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Today we’re taking a DEEP dive right into book four in The Plated Prisoner Series by Raven Kennedy: Glow. What happens after the FMC realizes her power and lets her feminine rage free? And how does our MMC navigate that? This book is all about that transition… but just when we thought we could relax a little we’re thrown another major curveball and the rug is pulled out from under us (and every character) once again. 😳🤯

We give you our spoiler free star and spice ratings and faves and fails, then dive into the five sentence summary, the tea on the audiobook and all our unfiltered thoughts, and then discuss why and how fantasy books can help us process hard things, believe in our inner strength and ultimately (with the right support system) rise from those mother-effing ashes, baby!

Did we find Easter eggs? Do we have unanswered questions? What about plot holes? Are we excited to read the next one? DUH!!! We dive into all this and more, plus a fave and fail Ashley’s birthday, small business support, mystery finger injuries, and good old fem rage edition, and a smash or pass with clicking noises and a gold… member?

Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…)

• Shop our Merch line | * https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.com
  
  

Check out these narrator interviews? ⬇️

Anthony Palmini gives us the lowdown on what it’s like to voice act Rhysand, Kingfisher, AND Slade Ravinger! | https://youtu.be/zcCyrlZ5Jcc?si=2k7ULbRPgZl_5pUJ

Check out these author interviews? ⬇️

Penn Cole talks with us about Strong Female Characters, Feminist Themes, and her debut bestselling Spark of the Everflame Series! https://youtu.be/7ukNImyoObw?si=7C3Y9kOUMN4hfcKb

We interviewed Callie Hart all about her NYT Bestseller Quicksilver! Watch it here! https://youtu.be/CED5s7qDBdQ?si=8xtIRO1IzX6Rsld4

Check the official Follow Up Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of the Split or Swallow Universe all about Between Two Kings! https://youtu.be/OW1cxXTVcTc?si=oOxVIzbIheET_bNE

____

Shop Bookish Merch we are wearing:

Ashley is wearing: a Twilight Vintage style t-shirt from LambComedy | * https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT9JWeP68q2yk-I0EzA/

Liz is wearing : “Climb the Mountain” white tshirt from @shopsecondbreakfast

Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast!

Support the show

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Liz
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“We can cover Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë in one episode. It’ll be fine.” 😂Yeah, that used to be us. Until we read it… and watched it, and became aware of the insane amount of social issues this story dives into, what people had to say about that in 1847… and what they’re saying about it now.

One episode naturally evolved into at least three episodes: the mini reading guide, the deep dive book vs. movie, and now our response to the insane amount of online discourse flying around regarding the new Emerald Fennell movie adaptation. Our “hot takes” if you will. And to be honest, there may end up being more episodes in the future because Wuthering Heights and “Wuthering Heights” are both BEASTS in their own right.

Was Jacob Elordi the right person to cast as Heathcliff? Were race, class, and sex examined in depth? Was generational trauma, abuse and consent covered in a way that does the book justice? Is Heathcliff actually a villain in the story? Why is Nelly’s character so important in both iterations?

We take it even further to examine why this movie is under such intense scrutiny, why others in a similar vein are not, why things created for women and by women are discredited repeatedly, and why romance is not only political, but how that may actually have been one of Emily Brontë’s goals… to encourage us to discuss and debate that very thing.

Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…)

• Shop our Merch line | * https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.com

Check out these narrator interviews! ⬇️

Anthony Palmini gives us the lowdown on what it’s like to voice act Rhysand, Kingfisher, AND Slade Ravinger!

https://youtu.be/zcCyrlZ5Jcc?si=2k7ULbRPgZl_5pUJ

Check out these author interviews! ⬇️

We interviewed Callie Hart all about her NYT Bestseller Quicksilver! Watch it here! https://youtu.be/CED5s7qDBdQ?si=8xtIRO1IzX6Rsld4

Check the official Follow Up Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of the Split or Swallow Universe all about Between Two Kings! https://youtu.be/OW1cxXTVcTc?si=oOxVIzbIheET_bNE

____

Shop Bookish Merch we are wearing:

Ashley is wearing: “Anti Social Social Book Club” Besties and the Books Zip Up Hoodie | https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.com/products/zip-hoodie-grey-besties-anti-social-crow

Liz is wearing : “God is a Woman” Crop Tank by @feralreaderco | https://feralreaderco.com

Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast!

Support the show

YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms
@BestiesandtheBooksPodcast

Besties and the Book Club on Fable!
https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358

Liz
Instagram | TikTok
@TheRealLifeVeganWife

Ashley
Instagram | TikTok
@AshleyEllix

Send a text

Today is for the real MVPs. Just when you thought things over here at Besties and the Books Podcast couldn’t get any weirder… may we present to you our 100th episode filmed from our hotel room at Romantasycon Los Angeles 2026, slumber party style! We’ll be bringing you a full recap video of RomantasyCon Bookcon in all of its glory, but before then, please enjoy this “after dark” gardening 🌱💨 edition of the pod to get to know us even better.

We play our version of the Newleywed Game, where Rucinda (our bestie and bts Bookcon assistant) moderates with questions like: “Name your bestie’s exact pizza order” or “Who would they take into Mordor with them?” Then we play the headphones game with popular fantasy questions… iykyk. And we end with a series of on the spot smash or passes.

There are lots of laughs, some tears, and a whole lot of good vibes we’re sending your way for helping to get us to this milestone. Cheers to 100! And the next 100!

Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…)

+ Shop our Merch line | * https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.com

Check out these narrator interviews? ⬇️
Anthony Palmini gives us the lowdown on what it’s like to voice act Rhysand, Kingfisher, AND Slade Ravinger!
https://youtu.be/zcCyrlZ5Jcc?si=2k7ULbRPgZl_5pUJ

Check out these author interviews? ⬇️
Penn Cole talks with us about Strong Female Characters, Feminist Themes, and her debut bestselling Spark of the Everflame Series! https://youtu.be/7ukNImyoObw?si=7C3Y9kOUMN4hfcKb

We interviewed Callie Hart all about her NYT Bestseller Quicksilver! Watch it here! https://youtu.be/CED5s7qDBdQ?si=8xtIRO1IzX6Rsld4

Check the official Follow Up Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of the Split or Swallow Universe all about Between Two Kings! https://youtu.be/OW1cxXTVcTc?si=oOxVIzbIheET_bNE

____

Shop Bookish Merch we are wearing
Ashley is wearing: A grey Crescent City Zip Hoodie from ⁨@caffeineandcurses7364⁩ | https://caffeineandcurses.com

Liz is wearing : Besties & the Books Pullover Hoodie & Special Edition Beanie | * https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.com

Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast!

Support the show

YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms
@BestiesandtheBooksPodcast

Besties and the Book Club on Fable!
https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358

Liz
Instagram | TikTok
@TheRealLifeVeganWife

Ashley
Instagram | TikTok
@AshleyEllix