In this episode of Reading Materials, we’re joined by bestselling romance author Amy Lea for a warm and candid conversation about life as a writer. Amy's newest book, The Bodyguard Affair, will be released on the 26th of February, 2026!

We chat about the importance of finding and nurturing an author community, her favourite (and least favourite!) romance tropes, and her ambition to branch out into new genres in the future.

It’s a fun, honest discussion about creativity, connection, and what comes next.

In this episode of the Reading Materials Podcast, we finish our journey through Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas and unpack the choices that define the series’ endgame.

We talk about how Aelin isn’t the one to vanquish the big bad, share our very real feelings about the Thirteen’s devastating sacrifice, and debate whether this epic deserved an epilogue.

From triumph to heartbreak, we break down what worked, what surprised us, and what still lingers after closing the final page.

Episode Timepoints:

00:00 - Intro

00:25 - Spoiler Warning

00:55 - Summary of Kingdom of Ash (part 2)

03:30 - Our Discussion

01:23:25 - Outro

In this episode of the Reading Materials, we dive into Part 1 of Kingdom of Ash and unpack the first 67 chapters of Sarah J. Maas’s epic finale.

We talk through the most badass moments, share our favorite character pairings as alliances start to shift, and explore what has us most excited (and nervous) for the second half of the book. From survival and strategy to sparks of hope in the darkest places, this is where the endgame truly begins.

Disclaimer: We had some audio issues during the recording of this episode, which can be heard in the second half as a crackling sound. We apologise for this and hope you enjoy listening nonetheless.

Episode Timepoints:

00:00 - Intro

00:35 - Spoiler Warning

03:00 - The Blurb

03:45 - The Actual Plot

08:30 - Our Discussion of Kingdom of Ash (part 1)

01:09:15 - Next Time on Reading Materials

01:09:45 - Outro

In this special wrap-up episode of the Reading Materials Podcast, we look back on our 2025 in books and podcasting.

We break down our reading stats, revisit our favorite books, characters, and standout podcast moments, and chat about what surprised us most along the way.

Plus, we look ahead to what 2026 has in store for our TBRs, the podcast, and the stories we can’t wait to dive into next.

Episode Timepoints:

00:00 - Intro

00:30 - Life Updates

04:20 - 2025 Podcast Stats

06:30 - Our Author Interviews

11:00 - 2025 Reading Goals

14:50 - Favourite Podcast Book

17:15 - Top 3 Non-Podcast Books

27:05 - Least Favourite Podcast Book

29:50 - The Most Disappointing Podcast Book

34:05 - The Biggest Surprise

36:00 - Least Favourite Non-Podcast Books

40:55 - Favourite Characters

42:00 - Favourite Podcast Moments

43:15 - Favourite Podcast Season

43:50 - New Favourite Author

45:35 - 2026 Reading Goals

47:20 - Most Anticipated New Releases in 2025

48:20 - Coming Up on Reading Materials in 2025

52:00 - Outro

In this week's episode of Reading Materials, we dive into Kill the Beast by Serra Swift and talk about how refreshing it was to read a fairy-tale retelling with no romance in sight.

We discuss the role of trusty companion Brandy, unpack the mechanics of curse-breaking, and explore why this story works so well without leaning on romantic love as a solution.

Episode Timepoints:

00:00 - Intro

00:20 - Brief Life Updates

05:10 - Introduction to the Author

06:40 - Spoiler Warning

07:15 - The Blurb

08:55 - Our Discussion of 'Kill the Beast'

55:10 - Next Time on Reading Materials

57:40 - Outro

In this episode of the Reading Materials Podcast, we step into Cinder House by Freya Marske and unpack what makes this a genuinely enjoyable Cinderella retelling.

We talk about how impressively well-developed the characters are for such a short book, and we dig into a bigger conversation about queerness in publishing — where representation feels authentic, and where it risks being used as a marketing hook.

Cozy, clever, and more layered than it first appears, this one gave us plenty to discuss.

Episode Timepoints:

00:00 - Intro

00:15 - Brief Life Updates

03:00 - An Introduction to Freya Marske

05:15 - Spoiler Warning

06:00 - The Blurb

06:55 - Our Discussion of 'Cinder House'

49:20 - Next Time on Reading Materials

50:05 - Outro

In this episode of Reading Materials, we dive into The Treasures by Harriet Evans (released June 12, 2025), exploring its richly drawn dual settings in 1950s London and 1960s New York.

We unpack our love/hate relationship with cliffhangers, chat about how surprisingly dark the story becomes, and reflect on how these layered timelines reshape the family drama at its core.

Thank you for Viking for sending us ARCs of the book.

Episode Timepoints:

00:00 - Intro

00:20 - Life Updates

02:30 - An Introduction to Harriet Evans

05:10 - Spolier Warning

05:40 - The Blurb

06:30 - Our Discussion of the Book

01:09:45 - Outro

In this episode of Reading Materials, we’re joined by author H. R. Cole to discuss her debut adult fantasy novel Daughter of the Void, published in August 2025.

H. R. shares her thoughts on the bias women face in the fantasy genre, what it takes to craft a truly captivating enemies-to-lovers romance, and how her background in medical journalism shaped her approach to writing.

It’s an engaging and insightful conversation about resilience, romance, and breaking boundaries in fantasy fiction.