Hearts & Daggers

Summary: Lace up your aprons and preheat the oven to 350 degrees, friends! We're talking Cooking Competitions today. Holly and Devin unpack the way that a competitive atmosphere can turn up the heat on both romantic tension and animosity with two books that follow the same plot of filmed cooking competitions but land with completely different outcomes. They both agree that food adds two more senses to descriptions in books; instead of merely visual and auditory prompts, food descriptions add taste and smell to ensure the reader is immersed in the created world.

Topics Discussed:

• The Heart (3:30): Devin discussed Love and Other Disasters by Anita Kelly, a novel centering around two contestants on the cooking show Chef's Special. Dahlia Woodson is a queer divorcée starting her life over again and hoping the competition will jumpstart her new direction. London Parker is an openly nonbinary, pansexual person out to show their haters and the world that they're more than their gender identity (and that their desserts are truly the best). Her key takeaways were:

• Our protagonists are just as easy to fall in love with as they were falling in love with each other; Dahlia is spunky, energetic, and has dark flowing hair that London can't help but gaze at. London is focused, reserved, and brave in a way that will inspire any reader.
• Chef's Special, which is similar to the real shows MasterChef or Top Chef, serves as a romantic catalyst by proximity but also to add tension and uncertainty to our burgeoning love story - at any point, either London or Dahlia can be sent home.
• There are trigger warnings for transphobia, homophobia, and misgendering. Devin also wants to add more for toe sucking and sex with foods because she hates being sticky. That being said, the sex in this book is fantastic.

• The Dagger (18:42): Holly discussed The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell, a debut true crime novel that will be released on March 7, 2023. It opens on the gothic family estate of host and celebrity chef Betsy Martin, where the 10th season of the hit TV show Bake Week will be recording in the next 7 days. Betsy is faced with a massive thunderstorm on the property in chapter 1 and let's just say that things don't improve from there. Holly's key takeaways were:

• The baking show itself was reminiscent of The Great British Baking Show, and Holly thoroughly enjoyed the descriptions of food and baking throughout the novel, though it is eventually overtaken by the mystery at the core of the story.
• The book peeks behind the glossy curtain of these kinds of shows and digs into the night scenes, post-filming, where the cast dine and sleep together (including all the tensions and discomfort that involves)
• The POV alternates between all the characters, which can normally be tricky for the reader. Maxwell is able to execute such that it worked for this novel, and while Holly felt confused on a few occasions, overall felt it was the best choice based on the plot.

• Hot On the Shelf (34:57):

• Devin: Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott
• Holly: Flight by Lynn Steger Strong

• What's Making Our Hearts Race (39:23):

• Devin: Snow skiing in Colorado
• Holly: Barbarian, a horror film

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 Nonfiction November! Holly and Devin are kicking off this month by diving into two very different nonfiction books: Holly's, a deep dive into serial killer Ted Bundy, and Devin's, a deep dive into the full spectrum of human emotion and how they can enrich our lives. Couldn't be more different, but Holly and Devin unite over the place of nonfiction in their lives and how books like these can impact them both inside and outside their wheelhouses.

As a reminder, you can review and purchase all books we discuss and mention on this podcast through the Hearts & Daggers Bookshop site; any book you purchase using our affiliate links supports our show.

Topics Discussed:

• The Dagger (3:47): Holly discussed The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule, an in-depth, journalistic approach to the story of Ted Bundy and the murder spree he went on between 1973 - 1978. Rule, who had been a journalist investigating the murders and disappearances of women in Washington State in the early 70s, worked with Bundy at a crisis call center and was contracted to write her book before the killer was identified. Holly's key takeaways were:

• Bundy's murders spanned 4 states but always involved a similar profile for victim; young, brunette women with long hair parted down the middle (As a curly-haired blonde, Devin felt comforted by this - even though he died in 1989). He would routinely fake a broken arm or a broken-down car to engage with them.
• The most impactful and interesting aspect of the book was Ann Rule's own personal connection to Ted and the cases. Her journey discovering that her friend was a suspect, denial and confusion, and eventual horrifying realization and acceptance as the situation turned ever more dire and damning carried the reader through the book in a unique way.
• Holly also wants to underline: never hitchhike, keep your doors and windows locked, avoid walking alone esp at night, look like you know where you're going when walking (even if you don't), and never go to someone's car with them.

