Reading After Bedtime: Romantasy, Fantasy, and Romance Book Reviews

Welcome to the Reading After Bedtime Podcast!We're two friends who met in college and now, as busy moms, we do our best to carve out time for our favorite escape—reading. This podcast is our space to dive into the books we love, the authors who inspire us, and the tropes that keep us turning pages late into the night. No plot twist is too wild and no trigger warning is off-limits. Whether we’re deep in our comfort zone or venturing far outside it, this is a judgment-free zone for every kind of reader. We hope you join us for our honest, entertaining, and thoughtful conversations.

Reading After Bedtime: Romantasy, Fantasy, and Romance Book Reviews is a arts podcast hosted by Allyson and Becca, with 83 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Allyson and Becca hosts Reading After Bedtime: Romantasy, Fantasy, and Romance Book Reviews, a arts show with 83 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #74

  Story of My Life by Lucy Score | Cringe Rom-Com or Cozy Small-Town Hit?

  Sep 28, 20261 hourS1

  This episode contains FULL SPOILERS for Story of My Life by Lucy Score. If you don't want the ENTIRE story spoiled, please return once you've read the book. _____________________________________________________________ Allyson and Becca of the Reading After Bedtime Podcast give a spoiler-filled discussion of Lucy Score’s Story of My Life (published March 11, 2025), following romance author Hazel Hart as she escapes writer’s block and a painful divorce by buying a run-down historic home in Story Lake, Pennsylvania, where she’s pulled into town council chaos, small-town sabotage, and a fake-date/friends-with-benefits romance with grouchy contractor Campbell Bishop. They rate the book 3 stars, spice 3, and romance 4, praise the found-family Bishop clan and side characters (especially Zoe, Laura, and Cam’s parents), and criticize Hazel’s “try-hard” quirkiness, word choice in spice scenes, and the third-act miscommunication breakup. They also share content warnings, favorite quotes, and standout moments like Bertha the raccoon, town bingo, and a chaotic proposal scene. _____________________________________________________________ Referenced videos: Variation by Rebecca Yarros Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune Nine Month Contract by Amy Daws Moms of Mayhem by Aimee Vance Brimstone by Callie Hart _____________________________________________________________ LET'S PARTY! Let's celebrate the release of ACOTAR 6 together! Reading After Bedtime has teamed up with Bibliobar in Plano, Texas to bring you an unforgettable evening counting down to the release of ACOTAR 6! The ACOTAR 6 release party is TICKETED, so make sure to grab yours before they sell out! Your ticket includes: - Gift bag + your copy of ACOTAR 6 - Trivia & costume contest️ - Conspiracy theories & fandom fun - Games, archery & sword fighting - Photo ops - Snacks & drinks (cash bar available) - ✨ Flash tattoos* - ️ Shopping & more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy your ticket here!⁠⁠ _____________________________________________________________ Let's be friends on socials! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join our monthly newsletter to get a peek at our book chat schedule before anyone else _____________________________________________________________ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠️ Shop our Merch!️⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Still looking for something? (Find Goodreads, Book of the Month, a tip jar and so much more here!) _____________________________________________________________ Intro music by the talented Sean Lavrisa! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Spotify⁠:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _____________________________________________________________00:00 Cold Open Side Characters00:37 Podcast Welcome Intro02:03 Book Blurb Overview04:08 Ratings First Impressions07:26 Spice and Romance Ratings12:22 Spoiler Warning Setup13:27 Tropes Content Warnings15:16 Mom Brain17:03 Initial Thoughts Goodreads19:47 Hazel Critique Satire25:35 Side Characters Shine27:42 The Romance37:18 The Reckoning42:58 Final Thoughts44:50 Favorite Quotes52:52 Favorite Moments59:24 Wrap Up And Next Episode #storyofmylife #romcom #romcombook #grumpysunshine #booktok #bookdiscussion #bookreview

