The Spicy Librarian Podcast

Summer is coming and so is our reading list- but no, they aren't all beach reads.  Think less chilled rosé on a sun lounger, more completely feral about fictional men and refusing to put books down until 3 am. We know summer makes people think of light and breezy reads- but this is the Spicy Librarian, so this is less of a Summer TBR and more a list of books we are really freaking excited to read this summer. From dark to dystopian, from romantasy to the genuinely bizarre- this is what we'll have our heads buried in for the next few months. Some fan favourites are back with second instalments we have been desperately waiting for, some stand alones have absolutely taken the world by storm, and somehow Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke ended up on the list and we are not explaining ourselves. We're diving into Dire Bound and Fury Bound by Sable Sorensen, losing our minds over Seek the Traitor's Son by Veronica Roth, and absolutely spiralling over Sour Fruit by Ahana Virdi- and that is just the beginning. If your TBR is already suffering, we are so sorry. We are not sorry. Perfect for fans of: BookTok, spicy books, book recommendations, spicy podcast Books discussed: Magnolia Parks by Jess Hastings Broken Bonds by J Bree Shark Heart by Emily Habeck Nightshade & Daybreak by Autumn Woods Blood Orange by Harriet Tyce Dire Bound & Fury Bound by Sable Sorensen Honeysuckle by Bar Fridman-Tell Half City by Kate Golden Conform by Ariel Sullivan Of Flames and Fallacies by Courtney Whims When the Moon Hatched & Ballad of the Fallen Dragon by Sarah A. Parker Ruinous Creatures by Jessi Cole Jackson Seek the Traitor's Son by Veronica Roth Sour Fruit by Ahana Virdi In Her Own League by Liz Tomforde Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

You know that pain you feel when someone trashes your God Tier reads? Yeah. That's this episode. This week on Spicy Librarian we are facing it head-on- reading out the one-star reviews of our absolute five-star books and defending them to the community. Some of these reviewers had valid points. Some clearly had no idea what they were picking up. And some have a LOT of big feelings about books we would die for. As do we. We're going to bat for Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid, A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas, Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton, Feathers So Vicious by Liv Zander, A Ship of Bones and Teeth by Karina Halle, The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig, and Kiss of the Basilisk by Lindsay Straube — and we are not backing down without a fight. Is the criticism fair? Sometimes. Is it going to change how we feel about these books? Absolutely not. Come argue with us. Perfect for fans of: book discourse, one star reviews, Haunting Adeline, H.D. Carlton, A Court of Silver Flames, ACOTAR, Sarah J. Maas, Heated Rivalry, Rachel Reid, Feathers So Vicious, Liv Zander, A Ship of Bones and Teeth, Karina Halle, Kiss of the Basilisk, Lindsay Straube, Rachel Gillig, dark romance, romantasy, MM romance, spicy books, BookTok, book podcast Heated Rivalry- Rachel Reid A Court of Silver Flames- S.J. Mass Haunting Adeline- H. D Carlton Feather so Vicious- Liv Zander A Ship of Bones and Teeth- Karina Halle Night and the Moth- Rachel Gilling Kiss of the Basilisk- Lindsay Straube Blood Wing Academy- Briar Boleyn Poison Daughter- Shelia Masterson Collateral Damage- Stassi Shield of Sparrows / Rights of the Starling- Devney Perry I Got Abducted By Aliens, And Now I’m In A Rom-Com- Kimberly Lemming Wrath of an Exile- Monty Jay The Hollow Boys- Monty Jay The Wytchling Chronicles Basted- Abby Hunter

*Content Warning* We discuss themes of suicide, sexual violence and sexual assault within literary fiction. This week on Spicy Librarian, Dee and Katie are joined by the wildly unapologetic CJ Riggs for an episode that is chaotic, hilarious, and just a little bit feral—in the best possible way. CJ Riggs is redefining erotic horror, serving up stories that are equal parts spicy, disturbing, and completely unhinged. In this no-filter conversation, we dive headfirst into the deliciously dark world of erotic horror—what it is, why readers can’t get enough, and how CJ is gleefully pushing every boundary she can find (and then some). Expect unfiltered opinions, questionable tangents, lots of laughs, and behind-the-scenes insights into the life of an indie author doing things her own way. We also get the inside scoop on her current projects, what’s coming next, and how she plans to keep shocking—and hooking—readers. If you like your books dark, your conversations chaotic, and your authors completely unhinged… this one’s for you. Perfect for fans of: CJ Riggs, erotic horror, dark romance, indie authors, spicy horror, horror romance, book marketing, indie publishing, BookTok, author interviews, and beautifully chaotic energy. BOOKS MENTIONED RIP, Skeleton King - Charity B Harleigh Beck- Collected Works CJ Riggs- Collected Works Ignite- Melaine Harlow Heartless- Elsie Silver Flawless - Elsie Silver Wait With Me- Amy Daws Joe Hill Collected Works The Final Girls Support Group, How to Sell a Haunted House- Grady Hendrix  Intensity- Dean Koontz The Surgeon, The Apprentice- Tess Gerritsen

