Hearts & Daggers

Summary: Welcome to Fall, friends, and dive into Spooky Season with Holly and Devin today. Our hosts are launching their favorite season of the year with our 7th LoveFest! We’re diving deep into the Practical Magic series by Alice Hoffman - a four book, multi-generational saga following the Owens witches as they explore, grow, and combat a curse that keeps them all from long-time love. Hoffman’s style is known for its connection to nature, the focus on women, and a bittersweet treatment of life and aging. Whether you read these books in publication or chronological order, you’re in for a witchy treat! 

Topics Discussed:

• Practical Magic (10:19): 

• After their parents die, Sally and Gillian are raised by their eccentric aunts, Frances (Franny) and Jet Owens, in an old house filled with the scent of herbs and magic. The aunts openly practice witchcraft, and while this fascinates the girls, it also causes them to be ostracized by the townspeople.

• The Owens women are notorious in their Massachusetts town for their magical abilities and are rumored to be cursed in matters of love; any man who falls in love with an Owens woman is doomed to an untimely death.

• The sisters have contrasting personalities: Sally is practical, responsible, and yearns for a normal life, while Gillian is wild, impulsive, and eager to escape the confines of her small-town life.

• The Rules of Magic (20:50):

• Prequel to Practical Magic, going back to tell the story of their aunts from book 1

• The novel is set in the 1960s and follows the lives of three siblings: Franny, Jet, and Vincent Owens, who live in New York City. They come from a long line of witches, but their mother, Susanna Owens, forbids them from practicing magic or interacting with the supernatural. Despite their mother’s strict rules, the siblings are irresistibly drawn to magic.

• Magic Lessons (27:45):

• The story begins in the 1600s in England, where Maria Owens is born under mysterious circumstances. She is abandoned as an infant in a snowy field but is found and raised by Hannah Owens, a healer and practitioner of the “Nameless Art” (magic). From Hannah, Maria learns about herbs, healing, and magic. Hannah also gives her the essential rule that will shape Maria’s life: "Always love someone who will love you back."

• Maria is betrayed by the man who once declared his love for her, who she follows to Salem, Massachusetts. Maria's experiences with love lead her to create the infamous Owens family curse: that any man who loves an Owens woman will meet a tragic end. This curse is born out of Maria's heartbreak and becomes a central element in the Owens family's history, affecting generations to come.

• The Book of Magic (35:54):

• The novel opens with Jet Owens receiving a sign that her time is near. As she nears death, she hears the "deathwatch beetle," a sound that heralds the impending death of an Owens family member. Before she dies, Jet leaves behind a letter revealing the key to breaking the family curse that has plagued the Owens women for centuries.

• This novel ties together the stories of multiple generations of the Owens family, focusing on their quest to finally break the family curse and achieve a future where love does not result in tragedy.

• Jet’s death deeply affects the family, especially Sally’s daughters, Kylie and Antonia. In the wake of Jet’s passing, Kylie discovers that the curse may have already started affecting her own life. She is in love, but fears for the life of her beloved.

• Hot On the Shelf (45:59):

• Holly: The Book of Witching by CJ Cooke

• Devin: The Art of Catching Feelings by Alicia Thompson

• What’s Making Our Hearts Race (49:10):

• Holly: Playing piano again 

• Devin: Experiencing live music at the Dillon Amphitheater

Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod

Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com

If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.

Summary: Welcome to Episode 8 of our special Throne of Glass series, friends! Aelin is being tortured and held inside an iron coffin by Maeve and her lackey, Cairn. Lysandra plays her at the front, Rowan will stop at nothing to find her, and things are looking very grim for our heroes. Today we explore Kingdom of Ash Part 1, the seventh (or eighth depending on your reading order) book in ToG. As Maeve and Erawan begin to make their final moves, the grand tapestry of friends, allies and lovers across continents must come together and find a way to overcome horrible odds and an existential evil.

We have both been reading the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas, a mutual favorite author who we celebrated in a previous LoveFest episode. We will be releasing monthly special episodes in which we debrief on each book as we go throughout the series. 

We encourage you to read along with us throughout the year–or at whatever point you’re jumping into these episodes–and enjoy our reactions, speculations, and gushing as we explore this new fantastical world.

