In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa is joined by the powerhouse writing duo Ellis Hunter — Kate Ellis Brown and Becky Hunter — to talk about their hugely anticipated debut Bloodbound.

Already generating major buzz across the book world, Bloodbound is a standout novel blending witches, dragon riders, high-stakes magic, and powerful female friendships.

• What Blood Bound is about — and why readers are obsessed
• Why this book works for both fantasy fans and fantasy beginners
• The rise of romantasy and why it’s dominating the book world
• How two authors successfully co-write a novel together
• The realities of going from publishing professionals to debut authors
• Behind-the-scenes insight into book deals, rights, and global publishing
• The pressure (and excitement) of writing Book 2
• Why female friendship is at the heart of this story

A gripping fantasy set between a Queendom of Witches and a Kingdom of Dragon Riders, where two women on opposite sides of a deadly conflict must face fate, power, and impossible choices.

With:

• enemies-to-lovers tension
• epic world-building
• magic, dragons, and deadly trials
• and unforgettable twists

…it’s no surprise this is the book everyone is talking about.

Ellis Hunter is the writing duo of:

• Kate Ellis Brown – editor and publishing professional
• Becky Hunter – author and former publicist

Together, they bring insider knowledge of the publishing world and a shared love of fantasy to create something fresh, addictive, and emotionally powerful.

• How they split POV characters (Astrid & Skylar)
• Why planning together was key
• The challenges of writing collaboratively
• How deadlines and real life (including motherhood!) shaped the process

If you love:

• fantasy / romantasy
• dragons, magic, and epic worlds
• behind-the-scenes publishing insight
• author journeys and writing craft

Follow, rate and review Quick Book Reviews and share with a fellow reader

Blood Bound is available now — perfect timing to dive into the book everyone is buzzing about.

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In this special Wednesday episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa chats to bestselling author Laurie Gilmore, creator of the hugely popular Dream Harbor series, which has sold over 4 million copies.

Laurie joins the podcast to discuss her latest book, The Daisy Chain Flower Shop, as well as the magic of cosy small-town romance, why readers have fallen so hard for Dream Harbor, and how comfort reads can help us through difficult times.

• Laurie Gilmore on The Daisy Chain Flower Shop
• The story behind the Dream Harbor series
• Why cosy small-town romance is having such a huge moment
• Writing books that feel like a hug
• Why each Dream Harbor book can be read as a standalone
• Christmas romance, seasonal settings and reader comfort
• Sprayed edges, special editions and bookish merch
• The pressure of following a much-loved bestselling series
• What’s coming next with Big Bad Wolf
• Laurie’s dream and nightmare writing locations

The Daisy Chain Flower Shop follows Daisy, who runs the flower shop, and Elliot, a shy architect who has somehow stayed under Dream Harbor’s radar.

Both are nursing heartbreak and neither is looking for love — until a fake dating arrangement begins and, naturally, chaos, chemistry and cosy romance follow.

Expect:

• fake dating
• small-town charm
• emotional warmth
• seasonal Dream Harbor vibes
• familiar faces from previous books

• The Daisy Chain Flower Shop – Laurie Gilmore
• The Pumpkin Spice Café – Laurie Gilmore
• The Gingerbread Bakery – Laurie Gilmore
• Big Bad Wolf – Laurie Gilmore
• For the Wolf – Hannah Whitten
• For the Throne – Hannah Whitten

• cosy romance
• small-town settings
• fake dating
• seasonal reads
• comfort books
• Christmas romance
• book series you can dip into at any point

Laurie chooses a soft, chewy chocolate chip cookie — with sensible dunking rules. Soft cookies should not be dunked. Harder biscuits may proceed with caution.

Philippa will be back on Friday with more bookish chat, author interviews and spoiler-free reviews.

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In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa is joined by Ilona Bannister to talk about her striking new novel Five — a tense, original and deeply thought-provoking thriller set over just a few minutes on a train platform.

What would you do if you had only five minutes left and didn’t know it?

That chilling question sits at the heart of Five, a novel about five strangers, interconnected lives, hidden stories, and the ripple effects of tragedy. Ilona talks about the real-life inspiration behind the book, the creation of its unforgettable narrative voice, and why this story led her naturally into the thriller space.

Philippa also reviews:

• The Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage
• Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz
• Dissection of a Murder by Jo Murray

• Ilona Bannister on the inspiration behind Five
• Why the novel begins on a train platform
• How the book explores fate, connection, mortality and missed moments
• The challenge of writing a fast-paced novel set across such a short time frame
• The creation of the book’s sharp, unusual narrative voice
• Why one character had to be cut and another took her place
• Writing through lockdown, parenting, and difficult life circumstances
• Why thrillers can be powerful spaces for emotional and literary storytelling
• Philippa’s latest reading updates and reviews

Follow Quick Book Reviews for book recommendations, author interviews, and weekly podcast episodes.

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In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa is joined by bestselling author Tom Rob Smith to talk about his moving and deeply personal new novel, 20 Years Together.

Known for acclaimed books including Child 44, and for screen work such as London Spy and The Assassination of Gianni Versace, Tom discusses why 20 Years Together is such a different book from his previous work, why he chose to write it now, and how it grew out of real emotional and philosophical questions around love, commitment, and marriage.