We said what we said. And we are not taking it back. This week on Spicy Librarian Podcast, Katie, Dee and backup, are doing something dangerous: sharing our most unpopular book opinions. The ones you whisper. The ones that get you cancelled in the group chat. We are saying them out loud, and we are standing by every single one. We're getting into to whether or not we want Xaden to die? Is Throne of Glass overhyped? Why are fated mates always resurrected? Do we want male models on our book covers, especially if we're going outside to read... ? Not everyone is getting a glowing review. Some of these are beloved. Some of these are untouchable. We touched them anyway. Do we feel bad? Absolutely not. Is this the most chaotic, most honest episode we've ever recorded? Genuinely yes. If your favourite book is on this list, we still love you. We just have thoughts. Perfect for fans of: book discourse, unpopular opinions, Fourth Wing, ACOTAR, Throne of Glass, Sarah J Maas, Rebecca Yarros, Callie Hart, Brimstone, Heated Rivalry, Rachel Reid, Under Your Scars, One Day, BookTok, dark romance, romantasy, spicy books, book podcast Books Mentioned Fourth Wing- Rebecca Yarros Throne of Glass- S.J. Maas ACOTAR- S. J. Maas One Day- David Nicholls Brimstone- Callie Hart Heated Rivalry- Rachel Reid Ben Alderson (Author Shout out) Under Your Scars- Ariel N Anderson

Three books. Three genres. One episode that has absolutely everything. This month's Spicy Librarian book club is serving a full course meal - we've got dark romance, romantasy, AND contemporary, and every single pick delivered. First up, Bloody Black by Rhiannon Hargadon - a pirate dark fantasy retelling of Blackbeard that we did not see coming for us but here we are. Feminine rage, revenge, a slow burn that respects the trauma, and a found family crew we would absolutely sail with. Morally grey and magnificently unhinged in all the right ways. Then we dive into The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen - the Greek gods romantasy that has taken over BookTok and rightfully so. Hades. A cursed nobody chosen as his champion. A deadly competition for the throne of Olympus. Enemies to lovers with world building that genuinely slaps. We have thoughts. Many thoughts. And finally, something a little softer for our hearts - The Dating Pact by Lulu Morris. A nurse. A very drunk, very famous actor. A fake dating arrangement that was never going to stay fake. Warm, funny, swoony, and exactly the palate cleanser we needed after the pirates and gods. This episode has range and we are not sorry about it. Perfect for fans of: dark romance, romantasy, contemporary romance, fake dating, enemies to lovers, Greek mythology, Hades romance, pirate romance, Rhiannon Hargadon, Abigail Owen, Lulu Morris, BookTok, spicy books, book club, slow burn, found family, spicy podcast Subscribe, leave us a review, and tell us - which of this month's picks are you adding to your TBR first? BOOKS DISCUSSED-  A Touch of Darkness- Scarlett St. Clair Crescent City- S.J. Maas God of Malice- Rina Kent Speak- Ruby M. Darling Stammer- Ruby M. Darling Black Throne J.T. Geisinger

It's giving green flag. Actually no. RED FLAG. Actually… both?? This week on Spicy Librarian we are settling the debate once and for all — because we are taking the most iconic romance tropes and deciding, definitively, whether they are a green flag or a red flag. And yes, things got heated. Enemies to lovers? Second chance romance? Instalove? The possessive MMC? We are going through them all, we are arguing about them, and absolutely nobody agreed on everything. This is the episode where our friendship was tested and we do not regret a single second of it. Whether you are a ride or die for the slow burn or you will defend age gap romance to your last breath — this episode is going to have you screaming at your phone. We want to know your flags too, so get in the comments and defend your tropes, besties. This is the most fun we have ever had and it shows. Subscribe, leave us a review, and tell us — what trope is an automatic green flag for you? And which one sends you running? Perfect for fans of: romance tropes, red flags green flags, enemies to lovers, second chance romance, slow burn, BookTok, dark romance, spicy books, instalove, why choose, romance podcast, book discussions, trope discourse, spicy librarian   BOOKS DISCUSSED-  Play Along- Liz Tomford Bull Rush- Maggie Rawdon Daggermouth- H. D. Wolfe  Zodiac Academy- Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti Little Stranger- Leigh Rivers  Speak- Ruby M. Darling  Games Gods Play- Abigail Owen  Bloody Black- Rhiannon Hargadon Dreamland Billionaires Series- Lauren Asher  Under Yours Scars- Ariel N. Anderson  

This week on Spicy Librarian, Dee and Katie are sitting down with the incredibly talented J Rose- UK indie author, dark romance queen, and the woman behind the internationally bestselling Blackwood Institute series. And yes, we are absolutely fangirling. J Rose writes challenging, plot-driven dark romance packed with angst, heartbreak, and broken characters fighting for their happily ever afters. As a passionate mental health advocate, she weaves realistic and powerful representation into gritty, emotional storylines; championing found family, fierce heroines, and love interests who are just as damaged as they are devoted. In this exclusive interview, we get into the Blackwood Institute universe, dark, twisty, why choose romance with morally grey antiheroes, a fierce scarred heroine, and plot twists that will absolutely ruin you, her expanding world of interconnected series, her current and upcoming projects, and what is coming next. We also dig into the world of why choose romance; what it is, why readers are completely obsessed, and why J Rose does it better than almost anyone in the game right now. If you haven't entered the Blackwood Institute yet, consider this your sign. And if you have - you already know. Perfect for fans of: J Rose, Blackwood Institute, why choose romance, dark romance, reverse harem, morally grey, found family, indie author spotlight, BookTok, dark romance podcast, UK authors, spicy books, broken characters

