Welcome back to Reading Between Deadlines, the podcast where we read with the same chaotic energy we usually reserve for missed deadlines, burnt toast and re-reading our own bios in horror. This week continues our new format—where a guest author brings a book they adore, and we read it for the first time (sometimes very reluctantly).

Our guest this episode? The always delightful and impressively multi-hyphenate Sophie Green bestselling author of Lessons in Love at the Seaside Salon and creator of The Sunshine Society Substack and Sunburnt Country Music Substack.

This month’s pick: American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld—a book inspired by Laura Bush, drenched in domestic detail, and long enough to qualify as weight training. Was it a hit? Or did someone yell “kill” during the Kiss-Kill-Marry rating?

In this episode, we cover:

👑 What even is a “plotless novel,” and does American Wife qualify?

🥪 Can we survive one more description of a sandwich? (Asking for Anthea.)

💔 Is Charlie Blackwell a swoon-worthy presidential husband or just a charming alcoholic in a good suit?

🛏️ The ethical can of worms: how does one fictionalise the very real, still-living First Lady?

📚 Archetypes, agency, and how women shape power without always being seen.

🤯 Why the ending sparked a podcast existential crisis.

And, of course, we rate it: Kiss, Kill, or Marry?

⏰ Timestamps

00:00 – Meet your hosts: Rachel Johns & Anthea Hodgson, chaos queens of literary chat02:00 – Special guest Sophie Green and the great bio rating debate05:00 – This week’s pick: American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld06:40 – The Kiss/Kill/Marry showdown: who said what (and who changed their mind!)10:00 – Sophie explains her fascination with first ladies, feminine archetypes, and political wives15:00 – Anthea confesses: “I would’ve DNF’d it if it weren’t for the podcast”20:00 – Rachel says: “It was a French kiss...but I’m not putting a ring on it”24:00 – Charlie and Alice: toxic, tragic, or just realistically complex?30:00 – The risk (and craft) of writing fiction about living people36:00 – When you’re moderately famous and still have to go to Woolies40:00 – Books about fame: Jackie, Rodham, and Monica Ali’s Untold Story

📚 Recommendations from Sophie Green

Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld

Jackie by Dawn Tripp

Untold Story by Monica Ali

Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld

Plain Jane and the Birthday Party by Ruth Park (a childhood favourite)

👉 Listen now, subscribe, and tell us—did you swoon for American Wife?

Welcome back to Reading Between Deadlines, the podcast where two authors read with the kind of energy usually reserved for stress-dreams about book launches. In this episode, Rachael Johns and Anthea Hodgson dive into Swept Away by Beth O’Leary—a bestselling author known for quirky, heartfelt rom-coms.

But this one? Let’s just say, our anchors weren’t the only things that didn’t stay put.

In this episode, we cover:

🌊 Is this a fun high-concept romance… or an oil rig of far-fetched plot devices?

🛏️ Why did they bang while the boat was sinking?

🤷‍♀️ Chemistry check: did anyone else feel like these two had nothing in common?

🪑 Contrivances galore: secret logbooks, missing dock ropes, a deserted oil rig—oh my!

👩‍❤️‍👨 Age-gap angst: is a 30-year-old woman really ancient compared to a 23-year-old?

🫣 Plot twist or plot oops: the baby daddy reveal that should’ve come with a group chat first

📚 Plus: Rachael listens on audio and cringes at every sexy scene, while Anthea reads in Bali and possibly gives the book too many margarita points

And of course, we rate it: Kiss, Kill, or Marry?

⏰ Timestamps

00:30 – Meet the authors (again): coffee, Diet Coke, and questionable memory

02:00 – Why we picked Beth O’Leary and what made Swept Away sound so irresistible

05:00 – The premise: one-night stand, houseboat, shenanigans

08:00 – Rating time! Anthea says “kiss,” Rachael shocks us with a “kill”

12:00 – Why the boat plot lost steam: flat characters and no real tension

15:00 – The romance that couldn’t: forced proximity but no spark

19:30 – Plot twist breakdown: baby drama and logic gaps

24:00 – Is this book secretly anti-swimmer?

28:00 – Our rewrite suggestions: enemies-to-lovers, surprise houseboat squatters, and maybe less rig collapse

31:00 – Does audio change how you experience a book?

34:00 – The verdict: will we read Beth again?

👉 Listen now, subscribe, and let us know—did you get swept away or were you screaming “abandon ship” by chapter five?

This book contains a content warning for loss of a child.

Welcome back to Reading Between Deadlines, the podcast where we read with the kind of unhinged energy usually reserved for deadline week meltdowns. In this episode, Rachael Johns and Anthea Hodgson attempt to unpack the cult favourite Brother of the More Famous Jack by Barbara Trapido—a book that’s been praised by literary giants and passionately pushed into readers’ hands since 1982.

