Book Bits & Chill
Books & Literature
About
For readers who want book club energy without the homework. Every Sunday, Cassie & Emily spill about the books everyone’s reading — from booktok, to romance, romantasy, and all the fictional drama in between so you know what to add to your TBR (or not). Listen in for recommendations & totally biased reviews, short & sweet recaps as we re-read our favorite series, and general book club fun. Whether you’re reading along or just here for the tea, you’ll leave with a bigger TBR and zero regrets.
Episodes
- Remarkably Bright Creatures Netflix Movie Review | Book vs. Screen Verdict
This episode reviews the Netflix movie adaptation of "Remarkably Bright Creatures," comparing it to Shelby Van Pelt's original novel. The hosts discuss casting choices, plot changes, and the overall emotional impact of the film, including…
- We Failed Our TBR… April Wrap Up + May TBR | Romantasy, Hockey Romance
This episode of Book Bits & Chill covers their April reading wrap-up and their May "To Be Read" list. The hosts discuss various books, including "Shield of Sparrows" and "The Deal," and reflect on their reading experiences and plans.
- The Romantasy That Wrecked Us: Nisha J. Tuli on Trial of the Sun Queen and Storm Breaker
Author Nisha J. Tuli joins Book Bits & Chill to discuss her popular series Trial of the Sun Queen and her upcoming YA novel Storm Breaker, which has been optioned for TV. Tuli shares insights into her writing process, the slow burn romance…
- Rites of the Starling Review: Is Devney Perry’s Sequel Worth the Hype?
This episode reviews Devney Perry's Rites of the Starling, the second book in the Shield of Sparrows series. The hosts discuss the book's hype, its position in the romantasy genre, and provide ratings, before diving into spoiler-filled ana…
- Auto-Buy Authors Guide & Where to START (Emily Henry, TJR, Kristin Hannah)
This episode defines auto-buy authors and explains why they are a reading hack. It provides reading order guides for Emily Henry, Kristin Hannah, and Taylor Jenkins Reid, offering advice on where to start with each author.
- March Reading Wrap-Up & April TBR: 5-Star Reads, Book Hangovers & What We're Reading Next
In this episode, hosts discuss their March reading wrap-up, including a romantasy deep dive and multiple five-star ratings. They analyze their reading with awards for categories like main character energy and book hangovers, then preview t…
- The Poison Daughter Interview with Sheila Masterson | Dark Romantasy, Spice & Writing Viral Books
Sheila Masterson, author of "The Poison Daughter," discusses her viral dark romantasy novel, its success on BookTok and Kindle Unlimited, her writing journey, and themes including spice, consent, grief, and character depth. The interview a…
- Project Hail Mary: Did the Movie Do the Book Justice? (Spoilers)
This episode reviews the movie adaptation of Andy Weir's "Project Hail Mary," hosted by Cassie and Emily. They discuss changes from the book, Ryan Gosling's performance, the CGI-free depiction of Rocky, sound design, and compare it to the…
- The Romantasy Starter Guide: What to Read After Fourth Wing & ACOTAR
Book Bits & Chill breaks down the Romantasy genre into entry, intermediate, and expert levels, recommending books for each stage of a reader's journey. The episode discusses gateway books like Fourth Wing and ACOTAR, evolving genre tropes,…
- Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh: Hot Takes, the Prime Video Show & Why We Couldn't Put It Down
On Book Bits & Chill, the hosts provide a spoiler-free recap and hot takes on Chloe Walsh's bestseller, Binding 13. They debate its YA status and discuss the upcoming Prime Video adaptation, sharing their thoughts on casting and the series.
- February Reading Wrap Up: 5 Star Books & Our March Romantasy TBR
This episode of Book Bits & Chill covers the February reading wrap up, including multiple 5-star ratings and discussions on various genres like thrillers, sports romance, and historical fiction. The hosts also discuss their March Romantasy…
- Wuthering Heights Book vs Movie: Is Emerald Fennell’s Adaptation a Betrayal?
