Richard! Follow us on instagram @⁠⁠BringYourOwnPod⁠⁠ Follow Brandi @⁠⁠Brandos. Books⁠⁠ Follow Kendra @⁠⁠Kendra. Readz⁠...

This week we discuss all things to do with Ali Hazelwood’s latest release Mate! We dive into our favorite (and least favorite) quotes, scenes, and spicy moments of the book and only fight a LITTLE bit. SPOILERS START AT 28:50 Follow us on instagram @⁠BringYourOwnPod⁠ Follow Brandi @⁠Brandos. Books⁠ Follow Kendra @⁠Kendra. Readz⁠ Follow Kayla @⁠Kaylas. Bookshelf Learn more about your ad choices. Vi...

NYT Best-selling author Lyla Sage returns to the pod to discuss her latest romance novel, Soul Searching. She also shares her top horror recommendations while playing fun Halloween-themed bookish games! Join our book club on Patreon! There you’ll find our exclusive book club episode on Soul Searching and the extra segment we recorded with Lyla this episode! This November, we’re reading It’s Differ...

This week, we’re back with our third annual Monster Romance Roundtable. We each read an outrageous monster romance novella and take turns describing the plots in great detail. Books mentioned: Jack by Layla Fae, A Little Lick of Lust by Clio Evans, and Taking the Cursed Ghost Bride by Elliott Dailey Join our book club on Patreon! This month, we’re reading Soul Searching by Lyla Sage! 👻 Follow us...

This week, we share which TV shows you should watch based on the romance and fantasy books you already love. Shows include The Pitt, Severance, Love Island, and more!  Follow us on instagram @⁠BringYourOwnPod⁠ Follow Brandi @⁠Brandos. Books⁠ Follow Kendra @⁠Kendra. Readz⁠ Follow Kayla @⁠Kaylas. Bookshelf⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we list our picks for Overrated, Underrated, and Appropriately Rated Romance books that we’ve read this year!  Join our book club on Patreon! This month, we’re reading Soul Searching by Lyla Sage! 👻 Follow us on instagram @BringYourOwnPod Follow Brandi @Brandos. Books Follow Kendra @Kendra. Readz Follow Kayla @Kaylas. Bookshelf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adcho...

This week, we’re celebrating Kayla turning the big 3-0! We take a look back at 2008 in a “13 Going on 30” inspired segment, talk about what Little Kayla ABSOLUTELY thought she would have accomplished by 30, and play a mini game to discuss all the books that make us think of Kayla! Our birthday girl rounds out the episode with a list of books she thinks everyone should read before they turn 30. Joi...

Fall is here, and so are our reading recommendations for the season. This week we each share books that are peak fall in terms of vibe, aesthetic, setting, and more! Fantasy, Romance, and Literary fiction recommendations included!  Join us on Patreon! Follow us on instagram @BringYourOwnPod Follow Brandi @Brandos. Books Follow Kendra @Kendra. Readz Follow Kayla @Kaylas. Bookshelf Learn more about...

We asked listeners to share things that make them swoon and fangirl in romance novels but would totally ick them out in real life! Join us on Patreon! Follow us on instagram @BringYourOwnPod Follow Brandi @Brandos. Books Follow Kendra @Kendra. Readz Follow Kayla @Kaylas. Bookshelf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, our lovely host Brandi is getting married! To celebrate, we share our favorite weddings from books, movies, and pop culture! Brandi also shares her excitement for the big day!  Join us on Patreon! Follow us on instagram @BringYourOwnPod Follow Brandi @Brandos. Books Follow Kendra @Kendra. Readz Follow Kayla @Kaylas. Bookshelf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoice...

This week we’re sharing upcoming Romance and Fantasy books releasing in Fall 2025! We’ll tell you which ones we’re dying to read and the ones we think you should skip. Join us on Patreon! Follow us on instagram @BringYourOwnPod Follow Brandi @Brandos. Books Follow Kendra @Kendra. Readz Follow Kayla @Kaylas. Bookshelf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Celebrate Brandi’s 30th birthday with us! We talk all the feelings around turning 30, books that remind us of Brandi, and dole out recs with characters in their 30s. As Jennifer Garner would say - thirty, flirty, and thriving, baby! Join us on Patreon! Follow us on instagram @BringYourOwnPod Follow Brandi @Brandos. Books Follow Kendra @Kendra. Readz Follow Kayla @Kaylas. Bookshelf Learn more about...

We're back with another book draft! In honor of Fantasy Football season fast approaching, this week we take turns drafting romance books, authors, and our favorite grand gestures in romance books. Join us on Patreon! Follow us on instagram @BringYourOwnPod Follow Brandi @Brandos. Books Follow Kendra @Kendra. Readz Follow Kayla @Kaylas. Bookshelf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm...

It’s Tier Ranking time! This week, we’ll be placing words and phrases often used during smut scenes in romance novels into four different categories, ranging from our favorite to least favorite. Pro-tip: listen to this episode using headphones or when you’re alone because things get very NSFW very fast!  Join us on Patreon! Follow us on instagram @BringYourOwnPod Follow Brandi @Brandos. Books Foll...