Welcome to the dark side, we have cookies!

Remember when dark romance was about authentic storytelling rather than shock value? In this candid conversation, we examine how a genre we once loved has transformed into what we're calling "fast fashion fiction" – books written primarily to go viral rather than to tell meaningful stories with genuine emotional impact.

The marketing of dark romance has undergone a troubling shift, with trigger warnings now functioning as selling points rather than reader protection tools. "Look how extreme my book is!" has replaced "Here's the compelling story I've crafted." We discuss why this approach reduces complex narratives to mere shock value and why we've become increasingly selective about which dark romances deserve our time.

The conversation extends to practical considerations around trigger warnings: Should they appear at the front of books, potentially spoiling plot points? Or at the back, where readers can actively choose whether to view them? We advocate for a thoughtful middle path that respects both reader safety and storytelling integrity.

Whether you're a longtime dark romance reader frustrated with recent trends or simply curious about how publishing and social media virality intersect, this episode offers an unfiltered look at the state of a complex, evolving genre. Share your thoughts with us – do you agree the genre has become oversaturated, or are you finding hidden gems among the trend-chasers?

Cover Art by: Fabienne and Jordan
Contact email: [email protected]
Intro/Outro music: Season Two: Ramaramaray by Aiyo via Epidemic Sound Season One: Sweet Psycho via TikTok’s Offical Sound Studio on Capcut
Follow Us:
Podcast: @thebookishhourpod
Fabienne: @oxonheart
Jordan: @sipsoffiction

Ever picked up a highly anticipated book only to find yourself desperately fighting the urge to check your phone after two pages? You're not alone. 

We dive deep into the surprisingly complex world of DNFing (Did Not Finish) books this week. From legitimate dealbreakers to admittedly petty reasons, we share our complete list of reading turn-offs that make us close a book for good. Why struggle through a supposed slow-burn romance where characters are intimate by chapter three? What about those books where you find yourself skimming entire pages without really reading?

Whether you religiously finish every book you start or have a stack of half-read novels gathering dust, this conversation celebrates the reader's ultimate power: the freedom to close a book that isn't serving you. Life's too short for boring books! Join us for this candid, laughter-filled exploration of when and why to walk away from a reading experience.

Have your own DNF criteria? We'd love to hear your reading deal-breakers! Rate, review and let us know what makes you put a book down for good.

Cover Art by: Fabienne and Jordan
Contact email: [email protected]
Intro/Outro music: Season Two: Ramaramaray by Aiyo via Epidemic Sound Season One: Sweet Psycho via TikTok’s Offical Sound Studio on Capcut
Follow Us:
Podcast: @thebookishhourpod
Fabienne: @oxonheart
Jordan: @sipsoffiction

Suzanne Collins has done it again, masterfully filling in the blanks of the Hunger Games universe while breaking our hearts in the process. We dive deep into how this prequel transforms our understanding of the alcoholic mentor from District 12, exploring his journey from a non-drinker to the broken man who could barely function without liquor in the original trilogy. 

What makes this exploration particularly fascinating is how it reveals that resistance against the Capitol didn't begin with Katniss. From Lucy Gray Baird to Haymitch to finally Katniss Everdeen, there's been a continuous thread of rebellion stretching across generations of Panem citizens. We examine the unexpected connections between characters across books, including the revelation that Katniss' father had Covey heritage, creating a subtle lineage that runs throughout the saga.

We also can't help but speculate about the upcoming film adaptation slated for November 2026, debating potential casting choices and reminiscing about our teenage obsessions with the original Hunger Games movies (including Jordan's confession about owning a Mockingjay pin!).

Whether you've just finished the book or are deciding if it's worth reading, join us for this spoiler-filled conversation about trauma, resilience, and how the most unexpected characters can become essential threads in the tapestry of revolution. May the odds be ever in your favor!

Cover Art by: Fabienne and Jordan
Contact email: [email protected]
Intro/Outro music: Season Two: Ramaramaray by Aiyo via Epidemic Sound Season One: Sweet Psycho via TikTok’s Offical Sound Studio on Capcut
Follow Us:
Podcast: @thebookishhourpod
Fabienne: @oxonheart
Jordan: @sipsoffiction

Have you ever found a romance novel so captivating that you physically couldn't put it down? That's exactly what happened with Ali Hazelwood's "Problematic Summer Romance." Set against the stunning backdrop of Sicily, this age gap romance brilliantly balances summer vibes with genuine emotional depth.

