Ready to fall for a grumpy Highlander... across timelines? 👀

In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, I’m sharing 5 time travel romance books that absolutely deserve more hype. These are the hidden gems you may not have heard of—but they bring everything from fake marriage plots and haunted manor houses to hockey players lost in Regency England and Austen-themed chaos. If you love stories with a little magic, a little mayhem, and a lot of swoon... this list is for you.

Whether you’re in the mood for gothic ghost vibes or a romance that starts with falling into a loch (literally), this episode is packed with recs that aren’t overhyped—but should be.

This episode was originally recorded as a YouTube video, but I added a podcast-only intro and outro just for you. If you’d rather watch it with visuals or grab all the links, head over here:

Watch on YouTube

Read the blog post with more time travel secs

Puck & Prejudice by Lia Riley

Hockey goalie meets Regency England + fake marriage

Buy on Amazon

Sinful Scot by Julie Johnstone & Cecelia Mecca

Billionaire falls into medieval Scotland, full of clan politics & steam

Buy on Amazon

A Stitch in Time by Kelley Armstrong

Gothic ghost romance with slow burn and second chances

Buy on Amazon

The Austen Affair by Madeline Bell

Enemies-to-lovers actors fall into a Jane Austen-inspired timeline

Buy on Amazon

Falling for the Highlander by Emma Prince

Sister falls into a loch... and into the arms of a brooding Laird

Buy on Amazon

Want more?

More Time Travel Romance Books on the Blog

My Highlander Hero Tier Ranking Video

More Highlander Romance Recs

This episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, is giving major book club energy. I’m joined by my longtime bookish BFF Amanda (we’ve been fangirling together since 2012!) for a cozy catch-up on everything she’s been reading and loving lately.

💬 Her obsession with cheating tropes

🐺 What to read if you loved Fourth Wing

💻 A steamy cam couple romance series that’s actually hilarious

🧛‍♂️ Unfiltered thoughts on the Black Dagger Brotherhood adaptation

📚 Her top three brothers

🧠 How we really feel about romantasy vs fantasy romance

🌌 Most anticipated reads for the rest of 2025

So grab your coffee (or wine) and come hang out with us!

• Traitor by Himera Ink
• Dire Bound by Sable Sorensen
• Christmas in Coconut Creek by Karissa Kinword
• For Pleasure or Worse by Karissa Kinword
• Realm of Thieves by Karina Halle
• Broken Souls and Bones by LJ Andrews
• Wildest Dreams by Kristen Ashley
• Wild Side by Elsie Silver
• Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
• Alchemised by SenLinYu

📺 Watch the full video on YouTube

Bookish Chat with Amanda – Watch Here

📸 Follow Amanda on TikTok:

@amandacxyz123

✨ Loved the episode?

Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕

💌 Talk to Me:

Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.

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Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.

📚 Stay Connected:

• Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.
• YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.
• Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.

💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!

In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, we are sharing our Novel Hour live show replay for this week.

This week on Novel Hour, Francesca and Victoria are back with a packed episode:

• Book recommendations with anxiety and mental health representation across genres
• The week’s hottest new romance releases (from superhero fake dating to cozy mysteries and fantasy finales)
• Bookish news + a whole lot of gossip 👀 including a spicy convo on that BookToker who showed up 30 days ago and already has a 2-book fantasy deal with Atria Books AU (and yes, we have theories)

Romance Picks:

• The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang
• First Love, Take Two by Sajni Patel
• Yes & I Love You by Roni Loren

Literary Picks:

• Ripe by Sarah Rose Etter
• Small Joys by Elvin James Mensah
• God Bless You, Otis Spunkmeyer by Joseph Earl Thomas

• All Superheroes Need PR by Elizabeth Stephens
• A Game of Monsters by Ben Alderson
• Love in Focus by Lyla Lee
• The Mysterious Lord Millcroft by Virginia Heath
• Cloudy With a Chance of Bad Decisions by Fae Quinn
• Storybook Ending by Moria McDonald
• The Busybody Book Club by Freya Sampson
• Along Came Amor by Alexis Daria
• It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan
• Mansion Beach by Meg Mitchell Moore

We unpack the indie-to-traditional publishing pipeline, the rise of fantasy academy stories, and whether publishers are chasing trends or manufacturing them (hint: maybe both).

