Books are Chic

If you love reality TV, dogs, social commentary and small-town vibes, then you will devour Mimi Montgomery’s debut, Murder Bites. 🐾🔪

It’s got a little murder, a whole lot of pups, plenty of juicy gossip and the perfect dose of small-town drama. I not only loved listening to the audio, I loved chatting with Mimi even more! She radiates smart, funny and fun energy and all of that comes through on the pages of her book.

We chatted about how she got her start, her experience with her neighborhood dog bar, her adorable dog Ziggy and so much more. And if you haven’t already, be sure to check out Mimi’s recent essay in People about the inspiration behind the book. It’s such a fun behind-the-scenes look at how Murder Bites came to be.

I absolutely loved getting to know Mimi and can’t wait to see what she comes up with next! 🐶📚✨

If you're obsessed with RushTok and everything that comes with sorority life and Greek culture, then Sisterhood Above All is a must-read.

I absolutely loved chatting with Kathleen Barber last year, so I knew I wanted to have her back to celebrate this book, this time alongside her co-author and RushTok star Amayah Shaienne. And let me tell you, we had the best time!

Since both Kathleen and Amayah were part of Greek life, we dove into all things sororities and how the experience has evolved in the age of social media, the lifelong bonds of sisterhood, the realities behind RushTok and how the two of them came together to write such a compelling mystery.

This was a one-sitting read for me. I couldn't put it down! It had all the addictive twists of a great campus thriller, but what it really reminded me of were those unforgettable '90s Movies of the Week. If you know, you know. 🎬📚

There are thriller authors... and then there's Lisa Gardner. 🔎📚

It was such an honor to welcome one of the OG the queen's of suspense to the podcast to celebrate You'll Be Sorry, a thriller that delivers everything we've come to expect from Lisa.

Beyond being an incredible storyteller, Lisa was an absolute delight to chat with. We talked about the extraordinary amount of research behind her novels—from conversations with law enforcement to visits to the Body Farm—and how those real-life experiences shape the stories that keep us turning pages late into the night. She doesn't just write thrillers... she immerses herself in the world she creates.

I also loved hearing about her journey as part of the powerhouse generation of female thriller authors who rose to publication in the early '90s and helped redefine the genre. As a fellow New England gal, I couldn't help but love that connection too.

If you've been reading Lisa Gardner for years, you're going to love You'll Be Sorry. And if this is your first Lisa Gardner novel... trust me, you're in for one unforgettable ride.

One of my absolute favorite reading experiences of 2026 was Sarah Adler's Wild Goose Chase. It was filled with joy, swoon-worthy romance, sparkling chemistry, and characters I never wanted to leave. So much so, I ask Sarah for a sequel. Naturally, I was beyond excited to welcome her to the podcast.

I had to ask about the stuffed goose, how she found her way to writing romance, and all the behind-the-scenes details. We talked about the inspiration behind Wild Goose Chase, the important role her husband plays in her writing process, staying the course on the path to publication, and so much more.

There is nothing I love more than talking with an author who was a passionate reader long before becoming a writer. Hearing about the books that first inspired Sarah and ultimately led her to publication made this conversation even more special.

There is nothing I love more than championing a debut author, and this book is an absolute gem. Even better? So is its author.

I was thrilled to welcome Massachusetts author Evann Normandin to the podcast to chat about her stunning debut, The Good Parts—an unforgettable love story filled with heart, unexpected twists, and a thoughtful look at the relationships that shape us.

And the excitement doesn't stop there! This Wednesday, Evann and I get to celebrate this incredible book in person at one of my favorite places, Lovestruck Books. We'll be bringing our conversation to life as we talk about her journey to publication, writing love stories, romance novels, motherhood, marriage, and so much more.

I couldn't be happier to celebrate both this beautiful book and the wonderful woman behind it. This is what the book community is all about, and I can't wait to share it with all of you.

There is nothing I love more than reading a thriller that delivers a true WTF moment, and let me tell you, Amy Chozick's fiction debut, With Friends Like You, absolutely delivers.

