Episode 2 of Season 5 had me absolutely thrilled to chat with YA queen Samantha Markum! We came together to celebrate her latest novel, The Roommate Arrangement—a laugh-out-loud enemies-to-lovers story filled with found family, big life decisions, and the kind of hijinks only college kids could pull off.

Samantha was a total joy to talk to, sharing how her self-proclaimed “fan fiction degree” sparked her love of writing, how her college experience shaped her storytelling, and her love for Drew Starkey—plus our unexpected common thread: Rod Stewart. ✨

She was such a fun, high-energy guest, and that same infectious energy shines through every page of her books!