Reading After Bedtime: Booktok Romantasy, Fantasy, and Romance Book Reviews

Allyson and Becca
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Books
  • Weekly

Welcome to the Reading After Bedtime Podcast! We're two friends who met in college and now, as busy moms, we do our best to carve out time for our favorite escape—reading. This podcast is our space to dive into the books we love, the authors who inspire us, and the tropes that keep us turning pages late into the night. No plot twist is too wild and no trigger warning is off-limits. Whether we’re deep in our comfort zone or venturing far outside it, this is a judgment-free zone for every kind of reader. We hope you join us for our honest, entertaining, and thoughtful conversations.

  1. 4d ago

    Grim Tidings by B.K. Borison [Book Chat]: Miscommunication, Yearning, and a Zombie Dog

    🚨This episode contains FULL SPOILERS for Grim Tidings by B.K. Borison. If you don't want the ENTIRE story spoiled, please return once you've read the book.🚨_____________________________________________________________Other Spooky Book Chats! ⁠Reap and Sow by Charlotte B Plumb [Book Chat]⁠ Grim Tidings by BK Boris [Book Chat] : The Shepherd King Duology by Rachel Gilig (One Dark Window and Two Twisted Crowns): _____________________________________________________________ In this episode of the Reading After Bedtime Podcast, Allyson and Becca review and spoil Grim Tidings by B.K. Borison (publishing September 15, 2026), rating it 3 stars overall with a 2/5 spice level, 4/5 romance, 2/5 fantasy elements, and low emotional damage. They recap the plot of Darcy, a Grim Reaper who tries to save her assigned soul in a coastal Maryland town by bargaining with guardian angel Gabriel, only to discover her target is his friend Nate; she sacrifices herself to save him, faces consequences from the Department of Hauntings and Spirits, and ultimately returns with a final assignment tied to Gabe after a long life together. The hosts discuss frustrations with character “ignorance,” miscommunication-adjacent conflict, unmet Halloween/cozy vibes, mixed feelings on the “yearning,” and highlight favorite moments like Tater Tot the zombie dog and Frank’s reunion with his family. 00:00 Cold Open Rant 01:10 Podcast Welcome 02:33 Book Blurb Setup 03:38 Overall Ratings 05:53 Spice Romance Fantasy 10:13 Spoiler Warning 10:54 Tropes And Warnings 13:30 Mom Brain Recap 16:47 Initial Spoiler Thoughts 19:26 Lore Questions Debate 24:14 Bucket List Letdown 25:41 Pumpkin Carving Rant 26:58 Tater Tot Steals Show 28:14 Miscommunication Chaos 30:49 Yearning Hits Wrong 33:50 The Reckoning Darcy 37:06 Parenting Tangent Break 39:29 Final Thoughts Wrap 40:14 Quotes and Highlights 43:26 Favorite Moments Easter Eggs 44:57 Next Read and Goodbye #grimtidings #goodspirits #spookyseason #spookyseasonreads #spookyseasontbr #booktok

  2. Oct 20

    The Shepherd King Has Entered the Chat | A Spoiler One Dark Window and Two Twisted Crowns Book Chat

