Reading Under the Covers: A Romance Novel Podcast

Episódios

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  22 Books & a C-Drama Obsession | June 2026 Reading Wrap-Up 10.07.2026 50min

  June 2026 was my best reading month in years: 22 books, nearly 8,000 pages, and a full-blown C-drama obsession that reshaped everything I picked up. This is Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, and today's my June reading wrap-up: every book and the show that started my new binge.It began with Pursuit of Jade on Netflix. I fell hard, that man yearns like nobody's business, and once the show had me, I went looking for books that felt the same way. Pull up a chair, this is a long one.Timestamps00:00 Intro00:57 StoryGraph Reading Stats 01:48 C Drama Obsession Begins 02:30 Pursuit of Jade Recap 06:07 More C Dramas to Watch 07:56 Back to the Books 08:05 Regency Pirate Rom Com 09:45 Paris Poly Romance 10:46 Immortality Lyrical Fantasy 12:21 True Crime Thriller 13:47 MM Urban Fantasy Romance 17:02 Small Town Suspense Romance 18:52 Rival Wizards Rom Com 20:26 Magical Vet Academia 22:59 Villain Love Triangle 24:47 Classic Time Travel Romance 26:58 Cozy Quest Romantasy 28:38 Wildcat Dark Stalkers 31:39 Space Mystery Romance 33:11 Grumpy Sunshine Foodie 34:49 Assassin Gothic Dark Romance 37:15 Chinese Mythology YA 38:21 Fake Dating Mooncakes 39:35 Cinderella Inspired Fantasy 41:24 Wrestling Rival Romance 43:43 Gothic Fantasy Yearning 45:47 Death God Fantasy Quest 47:36 Pride and Prejudice Korea 49:16 Wrap Up and CommunityLinksShop the books from this episode: [LTK LINK — shop the books]Read along & catch up on the blog:Summer 2026 Reading Challenge → https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/summer-2026-reading-challenge/July 2026 Book Releases → https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/july-2026-book-releases/Summer 2026 Romance Releases → https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/summer-2026-romance-releases/Summer 2026 Mystery Releases → https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/summer-2026-mystery-releases/Queer Summer 2026 Book Releases → https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/queer-summer-2026-book-releases/Want the full discussion of A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux? We covered it in two Ripped & Ravished Book Club episodes with Becky from Too Stupid To Live → https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/a-knight-in-shining-armor-by-jude-deveraux/✨ Loved the episode?Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕💌 Talk to Me:Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.☕ Support the Show:Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.📚 Stay Connected:Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!
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  Beat Your Summer Reading Slump: The Heatwave Cup Reading Challenge 07.07.2026 8min

  There's a book on your nightstand right now with a bookmark stuck about forty pages in. You already know you're not going to finish it and you feel a little guilty about it. That's the summer reading slump. And the way out isn't waiting for the mood to come back. It's a challenge... the fun, low-pressure kind.In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, I break down the Heatwave Cup: the summer edition of Under the Covers' year-long Romanceopoly reading challenge, built for exactly the reader who's stuck. Four books, three months, no spreadsheet, no bingo board. A challenge you can technically win by reading less.I walk through all four prompts with picks straight from the Discord community plus my own summer TBR for it. The complete rec lists for every prompt, the free printable challenge cards, and the StoryGraph tracker all live on the blog.Whether you're playing the full Romanceopoly challenge or you just want your bookmark unstuck, this is your mid-year reading reset for your reading life. Come tell us which prompt you're starting with.Chapters:00:00 The Summer Reading Slump00:55 Heatwave Cup: What It Is01:51 Rules, Dates & Tracking02:52 Prompt 1: Rift Run04:19 Prompt 2: Cursebreaker Clash05:23 Prompt 3: Double Faulted Desires06:41 Prompt 4: Enchanted Rally07:32 Wrap-Up & How to JoinLinks:Full challenge, all community recs, Storygraph & free printables: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/summer-2026-reading-challenge/Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/JfHWVdYz5URead with us on Fable: https://utcbookblog.com/CX9IoUCheck out Romanceopoly: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/reading-challenge✨ Loved the episode?Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕💌 Talk to Me:Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.☕ Support the Show:Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.📚 Stay Connected:Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!
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  A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux Part 2 | Ripped & Ravished Book Club 03.07.2026 1h 6min

