Book Bits & Chill

Book Bits Club

For readers who want book club energy without the homework. Every Sunday, Cassie & Emily spill about the books everyone’s reading — from booktok, to romance, romantasy, and all the fictional drama in between so you know what to add to your TBR (or not). Listen in for recommendations & totally biased reviews, short & sweet recaps as we re-read our favorite series, and general book club fun. Whether you’re reading along or just here for the tea, you’ll leave with a bigger TBR and zero regrets.

  1. 4D AGO

    Rites of the Starling Review: Is Devney Perry’s Sequel Worth the Hype?

    In this episode of Book Bits & Chill, we’re diving into Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry, book two in the Shield of Sparrows series, and asking the real question: is this sequel actually worth the hype or are we in another cursed Book 2 era? We start spoiler-free (promise, not even a whiff), then move into full book club chaos with spoilers, unhinged theories, and gossip. We’re chatting: Spoiler-free review: vibes, pacing, and where it sits on the romantasy spectrumWho should read it now vs who should wait until book 3 is outOur honest ratings: overall, spice, hangover, book club potentialIs this truly romantasy… or fantasy with a side of romance?The curse of book twos (Iron Flame, Brimstone, we’re looking at you)Full spoiler book club section: dual timelines, THAT twist, new characters, side quests, and magic systemsWhy we wanted more for our characters (and maybe a whole novella?)Devney Perry’s fantasy era and what we think book 3 is setting upIf you love romantasy, fantasy romance, girlhood chat, book club-style deep dives, silly but thoughtful hot takes, and deciding your next read based on best-friend banter… you’re in the right place. Subscribe for weekly episodes filled with romantasy breakdowns, spicy (and not-so-spicy) reviews, adaptation chats, and cozy chaos. 📚✨ ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Is Rites of the Starling actually worth the hype? 01:38 The curse of Book 2s (Iron Flame, Brimstone, etc.) 03:39 Spoiler-free thoughts: vibes, pacing, and expectations 05:04 Romance vs plot: is this really romantasy? 07:51 Who should read it now vs who should wait for the full series 08:35 What Devney Perry does really well (worldbuilding, monsters, POVs) 11:19 Ratings: recommendability, spice, hangover, book club potential 14:15 Overall star ratings & the series vs the individual book 17:09 SPOILERS START HERE 19:58 Dual POVs, timelines, and the big plot twist talk 23:14 Caspia, Andreas, and why we weren’t fully sobbing (but kind of wanted to be) 27:29 Should Caspia & Andreas have been their own novella/book? 31:33 Girl power: Odessa, Caspia, and this being a book for the girls 35:09 The mavens, side characters, and missed opportunities 38:16 Being confused in the best (and worst) ways 42:08 Evie, emotional stakes, and why parts felt uncomfortable 48:13 Devney Perry’s fantasy writing style & expectations for book 3 50:02 Final thoughts + next week’s guest: Nisha J. Tuli & Stormbreaker 📖 Books Mentioned Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros Brimstone by Callie Hart Metal Slinger by Rachel Schneider Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo Harry Potter Series A Song of Ice and Fire / Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas Trial of the Sun Queen (Artifacts of Ouranos series) by Nisha J. Tuli Stormbreaker by Nisha J. Tuli 💬 Let’s Connect Subscribe for weekly episodes of Book Bits & Chill Follow us on Instagram: @BookBitsClub Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts   Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookbitsclub Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BookBitsAndChill

    43 min
  2. APR 12

    Auto-Buy Authors Guide & Where to START (Emily Henry, TJR, Kristin Hannah)

    In this episode of Book Bits & Chill, we’re breaking down our ultimate auto-buy authors guide. Including what an auto-buy author actually is, why they’re the best reading hack, and the exact roadmap you should follow to fall in love with them (instead of getting burned). We’re sharing:  Our definition of a true auto-buy author  The authors we will read no matter what  Who we read for comfort, ugly crying, tension, and feeling ✨intellectual✨  AND the exact reading order for some of our favorite authors Including deep dives into: Emily HenryKristin HannahTaylor Jenkins ReidIf you’ve ever picked up a book from one of these authors and you are like "I just don't get the hype?" Then this episode is for you! Because sometimes it’s not the author… it’s where you started. What you’ll hear in this episode: 00:00 Why auto-buy authors are the BEST reading hack 03:00 What actually makes an author “auto-buy” 06:00 Our auto-buy author game 11:00 Emily Henry reading order guide (where to start + what to avoid first) 20:00 Kristin Hannah reading roadmap (and why timing matters) 27:00 Taylor Jenkins Reid guide (don’t start in the wrong place) 35:30 Final thoughts + how to build your own auto-buy list Books Mentioned:  Beach Read  People We Meet on Vacation  Funny Story  Happy Place  The Nightingale  The Great Alone  Firefly Lane  The Women  Daisy Jones & The Six  The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo  Atmosphere 📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube 💬 Tell us: Who is YOUR auto-buy author? Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookbitsclub Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BookBitsAndChill