This is a conversation about writing, relationships, storytelling, hope, and the challenge of creating an ending that truly lands.

• Why Tom Rob Smith wrote 20 Years Together
• How the novel was inspired by real questions about marriage and long-term relationships
• Why this book is so different from his crime and thriller fiction
• The overlap between love stories and thrillers
• The challenge of writing emotionally honest fiction
• Why endings matter so much
• How a book can leave readers in tears
• Tom’s thoughts on adapting stories for television, film, or fiction
• How place, views, and writing environments shape the creative process
• What Tom is reading right now

• 20 Years Together – Tom Rob Smith
• Child 44 – Tom Rob Smith
• London Spy – Tom Rob Smith
• The Assassination of Gianni Versace – based on the book by Maureen Orth
• Aftermath – Rachel Cusk
• The Swimming-Pool Library – Alan Hollinghurst
• The Line of Beauty – Alan Hollinghurst
• Our Evenings – Alan Hollinghurst
• The Diving Bell and the Butterfly – Jean-Dominique Bauby

This episode is perfect for listeners who love:

• thoughtful author interviews
• behind-the-scenes writing conversations
• literary fiction
• emotionally powerful novels
• discussions about relationships, marriage and identity
• Tom Rob Smith’s books, television work, and creative process

Philippa and Tom also talk about dream and nightmare writing locations, how different stories reveal themselves as books or screen projects, and the emotional complexity of writing a novel that draws more closely on personal experience.

One of the most striking themes in this interview is hope — in fiction, in relationships, and in the stories we tell ourselves about the future. Tom reflects on setting 20 Years Together against the backdrop of 2012 London, and why he wanted to capture a sense of optimism and possibility.

A controversial moment for the podcast: Tom Rob Smith is not much of a biscuit eater. However, there is a nostalgic nod to the chocolate digestive, plus a writing fuel combination of dates and dark chocolate.

Please follow, rate and review Quick Book Reviews, and share this episode with a fellow reader.

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In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa is joined by Bella North to talk about her Oakwood Ranch series, beginning with Score to Settle.

Bella also reveals the story behind her different author names, having previously appeared on the podcast under her thriller-writing identities. Together, they chat about sports romance, writing under multiple pen names, the rise of spicy fiction, and why readers are falling in love with the Oakwood Ranch books.

Philippa also shares reviews and first impressions of several recent reads, including a brilliant new crime novel from Simon Mason, thoughts on The 10:12 by Anna Maloney, and an early look at The Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage.

• Bella North on the inspiration behind the Oakwood Ranch series
• Why sports romance is having such a major moment
• Writing romance after psychological thrillers
• The pros and cons of publishing under different pen names
• How much sport is really in a sports romance novel
• Spice levels in fiction and why they are so subjective
• Why romance readers are such a passionate and supportive community
• Bella’s ideal writing retreat — and her nightmare writing scenario
• The reality of balancing events, deadlines and creative energy

• Score to Settle – Bella North
• Game Over – Bella North
• Playing for Keeps – Bella North
• The Dangerous Stranger – Simon Mason
• The 10:12 – Anna Maloney
• The Heir Apparent – Rebecca Armitage
• The Nanny – Heather Burnside
• The Bridge Kingdom series – Danielle L. Jensen

This is a conversation about:

• romance tropes
• enemies-to-lovers
• friends-to-lovers
• escapist fiction
• commercial fiction
• writing fast-paced books
• author events
• and, of course, biscuits

There is also an important discussion about how different genres are perceived in publishing, and why commercial fiction deserves respect for doing exactly what readers want it to do: entertain.

Bella reveals her writing biscuit of choice — the chocolate Hobnob — and there is serious debate about whether the Marks & Spencer version might be even better.

Please follow, rate and review Quick Book Reviews, and share the show with a fellow book lover.

Philippa loves hearing from listeners. Contact details:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram & Threads: @quick_book_reviews

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Jo Callaghan joins Philippa to talk about Body of Lies — the gripping fourth and final Kat Frank and AIDE Lock thriller.

We talk about:

• Why this series ends with book four
• The emotional challenge of writing the final Kat and Locke story
• AI, humanity, grief, and what makes us human
• Plot twists, rewrites, and bringing a series to a powerful close

Jo also shares what she’s been reading:

• Please Help Me by Gytha Lodge — a tense, high-concept crime thriller
• Eden Falls by Ajay Chowdhury — a smart, ambitious sci-fi thriller
• The Correspondent (recommended after Philippa’s chat with Alison Barrow)
• After You’d Gone by Maggie O’Farrell — a powerful love story
• Running and Jumping by Stephen Keady — an unexpectedly fascinating dive into elite athletics

Plus, Jo reveals her ideal writing conditions (hint: it’s all about uninterrupted time) and the very specific cheese-and-biscuit combination that fuels her writing.

Perfect for fans of smart crime fiction, emotional thrillers, and thought-provoking mysteries.

Follow Quick Book Reviews for more author interviews and spoiler-free book chat.

