Reading Under the Covers: A Romance Novel Podcast

Welcome to Romanceopoly University: the 2026 romance reading challenge where YOU choose your major, minor, and build your perfect reading year. Choose from 5 departments, customize everything, or follow the Simple Path! This is the romance reading challenge I wish existed... fully customizable, flexible, and designed around what YOU actually want to read in 2026. Watch the video: https://youtu.be/...

Did Elyse Myers actually break the #1 rule of author etiquette… or is BookTok being dramatic? 👀 This week on Reading Under the Covers, Novel Hour chat, we’re talking about the Elyse Myers book drama, what really went down when she replied to a negative review of That’s a Great Question, I’d Love to Tell You, and where the line is between “reader spaces” and parasocial mess. Watch the video: https...

After 13 years on Goodreads, I finally quit 3 years ago. Here's what happened when I tested every major alternative and found the one that actually works for tracking my reading life. In this episode of the Reading Under the Covers podcast, I'm comparing Pagebound, Storygraph, and Fable - the three biggest Goodreads alternatives right now. I spent 6 months migrating my data, testing features, and...

In this episode of the Reading Under the Covers Podcast, we are diving into the Goodreads Choice Awards 2025, aka the Super Bowl of book drama. We’re breaking down the nominees, sharing our knee-jerk reactions, casting our votes, and making very confident predictions about who’s going to take home the crown in each category. And are we ready to go full conspiracy theory over the voting process? (A...

In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, we did the impossible... we ranked the Black Dagger Brotherhood books. And yes, someone said one twin should've eaten the other in the womb. It's fine. Everything's fine. Join Francesca , Jen ( @BooksJenRecs ) , and Angela as they reveal their very different top 10 lists, roast each other’s bad takes, and emotionally spiral over...

This week on Reading Under the Covers , a romance novel podcast, we’re diving into one of the biggest recent dust-ups in the book world and yes, it involves an Instagram rant, author tagging, and a whole lot of mess. Francesca teams up with Victoria from Bibliolifestyle for another episode of Novel Hour , where the question of the day is: What happens when a review stops being criticism and starts...

In this Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast episode, Francesca brings you the ultimate fall reading mood board, but in book form. If you’re craving broody vampires, cozy witches, or shifters with attitude, this episode has you covered. It’s all about If You Love This, You’ll Like That: Fall Edition, pairing longtime fan favorites with hidden gems that’ll hit the same vibe. 🧡 Want mo...

Welcome to Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast. This week's Novel Hour episode covers the Matthew & Paul controversy that has everyone talking, plus author Leigh Rivers did something that literally made us cry. We're also sharing the new releases you need to know about this week! Watch the video: https://youtube.com/live/vo03Wz-RN6g ⏰ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction and Overview 0...

If you miss the paranormal romance era of vampires, witches, and fae that actually felt dangerous and romantic, these 5 new releases I read have that old school PNR energy we've been craving, and they're ALL on Kindle Unlimited! Vampire romance with bite, witch stories with actual magic systems, and fae courts that feel like the books we fell in love with in the 2000s and early 2010s. These are NE...

Welcome to Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast. It’s getting real in the hockey romance world 😳 An NHL reporter just accused a romance author of stealing her identity for a book character, and it’s MESSY. In this week’s Novel Hour Live Replay, we’re breaking down the Piper Shaw vs. Chelsea Curto controversy, why it blew up on BookTok, and what it says about real-life inspiration in...

In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, I share my 30 year reading experience with the paranormal alpha and my thesis on a connection I noticed about their popularity and decline. They explode during economic crises and world instability and that cannot be a coincidence. For me, it started in the 90s when I fell for Lestat in high school. Then I watched the genre abso...

In this episode of the Reading Under the Covers Podcast, we share a replay of our Novel Hour Live Show. We kick things off with the publishing industry bombshells currently rocking BookTok. From trad publishers chasing indie darlings to brand-new imprints launching with 100% self-published titles, it’s giving... upheaval. We talk about what’s driving this shift, why publishers are playing it safe,...

Welcome back to Reading Under the Covers! This week Francesca is joined by guests Jen and Angela and they are diving deep into A Bargain So Bloody by Vasilisa Drake, a dark fantasy romance featuring vampires, witches, dangerous bargains, and plenty of spice. In this spoiler-ish book club discussion, we're covering: ✨ The vampire bargain premise and world-building 🔥 Character dynamics between Rap...