  "She didn't need the knight. She became the knight."In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, Francesca and returning guest Becky (Too Stupid To Live) close out their two-part Ripped & Ravished Book Club discussion of A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux, the 1989 classic that was the May/June bodice ripper pick. This is Part 2, covering chapter 19 through the end. If you haven't heard Part 1 (chapters 1–18), start there first.This is the half where the tone turns. The rom-com opening gives way to something darker and more Outlander-shaped: a re-love story, a rake at his worst, a heroine who has to win the same man twice... and an ending that asks whether a happily-ever-after has to mean two people standing together, or whether two souls finding each other across time is triumph enough. Francesca and Becky make their case for why it still counts as a romance, then dig into everything underneath it: Deveraux's own note that the book began as a story about alcoholism, the class and privilege threads running through the past, the low spice by modern standards, and the "write the story, not the tropes" argument.Next up for the book club in August: Knight of a Trillion Stars by Dara Joy, an old-school '90s futuristic romance. Subscribe to the Ripped & Ravished email list so you don't miss that discussion.Come tell us where you land on that ending on social, on the blog post, or by replying to the newsletter.Timestamps00:00 Intro01:32 Is It Still Romance03:15 Souls Time Travel Love07:14 Revisions Alcoholism Lens10:14 Dougless Growth Arc12:46 Back to Chapter 1914:10 Rake Nicholas Challenges16:37 Gross History Details18:17 Shower Audience Scene20:22 Women Allies Body Talk23:10 Closure With Robert25:15 Choosing Herself27:03 Nicholas Legacy Romance29:14 Fanfic What Ifs31:38 Genre Shift Praise33:54 Privilege And Class Themes39:14 Spice And Romance Trends43:38 Breaking Writing Rules45:58 Time Travel As Healing49:07 Tropes Versus Story55:09 Ratings And Reactions58:22 Ending And Epilogue Debate01:02:21 Movie Adaptation Dreams01:03:31 Podcast Plugs And Next Read01:04:34 Book Club Wrap UpLinksA Knight in Shining Armor on the blog: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/a-knight-in-shining-armor-by-jude-deveraux/The Ripped & Ravished Book Club: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/bodice-ripper-book-club/Join the Ripped & Ravished email list: https://underthecovers.myflodesk.com/ripped-ravishedBecky's podcast, Too Stupid To Live: https://tstlpodcast.substack.comHungry for more time travel romance? Start here:Time Travel Romance Books: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/time-travel-romance-books/Time Loop Romance: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/time-loop-romance/YA Time Loop Romance Books: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/ya-time-loop-romance-books/✨ Loved the episode?Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕💌 Talk to Me:Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.☕ Support the Show:Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.📚 Stay Connected:Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!
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  Jacqueline Carey on 25 Years of Kushiel's Dart 26.06.2026 23min

  Twenty-five years ago, Jacqueline Carey published Kushiel's Dart and changed what epic fantasy could do. To mark the anniversary, I sat down with her to talk about how she built the world of Terre d'Ange, why she wrote a heroine who is both a feminist icon and a divinely ordained masochist, and what she wants you to do when the first hundred pages feel like a lot. This conversation also kicks off our year-long Kushiel's Legacy readalong, so whether you have always wanted to read these books or you want to reread them with company, this is your starting point.In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast:The coffee-table-book accident that handed Carey an entire theologyWriting consent as a sacred tenet, and why she chose first personTurning the trauma-forged fantasy heroine on its headWhy she threw out the rulebook on her own proseMelisande, and the villain you are not supposed to root forJoscelin, Cassiel's Servant, and an easier way into the seriesHer advice for readers intimidated by the size"Love as thou wilt," and what 25 years of readers have meant to herTimestamps:00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:48 25 Years Of Kushiel 01:42 Big Idea Origins 03:14 Writing Phedre Over Time 04:08 Feminism Consent Voice 05:03 Getting Into The World 05:42 Joscelin Retelling Entry 06:35 Building Terre Theology 08:36 Finding The Baroque Voice 10:34 Turning Tropes Inside Out 11:52 Crafting The Cast 12:46 Why Readers Love Melisande 13:35 Parallel Character Arcs 15:35 Returning To Joscelin 17:54 New Insights From Servant 19:10 Read Along Tips Themes 20:15 Love As Thou Wilt 21:00 Legacy And Reader Impact 23:01 Wrap Up And Read AlongRead along with us:Join the Kushiel's Legacy readalong: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/kushiels-legacy-readalong/New to the world? Start with the reading guide: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/kushiels-legacy-reading-order/Read the full interview feature on the blog: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/jacqueline-carey-interview/Get the book: Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey: https://on.ltk.com/+oMD9q5qkEHc6YwbIv2MSxw (affiliate)Readlong email: https://underthecovers.myflodesk.com/kushielReadalong Discord: https://discord.gg/XdkabCdHYZNew episodes drop monthly as we read through the series together, so subscribe so you don't miss them, and come talk about each section with us in the Discord. If the show is your kind of thing, a rating or review helps other readers find it.Heads up: the books, and parts of this conversation, touch on mature themes, including BDSM and the role of pain and consent in Carey's world.✨ Loved the episode?Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕💌 Talk to Me:Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.☕ Support the Show:Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.📚 Stay Connected:Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!
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  A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux: Did She Dream Him? | Ripped & Ravished Book Club 19.06.2026 1h

