The Novel Ideas Sisters

The ROMANTASY Sequel: a DEEP DIVE into Rites of the Starling and Fury Bound

Romantasy fans know that book twos can make or break a series—but what exactly makes a great sequel? 🤔 This episode, we're diving headfirst into romantasy sequels and asking the big question: what makes a book two truly unforgettable? We're chatting about Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry and Fury Bound by Sable Sorensen, sharing our thoughts on the latest instalments, the romances, the drama, and all the ways these stories build on what came before ✨ Along the way, we're discussing the highs and lows of second books in fantasy romance series. Should the world get bigger? Should the romance get messier? How much emotional damage is too much emotional damage? Was that emotional damage even necessary? And what separates an epic sequel from a classic case of middle-book syndrome? Join us as we gush, debate, and probably add even more books to our TBRs while celebrating the magic (and occasional chaos) of romantasy book twos. SPOILERS: In this episode we discuss Shield of Sparrows and Rites of the Starling by Denver Perry, AND Dire Bound and Fury Bound by Sable Sorensen. Specific discussions begin at 8:15 but if you haven’t read these and do not want to be spoiled, we suggest giving this episode a miss until you’ve read these books. TRIGGER WARNINGS for the books discussed include: -on page violence -sexual assault -expsexual content -mental health -death of a loved one (human and animal)  Books recommended/mentioned include: Just Playing For Keeps by Lauren Blakely Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry Dire Bound by Sable Sorensen Fury Bound by Sable Sorensen Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros A Court Of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig Play With Me by Becka Mack

We Need To Talk About OFF CAMPUS

The guys and girls Briar U have officially hit our screens, and you know we had THOUGHTS. In this episode of The Novel Ideas Sisters, we’re diving headfirst into the Amazon Prime adaptation of the Off Campus series by Elle Kennedy — from the casting choices we’re obsessed with to the book changes we’re still emotionally processing. We’re breaking down the scenes that had us screaming, giggling, and pausing the TV every five seconds, plus all the moments that felt ripped straight from our imaginations with special appearances from the amazing duo Reading At Isaacs (@reading_at_isaacs). Did they do our favourite hockey boys justice? Which casting choices surprised us? And which scenes deserved even MORE screen time? Expect chaotic sister energy, questionable levels of emotional attachment to fictional hockey players, and plenty of hot takes as we unpack everything about the adaptation that BookTok cannot stop talking about. SPOILERS: We discuss the Off Campus TV series and books, including spoilers from the book series that have no appeared in the TV show yet. Please keep this in mind and consider skipping to avoid potential spoilers. TRIGGER WARNINGS for this episode (and books/TV series) include:  Sexual assault Domestic violence Addiction Death and grief Books recommended/mentioned include: The Off Campus and Briar U books by Elle Kennedy Break the Rules and Cross the Line by Lauren Jackson The Undone Series by Peyton Corrine

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