What to Read Next — Book Recommendations for Romance, Thrillers & Escape Reads

Beyond Bridgerton: Classic Historical Romance Hidden Gems | The Duke by Anna Cowan

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. What if the Duke was a woman — and the courtesan trying to blackmail her was the love interest? If that premise just made you sit up straighter, this episode is for you. Anna Cowan joins us to talk about The Duke, her long-awaited second novel — a queer Regency romance that flips the classic historical hero archetype on its head. This one is for readers who love the lush world of Regency fiction but are hungry for something that feels fresh, politically charged, and unapologetically modern in its sensibilities. We dig into Anna's world-building process, the evolution of historical romance as a genre post-Bridgerton, and what it means to write a female Duke who's conceptually hot in exactly the way the brooding Regency hero always was. Anna also shares a stack of book recommendations spanning classic historicals, gay hockey romance, and Kindle Unlimited reads that will genuinely spark your brain. 📚 BOOKS MENTIONED The Duke by Anna Cowan — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/3OuuFIe] | Queer Historical Romance / Regency | KU ✅ Black Silk by Judith Ivory — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4mV5hrM] | Classic Historical Romance | Backlist gem Fool Me Twice by Meredith Duran — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4czSZ4G] | Historical Romance | Beauty & the Beast vibes Tempting the Bride by Sherry Thomas — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/41SpVzb] | Historical Romance | Amnesia / enemies-to-lovers Game Misconduct (Penalty Box #1) by Ari Baran — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/48RQBUs] | Gay Hockey Romance | Audio ✅ — narrated by Cooper North ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Welcome & Anna Cowan introduction [00:45] About The Duke — the premise: female Duke + French courtier blackmail romance [01:30] World-building a queer Regency where female nobles are the norm [03:00] Character deep-dive: the Duke of Howard vs. Céline — power dynamics & political intrigue [04:30] The romance hero archetype reimagined — what makes a character "conceptually hot" [06:00] Anna's history with romance reading — from Dolly Fiction to Julia Quinn & Lisa Kleypas [08:00] Historical romance in 2026: genre reckoning, post-Bridgerton, mass market decline [10:00] Writing modern sensibilities into historical fiction — Emma Alban, KJ Charles & beyond [12:00] The Kindle Unlimited rabbit hole — queer romance, omegaverse & niche reads [14:30] Anna's classic historical romance recommendations: Judith Ivory's Black Silk [15:30] Meredith Duran's Fool Me Twice & Sherry Thomas's Tempting the Bride [17:30] Gay hockey romance rec: Ari Barron's Game Misconduct + the audiobook [19:00] Sherry Thomas's Lady Sherlock series & the case for more historical romance [20:00] Where to find Anna Cowan 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!

Why Locked-Room Mysteries Still Work with Molly Harper | Millennial Murder Mysteries

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. A cozy mystery with a messy friendship, a locked-room setting, and just enough murder to keep things interesting? I’m in. In this episode, I sit down with Molly Harper to talk about her pivot from paranormal romance to murder mysteries and her newest release, A Cute Little Murder. We dive into millennial mysteries, toxic friendships, “final girl” energy, and why sometimes you just need a little murder in your reading life—without the gore. 📚 BOOKS MENTIONED A Cute Little Murder by Molly Harper — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4clk5fD] | Cozy Mystery / Millennial Mystery | Audio ✅ A Proposal to Die For by Molly Harper — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4mECCXD] | Cozy Mystery / Millennial Mystery | Audio ✅ The Farmhouse by Chelsea Conradt — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4tlmVXV] | Domestic Horror | Audio ✅ ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS [00:00] – Introduction to Molly Harper [01:00] – Transition from romance to murder mysteries [02:30] – Inspiration behind A Cute Little Murder [04:00] – Final girl trope and character dynamics [05:00] – Locked-room mystery settings explained [06:30] – Toxic friendships and character growth [09:00] – Why this mystery feels cozy but modern [10:00] – Molly Harper’s writing journey [12:00] – From journalist to full-time author [14:00] – Audible originals and writing for audio [15:00] – Book recommendations (domestic horror) [16:00] – Where to find Molly Harper 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!

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!