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  • 3.09. We Read It for the Plot (and the Horns)

    3.09. We Read It for the Plot (and the Horns)
    2025/07/16
    Welcome back to My Sister’s TBR! We’re here with our mid-month catch-up, chatting about the July releases that have caught our eye, sharing the bookish news we’ve sleuthed out, and diving into what books we’re currently reading.Think of this as our virtual coffee date where we talk about all our favorite things…books, duh!So pour yourself a cup of coffee, get comfy, and let’s catch up!Release Radar: What We're Eyeing This Month* The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a multi-generational horror fantasyRelease: July 15, 2025As a grad student researching horror literature, Minerva digs into the life of Beatrice Tremblay, a forgotten author whose most famous novel was inspired by a real-life disappearance in the 1930s. But as Minerva investigates, strange echoes from her great-grandmother’s tales of witches in 1900s Mexico begin to resurface—suggesting the same dark force that haunted Tremblay may now be stalking her across the halls of her 1990s Massachusetts campus.* Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson is a mystery thriller about a young woman trying to solve her own murder.Release: July 22, 2025After a brutal Halloween attack leaves Jet Mason with a ticking time bomb in her brain, she’s told she has just seven days to live. With her memory fading and suspects all around—family, exes, even old friends—Jet teams up with her childhood companion Billy to solve one final mystery: who wants her dead… before time runs out.* A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna is a whimsical and heartwarming novel about a witch who has a second chance to get her life back on track.Release: July 15, 2025Once a powerful witch, Sera Swan now runs a chaotic enchanted inn with her undead aunt and a snarky talking fox. Stripped of her magic and exiled from her Guild, she’s resigned to her new life—until a mysterious spell and an even more mysterious (and annoyingly handsome) magical historian, Luke Larsen, offer her a chance to reclaim what she lost. But with the Guild watching and feelings brewing, Sera might just find that the greatest magic is the family—and future—she never expected.* The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley is the first in a slow burn, enemies-to-lovers romantasy duology, Dearly Beloathed. Release: July 8, 2025He’s an assassin in need of healing. She’s a scientist who loathes everything he stands for. When Osric bribes Aurienne into saving his life, their uneasy alliance sparks chemistry neither of them wants to admit. But as they race to cure a deadly pox, hatred turns to heat—and enemies may become something much more dangerous: lovers.* Rose in Chains by Julie Soto is the first in an all new romantasy trilogy, The Evermore Trilogy.Release: July 8, 2025The war is lost, the chosen hero is dead, and Briony Rosewood—stripped of her magic—is sold at auction to the enemy. Her captor? Toven Hearst, a powerful Bomardsun and the man she once secretly loved. As Briony navigates a world ruled by darkness and political cruelty, she must decide whether to play the pawn… or become something far more dangerous.* Love Is a War Song by Danica Nava is a new romantic comedy by the author of The Truth According to Ember.Release: July 22, 2025After a scandal leaves Native pop star Avery Fox disgraced and directionless, she retreats to her estranged grandmother’s ranch on the rez—only to clash hard with brooding horse trainer Lucas Iron Eyes. He thinks she’s everything wrong with the world; she’s determined to prove she’s more than a headline. When the ranch’s future is threatened, the two strike a deal: she'll help save it, and he’ll teach her what it really means to come home. No strings, no sparks… yeah, right.* Maid for Each Other by Lynn Painter is a new romantic comedy of a millionaire and a house cleaner, a match maid in heaven.Release: July 15, 2025When overworked cleaner Abi secretly crashes at the penthouse she tidies, she never expects to be mistaken for the owner’s girlfriend—especially by his parents. Declan, a career-obsessed exec, is horrified… until he realizes fake-dating Abi could solve both their problems. One week, one deal, zero feelings. Totally professional… until it’s not.* Of Flame and Fury by Mikayla Bridge is Fourth Wing meets Iron Widow in this debut enemies-to-lovers, YA romantasy.Release: July 15, 2025On an island of ash and flame, phoenix racing is everything—deadly, lucrative, and fiercely competitive. Kel Varra and her underdog team need a win, and teaming up with cocky rival Coup might be their only shot. But when Kel’s home is destroyed and a shadowy tech mogul takes interest in her phoenix, she’s pulled into a conspiracy that could burn her entire world to the ground—including the boy she’s starting to fall for.The Bookish GrapevineWhile July's new releases have been blessing our TBRs, the book world has been just as spicy off the page as it is on it. Here's ...
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    50 分
  • 3.08. Emily Henry OWNS July Now

