Pack the tissues dear listeners! The ladies went through the emotional wringer this week with the beautiful second in the Summer Reading series, Love at First Book by Jenn McKinlay. Martha’s Vineyard librarian, Emily Allen, is transplanted to the small Irish town of Finn’s Hollow with a job opportunity to assist her favorite author, Siobhan Riordan finish the final novel in her best-selling series. Amazing opportunity, right? It would be if not for her broody moody boss, Siobhan’s son, Keiran Mu...
Jul 24, 2025•1 hr 28 min•Season 1Ep. 121
We stayed in Texas for another episode! This week, we read CASH by Jessica Peterson. When Mollie inherits her estranged father’s cattle ranch, she plans to immediately sell it and invest the money into her own business. The only problem is that she has to live on the ranch for a year before she actually owns it, which doesn’t really fit into her life in Dallas. Oh, and that hot ranch foreman who her father verbally promised the ranch to…he’s a problem, too. Over 100 people are now counted among ...
Jul 08, 2025•1 hr 39 min•Season 1Ep. 120
To celebrate Pride Month, we read You & Me by Tal Bauer and ended up sobbing. But in a good way. In this bi-awakening novel, Luke is desperately trying to hold onto his relationship with his son, Emmet, after the sudden death of his wife. To get closer to Emmet, Landon suggests Luke volunteer with their sons’ football team (because this is Texas, after all). Emmet is best friends with Landon’s son Bowen, which means Luke and Landon end up spending a lot of time together…and eventually fallin...
Jun 24, 2025•1 hr 38 min•Season 1Ep. 138
Hope everyone is ready for fake dating/engagement/marriage on an accelerated timeline. This week, we read That Kind of Guy by Stephanie Archer, and spoiler alert: we loved it. Avery wants to buy the restaurant she manages, but she can’t get approved for a loan. Emmett is running for Mayor, but is lagging in the polls thanks to his 30s-and-single status. So Emmett proposes a mutually beneficial arrangement: he’ll co-sign on her business loan in exchange for her pretending to be his girlfriend. An...
Jun 10, 2025•1 hr 26 min•Season 1Ep. 118
Get ready for some cackling cuz we read Funny Business by Kayley Loring and boy, does it live up to its name. Successful (but questionably funny) comedian Owen Brodie is going on a six-week standup tour and wants to bring his seven-year-old son with him. The only issue is that he’ll need a nanny to travel with them. Owen’s manager suggests his niece, a fledgling comedian named Frankie…who he doesn’t know heckled Owen a few years back at a show in Tampa. Owen reluctantly hires Frankie–entirely be...
May 28, 2025•1 hr 46 min•Season 1Ep. 117
It’s time to step into the world of professional wrestling! We read Wild Side by Elsie Silver and thought of John Cena the whole time. When Tabitha’s sister dies, leaving behind her 3 year old son, she knows she’ll do anything to keep what’s left of her family together. But when she finds out that her sister named her reclusive, hulking, hot neighbor/landlord, Rhys, as her nephew’s legal guardian, Tabitha has to pivot. So that’s exactly what she does: pivots right down the aisle. With Rhys. Up N...
May 14, 2025•1 hr 39 min•Season 1Ep. 82
We’re continuing on our human-men phase with All the Missing Pieces by Catherine Cowles. Ridley is a true crime podcaster who has actually broken cases open, allowing victims and their families to find justice. But there’s one case that’s always eluded her–the one that started it all for her. And she’s put enough pieces together to know it wasn’t an isolated incident. When she shows up in a tiny mountain town to investigate, she runs into a whole lot of brick walls–including the hot sheriff. Up ...
Apr 30, 2025•2 hr
We’re closing the books on Rebel Blue Ranch with Wild and Wrangled by Lyla Sage. We’re sad to see this lovely blue sky adventure come to an end, but it’s fitting to do so with Cam and Dusty. With Cam’s fiance ditching her on their wedding day, Dusty steps in to the rescue. But can he convince her that they deserve a second chance? Also discussed: hygiene of sentient objects, what drew us into and hooked us on Rebel Blue, and dogs–because duh. Up Next: All the Missing Pieces by Catherine Cowles S...
Apr 16, 2025•1 hr 42 min•Season 1Ep. 114
We hopped in our time machine this week to read 2006’s A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole. When a Scottish Lykae (who just happens to be a king) finally scents his fated mate while being held prisoner by a bunch of vampires, he quite literally gnaws his way to freedom. Except that when he finds her on the streets of Paris, he realizes that she, too, is a vampire. Turn out, she’s only half-vampire. Her other half is valkyrie. And she’s a bada$$. (Eventually, anyway.) Also discussed: our profe...
Apr 01, 2025•1 hr 36 min•Season 1Ep. 113
We celebrate the second half of Black History Month (an episode late) with The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest, an absolute delightful love story based in the world of fantasy writing and the publishing business. A family of flower named females, a ‘fine as hell neighbor’, epistolary fiction device, and the magic of New York City combine in the first of the Greene Sisters series which we would 10/10 recommend. Also Discussed: our struggles with reading, Amazon boycotts, and ways to support ind...