    🚨This episode contains FULL SPOILERS for The Shepherd King Duology including One Dark Window and Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gilig. If you don't want the ENTIRE story spoiled, please return once you've read the stories.🚨 _____________________________________________________________ Reap and Sow [Book Chat] ____________________________________________________________ On the Reading After Bedtime podcast, Allyson and Becca welcome guest Erica B. (@ThatOneBookishBrunette) to discuss Rachel Gillig’s Shepherd King duology—One Dark Window (2022) and Two Twisted Crowns (2023). They share back-of-book overviews, give ratings (including spice, romance, fantasy, and emotional damage), and argue the series is better labeled gothic fantasy rather than romantasy. After a spoiler warning, they break down major plot events, character arcs (especially the Nightmare/Taxus), themes of magic having a cost, tropes, and content warnings, plus debate which romance worked better (Elspeth/Ravyn vs. Ione/Elm). They note a lingering question about why only 12 Providence cards are needed, do a humorous “reckoning” segment about Taxus, share favorite quotes, recommend reading the books back-to-back for spooky season, and preview their next episode on Grim Tidings by B.K. Borison. ____________________________________________________________ 🎉LET'S PARTY!🎉 Let's celebrate the release of ACOTAR 6 together! Reading After Bedtime has teamed up with Bibliobar in Plano, Texas to bring you an unforgettable evening counting down to the release of ACOTAR 6! The ACOTAR 6 release party is TICKETED, so make sure to grab yours before they sell out! Your ticket includes: - 📚 Gift bag + your copy of ACOTAR 6 - 🎤 Trivia & costume contest🎙️ - 🔮 Conspiracy theories & fandom fun - 🎯 Games, archery & sword fighting - 📸 Photo ops - 🍸 Snacks & drinks (cash bar available) - ✨ Flash tattoos* - 🛍️ Shopping & more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy your ticket here!⁠⁠ _____________________________________________________________ Let's be friends on socials! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join our monthly newsletter to get a peek at our book chat schedule before anyone else 👀: https://reading-after-bedtime-podcast.kit.com/b1121f3780 _____________________________________________________________ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🛍️ Shop our Merch!🛍️⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Still looking for something? 👀 https://linktr.ee/readingafterbedtimepodcast (Find Goodreads, Book of the Month, a tip jar and so much more here!) _____________________________________________________________ 🎶 Intro music by the talented Sean Lavrisa! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Spotify⁠:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _____________________________________________________________ 00:00 Subtle Themes Tease 00:38 Podcast Welcome Intro 01:25 Meet Guest Erica 02:27 Follow Review Request 03:46 Back Cover Overview 05:18 Overall Ratings Roundup 06:52 Spice Romance Scales 12:50 Fantasy Depth Debate 17:38 Uniqueness Market Context 18:37 Emotional Damage Check 21:17 Spoiler Warning Trigger 22:14 Romantasy Label Debate 26:46 Defining Gothic Vibes 32:12 Tropes Content Warnings 34:45 Mom Brain Recap 40:14 Initial Thoughts Vibes 44:12 Character Spotlight Nightmare 48:00 Themes Cost Greed 52:25 Healthy Men In Fiction 55:43 Elm Growth Trauma 57:14 Flawed Characters Shine 59:47 Parents Power And Protection 01:02:11 Romance Pairing Debate 01:04:43 Maiden Card And POV 01:12:23 Deck Of Twelve Plot Hole 01:16:41 The Reckoning Mock Trial 01:20:46 Final Thoughts And Recs 01:25:09 Favorite Quotes Roundup 01:39:09 Wrap Up Guest Thanks 01:41:35 Next Read And Farewell #theshepherdkingduology #onedarkwindow #twotwistedcrowns #gothicfantasy #booktok #bookdiscussion #bookreview

  3. Oct 14 ·  Bonus

    The Maas-termind Files | Everything You Need to Know Before ACOTAR 6 | A Court of Splintered Harmony | SJM Lore, Predictions, and Conspiracy Theories

    Allyson and Becca share a spoiler-filled “everything you need to know” recap and theory roundup across the Maasverse to prep listeners for ACOTAR 6 (A Court of Splintered Harmony), including key Throne of Glass lore (Stygian spiders and silk, wyrdmarks/wyrdgates, Nothung, Vaughan’s disappearance, and the Valg as Daglan/Asteri) and major ACOTAR threads (Beron and the Eris alliance, Koschei and Vassa’s curse, Mor’s hidden story, Bryaxis still missing, Nesta reviving the Valkyries, and the Azriel bonus chapter). They also connect Crescent City elements like the Dusk Court, Gwydion/Starsword, Truth-Teller, the knife-and-sword prophecy, and shared bloodlines linking Theia, Seline, Helene, Rhys, Ruhn, and Lydia.00:00 Episode Setup01:31 Socials Reviews Party02:49 Spoiler Warning03:23 Host Catch Up07:29 Recap Format Plan09:24 Stygian Spiders11:19 Nothung Wyrdmarks13:13 Vaughan Mystery18:00 Valg Connections19:37 Valg Bloodline Debate20:55 Beron and Autumn King Links23:01 Koschei Vassa and Eris25:52 Valkyries and Azriel Drama31:14 Pegasus and Starborn Lineage33:33 Witches Swords and Dusk Court38:06 Wrap Up and Next Episodes

