“People We Meet on Vacation”: Emily Henry, Cast & Director Reveal All

Summary

Podcast Summary: Bookmarked by Reese’s Book Club

Episode: “People We Meet on Vacation”: Emily Henry, Cast & Director Reveal All
Release Date: January 13, 2026
Host: Danielle Robay

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Overview

This episode of Bookmarked by Reese’s Book Club centers on the journey of Emily Henry’s beloved novel, People We Meet on Vacation, from page to screen. Host Danielle Robay welcomes author Emily Henry, director Brett Haley, and film leads Emily Bader (Poppy) and Tom Blyth (Alex) for a joyful, in-depth discussion about adaptation, casting, rom-com chemistry, fan expectations, memorable moments from set, and personal reflections on friendship, love, and self-discovery.

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Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Premise: Adapting People We Meet on Vacation

• Danielle introduces the central theme—who do we let ourselves become on vacation?—and how it’s explored in Henry’s novel and its Netflix adaptation.
  • “Who do you become when you go on vacation? ...That’s the premise of Emily Henry’s incredible, really fun, well-known rom com type of novel, and it’s now been adapted into a movie.” (03:01)
• The story follows free-spirited Poppy and reserved Alex, lifelong friends whose yearly vacations together are interrupted by a falling out—and a fresh chance to rekindle both their friendship and romance.

2. Full Circle: Author Involvement in Adaptation

• Emily Henry reflects on her return to the podcast and how her early conversations with Brett Haley set the stage for a respectful, reader-focused adaptation:
  • “Brett called me ...and he was like, I just want you to give me the full list of what the readers need to see ...and also asked me to do the same thing for myself.” (07:45)
• The “balcony scene” and the “funny condom scene” were declared non-negotiable for Emily and her fans:
  • “The balcony scene was at the top of that list. ...The only thing I really desperately wanted personally was I wanted the condom scene in the book.” (08:37)

3. Vacation Personas—Getting to Know the Cast

• The group shares their "vacation personas" via emoji, showcasing chemistry and camaraderie:
  • Emily Henry: seashell emoji – always looking for things.
  • Tom Blyth: wave/merman emoji – happiest by or in the sea.
  • Emily Bader: red dancing girl – the life of the party.
  • Brett Haley: sparkle emoji – “Just feeling a little lighter, you know, just sparkly.” (06:56)

4. Director’s Perspective on Friends-to-Lovers Trope

• Brett Haley discusses the unique challenge of adapting the friends-to-lovers trope:
  • “The friends-to-lovers trope, if you will, is, in my opinion, the hardest one. It’s why I wanted to do this story … There’s not built-in tension. You have to find different tension.” (10:50)
• The importance of authentic character connection and making sure the audience “understands why these two aren’t getting together.”

5. Casting Magic: Chemistry Reads

• Brett recalls the instant connection with Tom Blyth (“he was the guy”) and how Emily Bader’s audition tape “felt like discovering a diamond” (18:54).
• Emily Henry on witnessing the first chemistry read:
  • “It was the Julia Roberts hand-in-the-box laugh in Pretty Woman ...It was so Alex and Poppy, and that was like the—I don’t even know if I saw the rest of the chemistry read because I was just like, oh my god.” (21:35)
• Both Emily Bader and Tom Blyth describe chemistry as immediate and instinctive—a “connection” where “you’re not trying to make stuff happen, but letting it happen.” (23:38, 24:22)

6. Building Friendship On and Off-Screen

• The cast and director attribute their believable camaraderie to hours of rehearsal, improv, and spending time together:
  • “There’s an element of filmmaking … it’s sort of like a summer camp, you know?” (26:53, 26:53)
  • Brett encouraged Emily and Tom to bond off-set: “Go hang out in Barcelona together … That will come through on screen.” (27:26)
• Improv and actor-developed bits, like the secret handshake, became part of Poppy and Alex’s on-screen relationship.

