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Time to cast off, scalawags. We're discussing The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon and what it means to be a woman who refuses the life her world designed for her. We ask whether an ambitious structure pays off, what love and loyalty look like when your life is a bargaining chip, and whether the book's ending lives up to everything before it. Links The Pirate Queen on Goodreads: (https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/223641004-the-pirate-queen)Ariel Lawhon on Goodreads: (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/485025.Ariel_Lawhon)Chapters (00:00) - Introduction (00:45) - Season 5 Episode 7 (01:33) - Why Kristy picked this one (03:16) - Book summary (spoiler-free) (05:25) - SPOILER ALERT! (05:59) - Kristy's review (08:38) - Jon's review (13:12) - Off with her braid! (17:53) - Gráinne's paternal relationship (19:59) - Gráinne's maternal relationship (22:42) - Gráinne's sibling relationship (25:24) - Wisdom vs oppression (27:45) - Brehon law (30:00) - Tale of two marriages (37:12) - Who says decency works against ya? (40:27) - The writing structure (44:18) - Gráinne vs The Queen (49:34) - Final thoughts

This week we splunk into Her Last Breath by Taylor Adams — a tightly plotted thriller about two best friends and a terrifying ordeal in a pitch-black cave system called the Devil's Staircase. We get into the cave as its own kind of villain, why the detective’s interview technique had them both taking notes, and the breadcrumbs Taylor Adams drops along the way. Links Her Last Breath on Goodreads: (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/234313865-her-last-breath)Taylor Adams on Goodreads: (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8475510.Taylor_Adams)Chapters (00:00) - Introduction (00:45) - Season 5 Episode 6 (05:03) - Book summary (spoiler-free) (06:30) - SPOILER ALERT! (06:58) - Jon's review (07:50) - Kristy's review (09:21) - The 'friendly' dynamic (12:18) - The man at the cave (15:19) - The cave as a character (22:13) - Detective Layla Washington (28:41) - Following the breadcrumbs (31:16) - The ultimate twist (36:45) - A sudden 'villainous shift' (40:13) - The friendship complexities (45:43) - Final thoughts

Hop on, because we’re jumping into Whistler by Ann Patchett — a novel about a woman who reunites with her stepfather more than forty years after a car crash severed their family. We get into the two timelines, the love that doesn't fit a category, what the horse Whistler means, and the moment a mother finally tells the true thing instead of the easier one. Links Whistler on Goodreads: (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/242693052-whistler)Ann Patchett on Goodreads: (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7136914.Ann_Patchett)Chapters (00:00) - Intro (00:45) - S5 E5 (01:37) - Why this book? (02:20) - Upcoming books (04:53) - Book summary (spoiler-free version) (06:35) - SPOILER ALERT! (06:59) - Kristy's review (08:31) - Jon's review (10:08) - Discussing the opening hook (12:44) - 9-yr old Daphne (14:39) - What's with the horse? (17:16) - The mother figure (21:22) - Speaking truths (27:09) - Children and adult pain (29:37) - The timeline structure (31:45) - The ending (37:50) - Final thoughts

Episode four sinks into Kin by Tayari Jones — a historical novel about mothers and daughters, about friendship and sisterhood, and the complexities of being a woman in the American South. We get into the distinct voices Jones gives each woman, the historical weight of the setting, what it means to choose your kin, and whether the ending delivered on everything the book was building toward. Links Kin on Goodreads: (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/241126800-kin)Tayari Jones on Goodreads: (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/292970.Tayari_Jones)Author’s website: (https://www.tayarijones.com/)Chapters (01:52) - Why this book? (02:28) - Upcoming books (03:56) - Book summary (spoiler-free) (05:33) - SPOILER ALERT! (06:00) - Jon's review (08:29) - Kristy's review (10:03) - The character that resonated (13:36) - Niecy (17:05) - Annie (19:10) - The setting (21:17) - Niecy's secret (28:24) - Setting the bar (32:57) - The title into the ending (35:10) - Crystallization (37:58) - The quiet ending (40:50) - Final thoughts

