The Story Is

Join us as we continue our Zodiac Academy Book 2 journey! In today’s episode we’re exploring chapters 11-20 of Ruthless Fae by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti. From the complexities of the Guardian Bond to the thrilling revenge plots, we can’t wait to get into it!

Time stamps:

(0:00) Intro and Chapter 11

(4:58) Chapter 12

(11:36) Chapter 13

(14:52) Chapter 14

(17:46) Chapter 15

(26:58) Chapter 16 

(35:10) Chapter 17 

(37:45) Chapter 18 

(44:22) Chapter 19

(47:24) Chapter 20

(55:09) Questions we want answered  

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

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#bookpodcast #zodiacacademy #romantasy #fantasyromance #romancebookpodcast #bookrecap 

In this episode, your hosts Katie Mitchell and Amanda Earle discuss celebrity news ranging from the impact of fashion icons like Giorgio Armani to the buzziest dating rumors in Hollywood. In book report, we dive into all of the big fall romance releases, upcoming movie adaptations of popular books, and what’s on our spooky/cozy fall TBR! 

Time Stamps:

(0:00) Intro

(00:42) Giorgio Armani, Vogue’s new creative director

(2:53)- Chloe Grace Moretz got married, Sophie Turner is Lara Croft 2.0, 

(7:26) Sabrina Carpenter

(10:32) Sydney Sweeney and Scooter Braun

(15:47) Book Report: Lili Reinhart and The Love Hypothesis, PWMOV, Wuthering Heights trailer drops

(25:55) Katie’s Fall TBR: Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross, ZomCom by Olivia Date, Mate by Ali Hazelwood, Brimstone by Callie Hart

(29:20) Amanda’s Fall TBR: Katabasis by RF Huang, Wild Card by Elsie Silver, Eldritch by Keri Lake

(31:37) September new releases for romance

(32:49) BookTok/Romance Book Vocab: FMC, MMC, TBR, Trad Pub, Indie Pub, KU, repubbed

(40:08) Publishing world scandal: lack of copyrights 

(45:55) It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey Movie Announcement 

(48:54) Release date updates for Sara Cate’s Promise Me, When The Moon Hatched Book 2, and Shield of Sparrows Book 2, Burn of the Everflame, Alchemised 

(1:03:07) Amanda’s Book Report: Till Summer Do Us Part by Meghann Quinn, Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, Little Stranger by Leigh Rivers, My Roomate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine, and Dark Lover by JR Ward

(1:05:06) Katie’s Book Report: On Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn, Blood of Hercules by Jasmine Mas, and Dark Lover by JR Ward 

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In this episode, we’re diving into the second book of the Zodiac Academy series, Ruthless Fae by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti. Who killed Professor Astrum? Is Diego a nymph? Has a new villain entered the chat? And will Darcy and Tory return to the human realm? All discussed in this week’s episode! *Spoilers mentioned from book 1*

Time Stamps:

(0:00)-(9:15) Chapter 1

(9:16)-(11:52) Chapter 2

(11:53)-(14:32) Chapter 3

(14:33)-(21:50) Chapter 4

(21:52)- (30:15) Chapter 5

(30:16)-(48:35) Chapter 6 

(48:36)-(57:37) Chapter 7

(57:38)-(1:07:24) Chapter 8

(1:07:25)-(1:13:25) Chapter 9 

(1:13:26)-(1:24:38) chapter 10

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 a Taylor episode! Sorry non-swifties, but we had to. In this episode, hosts Katie and Amanda discuss the breaking news of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's engagement, exploring the details of the ring, fan reactions, timeline for the proposal and dream wedding guest lists. Also quick pop culture updates and what we’re reading including Dark Lover by JR Ward and Till Summer Do Us Part by Meghan Quinn! 

Time Stamps

(0:00) Intro

(0:26) Taylor + Travis are engaged- ring, proposal and timeline

(21:30) Harry Styles and Zoe Kravitz are dating

(28:20) Tayvis Wedding Guest list

(32:52) Katie’s updates on “The Summer I Turned Pretty”

(35:52) Amanda’s Book Report: Dark Lover by J.R. Ward

(37:03) Katie’s Book Report: Till Summer Do Us Part by Meghan Quinn and On Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn

(38:23) You need to read Zodiac Academy (yes, seriously)

(40:59) Quicksilver re-release at Trope Bookshop

Get Tickets for our Brimstone by Callie Hart Midnight Release Party:⁠⁠⁠https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brimstone-midnight-release-party-tickets-1510895803019?aff=oddtdtcreator ⁠⁠⁠

Join us for Zodiac Academy Book 2 starting 9/4/25!

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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#bookrecommendations #sohighschool #romantasy #romancebooks 

In this episode, Katie and Amanda delve into chapter 17 until the end of Zodiac Academy Book One. We chat about the falling star reveal, the school dance, and that traumatizing pool incident. Our predictions for the next book include character growth, romantic couples and the orders of Tory and Darcy Vega. And we’re wrapping it up with a little more insight into the bonus chapter featured in the newly printed books! 

Join us for Book 2 starting 9/4/25!