7. Author’s Perspective: Letting Go

• Emily Henry describes her gradual process of “letting go” during adaptation—balancing fan expectations, personal pride in her work, and trust in the filmmaking team:
  • “I had the book; I wrote the book I meant to write … But I wanted the movie to be something that worked as a movie … and really made [fans] feel respected.” (28:40)

8. Rom-Com Legacy & Inspirations

• Emily Bader channels “perfectly imperfect,” honestly quirky rom-com heroines (notably Goldie Hawn in Overboard and icons like Meg Ryan, Julia Roberts, Sandra Bullock). (32:12)
• Tom Blyth’s touchstone was When Harry Met Sally, particularly Billy Crystal’s dry, sardonic wit:
  • “I tried to bring a bit of the dryness and the kind of sardonic humor … I wouldn’t claim to be Billy Crystal, but I hope that we’re somewhere in the ballpark.” (34:44)

9. Adaptation Decisions: Filming Locations and Happy Surprises

• Practical production concerns led to changing some story locations (e.g., the Palm Springs trip became Barcelona):
  • “Once the rubber hits the road and you start looking at a budget ... Spain came up as a place that we could get multiple locations. And I said, well, could we do Barcelona for Palm Springs?” (40:32)
• Both novelists and filmmakers found joy in the new scenes and details unique to the film:
  • “My favorite parts of this movie are the things that I did not write … it’s a delight to have more of this thing you already love.” (42:53)

10. Making the Movie for Readers

• Unusually, Emily Henry was actively included in the entire production process, which both she and Brett believe improved the film:
  • “I kept Emily probably more involved than you know, certainly than I was supposed to ... I stand by it. And I think it made for a better film.” (45:12, 45:21)

11. Favorite Scenes & Easter Eggs

• Everyone shares the scenes they most anticipated:
  • Tom: The road trip car scenes—"the clincher for me that made me want to do it.” (46:16)
  • Emily Bader: The lavish wedding—jaw-dropping set and design (47:01).
  • Emily Henry: The “funny condom scene,” especially with Molly Shannon's improv (47:51).
  • Brett Haley: Wild New Orleans sequences, including improv on Bourbon Street, and weaving in the book’s iconic cover (48:37, 49:46).
• The team teases Easter eggs for diehard fans—props, character outfits, and set details like Gus’s book, Poppy’s unique wardrobe, and references for eagle-eyed viewers (50:32).

12. Deep Themes: Love, Friendship, and Limiting Beliefs

• Danielle frames the story’s core as:
  • “It’s kind of about this aching tension between deep friendship and romantic love. But it’s about the fear of losing one if you risk the other.” (60:07)
• Brett Haley:
  • "It takes a LOT of courage to love and be loved and be fully seen ... That’s what this movie’s about for me. And it makes you laugh, and it’s really pretty to watch. But yes, it’s about all of that.” (60:55)
• Tom, Emily Bader, and Emily Henry all discuss how the story encourages viewers to challenge self-imposed limitations and embrace being truly known and loved:
  • Emily Bader: “To not fully express yourself, you are probably going to be doing maybe more damage in the long run, even if that means that you have safe people around you ... Every person, if they have like a nice heart and they’re kind and however you are, there are people out there that will appreciate you.” (63:47)
  • Emily Henry: “You can’t be truly loved if you’re not truly known.” (65:04)

