NOVLtea Podcast

Savannah and Bill sit down to discuss their favorite summer reading and how the Atlantic restores their powers! 🏖️ This episode of NOVLtea is sponsored by Blue Beach by Karyn Parsons. It's 1929 and Blue Collins's parents own the only Black beach in Santa Monica. When she and her friend Ben find the body of Dottie Whitehouse, a white debutante, they know the find will put the beach and their whole community at risk. In a panic, they move Dottie's body into the waters near the white beach, but when her body washes ashore, all eyes are on Ben. This gripping historical mystery is perfect for fans of Promise Boys and the perfect sponsor for this episode, because not only is it beachy, but it's the perfect read if you love a good thriller for summer. You can listen to a five minute preview of the audiobook at the end of this episode!

Andie and Savannah sit down to discuss the age old debate—is it romantasy, or is it actually romantic fantasy? This episode of NOVLtea is sponsored by Kissed by the Gods by Caty Rogan! This book is about to be your next romantasy obsession. Leina has spent a lifetime submitting, starving among wheat fields reserved for the king, standing by while his men crush her loved ones. When soldiers come for her brother, her divine fury erupts in a bloody massacre. She expects to be executed for her crimes, but instead a gift from a goddess drags Leina into a realm of war, where her survival depends on her ability to ride a winged horse and master a power she never asked for. Throw in a gods-blessed warrior by the name of Ryot who is assigned to help her master the divine power gifted to her, and you have the recipe for a perfect romantasy. Listen to the end of the episode for a five-minute preview of the audiobook!

So you want to work in publishing... Isabella, Maggie, and Savannah sit down to chat about why they chose the book industry and what it's actually like to be new to publishing! This episode of NOVLtea is sponsored by How the Other Half Die by P. C. Roscoe! If you are jonesing for more of The White Lotus, this is your next read! It's a steamy thriller set on a private Caribbean island where the ultrawealthy vacation, and it's full of sun, schemes, scandals - and of course murder! Perfect for fans of Holly Jackson, this is a beach read not to be missed!

Savannah and Stef gab about the greatness of graphic novels in this episode of NOVLtea! This episode of NOVLtea is sponsored by To Deal with Kings by M.K. Lobb. In this sequel to To Steal from Thieves, Zaria and Kane, alchemologist and con man, must team up again to stay out of jail as new threats arise and rival kingpins clash throughout London's slums. The two of them are a match made in hell, but their complicated feelings of attraction might ruin everything. You guys know I love To Steal from Thieves and the sequel is EVEN. BETTER. Wait until the end of the episode for a five-minute preview of the audiobook!

It's romance bracket time! Savannah and Isabella sit down to pull their favorite romantic sub-genres from the iconic NOVLtea cup! This episode of NOVLtea is sponsored by The Cursed Queen's Daughter by Elly Blake. In this darkly romantic companion to The Forest King's Daughter, a warrior princess finds herself in a strange shadow land where danger and secrets hide around every corner—and a mysterious shadow prince stands between her and the truth. You guys know I LOVE The Forest King's Daughter, and this new book is… dare I say it? Even better! Listen to the end of the episode for a five-minute audiobook preview.

Savannah and Maggie get together to chat unexpected sequels, series that go off the rails, and the sequels they're adding to their TBRs for 2026!   How perfect that this episode is sponsored by an amazing sequel! This episode of NOVLtea is sponsored by Royal Liars by Lindsey Duga! Royal Liars is the sequel to the glamorous and gossip-fueled Royal Heirs Academy where four teens must compete to inherit a European kingdom while at their elite boarding school! If you have not read the first book, go do that now! It's SO GOOD, it's like Elite meets American Royals.  And in this amazing sequel, our four royals must team up to defend their school from an unknown threat, risking their futures and their hearts in the process! You can listen to a five minute audiobook preview of Royal Liars at the end of this episode - but if you have not read Royal Heirs Academy, go do that first!!

