We Read Crown of War and Shadow & Now We Have Theories (Plus January Reading Wrap-Up)

We Read Crown of War and Shadow & Now We Have Theories (Plus January Reading Wrap-Up)

Author: Under the Covers Book Blog February 6, 2026 Duration: 50:07

In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, it's time for our January wrap-up: what we read, what surprised us, and what totally missed. Then we go full detective mode on J.R. Ward’s Crown of War and Shadow with conspiracy theories we can’t unsee… including a possible Black Dagger Brotherhood tie-in and a “Scribe Virgin origin story” vibe that has us ready to highlight every suspicious clue (yes, including demons and spiders 👀).

Guests: Jen (BooksJenRecs) + Angela (Under the Covers OG)

Watch the chat on Spotify!

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

00:50 Discussing Book Series and World Building

02:08 Tamlin and Rhysand Debate

07:14 January Reading Wrap-Up

15:16 JR Ward's New Series Theories

26:09 What to pick up next - Top recommendation from each

27:19 Discussing Jessie Mihalik backlist

27:50 Disappointment of the Month: People We Meet on Vacation

29:57 Heated Rivalry and Book-to-Screen Adaptations (Bridgerton)

40:50 Reading Goals and Challenges (Romanceopoly, reading goals, mood reading vs prompts)

44:22 Final Thoughts

The JR Ward Conspiracy Corner

  • Is Crown of War and Shadow setting up a hidden connection to the Black Dagger Brotherhood universe?
  • “Scribe Virgin origin story” + lineage questions + clues we want to highlight and track
  • “Demons and spiders” getting highlighted for… no reason at all 😅

If you listened and immediately started building your own theory board… you’re our people. 💅

DM us or send a voice note: What was your top January read and do you think Ward is secretly tying this back to BDB?

Send a voice note: https://www.speakpipe.com/UndertheCovers


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
9 May 2025 Romance Book Releases to Add to Your TBR [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:25
It’s Taurus season, tourist season, and officially time to restock your romance TBR! In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, Francesca is sharing 9 must-read May 2025 romance book releases that hit all the right vib…
New Romance Book Releases: April 28–May 4, 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:06
This week’s romance new releases are serving everything — from slow-burn romantasy and broody royal guards to a morbidly funny serial killer office fling and a Caribbean vacation that gets very hot.In this episode of Rea…
Love on Location: Paranormal Romance Books Set in New Orleans [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:29
If you love vampires that smolder, weather witches who flirt, and dragons hiding in the bayou, this episode is for you!Today on Reading Under the Covers, we're heading to one of the most magical and mysterious paranormal…
Trope Talk: Fated Mates in Paranormal, Fantasy & Sci-Fi Romance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:27
Welcome to another Trope Talk episode of Reading Under the Covers, the romance podcast where we fangirl and maybe even swoon over our favorite reads. I'm Francesca from Under the Covers Book Blog, and today we’re diving…
5 Swoony Romance Books Set on a Farm | Love on Location [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:06
We’re kicking off the Love on Location series with one of the coziest settings in romance: the farm. Whether you love grumpy farmers, marriage of convenience, or a good old-fashioned small town meddling committee—this ep…