13. Lighthearted Finale: Collaborative Rom-Com Pitch

• The group co-creates a (hilariously unhinged) rom-com plot in sixty seconds:
  • Trope: Marriage of convenience
  • Era/Setting: Paris, 1960s
  • Leads: A baker and a gluten-free cheese shop owner who feuds over a shared wall, concluding with a tearful, Ratatouille-style acceptance of pastry
  • Emily Henry, grinning: “Is it brutal to say marriage of convenience?” (66:51)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Emily Henry, on adaptation priorities:
  • “The balcony scene was at the top of that list. I knew that, like, you can change a lot of things, but that moment is so important to the readers.” (08:37)
• Brett Haley, on directing:
  • “The friends to lovers trope ... is, in my opinion, the hardest one ... You have to find different tension.” (10:50)
• Emily Henry, on chemistry reads:
  • “It was so Alex and Poppy, and that was like the—I don’t even know if I saw the rest of the chemistry read because I was just like, oh my god.” (21:35)
• Emily Bader, on being an honest heroine:
  • “It’s so fun to watch a woman just be her honest self.” (31:19)
• Brett Haley, on courage in love:
  • “It takes a LOT of courage to love and be loved and be fully seen ... and that also requires seeing yourself ... That’s what this movie’s about for me.” (60:55)
• Emily Henry, on self-expression:
  • “You can’t be truly loved if you’re not truly known ... By holding back you’re not actually protecting yourself, because you can’t be truly loved if you don’t let someone see all of you.” (65:04)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:01: Introduction to People We Meet on Vacation and adaptation news
• 07:45: Emily Henry and Brett Haley recall their initial adaptation conversation
• 10:50: Brett Haley on the challenges of friends-to-lovers in adaptation
• 17:36: Brett and Emily Bader discuss casting and chemistry
• 23:38: Tom Blyth and Emily Bader explain on-screen chemistry
• 28:40: Emily Henry’s process of “letting go” during the adaptation
• 34:44: Rom-com inspirations—Billy Crystal, Goldie Hawn, Nora Ephron
• 40:32: Discussion about adapting settings from novel to film (Spain/Barcelona)
• 47:51: Favorite scenes to film (car scene, wedding, condom scene, Bourbon Street)
• 50:30: Easter eggs and on-set details for fans
• 60:07: Deep dive into the story’s underlying messages about love and vulnerability
• 66:51: Rom-com 60-second collaborative story creation

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New Segment: Book Trends with Morgan Book

• Morgan Book, BookTok influencer, shares her TBR, anticipated 2026 releases, and trends:
  • “Historical fiction with a modern resonance” and “hockey romance” as forecasted BookTok waves (76:03)
  • Emotional reading—“I’m looking for a book that’s going to make me feel inspired … or destroy my soul … or make me believe in love again” (77:51)

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Tone & Style

The episode is warm, playful, and deeply affectionate toward the genre, the fandom, and the process of creative collaboration. There’s an easy camaraderie and mutual respect among the guests. The panel frequently moves from heartwarming confessions to laugh-out-loud moments, especially in their rapid-fire creative brainstorming of a new rom-com.

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Final Thoughts

This episode is a delightful, wide-ranging conversation for fans of the book, the film, and the rom-com genre at large. It’s a testament to thoughtful adaptation, collaborative creativity, and the enduring appeal of love stories that dare us to be both known and brave.

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(All advertisements, intros, and outros have been omitted for clarity; timestamps may reference the main content only.)

Transcript

[A]

This is an I heart podcast. Guaranteed human.

[B]

This time of year always gets me dreaming of my next trip. I love imagining the places I could visit, the friends I could travel with, 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 [e-mail] host picture this.

[C]

Me, Reese Witherspoon in London, ordering fish.

[B]

And chips so often they might start.

[C]

Wrapping me in paper. I'm traveling with my Wells Fargo Autograph.

[B]

Journey card, so I earn rewards wherever I book.

[C]

Travel five times points with hotels, four times with airlines, three times on restaurants and other travel, and one point on other purchases.

[B]

Imagine getting rewarded for eating a toad in the hole.

[D]

Wait, what is a toad in a hole? Visit Wells Fargo.com autographjourney Terms apply.

[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 A man with.

[E]

Down syndrome tries the impossible, the grand.

[F]

Slam in turkey hunting. 4:53 hits. We're legal, shooting light. And he gives us this one last and he pitches off. And when he pitches off, he flies right into the gun barrel. I said to the cameraman, do you have him? He said, shoot him. I said, justin, shoot. You can download this episode and others.

[E]

From Lines and Tines with Spencer Graves.

[D]

On the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or.

[F]

Wherever you get your podcasts.

[B]

Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club is presented by Apple Books. Hi, I'm Danielle Robay, and welcome to Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club.

