Read Me Next Podcast

In this episode of "Read Me Next," Carina and Pili discuss  Elsie Silver’s Wild Love and Wild Eyes. They uncover the irresistible charm of Elsie Silver’s small-town series. From a single dad donating sperm to a goth preteen to a celebrity actress escaping her past, these stories deliver humor, heartbreak, and heartwarming bonds that redefine romance. Elsie writes supporting characters who steal the show, like quirky Cora and West’s hilarious antics, as well as the powerful themes of mental health and broken trust. They learn why Elsie Silver’s characters are more than just romance—they’re reflections of real life struggles and triumphs.

n this episode of "Read Me Next," Carina and Pili discuss "Part of Your World" by Abby Jimenez. They express mixed feelings about the book, noting that while it had potential, it fell short in some areas. TThe hosts critique Alexis's character, finding her unlikable and her actions frustrating, especially in her relationship with Daniel. Despite the book's shortcomings, they appreciate the humor and small-town charm, particularly the character of Daniel and his acts of service. The episode concludes with anticipation for future reads and reflections on the emotional journey of the book.

In this episode of 'Read Me Next', Carina and Pili dive into Twisted Pawn by LJ Shen, the second book in the Society of Villains series. They discuss the rollercoaster plot, character dynamics, and their mixed feelings about the book's pacing compared to its predecessor, Bad Bishop. The hosts explore themes of dark romance, enemies-to-lovers, and second chances, while sharing their thoughts on the book's controversial scenes and character development. They also speculate on future books in the series, expressing excitement for upcoming releases and plot twists. The episode is filled with humor, candid opinions, and a deep dive into the world of mafia romance.

In this episode of 'Read Me Next', Carina and Pili dive into the wild journey through LJ Shen’s masterpiece Bad Bishop, a rollercoaster of violence, love, betrayal, and unbreakable bonds. We unraveled how a deceptively innocent 18-year-old girl, Lila, finds herself entangled in a brutal world of organized crime, arranged marriages, and dark secrets. From her faked intellectual disability to her fierce intelligence lurking beneath innocence, her character challenges every stereotype of the mafia princess trope. Meanwhile, Tiernan, the Irish mafia boss with a deadly past and a soft spot for her, is the king we all secretly root for—jealous, obsessive, protective, and devastatingly charming.

In this episode of 'Read Me Next', hosts Carina and Pili discuss "Game On" by Navessa Allen, the third book in the 'Into Darkness' series. They share their mixed feelings about the book, noting that while it was highly anticipated, it didn't quite meet their expectations. They critique the lack of depth in both the plot and character development, particularly noting the inconsistent personalities of the characters. The episode also touches on the book's spicy scenes, the narrators of the audiobook, and the hosts' differing opinions compared to other readers on Goodreads. Despite their criticisms, they appreciate certain aspects like the humor and the audiobook's additional chapters.

In this episode of 'Read Me Next', Carina and Pili dive into the book series by Rebecca Yarros, discussing "Iron Flame" and "Onyx Storm." They explore the plot twists, character developments, and emotional highs and lows of the series. The hosts share their ratings and favorite moments, including the intense battles, romantic confessions, and the complex dynamics between characters like Xaden and Violet. They also delve into fan theories and reviews, highlighting the passionate reactions from readers. The episode captures the excitement and emotional rollercoaster of the series, leaving listeners eager for more.

In this episode of 'Read Me Next', Carina and Pili discuss their latest book club pick, "Fourth Wing" by Rebecca Yarros. They express their excitement and enjoyment of the book, highlighting its engaging plot, action, and character dynamics. The hosts delve into the book's fantasy elements, including dragons and magic, and share their personal ratings and emotional reactions. They discuss the book's characters, plot twists, and the immersive experience of reading and listening to the audiobook. The episode concludes with a lively discussion of favorite and least favorite parts, character analysis, and anticipation for the next book in the series.