Mar 24, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Season 1Ep. 112
Happy March, everyone! Spring is still somehow 84 years away and we’re reading Scot and Bothered by Alexandra Kiley. We got an ARC for this follow up to the Kilt Trip (episode 85), so if you’re reading this, the book is out. Middle Sutherland son Jack fell in love with American student Brooke when they were at the University of Edinburgh, but a lot of things got in the way. Seven years later, the two of them are working on the same project. And that project involves hiking an 80-mile long trail ...
Mar 05, 2025•1 hr 40 min•Season 1Ep. 111
We celebrate Black History Month with the amazingly gorgeous This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan. It’s a first Kennedy Ryan for both of us, and it will not be the last. Soledad discovers the man that she’s given two decades of her life to is a felonious scumbag, and she is inexplicably attracted to the man who uncovers his crimes. Forensic accountant Judah has been building a case against his coworker for over a year, and when he finally brings down the hammer, he realizes that Sol (whom he can’t s...
Feb 20, 2025•1 hr 28 min•Season 1Ep. 110
It’s week two of our return to human men! We read Illicit Illustration by friend of the show E.L. Koslo and we’re wondering when we can book a session with Reid. In this best friend’s (v!rg!n) little sister romance, we have the pleasure of watching a reformed rake fall to his knees for a talented woman. Get ready for art and tattoo discussions, as well as Koslo’s trademark spice. Also Discussed: Veronica’s upcoming signing, the Ruby Dixon multiverse, and the show format changes. NOTE: We already...
Feb 04, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 109
We’ve returned to the land of human men to read Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase. But don’t worry, the heroine sh00ts the hero in this book. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of this romance classic, we decided to see if this book holds up all these years later. Spoiler alert: some of the language is predictably frustrating (the 90s was a different time), but overall, this book stands the test of time. We’re talking top tier enemies to lovers. Also Discussed: the new addition to Veronica’s ho...
Jan 22, 2025•2 hr 36 min•Season 1Ep. 108
Somehow, we’ve made it to our fourth anniversary! It’s time for us to talk about our favorites from 2024, both on the air and off. Join us to hear about favorite heroes, heroines, s*xy times, covers, tropes, stunt casting, quotes, and so much more. Also Discussed: Christmas gifts, the new year, and the fact that Chuck Woolery is still dead. Up Next: Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase SOS Novella: n/a this week What else we’re reading: Tales Beneath the Winter Sky (Anthology) by The Distracted I...
Jan 07, 2025•2 hr 41 min•Season 1Ep. 107
Continuing to avoid human men, we’re talking about Kidnapped by the Krampus by Emily Shore this week. Journalist Twyla is sent to Krampus World to see if she can uncover whether or not the elusive millionaire is actually real. Even when Krampus kidnaps her, she’s not convinced he’s real. She just thinks he’s dedicated to that costume. Krampus, on the other hand, is in a bind (and not the kind he likes to put Twyla in). Twyla seems to be his last hope to break a curse slowly turning his heart to ...
Dec 24, 2024•2 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 106
We’re still not ready to read about human men, so we read Whisked Away by the Alien by Julie K. Cohen. Golda heads to her parents’ house to prep for Hanukkah, but in this futuristic dystopian world, she walks into the kitchen to find a giant blue alien. Her dad sent him to help cook–and who is she to turn down the help from the hot blue guy. Sten is a fish out of water, missing lots of key information, like that you wear an apron *over* your clothes…not *instead of* your clothes. Also Discussed:...
Dec 11, 2024•2 hr 28 min•Season 1Ep. 105
Uninterested in reading about human men at this juncture, we’re thrilled to read our ARC of Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson. Lachlan Greer was more than able to carry our weary hearts around for a few hundred pages. He’s a Loss Ness Monster, after all. The thing is, turning into Nessie is a literal curse his family has carried for generations and he’s determined to break it once and for all. Enter: Keyanna McKay, the first granddaughter in the McKay family for hundreds of years. She’s beauti...
Nov 26, 2024•2 hr 13 min
It worked out really well for two angry ladies to be reading about a dragon shifter instead of a human man. This week, we read The Dragon of New Orleans by Genevieve Jack and we’re so glad . Gabriel is an immortal dragon, but a witch placed a curse on him. He doesn’t have long before his time runs out–he’ll either turn to stone or he’ll have to return to his homeland, where he’s surely to be killed on sight. He believes that Raven is the key to breaking the curse. Except that she’s in hospice, d...
Nov 12, 2024•2 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 103
We got an ARC of Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage and we’re SO excited to talk to you about it. This series has us in a chokehold. Lost and Lassoed is book three in the Rebel Blue Ranch series–we finally get to see Teddy and Gus’s chemistry come to a head (giggle). Gus needs childcare assistance while Cam is out of town for the summer and Teddy is in need of a job. Can these two ever stop sniping at each other long enough to work together? In preparation for this episode, we also read Swift and Sad...
