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In this episode of the Reading Materials Podcast, we dive into The Bodyguard Affair by Amy Lea (published February 2026) and unpack this trope-filled romance. We share our thoughts on the fake dating dynamic—does it still work for us?—debate whether the steamy scenes hit the mark, and highlight the plot elements that felt genuinely fresh. From classic romance beats to surprising twists, this one gave us plenty to talk about. Episode Timepoints: 00:00 - Intro 00:30 - Life Updates 05:05 - A Brief Introduction to Amy Lea 07:00 - Spoiler Warning 07:35 - The Blurb 08:50 - Our Discussion of 'The Bodyguard Affair' 47:15 - Next Time on Reading Materials 48:00 - Outro

In this episode of Reading Materials, we’re joined by author Sasha Preston to talk about her novel The Sweetest Getaway, published last year. Sasha shares how she went from writing short stories for fun with a friend to becoming a published author, the importance of female friendships in both life and fiction, and her excitement around the release of the audiobook.

In this episode of the Reading Materials Podcast we are joined by the lovely Elizabeth Arnott, whose newest book The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives comes out on April 9th. We chatted about how her long-time fascination with true crime led to writing about serial killers, how to make the muse your bitch, and giving voice to the people who have suffered for the violent crimes of men.

This week on the Reading Materials Podcast we are excited to be chatting with Fran Fabrizcki, debut author of Porcupines which will be published on April 16th. Join us to hear how Fran wove in elements of her own experience growing up at the tail-end of the Cold War into the book, what podcasts she listens to in her free time, and how becoming a mother influenced her writing.

In this episode of Reading Materials, we’re joined by author E. K. Wise to discuss her novel Debilis Rising, released last year.  We chat about how her love of travel and geology shapes her storytelling, why it was important for her to include a character with ADHD, and her journey through the world of independent publishing.  It’s an insightful and engaging conversation about representation, creativity, and carving your own path as a writer.

In this episode of Reading Materials, we’re joined by bestselling romance author Amy Lea for a warm and candid conversation about life as a writer. Amy's newest book, The Bodyguard Affair, will be released on the 26th of February, 2026! We chat about the importance of finding and nurturing an author community, her favourite (and least favourite!) romance tropes, and her ambition to branch out into new genres in the future. It’s a fun, honest discussion about creativity, connection, and what comes next.

In this special wrap-up episode of the Reading Materials Podcast, we look back on our 2025 in books and podcasting. We break down our reading stats, revisit our favorite books, characters, and standout podcast moments, and chat about what surprised us most along the way. Plus, we look ahead to what 2026 has in store for our TBRs, the podcast, and the stories we can’t wait to dive into next. Episode Timepoints: 00:00 - Intro 00:30 - Life Updates 04:20 - 2025 Podcast Stats 06:30 - Our Author Interviews 11:00 - 2025 Reading Goals 14:50 - Favourite Podcast Book 17:15 - Top 3 Non-Podcast Books 27:05 - Least Favourite Podcast Book 29:50 - The Most Disappointing Podcast Book 34:05 - The Biggest Surprise 36:00 - Least Favourite Non-Podcast Books 40:55 - Favourite Characters 42:00 - Favourite Podcast Moments 43:15 - Favourite Podcast Season 43:50 - New Favourite Author 45:35 - 2026 Reading Goals 47:20 - Most Anticipated New Releases in 2025 48:20 - Coming Up on Reading Materials in 2025 52:00 - Outro

In this week's episode of Reading Materials, we dive into Kill the Beast by Serra Swift and talk about how refreshing it was to read a fairy-tale retelling with no romance in sight. We discuss the role of trusty companion Brandy, unpack the mechanics of curse-breaking, and explore why this story works so well without leaning on romantic love as a solution. Episode Timepoints: 00:00 - Intro 00:20 - Brief Life Updates 05:10 - Introduction to the Author 06:40 - Spoiler Warning 07:15 - The Blurb 08:55 - Our Discussion of 'Kill the Beast' 55:10 - Next Time on Reading Materials 57:40 - Outro