Next up in season five is The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff — a story about a marriage in freefall after a house fire forces them to move in with their parents. We get into the asymmetry of guilt between April and Leo, Deb’s quietly devastating storyline, the lines that stopped us mid-read, and whether the ending was earned. Links Official author website: (https://www.sarahdamoff.com/)The Burning Side on Goodreads: (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/242977911-the-burning-side)Chapters (00:00) - Intro (00:45) - Season 5 Episode 3 (01:58) - Why Kristy picked this book (04:34) - Book summary (spoiler-free) (06:06) - SPOILER ALERT!! (06:36) - Kristy's review (08:26) - Jon's review (10:28) - Getting hooked right out of the gate (14:54) - The POV that landed the hardest (23:37) - Ok, Leo, we need to talk (27:16) - The affair (33:11) - Guilt and innocence (36:23) - In the middle of the plot (40:02) - 10,000 choices (42:29) - The ending (46:10) - Final thoughts

Episode 2 analyzes Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy — a haunting, atmospheric novel set on a remote island near Antarctica. We get into the mystery of Rowan’s arrival, the quiet devastation of the Salt family’s situation, the climate grief baked into the world of the book, and whether the ending is brilliant or heartbreaking — or both. Links Official author website: (https://www.charlottemcconaghy.com/)Wild Dark Shore on Goodreads: (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/231127223-wild-dark-shore)Charlotte McConaghy on Goodreads: (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2869149.Charlotte_McConaghy)Chapters (00:00) - Introduction (00:45) - Episode 2 (02:12) - Why this book for Jon? (03:34) - Upcoming books (05:44) - Book summary (spoiler-free) (07:43) - SPOILER ALERT! (07:59) - Jon's review (09:50) - Kristy's review (12:06) - Jon's expectations going in (15:57) - Oh, Dom... (21:06) - Orly's attachment to Rowan (23:17) - Rowan's mystery (27:59) - The seed bank metaphor (31:41) - The climate backdrop (33:13) - The island as a living entity (36:09) - Rowan and Dom's dynamic (39:18) - Let's talk about... the ending (44:27) - Final thoughts

We’re kicking off Season Five with The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez — a companion novel to Say You’ll Remember Me set in the same world. We get into the wrong-person trope, the slow build between Chris and Larissa, what loyalty and timing do to two people who are trying to do the right thing, and whether the pacing of the resolution worked for us. Links Official author website: (https://www.authorabbyjimenez.com/)The Night We Met on Goodreads: (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/231801371-the-night-we-met)Abby Jimenez on Goodreads: (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18446724.Abby_Jimenez)Chapters (00:00) - - Introduction (02:12) - - Why this book, Kristy? (02:58) - - Upcoming books (07:50) - - SPOILER ALERT (08:06) - - Summary (with spoilers) (09:18) - - Kristy's review (11:35) - - Jon's review (14:34) - - First impressions of Chris (15:51) - - Blind to the universe (17:18) - - Trope talk (22:23) - - The convenient plot devices (25:05) - - The struggle is real, people (29:14) - - The (slow) burn (34:16) - - Quiet acts of service... what a guy (39:52) - - Earning the ending (42:39) - - Recommend this or SYRM? (44:38) - - Final thoughts

We’re recapping season four—breaking down the books we read, the films we watched, and the moments that surprised us most along the way. From unexpected favorites to heated takes, we’re looking back at what stuck with us (and what definitely didn’t). Chapters (00:00) - - Intro (02:09) - - The one with such diversity (03:21) - - The one that hit hardest (08:21) - - The one that'll get more husbands to read (12:45) - - The one we experienced differently (14:51) - - The one favorite character (17:08) - - The one we took differently (20:59) - - The one where we transitioned (21:17) - - The one that translated best (24:21) - - The one that was so different (26:16) - - The one with the most memorable character (27:55) - - The one that should be a series (30:18) - - The one he liked the least (32:06) - - The one that had both (35:53) - - The one they recommend (37:41) - - The one where we look ahead (39:01) - - The one we were on a break (43:30) - - The one with final thoughts (45:29) - - The one with what's upcoming