[G]

Okay, I have a question for you. Who do you become when you go on vacation? Are you a party girl? Are you a risk taker? Are you a beach bum?

[B]

Are you a bookworm?

[G]

Or maybe the question should actually be who do you let yourself become? Who do you give yourself permission to be on vacation? That's the premise of Emily Henry's incredible.

[B]

Really fun, well known rom com type.

[G]

Of novel, the people we meet on vacation. And it's now been adapted into a.

[B]

Movie streaming on Netflix right now.

[G]

The main characters are Poppy and Alex. They're polar opposites and best friends. For years, they took an annual summer vacation together where they could just cut.

[B]

Loose, be wild, and be free.

[G]

But then they had a falling out, and for two years, they barely spoke. And now they're seeing if their love of travel and perhaps each other, who.

[B]

Knows, can rekindle what they lost.

[G]

I don't know, guys.

[B]

I think we're in a rom com renaissance. I'm calling it now.

[G]

Oh, and keep your ears perked up.

[B]

At the end of the episode for.

[G]

A new segment with book influencer Morgan.

[B]

Book? Yeah, that's her real name.

[G]

Okay, let's turn the page with Are you ready? Emily Henry, director Brett Haley and people.

[B]

We meet on vacation stars Emily Bader and Tom Blythe.

[G]

Yeah, we got them all. And it is so much fun. Emily Henry. Emily Bader. Brett, Tom, welcome to the club. This is definitely the biggest interview that we've done on the show, and it feels very fitting that it's for the adaptation of People we meet on Vacation. Emily Henry, you were our very first episode of Bookmark talking about this adaptation with its screenwriter Yulene Kuang, and it feels like such a full circle moment. So thank you all for joining us.

[H]

Thank you so much.

[F]

Thank you for having us. We're very happy to be here.

[G]

I'm so happy to have you here. I watched the movie last night. It was amazing.

[B]

Yay.

[F]

Thank you.

[G]

It really made me want to fall in love.

[E]

You should.

[D]

It did.

[B]

Thank you.

[F]

That's definitely the idea.

[D]

Yeah.

[F]

The idea is to believe in love and to have that conversation with it for.

[G]

I love that. Emily Henry, you were the very first guest on Bookmarked talking about this adaptation with the screenwriter Yulene Kuang, and it feels like a full circle moment.

[D]

I know. That was such a fun interview. And I was telling Brett earlier, like, I've met her, she's great. Nothing to worry about. We're in great hands. I'm so happy that this worked out. To be back and talking about It. Now that you've actually seen the movie.

[G]

I know. That's so kind of you, Emily. Thank you. I was thinking last night as I was watching, I. I'm uptight in real life, and then on vacation, I become a fully different person. Like, it's the only time I'm having drinks, I'm sleeping in. I'm. I'm totally different. Alex is kind of uptight. And then I'm. I'm kind of giving you a sunglasses emoji on vacation.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Yes.

[E]

Cool. I like that.

[D]

Very accurate.

[G]

I'm wondering if you guys can all give me your vacation Personas and maybe an emoji to match them.

[H]

Mm. Mine is definitely a seashell emoji of some kind. I'm, like, giving myself neck problems from how much I'm looking down on vacation. Looking for things, definitely.

[D]

God, yeah.

[G]

You're like Dora the explorer.

[D]

I know.

[B]

Yeah.

[H]

Just, like, crawling around.

[G]

That's so cute.

[E]

I think mine would be. I'm always happy if I'm by the sea or in the sea or under the sea. Any. Any which way when it comes to the place.

[D]

What if your clothes are out at sea? How do you feel then?

[E]

Excited. I love having my clothes out at sea. Yeah. So mine would probably be, like, the water droplets or the wave emoji.

[G]

I was gonna give you the mermaid emoji, but I like the waves a lot.

[E]

Mermaid one, too. I'll take merman. Give me all the water ones.

[F]

The merman, Emily, please.

[D]

I'm definitely the red dancing girl. I don't know what this is. What? This is it. No, the Alexa dancing.

