Reading After Bedtime: Booktok Romantasy, Fantasy, and Romance Book Reviews

🚨This episode contains FULL SPOILERS for The Wolf King by Lauren Palphreyman. If you don't want the ENTIRE story spoiled, please return once you've read the stories.🚨

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The Wolf King (Lauren Palphreyman) Spoiler Review: Romantasy, Ratings, Tropes, and Twist Ending

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Allyson and Becca introduce the Reading After Bedtime podcast, share where to follow/review, and promote an ACOTAR 6 release party with Biblio Bar Books & Gifts in Plano, Texas. They review and fully spoil The Wolf King by Lauren Palphreyman (published Sept. 14, 2023), describing it as romance-heavy, fantasy-light romantasy with wolf shifters and tropes including captive heroine, enemies-to-lovers, arranged marriage, forbidden romance, and a disputed “love triangle.” Content warnings include kidnapping, arranged marriage, animal abuse/dog fighting, torture, sexual harassment, misogyny, objectification, and parental/child abuse. Ratings split: Allyson gives 2 stars and Becca a low 4; spice is rated 2. They recap the plot (Aurora kidnapped by alpha Callum, traded for the Heart of the Moon, Sebastian killed, Aurora bonded to half-wolf healer Blake, and Blake’s scheme for the throne), discuss characters, vibes likened to 2000s historical romance/Bridgerton with Scottish-kilt aesthetics, share predictions for book two, and highlight favorite quotes and moments.

_____________________________________________________________

🎉LET'S PARTY!🎉

Let's celebrate the release of ACOTAR 6 together! Reading After Bedtime has teamed up with Bibliobar in Plano, Texas to bring you an unforgettable evening counting down to the release of ACOTAR 6! The ACOTAR 6 release party is TICKETED, so make sure to grab yours before they sell out!

Your ticket includes:

- 📚 Gift bag + your copy of ACOTAR 6

- 🎤 Trivia & costume contest🎙️

- 🔮 Conspiracy theories & fandom fun

- 🎯 Games, archery & sword fighting

- 📸 Photo ops

- 🍸 Snacks & drinks (cash bar available)

- ✨ Flash tattoos*

- 🛍️ Shopping & more!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy your ticket here!⁠⁠

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Referenced Episodes:

The Never List by Jade Presley 

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Let's be friends on socials!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

_____________________________________________________________

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🛍️ Shop our Merch!🛍️⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Still looking for something? 👀 https://linktr.ee/readingafterbedtimepodcast (Find Goodreads, Book of the Month, a tip jar and so much more here!)

_____________________________________________________________

🎶 Intro music by the talented Sean Lavrisa!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Spotify⁠:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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00:00 Cold Open Wolf Crush

00:53 Podcast Intro And Socials

01:59 ACOTAR 6 Party Plug

02:56 Back Cover Summary

04:17 Ratings And Spice Scale

07:09 Spoiler Warning And Setup

07:47 Genre Tropes And Warnings

10:06 Quick Recap New Format

12:25 Initial Thoughts Twilight Vibes

13:09 Virginity Trope Debate

20:58 Callum Versus Blake

21:44 Love Triangle Debate

24:19 Insta Love Versus Slow Burn

26:42 Is It Really A Triangle

28:19 Rian Mystery Thread

29:35 Predictions For Book Two

31:37 Final Thoughts And Ratings

33:32 Who Should Read This

35:01 Favorite Quotes Roundup

38:03 Favorite Moments Highlights

40:49 Next Episode And Sign Off

#thewolfking #thewolfkingseries #romantasy #booktok #bookdiscussion #bookreview

🚨This episode contains FULL SPOILERS for Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune. If you don't want the ENTIRE story spoiled, please return once you've read the story. 🚨

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Allyson and Becca introduce the Reading After Bedtime podcast and discuss Carley Fortune’s contemporary romance Our Perfect Storm (published May 5, 2026), share social links, and promote a ticketed ACOTAR 6 release party with Bibliobar Books and Gifts. They recap the premise: lifelong best friends Frankie and George face uncertainty on the eve of her wedding; after her fiancé Nate leaves, George convinces her to take the Tofino honeymoon with him, stirring buried feelings. Both hosts rate the book low (Allyson between 3–4, Becca 2) and give a spice rating of “chili pepper” 2, citing heavy miscommunication, rushed character growth over one week, and frustration with Frankie’s choices, though they liked George, the letters, the Tofino setting, and mentions of Canadian wildfires and whales. They announce next episode: The Wolf King (June 8).