  In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, Francesca is joined by Becky from the Too Stupid To Live podcast for part one of the Ripped & Ravished Book Club discussion of A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux, chapters 1 through 18. It's a reread for Francesca and a first read for Becky, so you get both seats at the table: the comfort of a book that imprinted years ago, and the shock of meeting Nicholas, ice cream, zippers, and a 1980s dressing room for the very first time.They get into why this 1989 title plays lighter than the bodice rippers the club usually reads, Nicholas as an alpha who actually listens and learns, whether a naive heroine is quietly making a comeback, and the case for time travel romance as one of the most underserved corners of the genre. Then the chapter 18 cut lands, he's gone the moment she asks him to stay, and everyone around her thinks she dreamed the whole thing. Part two finishes the book.Timestamps00:00 Heartbreak Cold Open00:15 Podcast Intro and Book Club Setup00:47 Why This Book Matters02:54 First Impressions and 80s Shift04:07 Nicholas as Learning Alpha06:40 Audiobook Vibes and Rake Trope08:04 Should Authors Revise Books11:54 Fish Out of Water Comedy16:49 Midpoint Twist and Gaslit Feeling18:09 Dougless as 80s Heroine22:15 Likability and Problematic Moments27:11 Growth and Stakes Before Part Two33:17 Simple Yet Deep34:05 Slow Burn Moments35:26 Mystery and Time Travel36:01 Fated Mates Connection37:21 Emotional Stakes Rising39:40 Lighter Than Bodice Rippers40:49 Why Time Travel Endures42:22 Need More Time Travel45:25 BookTok and Market Trends51:09 Dougless and Self Worth56:50 Happy Ending Reassurance59:46 Episode Wrap and CalloutsLinksA Knight in Shining Armor on the blog: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/a-knight-in-shining-armor-by-jude-deveraux/The Ripped & Ravished Book Club: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/bodice-ripper-book-club/Join the Ripped & Ravished email list: https://underthecovers.myflodesk.com/ripped-ravishedBecky's podcast, Too Stupid To Live: https://tstlpodcast.substack.comHungry for more time travel romance? Start here:Time Travel Romance Books: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/time-travel-romance-books/Time Travel Mystery Books: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/time-travel-mystery-books/Time Loop Romance: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/time-loop-romance/YA Time Loop Romance Books: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/ya-time-loop-romance-books/Part two, finishing the book, coming soon.✨ Loved the episode?Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕💌 Talk to Me:Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.☕ Support the Show:Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.📚 Stay Connected:Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!
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  2 Five-Star Romance Reads You Need This Summer | May 2026 Wrap-Up + June TBR 05.06.2026 42min

  In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, I walk you through everything I read in May 2026: eleven books, two five-star reads, and a lot of summer-ready picks that go beyond what BookTok is talking about. There's dark Hollywood romcom with revenge, a Paris fake-dating soccer romance ahead of the World Cup, a Loch Ness Monster shifter, a cozy vampire murder mystery with Interview with the Vampire energy, and two amazin five star books I'll be preaching about: a witchy urban fantasy and a biker MC second chance that wrecked me. Then a quick look at three June releases already on the must-read TBR.Timestamps:00:00 May Wrap-Up Teaser00:53 Reading Stats Snapshot02:05 Dark Hollywood Revenge04:48 Paris Fake-Dating Soccer06:28 YA Ghost Rivals Mystery08:28 Hockey DM Meet-Cute11:33 Off Campus Reread Thoughts14:33 More Soccer College Vibes16:06 Sapphic Vineyard Book Club17:55 Loch Ness Shifter Buddy Read21:31 Cozy Vampire Mystery Getaway24:50 Five-Star Witchy Urban Fantasy28:56 Five-Star Biker Second Chance36:43 June Must-Read New Releases41:40 Final Recap & GoodbyeLinksMost Anticipated June Releases → https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/june-2026-book-releases/Romanceopoly Reading Challenge → https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/reading-challengeRomanceopoly Monthly Study Sessions → https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/romanceopoly-2026-study-sessions/Off Campus TV show review → https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/off-campus-season-1-review/Join the Discord → https://discord.gg/JfHWVdYz5UTell me what you read this month and how Romanceopoly's going. Comment on the blog or reply to the newsletter. Mid-year Romanceopoly review coming soon.✨ Loved the episode?Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕💌 Talk to Me:Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.☕ Support the Show:Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.📚 Stay Connected:Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!
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  Can't Get Over Interview with the Vampire? Start Here. 29.05.2026 11min

  If Interview with the Vampire broke you, these 6 books are what to read next before Season 3 (The Vampire Lestat) premieres June 7 on AMC+.Each book hits a different part of what makes ITV so consuming:- toxic immortal romance & gaslighting- sapphic gothic atmosphere, opulence, and the cost of survival- Victorian shadows, obsession, and the feeling of being watched- queer longing, vampire politics, slow burn ménage- Lestat rockstar energy, 1970s paranormal horror- camp, humor, cozy paranormal mysteryJoin the Discord: https://discord.gg/JfHWVdYz5U📚 Books in this episode:✦ A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson✦ House of Hunger by Alexis Henderson✦ The Poisoner by I.V. Ophelia✦ Silver Under Nightfall by Rin Chupeco✦ The Devil's Metal by Karina Halle✦ Be Still My Unbeating Heart by Josh Winning📚 Full list of 11 books coming soon on the blog⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Need More Lestat Vibes01:47 What Makes the Show Hit02:33 Dowry of Blood Pick03:54 House of Hunger05:04 The Poisoner06:45 Politics and Queer Longing07:50 Rockstar Devil Deal09:08 Vegetarian Vampire Mystery10:46 Wrap Up and Next Steps✨ Loved the episode?Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕💌 Talk to Me:Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.☕ Support the Show:Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.📚 Stay Connected:Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!
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  Paranormal Romance vs Fantasy Romance vs Romantasy (Why Everyone Gets This Wrong) 22.05.2026 15min

