Heavy content warning for this episode, please listen with care! While we do not go into gratuitous detail in our recap, this book does contain references to many serious subjects. Proceed with caution & definitely don't listen to this episode around children! 

Today we're revisiting Redeeming Love and...we did not like what we read! 

Skip to the recent reads: To hear our letters to our future husbands following our fraught Redeeming Love discussion, skip to 53:11. Recent reads start at 59:33. 

Recent Reads: 

• The Shots You Take by Rachel Reid
• Why Can't I Just Enjoy Things? by Pierre Novellie
• Minor Black Figures by Brandon Taylor

We're going to be honest, we were not fans of Netflix's People We Meet on Vacation adaptation. This was not helped by us loving the book! But we're here to deep dive the movie and share all of our thoughts. 

Just a fair warning if you loved the movie, this episode may not be for you. 

Plus: 

• New Game Changers book, Unrivaled! 
• Wuthering Heights trailer reactions
• Recent Reads: The Favorites by Layne Fargo, leave the ruins where they fall by sharpa, and Question of the Day by wilmonstan12345

Follow us on Instagram and Bluesky at @readirectpodcast, shoot us an email at [email protected], and leave us a five-star review if you love the show! Plus, follow Emily everywhere at @emilyrojasreads and Abigail on TikTok at @fabigail11. 

We're dropping in with a mini-episode to catch up before we get back to our regularly scheduled programming. Hear more about our recent reads, our 2026 book goals, and our thoughts on upcoming book adaptations.

See you next week to our return to regular episodes with our recap of People We Meet on Vacation! 

We're back for one last deep dive of episode six of Heated Rivalry, aka the FINALE!!!! How did we get here so soon??? 

It's been an absolute blast recapping these with you. If you've enjoyed our show, consider following us into the new year. We'll be back every other Tuesday with more book goodness. 

We're also on Instagram and Bluesky at @readirectpodcast. Emily is everywhere at @emilyrojasreads and Abigail is on TikTok @fabigail11. We love you see you soon!!! <3

Here is our recap of episode 5. In exchange for editing this insane episode down to something consumable, please leave us a 5-star review, follow us on IG and Bluesky at @readirectpodcast, and tell a friend to tell a friend to listen. 

We love you, we love Hollanov, we'll see you next week!!!!

All the things she said, all the things she said, running through my head, running through my head!!!! We're back with a DEEP-DIVE of episode 4, and WOW! Did we have a lot to talk about! 

Join us to unpack the whole episode: ginger ale, tuna melt, hockey, montages, and that f***ing club scene. This whole episode was catharsis for us all. 

We'll be back with our recap of episode 5 & more regular episodes soon!! Until then, you can leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and let us know you're enjoying the show. You can also follow us on Instagram and Bluesky at @readirectpodcast. 

We recap Episode 3 of Heated Rivalry! 

You can follow us on Instagram and Bluesky at @readirectpodcast. You can follow Emily on all platforms at @emilyrojasreads and Abigail on TikTok at @fabigail11.

It's not quite the end of 2025, but we're checking in for our annual year-in-review episode. 

We celebrate a breakout year of reading and real talk: how to hit big number goals, diversify authors with intention, and find joy reading. We share five-star favorites, surprising hits, and a few fears about the 2026 release drought (let's not talk about how no new books are coming from Ali Hazelwood, Casey McQuiston, Talia Hibbert, Alison Cochrun, OR Emily Henry so far in 2026 - SAVE US!!!) 

Follow us on Instagram and Bluesky at @readirectpodcast. Emily is on Instagram and TikTok @emilyrojasreads, and Abigail is on TikTok @fabigail11. 

See you later this week for another Heated Rivalry Bonus Episode !!!! 

We're popping in with a check-in chat quickly discussing our initial thoughts on episodes one and two of Heated Rivalry! 

This long-awaited adaptation is finally here. If you were sick of us (Emily, mostly, let's be honest) before, it's only going to get worse from here! 

In this brief bonus episode, we're talking our expectations, viewing experiences, initial reactions, and even discussing the popularity of MM romance as a genre. 

Let us know what you thought & if you'd like us to keep doing this for future episodes. We are ever at your service <3 

Follow us on Instagram and Bluesky at @readirectpodcast. 

You can also follow Emily on TikTok and Instagram at @emilyrojasreads and Abigail is on TikTok at @fabigail11. 

Want to gift a book this holiday season, but not sure where to start? Tune in to today's episode for a thoughtful, curated holiday gift guide. Plus the Goodreads Book Awards, recent reads, and more.