What to Read Next Podcast l Book Recommendation Show

• Inside An Academic Affair: Academic Rom-Com with Jodi McAlister

  This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Ever wish your favorite academic rivals-to-lovers romance felt real? Author and researcher Dr. Jodi McAlister joins me to prove it can be.In this episode, I chat with Australian author and romance scholar Dr. Jodi McAlister about her new novel The Academic Affair — a smart, funny rom-com set inside the cut-throat world of higher ed. We talk about how academia inspired her rivals-to-lovers + marriage-of-convenience story, what it’s like to study popular romance for a living, and how genres like New Adult and rom-coms have evolved. Jodi also shares her favorite Australian and New Zealand romance authors you need on your TBR.📚 Books Mentioned ListAn Academic Affair by Jodi McAlister — Buy on Amazon | Rom-Com · Rivals to Lovers · Marriage of Convenience | Audio ✅Here for the Right Reasons by Jodi McAlister — Buy on Amazon | Reality TV Rom-Com · Bachelor-style drama | KU ✅ / Audio ✅Battle Royal by Lucy Parker — Buy on Amazon | Rom-Com · Enemies to Lovers · Baking Show | Audio ✅A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske — Buy on Amazon | Historical Fantasy Romance · Queer | Audio ✅The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love by India Holton — Buy on Amazon | Cozy Historical Fantasy Rom-Com | Audio ✅Five Bush Weddings by Clare Fletcher — Buy on Amazon | Australian Rom-Com · Friends to Lovers | KU ✅Love Unleashed by Melanie Saward — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance · Indigenous Heroine | Paperback only ⏰ Timestamps [00:00] Intro + why I loved The Academic Affair[02:00] Jodi’s double life as author and academic[03:00] How romance genres evolve (+ New Adult deep dive)[07:00] Reality TV and The Bachelor franchise[14:00] Inside The Academic Affair setup and themes[19:00] Why the marriage of convenience trope still works[20:00] Australian & New Zealand romance recs[25:00] Where to find Jodi onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:🎧 Try Audible Today I love Audible for their original novellas, binge-worthy Plus Catalog (like Deanna Raybourn’s Veronica Speedwell series), and their...

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• The Lie She Wears: Elle Marr’s Addictive New Thriller

  This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What if the person you trusted most kept one last secret — a deadly one?In this episode, I chat with thriller author Elle Marr about her newest novel, The Lie She Wears — a tense, mother-daughter cat-and-mouse story perfect for fans of Gone Girl. Elle shares how she built a propulsive plot full of twists, why she cut the romance from her early drafts, and the moment every reader gasps halfway through her book.We also talk about her recent reads — from The Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins to twisty thrillers by Yasmine Ango and Brianna Labuskes — plus what makes a good surprise ending work.📚 Books Mentioned The Lie She Wears by Elle Marr — Buy on Amazon | Psychological Thriller | KU ✅ / Audio ✅ Not What She Seems by Yasmin Angoe — Buy on Amazon | Small-Town Thriller | Audio ✅ The Lies You Wrote by Brianna Labuskes — Buy on Amazon | Forensic Thriller | KU ✅ / Audio ✅ The Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins — Buy on Amazon | YA Dystopian Prequel | Audio ✅🕒 Timestamps[00:00] Intro + Why The Lie She Wears is a Gone Girl read-alike[01:00] Elle Marr on how she started writing thrillers[03:00] Crafting propulsive stories and balancing twists[06:00] The setup and themes of The Lie She Wears[09:00] Writing mother-daughter relationships and grief[10:00] Elle’s recent reads and thriller recs[12:00] Discussion of The Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins[16:00] Final thoughts + where to find Elle onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:🎧 Try Audible Today I love Audible for their original novellas, binge-worthy Plus Catalog (like Deanna Raybourn’s Veronica Speedwell series), and their amazing audiobook sales. Currently, Audible is offering a special promotion for new members and returning listeners. AudibleAdvertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

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• Witchy Magic & Rom-Com Joy for Your TBR

  This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Julia Diaz-Young is back on the pod! In this episode, we catch up on her new role in wellness nonfiction marketing and dive into why nonfiction can feel just as gripping as your favorite rom-com. Julia shares upcoming books she’s working on—from Anatomy of a Con Artist to Mundane Magic—plus her current romance and historical reads.We also talk about her favorite new reading app, Page Bound, breaking up with Goodreads, and why romance readers will fall in love with inclusive historicals and witchy self-help.If you love smart, joyful book talk with a publishing insider, this one’s for you.📚 Books Mentioned Anatomy of a Con Artist by Jonathan Walton — Buy on Amazon | True Crime | Nonfiction | Audio ✅ Mundane Magic by Molly Donlan — Buy on Amazon | Witchy Wellness | Self-Help | KU ✅ / Audio ✅ Daddy Issues by Kate Goldbeck — Buy on Amazon | Rom-Com | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅ Along Came Amor by Alexis Daria — Buy on Amazon | Latina Romance | Audio ✅ Only Earl in the World by Amalie Howard — Buy on Amazon | Historical Romance | KU ✅/ Audio ✅ Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood — Buy on Amazon | Vacation Rom-Com | Audio ✅ Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood — Buy on Amazon | STEM Rom-Com | Enemies to Lovers | Audio ✅⏱️ Time Stamps [00:00] Catch-up + Julia’s new publishing role [02:45] Why nonfiction can feel like fiction [03:30] Anatomy of a Con Artist discussion [06:00] Mundane Magic and the witchy wellness trend [10:00] Taking what works from self-help books [11:00] How publishing verifies wellness info [12:00] Julia’s latest rom-com and historical romance recs [15:00] Breaking up with Goodreads + discovering Page Bound [18:00] Ali Hazelwood and Amalie Howard chat [22:00] Julia’s book club and publishing behind-the-scenesJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us🎧 Try Audible Today I love Audible for their original novellas, binge-worthy Plus Catalog (like Deanna Raybourn’s Veronica Speedwell series), and their amazing audiobook sales. Currently, Audible is offering a special promotion for new members and returning listeners. Audible

