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A
This is an I Heart podcast. Guaranteed human. I'm partnering with Simple Mills and I have now found a new go to reading snack. Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers Think of this as a quick book style review because these crackers deserve it. The premise A snack that feels light, not heavy. Made with almond flour, sunflower seeds and flaxseeds. Nutrient dense ingredients your body can use. Not empty carbs and the taste? Crunchy classic flavors that leave you feeling energized. For a good plot twist, try Popums. Cheesy, airy, poppable Crackers packed with veggies. Final Verdict these are a shelf staple. Find simple meals at your grocery store. This time of year always gets me.
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Dreaming of my next trip.
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I love imagining the places I could.
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Visit, the friends I could travel with.
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A
And the memories that we'd make along the way. Right now I'm picturing a girls trip. Okay, beach, sun and books. It already sounds good, right? So if you're planning any trips over winter, you could be hosting your home on Airbnb. And now with the Co host network, you could hire a local co host to handle everything like managing reservations, guest communication, and even styling your space. Find a co host@airbnb.com host this episode is brought to you by Kleenex lotion Tissues Cold season has a way of.
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C
Showing up like an unexpected plot twist.
- [01:24]
A
Right in the middle of big moments, good stories and days that are already full. That's why it helps to keep a little comfort close. Kleenex lotion tissues help protect, soothe and moisturize your skin, giving you the support you need right when you need it. Whether you're commuting, binge, listening to your favorite show, or managing a little family chaos, Kleenex lotion tissues are made with coconut oil and aloe vera. For whatever happens next, grab Kleenex.
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B
Today's episode is brought to you by. Cotton we spend a lot of time with stories, hours curled up with dynamic plots and characters who feel like friends. What if the story isn't just in your hands, but also in the world around you, in the fabric that's holding you close? Cotton is that timeless companion. Soft sheets for a lazy weekend morning with a book. Breezy dresses for afternoons spent reading in the backyard. It's the fabric that can be tossed in the wash without fuss. It's about ease, comfort and caring for yourself and the planet. Just like books we cherish, cotton weaves meaning into everyday moments. Next time you settle in for a chapter, slip into something cotton not just to read the story, but to Feel it. The fabric of our lives. Learn more at thefabricofourlives.com bookmarked by Reese's Book Club is presented by Apple Books. Hi, I'm Danielle Roubaix. I And welcome to Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club. Dearest readers, I am overcome with the.
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A
Excitement about this week's guest and just in time, too, as the latest installment of the Bridgerton universe has graced Netflix accounts everywhere with its presence.
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C
Okay, sorry. That was the best British accent I could muster up.
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A
But, yes, we are getting to talk.
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C
To Julia Quinn, author of the Bridgerton.
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A
Novels and queen of Regency romance.
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C
But first, it's the first Tuesday of.
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A
The month, so you know what that means. It's time to announce the February Reese's Book Club pick.
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C
Reese, take it away.
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D
Hi, bookmarked listeners. This is your captain Reese speaking. Okay, we're keeping the thriller energy going at the start of this year. Doesn't the pace of thrillers just make you want to stay up all night turning pages? I can't handle it. It's so good. Our February book club pick is no exception. In her defense by Philippa Malika. This just feels like a classic book club thriller. This book has it all. A celebrity on trial, a secret past revealed, a therapist with bad intentions, and an employee who's out to get somebody. With endless twists and turns and an intricate web of characters who all have different understandings of the truth. I could not put it down. It's a twisting, turning, fantastic reading. I hope you enjoy it. It's called Inert Events by Filippo Malika Reese.
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A
I cannot agree more.
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C
You're all in the right place.
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A
Let's turn the page with Philippa Milica. Philippa, welcome to the club.
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E
Thank you so much. It's an absolute honor and privilege to be here. Completely amazing.
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C
The honor is all mine and all ours. And a huge congratulations is in order to.
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A
I'm getting to speak to you on.
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B
Your first pub day.
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C
How incredibly fun for your debut novel to also be arises book club pick.
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E
I'm pinching myself, absolutely pinching myself very hard at the moment.
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C
Who was your first call after you heard the news that you were going to be an RBC pick?
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E
Well, I actually got a cryptic email from my American editor being like, call me. And I was like, okay. And then I had no signal and 4% battery. My heart was going like that. Can you imagine the stakes? I got through and they were all screaming, which is amazing. And then I called my boyfriend Axel, and we have this phrase when Something goes well in our lives. We say it's vodka and lobster time. And I shouted, it's vodka and lobster time. And he was at a work dinner, so he had to play it quite cool. But yeah, it was amazing to tell my friends and family. Just amazing.
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C
That's so cute. I'm assuming that you guys love vodka and lobster and that's where it came from very much.
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E
And he's Scandinavian, so it fits in.
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C
So cute. Do you foresee any pub day traditions that you're gonna be setting besides vodka and lobster, which I love already?
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E
Yeah. Start the day with a crate of lobster, probably deliver some vodka and lobsters to the bookshops that have supported me and then carry on feasting at the end of the day. I think this time I'm gonna have a very little baby with me. He'll be about a month old, so I will be slightly dictated by him and hopefully he likes vodka and lobsters.
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C
So one day I can'. How much transition you have going on in your life? Like, there is so much excitement all at once. Are you able to take it? Like, how are you doing?
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E
I have to say, Danielle, that I'm afraid this is just what happens with my life. When I first got the book deal, the UK and the US one, I had gone to visit my friend in Barcelona to chill out because it's a very stressful time and we were luckily okay, but we were involved in a car accident there. So when I got the calls from my publishers being like, can you come on a call and discuss your book and stuff, I was like in a neck brace. I always feel like this stuff happens at quite kind of transition moments. I'm not going to compare having a baby to being in a car crash because I think it's not. But yeah, it does seem like these big things seem to happen and collide at once in my life. So, yeah, hopefully he'll be fine with being carried around and taken to bookshops.
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C
I think everybody would like to be carried around and taken to a bookshop. But you know what was cool for me to learn is that I always love particularly first time novelists. I'm like, okay, what was your life before this? And you worked in publishing. So for readers who are going to be seeing your book on the shelves for the first time today and thinking.
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B
Hmm, that looks interesting.
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C
What is your elevator pitch for, in her defense?
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E
So I always say that I need a slightly long elevator, like a kind of skyscraper elevator, if I can. And my pitch is that in her defense is centered around a highly publicized libel trial between a woman called Anna Fimbo, who's like a beloved TV personality, and her daughter's therapist. Her daughter's therapist has encouraged her daughter to cut herself off entirely from her friends and her family. So that's kind of. We're like nearing the ground on the elevator. And if I just continue, I say that it explores motherhood, obsessive friendships, the unregulated therapy industry in general, and then the precarious line between healing and harmony. And then we've reached the ground.