This episode of Book Bits & Chill compares Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights novel to Emerald Fennell's film adaptation. It explores themes of romance versus cautionary tales, discusses changes made in the film, and debates whether the movi…
- Is The Long Game Worth It? Heated Rivalry Sequel + The Rise of Hockey Romance
This episode reviews 'The Long Game' by Rachel Reid, the sequel to 'Heated Rivalry', discussing its merits as a sports romance, character development, and the popularity of hockey romance. It also features a 'Book Boyfriend Olympics' segme…
- Should You Read Daggermouth? A Dark Dystopian Romance with Teeth
This episode of Book Bits & Chill discusses Daggermouth by H.M. Wolfe, a dark dystopian romance. The hosts provide a spoiler-free overview, analyzing themes of survival, rebellion, and romance within the book's oppressive world.
- Our February Mood | Romance Reads, Valentine Energy, The Olympics & Bridgerton
This episode of Book Bits & Chill discusses setting the February mood with a focus on romance reads, Valentine's energy, and potential distractions like the Winter Olympics and Bridgerton. They also cover February TBR plans, Black History…
- January Reading Wrap-Up: When a Six-Star Read Ruins the Month (Plus What We Read & Watched)
This episode covers the January reading wrap-up, including a review of reading goals, the impact of a high-rated read, and discussions on reading habits, slumps, and book expectations. It also details books and shows consumed in January an…
- People We Meet on Vacation: Book vs Movie Adaptation
This episode of Book Bits & Chill compares the 'People We Meet on Vacation' book to its movie adaptation. The hosts analyze changes made by Hollywood, including setting, the ending, and character backstory, evaluating if the emotional core…
- Should You Read The Everlasting? | The 6-Star Romantasy + 2026 Book Releases We’re Excited For
This episode reviews "The Everlasting," discussing its romantic fantasy elements, character depth, and overall impact. The hosts share their verdict on whether to read the book and reveal their most anticipated 2026 releases.
- Big 2026 Energy: Resolutions, Reading Goals, and Becoming Your Favorite Version of You
This episode of Book Bits & Chill focuses on setting realistic New Year's resolutions and reading goals for 2026, exploring topics like goal overwhelm, the value of rereads, and managing burnout. They also discuss choosing a 'word of the y…
- A Court of Silver Flames Full Recap & ACOTAR 6 Predictions
This episode recaps "A Court of Silver Flames," detailing Nesta's evolution, her relationship with Cassian, and key plot points. It also includes predictions for the next book in the ACOTAR series.
- Good Spirits Review & the Christmas Classics Debate
This Christmas episode of Book Bits & Chill reviews "Good Spirits" with minimal spoilers, discusses holiday romance, what constitutes a Christmas classic, and favorite holiday movies. The hosts also play a "Naughty or Nice" game covering r…
- Why Smut Has a Chokehold on Women (And Why We’re Not Mad About It)
In this episode of Book Bits & Chill, Cassie and Emily discuss the popularity of smutty books among women, exploring themes of erotica, spicy romance, emotional foreplay, and escapism. They differentiate between slow burn and instant grati…
- Best Books of 2025 | Reader Superlatives, Book Boyfriends, Romantasy & BookTok Favorites
The Book Bits & Chill podcast crowns the best books of 2025, covering categories like Best Book Boyfriend, Most Emotionally Devastating Read, and Top Book of the Year. They discuss popular titles and BookTok recommendations across romance,…
- Brimstone (Callie Hart) Deep Dive: Chaos, Spice & Confusion, Oh My
This Book Bits & Chill episode offers a chaotic, spoiler-filled deep dive into Callie Hart's Brimstone, analyzing its world-building, plot threads, characters, and pacing. The hosts discuss its relation to Quicksilver, potential series wra…
- Do Not Read A Court of Frost and Starlight
This episode of Book Bits & Chill reviews "A Court of Frost and Starlight," criticizing its lack of plot and excessive POVs. The hosts recap the story, assess its importance for subsequent novels, and provide a final recommendation.
