The Bookish Hour

SPOILERS SPOILERS & MORE SPOILERS The room is sweltering, the vibes are chaotic, and the margarita is cold—perfect conditions to pull apart a dark romance that thrives on tension, not shock. We jump straight into KV Rose’s The Monster of Hotel Number Seven with full spoilers, tracing how the book dodges the obvious trap of confinement-and-violation and instead builds a slow-burn that feels ear...

We’re catching up for the first time in months and trading the curated feed for the full picture—Sicily’s stunning balconies and overflowing bins, the bliss of a 10-person dinner over a dance floor, and the $400 logo lesson that pushed us to own our brand instead of renting one. Then we go inside the platforms: shifting Instagram aesthetics, making your own handwriting into a font, and choosing to...

Have you ever noticed how silence can be the most powerful form of communication? In our deep dive into "Enigma" by RuNyx, we explore exactly how this plays out through the introspective protagonist Salem, whose quiet observation becomes her greatest weapon at mysterious Mortimer University. This episode takes you on a journey through the misty corridors and secret societies of RuNyx&apo...

Welcome to the dark side, we have cookies! Remember when dark romance was about authentic storytelling rather than shock value? In this candid conversation, we examine how a genre we once loved has transformed into what we're calling "fast fashion fiction" – books written primarily to go viral rather than to tell meaningful stories with genuine emotional impact. The marketing of dar...

Ever picked up a highly anticipated book only to find yourself desperately fighting the urge to check your phone after two pages? You're not alone.  We dive deep into the surprisingly complex world of DNFing (Did Not Finish) books this week. From legitimate dealbreakers to admittedly petty reasons, we share our complete list of reading turn-offs that make us close a book for good. Why struggl...

Suzanne Collins has done it again, masterfully filling in the blanks of the Hunger Games universe while breaking our hearts in the process. We dive deep into how this prequel transforms our understanding of the alcoholic mentor from District 12, exploring his journey from a non-drinker to the broken man who could barely function without liquor in the original trilogy.  What makes this exploration...

Have you ever found a romance novel so captivating that you physically couldn't put it down? That's exactly what happened with Ali Hazelwood's "Problematic Summer Romance." Set against the stunning backdrop of Sicily, this age gap romance brilliantly balances summer vibes with genuine emotional depth. What makes this book stand out from countless other contemporary romance...

Two booklovers reunite for a heartfelt conversation spanning European adventures and the surprising power of community reading.  CATCH UP WITH US: it's been a minute and we are sorry!! (but also not really because life) Budapest emerges as the unexpected star of the travel segment, with gorgeous thermal baths housed in Art Nouveau buildings and unlimited prosecco cruises along the Danube prov...

After a successful career in blogging and screenwriting—selling projects to networks like ABC, NBC, and Netflix—Jessie Rosen found her voice in novel writing through a personal family belief: that rings carry the energy of everyone who's worn them before. "The Heirloom," her breakout novel, explores what happens when a woman insists on knowing the complete history of her engagement...

The Art of Bookstagram Meet Liz, the creative force behind The Boho Book Blogger, whose stunning flat lays and authentic approach to book content has captivated over 33k followers. In this warm and insightful conversation, Liz takes us behind the scenes of her bookstagram journey, sharing how a pandemic reading revival in 2020 blossomed into a thriving creative outlet and community. You'll di...

Ever wonder what it really takes to craft bestselling fantasy romance novels?  In the interview with Abigail Owen she pulls back the curtain on her creative process in this intimate conversation that takes us from her earliest writing memories to the upcoming release of her highly-anticipated sequel, The Things Gods Break. Her approach to Greek mythology in The Games Gods Play series demonstrates...

BOOKCLUB BOOK!! Our conversation dives into what makes this book both delightful, we explore how the novel's format, which cleverly incorporates radio transcripts into the narrative, enhances the reading experience while other elements like character development left us wanting more. The "single mom" trope feels somewhat underutilized, with Lucie's daughter Maya appearing more...

Books on Wheels: Stephanie's Romantic Book Truck Adventure What happens when a book lover spots a vintage Volkswagen truck for sale near the beach?  Stephanie's creation—The Fleuria, a charming mobile romance bookstore—represents a perfect blend of entrepreneurial spirit and literary passion. Rather than committing to the sky-high commercial rents of a traditional bookstore in LA, she to...

