Summary: For the final episode before our hiatus, it is only fitting that Holly and Devin get to spend an hour gushing about one of their favorite middle grade series, Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend. Written by a queer Australian, these books bring middle grade fantasy into technicolor from black and white. With rich world building, a menagerie of friends, foes, and frights this series will make the hearts race for readers of any age.

Reminder: Holly is a new mom! While she spends some time with her evolving family, we’ll be taking a hiatus from the podcast through the summer and fall. As we have updates we will share them. We appreciate your patience and encourage you to review our back-log of episodes in the meantime. 

Topics Discussed:

• Series Summary (4:37):

• Morrigan Crow is a young girl born on Eventide, the unluckiest day of the year. Cursed to die on her eleventh birthday, she’s blamed for every misfortune in her town and her parents dismiss her - her fate is sealed. However, when the day arrives she is whisked away by the enigmatic Jupiter North, who brings her to the secretive and magical city of Nevermoor. There, Morrigan learns of the Wundrous Society, an elite organization for those with extraordinary abilities. To gain entry, Morrigan must complete four trials - even when she’s not sure what her own magical “knack” is…

• Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow

• Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow

• Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow

• Silverborn: The Mystery of Morrigan Crow (pub date June 24, 2025)

• Key Themes (13:28):

• Rich World Building with Complex Characters: Nevermoor is a vividly crafted city, teeming with magical elements, unique customs, and a diverse cast of characters, offering readers an immersive experience. Beyond Morrigan, the series boasts a range of well-developed characters, each with their own backstories and motivations, adding depth to the narrative.

• Identity and Self-Worth: Morrigan's journey is a profound exploration of self-identity. Branded as cursed and unworthy, she struggles with feelings of inadequacy. Through her experiences in Nevermoor and the trials she faces, Morrigan begins to redefine her sense of self, discovering her intrinsic value beyond societal labels.

• Belonging and Found Family: The series emphasizes the importance of finding one's place in the world. Morrigan's relationships with characters like Jupiter North and her fellow society members highlight themes of chosen family and the comfort of belonging, contrasting her earlier experiences of isolation.

• Prejudice and Acceptance: Morrigan's status through the series exposes her to fear and discrimination, reflecting broader themes of prejudice. Townsend uses Morrigan and other characters and plotlines to challenge characters and readers alike to confront biases and embrace understanding and acceptance.

• Courage and Resilience: Facing daunting trials and societal rejection, Morrigan's resilience is a central theme. Her determination to persevere, even when the odds are stacked against her, serves as an inspiring testament to inner strength.

• The Nature of Power and Authority: The series delves into the complexities of power, particularly through the lens of Morrigan's abilities. It poses questions about the ethical use of power and the responsibilities that come with it.

• Hot On the Shelf (28:00):

• Holly: With a Vengeance by Riley Sager

• Devin: Red Rising by Pierce Brown

• What’s Making Our Hearts Race (32:43):

• Holly: Andor Season 2

• Devin: Friendship with Holly <3

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: Let’s talk about babies, baby! Today our hosts discuss books featuring pregnant protagonists. This is especially timely given that Holly is pregnant (and upon release, perhaps Baby has already arrived!). Whether you’re looking for an unexpected romance or a real look into vulnerability and perseverance, reading works centered on pregnant folks is a great avenue to go down.

Note: Given the imminent arrival of Holly’s baby, we will be going on a hiatus after our 90th episode, through the summer and fall. We will keep you all posted from there about what’s next as Holly gets adjusted to this new phase of life—in the meantime, thanks for your patience and of course we have 90 episodes you can revisit at any time in case you miss us. 

Topics Discussed:

• The Heart (4:28): Devin discussed Ready or Not by Cara Bastone, a novel following Eve Hatch after a one night stand leads to an unintended pregnancy. Living in Brooklyn with a dream-adjacent career, best friends, and a cozy if not exciting life, Eve now has her whole future thrown into uncertainty. Whether it’s collaborating with her baby daddy or increasingly relying on her best friend’s brother, Shep, Eve needs to figure out what she really wants now, beyond her child. Devin’s key takeaways were:

• The portrayal of pregnancy and the pacing of this story by Bastone give the reader time to experience (secondhand) the trajectory of those pivotal 9 months and how Eve navigates not only her growing belly but also her growing network and expanding world. With ups and downs, excitement and fear, whether you’ve been pregnant before or not you should expect to empathize and better understand that experience. 

