The TRUTH Behind the Matthew & Paul Controversy + Leigh Rivers’ Act of Kindness

The TRUTH Behind the Matthew & Paul Controversy + Leigh Rivers’ Act of Kindness

Author: Under the Covers Book Blog November 4, 2025 Duration: 39:52

Welcome to Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast. This week's Novel Hour episode covers the Matthew & Paul controversy that has everyone talking, plus author Leigh Rivers did something that literally made us cry. We're also sharing the new releases you need to know about this week!

Watch the video: https://youtube.com/live/vo03Wz-RN6g

⏰ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:45 Matthew and Paul Drama Explained

01:20 Pity Marketing Debate

05:14 Ingram Controversy

10:27 Feel-Good Story: Leigh Rivers' Beautiful $100K Donation Story

14:13 New Book Releases of the Week

22:11 Current Reads: Cozy Comforts and Messy Dramas

28:22 What We're Watching: Baking Shows and Wife Swaps

34:57 Interview with the Vampire: Season One Review

39:15 Final Thoughts

📖 BOOKS MENTIONED:

→ Bloodstained by Jenika Snow: https://rstyle.me/+kOR0RyRcegSZQ0AyqlZLvw

→ Our Vicious Oaths by N.E. Davenport: https://rstyle.me/+bk-hKIwuj8k6OmCMgC6jNw

→ Branded by Saffron A. Kent: https://rstyle.me/+Tbxfwzv-QK4UodofoQv8AA

→ Undead and Unwed by Sam Tschida: https://rstyle.me/+-3OSBQF5devkdfD8dDNYyA

→ Witches of Dubious Origin by Jenn McKinlay: https://rstyle.me/+S29JUg5ivvoKTlwyPU2xvA

→ Wreck by Catherine Newman: https://rstyle.me/+ar4TJhScrWWlaf-TjDzRcg

→ Cowboy, It’s Cold Outside by Maisey Yates: https://rstyle.me/+2cZJAI1MKYazSflL208kvw

→ The Devil Is a Southpaw by Brandon Hobson: https://rstyle.me/+_weJCg2V5cBxjjqXLxac0g

→ The Last Death of the Year by Sophie Hannah: https://rstyle.me/+2MIYaFEJNtKJH_7p6wNZWQ

→ The Bone Thief by Vanessa Lillie: https://rstyle.me/+qcFMFsOKWgIdvkpXh9pkww

→ Maybe This Time by SeRaya: https://rstyle.me/+zEq4vS0on53AXCy-sMkFVw

→ Terror at the Gates by Scarlett St. Clair: https://rstyle.me/+tTcanvLpgsUrsUD3sQUHRQ

🧁 Mentioned While Discussing Shows

Wife Swap TV Show

Interview with the Vampire AMC Show on Netflix Season 1

Sources Mentioned

→ Author talking about Matthew & Paul controversy: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQK7BfCkUxg/

→ BookToker covering Leigh Rivers’ donation: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8DF4EKQ/

→ GoFundMe link (Help Save Baby Ollie’s Heart): https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-save-baby-ollies-heart

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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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