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C
First of all, bravo, because it is a very complicated story. So the fact that you were able to put that into an elevator ride was very impressive. But I'm sort of obsessed that this story is the Reese's Book Club pick for February because it's the month of Valentine's Day. And I think this is a little bit of a toxic love story in a way. It's different. I recently heard the term mood readers. Are you familiar with this at all?
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E
I've just been learning about it too, literally this week. So, yeah, I think we're talking about the same thing. People that want a vibe. A certain vibe from a book.
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C
Exactly. So, like people whose TBR piles are based on vibes and feelings and a mood. What kind of mood readers do you think will enjoy this novel?
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E
I think it would appeal to somebody who loves a little bit of winter darkness, maybe someone whose Valentine's Day isn't always the happiest day of the year for them. Someone who kind of sees through some of the saccharine traditions there. So anybody who's looking for a kind of. Who enjoys dark academic type of context, somebody who wants a provocative and unsettling kind of read rather than something that's going to be neatly wrapped up by the end of it. But also I think someone who's a kind of a bit of a voyeur and kind of takes pleasure in being a bit of a voyeur. And I guess as readers, we're all voyeurs. But my agent calls my theme rich people destroying their lives, somebody who maybe takes a bit of pleasure in kind of watching that unfold would be my dream kind of mood reader.
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C
It's funny you say that because we had Ruth Ware on this show a few months ago and. And she said that she was obsessed with rich people destruction as well. It's maybe a very British thing. Yeah, it's that vibe, I think.
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E
So. It's the kind of. I'm going to say this wrong, but the kind of schadenfreude that you have from watching people with everything slowly start to, you know, lose it, often by their own hand. It's just, to me, delicious.
- [10:25]
C
When you submitted the proposal or the book in general, did you have any books that you gave this one context to? Like, I guess in pop culture, we could say, like, it's like this book meets this TV show meets this song. But what did you have on your proposal?
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E
Yeah, I think. I think we referred to the talented Mr. Ripley, which was, you know, a really big text and movie, frankly, for me. I think my agent said, ottessa Mossberg meets the talented Mr. Ripley. Now, I wouldn't put myself in that literary camp as highly as that, but, you know, her narrators are often very unsettling as well. So that kind of like, you know, that kind of riviera glamour of the talented Mr. Ripley and somebody on the outside and wanting to participate in it was a really instructive kind of theme for me.
- [11:18]
C
That makes sense. Are there any movies or TV shows or music that you think would contextualize it as well?
- [11:27]
E
Oh, my goodness. I've actually. I've compiled a playlist for Reese's Book Club with some, yeah, in my opinion, massive songs on it that really encapsulate it. So there's Bob Dylan on there. There's Big Thief. I don't know if you love Big Thief, a song Called Mary, which was super instructive throughout the book. I think music for me, much more than television. Although I have to say that Meryl Streep's character in Big Little Lies was pretty instructive for me as well. So.
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C
Yeah, that makes sense because there's so much duality in your book.
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E
Yeah, exactly.
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B
Yeah.
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C
Were you inspired at all by real life court cases or cult stories? Because I was peeking at the book, thinking she went down some rabbit holes here. Like your Google search history must have been wild.
- [12:16]
E
It's so dark. Yeah, it's fascinating because as soon as you start talking about this story, everybody has a story to kind of offer. It's really sad, actually. So in the uk, the term therapist is not protected in any way. So I could truly go online this evening, buy some weird Mickey Mouse credential, or not even at all, and, you know, get a beautiful office in Little Venice and set up as a therapist, which is mind blowing. And I know, you know, although it's legally protected in the US there are obviously practitioners, you read about them every day. Right. Who are abusing their positions. I mean, it was kind of reading about this and learning about this really kind of got me interested in how, like, how often that kind of role gets abused. And then I think for me, what was really interesting was actually turning 30 and like many young women, having a stint of therapy myself, which I found really helpful, and realizing how much trust I put in the woman I was talking to every week. And it made me very aware of how badly somebody could abuse that position if they wanted to, you know. So my therapist obeyed all the kind of professional boundaries. And when I asked her where she lived, she'd just say west London and wouldn't tell me more. And, you know, she never tried to create any kind of social relationship with me, quite rightly. And, you know, our sessions were only 45 minutes long, quite rightly. It started to make me really afraid. Like, you know, Jean, in my book, three hours, four hours, she tells things about herself to her, you know, her clients that make them feel like they owe her something. And so as soon as I started to have a good experience in therapy, it really drove me forward in the plot because I was like, wow, how badly could this go in the wrong hands? And it's such a sacred and beautiful relationship. Going into a room talking about your life, receiving guidance. And when that's in the wrongest of hands, like, it still gives me goosebumps, really.
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C
It's cool because I've been a big. I don't know if proponent's the right word. Therapy has really helped me in my life, and I've never really considered a therapist abusing their power in the way that you set forth in the book. And I actually have a lot more questions I want to ask you when we meet again at the end of the month. But there are. I'm wondering if there's like, a scene or a section or anything that you are most proud of that you could read for us.
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E
I spent so long trying to think about how a character like Jean would unleash her villainy. How would she get these girls into her orbit? And I, you know, wrote scenes and scenes of her seducing these girls, and they never felt right, they never felt quite true to me until I was like, okay, put yourself in the shoes of your characters. Your a long way from home. You know, this woman takes an interest in you. She seems glamorous. She's asking questions. She's organizing your life. That's enough. That would actually be enough. And actually kind of staying true to that rather than creating this whole massive. Of course, there's a massive convoluted web that goes on in the book, but it actually starts in such a simple way. And once I kind of crack that, it's about someone caring about you on a simple base on a simple basis. And I think kind of, yeah, Unwrapping that and realizing that it was simpler than it needed to be was a proud moment. So shall I understandably now?
- [15:56]
B
Yeah, please.
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F
Yeah.
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E
Okay. So it's the beginning of part three. If you asked me, why did I let her in? How did I let Jean control my life so intimately? My answers would be embarrassingly naive because she worried about me because her apartment was nice. By November, Jean was offering her home as a sanctuary whenever things got a bit much, providing me each time with freshly pressed pajamas, a carafe of lemon water, and stacks of good reading material. I had been the kind of child who was expected to make her own breakfast. So it was a novelty when she greeted me in bed with a cup of coffee, soothing the perpetual hangovers and comedowns. I was sustaining from trying to keep up with Mary. But as I let her lavish all sorts of maternal comforts on me, was there also an uneasy twinge inside, a strained note which might have warned, this woman is kind, but is she too interested in me? What is it that she wants? If there was, I chose to ignore it. I had found, for the first time in my life, someone to lean on.
- [17:07]
C
That last sentence, too, freaks me out still.
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B
It does.
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C
Why?
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E
Yeah, I just. I think I. I think I empathize. I empathize with Gus there, and I. It's that thing about having someone to lean on, which, of course, she then, you know, she becomes that person for Anna later on. So it's the way that she kind of then repeats, repeats, the kind of.