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Looking for our full discussion of Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune? Check out our full coverage!

Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune [Spoiler Summary]

Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune [Book Chat]

____________________________________________________________

🎉LET'S PARTY!🎉

Let's celebrate the release of ACOTAR 6 together! Reading After Bedtime has teamed up with Bibliobar in Plano, Texas to bring you an unforgettable evening counting down to the release of ACOTAR 6! The ACOTAR 6 release party is TICKETED, so make sure to grab yours before they sell out!

Your ticket includes:

- 📚 Gift bag + your copy of ACOTAR 6

- 🎤 Trivia & costume contest🎙️

- 🔮 Conspiracy theories & fandom fun

- 🎯 Games, archery & sword fighting

- 📸 Photo ops

- 🍸 Snacks & drinks (cash bar available)

- ✨ Flash tattoos*

- 🛍️ Shopping & more!

⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy your ticket here!⁠⁠⁠

_____________________________________________________________

Let's be friends on socials!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reading After Bedtime Podcast Youtube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reading After Bedtime ⁠Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reading After bedtime ⁠TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🛍️ Shop our Merch!🛍️⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Still looking for something? 👀 ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/readingafterbedtimepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Find Goodreads, Book of the Month, a tip jar and so much more here!)

_____________________________________________________________

🎶 Intro music by the talented Sean Lavrisa!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Spotify⁠:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

#ourperfectstorm #carleyfortune #summerread #contomporaryromance #bookdiscussion #bookreview #bookpodcast

00:00 Cold Open Banter01:04 Podcast Intro And Socials02:08 ACOTAR 6 Party Announcement03:00 Book Blurb Overview04:10 Ratings And Reactions07:58 Spice Level Check08:55 Spoiler Warning Setup09:37 Tropes And Content Warnings11:23 Setting Praise And Comparisons14:54 Character Frustrations And Miscommunication24:54 Little Women Tangent25:55 Best Friend Tattoo Drama27:30 Gym Name Honeymoon Fight29:17 Mommy Issues Therapy Talk31:32 George Frankie Miscommunication33:45 Wildfires Whales Setting36:07 Sibling Names Letters Sweetness37:39 Final Thoughts Character Depth40:50 Perfect MMC Abs Rant44:25 Side Characters Quotes Moments48:17 Wrap Up Next Episode

🚨This episode contains FULL SPOILERS for Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune. If you don't want the ENTIRE story spoiled, please return once you've read the story. 🚨

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Allyson and Becca share a spoiler summary of Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune, following Frankie and her lifelong best friend George St. James after Frankie’s fiancé Nate abruptly calls off their wedding. Struggling to move forward, Frankie agrees to take the planned honeymoon to Tofino, British Columbia, and George joins her on a themed seven-day healing trip where they pretend to be newlyweds, share one bed, confront past moments of tension, and slowly acknowledge deeper feelings. As the week progresses through surfing, conversations about family, therapy, and forgiveness, Frankie and George shift from friendship to a romantic relationship and plan to travel together. A final note from Nate reveals he suspected George loved Frankie, sparking conflict that Frankie works through with family, therapy, and George’s letters detailing how he fell in love with her, leading to their reconciliation and future adventures.

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Looking for our full discussion of Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune? Check out our full coverage!

Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune [Spoiler Summary]

Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune [Book Chat]

_____________________________________________________________

🎉LET'S PARTY!🎉

Let's celebrate the release of ACOTAR 6 together! Reading After Bedtime has teamed up with Bibliobar in Plano, Texas to bring you an unforgettable evening counting down to the release of ACOTAR 6! The ACOTAR 6 release party is TICKETED, so make sure to grab yours before they sell out!

Your ticket includes:

- 📚 Gift bag + your copy of ACOTAR 6

- 🎤 Trivia & costume contest🎙️

- 🔮 Conspiracy theories & fandom fun

- 🎯 Games, archery & sword fighting

- 📸 Photo ops

- 🍸 Snacks & drinks (cash bar available)

- ✨ Flash tattoos*

- 🛍️ Shopping & more!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy your ticket here!⁠⁠⁠⁠

_____________________________________________________________

Let's be friends on socials!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

_____________________________________________________________

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🛍️ Shop our Merch!🛍️⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Want to support the Reading After Bedtime Podcast? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our LinkTree!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ It has Book of the Month Codes (your first book is $5!), Amazon wishlists, and more!

_____________________________________________________________

🎶 Intro music by the talented Sean Lavrisa!

- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Spotify⁠

- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Instagram⁠

00:00 Welcome to the Podcast01:12 Spoiler and Content Warnings01:31 ACOTAR 6 Party Announcement02:47 Setup and Childhood Bond03:05 Wedding Called Off04:48 Honeymoon Trip to Tofino05:42 Fake Newlyweds One Bed06:41 Breakup Healing Plan08:03 Surfing and Self Worth10:31 First Kiss and Fallout11:57 Date Night and Slow Burn12:50 Finally Together13:43 Nate's Truth Bomb14:44 Back Home and Therapy15:30 Letters and Reconciliation16:25 Epilogue and Next Episode

#ourperfectstorm, #carleyfortune, #romance, #booksummary, #bookclub, #reading, #podcast #bookrecommendation #booktok, #summerreads

The Reading After Bedtime podcast hosts Allyson and Becca announce a ticketed ACOTAR 6 release party with Bibliobar Books and Gifts in Plano, Texas, then interview bestselling author Abigail Owen about her background, motherhood, and being most active on Instagram via abigailowen.com. They discuss Owen’s The Crucible series (The Games Gods Play, The Things Gods Break, and upcoming third book Wrath), her preference for trilogies and HEAs, favorite tropes (morally gray heroes and enemies/adversaries to lovers), and least favorites (second-chance romance and secret baby). Owen shares how she started writing young, finished her first fantasy romance during maternity leave after Twilight inspired her, and how ADHD/autism affect her process, including dictating on walks. They cover the Amazon MGM TV adaptation of The Games Gods Play, limited casting ideas, and milestone celebrations.

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Looking for our full discussion of the Crucible Series by Abigail Owen? Check out our full coverage!

⁠⁠The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen [Spoiler Summary]⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen [Book Chat]⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠The Things Gods Break by Abigail Owen [Spoiler Summary]⁠⁠

⁠⁠The Things Gods Break by Abigail Owen [Book Chat]⁠⁠⁠

⁠Abigail Owen [Author Interview] ⁠

____________________________________________________________

🎉LET'S PARTY!🎉Let's celebrate the release of ACOTAR 6 together! Reading After Bedtime has teamed up with Bibliobar in Plano, Texas to bring you an unforgettable evening counting down to the release of ACOTAR 6! The ACOTAR 6 release party is TICKETED, so make sure to grab yours before they sell out!

Your ticket includes:- 📚 Gift bag + your copy of ACOTAR 6

- 🎤 Trivia & costume contest🎙️

- 🔮 Conspiracy theories & fandom fun

- 🎯 Games, archery & sword fighting

- 📸 Photo ops

- 🍸 Snacks & drinks (cash bar available)

- ✨ Flash tattoos*

- 🛍️ Shopping & more!

⁠⁠⁠Buy your ticket here!⁠⁠

_____________________________________________________________

Let's be friends on socials!

⁠⁠⁠⁠Reading After Bedtime Podcast Youtube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Reading After Bedtime ⁠Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Reading After bedtime ⁠TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Abigail Owen Instagram:

Abigail Owen TikTok:  

Abigail Owen Facebook:

Abigail Owen Website:

_____________________________________________________________

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🛍️ Shop our Merch!🛍️⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Still looking for something? 👀 ⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/readingafterbedtimepodcast⁠⁠⁠ (Find Goodreads, Book of the Month, a tip jar and so much more here!)

_____________________________________________________________

🎶 Intro music by the talented Sean Lavrisa!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Spotify⁠:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

#abigailowen #authorinterview #authorchat #thegamesgodsplay #crucibleseries #kindleunlimitedromance #romantasybooktok 00:00 Time Drama And Books

00:31 ACOTAR 6 Party Details

01:24 Podcast Welcome And Guest Intro

03:53 Bio Banter And Mom Life

08:30 Socials Reviews Spoilers

10:17 Crucible Series Chat

14:36 Tropes HEAs And Miscommunication

18:57 Writing Origins And Romantasy

23:03 Romantasy Boom And Male Readers

26:44 Greek Gods And Hades Inspiration

29:25 Amazon Adaptation And Dream Cast

35:23 Book To Screen Expectations

37:18 Author Besties Question

37:38 Author Friend Circle

38:18 Finding Writer Groups

39:34 Favorite Romance Tropes

41:27 Tropes They Avoid

44:44 Red Flags and Real Life

46:14 Current Work in Progress

48:01 Cover Design Choices

50:07 Reading and Audiobooks

53:10 Neurodivergence and Writing

59:10 How She Celebrates Wins

01:02:25 Writing Snacks and Music

01:04:58 Drafting by Dictation Walks

01:05:44 Allergy Season Tangent

01:09:25 Granny Hobbies and Puzzles

01:13:25 Final Thanks and Farewell

🚨This episode contains FULL SPOILERS for The Things Gods Break by Abigail Owen. If you don't want the ENTIRE story spoiled, please return once you've read the stories.🚨

_____________________________________________________________

Looking for our full discussion of the Crucible Series by Abigail Owen? Check out our full coverage!