Featured titles and authors mentioned:

• Dire Bound – TikTok commentary by @BookishNewsGirl
• Instagram announcement for Luke Bateman’s upcoming fantasy debut
• Bloodwing Academy series by Briar Boleyn (MIRA Books)
• Beast of the Briar by Elizabeth Helen (Bloom Books)
• Fairytale by Veronica Lancet (Atria Books)
• The Empirium Trilogy by Claire Legrand (Sourcebooks)

• Clown in the Cornfield (YA horror adaptation)
• Friendship (aka don’t watch it 🙃)
• The Final Destination reboot (coming soon)
• Fear Street: Prom Queen on Netflix
• Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (reality TV chaos)

→ Download the 2025 Summer Reading Guide

→ Browse over 200 new monthly romance releases in our exclusive Book Vault

→ Catch Novel Hour live every Thursday at 12 PM EST on YouTube and Substack!

✨ Loved the episode?

Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕

💌 Talk to Me:

Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.

☕ Support the Show:

Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.

📚 Stay Connected:

• Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.
• YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.
• Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.

💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!

Get ready for a behind-the-scenes deep dive into the evolution of the romance genre with Erin Galloway, publicity director at Berkley. We’re talking everything from the rise of alpha-holes and billionaire heroes in the 2010s, to the explosion of rom-coms, monster clinch covers, and the TikTok takeover. Erin shares how reader behavior, media coverage, and marketing trends have shifted—and what’s coming next.

We also fangirl over iconic books, the power of cover design, and the wild ride of getting romance media attention in mainstream outlets like The Today Show and People magazine. If you’ve ever wondered how books get buzz—or just want your TBR to explode—this episode is for you.

📚 Mentioned books and series:

• Lord of the Fading Lands by C.L. Wilson
• Dark Prince by Christine Feehan

• Bared to You (Crossfire series) by Sylvia Day
• Rush (Breathless series) by Maya Banks
• The Perfect Play (Play by Play series) by Jaci Burton
• The Submissive by Tara Sue Me
• Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James

• Willing Prey by Allie Oleander
• Princess of Blood by Sarah Hawley
• By the Horns by Ruby Dixon
• Love Is a War Song by Danica Nava
• ZomRomCom by Olivia Dade
• Boots Beneath Her Bed by Taylor Esposito (Spring 2026)

• Flirting Lessons by Jasmine Guillory (her first sapphic romance)
• Servant of the Earth by Sarah Hawley (book 1 in the romantasy series)
• The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava (already out)

• Ice Planet Barbarians series by Ruby Dixon
• Anne Bishop (foundational romantasy author)

🗂️ Want the full series on Romance Genre Evolution by the Decades? Start here

✨ Loved the episode?

Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕

💌 Talk to Me:

Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.

☕ Support the Show:

Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.

📚 Stay Connected:

• Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.
• YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.
• Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.

💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!

Welcome to Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, where we chat, fangirl, and maybe even swoon over our latest reads.

This episode is our weekly Novel Hour Replay, featuring road trip romance recs, buzzy new May releases, and some spicy book world drama. Plus, we’re joined by indie romance author Kelly Reynolds to talk about her baseball romance series and Substack!

📺 Watch the YouTube Replay: Click here

📚 Want more road trip romances?

• Historical Recs on the Blog
• Contemporary Recs
• Full Blog Expansion (27 recs)

🚘 Road Trip Romance Recs

Francesca’s Picks – Historical Romance

• The Devil and the Heiress by Harper St. George
• Lord Holt Takes a Bride by Vivienne Lorret
• Peter Cabot Gets Lost by Cat Sebastian

Victoria’s Picks – Contemporary Romance

• Here We Go Again by Alison Cochrun
• Mrs. Nash’s Ashes by Sarah Adler
• The Road Trip by Beth O’Leary

📚 This Week's New Releases

Francesca’s Picks

• Rules for Ruin by Mimi Matthews
• Heart of the Sun by Mia Sheridan
• The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig
• Love Craves Cardamom by Aashna Avachat
• Filthy Rich Fae: Fallen Court by Geneva Lee

Victoria’s Picks

• My Friends by Fredrik Backman
• The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling
• The Safari by Jaclyn Goldis
• Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding by Lian Dolan
• Courtroom Drama by Neely Tubati Alexander

⚾️ Guest Interview: Author Kelly Reynolds

Kelly joins us to talk about her Rose City Roasters baseball romance series—fun, flirty, and filled with opposites attract, grumpy/sunshine, and plenty of spice. All books available on Kindle Unlimited!

• All Bats Are Off – MM sports novella, sunshine player + introverted reporter.
• Hit It and Quit It – Age gap, grumpy/sunshine, and a sexy bucket list.
• Pitches Be Crazy – Rookie player x grumpy tattooed bookstore owner.

Subscribe to Kelly’s Substack

• Victoria: Binge-watched Secret Lives of Mormon Wives on Hulu—aka unhinged suburban mom TV at its finest.
• Kelly: Obsessed with The Traitors—both the U.S. and U.K. versions. She's team Alan Cumming couture forever.