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C
Patterns of behavior for everybody who hasn't been immersed into the book yet. Gus is sort of our narrator. And one of the things I love about talking to Reese's Book Club authors on their pub day is that you get to speak to readers the very.
- [17:51]
B
First day that they can get their.
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A
Hands on the book.
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C
And so what is your message to them? What do you want them to keep in mind while they're reading? What should they pay attention to which they keep their minds open about?
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E
Okay, so, I mean, there's lots of questions in this book, but I would keep a very close eye on Gus. And obviously her observations are being served to you as a first person narrator, But I would keep a close eye on what she's telling you and how she's kind of giving you information. And protect yourselves slightly. I'd like to say. And I think the other thing to really engage in is the actual premise of the trial. You know, it's a libel trial. Anna Thimbo has published an online newsletter where she's named her daughter's therapist and committed libel against her by calling her a modern day cult leader. And that becomes the kind of crux of the case because Jean says, you know, that's defamatory and that isn't true. So kind of to keep this question in mind, what would make a modern day cult leader? And how might modern day cults differ from those that we might have seen, you know, in the 70s, 80s, 90s? And how might a therapy cult proliferate? And if you kind of, if you keep in that kind of prism of the trial and in that mindset, then hopefully the book will unfold and answer some of those questions for you.
- [19:20]
C
Filippo, when you said that, I thought of this New York Times article I read about how millennials are the least religious group in six decades and they the author of the article was saying therapy is the new religion. And so I just really feel as if you've touched on something so timely. I cannot wait for everybody to dig in and to talk to you in.
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B
Just a few weeks.
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C
Thank you so much.
- [19:48]
E
Oh, it's such a pleasure. Thank you, thank you.
- [20:00]
B
Apple Books is the best place to read, listen to, or discover the books you love without a subscription right on your iPhone. And now there's a very exciting heads up for listeners. Apple Books is the official audiobook and ebook home for Reese's Book Club, so it's easier than ever to explore each monthly book pick, plus author curated collections and more all in one place. Open the Apple Books app to explore a world of books and audiobooks. You can set goals and track your reading progress, get great recommendations for your next read, or listen and enjoy it all on the go, wherever you are. You can even share your books with up to five family members at no cost. Again, no subscription required. Visit Apple Co reesapplebooks to find out more. That's Apple Co reeseapplebooks and read or listen to Reese's current Pick and browse past selections today on Apple Books.
- [21:01]
A
I recently went on a big family trip reuniting with cousins, aunts, uncles, people.
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B
I hadn't seen in years.
- [21:09]
A
And we all got together in a warm place where the weather was perfect, the food was good, and all we had to do was reconnect. It was so much fun. We're already planning our next trip. Trips like that are truly unforgettable and what makes it even better is staying at a place on Airbnb. Now if you're planning any trips over winter, you could be hosting your home on Airbnb. And with Airbnb Co Host Network, you could hire a local co host to handle everything like creating your listing, managing reservations, guest communication, on site support, and even styling your space. So while you're making your own memories, your home can be helping another family make theirs and earning extra cash, right? Find a co host@airbnb.com host this episode is brought to you by Kleenex Lotion Tissues Cold season has a way of.
- [21:57]
C
Showing up like an unexpected plot twist.
- [22:00]
A
Right in the middle of big moments, good stories and days that are already full. That's why it helps to keep a little comfort close. Kleenex lotion tissues help protect, soothe and moisturize your skin, giving you the support you need right when you need it. Whether you're commuting, binge, listening to your favorite show, or managing a little family chaos, Kleenex lotion tissues are made with coconut oil and aloe. For whatever happens next, grab Kleenex.
- [22:27]
B
Today's episode is brought to you by Cotton we spend a lot of time with stories, hours curled up with dynamic plots and with characters who feel like friends. What if the story isn't just in your hands but also in the world around you, in the fabric that's holding you close? Cotton is that timeless companion. Soft sheets for lazy weekend mornings with a book. Breezy dresses for afternoons spent reading in the backyard. It's the fabric that can be tossed in the wash without fuss. It's about ease, comfort and caring for yourself and the planet. Just like the books we cherish, cotton weaves meaning into our everyday moments. Moments like following four adult daughters as they navigate love, loss, and the legacy in the Most Fun We Ever had by Claire Lombardo, all while curled up in soft cotton. Joggers or Sinking into the island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak. A story that spans generations. Forbidden love and a fig tree that remembers everything wrapped in a hand stitched quilt, each thread holding its own kind of memory. Next time you settle in for a chapter, slip into something cotton. Not just to read the story, but to feel it. Cotton the fabric of our lives. Learn more at thefabricofourlives.com.
- [23:40]
C
Welcome back to Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club Guys. I was so excited to sit down with Julia Quinn, the author of the original Bridgerton novels. Here's why Julia first started publishing her.
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A
Novels over 25 years ago, she was writing romance in an era when it.
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C
Was still written off and stigmatized. She chose it too. She got into medical school. Okay.
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A
And instead, she made an incredible career.
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C
Out of her passion, publishing over 25 books.
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A
And then, decades later, she got to see Bridgerton come to life for a whole new generation of fans and spark.
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C
A total cultural phenomenon. I mean, it's really the dream. So, as Reese said, you are in the right place.
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A
Let's turn the page with Julia Quinn.
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C
Well, Julia, we're gonna clink mugs because we're both holding our coffee this morning. You have a Read Band Books mug. I have a Reese's Book Club mug.
- [24:41]
F
I want one of those.
- [24:43]
C
We have to get you one.
- [24:44]
F
I actually have a little connection to Reese that, I mean, she doesn't know about. But Reese just did a book with Harlan Coben.
- [24:52]
C
Yes, it became a bestseller.
- [24:54]
F
Yes. But their editor is my longtime editor, Liza Kirsch. She was my longtime editor and still one of my very closest friends. So Reese's editor is my editor. Well, my old editor.
- [25:06]
C
Well, I can officially welcome you to the club then. I love that you have a connection, Rhys.
- [25:11]
F
We're besties now.
- [25:14]
C
So, Julia, you are, without a question, one of the defining romance writers of our generation. Season four of Bridgerton is officially halfway out in the world. You. Actually, I'm gonna give everybody behind the scenes tea. You just got back from Paris doing a little Bridgerton promotion.
- [25:29]
F
I did, I did.
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C
And it's.
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F
It's as excellent as you think. I. I'm not gonna be falsely modest. It was awesome.
- [25:35]
C
And you came back with some really fancy French butter that you hid in the bottom of your suitcase.
- [25:40]
F
I did, I did. It's shrink wrapped. I also had some shrink wrapped cheese and some really good chocolate too.