Reading Wrapped is back! Savannah and Emilie sit down to discuss their annual reading goals and reading aspirations for 2026. Em read over a hundred books and Savannah read at least twelve! This episode of NOVLtea is sponsored by Dire Bound by Sable Sorensen! Fourth Wing meets The Hunger Games in this spicy, page-turning romantasy where humans and direwolves forge unbreakable bonds and fight for survival at all costs. Again, you guys know I love this book because I cannot shut UP about it! The audiobook is truly excellent. The dual narration is incredible, so make sure you stay until the end of the episode for a five-minute preview of the audiobook!

Today's very special guest is R.M. Gray, author of Starchaser, the thrilling, romantic, and action-packed sequel to the New York Times bestselling Nightweaver. Savannah and R.M. dive into self-publishing vs. traditional publishing, the inspiration behind Nightweaver's magical world, and—after fair warning—some not-so-spoiler-free antics from the end of book one.   This episode of NOVLtea is sponsored by The Wicked Lies of Habren Faire by Anna Fiteni. Fans of The Cruel Prince rejoice—this is your next read! The Wicked Lies of Habren Faire is an enchanting fairytale about a girl who must strike a dangerous bargain with a fae prince in order to find her missing sister. It's full of Welsh folklore, devious fairies, and a female main character with a tongue as sharp as her wit. I read this in one sitting and I full on WEPT, people. Wait until the end of this episode for a five-minute preview of the audiobook!

It's officially spooky season and we are READY! Savannah and Andie play a game to find which horror books will land on their bracket, with a bit of friendly competition along the way. This episode of NOVL tea is sponsored by Hekate by Nikita Gill. You already KNOW how much we adore this book. It is a downright gorgeous and lyrical retelling of the Greek myth and is set almost entirely in the underworld, which coincidentally makes it another wonderfully spooky read for this season. Listen to the end of the episode for a five minute preview of the audiobook! 

Savannah goes full fan-girl for Twilight, talking to the designers for each of the 20th anniversary special editions! Savannah starts by talking to Prashansa Thapa about her work on the 20th anniversary paperback, then she'll be speaking with Jenny Kimura about her work on the Collector's Edition. Finally, she'll be speaking to friend of the podcast and returning champion Karina Granda about her work on the Deluxe hardcover box set!  This episode of NOVL tea is sponsored by Bitten by Jordan Stephanie Gray. If you've been listening to the podcast, you'll know we are OBSESSED with this book. And it's very appropriate for this episode because Bitten is like if Twilight and The Cruel Prince had a baby. It's a fast-paced and romantic read in which a teenage girl must survive ruthless werewolves, a glittering court, and deadly politics to exact revenge on the monsters who destroyed her life. Listen to the end of the episode for a five minute preview of the audiobook! 

Today we have a very special guest: the one and only Jennifer Lynn Barnes! You may know her as the author of incredible books like The Inheritance Games series and The Naturals series, but did you know she also has a doctorate in developmental psychology from Yale University, she has advanced degrees in psychology, psychiatry, and cognitive science, AND she was a Fulbright Scholar at Cambridge University! She was a professor of both psychology and professional writing at the University of Oklahoma before switching to writing full time. While a member of the academy, Jennifer's research focused on the psychology of stories and storytelling, seeking answers to why we as humans are so attracted to fiction, and using those theories to help drive her writing! We have the pleasure of sitting down with Jennifer to discuss her research, her writing, and maybe just give some of you aspiring writers out there some tips and tricks! This episode of NOVLtea is sponsored by A Beautiful and Terrible Murder by Claire M. Andrews! This historical murder mystery follows the cunning Irene Adler as she teams up with the mysterious Sherlock Holmes to discover who is murdering Oxford's elite students in the All Souls class! Returning listeners may recognize this book as I have been raving about it for a hot minute, plus I absolutely adore Claire's first trilogy, the Daughter of Sparta series! This book is also perfect for fans of Jennifer Lynn Barnes! So listen until the end of the episode for a five-minute preview of the audiobook!