As a reminder, each episode will have spoilers for the book being discussed and any of the books we've read previously, but we won't give spoilers beyond that point. Episodes will continue to drop each month until we finish the series.

Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod

Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/shop/heartsanddaggerspod (purchases support our work)

If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.

Summary: Welcome to the final stop on our Summer Road Trip Series, friends! Today, Holly and Devin sip some tea while sheltering from the Seattle rain in Washington State. With cozy vibes that can quickly turn sinister, this state is ripe with potential for stories in either wheelhouse for our hosts. Culturally and literally this state is rooted in nature and the natural world, which can highlight the most epic loves or the darkest, chilling terrors. We’re so delighted you joined us for our road trip and are excited to dive into Spooky Season with you next! 

Topics Discussed:

• The Heart (4:08): Devin discussed Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur, a sapphic romance following Darcy Lowell and Elle Jones after a disastrous first date turns into a fake-dating relationship of convenience. Both trying to escape pressures from family, the no-nonsense actuary Darcy and the earnest astrologer Elle agree to play the part of lovers through the holiday season, but fate (and the stars?) have a different plan for them. Devin’s key takeaways are:

• This novel takes place in Seattle and everything about it from the location descriptions to the characters themselves speak to that quirky, offbeat but sincere culture. Things are a bit slower, the rain creates a vibe, and everyone is more in-tune with their feelings in this neck of the woods. 

• Astrology is a major player in the entire trilogy by Bellefleur. The book has fun astrological tidbits woven throughout (what song are you based on your astrological sign, etc.) and is a huge part of Elle’s career, life etc. and how Darcy ends up authentically connecting with her. 

• This story was one of Devin’s favorite “opposites attract” and “fake dating” trope stories she’s run into for the last several years. Elle and Darcy are both so authentic, their issues so valid and their situation so feasible feeling that it’s impossible not to buy in. 

• The Dagger (16:27): Holly discussed The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean, a crime fiction story centered around Ellie Black - a 19 year-old who stumbles out of the Washington State woods and back into the world from which she disappeared when she was kidnapped two years prior. Detective Casey Calhoun works with Ellie and is determined to get to the bottom of what happened to her, but has a hard time getting straight answers. With personal investment in uncovering the truth, Calhoun must discern if it’s trauma or if Ellie is hiding something. Holly’s key takeaways were:

• The concept and tropes in this book aren’t groundbreaking–disappearing girls, seasoned detective determined to solve it–but somehow Jean made the story feel fresh with fantastic execution. Jean deeply established the characters themselves, which balanced well with the story that unravels in alternating POVs and timelines.

• Jean examines themes like misogyny and misplaced affection; Ellie’s perspective is told as though she’s speaking to someone, although we’re not sure who, if it’s the detective or someone else. It goes back and walks the reader through what she experienced while kidnapped, which is pretty chilling.

• There was a decent sense of place as being in the Pacific Northwest, especially when experiencing the vastness of the woods that Ellie is held within and from which she emerges.

• Hot On the Shelf (31:40):

• Holly: The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

• Devin: A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson

• What’s Making Our Hearts Race (37:13):

• Holly: Frasier

• Devin: Getting creative with a glass blowing class! 

Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod

Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com

If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.

Summary: Holly would like to welcome you to her state! On this stop of their Summer Road Trip Series, Holly and Devin discuss books set in the sunny, lovely California. Whether you’re basking in the glitz and glam of Hollywood in LA, sipping wine in Napa Valley or dancing in the queer energy of San Francisco, this state truly has it all. That applies to books as well - from serial killers to rich people behaving badly to epic romances, Holly and Devin feel like they’d never run out of Cali stories to enjoy. 

Topics Discussed:

• The Dagger (4:52): Holly discussed Good Rich People by Eliza Jane Brazier, a psychological thriller following Lyla, her husband Graham and his mother Margo as they play “The Game” i.e. inviting people to live in their guesthouse under the pretense of helping them, only to secretly manipulate and destroy their lives. Enter Demi, an unhoused woman who has jumped at the chance to better her own lot in life and will absolutely not go down without a fight. Holly’s key takeaways were:

• The sense of place wasn’t a huge part of the book but the story utilized specific aspects of Los Angeles specifically in a way that felt real-to-life and effective. No other city is as well positioned to tell a story like this, contrasting great wealth against great poverty. 

