Two Girls, One TBR

The Truth About Sparkles: Season 4 Premiere, New Hosts & Q3 Releases

Welcome to the Season 4 premiere of Two Girls, One TBR! We are kicking off a brand new era with a major host lineup shake-up as Katie, Kirsty, and Jess join the main crew with Rebecca, while Heather and Chelsea crown themselves our bonus chapter queens. In this episode, we are diving deep into the wildest corners of the bookish community. Get ready for a massive breakdown of upcoming dark romance, spicy romantasy, monster romance, contemporary romance and dark fantasy book releases dropping from July to September. We are talking thick fantasy series, indie author highlights, dark academia vibes, and the taboo books you secretly love. Plus, we debate our upcoming ACOTAR reread plans, break down Crescent City theories, share chaotic book conference stories, and our drink recipes. (And for the record: Jess officially confirmed there were absolutely NO sparkles found afterward, okay? It is a hard no!) Dust off your TBR lists: this season is unfiltered, spicy, and full of chaos. Rate and review us on Spotify, and make sure to follow so you never miss an episode drop! * Correction Note: During the episode, we mentioned the release date for the alien romance Jess highlighted, The Wildborn. We discovered after recording that it actually releases on July 17th, not June 28th! Mark your calendars accordingly! Connect with us! linktr.ee/TwoGirlsOneTBR [linktr.ee/TwoGirlsOneTBR]

Meet Your Next Dark Romantasy Obsession: Gemma Vale's Daughter of the Night

Looking for your next unhinged dark romantasy obsession? Look no further.  In this episode of Two Girls, One TBR, we sit down with debut author Gemma Vale to talk about her upcoming book, Daughter of the Night. If you are a reader who craves shadow magic, complex character arcs, and a sharp, sophisticated love interest who wears glasses and serves pure elite energy, you are going to fall completely in love with Kael. Gemma breaks down how she approaches writing heavy themes, trauma, and ultimate women's empowerment, while still delivering the high-stakes fantasy we all live for. We also get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a book boyfriend. Gemma shares what it was like to record her own audiobook in a professional studio, the chaotic reality of preorder deadlines, and why her upcoming projects are going to completely shift your expectations for spice and shadow magic. Plus, we chat about the relatable madness of balancing a massive reading list with motherhood and life.  Get ready to add this one to the top of your TBR pile! In this episode: * Gemma’s self-publishing journey and debut release * Recording the audiobook in a professional studio * Preorder challenges, launch prep, and publishing logistics * Writing dark fantasy, romantasy, and emotionally complex characters * Character arcs for Seren, Kael, and future series plans * Social media, author branding, and building a readership * Bookish conversation about spice levels, tropes, and future reads Highlights: * Why Gemma chose to self-publish * The hardest part of creating the audiobook * How she developed Seren and Kael * Why her upcoming books will feel very different * The importance of preorder support for indie authors Connect with Gemma Vale: Instagram: @author.gemmavale TikTok: @author.gemmavale Connect with us! linktr.ee/TwoGirlsOneTBR [https://linktr.ee/twogirlsonetbr]

The Shadow Daddy Grip: Soul Bonds & Dark Romance with A.G. Harris

The shadows are officially calling, Book Babes. 🖤✨ In this episode of Two Girls, One TBR, Rebecca and Chelsea sits down for an unfiltered conversation with the brilliant indie author AG Harris to decode the ultimate dark romantasy formula. If you are obsessed with intense fantasy worldbuilding, complex magic systems, and beautifully written, high-spice romance, this episode is your next addiction. AG pulls back the curtain on her smash-hit book, Kingdoms of Silent Sorrows, and shares her incredible journey from graphic designer to full-time author. We dive deep into her unique creative process...revealing how she creates her own visual character art, draws her own custom maps, and weaves real-world inspirations like Japanese temples into her dark landscapes. From balancing the chaos of motherhood with a full-time creative hustle to the delicate art of writing high heat, explicit love scenes that actually drives the plot forward without the clichés, nothing is off-limits. Grab your favorite drink and get ready to upgrade your TBR list! 🍷 Our Sips for the Show: Head over to our Instagram under "Sips" for the full the full recipes for The Velvet Whisper and The Silent Sparkler...our signature cranberry infused refreshments crafted specifically for dark romantics and book witches alike. Connect with AG Harris: Website & Exclusive Signed Hardcovers: https://www.authoragharris.com/ [https://www.authoragharris.com/] Instagram & TikTok: @authoragharris Make sure to follow the podcast, leave us a review, and share this episode with your favorite book bestie! linktr.ee/twogirlsonetbr [linktr.ee/twogirlsonetbr]