- [25:47]
C
Okay, so now you're making me hungry. But everybody else is clamoring for the second half of Bridgerton. I feel like the obsession is very real. What is it like to have started a cultural phenomenon?
- [26:02]
F
I really like that you asked the question that way, because what I usually get is, what is it like to see your characters come to life? And, I mean, that's all amazing and fabulous, but truly the weird, surreal part is the cultural phenomenon part. To realize that something that started, like, in your head on your little computer in a room by yourself is now understood and recognized by millions and millions and millions of people. I mean, even if they don't watch Bridgerton or like Bridgerton, they kind of know what it is.
- [26:39]
B
Yes.
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F
And, you know, people can say, like, oh, that's so Bridgerton. Or, you know, I have friends who write romance novels and. Or say historical romance novels. And one of them thanked me. She said, people finally understand what I do because I can say it's like Bridgerton and then they know. And that is truly the weirdest thing. I mean, these little cultural touchstones. Or like, for example, when the Simpsons spoofed Bridgerton with Tunnelton that I wasn't sure I could ever top that. We're such a Simpsons family. And they'll make late night jokes. There's now Bridgerton Dove soap. There is Bridgerton ice cream. I'm super excited about the Bridgerton ice cream.
- [27:24]
C
That's cool.
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F
It's insane. It's absolutely surreal and insane and wonderful in every good way.
- [27:31]
B
It must have.
- [27:32]
E
I just.
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C
I asked the question that way because I put myself in your shoes for a minute and I thought, how incredible to feel like your creativity permeated, like something that lived in your brain for, I can imagine, so long also lives in people's hearts now. It's unbelievable.
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A
And I also want to add that.
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C
I think it really. It didn't just permeate culture. It pushed the culture ball forward, which not everybody's work does. And I'll never forget watching an interview with Regina hall and she was saying that as a young actress, she had never been allowed to audition for period pieces because she was a black woman. And Bridgerton changed that in the coolest possible way.
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F
It really did. And I'm always very careful to say I cannot personally take credit for that. I want to make it absolutely clear. I love it. I think it's fabulous. I support it 100%. I'm so grateful that Shondaland chose to make the show that way. But I can't take that credit. That was Shondaland's decision and their work to make that happen.
- [28:39]
C
I kind of wanna start with you with love because it's something that we share. I love how openly you talk about the legacy of romance and not just the fantasy of it. Are there any current romance writers who make you excited about the genre?
- [28:54]
F
Yeah, there are a lot. You know, one who is really up and coming right now, she writes contemporary books, not historical. Is BK Borison. And I've been really enjoying her books. Within historical romance, there are, gosh, so many wonderful authors. I've always been a fan of Eloisa James and Lisa Klapis.
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C
I really love historical romance. It's such a. It's such a fun genre.
- [29:22]
F
Yeah. And I think it's a little underrated. Right now it's kind of not having its moment, which is weird because Bridgerton is having a moment. And I'm not really sure why it's happening that way, but I am personally trying to do something about that.
- [29:38]
C
You're starting something that's specifically sort of tailored to this.
- [29:43]
F
Exactly. I am starting JQ Editions, which is kind of half book club, half subscription box. And what I'm doing is I'm choosing historical romances, which I think are the very, very best of the best. It's a mix of brand new books, recent gems, and classics of the modern genre. And right now we're doing one every other month. But we're also bringing them out in beautiful special editions. So they've got.
- [30:16]
C
I think this is the coolest part, actually.
- [30:18]
F
Oh, yay. I'm having so much fun working on it. I'm the one who's actually working with the illustrators to come up with these covers because I really want each cover to truly reflect the book, to not just be like, you know, all right, let's slap some fancy lettering on it and maybe put a guy here and a woman there. I really want them to reflect the book. And so we've got these beautiful covers. They all have illustrated end papers and, you know, those fancy sprayed edges everybody likes. And our first three books actually are one by Eloisa James, who I just mentioned, and it is her. It's a brand new book. And then the second book is An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole, which came out about seven or eight years ago and is set during the Civil War, which is not a very popular time period any longer. But what Alyssa did is she made the heroine a free black woman from, I think, Boston who travels to the south as a spy.
- [31:16]
C
Whoa.
- [31:17]
F
And actually puts herself in the place of an enslaved woman in order to spy for the north with this organization called the Loyal League. And then finally, our Last book of 2026 is Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase, which is, I think, considered the best historical romance of the modern era. I have never seen a list of historical romances that doesn't have that one at the top. And I take no offense, when you're.
- [31:44]
C
Choosing these books, I kind of consider you the godmother of historical romance. So when you are choosing what makes the cut, what separates a good romance from a must be on my shelf.
- [31:55]
F
Romance, the first thing is, it's like, can I put it down? Am I itching to pick it back up? Do I love the characters? Something within it sparkles, and usually it Boils down to the author's voice. There's something about the author's voice that really grabs you.
- [32:13]
C
When you say the author's voice, do you mean their prose? The adeptness at which they build out characters? Or is it more just an emotional feeling you have?
- [32:25]
F
It's their prose and what their prose invokes in you. You know, I've been told that I have a very distinct voice, which is why I think people either really love my books or I'm just absolutely not for them. And that's okay if people like different voices. But I think there are some authors where, if you pick up one of their books, if you're familiar with them a little, you can say, I can tell you who wrote this for sure, because I just hear her. And to me, that's what usually moves a really good book into a great book.
- [33:02]
C
Okay, Julia, as I was reading about your path to becoming a writer, I almost stopped in my tracks when I read that you nearly became a doctor. I have to know how you went from writing medical school applications to writing Lady Whistledown takedowns.
- [33:20]
F
Well, I was actually writing the medical school applications at the same time I was writing my first book.
- [33:26]
B
Wow.
- [33:27]
F
Yeah. So that was. That was happening.
- [33:29]
C
Said nobody ever who has time to do that.
- [33:32]
F
I was writing these books and applying to school, and it all kind of came down at the same time. I got my acceptance to medical school the same month, almost the same week I got my first book deal, which was insane. And I knew if I entered medical school right away, that was it. There's no time, really, to do anything else. So I deferred. And then I deferred again. And all I could think was, if this writing thing doesn't work out, I'm not qualified to do anything. What. Which shows you how narrow my worldview was, because I'd already had three books published, which is like the dream. Right. But I just was freaking out. And I was at medical school for about two, two and a half months before I realized this really isn't the right thing, and I withdrew.
- [34:22]
A
Wow.
- [34:23]
F
And I haven't looked back.
- [34:24]
C
And so you knew anything that was in the back of your mind kind of was washed away at that moment. And you knew you were meant to be writing.
- [34:33]
B
Yes.
- [34:34]
F
Yes. And I'm very glad I did that. I mean, I don't think I'd be sitting here today thinking, like, oh, my gosh, should I have gone to medical school? I would have figured it out. But it's still. I think you get the things that you don't do more than the things that you do. And I had that opportunity to go. To start down a different road, to realize that it wasn't the right road, or at least it wasn't the best road. And it just made me all the more secure in what I did eventually.