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  Episode #73

  Bloody Black by Rhiannon Hargadon: Revenge, Betrayal & Blood |FULL SPOILERS

  Sep 21, 20261h 23mS1

  This episode contains FULL SPOILERS for Bloody Black by Rhiannon Hargadon. If you don't want the ENTIRE story spoiled, please return once you've read the stories._____________________________________________________________In this episode of the Reading After Bedtime podcast, Allyson and Becca discuss Bloody Black by Rhiannon Hargadon, a feminine Blackbeard retelling they classify as fantasy romance. They share ratings (4 and 5 stars), plus spice, romance, fantasy, and emotional-damage scores, and repeatedly emphasize major content warnings including on-page rape/gang rape, violence, torture, slavery, and PTSD. After a spoiler warning, they recap the plot: Princess Anne is betrayed on her wedding night, makes a demon bargain with Rokur, becomes Blackbeard, and hunts the men who ruined her while developing a relationship with captive lieutenant Robb. They debate Robb’s secrecy and culpability, highlight found-family dynamics, loss and healing, and favorite quotes and moments, then preview their next episode on A Story of My Life by Lucy Score._________________________________________________________________________________LET'S PARTY!Let's celebrate the release of ACOTAR 6 together! Reading After Bedtime has teamed up with Bibliobar in Plano, Texas to bring you an unforgettable evening counting down to the release of ACOTAR 6! The ACOTAR 6 release party is TICKETED, so make sure to grab yours before they sell out! Your ticket includes:- Gift bag + your copy of ACOTAR 6- Trivia & costume contest️- Conspiracy theories & fandom fun- Games, archery & sword fighting- Photo ops- Snacks & drinks (cash bar available)- ✨ Flash tattoos*- ️ Shopping & more!⁠Buy your ticket here!: https://bibliobartx.com/events/2026/10/26/the-cauldron-amp-the-quill-acotar-book-6-midnight-release-party_________________________________________________________________________________Let's be friends on socials!⁠Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReadingAfterBedtimePodcast⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/readingafterbedtimepodcast/⁠TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@readingafterbedtimepod?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc⁠Join our monthly newsletter to get a peek at our book chat schedule before anyone else : https://reading-after-bedtime-podcast.kit.com/b1121f3780_________________________________________________________________________________️ Shop our Merch!️ https://reading-after-bedtime-pod.printify.meStill looking for something? https://linktr.ee/readingafterbedtimepodcast (Find Goodreads, Book of the Month, a tip jar and so much more here!)_________________________________________________________________________________ Intro music by the talented Sean Lavrisa!⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Spotify⁠:⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/artist/7kUiSx4GkzTD4ng3IuYOKD?si=-PdNhjEwSG2LaYGtmEB_1Q⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ www.instagram.com/foxcraft/_____________________________________________________________00:00 Nitpicking Cold Open01:14 Podcast Welcome03:25 Book Blurb Overview04:33 Ratings Breakdown07:17 Spice And Triggers08:28 New Rating Scales17:05 Spoiler Warning Setup18:59 Tropes And Content Warnings22:36 Mom Brain Recap25:05 Initial Thoughts28:06 Revenge Plot Pacing Debate34:27 Found Family And Characters37:09 Romance Discussion Begins38:17 Tournament And William Setup40:28 Choosing William to Duel42:18 Naivety and Revenge Spiral44:47 Red Flags Wedding Night46:34 Robb Versus William48:15 Teach and Holly Healing50:26 Crew Losses and Sacrifice52:36 Fantasy Bargains and Demons54:44 Spice and Slow Burn58:12 Robb on Trial Debate01:06:02 Final Thoughts and Quotes01:22:27 Wrap Up and Next Episode#BloodyBlack #fantasy #darkromance #revenge #bookchat #bookdiscussion #bookreview #booktube #booktok #bookstagram

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  Episode #72

  Red Runs the Blood by Angelina J Steffort [Book Chat] | Bright Burns the Flame Book 2 |FULL SPOILERS