Stef and Savannah, two very proud Leos, bring you the books and the characters with the most Leo energy in the most Leo way possible! Oh, did I mention they're Leos? Just reminding you in case you forgot.  This episode of NOVLtea is sponsored by The Grandest Game by Jennifer Lynn Barnes! Okay, you guys know the drill! We love Jennifer Lynn Barnes and her Inheritance Games Saga! Get caught up in the puzzles, games, danger, romance, and riches of this lush new chapter of this stunning series! In an annual puzzle competition to win fame and fortune, seven players will compete! Some are in it for the money, some for power, and some even for revenge! Listen to the end of this episode for a five minute preview of the audiobook!

It's HOT VAMPIRE SUMMER y'all! We've decided, and you can't change our minds. Savannah and Andie sit down to talk hot vampire books in honor of Twilight's 20th Anniversary and the resurgence of vampire media we've been seeing!  This episode of NOVLtea is sponsored by The Singular Life of Aria Patel by Samira Ahmed! For fans of You've Reached Sam and See You Yesterday, this captivating and mind-bending second-chance romance explores what it means to love—even across the multiverse. Returning listeners will know we love Samira Ahmed, and this is easily her most romantic novel yet, so listen to the end of the episode for a five minute preview of the audiobook!

Savannah and Em sit down to discuss mood reading vs. roster reading! They reveal whether they follow a strict reading list or if they keep things more loose and Savannah once again horrifies Em by the number of unread books on her shelf – and how long they've been there! This episode of NOVLtea is sponsored by When We Go Missing by April Henry. If you listen to the show regularly, you know we love an April Henry thriller and this one is no exception! When Seventeen-year-old Willow stumbles upon a lost memory card, it's filled with hundreds of photos of teenage girls - and some of them look terrified. When Willow learns that some of the girls on the card have gone missing, she thinks the unknown photographer may just be a serial killer. But how can she make anyone believe her? And how can she find the killer before he finds her? Listen to the end of this episode for a five minute preview of the audiobook!   

Savannah and Bill sit down to discuss springtime reading as inspired by an unseasonably lovely Saturday in New York City! Some people have spring cleaning, here at NOVL we have spring reading! This episode of NOVLtea is sponsored by To Steal From Thieves by M.K. Lobb! In this high-stakes heist novel set in a fantasy Victorian version of London full of illegal magic and underground gangs, an alchemologist and a con man team up to steal a rare necklace from The Great Exhibition—but complicated feelings of attraction and deception threaten to destroy everything and everyone they love! This book is perfect for fans of Alexandra Bracken and Judy I. Lin, and you can listen to the end of the episode for a five-minute preview of the audiobook!

Ever wondered what it's like self-publishing a book? What about self-publishing a book, and then having it get picked up by a traditional publisher? Well that's exactly what Logan Karlie did when publishing Dream by the Shadows, a spellbinding read about a shadows-cursed girl, a trapped prince, and the terrifying dream world they will need to navigate to save themselves - and possibly the world! Savannah sat down with Logan to talk all about the book and what its like going from self-publishing to traditional publishing! This episode of NOVLtea is sponsored by In the Company of Killers by Elora Cook! Mafia romance meets Gossip Girl in the edge-of-your-seat drama about a teenage mafia heiress who would do anything to avenge her family - even join forces with her handsome enemy! It's glitzy, glamorous, perfect for fans of second-chance-rivals-to-lovers romance, and of course full of action and back-stabbing, with double crosses that will keep you guessing until the very last page! Long time listeners have probably already heard me wax poetic about this one because I love it! So listen until the end of the episode for a five-minute preview!