• The Heart (32:26): Devin discussed Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown, a gorgeously formatted book that archives the eighty-seven emotions and experiences that define what it means to be human. Brown uses descriptions and overviews of these emotions as a conduit to drive home a wider message; the better we can understand and articulate how we feel about our lives, the more deeply we can connect to those around us. Devin's key takeaways were:

• Applying qualitative research to something as elusive and difficult to understand as the spectrum of human emotion allows the reader to more deeply inspect their own experiences, unconscious drivers, and relationships with others with both passion and scientific precision.
• Brown categorizes emotions into buckets that also serve to augment the reader's experience and sense of unification across feelings and experiences all humans have. Devin's favorites were "Places we go when it's beyond us" (awe, wonder, confusion, curiosity, interest, surprise) and "Places we go with others" (compassion, pity, empathy, sympathy, boundaries, comparative suffering)
• The foundational takeaway from Devin from this book is being able to articulate not just four emotions (happy, sad, angry, horny) but many more and how the simple act of being self-aware enough to name a nuanced emotion will revolutionize our relationships.

• Hot On the Shelf (54:51):

• Devin: Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood
• Holly: The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell

• What's Making Our Hearts Race (57:13):

• Devin: Delta Airlines' flight experience
• Holly: Los Angeles Haunted Hayride

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: Wrapping up spooky season this year with one of the world's favorite halloween tropes - ghosts! Holly wishes she could believe in them, but is too logical and naturally skeptical to really dig in. Devin respectfully asks any ghosts reading this to please leave her alone and she apologizes in advance if she insulted any of them. No one will be surprised to learn that ghosts appear much more often in the books Holly reads, but Devin enjoys the way that death and the occasional ghost can help amplify the meaning of love in our lives.

Topics Discussed:

• The Heart (5:05): Devin discussed The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston, a novel that follows Florence Day from her job as a ghostwriter for romance author Ann Nichols in New York City to her sleepy South Carolina hometown after the death of her father. The twist? Florence can see and speak to ghosts, and finds herself haunted by her sexy (previously alive) book editor, Benji Andor. Her key takeaways were:

• Even with her quirk of chillin with ghosts, Florence is an incredibly relatable protagonist and navigates the thorny world of grief, family, and love with the enthusiasm of most oldest sibling millennials.
• If you're looking for a deeper romance, read this novel. Poston takes time to explore death, mortality, and grief - and especially how the certainty of death amplifies the importance of love in all our lives.
• The cast of characters and the apparition of Benji pull you through the novel and will leave you laughing, crying, and decently horny. How, you may ask, when the male protagonist is dead? *Devin winks*

• The Dagger (18:10): Holly discussed White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson, a supernatural horror novel centered around Marigold (Mari) and her family, who move to California to Cedarville, a midwestern city with layers and layers of tension, history, and ongoing battles. Their new, pristine home is nestled inside a dilapidated neighborhood and it isn't long before Mari isn't just facing the metaphorical ghosts of her past. Her key takeaways were:

• This novel is YA, and a great introduction to the horror genre for those who want to dip their toes in (Devin will not, of course, be doing this). Jackson, as a Brooklyn-based YA author, has always loved the horror genre and this is her first horror novel.
• Mari's 10-year old stepsister Piper instantly augments the uneasiness of the new, blended family and their new, confusing neighborhood; she keeps bringing up a "friend" named Miss Suga who wants Mari out of the house and their lives.
• This book blends traditional horror elements of slamming doors, flickering lights, and foul smells with more modern takes like mental health issues, gentrification, and systemic racism very successfully.

• Hot On the Shelf (36:46):

• Devin: The Bullet that Missed by Richard Osman
• Holly: The Lost History of Dreams by Kris Waldherr

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

• Devin: The Great British Baking Show on Netflix
• Holly: The Rings of Power on Amazon Prime

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 get witchy with it, friends! This week, Holly and Devin live out their dreams of discovering late-in-life magical prowess by discussing books centered around witches. Devin found her love of the sorceress lifestyle very early in life, whereas Holly was enchanted later. They agree that whether you're discussing the Salem witch trials or the Wicked Witch of the West, these stories embody what has culturally been feared about women, and explore what happens if women have power.

