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.

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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
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