    38 min
  3. APR 5

    March Reading Wrap-Up & April TBR: 5-Star Reads, Book Hangovers & What We're Reading Next

    March was unhinged in the best way. Emily went on a full romantasy deep dive and has zero regrets, and Cassie somehow gave out three five-star ratings in a single month — and yes, she stands by every single one. In this episode we're doing our March reading wrap-up and breaking it down with awards instead of a boring ratings list: main character energy books, plot twist reads, red flags, and full-on book hangovers. Then we're getting into our April TBRs — and yes, this might finally be Joey's month. Books we talk about in this episode: Binding 13 & Keeping 13 – Chloe Walsh | The Bright Years – Sarah Damoff | Wild Reverence – Rebecca Ross | Half City – Kate Golden | The Correspondent | Artefacts of Ouranos series – Nisha J. Tuli | Wild Dark Shore | Shield of Sparrows | Rites of the Starling – Devney Perry | The Wolf King | Yesteryear | Last Night in Brooklyn | The Goldfinch | How to Solve Your Own Murder – Kristin Perrin | This Book Made Me Think of You – Libby Page | Plated Prisoner series You'll love this episode if you: Read romantasy, literary fiction, or urban fantasyLove a good book review with actual opinions (not just vibes)Have ever DNF'd a book your best friend told you not to read and then loved itAre looking for your next five-star readNew episodes every week. Grab your blanket, grab your book boyfriend, and let's get into it. #BookPodcast #ReadingWrapUp #RomantasyBooks #BookRecommendations #WhatToRead #TBR #Booktok #BookTalk #LiteraryFiction #BookReview Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookbitsclub Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BookBitsAndChill

    38 min
  4. MAR 29

    The Poison Daughter Interview with Sheila Masterson | Dark Romantasy, Spice & Writing Viral Books

    This week on Book Bits & Chill, we are sitting down with the mind behind one of the most viral dark romantasy books right now… Sheila Masterson, author of The Poison Daughter! This is the book that took over BookTok, climbed the Kindle Unlimited charts, and had readers staying up until 2am questioning everything. After binge reading this book we had questions, so we brought on the genius herself! ⏱️ WHAT YOU’LL HEAR: ✨ 00:00 Welcome + why The Poison Daughter is taking over ✨ 01:00 Meet Sheila Masterson ✨ 03:00 Her journey into romantasy + writing during COVID ✨ 07:00 Vibe Check (reading habits, book recs, book boyfriends) ✨ 15:00 Spoiler warning + The Poison Daughter deep dive ✨ 20:00 Spice, consent, and writing complex relationships ✨ 28:00 Emotional themes: grief, feminine rage, and hope ✨ 36:00 Chronic pain representation + character depth ✨ 41:00 Writing morally gray characters we still love ✨ 44:00 Will there be spin-offs?? ✨ 49:00 Upcoming books + what’s next for Sheila ✨ 54:00 BIG announcements (!!!) If you’ve read The Poison Daughter or it’s sitting on your TBR and you are looking for the push to start, this episode is for you! 📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 💬 Tell us in the comments… are you also feral over Henry?? 📚 BOOKS MENTIONED The Poison Daughter – Sheila Masterson Lost God Series – Sheila Masterson A Legacy of Stars – Sheila Masterson Song of the Dark Wood – Sheila Masterson And Now, Back to You – BK Borison Tethered – Elayna R. Gallea Heir of Illusion – Madeline Taylor Lore – Alexandra Bracken Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookbitsclub Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BookBitsAndChill