📰 Bookish News & Gossip

📉 AI Book List Controversy

• The Chicago Sun-Times published an AI-generated summer reading list full of fake books. Yep, seriously.
• Book reviewer Tina (@TBRetc) confirmed it in person and the story went viral, with coverage from:
• NPR
• NYT

We talk about the ethical mess of AI in journalism—and how many bookish creators (and real librarians!) are right here and available.

🎬 Book Adaptation Buzz

• Off Campus by Elle Kennedy – Hockey romance series turned TV show. Casting drama? Of course.
• My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan – Netflix adaptation starring Sofia Carson.
• Quicksilver by Callie Hart – Netflix romantasy in the works.
• Summer in the City by Alex Aster – From book deal to New Line Cinema rom-com in record time.

📎 Bonus links:

• People – Off Campus News
• Deadline – My Oxford Year
• First for Women – Quicksilver
• Variety – Summer in the City
• TikTok – Alex Aster Announcement

💬 What do you think about the adaptations, the fake book list drama, or our road trip recs? Come chat with us!

📥 Don’t forget to subscribe, and we’ll see you next week.

Happy reading, and see you under the covers. 💕

✨ Loved the episode?

Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕

💌 Talk to Me:

Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.

☕ Support the Show:

Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.

📚 Stay Connected:

• Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.
• YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.
• Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.

💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!

Welcome to this week’s Bookish Brunch! If you’ve ever felt like your TBR needs a vibe check, same. This week I spiraled into some messy reality TV romance reads and shared a little bookish mail—including a DIY book nook I’m building soon 👀

Plus, I chat about why contemporary romance isn’t hitting for me lately, and what I’m doing to reset my reading mood. It involves a hot professor fanfic, cowboys, post-apocalyptic bodyguards, and a regency love triangle. So grab your coffee and let’s get into it.

✨ This Week’s Blog + Video Themes

→ Reality TV Romance Books

→ Cooking Competition Romance Books

→ Dating Show Romance Books

→ Books Like Love Island

→ Romance Books About Going Viral

→ Time Travel Romance Books

→ Time Travel Mysteries

→ Books Set in France

→ Flower Shop Romance Books

🧠 Read the Substack Essay:

→ Reading for Yourself (Not the Algorithm)

📚 Books Mentioned in This Video

Reality TV Romance Books:

→ Take the Lead – Alexis Daria

→ Mr. Fixer Upper – Lucy Score

→ Thank You, Next – Kathryn Freeman

→ Battle Royal – Lucy Parker

Going Viral Romances:

→ Just Our Luck – Denise Williams

→ First Time Caller – B.K. Borison

What I Read This Week:

→ Much Ado About Hating You – Sarah Echavarre Smith

→ Rein Me In – Kayla Grosse

Upcoming Reads:

→ Heart of the Sun – Mia Sheridan

→ To Catch a Lord – Emma Orchard

📦 Bookish Mail:

→ Tower 28 Magic Hour Multi-Use Cream

→ CuteBee Owl Book Nook Kit

✨ Related Content:

→ Taurus Reading Reset Guide

⏳ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:56 Reality TV romance books

01:51 Romance books about going viral

02:55 Unboxing

04:52 Currently Reading

08:27 Reading Next

✨ Loved the episode?

Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕

💌 Talk to Me:

Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.

☕ Support the Show:

Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.

📚 Stay Connected:

• Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.
• YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.
• Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.

💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!

Today on the Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast we’re diving into everything from Jewish American Heritage Month romance reads to the audiobook industry’s AI drama—and yes, we’re asking the internet’s burning question: Was Silver Elite written by AI?

📺 Watch the full live replay here

We kick things off with joyful and heartfelt romance books by Jewish authors including:

• Flirty Little Secret by Jessica Lepe
• Love You a Latke by Amanda Elliot
• Maybe Once, Maybe Twice by Alison Rose Greenberg
• One More Wish by Lindsey Lanza
• Marry Me by Midnight by Felicia Grossman
• Fan Service by Rosie Danan
• The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer

Then we break down new book releases you don’t want to miss, like:

• The Marble Hall Murders by Anthony Horowitz
• 32 Days in May by Betty Corrello
• The Dark Maestro by Brendan Slocumb
• Make Me Famous by Maud Ventura
• Maine Characters by Hannah Orenstein
• Death in the Cards by Mia P. Manansala
• Dying to Meet You by Sarina Bowen
• A Simple Twist of Fate by April Asher
• A Charming Touch of Tarot by Melissa Holtz
• My Favorite Bad Decision by Elizabeth O’Roark

We also chat about:

• The new Pope and pop culture memes
• Fanfiction going tradpub (Dramione discourse alert!)
• Audiobook drama over narrator swaps and AI narration from Audible
• The curious case of Silver Elite by Dani Francis
• And what we’re watching: including Fight or Flight, Nadaaniyan, and The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives

Dramione books mentioned:

• Rose in Chains by Julie Soto
• The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley
• Alchemised by SenLinYu

✨ Loved the episode?

Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕

💌 Talk to Me:

Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.

☕ Support the Show:

Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.

📚 Stay Connected:

• Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.
• YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.
• Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.

💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!

Did Silver Elite by Dani Francis leave you wanting more?

You're not alone. In this episode, I’m sharing steamy, high-stakes dystopian and post-apocalyptic romance books that actually deliver. These are the adult romance series (and one YA standout) that will give you everything Silver Elite teased—but didn’t quite pull off.

We’re talking:

✔️ Enemies to lovers

✔️ Fated mates

✔️ Survival and rebellion

✔️ Protective alpha heroes

✔️ Primal monster vibes

✔️ Real heat and real stakes

Whether you're into dragons, zombie-adjacent chaos, or off-the-grid rebellions, there's something here for every dystopian romance mood reader.

📚 Books Mentioned in This Episode:

→Poison Princess by Kresley Cole

→Beyond Shame by Kit Rocha

→Mercury Striking by Rebecca Zanetti

→Fire in His Blood by Ruby Dixon

→Claimed by Elle Kennedy

→Demon Ember by MJ Haag and Becca Vincenza

→Heart of the Sun by Mia Sheridan

📝 More recs on the blog:

Post Apocalyptic Romance Books

Arcana Chronicles series guide

🎥 Watch My Silver Elite Reading Vlog

✨ Loved the episode?

Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕

💌 Talk to Me:

Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.

☕ Support the Show:

Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.

📚 Stay Connected:

• Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.
• YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.
• Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.

💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!

From classic literary moms to paranormal stepmothers, we’re spotlighting our favorite mothers in fiction—just in time for Mother’s Day! Plus, we’re sharing the buzziest new May 2025 romance and mystery book releases (from Carly Fortune to Nalini Singh), chatting Met Gala hits and misses, and breaking down the fallout from A Million Lives Festival. We also discuss why a controversial former NHL player co-writing a romance is raising red flags.

📚 Topics in this episode include:

• Favorite moms in classic and modern books (including Beloved, Mercy Thompson, Boy Toy)
• New romance & mystery book releases for May 2025
• Met Gala 2025 fashion recap: the best and worst looks
• The latest on the A Million Lives Book Festival controversy
• BookTok buzz: the problematic co-author behind a new hockey romance

The Best Moms in Literature: Book Moms You’ll Love (and Some You’ll Cry Over)

These Paranormal Moms Are Fierce, Protective, and Totally Unforgettable

Single Mom Romance Books to Make Your Heart Melt

💬 Catch the full live replay plus all our picks and tea!

✨ Loved the episode?

Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕

💌 Talk to Me:

Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.

☕ Support the Show:

Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.

📚 Stay Connected:

• Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.
• YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.
• Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.

💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!

It’s Taurus season, tourist season, and officially time to restock your romance TBR! In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, Francesca is sharing 9 must-read May 2025 romance book releases that hit all the right vibes—from fantasy slow burns and apocalyptic second chances to spicy academia and comic book crushes.

If you’re a mood reader looking for friends to lovers, fanfic heroes, mermaids, revenge plots, or a touch of dark romantasy… this list is packed. We’re also talking trope matches for the Romanceopoly reading challenge and why some of these are perfect Taurus-coded reads.

📚 Books Mentioned (affiliate links):

– Archangel’s Obsession by Nalini Singh

– Much Ado About Hating You by Sarah Echavarre Smith

– The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig

– Manic Pixie Dream Earl by Jenny Holiday

– The Retirement Plan by Sue Hincenbergs

– All Superheroes Need PR by Elizabeth Stephens

– Not Safe for Work by Nisha J. Tuli

– Daughter of Tides by Kit Rocha

– Heart of the Sun by Mia Sheridan

🔗 Links & Mentions:

– More May 2025 Releases on the Blog: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/may-2025-book-releases/

– The Book Vault (Paid Members): https://www.underthecoverscommunity.com/p/book-vault

– Romanceopoly Reading Challenge: https://www.underthecoverscommunity.com/p/romanceopoly-reading-challenge

– Taurus Season Reading Guide: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/taurus-reading-guide/

✨ Loved the episode?

Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕

💌 Talk to Me:

Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.

☕ Support the Show:

Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.

📚 Stay Connected:

• Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.
• YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.
• Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.

💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!