Nocticadia by Keri Lake is a dark, gothic, forbidden romance with horror-esque elements. This novel begins with background from the island itself where Dracadia University sits upon, and we immediately begin to follow our spicy FMC, Lilia. She's been through a lot, including witnessing her mother succumb to a mind altering and mysterious illness. With the determination to figure out what happened, she is more than pleased when she receives an acceptance letter to Dracadia. This campus has many whispers and rumors, some creepy and some haunting, but the one the most daunting is about a brilliant professor, Devryck Bramwell. Why is his nickname Doctor Death? Despite the horrific rumors that follow him, Lilia is determined to get into his midnight lab and not just because his dark gaze speaks of the delicious things he'd do to her.

With similar tones of Mary Shelley who wrote well-known Frankenstein, Keri Lake does a magnificent job of combining multiple elements: dark academia, gothic, forbidden romance, science fiction, and more.

This check-in feature our recent, current, and future reads. Listen for recommendations from all of us, all genres! We give quick reviews of each one and add to our own TBRs. Let us know what you add to yours!

In Camera Shy by Kay Cove, our FMC, Avery, gets dumped during her thirtieth birthday. That sucks on its own, but especially when she thought she was going to get proposed to. After staying with her best friend and realizing she needs some space for thinking, she receives an unexpected opportunity that is right on time. House sitting for a client leads her to a summer in Las Vegas, which ultimately, leads her to our MMC, Finn. He's the next door neighbor, and all I'll say is that the water isn't the only thing that gets hot in the hot tub.

Kay Cove creates realistic characters that work through insecurities, past trauma, and self-esteem while also telling a compelling story. Join us in dissecting the layers of the characters and the story!

In One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune, we meet Alice Everly and Charlie Florek in the midst of a heartfelt summer where they live as if they're seventeen again. Alice is a shy photographer that's been hiding behind her camera for far too long. After experiencing a break up with her boyfriend of four years, she goes on a work binge. That is, until her grandmother falls and breaks her hip. Although unfortunate, this is just what Alice needs and it forces her to finally take a break. Deciding to go to a family friend's lake house for the summer, here enters Charlie--the hot stud that's creeped into her mind since the last time she came to the lake at seventeen. There's more than meets the eye to this shameless flirt. Alice is reluctant at first, but when things get deeper, will it actually be Charlie who fights the tide?

This book feels like summer time and you'll feel the rays of sunshine as you follow Alice through her seventeen again summer. It's perfect for the season!

Despite the title of this episode, Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan can't be reduced to simply a second chance romance. It deals with grief, hope, love, and pain in a way that only Kennedy Ryan could portray. Yasmen and Josiah have lost a child and are now divorced. They co-parent two children and run a successful restaurant. However, lately, there's been fire in both of their eyes towards one another. The pull between them is strong--and hot! But they don't just have themselves to consider in this because they also have to worry about their kids and the old feelings they've internalized towards themselves and one another.

In this episode, we (of course) dissect the book--plot and characters--intensely. Marriage is discussed heavily, but to be honest, therapy is the star of this show. It not only saved this couple's relationship, but it saved their family dynamic in general. Join us in therapeurizing (a word made up this episode lol) these layered characters and even ourselves. This was one of those books that mostly anyone could relate to and often made us introspective. A high recommendation!

Let us know what you think and thank you for listening!

Disclaimer: This book is strictly for adults. No children should engage in the book OR the content of this episode, so please be mindful before listening. Check all trigger warnings (because there are many) and take care of yourself.

Beatitude by D.J. Krimmer is an emotionally, immersive dark and toxic romance following main characters, Ronan and Everly. Both abused and traumatized before their by-chance meeting, they're broken in ways beyond repair--and I don't think they want to repair it. We have a man that's a serial killer and an emotionally and physically abused woman that end up thriving on the chaos and relishing in the chase. When Ronan kidnaps Everly, both of their lives change and they realize they can't live without one another. Mind you, this is a novella. So, it's all done within 125 pages.

TW: Please check ALL trigger warnings, as this is one of those books that make you question yourself if you like it. Spoiler Alert: We all loved it, so no judgement here from us if you do lol.

And for those listening just to support, remember: we listen and we don't judge.

Hey Book Besties! In this episode we check-in with each other, and you of course, to talk about recent reads, current reads, and what we want to read next. We kept it to books we really enjoyed this time around, so no flops were named--all bops!

Some books mentioned: The Never List by Jade Presley, The Bonds That Tie Series by J. Bree, Ella Gets the D by Tanvier Peart, In the Gray by B.B. Reid, Kiss of the Basilisk by Lindsay Straube, Ironside Academy Series by Jane Washington, Mindf*ck Series by S.T. Abby, The First Family by Granger, New York Ruthless (Ryan Brother Series) by Sadie Kincaid, The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose, Bourbon & Lies by Victoria Wilder and many more!

Listen for quick recommendations and reviews of quite a few books we've read and would like to read. Don't forget to let us know what you add to your TBR!

In Pen Pal by J.T. Geissinger, we meet Kayla, a grieving widow just trying to survive the fog of her husband’s funeral. But her world takes a strange turn when she returns home to find a mysterious letter—from a prison inmate named Dante. And that’s just the beginning.

As eerie events begin to unfold, Kayla—ever the skeptic—can’t ignore that something supernatural might be happening. Amid the chaos, she hires a handyman, Aiden, and the chemistry between them is undeniable. But their path is anything but smooth, tangled with guilt, secrets, and emotional walls that refuse to come down.

How does Kayla navigate a new relationship while being (literally) haunted by her past? And what ever happened to Dante?

Spoiler alert: This plot twist caught us completely off guard—and we’re still recovering.

Tune in for a deep dive into this dark, twisty, and totally unforgettable story.