  Sep 14, 20261h 16mS1

  This episode contains FULL SPOILERS for Red Runs the Blood by Angelina J Steffort AND Bright Burns the Flame. If you don't want the ENTIRE story spoiled, please return once you've read the stories. _____________________________________________________________ Looking for the rest of our Bright Burns the Flame coverage? Bright Burns the Flame by Angelina J Steffort [Book Chat] Angelina J Steffort Bright Burns the Flame [Author Interview] Red Runs the Blood by Angelina J Steffort [Book Chat] Angelina J Steffort Red Runs the Blood [Author Interview] COMING SOON _____________________________________________________________ Allyson and Becca dive back into Angelina J. Steffort’s Bright Burns the Flame series to discuss Red Runs the Blood , published July 31, 2026. They rate the book 5/5 and 4/5, calling it a twisty, action-packed sequel that sets up the next installment without ever feeling slow. They discuss the spice level, tropes including morally gray characters, a deadly academy, found family, prophecy, and chosen one, plus content warnings. Spoilers ahead for both Red Runs the Blood and Bright Burns the Flame . After a quick “mom brain” recap of everything that happened, they break down Lory’s growing moral grayness, Khay’s struggle with trust & vulnerability, Elina’s expanded role & mysterious powers, the growing rebellion within Ashthorn Ward, and the question of who can actually be trusted. They discuss Aiden’s shocking survival, his mysterious unmaking power, the Ebon Fang, the secrets surrounding King Ulder and his bloodline, and what the “Blood Fae Portal” note could mean for Angelina J. Steffort’s interconnected worlds. They also dive into Lory and Khay’s fated-mates relationship, Anees and Hadrian’s unexpected romance, the possibility that multiple magical powers are connected to fairy bloodlines, the mysterious Great Purge, and whether Ulder is hiding magic of his own. Then it’s time for their predictions for Black Bleeds the Night , including the identity of the trustworthy Triad member, Aiden’s role in Elina’s vision, Aiden potentially being ordered to kill Lory, Aiden’s possible connection to the throne, Khay secretly being the Flame from the prophecy, Elina’s potential escape, and Lory officially joining the rebellion. They finish with their favorite moments and quotes before announcing their special bonus episode: an interview with Angelina J. Steffort on September 16, followed by their next book chat, Bloody Black by Rhiannon Hargadon, on September 21. ____________________________________________________________ LET'S PARTY! Let's celebrate the release of ACOTAR 6 together! Reading After Bedtime has teamed up with Bibliobar in Plano, Texas to bring you an unforgettable evening counting down to the release of ACOTAR 6! The ACOTAR 6 release party is TICKETED, so make sure to grab yours before they sell out! Your ticket includes: - Gift bag + your copy of ACOTAR 6 - Trivia & costume contest️ - Conspiracy theories & fandom fun - Games, archery & sword fighting - Photo ops - Snacks & drinks (cash bar available) - ✨ Flash tattoos* - ️ Shopping & more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy your ticket here!⁠⁠⁠ _____________________________________________________________ Let's be friends on socials! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join our monthly newsletter to get a peek at our book chat schedule before anyone else _____________________________________________________________ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠️ Shop our Merch!️⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Still looking for something?⁠ (Find Goodreads, Book of the Month, a tip jar and so much more here!) _____________________________________________________________ Intro music by the talented Sean Lavrisa! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Spotify⁠:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _____________________________________________________________ #redrunstheblood #brightburnstheflame #alcunaire # fantasy # magicwielding #booktok #bookdiscussion #bookreview

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  Reading After Bedtime: Romantasy, Fantasy, and Romance Book Reviews

  Maas-termind Files | Stygian Spiders x The Ring Cycle Opera | ACOTAR 6, 7, and 8 | SJM Lore, Predictions, and Conspiracy Theories | FULL MAASVERSE SPOILERS

  Sep 12, 202650 min

  This episode contains FULL SPOILERS for the ENTIRE Maas-verse INCLUDING the entire Throne of Glass (TOG) series, the entire A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) series, and the entire Crescent City (CC) series. If you don't want the entire universe spoiled, please return once you've read the books._________________________________________________________________________________ Hosts Allyson and Becca (Reading After Bedtime) share spoiler-filled Maasverse lore, conspiracy theories, and predictions for Sarah J. Maas’ upcoming ACOTAR books, prompted by the ACOTAR 6 cover/title reveal and its “Valkyrie Movement” framing. They dive into Stygian spider lore across Throne of Glass, compare northern Stygian spiders to southern kharankui from Tower of Dawn, and connect spider silk’s wing-repair potential to ACOTAR stakes (including Elain’s prophecy about Cassian). They discuss a theory that a Prythian weaver and her iridescent silver thread “Hope” could relate to spider silk. Using Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle summaries, they map possible ACOTAR plot beats (renouncing love, betrayal/greed, broken sword themes, fires, and “Twilight of the Gods”) to characters like Elain, Lucien, Eris, Beron, and Koschei, including the idea Elain might make a deal with a Stygian spider to alter her bond or magic. _________________________________________________________________________________ Special thanks to the San Francisco Opera for summarizing the 4 parts of The Ring Cycle Opera on their website! _________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for the rest of the Maas-Termind files? Check out our full coverage here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sarah J Maas x Call Her Daddy Reaction⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Prythian Mountains x Where is Vaughan?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bargains x Queen Mor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wyrdgates x Crossover Opportunities⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Swords x Pegasus⁠⁠ ⁠Vassa, Amren x Koschei & The Pool of Starlight⁠ Stygian Spiders x The Ring Cycle Opera | ACOTAR 6, 7, & 8 _________________________________________________________________________________ LET'S PARTY! Let's celebrate the release of ACOTAR 6 together! Reading After Bedtime has teamed up with Bibliobar in Plano, Texas to bring you an unforgettable evening counting down to the release of ACOTAR 6! The ACOTAR 6 release party is TICKETED, so make sure to grab yours before they sell out! Your ticket includes: - Gift bag + your copy of ACOTAR 6 - Trivia & costume contest️ - Conspiracy theories & fandom fun - Games, archery & sword fighting - Photo ops - Snacks & drinks (cash bar available) - ✨ Flash tattoos* - ️ Shopping & more! ⁠ Buy your ticket here! _________________________________________________________________________________ Let's be friends on socials! ⁠ Youtube Instagram TikTok J oin our monthly newsletter to get a peek at our book chat schedule before anyone else _________________________________________________________________________________ ️ Shop our Merch!️ Still looking for something? (Find Goodreads, Book of the Month, a tip jar and so much more here!) _________________________________________________________________________________ Intro music by the talented Sean Lavrisa!⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠ Sean Lavrisa Spotify⁠ ⁠⁠⁠- ⁠ Sean Lavrisa Instagram _________________________________________________________________________________ 00:00 Maasverse Mysteries Intro 01:21 Socials Reviews Events 02:37 Spoiler Warning Setup 03:14 Cover Reveal Chaos 03:56 Audiobook Pronunciation Tangent 09:32 Stygian Spiders Lore 27:28 Conspiracy Theory begins 29:37 Ring Cycle Prologue 34:10 Elain Renounces Love 36:52 Opera Part Two Parallels 39:38 Eris Behind Fire 41:22 Siegfried and Remade Sword 44:58 Twilight of the Gods Endgame 47:33 Mapping Books to Movements 50:01 Final Thoughts and Signoff #maastermindfiles #acotar6 #acourtofsplinteredharmony #booktok #acotar #acotarseries #maasverse #popularromantasybooks

