Katey and Abigail return from their European travels and read "Slow Burn Summer" by Josie Silver. Other topics include writing grief, Book of The Month's recent scandal, summer resolutions to increase attention span and deciding not to be dumb.
Abigail and Katey read “Flirting Lessons” by Jasmine Guillory, a romance OG whom they haven’t read in years. They also discuss being editors, burlesque shows, the joys of gardening, and whether or not they think they’re good at flirting.
It’s SUMMERTIME and that means reading in the pool ignoring how hot it is. Katey and Abigail read the blurbs for some summer-y reads, and discuss their plans for Europe, the one thing Abigail always wants to do on a trip, and how somehow all these books are about divorce.
Abigail and Katey discuss their first 831 Stories novella, “Big Fan” by Alexandra Romanoff. Other topics include a very special cupcake surprise, how often Katey uses her Alamo Draft Pass (to the movie theater, not the historical site), Abigail’s longtime crush on “American Idiot”-era Billie Joe Armstrong, book merch, trinkets and their immediate need for pool lounge chairs.
Abigail and Katey get in their feelings about “Great Big Beautiful Life,” romance queen Emily Henry’s latest book. Topics include the book’s dual timeline structure, its difference from the other EmHens, writing good journalist characters and how they could never sign NDAs because they’re bad at keeping secrets (especially from each other).
Katey and Abigail start the most wonderful time of the year (Abby/Emily April) with Abby Jimenez’s “Say You’ll Remember Me.” As all Abby Jimenez books do, it inspires conversation about trauma and grit, as well as good dogs, pining for far-away lovers and the never-ending quest for Nadia Cakes via Goldbelly.
Katey and Abigail discuss “You Between The Lines” by Katie Naymon, a debut novel that sparked big feelings about poetry, pop culture, and being “not like other girls.” Other topics include imposter syndrome, internalized misogyny, poetic flirting, and why March (not April) might be the cruelest month.
Katey and Abigail debut a new series: Origin Stories, in partnership with author Sarah Adler! Each installment of Origin Stories will feature Katey, Abigail and Sarah revisiting one of the romance (or romance-adjacent) novels that built them—their lore, if you will. In this episode, Sarah asks Katey and Abigail to read Kelly Siskind’s “New Orleans Rush,” which features some not-so-petty crime, a hot magician and a whole lot of insight into how Sarah was inspired to write her novels “Mrs. Nash’s ...
Katey and Abigail read three Abby Jimenez short stories: “The Situationship,” “Worst Wingman Ever” and “The Fall Risk.” Other topics include what they’d do if their stairs disappeared, the bumper stickers on Katey’s car, “Goodbye Earl”-ing bad men, dog hammocks, self-defense techniques and snooping in other people’s houses.
Katey and Abigail discuss B.K. Borison’s “First Time Caller,” a new release that proved they’ve been sleeping on Borison’s books. Other topics include online dating adventures, the Glen Powell Anecdote, where “Sleepless in Seattle” ranks in the broader Nora Ephron catalog, and some very exciting news.
Abigail and Katey read “Not Here to Make Friends” by Jodi McAlister and see themselves a bit in the main characters’ workaholic tendencies. Other topics include what it means to have a cool job, the seedy underbelly of reality TV and the unique extended universe of this book series.
Katey and Abigail round up the romances they’re most looking forward to in 2025 (well, some of them). Other topics include the gas station rebate camping trip on Nathan For You, the price of Moleskines, the proliferation of hiking trips in romance novels and Abigail’s new New Yorker subscription.
Katey and Abigail read “The Second Chance Year” by Melissa Wiesner as their first book of 2025. Other topics include unconventional martini flavors, Dyson hair dryers, how 2024 was a Very Bad Year, and Katey’s big life update.
Abigail and Katey dig into a Christmas romance by one of Katey's faves, Sarah Morgenthaler. Other topics include busted fridges at the back of Katey's family property, how this tiny town has a newspaper, the logistics of divorce proceedings in Idaho, feral hogs and religion in romance novels.
Katey and Abigail return from a two-month hiatus just in time to round up romance novels they’re looking forward to reading this holiday season. Other topics include the Queen Elizabeth II ship, being interrupted by dogs, the long-lost Halloween episode, and 33-hour audiobooks.
Katey and Abigail kick off spooky season with podcast favorite Jen DeLuca’s “Haunted Ever After.” Other topics include bougie pajamas, passionate defenses of Texas beach towns, a misguided but well-intentioned gift from Abigail’s ex-boyfriend’s mom and the type of ghost Katey wants to be.