  4. Oct 13

    Rebecca Yarros has us sprialing AGAIN with Threshing Day + One-Year Anniversary Special!

    One-Year Anniversary Special: Top Reads, Community Highlights, and a Spoiler-Filled Threshing Day Chat🚨This episode contains FULL SPOILERS for Threshing Day AND the full Empyrean Series (Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm) by Rebecca Yarros. If you don't want the ENTIRE series spoiled, please return once you've read the books.🚨_____________________________________________________________Allyson and Becca celebrate the Reading After Bedtime Podcast’s one-year anniversary with a topic-and-book-chat episode, sharing where to follow them, requesting reviews, and promoting a ticketed ACOTAR 6 release party with Bibliobar Books and Gifts in Plano, Texas. They rank their top reads covered on the show, highlight favorite moments from the year (including multiple author interviews, receiving physical ARCs like The Lion and the Deathless Dark and Reap and Sow, growing their social community, husbands joining the Dungeon Crawler Carl episode, and Maasverse conspiracy theories), and preview upcoming events and anticipated releases. In the spoiler section, they review Rebecca Yarros’s novella Threshing Day as a five-star collection of 13 character POVs, discuss key revelations and theories about dragon loyalties, lineages, and character mysteries, and end with favorite quotes, moments, and a teaser for a Shepherd King Duet episode._____________________________________________________________ 🎉LET'S PARTY!🎉 Let's celebrate the release of ACOTAR 6 together! Reading After Bedtime has teamed up with Bibliobar in Plano, Texas to bring you an unforgettable evening counting down to the release of ACOTAR 6! The ACOTAR 6 release party is TICKETED, so make sure to grab yours before they sell out! Your ticket includes: - 📚 Gift bag + your copy of ACOTAR 6 - 🎤 Trivia & costume contest🎙️ - 🔮 Conspiracy theories & fandom fun - 🎯 Games, archery & sword fighting - 📸 Photo ops - 🍸 Snacks & drinks (cash bar available) - ✨ Flash tattoos* - 🛍️ Shopping & more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy your ticket here!⁠⁠⁠ _____________________________________________________________ Let's be friends on socials! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Join our monthly newsletter to get a peek at our book chat schedule before anyone else 👀⁠ _____________________________________________________________ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🛍️ Shop our Merch!🛍️⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Still looking for something? 👀⁠ (Find Goodreads, Book of the Month, a tip jar and so much more here!) _____________________________________________________________ 🎶 Intro music by the talented Sean Lavrisa! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Spotify⁠:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _____________________________________________________________00:00 Cold Open Fandom Swoon00:58 Podcast Intro Anniversary02:11 Socials Reviews Events03:30 Top Reads Countdown09:48 Top Moments Highlights21:21 Next Year Plans27:53 Threshing Day Setup28:11 Overview Ratings Spoilers35:04 Liam Heartbreak Talk36:37 Genre Tropes Debate41:26 Content Warnings and Read Order42:13 Tandem Read Spoiler Stops44:40 Mom Brain Recap Setup45:02 Who Can Be Trusted46:16 Character Rundown Highlights48:49 Liam and Glane Theories50:36 Dragon Bonding Clues54:05 Aaric and Empyrean Divide54:26 Ranking the POV Chapters55:45 Spiraling New Lore58:23 Xaden Family Tree Twist01:04:54 Sloane Gift and Runes01:07:47 Dragon Records and Names01:14:30 Dain Alliance and Aetos01:17:07 Predictions for Book Four01:22:35 Final Thoughts and Favorites01:23:55 Quotes Moments and Signets01:30:49 Wrap Up and Next Episode #threshingday #empyreanseries #fourthwing #ironflame #onyxstorm #xaden #booktok #bookdiscussion #bookreview #romantasybook #romantasy

