What to Read Next — Book Recommendations for Romance, Thrillers & Escape Reads

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. If you love late-bloomer romances, sex-positive storytelling, and YA coming-of-age vibes, today’s episode is for you. In this conversation, I chat with debut author Zakiya N. Jamal about her two 2024 releases — the YA romcom If We Were a Movie and her upcoming adult romance Sparks Fly . We dive i...

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. If you love contemporary romance with a dash of magic, messy feelings, and big conversations about art and identity, you’re going to love today’s episode. I’m joined by author duo Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka to chat about their newest novel Seeing Other People —a tender, paranorm...

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Looking for the perfect low-stakes escape this fall? Today I’m diving into cozy fantasy with debut author Emily Krempholtz , whose novel Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore blends plant magic, self-forgiveness, a grumpy alchemist next door, and cottagecore vibes that feel like a balm for...

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. If you’ve ever picked up a Southern women’s fiction novel and thought, this feels like a warm hug, today’s episode is for you. I’m joined by author Grace Helena Walz , who writes heartfelt, community-centered stories set in the South—full of family, quirky characters, and deeply emotional themes....

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. If you’ve ever felt intimidated by literary fiction, this episode is your warm invitation in. I’m joined by reader and library advocate Laura Bird to talk about eight accessible, emotionally rich literary fiction novels — all written by women. We chat about what makes literary fiction “friendly”...

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Ever wish your favorite academic rivals-to-lovers romance felt real ? Author and researcher Dr. Jodi McAlister joins me to prove it can be. In this episode, I chat with Australian author and romance scholar Dr. Jodi McAlister about her new novel The Academic Affair — a smart, funny rom-com set in...

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. What if the person you trusted most kept one last secret — a deadly one? In this episode, I chat with thriller author Elle Marr about her newest novel, The Lie She Wears — a tense, mother-daughter cat-and-mouse story perfect for fans of Gone Girl . Elle shares how she built a propulsive plot full...

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Julia Diaz-Young is back on the pod! In this episode, we catch up on her new role in wellness nonfiction marketing and dive into why nonfiction can feel just as gripping as your favorite rom-com. Julia shares upcoming books she’s working on—from Anatomy of a Con Artist to Mundane Magic —plus her...

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Ever wondered what happens when Bookstagram meets cosplay and orc romances? In this episode, I’m catching up with my longtime friend Katie from KSquaredReads , one half of the OG Bookstagram duo you’ve seen everywhere. We talk about her transition to BookTok, why cosplay has become her creative e...

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This episode originally aired 9/3/2024 If you’ve ever burned yourself out trying to make the holidays perfect, this episode will hit home. A Bright Side of Christmas by Morgan Elizabeth reminded me that joy doesn’t come from doing it all — it comes from slowing down and setting boundaries. In thi...

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. What happens when your mom spies on the neighbor—and he might be a murderer? Author Sheila Roberts joins me to chat about The Man Next Door , a cozy mystery–meets–women’s fiction read filled with humor, heart, and multigenerational relationships. In this episode, I sit down with longtime author S...

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I’m declaring the holiday season officially open—starting November 1. After a tough year and a long reading slump, I decided to chase joy early this year with one thing that never fails to cheer me up: holiday romances. In this kickoff episode of my holiday reading season, I share why I’m leaning...

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Toxic friendships, secret games, and deadly consequences. Alissa Lee’s debut takes domestic suspense into dark academia territory — and I couldn’t put it down, even at work. In this episode, I sit down with debut author Alissa Lee to chat about her upcoming novel — a twisty, character-driven stor...

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This episode was originally published on March 11, 2023 If your idea of a cozy night includes a glass of wine and a fictional murder—this episode’s for you. In this Thriller Starter Pack episode, I chat with Chelsea and Olivia from Thrillers by the Bookclub to help new readers dip their toes into...

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Pickleball is officially the new hotspot for meet-cutes—and now it’s getting the book-romance treatment it deserves. In this episode, I chat with author Ilana Long about how she brought one of the first traditionally published pickleball romances to life. We talk about her creative background in...

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This episode was originally published on August 29, 2022 This episode was initially published in August 2022 — but lately, one book keeps coming up in nearly every author interview I record: A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna. It’s easily the top Fall 2025 book recommendation...

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. In this new What to Read Next series, Laura reunites with her OG book besties — Amy from NovelGossip and Sarah from Really Into This — for an unfiltered, cozy group chat straight from their DMs to your ears. They dish on everything they’re really into right now: Dancing with the Stars drama, Real...

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. If you love Emily Henry , Annabel Monaghan , and Carley Fortune’s brand of emotional, character-driven romance, this episode is for you. This week, I sat down with Rena Rani , the brilliant writer behind the Substack Smart Romance , to talk about what makes a romance “smart” — from up-market rom-...

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. How do you actually use Libby to find hidden gems and save on books? Librarian Jenni Meyers and I break down everything—from advanced searches to borrowing across states—and share our personal Libby routines. As someone who proudly carries way too many library cards, I love helping readers get th...

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Bloodsuckers are back, baby. In this episode, Francesca joins Laura to dish on dark, gothic, funny, and YA vampire reads—with a special shout to Kindle Unlimited for budget-friendly bingeing. You’ll hear why vampires are resurging (thanks, romantasy!), what’s new beyond the Black Dagger era, and...

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Ever wondered what Jane Austen would write if she lived online? Nikki Payne reimagines romance for our era—where identity, love, and culture collide. In this episode, Laura chats with romance author Nikki Payne , a cultural anthropologist and writer of Pride and Protest , Sex, Lies and Sensibilit...

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Originally Published October 30, 2023 Looking for fast-paced thrillers to binge this fall? In this replay episode from 2023, Amy from Novel Gossip joins me to share six twisty, addictive reads that are perfect for cozy nights in. If you love popcorn thrillers, domestic drama, or a touch of supern...

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. A high-heat, spooky-season romance with a heartbeat. Author Allie Oleander joins us to talk about Willing Prey —a primal-play, midlife-awakening romance where a 40-year-old lawyer proposes a “hunt” for 30 days… and catches real feelings. This episode is for readers who love darker vibes without t...

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. A career journalist turned thriller powerhouse, Hank Phillippi Ryan joins Laura to talk about the high-stakes cat-and-mouse ride of her latest novel, how book tour can turn terrifying, and why she writes smart women who fight for justice. In this episode, you’ll hear the real author-on-tour grind...

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. In this week’s preview episode, we’re going full Stars Hollow life —think Gilmore Girls banter, cozy small-town charm, and just the right amount of romance. If you love the feeling of a Hallmark fall movie in book form, this one’s for you. We kick things off with Fall I Want by Lyra Parish , a gr...