⁠The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen [Spoiler Summary]⁠⁠

⁠The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen [Book Chat]⁠⁠

⁠The Things Gods Break by Abigail Owen [Spoiler Summary]⁠

⁠The Things Gods Break by Abigail Owen [Book Chat]⁠⁠

Abigail Owen [Author Interview]

_____________________________________________________________

Allyson and Becca introduce the Reading After Bedtime Podcast, share social links, request reviews, and promote a ticketed ACOTAR 6 release party with Bibliobar Books and Gifts. They discuss Abigail Owen’s The Things Gods Break (published Oct. 21, 2025), rating it five stars and praising it as a strong middle book with a slow-burn romance (two “chili peppers”) and intentional, well-managed confusion tied to Lyra’s perspective. After a spoiler warning, they cover tropes (games/trials, prophecy/chosen one, enemies to friends), extensive content warnings, and series context (final book The Wrath Gods Reap expected Nov. 17, 2026). They highlight time travel, seven locks/trials, glamours affecting gods and mortals, Lyra’s powers, Cronos’s sacrifice, Hades/Charon/Cerberus moments, and end with competing theories about the Deceiver, predictions for book three, favorite quotes, and a teaser for an upcoming Abigail Owen interview and a Dungeon Crawler Carl episode.

_____________________________________________________________

🎉LET'S PARTY!🎉

Let's celebrate the release of ACOTAR 6 together! Reading After Bedtime has teamed up with Bibliobar in Plano, Texas to bring you an unforgettable evening counting down to the release of ACOTAR 6! The ACOTAR 6 release party is TICKETED, so make sure to grab yours before they sell out!

Your ticket includes:

- 📚 Gift bag + your copy of ACOTAR 6

- 🎤 Trivia & costume contest🎙️

- 🔮 Conspiracy theories & fandom fun

- 🎯 Games, archery & sword fighting

- 📸 Photo ops

- 🍸 Snacks & drinks (cash bar available)

- ✨ Flash tattoos*

- 🛍️ Shopping & more!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy your ticket here!⁠⁠⁠⁠

_____________________________________________________________

Let's be friends on socials!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

_____________________________________________________________

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🛍️ Shop our Merch!🛍️⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Still looking for something? 👀 https://linktr.ee/readingafterbedtimepodcast (Find Goodreads, Book of the Month, a tip jar and so much more here!)

_____________________________________________________________

🎶 Intro music by the talented Sean Lavrisa!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Spotify⁠:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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00:00 Side Character Warning00:37 Podcast Intro01:44 ACOTAR Party Plug02:38 Back Cover Blurb03:35 Ratings And Spice05:15 Spoiler Warning Setup06:00 Tropes And Content Warnings07:23 Dedication And Confusion10:57 Locks And Trials Highlights17:48 Time Travel Glamours20:20 Prophecies And Hades POV24:57 Falling For Cronos27:23 Mom Chat Genetics Tangent29:30 Cracks Of Time Visuals31:14 Cronos Beach Day32:19 Titan War Gore34:30 Underworld Overcrowded36:16 Hades and Lyra Timeline39:32 Lyra New Powers43:25 Deceiver Theories50:04 Favorite Quotes56:14 Favorite Moments Wrap59:50 Outro and Next Reads

#thegamesgodsplay #thecrucibleseries #romantasy #booktok #bookdiscussion #bookreview #thethingsgodsbreak

🚨This episode contains FULL SPOILERS for The Things Gods Break by Abigail Owen. If you don't want the ENTIRE story spoiled, please return once you've read the stories.🚨

_____________________________________________________________

Looking for our full discussion of the Crucible Series by Abigail Owen? Check out our full coverage!

