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"In this episode of Besties and the Books, Liz and Ashley dive deep into Glow of the Everflame, book two in Penn Cole’s Kindred’s Curse Saga. They start off with their spoiler-free reviews, giving the book high praise for character growth, richer world-building, and a masterful slow-burn romance. They give a brief 5 sentence book summary. They also share some fun personal updates, from movie nights to dog mishaps. Once in spoiler territory, they provide a detailed five-sentence plot summary and discuss their favorite tropes like found family, royal intrigue, and strong side characters, all while keeping the tone warm, relatable, and full of fangirl energy."

We interviewed Penn Cole, we took a deep dive into Spark of the Everflame, and today we’re continuing on with our Kindred’s Curse Saga series with our deep dive into book 2: Glow of the Everflame.

We discuss why this series, and the FMC Diem Bellator in particular, stray away from expected fantasy conventions by defining strength in a myriad of ways and by emphasizing the importance of embracing the power all of us have within ourselves. Emotion is not inherently weak or feminine and logic is not strong or inherently masculine. Diem consistently acknowledges that working in an either/or framework is impossible and harmful, and uniquely recognizes that the only way to truly be the leader she is destined to be is through both/and thinking, feeling, and problem solving.

We talk about the MMC Luther, and whether or not he’s a feminist, we break down our favorite and least favorite parts, tropes, and characters, share reviews, and discuss whether or not we’re looking forward to reading the sequels.

And we start out with a movie themed fave and fail and end on a high note with a smash or pass highschool teen heart throb, and influential scientist edition.

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

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 Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of Split or Swallow! Now a Barnes & Noble & Amazon best seller titled: Kiss of the Basilisk! https://youtu.be/fknhocSNIKM

____

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Ashley is Wearing: Our exclusive Bestie and the Books Beanie - DM us to be added to our preorder list!

Liz is Wearing: “Expensive…” Skull Tee from @darkanddisturbedshop | | Use Code: VEGAN10 | https://darkanddisturbedshop.com/products/expensive-tee-1?_pos=1&_sid=8bb66fbd2&_ss=r

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 o

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What is the good old US of A at its core? Well, we decided to take that magical school bus trip to the center of America and what did we find? Not molten lava, The Statue of Liberty, or even bald eagles like you might suspect. We found hotdogs. And boy, were there many.

Today we’re resuming our “Am I the A Hole?!” Holiday Series with our 4th of July episode. We’ve got angry neighbors, firework probs, lake vacations gone awry… but most importantly… food dilemmas. And a surprising amount about hot dogs. Which we think is shockingly appropriate.

We tried to tie this in with the book theme… but alas, America’s Independence Day AITA probs seem to have few literary tie-ins (we’d be lying if we said we were surprised by this 🤷‍♀️).

So buckle up for a spoiler free episode, guaranteed to make you laugh even during the worst of times. We’ve got millennial faves and fails from childhood summer vacays, and a multi layered smash or pass involving our favorite patriotic staples: A Texas Ranger, a deranged cook, and a good old man crop top.

"In this festive and silly Fourth of July episode of Besties in the Books, hosts Ashley and Liz deliver a hilarious, spoiler-free dive into Reddit’s "Am I the A-Hole?" threads—holiday edition. While embracing summer nostalgia, the duo reflects on millennial childhood faves and fails—from Doughboy pool whirlpools and Flintstones push-pops to slip-and-slide injuries and life before the internet. They also address the emotional weight of this year’s July 4th, reminding listeners that resistance, rest, and joy can coexist. Highlights include a ridiculous hot dog eating contest gone wrong and a neighborly fireworks debate, with the Besties blending sharp humor, cultural commentary, and a sense of community. Tune in for laughs, reflection, and summer vibes with your favorite bookish besties."

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

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 Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of Split or Swallow! Now a Barnes & Noble & Amazon best seller titled: Kiss of the Basilisk! https://youtu.be/fknhocSNIKM

Need more ACOTAR in your life? Cook your way through Velaris with the help of Chelsea Cole and her cookbook A Feast of Thorns & Roses. Check out our author interview here! https://youtu.be/fjzmqd-x3OA?si=kNJ4D9cxvUjhp-Ik

____

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"In this episode of Besties in the Books, hosts Liz and Ashley dive into Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole, the first book in the Kindred Curse Saga. As a fresh romantasy read from a New York Times bestselling debut author, this novel blends strong female leads, a compelling magic system, and light feminist themes that set it apart in the fantasy genre. The hosts share a spoiler-free review, their personal star and spice ratings, and discuss Penn Cole’s thoughtful character development, world building, and tropes like hidden identity and slow burn romance. They also highlight their exclusive spoiler-free interview with Penn Cole—linked below—along with community reactions on their Fable book club and good reads. Perfect for romantasy lovers and fantasy newcomers alike, this deep-dive episode offers layered insight, trope breakdowns, and fun personal updates, all while celebrating one of the genre’s most talked-about series."