What makes this book stand out from countless other contemporary romances is how Hazelwood handles the age difference between Maya, a remarkably mature 23-year-old, and Conor (with one N), a man wrestling with his attraction to someone he believes is "too young." 

We're both giving this book five enthusiastic stars, and we'd love to hear your thoughts if you've read it! Have you fallen for Conor with one N yet? Or are you planning to pick up this perfect summer read? Let us know in the reviews or reach out on social media – we can't wait to hear your take on this delightful romance.

Cover Art by: Fabienne and Jordan
Contact email: [email protected]
Intro/Outro music: Season Two: Ramaramaray by Aiyo via Epidemic Sound Season One: Sweet Psycho via TikTok’s Offical Sound Studio on Capcut
Follow Us:
Podcast: @thebookishhourpod
Fabienne: @oxonheart
Jordan: @sipsoffiction

Two booklovers reunite for a heartfelt conversation spanning European adventures and the surprising power of community reading. 

CATCH UP WITH US: it's been a minute and we are sorry!! (but also not really because life)

Budapest emerges as the unexpected star of the travel segment, with gorgeous thermal baths housed in Art Nouveau buildings and unlimited prosecco cruises along the Danube proving worthy of any travel bucket list. While the city's vast scale might seem intimidating, its walkable streets and convenient electric scooters make three days the perfect timeframe for soaking up its culture, architecture, and surprisingly safe nightlife.

The conversation shifts to a deeper exploration of how physical book clubs are creating meaningful connections in our increasingly digital world. As one host discovers the joy of a local "Beach Read and Bubbly" gathering, we're reminded of what sociologists call "third places" - those vital community spaces beyond home and work that foster authentic human connection. After years of pandemic isolation and virtual interaction, these in-person literary gatherings represent something profoundly important about our fundamental need for community.

Ready to find your own bookish community or add some page-turning summer reads to your collection? Join the conversation by rating, reviewing, and sharing your own book club experiences with us!

Cover Art by: Fabienne and Jordan
Contact email: [email protected]
Intro/Outro music: Season Two: Ramaramaray by Aiyo via Epidemic Sound Season One: Sweet Psycho via TikTok’s Offical Sound Studio on Capcut
Follow Us:
Podcast: @thebookishhourpod
Fabienne: @oxonheart
Jordan: @sipsoffiction

After a successful career in blogging and screenwriting—selling projects to networks like ABC, NBC, and Netflix—Jessie Rosen found her voice in novel writing through a personal family belief: that rings carry the energy of everyone who's worn them before.

"The Heirloom," her breakout novel, explores what happens when a woman insists on knowing the complete history of her engagement ring before accepting it. Jessie reveals how this wasn't mere fictional invention but a deeply held family truth that sparked debate among her own friends when she refused heirloom jewelry for her own engagement. 

Her newest release, "All the Signs," continues this exploration of how beliefs shape our lives, drawing from her real-life experiment of tracking down people with her exact birth chart "star twins" to test the validity of astrology. 

The conversation reveals fascinating insights about her creative process, including how she plots extensively yet allows herself flexibility within that structure, and how morning hours are reserved for fresh writing while afternoons focus on structure and planning. For aspiring writers, Jessie emphasizes the importance of building a consistent body of work that publishers can trust, whether through blogs, newsletters, or social media.

Follow Jessie's journey through her books and her newest project, a Substack newsletter called "Bravery," where she connects with readers between book releases.

Cover Art by: Fabienne and Jordan
Contact email: [email protected]
Intro/Outro music: Season Two: Ramaramaray by Aiyo via Epidemic Sound Season One: Sweet Psycho via TikTok’s Offical Sound Studio on Capcut
Follow Us:
Podcast: @thebookishhourpod
Fabienne: @oxonheart
Jordan: @sipsoffiction

The Art of Bookstagram

Meet Liz, the creative force behind The Boho Book Blogger, whose stunning flat lays and authentic approach to book content has captivated over 33k followers. In this warm and insightful conversation, Liz takes us behind the scenes of her bookstagram journey, sharing how a pandemic reading revival in 2020 blossomed into a thriving creative outlet and community.

You'll discover the secrets behind those enviable flat lays and hear Liz's perspective on what makes the book community so special compared to other social media spaces. "The community aspect of Bookstagram is so cool," she explains. "Being able to talk to literal strangers on the internet about books - there's something so special about that."