Topics Discussed:

• The Dagger (5:33): Holly discussed The Lighthouse Witches by C.J. Cooke, a novel centering around Liv, an artist with three young daughters, the trip to paint a mural in a remote lighthouse in Scotland, and how it all goes very horribly wrong. Her key takeaways were:

• Cooke, author of the acclaimed novel The Nesting, delves into the secrets of witches that have reached across centuries in this chilling Gothic thriller.
• While hinging on the disappearance of Liv, Saffy, and Clover who left middle-daughter Luna to fend for herself and search for her family for 23 years, this book also features a grimoire that explores life on the island centuries before.
• When Luna's younger sister Clover reappears decades later but still ages just seven years, she realizes she must return to the lighthouse and confront the past if she ever hopes to unravel the creepy mystery.

• The Heart (19:50): Devin discussed The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling, a delightful romp through the town of Graves Glen, Georgia, and Vivi Jones after she gets over her teenage heartbreak with vodka, candles, and a less-than-sober hex on her ex, Rhys Penhallow. Her key takeaways were:

• This book was essentially Sabrina the Teenage Witch combined with Stars Hollow (Gilmore Girls) plus some extra sexy steam; Vivi is the witch we'd all love to be and Devin tried to Zillow homes in Graves Glen before remembering the town is fictitious.
• Our hero, Rhys, is not only unreasonably attractive and magical, but has a Welsh accent that makes you want to melt even if you're not listening to this book on audio. His chemistry with Vivi, combined with the very real challenge of his family history and the potential disaster it implies for the town, keeps you guessing and intrigued the whole time.
• With ley lines, hexes, a witch college, possessed toys and a talking cat, this book is the perfect, lighthearted witchy romance for spooky season; grab a mug of mulled wine, light a candle, and dive in.

• Hot On the Shelf (41:30):

• Devin: Lease on Love by Fallon Ballard
• Holly: Amari and the Great Game by B B Alston

• What's Making Our Hearts Race (45:19):

• Devin: Ghosts on CBS
• Holly: The Patient on 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: If the length of an episode is anything to go by, Holly and Devin are *the most* excited to talk about ACOTAR, the A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas in our second LoveFest episode! This series is the perfect meld of the hearts and daggers that Holly and Devin love most; the seamiest, sexiest love scenes mixed with the creepiest, most anxiety-inducing action. Please note that this episode contains spoilers starting around 11 minutes in!

Topics Discussed:

• Book 1 - A Court of Thorns and Roses (5:50):

• Framed as a Beauty & the Beast retelling, the book opens with a human woman, Feyre, as she hunts and kills an unusually large wolf to keep her family from starvation. Unfortunately for her, the beast was actually Fae, and she is taken by the High Fae leader into his court as punishment for her crime.
• Once over the wall that separates the human and Fae worlds in Prythian, Feyre is met with new monsters, new friends, and new feelings for her captor, Tamlin, that she must learn to navigate to save her life and the lives of those she loves.
• As her world expands, Feyre is confronted with challenges ranging from lower fae creatures who'd love to eat her, to the Queen Under the Mountain, Amarantha, and her conniving lap dog, Rhysand.

• Key Themes - *Spoilers Begin* (10:45):

• The cast of characters surrounding Feyre as we dive more deeply into the series are a stand-out aspect of Maas' work; even seemingly side characters are rich, deep, and well-rounded - you cannot help but love them all.
• Maas' series is notably feminist; both male and female characters seek empowerment for themselves and each other in an almost anti-patriarchal way. The men show emotion, support each other, ask for help, and honor and respect the women in their lives. The women lift each other up, are taken seriously, and ultimately find their own authentic paths.
• Trauma, PTSD, and deep psychological motivations drive many of the characters in the series; Maas' representation of trauma and healing are grounded in an authenticity generally avoided in fantasy and war novels, but which serves to deepen our connection to every character as they wage war against real enemies and internal demons.
• The world building in this series is excellent for a high fantasy approach. The realization of Prythian, the various courts, as well as how cohesively everything is rendered ensures that Sarah J. Maas stands out as a superstar in the genre.

• The Daggers (35:36):

• No fantasy series would be complete without a host of creepy characters, and ACOTAR does it better than most! Holly loved the creativity put into the darker side of the fae world, all our lore and nightmares made real.
• While BookTok leans heavily on the sexier side of these novels, they are very plot forward and full of actual daggers, battles, and outright war and all that implies.

• The Hearts (38:20):

• To say ACOTAR is sexy is like saying summer in Phoenix gets "warm." This series features incredibly steamy, explicit sex scenes that will knock your socks off.
• To Devin, the romance in the novels is augmented by the exploration into the "mating bond" for Fae folks; you can be in love, get married, have babies, and not be with your mate. You can find your mate and hate them, or find your mate and have stars collide.
• Maas is a master in balance - the timing, execution, and details of the romance in the book serve to augment the larger plot; everything feels authentic, organic, and very, very hot.

