Welcome back to The Reading Rift! I’m Lydia, joined by Bec, and this week we’re sitting down with M.J. Hughes, author of What If 🖤

✨ Important notes before you listen: • This is an adult podcast with adult themes • This episode is completely spoiler-free, so you can listen even if What If is still on your TBR

In this episode, Miranda walks us through her journey as a reader, writer, and indie author—from the books that shaped her early love of stories to the realities of publishing in today’s market. We dive deep into writing doubt, creative breakthroughs, the indie publishing process, and of course… hockey romance 🏒💘

✦ What we cover in this episode:

📚 Early Reading & Influences • Growing up with (or without) books • Author idols and formative reads • Teachers, librarians, and mentors who made an impact

✍️ Becoming a Writer • The first stories she remembers writing • When writing became more than a hobby • Doubt, imposter syndrome, and the moment she realized “I can actually do this”

🕰️ The Writing Timeline • Drafting and revision • Biggest challenges early on • Lessons learned the hard way

📖 Publishing as an Indie Author • Self-publishing vs traditional publishing • Editing, formatting, and production • Audiobooks, KDP, and common misconceptions • Mistakes she’s made (so you don’t have to) • What truly helps authors grow their reader base

💬 Book Talk (Spoiler-Free!) • What If elevator pitch • Comparable reads • Emotional experience for readers • Themes inspired by real life and college experiences

🏒 Hockey Romance 101 • What every hockey romance needs • Why the genre is booming right now • What hockey romance does that football romance doesn’t • A fun “Does it fit?” hockey romance game

🤍 Relationships & Character Choices • Female friendships and why they’re so complicated • Miscommunication in fiction (and real life) • Truth vs lies—inside a character’s head

✨ Closing Thoughts • How readers can support Miranda • Past and upcoming projects • Long-term writing goals • Why she writes

🔗 Connect with Miranda Hughes:

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_mjhughes?igsh=MW43Y3Zvc2tiaXJtZg== 📘 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@miranda_parham98?_r=1&_t=ZT-93LYqWVW0oh 🌐 Good Reads :https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/50272629.M_J_Hughes

📚 What If by Miranda Hughes: https://amzn.to/4qFx4O4

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and let us know in the comments—are you a hockey romance reader? 🏒📖

Affiliate Disclaimer:

Some of the links in this description may be affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you choose to make a purchase through them. We only share books, products, and resources we genuinely love or believe add value to our community. Thank you for supporting the channel—it helps us continue creating content for you 🤍

Welcome to The Reading Rift: Throne of Glass Deep Dives ⚔️📖

In this series, Lydia and Bec are deep diving into Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass series, breaking down character arcs, themes, worldbuilding, and the moments that changed everything—book by book.

Whether you’re reading the series for the first time or returning for a reread (and emotional damage), these episodes are here to help you slow down, connect the dots, and appreciate the depth behind the assassins, kingdoms, and mystery.

⚠️ Important Notes:

• This is an adult podcast with adult language and topics

• Spoiler warnings apply for the Throne of Glass books discussed in each episode

• We will always clearly state which book(s) are being covered

✦ What to expect from our Throne of Glass deep dives:

🗡️ Character Analysis & Growth

🌍 Worldbuilding & Lore

🔥 Themes That Define the Series

📖 Reading Order & Reread Insights

📚 Start (or continue) your Throne of Glass journey

🛒 Buy the book here: https://amzn.to/3O4gSXW

If you love epic fantasy, morally complex characters, and stories that grow darker, deeper, and more powerful with every book—you’re in the right place.

Subscribe for more fantasy deep dives, spoiler-filled discussions, and reader-to-reader conversations, and tell us in the comments where you are in the Throne of Glass journey 🖤📚

Welcome back to The Reading Rift! I’m Lydia, joined by Bec, and today we’re sitting down with Gabriella Stone—a woman who wears many hats: actor, director, solo traveler, creative force… and author.

In this episode, we’re diving deep into Gabriella’s memoir Eat Pray #FML, unpacking the wisdom, heartbreak, healing, and self-discovery woven through her real-life story. This conversation feels like one-on-one girl talk—the kind where you laugh, reflect, and leave with a notebook full of thoughts you didn’t know you needed.