Thirst and Temptation: Vampire Sins & Forbidden Desires with L. E. Sells

"I love spice. That's my platform." How does a powerhouse author successfully manage a massive lineup of upcoming releases while keeping the quality of world-building and character development incredibly high? You’re about to find out. In this episode, Rebecca and Chelsea sit down with dark romantasy author L.E. Sells for an exclusive deep dive into what it actually takes to build and maintain a thriving writing empire. From mapping out futuristic technology in old-world settings to the intentional strategy behind character development, L.E. Sells shares a masterclass in creative momentum. Why you need to press play right now: * The Creative Empire: An inside look at how L.E. Sells juggles multiple exciting projects and upcoming releases without losing speed. * The Tropes & The Spice: We break down the deliberate language of romance novel descriptions, writing complex female leads, and the intentional use of toxic dynamics in dark romantasy literature. * The Writer’s Blueprint: Expert insights into storyboarding, chapter drafting, and how to masterfully hide Easter eggs for your most dedicated readers. Grab your drink and get ready for an unforgettable conversation with one of the most exciting, prolific authors in the genre. Connect with our Guest: Instagram: @lesellsbooks TikTok: @L.E.Author https://theleap.co/creator/L.E.SellsBooks [https://theleap.co/creator/L.E.SellsBooks] Resources Mentioned: Book Love Designs: https://booklovedesigns.com [https://booklovedesigns.com] Spark and Quill Publishing: https://sparkandquill.com [https://sparkandquill.com]

Touch Her and Banishment: True Enemies to Lovers & Morally Gray Shadows ⚔️❤️

What actually makes a book true enemies to lovers? Is it real, deep-seated hatred, or is it just a mild workplace rivalry with a side of tension? In this episode, Rebecca and Heather are diving deep into the ultimate romance trope. We are breaking down the exact anatomy of a true enemies to lovers arc, screaming about our favorite morally grey characters, and giving you a massive list of spicy romantasy, dark fantasy, and dystopian recommendations to fill your summer TBR. But before we get to the spice, we have to talk about the survival guide. From summer skin care and kids' potty training challenges to surviving the grocery store with children, we are laying bare the real-life chaos of balancing a massive reading goal with summer parenting. Grab your iced coffee or your favorite potion, turn up the audio, and let's get into it. What We Pack into This Episode * Parenting in the Wild: Our best tips for grocery shopping, dining out, and surviving family outings with kids this summer. * Audiobook Lifelines: Why busy moms need audiobooks to keep their sanity intact. * The Anatomy of a Cliffhanger: Why some trilogy endings leave our jaws unhinged, featuring Dani Francis's Broken Dove. * True Enemies vs. Rivals: Breaking down why Carissa Broadbent's The Serpent and the Wings of Night and LJ Andrews' The Ever King nail the ultimate slow burn. Episode Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Chaos 02:40 Summer Skin Care and Sun Safety 05:36 Innovative Bathing Solutions 08:18 Parenting Challenges and Potty Training 11:20 Grocery Shopping with Kids 14:02 Dining Out with Children 16:58 Family Outings and Experiences 22:16 Exploring Ancient Burials and Ice Age Mysteries 23:18 Book Discussions: Broken Dove and Character Arcs 24:08 The Impact of Cliffhangers in Trilogies 25:13 Dystopian Themes in Literature 28:42 Genetic Modifications and Societal Conflicts 30:50 The Role of Gods in Fantasy Narratives 34:28 The Demand for Audiobooks Among Busy Moms 35:41 The Importance of Recaps in Book Series 37:57 Favorite Tropes: Enemies to Lovers 45:39 Exploring Enemies to Lovers Trope 47:36 Spicy Reads and Book Recommendations 49:05 The Magic of Poisoned Daughter 51:59 Dystopian Fantasies and Dark Themes 53:48 Anticipating Upcoming Releases 58:02 The Slow Burn of Romance 01:03:21 World-Building and Cosmic Conflicts 01:06:06 Rivalry and Betrayal in Fantasy 01:08:29 Morally Grey Characters and Trust Issues 01:09:37 Rivals to Lovers: A Complex Relationship 01:11:15 Character Development and Spoiled Agendas 01:13:21 The Evolution of Enemies to Lovers 01:15:23 Exploring True Enemies to Lovers 01:16:03 The Serpent and the Wings of Night 01:21:15 The Ever King: A Rivalry Unfolds 01:32:56 True Enemies to Lovers: A Must-Read * Two Girls One TBR Podcast: linktr.ee/TwoGirlsOneTBR [linktr.ee/TwoGirlsOneTBR] * Lena Kazakh's Books: https://a.co/d/04iiDXe2 [https://a.co/d/04iiDXe2] * Your Path is Sorrow by Parker A. Garner: https://a.co/d/08IocjQ0 [https://a.co/d/08IocjQ0] * Silver Elite Series by Dani Francis: https://a.co/d/08D0JmCQ [https://a.co/d/08D0JmCQ] * The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent: https://a.co/d/00oeKS3x [https://a.co/d/00oeKS3x] * Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent: https://a.co/d/00OX3kvl [https://a.co/d/00OX3kvl] * Blood and Steel by Helen Scheuerer: https://a.co/d/0f6Fm7yD [https://a.co/d/0f6Fm7yD]