This deliciously unhinged thriller dives into friendship, motherhood, marriage, ambition, and just enough cult-like intrigue to keep you questioning everything. Trust me, you are going to devour this one.

Amy was an absolute blast to chat with. With her incredible background in nonfiction, journalism, and Hollywood, it's clear she's only just getting started in the fiction world. We talked books, writing, television, storytelling, and so much more. I honestly could have kept the conversation going for hours.

This is one of those books that plays out like a movie in your head, and when the biggest twist hits, your jaw will be on the floor. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Thrilled to welcome back Jo Piazza to Books are Chic! If anyone can transport you to another place, it's Jo. She is the queen of location, location, location, and her latest novel, The Parisian Heist, will have you dreaming of the Eiffel Tower from the very first page.

Equal parts glamorous getaway and pulse-pounding mystery, this novel plunges readers into the shadowy world of stolen art, long-buried family secrets, and just the right touch of romance. It's the kind of book that makes you want to book a flight to Paris the moment you finish the final chapter.

I was so excited to catch up with Jo, who is truly one of my favorite people to follow in the book world. Her passion for writing, reading, and championing fellow authors is infectious. We talked about her research trip to Paris, consulting with a real heist expert, the fascinating art world that inspired the story, and so much more.

If you're looking for the ultimate summer escape, this is the book that will have you reaching to reapply your sunscreen just so you can stay poolside and keep turning the pages.

When I decided to expand beyond my blog and start interviewing authors on Zoom, it was the height of COVID. Book tours had been canceled, but one thing hadn't changed: people were still reading. I took a chance and started reaching out to authors, hoping they'd say yes to chatting with me from home.

One of the very first authors to say yes was Kerri Maher. As a fellow Massachusetts native, I was especially excited to connect with her, and I've been a fan ever since.

Today, I'm thrilled to officially welcome Kerri to Books Are Chic for the very first time as we celebrate her gorgeous new historical novel, Summer of Love.

This is a beautiful story about music, motherhood, family, love, secrets, and the transformative spirit of California in the late 1960s. It's immersive, emotional, and completely transports you to another time and place.

We talked about the incredible research behind the novel, her travels to California, how her writing has evolved since we first met, and why this era continues to captivate readers. Kerri has a remarkable gift for making historical fiction feel immediate and relevant, and her novels always leave me heading down fascinating Google rabbit holes—or, in this case, creating the ultimate summer-inspired '60s playlist.

I can't wait for you to listen to this conversation and fall in love with Summer of Love.

A Books are Chic favorite is back! I was beyond excited to welcome the incredible Ashley Winstead to celebrate her latest thriller, Hot Girl Murder Club.

If you know Ashley, then you know The Last Housewife is one of my all-time gateway thriller recommendations. If cults, dark secrets, and jaw-dropping twists are your thing, start there. But with Hot Girl Murder Club, Ashley raises the bar yet again, delivering a razor-sharp story that blends Hollywood, ambitious leading women, complicated female friendships, and, of course, murder.

It's everything I love about an Ashley Winstead novel: smart, addictive, wickedly entertaining, and impossible to put down. This book is a literary cocktail that's equal parts fizzy, fun, and deliciously dark.

As always, I loved catching up with Ashley. We talked about all of her exciting projects, Hollywood, true crime, book-to-screen adaptations, police procedurals, her writing process, and so much more.

And as if we didn't already have enough to celebrate, Ashley also shared the wonderful news that she's expecting! Congratulations, Ashley! We are so incredibly happy for you, and I already know you're going to be an amazing mom. ❤️

Beyond excited to welcome romance queen Rachel Lynn Solomon to Books Are Chic! We’re celebrating her delightful new novel, Extra-Curricular, a swoony romance featuring a professor, a pop star, an age gap, and just the right amount of spice to make it the ultimate summer read.

Rachel shares the inspiration behind the story, including the pop culture influences that sparked the idea, and we dive into what it might look like if a global superstar decided to walk away from the spotlight and head back to college in search of a normal life.

We also chat about writing romance, her beloved YA novels, making the leap from young adult to adult romance, and how she approaches writing for different audiences. And trust me, this is one of those books that absolutely deserves its own playlist.