⁠⁠The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen [Spoiler Summary]⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen [Book Chat]⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠The Things Gods Break by Abigail Owen [Spoiler Summary]⁠⁠

⁠⁠The Things Gods Break by Abigail Owen [Book Chat]⁠⁠⁠

⁠Abigail Owen [Author Interview] ⁠

_____________________________________________________________

The Things Gods Break (Abigail Owen) — Spoiler Summary | Reading After Bedtime PodcastAllyson and Becca share a spoiler summary of Abigail Owen’s The Things Gods Break, following Lyra and Boone trapped in Tartarus as broken time shards throw Lyra through past events with Hades and the Titans. Lyra is tested through the seven divine locks (including Hestia, Hades, Demeter, Poseidon, Hera, and Aphrodite), learns the gods have been glamoured for millennia, and uncovers that Tartarus is breaking as time repeatedly resets. With Persephone’s complicated help and Boone’s distrust, Lyra gains powers to see and remove glamour, makes unbreakable oaths, and ultimately unseals all locks when Cronos sacrifices himself, transferring his time power to Lyra. A battle erupts after the Titans’ release; Lyra stops time, reverses key damage, and exposes the deception. Hades is punished by losing immortality and power, and Lyra and Persephone lead the Underworld as the next book is teased.

_____________________________________________________________

🎉LET'S PARTY!🎉

Let's celebrate the release of ACOTAR 6 together! Reading After Bedtime has teamed up with Bibliobar in Plano, Texas to bring you an unforgettable evening counting down to the release of ACOTAR 6! The ACOTAR 6 release party is TICKETED, so make sure to grab yours before they sell out!

Your ticket includes:

- 📚 Gift bag + your copy of ACOTAR 6

- 🎤 Trivia & costume contest🎙️

- 🔮 Conspiracy theories & fandom fun

- 🎯 Games, archery & sword fighting

- 📸 Photo ops

- 🍸 Snacks & drinks (cash bar available)

- ✨ Flash tattoos*

- 🛍️ Shopping & more!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy your ticket here!⁠⁠⁠

_____________________________________________________________

Let's be friends on socials!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

_____________________________________________________________

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🛍️ Shop our Merch!🛍️⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Still looking for something? 👀 https://linktr.ee/readingafterbedtimepodcast (Find Goodreads, Book of the Month, a tip jar and so much more here!)

_____________________________________________________________

🎶 Intro music by the talented Sean Lavrisa!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Spotify⁠:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

_____________________________________________________________

00:00 Welcome to Podcast01:11 Spoiler Warnings01:47 ACOTAR Party Plug02:58 Setup in Tartarus03:51 Hestia Lock Test05:48 Titans and Broken Time08:09 Young Hades Encounter09:08 Persephone Reveals Cracks11:14 Training and Seven Locks13:24 War and Glamour Clues17:05 Demeter Lock Breakdown21:29 Hera Lock and Boone Hurt24:14 Aphrodite Lock Sacrifice24:46 Freedom and Battle26:29 Olympus Showdown27:36 Rewinding the Damage28:45 Punishment and Tease29:33 Wrap Up and Next Steps

#thegamesgodsplay #thecrucibleseries #romantasy #booktok #bookdiscussion #bookreview #thethingsgodsbreak

🚨This bonus episode contains spoilers for ALL of the A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) Series, AS WELL AS Throne of Glass and Crescent City by Sarah J Maas. If you aren't completely caught up with the Maas-verse, please press pause, and return once you are.🚨

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Looking for the rest of the Maas-Termind files? Check out our full coverage here!

⁠⁠⁠⁠Sarah J Maas x Call Her Daddy Reaction⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Prythian Mountains x Where is Vaughan?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bargains x Queen Mor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wyrdgates x Crossover Opportunities⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠Swords x Pegasus⁠⁠

⁠Vassa, Amren x Koschei & The Pool of Starlight⁠

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Allyson and Becca of Reading After Bedtime announce social links, request reviews, and promote a ticketed ACOTAR 6 release party with Bibliobar Books and Gifts in Plano, Texas, then give a full Maas-verse spoiler warning. The episode focuses on how bargains work in Prythian—old, balance-based magic that can kill or claim what matters most—and how Night Court bargains are tattooed and disappear once fulfilled. They walk through key ACOTAR bargains (Feyre/Amarantha, Feyre/Rhys, Tamlin/Hybern, Feyre/Bryaxis, Feyre/Bone Carver, Cassian/Nesta, and Feyre/Rhys’s death pact), raising questions about what counts as a bargain, loopholes, and Bryaxis’s unresolved status. They end with a crack theory connecting Mor, truth, the Veritas orb, witch mirrors, and Throne of Glass symbols like the three-faced goddess/Eye of Elena.