  5. Oct 6 ·  Bonus

    Entering the World of Reap and Sow with Author Charlotte B Plumb: Save Your Years, Don't Make a Deal

    On the Reading After Bedtime podcast, hosts Allyson and Becca interview UK fantasy author Charlotte B. Plumb about her gothic romantasy Reap & Sow, a story set in Blackbridge where desperate people trade years of their life to demons for their deepest desires. Charlotte shares her background as a lifelong reader, discusses rapid-fire preferences (physical books, third person, forced proximity, slow burn, happy endings), and explains how the book’s concept began with a family making Faustian bargains and evolved into a tangible “years-as-currency” magic system. They talk about the detailed cover art by Kristen Engelbert and special editions, Charlotte’s plotting process, songs tied to the book, themes of corruption and morality, and a duology-ending twist that sets up book two exploring the demons’ world. _____________________________________________________________ Reap and Sow Book Chat ____________________________________________________________ 🎉LET'S PARTY!🎉Let's celebrate the release of ACOTAR 6 together! Reading After Bedtime has teamed up with Bibliobar in Plano, Texas to bring you an unforgettable evening counting down to the release of ACOTAR 6! The ACOTAR 6 release party is TICKETED, so make sure to grab yours before they sell out! Your ticket includes:- 📚 Gift bag + your copy of ACOTAR 6- 🎤 Trivia & costume contest🎙️- 🔮 Conspiracy theories & fandom fun- 🎯 Games, archery & sword fighting- 📸 Photo ops- 🍸 Snacks & drinks (cash bar available)- ✨ Flash tattoos*- 🛍️ Shopping & more!⁠Buy your ticket here!: https://bibliobartx.com/events/2026/10/26/the-cauldron-amp-the-quill-acotar-book-6-midnight-release-party _____________________________________________________________ Let's be friends on socials!⁠Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReadingAfterBedtimePodcast⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/readingafterbedtimepodcast/⁠TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@readingafterbedtimepod?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc⁠Join our monthly newsletter to get a peek at our book chat schedule before anyone else 👀: https://reading-after-bedtime-podcast.kit.com/b1121f3780 _____________________________________________________________ 🛍️ Shop our Merch!🛍️ https://reading-after-bedtime-pod.printify.meStill looking for something? 👀 https://linktr.ee/readingafterbedtimepodcast (Find Goodreads, Book of the Month, a tip jar and so much more here!) _______________________________________________________ 🎶 Intro music by the talented Sean Lavrisa!⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Spotify⁠:⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/artist/7kUiSx4GkzTD4ng3IuYOKD?si=-PdNhjEwSG2LaYGtmEB_1Q⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ www.instagram.com/foxcraft/ _____________________________________________________________ 00:00 Welcome to the Podcast 00:52 Meet Charlotte B Plumb 01:36 Charlotte’s Origin Story 03:01 Follow and Spoiler Warning 03:52 Rapid Fire Tropes 07:28 ARC and Cover Praise 11:08 Kit and Character Layers 15:04 Plotter vs Pantser 18:08 Reap and Sow Playlist 19:48 Gothic Pitch and Vibes 22:34 Worldbuilding Inspirations 23:13 Gothic Corruption Themes 24:02 Demons as a Species 25:22 Hypocrisy and Morality 27:17 Trading Years Not Souls 28:18 Building the Magic System 30:57 Fall Reading Recs 33:16 Tropes and Fresh Takes 37:42 Spoilers and Vibes 39:21 That Final Twist 41:22 Book Two Tease 43:17 Wrap Up and Farewell #authorinterview #charlottebplumb #gothicromance #darkfantasy #debutauthor #berkleyxobooks