- [35:06]
C
Choose to do, which was obviously Bridgerton. Where did the seed of the story come from? Did you always set out to write eight novels?
- [35:16]
F
No, absolutely not. And, in fact, I couldn't remember where the seed came from at first because I wrote the first book in 1998. I mean, my first book is old enough that it would be kicked off my health insurance. So after about four or five interviews of people asking me where I got the idea and me being like, I can't remember, I finally put it together, which was actually the character Simon came first. And what had happened was I met somebody who was. I don't even remember his name now, but he was a classmate of my husband's. My husband was in medical school at the time, and he had a very severe stutter. He was a student at Yale School of Medicine. He was very smart. He was doing things, but he still had this incredible difficulty speaking. And it just made me wonder what it would be like to have that difficulty communicating because, I mean, I'm very chatty. I come from a very chatty family. So I decided, you know, I was like, okay, well, maybe we could make this character and make it the male character who was supposed to be, you know, the big, strong, tough guy. But here, this is his. This is his issue to overcome. And then, you know, because historical romance and actually literature in general is so full of bad parents, I decided to give him this really awful father and this terrible, terrible childhood. And, you know, I wrote the prologue to the story, and it was one of those magical writing moments that happens really quickly. And, you know, I think I wrote that in one day, which was incredible. And then I thought, this guy, he doesn't just need a great woman to fall in love with. He needs, like, a new family. He deserves to fall in love with somebody who comes from the best family ever. They need to be fun and they need to be loving, and he gets, like, a new family. And that's where the Bridgertons came from.
- [37:12]
C
I'm just gonna share, for anybody who's not as familiar, the characters go in alphabetical order. And so Daphne, who starts with a D, is the fourth, but you actually start season one with her love story, and she's married to Simon. Is that why you started with that.
- [37:28]
F
One, Actually, in that time period, women tended to marry younger than men. So it actually, in terms of making it chronological, it made sense to start there and then to go back and have her brothers. And then there's another little switch at the end where Hyacinth gets married before Gregory, which also make sense in terms of just how society kind of played out.
- [37:51]
C
So I pride myself on asking one unhinged question every interview. This is yours.
- [37:57]
F
I don't know if I'm scared or excited.
- [37:59]
C
Do you have a character that you feel was written in the image of you at all?
- [38:06]
F
Okay, that one I can kind of do. Okay, so I am a combination of three.
- [38:14]
C
Okay, you have to tell me.
- [38:17]
F
Penelope.
- [38:18]
C
Okay, that makes sense.
- [38:20]
F
She's the one I pulled, I think, my own. More of my own personal experiences from so many of so much of what I felt like in high school. And then there's also Eloise, because I talk too much, and I.
- [38:36]
C
That was my guess.
- [38:37]
F
Without thinking. And then Francesca.
- [38:40]
C
Huh.
- [38:41]
F
Because, you know, I often feel I love my family. I have the best family.
- [38:49]
C
Yeah.
- [38:49]
F
I often feel like I need some space.
- [38:51]
C
Okay.
- [38:53]
F
So I really get Francesca's need to. To just set herself apart at times. And I've had moments where, like, one of my sisters said to me, like, fine, Francesca. Like, wow.
- [39:10]
C
I actually find that a lot of sibling dynamics on screen are portrayed in a way that, like, does not resonate for me with my brother, and Bridgerton really does. Where did that come from? Was that something that you consciously crafted, or it kind of just happened?
- [39:27]
F
I think it just happened because, you know, I not only have, you know, these siblings, but I also have first cousins to whom I'm extremely close, and second cousins and even some third cousins. I mean, I have this big family, and I'm not super close with all of them, but we tease each other. We don't take crap from each other. And that, I think, above everything is what the television show Bridgerton really gets from the show.
- [39:57]
B
I mean.
- [39:58]
C
Yeah, it does.
- [39:58]
F
I love it. They get lots of things, but that's the one. They just get perfectly that sense of family, that sibling dynamic. And I think that's one of the things that people really love, is to see that, because it is something that resonates with so many people. I mean, if you have a sibling, and I would venture to say more than half of us do, you get it.
- [40:21]
C
Absolutely. And I think one of the things that a lot of people actually don't know is that your first Bridgerton novel was published in 2000. And you were done publishing the series in 2006. How did you hear that Shonda Rhimes wanted to adapt this show? And I guess my even bigger question is, what was it like revisiting the.
- [40:43]
B
Series after 14 years away?
- [40:45]
C
That has got to be very strange.
- [40:48]
F
I heard it was in January 2017. I was sitting in Starbucks with my computer, as I frequently did and do, and I got a phone call from my agent. So I picked up and he said, I just had the most interesting phone call. And I said, okay. And then he said, have you heard of Shonda Rhimes? I said, yeah. And he said, well, you know, her representatives just called to ask if the rights to the Bridgerton series are available and if so, are we interested in talking to them about adapting it. I was like, get off the phone with me right now and call them right back and say, yes, I can't believe you even thought you had to ask. And what I found out later, well, Shonda, she's a huge reader. She loves to read. And when she travels, she usually brings books with her. And she was somewhere, I don't know where, in like a hotel room and in something, and she was sick and.
- [41:47]
A
She ran out of books.
- [41:48]
F
And the book that happened to be sitting around this inn was the Duke and I. And so she picked it up. And that people, is how lucky I am. Because she said she read it and she loved it so much that she got out of her sickbed and ran down the street to get the rest of the books in the series and just like read through everything. And then, and then she started making everybody at Shondaland read it. And she kept calling them these crazy romance novels, which it's fine, I think, you know, crazy just because she'd never read romance novels before. And she's like, you have to read this. I think, don't you think this would.
- [42:22]
E
Be a good show?
- [42:22]
F
You have to read this. And the crazy thing for me is that this is all happening down in Los Angeles at the Shondaland offices. They told me even, like the parking attendant was reading the books. And I had no idea, I had no idea all this was happening until the phone call.
- [42:43]
B
Apple Books is the best place to read, listen to, or discover the books you love without a subscription right on your iPhone. And now there's a very exciting heads up for listeners. Apple Books is the official audiobook and ebook home for Reese's Book Club. So it's easier than ever to explore each monthly book pick, plus author curated collections and more, all in one place. Open the Apple Books app to explore a world of books and audiobooks. You can set goals and track your reading progress. Get great recommendations for your next read or listen and enjoy it all on the go, wherever you are. You can even share your books with up to five family members at no cost. Again, no subscription required. Visit Apple Co reesapplebooks to find out more. That's Apple Co reeseapplebooks and read or listen to Reese's current Pick and browse past selections today on Apple Books.