We’re finally here to do our deep dive series on Penn Cole’s amazing debut Spark of the Everflame! Book 1 in the Kindred’s Curse Saga is a fantastic start to an epic slow burn Romantasy series, but is also an examination of the effects of colonialism, classism, racism, and sexism (among other examples of inequality) on a fictional world, and we’re here to talk about it!

We had the pleasure of interviewing Penn Cole about her thoughts on these topics, on strong female characters and the men that support them, and why these stories about unlikely heroines fighting for justice resonate so much with us. So make sure to check that episode out and then dive right into our talk about book one.

We have spoiler free reviews, our spice rating, our five sentence summary of the entire plot, and then all of our likes and dislikes. What tropes did we enjoy? Plot points? Does this book deserve all the hype? And most importantly… what are the feminist themes? And are we excited to keep going?

Stick around to find out, to hear all about our faves and fails TV / ½ Marathon edition, and a smash or pass with America’s favorite sweetheart and a hell demon.

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

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 Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of Split or Swallow! Now a Barnes & Noble & Amazon best seller titled: Kiss of the Basilisk! https://youtu.be/fknhocSNIKM

Need more ACOTAR in your life? Cook your way through Velaris with the help of Chelsea Cole and her cookbook A Feast of Thorns & Roses. Check out our author interview here! https://youtu.be/fjzmqd-x3OA?si=kNJ4D9cxvUjhp-I

____

Shop bookish apparel worn in this episode!
Ashley is Wearing: Red Starborn Fae Hoodie from @LionheartThreads | * https://go.magik.ly/ml/27ucw/ | Use Code: LIZ15 to save!
Liz is Wearing: R

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Today’s episode is officially our second non fiction / memoir that we’re reviewing on the podcast and a follow up to our “books that made us” series covering our college years. Ashley and Liz both presented five of the books that helped shape our personalities as early 20-something’s in the world, put all the titles into our trusted BATB beanie™, and then chose one to reread. The result: us covering Wild, the super popular story of Cheryl Strayed solo hiking 1200 miles of California’s Pacific Crest Trail with no prior backpacking experience as her way of processing her mother’s sudden death.

This was Ashley’s first time on this journey, and Liz’s second. Follow along as we rate and review the story, writing quality and style, explore the author’s background and purpose in writing a memoir, delve into whether we think their story warranted an entire book dedicated to their journey, if it met our expectations, and if we connected with any of the themes on a personal level.

We discuss high and low reviews, its popularity, the audiobook and movie adaptations, and if we think it deserves the hype. And we also make sure to bring a fave and fail outdoor edition, and a smash or pass PCT / Lincoln commercial edition.

Watch the Books That Made Us Playlist! | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t6T0pPbgkc&list=PLHf5v0KOoZMlj_YBqZCxmyIZi8Idv0mkI&pp=gAQB

Watch the Farenheit 182 Mark Hoppus of blink 182 Memoir | https://youtu.be/NXoRDLDg_iA?si=nDCV8-Pb9lvEowgX

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

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 Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of Split or Swallow! Now a Barnes & Noble & Amazon best seller titled: Kiss of the Basilisk! https://youtu.be/fknhocSNIKM

Need more ACOTAR in your life? Cook your way through Velaris with the help of Chelsea Cole and her cookbook A Feast of Thorns & Roses. Check out our author interview here! https://youtu.be/fjzmqd-x3OA?si=kNJ4D9cxvUjhp-Ik

____

Shop bookish apparel worn in this episode!

Ashley is Wearing: “Read Books Stay Weird” Tee by @Shopwildeshadows | https://www.wildeshadows.com

Liz is Wearing: ”Fire Breathing Bit*h Tee” by @chaptercatchers | https://www.etsy.com/listing/1714014123/aelin-galathynius-baby-tee-throne-of?ga_search_query=Fire%2Bbreathing&ref=shop_items_search_1&logging_key=c1da6191cd33d48291f4deedd9718af946825003%3A1714014123

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!