Savannah and Stef sit down to talk some of their favorite romance reads and tropes!  This episode of NOVLtea is sponsored by Nightweaver by R. M. Gray. Filled with elemental magic, forbidden romance, and breathtaking twists, Nightweaver is a propulsive romantasy about an iron-willed heroine avenging her brother and discovering her destiny—perfect for fans of Powerless and Heartless Hunter. Six-hundred years ago, monsters known as Nightweavers claimed the continents for their own, forcing humanity onto the seas. Aster Oberon and her family have made their lives as pirates upon the waves, but when her brother is killed by a Nightweaver in a raid, Aster finds herself amongst the monsters of her worst nightmares. But it turns out Nightweavers are not as she's been told - and when a handsome Nightweaver named Will offers the Oberons protection and work at his opulent estate, she'll have to discover the truth of the Nightweavers and discover the real enemies hiding in the shadows.

Savannah and Andie sit down to discuss fantasy reads... but with a twist! They'll be building a tbr bracket based on the fantasy books they pull out of THE CUP OF FATE! And of course there will be stealing and trading and all sorts of shenanigans!  This episode of NOVLtea is sponsored by The Forest King's Daughter by Elly Blake! You may recognize Elly Blake as the New York Times bestselling author of The Frostblood Saga - well she's back with an all new fantasy series full of enemies-to-forbidden-lovers romance perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Holly Black! Set among the bloodred trees of the Thirstwood, a young forest princess and and a lonely demon boy become friends before being ripped apart and made enemies by war. When the two are brought together once more by fate, their old friendship slowly rekindles into something more... but will fate rip them apart once more? You can listen to a five minute preview of the audiobook at the end of this episode!

Savannah and Em sit down to discuss their end-of-year reading goals and (spoiler alert) Savannah is nowhere near to finishing. But she will prevail with hope and possibly some very short novellas!  This episode of NOVLtea is sponsored by Truth, Lies, and the Questions in Between by L. M. Elliott! Patty Appleton is making history. As one of the Senate's first female Congressional Pages, she's not only paving the way for other politically minded girls, she has a front-row seat to debates dividing the nation, especially around women's rights and roles. This timely exploration of 1973—the year of Watergate hearings, the Equal Rights Amendment, and Roe v. Wade—unfolds through the story of a young woman driven to question everything as she learns to think for, and rely on, herself. Listen to the end of the episode for a five minute preview of the audiobook!

Savannah and Alice sit down to debate whether they prefer a "prose-y" lyrical read or a plot-heavy edge-of-your-seat book. Spoiler alert: they love both!  This episode of NOVLtea is sponsored by The Wild Huntress by Emily Lloyd-Jones! From the bestselling author of The Bone Houses and The Drowned Woods comes a thrilling fantasy about three unlikely allies bound together in a deadly, magical competition—perfect for fans of Holly Black and Erin A. Craig. Now, if you're familiar with Emily's previous books The Bone Houses and The Drowned Woods, you'll know this book is set in the same mysterious, Welsh-myth inspired world, but follows a story all its own! They are all stand-alones that tell their own stories with easter eggs for returning fans, which means you don't have to read them in any particular order! You can start with The Wild Huntress and then read the rest, or vice versa! It's a read that combines beautiful, lyrical prose, with thrilling plot, making it the perfect sponsor for this episode! Listen to the end of the episode for a five minute preview of the audiobook!

In this episode of NOVLtea, Savannah sits down with Alex Hightower, Senior Editor at Little, Brown Young Readers! They talk about some of the books Alex has worked on, including Kerri Maniscalco's Kingdom of the Wicked series, So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole, Nightweaver by R. M. Gray, and Audre & Bash are Just Friends by Tia Williams! Plus you'll get some insight as to what she looks for in a manuscript!  This episode of NOVLtea is sponsored by The Girl in Question by Tess Sharpe! This is the absolutely unmissable, thrilling follow-up to the New York Times bestselling The Girls I've Been! High school is over, but Nora O'Malley's life isn't, which is strange now that her murderous stepdad Raymond is free. Determined to enjoy summer before her (possibly) imminent demise, Nora plans a backpacking trip. But when one of her friends is taken - mistaken for her - Nora will have to face off against the dangerous man who's haunted her life. Listen to the end of the episode for a five minute preview of the audiobook!