Join Carina and Pili on this episode of 'Read Me Next' as they review and roast two romance novels, 'Deep End' and 'Fix Her Up'. They share hilarious insights, character critiques, and their honest ratings, revealing what works and what doesn't in these stories.

In this lively episode of 'Read Me Next', Carina and Pili dive into "In Her Own League" by Liz Tomforde, a refreshing change of pace from their previous reads. They discuss the book's engaging tropes, including workplace and sports romance, and share their enthusiasm for the characters, particularly Monty and Reese. The hosts highlight the book's humor, banter, and the chemistry between the characters, emphasizing Monty's charm and the couple's dynamic. They also touch on themes of empowerment, respect, and the challenges faced by Reese as a female owner in a male-dominated industry. The episode is filled with laughter, admiration for the book's writing, and anticipation for future releases by the author.

This episode of 'Read Me Next', Carina and Pili explores the intense and dark trilogy 'Edge of Darkness' by Leigh Rivers, delving into themes of trauma, dark romance, and redemption. Join us as we unpack the complex characters, shocking plot twists, and emotional rollercoaster of this gripping series.

In this episode of 'Read Me Next', Carina and Pili discuss Emily Henry's 'Great Big Beautiful Life,' exploring its themes, character dynamics, and the unexpected twists in the plot. They share their thoughts on the book's reception, the romance (or lack thereof), and how it compares to other works by the author. The conversation also touches on their next book club pick, 'Fourth Wing,' and the excitement surrounding it.

In this episode of 'Read Me Next', Carina and Pili dive deep into Abby Jimenez's contemporary romance novel, 'Say You'll Remember Me.' They discuss the emotional depth of the story, the character dynamics, and the challenges of long-distance relationships. The hosts share their personal reactions, highlighting the humor and poignant moments throughout the book. They also engage in a book club-style discussion, exploring themes of family dynamics, caregiving, and the impact of memory on identity. The episode concludes with reader reactions and reviews, emphasizing the book's emotional resonance and relatability.

On this episode of 'Read Me Next', Carina and Pili dive into Christina Lauren’s "The Unhoneymooners," exploring how miscommunication and tiny lies fuel this hilarious and heartfelt romcom. Discover the magic behind a fake marriage turned real, chaotic family dynamics, and a hero who’s as charming as he is romantic. This episode breaks down the enemies-to-lovers trope, fake engagements, and why bold communication is key to lasting love.

In this episode of 'Read Me Next', Carina and Pili dive into a lively discussion on Heated Rivalry, a popular contemporary romance novel turned hit TV show. They explore the differences between book and show, their favorite moments, character dynamics, and the emotional ride that this series offers for fans of slow burns, enemies to lovers, and hockey romances.

On this episode of 'Read Me Next', Carina and Pili dive into a heartfelt exploration of human emotions, relationships, and self-discovery with their first book club pick of the year. They analyze the themes, characters, and emotional moments that make this novel a thought-provoking read.

In this episode of 'Read Me Next', Carina and Pili dive into a lively discussion about the book 'People We Meet On Vacation' by Emily Henry. They explore the themes of friendship, romance, and emotional depth, while also sharing their thoughts on the writing style and character dynamics. The conversation is filled with humor, relatable moments, and emotional insights, culminating in their excitement for the upcoming movie adaptation. They also review Goodreads feedback, highlighting the book's impact on readers.

In this episode of 'Read Me Next', Carina and Pili dive deep into the Legacy of God series by Rena Kent, discussing the final two books, 'God of Fury' and 'God of War.' They explore character dynamics, plot twists, and their personal ratings of the characters, both male and female. The conversation highlights memorable moments, emotional arcs, and the overall impact of the series, culminating in a ranking of the characters based on their development and storylines. In this conversation, Carina and Pili delve into the humorous and emotional aspects of a book series, discussing character development, parenting challenges, and the dynamics of relationships within a mafia context. They share their thoughts on the characters' growth, the humor found in parenting, and the emotional depth of the story, while also critiquing the plot's confusion and the characters' actions. The discussion highlights their personal preferences in reading and their excitement for future dark romance series.