  Paranormal romance, fantasy romance, romantasy, urban fantasy. What's actually the difference? In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, I'm breaking down the four categories that cover all of speculative romance fiction and giving you the three questions that sort any book correctly every time. No more guessing. No more conflicting labels. Just a map that works.Is ACOTAR paranormal romance? Is Shadowhunters fantasy romance? Where does Romantasy actually live? We're settling all of it.📖 Full Paranormal Romance Guide: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/paranormal-romance-genre-guide/📖 Full Fantasy Romance Guide: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/fantasy-romance-guide/📖 Fantasy Subgenres on the blog: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/popular-fantasy-subgenres/👀 WATCH NEXT: Genre vs Trope vs Category video: https://youtu.be/oz7iyAjpi_cJoin the Discord: https://discord.gg/JfHWVdYz5U⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Introduction00:57 Three Question Sorting Method01:16 Question One Setting Matters02:14 Made Up Worlds Romance Test03:23 Romantasy Marketing Myth04:45 Our World Creatures Check05:50 Paranormal Romance Essentials07:37 Urban Fantasy Versus PNR10:39 Creature Types Tropes Not Genres12:21 Cheat Sheet Recap13:40 Q&A Wrap Up And Next VideoBOOKS MENTIONED:A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. MaasFourth Wing by Rebecca YarrosKushiel's Dart by Jacqueline CareyDark Lover by J.R. WardSlave to Sensation by Nalini SinghA Hunger Like No Other by Kresley ColeCity of Bones by Cassandra ClareKate Daniels series by Ilona AndrewsMercy Thompson series by Patricia BriggsNight Huntress series by Jeaniene FrostHaven Ever After series by Hazel MackThe Dresden Files by Jim ButcherThe Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne✨ Loved the episode?Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕💌 Talk to Me:Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.☕ Support the Show:Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.📚 Stay Connected:Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!
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  Off Campus Season 1 Review: I Have Feelings (And Dean Is One of Them) 15.05.2026 22min

  I binged all 8 episodes of Off Campus on Amazon Prime in one sitting and I have a lot to say about it. I didn't re-read the book first on purpose and I think you shouldn't either. Today on Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, I'm talking about the Off Campus and Heated Rivalry comparison that needs to die, the chemistry hierarchy (Dean and Allie are running away with this thing, sorry not sorry), the spice level reality check, how the show handles the heavy stuff without being heavy, the random locker room penises (yes really), and whether this show captures the same addictive crack energy that made the books impossible to put down.Also: casting feelings, a confession about Belmont vs. Ella, and the sex scene conversation that's more about narrative purpose than body count.Come discuss the show with us over on DiscordJoin Discord: https://discord.gg/JfHWVdYz5UOff Campus Chat Thread: https://discord.gg/GX4FUZH37t📺 Off Campus Series Reading Order: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/off-campus-series-reading-order/📝 Blog post comparing the book vs. show changes coming soon!🎁 Signed Off Campus Bundle Giveaway:Comment on the Youtube video for this and then fill out the form below. Giveaway closes May 23, 2026. Additional chances to enter at the links at the top of the form. https://airtable.com/appBLTJOpGtECUf2m/pagsNM6fIQaQFWCa6/form⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Season One Setup 00:55 Book Background 02:06 Heated Rivalry Debate 03:56 Vibe And Worldbuilding 05:17 Casting Breakdown 08:45 Justin Plot Issues 11:28 Chemistry Standouts 12:51 Future Season Worries 14:50 Spice And Sex Scenes 18:38 Bingeable Energy 19:57 Season Two Tease 21:53 Wrap Up And Questions✨ Loved the episode?Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕💌 Talk to Me:Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.☕ Support the Show:Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.📚 Stay Connected:Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!
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  Ranking Every Elle Kennedy Off-Campus Book from Worst to Best 12.05.2026 32min

  We’re going back to Briar, and yes, Garrett Graham is still a problem.In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, I’m ranking the books in Elle Kennedy’s Off-Campus universe from my least favorite to my absolute favorite. That includes the original Off-Campus series, the Briar U spinoff, and the next generation books connected to the original couples.I first read The Deal before it came out in 2015, and watching that book explode before BookTok even existed was wild. Now that Off Campus is coming to Amazon Prime, it felt like the perfect time to revisit the whole universe and see which books still hold up, which ones surprised me, and which ones I would personally defend with my whole chest.This is a ranking episode, not a reading order, so if you’re new to the series and want to know where to start, I’ve linked the full reading order and individual reviews below.Links Mentioned📚 Full Series Reading Order + Individual Reviews:https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/off-campus-series-reading-order/🎁 Signed Off-Campus Bundle Giveaway:I’m giving away a signed bundle of the original four Off-Campus books and the first two Briar U books with the original covers.Podcast note: you can’t enter through the podcast app. To enter, comment on the YouTube video, Facebook post, Instagram post, or blog post, then fill out the giveaway form below. All linked through form below.Giveaway closes May 23, 2026.https://airtable.com/appBLTJOpGtECUf2m/pagsNM6fIQaQFWCa6/formTimestamps00:00 How The Deal Went Viral01:10 Ranking Rules And Giveaway02:02 Next Gen Worst To Best10:07 Briar U Ranking19:52 Off-Campus Ranking30:34 Recap And How To Enter✨ Loved the episode?Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕💌 Talk to Me:Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.☕ Support the Show:Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.📚 Stay Connected:Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!
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  April Reading Wrap Up: Paranormal Romance, Romantasy, Sports Romance 08.05.2026 23min