[E]

Go.

[D]

Salsa.

[F]

Yeah.

[D]

Yeah. That's definitely my vacation Persona.

[G]

I love that. Okay, so you're having a few drinks too?

[F]

Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[H]

A cocktail or two.

[F]

A cocktail or three. Yeah, I'm the sparkle one. Just the little.

[D]

Yeah, the little shimmery stars.

[F]

That's it. Just. Just feeling a little lighter, you know, Just sparkly. Just. Just light. Yeah, Just.

[H]

I think you're always sparkly.

[D]

You are kind of a bit sparkly.

[F]

Well, making a movie, I'll be honest, for me, is like being on vacation. It's a lot of work, and it's very stressful, but for me, it's as. It's as light and the. It's as good as you're going to see me.

[E]

Just some sleep.

[F]

I mean, just a lot less sleep. Yeah.

[G]

Emily Henry. And I'm using your last name because we have two Emily's here, so I don't mean to be weird when we spoke a few months ago with Yulene. She described a good adaptation as both faithful and its own entity. And I think this was. It fulfilled that entirely. And Emily, you told us about your first conversation with Brett a few months ago. Do you remember what you said? And Brett, do you remember that first conversation?

[D]

I mean, I hope that I say the same thing, because I've been talking about this call all day long and I'm like, maybe I told you something totally different. We're about to find out. But in my memory currently, Brett called me right after he got the job, basically, and he was like, I just want you to give me the full list of what the readers need to see. Like, what they will be, what they will riot about if it doesn't make it in or if this changes, and the favorite quotes and, like, what are the non negotiables, basically. And he also, I remembered, like, asked me to do the same thing for myself, which was like a different thing entirely than looking at what the readers would be missing.

[G]

Yeah.

[D]

And, yeah, I mean, so I just knew instantly that we were off to, like, a very good start and that the readers and the audience were in really capable hands.

[G]

Can you tell us what was on that list now that the movie's out? What was at the top of that list?

[D]

I mean, the balcony scene was at the top of that list. I knew that, like, you can change a lot of things, but that moment is so important to the readers. Yeah, really. Like, there were a lot of quotes. There were a lot of moments that I knew really needed to make it in. And Brett did, and the writers as well. Yulene and the other writers did an amazing job finding creative ways to pull those quotes and beats in, in different settings, different moments than they happen in the book. Because we can't have everything, obviously, which is. We want to. We can't have it all in the movie. So he was. They were all so great about finding little cheats to get all of these Easter eggs in. And then for me, funnily enough, the only thing that I really desperately wanted personally was I wanted the condom scene in the book. And it was the only thing that there were so many drafts of the script where it came out and then went back in, came out, went back in. Because it was like, we don't need this technically, we do not need this from a story or structural point of view. But I was really happy that we managed to keep it. And I think getting Molly, Shannon, I don't know which was the chicken and which was the egg, but it was like, because we had her, of course, that had to be in the movie.

[G]

So I got so excited when I saw the trailer because we had that conversation. And you said, there's two condom scenes, there's a funny one and there's a spicy one. And you were fighting for the funny one.

[D]

I was fighting for the funny one. But I did it.

[G]

And then it opened the trailer.

[D]

Yeah, it did. You're right.

[E]

Yeah.

[G]

How does it feel to win and be victorious?

[D]

It feels pretty good to win. Yeah. No, it feels really, I mean, to see Molly Shannon do it too. And I was doing a set visit when they filmed that scene.

[F]

No, she's the best. I mean, and Alan Ruck, too. Like, having both of them. I think I can speak. I grew up with both of them on my televisions constantly, and they're just icons. So it was great fun.

[G]

Brett, you've done a few page to screen adaptations as a director. Bright places, which I loved. All together now and then, people we meet on vacation. I can sort of imagine how an actor would begin. Like, in my mind, you take the script or the book and you're starting to highlight certain lines that stick out. But as a director, I have absolutely no idea what you would be looking for. Like, what are you searching for that a reader wouldn't notice?