_____________________________________________________________

🎉LET'S PARTY!🎉

Let's celebrate the release of ACOTAR 6 together! Reading After Bedtime has teamed up with Bibliobar in Plano, Texas to bring you an unforgettable evening counting down to the release of ACOTAR 6! The ACOTAR 6 release party is TICKETED, so make sure to grab yours before they sell out!

Your ticket includes:

- 📚 Gift bag + your copy of ACOTAR 6

- 🎤 Trivia & costume contest🎙️

- 🔮 Conspiracy theories & fandom fun

- 🎯 Games, archery & sword fighting

- 📸 Photo ops

- 🍸 Snacks & drinks (cash bar available)

- ✨ Flash tattoos*

- 🛍️ Shopping & more!

⁠Buy your ticket here!⁠

_____________________________________________________________00:00 Maasverse Power Questions

01:03 Hosts And Community Links

01:42 ACOTAR 6 Release Party

02:35 Spoiler Warning And Scope

03:16 Bargains Lore Basics

05:13 Magic Balance And Stakes

08:00 Bargain Tattoos Explained

10:27 Feyre And Amarantha Deal

14:34 Riddle Debate And Answer

18:59 Feyre And Rhys Bargain

22:29 Tamlin Hybern Bargain

25:41 Bryaxis Bargains And Loopholes

33:52 Bone Carver Mirror Price

37:39 Eris Bargain Breakdown

39:19 Keir Ancestor Deal

40:25 Nesta Cassian Favor

42:24 Feyre Rhys Death Pact

45:22 High Lord Beast Forms

46:49 Mor Morrigan Theory

50:35 Witch Mirrors Lore

52:07 Crochan Clues Deep Dive

57:37 Multiverse Map Talk

01:01:18 Tamlin Dain Rant

01:03:24 Mates Human Questions

01:05:22 Wrap Up And Plugs

_____________________________________________________________

Let's be friends on socials!

⁠⁠⁠⁠Reading After Bedtime Podcast Youtube:⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Reading After Bedtime ⁠Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Reading After bedtime ⁠TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠

_____________________________________________________________

⁠⁠⁠⁠🛍️ Shop our Merch!🛍️⁠⁠⁠⁠

Still looking for something? 👀 https://linktr.ee/readingafterbedtimepodcast (Find Goodreads, Book of the Month, a tip jar and so much more here!)

_____________________________________________________________

#acotar6 #acourtofthornsandroses #maastermindfiles #maasverse #bookrecommendation

🚨This episode contains FULL SPOILERS for The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen. If you don't want the ENTIRE story spoiled, please return once you've read the stories.🚨

_____________________________________________________________

Looking for our full discussion of the Crucible Series by Abigail Owen? Check out our full coverage!

⁠⁠The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen [Spoiler Summary]⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen [Book Chat]⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠The Things Gods Break by Abigail Owen [Spoiler Summary]⁠⁠

⁠⁠The Things Gods Break by Abigail Owen [Book Chat]⁠⁠⁠

⁠Abigail Owen [Author Interview] ⁠

_____________________________________________________________

 Allyson and Becca introduce the Reading After Bedtime podcast and discuss Abigail Owen’s fantasy romance The Games Gods Play (published Sept. 3, 2024), share where to follow/review the show, and read the book’s blurb about Lyra, a cursed office clerk in San Francisco chosen by Hades as his mortal champion in the Crucible, a deadly contest of 12 trials held every 100 years. Both hosts rate the book five stars on reread and give it a spice level of 2, then provide a spoiler warning covering plot twists, triggers, violence, and on-page sex. They describe it as a lighter, fast-moving Greek-mythology-based story with reluctant allies-to-lovers tension, “mine” moments, and creative logic-and-might trials, discuss content warnings, confirm the trilogy’s reading order and release dates, share favorite quotes/moments (including Cerberus), and offer predictions about Lyra’s nature and Zeus/Kronos.

_____________________________________________________________

🎉LET'S PARTY!🎉

Let's celebrate the release of ACOTAR 6 together! Reading After Bedtime has teamed up with Bibliobar in Plano, Texas to bring you an unforgettable evening counting down to the release of ACOTAR 6! The ACOTAR 6 release party is TICKETED, so make sure to grab yours before they sell out!