• Hot On the Shelf (49:53):

• Devin: Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts by Kate Racculia
• Holly: Fairy Tale by Stephen King

• What's Making Our Hearts Race (53:40):

• Devin: The Season of Autumn
• Holly: House of the Dragon on HBO

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: If you're anything like Devin and Holly, one of your favorite smells is new notebooks, binders, pens - essentially what hits you when you walk into a Staples. Today, we're headed back to school! Holly and Devin deep dive into how school settings shape their excitement for fall, for learning, for romance, and for things that go bump in the night (for Holly, usually a body hitting the ground). As will be no surprise, they both love autumn and the way it symbolizes a return to education; these books about school only amplify those feelings as the leaves start to turn this September.

Topics Discussed:

• The Heart (2:57): Devin discussed What You Wish For by Katherine Center, a book that revolves around an elementary school in Galveston, TX and the librarian, Samantha Casey. Told from her perspective, the book starts as the principal, Max, passes away and is replaced by Sam's old love interest, Duncan Carpenter. Her key takeaways were:

• As with many of Center's books, trauma and fear play a major role in what drives the protagonists and shapes how they evolve as they either succumb to the fear or overcome it.
• Duncan used to be a goofy life of the party with bright colored shirts and costumes every day, but when Sam reconnects with him at the new school, he wears grays and is as serious as a banker in a financial crisis. It's basically a reverse bad-boy trope - how can Sam get Duncan back to who he used to be?
• The school setting allows for fantastic side characters like Chuck Norris, a security labradoodle who cannot seem to do his job well, Babette, the wife of the deceased principal and mother figure to Sam, and Alice, Sam's math wiz best friend - all of whom add to a vivid sense of community in the novel.

• The Dagger (17:09): Holly discussed Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire, a novel that explores what happens to children after they've fallen down the rabbit hole or walked through the wardrobe to Narnia; what happens when they've found their way back to the normal world and are expected to get on with their lives? Enter Miss Eleanor West's School for Wayward Children. Her key takeaways were:

• The novel follows Nancy Whitman, who ended up as a servant for the Lord and Lady of the Dead after she went through a magical door in her basement that landed her in the Halls of the Dead. Sent back to the real world by the Lord of the Dead so she can make a choice on where she wants to spend the rest of her life.
• Eleanor's school is a haven for children like Nancy; she caters to students who have experienced "high nonsense" worlds, who were kidnapped by fairies, who apprenticed for vampires or were made princesses in a world of genteel spiders; McGuire explores representation and embracing individuality in all its forms through these students.
• This novel aligns with the tradition of old British children's literature boarding school books, such as Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children or even X-Men; be warned, however, that there is more gore and murder in this one than many of the others in the canon.

• Hot On the Shelf (35:35):

• Devin: The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon
• Holly: The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow

• What's Making Our Hearts Race (38:04):

• Devin: Paddle Boarding
• Holly: The Sandman on Netflix

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: Join us as we start the school year with a deep dive into our English major roots with a lively discussion around Classics! Holly and Devin explore books that gave modern writers their templates and tropes for successful mysteries and romances. Plus, they spill the tea on the most recent Austen film adaptation, Netflix's Persuasion, a segment you won't want to miss.

Topics Discussed:

• The Dagger (3:58): Holly discussed The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the most famous in the Sherlock Holmes series and a mystery that established many of the devices with which we're familiar today - ranging from a sidekick character who represents the reader to using science to solve a case. Her key takeaways were:

• The interplay between science and the supernatural in this 1902 work foreshadowed and gave rise to other pop-culture contributions such as Scooby Doo and Nancy Drew.
• Dr. Watson, portrayed in films as either a portly bumbling idiot or Jude Law (somehow), opens the book by attempting to use his observational skills to determine the owner of an ornamental cane he sees in Sherlock's home. Sherlock proceeds to dunk on him, but Doyle leverages Watson throughout to act as an entrypoint for us, the reader, even 120 years later.
• Set in the Moors of England, the novel has a distinctly gothic feel that augment the creepiness of the looming threat represented by the mythically large hound suspected to be the killer; Sherlock must push past emotion toward the real answer, and the journey he takes resonates to this day.

