The Novel Ideas Sisters

The AUDIOBOOK era

Audiobooks count as reading — and we’re ready to defend it. 🎧📚 In this episode, the Novel Ideas Sisters talk all things audiobooks: the different styles and formats, our best listening hacks and why audiobooks are perfect for busy readers. Plus, we’re sharing some of our all-time favourite narrators and the voices we’d happily listen to read the phone book. Whether you listen while driving, cleaning, walking, or avoiding your responsibilities, this one’s for the audiobook lovers. Books recommended/mentioned include: Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry The Grump Next Door by Brighton Walsh God of Fury by Rina Kent Wolfe by Paisley Hope Bridesmaid For Hire by Meghan Quinn ACOMAF by Sarah J Maas The Graham Effect by Elle Kennedy Leather and Lark by Brynne Weaver War AND Hockey Boy by Brittanee Nicole Gloves Off by Stephanie Archer Booked For The Holidays by Erin Hawkins In Her Own League AND Rewind It Back by Liz Tomforde Lights Out by Navessa Allen Part of Your World by Abby Jiminez Nocticadia by Kerri Lake Checkered Hearts by AG Starling Soul Searching by Lyla Sage Empyrean Series by Rebecca Yarros Fae and Alchemy series by Callie Hart The Dugout series by Piper Rayne

A NOVEL DEEP DIVE - Game On

We’re pressing play on passion, vengeance, and a whole lot of morally grey mayhem as we dive deep into Game On by Navessa Allen 👀🔥 Join your favourite bookish sisters as we unpack the deliciously dark world of dark romance—the men we can’t help but love, the lines that get blurred, and the joy of Navessa Allen’s dark but hilarious world! We’re not alone either! Our behind-the-scenes queen, producer Beth, steps out from the shadows to share her hot takes 🎧✨ plus our bookstagram bestie Charese (who can be found @charese_reads on Instagram and TikTok) joins the chat for some seriously fun (and slightly chaotic) commentary you won’t want to miss. Expect laughs, gasps, and maybe a few “did she really just say that?” moments as we break down Game On and the genre that we’re learning to love SPOILERS: Specific discussions around the plot of Game On by Navessa Allen and the other Into The Darkness books, begin at 8:30 and continue until 47:10. Please consider skipping this section to avoid spoilers. TRIGGER WARNINGS for this episode (and book) include: gambling, alcohol and drug use, mafia and serial killer discussions, food insecurity and restriction, bullying/coersion/threats, chronic illness, description of car accident, amputation, child abuse and neglect, cheating, kidnapping, blackmail, death of a parent, explicit sexual content.  Other books recommended/mentioned include: Under Your Scars by Ariel Anderson Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry Throne of Nightmares by Kerri Manisclaco The Into The Darkness series by Navessa Allen The Never After series by Emily McIntyre The Monster series by Rina Kent God of Fury by Rina Kent

The BATTLE OF THE TROPES: Our Bookish Showdown

Welcome back to The Novel Ideas Sisters, where sibling chaos meets serious bookish debates 📚✨ This week’s episode, The Battle of the Tropes, is exactly what it sounds like… and then some. We’re going head-to-head, trope by trope, each bringing our ultimate book pick to the table.  The rules? Simple. We’re each assigned the same trope. We each nominate a book. And then… we fight for our lives (dramatically, of course) to prove why our pick is the superior example. Expect passionate arguments, questionable logic and a few resigned forfeits. We’re likely to convince each other but will we convince you? That’s the real battle. So grab your TBR, pick a side, and prepare to defend your favourite tropes—because this is Battle of the Tropes. 🥊📖 Books recommended/mentioned include: In Her Own League - Liz Tomforde House In The Cerulean Sea - TJ Klune Rosewood River Series - Laura Pavlov The Chase - Elle Kennedy Down Pour - Maggie Gates Happy Place - Emily Henry Play With Me - Becka Mack Done & Dusted - Lyla Sage Things We Never Got Over - Lucy Score Business Casual - B. K. Borison The Deal - Elle Kennedy Yours Truly - Abby Jiminez Out On A Limb - Hannah Bonam-Young Slapshot Surprise - Melanie Harlow Caught Up - Liz Tomforde Maggie Moves On - Lucy Score Not In Love - Ali Hazelwood Problematic Summer Romance - Ali Hazelwood Just For The Summer - Abby Jiminez Gloves Off - Stephanie Archer Lovelight Farms - B. K. Borison Butcher & Blackbird - Brynne Weaver

A NOVEL DEEP DIVE - In Her Own League

Your favourite sister duo is back and thriving — because we’re talking all things Liz Tomforde’s latest release, In Her Own League ⚾ and WOW do we have a lot to say. From swoony moments to sharp takes on sexism in professional sports, we’re breaking down exactly why this book had us kicking our feet one minute and ranting the next. Naturally, we spiral (in the best way) into a full-blown love letter to the sports romance genre — because at this point, it’s not just a phase, it’s a lifestyle. We GUSH over the absolute greatness that is the Windy City series and where In Her Own League fits into the banter, elite-level tension and goregous MMCs (hello Daddy Monty! 🥵) we’ve come to expect. Get ready for high-energy sister banter, a couple of delightfully off-the-rails tangents, and lots of laughs throughout. So grab your headphones, and maybe a jersey for the vibe — it’s about to get sporty🥇 SPOILERS: Specific discussions around the plot of In Her Own League by Liz Tomforde begin at 16:20 and continue until 44:45. Please consider skipping this section to avoid spoilers. Other books recommended/mentioned include: The Windy City series by Liz Tomforde Better Days - Claire Zorn Well, Actually - Mazey Eddings Vancouver Storm series - Stephanie Archer Heated Rivalry & Long Game - Rachel Reid DC Stars series - Chelsea Curto Playing For Keeps series - Becka Mack Love Song - Elle Kennedy Problematic Summer Romance - Ali Hazelwood Deep End - Ali Hazelwood Carrie Soto is Back - Taylor Jenkins Reid

The ENEMIES-TO-LOVERS Effect: Fighting Feelings and False Advertising

In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most beloved—and debated—bookish tropes: enemies to lovers. What actually makes a story true enemies to lovers? Is it witty banter, deep rivalry, or genuine hatred that slowly transforms into attraction? We explore the key characteristics that define the trope, from intense tension and sharp dialogue to the slow shift from conflict to connection. We also talk about why readers are so drawn to this dynamic—and whether the trope is sometimes overused or incorrectly marketed in modern romance. Is every couple who argues really enemies to lovers? Or has the definition been stretched too far? Join us as we break down what makes this trope work, when it falls flat, and why the journey from hate to love continues to capture readers’ hearts. 📚🎙️ Other books recommended/mentioned include: Kingdom of Ash - Sarah J Maas A Court of Frost and Starlight - Sarah J Maas You Between The Lines - Katie Naymon The Crimson Moth duology - Kristen Ciccarelli Fourth Wing - Rebecca Yarros Serpent and the Wings of Night - Carissa Broadbent Tourist Season - Brynne Weaver The Book of Azreal - Amber V. Nicole