This week on Reading Under the Covers Podcast, we are sharing our Novel hour replay where we’re dressed for spooky season and ready to talk Halloween books, the latest new releases, and Julie Plec’s next big magic series. From vampire romances and culty small towns to ‘90s slasher nostalgia and haunted hotels, this episode is packed with fall reading vibes, streaming picks, and bookish news. Origi...

In this episode of the Reading Under the Covers Podcast, Francesca shares her top five October 2025 romance book releases. These recommended books span a wide range of subgenres, from primal play in the woods to regency ballrooms. What's in this episode: The appeal, spice levels, and warnings for each book, and the nostalgic feel that brought her back to her initial love for romance novels. More o...

If you’ve ever thrown a book across the room over a bad adaptation, this episode is for you! In this episode of the Reading Under the Covers Podcast, we’re diving deep into the Black Dagger Brotherhood PassionFlix TV series: what worked, what flopped, and is it worth your binge time? ✨ Let us know in the comments: Who’s YOUR BDB ride or die? Thoughts on the show and… what did you think of the wig...

It’s time to head back to Sunnydale! In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast , I rewatch Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 1 and share my honest thoughts. The highs, the lows, the campy monsters, and yes, the slow-burn Buffy and Angel romance that had us all waiting. As an elder millennial who watched Buffy in high school, this rewatch was packed with nostalgia and a who...

This week on the Reading Under the Covers Podcast , we’re serving up a mix of bookish news, controversy, and dark page-turners. From Colleen Hoover’s bombshell new thriller to the alarming rise in book bans , plus our favorite psychological thrillers (including Kindle Unlimited gems), this episode is packed with discussion and recs you don’t want to miss. Originally recorded on Novel Hour Live (co...

This week on the Reading Under the Covers Podcast , we’re stirring up bookish tea and cozy vibes. From the latest Julia Quinn backlash to lighthearted paranormal romcoms, plus the hottest new book releases , there’s plenty to unpack in this lively episode. This week we’re stirring up bookish tea and cozy vibes. From the latest Julia Quinn backlash to lighthearted paranormal romcoms, plus the hotte...

This week on the Reading Under the Covers Podcast , we’re diving into everything from must-read books by Hispanic and Latinx authors to the buzziest new releases and even a bit of bookish gossip you didn’t see coming . Originally recorded live on Novel Hour, tune in every week live on Youtube. ✨ Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode: 📚 Hispanic Heritage Month recommendations — gothic horror, m...

This week on Novel Hour , we went full chaos—in the best way. In this replay from our YouTube live show, we’re talking: 👽 Our favorite alien romance reads (some weird, some adorable, all unhinged) 📚 10 must-read new releases for July 13–19, 2025 📺 What we’re watching: Animal Kingdom's finale, Real Housewives, and the Black Dagger Brotherhood TV adaptation 💍 Upcoming live show themes you don’t...

Is the mass market paperback dying? And what does that mean for the romance genre, especially for readers who grew up sneaking stepbacks and collecting every duke on the shelf? In this episode of Reading Under the Covers , Francesca dives into the history and legacy of the mass market paperback format and how it helped shape genre fiction, especially historical romance, romantic suspense, and cozy...

We’re in peak beach reading season, and today’s Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, episode is serving page-turners for every mood . From cozy mysteries to age-gap romances, survival love stories to sibling drama with a side of murder. We’re recommending books that are bingeable, escapist, and totally beach bag–worthy. We also dive into 11 brand new releases for the week of July 7–1...

In this episode of Reading Under the Covers , a romance novel podcast, we talk about what even is a beach read in 2025? I’m joined by Victoria from BiblioLifestyle , and we’re diving into the surprisingly rich history of beach reads, from their early 1900s roots to the Instagrammable versions we see today. We’re also unpacking what makes a perfect beach read (hint: it’s totally different for every...

Welcome to Reading Under the Covers , a romance novel podcast, where we chat, fangirl, and maybe even swoon over our latest reads. I'm Francesca from Under the Covers Book Blog, and today we’re recapping our latest Novel Hour live show! We’re spotlighting Caribbean romance authors and must-read new releases for the first week of July, plus some juicy adaptation news—including what’s coming for Emi...