Audiobook Recommendations + SJM’s Licensing Empire, TikTok Publishing Fails & Serial Killer Adaptations

Audiobook Recommendations + SJM’s Licensing Empire, TikTok Publishing Fails & Serial Killer Adaptations

Author: Under the Covers Book Blog June 27, 2025 Duration: 1:04:07

Welcome to the Novel Hour replay! In this week’s show, we’re diving into audiobook faves, wild book news (RIP TikTok’s publishing dreams), and the latest on Mindf*ck and Butcher & Blackbird adaptations. Plus, we've got new book releases you’ll want on your TBR ASAP.

🎧 Audiobook Recs You Need to Hear:

Here are the ones we’re vibing with:


🖤 Check out our curated list of Duet Narration Romance Audiobooks → Read the list

📺 What We’re Watching:

  • 28 Years Later (zombie vibes, mixed reviews)
  • Animal Kingdom (season 5 chaos report incoming)

📢 Then it’s on to the bookish news desk:


→ Original post by @brosandprose on Threads

🎬 Book Adaptations You Need to Know About:

  • Mindf*ck series is heading to Amazon with Sophia Stallone attached.
  • Butcher and Blackbird by Brynne Weaver is officially getting a film adaptation. Deadline article | Variety coverage
  • Powerless by Lauren Roberts is in development at Amazon despite major plagiarism controversy from Red Queen comparisons.

🆕 New Release Highlights:


And more!

💬 Let us know your audiobook recs, adaptation thoughts, or hot takes on SJM’s empire and TikTok’s publishing flop—comment, DM, or reply on Substack.

🎥 Watch the full live replay on YouTube →https://youtube.com/live/jmKeVjylZNM?feature=share

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
Can't Get Over Interview with the Vampire? Start Here. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:59
If Interview with the Vampire broke you, these 6 books are what to read next before Season 3 (The Vampire Lestat) premieres June 7 on AMC+.Each book hits a different part of what makes ITV so consuming:- toxic immortal r…
Off Campus Season 1 Review: I Have Feelings (And Dean Is One of Them) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:15
I binged all 8 episodes of Off Campus on Amazon Prime in one sitting and I have a lot to say about it. I didn't re-read the book first on purpose and I think you shouldn't either. Today on Reading Under the Covers, a rom…
Ranking Every Elle Kennedy Off-Campus Book from Worst to Best [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:27
We’re going back to Briar, and yes, Garrett Graham is still a problem.In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, I’m ranking the books in Elle Kennedy’s Off-Campus universe from my least favori…
April Reading Wrap Up: Paranormal Romance, Romantasy, Sports Romance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:20
April was… a month. I only managed to read 11 books, but when I did pick something up, I flew through it so we’re calling that a win.In this April reading wrap up, I’m chatting through my StoryGraph stats, the genres I a…
Tender Is the Storm Part 2: From Cover to Cover, This Book Is Nuts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:57
We're back at Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, with the second and final discussion of Tender Is the Storm by Johanna Lindsey for the Ripped & Ravished Book Club.This episode covers chapters 22 through…
The Rise, Fall, and Return of the Clinch Cover in Romance Books [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:27
In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, we’re going down the full romance history rabbit hole and talking about the clinch cover: where it started, why it took over, why it disappeared, and…
I Cheated on My Kindle with a Kobo (Here's What Happened) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:01
I've been a Kindle girl for years. But then I spent three months sneaking around with a Kobo Libra Color and honestly? I'm not going back.This is my full, honest breakdown of what it's actually like to switch from Kindle…