Read Me Next Podcast

In this episode of Read Me Next, Carina and Pili share their honest, spoiler-filled thoughts on Twenty Years Later by Charlie Donlea, a highly rated thriller that felt more like a true-crime documentary to them.
The hosts discuss why the book landed as a 3-star read despite its strong Goodreads rating, from the pacing and lack of suspense to the audiobook’s matter-of-fact narration. They unpack the central mystery surrounding journalist Avery Mason, ex-FBI agent Walt Jenkins, Victoria Ford, and the murder of author Cameron Young, weighing which clues and twists worked, and which ones they saw coming.

In this episode of Read Me Next, Carina and Pili discuss Alchemised by SenLinYu, a dark fantasy that left readers sharply divided. They unpack the story’s amnesia trope, war-torn world, complicated magic system, and the tense relationship between Helena and Kane, while sharing why the book’s twists intrigued them but its length and repetitive scenes made the journey feel exhausting. The hosts also explore the novel’s origins as a Harry Potter fanfiction, its most shocking revelations, and whether it lived up to the hype. With honest reactions, lively debate, and plenty of unfiltered book-club commentary, this is a spoiler-filled discussion for readers curious about one of the most polarizing fantasy releases.

In this episode of Read Me Next, Carina and Pili revisit Colleen Hoover’s Verity after watching its movie adaptation, and discover that the dark psychological thriller feels even more disturbing on a reread. They recap the story of Lowen, an aspiring writer hired to finish Verity’s book series, and discuss its unsettling manuscript, tangled relationships, shocking revelations, and controversial bonus chapter. Along the way, they compare major differences between the book and movie, including changes to the family’s backstory and the ending, and debate whether Verity’s manuscript or her letter tells the truth. Is Verity dangerous, is Jeremy the real villain, or are they all unreliable? The hosts bring plenty of strong opinions, humor, and book-club energy to a mystery that still has them firmly on opposite sides.

In this episode of 'Read Me Next', Carina and Pili dive into Threshing Day by Rebecca Yarros. A spoiler-heavy reaction episode where they break down Threshing Day chapter by chapter, using the novella to revisit the Fourth Wing world through the perspectives of Brennan, Mira, Xaden, Garrick, Dain, Bodhi, Imogen, Rhiannon, Sawyer, Ridoc, Liam, Sloane, and Aaric. The conversation focuses on what each dragon-rider bond reveals, how the novella foreshadows future book four twists, and which signets and family connections may matter most going forward. In this episode, the hosts mostly lean into character reactions, relationship dynamics, and theory-crafting rather than a single plot summary. They also connect the novella’s clues to possible answers about the Venin brother and the origins of several second signets.

In this episode of 'Read Me Next', Carina and Pili discuss how a successful romance adaptation depends less on reproducing every plot point and more on preserving the emotional texture of the original story. Small moments of banter, care, vulnerability, and shared routines make the relationship feel authentic, while the fake-dating setup creates a safe space for the characters to acknowledge feelings they are not yet ready to express. The conversation also highlights how romantic tension becomes more compelling when it involves negotiated power, consent, and emotional honesty rather than simple dominance. Beyond the love story, the antagonist represents the threat of social and institutional power, raising the stakes around credibility and vulnerability. Ultimately, the story’s appeal comes from the combination of self-aware humor, professional competence, tenderness, and a heroine learning to trust and claim her own desires.

In this episode of 'Read Me Next', Carina and Pili dive intoBookTok’s dark romance queen, Brynne Weaver! She reveals how she turns serial killers, gore, and comedy into stories readers can’t put down. Brynne Weaver opens up about the real-life sparks behind Butcher and Blackbird, Leather and Lark, Scythe and Sparrow, and her new release Love Antidote. She also clues us in on the adaptation journey, audiobook casting, and chaotic creative process behind her most addictive books.

In this anniversary episode of 'Read Me Next', Carina and Pili celebrate one year of podcasting with a favorite-book bracket, reading recommendations, TBR picks, book awards, and a competitive book boyfriend draft. They debate favorites like Fourth Wing, A Court of Mist and Fury, Quicksilver, and Chestnut Springs, while revisiting the books that made them laugh, cry, obsess, and completely lose their minds.  

In this episode of Read Me Next, Carina and Pili dive into Star Side by Alex Aster, a romantasy with a deadly quest, enemies-to-lovers tension, and a big cliffhanger ending that kept us hooked even when the pacing felt uneven. We follow Aris, a forge apprentice from the poor, magicless Stormside, as she enters the Questrel to reach Starside and claim a cup of magic, only to get pulled into brutal trials, political alliances, and a dangerous connection with the masked King’s Guard, Harlan Raker. The conversation explores the book’s strengths, like its tension, twists, and audiobook performance, while also noting where the writing and character development felt thin, especially around Aris’s inconsistency and Raker’s backstory.

In this episode of ‘Read Me Next’, Carina and Pili dive into Carly Fortune’s Barry’s Bay series with brutally honest opinions and big reactions. They break down Every Summer After and One Golden Summer, debating why the first book felt slow, frustrating, and overhyped, while the second finally delivered the summer romance energy they wanted.

In this episode of 'Read Me Next', Carina and Pili judge, rank, and ruthlessly compare mafia romance as The Made series by Danielle Lori sparks a full-on obsession debate. If you want the hottest book boyfriends, the messiest heroines, and the kind of possessive, dangerous men that have BookTok in a chokehold, this episode is your next stop.