What to Read Next Podcast l Book Recommendation Show

Cannes, Murder & Secrets: A Summer Thriller | We Will Never Tell by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Looking for your next addictive summer thriller with rich people behaving badly vibes? This one set at the Cannes Film Festival delivers glam, secrets, and a murder you won’t see coming. In this episode, I sit down with Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau to talk about her transition from YA romance to twisty adult thrillers and her latest novel We Will Never Tell. We dive into how she crafts suspense, builds layered characters, and why she loves writing about “the people behind the people” in glamorous spaces. Plus, she shares some of her favorite recent reads—including thrillers and book club fiction you’ll want on your TBR ASAP. 📚 BOOKS MENTIONED We Will Never Tell by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/3OmohCx] | Thriller The French Honeymoon by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4dJeLUr] | Thriller Good People by Patnmeena Sabit — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/3Qz8lNX] | Literary Fiction / Mystery Elements Somebody Worth Killing by Jessica Payne — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4tzPPn4] | Thriller / Domestic Suspense Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4smN7QF] | Contemporary / Thriller Elements Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/47XSbnr]| Literary / Thriller / Romance Blend ⏱️ TIME STAMPS [00:00] — Intro + Anne-Sophie Jouhenneau returns to the podcast [01:00] — Transition from YA romance to thrillers [02:00] — How to write suspense, twists, and structure [05:00] — Inside We Will Never Tell + Cannes setting [06:30] — The “people behind the people” concept [09:00] — Cannes glam vs reality (parties, work, chaos) [11:30] — Why this is the perfect summer thriller [12:30] — Book recommendations begin [17:00] — Where to find Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau online Link to Anne-Sophie's previous WTRN episode on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/episode/7vy2OqcXhKRCJnjx4PVvyF?si=0ug4IITUQRmTuCK6hN0x5Q] JOIN THE CONVERSATION Subscribe to our Substack [https://wtrnblog.substack.com/] for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com [https://wtrnblog.substack.com/]) Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog [https://www.whattoreadnext.com/] | YouTube: What to Read Next [https://www.youtube.com/@WhattoReadNextBlog] Subscribe & leave a review!

Messy Wedding Rom-Coms You’ll Love | Save the Date by Mallory Kass/Kass Morgan

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. A chaotic wedding, secret crushes, and one very inconvenient almost-divorce—this episode is for rom-com lovers who live for messy, multi-POV drama. In today’s episode, I chat with Mallory Kass (also known as Kass Morgan) about her transition from YA to adult romance, her new book Save the Date, and why writing adult relationships hits differently than coming-of-age stories. We also get into rom-com tropes, ensemble casts, and even the possibility of adding a murder subplot (yes, really). If you love layered romantic stories, dreamy settings, and a little emotional chaos, this one’s for you. 📚 BOOKS MENTIONED Save the Date by Mallory Kass — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/3Oo0nqe] | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅ Royal Summer by Kass Morgan — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4tLlVfN]| YA Romance | Audio ✅ The Trouble with Anna by Rachel Griffith — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4ms7yKO] | Historical Romance | Audio ✅ The Write Off by Kara McDowell — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4taeO0u] | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅ Cross Your Heart and Hope He Dies by Jenny Elder Moke — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4c4NpXH] | Mystery Romance | Audio ✅ ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS [00:00] – Intro + Meet Mallory Kass [01:00] – Transition from YA to adult romance [02:00] – Differences between YA and adult storytelling [05:00] – Breaking down Save the Date (multi-storyline rom-com) [06:30] – Writing challenges with multiple POVs [07:30] – Making character voices distinct [08:30] – Why romance needs emotional tension (not random chaos) [09:30] – The rise of mystery + romance mashups [10:30] – Jeopardy experience + fun behind-the-scenes moment [13:30] – Book recommendations you need to add to your TBR [15:00 – Where to find Mallory Kass online JOIN THE CONVERSATION Subscribe to our Substack [https://wtrnblog.substack.com/] for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com [https://wtrnblog.substack.com/]) Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog [https://www.whattoreadnext.com/] | YouTube: What to Read Next [https://www.youtube.com/@WhattoReadNextBlog] Subscribe & leave a review!

