The Story Is

We’re BACK with your favorite romance book podcast! In this episode of ‘The Story Is’, Katie and Amanda talk about holiday movie traditions, our love for Costco, the return of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and the controversial new Skims' underwear. Plus, we’re chatting about the importance of supporting indie bookstores and our latest book recommendations! 

Time Stamps

(0:00) intro

(0:50) rip Diane Keaton and our fave holiday movies

(3:50) how early is too early for christmas

(6:31) Costco queens

(11:15) lore reveal: we’re hypochondriacs

(15:01) T-Swizzle returns?

(17:11) Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show

(23:00) podcasts we’re listening to

(24:15) Bush on main 2: 2Bush 2Furious

(30:36) Book Report News: Bridgerton Season 4 release dates, Manny Jacinto on Quinn, Kate Stewart ‘Birds of a Feather’ release date, Quicksilver cover change

(48:26) Amanda’s Book Report: Winging It With You by Chip Pons, Quicksilver by Callie Hart, and Love’s a Witch by Tricia O’Malley

(49:49) Freeing Luka and Saving Verrako by Victoria Aveline, Love’s a Witch by Tricia O’Malley, Between Two Kings by Lindsay Straube 

(53:33) What’s next on the pod

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Listen on Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-story-is/id1818347478⁠

Listen on Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/7vLkNE1OX5cDnR1Jj0rHEb⁠

📖 SHOP THE EPISODE:

Winging it With You by Chip Pons- ⁠https://bookshop.org/a/113990/9780593853504 ⁠

Quicksilver by Callie Hart- ⁠https://bookshop.org/a/113990/9781538774199⁠

Love’s a Witch by Tricia O’Malley- ⁠https://bookshop.org/a/113990/9781668094532⁠

Freeing Luka by Victoria Aveline- ⁠https://bookshop.org/a/113990/9781958397077⁠

Saving Verakko by Victoria Aveline- ⁠https://bookshop.org/a/113990/9781958397114⁠

Between Two Kings by Lindsay Straube- ⁠https://bookshop.org/a/113990/9781464247606⁠

Dark Fae by Caroline Peckham and Suzanne Valenti- ⁠https://bookshop.org/a/113990/9781914425158⁠

*Costco fun facts: There are over 200 locations outside of the United States. Some of the warehouses (like in South Korea and Japan) are strategically placed near US military bases, but not all. 

Anna Kloots in Paris Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/annakloots ⁠

Skims viral underwear: ⁠https://people.com/kim-kardashian-addresses-attention-around-new-skims-full-bush-faux-pubic-hair-underwear-11832419 ⁠

We finished Zodiac Academy: The Awakening and we have THOUGHTS! 

This is definitely our favorite book yet. The Twins' order is FINALLY revealed. Tory and Darius might finally hook up?! And what's the deal with the shadow realm? Our final recap for book 3 (chapter 31-end) is here. Feel free to share your thoughts with us on social!

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Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-story-is/id1818347478

Listen on Spotify Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vLkNE1OX5cDnR1Jj0rHEb

Time Stamps:

(0:00) Intro and Circling back to Chapter 30 

(5:18) Chapter 31 Caleb 

(13:57) Chapter 32 Darcy

(21:03) Chapter 33 Tory

(25:43) Chapter 34 Darius

(31:58) Chapter 35 Darcy

(36:52) Chapter 36 Seth  

(44:23) Chapter 37 Tory

(47:20) Chapter 38 Darcy

(53:58) Chapter 39 Tory

(1:01:38) Final Thoughts on Book 3, Zodiac Academy: The Reckoning

REMINDER: We're reading Ruthless Boys next on the podcast! We'll be back with the next episode October 31st! 

Get your copy of Zodiac Academy: The Reckoning: https://bookshop.org/a/113990/9781916926301

Zodiac Academy Charlotte Readers: call Trope Bookshop and request a hold at (704) 724-6696!

#bookpodcast #zodiacacademy #romantasy #fantasyromance #romancebookpodcast  #TheStoryIsPod

We're almost done with book 3 of Zodiac Academy: The Reckoning! Listen to our recap on chapters 21-30 including The Heirs discovering the Vega Twins revenge plot, the final trials for the reckoning (fire and earth) and the infamous fairy fair!