• The Heart (19:24): Devin discussed Persuasion by Jane Austen, the final novel written by the author who passed away at age 41 soon after its completion. Set 8 years after a broken engagement between Anne Elliot and Captain Frederick Wentworth, Austen explores what happens to a woman when she does not remarry and pines for a lost love after pressure from family and society persuaded her to dismiss Wentworth. Her key takeaways were:

• Unlike Austen's other novels, our heroine is more reserved and jaded after ending up with a life she never asked for and a heap of disappointments that aren't softened at all by her demanding, narcissistic family members. Anne suffers with dignity, and the novel traces her phoenix-like awakening.
• Set principally in Bath with a heavy focus on naval officers and sea travel, Austen explores second chances and how an uninterrupted horizon of potential can exist even for an "old maid," unmarried at 27.
• Austen's biting wit and scathing sarcasm shine forth in this novel more than many others, especially in the criticism of superficial society and pretension over true love and happiness that Anne and Wentworth must navigate.

• Hot On the Shelf (42:01):

• Holly: Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
• Devin: Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree

• What's Making Our Hearts Race (45:40):

• Holly: Only Murders in the Building on Hulu
• Devin: What We Do in the Shadows 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: Take a bite out of the Big Apple with Holly and Devin today! They peel back the layers of New York City with books that focus on Harlem and Park Slope, Brooklyn. Holly and Devin both lived in the city (Devin for 2 years, Holly for 20) so it holds a special place in their hearts. That being said, stories set in the city can be over-romanticized and a lazy choice and the books they appreciate most have a true, granular sense of place and don't just center around Times Square.

Topics Discussed:

• The Heart (2:26): Devin discussed Real Men Knit by Kwana Jackson, a book that starts right after the death of Mama Joy, the adoptive mother of 4 grown men and the lynchpin of their Harlem community. She ran a knitting store for decades, and after her untimely passing the family and community are left to pick up the pieces and figure out who they are without her. Devin's key takeaways were:

• Kerry Fuller and Jesse Strong, the central couple of the book, are deeply connected to Mama Joy and the shop specifically, but their dynamic for most of the book feels more brother-sister than the tension you'd hope for from a friends to lovers romance.
• Jesse has 3 brothers (Noah, Lucas, and Damien) who act as foils for Jesse's immaturity and propensity to ignore responsibility for the sake of sleeping with more women; they also want to close the shop which acts as the central driver for Jesse and the book's plot.
• Overall, this book felt more like a family and community story than it did a romance. There was a deep sense of place and connection to Harlem throughout, but the book got a steaminess rating of 2.

• The Dagger (15:38): Holly discussed A Good Marriage by Kimberly McCreight, a thrilling romp that unpacks the torrid affairs and pulse-quickening drama of the wealthy Park Slope elites. NYC criminal defense attorney Lizzie receives a call from Rikers Prison - her friend from college, Zach Grayson, is in prison after his wife is found dead at the bottom of the stairs of their Brooklyn brownstone. Her key takeaways were:

• The book oscillates between Lizzie's first-hand account of figuring out what really happened, the wife Amanda's diary in the days leading up to her death, and Grand Jury testimony transcripts; this serves to heighten intrigue and give the reader lots of puzzle pieces to fit together.
• While the book doesn't criticize gentrification directly, there is definite shade thrown at the bougie Park Slope mom's and the elite culture (including a partner-swapping sex party!)
• While the book had a few red herrings that felt like a stretch, Holly still rated this book very highly and recommends the book especially on audio.
• Holly also wanted to recommend When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole as a good accompaniment to A Good Marriage.

• Hot On the Shelf (34:17):

• Holly: Kismet by Amina Akhtar
• Devin: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
• What's Making Our Hearts Race (39:25):
• Holly: Watching Showgirls at Cinespia, Cemetery Films
• Devin: American Rescue Dog Show on ABC/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: Grab your phones and log onto Instagram, Holly and Devin dive into social media themes today! They investigate how social media can be a hindrance and a help for protagonists in modern novels. Holly and Devin both agree that leaning on miscommunication from social media can feel lazy and frustrating, but when used well, social media accents can build intrigue and serve the plot well. Holly generally hates modern books and will avoid any book that prints text bubbles, but Devin's romances are rife with texts, emails, and DMs.

Also, we have officially launched the Hearts & Daggers Online Shop on Bookshop.org! That means you can purchase books you hear us talk about on the show - or any other books you're looking to read - via our dedicated store link and your purchase will directly support our show.

