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This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. A cozy mystery with a messy friendship, a locked-room setting, and just enough murder to keep things interesting? I’m in. In this episode, I sit down with Molly Harper to talk about her pivot from paranormal romance to murder mysteries and her newest release, A Cute Little Murder. We dive into millennial mysteries, toxic friendships, “final girl” energy, and why sometimes you just need a little murder in your reading life—without the gore. 📚 Books MentionedA Cute Little Murder by Molly Harper — Buy on Amazon | Cozy Mystery / Millennial Mystery | Audio ✅ A Proposal to Die For by Molly Harper — Buy on Amazon | Cozy Mystery / Millennial Mystery | Audio ✅ The Farmhouse by Chelsea Conradt — Buy on Amazon | Domestic Horror | Audio ✅ ⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] – Introduction to Molly Harper [01:00] – Transition from romance to murder mysteries [02:30] – Inspiration behind A Cute Little Murder [04:00] – Final girl trope and character dynamics [05:00] – Locked-room mystery settings explained [06:30] – Toxic friendships and character growth [09:00] – Why this mystery feels cozy but modern [10:00] – Molly Harper’s writing journey [12:00] – From journalist to full-time author [14:00] – Audible originals and writing for audio [15:00] – Book recommendations (domestic horror) [16:00] – Where to find Molly Harper online Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com) Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read Next Subscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Looking for your next addictive summer thriller with rich people behaving badly vibes? This one set at the Cannes Film Festival delivers glam, secrets, and a murder you won’t see coming. In this episode, I sit down with Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau to talk about her transition from YA romance to twisty adult thrillers and her latest novel We Will Never Tell. We dive into how she crafts suspense, builds layered characters, and why she loves writing about “the people behind the people” in glamorous spaces. Plus, she shares some of her favorite recent reads—including thrillers and book club fiction you’ll want on your TBR ASAP. 📚 Books MentionedWe Will Never Tell by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau — Buy on Amazon | Thriller The French Honeymoon by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau — Buy on Amazon | Thriller Good People by Patnmeena Sabit — Buy on Amazon | Literary Fiction / Mystery Elements Somebody Worth Killing by Jessica Payne — Buy on Amazon | Thriller / Domestic Suspense Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary / Thriller Elements Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild — Buy on Amazon | Literary / Thriller / Romance Blend ⏱️ Time Stamps[00:00] — Intro + Anne-Sophie Jouhenneau returns to the podcast [01:00] — Transition from YA romance to thrillers [02:00] — How to write suspense, twists, and structure [05:00] — Inside We Will Never Tell + Cannes setting [06:30] — The “people behind the people” concept [09:00] — Cannes glam vs reality (parties, work, chaos) [11:30] — Why this is the perfect summer thriller [12:30] — Book recommendations begin [17:00] — Where to find Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau online Link to Anne-Sophie's previous WTRN episode on Spotify Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com) Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read Next Subscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. A chaotic wedding, secret crushes, and one very inconvenient almost-divorce—this episode is for rom-com lovers who live for messy, multi-POV drama. In today’s episode, I chat with Mallory Kass (also known as Kass Morgan) about her transition from YA to adult romance, her new book Save the Date, and why writing adult relationships hits differently than coming-of-age stories. We also get into rom-com tropes, ensemble casts, and even the possibility of adding a murder subplot (yes, really). If you love layered romantic stories, dreamy settings, and a little emotional chaos, this one’s for you. 📚 Books Mentioned Save the Date by Mallory Kass — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅ Royal Summer by Kass Morgan — Buy on Amazon | YA Romance | Audio ✅ The Trouble with Anna by Rachel Griffith — Buy on Amazon | Historical Romance | Audio ✅ The Write Off by Kara McDowell — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅ Cross Your Heart and Hope He Dies by Jenny Elder Moke — Buy on Amazon | Mystery Romance | Audio ✅ ⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] – Intro + Meet Mallory Kass [01:00] – Transition from YA to adult romance [02:00] – Differences between YA and adult storytelling [05:00] – Breaking down Save the Date (multi-storyline rom-com) [06:30] – Writing challenges with multiple POVs [07:30] – Making character voices distinct [08:30] – Why romance needs