Reading Under the Covers: A Romance Novel Podcast

Reading Under the Covers
  • 5.0 (22)
  • Books
  • Updated Weekly

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

  1. 2 Five-Star Romance Reads You Need This Summer | May 2026 Wrap-Up + June TBR

    Jun 5 ·  Video

    2 Five-Star Romance Reads You Need This Summer | May 2026 Wrap-Up + June TBR

    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 Teaser 00:53 Reading Stats Snapshot 02:05 Dark Hollywood Revenge 04:48 Paris Fake-Dating Soccer 06:28 YA Ghost Rivals Mystery 08:28 Hockey DM Meet-Cute 11:33 Off Campus Reread Thoughts 14:33 More Soccer College Vibes 16:06 Sapphic Vineyard Book Club 17:55 Loch Ness Shifter Buddy Read 21:31 Cozy Vampire Mystery Getaway 24:50 Five-Star Witchy Urban Fantasy 28:56 Five-Star Biker Second Chance 36:43 June Must-Read New Releases 41:40 Final Recap & Goodbye Links Most 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/JfHWVdYz5U Tell 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!

    42 min

  2. May 29 ·  Video

    Can't Get Over Interview with the Vampire? Start Here.

    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 mystery Join 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 Vibes 01:47 What Makes the Show Hit 02:33 Dowry of Blood Pick 03:54 House of Hunger 05:04 The Poisoner 06:45 Politics and Queer Longing 07:50 Rockstar Devil Deal 09:08 Vegetarian Vampire Mystery 10:46 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!

    12 min

  3. May 22 ·  Video

    Paranormal Romance vs Fantasy Romance vs Romantasy (Why Everyone Gets This Wrong)

    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_c Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/JfHWVdYz5U ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Introduction 00:57 Three Question Sorting Method 01:16 Question One Setting Matters 02:14 Made Up Worlds Romance Test 03:23 Romantasy Marketing Myth 04:45 Our World Creatures Check 05:50 Paranormal Romance Essentials 07:37 Urban Fantasy Versus PNR 10:39 Creature Types Tropes Not Genres 12:21 Cheat Sheet Recap 13:40 Q&A Wrap Up And Next Video BOOKS MENTIONED:A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey Dark Lover by J.R. Ward Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole City of Bones by Cassandra Clare Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost Haven Ever After series by Hazel Mack The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher The 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!

    15 min

  4. May 15

    Off Campus Season 1 Review: I Have Feelings (And Dean Is One of Them)

    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 Discord Join Discord: https://discord.gg/JfHWVdYz5U Off 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!

    22 min

  5. May 12

    Ranking Every Elle Kennedy Off-Campus Book from Worst to Best

    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/form Timestamps00:00 How The Deal Went Viral 01:10 Ranking Rules And Giveaway 02:02 Next Gen Worst To Best 10:07 Briar U Ranking 19:52 Off-Campus Ranking 30:34 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!

    32 min

  6. May 8

    April Reading Wrap Up: Paranormal Romance, Romantasy, Sports Romance

    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 Intro 00:53 StoryGraph Reading Stats 01:35 Cozy Paranormal Mystery 03:18 Vampire Retreat Romance 04:20 Dark Romantasy Debut 05:45 Popcorn Thriller Review 07:22 Second Chance Historical 08:39 Off Campus Next Gen 12:49 Bodice Ripper Book Club 14:28 Demonica Next Gen Surprise 16:32 Beauty Beast Twist 18:41 Magic Sports Romcom 19:36 Tennis Rivalry Romance 22:08 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!

    23 min

  7. May 1

    Tender Is the Storm Part 2: From Cover to Cover, This Book Is Nuts

    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 pick Links MentionedRead the blog post and join the discussion: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/tender-is-the-storm-by-johanna-lindsey Sign up for the Ripped & Ravished Book Club newsletter: https://underthecovers.myflodesk.com/ripped-ravished Get all the details about the next book club read: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/bodice-ripper-book-club/ Timestamps00:00 Bonkers Cold Open 00:14 Podcast Setup 01:51 Where We Left Off 02:20 Town Showdown Offscreen 03:40 Missing Scenes Problem 06:54 Low Angst No Romance 09:06 Secrets And Trust Issues 11:04 Wild Final Reveals 12:31 Twins Bombshell Fallout 15:17 Dad Schemes And France Trip 18:11 No Act Three Closure 22:12 Shock Value Vs Story 25:28 Everyone Is Psychotic 26:37 Reveals That Dont Land 28:01 Brother Twist Fallout 29:41 Revenge Plot Undercooked 30:56 Missing Payoff Scenes 32:35 Bonkers Ending Whiplash 34:54 Why Choose Detour 38:41 Trauma And Kink Talk 40:34 Final Ratings Breakdown 43:46 Palate Cleanser Debate 52:54 Sharing With Mom Safe 55:28 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!

    58 min

  8. Apr 24

    Tender Is the Storm by Johanna Lindsey Part 1: Iconic Cover, Mail-Order Bride & Soapy Old-School Romance

    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 lens Timestamps00:00 Introduction 00:25 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 Notes Links MentionedRead the blog post and join the discussion: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/tender-is-the-storm-by-johanna-lindsey Sign up for the Ripped & Ravished Book Club newsletter: https://underthecovers.myflodesk.com/ripped-ravished Learn 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!

    51 min
See All (272)

Trailer

5
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

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

Information

More From Reading Under the Covers

You Might Also Like