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  Episode #71

  Between Tides and Thunder by Leena Kazak [Book Chat] | Standalone |FULL SPOILERS

  Sep 7, 202650 minS1

  This episode contains FULL SPOILERS for Between Tides and Thunder by Leena Kazak . If you don't want the ENTIRE story spoiled, please return once you've read the stories. _____________________________________________________________ Allyson and Becca introduce the Reading After Bedtime podcast and discuss Lena Kazak’s romantasy Between Tides and Thunder (published March 31, 2026), joking about difficult fantasy name pronunciations and asking for social follows and reviews. They read the back-of-book blurb, rate the book 4/5 each (slow start and an early twist they predicted), and debate a “weird” spice level around 2 with pepper words and near-interruptions. After a spoiler warning, they list tropes (elemental powers, arranged marriage, enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, one tent, he falls first) and content warnings (attempted SA, past SA reference, PTSD/trauma, torture, character death, child injury). They explain it’s a standalone with an optional Zev POV book and tandem guide, give a detailed plot recap, share critiques on twists/powers and Mayah’s neediness, highlight favorite moments/quotes, praise included art, and preview the next episode on Red Runs the Blood plus an author interview. ____________________________________________________________ LET'S PARTY! Let's celebrate the release of ACOTAR 6 together! Reading After Bedtime has teamed up with Bibliobar in Plano, Texas to bring you an unforgettable evening counting down to the release of ACOTAR 6! The ACOTAR 6 release party is TICKETED, so make sure to grab yours before they sell out! Your ticket includes: - Gift bag + your copy of ACOTAR 6 - Trivia & costume contest️ - Conspiracy theories & fandom fun - Games, archery & sword fighting - Photo ops - Snacks & drinks (cash bar available) - ✨ Flash tattoos* - ️ Shopping & more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy your ticket here!⁠⁠ _____________________________________________________________ Let's be friends on socials! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _____________________________________________________________ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠️ Shop our Merch!️⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Still looking for something? https://linktr.ee/readingafterbedtimepodcast (Find Goodreads, Book of the Month, a tip jar and so much more here!) _____________________________________________________________ Intro music by the talented Sean Lavrisa! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Spotify⁠:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- ⁠Sean Lavrisa Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _____________________________________________________________ 00:00 Fantasy Names Struggle 00:53 Podcast Welcome 02:05 Book Blurb Setup 02:36 Back Cover Summary 03:55 Ratings Breakdown 07:22 Spice Scale Debate 10:37 Spoiler Warning 11:17 Tropes And Triggers 12:53 Reading Order Notes 13:38 Mom Brain Recap Begins 18:05 Recap Marriage Twist 20:42 Recap Betrayal And Escape 22:31 Recap Rebels Reveal 23:23 Crowning and Forgiveness 24:19 Standalone Hopes and Mermaid Mislead 25:01 Mayah Desperation Debate 28:10 Truth Wielder Twist Issues 29:36 Blood Wielding Confusion 30:44 Hair Plucking and Zev Falls First 32:39 Purity Talk and Daak Ick 33:22 Rebellion and Friendship Forgiveness 36:15 Final Thoughts and Book Art Praise 38:13 Favorite Quotes Rapid Fire 39:58 Power Sharing and Control 46:23 Favorite Moments and Wrap Up # BetweenTidesandThunder # fantasy # magicwielding #booktok #bookdiscussion #bookreview

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Recent guests on Reading After Bedtime: Romantasy, Fantasy, and Romance Book Reviews. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

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