- [43:45]
A
I recently went on a big family trip, reuniting with cousins, aunts, uncles, people.
- [43:50]
B
I hadn't seen in years.
- [43:52]
A
And we all got together in a warm place where the weather was perfect, the food was good, and all we had to do was reconnect. It was so much fun, we're already planning our next trip. Trips like that are truly unforgettable, and what makes it even better is staying at a place on Airbnb. Now if you're planning any trips over winter, you could be hosting your home on Airbnb. And with Airbnb co host network, you could hire a local co host to handle everything like creating your listing, managing reservations, guest communication on site support, and even styling your space. So while you're making your own memories, your home can be helping another family make theirs and earning extra cash, right? Find a co host@airbnb.com host this episode is brought to you by Kleenex lotion Tissues. Cold season has a way of showing.
- [44:41]
C
Up like an unexpected plot twist right.
- [44:43]
A
In the middle of big moments, good stories and days that are already full. That's why it helps to keep a little comfort close. Kleenex lotion tissues help protect, soothe and moisturize your skin, giving you the support you need right when you need it. Whether you're commuting, binge, listening to your favorite show, or managing a little family chaos, Kleenex lotion tissues are made with coconut oil and aloe. For whatever happens next, grab Kleenex.
- [45:10]
B
Today's episode is brought to you by Cotton. We spend a lot of time with stories, hours curled up with dynamic plots and with characters who feel like friends. What if the story isn't just in your hands, but also in the world around you, in the fabric that's holding you close? Cotton is that timeless companion. Soft sheets for lazy weekend mornings with a book. Breezy dresses for afternoons spent reading in the backyard. It's the fabric that can be tossed in the wash without fuss. It's about ease, comfort, and caring for yourself and the planet. Just like the books we cherish. Cotton weaves meaning into our everyday moments. Moments like following four adult daughters as they navigate love, loss, and the legacy in the Most Fun We Ever had by Claire Lombardo, all while curled up in soft cotton joggers. Or sinking into the island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak. A story that spans generations. Forbidden love and a fig tree that remembers everything. Wrapped in a hand stitched quilt. Each thread holding its own kind of memory. Next time you settle in for a chapter, slip into something cotton. Not just to read the story, but to feel it. Cotton the fabric of our lives. Learn more@thefabricofourlives.com.
- [46:21]
C
I have to get the season four Bridgerton tea because it's out on Netflix right now and everybody listening would hate me if I didn't get all of the behind the scenes info from you. I was reading the original book for this season, which is An Offer from a Gentleman, and I was immediately by the Cinderella parallels. First two books play on classic romance genre tropes, but what inspired the sort of retelling of a classic fairy tale?
- [46:47]
F
You know, I, I had read fairy tale retellings. I'm certainly not the first person who's done that in romance. And I think it was one of those things where I was like, okay, maybe it's time to try this. And, and there are aspects of it that work very well for a historical romance because I was able to take this Cinderella story and actually turn it into kind of a forbidden love trope because the issue of class was something that was almost insurmountable in that time in England. And so Cinderella seemed like a good way to put that out there. So for Sophie, being a servant and also illegitimate, which was a huge deal then really makes her somebody that somebody like Bridgerton cannot marry. This is, this is a big deal. And I think that was hard for some readers to understand because Benedict makes choices and asks things of her that she, she does that she finds insulting. And I think a lot of readers were insulted on her behalf and were really angry with him. And I felt saying like, guys, this is exactly how it would have happened then. This is what he would have done. And the big deal is that he overcomes it and he decides that being with her and the love that he has for her is more important than these issues of class. But I think that the story really is his growth, not where he started. The point is that he grew and was able to get past that and change his mind.
- [48:28]
C
This is interesting because I actually think part two really Hinges, I can imagine. On Benedict Bridgerton. Everybody wants to know what is gonna happen. What do you think most excites you about his story compared to the rest of the Bridgerton gang?
- [48:45]
F
You love the way he loves Eloise. You love the way he interacts with his siblings. You love. You just. And Luke, I have to take this moment to say, is the most delightful human being. He's so sweet and so lovely and so smart. And he speaks French, by the way. I don't know if people realize this. And it's. This is a funny thing about season four is that they have him speaking French, but he has to speak French badly. Sophie corrects his accent.
- [49:16]
C
That's so interesting.
- [49:17]
F
Which is funny cause he has a perfect accent because he grew up in France. But.
- [49:21]
C
Well, let me ask you this. Is there a small detail from Benedick's book that you made sure made it into this season?
- [49:27]
F
Yeah, I mean, I wanted like the prison scene, you know, hopefully this isn't a spoiler. I wanted the lake scene. I wanted, you know, the masquerade scene.
- [49:40]
C
That's such a magical scene.
- [49:42]
F
Yeah. But according to the people who put together the show, they said it was the, I think the easiest book to adapt. It was sort of more naturally cinematic than the other one. So I think it actually does follow the book a little bit more closely than most. So we get a lot of really fun moments in there.
- [49:59]
C
So romance is now the fastest growing genre in publishing. I read that it's a $1.4 billion business in the US every year. And I genuinely think that Bridgerton arriving when it did, helped push the romance genre into cultural mainstream. And in 2020, it hit Netflix. And I think it introduced this, like, unapologetic desire and passion front and center and no shame attached. And obviously the audience loved it when you were writing these books. Long before 2020, long before it was a $1.4 billion business when romance was honestly a little bit dismissed or still sort of stigmatized. What has this boom meant to you personally after years of advocating for this genre before it was quote, unquote, cool?
- [50:51]
F
Well, I do want to point out that even when we weren't cool and we were kind of dismissed a lot, we still were huge business. Romance has been the best selling genre for as long as I've been writing. I mean, so even when people are poo pooing us, saying they're not real books or whatever, we were the ones still bringing in the the money. We're the ones who were making the money for the publishing Houses so that they could publish poetry that only 10 people buy. And I'm not putting down the poetry that only 10 people buy. I want the poetry that only 10 people buy to be published because I think that's super important. But I think you are right that there has been this kind of new boom where suddenly it is unapologetic. It is book talk is this massive thing. And I think, I think Bridgerton definitely helped with that. But what's very interesting is that, you know, the boom that romance novels are seeing is not extending to historical romance. And I don't really know why. I mean, to be honest, except for me, I'll be frank, I'm doing great, but it's not extending to other historical romances. And I'm not sure why. And I mean, that's part of the reason why I started JQ Editions so that the people who are asking me like, well, what should I read after Bridgerton? I can say, hey, here you go. This is like my book club. These are the best. These are the ones I think you will love.
- [52:19]
C
I think it's gonna come back, it's gonna be cyclical. I just think like fantasy romance is having such a moment right now. It is.