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• From Orcs to TikTok: Inside the Monster Romance Niche

  This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Ever wondered what happens when Bookstagram meets cosplay and orc romances? In this episode, I’m catching up with my longtime friend Katie from KSquaredReads, one half of the OG Bookstagram duo you’ve seen everywhere.We talk about her transition to BookTok, why cosplay has become her creative escape, and how the Orc Sworn series by Finley Fenn completely reignited her love of monster romance. We also chat about the evolution of romance heroes—from the red-flag alpha males of 2016 to today’s morally-gray men and golden retrievers. If you’ve ever defended your love of dark romance, this one’s for you.📚 Books MentionedThe Orc Sworn Series by Finley Fenn — Buy on Amazon | Monster Romance | KU ✅ / Audio ✅Bull Moon Rising by Ruby Dixon — Buy on Amazon | Shifter Romance | Audio ✅Ensnared (The Spider’s Mate Series) by Tiffany Roberts — Buy on Amazon | Sci-Fi / Monster Romance | KU ✅ / Audio ✅The Hating Game by Sally Thorne — Buy on Amazon | Enemies to Lovers / Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅Tell Me Lies by Carola Lovering — Buy on Amazon | Toxic Relationship / Domestic Fiction | Audio ✅Credence by Penelope Douglas — Buy on Amazon | Dark Romance | KU ✅ / Audio ✅🕒 Timestamps [00:00] – Catching up with Katie from KSquaredReads[02:00] – Wedding chaos & friendship with Kellisa[05:00] – How cosplay became her creative escape[08:00] – Fanfic eras & new obsessions[10:00] – The evolution of romance heroes[14:00] – Orc Sworn & monster romance recommendations[16:00] – Other monster romances: Ruby Dixon & Tiffany Roberts[17:00] – Where to find Katie onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us🎧 Try Audible Today I love Audible for their original novellas, binge-worthy Plus Catalog (like Deanna Raybourn’s Veronica Speedwell series), and their amazing audiobook sales. Currently, Audible is offering a special promotion for new members and returning listeners. Audible

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• The Holiday Rom-Com That Hit Me in the Feels: Morgan Elizabeth Re-Air

  This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.This episode originally aired 9/3/2024 If you’ve ever burned yourself out trying to make the holidays perfect, this episode will hit home. A Bright Side of Christmas by Morgan Elizabeth reminded me that joy doesn’t come from doing it all — it comes from slowing down and setting boundaries.In this re-air from the What to Read Next vault, I revisit my conversation with author Morgan Elizabeth — queen of small-town, feel-good rom-coms with early-2000s movie vibes. Before our chat, I share my reflections on A Bright Side of Christmas, a story about Wren, a teacher who embodies the Christmas spirit but loses herself to people-pleasing and burnout. This one hit me hard because I’ve been there — learning that saying “no” can be an act of self-care.Then, Morgan joins me to talk about her journey from blogger to bestselling rom-com author, her signature “vibes only” writing style, and why her books feel like pumpkin-spice-scented serotonin. If you’re craving small-town romance, pop-culture nostalgia, and cozy holiday feels, this episode is for you.📚 Books MentionedA Bright Side of Christmas by Morgan Elizabeth — Buy on Amazon | Holiday Rom-Com | Small Town, Teacher/Grumpy Neighbor | KU ✅Tis the Season for Revenge by Morgan Elizabeth — Buy on Amazon | Holiday Rom-Com | Legally Blonde Vibes | KU ✅ / Audio ✅Cruel Summer by Morgan Elizabeth — Buy on Amazon | Rom-Com | Mean Girls Inspired | KU ✅ / Audio ✅Passenger Princess by Morgan Elizabeth — Buy on Amazon | Rom-Com | Grumpy Bodyguard / Road Trip | KU ✅ / Audio ✅If This Was a Movie by Morgan Elizabeth — Buy on Amazon | Holiday Rom-Com | Friends to Lovers, Hallmark Vibes | KU ✅ / Audio ✅Marriage and Masti by Nisha Sharma — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Enemies to Lovers | Audio ✅Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood — Buy on Amazon | STEMinist Romance | People-Pleaser Heroine | Audio ✅Only for the Week by Natasha Bishop — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Vacation Fling | Audio ✅Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young — Buy on Amazon | Emotional Contemporary | Grumpy/Sunshine, Single Mom | Audio ✅⏰ Timestamps & Topics[00:00] — Why I’m re-airing this episode & my reflection on A Bright Side of Christmas[02:00] — How Wren’s burnout reminded me of my own people-pleasing years[04:00] — Morgan’s rom-com universe and the comfort of her small-town worlds[06:00] — Morgan’s journey from mom blogger to full-time author[08:00] — How “vibes-only” writing keeps her stories fun and cozy[09:00] — Where new readers should start with Morgan’s books[12:00] — The story behind Passenger Princess[14:00] — Writing holiday romances with heart and humor[15:00] — Morgan’s recent reads and author friends[17:00] — Why both...

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