Reading Under the Covers: A Romance Novel Podcast

Reading Under the Covers
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A bookish podcast where 2 friends fangirl about all things books and romance

  1. 23H AGO

    The "New Fabio" Is Claude?! AI Romance Debate + February Book Haul

    Romance is always at the center of publishing… and this week, it’s chaos. We’re unpacking the New York Times headline "The New Fabio Is Claude" and the growing wave of AI-generated romance, plus the real issue nobody wants to say out loud: authors publicly denouncing AI while secretly using it. Then we pivot into pop culture (Super Bowl + Winter Olympics reactions)… and finally get into what you actually came for: our February Book Haul book mail, and upcoming book club picks. Watch the video: https://youtube.com/live/B1Td-hIZEMY In This EpisodeThe NYT "New Fabio Is Claude" headline, and what it signals about romance publishing right nowThe ethics + reader trust problem: denouncing AI publicly, using it privately"Are readers getting duped?" + how AI content is showing up in categories and chartsSuper Bowl recap + the "overlooked/undervalued" underdogWinter Olympics opening ceremony thoughtsThen: February Book Haul time! Books Mentioned / FeaturedAuthor deep dive / book mail moment One Summer in Savannah by Terah Shelton HarrisWhere the Wildflowers Grow by Terah Shelton HarrisLong After We’re Gone by Terah Shelton Harris Book Club Picks Next week’s discussion: Whispers of the Lake by Shanora WilliamsMarch read-ahead: Rules for Ruin by Mimi Matthews Classics mention William Golding (classic lit shoutout) Special Editions Hidden Legacy series by Ilona Andrews New Release Crown of War and Shadow by J.R. Ward Listener QuestionWhere do you land on AI in romance: transparent use with clear labeling, or no AI in the writing process at all? And did you pick up anything good in February. Timestamps00:00 Introduction and Today’s Agenda 00:13 AI in Romance Publishing: Controversies and Insights 01:56 Debate on AI's Role in Writing 12:24 Super Bowl Recap and Highlights 16:18 Winter Olympics: Highlights and Opinions 21:17 February Book Haul: Exciting New Reads 24:03 Exploring William Golding's Lesser-Known Works 27:15 Special Editions from the Arcane Society 30:41 Terah Shelton Harris: A Contemporary Favorite 33:16 Upcoming Book Club Reads 35:13 TV Shows and...

    45 min

  2. 1D AGO

    "Are There Cows in the Ocean?" | The Flame and the Flower Ch. 5-6 Discussion (Slow Burn + Soap Opera)

    In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, we go back into our Ripped and Ravished Book Club discussion of The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. Today we dive into Chapter 5 & 6 of the book. If you missed the previous chapter discussions, go back and listen to those first. Catch up here (and watch the video of this episode): https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/the-flame-and-the-flower-review/ What we coverWhy Chapters 5-6 feel long (pacing + details)"Grooming as intimacy": clothes, baths, and what comfort means in this eraThe no-touching choice: space without sex (and why that helps the story)Heather's naiveté and why it's grating and revealingThe boat sequence: rules, danger, and shifting responsibility onto womenFever/hallucinations as the first real window into Heather's trauma"Was the bathtub kindness… or manipulation?" (modern baggage vs author intent)The "pants for women" scene: accidentally hilarious historical innovationThe slow burn problem: we're halfway in...where’s the emotional interiority?Louise's dockside meltdown: melodrama returns and we're kind of gratefulSpeculation corner: is the brother getting a spinoff romance in our heads? Content warningsThis episode includes discussion of: rape/non-consent, coercion, pregnancy, illness/fever, controlling dynamics, misogyny, and historical sexual double standards. Please take care of yourself. Timestamps00:15 Welcome + What We're Covering (Ch. 5-6) & Book Club Context 01:46 These Chapters Feel Long: Pacing, Details, and the Slow Transition 03:33 Dresses, Naivete, and Losing Sight of Heather's Character 07:43 No Touching Allowed: Withholding Intimacy & Marriage Expectations 09:51 Historical Accuracy vs Modern Palatability (and Bridgerton Comparisons) 11:57 The Grooming Episode: Baths as Comfort, Symbol, and Suspicion 14:21 Reading With Today's Lens: Triggers, Rereads, and 1972 vs Now 17:40 On the Boat: Rules, "Milk" Moment, and Heather's Naivete Peaks 21:51 Missing Inner Monologue: Emotional Distance & Birmingham's (Non)Remorse 25:26 Brother Appears: Twin Vibes, Louise, and a Possible Book-Two Setup 28:27 Back to the Boat: Seasickness Bonding & Heather's Buried Trauma 31:46 Custom-Made Long Johns: The Comedy of 'Pants for a Lady' 33:32 Was the Fever a Plot Shortcut? Skipping the Real Relationship Work 35:00 Slow Burn Whiplash & 'Probing the Depths of Her Womanhood' 39:03 Missing Inner Monologue: What Was Heather Thinking at the Dock? 41:50 Louisa Arrives: Campy Soap-Opera Drama Turns Up to 11 42:44 Side-Plot Brainstorming: The Brother Romance & Bucket-of-Goo Comeuppance 51:50 Poison Tea Panic & Pregnancy Anxiety in 1799 53:17 Final Verdict on Chapters 5-6 + What's Next (Ch. 7-8) Listener...