[F]

I think you're looking. First and foremost, my concern was to bring Puppy and Alex to life and make sure that the chemistry was there. I've told Emily this a lot today. The friends to lovers trope, if you will, is, in my opinion, the hardest one. It's why I wanted to do this story, because I felt like, yeah, I think it's the hardest one. And I think a lot, a lot of people are spiky about it. Why is it because they think, like, well, why wouldn't they just get together?

[D]

Yeah, if they're friends and lovers, there's an added component, I think, which is there's not built in tension. You have to find different tension. Whereas if you say enemies to lovers, it's like, there's tension, there's conflict, so.

[F]

We understand why they're not together. But if they're just friends and they love each other, then why are they just getting together? And it's a deeper conversation. I think Emily's book is from Poppy's perspective. It's from her pov. That's a very difficult thing to get across on camera. So for me, the initial thing with the adaptation was how can I be very efficient and also make you understand why these two aren't getting together without being broad and without being cheap and saying, oh, it's this external thing. And it's that yes, there's minor external things like they each have, you know, he's with Sarah, or you've got a boyfriend of the year or whatever. It may be the boyfriend of the year, but you have to always understand what's going on between these two. So for me, it was character, character, character to start. And that had to drive everything. And then for me, this story, it had to have the scope, it had to have the vacation vibe, if you will, and the music and the experience of it. I wanted it to be as exciting and commercial, but I just the story of them and tracking them and what each vacation does for them. It was just taking Emily's book and being like, how can we get this into a really tight package and have a blast, but also feel all of the emotions through it?

[G]

You definitely did it. It was so fun as a reader to see the characters come to life. And obviously that's an ode to all four of you.

[B]

I recently went on a big family trip reuniting with cousins, aunts, uncles, people I hadn't seen in years. 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 [e-mail] host 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 book, 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.

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[B]

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 [e-mail].

[G]

I saw the clip of the first time that you, Emily Henry, met Emily Bader and Tom, and it was time to tell them that they had gotten the roles. And it is so fun to watch. Like, you could just. Audiences must have loved seeing that. And you said that you knew from their chemistry read that they were perfect. Yeah. What was perfect and what. What was the romantic tension and, like, the ability to tease each other? Like, how do you describe that?

[F]

I mean, for me, I met Tom first, and when I met Tom, we just hit it off as human beings. I think we just really had similar tastes. We loved When Harry Met Sally. We bonded about it, and I think I was able to tell him, I think actors right now are offered rom coms a lot, and I think rom coms right now are kind of put in a different, lower category of genre, which is unfair, I think. I think every genre makes sort of hacky stuff or broad stuff and makes elevated stuff.

[G]

Yeah.

[F]

And I think the conversation that Tom and I had was, this is elevated. This is When Harry Met Sally. This is Sleepless in Seattle. This is Efron. This is Cameron Crowe. We're going for something here. And I just knew from his energy and just what an actor he is that he was the guy. So based on a meeting, I was like, he's the guy. And he was luckily in a position where, you know, everybody was, like, on board with that. Poppy was a much harder find. But Emily's audition tape came across my desk, and I watched it, and I immediately had a feeling, a very strong one. And then I watched My Lady Jane, and I fell deeply in love with her as an actor. I was like, this actor is incredible. And then we did a callback, and it was just me and Emily for about. We probably spent, like, an hour together. Working together.

[G]

Yeah.

[H]

And that was the first time that we had ever spoken. And it was a work sess, which isn't something I'd ever gotten to do. It was such a gift to get to talk to you and kind of figure out, because you get the sides. Or I had just gotten the script right before that, so I'm making my way through it. But to know exactly your vision for everything beforehand was monumentally helpful and also really fun, because then I was like, oh, he's so great to work with. So then you start getting really excited and also nervous, like, I better not mess this up.

[F]

I ended that zoom. And I remember my producer, Wick was in the next room, and he could hear everything that I was Saying. And when I ended it, I was buzzing. I was, like, almost screaming.

