Interview with a what now? In Jordan's pick of the week, we're taking it back to the late 2000s, when Twilight was in theater, True Blood had everyone in a chokehold (maybe literally?), and vampires were the name of the game with Everymore by Lynn Viehl. https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/1264696 Looking for something similar? Try - Bride by Ali Hazelwood https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/181344829 The Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs https://www.goodreads.com/series/40932-mercy...
Apr 24, 2024•15 min
Do you like fanfic? How about Adam Driver? If you can suspend reality and fully embrace the ball of anxiety that is Olive's POV, then you'll enjoy Ali Hazelwood's breakout novel just as much as we did. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56732449-the-love-hypothesis
Apr 22, 2024•31 min•Season 2Ep. 68
This week, we get a full, 10 minute review of one of Katie's all time favorite books... but told with approximately .3 brain cells (or as Katie puts it, an old school computer not connected to the internet, i.e. calculator and minesweeper are about all that works.) - Uprooted by Naomi Novik, a 2015 Goodreads Choice Award nominee! https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/22544764 If you've already read Uprooted, or are looking for something sorta similar: The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo https://www.g...
Apr 17, 2024•11 min
We found this book to be somewhere in between 'stay up late' and 'meandering' but it is way better than the cover would lead you to believe. We recommend this as a bit of palate cleanser or a book to carry you through a reading lull. If you're interested in other stories set in this same world, check out Carissa Broadbent's "Crowns of Nyaxia" novella "Six Scorched Roses." https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/123368729 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123027751-six-scorched-roses?ref=nav_sb_...
Apr 15, 2024•40 min•Season 2Ep. 67
Murder? Revenge? TIME TRAVEL? Jordan finishes an entire kdrama, and that should tell you exactly how good Marry My Husband is (and it's available on Amazon Prime!) Imagine: Girl gets cancer. Husband is unsupportive. All is going wrong in the world. Comes home to find husband and best friend cheating. Is murdered. Comes back 10 years earlier for the chance to have it all go differently. Ooh, sign me up. https://www.amazon.com/Marry-My-Husband-Season-1/dp/B0CPYQKXW5 If you want something similar, ...
Apr 10, 2024•15 min
We found this book to be somewhere in between 'stay up late' and 'meandering' but it is way better than the cover would lead you to believe. We recommend this as a bit of palate cleanser or a book to carry you through a reading lull. If you're interested in other stories set in this same world, check out Carissa Broadbent's "Crowns of Nyaxia" novella "Six Scorched Roses." https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/123368729 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123027751-six-scorched-roses?ref=nav_sb_...
Apr 08, 2024•44 min•Season 2Ep. 66
This week, Katie rage quit a book... with 100 thousand reviews. And no, it's not Fourth WIng. We get three courses of beef (not the edible kind) with King of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St. Clair, an unintentional second DNF in a row for our VERY upset friend. https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/56651967 If you too have been personally victimized by Regina George- I mean this book, try: Slaying the Vampire Conquerer by Carissa Broadbent https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/123368729 Bride ...
Apr 03, 2024•18 min
We wanted to like this book, the sample hooked us and the heroine seemed unique...until she wasn't. Freya's overwhelming lack of critical thinking combined with her obsession for an underwhelming himbo makes this book nothing more than trash fanfic of The Northman. https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/165940202
Apr 01, 2024•35 min•Season 2Ep. 65
This week features the most awkward intro we've ever recorded (sorry in advance), and Jordan's frustration with Curses by Lish McBridge. Well written, interesting secondary characters, all wrapped up in a reverse Beauty in the Beast retelling: what's not to love? Well, for Jordan, a plot mechanism that lets the love interest see the heroine with the cursed lifted for a few hours (Gasp! She's actually beautiful? Now I can for sure love her!) https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/43207851 If you'...
Mar 27, 2024•13 min
We wanted to like this book, the sample hooked us and the heroine seemed unique...until she wasn't. Freya's overwhelming lack of critical thinking combined with her obsession for an underwhelming himbo makes this book nothing more than trash fanfic of The Northman. https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/165940202
Mar 25, 2024•37 min•Season 2Ep. 64
In this week's pick, Katie talks about... a temple for jewish horses? (Try Chincoteague pony... horribly misprounced). If that sounds not really like a book you'd read, well Katie didn't either - this week's pick is a DNF, unfortunately, for A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft. https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/48909025 If you're looking for something with similar vibes that Katie did enjoy, try: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10626594-the-scorpio-...
Mar 20, 2024•16 min
Readers, don't wait to watch this show. 'The Glory' (on Netflix) is a 16 episode k-drama featuring one of the most ruthless, intelligent heroines we've ever encountered. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqVVrTvrI8U
Mar 18, 2024•43 min•Season 2Ep. 63
*DJ Khaled voice* ANOTHA ONE! And its a romantic version of... Mrs. Doubtfire? Nice try, Katie, but also weirdly, yes exactly. Sofi Laporte's Lady Avery and the False Bulter features a handsome rogue in hiding and a pissed off spinster who just wants to have some fun (and upon further thought, maybe not empty her own chamberpot). https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123238138-lady-avery-and-the-false-butler?from_choice=false&from_home_module=false And if you're looking for something similar: ...
