Taylor Jenkins Reid is back with Atmosphere, a high-stakes space drama that had us sobbing, ranting, and fangirling all at once. 🚀

In this spoiler-free review, Cassie & Emily break down who this book is perfect for, how it compares to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and whether it deserves a spot on your TBR.

We cover NASA history, queer romance, representation, and (yes) why Katy Perry came up in the conversation.

Perfect for book clubbers, romantasy readers, or anyone wondering: Should you read this?

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: why Atmosphere broke us
01:38 – Summary & first impressions
03:54 – Who this book is (and isn’t) for
07:11 – Women in NASA & Sally Ride
10:21 – Romance, identity, and representation
12:14 – Katy Perry in space?!
13:27 – Where TJR misses on diversity
17:25 – Comparing Atmosphere to Evelyn Hugo
20:06 – The love story & emotional stakes
21:15 – Joan as a main character
25:22 – Final ratings & recommendations
27:19 – The emotional gut punch of the ending
28:15 – Women are literally everything
29:12 – Similar book recs (The Women, The Martian, Lessons in Chemistry, Hidden Figures)
30:12 – Spice rating, book hangover level, and book club potential

Buy Atmosphere on Amazon: https://amzn.to/41lQn4k
Buy Atmosphere on Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/114324/9780593158715

In this episode, Emily and Cassie dive into Part Two of Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses — aka the iconic “Under the Mountain” section that changed everything for Feyre, Tamlin, and Rhysand.

We’re breaking down the second half of ACOTAR with:
✨ A light recap of Feyre’s trials (yes, including that worm)
✨ Our updated ACOTAR character rankings (spoiler: Tamlin is not thriving)
✨ Hidden Easter eggs we caught on our reread that hint at future books
✨ Hot takes on Amarantha, the riddle, the fairy wine nights, and the moment we all started falling for Rhysand

💌 Don’t forget to subscribe for weekly episodes covering Sarah J. Maas, Romantasy deep-dives, and all things bookish!

👉 Buy A Court of Thorns and Roses or risk it all with the whole box set here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/bookbitsclub/list/2VGSVZGIRK2OB?ref_=aipsflist

We’re diving into the first half of A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas — perfect for Romantasy readers, book clubs, or anyone who needs a spoiler-filled refresher.

What you’ll hear:

• ACOTAR Part 1 recap & plot summary
• Our brutally honest character rankings
• Foreshadowing & Easter eggs for later books
• Hot takes on Tamlin, Lucien, Rhysand, Feyre, and Nesta
• Why this book hooks readers even when you “don’t like” the characters

From Feyre’s wolf hunt and capture by Tamlin, to the Spring Court’s cursed masquerade masks, meeting the Suriel, and Rhysand’s unforgettable entrance, we cover it all. Expect honest character rankings (Nesta supremacy), hidden Easter eggs, and plenty of unhinged moments (yes, Tamlin’s fiddle makes the list).

Perfect for book club discussions, ACOTAR newcomers wanting a refresher, and avid Romantasy readers who love deep dives, banter, and obsessing over fictional characters like they are real.

🎧 Listen & subscribe for more book club reads, deep dives, and a new book boyfriend obsession every Sunday!

In this episode of Fiction’s Fresh Faces, we’re joined by debut author Becky Jane Fox to talk about her upcoming romantasy novel Veins of Power—a dragon-laced, emotionally torturous, enemy-to-lovers saga that’s giving Fourth Wing fans everything they’re craving. We spiral over:

🔥 Writing your own book to fill the void after finishing a favorite
🐉 A dragon-human power dynamic that flips the trope on its head
💔 The emotionally-charged consequence keeping her leads apart
📚 Why she’s releasing chapters early—and how to get access
📈 Her self-publishing strategy (and how she’s using live reader data)

If you’re into political tension, slow burn romance with real stakes, and fantasy worlds with layers, Veins of Power belongs on your 2026 TBR.

🔗 Follow Becky on IG: @fifthrealmsaga
💌 Sign up for chapter drops: fifthrealmsaga.kit.com
🎧 Listen & subscribe for more book club reads, deep dives, and author interviews every Sunday!

In this week’s episode of Book Bits & Chill, we’re hopping on a fictional jet to Sicily to break down Ali Hazelwood’s Problematic Summer Romance. From age-gap angst to secret past hookups, billionaire tech men, and limoncello-fueled lust, this book had us fully in our delulu era.

We’re unpacking all the tropes: older brother's best friend, rich but emotionally unavailable MMCs, thigh-riding escapades (yes, really), and a side cast of wildly successful women stuck with mid men. We talk spice (jalapeño level—with or without seeds?), realism (spoiler: nonexistent), and whether we’d recommend Connor Harkness as our summer fling or forever book boyfriend.

Whether you’re here for the Italian wedding fantasy, women in STEM, or a no-thoughts-just-vibes romance, this one’s for you.

👉 Subscribe, rate, and tell us: Would Problematic Summer Romance work if they weren’t rich and hot?

In this episode of Book Bits & Chill, we’re back with Round 2 of our chaotic 2025 Book Bingo! This week’s squares:
✨ “Side Character Who Stole the Show”
😲 “Biggest Surprise of the Year”

From a sentient gargoyle in The Knight and the Moth to shock reads like Dire Bound and The One by John Marrs, we’re talking about the characters and books that totally blindsided us (in the best way). Plus: your favorite picks, unexpected romances, and cliffhangers that left us SCREAMING.

🎙️ What’s inside:

• Why Bartholomew the gargoyle is Book Bits royalty 👑
• The surprise book Emily tore through in 48 hours
• A side character Cassie might secretly want as a book boyfriend 👀
• Audience faves from Quicksilver, Throne of Glass, Metal Slinger & more
• New bingo squares for next round!

🖤 Tag us on Instagram @BookBitsClub with your picks & join the bingo chaos!

We’re kicking off our Fiction’s Fresh Faces mini series with debut author Alexandria Arden, who’s taking the Romantasy world by storm with The Witch Queen. In this episode, we go behind the scenes on her writing process, how she self-published a 200K-word fantasy novel with no traditional publisher, and what sets her morally gray heroine and reluctant-allies-to-lovers romance apart. We also get into her hot takes on enemies-to-lovers tropes, viral book discourse, and why mature protagonists matter in fantasy. If you love deep worldbuilding, emotional slow burns, and Manon Blackbeak energy—this episode is for you.

🎧 Plus: spicy scene talk, author icks, and a playlist that slaps harder than a massverse cliffhanger.

🔗 Grab The Witch Queen on Kindle Unlimited or alexandriaarden.com
📚 Follow @alexandriaardenauthor on Instagram and TikTok

The ultimate Knight and the Moth finale episode! Cassie and Emily present their Book Wrap-Up Awards covering everything from MVP characters to worst betrayals, plus complete ratings on spice, romance, plot twists, and more.

Episode highlights:

• Book Wrap-Up Awards ceremony (Best setting, battles, most unhinged moments)
• Romance analysis and spice level ratings
• Emotional impact discussion and cry factor
• Wild theories about sprites, magic systems, and Book 2 predictions
• Final fan casting and reading recommendations
• Overall ratings and who this book is perfect for

A must-listen for Rachel Gillig fans, fantasy book lovers, and anyone considering their next romantasy read. Whether you're a longtime fantasy reader or new to the genre, this comprehensive review covers everything you need to know about Knight and the Moth.

Perfect for fans of: Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer L. Armentrout, Rebecca Yarros, Stephanie Meyer, fantasy romance, dark academia, and epic fantasy adventures.

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