January TBR, Reading Goals & Harlequin's AI Drama

January TBR, Reading Goals & Harlequin's AI Drama

Author: Under the Covers Book Blog January 13, 2026 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 Harlequin France is testing AI-assisted translations.

This month's TBRs are stacked with fantasy, gothic romance, historical mysteries, mythology, queer love stories.

Watch the video: https://youtube.com/live/8jO9dbrzHiw

Here's what we’re planning to read:

Francesca's TBR:

→ Fruit of the Flesh by I.V. Ophelia: https://rstyle.me/+dMHZNPHHNtBsj069Agn98g

→ The Younger Gods by Katie Shepard: https://rstyle.me/+mAd7B2dfZnQVoXDOuFOSWQ

→ The Serpent's Sin by Kathryn Ann Kingsley: https://rstyle.me/+xIUmDaIAZS2ahPutd-eFqg

→ Silver & Blood by Jessie Mihalik: https://rstyle.me/+7AhkOsIP5UYsF0zvpp1n4Q

Victoria's TBR:

The Re-Do List by Denise Williams: https://rstyle.me/+W1C8kTlmt7krmFfeiVEL2Q

→ Into the Midnight Wood by Alexandra McCollum: https://rstyle.me/+D9h_nN9YN68BTFr_-AUuBQ

→ Whispers at Painswick Court by Julie Klassen: https://rstyle.me/+QXzcx-5qpPsUQtarQT3phQ

→ The Wolf and the Crown of Blood by Elizabeth May: https://rstyle.me/+hUJcj5T39AuhXn0De2LG2g

→ You'll Never Forget Me by Isha Raya: https://rstyle.me/+Xj9F2UZupSEqDsIJhchMcQ

We also talk about:

  • Heated Rivalry’s TV adaptation and why it’s blowing up everywhere
  • Bookish burnout and giving yourself permission to read less
  • How reader goals vary wildly (yes, you can be valid at 12 or 200+ books)

Book Club Pick:

→ Meg & Jo by Virginia Kantra: https://rstyle.me/+2gnIBV_regIb7omnJbrJ-w

Tune in January 22 for the discussion!

Drop your January TBRs and reading goals in the comments, and don’t forget to subscribe to catch our book haul next week.

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
Ranking the 12 Best Historical Romance Books I Read in 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:04
Finding good historical romances is weirdly hard right now, so in this video I’m RANKING the best historical romance books I read in 2025… from “this was fun” all the way up to “new all‑time favorite unlocked.”This is a…
Christmas Traditions We Grew Up With (and What We Do Now) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:44
Pull up a chair, pour the coquito, and get ready for the ultimate cozy chat about how we really do the holidays. In this special archive episode from 2024, we're talking about our personal Christmas (and beyond) traditio…
The 20 Best Fantasy Romance Books I Read in 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:25
Tired of seeing the same 5 fantasy romance books recommended over and over? In this video I’m sharing 20 underrated fantasy romance books I read in 2025 and bringing you the hidden gems and romantasy favorites you need o…
I Created a Modern TBR for Jane Austen - Would She Be on BookTok? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:00
What would Jane Austen read if she were alive today? We are celebrating her 250th birthday by building her perfect modern TBR and asking the big question: would she DNF YOUR favorite book?In this episode of Reading Under…
Goodreads Choice Awards 2025 Winners Reaction + Books That Got ROBBED [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:36
Goodreads just dropped the 2025 Choice Awards winners, and we had… feelings. In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, we go category-by-category reacting to the wins, the vote blowouts, and the surprises (and yes, we…
Spicy and Unhinged Christmas Romance Books Feat. Krampus [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:39
I skipped the cozy, feel‑good Christmas romance books this year and went straight for the unhinged, unholy, and totally unhinged ones instead 🎄💀 From murderous Santas to deeply questionable MMCs to… a certain horned holi…
This Romance Reading Challenge Changes Everything - Romanceopoly 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:54
Welcome to Romanceopoly University: the 2026 romance reading challenge where YOU choose your major, minor, and build your perfect reading year. Choose from 5 departments, customize everything, or follow the Simple Path!T…
Did Elyse Myers Cross the Line? Author vs Reader Drama Explained [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:02
Did Elyse Myers actually break the #1 rule of author etiquette… or is BookTok being dramatic? 👀 This week on Reading Under the Covers, Novel Hour chat, we’re talking about the Elyse Myers book drama, what really went dow…