In this episode of 'Read Me Next', Carina and Pili dive deep into the Legacy of God series by Rina Kent, discussing the intricacies of the characters and the plots of 'God of Wrath' and 'God of Ruin'. They explore themes of dark romance, jealousy, and character development while sharing their personal ratings and thoughts on the books. The conversation also touches on reader reviews, highlighting both positive and negative feedback, and ends with excitement for the upcoming books in the series.

In this episode of 'Read Me Next', Carina and Pili dive into the "Legacy of Gods" series by Rina Kent, focusing on the first two books. They discuss the dark romance themes, character dynamics, and plot twists, particularly highlighting the intense relationships and the mafia backdrop. The hosts share their thoughts on the characters' development, the series' intricate family ties, and their predictions for future books. They also touch on the audiobook experience and the series' reception on platforms like Goodreads, noting the mixed reviews and the appeal of morally complex characters.

In this episode of 'Read Me Next', Carina and Pili reflect on their podcast journey, celebrate their favorite books of 2025 with various awards, and share hilarious bloopers from their recording sessions. They discuss their top book picks, including memorable characters and plot twists, while also looking forward to the exciting reads of 2026. The episode is filled with laughter, insights, and a fun drinking game that adds to the chaos.

In this episode, Carina and Pili dive into the Naughty or Nice series by Alta Hensley, discussing the unique blend of Christmas themes and dark romance. They explore character dynamics, ratings, and the contrasting elements of the two books in the series. The conversation also touches on the Goodreads reviews, providing insights into reader perceptions and the overall reception of the books. With humor and candid opinions, the hosts create an engaging discussion about holiday reading and the complexities of romance novels.

In this episode of 'Read Me Next,' Carina and Pili dive into the Cane Brothers series by Meghan Quinn, discussing the interconnected standalone books featuring billionaire romances. They explore the dynamics between the characters, the humor, and the engaging writing style. The hosts share their ratings and thoughts on the series' tropes, character development, and memorable scenes, including the infamous shower scene. They also touch on the series' themes of friendship, love, and personal growth, while highlighting the comedic elements that make the books a delightful read.

In this episode of 'Read Me Next', Carina and Pili dive into the dark romance novel 'Rook and Rebel' by Kate Crew. They discuss the book's themes, character dynamics, and the various tropes present in the story. The conversation flows from their initial impressions to a detailed analysis of the characters, their relationships, and the emotional depth of the narrative. They also share their ratings and spice meters, and engage in a fun segment where they create their own dream biker crews, drawing from various characters in pop culture. The episode is filled with humor, insights, and a love for reading.

In this episode of 'Read Me Next', Carina and Pili dive into Punk 57 by Penelope Douglas — the chaos, the red flags, and all the messy teenage drama that makes was questionable. They also discuss their unforgettable high school memories. 

In this bonus episode of 'Read Me Next', Carina and Pili dive into the intricacies of 'Brimstone' by Callie Hart, exploring its connections to the previous book 'Quicksilver.' They discuss character dynamics, narrative challenges, and the overarching themes of love and betrayal. The conversation highlights the complexity of the plot, the anticipation for the next book, and the potential for adaptations, all while sharing fan reactions and personal insights.

In this episode of 'Read Me Next', Carina and Pili dive into the world of 'Quicksilver' by Callie Hart, exploring its themes, characters, and the unique blend of romance and fantasy known as romantasy. They discuss their experiences with the audiobook, the various tropes present in the story, and the emotional moments that resonated with them. The conversation also highlights the humor and character dynamics that make the book engaging, culminating in their final thoughts and ratings. They explore the plot, character arcs, and the emotional depth of the story, particularly focusing on the cliffhangers that set the stage for the sequel. The discussion also touches on the dynamics of the characters, the effectiveness of the audiobook format, and comparisons to ACOTAR, providing a comprehensive overview of the book's themes and reader experiences.