emotional tension (not random chaos) [09:30] – The rise of mystery + romance mashups [10:30] – Jeopardy experience + fun behind-the-scenes moment [13:30] – Book recommendations you need to add to your TBR [15:00 – Where to find Mallory Kass online Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com) Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read Next Subscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. What happens when the one that got away becomes the inspiration for your bestselling book boyfriend… and then walks back into your life? In this episode, I sit down with Kara McDowell to talk about her latest novel, The Write-Off—a second chance romance packed with college nostalgia, writer drama, and all the angst we love. We dive into dual timelines, messy twenties, and why sometimes love only works the second time around. We also chat about balancing writing and motherhood, the “glass vs. plastic balls” metaphor for life, and Kara shares her favorite contemporary romance reads right now. 📚 Books Mentioned The Write-Off by Kara McDowell — Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅ Is She Really Going Out With Him? by Sophie Cousens — Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅ The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center — Romantic Comedy | Audio ✅ Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood — Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅ If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia — Small Town Romance | Audio ✅ Birding with Benefits by Sarah T. Dubb — Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅ ⏱️ Time Stamps[00:00] – Meet Kara McDowell & writing from the sidelines [01:00] – Balancing writing, motherhood & deadlines [02:00] – The “glass vs. plastic balls” life metaphor [03:00] – Inside The Write-Off (plot + inspiration) [05:00] – Book boyfriend inspired by real life [06:00] – Why second chance romance hits differently [07:00] – College vs adult love stories [08:00] – Kara’s reading habits & favorite genres [09:00] – Is She Really Going Out With Him? rec [10:00] – Why The Rom-Commers is a perfect romcom [12:00] – Ali Hazelwood & dual timeline romance [14:00] – Cozy small-town vibes in If It Makes You Happy [17:00] – Birding with Benefits & fake dating trope [18:00] – Where to find Kara online Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com) Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read Next Subscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I read 32 books in Q1 2026—and I’m breaking down the cozy mysteries, thrillers, romances, and standout 5-star reads you need on your radar. In this episode, I’m sharing my honest reading recap from the first quarter of the year, including what worked, what didn’t, and the books I’m still thinking about. From bingeing cozy mysteries in Puerto Rico to discovering new favorite romances and thrillers, this is your inside look at what’s worth adding to your TBR. 📚 Books MentionedCozy Mysteries: Death al Dente by Leslie Budewitz The Rocky Road to Ruin by Meri Allen Catch Me If You Candy by Ellie AlexanderSticks and Scones by Ellie AlexanderKilling Me Soufflé by Ellie AlexanderThe Diva Takes the Cake by Krista DavisDeath of a Country Fried Redneck by Lee HollisDeath of the Kitchen Diva by Lee Hollis Thrillers: We Were Never Friends by Kaira Rouda The Storm by Rachel HawkinsAnatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston Romance: The Grumpiest Billionaire by Pippa GrantStill Into You by Erin ConnorIt Seemed Like a Good Idea by Lauren BlakelyIn Her Spotlight by Amy SpaldingPicnics and Promises in the Strawberry Fields by Victoria WaltersThe Cherry Crush Flower Shop by Harper GrahamMistakes Were Made by Lucy Score Mystery The Primrose Murder Society by Stacey Hackney Non-fiction All Consuming by Ruby TandohParks and Rec by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong 5⭐ Reads: Rachel West and the Fallen Starlet by Emma Mills (Mystery)Too Blessed to Stress by Alli Hoff Kosik (Women’s Fiction)The Heir by Sophia Travers (Romance - KU)Hunter’s Treasure by Olivia Jackson (Romance)Before We Wake by Sophia Glock (Graphic Novel)This Story Will Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum (Thriller) ⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] – Intro + Q1 reading recap overview [01:00] – Cozy mystery binge in Puerto Rico [02:00] – Books that didn’t work for me [03:00] – 4-star cozy mysteries [03:30] – Thriller recommendations [04:30] – Cozy mystery series I loved [05:00] – Romance reads (billionaire, rockstar, small town) [07:00] – Cottagecore + flower shop romances [08:00] – Mother-daughter mystery rec [09:00] – Nonfiction reads [10:00] – Small town romance highlight [11:00] – 5-star reads overview [13:30] – First graphic novel experience [14:30] – Thriller with immersive audio [15:00] – Wrap up + final thoughts Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com) Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read Next Subscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. What happens when you’re forced to attend your ex-husband’s family wedding… in Paris? 