Alien Romance, New Releases & BDB First Impressions | Novel Hour Replay

Alien Romance, New Releases & BDB First Impressions | Novel Hour Replay

Author: Under the Covers Book Blog July 18, 2025 Duration: 44:55

This week on Novel Hour, we went full chaos—in the best way. In this replay from our YouTube live show, we’re talking:

👽 Our favorite alien romance reads (some weird, some adorable, all unhinged)

📚 10 must-read new releases for July 13–19, 2025

📺 What we’re watching: Animal Kingdom's finale, Real Housewives, and the Black Dagger Brotherhood TV adaptation

💍 Upcoming live show themes you don’t want to miss

Whether you're here for weird sci-fi love stories, summer thrillers, or hot takes on streaming shows, there's something for every mood reader in this episode.

🕰️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome to Novel Hour

00:54 – Victoria’s Alien Book Picks

08:14 – Francesca’s Alien Romance Recs

14:29 – What We’re Watching (TV + Movies)

27:57 – July 13–19 New Book Releases

41:55 – Upcoming Themes

44:39 – Wrap-Up & Final Thoughts

Loved the episode?

Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕

💌 Talk to Me:

Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.

Support the Show:

Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.

📚 Stay Connected:

  1. Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.
  2. YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.
  3. Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.

💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!


If you've ever stayed up far too late, utterly lost in the world of a romance novel, you're in the right place. Reading Under the Covers: A Romance Novel Podcast is that feeling, turned into a conversation. Hosted by the two friends behind the Under the Covers Book Blog, this podcast feels like pulling up a chair in your favorite bookstore café. Each episode is a deep, often hilarious, and always heartfelt dive into the books they can't stop thinking about. You'll hear genuine, spoiler-filled discussions that dissect everything from beloved tropes and character chemistry to the sheer craft of storytelling. It's a celebration of the genre in all its forms-historical, contemporary, fantasy, and everything in between. More than just reviews, it's about the shared experience of reading: the anticipation of a new release, the comfort of a re-read, and the joy of finding a perfect book boyfriend. This is a space for fellow enthusiasts who understand that a great romance novel isn't just a story; it's an escape, a comfort, and a source of genuine delight. Tune in for passionate recommendations, thoughtful analysis, and the kind of enthusiastic fangirling that only true friends and book lovers can share.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Reading Under the Covers: A Romance Novel Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Reading The Flame and the Flower for the First Time (Ch. 1–2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:23
Welcome to the very first episode of Ripped & Ravished Book Club, your deep dive into vintage "bodice ripper" romances that helped shape the romance genre as we know it. In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, a rom…
26 Books to Read in 2026 [ 13 Picked by Friends ] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:10
I asked 13 friends to choose my reading fate for 2026... and added 13 of my own backlist books to make the ultimate 26-book challenge spread. If I don't make it look pretty in my journal, I won't do it...so let's set thi…
Virginia Kantra discusses Meg & Jo | Book Club LIVE [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:49
Novel Hour sits down for a chat with Virginia Kantra to discuss our January book club pick: Meg & Jo.Drop your thoughts in the chat - we want to hear from you!Watch the video: https://youtube.com/live/x1822eXaxpgBooks Me…
Your Guide to Book Genres Beyond the Marketing Labels [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:55
Let’s settle the "Romantasy" debate once and for all. (And yes, we need to talk about Bride by Ali Hazelwood).Does anyone else feel like book genres have gotten completely out of hand lately? We’re throwing around terms…
January Book Haul | Book Mail & eBooks + Outlander Season 7 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:24
Welcome to the Reading Under the Covers podcast. On today's replay of our Novel Hour live show, come for a chat about the latest books we've added to our shelves. Physical and digital.Tune in EVERY THURSDAY at 12 PM ET,…
I'm Documenting Every Read 8 Different Ways in 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:15
Is it excessive? Probably. Do I regret it? Absolutely not. 😅Welcome to the maximalist reading tracking setup of your dreams (or nightmares). In this video, I'm breaking down exactly how, and WHY, I use 8 different system…
January TBR, Reading Goals & Harlequin's AI Drama [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:40
We're back for 2026 with a January TBR stack, some spicy reading goals (or non-goals...we see you, mood readers), and a book club launch that kicks off with Meg and Jo by Virginia Kantra. Plus, we react to the news that…
Top 10 NEW Kindle Unlimited Authors I Found in 2025 (Hidden Gems!) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:08
Tired of downloading the same 5 hyped Kindle Unlimited authors from BookTok? Today I’m ranking my Top 10 best new-to-me KU authors of 2025, the hidden gems I had to actually go looking for.We’re talking everything from c…