  April was… a month. I only managed to read 11 books, but when I did pick something up, I flew through it so we’re calling that a win.In this April reading wrap up, I’m chatting through my StoryGraph stats, the genres I actually reached for, and all the books I read this month, including cozy paranormal mystery, vampire romance, dark romantasy, historical romance, a popcorn thriller, sports romance with magic, tennis rivals, and a few next-generation series surprises.Plus, I’m sharing which books worked for me, which ones were just okay, why some next-gen romances hit better than others, and what I’m hoping to read more of in May.Timestamps:00:00 April Wrap Up Intro00:53 StoryGraph Reading Stats01:35 Cozy Paranormal Mystery03:18 Vampire Retreat Romance04:20 Dark Romantasy Debut05:45 Popcorn Thriller Review07:22 Second Chance Historical08:39 Off Campus Next Gen12:49 Bodice Ripper Book Club14:28 Demonica Next Gen Surprise16:32 Beauty Beast Twist18:41 Magic Sports Romcom19:36 Tennis Rivalry Romance22:08 Final Thoughts And May Plans✨ Loved the episode?Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕💌 Talk to Me:Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.☕ Support the Show:Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.📚 Stay Connected:Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!
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  Tender Is the Storm Part 2: From Cover to Cover, This Book Is Nuts 01.05.2026 57min

  We're back at Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, with the second and final discussion of Tender Is the Storm by Johanna Lindsey for the Ripped & Ravished Book Club.This episode covers chapters 22 through the end, and honestly? Things get wild. Francesca is joined again by Becky from Too Stupid to Live to talk through the reveals, the missing emotional beats, the secret twins, the revenge plot, the questionable communication skills, and whether this romance actually earns its happily ever after.We also discuss whether Tender Is the Storm reads like a vintage romance palate cleanser, a soap opera, a telenovela, or just two deeply chaotic people making choices.And stay tuned until the end because we announce the next Ripped & Ravished Book Club pick.In This EpisodeWe discuss:The second half of Tender Is the StormWhy so many major scenes happen off-pageThe big Slade/Lucas revealSecret twins and extremely casual baby announcementsWhether Sharisse and Lucas/Slade actually trust each otherThe revenge plot and whether it was satisfyingJohanna Lindsey’s storytelling styleWhy this book feels like vintage romance meets soap operaFinal ratings and whether we’d recommend itOur next book club pickLinks MentionedRead the blog post and join the discussion:https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/tender-is-the-storm-by-johanna-lindseySign up for the Ripped & Ravished Book Club newsletter:https://underthecovers.myflodesk.com/ripped-ravishedGet all the details about the next book club read:https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/bodice-ripper-book-club/Timestamps00:00 Bonkers Cold Open00:14 Podcast Setup01:51 Where We Left Off02:20 Town Showdown Offscreen03:40 Missing Scenes Problem06:54 Low Angst No Romance09:06 Secrets And Trust Issues11:04 Wild Final Reveals12:31 Twins Bombshell Fallout15:17 Dad Schemes And France Trip18:11 No Act Three Closure22:12 Shock Value Vs Story25:28 Everyone Is Psychotic26:37 Reveals That Dont Land28:01 Brother Twist Fallout29:41 Revenge Plot Undercooked30:56 Missing Payoff Scenes32:35 Bonkers Ending Whiplash34:54 Why Choose Detour38:41 Trauma And Kink Talk40:34 Final Ratings Breakdown43:46 Palate Cleanser Debate52:54 Sharing With Mom Safe55:28 Book Club Wrap And Next Pick✨ Loved the episode?Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕💌 Talk to Me:Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.☕ Support the Show:Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.📚 Stay Connected:Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!
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  Tender Is the Storm by Johanna Lindsey Part 1: Iconic Cover, Mail-Order Bride & Soapy Old-School Romance 24.04.2026 50min

