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In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, Brandi explores The Wedding People, a quietly devastating and deeply compassionate novel about grief, invisibility, and the unexpected ways connection can keep us alive.

Set against the backdrop of luxury weddings, oceanfront mansions, and carefully curated celebrations, the story follows Phoebe, a woman unraveling in plain sight. While everything around her looks beautiful and complete, Phoebe is struggling to stay afloat emotionally. This episode unpacks how the novel challenges our expectations of happiness, success, and emotional composure during life’s most public moments.

Rather than offering easy resolutions, The Wedding People asks gentler questions about survival, presence, and what it means to truly see and be seen. Sometimes staying alive is not about hope for the future, but about one conversation, one kindness, or one reason to stay for breakfast, then lunch, then one more day.

🌟 Episode Highlights

• How The Wedding People portrays quiet grief and emotional invisibility in celebratory spaces
• The contrast between luxury and internal emptiness, and why beauty does not heal pain
• Weddings and milestones as environments where people are expected to perform happiness
• Survival framed through small moments of connection rather than dramatic turning points
• Why being witnessed can matter more than being fixed
• The permission we rarely give ourselves to fall apart when life does not follow the plan
• How imperfect connection can still be life saving

🐉 Dragon’s Roar

This week’s Dragon’s Roar spotlights a bold new adaptation of Wuthering Heights, directed by Emerald Fennell.

Starring Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff and Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw, with original music by Charli XCX, this reimagining leans fully into obsession, class tension, and emotional extremity. The film arrives in theaters on February 13 and promises a modern, feral take on one of literature’s most destructive love stories.

If this conversation spoke to you, consider sharing it with someone who might need the reminder that they are not alone, even when they feel out of place. Stories like The Wedding People remind us that survival often begins quietly, and compassion does not need answers to matter.

Thanks for spending time with Dragons and Spaceships.

Until next time, keep reading, keep dreaming, and may your TBR pile never stop growing.

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In this episode of Dragons and Spaceships, Brandi explores The Widow, a slow burning psychological mystery that lingers long after the final page. Rather than relying on shock twists or flashy reveals, this novel builds unease through silence, omission, and the devastating consequences of choosing not to see the truth.

At the center of the story is Jean Taylor, a character who is difficult to love but impossible to forget. As Brandi unpacks the moral complexity of Jean’s choices, she asks the big questions this book leaves behind. How responsible are we for the things we ignore? Where is the line between manipulation and self preservation? And when does silence become unforgivable?

This episode is a spoiler free deep dive into themes of marriage, complicity, and moral ambiguity, and why The Widow feels less like a thriller and more like a psychological reckoning.

In this week’s Dragon’s Roar, Brandi also shares exciting crossover news for book and TV fans. Tell Me Lies is getting an official companion podcast ahead of season three. Hosted by Stacey Schroeder, the podcast will feature cast members, creator Megan Oppenheimer, and behind the scenes creatives as they unpack the emotional chaos episode by episode.

If you love thoughtful psychological fiction, morally complex characters, and stories that spark serious book club debate, this episode is for you.

Subscribe, share this episode, and send us your thoughts. This one is absolutely a book club discussion waiting to happen.

Until next time, keep reading, stay curious, and may your TBR pile never stop growing.

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In this special holiday episode of Dragons and Spaceships, Brandi leans into the cozy, playful spirit of the season with reader questions, festive book recommendations, and a Dragon’s Roar full of upcoming releases to add to your winter TBR.

The episode kicks off with a fun listener prompt about favorite holiday reads. Romance, mystery, fantasy, or a little bit of everything are all welcome here. Brandi also poses a playful holiday thought experiment. If you were planning a Christmas heist, what festive object would be worth stealing? A priceless ornament, Santa’s list, or the world’s biggest cookie are all on the table.

In this week’s Dragon’s Roar, Brandi spotlights Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood, a spicy enemies to lovers novella originally released as an audio exclusive and now coming to print and e-book on February 10th, 2026. Set during a winter retreat, the story follows video game designer Viola Bullen and her longtime rival Jesse Andrews as forced proximity turns icy tension into sparks.

Brandi also highlights The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year, a cozy holiday mystery that delivers charm, humor, and festive vibes without the darkness. It is the perfect snow globe of a story to curl up with by the fire.

The episode wraps with warm holiday wishes, cozy vibes, and encouragement to fill your reading list with stories that feel comforting, joyful, and just a little magical.

Episode Highlights
- Favorite holiday reading moods and genres
- A playful Christmas heist question for listeners
- Dragon’s Roar spotlight on Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood
- Why enemies to lovers and winter settings work so well together
- A cozy recommendation for The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year
- Holiday reading as comfort, joy, and escapism