😬✨ In this episode, I sit down with romance author Kate Clayborn to talk about her newest release The Paris Match and why messy adulthood makes the best love stories. We dive into second chances, complicated family dynamics, and what it really means to rebuild your life in your thirties. Kate also shares how she approached writing Paris as more than just a setting—and why romance readers keep coming back to stories that feel both grounded and emotionally rich. 📚 Books Mentioned The Paris Match by Kate Clayborn — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅ Beginner’s Luck by Kate Clayborn — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅ Isola by Allegra Goodman — Buy on Amazon | Historical Fiction | Audio ✅ Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅ ⏱️ Time Stamps[00:00] – Introduction to Kate Clayborn [01:00] – Beginner’s Luck and pandemic reading memories [02:00] – Overview of The Paris Match [03:00] – Grumpy sunshine dynamic + character setup [04:00] – Writing Paris as a character [06:00] – Language, culture, and realism in Paris [07:00] – Layla’s career and emotional avoidance [08:00] – What a hospitalist does (and why it matters) [09:00] – Life in your 30s vs 20s vs 40s [11:00] – Griffin’s character and isolation [12:00] – Kate’s reading life (romance + beyond) [13:00] – Favorite romance subgenres and tropes [14:00] – Auto-buy authors and recommendations [15:00] – Where to find Kate online Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com) Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read Next Subscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Romantasy before it was cool? In this episode, I sit down with Elly Blake to talk about her journey writing fantasy romance—and how the genre has completely transformed over the years. We chat about the evolution from YA fantasy to adult romantasy, what readers really want (hint: it’s the romance), and how Elly built her newest Thirstwood series from fairy tales, folklore, and a haunting “bloodthirsty forest” idea. If you love enemies-to-lovers, forbidden romance, and magical worlds with high emotional stakes, this episode is for you. 📚 Books Mentioned Frostblood by Elly Blake — Buy on Amazon | Fantasy Romance | Audio ✅ Forest King’s Daughter by Elly Blake — Buy on Amazon | Romantasy, Fairy Tale Inspired | Audio ✅ Curse Queen’s Daughter by Elly Blake — Buy on Amazon | Romantasy, Enemies-to-Lovers | Audio ✅ Until the Clock Strikes Midnight by Alicia Dow — Buy on Amazon | YA Fantasy Romance, Fairytale | Audio ✅ ⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Introduction to Elly Blake [01:00] Her journey into fantasy & romantasy [02:30] What “romantasy” really means [04:30] How romance reshaped the fantasy market [06:00] YA vs adult fantasy—what’s changing [08:00] Overview of Thirstwood series [10:00] The bloodthirsty forest concept [11:30] Book 1: friends-to-enemies-to-lovers setup [12:30] Book 2: Hades & Persephone vibes + mystery [14:30] Coming-of-age themes in fantasy [16:00] Reading habits: paper vs audiobooks [17:00] Book recommendation: Alicia Dow [19:30] Where to find Elly Blake Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com) Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read Next Subscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Graphic novels aren’t just for kids—and this episode completely changed how I think about them. In this conversation, I sit down with cartoonist Sophia Glock to talk about her haunting and emotional graphic novel Before We Wake. We dive into how comics can explore big themes like grief in a way that feels accessible, immersive, and deeply personal—and why adults should absolutely be reading graphic novels. We also talk about nostalgia (hello early 2000s 👀), the creative process behind blending art and storytelling, and where to start if you’ve never picked up a graphic novel before. 📚 Books Mentioned Before We Wake by Sophia Glock — Buy on Amazon | YA Graphic Novel | Grief, paranormal, friendship Maus by Art Spiegelman — Buy on Amazon | Historical Graphic Novel | Holocaust, memoir Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi — Buy on Amazon | Graphic Memoir | Iran, coming-of-age Fun Home by Alison Bechdel — Buy on Amazon | Literary Graphic Memoir | Family, identity This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki & Jillian Tamaki — Buy on Amazon | YA/Adult Graphic Novel | Coming-of-age Spinning by Tillie Walden — Buy on Amazon | Graphic Memoir | Identity, adolescence Charity and Sylvia by Tillie Walden — Buy on Amazon | Graphic Novel | Historical ⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Intro + meeting Sophia Glock [01:00] Why graphic novels are underrated for adults [02:00] Writing about grief in Before We Wake [04:00] Sophia’s creative process (writing vs drawing) [05:30] Plot overview + lucid dreaming concept [07:00] Setting the book in early 2000s nostalgia [09:30] Nostalgia, pop culture, and generational memory [12:30] Where to start with graphic novels [15:00] YA vs adult tone in storytelling [16:00] Where to find Sophia online Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com) Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read Next Subscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. From sorority sisters to bookish besties—this episode is all about finding your reading groove and building a community that keeps you turning pages. In this episode, I sit down with Nathalie Cañadas to talk about her reading glow-up—from occasional reader to devouring 200+ books a year. We chat about audiobooks, immersive reading, Kindle Unlimited, and how joining a book club completely changed her reading life. Plus, we dive into her favorite romance reads, dark twists, and underrated gems you need on your TBR. If you’ve ever struggled to find time to read—or didn’t know where to start—this episode is for you. 📚 Books MentionedBroken Romeo by Leisa Rayven — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅ Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage — Buy on Amazon | Cowboy Romance | Audio ✅ Pen Pal by J.T. Geissinger — Buy on Amazon | Romantic Suspense | Audio ✅ Carnal Urges by J.T. Geissinger — Buy on Amazon | Mafia Romance | Audio ✅ Bourbon Boys Series by Victoria Wilder — Buy on Amazon | Romantic Suspense Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅ ⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] – Welcome + how Nathalie and I met [02:00] – What Latin sororities actually look like [05:30] – Nathalie’s reading journey (pre-2024 vs now) [07:30] – Discovering audiobooks + Libby + Hoopla [08:30] – What is immersive reading (and why it works) [09:30] – Finding your reading groove [10:30] – Romance genre deep dive + BookTok impact [13:00] – Library hacks + how to get multiple cards [15:30] – Supporting libraries + budget reading [16:00] – Book recommendations begin [16:30] – Broken Romeo discussion [17:30] – Cowboy romance (Lyla Sage) [18:30] – Dark twist reads (Pen Pal) [20:00] – Mafia romance recs [22:00] – Dark romcoms + Lights Out [23:00] – Bourbon Boys series [24:00] – Abby Jimenez spotlight [25:30] – Inside the Baddies Book Club [27:30] – Book club retreat + community building [28:30] – Nathalie’s Instagram + where to follow Follow Nathalie on Instagram: Nats Next Book Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com) Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read Next Subscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. What happens when romance meets real life—immigration, identity, and the courage to choose joy anyway? In this episode, I sit down with Sonali Dev to talk about her latest novel How Simi Got Her Groom Back—a deeply emotional story about sisterhood, love, and what it really means to belong. We dive into the themes behind the book (including immigration and chosen family), plus a powerful conversation about romance as a tool for healing, self-worth, and rewriting the rules we’ve been given. If you love romance with depth, second chances, and stories that make you feel something real—this episode is for you. 📚 Books Mentioned How Simi Got Her Groom Back by Sonali Dev — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance / Women’s Fiction The Caste and the Star by Leylah Attar — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance / Second Chance Partners in Crime by Alisha Rai — Buy on Amazon | Romantic Comedy / Second Chance / Heist Romance ⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Welcome back Sonali Dev01:00 – Behind the scenes of her latest book release03:00 – Writing process & juggling multiple books04:30 – What How Simi Got Her Groom Back is about06:30 – Immigration, legality vs. morality, and storytelling08:00 – Why joy is an act of rebellion10:00 – How books build empathy11:00 – Romance novels and self-worth13:30 – Raising your standards in love & life15:00 – Choosing joy in everyday decisions17:00 – Visibility, bravery, and showing up authentically19:30 – What Sonali loves to read21:30 – Reading across genres vs. sticking to romance24:00 – Book rec: The Caste and the Star27:00 – Book rec: Partners in Crime30:00 – Where to find Sonali Dev Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com) Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read Next Subscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. What happens when a neuroscientist writes a romance set in academia? In this episode, I’m chatting with debut author Hannah Brohm about Love and Other Brain Experiments—a workplace romance inspired by the chaotic world of research labs, anonymous peer reviews, and the surprising ways love can show up when you least expect it. We talk about Hannah’s journey from cognitive neuroscience to romance writing, how academia shaped the story, and why romance became a comforting escape during grad school and the pandemic. Plus, we dive into her reading life—from workplace romcoms to cozy mysteries—and she shares a few book recommendations that belong on your TBR. If you love smart romcoms, STEM heroines, and enemies-to-lovers tension, this conversation is for you. 