And yet... we didn’t love it. In fact, we might get cancelled.

In this episode, we cover:

📚 Is this a feminist classic… or just a snobby book with a confusing cast of J-names?

👶 That baby loss twist: gut-wrenching shock or tonal whiplash?

🧼 The Goldman family—lovably eccentric or absolutely exhausting?

😳 Roger, Jonathan, John, Jake, Jane—why does everyone in this book have the same name?

😤 Catherine: hot mess, sad snob, or just aggressively beige?

🍷 Plus: how many wines does it take to realise you’ve skipped 40 pages?

And, of course, we rate it: Kiss, Kill, or Marry?

⏰ Timestamps

00:30 – This week’s pick: Brother of the More Famous Jack by Barbara Trapido

03:00 – Rachael loses her place and 40 pages in New Zealand (relatable content)

08:00 – The literary world LOVES this book. Do we…?

11:00 – The rules: no influencing, just instincts (and the kiss, marry, kill rating)

14:00 – Catherine Brown: the protagonist we didn’t need and still don’t understand

19:30 – Is this book feminist? (Spoiler: probably not)

23:00 – Snobbery, elitism, and emotional detachment—are we just not clever enough to get it?

28:10 – Confusing names, weird family dynamics, and public cervix announcements

33:00 – Have we evolved since 1982? (Yes. But also… maybe not.)

35:00 – Reading regret and the weight of literary expectations

👉 Listen now, subscribe, and tell us—do you believe in the hype, or are you secretly glad someone else finally said “meh”?

This book contains a content warning for loss of a child.

Welcome back to Reading Between Deadlines, the podcast where we read with the kind of unhinged energy usually reserved for deadline week meltdowns. In this episode, Rachael Johns and Anthea Hodgson attempt to unpack the cult favourite Brother of the More Famous Jack by Barbara Trapido—a book that’s been praised by literary giants and passionately pushed into readers’ hands since 1982.

And yet... we didn’t love it. In fact, we might get cancelled.

In this episode, we cover:

📚 Is this a feminist classic… or just a snobby book with a confusing cast of J-names?

👶 That baby loss twist: gut-wrenching shock or tonal whiplash?

🧼 The Goldman family—lovably eccentric or absolutely exhausting?

😳 Roger, Jonathan, John, Jake, Jane—why does everyone in this book have the same name?

😤 Catherine: hot mess, sad snob, or just aggressively beige?

🍷 Plus: how many wines does it take to realise you’ve skipped 40 pages?

And, of course, we rate it: Kiss, Kill, or Marry?

⏰ Timestamps

00:30 – This week’s pick: Brother of the More Famous Jack by Barbara Trapido

03:00 – Rachael loses her place and 40 pages in New Zealand (relatable content)

08:00 – The literary world LOVES this book. Do we…?

11:00 – The rules: no influencing, just instincts (and the kiss, marry, kill rating)

14:00 – Catherine Brown: the protagonist we didn’t need and still don’t understand

19:30 – Is this book feminist? (Spoiler: probably not)

23:00 – Snobbery, elitism, and emotional detachment—are we just not clever enough to get it?

28:10 – Confusing names, weird family dynamics, and public cervix announcements

33:00 – Have we evolved since 1982? (Yes. But also… maybe not.)

35:00 – Reading regret and the weight of literary expectations

👉 Listen now, subscribe, and tell us—do you believe in the hype, or are you secretly glad someone else finally said “meh”?

Welcome back to Reading Between Deadlines, the podcast where we devour books with the same chaotic energy we bring to deadline week. This week, Rachael Johns and Anthea Hodgson dive tentacle-first into The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus—a debut novel full of moody university students, Scottish castles, emotionally unavailable parents, and yes... actual octopus metaphors.

Written by Emma Knight (co-founder of a fancy Canadian juice company and mysterious woman of few bios), this book swept us away with its atmosphere, aching honesty, and a twist that actually delivered.In this episode, we cover:

🏰 Old houses and young women—why that combo will always get a “marry” from Anthea

🧬 Is this a book about secrets, or a dissertation on emotionally constipated boomers

🪞 The Octopus Metaphor™: profound, heartbreaking, or too slimy to think about?

💌 Alice, the sidekick: necessary subplot or just a lice-fuelled distraction?

💘 Fergus, the awkward love interest with great banter and deeply average timing

🧠 Trauma, parenthood, and why sometimes a Scottish university is the best place to confront your origin story

And, of course, we rate it: Kiss, Kill, or Marry?