    3.08. Emily Henry OWNS July Now
    2025/07/01
    Hey everyone, and welcome back to My Sister's TBR! We're Stacey and Rebecca, and we’re BACK from our little summer hiatus—tanned, caffeinated, and bookishly overachieving (well, we're trying at least). We hope your June was full of iced lattes, shady reading spots, and at least one swoony fictional man who ruined real-life dating forever.In this episode, we’re wrapping up all the reads from June: the hits, the flops, the age gap cowboys, and one very controversial YA tearjerker. Plus, we’re spilling some bookish tea with adaptation news and announcing our July featured read! Buckle up: it’s a long one.Bookish News!* People We Meet on Vacation is getting a movie adaptation starring Tom Blythe and Emily Bader (screaming!).* The Mindfck Series* by S.T. Abbey is getting a TV adaptation (!!!)* Tom Felton is BACK as Draco Malfoy in the Cursed Child Broadway production.* Elsie Silver's Rose Hill series and Lauren Roberts' Powerless are getting the screen treatment.* Aaaaand we’re about to live in a golden age of Emily Henry adaptations. Bring it on.What We Read in JuneStacey's Stack (9 Books!)* The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins – 5 stars across the board. Reading this as a 30-something hits way harder than it did at 16. Still obsessed with Peeta. Still ready to fight President Snow in the street.* Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins – Another 5 stars. Haymitch’s story broke our hearts and then broke them again. Best in the series? Possibly.* Death Row by Freida McFadden – 2 stars. Frida, babe, go to bed.* A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole – 3 stars. Religious trauma triggers, but beautifully written. Just... rough waters emotionally.* Better Luck Next Time by Cara Bastone – 3 stars. Time-traveling romance with emotional damage. Not her best, but still enjoyable.* Chasing the Wild by Elliot Rose – 3 stars. Age-gap cowboy romance. Spicy and dramatic, but the writing felt a bit green.* I Died on a Tuesday by Jane Corry – 2 stars. Too many POVs, too many timelines, too many headaches.* Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood – 4 stars. Age-gap summer fling in Sicily. Sweet, smart, and a little bit sizzling.Rebecca’s Stack (5 Books)* Death Row by Freida McFadden – 2 stars. "What the hell did I just read?" —Rebecca* The Exception to the Rule by Christina Lauren – 5 stars. Email banter romance PERFECTION.* The Worst Wingman Ever by Abby Jimenez – 5 stars. Anonymous Valentine’s Day notes. Grandma wisdom. Neti pot revenge.* Rosie and the Dreamboat by Sally Thorne – 5 stars. Float pod disaster turns firefighter flirtfest. We approve.* Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - we'll discuss this one soon ;)July Featured Read ✨ We're back on our Emily Henry bullsh*t. This month's pick is Great Big Beautiful Life – a summer-set contemporary romance featuring rival biographers, secret NDAs, and a whole lot of slow-burn energy. It's giving enemies-to-lovers at an island writing retreat. Let’s gooooo. That’s a wrap on June! Don’t forget to leave us a comment on Spotify, follow us on Instagram, and read along with our July featured read pick. We’ll be back in two weeks with more chaotic updates and some July new release chatter.Toodles! Get full access to My Sister's TBR at www.mysisterstbr.com/subscribe
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    1 時間 13 分
  • 3.07. The Romance Ban Is Over (For Now)

