Books are Chic

Sometimes you invite an author onto your podcast because their book sounds fabulous. And then sometimes, you discover their book is amazing and they're your Bravo and pop culture soulmate.

Erica Hendry's debut, Let's Not Go Overboard Here, is a love letter to the Bravoverse and anyone who considers pop culture a second language. Trust me when I say this one belongs in your beach bag this summer.

This wildly entertaining mystery, set aboard a luxury yacht, will have you missing your favorite Below Deck crew while racing to uncover what really happened. I loved every minute of my conversation with Erica, from the inspiration behind the novel to her encyclopedic knowledge of all things pop culture, her journey to publication, and what's next for her career.

And Andy Cohen, if you're listening, Erica is your next Watch What Happens Live bartender. No receipts, proof, timelines, or screenshots required.

My OG OG, Kristy Woodson Harvey, is back! And when I say we go way back, I mean over a decade ago when I first received her debut novel and welcomed her onto my blog. She has been a favorite ever since and truly is one of the absolute best.

We celebrated her latest novel, Summer State of Mind, and trust me, the title says it all. Once you dive in, you can practically feel the summer breeze coming off the pages. People calls her books “elevated beach reads,” and I could not agree more. Kristy has such a gift for pulling readers into stories that are equal parts escapist and heartfelt.

This latest delivers everything readers love about her work: a strong leading lady, characters you genuinely want to spend time with, rich Southern charm, and emotional depth that lingers long after the final page. It is classic Kristy in every way.

We also caught up on all the exciting things happening in her world, from new developments and more Peachtree Bluff conversations to life as an athlete, her latest favorite reads, and so much more.

Consider this your sign to add Summer State of Mind to your beach read TBR immediately.

Elated to welcome back one of the queens of summer reads, Annabel Monaghan. These conversations are always among my favorites, and I’m endlessly grateful that Annabel continues to return to celebrate her books with me. She has such a gift for making every story feel deeply personal, like a place you’ve known or people you’ve grown up beside, while remaining so grounded, warm, and relatable.

This year, I am screaming from the rooftops about Dolly All the Time. Newly selected as the June GMA Book Club pick, this is going to be the book of the summer — the ultimate beach accessory, if you ask me. I told Annabel it may be my favorite book she’s written, which is saying a lot, but also one of my all-time favorite reads. Yes, I said it.

Why? Because Annabel captured something so specific and nostalgic for me. The setting felt so close to home, and the characters reminded me of people I grew up with. I was instantly transported back to summers by the ocean, to that unmistakable feeling of home and memory colliding. If you grew up near the water, you’ll understand exactly what I mean.

We talked about the inspiration behind the novel, the pull of the ocean, the beautiful dedication to caregivers, and so much more. Honestly, I didn’t want the conversation to end.

Dolly will stay with me all summer long because it is a reminder of humanity, humor, and love — all the things we need most right now.

What a delight it was to welcome THE Brooke Averick to Books Are Chic to celebrate her debut novel, Phoebe Berman’s Gonna Lose It. I’m telling you now, this book is going to be the ultimate seaside companion this summer. Phoebe is the kind of leading lady you won’t soon forget, and Brooke is absolutely about to become a new auto-buy author for your bookshelf.

Brooke and I chatted about the transition from podcaster to author, the pressure of writing for an audience that already knows and loves her voice, the magic of a great love story, and the excitement of finally sending this book into the world. While Phoebe delivers plenty of romance, the real heartbeat of the novel is its celebration of friendship and the people who carry us through life.

Latest Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick and author of one of my all-time favorite novels, Alexandra Andrews joins me on the podcast! Her latest thriller, The Fine Art of Lying, is a slow-burn suspense story packed with the kind of twists only Alexandra can deliver.

Her debut, Who Is Maud Dixon, remains one of my ultimate gateway recommendations for anyone looking to get back into reading. I’m genuinely jealous of anyone experiencing it for the first time.

The Fine Art of Lying follows a deliciously complicated leading lady who becomes entangled in the dark underbelly of the art world, and I could not put it down. Alexandra and I chatted about sophomore novels, the art world, becoming part of Reese’s Book Club, and of course, my endless fangirling over Maud Dixon.

I already can’t wait for her next book… though if you listen to the episode, you’ll probably hear me say that at least a million times.

One of my all-time favorite, auto-buy authors joined me once again to celebrate her latest rom-com, The Shippers: queen, icon, legend, Katherine Center. To say she gets better with every book somehow still feels like an understatement.

The Shippers is classic Center magic, set aboard a cruise ship where childhood friends JoJo and Cooper fake date in an attempt to help JoJo win over her longtime crush and, naturally, the chaos and chemistry quickly take over.

Katherine and I chatted all things cruises, the research behind the book, the enduring power of romance, adaptations, and so much more. She will always have an open invitation to Books Are Chic, and every conversation with her feels like such a joy.

Continuing the reign of YA royalty, I was so thrilled to chat with K. L. Walther about her latest, We're a Bad Idea, Right?. I had the best time reading this book and getting to know its unforgettable cast of characters.

I loved talking with KL about the inspiration behind the story, especially her love of EmHen banter, as well as her continued affection for iconic 80s movies and the role they’ve played throughout her recent books.

I’ve said it before, but we are fully in our YA era, and KL’s writing is the perfect gateway for getting tweens and teens excited about reading again. It’s such a gift to have authors creating stories that not only entertain, but also help shape the reading lives and imaginations of such a special generation of readers.

Welcome the newly crowned GMA YA Pick for April, Sarah Dessen, and her latest gem, Change of Plans! A true YA icon, Sarah continues to prove why she’s considered royalty. I was so excited to chat with her about this heartfelt, perfect-for-summer read—packed with all the essentials: romance, friendship, family, and so much more.

We talked about her journey into YA, her connection to her readers, and the incredible impact stories like hers can have on young audiences.

I say it all the time—we’re living in a standout era for YA, and Sarah has been helping shape it from the start. I loved this conversation and left it feeling so grateful that authors like her are continuing to raise the bar and inspire the next generation of readers.

Loved welcoming local author Lori Gold to Books Are Chic to celebrate her latest novel, Kiss, Marry, Kill. With a little romance, a dead body, a clever twist on a classic game, and rich friendships at its core, this story truly has something for every reader. It even gives off those irresistible Sliding Doors–style “what if” vibes.

Lori and I talked about her path to publication, how her storytelling has evolved over time, and so much more. I say it often, but Boston is home to some of the most talented authors and I love getting to spotlight them. Lori is absolutely one of them.

This episode feels extra special as I celebrate my 10-year bookstaversary with none other than bestselling author Sally Hepworth. We’ve shared so many moments over the years, and it’s been incredible to watch her career soar.

Her latest novel, Mad Mabel, is a Book of the Month pick and absolutely destined to be a reader favorite. As always, Sally draws inspiration from the most unexpected (and often delightfully classic) places, and the story behind this one is so quintessentially her.

We chatted about community, the elderly population, friendship, and so much more—everything that makes her books both entertaining and deeply resonant. If you’re new to Sally, I’m honestly jealous—her stories are the kind you wish you could experience for the first time. And if you’re a longtime fan, you’re in for such a treat. She just keeps getting better, truly mastering the art of giving readers exactly what they love while elevating her work with every book.

Cheers to many more years of unforgettable stories, Sally!