⏰ Timestamps

03:10 – This week’s book: The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus by Emma Knight

08:30 – The “young woman + ancient castle” trope gets us every time

11:42 – The family mystery that actually pays off (for once!)

15:03 – Fergus: Hot mess, lovable larrikin, or octopus bait?

19:55 – Motherhood, sacrifice, and whether we’re all secretly cephalopods

27:20 – The octopus metaphor: beautiful or slightly haunting?

33:50 – Is Alice’s storyline needed? Plus: the most awkward lice scene in fiction

38:18 – White shadowing, university nostalgia, and other tangents you didn’t ask for

41:40 – Final verdict: KISS, KILL, or MARRY?

👉 Listen now, subscribe, and tell us—would you go to Scotland to solve a family mystery, or just for the castles and drama students?

Welcome back to Reading Between Deadlines, where we devour books with the same unhinged enthusiasm as we write them. This week, Rachael Johns and Anthea Hodgson take on The Bridges of Madison County—the love story that convinced an entire generation that cheating is fine as long as it’s poetic.

Yes, it’s that 90s classic about a lonely farm wife, a broody photographer, and an affair so powerful it makes Francesca ditch all common sense and pine for decades. Romance? Tragedy? A cautionary tale for every book club member who’s ever fantasised about their barista? Let’s discuss.

In this episode, we cover:

🌉 Bridges: Functional or metaphors for forbidden love?

📖 Was this book actually good, or did Meryl Streep trick us all?

💔 The moral dilemma: Soulmates or a midlife crisis with better lighting?

🔥 Sex scenes: Passionate or just forbidden?

And, of course, we rate it: Kiss, Kill, or Marry?

⏰ Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome! Rach and Anthea introduce the book & reveal that they are, in fact, not math geniuses.

01:19 – Is Bridges of Madison County a romance, or just a Nicholas Sparks fever dream?

06:42 – The “forbidden love” trope: Timeless or just an excuse for bad decisions?

09:06 – Rating time: Kiss, Kill, or Marry? (Or a sneaky cigarette after?)

21:13 – The big question: Was Francesca’s affair actually worth it?

32:17 – He literally wouldn’t shut up about being the last cowboy!

36:54 – It’s like an ice cube melting on a hot skin…

42:45 – Next up: The Bridges of Madison County sequel! (Kidding, we’d rather stare at a wall.)

👉 Listen now, subscribe, and tell us—would you have run off with the hot photographer or stayed home and baked lasagna?

🚨 Book rants & wildly fluctuating opinions incoming! 🚨

This week, Rachael Johns and Anthea Hodgson take on Sally Rooney’s latest, where two brothers navigate grief, romance, and existential dread—all while occasionally playing chess.

Along the way, we discuss:

♟️ The many, many chess metaphors—how far is too far?

📖 Why this book is giving Ulysses energy (but make it Rooney)

💔 A love triangle that had us screaming “just pick someone already!”

🎭 The existential crisis of two brothers navigating grief, relationships, and Dublin

And, of course, we rate it: Kiss, Kill, or Marry? (Spoiler: it’s a tough call.)

⏰ Timestamps

00.00 Intro

1.19 Sally Rooney is very young and very famous – like Rachael!

2.04 The more famous you are – the shorter your biography

3.47 Rachael has reasons for reading Rooney – Anthea’s just here for the accents

5.42 The blurb – not bad – but does it over promise?

6.42 Sibling drama and its role in literature and in life

9.06 Rating Intermezzo – Kiss, Kill and Cigarettes

10.22 Are long books the enemy? Does size really matter?

12.47 Goodreads ratings – Sally Rooney is more popular than Guinness

15.25 Meet Peter and Ivan, and the women they love, mostly

21.13 Reviews – the good, the bad and the ugly

22.01 Autism and disability in fiction

25.06 James Joyce – what are you doing here?

32.17 Crisis! Every time we meet a new character

35.17 Killing Intermezzo, with love

36.54 Rachael susses Anthea out for a throuple. Anthea is not keen.

39.42 Hat puzzle confusion (no green hats were harmed in the making of this

conversation)

41.47 What does Intermezzo mean, anyway?

42.45 The Bridges of Madison County next time! Surely it’s a marry???

👉 Listen now, subscribe, and tell us—did Intermezzo hit or miss for you?

🚨 Time travel, book rants & chaos incoming! 🚨

In this episode of Reading Between Deadlines, Rachel Johns and Anthea Hodgson take on The Ministry of Time—a book that dares to mix time travel, romance, and social commentary. Does it work? Do they even understand the plot? Who's to say!