📚 Books MentionedLove and Other Brain Experiments by Hannah Brohm — Contemporary Romance | STEM Romance All in Your Head by Sabina Norquist — Contemporary Romance | Fake Dating | Disability Rep And Then There Was the One by Martha Waters — Cozy Mystery Rom-Com | Historical The Friendship Fling by Georgia Stone — Romantic Comedy | Friends to Lovers | London The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon — Workplace Romance | Media The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas — Fake Dating Romance Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins — YA Romance The Hating Game by Sally Thorne — Enemies to Lovers | Workplace Romance ⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Introduction to Hannah Brohm and her debut romance [01:00] What cognitive neuroscience is and how it inspired the book [03:00] The realities of working in academia and postdoc life [05:00] The premise of Love and Other Brain Experiments [06:00] Hannah’s romance reading journey and early influences [07:00] Discovering adult romance during grad school and COVID [09:00] How peer review inspired the book’s enemies-to-lovers setup [10:00] Balancing academia, writing, and reading [12:00] Why writing romance can be cathartic [14:00] Hannah’s reading tastes and current reads [15:00] Fake dating romance recommendation: All in Your Head [16:00] Cozy mystery rom-com recommendation [17:00] Romcom set in London recommendation [20:00] Writing New York as a setting and personal connections to the city [21:00] Where to find Hannah online Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com) Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read Next Subscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. If you love mystery-romance heroines who are juggling work, family, and the occasional international investigation, you’re going to love today’s episode. I’m joined by author Sam Tschida to talk about the latest installment in the Gabby Green series and the chaos that comes with writing spy-adjacent romantic mysteries. In this conversation, Sam shares how she built the second Gabby Green adventure—from tropical settings and Hollywood wellness culture to espionage twists and unexpected romance. We also talk about writing messy but lovable heroines, the reality of balancing motherhood with high-stakes careers, and why cozy mystery fans love returning to the same sleuth again and again. We also chat about writing inspiration, the real-life research behind spy stories, and the books we’ve been loving lately. ⏱️ Episode Timestamps[00:00] Welcome & catching up with Sam Tschida [00:01] Writing the second Gabby Green mystery [00:03] The tropical investigation setting and spy elements [00:05] Researching espionage and consulting real sources [00:06] Why the book’s setting changed from Hawaii to the Azores [00:07] Plot twists, mystery pacing, and balancing romance [00:08] Delegation, chaos, and Gabby learning she can’t do everything [00:09] Possible movie adaptation news for Errands and Espionage [00:10] Why readers love returning to the same sleuth in mystery series [00:11] Cozy mysteries, baking mysteries, and comfort reads [00:12] Laura’s dream Puerto Rican cozy mystery series [00:16] Book recommendations from Sam [00:18] Where to find Sam online 📚 Books MentionedGabby Green Who Knows Whodunit by Sam Tschida — Mystery Romance | Amateur Sleuth | Series Errands and Espionage by Sam Tschida — Mystery Romance | Travel Mystery | Amateur Sleuth Undead and Unwed by Sam Tschida — Paranormal Romance | Vampire Comedy | Audio ✅ Matchmaking for Psychopaths by Tasha Coryell — Dark Comedy Thriller | Mystery | Audio ✅ Love Letters to a Serial Killer by Tasha Coryell — Thriller | Dark Romance | Audio ✅ The ReDo List by Denise Williams — Contemporary Romance | Cinnamon Roll Hero | Audio ✅ Pride and Protest by Nikki Payne — Romantic Comedy | Classic Retelling | Audio ✅ Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com) Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read Next Subscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. What happens when a rom-com meets a slasher movie? In this episode, I’m joined by debut author Shaylee Thompson to talk about her wildly fun genre-bending novel How to Kill a Guy in 10 Dates — a slasher rom-com set during a speed-dating event gone horribly wrong. We chat about how Shaylee blended two formula-driven genres, her journey from English teacher to full-time writer, and why sometimes the book that becomes your debut isn’t the first book you wrote. If you love horror movies, rom-coms, and stories that break the rules, this conversation is packed with behind-the-scenes insights. Plus, Shaylee shares a few book recommendations for readers who love horror comedy, meta storytelling, and genre-bending fiction. 