We need to talk. Because this episode went fully, completely, unapologetically off the rails — and we are not sorry.   The episode you have all been waiting for, we are talking about the most chaotic, feral, and genuinely WHAT DID I JUST READ books we have ever picked up. Dark romance lovers, morally grey girlies, and "I read the trigger warnings and said yes anyway" readers — this one is absolutely for you. We're shouting out Little Stranger by Leigh Rivers, That Sik Luv by Jescie Hall, Insatiable by Leigh Rivers, Open Wide by Jessica Gross, Lobster by Guillaume Lecasble, and Unhinged by Vera Valentine — and yes, we absolutely went there with every single one.   Oh, and because we cannot help ourselves — we also got into a full breakdown of exactly how many people were having sex on the Titanic before, during, and after impact. But was it relevant?  Yes. Did we spiral into a 20 minute tangent about it? Also yes. No regrets. This is the episode we were always going to make. We're just glad you're here for it. Make sure to update your TBR and tag us in what you’re reading next.   Perfect for fans of: dark romance, taboo romance, stalker romance, morally grey MMC, Leigh Rivers, Jescie Hall, spicy books, BookTok, unhinged reads, weird girl lit, sentient romance, spicy podcast

Your favourite chaotic book besties are back! There is so so much going on we can’t tell you fast enough, from book club and releasing new events and the fact we can’t keep books on the shelf for longer than 5 hours! Keep your eyes on our socials and stay close. Don't say we didn't warn you. 👀 We've also got exciting reads lined up for future book clubs that we can't spill on just yet — but trust us, your TBR is about to suffer beautifully. Now. Let's talk about Melting Point by Cici Williams. This month's book club pick had us in an absolute CHOKEHOLD. Set against the glittering chaos of the Winter Olympics in Italy, this best-friends-to-lovers, fake-dating slow burn follows snowboarder Sam Harrington and her lifelong best friend Finn — who just happens to have been secretly in love with her for years. When their team sponsorship falls through, they agree to fake a relationship to save everything. What could possibly go wrong? (Everything. Beautifully, deliciously everything.) And because we love you, we sat down with author Cici Williams herself for an exclusive interview- we talked the Olympics setting, the slow burn, THAT tension, everything in between AND the very exciting updates on what Cici is up next and very soon! This one is genuinely unmissable. Perfect for fans of: fake dating, best friends to lovers, slow burn romance, sports romance, contemporary romance, spicy books, BookTok, Melting Point, Cici Williams, winter romance, romantasy, spicy romance podcast

Are you obsessed with morally grey love interests, enemies-to-lovers slow burns, and magic systems that somehow make you feel things? You're in the right place. In this episode of Spicy Librarian, we're diving deep into the world of romantasy, where fantasy worldbuilding meets heart-racing romance, and unpacking what these stories really say about love, desire, and feminine rage. From fae courts to dragon riders, we're talking tropes, must-read recommendations, and why romantasy has completely taken over our bookshelves (and our hearts). Whether you're a longtime fantasy reader finally ready to embrace the romance, a die-hard romance fan stepping into magical new worlds, or you just finished Fourth Wing and don't know what to do with yourself — this episode is for you. In this episode we cover: Trending romantasy reads and authors to know, the relationship dynamics that make us feral, fantasy romance vs. romantasy. What's the difference?, and our top picks for every kind of reader. Perfect for fans of: Sarah J. Maas, Rebecca Yarros, booktok, bookstagram, fantasy romance, slow burn, spicy books, and enemies to lovers.

After the most chaotic week on record, we finally got to sit down and record in our brand new shop. The Spicy Librarian is officially open, up and running. Join D and Katie for a debrief of a chaotic, wholesome week and opening weekend! 

Join D and Katie this week as they talk all things dark romance- from the rise of dark romance as it takes its place in traditional publishing to the power in reclaiming the narrative, we explore what dark romance means to us. 

This week, join D and Katie as they discuss all things BookTok and Bookstagram, the good, the bad, and the ugly; from influencer culture to demystifying indie publishing, the trends we've all seen (and loved to) and our dream fancasts. Enjoy this joyful and chaotic discussion of online communities and why we're all here. 

Join us this week for our weekly catch-up and book club review of B. A. Pepper's Indie debut novel 'Daughter of Stone'

This week, D and Katie break down all things romance, chat all things sub-genres and tropes, their favourites and what's on the TBR for '26.   

Episode 1: Welcome to the first episode of The Spicy Librarian podcast! Join us as we discuss our top romance books for each month of 2025 and which book was voted Book of the Year by our online community