In this episode of NOVLtea, Bill and Savannah breakdown all things The Inheritance Games saga by Jennifer Lynn Barnes! We learn who their favorite characters are (spoiler, they're not who you might think!) and they map out their predictions for the next book. Let's be honest though, they're probably wrong.  This episode of NOVLtea is sponsored by Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma! The Cruel Prince meets Ninth House in this dangerously romantic dark academia fantasy, where a lost heiress must infiltrate an arcane society and live with the handsome vampire she suspects killed her family and kidnapped her sister! You've probably heard about us gush over this book on the podcast before, and now you can finally read it too! Listen to the end of the episode for a five minute preview of the audiobook!

Stef and Savannah talk about the Belladonna series by Adalyn Grace! Stef chooses a favorite book from the series and Savannah tries (and fails) to choose a fave!  This episode of NOVLtea is sponsored by The Brightwood Code by Monica Hesse! This breathless, haunting, and rich historical mystery follows Edda, who has returned from the front lines of World War I. She was one of a hundred "Hello Girls," female switchboard operators employed by the US Army. Now back in Washington D.C. Edda is haunted by her memories of the front and her mistake that cost men their lives. When she receives a panicked phone call uttering the fateful code word "Brightwood," Edda will be forced to confront her past and uncover what secrets may have followed her from the front. Listen to the end of the episode for a five minute preview of the audiobook!

Savannah and Andie talk all things thriller! And they both add to their already heniously long TBRs... what else is new?  This episode of NOVLtea is sponsored by How to Die Famous by Benjamin Dean! For fans of Little White Lies and Two Can Keep a Secret, this is an addictive thriller about a budding teen celebrity secretly investigating his brother's suspicious death while navigating the highs and lows of fame. Will he be able to uncover the killer in a world where everyone has a secret to hide? Or will he be the next victim caught in the cross hairs? Listen until the end of this episode for a five-minute preview of the audiobook!

Bill and Stef debate the merits of standalone novels vs. series in an effort to figure out which is best! Spoiler alert: they're both excellent!  This episode of NOVLtea is sponsored by Heiress Takes All by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka! The Inheritance Games meets Ocean's 11 in this thrilling adventure about a teenager determined to pull off the perfect revenge heist in the middle of her father's wedding! But will nosy wedding guests, interfering ex-boyfriends, greedy European cousins, or a vengeful second wife ruin her plan? Listen until the end of the episode for a five minute preview of the audiobook!

Savannah and Alice sit down to discuss beach reads and Alice admits to committing some heinous acts against books! Send all your hate comments to @thenovl (but actually, please don't). This episode of NOVLtea is sponsored by This Book Won't Burn by Samira Ahmed! From the New York Times bestselling author of Internment comes a timely and gripping social-suspense novel about book banning, activism, and standing up for what you believe. Noor Khan, reeling from her father's abandonment and a sudden move, is forced to start the last quarter of her senior year at a new school. She's certain that the key to survival is just keeping her head down, but when she discovers hundreds of books have been labeled "obscene" and are being removed from the library, she can't just sit back and do nothing. But challenging the status quo will put a target on her back, and small-town politics and small-town love, might just be her downfall. Listen until the end of the episode for a five minute preview of the audiobook!

Savannah sits down with Megan Tingley, President and Publisher of Little, Brown Young Readers! As Publisher, she oversees the acquisition and publication (including editorial, design, marketing, and publicity) of all our books here at LBYR. She is also the editor behind many, many classics including The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer!  This episode of NOVLtea is sponsored by No Going Back by Patrick Fores-Scott! In this tour-de-force about one teen's quest for redemption, Antonio is determined to make amends to the people he hurt most – even if it means breaking the terms of his early release from juvenile detention. Told at a fever pitch over the course of a weekend, this absorbing coming of age novel explores what it means to right past wrongs in the face of adversity. Listen until the end of the episode for a five minute preview of the audiobook. 