• While there are romantic elements to this book, it’s not a very intense or dramatic part of the book. The greater emotional arc of the book is around found family for Eve and the way she explores platonic and romantic intimacy outside of sexuality. If you’re looking for a slow burn, emotionally intelligent connection, this book is for you. 

• As the reader follows Eve from her predictable and controlled life in Brooklyn into this surprising and unexpected future, we explore how she learns to embrace the unexpected and let go of her need to control her life too much. The best laid plans almost never work out and for Eve, that might be a great thing. 

• The Dagger (15:48): Holly discussed Tilt by Emma Pattee, a climate fiction story following Annie, a 37-week-pregnant woman who is shopping in IKEA when a massive earthquake - modeled after the predicted Cascadia Subduction Zone event - devastates Portland, OR. Trapped momentarily amidst the chaos, she escapes the huge store only to find the city in ruins: communication lines are down, infrastructure is destroyed, and everyone is panicking. With no way to get in touch with her husband, Annie embarks on a treacherous journey across the city to reunite with him. Holly’s key takeaways were:

• Throughout her journey, Annie grapples with her identity and the societal expectations of motherhood. She reflects on her past aspirations, including her abandoned dream of becoming a playwright, and how these unfulfilled ambitions intersect with her current role as a mother-to-be. The narrative delves into her internal conflicts, questioning traditional notions of maternal instinct and the societal pressures placed upon mothers. 

• The earthquake serves as a catalyst for Annie's transformation. Initially portrayed as overwhelmed and uncertain, her experiences during the disaster compel her to confront her fears and reassess her priorities. This journey mirrors the transformative process of becoming a mother, highlighting themes of growth, sacrifice, and the redefinition of self.

• Annie's odyssey underscores the human capacity to endure and adapt in the face of overwhelming adversity. Throughout her journey, Annie meets a spectrum of individuals—some offering aid, others posing danger—each interaction shedding light on human nature in crisis. Interspersed with her physical journey are Annie's reflections on her past: her career aspirations, the strains in her marriage, and her ambivalence about motherhood.

• Hot On the Shelf (32:01):

• Devin: We Solve Murders by Richard Osman

• Holly: King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby

• What’s Making Our Hearts Race (36:01):

• Holly: IMO Podcast with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson

• Devin: Silicon Valley on HBO Max

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: Muahaha! Cower in fear, dear listeners, as Holly and Devin discuss villains… who need a paycheck too. Whether you’ve worked in Corporate America or just like to imagine hell as an office building, these books will be a home run. 

Topics Discussed:

• The Dagger (3:26): Holly discussed Sign Here by Claudia Lux, a satirical exploration of morality and corporate offices following Peyote Trip, a caseworker in the Deals Department of the fifth floor of Hell. Responsible for securing soups by making deals with humans desperate enough to sign away their afterlives, Peyote is on the cusp of a promotion. If he can sign up one more member of the Harrison family he’ll get a “Complete Set” - five souls from the same lineage. Holly’s key takeaways were:

• Hell's depiction as a monotonous office environment serves as a critique of bureaucratic inefficiencies and the dehumanizing aspects of corporate life.​ Peyote's journey reflects a deeper quest for self-understanding and the possibility of redemption, even within the confines of Hell.

• The novel explores the gray areas of morality, questioning the binary notions of good and evil through its characters' choices and motivations.​ The Harrison family's dynamics highlight the impact of generational secrets and the lengths individuals go to protect or escape their lineage.​ 

• For Holly, the premise of the story was stronger than the execution. While it was entertaining throughout, the two storylines of Peyote in Helly and the Harrison Family on Earth don’t come together as strongly and clearly as they could have. 

