Author Ali Roberts returns to talk about her new book, After Hours, a romcom workplace romance kicking off the Dinner Club series. We discuss her main characters: the rigid, obsessive, and completely loveable Dr. Alfie and his sunny, wickedly smart office manager, Mia. Ali and I share our favorite books and tropes of 2025 and how tropes like enemies-to-lovers, found family, terrible parents, and dark revenge helped us process big feelings. Also, Ali surprised me with an incredible love letter that had me laughing and sobbing off camera.

Here is a list of all the authors mentioned in this episode:

AJ Merlin

Ali Hazelwood

Brynne Weaver

Chelsea Curto

C.R. Jane

Eva Simmons

Holly June Smith

K.M. Moronova

Meghan Quinn

Lilith Vincent

Monty Jay

Navessa Allen

Shantel Tessier

Sloane St. James

Stephanie Archer

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I spoke with author KD Cureton about her viral debut, Cracked Ice, a spicy, dark hockey romance and prequel in the F*cked Up Player series. We discuss her FMC, Sydney Sinclair, who just might be my MVP FMC of 2025 due to her unhinged stalker behavior and her secretly romantic MMC, Lucian “Morningstar” Morrow, as they embark on a wildly chaotic all-nighter that sparks obsession while detonating secrets and trust. KD teases her next book in the series, Black Ice, a why-choose tension-filled, enemies-to-lovers dark hockey romance. KD also wrote a beautiful love letter to her readers that you won’t want to miss.

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I spoke with Lydia, a content creator I crossed paths with on TikTok and Instagram, who shares some of my favorite LORDs series theories and always shares the best book recommendations. In fact, Lydia has introduced me to some of my favorite authors of 2025. Drop into our virtual living room as we chat all things Rina Kent and Shantel Tessier, including some of our favorite books (God of War) and favorite FMCs (Blakely from The Ritual and Laikyn from The Sacrifice).

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I spoke with author Bailey Hannah to discuss her latest book, At Whit’s End, book 4 in the Wells Ranch series. We’ve met our main characters in the previous books, but we’re about to fall deeply in love with Colt, a loveable, golden retriever ranch hand, and Whit, a single mom who feels that she’s both too much and yet not enough (relatable, btw). We explore the many layers of their love story and the transformative effect of trust, gentleness, and simply showing up. A background of small-town gossip and the ache of old family wounds, Colt steps into Whit and her son Jonas’ life with steady hands, a strong heart, star-gazing metaphors, and the kind of everyday devotion that heals wounds he didn’t cause. Expect found family warmth, a light fem-dom dynamic that centers Whit’s power, and proof that real love keeps its promises—especially to a child. If you crave single-mom romance, ranch romance, small-town coziness, witty banter, and HEAs with emotional depth, this book will be your comfort read. At Whits End releases December 2, 2025, in print, ebook, and audio (narrated by Stella Hunter and Teddy Hamilton). If you love learning more about Bailey Hannah, make sure to listen to episode 8 of the Love Letters and Books podcast.

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I spoke with Katana Collins, a USA Today bestselling author known for her grumpy-sunshine RomComs and Romances. We talk about her recent book Meet Cute or Your Money Back (ex-Navy SEALs turned matchmakers find love), why she writes HEAs, and how joy (not algorithms) guides her creative life. Katana shares about her Maple Grove small-town romance series, her holiday romcom Rebel Without a Clause, and what’s next in her meet-cute universe. If you crave slow-burn tension, witty banter, small-town charm, found family, and romances that make your toes curl and your heart swoon, this episode is your perfect comfort listen. Katana also shares a tender love letter that will remind you why we read romantic comedies in the first place.

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I spoke with author Ali Roberts about her debut novel, The Unseen. This is a sweet, spicy, and very funny book about a reverse kidnapping romantic comedy where a fiercely responsible big-sister “accidentally on purpose” kidnaps the man who’s been quietly devoted to her for years (cue unhinged plans, scorching banter, and a hero who’s dangerous to everyone… except her). We dig into why “safe but unhinged and has already done the inner work” makes the perfect MMC, how comedy softens darker edges, and the scene-stealing therapist Dr. Alfie, star of Ali’s upcoming workplace romance, After Hours. If you love great banter, electric chemistry, and a side of spice, you’ll love getting to know Ali (your new favorite author). Ali also shares a tender love letter to her younger self, encouraging her to choose curiosity over fear. If you crave ’90s romcoms with bite, big feels, and a guaranteed swoony HEA, press play—then add The Unseen (and After Hours) to your TBR.

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I spoke with AJ Merlin, author of some of my favorite dark romance and horror books. She’s the go-to author for readers like me who enjoy a little too much romance in their horror and a little too much horror in their romance. AJ's specialty is writing irredeemable heroes who somehow still manage to captivate their heroines (and her readers). Today we discuss some of my favorite AJ Merlin books, including “No, You Hang Up” (think a prank call gone wrong, a morally black MMC, and ’90s horror movie vibes) and the summer-camp horror romance, “Dead of Summer” (think Stranger Things meets a summer camp slasher from the ’80’s, with a big love story). AJ and I had a beautiful discussion about disability and mental-health representation, why “unhinged but safe” makes for a top-tier MMC, and how vintage horror cinema shapes her storytelling. We also talk about her books “Scaredy Cat” (Halloween fun, murder-mayhem) and Starve (monster romance rooted in American folklore). Stay for AJ’s tender love letter to her younger self—a reminder to keep going and trusting in who you are. If you crave horror romance, dark romance, slasher love stories, and morally black heroes with real HEAs, this is the episode for you!

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I spoke with Raya Morris Edwards, the dark cowboy/country romance author of the Sovereign Mountain series, which also includes the books Sovereign, Westin, Deacon, and the soon-to-be-released Jack. Today, we’re talking about Jensen, the fourth book in the series, which launches on November 11th, 2025. Jensen centers on one of my favorite side characters from the previous books and his FMC, Della, a single mother fighting for custody. We explore themes of revenge, discernment, fighting internal and external battles, degradation kinks, power exchanges, and so much more in this high-tension, high-stakes, high-spice series.

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