Late Night Reads

In this episode, we’re joined by Abigail Owen to chat about The Crucible series. This trilogy consists of The Games Gods Play, The Things Gods Break, and the forthcoming third book, The Wrath Gods Reap, releasing in November 2026. We discuss how she loves writing while walking, the story behind how she came up with the cracks of broken time idea for the second book, how she loves to incorporate fan theories into her writing (sometimes to throw us off!), the characters she believes have experienced the biggest character arc in the series so far, why Charon pretended he didn’t know Lyra in teh second book, if it’s possible to create a new Titan, why Cronos only told us about two broken soulmates instead of the three he mentioned existing, whether or not the Deceived can glamour themselves, who is King of the Gods and the God of Death, and so much more. 

Also, make sure to check out Abigail’s latest books:

• The Crucible
  • The Games Gods Play
  • The Things Gods Break
  • The Wrath Gods Reap (Coming Nov. 2026)
• Inferno Rising
  • The Rogue King
  • The Blood King
  • The Warrior King
  • The Cursed King
• Fire’s Edge
  • The Mate
  • The Boss
  • The Rookie
  • The Enforcer
  • The Protector
  • The Traitor
• Brimstone Inc.
  • The Demigod Complex
  • Shift Out of Luck
  • A Ghost of a Chance
  • Bait N’ Witch
  • Try As I Smite
  • Hit By the Cupid Stick
  • An Accident Waiting to Dragon

About Abigail Owen

Abigail Owen is the #1 New York Times, #1 USA Today, and international bestselling author of more than 35 romantasy and paranormal romance books. Her obsession is creating captivating magical worlds with plots that move hot and fast, feisty heroines with sass, morally gray heroes with heart, a dash of snark, and oodles of happily ever afters.

Abigail is a fourth-generation graduate of Texas A&M University with a degree in English Rhetoric and has an eMBA from California State University-Sacramento. Before becoming a published author in 2012, she spent 15+ years using the other side of her brain in various tech- and business-related roles.

Abigail currently resides in Austin, Texas, with her own swoon-worthy hero, their constantly entertaining kids, and an adorable fur baby.

Connect with Abigail Owen

Website: https://abigailowen.com/ 

Instagram: @abigailowenauthor

TikTok: @abigailowenauthor

Connect with Late Night Reads:

Website: https://www.latenightreads.com/

Instagram: @latenightreadspodcast

TikTok: @latenightreadspodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LateNightReadsPodcast/

Threads: @latenightreadspodcast

Email: [email protected]

In this episode, we discuss the twelve contemporary romance books that should be immediately added to your summer TBR. All of these books are guaranteed to bring you love, laughter, and none of the dreaded sunscreen in the eyes from crying!

During this episode, we share why the following romance books are perfect for reading by the pool or beach this summer.

• Till Summer Do Us Part by Meghan Quinn
• Rules for the Summer by Meghan Quinn
• The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren
• Bright Lights and Summer Nights by Kat Singleton
• Oakwood Bay Series by Ellie K. Wilde (In Your Dreams, Only Between Us, and If You Only Knew)
• A Very Italian Wedding by Donna Ashcroft
• Wildcard by Jenifer Iacopelli
• The Five Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand
• The Four Engagement Rings of Sybil Rain by Hannah Brown
• Reasons to Be Loved by You by Hannah Brown

Connect with Late Night Reads:

Website: https://www.latenightreads.com/

Instagram: @latenightreadspodcast

TikTok: @latenightreadspodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LateNightReadsPodcast/

Threads: @latenightreadspodcast

Email: [email protected]

In this episode, we’re joined by Jade Presley to chat about The Never List series. This trilogy consists of The Never List and The Kings’ List. The third book is expected to be published in 2027. We discuss the writing process for The Kings’ List, her favorite line from the book and how it’s become a theme for the series, surprising character development arcs, how long the power imbalance in Lumathyst has existed, what’s really going on with the grumpy cat, whether Baydel deserves a redemption arc, why we’re terrified for Jax, the title for the third book, and a ton more teasers of what’s coming next.

About Jade Presley

Jade Presley is a pen name created to write romantasy stories that pair rich world-building with characters that will make you blush and leave you thirsting for more. When not writing, Jade goes on epic quests during game night or hangs with her family and Irish Wolfhound.