Along the way, they tackle:⏳ The baffling science of time travel (we’re still confused)💔 A romance that…was technically there?🔥 Sideburns, honour, and whether Victorian men can handle the 21st century🤯 A plot twist that came in way too late📖 The real reason this book blew up (spoiler: we have theories)

Plus: Listener reviews, husbands with opinions, and a rating system that gets more chaotic by the episode.

Join us for bookish banter, hot takes, and at least one moment of Wait, what just happened? 🎙️

👉 Subscribe, leave us a review (preferably with words!), and tell us what book to tackle next!

⏰ Timestamps

00:00 – Intro & Weather Chat – Because every good book discussion starts with a dramatic climate update.

03:42 – Podcast Reviews & Listener Feedback – We read your reviews! Some glowing, some… interesting.

06:39 – Husband's Feedback & Podcast Dynamics – The men have opinions. Some are useful. Some are… less so.

09:12 – Introducing the Book: The Ministry of Time – Time travel, romance, and sideburns for days.

10:35 – Book Awards & Reception – This book has won everything. But do we agree?

12:26 – Book Recap & Our Wildly Fluctuating Rating System – Kiss, Kill, Marry—or do we need a new category?

13:56 – Character Names & Why We Apparently Don’t Need Them – A bookish trend or just confusing?

14:18 – Story Recap: Time Travellers, Secret Agencies & Victorian Charm – A crash course in who’s who.

16:13 – Time Travel & Romance: A Perfect Pairing? – Or just an awkward history lesson?

18:05 – Social Commentary: Race, Climate Change & Colonialism – Big themes, but do they land?

20:07 – Plot Twists & Character Development – Surprises! Betrayals! Future versions of ourselves!

22:04 – Ratings & Personal Reflections – Is this a book we’d marry, kiss, or dramatically dump?

26:04 – Final Thoughts on the Book – Wrapping it all up before we time travel out of here.

28:49 – The Romance: A Slow Burn or Just… Slow? – Exploring the chemistry (or lack thereof).

35:00 – Confusion vs. Clarity: Did We Keep Up? – A deep dive into what worked and what left us scratching our heads.

41:28 – Why Is This Book So Popular? – Theories, analysis, and maybe a tiny existential crisis.

46:20 – Engaging with Literature & What’s Next – Looking ahead, plus how you can help pick future books!

Rachael Johns and Anthea Hodgosn interview author Jacqueline Bublitz about her latest book (and book club pick), LEAVE THE GIRLS BEHIND. They discuss Jacqueline's journey from a call center worker to a successful author, her writing process, and the themes explored in her novels, particularly around crime and gender. The conversation delves into the challenges of writing, character development, and the influence of personal experiences on her storytelling. Jacqueline also shares insights into her reading habits and future projects, making for an engaging and insightful discussion for book lovers.

👋 Follow Jacqueline

💻 Jacqueline’s Website

📸 Jacqueline’s Instagram

⏰ Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

03:25 Jacqueline Bublitz: Author's Journey and Background

06:20 Transition to Writing: From Reviews to Novels

11:59 Exploring 'Leave the Girls Behind': Concept and Themes

16:18 Character Development and Writing Process

21:45 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

23:21 Navigating Expectations and Second Book Syndrome

26:15 Exploring the Crime Genre and Its Nuances

30:52 Reading Habits and Influential Books

36:47 Upcoming Projects and Themes in Writing

39:20 Introduction to the Book Club

39:21 Engaging with Literature

🎥 Watch it now

Join authors Rachel Johns and Anthea Hodgson in their inaugural episode of 'Reading Between Deadlines,' where they dive into Miranda July's eyebrow-raising 'All Fours.' They debate the book's shock value, delve into its portrayal of midlife awakenings, and humorously dissect its outrageous moments. Don't miss their playful banter and honest critique as they rate the book on their unique 'Kiss, Kill, Marry' scale. Plus, get a sneak peek at upcoming reads and author interviews!

⏰ Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Reading Between Deadlines

00:42 Meet the Hosts: Rachel and Anthea

00:56 The Origin of Rachel Johns Book Club

03:42 Transition to Podcasting

05:25 Podcast Rules and Rating System

08:00 First Book Discussion: All Fours by Miranda July

11:28 Diving into the Plot and Characters

16:43 Themes and Shock Value

22:16 Questioning the Protagonist's Attraction

22:36 The Unlikely Romance

23:10 Self-Absorption and Midlife Crisis

23:50 The Social Media Dilemma

24:39 Exploring Relationship Dynamics

25:20 Menopause and Sexuality

29:46 Coincidences and Plot Twists

34:39 Privilege and Relatability

38:37 Final Thoughts and Reflections

43:06 Upcoming Book Club Picks