- [52:26]
F
I am all for anything that gets people to read. If it's pulling people in, I think it's great. And hopefully it is cyclical and hopefully we will get people back to historical romance again. Because as I said, there's so many wonderful, wonderful books. And actually I'm going to totally tout one of our 2027 books because it is a romantasy kind of. It is the Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love by India Holton.
- [52:56]
C
What's an ornithologist?
- [52:58]
F
A bird scientist. Isn't this like the coolest title ever?
- [53:05]
C
And so, I mean, I don't know what says hot like ornithologist.
- [53:09]
E
Okay.
- [53:09]
F
Right.
- [53:17]
B
Apple Books is the best place to read, listen to or discover the books you love without a subscription right on your iPhone. And now there's a very exciting heads up for listeners. Apple Books is the official audiobook and ebook home for Reese's Book Club. So it's easier than ever to explore each monthly book pick, plus author curated collections and more all in one place. Open the Apple Books app to explore a world of books and audiobooks.
- [53:46]
A
You can set goals and track your.
- [53:48]
B
Reading progress, get great recommendations for your next read, or listen and enjoy it all on the go, wherever you are. You can even share your books with up to five family members at no cost. Again, no subscription required. Visit Apple Co reeseapplebooks to find out more. That's Apple Co reeseapplebooks and read or listen to Reese's current Pick and browse past selections today on Apple Books.
- [54:19]
A
I recently went on a big family trip, reuniting with cousins, aunts, uncles, people.
- [54:25]
B
I hadn't seen in years.
- [54:26]
A
And we all got together in a warm place where the weather was perfect, the food was good, and all we had to do was reconnect. It was so much fun, we're already planning our next trip. Trips like that are truly unforgettable, and what makes it even better is staying at a place on Airbnb. Now if you're planning any trips over winter, you could be hosting your home on Airbnb. And with Airbnb Co Host Network, you could hire a local co host to handle everything like creating your listing, managing reservations, guest communication on site support, and even styling your space. So while you're making your own memories, your home can be helping another family make theirs and earning extra cash, right? Find a co host@airbnb.com host this episode is brought to you by Kleenex lotion Tissues. Cold season has a way of showing.
- [55:15]
C
Up like an unexpected plot twist right.
- [55:18]
A
In the middle of big moments, good stories and days that are already full. That's why it helps to keep a little comfort close. Kleenex lotion tissues help protect, soothe and moisturize your skin, giving you the support you need right when you need it. Whether you're commuting, binge, listening to your favorite show, or managing a little family chaos. Kleenex lotion tissues are made with coconut oil and aloe vera. For whatever happens next, grab Kleenex.
- [55:44]
B
Today's episode is brought to you by Cotton. We spend a lot of time with stories, hours curled up with dynamic plots, and with characters who feel like friends. What if the story isn't just in your hands but also in the world around you, in the fabric that's holding you close? Cotton is that timeless companion. Soft sheets for lazy weekend mornings with a book, breezy dresses for afternoons spent reading in the backyard. It's the fabric that can be tossed in the wash without fuss. It's about ease, comfort, and caring for yourself and the planet. Just like the books we cherish, cotton weaves meaning into our everyday moments. Moments like following four adult daughters as they navigate love, loss, and the legacy in the Most Fun We Ever had by Claire Lombardo, all while curled up in soft cotton joggers. Or sinking into the island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak. A story that spans generations. Forbidden love and a fig tree that remembers everything. Wrapped in a hand stitched quilt. Each thread holding its own kind of memory. Next time you settle in for a chapter, slip into something cotton. Not just to read the story, but to feel it. Cotton the fabric of our lives. Learn more at the Fabric of our lives.com.
- [56:56]
C
What would you tell your 2000 era self? Knowing what you know now.
- [57:03]
F
You'Re not going to believe what's going to happen.
- [57:05]
C
You know, when we had the sisters who created the Rip Bodice bookstores on, they spoke really beautifully on the community and fandom that comes from romance. I'm curious if there's something that has surprised you about the fandom around the Bridgerton series.
- [57:29]
F
You know, I've been in the romance world for 30 years now, so I feel like the fandom kind of grew up around me because I came in just as like the Internet was taking off. I mean, literally when I sold my first book, I did not have an email address, so.
- [57:49]
B
I know.
- [57:50]
F
Let's take a moment to pause and reflect upon how old I am.
- [57:53]
C
Did you have a BlackBerry?
- [57:56]
F
No, I. But anyway, so I basically grew up with the romance fandom. So, you know, I think nothing really surprised me cause I was a part of it for so long. But the television fandom and the book fandom are a little bit different. For the most part, everybody's really, really lovely. I guess what surprised me was how focused on specific couples some people are and sometimes they get really mad at each other. I say that, but at the same time I want to make it clear like 95% of all the fans are just absolutely lovely, wonderful human beings who are so sweet. And I love the fan art. I try to put that on my Instagram a lot. They're just great. They are really.
- [58:40]
C
So you said that romance novels are important for two big reasons. One is that it proves reading can be easy and just for pleasure. And the other is that romance celebrates happy endings and seeking joy and happiness in life.
- [58:53]
F
And.
- [58:53]
C
And I was wondering if there was a moment in time where writing romance or reading romance helped you feel happiness or pleasure when you really needed it.
- [59:03]
F
Absolutely. You know, I, like so many people, have in my life battled depression and have had moments where the only way I could get out of my head was reading a book that made me laugh and smile. And I have heard from so many readers that they have had similar experiences. I get so many letters from readers, you know, just saying like, your books helped me through a really hard time.
- [59:34]
A
Wow.
- [59:35]
F
And that is so meaningful. And. And we need joy. We. We need that. And, you know, and I'm. I'm still here for all the edgy stuff, for the hard stuff, for the tragedies. I mean, those are also important. But I think our society has difficulty elevating art that celebrates joy. And then also the other point that you brought up, I guess that I said Yami, was also that reading for pleasure is so much fun or so important. And I don't know why it is, because I feel like we have reached a point in society where we accept that watching TV doesn't have to be enriching. I'm doing air quotes for everybody here. We can watch TV just for fun and for pleasure and to have a good time. And it doesn't have to be hard. But for some reason, we feel like if we're going to read a book, it has to be hard, it has to be difficult. It has to be enriching. And I'm like, no, we can read books for the same reason we watch Seinfeld, because it makes us happy. Right.
- [60:51]
C
Totally agree.
- [60:52]
F
And I think that got lost for a long time. Like, people were like, I don't want to. You know, I'm not going to read unless, like, it is, you know, teaching enriching, deep and meaningful. Yeah. And writing a book that is meant to give people pleasure, to give people joy, to give people a lovely afternoon, is not easy. I think people think, like, it must be easy since it's not a hard read. But making something look easy is actually quite difficult.
- [61:23]
C
Julia, what's something that you've bookmarked this week? It can be a fun quote or an Instagram post or something you texted your best friend about. What have you bookmarked?