• This book highlights a huge issue that a lot of the country is facing, and which cities like Los Angeles in particular face: the wealth gap and housing crisis. The contrast of Demi’s life compared to Lyla and Graham’s highlights the callousness and cruelty that can arise from extreme privilege. It questions the morality of the wealthy and the lengths they will go to maintain their status.

• Brazier takes on a satirical tone and creates unlikeable characters in Good Rich People; the sharp way Brazier writes in Lyla’s voice, for example, expressing her disdain for the less-than-wealthy, had Holly laughing out loud because it was so gross and so spot-on. The depiction of rich people is extreme and requires some suspension of disbelief; the reader can easily question if very wealthy people are quite this overtly awful and criminal. 

• The Heart (19:26): Devin discussed The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center, a novel following Emma Wheeler as she gets the chance of a lifetime to collaborate on a romantic comedy film script with the world-famous and award winning Charlie Yeates. Having lived in Houston, TX her entire life caring for her disabled father after a rock climbing accent when she was young, Emma’s leap to LA is in crisis right away when she realizes Charlie didn’t know she was coming and does not want a collaborator. Stuck in his mansion together, can these enemies find common, rom-com ground? Devin’s key takeaways were:

• This book had big Hollywood energy; Meryl Streep is featured as well as several fictitious stars and as Charlie takes Emma around the city we as the reader get to experience the glitz, glam, and privilege of the area. There’s heavy industry talk and focus for film and screenwriting which is enjoyable to delve into. 

• While yes, this is a romance, our protagonists’ journeys center more than anything on their careers. What does aspiration look like when you’ve dealt with so much trauma? How does one advocate for themselves in their career authentically? Emma and Charlie must face each other’s divergent paths as well as their trajectories in order to heal and grow together. 

• If you’re into trauma porn, this book is for you. Devin struggled a bit with just how many different threads of trauma exist for Emma and Charlie and how the book piles even more on as it goes. It was a bit of a miss here; a little less volume of trauma would have made the core trauma more emotionally gratifying. 

• Hot On the Shelf (38:12):

• Devin: Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood

• Holly: The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas

• What’s Making Our Hearts Race (41:09):

• Devin: The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris

• Holly: House of the Dragon Season 2

Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod

Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com

If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.

Summary: Devin would like to welcome you all to her state! On this stop of their Summer Road Trip, Holly and Devin discuss books set in the Rocky Mountain state. Even though we’re all battling heat waves, both their books feature blizzards, being snowed in, and close quarters tension. In every other way, though, the plots differ drastically. Known for its outdoor culture, snow skiing, and craft beer this state has a lot to offer those seeking an adrenaline rush like our hosts!

Topics Discussed:

• The Heart (5:21): Devin discussed The Gamble by Kristen Ashley, a second-chances romance that follows Nina Sheridan, a visitor to the mountain town of Gnaw Bone, as she finds herself stuck in a gorgeous A-frame home with the homeowner, Holden “Max” Maxwell due to a rental mixup. Escaping to Colorado to think about her future and her neglectful fiancé back in the UK, Nina was hoping for peace and quiet but Max brings anything but; can she withstand the allure of this sexy mountain man? Devin’s key takeaways were:

• This is a quintessential Colorado book. Very strong sense of place, small town with resort energy on the sides and picturesque with the start of a blizzard and lots of good views, mountains, valleys, dive bars. Devin spent a good chunk of it wondering if it was modeled after the town she lives in specifically.  

• There are trigger warnings for sexual abuse and violence, physical violence and threats. This book has heavy trauma, for every single character; it classifies as trauma porn in a lot of ways. If you like watching people who have suffered and then work to support, grow, and love each other this book will work great for you. 

• There is a simmering tension between Max and Nina right from the start and while some of the build up is the annoying “interrupted” trope, it is a blast to read and experience. The book takes its time building everything and the side characters/town play a huge part, but the care, chemistry and overall vibes between our protagonists carry you through. 

• The Dagger (21:08): Holly discussed No Exit by Taylor Adams, a psychological thriller that follows college student Darby Thorne on her frantic drive home to Utah to see her dying mother. In the mountains of Colorado, a blizzard forces her to stop at a remote highway rest stop. Trying to find cell service in the parking lot, Darby discovers a little girl locked in an animal crate in the van near her car; the situation becomes increasingly dangerous from there. Holly’s key takeaways were:

• The novel explores themes of survival as Darby must use her wits, courage, and resourcefulness to navigate the life-threatening situation and protect herself and the kidnapped girl. Adams underlines the moral choices characters make in extreme circumstances for good or evil; Darby’s determination to save the girl contrasts sharply with the kidnapper’s sinister motives.

