The Bookish Hour

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

On The Bookish Hour, we dive into some genuinely shocking book community drama. 

Our conversation kicks off with the most disturbing revelation involves an Australian romance author who was recently arrested after publishing a book containing inappropriate content. We discuss how the book was completely scrubbed from all platforms, yet not before receiving some positive reviews, raising serious questions about ethical boundaries in fiction.

The drama continues as we explore the contentious debate around negative reviews on social media. Should readers only post positive content, or is there value in honest criticism? 

Finally, we break down the certain booksta/booktoker controversy where a content creator's negative review of a popular book led to an author unfollowing her, spiraling into a much larger drama. This situation perfectly illustrates how parasocial relationships distort online interactions, with followers feeling entitled to defend creators they've never actually met against perceived slights.

Throughout our discussion, we emphasize that ultimately, the power lies with each user to curate their online experience. Whether you're posting reviews or deciding who to follow, you have the ability to create boundaries that work for you in this ever-evolving digital book landscape.

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 with SPOILERS

The Bookish Hour dives into Ali Hazelwood's "Deep End," a college romance about pre-med students and competitive divers navigating their intense chemistry and BDSM dynamic.

• Discussing the unique blend of competitive diving, academic brilliance, and BDSM elements
• Analyzing the sophisticated vocabulary and whether it feels authentic for college-aged characters
• Appreciating Lucas and Scarlett's unspoken connection and how they communicate through expressions
• Examining the slow burn romance and satisfying character development
• Debating whether the ending feels rushed, particularly regarding the diving storyline
• Celebrating the epilogue from Lucas's perspective that provides glimpses into their future
• Noticing cameos from characters in Hazelwood's "The Love Hypothesis"

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

ITS SEASON TWO BITCHES!!!!!

Our Literary Hills to Die On -- We begin with a clean slate as the hosts reveal they've officially shuttered their original podcast to fully focus on their current bookish journey. Exciting developments are on the horizon, including interest from a PR company that could bring author interviews to future episodes. 

The main conversation dives deep into our "literary hills to die on"—the books we consider absolute perfection and will defend against any criticism. From unanimous adoration for Sarah J. Maas's Throne of Glass series to passionate defenses of Madeline Miller's Circe, V.E. Schwab's The Invisible Life of Addy LaRue, and Donna Tartt's The Secret History, their selections span genres while revealing deeply personal connections to each story. These aren't just favorite books; they're the titles that have shaped their reading journeys, offered comfort during reading slumps, and occasionally moved them to tears.

The conversation weaves through fantasy, gothic romance, literary fiction, and nostalgic YA picks, highlighting how the most devoted readers often transcend genre boundaries in pursuit of exceptional storytelling. What emerges is a heartfelt testament to literature's power to define us, change us, and create a sanctuary we can return to again and again.

Have a favorite book you'd defend with your last breath? Share your literary hill to die on with us and don't forget to rate and review wherever you listen to podcasts!

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 PART TWO -- with all the SPOILERS

We are back with  discussing the full book of Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros with brutally honest opinions about the third installment in the popular dragon-rider series. Their candid conversation reveals disappointment in the book's direction and execution after loving the first book in the series.

• Critical analysis of how the book falls short of expectations set by Fourth Wing
• Discussion of the numerous filler chapters and lack of substantial plot development
• Examination of inconsistent worldbuilding and confusing introduction of runes
• Thoughts on the underdeveloped romance between Violet and Xaden
• Questions about the mysterious "six most powerful" and theories about Llewellyn
• Exploration of fan theories including potential pregnancy storylines
• Frustration with rushed writing and editing process
• Agreement that despite disappointments, they're invested enough to read the next book

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 is BACK!! and it is FILLED with SPOILERS!!

This is the first half of Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros where we have read from the beginning to chapter 28 (read chapter 28 and STOP before 29)

We dive halfway through Rebecca Yarros' Onyx Storm, exploring its shift from romance-focused to military-heavy storytelling and what it means for the series. 

• First impressions range from "surprisingly good" to disappointment with the military focus
• Confusion about characters and military ranks creates reading challenges
• Violet and Zayden's relationship evolves into a more compelling slow-burn due to his Venin status
• Taryn's diminished role in this installment disappoints fans of the dragon-rider relationship
• The search for Andarna's family drives the main plot but sometimes feels disconnected
• Character growth, especially Violet's increased confidence and power, stands out as a strength
• Theories about Violet potentially having a second signet or different parentage emerge
• Inconsistent pacing with unexpected time jumps between chapters
• Final chapters of the first half show more promise and momentum

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

Our latest podcast episode dives deep into the world of "Iron Flame," offering a varied perspective on the unfolding story and character relations. Prepare for cliffhangers, emotional turns, and engaging discussions that encapsulate readers' varied responses to the book.

• Analyzing the relationship dynamics between Violet and Xaden 
• Discussing the role of cliffhangers and pacing in the narrative 
• Exploring the importance of dragons as characters and symbols 
• Receiving feedback on the character depth and development 
• Sharing predictions for future venues and resolutions in the series 

p.s. we did combine both part one and part two from the smutty days into this one episode so it is a longer one. WE HOPE YOU ENJOY!!

Don't forget to rate and review wherever you listen.

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: SPOILERS AHEAD 

Fantasy Unleashed: Exploring Fourth Wing by RY, we take a deep dive into the fantasy novel that captures the essence of adventure and identity. With its blend of dragons and relatable characters, the episode explores nostalgia and maturity in storytelling.

• Exploring the themes of dragons and identity in Fourth Wing 
• The nostalgic yet mature narrative style enhancing relatability 
• Discussing character representation of chronic illness 
• Reflecting on Yarros' writing style and character development 
• Anticipating the sequel, Iron Flame, and what to expect 
• Engaging with listeners on personal reflections of the story 

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