Hardback Life

Join Cassie and Becca as they talk about A Court of Frost and Starlight AND A Court of Silver Flames. Unfortunately, this is the last ACOTAR related episode until the next book is released! We are definitely counting down the days until book 6...

Join Cassie for this solo episode and hear about one of her top book recs at the moment! If you are a fan of ACOTAR, you definitely do not want to miss this one! Remember to rate and subscribe!

A day late but we're here with our latest episode! Join Becca and Cassie as they share their own "thriller starter packs". If you're new to thrillers, start with these. If you have already started your thriller journey, I promise there is at least one book on this list you haven't read yet and you should! If you enjoyed, please subscribe/rate/comment.

On this week's episode we have a special guest, Jess, who is the owner of Odd Bird Bookshop. Join us as we talk about everything from changing careers, emu eggs, and, of course, books! Learn more about the sensory friendly shop Jess will be opening in April! Find her GoFundMe and Baltimore Sun article below. If you enjoy, please subscribe/like/comment! GoFundMe - https://gofund.me/6415d963c Ba...

Join Cassie for another solo episode as she explains some of her most "you haven't read that?!" books and authors. Maybe you can give her some types on where to start and let her know if she really is missing out or not!

Today we are joined by Kyrsta and Christina from the podcast You Haven't Read What?! We take a lot of side quests throughout this long episode but we always work our way back to Heartless Hunter. If you enjoy it, please like and subscribe! :)

This week's episode is a mix of chaotic energy and bookish topics! We each came prepared with a list of things to cover and we packed it full of our personalities. We hope you have as much listening to this episode as we did recording it!

Join Cassie and Becca as they dissect Benedict's story in An Offer From a Gentleman (just in time for part two of his season to be released)! How do we feel about the Cinderella Story vibes?

Ready to dive into fantasy but don’t know where to start? This week on Hardback Life , Becca and Cassie build the ultimate fantasy starter packs — packed with magical must-reads, surprising fun facts, and plenty of laughs along the way. Whether you’re fantasy-curious or ready to fall headfirst into a new world, we’ve got your first adventure covered.

Join Cassie for a short solo episode where she talks about her journey as an ARC (advanced readers copy) reader and reviewer! She gives tips, talks about her reviews, and chats about her goals as an ARC reader. Don't worry, Becca will return again next week and we will get back to discussing our favorite books!

Becca is back! So after a brief catch up, join us as we continue our journey through the Bridgerton books, specifically we will be talking about The Viscount Who Loved Me. Stick around, at the end we do our January reading recaps!

As Becca continues to push through the home stretch of grad school, join Cassie as she reads 5 star reviews of books she felt didn't cut it! Watch her spiral as she contemplates what the problem was: the books or her?

Join Cassie as she recounts her top five reads of 2025!

This week, we’re cracking open The Duke and I, the book that launched Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton empire and gave us fake dating before it was cool. We’re talking Daphne Bridgerton’s marriage mart struggles, Simon Basset’s legendary emotional avoidance, and the “pretend relationship” that absolutely no one believes is fake. Expect Regency-era flirting, questionable decisions, peak sibling chaos, and...

Becca is away, so it’s just you, me, and a stack of beloved books getting ruthlessly dragged online. In this solo episode, I, Cassie, grab the mic and dive into the wild world of 1-star reviews… of my absolute 5-star favorite books. From dramatic rants to questionable hot takes, join me as I try not to take it personally.

This week, we tiptoe into Phantasma by Kaylie Smith — a book that asks, “What if your family drama came with actual demons and a mansion that wants to eat you?” We follow Ophelia Grimm, a necromancer with OCD, a deadpan sense of survival, and the questionable choice to bargain with a flirty phantom who literally costs her years of her life. Join us as we break down the cursed house, the unhinged t...

In this episode, we dive into A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas — the explosive third book in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series. From political alliances to battlefield betrayals, we unpack Feyre’s return to the Spring Court and the brewing war that will test every court in Prythian. Along the way, we take a closer look at Tamlin — his fractured psyche, the guilt and control that dri...

In this episode, we dive into Alison Espach’s The Wedding People , an intimate and wry exploration of connection, loneliness, and the stories we tell about love. We unpack the novel’s layered characters, its seaside setting, and the delicate balance between humor and heartbreak that makes Espach’s writing so resonant. Whether you’ve read the book or are just curious about the buzz, this conversati...

Welcome to Lunathhion! This week we're diving into House of Earth and Blood , the first book in the SJM's Crescent City series. We're talking angels, demons, heartbreak, and that jaw-dropping ending that left every reader emotionally wrecked. Join us as we break down Bryce and Hunt's story, unpack the world building, and share all our theories (and feelings).

In this engaging conversation, indie author Kristie Wolf discusses her journey into writing military romance with her Project Viper series, which features special forces amputees equipped with bionic prosthetics. She shares insights on character inspiration, the importance of community in writing, and the challenges of balancing a day job with her passion for storytelling. Kristie also delves into...

Ever wonder which books therapists actually recommend and why? In this episode, we’re stepping out of the therapy chair and onto the bookshelf with our friend Sarah a licensed mental health counselor. She shares her top book picks that not only inform her work, but encourage her to grow as a human. From stories that make you feel seen to evidence-based guides that build real change, these reads of...

In this special episode, we’re taking you inside the grand opening of Sweet Nothings Book Co, a vibrant new space for book lovers and community connection in Baltimore, MD. Join us as a pop up vendor and chat with some of the very first customers. Hear their favorite finds, book recommendations, and life changing reads. Whether you’re a lifelong reader or just love the buzz of a fresh beginning, t...

Step inside the Winchester home… but beware of what lurks behind closed doors. In this episode, we take a true crime style deep dive into Freida McFadden’s bestselling thriller The Housemaid . Part review, part true crime, we break down the shocking twists, hidden motives, and chilling dynamics that make this book a can’t-put-down psychological thriller. Was Millie the perfect hire or the perfect...

In this episode, we dive deep into the mind and heart of Aelin Galathynius, one of Sarah J. Maas’ most complex and resilient heroines. From trauma and identity to power, loyalty, and self-sacrifice, we explore the psychological layers that make Aelin both flawed and fiercely beloved. Through the lens of attachment, resilience, and post-traumatic growth, we trace how her experiences of loss, betray...

We hope you enjoy part 2 of our bookish discussion with author, Jo Riccioni! We discuss topics such as enemies to lovers, the importance of smut in books, and play a game of Would You Rather.