• We aren’t seeing broader life in Colorado, but the book uses the wintry elements to great effect to increase the tension and stakes in the story. The setting of the remote, snowed-in rest stop amplifies themes of isolation and vulnerability. The characters are cut off from the outside world, heightening the sense of danger and urgency.

• No Exit has various twists and a nail-biting pace, even some horror elements. It reminded Holly a bit of The Shining just in the way of feeling trapped and isolated in a wintry wasteland. The reader feels the intensity of trying to survive as Darby uses her wits, courage, and resourcefulness to navigate the life-threatening situation. 

• Hot On the Shelf (35:54):

• Devin: Micro Activism: How You Can Make a Difference in the World Without a Bullhorn by Omkari L. Williams

• Holly: The Feast by Margaret Kennedy

• What’s Making Our Hearts Race (39:07):

• Devin: Bob’s Burgers

• Holly: New rescue dog, Toki! 

Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod

Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com

If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.

Summary: Grab a book and a slide of deep dish pizza, it’s time to visit Chicago folks! Today Holly and Devin discuss books set in the iconic city that brought us greats like The Bean and Al Capone. While neither host has a lot of experience in the midwest or in Chicago itself, they both think it’s a great setting for a book - especially in Holly’s darker wheelhouse. Stick around after the end credits for a spoiler-y romp through some horrifying details on her book today! 

Topics Discussed:

• The Dagger (3:05): Holly discussed The Fourth Monkey by J.D. Barker, a crime thriller that follows Detective Sam Porter as a bus accident that killed a man quickly turns into a hunt for the not-yet-murdered final victim of the Fourth Monkey Killer. He had been crossing the street to mail a package containing a human ear when the bus struck him down, but Sam’s work isn’t anywhere near over. Holly’s key takeaways were:

• This book may be the most horrifying and messed up book Holly has ever read. Dual storylines follow the content of a diary the killer had on his person when he died and the current, real-time hunt for his final victim and both are deeply disturbing.

• The novel explores the blurred lines between good and evil, as the 4MK sees himself as a punisher of wrongdoers rather than a mere killer. This moral ambiguity challenges readers to question what constitutes true justice and whether taking the law into one's own hands can ever be justified. 

• There isn’t a strong sense of Chicago, with the focus resting much more on action and the characters involved. The investigation roves around the city but without too much detail on place, and the diary feels more suburban family life vibes and the tone of it is very midwest, stilted 60s tone. 

• The Heart (19:09): Devin discussed Love at First by Kate Clayborn, a second-chances romance following Will Sterling and Nora Clarke after Will inherits an apartment from his uncle Donny. As the leader of the HOA in a six-unit building that has barely changed in decades, a new presence (especially one who wants to convert the unit for short-term renters) is a threat to everything Nora fights for. Feuding and at loggerheads, Will and Nora can’t help but notice there’s an undercurrent of something else in their fights and attempts to undermine each other. Devin’s key takeaways were:

• The sense of place isn’t super strong in this book because the focal point is a single apartment building in Chicago. Will works at a hospital near the south shore and Nora is much further north. Later in the book there are more scenes set in popular Chicago, but otherwise it’s really a character driven story.

• The tenants in the apartment building that acts as our focal point is a chosen, messy family. Both protagonists struggle with their own biological families and the trauma they got from their parents, but they also both seek found family in their community as it evolves.

• The primary trope in this novel is enemies to lovers, but even that element is subtle and infused with a lot of emotional intelligence on both parts. It diffuses a lot of tension in the book; Devin was never stressed out or unsure about our protagonists even though it technically followed our classic arc. Alternating between Nora and Will’s perspectives, we go deep on who they are and their interior perspectives. 

• Hot On the Shelf (37:11):

• Holly: Kingdom of Copper by S.A Chakraborty

• Devin: A Darker Shade of Magic by VE Schwab

• What’s Making Our Hearts Race (39:47):

• Holly: Presumed Innocent on Apple TV+

• Devin: We Are Lady Parts on Peacock

Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod

Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com

If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.

