Summer Romance Reads, Book Drama & Cancelled Mafia Romances

Summer Romance Reads, Book Drama & Cancelled Mafia Romances

Author: Under the Covers Book Blog June 5, 2025 Duration: 59:32

In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, I’m bringing you a replay of our Novel Hour live show all about summer reading vibes—complete with romance book recs, cozy mysteries, juicy thrillers, and even a multiverse salon love story. We also unpack some major bookish drama, from Sophie Lark’s mafia romances getting canceled in Ukraine to the controversy around James Frey’s new release and AI in publishing.

Here’s what you’ll find in this episode:

Summer Romance Recs from the 2025 Summer Reading Guide

Enemies to Lovers in Belize, Fake Husbands at Marriage Camp, Christmas in July Sapphic Rom-Coms

Cozy Mysteries, Multiverse Hair Salons & Emotional Literary Reads

What We’re Watching: From Netflix’s Sirens to Bravo’s Nepo Baby Chaos

New Romance, Mystery, Thriller, & YA Book Releases

Bookish News: Sophie Lark’s Brutal Prince banned + the James Frey & AI scandal

Plus: The ongoing debate on AI narration & what it means for authors and readers

Books Mentioned:

Kakigori Summer by Emily Itami

A Far Better Thing by H.G. Parry

A Murder for Miss Hortense by Mel Pennant

Till Summer Do Us Part by Meghan Quinn

Destination Weddings and Other Disasters by M.C. Vaughan

Holly Jolly July by Lindsay Maple

Bargains with Benefits by Jillian Witt

Worth Fighting For by Jesse Q. Sutanto

I'll Pretend You're Mine by Tashie Bhuiyan

Bald-Faced Liar by Victoria Helen Stone

A Most Unlikely Lady by Darcy McGuire

Flashlight by Susan Choi

Cat Fight by Kit Conway

The Friendship Fling by Georgia Stone

The Expat Affair by Kimberly Belle

Cosmic Love at the Multiverse Hair Salon by Annie Mare

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro

02:16 – Victoria’s Summer Read Picks

07:02 – Francesca’s Summer Kindle Unlimited Picks

12:53 – What We’re Watching (Netflix’s Sirens, Final Destination, Bravo’s NYC Next Gen)

23:39 – New Book Releases (Romance, Mystery, YA, Fantasy)

34:43 – Sophie Lark Mafia Romance Canceled in Ukraine

40:29 – James Frey BOTM Scandal & AI in Publishing

Sources Referenced:

– RT: https://x.com/RT_com/status/1928769846516256961

– Danica Nava on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@danica_nava/post/DKaWPr_Tckw?xmt=AQF0is-lBtsOx4R0n0hC2miyVD30FM_DiyKfQjmx_cPXAg

– TikTok by @bydonmartin: https://www.tiktok.com/@bydonmartin/video/7511769113208032558?_t=ZP-8wvMjf6uHPD&_r=1

Don’t forget: Join us live every Thursday at 12 PM EST and catch the replay here!


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
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…
I Broke Up With Goodreads After 13 Years (Here's What I Use Now) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:08
After 13 years on Goodreads, I finally quit 3 years ago. Here's what happened when I tested every major alternative and found the one that actually works for tracking my reading life.In this episode of the Reading Under…
The Goodreads Choice Awards 2025 Nominees Are WILD This Year [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:25
In this episode of the Reading Under the Covers Podcast, we are diving into the Goodreads Choice Awards 2025, aka the Super Bowl of book drama. We’re breaking down the nominees, sharing our knee-jerk reactions, casting o…
5 Paranormal Romance Recs on Kindle Unlimited (Old School Vibes) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:13
If you miss the paranormal romance era of vampires, witches, and fae that actually felt dangerous and romantic, these 5 new releases I read have that old school PNR energy we've been craving, and they're ALL on Kindle Un…
30 Years Reading Paranormal Romance Taught Me This Pattern [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:30
In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, I share my 30 year reading experience with the paranormal alpha and my thesis on a connection I noticed about their popularity and decline. They explo…