Time Stamps:

(0:00) Intro 

(1:13) Chapter 21 Darius

(4:17) Chapter 22 Darcy

(11:44) Chapter 23 Tory

(19:49) Chapter 24 Darius

(23:12) Chapter 25 Darcy

(31:07) Chapter 26 Max

(38:59) Chapter 27 Tory

(41:03) Chapter 28 and Chapter 30 Darcy

(57:22) Chapter 29 Tory

(1:03:12) Casting Updates and Final Thoughts

Get your copy of Zodiac Academy: The Reckoning ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bookshop.org/a/113990/9781916926301 ⁠

OR Charlotte locals, call Trope Bookshop and request a hold at (704) 724-6696!

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#romantasy #Fantasyromance #romancebooks #bookpodcast #romancebookpodcast

We’re back with your regularly scheduled programming to talk Taylor Swift’s 12th album, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s breakup, Bad Bunny Super Bowl, and what we’re reading this week. Stay tuned for the latest in bookish news, too!

Time Stamps: 

(0:00) Intro and catch up

(0:30) Panic! At the silent disco 

(5:17) The Life of a Showgirl: We have thoughts

(27:22) Sydney Sweeney and Scooter Braun

(30:39) Louis Tomlinson’s new music 

(33:59) Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban split after 19 years

(41:13) Chase Stokes and Kelsea Ballerini break up

(42:52) Bad Bunny Super Bowl Halftime Announcement 

(44:41) SNL is back with cast shakeups

(47:29) Book News: Opalite is Fourth Wing coded, PWMOV trailer, Navessa Allen’s Book 3, Alchemised* and Tourist Season numbers

(57:07) Amanda’s Book Report: Wild Card by Elisie Silver, Freeing Luka by Victoria Aveline, Zodiac Academy: The Reckoning by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, and Love’s a Witch by Tricia O’Malley

(59:53) Katie’s Book Report: People Watching by Hannah Bonam-Young, Zom Rom Com by Olivia Dade, On Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn, The Reckoning, and The Knight and The Moth by Rachel Gillig. 

P.S. Alchemised weighs a whopping 3.3 lbs!

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We're back for part 2 of our Zodiac Academy: The Reckoning recap! This week Katie and Amanda follow chapter 11-20- learning more about Diego's hat, Max's potential love interest, and a steamy scene between Darcy and Orion. What was your favorite part of this section? Let us know in the comments on social!

Time Stamps:

(0:00) Intro

(1:39) Chapter 11 Darcy

(10:10) Chapter 12 Tory

(18:19) Chapter 13 Darcy

(29:21) Chapter 14 Tory

(37:36) Chapter 15 Orion

(44:10) Chapter 16 Darcy

(55:88) Chapter 17 Tory

(1:05:47) Chapter 18 Darcy

(1:11:53) Chapter 19 Orion

(1:14:46)Chapter 20 Tory

(1:25:16) Theories for The Reckoning so far

Get your copy of Zodiac Academy (non-Charlotte locals): ⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/4fpCoAc ⁠⁠⁠

Zodiac Academy Charlotte: call Trope Bookshop and request a hold at (704) 724-6696!

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#bookpodcast #zodiacacademy #romantasy #fantasyromance #romancebookpodcast  

In honor of spooky season, we decided it was time for some alien romance. Welcome to “The Story is Pod” with best-selling sci fi romance author, Victoria Aveline!  Today we’re chatting about the development of her popular Clecanian series, her writing process, and the impact of BookTok for the book community. After reading Choosing Theo, we just knew we had to have her on. We hope you enjoy the episode!

Get Choosing Theo here or call the store to reserve your copy! https://bookshop.org/a/103479/9781958397053

Follow Victoria:

https://www.instagram.com/victoriaavelineauthor/

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Welcome back to ‘The Story Is’ Pod with Katie and Amanda! This week we’re starting  the third book of the Zodiac Academy series, The Reckoning by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti. In Chapter 1-10, we’re unpacking the aftermath of the Pitball battle, the challenges of Hell Week, and the evolving romantic relationships among the characters. We’re getting closer on the order form reveal and what’s under Diego’s hat people! Join us next week for Chapters 11-20!

Time Stamps:

(0:00) Intro to Zodiac Academy: The Reckoning

(1:14) Chapter 1 Orion

(8:02) Chapter 2 Tory

(12:38) Chapter 3 Darcy

(20:27) Chapter 4 Tori 

(26:49) Chapter 5 Darcy

(32:22) Chapter 6 Seth

(42:33) Chapter 7 Tory

(45:20) Chapter 8 Darcy

(53:40) Chapter 9 Darius

(1:00:57) Chapter 10 Tory

(1:06:17) Our favorite moments so far

(1:07:38) Casting Call: Seth, Darius, 

(1:10:02) Final Thoughts, Predictions, and Theories for Part 1

Get your copy of Zodiac Academy (non-Charlotte locals): ⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/4fpCoAc ⁠⁠⁠

Zodiac Academy Charlotte: call Trope Bookshop and request a hold at (704) 724-6696!