Your ticket includes:

- 📚 Gift bag + your copy of ACOTAR 6

- 🎤 Trivia & costume contest🎙️

- 🔮 Conspiracy theories & fandom fun

- 🎯 Games, archery & sword fighting

- 📸 Photo ops

- 🍸 Snacks & drinks (cash bar available)

- ✨ Flash tattoos*

- 🛍️ Shopping & more!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy your ticket here!⁠⁠

_____________________________________________________________

Referenced Episodes:

⁠Variation by Rebecca Yarros [Spoiler Summary]⁠

⁠Variation by Rebecca Yarros [Book Chat]⁠

_____________________________________________________________

Let's be friends on socials!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

_____________________________________________________________

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🛍️ Shop our Merch!🛍️⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Still looking for something? 👀 https://linktr.ee/readingafterbedtimepodcast (Find Goodreads, Book of the Month, a tip jar and so much more here!)

_____________________________________________________________

🎶 Intro music by the talented Sean Lavrisa!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Spotify⁠:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

_____________________________________________________________

00:00 Chocolate Scent Banter

00:44 Podcast Welcome

01:52 Book Setup Blurb

03:12 Ratings And Spice

04:59 Spoiler Warning

06:14 Genre Tropes Warnings

08:19 Series Reading Order

09:04 Slump Buster Thoughts

14:56 Preface And Chapter Names

17:39 Crucible Trials Breakdown

19:28 Hades Motivations And Deals

20:48 Tattoos Animals And Gifts

24:55 Mythology Research And Pantheons

25:58 Bitter Chocolate Revisited

26:55 Scent and Vibes

27:38 Slow Burn Tension

28:56 Curse and Trauma

30:58 Lyra Sass Moments

33:20 Trials Breakdown

38:33 Predictions and Twists

42:21 Best Quotes

44:53 Favorite Moments

50:01 Final Thoughts Wrap

52:29 Outro and Farewell

#thegamesgodsplay #thecrucibleseries #romantasy #booktok #bookdiscussion #bookreview

🚨This episode contains FULL SPOILERS for The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen. If you don't want the ENTIRE story spoiled, please return once you've read the stories.🚨

_____________________________________________________________

Looking for our full discussion of the Crucible Series by Abigail Owen? Check out our full coverage!

⁠⁠The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen [Spoiler Summary]⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen [Book Chat]⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠The Things Gods Break by Abigail Owen [Spoiler Summary]⁠⁠

⁠⁠The Things Gods Break by Abigail Owen [Book Chat]⁠⁠⁠

⁠Abigail Owen [Author Interview] ⁠

_____________________________________________________________

Allyson and Becca share a spoiler summary of Abigail Owen’s The Games Gods Play, with warnings for spice, triggers, and violence, plus plugs for their socials, reviews, and an ACOTAR 6 release party with Bibliobar in Plano, Texas. The story follows Lyra Keres, cursed by Zeus to be unlovable, who is chosen by Hades as his champion in the Crucible, a centennial series of god-designed trials where the winning god rules for 100 years and the mortal earns a boon. Lyra gains Hades’ kiss-mark, tattoo animals, and Persephone’s pearls, forms alliances, survives deadly trials (including Boone’s death), and learns Persephone is trapped in Tartarus, motivating Hades’ entry. Zeus is exposed for cheating and harming Lyra; Hades gives up his crown to save her. Lyra is named winner, Hades becomes king of the gods, Boone becomes god of thieves, and Hades claims Pandora’s box—yet Lyra and Boone are pulled into Tartarus as the door seals, setting up the next book.

_____________________________________________________________

🎉LET'S PARTY!🎉

Let's celebrate the release of ACOTAR 6 together! Reading After Bedtime has teamed up with Bibliobar in Plano, Texas to bring you an unforgettable evening counting down to the release of ACOTAR 6! The ACOTAR 6 release party is TICKETED, so make sure to grab yours before they sell out!

Your ticket includes:

- 📚 Gift bag + your copy of ACOTAR 6

- 🎤 Trivia & costume contest🎙️

- 🔮 Conspiracy theories & fandom fun

- 🎯 Games, archery & sword fighting

- 📸 Photo ops

- 🍸 Snacks & drinks (cash bar available)

- ✨ Flash tattoos*

- 🛍️ Shopping & more!

⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy your ticket here!⁠⁠

_____________________________________________________________

Let's be friends on socials!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

_____________________________________________________________

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🛍️ Shop our Merch!🛍️⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Still looking for something? 👀 https://linktr.ee/readingafterbedtimepodcast (Find Goodreads, Book of the Month, a tip jar and so much more here!)