• The Heart (13:20): Devin discussed Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer, a BookTok-sourced Romantasy following Evie Sage, a young woman lying in the magical kingdom of Rennedawn who is in desperate need of a job. After an unfortunate firing and a spell of bad luck, she stumbles into a chance encounter with The Villain and ends up hired as his personal assistant. While yes, there are body parts swinging from the ceiling, his castle runs much like any business and Evie can handle the paperwork. Devin’s key takeaways were:

• This novel highlights a recent publishing trend of storylines and authors becoming popular on social media sites like TikTok before they are published, then being signed by publishing companies to ride the wave of their popularity. Pros include increased diversity and a resurgence of popularity of reading in the zeitgeist, but Holly and Devin review cons like rushed editing and expected tropes as well. 

• Maehrer explores the idea that even villains deserve loyalty, empathy, and maybe even a decent lunch break. It’s a workplace comedy... if the workplace had torture chambers. The absurdity of running an evil empire like an office is what makes the “villainous job” theme shine. Capitalism meets chaos magic.

• While not spicy at all, there are romantic elements to the story. The push-pull between danger and attraction for Evie and The Villain is delicious, especially when the boss could literally smite someone - but instead just broods silently when Evie talks to another guy.

• Hot On the Shelf (35:54):

• Holly: My Friends by Fredrik Backman

• Devin: That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Human by Kimberly Lemming

• What’s Making Our Hearts Race (41:47):

• Holly: The Last of Us Season 2 on HBO Max

• Devin: Volunteering in her local community

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: E Káàró, friends! Today, Holly and Devin armchair travel to Nigeria. Known for its vibrant culture, diversity, rich artistic heritage and a thriving film industry (Nollywood), this country has so much to explore. With both books set in the bustling city of Lagos, our hosts get to explore the romantic and thrilling aspects of this amazing country. 

Topics Discussed:

• The Heart (3:00): Devin discussed The Sweetest Remedy by Jane Igharo, a novel following Hannah Bailey, successful biracial business woman living in San Francisco, who is invited to her estranged father’s funeral - in Lagos, Nigeria. After a brief relationship with her white mother, she never had a connection to her father or his prestigious family, but this opportunity is too good to pass up. Uncovering half siblings, secrets, culture and even a man she never expected, Hannah must come to a new understanding of who she is and where she fits in the world. Devin’s key takeaways were:

• Hannah's experience reflects that of many diaspora children, caught between cultures, feeling not quite “enough” of either. Her journey is tender, frustrating, funny, and deeply affirming and she works to expand her sense of self and identify where she belongs amongst her expanded family. 

• While you get a great sense of Lagos through the book, the setting of a Nigerian funeral, especially for someone as prominent as Hannah’s father, adds an extra layer of authenticity to the story. They’re multi-day affairs that are part mourning, part celebration, part family reunion, part “airing of grievances.” Through this event, the book explores Nigerian culture, familial expectations, inheritance (emotional and literal), and reconciliation.

• The romance is beautifully folded into Hannah’s emotional journey. It’s not just “hot guy in Nigeria,” Lawrence is a patient and supportive friend first who guides Hannah and helps her navigate the rough waters of her expanding identity. It’s romantic, yes, but also rooted in identity and growth.

• The Dagger (13:50): Holly discussed Gaslight by Femi Kayode, a crime fiction story following Jeremiah Dawodu, the influential leader of a prominent megachurch in Lagos. He’s publicly arrested in the middle of a service for the suspected murder of his wife. Despite his skepticism toward organized religion, Philip Taiwo, an investigative psychologist who recently returned to Nigeria from the US, is reluctantly drawn into the case by his sister. Confronting a web of secrets, resistance from the church, and the complexities of Nigerian society, Philip must cut through the noise to uncover the truth. Holly’s key takeaways were:

• The novel examines how religious institutions wield influence and the potential for corruption within such structures.​ The pursuit of truth in a society and institution rife with secrecy and manipulation underscores the narrative, questioning the nature of justice and the power of religion and religious leaders.​

• Through the lens of a psychological crime thriller, the novel illuminates both the beauty and contradictions of Nigerian society; it critiques power structures while celebrating resilience, explores how people navigate moral gray zones, and invites readers to see Nigeria in all its complexity: vibrant, chaotic, spiritual, flawed, and deeply human.