    56 min

  3. 5D AGO

    5 Regency Romance Heroes I Would Leave My Husband For

    I love my husband. He's great. But let's be real... if a certain river pirate or a scarred Duke showed up at my door? I would pack my bags so fast it would make his head spin. 💍💨 In today's episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, I'm ranking the god tier of Regency Romance heroes. These aren't just good book boyfriends; these are the men who are so devastatingly charming that they have ruined real men for me forever. And yes, my number one pick is a controversial "toxic" favorite... but I stand by it. 📚 The Husband-Stealing Lineup: Honorable Mention: Unclaimed by Courtney Milan (Sir Mark Turner): https://rstyle.me/+r9DxfBpU2TbkLLKQwOFp-A 5. Scandalous Desires by Elizabeth Hoyt (Mickey O'Connor): https://rstyle.me/+8jM_ggUNk_OkU-BCuou75A 4. The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare (The Duke of Ashbury): https://rstyle.me/+aNf2_fkXzry1N4J2fnYf-A 3. Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase (Sebastian Ballister, Lord Dain): https://rstyle.me/+yGSZ0_GoDJ0j6AKRzE0Smg 2. It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas (Marcus, Lord Westcliff): https://rstyle.me/+ZSynXXXBOJxM55eGcc4faQ 1. Reckless by Anne Stuart (Adrian Rohan): https://rstyle.me/+Y0BoTbu53ixAjvtYeyzr8A Which fictional man would YOU leave your partner for? Let me know in the comments! ✨ 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!

    9 min

  4. FEB 11

    Our February TBR | Cozy Winter Reads, Harlequin Historical Ending

    Welcome to Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, and our weekly live book talk show replay! 📚 Watch the video Today we’re doing two things: • talking about reports that Harlequin Historicals may be coming to an end, and what that means as mass market paperbacks fade out of bookstores • building my February TBR with cozy winter reads that fit my 2026 reading goals We’ll also chat about: • the “Last Call for Mass Market Paperbacks” report and what’s really happening with the format • why mass market romances, especially Harlequin Historicals, mattered to so many readers • how these changes might affect how we buy and read books going forward • the new releases and backlist titles on my February TBR Join us live on Youtube Thursdays at 12pm Eastern for cozy Book Talk, bookish news. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Today's Agenda 00:13 Harlequin Historical Line Closure 01:15 Impact on Readers and Authors 04:19 Mass Market Paperbacks Distribution Issues 07:32 Discussion on Publishing Trends 13:35 February TBR: Exciting Reads 27:31 Live Book Club Announcements 29:02 Current TV Obsessions: Traitors 33:32 Turkish Drama and Queen of Flow 37:59 Real Housewives of Potomac 42:00 Upcoming Book Club Events 43:05 Wrapping Up and Farewell Books Mentioned: → How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates by Shailee Thompson: https://rstyle.me/+_kNzpApr03TNIEXXokSFtw → Wicked Onyx by Debbie Cassidy: https://rstyle.me/+JoGcxGS2hG8HlZQA40h1MQ → Vanguard by Karina Halle: https://rstyle.me/+Ql5P9d8QU2bQOXHP0S74OA → Half City by Kate Golden: https://rstyle.me/+qAow2JgvK3MNl7YEissGcw → Only Friends by Lydia San Andres: https://rstyle.me/+_Kzg7kKY69vR5uEkuvGYrA → Savage Lands by Stacey Marie Brown: https://rstyle.me/+D8WFgEGfQI2_iyqZ9wNhng → Whispers of the Lake by Shanora Williams: https://rstyle.me/+EP-erKulRXkDOdDXZ_8HFA → Cool Machine by Colson Whitehead: https://rstyle.me/+89qmTPEqUXRS3vWiSI_jhg → Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune: https://rstyle.me/+PWRfcVmKhTOFynAIeuCbGw → The Author Weekend by Laura Zigman: https://rstyle.me/+NYFJHuQDc3tnU8B__sL6aQ → The Ex-Boyfriend's Favorite Recipe Funeral Committee by Saki Kawashiro: https://rstyle.me/+dHZqcDK2YCjaXI-W3io1ZQ → Jamaica Road by Lisa Smith: https://rstyle.me/+8GSvkY6uRZbr3Ud8okSmqg → Jane's Career by H. G. de Lisser: a href="https://rstyle.me/+1svqH8xAOnuTd75CKTo-3w" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    43 min