    3.07. The Romance Ban Is Over (For Now)
    2025/06/01
    Our May (and April, and March!) Wrap-Up: Gems, Letdowns, and Harry Potter!Hey, everyone, and welcome back to My Sister's TBR Podcast! We're Stacey and Rebecca, and we were so thrilled to have you join us for our monthly wrap-up episode – one of our favorite times of the month. This time around, we're diving into all the books we read in May... and April, and March! We've got some hidden gems, some real page-turners, and even some bestsellers we just couldn't put down.Before we dive into the books, just a quick heads-up: our regular deep dive into our featured read will be in a separate episode coming out in a few days, so keep an eye out for that! There was also a little technical difficulties with Rebecca’s mic, so this episode sounds a little on the “underwater” side. Bookish News!We did have some exciting bookish news to share, especially since it relates to our featured read: the Golden Trio has been cast for the HBO series! Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alistair Stout will be playing Harry, Hermione, and Ron, respectively. And get this – over 30,000 children auditioned! Incredible!What We Read!Now, for the main event: the books!Stacey’s Reads:Stacey had a very busy March and April! She finished seven books in March, though two were fan fictions she didn't have the names for (obviously Dramione…). Her March reads included:* Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros: A bit slow, but "gut punchy".* Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young: A phenomenal five-star read!* The Only One Left by Riley Sager: A great book club pick, earning four stars.* Beach Read by Emily Henry: A five-star, "deadly, deadly book" – and the only one by her Stacey hadn't read yet!* Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling: A no-brainer, obviously!April was just as packed, with eight books!* Love at First Psych by Cara Bastone: Three stars, didn't hit the same as her others.* Wild Love by Elsie Silver: Four stars, and Stacey is loving Elsie Silver lately!* Quicksilver by Callie Hart: A fantastic five-star book club read!* 1984 by George Orwell: A five-star, terrifying read that hits differently as an adult. Stacey highly recommends it for its relevance.* Call Me Maybe by Cara Bastone: Another great four-star from Cara Bastone.* Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas: Five stars, obviously.* Seatmate by Cara Bastone: Four stars.* Leave Me Behind by K.M. Moronova: A "huge f***ing letdown" and probably closer to a one-star read. Stacey was hooked for the first three quarters, but then it just really went off the rails. Her Goodreads review sums it up: "had me hook, line, and sinker until 85%. WTF was that ending?" May was a little slower, with six reads.* Fight by Sloan St. James: The cover looked fantastic – rugged man, chainsaw, tattoos! But sadly, it was more like a 2.5-star read for Stacey, despite the good description. The miscommunication was a killer, making it feel "so toxic". She won't be continuing the series.* Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez: A book club pick and a romance. While popular with the book club, Stacey didn't really like it. She found the female character, Samantha, difficult to like, which is a recurring theme with Abby Jimenez's female characters for her. While she liked Xavier and the insta-love, the excessive conflict was a letdown.* The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager: Stacey highly recommends this one, giving it five stars! She's not usually a huge mystery thriller reader, but this book had her hooked from page one, filled with anxiety and plot twists. It's a story of voyeurism, suspicion, and dark truths. If you're looking for a more "mature and refined" thriller than Freida's, Riley Sager is your guy!* First Time Caller by B.K. Borson: Stacey devoured this one, giving it five stars! It's a cozy, Sleepless in Seattle-inspired love story about a hopeless romantic and a jaded radio host. The daughter calls into a radio show for dating advice for her mom, and sparks fly between the mom and the radio host. So much good about this book, with great chemistry and a man who keeps a list of your favorite things!* The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins: A re-read for Stacey, and it's still a five-star read! Reading it as an adult (30-plus) hits differently than reading it as a teenager. The book does a better job at fleshing out Katniss's character outside of the games compared to the movie. If you haven't read it in the last 15 years, read it!Rebecca’s Reads:Rebecca read one book in March:* The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden: Rebecca gave it three stars and described it as "meh." She fully predicted the plot twist, and it even had a happily ever after, which was bizarre. And she’s picked up the pace for May:* Height by SenLinYu: A short story, which Rebecca struggled with. She gave it three stars mainly because it's a Dramione fanfic by SenLinYu. It just didn't have enough storyline and was "too quick". Lesson learned: stop reading short stories if you want more!* Dead Med by ...
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    45 分
  • 3.06. Killer Plans, Killer Reads