Oct 30, 2024•2 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 102
In honor of spooky szn, we’re reading monster romance! This week’s feature is a new-to-us author with a minotaur and fae couple. She’s a journalist trying to land her dream job and he’s the captain of the sportsball team (literally, that’s the name of the sport). Because of the requirements of her probationary period with the newspaper, Cass is forced to spend a lot of time with Elliot. And when he goes into heat….well, things heat up between them. Also discussed: spooky season, the Twilight eye...
Oct 15, 2024•1 hr 45 min
Time is a flat circle and we’re reading Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. The last time either of us read the Twilight series, it was 2008 and we read it at the very beginning of our friendship. We were both different people and the world was a different place. What do we think of Edward and Bella today versus 16 years ago? Are we Team Edward or Jacob? (Or someone else…?) We’ll talk about the book, as well as its cultural impact (we know WE KNOW) in our 100th episode. Also discussed: our friend’s bir...
Oct 01, 2024•3 hr 39 min•Season 1Ep. 100
This week we’re immersing ourselves back into The Bachelor-esque world Kay Marie has curated for The Love Lie! Loyal listeners might remember the first installment in this series, The Love Rematch from Episode 73. In this followup, we see the aftermath of Emily’s decision to swap places with her identical twin Samantha. As we learned in the epilogue of The Love Rematch, the twin swap didn’t exactly go according to plan…so what happened? Kay Marie fills us in–and sets us up for book three–in The ...
Sep 18, 2024•2 hr 41 min
This week we’re clinging to the Olympics by reading The Kraken Games by Lilith Stone! Luna is the first human to have ever entered the Kraken Games in Motham City. Kai is this year’s chosen kraken, who will have to fight every single entrant in order to win–and he must win if he’d like to bring honor back to his people. Last year’s kraken lost to an orc, and Kai has been told that losing is not an option. The only thing is…Luna and Kai met before the Games. And they had a *real* good time togeth...
Sep 04, 2024•2 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 80
It’s a double episode tonight, ladies and gentlemen! Last year, Tracy Sumner threw out the idea of getting some historical romance authors together and we were absolutely psyched about it. It took awhile to get schedules together, but we’ve finally nailed it. We’re focusing on The Rake Review series, specifically The Fake February Rake Charlie Lane and An Heiress for August by Kathleen Ayers, although there are 12 total that are being released on the first of every month in 2024. As an extra spe...
Aug 22, 2024•2 hr 36 min•Season 1Ep. 97
Back to our regularly scheduled programming, we read Muffin Top by Avery Flynn! BBW heroine Lucy is debating going home to her 15th high school reunion when her best friend’s soon-to-be brother-in-law plops down in the chair opposite her and offers to be her date. Frankie is on a self-imposed celibacy streak and is looking forward to the distraction. What could possibly go wrong? They definitely won’t fall in love with all that fake dating and forced proximity. Also discussed: The Olympics (!!!!...
Aug 06, 2024•1 hr 55 min
Slight change of plans! We got an ARC of Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto, so we pulled an audible and read that one instead. Given our background in music, this one was catnip for us. Xander and Gwen play in the same pops orchestra–although they don’t really play “together.” In fact, he doesn’t even know she’s in the orchestra until she tells him at an outside gig. When Gwen lands the promotion Xander has wanted for years, they’re forced to work together. Can they make beautiful music togeth...
Jul 24, 2024•2 hr 27 min•Season 1Ep. 95
Strap in because this week, we’re diving into our inner cat ladies with The Unnatural Habitat of a Cat Lady by Dani Elias. When Ben realizes that the love of his life–a woman who broke up with him 20 years ago–matches with him on a very specific dating app, he’s determined to talk things out. For her part, Amelia agrees to talk to him… and then to maybe up the ante. When life throws some curveballs at Amelia, can Ben step in to help her out? Listen to find out! Also discussed: how we hate firewo...
Jul 09, 2024•1 hr 44 min•Season 1Ep. 94
We’re diving head first into some monster romance and no one here has a single refret. Today, we’re talking about Wed to the Basilisk by Layla Fae AND you get to hear from Layla herself! Wed to the Basilisk is part of the Arranged Monster Mates series, in which humans and monsters are matched using DNA at a temple. Voss, the last surviving basilisk, is extremely skeptical that his human bride, Alina, will actually be a true mate, but this is his last chance before he descends into madness. Alina...
Jun 25, 2024•2 hr 22 min
Welcome back, dearest gentle readers! We watched the second half of Bridgerton Season 3 and we have THOUGHTS. Some of those thoughts are good and some of them are bad and some of them made us shout “WE DON’T CARE ABOUT THIS.” After this, we’ll be waiting for two years for Benedict’s story. (eyeroll.) Up next: Wed to the Basilisk by Layla Fae SHOW INFORMATION: Join the Discord Follow us on Spotify ! (It helps us with sponsors!) Patreon: Support Us Here Website: www.chicklitbookclubpodcast.com Mer...
Jun 18, 2024•2 hr 25 min•Season 1Ep. 18