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In this episode, Katie and Amanda chat Emmy wins. How did their predictions hold up?! We discuss the rumor mill around a potential one direction reunion, the summer I turned pretty season 3 finale and Victoria Beckham's new show. Stay tuned until the end for a book report on our recent romance reads including Wild Card by Elsie Silver and Choosing Theo by Victoria Aveline!

Time Stamps:

(0:00) Intro and Emmys wins

(11:48) The Summer I Turned Pretty S3 debrief *spoilers*

(18:29) The Reali-tea: RHOSLC, Victoria Beckham, TSwift, Cardi B and Camp Rock 3

(23:02) Potential 1D Reunion?!

(29:11) Book Report: The Knight and The Moth Book 2 announced, Shield of Sparrows Book 2,  The Housemaid trailer and more

(35:36) Out Today: Brynne Weaver Tourist Season and Alchemised. Come to our release party at Trope!

(38:51) Katie’s Book Report: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

(39:20) Amanda’s Book Report: Bourbon and Lies by Victoria Wilder, Choosing Theo by Victoria Aveline, and Wild Card by Elsie Silver 

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#bookrecommendations #sohighschool #romantasy #romancebooks

We've made it to the end of Zodiac Academy Book 2! In this episode, we recap Chapter 21- the end, including the bonus chapter! Listen for our predictions about the nymphs, Tory and Darcy's order, the culmination of Tory's revenge tour on the Heirs, and our final thoughts on Ruthless Fae. Make sure to share your thoughts on social if you're reading with us!

Time Stamps:

(0:00) Intro and Chapter 21

(6:21) Chapter 22

(13:28) Chapter 23

(24:67) Chapter 24

(31:45) Chapter 25 

(33:29) Chapter 26

(38:54) Chapter 27

(41:35) Chapter 28

(42:49) Chapter 29 

(44:13) Chapter 30

(46:31) Chapter 31

(47:42) Chapter 32

(48:56) Chapter 33

(50:40) Chapter 34-35

(55:58) Chapter 36-37

(59:11) **Bonus Chapter** (Available in the latest physical editions)

(1:02:22) Surprise Book 2 Envelope 

(1:05:02) Our Final Thoughts on Zodiac Academy Book 2: Ruthless Fae 

(1:10:08) Casting Call Updates: Seth, Twins

(1:11:26) We’re Reading The Reckoning Next

Get your copy of Zodiac Academy (non-Charlotte locals): ⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/4fpCoAc ⁠⁠⁠

Zodiac Academy Charlotte: call Trope Bookshop and request a hold at (704) 724-6696!

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#bookpodcast #zodiacacademy #romantasy #fantasyromance #romancebookpodcast 

We’re back with another episode of “The Story Is” Podcast! Katie and Amanda chat pop culture updates like Taylor Swift and It Ends With Us, celebrity breakups like Nina Dobrev and Shaun White, reality TV drama with Taylor Frankie Paul, and of course, everything we’re reading! 

Time Stamps

(0:00) Intro 

(1:20) Nina Dobrev and Shaun White break up after 5 years 

(3:52) The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives x The Bachelorette 

(11:45) Labubu x Louis VouVou 

(12:52) Taylor Swift keeps getting dragged into It Ends With Us Drama*

(17:44) Liam Hemsworth is engaged 

(19:24) The VMAs, YungBlud, Tate McCrae, Lady Gaga, and Sabrina Carpenter

(28:52) Bad Bunny refusing to tour in the US

(30:44) Ariana Grande concert ticket wars

(34:30) Hillary Duff is back

(36:40)  Book Report: Chestnut Springs is coming to Netflix, Alchemised movie deal, 

(43:02) Amanda’s Book Report: Savor It and Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt, My Roommate is a Vampire, Dark Lover by JR Ward

(44:18) Katie’s Book Report: Zodiac Academy Book 2: Ruthless Fae by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, Blood of Hercules by Jasmine Mas, and Choosing Theo by Victoria Aveline 

*Update: Taylor Swift’s team denies agreeing to deposition for It Ends with Us ⁠https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjr5y5901llo⁠ 

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Producer Tomi:

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