    3.06. Killer Plans, Killer Reads
    2025/05/16
    Welcome back to My Sister’s TBR! We’re here with our mid-month catch-up, chatting about the May releases that have caught our eye, sharing the bookish news we’ve sleuthed out, and diving into what books we’re currently reading.Think of this as our virtual coffee date where we talk about all our favorite things…books, duh!So pour yourself a cup of coffee, get comfy, and let’s catch up!Release Radar: What We're Eyeing This Month* The Retirement Plan by Sue Hincenbergs is a Mystery Thriller with a healthy dose of Humor and Life Insurance Policies.Release: May 6, 2025After their husbands' disastrous investment obliterates their retirement dreams, three long-time friends, Pam, Nancy, and Shalisa, find themselves trapped in dreary marriages until the sudden death of their friend Marlene's husband, coupled with a large life insurance payout and a fresh start in Florida, sparks a dangerous idea. Discovering their own husbands have similar hefty policies, the women contemplate hiring a hitman, unaware that their spouses are hatching their own secret retirement plan, leading to a tense and humorous game of cat and mouse with potentially deadly consequences, all while exploring the complexities of marriage, friendship, and navigating middle age.* The Tenant by Freida McFadden is a mystery thriller story of revenge, privilege, and secrets turned sour.Release: May 6, 2025Desperate after losing his job and facing foreclosure on his new brownstone, Blake Porter rents a room to the seemingly perfect Whitney, only to find his life unraveling with strange occurrences, judgmental neighbors, a persistent stench, and unsettling noises. As Blake begins to suspect Whitney, he fears someone knows his deepest secrets, realizing too late that the danger lies within his own home and he's walked straight into a carefully laid trap.* Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry is her debut Romantasy, perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yarros.Release: May 6, 2025In a world where monstrous gods demand mortal subservience, a princess who has always lived under the thumb of divine will and her father's commands finds her carefully prescribed life upended the day a legendary monster hunter arrives and a prince disrupts her fate. Suddenly bound by an ancient treaty to a future she never envisioned and a husband she barely knows, she must traverse perilous lands with a warrior who loathes her. As everyone attempts to mold her into a queen, a spy, or a sacrifice, she begins to question her destined role, wondering if there is strength in being underestimated and daring to consider forging her own path.* The Devils by Joe Abercrombie is the first in a dark fantasy horror series. Release: May 6, 2025Summoned to the Sacred City expecting praise, Brother Diaz is instead tasked with a brutal mission, leading a congregation of murderers, magic users, and monsters who must employ bloody tactics to achieve holy goals against encroaching elves and selfish princes. Facing a perilous journey, Brother Diaz finds a grim advantage in having these unlikely allies, the devils, on his side.* Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood is number two in the Not in Love romance series.Release: May 27, 2025Twenty-three-year-old Maya Killgore finds herself intensely drawn to her brother's best friend, the successful thirty-eight-year-old Conor Harkness, despite the glaring age gap and power imbalance he constantly points out, insisting she move on after he made it clear he wants her out of his life. However, when Maya's brother's wedding lands them together in a romantic Sicilian villa, the forced proximity amidst beautiful scenery and delicious food leads Maya to suspect Conor is concealing something, and as the wedding chaos unfolds, she contemplates a problematic summer fling with him.* The Love Haters by Katherine Center is a contemporary romance novel.Release: May 20, 2025Facing imminent job loss, Katie Vaughn, who has a history of romantic disappointment and a secret inability to swim, reluctantly agrees to a career-defining job profiling Coast Guard rescue swimmer Tom "Hutch" Hutcheson in Key West at the urging of his estranged brother and her coworker, Cole. Arriving in paradise, Katie's professional deception intertwines with a complicated attraction to the undeniably handsome but seemingly love-averse Hutch, as she navigates a web of lies involving swim lessons, daring flights, lively locals, unexpected events, and stolen moments, all while confronting her fears and the potential for genuine bravery.The Bookish GrapevineHere’s the bookish news we discussed in this episode:* Audible is introducing AI technology for narrating audiobooks. Their aim is to increase the number of audiobooks and languages offered, but at what cost? We speculate that audiobooks will be lower quality and will marginalize human talent.* We discuss Michael B Jordan producing the Fourth Wing adaptation and what he had previously produced.* Murderbot Series ...
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    42 分
  • 3.05. Harry Potter Book 1 Deep Dive

    3.05. Harry Potter Book 1 Deep Dive
    2025/04/30

    This season, Stacey and Rebecca are dedicating each month to a deep dive into the Harry Potter series, and they’re starting at the very beginning—with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

    Whether it’s your first trip to Hogwarts or your hundredth, there’s something special about returning to the story that started it all. In this episode, we share our impressions from this nostalgic re-read, exploring how the book holds up today, what stood out this time around, and how our perspectives have shifted since we first read it years ago.

    We dig into the themes that give this book its timeless charm—love, friendship, good vs evil, and identity. We also do a bit of character analysis, looking at how Harry, Ron, and Hermione each bring something vital to the trio.

    Of course, it wouldn’t be a My Sister’s TBR episode without a bit of movie comparison! We chat about the scenes that got left on the cutting room floor—yes, we’re still mourning the loss of Peeves—and some of the movie’s choices that changed the tone or flow of the story.

    If you're a longtime fan, we hope this episode brings a smile of recognition and maybe a few new insights. And if you’re reading along with us for the first time, welcome to the adventure, but be warned: we talk a lot about other books in the series so there will be spoilers!

    Join us as we journey through the series one book at a time. Next up: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Don’t forget to share your thoughts with us on our Instagram or drop us a message on Facebook. Mischief managed!

    Listen to the episode now wherever you get your podcasts!

    This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.



    Get full access to My Sister's TBR at www.mysisterstbr.com/subscribe
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    1 時間 16 分
  • 3.04. Happily Ever After? Nah.