In this episode of the Reading Materials Podcast, we step into Cinder House by Freya Marske and unpack what makes this a genuinely enjoyable Cinderella retelling. We talk about how impressively well-developed the characters are for such a short book, and we dig into a bigger conversation about queerness in publishing — where representation feels authentic, and where it risks being used as a marketing hook. Cozy, clever, and more layered than it first appears, this one gave us plenty to discuss. Episode Timepoints: 00:00 - Intro 00:15 - Brief Life Updates 03:00 - An Introduction to Freya Marske 05:15 - Spoiler Warning 06:00 - The Blurb 06:55 - Our Discussion of 'Cinder House' 49:20 - Next Time on Reading Materials 50:05 - Outro

In this episode of Reading Materials, we dive into The Treasures by Harriet Evans (released June 12, 2025), exploring its richly drawn dual settings in 1950s London and 1960s New York. We unpack our love/hate relationship with cliffhangers, chat about how surprisingly dark the story becomes, and reflect on how these layered timelines reshape the family drama at its core. Thank you for Viking for sending us ARCs of the book. Episode Timepoints: 00:00 - Intro 00:20 - Life Updates 02:30 - An Introduction to Harriet Evans 05:10 - Spolier Warning 05:40 - The Blurb 06:30 - Our Discussion of the Book 01:09:45 - Outro

In this episode of Reading Materials, we’re joined by author H. R. Cole to discuss her debut adult fantasy novel Daughter of the Void, published in August 2025. H. R. shares her thoughts on the bias women face in the fantasy genre, what it takes to craft a truly captivating enemies-to-lovers romance, and how her background in medical journalism shaped her approach to writing. It’s an engaging and insightful conversation about resilience, romance, and breaking boundaries in fantasy fiction.

In this episode of Reading Materials, we’re joined by author Ross Montgomery to talk about his latest release, The Murder at World’s End, published on October 30, 2025. Ross shares insights into his career as a beloved children’s author, what it was like transitioning to writing murder mysteries for adults, and the books he read as a child that completely blew his mind. It’s a fun and fascinating conversation about creative evolution, storytelling across genres, and the stories that shape us.

In this episode of Reading Materials, we dive into To Love a Liar by L. V. Matthews, released on September 11, 2025. We chat about the joy of exploring different genres, our feelings about Jackson the dog, and which characters had us second-guessing their every move. It’s a lively discussion full of twists, suspicions, and the thrill of a well-crafted mystery. Thank you to Penguin for sending us advanced reader copies of To Love a Liar. Episode Timepoints: 00:00 - Intro 00:20 - Brief Life Updates 02:00 - Introduction to L. V. Matthews 05:05 - Spoiler Warning 05:40 - The Blurb 06:00 - Our Discussion of To Love a Liar 01:03:55 - Next Time on Reading Materials 01:05:00 - Outro

In this episode of Reading Materials, we’re joined by author Serra Swift to talk about her upcoming fantasy novel Kill the Beast, out October 14, 2025. Serra shares her thoughts on navigating the pitfalls of professional jealousy, the differences between YA and adult fantasy from the author's perspective, and how to strike the balance between being a great writer and a great storyteller. It’s a candid and inspiring conversation about creativity, perseverance, and the craft of writing fantasy. Thank you to Tor Books for sending us advanced copies of Kill the Beast! Episode Timepoints: 00:00 - Intro 00:20 - Interview with Serra Swift 01:04:50 - Outro

In this episode of Reading Materials, we’re joined by author Nuala Ellwood, also known as Iris Costello, to talk about her newest novel The Paris Bookshop Secret, released in July 2025. Nuala shares how a haunted Georgian mansion inspired her current project, the power of books to help readers process grief, and the rituals she uses to get into the writing zone. It’s a rich and reflective conversation about creativity, emotion, and the healing power of storytelling. Thank you to Penguin to sending us proofs of The Paris Bookshop Secret. Episode Timepoints: 00:00 - Intro 00:20 - Our interview with Nuala Ellwood 01:05:00 - Outro