In this episode of 'Read Me Next', Carina and Pili dive deep into the Chestnut Spring series, discussing books four and five in detail. They explore the character dynamics, memorable moments, and their personal rankings of the characters, both male and female. The conversation is filled with excitement and emotional reflections on the characters' journeys, particularly focusing on the themes of love, growth, and the impact of past traumas. The hosts also share their favorite tropes and moments from the series, making it a must-listen for fans of romance novels. In this engaging conversation, Carina and Pili delve into the intricacies of relationships, character dynamics, and the humor found within their favorite book series. They explore the realities of parenthood, the growth and development of characters, and share their rankings of the books. The discussion also touches on their anticipation for future books and adaptations, creating a comprehensive overview of their reading journey.

In this episode of 'Read Me Next', Carina and Pili dive into the Chestnut Spring Series Books 1-3 by Elsie Silver, discussing their excitement for the romance genre after finishing a horror novel. They explore the characters, plotlines, and emotional depth of the series, particularly focusing on the first three books: Flawless, Heartless, and Powerless. The hosts share their thoughts on the narrative style, character dynamics, and the audiobook experience, while also making predictions for future books in the series. Their lively discussion highlights the relatable characters and engaging storytelling that make this series a must-read for romance fans.

In this episode of 'Read Me Next', Carina and Pili celebrate Halloween by discussing Stephen King's classic horror novel, The Shining. They share their initial impressions, character analyses, and the themes of isolation and madness that permeate the story. The conversation also delves into the differences between the book and its film adaptation, highlighting iconic moments and character developments. The episode concludes with reflections on their reading experience and future book club plans.

In this episode, Carina and Pili dive into the psychological thriller 'Look Closer' by David Ellis. They discuss the intricacies of the plot, character dynamics, and the unique narrative style that includes multiple points of view. The conversation highlights the book's twists and turns, the characters' motivations, and their overall impressions of the story. They also share their ratings and recommendations for readers interested in thrillers.

In this episode of 'Read Me Next', hosts Carina and Pili dive into the cozy romance novel 'Spice Cafe' by Laurie Gilmore. They discuss their experiences with the book, including its charming small-town vibes and the fast-paced romance between the characters. The hosts introduce a new rating scale for books, including a spice-o-meter to categorize the spicy moments. They also reflect on character dynamics, pacing, and share insights from Goodreads reviews. The episode concludes with light-hearted banter and a consensus that while 'Spice Cafe' is an enjoyable read, it may not be a standout in the genre.

In this episode of 'Read Me Next', hosts Carina and Pili dive into the psychological thriller 'Never Lie' by Frieda McFadden. They discuss the book's plot, character dynamics, and the unexpected twists that keep readers engaged. The conversation also touches on their experiences with the audiobook version, comparisons to other works by McFadden, and their thoughts on Goodreads reviews.

In this episode of the podcast, Carina and Pili dive into the world of dark romance, specifically discussing the 'Into Darkness' series by Navessa Allen. They reflect on their experiences with dark romances, comparing previous reads like 'Does It Hurt' to the current series. The conversation flows through character analyses, exploring the dynamics of relationships, and highlighting their book boyfriend of the week! They also share community reactions through Goodreads reviews and look forward to the upcoming third book in the series, discussing their expectations and excitement for future releases.

In this episode of Read Me Next, hosts Carina and Pili dive into the Lakefront Billionaires series by Lauren Asher, discussing the interconnected stories of love, rivalry, and personal growth among billionaire characters. They explore the themes of romance tropes such as enemies to lovers, grumpy sunshine, and fake engagements, while also addressing deeper issues like mental health and family dynamics. The conversation highlights memorable moments from the series and includes community reactions through Goodreads reviews, showcasing the emotional impact of the books.

In this episode of Read Me Next, hosts Carina and Pili dive into the Windy City series, a collection of five interconnected sports romance novels. They discuss each book's plot, characters, and themes, sharing their personal rankings and emotional responses. The conversation highlights the relatable aspects of the characters, the humor in the narratives, and the emotional depth of the stories. They also touch on memorable moments from the series and provide insights into upcoming books by the author.