• Taiwo's family's experiences reflect the complexities of cultural identity and the challenges of reintegration after living abroad.​ The personal struggles within Taiwo's family parallel the broader societal issues, emphasizing the interplay between personal and communal conflicts.​

• Hot On the Shelf (27:12):

• Devin: A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske

• Holly: The Devils by Joe Abercrombie

• What’s Making Our Hearts Race (31:39):

• Devin: The Americas Documentary with Tom Hanks

• Holly: Your Friends and Neighbors on AppleTV

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: Make sure you keep the volume on this episode down so as not to disturb your neighbors! Today, Holly and Devin dive into the wonderful world of apartment buildings. They discuss how stacking people like blocks in a single building can facilitate both a lust for blood as well as good old fashioned lust. Whether you’ve always lived in a single family home and have only seen apartments in shows like Friends or you’re listening to this from an apartment right now, our hosts have got what you need to explore this living situation! 

Topics Discussed:

• The Dagger (5:31): Holly discussed Lock Every Door by Riley Sager, a thriller following Jules Larsen - a recently unemployed, heartbroken 25-year-old in desperate need of monday. When offered, she jumps at a high-paying job to apartment-sit at The Bartholomew, an exclusive, elite Gothic-style Manhattan apartment building. The rules of her stay are strange, but Jules shakes it off…until a fellow apartment sitter, Ingrid, disappears. Holly’s key takeaways were:

• The Bartholomew is inspired by real-life historic buildings in NYC. Its creepy, opulent design creates a claustrophobic atmosphere that mirrors traditional haunted house stories while the brooding atmosphere, secretive residents, and eerie silence create a modern gothic mood that amplifies the creepiness of the plot.

• Jules is uncertain whom to trust, and her increasing paranoia drives much of the suspense, keeping readers questioning what’s real and who’s dangerous. The story follows her as she navigates fear, gaslighting, and manipulation - ultimately reclaiming power through courage and tenacity.

• With the desperate and financially strapped Jules staying in an apartment building designed for the wealthy elite, the novel explores how financial insecurity can make people vulnerable to exploitation—highlighting the stark contrast between the wealthy and the desperate.

• The Heart (15:26): Devin discussed Lease on Love by Falon Ballard, a romance following Sadie Green - a sharp, ambitious woman who has just thrown her finance career out the window with a single outburst. With her career thrown in a blender and her housing situation dire, she drinks away her sorrows and browses roommate listings which lands her an appointment for what she thinks is a spare bedroom. She meets Jack Thomas who offers her the entire first floor of his spacious and beautiful Brooklyn Brownstone for a fraction of what he could charge. From there, Sadie and Jack both work on rebuilding - both themselves and their lives. Devin’s key takeaways were:

• The apartment—this big, cozy Brooklyn brownstone—is practically a third main character. It becomes a safe haven for both Sadie and Jack. It’s not just a setting, but the space that allows them to let their guards down and build something real.

• Both Sadie and Jack are at emotional crossroads, and their relationship becomes a soft space to land. The story leans into themes of trust, grief, and rediscovering purpose—not just in love or their respective careers but in self-worth and their personhood.

• Beyond the romance, Lease on Love is a celebration of strong friendships and emotional community as people navigate the rough waters of their 20s. Sadie’s friend group and Jack’s quiet generosity show that love can be a team sport and vulnerability and collaboration pave the way to happiness.

• Hot On the Shelf (33:35):

• Devin: Just Playing House by Farah Heron

• Holly: Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor

• What’s Making Our Hearts Race (37:33):

• Devin: A new candle warmer! 