- The Housemaid Review: The Thriller Everyone’s Reading… But Should You?
This episode reviews Freida McFadden's popular thriller, The Housemaid. Hosts discuss the book's plot twists, character logic, audiobook narration, and its polarizing reception, while also touching on reading slumps and the upcoming movie…
- Why We Love Sad Books (+ 5 That Ruined Us in 2025)
This episode of Book Bits & Chill examines the psychological reasons behind the appeal of sad books and their role in fostering empathy. The hosts discuss the benefits of reading sad stories and share a list of books and a film that they f…
- BookTok’s Next Maasverse? Bree Grenwich & Parker Lennox on The Ascended
Authors Bree Grenwich and Parker Lennox discuss their indie fantasy series, The Ascended, including their co-writing process, the inspiration behind their star-wielding magic and twin characters, and its comparison to ACOTAR on BookTok.
- QUICKSILVER Full Recap in Under 60 Minutes + Our Honest Review | Callie Hart BookTok Tested
This episode of Book Bits & Chill recaps Callie Hart's 'Quicksilver' in under an hour, reviewing its popular elements like forbidden fae, tropes, and spice, and discussing its relevance before the release of 'Brimstone'.
- IS RHYSAND DEAD? Everything That Happened in ACOWAR (Part 2) | Final War Recap, Archeron Sisters' Defining Moments, & ACOTAR 6 Theories
This episode recaps the final battle in A Court of Wings and Ruin (ACOWAR), discussing pivotal moments like Feyre's actions, Tamlin's return, Mor's secret, Papa Archeron's sacrifice, Elain's strike, Amren's transformation, Rhysand's fate,…
- Did We All Misjudge ACOWAR? | Feyre’s Revenge, Rhys’s Red Flags & Massverse Clues
This episode of Book Bits & Chill analyzes A Court of Wings and Ruin, covering Feyre's actions, Rhys's communication, Nesta and Amren's roles, and theories linking the ACOTAR and Crescent City series.
- Romantasy Series We Will or Won’t Be Finishing: Crescent City, Plated Prisoner, & More
In this episode of Book Bits & Chill, hosts discuss which romantasy series, including Crescent City and Plated Prisoner, they plan to finish or stop reading. The discussion includes reader hot takes and a fictional Tinder game.
- BEST BOOK OF 2025: Project Hail Mary Review, Summary & Movie Adaptation Hot Takes
This episode reviews Andy Weir's Project Hail Mary, covering its plot, characters like Ryland Grace and Rocky, the science, and Andy Weir's writing style. It also includes reactions to the audiobook, the book's ending, and casting for the…
- ACOMAF Part 2 Recap, Review, & Character Ranking + Spicy Reactions
This episode recaps and reviews the second half of A Court of Mist and Fury, discussing key moments like the Summer Court heist, Starfall, and Feyre's High Lady reveal, alongside character rankings. It includes unfiltered reactions to the…
- ACOMAF Recap & Character Ranking + ACOTAR 6 and Crescent City Theories
This episode recaps Part 1 of Sarah J. Maas's A Court of Mist and Fury, covering key plot points and character introductions. The hosts also rank characters from the ACOTAR series.
- Gods, Forbidden Magic & the One Bed Trope: You NEED This Romantasy Debut on Your TBR
In this episode of Fiction's Fresh Faces, host discusses Godsbane, a new romantasy novel by Lindsey Richardson, featuring prophecy, forbidden magic, and the one-bed trope. The author shares the story's inspiration, including how a runaway…
- Romantasy Reads, Book Boyfriends & Book-to-Screen Drama
Cassie explores Romantasy novels while Emily discusses TV shows like The Gilded Age. They also debate book boyfriends, series completion, and upcoming adaptations of books like Love Hypothesis.
- Should You Read Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid?