The Angsty Romance You Need This Year | The Write Off by Kara McDowell

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. What happens when the one that got away becomes the inspiration for your bestselling book boyfriend… and then walks back into your life? In this episode, I sit down with Kara McDowell to talk about her latest novel, The Write-Off—a second chance romance packed with college nostalgia, writer drama, and all the angst we love. We dive into dual timelines, messy twenties, and why sometimes love only works the second time around. We also chat about balancing writing and motherhood, the “glass vs. plastic balls” metaphor for life, and Kara shares her favorite contemporary romance reads right now. 📚 BOOKS MENTIONED The Write-Off [https://amzn.to/4vmTIgL] by Kara McDowell [https://amzn.to/4vmTIgL] — Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅ Is She Really Going Out With Him? [https://amzn.to/4cBuzYd] by Sophie Cousens [https://amzn.to/4cBuzYd] — Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅ The Rom-Commers [https://amzn.to/4vpfdNS] by Katherine Center [https://amzn.to/4vpfdNS]— Romantic Comedy | Audio ✅ Problematic Summer Romance [https://amzn.to/41mLKXn] by Ali Hazelwood [https://amzn.to/41mLKXn]— Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅ If It Makes You Happy [https://amzn.to/4elBwOm] by Julie Olivia [https://amzn.to/4elBwOm] — Small Town Romance | Audio ✅ Birding with Benefits [https://amzn.to/4t3AkUm] by Sarah T. Dubb [https://amzn.to/4t3AkUm] — Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅ ⏱️ TIME STAMPS [00:00] – Meet Kara McDowell & writing from the sidelines [01:00] – Balancing writing, motherhood & deadlines [02:00] – The “glass vs. plastic balls” life metaphor [03:00] – Inside The Write-Off (plot + inspiration) [05:00] – Book boyfriend inspired by real life [06:00] – Why second chance romance hits differently [07:00] – College vs adult love stories [08:00] – Kara’s reading habits & favorite genres [09:00] – Is She Really Going Out With Him? rec [10:00] – Why The Rom-Commers is a perfect romcom [12:00] – Ali Hazelwood & dual timeline romance [14:00] – Cozy small-town vibes in If It Makes You Happy [17:00] – Birding with Benefits & fake dating trope [18:00] – Where to find Kara online JOIN THE CONVERSATION Subscribe to our Substack [https://wtrnblog.substack.com/] for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com [https://wtrnblog.substack.com/]) Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog [https://www.whattoreadnext.com/] | YouTube: What to Read Next [https://www.youtube.com/@WhattoReadNextBlog] Subscribe & leave a review!