- [61:35]
F
Oh, it was. It actually was an Instagram post. And I don't know if it's how you actually pronounce her name, but it's Katy, A B, E, Y. And she posted, like, this cartoon, and it just has this little creature that might be a rabbit. I don't know what. And is holding something that says magic and whimsy and political outrage. And it says, we navigate these times by keeping hold of both. And that's really how I feel right now. I think it's the only way I'm keeping my sanity is by holding onto both my political outrage and my sense of magic and whimsy.
- [62:10]
C
I also am realizing that you really appreciate duality and living in the gray space, and that's part of what makes Bridgerton so appealing. And Interesting and complicated.
- [62:21]
F
I hadn't really thought about it that way.
- [62:23]
C
I want to segue into something called speed read.
- [62:27]
F
Oh, boy.
- [62:27]
C
Okay, so here's how it works. We're gonna put 60 seconds on the clock and see how many rapid fire literary questions you can get through. Are you ready?
- [62:36]
F
Oh, boy.
- [62:37]
C
Okay, okay, okay. Three, two, one. What's one literary trope that you would ban forever?
- [62:44]
F
Age gap.
- [62:46]
C
And one that you'll defend with your life?
- [62:49]
F
Friends to lovers.
- [62:50]
C
Which Bridgerton character are you secretly least like?
- [62:56]
F
Anthony.
- [62:58]
C
Which Bridgerton character would you trade places with for a day?
- [63:02]
F
Penelope.
- [63:03]
B
Ooh.
- [63:04]
C
What book do you think is on Benedict Bridgerton's bedside table?
- [63:10]
F
Prayer for Owen Meaney.
- [63:12]
C
How about Sophie's.
- [63:17]
F
Pride and Prejudice?
- [63:18]
C
What book do you wish you could read for the first time again?
- [63:21]
F
Dreaming of youf by Lisa Klavis.
- [63:23]
C
What's your favorite book to recommend?
- [63:27]
F
Well, I guess right now, the Ornithologist Field Guide to Love by India Holton.
- [63:31]
C
What's your favorite literary love story of all time?
- [63:35]
F
Not Romeo and Juliet? I'm just gonna say not. How about that?
- [63:39]
C
What's a book that you wish you had written?
- [63:44]
F
Dreaming of youf by Lisa Klavis.
- [63:46]
C
Julia Quinn. Clink. Cheers to you.
- [63:50]
E
Clink.
- [63:51]
C
Cheers to you and all of your success and all of your whimsy and all of your glory. Thank you for giving us so much joy to read about and watch.
- [64:01]
B
Thank you.
- [64:01]
F
This has been super fun.
- [64:05]
A
And if you want a little bit.
- [64:06]
B
More from us, come hang with us on socials. We're at Reese's Book Club on Instagram, serving up books, vibes, and behind the scenes magic, magic.
- [64:14]
A
And I'm Danielle Robay, R O B A Y.
- [64:16]
B
Come say hi and DM me.
- [64:19]
C
And if you want to go 90s on us, call us. Okay?
- [64:22]
B
Our phone line is open, so call now at 1-501-2913379.
- [64:30]
A
That's 1-501291-3379. Share your literary hot takes, book recommendations.
- [64:39]
B
Questions about the monthly pick, or let.
- [64:41]
A
Us know what you think about the.
- [64:42]
B
Episode you just heard. And who knows, you might just hear.
- [64:46]
A
Yourself in our next episode.
- [64:48]
B
So don't be shy, give us a ring.
- [64:51]
A
And of course, make sure to follow.
- [64:52]
B
Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your shows.
- [64:59]
A
Until then, see you in the next chapter.
- [65:03]
C
Bookmarked is a production of hello Sunshine and iheart podcast.
- [65:07]
B
It's executive produced by Reese Witherspoon and.
- [65:09]
C
Me, Danielle Robaix Production is by Acast Creative Studios. Our producers are Maddie Foley, Brittany Martinez.
- [65:17]
B
Sarah Schleed and Darby Masters.
- [65:19]
C
Our production assistant is Avery Loftus.
- [65:22]
B
Jenny Kaplan and Emily Rutter are the.
- [65:24]
C
Executive producers for Acast Creative Studios. Maureen Polo and Reese Witherspoon are the executive producers for hello Sunshine.
- [65:32]
A
Olga Kaminwa, Kristin Perla and Ashley Rapoport.
- [65:35]
C
Are associate producers for Reese's Book Club. Ally Perry and Lauren Hanson are the executive producers for iHeart podcasts.
- [65:51]
A
I'm partnering with Simple Mills and I have now found a new go to reading snack. Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers Think of.
- [65:59]
C
This as a quick book style review.
- [66:00]
A
Because these crackers deserve it. The premise A snack that feels light, not heavy. Made with almond flour, sunflower seeds and flaxseeds. Nutrient dense ingredients your body can use, not empty carbs and the taste Crunchy classic flavors that leave you feeling energized. For a good plot twist, try Pop' Ems. Cheesy, airy, poppable crackers packed with veggies. Final Verdict these are a shelf staple. Find simple meals at your grocery store.
- [66:30]
B
Today's episode is brought to you by Cotton. We spend a lot of time with stories, hours curled up with dynamic plots and characters who feel like friends. What if the story isn't just in your hands but also in the world around you, in the fabric that's holding you close? Cotton is that timeless companion. Soft sheets for a lazy weekend morning with a book. Breezy dresses for afternoons spent reading in the backyard. It's the fabric that can be tossed in the wash without fuss. It's about ease, comfort and caring for yourself and the planet. Just like books we cherish, cotton weaves meaning into everyday moments. Next time you settle in for a chapter, slip into something cotton not just to read the story, but to feel it. Cotton the fabric of our lives. Learn more at thefabricofourlives.com Apple Books is the best way to read or listen to the books you love. Without a subscription right on your iPhone.
- [67:20]
A
And a heads up for listeners, Apple.
- [67:22]
B
Books is the official audiobook and ebook home for Reese's Book Club so you can discover every exciting pick plus author curated collections and more all in one place. Open the Apple Books app to explore a world of books and audiobooks. You can set and track your reading goals and get great recommendations for your next read or listen again. No subscription required. Visit Apple Co Reese that's R E E S E Applebooks to find out more.
- [67:53]
A
This episode is brought to you by Kleenex Lotion Tissues. Cold Season has a way of showing.
- [67:58]
C
Up like an unexpected plot twist right.
- [68:00]
A
In the middle of big moments, good stories, and days that are already full. That's why it helps to keep a little comfort close. Kleenex lotion tissues help protect, soothe, and moisturize your skin, giving you the support you need right when you need it. Whether you're commuting, binge, listening to your favorite show, or managing a little family chaos. Kleenex lotion tissues are made with coconut oil and aloe. For whatever happens next, grab Kleenex. This is an I heart podcast. Guaranteed human.