• Holly: Love on the Spectrum Season 3

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: Howdy, partner! Saddle up today and join Holly and Devin as they explore the Wild West - the region of the United States west of the Mississippi River between the 1830s and the early 1900s. Whether you’re looking for love or a spooky thrill, books set in the Wild West are more violent, raw, and connected to the dangers of the wide open plains. Stark and vivid, these stories strip life down to the most basic aspects of human nature and explore what we’ll do to survive. 

Topics Discussed:

• The Heart (5:09): Devin discussed Lucky Red by Claudia Cravens, a western sapphic romance following Bridget as she travels through the Kansas prairie with her alcoholic father. After he dies from a rattlesnake bite, Bridget makes it to Dodge City and is soon recruited to work at the Buffalo Queen - the only brothel in town run by women. Bridget takes well to brothel life and forms deep friendships with her fellow “sporting women”. When Spartan Lee, a legendary female gunfighter, comes to town, though, the life she’s built is threatened and Bridget must decide who and what she’ll fight for. Devin’s key takeaways were:

• This book embodied the chaos and tenuousness of this era of the Western United States. Craven imbues her writing with an anger and sharpness that matches well with the violence of the weather and people trying to survive in what had just recently been wilderness. While most of the book takes place inside the brothel, we get a picture of the society by the men who sit at the bar and spend time with the women. 

• While this book can definitely be called a romance, there’s an undercurrent of danger and discomfort such that it was difficult to relax into and trust. The writing was impeccably done but what propelled the story was less the queer love Bridget feels and explores with women but the found family and platonic love she feels for her peers at the Buffalo Queen. 

• Craven explores, through Bridget, the dynamic between men in power and women whose only power could be found in whoring. There is a pride implied through the book for these women and the reader gets to see their strength and cunning in action; even in Spartan there is a claiming and staking of power by force. The men, though, claim nothing and by simply being in a room or not being in a room can determine the fates of each woman we come to care about. 

• The Dagger (18:01): Holly discussed Lone Women by Victor Lavalle, a historical horror book set in 1915 following Adelaide Henry, a young Black woman living in California. Having set her home ablaze with her dead parents inside, Adelaide moves to Montana with only a steamer trunk containing a dangerous secret. Once there, she claims a homestead under the promise that if she can farm the land for three years, it will be hers. Met with a harsh landscape, xenophobia and patriarchal pressures, and the burden of her past, Adelaide befriends other outcast women and hopes the horrifying truth doesn’t come out. Holly’s key takeaways were:

• The novel challenges the traditional, whitewashed narrative of the American frontier. Instead of the rugged, heroic white men often depicted in Westerns, Lone Women focuses on the marginalized figures—women, people of color, and outsiders—who also played a crucial role in shaping the West. The novel highlights the loneliness and struggles of female homesteaders, who had to survive in a harsh environment without the privileges that white male settlers had.

• Despite her initial isolation, Adelaide finds support in unexpected places, demonstrating the importance of chosen family in times of hardship. She bonds with Grace, a struggling single mother, and Bertie, who both offer her friendship and protection. The idea of survival is not just about enduring physical hardship—it’s about finding allies and building a life on one’s own terms. 

• The supernatural elements in Lone Women serve as metaphors for historical and societal horrors. The monster in Adelaide’s trunk embodies both her own trauma and the fear of what happens when buried secrets come to light. The desolation of the Montana frontier, with its harsh winters and isolation, enhances the eerie atmosphere, making it a place where both natural and supernatural dangers lurk.

• Hot On the Shelf (32:37):

• Devin: The Pairing by Casey McQuinston

• Holly: The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson

• What’s Making Our Hearts Race (36:33):

• Devin: Superstore show on Peacock

• Holly: Severance season 2 on AppleTV 

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: Hm, is that sound of screaming from the joy of a roller coaster or a stabbing? Today our hosts discuss books set in Theme Parks! Whether like Holly you’re more drawn to the magic and experience of places like DisneyLand or you’re like Devin chasing adrenaline on some of the fastest and most intense roller coasters on earth, there are books that can give you the thrill you’re looking for. 