Summary: Welcome to Episode 7 of our special Throne of Glass series, friends! Leaving Aelin and her court behind this time, we follow Chaol and Nesryn as they visit a new part of the world and embark on their own adventures. Today we explore Tower of Dawn, the sixth (or seventh depending on your reading order) book in ToG. Chaol and Nesryn have traveled to Antica to achieve two goals: benefitting from their world-class healers to help Chaol walk again and secure the support of the Khagan in the war. Both become more complicated and more important and sooner than later we realize that no matter the physical distance, everything they do connects to Aelin and her struggle to overthrow the evil in Erilea. 

We have both been reading the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas, a mutual favorite author who we celebrated in a previous LoveFest episode. We will be releasing monthly special episodes in which we debrief on each book as we go throughout the series. 

We encourage you to read along with us throughout the year–or at whatever point you’re jumping into these episodes–and enjoy our reactions, speculations, and gushing as we explore this new fantastical world.

As a reminder, each episode will have spoilers for the book being discussed and any of the books we've read previously, but we won't give spoilers beyond that point. Episodes will continue to drop each month until we finish the series.

Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod

Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/shop/heartsanddaggerspod (purchases support our work)

If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.

Summary: Howdy, partners! Stop number three on our road trip this summer is the Lone Star state - Texas! Join Holly and Devin as they take a romp around the second largest state in the union. It’s huge, it’s hot and as Holly underlines, tensions tend to run high. A melting pot of the West, the South, American and Mexican influences, Texas really does have it all. Holly and Devin share the ends of the spectrum with their books today. 

Topics Discussed:

• The Heart (3:55): Devin discussed Pumpkin by Julie Murphy, a novel that follows Waylon Russell Brewer as his private, quiet drag aspirations are exploded into the public sphere after his audition tape for Fiercest of Them All (a drag show à la RuPaul’s Drag Race) is released. As a cruel joke, he and his twin sister’s girlfriend Hannah Perez are nominated as Prom Queen and King respectively. Instead of caving to the bullies, Waylon and Hannah decide to play to win. Devin’s key takeaways were:

• This is such a gay book; it’s amazing, it’s flamboyant, it’s loud and proud and includes so much drag. Waylon and his twin Clementine are both gay and we meet a myriad of other queer characters throughout. Whether some characters are already out or not, this book vibrates with positive energy for the queer community. 

• When you hear about a queer book set in Texas, you go in assuming a central tension will be community rejection of the queer character but that was not the case in this book. Waylon’s parents accept him and his sister right away and there’s a Prism group of fully out high school students - most people aren’t repressed and even one character comes out during the book. Yes there’s bullying and vitriol but the school supports LGBTQ students and the tone overall is uplifting and supportive.

• As a high school story, this book explores the evolving sense of self we all remember from that age. While the focus is on Waylon with a first-person narrative structure, we see every character in the book evolve who they believe they are into who they can be. 

• The Dagger (15:47): Holly discussed Bluebird Bluebird by Attica Locke, a literary mystery set in East Texas in 2016. We follow Darren Matthews, a Texas Ranger who has recently been suspended and is called over to Shelby County to help investigate two bodies, one of which recently washed up on the shore of a local woman’s back yard. Holly’s key takeaways were:

• Racial tensions abound in this novel. The bodies found were a Black man from Chicago and a local white woman. Darren also struggles with his own identity as a Black man and having to balance being a Texas Ranger with wanting to do right by his community, including the Black community that congregates at Geneva’s. 

• Locke underlines the importance and value of community, particularly how the Black community in the town has had to find joy and safety where they can. How places like Geneva’s serve as a haven for locals or anyone passing through.

• Darren’s career has put strain on his relationship w his wife Lisa, so he’s also navigating being recently kicked out and wanting to go back, while also not wanting to give up his purpose or turn down cases like these. 

• Hot On the Shelf (34:25):

• Devin: Lady Charlotte Always Gets Her Man by Violet Marsh

• Holly: Like Mother, Like Daughter by Kimberly McCreight

• What’s Making Our Hearts Race (38:12):

• Devin: Riding a horse!

• Holly: X-Men 97

Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod

Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com

If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.

