SPOILER WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Throne of Glass and Wuthering Heights.

In this episode of Book Talks Podcast, Kayla and Marisa share their February Reading Wrap Up and March TBR while surviving busy season as tax accountants.

We discuss DNF’ing Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, reviewing Wuthering Heights (and debating whether it’s even a romance), finishing our Throne of Glass reread, starting Red Rising, and announcing our March Book Club pick: How to Kill a Guy in 10 Dates.

We also rank the entire Throne of Glass series, play rapid-fire character questions, and talk about fantasy vs romance reading slumps.

If you love Sarah J. Maas, fantasy books, romance novels, controversial classic takes, and monthly reading wrap ups — this episode is for you.

In this episode of BookTalks Podcast, we dive into Ruth Ware's latest thriller, The Woman in Suite 11. We discuss our differing perspectives on the characters, the pacing of the plot, and the decisions made by the protagonist. Our conversation highlights the book's build-up to suspense, character dynamics, and the overall enjoyment of the read, while also critiquing its rushed ending and the necessity of its sequel status.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Thriller Element
• 09:03 Anxiety and Decision-Making
• 14:27 Forced Sequel and Conclusion
• 19:28 Rushed Ending and Pacing (Continued)
• 24:55 Forced Elements and Conclusion (Continued)

Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to talk about romance books 💘

In this special episode of Book Talks Podcast, Kayla and Marissa dive into all things romance — from their all-time favorite tropes to the ones that instantly ruin a book. Kayla (our resident romance lover) and Marissa (selectively romantic) break down what makes a swoony love story work… and what makes them cringe.

They chat about:

• Enemies-to-lovers vs. friends-to-lovers
• Fake dating, one-bed tropes, and slow burns
• The controversial pregnancy trope (and whether Twilight traumatized an entire generation 👀)
• Love triangles (looking at you, The Summer I Turned Pretty)
• Morally gray love interests: hot or toxic?
• Kindle Unlimited romances — hidden gems or hit-or-miss?

They also share their go-to romance recommendations for new readers, including favorites from:

• Emily Henry
• Abby Jimenez
• Katherine Center
• Christina Lauren
• K.A. Tucker

Plus, they reflect on the books that got them back into reading, the romances that live rent-free in their heads, and why communication could solve 90% of third-act breakups.

Whether you’re a die-hard romance reader or just romance-curious, this episode is full of trope debates, chaotic hot takes, and plenty of laughter.

Happy Valentine’s Day from Kayla & Marissa 💌📚

Kayla and Marisa discuss their January wrap-up, setting reading goals, book ratings and reviews, book discussions and recommendations, adapting books to screen, exploring different genres, anticipated book adaptations, and speculating future book releases. The conversation covers a range of topics including book characters and movie portrayals, TV shows and reality TV, book series and author trauma, thriller book reviews, and February reading goals. The hosts discuss their interest in TV shows, reality TV, and book series, as well as their reviews of thriller books and their reading goals for February. They also share their experience at a bookstore event.

Takeaways

• Setting reading goals is important for staying on track with reading targets.
• Book adaptations to screen can be controversial and may not always align with the original book content. Discussion of book characters and movie portrayals
• Interest in TV shows and reality TV
• Review of thriller books
• February reading goals

Chapters

• 00:00 January Wrap-Up
• 07:08 Book Ratings and Reviews
• 15:52 Adapting Books to Screen
• 21:00 Exploring Different Genres
• 28:44 Speculating Future Book Releases
• 34:34 TV Shows and Reality TV
• 45:02 Thriller Book Reviews
• 53:50 February Reading Goals

We're kicking off 2026 by reflecting on our favorite books of 2025, sharing our most anticipated reads of 2026, and setting our bookish goals for the year. We also speculate on ACOTAR 6, talk about being OVER smut, and share our excitement for Bookcon 2026!

In this episode of Book Talks, Kayla and Marisa dive into 'The Love Haters' by Catherine Center, exploring its themes of self-discovery, body image, and the importance of friendship. They discuss character development, emotional connections, and the role of the Coast Guard in the narrative. The conversation highlights the impact of trauma and healing, as well as the significance of supportive relationships in the protagonist's journey. The episode concludes with reflections on the book's ending and a preview of their upcoming reads.

In this episode of BookTalks Podcast, we dive into Holly Jackson's latest book, 'Not Quite Dead Yet.' This book revolves around a character solving her own murder which is HELLA fun, but we also get into our different reading experiences, character dynamics, and the emotional weight of the story, particularly regarding themes of death and family. This is a SPOILER EPISODE so we will be analyzing plot twists, our suspicions about various characters, and the challenges of writing thrillers. The episode concludes with our ratings and thoughts on the book, as well as a teaser for our next read...you'll never guess what it is. 

In this episode of Book Talks Podcast, Kayla and Marisa dive into their reading experience of 'Silver Elite' by Danny Francis. They discuss their newfound love for libraries, the controversies surrounding the book, and the dystopian themes that resonate throughout the story. The conversation flows into character analysis, focusing on relationships, betrayals, and the moral complexities of the uprising depicted in the book. They conclude with their thoughts on the ending and speculations for future developments in the series.

Summary

In this episode of Book Talks Podcast, hosts Kayla and Marisa dive into Ali Hazelwood's 'Problematic Summer Romance.' They discuss their initial hesitations about the age gap in the romance, the character dynamics, and the humor that permeates the story. The conversation also touches on the significance of setting, the role of epilogues in romance novels, and the challenges of book publishing trends. The hosts share their love for Hazelwood's writing and reflect on their reading experiences, ultimately giving the book a five-star rating.

In this episode of the Book Talks Podcast, Kayla and Marissa delve into the world of 'The Hunger Games' series, particularly focusing on 'Sunrise on the Reaping.' They discuss character development, personal reflections on the series, and the complexities of Haymitch's journey. The conversation touches on themes of trauma, survival, and the influence of the Capitol, as well as the nature of volunteering in the games. They also explore the impact of death and loss, and make literary comparisons to other works, ultimately sharing their recommendations for readers.