Topics Discussed:

• The Dagger (6:53): Holly discussed FantasticLand by Mike Bockoven, a horror book reminiscent of an adult Lord of the Flies. After a hurricane ravages the Florida coast and isolates FantasticLand, a theme park where “Fun is Guaranteed!,” employees agree to stay behind to make sure the park isn’t looted and are promised to be paid to do so. Five weeks later, rescue crews arrive to find heads on spikes, bodies lined up, and employees split into warring factions. Holly’s key takeaways were:

• The story fills in the gaps between the hurricane and what the rescue crews discovered through various POVs; a journalist interviews various people involved after the fact. Since the story is told through multiple interviews, readers must decide which accounts to believe, as survivors may be unreliable or have their own agendas.

• The novel highlights how quickly social norms break down when survival is at stake. Cut off from the outside world, the employees turn to tribalism, reinforcing the idea that without structure, humans can revert to their most primal instincts. 

• The theme park itself provided a unique structure and setting for such an intense plot; the factions of employees were named after the rides near them such as the Pirates, the ShopGirls as they resort to violence while competing for food, medicine, and social dominance in what had been a whimsical space. 

• The Heart (19:48): Devin discussed Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Dugan, a YA romance following Elouise (Lou) Parker and her group of friends at their summer jobs at Magic Castle Playland, a run-down local theme park in their town. Lou suffers her junior year summer wearing a giant hot dog suit around the park, while her love interest Nick gets to be a Diving Pirate dating Jessa, a princess. The news that the park will be shutting down at the end of the summer, Lou takes matters into her own hands to ensure that she has the summer of her dreams - from saving the park to fake-dating her best friend, Seeley, so she can ultimately win her man. Devin’s key takeaways were: 

• Magic Castle Playland is like any local, run down park that you’ve ever been to and it’s nostalgic in the way it is so typical. A large portion of the plot is dedicated to Lou’s increasingly desperate attempts to keep the park from closing and the park itself acts as a mirror and a foil for her own immaturity and growth.  

• The fake dating between Lou and Seeley in order to break another couple up was a challenging part of the story, especially when it’s a bi woman doing it with a lesbian to win a cis het man. There’s a stereotype of bi women (and men, but mostly women): they lead people on, they’re greedy, they can’t make up their minds, and this book fed into that stereotype. 

• The “young adult” aspect of this book really shone through. Nick and Seeley were mature, kind, and measured throughout but everyone else was very in their teenage years. Getting the story from Lou’s perspective was at times agonizing; a blend of being so accurate to a dumb teenager's brain and Lou’s own meddling and dramatic rhetoric. 

• Hot On the Shelf (36:51):

• Holly: Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy

• Devin: I Think They Love You by Julian Winters

• What’s Making Our Hearts Race (40:22):

• Holly: Holly’s Literary Magic Substack

• Devin: Mythic Quest on AppleTV

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 pint and cozy up with us to talk all things Ireland on today’s episode! Whether you have Irish blood in your family like Holly or have never visited the country like Devin, the unique and salt-of-the-earth culture of this small island country has captured the hearts and imaginations of authors in every genre. With gray skies and warm, well-lit pubs creating contrast, this country is the ideal intersection between our hosts’ wheelhouses. 

Topics Discussed:

• The Heart (3:30): Devin discussed Last Call at the Local by Sarah Grunder Ruiz, a romance following free-spirited American singer-songwriter Rain Hart. Originally from Boston, some bad luck leaves her unable to perform and stranded in a small Irish town. Seeking solace at a pub called The Local, Raine insults and intrigues Jack Dunne, the pub’s owner. After asking her to help bring the rundown watering hole back to life, Raine and Jack must confront their growing attraction and their opposite lifestyles. Devin’s key takeaways were:

• The quintessential setting of an Irish pub serves to accentuate Raine’s place as a stranger at first, but also the unique warmth and community found across Ireland that so many are drawn to. Jack’s ownership of the pub comes with baggage, but in collaboration with the red-headed American he starts to see how The Local can transcend his trauma. 