    Entering the World of Reap and Sow with Author Charlotte B Plumb: Save Your Years, Don't Make a Deal

  6. Oct 6

    Reap and Sow by Charlotte B. Plumb (Spoiler Review!) | Gothic Dark Romantasy That Sneaks Up On You

    🚨This episode contains FULL SPOILERS for Reap and Sow by Charlotte B. Plumb. If you don't want the ENTIRE story spoiled, please return once you've read the stories.🚨 _____________________________________________________________ Charlotte B. Plumb Author Interview Tides and Thunder Book Chat The Shepherd King Series _____________________________________________________________ Allyson and Becca of the Reading After Bedtime podcast review Charlotte B. Plumb’s debut novel Reap and Sow (published Oct 6, 2026), calling it a gothic, spooky-season read that “sneaks up on you” as the plot snowballs. They rate it 4 stars, with low spice (2/5) and a romance that feels more like a subplot (2–3/5) within a fantasy-driven story (about 3/5), noting the author’s voice strengthens in the second half and appreciating the shorter length (~360–375 pages). After sharing tropes and content warnings, they give a spoiler-filled recap: Eda Shaw makes demon pacts to pay a debt to Mr. Night, teams with the demon Kit’rath to save her brothers, and uncovers corruption tied to Bishop Florian Fain, leading to Mr. Night’s death, Robin’s demon reveal and sacrifice, and an ominous closing tease setting up book two. They debate whether Mr. Night is purely evil, share predictions for the duology, and highlight favorite quotes and moments. ____________________________________________________________ 🎉LET'S PARTY!🎉 Let's celebrate the release of ACOTAR 6 together! Reading After Bedtime has teamed up with Bibliobar in Plano, Texas to bring you an unforgettable evening counting down to the release of ACOTAR 6! The ACOTAR 6 release party is TICKETED, so make sure to grab yours before they sell out! Your ticket includes: - 📚 Gift bag + your copy of ACOTAR 6 - 🎤 Trivia & costume contest🎙️ - 🔮 Conspiracy theories & fandom fun - 🎯 Games, archery & sword fighting - 📸 Photo ops - 🍸 Snacks & drinks (cash bar available) - ✨ Flash tattoos* - 🛍️ Shopping & more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy your ticket here!⁠⁠ _____________________________________________________________ Let's be friends on socials! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join our monthly newsletter to get a peek at our book chat schedule before anyone else 👀: https://reading-after-bedtime-podcast.kit.com/b1121f3780 _____________________________________________________________ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🛍️ Shop our Merch!🛍️⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Still looking for something? 👀 https://linktr.ee/readingafterbedtimepodcast (Find Goodreads, Book of the Month, a tip jar and so much more here!) _____________________________________________________________ 🎶 Intro music by the talented Sean Lavrisa! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Spotify⁠:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _____________________________________________________________ 00:00 Cold Open Chaos 00:53 Podcast Intro 03:06 Book Overview 04:15 Overall Rating 07:01 Spice And Romance 13:34 Worldbuilding Vibes 17:30 Spoiler Warning 18:12 Genre Debate 22:47 Tropes And Warnings 24:39 Spoiler Summary 28:16 Ending Reactions 29:30 First Impressions 30:46 Character Talk Eda 34:28 Eda and Brothers 35:58 Kit Playful Depth 37:39 Mr Night and Fane 40:48 Romance Breakdown 43:03 Worldbuilding Magic 47:43 Trip and Infernus 49:42 Spice and Chemistry 51:56 The Reckoning Debate 56:46 Next Book Predictions 59:08 Final Thoughts Wrap 01:00:22 Favorite Quotes 01:12:42 Closing and Farewell #reapandsow #darkromanticfantasy #gothic #booktok #bookdiscussion #bookreview

    Reap and Sow by Charlotte B. Plumb (Spoiler Review!) | Gothic Dark Romantasy That Sneaks Up On You

  7. Sep 28

    Story of My Life by Lucy Score | Cringe Rom-Com or Cozy Small-Town Hit?