We're taking a little break, so enjoy the first official week of fall with this re-release from August 2022! In a bonus book club episode based on Katey’s unwavering insistence, Abigail and Katey chat about “The Dead Romantics” by Ashley Poston, a love story about a ghostwriter and an actual ghost. It also features the worst man to ever exist, a very cute and furry mayor, Waffle House visits, and poignant writings about grief and all types of love. Buy The Dead Romantics Shop our Bookshop Li...
This episode is a live recording from Katey and Abigail’s first ever live show at Fae Ball Austin! Katey makes Abigail finally read Sarah J. Maas’ “A Court of Thorns and Roses.” They also play several rounds of “smash or pass” with the various fae men and chat about faerie sex parties and whether or not Feyre can actually paint.
Katey and Abigail discuss the things (cishet) men could learn from romance novels, including communication, empathy and — yes — sex. Other topics include their feelings on grand gestures, Abigail’s panic before her husband proposed, Katey’s dog escaping during her proposal, and which fictional men are the best (and worst) examples for IRL men. Calling all central Texas book lovers! Fae Ball Austin is coming. A book convention by day and an immersive fantasy book event by night, come celebrate al...
Katey and Abigail read Lizzy Dent’s “Just One Taste” and dream of eating copious amounts of Italian food. Other topics include flying with cremains, their chaotic beach trip, being nosy in vacation rentals and a VERY exciting announcement! Calling all central Texas book lovers! Fae Ball Austin is coming. A book convention by day and an immersive fantasy book event by night, come celebrate all things romantasy this Labor Day weekend at the Hilton Austin. Enjoy listening to authors, creators, and ...
In honor of Abigail's honeymoon (that Katey tagged along on...long story), the girls listen to Christina Lauren's audio-exclusive "The Honeymoon Crashers," the sequel to all-time fave "The Unhoneymooners." Other topics include pizza at weddings, the YMCA, their individual audiobook listening habits and how expensive this trip must have been. Calling all central Texas book lovers! Fae Ball Austin is coming. A book convention by day and an immersive fantasy book event by night, come celebrate all ...
In the dead heat of summer, Katey and Abigail read “Summertime Punchline” by Betty Corrello. Other topics include several stories about the times they met Glen Powell (including one swoonworthy moment on the University of Texas campus), as well as Katey’s longing for a pair of Margaritaville Crocs (size 7 if anyone can get their hands on some), Wawa vs. Buc-ee’s, permanent jewelry, themed motels, listening to steamy audiobooks in public, and whether bunkbeds count toward the “only one bed” trope...
Abigail and Katey read Ashley Poston's latest magical realism rom-com, "A Novel Love Story." Other topics include Thundercloud Subs (#iykyk), Abigail's busted-but-maybe-not-too-busted(?) car, failed hobbies and the tiny baby bird they spotted out of Katey's office window.
Katey and Abigail round up the romance novels they’re looking forward to reading this summer. Other topics include the enduring legacy of “Smooth” by Santana feat. Rob Thomas, Abigail’s sister’s aspiring stand-up routine, Cybertrucks, and Hot European Summer.
Katey and Abigail read "The Paradise Problem" by Christina Lauren, revisiting the writing duo that started their bookish friendship. Other topics include the LEGO sets Katey is saving up for, the golden age of magazines, papasan chairs and Anthony Bourdain.
Katey and Abigail read "Happy Medium" by Fifty Percent fave Sarah Adler. Other topics include baby goats (obviously), morally gray main characters, ghosts who love TV, "divorced dad shampoo" and good (and bad) tattoos on male leads in romance novels.
In this episode, Katey and Abigail tackle the newest book from their favorite romance girlie Emily Henry: "Funny Story". Other topics include the feminine urge to run away to Michigan, stock tank pools, the snacks to bribe Katey with and healthy adult friendships.
In this episode, Katey and Abigail step away from romance novels for a moment to talk about their OTHER obsession: Taylor Swift. Take a track-by-track journey through “The Tortured Poets Department,” featuring some early-20s relationship reflections and an argument for why every woman should date a himbo at least once in her life.
In this episode, Abigail and Katey read “Just for the Summer,” another banger from one of our fave girlies, Abby Jimenez. Other topics include the subreddits we lurk in, Culver’s, crowdfunding to get Nadia Cakes delivered to Texas, and the moment in the book that made our jaws literally drop.
In honor of Abigail’s impending nuptials, Abigail and Katey read “Do You Take This Man?” by Denise Williams. Other topics include…mostly wedding-related things, like how much officiants get paid these days, but also discuss RJ the raccoon from “Over The Hedge” and Jeff Bezos.