⚠️ Listener Notes: • This is an adult podcast with adult language and topics • This episode includes discussion of real events from the book (listener spoiler warning) • We won’t unpack everything, so it’s still very much worth adding to your TBR

✦ What we talk about in this episode:

🖋️ Author Background & Creative Calling • What Gabriella tells people when they ask, “So what do you do?” • Discovering writing as a creative outlet • Sharing your life publicly vs protecting privacy • Who she writes for—and why • The role social media played in connecting with readers

💬 Quotes That Made Us Pause We read and discuss powerful excerpts from Eat Pray #FML, exploring: • Spending time alone and truly knowing yourself • The strange elasticity of time • The “Thought Onion” and emotional self-inquiry • Radical transparency online—its risks and rewards • Courage, resilience, and choosing to keep going • What self-love actually means (and how to practice it daily) • Female friendships, competition, and choosing connection • Solo travel safety tips for women • Regret, guilt, and reframing “wrong” choices

💔✨ Romance, Red Flags & Growth • Why Gabriella felt called to share her romantic journey • Lessons learned from divorce and past relationships • Why “failed” relationships are essential for growth • A sneak peek at what romance looks like post-book one • And yes… we ask about the potential for a Netflix adaptation 👀

🌿 Themes & Wisdom • The recipe for a self-love cocktail • The power of sharing authentic stories • How to “escape to Europe” emotionally without leaving your daily life • And one final question we had to ask… about the psychic

📚 What’s Next • What books 2 and 3 explore • Upcoming projects and creative teasers • How listeners can support Gabriella and follow her journey

🔗 Connect with Gabriella Stone:

Buy the Book: https://amzn.to/4aakzUG

🌐 Website & Socials: https://bio.site/gabriellestone

If you love honest storytelling, self-discovery, travel, romance, and real conversations that feel like late-night talks with your best friend—this episode is for you.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and tell us in the comments which quote hit you the hardest 🤍📖

Welcome to The Reading Rift: Cosmere Deep Dives 📖

✨ In this series, Lydia and Bec are diving headfirst into Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere, starting with Mistborn Era One—breaking down the magic systems, characters, themes, and worldbuilding that make this universe so iconic. Whether this is your first step into the Cosmere or a reread with fresh eyes, these episodes are designed to help you understand what’s happening, why it matters, and how it all connects—without assuming you’re already an expert.

⚠️ Important Notes:

• This is an adult podcast with adult language and topics

• Spoiler warnings apply for the Mistborn books discussed in each episode

• We’ll always clearly state which book(s) we’re covering

✦ What to expect from our Mistborn deep dives:

🔩 Magic System Breakdown

🧠 Character & Theme Analysis

🌍 Worldbuilding & Lore

🌀 Cosmere Context (Spoiler-Aware)

📚 Reader Perspectives

• Veteran Cosmere reader vs first-time reactions

• What hits differently on a reread

📖 Start (or continue) your Mistborn journey

🛒 Buy the book here: https://amzn.to/45weJKN

If you love epic fantasy, intricate magic systems, and stories that reward close reading, you’re in the right place.

notes

Welcome back to The Reading Rift! I’m Lydia, joined by Bec, and this week we’re thrilled to welcome Veronica Bane, instant USA Today bestselling author of Difficult Girls.

In this episode, we sit down with Veronica to explore her journey from creative writing student and English teacher to ghostwriter—and ultimately to publishing her own debut novel that quickly became a USA Today bestseller. This conversation is a must-listen for aspiring authors, readers who love layered, emotionally rich stories, and anyone curious about the realities of traditional publishing.

✨ Episode Notes: • Part 1 is spoiler-free for Difficult Girls but Part 2 dives in, we will give a spoiler warning to be clear • Focuses on craft, career, and creative process • Ideal for readers, writers, and publishing-curious creatives

✦ What we cover in this episode:

📚 Early Reading & Literary Roots • Growing up with books (or finding them later) • Authors and stories that shaped her voice • Teachers and mentors who influenced her path • Why she chose an English degree and teaching

✍️ Writing, Ghostwriting & Finding Her Voice • When writing shifted from hobby to calling • What ghostwriting actually is—and how she got into it • Transitioning from ghostwriting to publishing her own work • Handling doubt and external expectations • The moment she knew she was on the right path

🕰️ From Draft One to Finished Book • How long the first draft took and how it came together • Her revision process informed by teaching and ghostwriting • What truly matters between draft one and publication

📖 Publishing & Career Insight • Her traditional publishing journey • How ghostwriting prepared her for debut success • What “USA Today Bestseller” actually means • Advice for aspiring authors navigating traditional publishing • Whether bestseller status should be the goal—or something else • Creative compromises vs creative freedom • What makes a strong debut novel

🎯 Author Goals & Creative Vision • Long-term goals for her writing career • What she hopes her work contributes to readers and the genre • Why she feels compelled to tell these stories

📘 Spoiler-Free Book Talk: Difficult Girls • Elevator pitch for readers • Comparable reads • Emotional experience she hopes readers walk away with • Inspiration behind the story • Research rabbit holes • Real-life themes that found their way into the book