📚 Books Mentioned How to Kill a Guy in 10 Dates by Shailee Thompson — Slasher Rom-Com | Horror Comedy Butcher and Blackbird by Brynne Weaver — Dark Romantic Comedy | Serial Killer Romance | KU ✅ | Audio ✅ The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix — Horror | Slasher Film Tribute | Thriller | Audio ✅ Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan — Fantasy | Villain Story | Meta Fantasy | Audio ✅ Your Favorite Scary Movie by Ashley Cullins — Nonfiction | Horror Film Analysis | Pop Culture Persuasion by Jane Austen — Classic Romance | Literary Fiction | Audio ✅ ⏱️ Time Stamps[00:00] Introduction to Shaylee Thompson and her debut novel [01:00] The premise of How to Kill a Guy in 10 Dates [02:00] Combining rom-com and slasher genres [04:00] Why the book released around Valentine’s Day [05:00] Shaylee’s writing journey and early books [07:00] Signing with an agent and finding the right debut [08:00] Writing discipline and finishing a draft in four months [09:00] Becoming a full-time writer [11:00] Shaylee’s reading tastes and favorite genres [12:00] Book recommendations for horror and rom-com fans [14:00] Where to find Shaylee online Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com) Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read Next Subscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. If you’ve ever masked your anxiety while looking wildly “high-functioning,” this episode is going to hit. Today I’m chatting with returning guest Cat Sebastian about her new contemporary romance Star Shipped — a slow-burn, forced-proximity love story between two actors on a long-running sci-fi show who “hate” each other in the most domestic way possible. We talk about why Cat took a risk moving from historical to contemporary romance, how fandom and sci-fi shaped this book, and why she wanted to write a character with anxiety, OCD, and migraines who doesn’t magically “heal” by the final chapter. This is a conversation about radical acceptance, surviving in a noisy world, and finding love without fixing yourself first. If you loved the emotional intensity of hockey romances but want celebrity PR chaos instead, this one’s for you. ⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Welcoming Cat back + what she’s been up to [00:01] Inside Star Shipped — enemies-to-lovers on a sci-fi set [00:02] The Gene Roddenberry letter that inspired the book [00:04] Taking the risk from historical to contemporary [00:06] Researching fandom vs. TV industry details [00:08] Writing invisible disability & high-functioning anxiety [00:12] No “pink cloud” healing — why incremental growth matters [00:16] Radical acceptance in romance [00:18] Romance recommendations with buttoned-up/chaos pairings [00:23] Where to find Cat + newsletter over social media 📚 Books Mentioned Star Shipped by Cat Sebastian — Contemporary Romance | Celebrity | Enemies-to-Lovers | Anxiety Rep | Audio ✅ Something Wild & Wonderful by Anita Kelly — LGBTQ+ Romance | Outdoors Setting | Neurodivergent Rep | Audio ✅ With Love, from Cold World by Alicia Thompson — Workplace Romance | Opposites Attract | Slow Burn | Audio ✅ Chef’s Kiss by TJ Alexander — Workplace Romance | Queer Romance | Polyamory Rep | Audio ✅ A Gentleman’s Gentleman by TJ Alexander — Historical Romance | Queer Romance | Tender Slow Burn | Audio ✅

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. What happens when book bans aren’t just headlines — but federal law? In this episode, I’m chatting with historical fiction author Shelley Noble about The Sisters of Book Row, a novel set in 1915 New York during the height of the Comstock censorship laws. We talk about rare bookstores, banned poetry, Margaret Sanger, and why 100-year-old history feels… uncomfortably familiar today. If you care about protecting books, women’s voices, and literary legacy — this one will stay with you. We also dive into Shelley’s unexpected path to publishing (spoiler: it started with a dare), why she left mysteries for historical women’s fiction, and her favorite historical mystery comfort reads. ⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Shelley’s journey from dancer to published mystery author [03:00] Writing historical mysteries vs. women’s fiction [06:30] Discovering the Tiffany Girls & shifting genres [07:45] The Comstock Laws explained [09:30] Margaret Sanger and censorship in 1915 [11:00] The Sisters of Book Row premise [14:30] Book banning today vs. 1915 [18:30] Research process & using primary sources [22:00] Historical mystery & romantic suspense recommendations 📚 Books Mentioned The Sisters of Book Row by Shelley Noble — Historical Women’s Fiction | Bookstore Drama | Women’s Rights This Rough Magic by Mary Stewart — Romantic Suspense | Classic Mystery The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley — Time Slip Romance | Historical Fiction Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters — Historical Mystery | Victorian Egypt | Humor Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com) Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read Next Subscribe & leave a review!