    3.04. Happily Ever After? Nah.
    2025/03/15

    It's our mid-month catch-up!

    We're diving into the March book releases that have caught our eye, from contemporary romance to thrillers and fantasy. We'll also share the latest bookish news, including casting announcements and adaptation updates. Plus, we'll tell you what we're currently reading and give you a sneak peek at our upcoming deep dive into Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, our featured read.



    Get full access to My Sister's TBR at www.mysisterstbr.com/subscribe
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    59 分
  • 3.03. I Twisted Myself About Like the Twisted Ones.

    3.03. I Twisted Myself About Like the Twisted Ones.
    2025/02/28

    Greetings, book friends! It's your (self-proclaimed) favorite book-obsessed sisters here, back with another recap of our February reading adventures. This month brought a whole slew of emotions, from "ew, romance" to "ooh, romance," with plenty of laughs and questionable life choices along the way.

    The Seven Year Slip: A Feel-Good Romance to Cure Your Cynicism

    We kicked off February with a bang, diving headfirst into The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston. This book was a serious contender for top book of the year, and it's only February! The story follows Clementine as she navigates love, loss, and a magical apartment that connects her with a charming stranger from the past. Trust us, this book is the definition of a feel-good romance, and it might even make you believe in love again (no matter how cynical you are).

    Dramione Fanfiction: Who Needs Plot When You Have Filth?

    But February wasn't all sunshine and roses. We also tackled some seriously spicy Dramione fanfiction, because who needs plot when you have that much filth? We're talking daydream lockets, erotic hallucinations, and enough possessiveness to make us question our sanity (and our standards). And let's not forget Ron Weasley, who once again proved that he's the ultimate "dickwad" (sorry, Rupert Grint).

    The Twisted Ones: A Mild Thriller with a Side of Humor

    Of course, no month would be complete without a featured read, and this time around, it was The Twisted Ones by T. Kingfisher. Now, we love T. Kingfisher, but we have to admit, this one didn't quite live up to the hype. We were promised horror, but all we got was a mild thriller with a few creepy moments and a whole lot of humor. Don't get us wrong, the book had its moments, but we weren't exactly quaking in our boots.

    A Month of Bookish Adventures

    Tune in to hear about the other books we tackled this month; Fae shadow daddies, assassins, talking fetuses? You don’t want to miss the books we have lined up!

    So, there you have it, folks. Another month of reading, laughing, and questioning our taste in books (and men). We'll be back in 2 weeks with more bookish banter, but in the meantime, keep those pages turning and don't forget to follow us on Instagram @MySistersTBR!



    Get full access to My Sister's TBR at www.mysisterstbr.com/subscribe
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    55 分
  • 3.02. Romance? Gag Me with a Chainsaw!

    3.02. Romance? Gag Me with a Chainsaw!
    2025/02/16

    We're back with another episode of My Sister's TBR, and this time, we're diving headfirst into the thrilling world of... well, anything BUT romance!

    While everyone else is busy celebrating Valentine's Day with chocolates and roses, we're over here stocking up on suspense and chills.

    Don't get us wrong, we appreciate a good love story. But lately, our TBR piles have been overflowing with tales of murder, mystery, and mayhem. And honestly? We're not complaining.

    So, what can you expect from this episode?

    * TBR Trauma: We'll be discussing our ever-growing TBR piles, which are officially becoming a safety hazard.

    * New Release Round-Up: We've got a whole stack of new releases to share, from dark fantasy to twisty thrillers. And yes, there may be a few romances in there, but we promise they're not the gushy, mushy kind.

    * Bookish News: We'll be spilling the tea on the latest bookish news, including updates on the Harry Potter TV show, a new social media app for book lovers, and more.

    * Current Reads: We'll be discussing the books that are currently keeping us up at night (and not in a good way).

    * Featured Read: We'll be diving deep into our featured read of the month, T. Kingfisher's "The Twisted Ones." Get ready for some seriously creepy crawlies and spine-tingling suspense.

    So, if you're looking for an escape from all the Valentine's Day fluff, tune in to My Sister's TBR. We promise you a thrilling ride that will leave you wanting more.

    Love may be all you need, but we need answers! Whodunnit? Whydunnit? And howdunnit?

    P.S. Want to stay up-to-date on all our bookish adventures? Be sure to follow us on Instagram! We share mini-reviews, TBR updates, and behind-the-scenes shenanigans. You can find us at @mysisterstbr.

    My Sister's TBR is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.



    Get full access to My Sister's TBR at www.mysisterstbr.com/subscribe
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    42 分