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!

Follow Us:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thestoryispod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thestoryispod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/thestoryispod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/tropebookshop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/trooptropebookclub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

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 

Follow Us:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thestoryispod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thestoryispod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/thestoryispod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/tropebookshop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/trooptropebookclub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

#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!

Follow Us:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thestoryispod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thestoryispod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/thestoryispod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/tropebookshop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/trooptropebookclub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

#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 

Follow Us:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thestoryispod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thestoryispod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/thestoryispod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/tropebookshop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/trooptropebookclub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Producer Tomi:

⁠instagram.com/goodtomicha⁠ 

⁠youtube.com/goodtomicha⁠

⁠tiktok.com/@goodtomicha⁠

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 ⁠⁠

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

Follow Us:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thestoryispod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thestoryispod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/thestoryispod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/tropebookshop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/trooptropebookclub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

#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 

Follow Us:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thestoryispod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thestoryispod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/thestoryispod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/tropebookshop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/trooptropebookclub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

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!

Follow Us:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thestoryispod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thestoryispod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/thestoryispod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/tropebookshop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/trooptropebookclub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

#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!

Follow Us:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thestoryispod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thestoryispod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/thestoryispod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/tropebookshop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/trooptropebookclub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

#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!

Follow Us:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thestoryispod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thestoryispod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/thestoryispod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/tropebookshop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/trooptropebookclub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

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 ⁠⁠

Follow Us:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thestoryispod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thestoryispod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/thestoryispod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/tropebookshop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/trooptropebookclub⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