  5. FEB 10

    Ripped & Ravished #2: The Flame and the Flower (Ch. 3-4) Can This Hero Be Redeemed?

    Welcome to the second episode of Ripped & Ravished Book Club, your deep dive into vintage "bodice ripper" romances that helped shape the romance genre as we know it. In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, Francesca from Under the Covers Book Blog and Becky from Too Stupid to Live discuss Chapters 3 and 4 of The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, often referred as the foundational book of the modern romance boom. We talk about whether Birmingham is even remotely redeemable, how the book handles trauma aftermath for Heather, and the way "marriage of convenience" shows up here as something closer to marriage for survival. We also compare these vintage dynamics to modern dark romance tropes, and why some scenes read as controlling/abusive through a 2026 lens. Trigger warnings This episode includes discussion of: forced marriage, rape/non-consent, abuse of power, controlling behavior, pregnancy, trauma responses, and coercive dynamics. Please take care of yourself and skip if needed. Becky / Too Stupid to Live Substack: https://tstlpodcast.substack.comApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/too-stupid-to-live-romance-reviews-%245-and-under/id1141770521Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2rhn2BiyPFDZNMXIHxi2jCInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tstlpodcast/?hl=en Timestamps00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview00:34 Diving into Chapters 3 and 401:03 Trigger Warnings and Sensitive Topics01:45 Character Analysis: The Redeemable Hero?03:51 Discussion on Side Characters and Plot Dynamics14:04 Marriage of Convenience and Historical Context22:51 Dark Romance Tropes and Modern Comparisons27:32 Controlling Behavior and Abusive Dynamics28:31 Modern Parallels and Personal Anecdotes30:31 The Fiance and Blame Shifting32:13...

    52 min

  6. FEB 6

    We Read Crown of War and Shadow & Now We Have Theories (Plus January Reading Wrap-Up)

    In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, it's time for our January wrap-up: what we read, what surprised us, and what totally missed. Then we go full detective mode on J.R. Ward’s Crown of War and Shadow with conspiracy theories we can’t unsee… including a possible Black Dagger Brotherhood tie-in and a “Scribe Virgin origin story” vibe that has us ready to highlight every suspicious clue (yes, including demons and spiders 👀). Guests: Jen (BooksJenRecs) + Angela (Under the Covers OG) Watch the chat on Spotify! Time Stamps 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 00:50 Discussing Book Series and World Building 02:08 Tamlin and Rhysand Debate 07:14 January Reading Wrap-Up 15:16 JR Ward's New Series Theories 26:09 What to pick up next - Top recommendation from each 27:19 Discussing Jessie Mihalik backlist 27:50 Disappointment of the Month: People We Meet on Vacation 29:57 Heated Rivalry and Book-to-Screen Adaptations (Bridgerton) 40:50 Reading Goals and Challenges (Romanceopoly, reading goals, mood reading vs prompts) 44:22 Final Thoughts The JR Ward Conspiracy CornerIs Crown of War and Shadow setting up a hidden connection to the Black Dagger Brotherhood universe?“Scribe Virgin origin story” + lineage questions + clues we want to highlight and track“Demons and spiders” getting highlighted for… no reason at all 😅 If you listened and immediately started building your own theory board… you’re our people. 💅 DM us or send a voice note: What was your top January read and do you think Ward is secretly tying this back to BDB? Send a voice note: https://www.speakpipe.com/UndertheCovers Follow Jen (BooksJenRecs)Follow Angela ✨ 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.a href="https://underthecovers.myflodesk.com/n1gsfbivgq" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    50 min