32 Books Later… My Best & Worst Reads of 2026 so far!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I read 32 books in Q1 2026—and I’m breaking down the cozy mysteries, thrillers, romances, and standout 5-star reads you need on your radar. In this episode, I’m sharing my honest reading recap from the first quarter of the year, including what worked, what didn’t, and the books I’m still thinking about. From bingeing cozy mysteries in Puerto Rico to discovering new favorite romances and thrillers, this is your inside look at what’s worth adding to your TBR. 📚 BOOKS MENTIONED Cozy Mysteries: * Death al Dente [https://amzn.to/3OhkdUa] by Leslie Budewitz [https://amzn.to/3OhkdUa] * The Rocky Road to Ruin [https://amzn.to/4sU5g9K] by Meri Allen [https://amzn.to/4sU5g9K] * Catch Me If You Candy [https://amzn.to/3NJamGD] by Ellie Alexander [https://amzn.to/3NJamGD] * Sticks and Scones [https://amzn.to/41KV33l]by Ellie Alexander [https://amzn.to/41KV33l] * Killing Me Soufflé [https://amzn.to/4c7v2A2] by Ellie Alexander [https://amzn.to/4c7v2A2] * The Diva Takes the Cake [https://amzn.to/4saUHOb] by Krista Davis [https://amzn.to/4saUHOb] * Death of a Country Fried Redneck [https://amzn.to/3O6de0j] by Lee Hollis [https://amzn.to/3O6de0j] * Death of the Kitchen Diva [https://amzn.to/4mgv0L4] by Lee Hollis [https://amzn.to/4mgv0L4] Thrillers: * We Were Never Friends [https://amzn.to/4va7fIr] by Kaira Rouda [https://amzn.to/4va7fIr] * The Storm [https://amzn.to/3PQkWfB] by Rachel Hawkins [https://amzn.to/3PQkWfB] * Anatomy of an Alibi [https://amzn.to/4dult0q]by Ashley Elston [https://amzn.to/4dult0q] Romance: * The Grumpiest Billionaire [https://amzn.to/47DwMjd] by Pippa Grant [https://amzn.to/47DwMjd] * Still Into You [https://amzn.to/4sQnRDn] by Erin Connor [https://amzn.to/4sQnRDn] * It Seemed Like a Good Idea [https://amzn.to/3NVdsHz] by Lauren Blakely [https://amzn.to/3NVdsHz] * In Her Spotlight [https://amzn.to/4sTlfF6] by Amy Spalding [https://amzn.to/4sTlfF6] * Picnics and Promises in the Strawberry Fields [https://amzn.to/4met5Xh] by Victoria Walters [https://amzn.to/4met5Xh] * The Cherry Crush Flower Shop [https://amzn.to/41ek07g] by Harper Graham [https://amzn.to/41ek07g] * Mistakes Were Made [https://amzn.to/48vd7Cj] by Lucy Score [https://amzn.to/48vd7Cj] Mystery * The Primrose Murder Society [https://amzn.to/3PHP7FN] by Stacey Hackney [https://amzn.to/3PHP7FN] Non-fiction * All Consuming [https://amzn.to/4mbr5Pj] by Ruby Tandoh [https://amzn.to/4mbr5Pj] * Parks and Rec [https://amzn.to/4sd6Fa0]by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong [https://amzn.to/4sd6Fa0] 5⭐ Reads: * Rachel West and the Fallen Starlet [https://amzn.to/4sOsEFt] by Emma Mills [https://amzn.to/4sOsEFt] (Mystery) * Too Blessed to Stress [https://amzn.to/4mdeZ8r] by Alli Hoff Kosik [https://amzn.to/4mdeZ8r] (Women’s Fiction) * The Heir [https://amzn.to/4sfgx3g] by Sophia Travers [https://amzn.to/4sfgx3g] (Romance - KU) * Hunter’s Treasure [https://amzn.to/3QkUN8H] by Olivia Jackson [https://amzn.to/3QkUN8H] (Romance) * Before We Wake [https://amzn.to/4sk7TAD]by Sophia Glock [https://amzn.to/4sk7TAD] (Graphic Novel) * This Story Will Save Your Life [https://amzn.to/4tNrMkP] by Tiffany Crum [https://amzn.to/4tNrMkP] (Thriller) ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS [00:00] – Intro + Q1 reading recap overview [01:00] – Cozy mystery binge in Puerto Rico [02:00] – Books that didn’t work for me [03:00] – 4-star cozy mysteries [03:30] – Thriller recommendations [04:30] – Cozy mystery series I loved [05:00] – Romance reads (billionaire, rockstar, small town) [07:00] – Cottagecore + flower shop romances [08:00] – Mother-daughter mystery rec [09:00] – Nonfiction reads [10:00] – Small town romance highlight [11:00] – 5-star reads overview [13:30] – First graphic novel experience [14:30] – Thriller with immersive audio [15:00] – Wrap up + final thoughts JOIN THE CONVERSATION Subscribe to our Substack [https://wtrnblog.substack.com/] for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com [https://wtrnblog.substack.com/]) Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog [https://www.whattoreadnext.com/] | YouTube: What to Read Next [https://www.youtube.com/@WhattoReadNextBlog] Subscribe & leave a review!

Inside The Paris Match with Kate Clayborn | Contemporary Romance

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. What happens when you’re forced to attend your ex-husband’s family wedding… in Paris? 😬✨ In this episode, I sit down with romance author Kate Clayborn to talk about her newest release The Paris Match and why messy adulthood makes the best love stories. We dive into second chances, complicated family dynamics, and what it really means to rebuild your life in your thirties. Kate also shares how she approached writing Paris as more than just a setting—and why romance readers keep coming back to stories that feel both grounded and emotionally rich. 📚 BOOKS MENTIONED The Paris Match by Kate Clayborn — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/3PT3jM3] | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅ Beginner’s Luck by Kate Clayborn — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4vhz55O] | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅ Isola by Allegra Goodman — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/3PSK05B] | Historical Fiction | Audio ✅ Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/48exlQE] | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅ ⏱️ TIME STAMPS [00:00] – Introduction to Kate Clayborn [01:00] – Beginner’s Luck and pandemic reading memories [02:00] – Overview of The Paris Match [03:00] – Grumpy sunshine dynamic + character setup [04:00] – Writing Paris as a character [06:00] – Language, culture, and realism in Paris [07:00] – Layla’s career and emotional avoidance [08:00] – What a hospitalist does (and why it matters) [09:00] – Life in your 30s vs 20s vs 40s [11:00] – Griffin’s character and isolation [12:00] – Kate’s reading life (romance + beyond) [13:00] – Favorite romance subgenres and tropes [14:00] – Auto-buy authors and recommendations [15:00] – Where to find Kate online JOIN THE CONVERSATION Subscribe to our Substack [https://wtrnblog.substack.com/] for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com [https://wtrnblog.substack.com/]) Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog [https://www.whattoreadnext.com/] | YouTube: What to Read Next [https://www.youtube.com/@WhattoReadNextBlog] Subscribe & leave a review!