Whether you're a devoted bookstagrammer looking for inspiration or simply curious about the digital reading revolution, this episode provides an intimate look at how books continue to bring people together in new and unexpected ways. 

Follow Liz at @thebohobookblogger on Instagram and TikTok to join her community of passionate readers and see those gorgeous flatlays.

Cover Art by: Fabienne and Jordan
Contact email: [email protected]
Intro/Outro music: Season Two: Ramaramaray by Aiyo via Epidemic Sound Season One: Sweet Psycho via TikTok’s Offical Sound Studio on Capcut
Follow Us:
Podcast: @thebookishhourpod
Fabienne: @oxonheart
Jordan: @sipsoffiction

Ever wonder what it really takes to craft bestselling fantasy romance novels? 

In the interview with Abigail Owen she pulls back the curtain on her creative process in this intimate conversation that takes us from her earliest writing memories to the upcoming release of her highly-anticipated sequel, The Things Gods Break.

Her approach to Greek mythology in The Games Gods Play series demonstrates her willingness to break traditional molds. Instead of retelling the familiar Hades-Persephone myth, Owen crafted an entirely new love story for the god of the underworld. This creative freedom extends to her world-building, where she incorporates "little brushstrokes" from mythology, like positioning Lethe, goddess of oblivion, as the perfect bartender in a god's establishment.

Fans eagerly awaiting the September release of The Things Gods Break will appreciate Owen's teases about adventures in Tartarus, new trials, and yes—another cliffhanger ending. The physical book promises to be as breathtaking as its predecessor, with special artwork that left even Owen speechless.

Ready to dive deeper into mythology, romance, and the creative process? Follow Abigail at abigailowen.com or on Instagram and TikTok. 

Cover Art by: Fabienne and Jordan
Contact email: [email protected]
Intro/Outro music: Season Two: Ramaramaray by Aiyo via Epidemic Sound Season One: Sweet Psycho via TikTok’s Offical Sound Studio on Capcut
Follow Us:
Podcast: @thebookishhourpod
Fabienne: @oxonheart
Jordan: @sipsoffiction

BOOKCLUB BOOK!!

Our conversation dives into what makes this book both delightful, we explore how the novel's format, which cleverly incorporates radio transcripts into the narrative, enhances the reading experience while other elements like character development left us wanting more. The "single mom" trope feels somewhat underutilized, with Lucie's daughter Maya appearing more as a roommate than a child in many scenes.

The chemistry between characters sparked interesting debate - we found ourselves drawn to the dynamic between Lucie and her ex Grayson, adding complexity to the central romance. We couldn't help but notice the male lead on the cover bears a striking resemblance to actor Theo James, which definitely shaped how we imagined Aiden throughout the story!

Have you read any of BK Borison's books? We'd love to hear your thoughts on this one or recommendations for which of her other novels we should pick up next!

Cover Art by: Fabienne and Jordan
Contact email: [email protected]
Intro/Outro music: Season Two: Ramaramaray by Aiyo via Epidemic Sound Season One: Sweet Psycho via TikTok’s Offical Sound Studio on Capcut
Follow Us:
Podcast: @thebookishhourpod
Fabienne: @oxonheart
Jordan: @sipsoffiction

Books on Wheels: Stephanie's Romantic Book Truck Adventure

What happens when a book lover spots a vintage Volkswagen truck for sale near the beach? 

Stephanie's creation—The Fleuria, a charming mobile romance bookstore—represents a perfect blend of entrepreneurial spirit and literary passion. Rather than committing to the sky-high commercial rents of a traditional bookstore in LA, she took a different road entirely—quite literally. Stephanie shares her vision for creating a mobile literary space that partners with local women-owned and BIPOC-owned businesses throughout Los Angeles. Beyond just selling books, Stephanie's mission centers on community building. 

Whether you're a romance reader in Los Angeles hoping to catch The Fleuria at a local pop-up, an aspiring book entrepreneur seeking inspiration, or simply someone who appreciates seeing dreams take physical form, Stephanie's story reminds us that sometimes the best adventures begin with a single book—or in this case, a single book truck. 

Follow her journey on Instagram @thefleuria and @stephiepao

Cover Art by: Fabienne and Jordan
Contact email: [email protected]
Intro/Outro music: Season Two: Ramaramaray by Aiyo via Epidemic Sound Season One: Sweet Psycho via TikTok’s Offical Sound Studio on Capcut
Follow Us:
Podcast: @thebookishhourpod
Fabienne: @oxonheart
Jordan: @sipsoffiction