  7. FEB 4

    January Wrap-Up | The Best Reads, Romanceopoly & What Didn't Work LIVE

    In this episode of Novel Hour Live Show, we are counting down the best (and not so great) reads of January 2026. Including a Romanceopoly reading update. Victoria's Mood Reading Vlog: https://youtu.be/pgT5r8TkMEQ?si=cTq604lOoBv3Ud2i Victoria's Wrap-Up: https://youtu.be/lBvhsS8eTgg?si=iGvE2aUERWNnuZBl Watch the video: https://youtube.com/live/vB24mcY_Svw Drop your thoughts in the chat - we want to hear from you! Tune in EVERY THURSDAY at 12 PM ET, join the chat, and share your thoughts! Books Mentioned: → The Night We Met: https://rstyle.me/+xrsoDt9V4iIkKRJy5mNn3Q → You'll Never Forget Me: https://rstyle.me/+HNtlDcoyT77QeiyShZwUBQ → Silver & Blood: https://rstyle.me/+fGIpe1PeKnZCiJkK8mJlTQ → Beautiful Things: https://rstyle.me/+4kriPS2k7DNrsrGEupWHjg → The Re-Do List: https://rstyle.me/+EBqkAa3ujunFUgRGM83UTQ → You Watched In Silence: https://rstyle.me/+g-hrhlJbu_rH0UV_iwv-2w → Fruit of the Flesh: https://rstyle.me/+j_rUJHZu7Hhr_n7PNzBNzw → Slay Ride: https://rstyle.me/+maz-rxbfmPRsxhNPHDR46g → The Wolf and the Crown of Blood: https://rstyle.me/+ovVLkh-IVKxqGfW-iM2sLA → Whispers at Painswick Court: https://rstyle.me/+8aQooBMxASizo2wGVzUImw → Dolly All the Time: https://rstyle.me/+ReYTZu4NiYuEHeKpGFw4Sw → Halfway to the Grave: https://rstyle.me/+slixZOfuB0Up9W2Glk-XrA → Crown of War and Shadow: https://rstyle.me/+ERQImAo4ED86piJeS1_arA Upcoming Book Club Picks: → Whispers of the Lake: https://rstyle.me/+V0UahvGmaEUOjZbXav2jpQ → Rules for Ruin: https://rstyle.me/+wEToS9Dlj9llXEHlM8Ec-g LINKS: - Night Huntress Read-a-long: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/night-huntress-readalong/ - Winter Reading Guide: https://bibliolifestyle.com/2026-winter-reading-guide/ - Romanceopoly Reading Challenge: a href="https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/reading-challenge/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    50 min

  8. FEB 3

    Reading The Flame and the Flower for the First Time (Ch. 1–2)

    Welcome to the very first episode of Ripped & Ravished Book Club, your deep dive into vintage "bodice ripper" romances that helped shape the romance genre as we know it. In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, Francesca from Under the Covers Book Blog and Becky from Too Stupid to Live discuss Chapters 1 and 2 of The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, often referred as the foundational book of the modern romance boom. We unpack initial reactions, the heroine's impossible situation, how "forced seduction" functioned in the cultural landscape of the 1970s, and why these books were so widely consumed, while keeping a clear modern lens on consent, trauma, and reader safety. Watch the video on Spotify Content warnings This episode includes discussion of: non-consent/rape, sexual violence, pregnancy, forced marriage, abuse of power, and family mistreatment. Please take care of yourself and skip if needed. Becky / Too Stupid to Live Substack: https://tstlpodcast.substack.comApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/too-stupid-to-live-romance-reviews-%245-and-under/id1141770521Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2rhn2BiyPFDZNMXIHxi2jCInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tstlpodcast/?hl=en Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Book Club01:01 Content Warnings and Sensitive Themes01:57 Initial Reactions to ‘The Flame and the Flower’04:19 Discussion on the Heroine's Plight09:12 Exploring Forced Seduction and Dark Romance16:26 Redemption Arc and Character Growth21:27 Comparing Modern and Vintage Romance31:17 Empathy and Reader Reactions34:46 Content Warnings and Author Responsibility35:16 The Fascination with Kathleen E. Woodiwissspan...

    1h 2m
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A bookish podcast where 2 friends fangirl about all things books and romance

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