For our season finale, we discuss Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. Join us as we dive into Ryland Grace’s journey, the science that makes the story so compelling, and the unexpected emotional core of the book. We also compare the novel to the film adaptation and discuss whether the movie captured the humor, heart, and friendship that made the story so memorable. Links Official author website: (https://andyweirauthor.com/) Project Hail Mary on Goodreads: (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54493401-project-hail-mary)Andy Weir on Goodreads: (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6540057.Andy_Weir)Chapters (00:00) - - Intro (01:52) - - Why Kristy picked this book (04:04) - - Book summary (spoiler-free) (05:12) - - SPOILER ALERT! (05:43) - - Jon's reactions (06:57) - - Kristy's reactions (08:56) - - Emotional connection with Grace (11:41) - - Scientific approachability (15:07) - - Balancing humor and tension (17:56) - - Dual timelines (20:24) - - The language barrier (24:06) - - Constant problem solving (26:24) - - How he got on the ship (28:28) - - The underlying message (30:02) - - Transition to the film (30:19) - - Visualizing inner monologue (33:07) - - Heart Ryan Gosling (34:17) - - Rocky on screen portrayal (37:50) - - Relationship building on screen (39:31) - - Grace's emotional arc (43:49) - - The ending (47:38) - - Which did you enjoy more? (49:38) - - Final thoughts

In this episode, we discuss Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. Specifically, Kya’s journey of survival and isolation, the novel’s exploration of loneliness and belonging, and how the story translates from page to screen in the film adaptation. Links Official author website: (https://www.deliaowens.com/)Where the Crawdads Sing: (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36809135-where-the-crawdads-sing) Delia Owens on Goodreads: (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7043934.Delia_Owens)Chapters (00:00) - - Intro (01:40) - - Why Kristy picked this book (02:44) - - Upcoming books (05:42) - - Book summary (spoiler-free) (06:50) - - SPOILER ALERT! (07:04) - - Kristy's review (09:26) - - Jon's review (11:02) - - Sympathy for Kya (15:49) - - Isolation shaping personality (18:37) - - Alternating timelins (23:14) - - Tate & Chase (28:47) - - Nature's role (31:16) - - Barkley Cove (34:28) - - The ending impact (37:11) - - Transitioning to the film (37:16) - - Capturing the atmosphere (40:00) - - Isolation translate to screen (43:03) - - Daisy Edgar-Jones as Kya (46:18) - - Tate & Chase (Pt II) (49:52) - - The way the ending landed (54:57) - - Final thoughts

For episode five, Kristy throws Jon a classic, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. And as a bonus this season, we'll also be discussing the 2013 film adaptation. We explore the novel’s themes of wealth, ambition, and the American Dream, talk through its major symbols, and compare how the story translates from page to screen. Links The Great Gatsby on Goodreads: (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41733839-the-great-gatsby)F. Scott Fitzgerald on Goodreads: (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3190.F_Scott_Fitzgerald)Chapters (00:00) - Introduction (02:09) - Why Kristy picked this for Jon (03:12) - Upcoming books (05:23) - Book summary (spoiler-free) (06:40) - SPOILER ALERT (07:15) - Jon's review (09:02) - Kristy's review (12:53) - Nick Caraway (17:16) - Jay Gatsby (21:14) - Daisy Buchanan (25:59) - Tom Buchanan (30:11) - Critiquing a system (33:32) - Where Nick falls in the spectrum (34:57) - Is the dream an illusion? (36:34) - Why it's such a classic (40:27) - Transition to the film (40:37) - Mechanism for dialogue (43:01) - Adaptation differences (46:28) - Standing on its own (50:58) - Final thoughts