Topics Discussed:

• The Dagger (4:51): Holly discussed Like a Sister by Kellye Garrett, which follows Lena as she tries to piece together what really happened to her reality TV star and influencer sister, Desiree, after she was found dead in a playground in the Bronx, NYC. Her key takeaways were:

• Social media is an integral part of the novel; Garrett not only explores celebrity and the way social media allows us only small glimpses into someone's life, but also how misinterpretation can impact those closest to us.
• Lena and Desiree are half-sisters who could not have had more different upbringings; Lena has a graduate degree from Columbia and lives a quiet life, while Desiree was more privileged, reckless, and enjoyed time in the public eye.
• The book oscillates between Lena's first-person voice as she figures out her sister's death and glimpses at Desiree's recent social media posts, counting forward to the night she died.

• The Heart (21:26): Devin discussed Chef's Kiss by T.J. Alexander, a book that follows Simone Larkspur as she is shoved into the limelight with her outgoing coworker Ray Lyton to record videos that are designed to revitalize the old-school cookbook publisher The Discerning Chef. Her key takeaways were:

• While social media isn't the focal point of the book, it acts as a catalyst for the initial plot and to augment tension and call out the dynamic between Simone and Ray through youtube comments, video feedback etc.
• Alexander examines public vs. private life through the lens of Ray coming out as nonbinary, wanting to be open, and being silenced and mistreated by the leadership at The Discerning Chef.
• While the book is told from Simone's point of view, the true star and driving force behind the plot is Ray; their experience and perseverance in fighting toward the life they deserve and imagined is admirable and informative. Please note there are trigger warnings for transphobia, misgendering, and homophobia in the novel.

• Hot On the Shelf (43:02):

• Holly: The Change by Kirsten Miller
• Devin: Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

• What's Making Our Hearts Race (47:04):

• Holly: Everything Everywhere All At Once starring Michelle Yeoh
• Devin: Twilight Films on Amazon Prime

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 your towel and flip flops, we're hanging out poolside this week. Today, Holly and Devin discuss books featuring pools. They discover that Holly has always thought pools were creepy (thanks, "Are You Afraid of the Dark?") and that sometimes a pool doesn't even have to have water in it to act as a plot device! Devin prefers pools to the ocean, and Holly doesn't make fun of her for it at all. Overall, it's another fun summer theme that carries polar opposite energies depending on the book genre.

Topics Discussed:

• The Heart (2:46): Devin discussed The People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry, a book that elaborates upon the "will they, won't they" friendship of Poppy Wright and Alex Nilson over a decade, culminating in a less-than-ideal vacation in Palm Springs. Poppy is vibrant, outgoing, and adventurous. Alex loves khakis and a quiet night with a book. They've been going on summer vacations for a decade, but nothing is that simple. Her key takeaways were:

• The friends to lovers trope can feel so overdone and boring, but Henry goes above and beyond to refresh it in this book that centers around a Palm Springs cheap motel but really delves deeply into what makes friendship platonic, romantic, and enduring through time.
• The pool in this novel is found empty after an unfortunate poop accident, and though there is no lounging and splashing, the pool acts as a catalyst for the tension to build and ultimately break between Poppy and Alex.
• A delightful summer read, this novel harkens back to the Meg Ryan Rom-Com golden era; it brings the steam of modern romance with the nostalgia and energy of When Harry Met Sally.

• The Dagger (16:54): Holly discussed The Drowning Kind by Jennifer McMahon, a supernaturally creepy novel that follows social worker Jax as she navigates her relationship with a manic and unstable sister, Lexie. Things come to a head when Jax receives nine missed calls and frantic voicemails from her one night. The next day, Jackie finds out that Lexie is dead – drowned in the deep, dark spring-fed pool they grew up swimming in at their grandmother's Vermont house, Sparrow Crest. Her key takeaways were:

• McMahon balances a dual timeline narrative incredibly well; they directly relate to one another and the same core plot, even though they are told from different moments in history.
• The setting of an old Vermont house with a spring-fed pool out back that was rumored to be bottomless is the perfect backdrop for a supernaturally spooky plotline and exploration into family drama.
• McMahon delves into the concept of a wishing well, of water being sacred and gifts from gods, to give the book good historical grounding and a modern twist on a benign children's story to fantastic effect.

• Hot On the Shelf (31:15):

• Holly: The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka
• Devin: The Music of What Happens by Bill Konigsberg

• What's Making Our Hearts Race (35:19):

• Devin: Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi on Disney+
• Holly: New reading spaces (including outdoor) in California

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.