    🚨This episode contains FULL SPOILERS for Story of My Life by Lucy Score. If you don't want the ENTIRE story spoiled, please return once you've read the book.🚨 _____________________________________________________________ Allyson and Becca of the Reading After Bedtime Podcast give a spoiler-filled discussion of Lucy Score’s Story of My Life (published March 11, 2025), following romance author Hazel Hart as she escapes writer’s block and a painful divorce by buying a run-down historic home in Story Lake, Pennsylvania, where she’s pulled into town council chaos, small-town sabotage, and a fake-date/friends-with-benefits romance with grouchy contractor Campbell Bishop. They rate the book 3 stars, spice 3, and romance 4, praise the found-family Bishop clan and side characters (especially Zoe, Laura, and Cam’s parents), and criticize Hazel’s “try-hard” quirkiness, word choice in spice scenes, and the third-act miscommunication breakup. They also share content warnings, favorite quotes, and standout moments like Bertha the raccoon, town bingo, and a chaotic proposal scene. _____________________________________________________________ Referenced videos: Variation by Rebecca Yarros Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune Nine Month Contract by Amy Daws Moms of Mayhem by Aimee Vance Brimstone by Callie Hart _____________________________________________________________ 🎉LET'S PARTY!🎉 Let's celebrate the release of ACOTAR 6 together! Reading After Bedtime has teamed up with Bibliobar in Plano, Texas to bring you an unforgettable evening counting down to the release of ACOTAR 6! The ACOTAR 6 release party is TICKETED, so make sure to grab yours before they sell out! Your ticket includes: - 📚 Gift bag + your copy of ACOTAR 6 - 🎤 Trivia & costume contest🎙️ - 🔮 Conspiracy theories & fandom fun - 🎯 Games, archery & sword fighting - 📸 Photo ops - 🍸 Snacks & drinks (cash bar available) - ✨ Flash tattoos* - 🛍️ Shopping & more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy your ticket here!⁠⁠ _____________________________________________________________ Let's be friends on socials! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join our monthly newsletter to get a peek at our book chat schedule before anyone else 👀 _____________________________________________________________ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🛍️ Shop our Merch!🛍️⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Still looking for something? 👀 (Find Goodreads, Book of the Month, a tip jar and so much more here!) _____________________________________________________________ 🎶 Intro music by the talented Sean Lavrisa! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Spotify⁠:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _____________________________________________________________00:00 Cold Open Side Characters00:37 Podcast Welcome Intro02:03 Book Blurb Overview04:08 Ratings First Impressions07:26 Spice and Romance Ratings12:22 Spoiler Warning Setup13:27 Tropes Content Warnings15:16 Mom Brain17:03 Initial Thoughts Goodreads19:47 Hazel Critique Satire25:35 Side Characters Shine27:42 The Romance37:18 The Reckoning42:58 Final Thoughts44:50 Favorite Quotes52:52 Favorite Moments59:24 Wrap Up And Next Episode #storyofmylife #romcom #romcombook #grumpysunshine #booktok #bookdiscussion #bookreview