  In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, Francesca is joined again by Becky from Too Stupid to Live for the first half of the Ripped & Ravished Book Club discussion of Tender Is the Storm by Johanna Lindsey.We’re covering chapters 1–21, and yes, we have to start with that cover. The nudity. The perspective. The grocery store checkout line questions. The pearls were clutched.Then we dig into Johanna Lindsey’s writing style, how this book compares to The Flame and the Flower, our first book club read, the evolution of old-school romance, the drama of mail-order bride setups, and why this book gives major telenovela energy.Expect vintage romance modern reader reactions, and plenty of discussion about what makes these older romances fascinating, uncomfortable, iconic, and very much worth talking about.In This EpisodeWe discuss:The iconic original cover of Tender Is the StormWhy old-school romance covers still live rent-free in reader brainsJohanna Lindsey’s writing style and chapter transitionsHow this book compares to Kathleen WoodiwissSide character POVs in older romanceMail-order bride tropes then and nowSoapy family drama and telenovela-level emotionsReading bodice rippers through a modern lensTimestamps00:00 Introduction00:25 Podcast Intro and Book Club Setup 01:31 Iconic Cover Pearl Clutching 04:09 Cover Scene Theories and Fabio Talk 07:07 Writing Style and Time Jumps 10:04 POV Shifts and Reader Expectations 13:14 Western Opening and Revenge Plot 16:50 Tone Whiplash and Ohio Chapters 18:40 Fish Out of Water Without Growth 20:10 Show Dont Tell and Cartoonish Leads 23:28 Depth Compared to Flame 23:48 Indigenous Portrayal Issues 25:41 Women in the Old West 26:44 Ranch Isolation and Pacing 29:09 Luke’s Ruse and Revenge 31:36 The Bath Obsession 33:18 Heroine Backstory and Agency 37:40 Virginity Myths and Discomfort 40:22 Slade Threat and Tone 44:08 Mail Order Bride Weirdness 48:06 Soapy Drama and Wrap Up 49:58 Part One Closing NotesLinks MentionedRead the blog post and join the discussion:https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/tender-is-the-storm-by-johanna-lindseySign up for the Ripped & Ravished Book Club newsletter:https://underthecovers.myflodesk.com/ripped-ravishedLearn more about the Ripped & Ravished Book Club:https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/bodice-ripper-book-club/Have thoughts on Tender Is the Storm? Come leave a comment on the blog post or reply to our email so we can include reader reactions in future email notifications.✨ Loved the episode?Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕💌 Talk to Me:Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.☕ Support the Show:Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.📚 Stay Connected:Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!
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  The Rise, Fall, and Return of the Clinch Cover in Romance Books 17.04.2026 27min

  In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, we’re going down the full romance history rabbit hole and talking about the clinch cover: where it started, why it took over, why it disappeared, and why I think it’s making a comeback. From Fabio accidentally discovering he was on romance covers in a Miami club, to Avon, Playboy Press, Elaine Duillo, and the unapologetic visibility of desire, we’re diving into what these covers really meant. Because the clinch was never just a design trend. It was a signal of what publishing thought women were allowed to want out loud. And now? I think something is shifting bringing it back again.Watch this episode on video: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5rFKvDU6HRbJwS3qrTz14z?si=R02fwlVpT825zUhzEl-eWAOn the blog:What is a clinch cover: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/what-is-a-clinch-cover/10 Historical romance clinch covers for readers who miss the classics: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/historical-romance-clinch-covers/Watch the video about my personal journey with cover shame: https://youtu.be/yLhUnGTa0FgTimestamps00:00 Introduction00:49 Why Clinch Matters02:41 Candy Box Era03:54 Avon Sparks Change05:12 Playboy Invents Clinch07:38 Clinch As Art09:44 Naked Heroes Controversy11:07 Fabio Takes Over12:26 Mockery And Backlash13:38 Stepback Covers Explained15:15 Retreat To Safe Covers17:08 Man Chest And Objects19:17 Illustrated Cover Boom20:34 Monster Romance Revival22:49 Clinch As Cultural Barometer24:30 Whose Desire Gets Seen26:44 Final Thoughts✨ Loved the episode?Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕💌 Talk to Me:Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.☕ Support the Show:Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.📚 Stay Connected:Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!
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  I Cheated on My Kindle with a Kobo (Here's What Happened) 10.04.2026 31min

  I've been a Kindle girl for years. But then I spent three months sneaking around with a Kobo Libra Color and honestly? I'm not going back.This is my full, honest breakdown of what it's actually like to switch from Kindle to Kobo: the ecosystem shock, the color screen glow-up, the annotation situation, and whether the Kindle Paperwhite can even compete anymore. I also tried the Kindle Colorsoft before this and returned it. So this isn't a hot take. It's three months of real use.Accessories:Kindle accessories: https://liketk.it/6687VKobo accessories: https://liketk.it/668j0⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00 Kindle to Kobo Setup00:48 Why Try Kobo Color02:11 Size and Feel Compared03:22 Ergonomics and Buttons06:36 Cases and Protection09:36 Remotes and Stylus14:49 Color and Annotation Wins19:38 Books and Ecosystems23:28 Battery and Interface Speed26:16 Should You Switch29:33 Final Verdict and Wrap✨ Loved the episode?Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕💌 Talk to Me:Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.☕ Support the Show:Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.📚 Stay Connected:Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!
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  March 2026 Reading Wrap Up: New Obsessions & Reading Regrets 03.04.2026 35min

