Here’s the long-awaited (for us, at least) deep dive into K-pop Demon Hunters — aka the show we’ve been obsessing over daily and forcing our families to watch until they’re humming the soundtrack in their sleep. (It's not our fault, okay. They've put something in those songs.)
From piggyback rides, the hand hold trope, Anna obsessing over cliffhanger chaos to why waiting 80 chapters for a kiss is actually better than the kiss itself, we go full fangirl on what makes K-dramas, anime, and webtoons so bingeable.
Naturally, we detour into symbolism rants (Frozen II, we’re looking at you), a debate on whether lingering eye contact is hotter than an actual kiss, and Anna's attempt to convert Celine into a webtoon support group. (If you're reading this, and you love this stuff, message her she NEEDS IT lol)
Plus: the ultimate book + manhwa rec list if you’re ready to live in this world forever (Romance 101, The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, Marry My Husband, Happily Ever After…basically, kiss your TBR goodbye).
Perfect for fans of:
Timestamps:
00:00 – The obsession begins (kids, husbands, birthday parties — yes, it’s everywhere)
06:00 – What makes K-dramas/webtoons addictive: cliffhangers + emotions
10:55 – Classic tropes we never get tired of (hello, umbrella scene)
16:30 – Why slow burns hit harder than insta-love (and how to do it right)
21:00 – The art of tiny gestures: piggyback rides, vending machine drinks, burrito blankets
26:00 – Book recs: Korean-inspired fantasies + East Asian settings
33:00 – Webtoon mania (Romance 101, Marry My Husband, Swimming Lessons for Mermaids & more)
40:00 – What Western authors can steal from K-dramas + the power of emotional intimacy
Here's an absolutely chaotic (spoiler-filled!) recap of The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren — the perfect steamy summer romance. From fake marriage tropes and Crazy Rich Asians-level wealth to awkward steam room encounters, canoe mishaps, and even a couples’ mud bath gone wrong, we dive deep into every twist, trope, and hilarious moment.
We also go way off the rails with true-crime side quests (yes, including serial killer date nights) and an overly passionate debate about which grocery store empire we’d want to inherit. Whether you’re here for rom-com book recaps, romance novel reviews, or just unfiltered book banter, this episode is a wild ride.
Perfect for fans of:
Romance readers looking for banter, recaps & recommendations
Christina Lauren books & contemporary romance novels
Book podcasts with personality and humor
Romantic comedy & enemies-to-lovers trope lovers
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro & why The Paradise Problem screams “summer romance”
01:22 – Celine’s serial killer date night confession (yes, 5 times)
06:23 – “Just a quick recap” of a murder spree… that isn’t quick
11:18 – Grocery store royalty debate: Wegmans vs. Albertsons
13:12 – Private islands, themed parties & Crazy Rich Asians vibes
18:27 – Bubblegum-pink hair, silk shorts
25:14 – Canoe scene chaos
29:39 – Failed dramatic exit… because it’s an island
34:13 – Steam room awkwardness with the in-laws
35:03 – A dramatic mud-spa experience.
36:08 – Final thoughts: why The Paradise Problem is a must-read for romance fans
We cover everything from John Green to The Vampire Diaries to Sarah Dessen and more!
If you're wondering just a little of the boys we'll be discussing today, here's the list:
Cardan Greenbriar
Will Herondale
Kaz Brekker
Laurie
Four
Throne of Glass
Prince Maxon
Red Queen
The Darkling v. Mal
Peeta Mellark
Xaden in Onyx Storm
Lukas from Black Witch
Gilbert from Anne of Green Gables
because we truly cannot get enough. And can't get enough trama. Let us know what your book boyfriends are below!
If you're looking to know what books are heading out this winter, we've got you covered!
In all ways, shapes and forms, this is just a casual yap session. We're talking tiktok trends, the ban, the blake lively and justin baldoni theories, edits and Hosier, and of course, Onyx storm. We'll be reading and discussing it this month, so watch out for a full episode!
This episode is one big catch up from the chaos of the holidays, and we are so excited to be back with you guys!