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 of The Story Is, we’re talking about everything, literally. From the newest mamacita Mille Bobby Brown to our favorite Jeni’s Ice Cream flavors to the chick who built the titanic set in her 400 square foot apartment. Of course, we’ve also got updates on everything happening in romance publishing and what we’ve been reading lately! 

Time Stamps:

(0:00) Intro and Catch-Up

(5:00) Gavin Newsom’s unhinged social media (complimentary)

(8:03) Logan Lerman Michael Kors ad campaign

(10:50) Lil Nas X hospitalizaed

(12:05) Millie Bobby Brown is a mommy mamacita

(17:10) The Gilded Age is top tier television

(22:35) Katie’s S1 The Summer I Turned Pretty Thoughts

(30:23) Food wars 

(36:00) Titanic apartment

(38:32) Book updates and announcements- Abby Jimenez drops new book, Elsie Silver’s newest series announced, Elle Kennedy’s March release, and more 

(41:45) Thoughts on an SJM release date

(51:30) Amanda’s Book Report: Bury Our Bones in The Midnight Soil by VE Schwab and Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

(54:50) Katie’s Book Report: Zodiac Academy: The Awakening, Direbound by Sable Sorenson, Overruled by Lana Ferguson, Savor It by Tarah Dewitt, 

(59:49) What’s on our TBR

Get Tickets for our Brimstone by Callie Hart Midnight Release Party:⁠⁠https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brimstone-midnight-release-party-tickets-1510895803019?aff=oddtdtcreator ⁠⁠

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In this episode, Katie and Amanda dive into chapters 9 through 16 of Book 1, 'Zodiac Academy: The Awakening.' They chat about who they think is coupling up, theories about Tory and Darcy’s order and the evolving relationships between the heirs and our protagonists. Join us for the second week of this special episode! Feel free to share your thoughts on the book so far with us on social media. Remember, no spoilers for the rest of the series please!

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!

Get Tickets for our Brimstone by Callie Hart Midnight Release Party:⁠https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brimstone-midnight-release-party-tickets-1510895803019?aff=oddtdtcreator ⁠

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In this episode of The Story Is, Katie and Amanda discuss Taylor Swift's monumental appearance on the New Heights podcast with her boyfriend, Travis Kelce. They delve into the dynamics of Taylor's relationship, her album art choices, and the fan theories that have emerged for her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl. We also chat about pop culture nostalgia, what we're reading, Katie's recent love for her Kindle, and some HUGE book news for fall and spring! 

Time Stamps:

(0:00) Intro

(0:30) It’s Taylor Swift Week

(36:55) Jenna Miscavige is on TikTok

(39:07) “Nobody Wants This” on Netflix

(40:00) The traveling 90s Museum

(44:22) Unboxing our first Labubus (!!!)

(47:55) New fall releases we’re hyped about including On Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn

(51:50) Kindle vs. Physical Books, Fable vs. Goodreads

(57:30) Amanda’s Book Report: Zodiac Academy: The Awakening, For Whom The Belle Tolls 

(1:01:23) BB Reid acquired by Bloom Books, Silver Elite Book 2 Announcement, cover reveal for Duke by Jessica Peterson, Metal Slinger Book 2 Announcement, and Heat of the Everflame

(1:05:54)  Katie’s Book Report: Zodiac Academy, Direbound by Sable Sorenson, Between Two Kings by Lindsay Straube, Overruled by Lana Ferguson

Get Tickets for our Brimstone Midnight Release Party:⁠https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brimstone-midnight-release-party-tickets-1510895803019?aff=oddtdtcreator ⁠

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TSwift, album reveal, pop culture recap, booktok, numerology, swifties, millennial nostalgia, book recommendations, romance book recs, romantasy

In this episode of The Story Is Podcast, the hosts Katie and Amanda dive into Zodiac Academy by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti for the very first time! This episode will only discuss chapters 1-8, so please no spoilers for the remainder of the series! We’re sharing our thoughts on the protagonists, Darcy and Tory, the new Fae world of Solaria, and our introduction to the potential bad boy love interests. 

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 of The Story is Podcast, Katie Mitchell and Amanda Earle catch up on their lives, discuss recent tiktok and culture events, and dive into the absurdities of modern dating. Plus, highlights for what romance books you should be adding to your TBR. 

Time stamps:

(0:00) Intro and catch up

(5:51) Jacob Elordi and Olivia Jade break up (again?)

(7:27) Learning new Gen-Z terms

(8:48) Theater kids are having a moment right now

(17:08) Where in the world is Katie Mitchell

(20:41) Hulu and Disney+ are becoming one

(22:00) A four star first date story*

(30:00) The woman who falls in love with her psychiatrist on TikTok

(35:25) Upcoming tv/movie releases we’re excited for 

(42:00) Amanda’s Book Report: Destructively Mine by Krista and Becca Richie, Hotter in the Hamptons by Tina, Filthy Rich Vampire: Three Queens by Geneva Lee,  and For Who The Belle Tolls by Jaysea Lynn,

(48:06) Katie’s Book Report: Face Off by Chelsea Curto, Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer, Zodiac Academy: The Awakening by  Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti

(51:25) Katie started ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ and has THOUGHTS

(55:06) Romance books we’d liked to see adapted

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

Zodiac Academy Charlotte: call Trope Bookshop and request an in-store pick up at (704) 724-6696!

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