  Time to unpack everything we read in March on Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast.In this LIVE March Reading Wrap Up, we’re chatting:– Every book we finished this month– New favorite reads we’re low‑key obsessed with– Reading regrets and DNFs– How our reading mood is shifting going into AprilCheck out my full reading wrap up for March on the blog: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/march-2026-reading-wrap-up/March 2026 book releases:https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/march-2026-book-releases/TIMESTAMPS00:00 March Wrap Up Kickoff00:52 Cozy Fantasy Bookshop02:08 Art World Thriller04:06 Historical Romcom Picks06:42 Dark Oz Retelling08:06 Live Check In Prompt08:38 Angsty Best Friends Romance11:13 Experimental Ali Smith13:30 First Lines Segment Idea14:40 Series Sequels Fantasy17:05 Vampires And Fae Revenge18:45 Vampire Mafia Vibes19:08 Spoiler Free Series Talk19:57 Kennedy Ryan Second Chance22:06 Avoiding Popular Authors23:11 Big Nobody Dark Humor26:24 The Jasad Heir Expectations28:36 Romance Marketing Debate29:45 Political Intrigue Cliffhanger30:36 Scoundrel and Siren Treasure32:06 Norfolk Setting Standout33:16 Next Lives and Wrap Up✨ Loved the episode?Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕💌 Talk to Me:Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.☕ Support the Show:Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.📚 Stay Connected:Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!
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  25 Spring Romance Books You Need to Read Right Now | Community Recs 27.03.2026 15min

  25 spring books for romance readers 🌸 Come join the Romanceopoly Spring Event — 4 prompts, 3 months, and you can use the same book for multiple prompts. No yearly challenge required, everyone is welcome!Our Discord and Fable communities brought SO many incredible recs across hockey romance, magical realism, time travel, and cozy fantasy, plus my personal TBR pick for each prompt.📚 PROMPTS:⭐ Prompt 1: Mirror Power Play (sports romance)⭐ Prompt 2: Enchanted Brawl (magical realism)⭐ Prompt 3: Time Loop Triple Play (time travel & time loops)⭐ Prompt 4: Heartstopper Hustle (flowers, nature & growth)📖 MY TBR PICKS:• Big Stick Energy by Sarina Bowen• The Book Witch by Meg Shaffer• Her Time Traveling Duke by Bryn Donovan• The Jewel of the Isle by Kerry Rea📅 APRIL BOOK CLUB: The Earl That Got Away by Diana Quincy⏱️ Timestamps00:00 Spring Challenge Overview00:44 Prompt 1 Hockey Romance01:40 Hockey Recs and TBR03:44 Prompt 2 Magical Realism04:42 Magical Realism Recs08:17 Prompt 3 Time Twists08:58 Time Loop Recs and TBR11:01 Prompt 4 Spring Nature Reads11:38 Nature Recs and TBR14:16 Wrap Up and Book Club✨ Loved the episode?Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕💌 Talk to Me:Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.☕ Support the Show:Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.📚 Stay Connected:Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!
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  Can You Love a Problematic Classic? The Flame and the Flower Wrap-Up (with Kate Baxter) 20.03.2026 1h 16min

  We’re wrapping up our first Ripped & Ravished Book Club read: The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, one of the most foundational (and most debated) romance novels of all time.In this episode, Francesca (Under the Covers Book Blog) and Becky (Too Stupid to Live Podcast) are joined by special guest Kate Baxter / Amanda Bonilla, who first read Woodiwiss as a teenager and reread The Flame and the Flower with us for the club. Together we unpack what still works, what doesn’t, and why this book’s fingerprints are still all over romance today.We talk about reading vintage romance with modern eyes (without pretending), the tropes that never died (makeover/clothing montage, “touch her and die,” instant obsession), and why Brandon Birmingham might be the granddaddy of morally gray/dark romance heroes.We also get into the wild genre bridges: how bodice rippers helped pave the way for paranormal romance, the role of “danger + destiny” storytelling, and why 2010s PNR is having a moment again, perfect timing, because Amanda’s paranormal romance The Last True Vampire is being re-released (revamped!) in May 2026.And yes: we address the truly iconic, deeply confusing details, like the book’s bath economy and Brandon’s legendary hairiness.Content noteThis discussion references themes from the book including non-consent/forced seduction, misogyny, and historical power dynamics. Please take care of yourself.Links mentionedHow to read vintage bodice rippers (modern guide): https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/read-vintage-bodice-rippers/The Flame and the Flower review + episode hub: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/the-flame-and-the-flower-review/Ripped & Ravished Book Club hub: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/bodice-ripper-book-club/What’s next in the book clubOur next Ripped & Ravished pick for March/April is Tender Is the Storm by Johanna Lindsey (first-time read for Francesca + Becky), and we’ll kick off discussion in early April.✨ Loved the episode?Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕💌 Talk to Me:Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.☕ Support the Show:Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.📚 Stay Connected:Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!
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  Judge a Book by Its First Lines: Hooked or Hard Pass? 17.03.2026 54min