Pre-order Body Of Lies here:

https://www.waterstones.com/book/body-of-lies/jo-callaghan/9781398535565

https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/body-of-lies-the-crime-thriller-of-2026-from-the-award-winning-and-sunday-times-bestselling-author-of-in-the-blink-of-an-eye-jo-callaghan/cbbcf2c82f6b5367?ean=9781398535565&next=t

https://amzn.eu/d/0bmnarRm

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In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa Hall is joined by Sarah Hilary to talk about The Drowning Place, the gripping first novel in a new crime series set in the Peak District. Together they discuss crime fiction, setting, writing atmosphere, rural communities, audiobook narration, and the journey of building a new series. T

Philippa also reviews two very different books:

Mars One by Charlotte Robertson — a high-stakes space thriller packed with sabotage, conspiracy, tension and reality-TV energy.

The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst — a warm, whimsical YA fantasy audiobook full of magic, comfort and cosy escapism. 

There’s also a Hay Festival update: Philippa will be appearing with Sheila Kanani at Hay Festival on Friday 22 May 2026 at 8.30pm for The Starspotter’s Guide, a conversation about the night sky, stars and space. 

If you enjoy:

crime fiction, thriller interviews, atmospheric mysteries, space thrillers, cosy fantasy, audiobook recommendations, and spoiler-free book chat, this episode is for you.

Follow Quick Book Reviews for book recommendations, author interviews, and weekly podcast episodes.

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In this insider episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa is joined by returning guest Alison Barrow, PR Director at Transworld (Penguin Random House), to answer a brilliant listener question about book marketing, ARCs, and social media influence.

If you’ve ever wondered:

• Why do some books dominate Instagram and BookTok?
• How do publishers decide which books get major promotion?
• Are ARC reviews always honest?
• Do great books get overlooked?

…this episode pulls back the curtain on the real publishing ecosystem.

• How publishers choose their “lead titles”
• The truth about ARCs (Advance Reader Copies) and influencer marketing
• Why you keep seeing the same books on Instagram
• How word-of-mouth, bookshops, and libraries still shape success
• The balance between authentic reviews and publisher relationships
• Why some incredible books quietly build audiences over time

• Whatever Happened to Madeline Stone – Louise O’Neill
• Mars One – Charlotte Robinson
• The Ending Writes Itself – Evelyn Clarke
• It's Not What You Think – Claire Mackintosh
• Elizabeth & Marilyn – Julie Owen Moylan
• The Wreck – Lizzie Stewart
• Slings & Arrows – Nick McLachlan

A thoughtful question from Johanne sparks an honest discussion about:

• Social media book promotion
• Authenticity vs visibility
• Whether “hyped” books can still be trusted

Alison Barrow is PR Director at Transworld (part of Penguin Random House UK), working with global bestselling authors and shaping major publishing campaigns.

Article mentioned in The Bookseller: https://www.thebookseller.com/comment/events-not-a-campaign-solution

Got a question for Alison?

Email: [email protected]

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• Follow / Subscribe
• Leave a review
• Share with a fellow book lover

More author interviews, book reviews (no spoilers!), and insider publishing chat every week.

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In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa Hall shares a mix of book recommendations, honest reviews, and practical tips for getting out of a reading slump.

Philippa also shares her experience appearing on BBC Breakfast and behind-the-scenes of recording while unwell (powered by Vonia and sheer determination!).

• The Drowning Place – Sarah Hilary ⭐ (highly recommended, potential book of the year)
• Solitary Agents – David Goodman ⭐ (thriller/spy crossover, gripping and accessible)
• Operation Bounce House – Matt Dinniman
• Look What You Made Me Do – John Lanchester

If you’re struggling to read or feeling stuck in a reading slump, Philippa shares what worked for her:

• Take a break from reading (it will come back!)
• Try a different format (audiobooks, graphic novels, poetry)
• Re-read a favourite book
• Limit your choices (pick a small stack and commit)
• Visit a bookshop or library for inspiration
• Don’t panic — reading slumps are normal

• The Wreck – Lizzie Stewart
• Slings and Arrows – Nick McLachlan
• A Family Matter – Claire Lynch

These three books completely reignited her love of reading.

Follow Quick Book Reviews for book recommendations, author interviews, and weekly podcast episodes.

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J.P. Delaney joins Philippa to talk about his latest psychological thriller, The Move — a tense, unsettling story about a dream home that turns into a nightmare.

We talk about:

• The inspiration behind The Move and the emotional pull of houses and “home”
• Why this novel steps away from tech-driven thrillers
• Writing routines, plotting, and the importance of rewriting
• Obsession, truth, and the psychology behind his characters

J.P. also shares what he’s been reading:

• Daisy Darker, Sometimes I Lie and Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney
• The Broken Afternoon by Simon Mason
• The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
• In Her Defence by Philippa Manica — a standout courtroom thriller he highly recommends

Plus: writing in beautiful locations, why Starbucks is his worst nightmare, and the surprising snack (not biscuits) that fuels his writing.

Perfect for fans of twisty psychological thrillers and fast-paced, high-concept fiction.

Follow Quick Book Reviews for more author interviews and spoiler-free book chat.

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