• Ruiz touches on neurodivergence and mental health conditions with grace and empathy. Raine manages her ADHD as best she can while enjoying her nomadic lifestyle, and Jack balances his OCD and his business. The way their situations influence how their relationship evolves is one of the deeper and more fulfilling aspects of the story.

• Another hallmark of stories centered on Ireland, this book is full of deep community. The side characters are rich and heavily involved, and The Local itself increasingly becomes the center of the small town’s universe. 

• The Dagger (11:34): Holly discussed Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent, a crime fiction story following Sally Diamond, a socially isolated woman living in rural Ireland. When she takes her father’s directive of “when I die just put him out with the bins” literally, she draws unwanted attention to herself including police, a media frenzy, and the unearthing of long-buried secrets about her past. Sally must piece together horrifying truths and navigate an unknown figure from her past and how to integrate into a society that sees her as an outsider. Holly’s key takeaways were:

• Sally's early childhood affected her development into an adult and left her emotionally detached, and the novel explores how deep-seated trauma manifests in behavior. She struggles with demonstrating emotions and understanding social cues. Her adopted father sheltered her as much as possible, so she’s never had a job, a romantic relationship, or even a friend.

• Sally’s inner thoughts are super funny and this brought lightness to a very otherwise dark book. Her perspective is in some ways beautiful and hopeful amidst the dark themes and her treatment as an outsider forces readers to consider how society perceives neurodivergence or unusual behavior.

• Nugent doesn’t present Ireland as a stereotypical location or even sets out to convey a strong sense of literal place, but the writing feels strongly irish in its tone; dark, doesn’t pull punches, but on sentence level well written and enriched with detail and humor. 

• Hot On the Shelf (27:29):

• Devin: The 7-10 Split by Karmen Lee

• Holly: The Dream Hotel by Laila Lailami

• What’s Making Our Hearts Race (31:39):

• Devin: SNL 50: Beyond Saturday Night

• Holly: Rewatching the TV show Lost

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: We’ll make it quick this week, folks! Or not, since Holly and Devin can’t resist waxing poetic about how awesome novellas are. Shorter than a novel, longer than a short story, these ~160 page books really pack a punch. Growing in popularity in Holly’s wheelhouse lately but still more rare in Devin’s, this corner of published works is sometimes overlooked but always worth digging into more deeply, especially if you enjoy watching authors use economy of words to create a world you’re sucked into. 

Topics Discussed:

• The Dagger (5:15): Holly discussed We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson, a gothic horror novella following Merricat Blackwood, an 18 year old girl who lives on her family's estate with her older sister Constance and their ailing uncle Julian. The Blackwood family used to be larger but was decimated by arsenic poisoning at a family dinner six years before the novel begins, for which Constance was accused and acquitted. Their days pass in happy isolation until cousin Charles appears, seeking to claim the Blackwood fortune. His presence threatens their secluded way of life, and Merricat feels she must act swiftly to keep them all safe from his designs. Holly’s key takeaways were:

• The novel explores themes of societal cruelty, mob mentality, and the persecution of those who are different. Through Merricat and Constance, the reader explores human nature and society’s treatment of outsiders. The story can be read as a subversive take on women’s roles, with Constance as the domestic caretaker and Merricat as a defiant, untamed force.

• Jackson creates a chilling atmosphere of dread and paranoia, influencing modern gothic fiction and psychological thrillers we see today. She explores the lines between social ostracization and self-imposed exile, how the Blackwoods' past defines their present and how Constance and Merricat cope differently with their trauma. 

• As a novella, Holly was impacted the most by Jackson’s effective writing in so few pages. She felt joy at every single sentence, every weird quirk of the characters, the tone that was partly childlike and partly old fashioned, every detail about their house and their shopping and the claustrophobia of it all.