Mar 13, 2024•12 min
If you know you know. https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/181344829
Mar 11, 2024•34 min•Season 2Ep. 62
Real book, or an incredibly intricate catfishing attempt on Jordan? Well, regardless, it seemed to have worked. Jordan's pick this week is Lady Ludmilla's Accidental Letter by Sofia Laporte, and showcases just about every romance trope she loves, an honestly impressive feat. https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/60391368 And if you're looking for something similar: The Bridgertons Series by Julia Quinn https://www.goodreads.com/series/40393-bridgertons Love in the Afternoon by Lisa Kleypas http...
Mar 06, 2024•12 min
Gut-wrenching romance, sizzling chemistry, and weird scent glands...it's all here in part 2 of Bride by Ali Hazelwood. https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/181344829
Mar 04, 2024•33 min•Season 2Ep. 61
This week is a "continuation of the general behooving," otherwise known as "Katie went into some weird funk and ended up reading all seven books in this series and now wants you to read them all, too." The Emperor's Edge series by Lindsay Buroker may be a slow burn, but boy is it worth it! The Emperor's Edge Series by Lindsay Buroker https://www.goodreads.com/series/66385-the-emperor-s-edge And remember, the first book is free on Amazon! https://a.co/d/9kQXfDa...
Feb 28, 2024•15 min
No, really. How do you put on a duvet cover? "Bride" was released earlier this month and Ali Hazelwood broke into paranormal romance with a 5-star, take the book to the bathroom, stay up all night, kind of read. We haven't been this unhinged over a book in ages. https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/181344829
Feb 26, 2024•39 min•Season 2Ep. 60
Calling all buddies! Katie's pick this week is a buddy read of the self-published, The Emperor's Edge by Lindsay Buroker, an insanely slow burn (think a nineteen-hour simmer on low heat) featuring magic, monsters, and a handsome no-nonsense assassin. Come for the slightly incorrect recollection of the plot, and stay because the first book is free on Amazon! https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/10031259 Amazon: https://a.co/d/9kQXfDa Need similar works to convince you? Think... The 2001 blockbu...
Feb 21, 2024•16 min
The fever dream continues. Stick around after the episode for a few fun facts about Katie and a flashback to some childhood stories. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15839984-cruel-beauty
Feb 19, 2024•33 min•Season 2Ep. 59
Paranormal tendencies? Sure. This week's pick is Now You See Her by Linda Howard, a (pretty!) spicy pick from Jordan featuring New York City, murder, and an artist with freakily accurate premonitions. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/420731.Now_You_See_Her If you're looking for similar books, anything by these authors may scratch the itch: Ali Hazelwood https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21098177.Ali_Hazelwood Sarah J. Maas https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3433047.Sarah_J_Maas Suzanne...
Feb 14, 2024•17 min
Reader Challenge: take a shot every time we say fever dream. You may very well need to in order to finish this book. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15839984-cruel-beauty
Feb 12, 2024•32 min•Season 2Ep. 58
In this week's pick, Katie's unsure about almost everything... except her like of this book! What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez features fairly clean romance, intrigue, and a suave British noble turned gun-for-hire love interest (honestly just think The Mummy, and you're 90% of the way there). https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/65213381 For same same but dif: Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/60784546 A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross https://www.goodrea...
Feb 07, 2024•15 min
While there are four books in The Immortals Series, we are concluding our review at book three, Emperor Mage. Stick around for the dinosaurs and dumb birds and ignore the romantic tension building between Daine and Numair. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13833.Emperor_Mage?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=aNCUv67lrZ&rank=1
Feb 05, 2024•54 min•Season 2Ep. 57
In this week's pick, we find out Jordan will inhale any retelling of The Six Swans fairy tale, including Elizabeth Lim's Six Crimson Cranes (except this one is made better by a magic-repellant bowl cursed to be worn as a hat.) https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/53457092 If you're looking for similar titles: Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/13928 Thorn by Intisar Khanani https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/51265989 Daughter of the Moon Godde...
Jan 31, 2024•12 min
Wolf-Speaker is book two in The Immortals Series by Tamora Pierce and there are A LOT of animals in this one. Some of them have more character development than our heroine. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24094.Wolf_Speaker
Jan 29, 2024•28 min•Season 2Ep. 56
This week, Katie eats the "nom nom" cupcake that is Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig, the second book in The Shepard King Duology (which really just devolves into some incoherent fangirl sighing at the end, because wow, this book was excellent?) Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63910262-two-twisted-crowns For similar books: One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig (Part 1 of the duology) https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/58340706 Uprooted by Naomi Novik htt...
Jan 24, 2024•12 min
We're closing out Wild Magic and we couldn't help but stray into the same debate we got into last week. Also, what's up with this ending? Pacifist whales, dragon martyrs, and a kraken in a trench coat (at least according to Katie). https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13836.Wild_Magic
Jan 22, 2024•40 min•Season 2Ep. 55
This week's pick is less of a pick and more just an entire episode dedicated to Holly Black and her 20+ years of "bussin down on fantasy" (and a random sidebar about, no surprise, Draco Malfoy and why morally grey characters are SO much more interesting to read about.) We do however focus (the word used ~very~ generally) on Black's 2002 debut novel, Tithe. https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/46777
Jan 17, 2024•24 min
Needless to say, we are CONFLICTED about this series. If your only exposure to Tamora Pierce is the Song of the Lioness books, "Wild Magic" is set in the same world and features many of the same characters; HOWEVER, the heroine is 13 years old in Wild Magic and she ends up in a romantic relationship with her mentor/teacher in book 4 ("In the Realms of the Gods"). We get into this for quite a while at the start of the episode, so skip to about 21 minutes in for the actual story. https://www.goodr...
Jan 15, 2024•53 min•Season 2Ep. 54