Also, make sure to check out Jade’s books:

• The Never List Series
  • The Never List
  • The Kings’ List
• The Veil of Blood and Magic
• The Shattered Isles Series
  • Her Villians
  • Her Revenge
  • Her Mates
  • The Assassins
  • The Reckoning 

All of Jade’s books are available on Kindle Unlimited and Amazon. Plus, you can find The Never List and The Kings’ List at your local bookstore!

Connect with Jade Presley:

Website: https://www.jadepresley.com/

Instagram: @jadepresleyauthor

TikTok: @jadepresleyauthor

Connect with Late Night Reads:

Website: https://www.latenightreads.com/

Instagram: @latenightreadspodcast

TikTok: @latenightreadspodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LateNightReadsPodcast/

Threads: @latenightreadspodcast

Email: [email protected]

In this episode, we dive into the romantasy book, The Kings’ List by Jade Presley. This is the second book in The Never List series. We’ve previously covered the first book in the series on the podcast last year.

During this episode, we discuss why we’ve been waiting for this book to come out, why four princes are always better than one, how we’ll never trust Baydel, why we’re suspicious of the cat, how angry we were at the kings when the so-called Kings’ List was introduced, why Jax’s insecurities break our hearts, and why the cliffhanger has us clamoring for the third book. Plus, we have more unhinged theories about who the mole is, what really happened to the goddess, the identity of One, the fate of Rylee’s parents, what’s really been happening with the people put on the Never List, and so much more. 

Connect with Late Night Reads:

Website: https://www.latenightreads.com/

Instagram: @latenightreadspodcast

TikTok: @latenightreadspodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LateNightReadsPodcast/

Threads: @latenightreadspodcast

Email: [email protected]

In this episode, we discuss five contemporary romance books written by Amy Daws that feature members of the Fletcher family. We immediately fell in love with these characters and enjoyed reading how Everly helped orchestrate the romantic pairings for her dad and uncles, and eventually found love herself with lots of surprises along the way.

During this episode, we share why we believe you should read each of the books about the Fletcher men and the mastermind matchmaker herself.

• Last on the List
• Nine Month Contract
• Seven Year Itch
• Honeymoon Phase
• Bad Boy Era

Connect with Late Night Reads:

Website: https://www.latenightreads.com/

Instagram: @latenightreadspodcast

TikTok: @latenightreadspodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LateNightReadsPodcast/

Threads: @latenightreadspodcast

Email: [email protected]

In this episode, we’re joined by Jennifer Iacopelli to discuss her new sports romance, Wildcard, focusing on the world of competitive tennis. We discuss why she chose to write about women in sports, the life event that led to her writing her first book, how much women’s sports has changed since she started writing, why it was important for her to show three athletes handling the stress of competitive tennis in different ways, why she likes to put her characters through the wringer, and the Netflix show about her competitive ice dancing book that has made lots of new readers fall in love with her writing.

Also, make sure to check out Jennifer Iacopelli’s books:

• Game, Set, Match
• Wildcard
• Finding Her Edge
• On Thin Ice (Coming soon!)
• Break the Fall
• Out of Our League

About Jennifer Iacopelli

Jennifer Iacopelli writes about ambitious young women falling in love. Her novels include Game, Set, Match, Break the Fall and Finding Her Edge along with a co-edited anthology, Out of Our League. Throughout her career her books have been published in over a dozen languages and Finding Her Edge is being adapted for TV by Netflix. She lives in New York and writes to her heart's content while cheering on her beloved Yankees.

Connect with Jennifer:

Website: https://www.jenniferiacopelli.com/ 

Instagram: @jennifercarolyn

TikTok: @jennifercarolyn

Connect with Late Night Reads:

Website: https://www.latenightreads.com/

Instagram: @latenightreadspodcast

TikTok: @latenightreadspodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LateNightReadsPodcast/

Threads: @latenightreadspodcast

Email: [email protected]

In this episode, we dive into the romantasy book, The Curse That Binds by Laura Thalassa. This is the prequel in the Bewitched series and best read after Bewitched and Bespelled. The series also includes Bewitched, Bespelled, and Bedeviled (available in August 2026).  We’ve covered all three books on the podcast and will be diving into the final book in the series after its release.

