The Strength of the Few was a chaotic & suspenseful sequel & we discuss it all in this review! 🏛️ We dive deep into the layered world building, complex character development, political tension, & that unforgettable ending. We ponder theories & what’s to come, so tune in to hear our honest thoughts! (P.S. this review contains spoilers!)

🤍 CTB Links: ⁠⁠ https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout

📖 Books Mentioned:

• The Strength of the Few - James Islington
• The Will of the Many - James Islington

Romance author M. J. Hughes is joining us on the pod to talk all things writing & publishing of her spicy, college, hockey romance standalone series, A River Road Series! 🏒 From behind-the-scenes writing stories to navigating indie-publishing, this episode is packed with honesty, inspiration, & all the bookish chaos we love.

M. J. shares how she went from passionate reader to self-published author & the reality of balancing work full-time with writing & content creation. Also expect the full scoop on her hockey romance world of Barker University & future stories & audiobooks releasing soon!

Whether you’re a hockey romance lover like us or just curious about what it takes to be indie-published, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss!

🤍 CTB Links: ⁠⁠ https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout

🤍 M. J Hughes' Links: https://linktr.ee/mjhughesauthor

• https://authormjhughes.etsy.com?coupon=CHECKTHISBOOKOUT Use code CHECKTHISBOOKOUT for $5 off!

📖 Books Mentioned:

• What If - M. J. Hughes
• What Now - M. J. Hughes
• What Next - M. J. Hughes

#booktube #romancebooks #romancereader #bookrecommendations #bookreview

The weather is getting colder, the books are getting cozier, & this paranormal romance by B.K. Borison suits the season perfectly ❄️ In our review of Good Spirits, we cry (literally), laugh, & gush over everything that made this book so special to us. The characters, magic, & emotional depth tucked into the quaint city of Annapolis left us dreamy & eager for more B.K. Borison paranormal romances in the future! (P.S. this episode contains spoilers!)

🤍 CTB Links!: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/checkthisbookout⁠⁠

🖋️ Good Spirits Synopsis:

Ghost of Christmas Past Nolan Callahan intends to spend this holiday haunting like every other—get in, get out, return to his otherwise aimless existence as a ghost awaiting the afterlife. But when he’s faced with Harriet York, the sweetest assignment he’s ever had, he suddenly finds himself wishing for a future.

Harriet York has no idea why she’s being haunted. She’s a good person—or, at least, she tries to be. A people pleaser to her core, she always does what’s expected of her. But as she and Nolan begin to examine her past, they discover there are threads that bind them together— and realize there might be more to moving on than expected.

With the deadline of Christmas Eve fast approaching, will they find the key to their futures in each other’s pasts? Or will they stay firmly in the present, indulging in their unexpected, spirited connection?

📖 Books Mentioned:

• Good Spirits - B.K. Borison
• First Time Caller - B.K. Borison
• Lovelight Farms - B.K. Borison
• Grim Tidings - B.K. Borison
• Holidaze - Christina Lauren
• Say You’ll Remember Me - Abby Jimenez
• The Will of the Many - James Islington
• The Strength of the Few - James Islington
• Prison Healer - Lynette Noni
• Great Big Beautiful Life - Emily Henry

⏱ Time Stamps:

00:00:00 good spirits by b.k. borison!

00:01:10 christmas disclaimer

00:2:20 out of hannah's comfort zone

00:3:20 our ratings + book overview

00:8:20 b.k.'s writing style

00:11:00 magical realism & paranormal elements

00:15:20 character dimension & trauma

00:20:00 the setting

00:22:00 the meh hook

00:25:00 the perfect pallet cleanser

00:28:00 visceral emotional reactions

00:33:00 harriet's first memory

00:34:30 sweet sweet soulmates

00:40:30 the boat scene

00:45:50 matched loneliness

00:47:30 hannah's first pod tears

00:51:00 thoughts on dual pov & dialogue

00:53:50 the spy cat

00:56:00 the next books

00:58:00 2025 wrap up foreshadowing

01:02:20 we loved harriet & magic

01:08:15 goodreads choice awards nominations

01:18:00 outro