_____________________________________________________________

🎶 Intro music by the talented Sean Lavrisa!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Spotify⁠:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

_____________________________________________________________

00:00 Welcome and Spoiler Warning

01:30 ACOTAR 6 Party Plug

02:46 Lyra’s Curse and Hades

03:50 Crucible Rules and Selection

04:59 Choosing Night and First Kiss

07:24 Poseidon Trial and Relic Reveal

08:14 Alliances and Hermes Riddle

09:53 Underworld Detour and Pearls

10:35 Dionysus Vodka Run

11:33 Pearls Punishment and Persephone Truth

12:06 Apollo and Artemis Trials

13:12 Aphrodite Dream and Boone Shift

13:53 Hephaestus Tower and Boone Falls

15:10 Recovery and Final Strategy

16:07 Athena Maze and God Jail

17:30 Zeus Final Labor and Betrayal

19:04 Zeus Exposed and Crowns Shift

20:18 Pandora’s Box and Tartarus Cliffhanger

21:16 Wrap Up and Next Episode

#thegamesgodsplay #thecrucibleseries #romantasy #booktok #bookdiscussion #bookreview

🚨This episode contains FULL SPOILERS for Shield of Sparrows AND Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry. If you don't want the ENTIRE series spoiled, please return once you've read the stories.🚨

_____________________________________________________________

Looking for our full discussion of the Shield of Sparrows Series by Devney Perry? Check out our full coverage!

Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry

Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry [Spoiler Summary]

Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry [Book Chat]

_____________________________________________________________

Allyson and Becca welcome listeners to the Reading After Bedtime Podcast and announce an ACOTAR 6 release party with Bibliobar Books and Gifts in Plano, Texas, before discussing Devney Perry’s Rites of the Starling (published April 7, 2026), book two in the Shield of Sparrows trilogy. They read the back-of-book overview, share ratings (Allyson: 4; Becca: low 4 after initially landing at 3), and give a mid spice score (about 2–3 chili peppers). In spoilers, they cover genre and tropes, content warnings, and frustrations with pacing, heavy travel, and the dual-timeline/added POV structure featuring Caspia, Odessa’s mother. They discuss key reveals and predictions for book three (expected March 9, 2027), highlight favorite quotes and moments, critique character choices (especially Odessa’s repeated rescues), and tease their next episode on The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen.

_____________________________________________________________

🎉LET'S PARTY!🎉

Let's celebrate the release of ACOTAR 6 together! Reading After Bedtime has teamed up with Bibliobar in Plano, Texas to bring you an unforgettable evening counting down to the release of ACOTAR 6! The ACOTAR 6 release party is TICKETED, so make sure to grab yours before they sell out!

Your ticket includes:

- 📚 Gift bag + your copy of ACOTAR 6

- 🎤 Trivia & costume contest🎙️

- 🔮 Conspiracy theories & fandom fun

- 🎯 Games, archery & sword fighting

- 📸 Photo ops

- 🍸 Snacks & drinks (cash bar available)

- ✨ Flash tattoos*

- 🛍️ Shopping & more!

⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy your ticket here!⁠

_____________________________________________________________

Referenced Episodes:

Variation by Rebecca Yarros [Spoiler Summary]

Variation by Rebecca Yarros [Book Chat]

_____________________________________________________________

Let's be friends on socials!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

_____________________________________________________________

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🛍️ Shop our Merch!🛍️⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Still looking for something? 👀 https://linktr.ee/readingafterbedtimepodcast (Find Goodreads, Book of the Month, a tip jar and so much more here!)

_____________________________________________________________

🎶 Intro music by the talented Sean Lavrisa!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Spotify⁠:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

_____________________________________________________________00:00 Cold Open Chaos00:56 Podcast Welcome01:35 Socials and Reviews02:02 ACOTAR 6 Party02:55 Back Cover Blurb04:00 Ratings Breakdown07:21 Spice Meter08:13 Spoiler Warning08:59 Genre Tropes and Warnings10:58 Pacing and POV Debate17:04 Travel Fatigue19:16 Character Frustrations21:14 Magic and Vision Theories26:24 Caspia POV Defense27:23 Worldbuilding and High Priest29:30 Trust and Alliances30:06 Skore Reveal Twist31:31 Orbit Hunt Questions32:03 High Priest Suspicions32:49 Evie Age Debate35:37 Caspia Goodbye Fallout40:09 Book Three Title Guesses45:35 Favorite Quotes Readout47:49 Best Moments Highlights50:05 Final Thoughts Wrap

#ritesofthestarling #shieldofsparrows #romantasy #booktok #bookdiscussion #bookreview