In episode four, we analyze Regretting You by Colleen Hoover — discussing both the book and its film adaptation. We talk about the mother-daughter dynamic at the heart of the story, the twists that reshape everything, and how the themes of grief, secrets, and second chances land differently on the page versus on screen. We also get into what worked for us, what didn’t, and whether the adaptation captured the emotional core of the novel. If you’ve read it, watched it, or are deciding if either is worth your time, this one’s for you. Links Official author website:  (https://www.colleenhoover.com/)Regretting You: (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44582454-regretting-you?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_14)Colleen Hoover on Goodreads: (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5430144.Colleen_Hoover)Chapters (00:00) - Intro (05:55) - Upcoming books (07:05) - Book summary (spoiler-free) (08:16) - SPOILER ALERT! (08:36) - Book summary + spoilers (10:08) - Kristy's review (11:51) - Jon's review (14:56) - To tell or not to tell (21:23) - Sympathy for Morgan (24:11) - Shifting narrators (26:58) - Jonah's POV (30:33) - Morgan & Jonah (33:14) - The ending (36:55) - Transition to the film (37:23) - The casting (39:52) - Biggest changes (46:32) - Final thoughts

In this episode, we’re talking People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry — the book and its film adaptation. We get into the friends-to-lovers slow burn, the years of miscommunication, and how nostalgia and timing shape Poppy and Alex’s relationship. We also debate whether this story works better on the page or on screen and how the adaptation handles the emotional buildup. Links Official author website: (https://www.emilyhenrybooks.com/)People We Meet On Vacation: (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60581725-people-we-meet-on-vacation)Emily Henry on Goodreads: (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13905555.Emily_Henry)Chapters (02:04) - Why Kristy picked this book (03:11) - Upcoming books (04:20) - Book summary (spoiler-free) (05:58) - SPOILER ALERT! (06:20) - Alex & Poppy (10:31) - A lack of purpose (14:15) - The miscommunication trope (17:21) - The turning point(s) (20:26) - Emotional fairness (22:56) - Chasing happiness (24:49) - Transition to the film (25:06) - The casting (27:41) - Chemistry on screen (31:03) - The alternating timelines (33:04) - Movie miscommunication (35:05) - Simplifying something complex (36:12) - The big reveal (40:35) - Book vs movie ending (44:32) - Final thoughts

In this episode, we sift through a classic: Stephen King’s Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption—yes that movie. We talk about what makes this story so enduring, the unforgettable characters, and what it means to stay human in a place designed to break you. Links Official author website: (https://stephenking.com/)Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption: (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39664.Rita_Hayworth_and_Shawshank_Redemption)Stephen King on Goodreads: (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3389.Stephen_King)Chapters (02:40) - Why Kristy picked this one (04:09) - Upcoming books (05:09) - Book summary (spoiler free) (06:04) - SPOILER ALERT! (06:27) - Summary (with spoilers) (07:14) - Kristy's review (08:04) - Jon's review (10:46) - Everything from Red's POV (15:09) - Andy's sanity (17:56) - I have the power? (20:55) - Strength vs shutting down (23:19) - What's up with Rita? (24:40) - Hope is... (27:21) - Transitioning to the film (30:21) - The brilliant cast (34:03) - The warden (37:47) - Visual storytelling vs literary depth (40:12) - Institutionalization and its effects (44:20) - Comparing endings: book vs film (46:43) - Final thoughts

Kicking off season four is The Housemaid — and its brand-new film adaptation. We revisit Millie’s tense, twisted experience working inside the Winchesters’ home before unpacking how the movie brings that psychological tension to the screen. We compare what worked (and what didn’t), talk casting and those jaw-dropping twists, and debate whether the book or the film tells this story best. Links Official author website: (https://www.freidamcfadden.com/)The Housemaid: (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60556912-the-housemaid)Freida McFadden on Goodreads: (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7244758.Freida_McFadden)Chapters (05:16) - Upcoming books (07:33) - Spoiler-free summary (09:08) - SPOILER ALERT! (09:28) - Summary with spoilers (11:03) - Jon's review (13:16) - Kristy's review (15:12) - Why does Millie stay (17:31) - It's all about control (19:38) - Oh, Nina... (21:34) - Krsity ruined books for Jon (23:17) - Handling the sitch differently (26:14) - Most memorable scenes (28:38) - Reaction to the ending (30:31) - Transition to the film (30:40) - Did it feel like the same story (33:27) - Andrew on screen (36:16) - Biggest changes between book and film (42:11) - If you were directing... (45:13) - Final thoughts