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In this episode we’re chatting with none other than THE Penn Cole! Bestselling fantasy romance author of her debut series The Kindred’s Curse Saga, also known as Spark, Glow, and Heat of the Everflame, with Burn of the Everflame on the way! Today’s episode will be completely spoiler free aside from a potential 5 minute spoiler section at the end we’ll warn you about, so even if you haven’t read these books yet, or you haven’t made it all the way through the series, you can stick around to chit chat with us, find out what you’ll be getting into when you pick this series up, and get to know the author behind the story.

Penn is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who has been writing her whole life but took a career detour as an attorney and small business owner. She’s thrilled to finally be accomplishing her lifelong dream of becoming an author, and when she's not writing she’s meeting and supporting others (especially women and BIPOC/LGBTQ+ authors) and reading fantasy, romcoms, and humorous non-fiction.

We had the pleasure of meeting Penn at Romantasy Book Con this last February and also got to listen to her speak on several author panels! We were SO inspired by her ideas and input surrounding strong female characters and stories that center women’s experiences that we immediately reached out for this interview. If you’re curious to find out Penn Cole’s take on what romantasy is doing for the book world, if it should be considered fantasy at all, why books that center female experiences and pleasure are often times minimized or infantilized, and why we relate so much to strong, badass heroines… stick around.

We also discuss her writing process, inspiration, and what’s coming next. This conversation gets deep, and we’re so happy to share it with you! And don’t worry… we have Penn’s fave and fail all about Kindred’s Curse and an on the spot smash or pass.

Check out Penn Cole | https://www.penncole.com/ and on IG & TikTok @authorpenncole

Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…)
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 Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of Split or Swallow! Now a Barnes & Noble & Amazon best seller titled: Kiss of the Basilisk! https://youtu.be/fknhocSNIKM

Need more ACOTAR in your life? Cook your way through Velaris with the help of Chelsea Cole and her cookbook A Feast of Thorns & Roses. Check out our author interview here! https://youtu.be/fjzmqd-x3OA?si=kNJ4D9cxvUjhp-Ik

____

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@BestiesandtheBooksPodcast

Besties and the Book Club on Fable!
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Liz
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Shop bookish apparel worn in this episode!
Ashley is Wearing: Ashley is wearing “Support Your Local Book Dealer” tee from @ShopWildeshadows | https://www.wildeshadows.com

Liz is wearing a Black Shadow Daddy Tee

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!

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Besties and the Book Club on Fable!
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Well… Ashley and Liz put a hold on their neverending TBR pile and rearranged the entire podcast schedule to yap with y’all about this book. Silver Elite by “New York Times bestselling author” Dani Francis (🤔) has taken the book world by storm seemingly overnight and had to investigate for themselves with their very first conspiracy episode. 👽🛸👽 OooOooO Spooky.

"In this episode of Besties and the Books podcast, hosts Liz and Ashley dive into the viral dystopian romance novel Silver Elite by the mysterious Dani Francis, launching their first "conspiracy theory" episode after so much discord and controversy from this book's debut. They dissect the book’s striking similarities to Fourth Wing, speculate on its sudden rise to fame, and explore wild theories about the anonymous author’s identity—including the possibility that it’s a pseudonym for a canceled author, a male writer trying to enter the romance space, or even an AI-generated experiment. They also compare Silver Elite to Red Tower’s Shield of Sparrows, which was oddly released on the same day, and critique the writing for its lack of character depth, inorganic romance, and robotic spice scenes. Along the way, they share personal dystopian media favorites and fails, emphasize their skepticism about Silver Elite's hype, and encourage listeners to join the fun—and the speculation."

And… is it actually good? It’s dystopian, it’s fantasy… it’s enemies to lovers in a military setting… but how does it stack up to other books in the same genre? Find out what we thought about it and if we think it deserves the hype… and what we think about the extremely “similar” book published on the exact same day by Red Tower? 👀

Go down the rabbit hole with us as we investigate. And don’t worry, we have a dystopian fave and fail and smash or pass locked and loaded for ya!

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

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 Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of Split or Swallow! Now a Barnes & Noble & Amazon best seller titled: Kiss of the Basilisk! https://youtu.be/fknhocSNIKM

____

Shop bookish apparel worn in this episode!

Ashley is Wearing: Lord of the Rings "Even Darkness Must Pass" T-shirt from @etsy | * https://go.magik.ly/ml/2cqg0/

Liz is wearing: Book Dragon Crewneck by @readbyerin_ | https://shopreadbyerin.com/password?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwKrWBVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp68SFgFpy9NrtMxA2nANvSKVSehZTwGU6RbeMKvsb4wyhLUy4-Tex4bVAXFW_aem_892_3BIjMKphutGnBUtU7w

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!