During this episode, we discuss how Memnon is apparently incapable of telling Roxy anything important, why he gets an A+ for his first time (iykyk), how we’d like to know what Tamara really knew about Roxy and when, how there are so many breadcrumbs in this book that reinforce our suspicions about Memnon, how much we loved seeing Roxy bond with Ferox, and why the fairy better get what’s coming to her after the nonsense she’s been pulling for centuries. Plus, we have more unhinged theories about what Memnon might really be, why we think Roxy’s sister is still alive, how long Memnon has been reading and manipulating Roxy’s memories, and so much more. 

Connect with Late Night Reads:

Website: https://www.latenightreads.com/

Instagram: @latenightreadspodcast

TikTok: @latenightreadspodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LateNightReadsPodcast/

Threads: @latenightreadspodcast

Email: [email protected]

In this episode, we’re joined by spicy romance author Kate Byrne to chat about her latest hockey romance book, Tender Heart. We discuss how her love for hockey as a child made it easier for her to write a hockey romance book, the real-life football medical event that inspired what happens to Nicky, how the original plot she planned for Bea to be Nicky’s nanny didn’t work out, why it’s so easy to love all of the various characters on the team, how she determines when to add spice in the book, and what she’s writing next.

Also, make sure to check out Kate Byrne’s latest books:

• The Midnight Series
  • Shots Taken
  • Tender Heart
• The Riders and Rings Duology
  • Eight Seconds
  • And Forever

About Kate Byrne:

Kate has spent her life creating. Over the last decade, she fell in love with the written word again, first as a reader and now as a writer. Romance books are her favorite, but she also enjoys mysteries/thrillers, and the occasional literary classic. 

She published her debut romance, Shots Taken, in January 2025.

​Kate lives in California with her family, where she enjoys her free time watching sports, taking walks in the neighborhood, and crafting.

Connect with Kate:

Website: https://www.authorkatebyrneonline.com/ 

Instagram: @author_katebyrne

Connect with Late Night Reads:

Website: https://www.latenightreads.com/

Instagram: @latenightreadspodcast

TikTok: @latenightreadspodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LateNightReadsPodcast/

Threads: @latenightreadspodcast

Email: [email protected]

In this episode, we launch the new format for our contemporary romance episodes, where we’re going to share our top recommendations for a specific trope, subgenre, author, etc. It only seemed fitting to start with hockey romance books, since we’re in the midst of the playoffs and there's been a ton of buzz about numerous hockey romance books in the past few months.

During this episode, we share why we believe the following hockey romance books are must-reads and should be immediately added to your TBR.

• Her Slap Shot by Emma Kate
• The Agitators series by Meghan Quinn
• Tender Heart by Kate Byrne
• The Jacksonville Rays series by Emily Rath
• Game Changers and Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid

Connect with Late Night Reads:

Website: https://www.latenightreads.com/

Instagram: @latenightreadspodcast

TikTok: @latenightreadspodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LateNightReadsPodcast/

Threads: @latenightreadspodcast

Email: [email protected]

In this episode, we’re joined by spicy romance author Etta Lane to chat about her latest book, Wandering Home. We discuss how a small town in Washington was the inspiration for the town in the series, how she plotted out all four books, the songs that really align with River, how writing the final book in the series was the hardest for numerous reasons, what she plans to write next, and whether we see some of River’s teammates pop up in the future.

Also, make sure to check out Etta’s latest books, including:

• Wanderland Series
  • Wandering Closer
  • Wandering In the Dark
  • Wandering Back to You
  • Wandering Home
• Safe With Us

About Etta Lane

Etta Lane was born and raised in Washington, but has since lived in Alabama and Massachusetts with her husband, daughter, and their sweet pup. Her heart belongs in the mountains or on the beach, and she's a small town farm girl at heart. When she's not busy writing she's busy reading. exercising, or spending time with her family and friends. You'll often find her hiking, in her garden, cleaning her house, or just enjoying the outdoors.

Connect with Etta Lane:

Website: https://www.etta-lane.com/ 

Instagram: @ettalane.author

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/etta.lane.author/ 

Connect with Late Night Reads:

Website: https://www.latenightreads.com/

Instagram: @latenightreadspodcast

TikTok: @latenightreadspodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LateNightReadsPodcast/

Threads: @latenightreadspodcast

Email: [email protected]