Victoria spills the tea on what books are coming up in the future, talks about the changing publishing industry, and we even read her our queries LIVE and she gave us amazing advice on how to improve them! If you're about to start querying, this is the episode for you!
If you're a reader and want to know more about the industry, this is the way to do it! But seriously, we can't thank Victoria Marini enough for sharing her time and talent with us!
Hi, so we're Mary E. Pearson fangirls. We have been for such a longgggg time. This is Mary's THIRD time on our podcast because we are, respectfully, in love with her and her personality. Oh... and her writing.
We loved the imagery, the faerie lore, the tension and the prose of The Courting of Bristol Keats, and we did everything in our power to get Mary to spill all of her secrets. We love her!
Hi, first off, we love you. Hope that you fall is going so good!
And secondly, we have prepared a FULL COURSE MEAL of highly anticipated and very loved books for you to check out!
The Dagger and the Flame by Catherin Doyle
Encyclopedia for Faeries by Emile Wilde
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
Villains and Virtues by A.K. Caggiano
The Courting of Bristol Keats by Mary E. Pearson
Bonus Ones we DID NOT COVER on the episode but are on our TBR list. (ranked _/5 for spice!)
Twin Crowns YA
Little Thieves YA
The Ever King 3-4/5
Avalon Tower 3/5
The Games Gods Play 3/5
Fear the Flames 5/5
Hi, so we're in love with this woman. Katherine Center's the Rom Commers has the magical ability to make us laugh and cry.... SIMULTANEOUSLY? So we dragged her into this podcast to discuss HOW SHE DID THAT. And bless her, she spilled her secrets. This woman is so down to earth, kind, and so funny. You're in for a treat!
This book was giving EVERYTHING escapism and witchy. Anna had disregard all our other episodes to record because this one was SO IMPORTANT to discuss. We recap Heartless Hunter and give all our out of pocket reactions, the moments we laughed, screamed, and we share the story about a WILD dead bride story.
There's nothing better than reading Shadow Hunters for the first time. The Mortal Instrumental Series is EVERYTHING for a sixteen year old. As a 29 year old, the whole brother thing was a bit wild.... (and they did it TWICE, CASSANDRA CLARE) but it literally was such a fun romp, we had to put this in the rotation for Nostalgia Tour 2024!
Anna rants about Crescent City (No, she's STILL NOT OVER IT) and brings us on THE MOST BEAUTIFUL journey with Prison Healer. After MUCH urging from Celine and the Novelbounders (shoutout to Emma and Katie!) Anna gave into the peer pressure and ignored her family for three days straight as she ABSORBED the entire book series into her blood stream. She's healed now, She loves reading again, and here's the girl's take on this BEAUTIFUL series.
This is the first episode of the NOSTALGIA TOUR 2024, where we go into the books of the 2000s and 2010s that had massive hype, and talk about them as we re-read them! First up, the classic book that started all the fae love we know today!
Over the last year, Anna and Celine have BOTH been writing books. And now, we're embarking on our next step: GETTING PUBLISHED. We're testing out both traditional AND self publishing, and thought we'd learn from someone who has ALL the knowledge and know-how!
Yes babes, we're going back to the era of CHUCKS, twilight, midnight premieres, and business casual outfits to go party. Anna takes us through her FAVORITE fallen angel books and their moody, beautiful hold on her and we'd LOVE to hear what books had YOU GUYS in a chokehold!
we read the love hypothesis, and this is the wildest rampage (of us screaming about adam driver and about HEAs) ever.
This is 30 Minutes of pure... unadulterated.... reacting.
If you've read CC3 and want to know Anna's take on it and Celine's live reaction, here's what our thoughts are!
If you wanted to know our unhinged, completely raw feelings about Sarah J Mass, here's all our thoughts!
We start off with our faves and then share our thoughts on the Crescent City Series!
THIS episode is Spoiler Free up to Crescent City 2!
This episode is a non-apologetically OBSESSIVE discussion of the fandoms of our childhood. Peeta Mellark (which is a separate fandom from the Hunger Games, obviously) Harry Potter, Chronicles of Narnia and More are all discussed as we try to figure out what these poorly explained plots could be.
How many did you get right?