• The Heart (16:56): Devin discussed Loathe to Love You by Ali Hazelwood, a collection of three novellas that can stand alone but also work in harmony as a collection. Mara, Sadie, and Hannah are three engineers with different specialities, living in different places, united by friendship and their hatred for men thrust into their lives. Whether you’re following Mara as she fights for space living with Liam, Sadie as she grapples with rejection while trapped in an elevator with Erik, or Hannah as she struggles for survival (and control of herself) with Ian in the arctic, these novellas are delightfully feminist and steamy. Devin’s key takeaways were:

• As with many of Hazelwood’s works, these novellas are grounded first and foremost in feminism and women in STEM; the three protagonists are very different but united in their work in the sciences and the challenges they face as women in a male-dominated field.

• As a novella, these stories stay tight and build romantic tension by putting the protagonists in closed environments; roommates, trapped in an elevator, in a tiny research facility in frigid conditions. By limiting the scope of locations and characters, Hazelwood could more efficiently create the perfect cocktail of emotion, tension, and chemistry that makes for great Enemies to Lovers reading.

• A standout component of the novella collection was the men; each in their own way was misunderstood by the female protagonists and for good reason. The flip of the switch from skepticism and assumption that they’re just one of those sexist, ladder-climbing men to understanding and attraction was a blast to read. 

• Hot On the Shelf (29:51):

• Devin: Likeable Badass by Alison Fragle, PhD

• Holly: Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson

• What’s Making Our Hearts Race (34:52):

• Devin: Sex Lives of College Girls Season 3 on Max

• Holly: Say Nothing on Hulu

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: Whether you’re young or just young at heart, the explosion of Young Adult novels in the last decade has made an impact on the publishing industry and readers alike. Today, Holly and Devin review YA stories from their wheelhouses, showing us the breadth and depth of YA stories - they can get intense, both romantically and horrifically. 

Topics Discussed:

• The Heart (6:23): Devin discussed I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuinston, a YA romance following Chloe Green after her rival and prom queen Shara Wheeler kisses her and then disappears from their small Alabama community. Chloe teams up with Rory Heron and Smith Parker, who Shara also kissed, to find her. Along the way, they also realize they’re finding themselves. Devin’s key takeaways were: 

• The characters embark on a journey of self-exploration, grappling with their sexuality, ambitions, and the expectations imposed by their conservative community. McQuinston highlights the complexities of discovering and embracing one's true self, especially in a setting that demands conformity.

• The story explores the tension between individuality and societal pressures, especially within the confines of a rigidly conservative environment. Shara’s mysterious game becomes a form of rebellion, challenging the rules and norms of their community while encouraging others to question them too.

• Through the unlikely alliances and shared experiences of Chloe, Rory, and Smith, the book examines the power of understanding and empathy. It underscores the importance of building authentic connections, healing fractured relationships, and finding common ground with others—even those you least expect.

• The Dagger (16:22): Holly discussed The Grace Year by Kim Liggett, a YA dystopian horror set in the fictional Garner County, in which a patriarchal society teaches girls they have the power to lure grown men from their beds and drive women mad with jealousy. As a result, each girl is banished from the community when they turn sixteen - they must release their magic into the wild so they can return purified and ready for marriage. Tierney James dreams of a better life, but as her own grace year draws near, she realizes that she has a lot more to fear than the brutal elements outside Garner County. Holly’s key takeaways were:

• This story was particularly well suited for a young adult audience even though it clearly can resonate with anyone of any age. Liggett takes things that teens are dealing with, especially expectations and limitations on girls and women throughout history to today, and shows them in a new light by dialing them up to this extreme, dystopian level. 

• The Grace Year critiques societal systems that oppress women through fear, control, and systemic violence. The story explores how women are pitted against each other under patriarchal systems and how solidarity can emerge even in dire circumstances.

• The concept of "magic" is used metaphorically to explore how fear and myths are wielded as tools to control and subjugate populations. Tierney’s struggle to survive physically and emotionally highlights themes of resilience and self-reliance inside of the restrictive bounds of that “magic.” 

• Hot On the Shelf (31:52):

• Devin: Single Player by Tara Tai

• Holly: Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao

• What’s Making Our Hearts Race (36:21):

• Devin: Athletic Brewing NA Beer 

• Holly: Conclave

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.