  8. Sep 21

    Bloody Black by Rhiannon Hargadon: Revenge, Betrayal & Blood |🚨FULL SPOILERS🚨

    🚨This episode contains FULL SPOILERS for Bloody Black by Rhiannon Hargadon. If you don't want the ENTIRE story spoiled, please return once you've read the stories.🚨_____________________________________________________________In this episode of the Reading After Bedtime podcast, Allyson and Becca discuss Bloody Black by Rhiannon Hargadon, a feminine Blackbeard retelling they classify as fantasy romance. They share ratings (4 and 5 stars), plus spice, romance, fantasy, and emotional-damage scores, and repeatedly emphasize major content warnings including on-page rape/gang rape, violence, torture, slavery, and PTSD. After a spoiler warning, they recap the plot: Princess Anne is betrayed on her wedding night, makes a demon bargain with Rokur, becomes Blackbeard, and hunts the men who ruined her while developing a relationship with captive lieutenant Robb. They debate Robb’s secrecy and culpability, highlight found-family dynamics, loss and healing, and favorite quotes and moments, then preview their next episode on A Story of My Life by Lucy Score._________________________________________________________________________________🎉LET'S PARTY!🎉Let's celebrate the release of ACOTAR 6 together! Reading After Bedtime has teamed up with Bibliobar in Plano, Texas to bring you an unforgettable evening counting down to the release of ACOTAR 6! The ACOTAR 6 release party is TICKETED, so make sure to grab yours before they sell out! Your ticket includes:- 📚 Gift bag + your copy of ACOTAR 6- 🎤 Trivia & costume contest🎙️- 🔮 Conspiracy theories & fandom fun- 🎯 Games, archery & sword fighting- 📸 Photo ops- 🍸 Snacks & drinks (cash bar available)- ✨ Flash tattoos*- 🛍️ Shopping & more!⁠Buy your ticket here!: https://bibliobartx.com/events/2026/10/26/the-cauldron-amp-the-quill-acotar-book-6-midnight-release-party_________________________________________________________________________________Let's be friends on socials!⁠Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReadingAfterBedtimePodcast⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/readingafterbedtimepodcast/⁠TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@readingafterbedtimepod?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc⁠Join our monthly newsletter to get a peek at our book chat schedule before anyone else 👀: https://reading-after-bedtime-podcast.kit.com/b1121f3780_________________________________________________________________________________🛍️ Shop our Merch!🛍️ https://reading-after-bedtime-pod.printify.meStill looking for something? 👀 https://linktr.ee/readingafterbedtimepodcast (Find Goodreads, Book of the Month, a tip jar and so much more here!)_________________________________________________________________________________🎶 Intro music by the talented Sean Lavrisa!⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Spotify⁠:⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/artist/7kUiSx4GkzTD4ng3IuYOKD?si=-PdNhjEwSG2LaYGtmEB_1Q⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ www.instagram.com/foxcraft/_____________________________________________________________00:00 Nitpicking Cold Open01:14 Podcast Welcome03:25 Book Blurb Overview04:33 Ratings Breakdown07:17 Spice And Triggers08:28 New Rating Scales17:05 Spoiler Warning Setup18:59 Tropes And Content Warnings22:36 Mom Brain Recap25:05 Initial Thoughts28:06 Revenge Plot Pacing Debate34:27 Found Family And Characters37:09 Romance Discussion Begins38:17 Tournament And William Setup40:28 Choosing William to Duel42:18 Naivety and Revenge Spiral44:47 Red Flags Wedding Night46:34 Robb Versus William48:15 Teach and Holly Healing50:26 Crew Losses and Sacrifice52:36 Fantasy Bargains and Demons54:44 Spice and Slow Burn58:12 Robb on Trial Debate01:06:02 Final Thoughts and Quotes01:22:27 Wrap Up and Next Episode#BloodyBlack #fantasy #darkromance #revenge #bookchat #bookdiscussion #bookreview #booktube #booktok #bookstagram

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5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Reading After Bedtime Podcast! We're two friends who met in college and now, as busy moms, we do our best to carve out time for our favorite escape—reading. This podcast is our space to dive into the books we love, the authors who inspire us, and the tropes that keep us turning pages late into the night. No plot twist is too wild and no trigger warning is off-limits. Whether we’re deep in our comfort zone or venturing far outside it, this is a judgment-free zone for every kind of reader. We hope you join us for our honest, entertaining, and thoughtful conversations.

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