Once Upon a Hot Take

Leah and Jordan talk for WAY longer than they thought they would about ACOTAR book 4: A Court of Frost and Starlight. Tune in to hear why Jordan knocks Rhys down a few pegs on her book boyfriend list, Leah vent about Elain, and even more speculation for book 6.

There's a fun new addition to the podcast room, so make sure to check the social media platforms or watch this episode on YouTube so you can see what has Leah giggling even more than usual.

In this conversation, Leah is joined once again by James Voorhees to discuss the release of James's new book, The Lost Champion, the final installment of the Ambassador Chronicle series.

They explore themes of character development, the writing process, and the emotional journey of both the characters and the author. In this conversation, James discusses his experiences as an indie author PANSTER!, the importance of representation in literature, and the challenges of book banning.

Leah and Jordan keep riding the ACOTAR train with book #3: A Court of Wings and Ruin. In this episode, the girls lock in their portrayals of some of the main characters, debate the morality of mind reading, fume over the lack of info on mating bonds, and speculate on theories for book #6.

Join them for this unpacking of one of their favorite romantasy series of all times!

Leah and Jordan continue their coverage of Sarah J. Maas's ACOTAR world with book #2: A Court of Mist and Fury. As Leah likes to say, "This is the PTSD one." But as we mentioned numerous times in our ACOTAR #1 episode, you need to read book 2 in order for book 1 to blow your mind about book 1.

As always, we've got lots of opinions coming in hot, specifically about the cover, title, Tamlin, and questions we feel aren't quite answered.

We've got a KILLER hot take debate: if you DNF a book, can you give it a 1-star rating? 🤔 Weigh in with your hot take on this issue!

Leah jumps in with some truly amazing character cocktails, Jordan tries to gaslight Leah, and both are still solidifying their actor choices if this were to ever become a TV series. You know they'll be coming in hot with alllll the witty banter, inside jokes, and even more laughs.

Guest host Angela joins Leah and Jordan on this week's episode, covering the thriller Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes. Get ready for a shocking FMK segment, a disgusting character cocktail, and a summary that will knock your socks off. Leah, Jordan, and Ang all play on the same softball team, so there'll be some good-humored roasting, plenty of laughing (Leah does a literal spit take bc she laughs so hard), and stay tuned til the very end for a SUPER special musical segment (#whitney) IYKYK

On this special episode, Leah is joined by Paris with the Chatting Chapters podcast from down under! This crossover includes segments from both podcasts, plenty of laughs, and of course, a number of hot takes. The gals chat about Into the Blue: A Love Story by Emma Brodie. If you like Star Trek (neither of us have seen it), drama, will-they-won't-they romance, a witty FMC, nepo baby Hollywood hottie, deep yearning, and a meddlesome aunt, you will enjoy this book and this episode.

Chatting Chapters contact info:

instagram @chattingchapterspodcast

[email protected]

Guest host Kelsey joins Leah in their discussion on Honey and Heat by Aurora Palit, a contemporary workplace enemies-to-lovers romance featuring Cynthia Kumar and Rohit Patel. The story explores themes of family, identity, and empowerment. It was the Loom & Lore book club pick for the month of July, so Leah and Kelsey share out some of the topics discussed at book club.

Loom & Lore website

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Once Upon a Hot Take podcast is 1 year old! Come celebrate with Leah and Jordan as they reminisce about their favorite (and least favorite) moments of podcasting for a whole year. Also, if Exactly Right Media is looking, we are available to be added to your lineup 😉

This is the episode in which Leah's husband Paul guest hosts and cashes in his lost bet. The internet voted and determined the married couple would cover Butcher and Blackbird by Brynne Weaver.

The husband and wife duo discuss all the usual segments of the pod: character cocktails, FMK, highs/lows, but with the added twist of married couple banter.

Tune in to hear Paul's hot takes on this dark romance.

Bet you didn't know folding towels could be a hot take debate! In this episode, Leah and guest host Laura react to Quicksilver by Callie Hart. They kick things off with sisterly banter and then jump into a great idea for a book maturity rating system.

The sisters unpack all your beloved (and hated) characters, including Saeris, Kingfisher, Carrion, and Onyx, while debating the book’s world-building, spice level, cover design, and whether the vampire rules make sense. If you love romantasy, morally gray heroes, chaotic magic systems, and highly opinionated book talk, this episode is for you.