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"Ashley and Liz interview Chelsea Cole, food blogger and author of A Feast of Thorns and Roses: The Unofficial Cookbook of A Court of Thorns and Roses. Chelsea shares the inspiration behind her ACOTAR-themed cookbook, which creatively brings meals from the beloved fantasy series into real-life kitchens. She discusses her background in food blogging and her goal of making recipes accessible for all skill levels, noting that the book is designed not just for cooking but for fans to deepen their connection with the series. The cookbook features sections inspired by the different courts and characters, including desserts tied to each court and cocktails based on the inner circle. Chelsea also recounts the challenges of recipe development, especially while postpartum, and highlights the joy and community that came from sharing her fandom through food. The episode closes with heartfelt reflections on the power of nostalgia and how food can enrich the experience of revisiting favorite fantasy stories."

Did you guys know that there is an unofficial ACOTAR Cookbook that walks even the most novice cooks and bakers through the process of cooking and creating classic recipes from our most cherished A Court of Thorns & Roses book series?! Yes, it’s real! And it’s amazing! Today we’re interviewing food blogger and cookbook author Chelsea Cole all about her brand new book A Feast of Thorns and Roses.

Chelsea says that the idea for AFOTAR was born after her love for reading was reignited by a series where "meals are more than simply sustenance; they are expressions of culture, emotion, and connection. This cookbook is [her] attempt to bring those moments to your table, to let you feel the warmth of a simple meal shared in the cozy confines of a dinner with the Inner Circle or taste the richness of the Winter Solstice feast." And boy did we feel that when cooking her recipes!

Check out Chelsea!

Website: https://aducksoven.com/about/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chel.seacole?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

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

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 Author Interview with Lindsay Straube best seller titled: Kiss of the Basilisk! https://youtu.be/fknhocSNIKM

____

Ashley is Wearing: an ACOTAR “To The Stars That Listen” from @thebeanworkshop | Use code: BOOKBESTIES10 to save! | * https://thebeanworkshop.store/products/to-the-stars-who-listen-and-the-dreams-are-answered-tee-shirt?_pos=9&_sid=823f6afe6&_ss=rLiz is wearing: “Climb the Mountain” ACOSF Inspired Tee by @shop_secondbreakfast | * https://go.magik.ly/ml/2cpsa/

Any link with an * is

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Today is the epic conclusion of our Fifty Shades of Grey miniseries fondly titled "Fifty Shades of May" series, and boyyy are we excited. Come on this first time journey with us as we do the ultimate book and movie ranking / showdown of the entire trilogy! We give our overall star and spice ratings of the Fifty Shades of Grey book trilogy by E. L. James, the movie trilogy, and even include our thoughts on the Fifty Shades parody book: Fifty Shames of Earl Grey.

What did we love? (Veiny arms and grey sweatpants. 🤷‍♀️🫠) What did we not love? (Almost everything else? 🥴😂) Ultimately, after doing all this research in the name of romance genre science, was it worth it? Was it problematic? Did it help or hurt its cause? Stick around to find out why we’re filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and insisting Christian Bale go back in time to FIX THIS!

Lastly, we announce what delightful coming of age series we’ll be covering over the summer. Here’s a hint: “I wish I were rich, and I could spend the whole summer at a hotel, eating ice cream and chicken salad.” See you there!

Join our Virtual Book Club & Buddy Read on Fable! | https://fable.co/club/50-shades-of-grey-pod-read-with-bestiesandthebookclub-487898954653

Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday… and sometimes Friday!

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 Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of Split or Swallow! Now a Barnes & Noble & Amazon best seller titled: Kiss of the Basilisk! https://youtu.be/fknhocSNIKM

Watch our Author Interview with Indie Dark Romance Author Ember Nicole here |https://youtu.be/tHV9rXSTBpY?si=OwxdMVfPmtFkcYu6

Looking for your next murder mystery Romantasy? Preview This Monster of Mine with our interview with debut author Shalini Abeysekara! | https://youtu.be/dMoOSLW1vTE?si=n6z3RXxSutNXN2o

Shop bookish apparel worn in this episode!

Ashley is wearing: Crescent City “Bryce” Tee from @CaffeineAndCurses | * https://caffeineandcurses.com/collections/sarah-j-maas-merch

Liz is wearing “Reading ‘Cause Fu*k This Sh*t” Tee by @darkanddisturbedshop | Use Code: VEGAN10 to save! | https://darkanddisturbedshop.com/products/praise-me-tee?_pos=2&_sid=81592a902&_ss=r

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!

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@BestiesandtheBooksPodcast

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

Liz
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@TheRealLifeVeganWife

Ashley
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@AshleyEllix