    56 min
  5. MAR 15

    The Romantasy Starter Guide: What to Read After Fourth Wing & ACOTAR

    If you read Fourth Wing or A Court of Thorns and Roses and suddenly realized you might be a Romantasy reader… you are not alone. But once you enter this genre, there are levels. So today on Book Bits & Chill, we’re breaking down the Romantasy reader pipeline. We rank the genre into three levels: 📚 Entry Level Romantasy ⚔️ Intermediate Romantasy 🔥 Expert Level Romantasy And we recommend the best books to read at each level based on where you are in your Romantasy journey. We also discuss: ✨ 01:20 What defines Entry Level Romantasy ✨ 02:00 Why Fourth Wing & ACOTAR are the gateway books ✨ 07:00 Entry Level Romantasy recommendations ✨ 12:10 The “old” Romantasy pipeline vs the new one ✨ 17:00 Intermediate Romantasy: when the tropes expand ✨ 22:00 True enemies-to-lovers and darker fantasy vibes ✨ 23:40 Unique magic systems & underhyped romantasy reads ✨ 26:30 Expert Romantasy: when fantasy starts taking over ✨ 27:00 Throne of Glass and epic fantasy storytelling ✨ 30:20 Books that blur the line between fantasy and romance ✨ 31:40 Expert-level reads that challenge the genre ✨ 33:00 The moment you officially become a Romantasy reader Whether you're just discovering Romantasy or you’re already deep in the shadow daddy spiral, this episode will help you decide what to read next. Welcome back to Book Bits & Chill. 📚 Books Mentioned:  Fourth Wing – Rebecca Yarros A Court of Thorns and Roses – Sarah J. Maas Quicksilver – Callie Hart When the Moon Hatched – Sarah A. Parker Crowns of Nyaxia – Carissa Broadbent From Blood and Ash – Jennifer L. Armentrout Gild – Raven Kennedy Zodiac Academy – Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti Trial of the Sun Queen – Nisha J. Tuli Spark of the Everflame – Penn Cole The Cruel Prince – Holly Black One Dark Window – Rachel Gillig In the Veins of the Drowning – Kalie Cassidy Blood & Steel – Helen Scheuerer Throne of Glass – Sarah J. Maas Daughter of No Worlds – Carissa Broadbent Divine Rivals – Rebecca Ross The Everlasting – Alix Harrow Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookbitsclub Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BookBitsAndChill

    36 min
  6. MAR 1

    February Reading Wrap Up: 5 Star Books & Our March Romantasy TBR

    In this episode of Book Bits & Chill, we’re breaking down our full February reading wrap up and lining up our hopefuls for our March TBR! This month one of us gave THREE 5-star ratings, one of us is still recovering from a book hangover, and in March we are reclaiming our love for Romantasy! We’re talking: 01:00 Giving our month a reading score 04:20 The Daggermouth obsession 06:30 Thriller surprise 5 star 11:18 Another 5 star sports romance 13:16 Historical fiction book club debate 15:34 Short horror fantasy surprise 17:39 BK Borison discussion 23:06 Wuthering Heights verdict 25:23 Romantasy disappointment 27:42 March mood shift 31:07 Binding 13 spiral incoming 33:36 Classics era continues Books Mentioned: * Daggermouth by H.M. Wolfe * Heartwood by Amity Gaige * The Long Game by Rachel Reid * Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan * The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali * Ring Shout by P. Djeli Clark * And Now Back to You by BK Borison * First Time Caller by BK Borison * Legendborn by Tracy Deonn * Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë * Rings of Fate by Melissa De La Cruz * Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry * The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson * Poison Daughter by Sheila Masterson * Half City by Kate Golden * Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh * Wild Dark Shores by Charlotte McConaghy * The Correspondent by Virginia Evans If you love honest ratings, chaotic reading moods, reader debates, and book club style conversations...you’re in the right place! ✨ Subscribe for weekly reading wrap ups, BookTok Tested verdicts, classics deep dives, and unfiltered book talk. Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookbitsclub Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BookBitsAndChill

    36 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

For readers who want book club energy without the homework. Every Sunday, Cassie & Emily spill about the books everyone’s reading — from booktok, to romance, romantasy, and all the fictional drama in between so you know what to add to your TBR (or not). Listen in for recommendations & totally biased reviews, short & sweet recaps as we re-read our favorite series, and general book club fun. Whether you’re reading along or just here for the tea, you’ll leave with a bigger TBR and zero regrets.

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