  Can you really tell if a book is worth reading from the very first lines?In this episode of Reading Under the Covers Podcast, we put that question to the test with a chaotic, fun, and surprisingly revealing game of Hooked or Hard Pass. We each brought a stack of books, read the opening lines out loud without showing the cover or revealing the title, and decided on the spot whether we were intrigued, unsure, or totally out.This round featured a deliciously unexpected mix: gothic and eerie classics versus monster romance. Along the way, we reacted in real time to poetic openings, overly long introductions, playful prose, immersive worldbuilding, and first paragraphs that absolutely did not do their job.Watch the video: https://youtube.com/live/GHSUrOq2bp8?feature=shareIn this episode, we talk about:whether first lines really matterthe difference between a strong hook and an info dumpwhich openings made us immediately want morewhich books landed in the “maybe” pilewhich ones were an instant passwhy some genres can get away with more than othersthe books we ended up most curious to keep readingExpect honest reactions, a little chaos, lots of laughter, and plenty of bookish opinions.Books mentioned include:Dante’s InfernoHell ScreenOf Ghosts and GoblinsI Oops! Summoned a LeaderOrc’s SweetheartThe Wick DemonMy Summer Girland more.Were we too harsh, or do first lines really make or break a book for you?Let us know: which opening would have hooked you, and which one would you have passed on?Timestamps:00:00 Speed Dating Bookshelves01:11 Classic Hook Dante03:25 Monster Romance Opener05:16 Gothic Mini Classic Reveal09:33 Suitcase Meet Cute Maybe13:05 Vampire Classic Letdown18:26 Demon Romance Hard Pass20:29 Japanese Ghost Tales Win24:21 Royal Wedding Monster Hook27:43 Gilda Stories First Look30:17 Vampire Freedom Setup31:52 Catsuit Cold Open33:17 Why It’s a Pass35:36 Poe Plague Exposition37:11 Mask of Red Death Verdict39:08 Office Life Meltdown42:09 Monster Wrestling Tease43:03 Lolly Willows Move In44:33 Bureau Drama Hooked47:22 Queen Seeks Love49:27 My Summer Girl Yes Vote50:39 Final Tally and Next Themes53:37 Wrap Up and ScheduleSubscribe to Reading Under the Covers Podcast and join us for more bookish conversations, reading experiments, and unapologetically honest reader reactions.✨ Loved the episode?Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕💌 Talk to Me:Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.☕ Support the Show:Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.📚 Stay Connected:Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!
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  5 Criminally Underrated Fantasy Romance Books I Read in 2026 13.03.2026 27min

  If your fantasy romance TBR is starting to feel like the same few books over and over again, this episode is for you. In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, Francesca shares five fantasy romances that helped pull her out of a reading rut and gave her some standout picks for the Romanceopoly 2026 reading challenge - Fantasy Theory prompts. Expect slow burns, fae, magical castles, epic fantasy vibes, sea gods, arranged marriage drama, hidden identities, and a few unexpectedly emotional moments along the way.These are not all identical reads, and that is part of the fun. Some delivered richer worldbuilding, some worked better as palate cleansers, and all of them offered something different for fantasy romance readers looking beyond the usual viral picks.In This EpisodeFrancesca talks about:the fantasy romances that helped revive her reading mood in early 2026how each book fits into the Romanceopoly 2026 reading challengewhich books work best for readers who want slow burn romance, epic fantasy, or lighter worldbuildingstandout five-star reads and a favorite surprise of the year so farwhy some “romantasy” titles may actually be better framed as epic fantasy with romanceBooks Mentioned1. Silver and Blood by Jessie Mihalik: https://rstyle.me/+egR2ElhBAtPG1k81rkgwFA2. Crown of War and Shadow by J.R. Ward: https://rstyle.me/+V-ISGtxmrBvkrtFAGN4Gsw3. Fated to the Frost King by Robin D. Mahle and Elle Madison: https://rstyle.me/+ODY3llanQwR4L7jnbwlZGQ4. The Trident and the Pearl by Sarah K.L. Wilson: https://rstyle.me/+IYyBZyqLMbEq6qvBzKI0UA5. The Second Death of Locke by V.L. Bovalino: https://rstyle.me/+2rSFZTHKMQ953m0_-gOhCQFantasy romance does not have to mean only the biggest names making the rounds online. This episode is a reminder that there are plenty of underrated or less-hyped books that can still deliver on romance, magic, worldbuilding, and fit your reading challenges in really satisfying ways.It is also a good episode for readers trying to get out of a reading slump, especially if you want books that range from immersive and emotionally intense to quick and easy palate cleansers.Mentioned in the EpisodeFrancesca’s J.R. Ward interview: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/jr-ward-interview/the January wrap-up podcast episode with the conspiracy theory discussion: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3N8Ui4H5dbNgJEPuvofnrU?si=lcbvO7nOSNaA8uIe52gnYARomanceopoly 2026 reading challenge: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/reading-challenge/Which fantasy romances have fixed your TBR lately? And if you are doing Romanceopoly, what have been your best Fantasy Theory reads so far?✨ Loved the episode?Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕💌 Talk to Me:Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.☕ Support the Show:Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.📚 Stay Connected:Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!