🔗 Connect with Veronica Bane:

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veronicabane?igsh=MW1uc2tyM21rM29ucg== 📘 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@veronicabane?_r=1&_t=ZT-93LaxFO5y3h 🌐 Website: https://www.veronicabane.com/

📚 Difficult Girls by Veronica Bane: https://amzn.to/4jYLOVG

Affiliate Disclaimer:

Some of the links in this description may be affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you choose to make a purchase through them. We only share books, products, and resources we genuinely love or believe add value to our community. Thank you for supporting the channel—it helps us continue creating content for you 🤍

Welcome to The Reading Rift: Throne of Glass Deep Dives ⚔️📖

In this series, Lydia and Bec are deep diving into Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass series, breaking down character arcs, themes, worldbuilding, and the moments that changed everything—book by book.

Whether you’re reading the series for the first time or returning for a reread (and emotional damage), these episodes are here to help you slow down, connect the dots, and appreciate the depth behind the assassins, kingdoms, and mystery.

⚠️ Important Notes:

• This is an adult podcast with adult language and topics

• Spoiler warnings apply for the Throne of Glass books discussed in each episode

• We will always clearly state which book(s) are being covered

✦ What to expect from our Throne of Glass deep dives:

🗡️ Character Analysis & Growth

🌍 Worldbuilding & Lore

🔥 Themes That Define the Series

📖 Reading Order & Reread Insights

📚 Start (or continue) your Throne of Glass journey

🛒 Buy the book here: https://amzn.to/3O4gSXW

If you love epic fantasy, morally complex characters, and stories that grow darker, deeper, and more powerful with every book—you’re in the right place.

Subscribe for more fantasy deep dives, spoiler-filled discussions, and reader-to-reader conversations, and tell us in the comments where you are in the Throne of Glass journey 🖤📚

🎙️ EPISODE: Top Fantasy & Romantasy Reads of 2025 (Goodreads Awards Picks!) 📚✨

Welcome back to the podcast! In this episode, we’re diving into the most buzzed-about fantasy and romantasy books of 2025, as voted by the Goodreads community. Whether you’re a high fantasy devotee, a romantasy enthusiast, or just looking for your next unforgettable read — we’ve got you covered!

Welcome to The Reading Rift: Cosmere Deep Dives 📖

✨ In this series, Lydia and Bec are diving headfirst into Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere, starting with Mistborn Era One—breaking down the magic systems, characters, themes, and worldbuilding that make this universe so iconic. Whether this is your first step into the Cosmere or a reread with fresh eyes, these episodes are designed to help you understand what’s happening, why it matters, and how it all connects—without assuming you’re already an expert.

⚠️ Important Notes:

• This is an adult podcast with adult language and topics

• Spoiler warnings apply for the Mistborn books discussed in each episode

• We’ll always clearly state which book(s) we’re covering

✦ What to expect from our Mistborn deep dives:

🔩 Magic System Breakdown

🧠 Character & Theme Analysis

🌍 Worldbuilding & Lore

🌀 Cosmere Context (Spoiler-Aware)

📚 Reader Perspectives

• Veteran Cosmere reader vs first-time reactions

• What hits differently on a reread

📖 Start (or continue) your Mistborn journey

🛒 Buy the book here: https://amzn.to/45weJKN

If you love epic fantasy, intricate magic systems, and stories that reward close reading, you’re in the right place.

notesWelcome to The Reading Rift: Cosmere Deep Dives 📖

✨ In this series, Lydia and Bec are diving headfirst into Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere, starting with Mistborn Era One—breaking down the magic systems, characters, themes, and worldbuilding that make this universe so iconic. Whether this is your first step into the Cosmere or a reread with fresh eyes, these episodes are designed to help you understand what’s happening, why it matters, and how it all connects—without assuming you’re already an expert.

⚠️ Important Notes:

• This is an adult podcast with adult language and topics

• Spoiler warnings apply for the Mistborn books discussed in each episode

• We’ll always clearly state which book(s) we’re covering

✦ What to expect from our Mistborn deep dives:

🔩 Magic System Breakdown

🧠 Character & Theme Analysis

🌍 Worldbuilding & Lore

🌀 Cosmere Context (Spoiler-Aware)

📚 Reader Perspectives

• Veteran Cosmere reader vs first-time reactions

• What hits differently on a reread

📖 Start (or continue) your Mistborn journey

🛒 Buy the book here: https://amzn.to/45weJKN

If you love epic fantasy, intricate magic systems, and stories that reward close reading, you’re in the right place.