Summary: Today Holly is joined by a special guest - Laura Tremaine, the host of the 10 Things To Tell You podcast and author of The Life Council: 10 Friends Every Woman Needs and Share Your Stuff, I’ll Go First. Laura has been sharing her life online for over a decade. She writes about friendship, anxiety, motherhood, and marriage. Her posts and podcast episodes resonate with women looking for ways to connect more deeply with others as they transform from one era of life into another. 

Laura’s favorite author is Stephen King, a masterful storyteller and a mutual favorite of Holly’s. She advocates for more women to read King and the value of owning that we love to be scared! Her 2024 Stephen King Summer Book Club began on June 1st; learn more about it during today’s episode and hear why Laura loves to add spooky to summer.

Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod / @laura.tremaine / @10thingstotellyou

Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com

If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.

Summary: Welcome to stop two of our summer road trip around the United states - the Carolinas! Holly and Devin both have connections to these southern states (Holly’s bachelorette was in Charleston, SC!) but the books they brought today made them feel even closer to the region. Whether you’re curling up to read a sapphic romance or buckling up for a character-driven murder mystery, our hosts have something for you today! 

Topics Discussed:

• The Dagger (4:04): Holly discussed Decent People by De’Shawn Charles Winslow, a historical mystery set in the segregated town of West Mills in 1976. Josephine (Jo) Wright has returned back to her small hometown to marry her childhood sweetheart, Olympus “Lymp” Seymour. When the bodies of Lym’s three half-siblings are found, though, Lymp becomes the lead suspect and Jo must fight for her love and her community to uncover the truth. Holly’s key takeaways were:

• This book explores shame in all its forms; the characters struggle with shame around their station in life, race, heritage and sexuality. It motivates certain people to hide and others to act, as Jo uncovers as she untangles the knots of relationships in her community. 

• As Joe begins to investigate those who might know the most about the deaths of her fiancés half-siblings, she uncovers darker secrets than she ever imagined. Winslow paints for the reader a slow story pivoting between townspeople connected to the victims; a pattern of cover-ups, racial incidents, homophobia and medical misuse. 

• Read this book if you enjoy character-driven mysteries, small town secrets and drama, a historical 1970s setting. North Carolina as a setting strikes a great backdrop for the themes Winslow explores. 

• The Heart (18:42): Devin discussed Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings, a floral sapphic romance set in Asheville, NC. Opal Devlin, a woman dressed as an ice cream cone and used to being taken advantage of by everyone she knows, finds the opportunity to achieve her dreams when she wins the lottery and purchases a flower farm where she envisions becoming an artist. Little does she know that Pepper Smith, an angry, gorgeous farmer, is waiting for her and sees herself as the rightful owner of Thistle and Bloom Farms. Enemies to roommates to… well. Devin’s key takeaways were:

• This book is perfect for Pride Month! Opal is enthusiastically bisexual and has had a lot of experience with myriad genders, often with a lot of negative ones with cis men (see: her crappy ex Miles who keeps trying to get some of her winnings). Pepper identifies as a lesbian but has never felt like she can trust anyone enough to open up and actually have an intimate experience. 

• Opal moves from Charlotte to Asheville and the sense of place is strong in this novel; The Thistle and Bloom Farm is vivid, vibrant, and a microcosm of the rich culture in North Carolina. Pepper has never known any home outside of the farm and Opal is working on a new beginning herself, all couched inside of the verdant region. 

• Pepper has been diagnosed as on the autism spectrum. Opal is undiagnosed but knows that she is likely on the spectrum as well as having ADHD. They have both struggled in their lives with being taken advantage of by people who were supposed to love them and their neurodivergent experience bonds them and aligns with the way they each seek to build, finally, a safe space in which to thrive. 

• Hot On the Shelf (35:16):

• Devin: Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

• Holly: Middle of the Night by Riley Sager

• What’s Making Our Hearts Race (38:59):

• Devin: Pride Month and being out and proudly bisexual

• Holly: Challengers with Zendaya 

Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod

Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com

If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience. 

Keywords: Literature, Books, Reading, Bookish, Pop-culture, Thriller, Romance, North Carolina, South Carolina, The Carolinas, Summer Roadtrip, Decent People, De’Shawn Charles Winslow, Late Bloomer, Mazey Eddings, Just for the Summer, Abby Jimenez, Middle of the Night, Riley Sager, Pride Month, Challengers, Zendaya