On The Bookish Hour, we dive into some genuinely shocking book community drama.  Our conversation kicks off with the most disturbing revelation involves an Australian romance author who was recently arrested after publishing a book containing inappropriate content. We discuss how the book was completely scrubbed from all platforms, yet not before receiving some positive reviews, raising serious qu...

BOOKCLUB with SPOILERS The Bookish Hour dives into Ali Hazelwood's "Deep End," a college romance about pre-med students and competitive divers navigating their intense chemistry and BDSM dynamic. • Discussing the unique blend of competitive diving, academic brilliance, and BDSM elements • Analyzing the sophisticated vocabulary and whether it feels authentic for college-aged characte...

ITS SEASON TWO BITCHES!!!!! Our Literary Hills to Die On -- We begin with a clean slate as the hosts reveal they've officially shuttered their original podcast to fully focus on their current bookish journey. Exciting developments are on the horizon, including interest from a PR company that could bring author interviews to future episodes.  The main conversation dives deep into our "lit...

BOOKCLUB PART TWO -- with all the SPOILERS We are back with  discussing the full book of Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros with brutally honest opinions about the third installment in the popular dragon-rider series. Their candid conversation reveals disappointment in the book's direction and execution after loving the first book in the series. • Critical analysis of how the book falls short of ex...

Bookclub is BACK!! and it is FILLED with SPOILERS!! This is the first half of Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros where we have read from the beginning to chapter 28 (read chapter 28 and STOP before 29) We dive halfway through Rebecca Yarros' Onyx Storm, exploring its shift from romance-focused to military-heavy storytelling and what it means for the series.  • First impressions range from "sur...

Our latest podcast episode dives deep into the world of "Iron Flame," offering a varied perspective on the unfolding story and character relations. Prepare for cliffhangers, emotional turns, and engaging discussions that encapsulate readers' varied responses to the book. • Analyzing the relationship dynamics between Violet and Xaden  • Discussing the role of cliffhangers and pacing...

BOOKCLUB BOOK: SPOILERS AHEAD  Fantasy Unleashed: Exploring Fourth Wing by RY, we take a deep dive into the fantasy novel that captures the essence of adventure and identity. With its blend of dragons and relatable characters, the episode explores nostalgia and maturity in storytelling. • Exploring the themes of dragons and identity in Fourth Wing  • The nostalgic yet mature narrative style enhanc...

This episode dives deep into the reasons some popular titles rubbed us the wrong way, exploring the dynamics of pacing, character development, and reader expectations. • Transition into discussing unpopular book opinions  • Analyzing the disappointments of "Scarred" by Emily McIntyre  • Venturing into "Promises and Pomegranates" and its pacing issues  • Discussing the oversatur...

A Tale of Two Endings BOOKCLUB TIME!! Exploring the intricate layers of "A Dowry of Blood" by ST Gibson (where we discuss the whole book) this episode delves into the differences between indie and traditionally published editions, revealing how these variations affect character arcs and emotional depth. Join us as we dissect the poetic writing and transformative themes surrounding love a...

Vintage Lenses & Gothic Pages BOOKCLUB TIME!! We decided to dive into A Dowry of Blood by ST Gibson. We wanted to break this up into two parts so this is part one of the book. Make sure you have read from the beginning to page 152 aka stop when you get to part three of the book. Come join us on the vampy side! Cover Art by: Fabienne and Jordan Contact email: thebookishhourpod@gmail.com Intro/O...

Books, Formula One and Dreams!! Tanaka shares her journey from aspiring chef to successful publicity coordinator for indie presses, emphasizing the personal and emotional connections in book marketing. Her insights on working in the publishing industry, along with heartfelt discussions about favorite books and relationships with authors, provide valuable lessons for aspiring professionals. • Overv...

Books for Snowy Days and Winter Nights This episode embraces the enchanting world of winter literature, featuring a diverse range of book recommendations that resonate with the wintry season. We discuss the allure of icy settings, captivating narratives, and passionate romances, highlighting how these stories evoke warmth amidst the cold. • Cozy (and VERY spicy) winter book recommendations  • The...