Book Bits & Chill reviews Taylor Jenkins Reid's new space drama, Atmosphere. Hosts Cassie and Emily discuss the book's themes of NASA history, queer romance, and representation, comparing it to "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" and offer…
- The Moment We All Switched to Team Rhysand | ACOTAR Part 2 Summary & Book Club Discussion
This episode of Book Bits & Chill features a discussion of Part Two of Sarah J. Maas's A Court of Thorns and Roses, focusing on Feyre's trials and the rise of Rhysand. Hosts Emily and Cassie also share character rankings and discuss hidden…
- A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) Part 1: Recap, Easter Eggs & Hilarious Hot Takes on Feyre, Tamlin & Rhysand
This episode recaps the first half of Sarah J. Maas's A Court of Thorns and Roses, covering plot points, character rankings, foreshadowing, and reader critiques. It discusses Feyre's journey, key characters like Tamlin and Rhysand, and the…
- This Debut Romantasy Might Be Your Next Fourth Wing Hangover Fix
Debut author Becky Jane Fox joins Fiction's Fresh Faces to discuss her upcoming romantasy novel, Veins of Power, a story featuring dragons and an enemy-to-lovers dynamic. The episode covers her writing process, self-publishing strategies,…
- Problematic Summer Romance: Age-Gap Spice, Italian Escapism, & Our New Book Boyfriend
This episode of Book Bits & Chill analyzes Ali Hazelwood's 'Problematic Summer Romance,' discussing its tropes, spice, and characters within an Italian setting. The hosts debate the book's realism and recommendability, particularly focusin…
- Biggest SURPRISE Book of 2025 (And the Side Characters Who Stole Our Hearts)
Book Bits & Chill discusses their 2025 Book Bingo squares, highlighting surprise books and memorable side characters such as Bartholomew the gargoyle. They cover unexpected reads and audience favorites, setting up the next round of bingo.
- Your Next Romantasy Obsession: Witches, War, & Slow Burn in The Witch Queen
This episode features debut author Alexandria Arden discussing her Romantasy novel, The Witch Queen. Topics include her writing process, self-publishing a long novel, and her approach to morally gray heroines and slow-burn romance.
- Knight and the Moth Finale: Awards, Ratings & Book 2 Theories | Rachel Gillig Fantasy Recap
This episode of Book Bits & Chill recaps the finale of Knight and the Moth, presenting the Book Wrap-Up Awards and discussing characters, plot twists, and predictions for Book 2. It covers romance, spice levels, emotional impact, and offer…
- The Knight and the Moth (Ch. 21–31): Spicy scenes, false gods, and betrayal by boy king
Book Bits & Chill discusses chapters 21-31 of The Knight and the Moth, analyzing plot twists, character arcs, themes of betrayal and false gods, and a steamy scene. They also debate survival in the Heart Sore Weaver's lair and Benji's char…
- The Knight & The Moth (Ch. 11–20): Found Family, Omens, and Beeswax
This episode of Book Bits & Chill covers chapters 11-20 of The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig. The hosts discuss themes of found family, omens, beeswax, character theories, and survival scenarios.
- The Knight & The Moth (Ch. 1–10): Eyeless Girls, Broody Knights & Vanishing Acts
This episode of Book Bits & Chill discusses chapters 1-10 of Rachel Gillig’s The Knight and The Moth, covering plot points like diviners and knights, character discussions, and fan-casting. It is recommended for fans of gothic romantasy.
- Book Bits Bingo: The 2025 Reading Challenge
Book Bits & Chill introduces the "Book Bits Bingo: The 2025 Reading Challenge" summer mini-series. Hosts Cassie and Emily explain the bingo rules, share reading preferences, and reveal their next book selection, "The Knight and the Moth" b…
- Great Big Beautiful Life Ch 29-Epilogue: Plot Twists, Cult Drama & Our Brutally Honest Review
This episode of Book Bits & Chill reviews the epilogue of Emily Henry's Great Big Beautiful Life, covering plot twists, cult drama, secret pregnancies, and a final review of the book.