Savannah and Bill sit down and talk Holly Black's books in honor of The Prisoner's Throne!  And boy do they have thoughts! You can hear Savannah talk about why Madoc is her favorite character and judge her accordingly.  This episode of NOVLtea is sponsored by Six Truths and a Lie by Ream Shukairy! In this thrilling and heart-wrenching novel, six Muslim teens are falsely accused of a deadly attack. Caught in a political game that will pit them against one another, they will have to choose: frame each other to guarantee their own independence, or expose their secrets to earn back freedom for all of them. Listen until the end of the episode for a five minute preview of the audiobook. 

Savannah and Alice sit down to talk about their favorite reads centering friendship! And this time, Alice does NOT mistake a classic work of literature with a mid-2000's tv show! This episode of NOVLtea is sponsored by Seven Faceless Saints by M. K. Lobb! In this dark fantasy with a murder-mystery twist, saints and their disciples rule with terrifying power. Follow Rossana, a disciple of Patience with a determination to bring down the unjust system ruling her city, and Damian, a boy with deep scars from fighting in an unending war, and their race against a killer. Listen until the end of the episode for a five minute preview of the audiobook! And if you love Seven Faceless Saints, don't miss its sequel Disciples of Chaos!

Savannah and Andie discuss their favorite genre: fantasy! And there's a little escalation, in a fun, unhinged sort of way!  This episode of NOVLtea is sponsored by So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole! Whip-smart and immersive, this Jamaican-inspired fantasy follows a gods-blessed heroine who's forced to choose between saving her sister or protecting her homeland—perfect for fans of Iron Widow and The Priory of the Orange Tree. Listen to the end of this episode for a five minute preview of the audiobook, and you can find So Let Them Burn wherever books are sold!

Savannah and Em sit down to discuss their reading goals for the past year (and if they made them), and Savannah reveals the truth about the secret bookshelf in her closet. This episode of NOVLtea is sponsored by Only She Came Back by Margot Harrison! A chilling thriller about an unlikely friendship between a true-crime fan and a former high school classmate suspected of murdering her influencer boyfriend, perfect for fans of Holly Jackson and Courtney Summers. Get a five minute preview of the audiobook at the end of this episode, and you can find Only She Came Back wherever books are sold!

Savannah sits down to talk with Kamilah Cole, professional publishing person and author of So Let Them Burn! Get a sneak peek at the book and Kamilah's writing process, and hear what it's like working in publishing and becoming an author! 

Savannah and Andie sit down and talk NOVL Booktober, a celebration of all things Halloween reading for the whole month of October! If you need a spooky or scary book recommendation, here is your one stop shop! 

Savannah and Hannah sit down to talk all about book publicity, plus some helpful hints for anyone interested in breaking into the publishing world! 

Bill and Savannah sit down to discuss all the summer blockbusters out this year, particularly the long awaited Foxglove by Adalyn Grace and The Brothers Hawthorne by Jennifer Lynn Barnes! Plus, you'll get some recs for upcoming blockbusters coming to a bookstore near you soon!

Savannah sits down with Karina Granda, Art Director at Little, Brown Young Readers and the designer behind The Inheritance Games, Holly Black's The Cruel Prince and the rest of the Folk of the Air series, and so many more fabulous covers! They'll get into the nitty gritty of cover design and Karina shares the stories behind beloved book covers! 

Savannah and Alice sit down to chat about love triangles - what they love about them, what they hate about them, and everything in between!

Savannah sits down with Alvina Ling, Editor-in-Chief at Little, Brown Young Readers and editor behind Holly Black's Folk of the Air series and The Stolen Heir duology – along with the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy by Laini Taylor, An Arrow to the Moon by Emily X.R. Pan, Hollow Fires by Samira Ahmed, Chris Colfer's Land of Stories, The Wild Robot by Peter Brown and many Grace Lin books including Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and A Big Mooncake for Little Star.

Savannah and Stef sit down to talk prom season in honor of Promposal by RaeChell Garrett!

Welcome to NOVLtea: A monthly talk show where we spill the tea on bookish topics!