[E]

More than you usually buzz. Yes.

[F]

More than usual. Yes.

[E]

He was always buzzing, but he was really buzzing.

[F]

I was really buzzing.

[G]

Wait, Brett, drill down into that. Why? Like, what was. What did you feel? What was.

[F]

Was like, Emily Bader at this time was not a discovery, but that's what it felt like. It felt like I had found a diamond, like, that was sitting out in the open. And I was like, why is no one picking up this beautiful diamond? I was like, this is it. And I knew. I knew in that moment it was her. And so. And they were both gracious enough. I called Tom. I expressed my excitement.

[D]

Yeah, neither of you was a discovery, but it did kind of feel like, how did we get this lucky? Like, all day we've been saying, in two years, there's no way in hell we would have been able to get you for this movie. And I don't know if I told you this last time we talked, Danielle, but it was funny because my editor had sent me an email. She had watched My Lady Jane before any of this happened, and she was like, I know who should be poppy. And she said, emily Vader should be poppy. And so when Brett came to me and said that, I was like, amanda's already on board. And the last person she did that about years ago was Florence Pugh. And then Florence Pugh was Florence Pugh. And it was like, well, goodbye.

[H]

You've never told me this.

[D]

No, I know. I think I told Brett for the first time yesterday. And so, like, that excitement of seeing and then seeing their chemistry read. I've also been telling this story all day. Sorry to keep embarrassing you. There was a slightly different version of their car scene where Emily's being really zany and silly and annoying and wonderful, and Tom is, like, keeping a really tight lid on it, which is similar to the final version. However, he finally cracked a joke, and he does it with, like, total deadpan. Like, you don't even know for a second that he said it, that it was a joke. And the way that Emily reacted to that in the chemistry read was this, like, delighted, surprised laugh that, like, was. It was the Julia Roberts hand in the box laugh in Pretty Woman.

[B]

Oh, my gosh.

[D]

And then the way I know. Well, then the way Tom reacted to that was the tiniest little smirk, and it was so. I'm, like, gonna cry. It was so Alex and Poppy, and that was like the. I don't even know if I saw the rest of the chemistry read because I was just like, oh, my God.

[F]

Yeah, it was magic. I mean, they were over Zoom.

[D]

Yeah.

[F]

But I knew the second you guys got on, I just knew. I was like, oh, we're golden. We're golden. And I've never had a better time. You guys are. Guys are pretty good.

[D]

We want them in every single movie. Like, as viewers, we're both like. We want them to be in every movie. We're about their careers, and they're.

[G]

Emily, you're gonna have to keep writing Alex and Poppy films.

[D]

I want them to go do different things. And then I told Emily this last night or the other day, I was like, I want you to go and do the Godfather, and I want you to go and do the Rival, and I want you to do all those things. And then I want you to come back and do romance again so people know that this is a valid genre and that the same actor who is capable of doing all those things was just both of you. Like, you've already done a lot of drama. I know you've done some horror, but I want to see you both everywhere. And then I want you to come back.

[G]

I mean, you're definitely on the right podcast for that, because Reese Witherspoon talks about rom coms all of the time.

[D]

And she.

[F]

Does it all.

[H]

Absolutely.

[B]

Yeah.

[F]

She's won the Academy Award and then does these great rom coms. I mean, she's iconic.

[D]

I mean, she, like you guys, is that rare person who's really good with comedy and with drama. Like, I feel like it's so hard to find someone who is actually genuinely funny. And, like, they're both just funny in real life, too, which is sort of insulting. When you meet an actor, you're like. You're supposed to be, like, kind of boring and, like, your job is. I don't know. But they're great. They're wonderful.

[H]

Oh, my gosh.

[B]

I'm like.

[H]

My face is, like, red. I'm just, like, sitting in the middle of a really wonderful compliment circle.

[D]

We're doing a compliment circle.

[G]

Tom and Emily, did you feel that chemistry right away? And I. I don't mean to ask it in sort of like. Like, a silly way. I'm curious what chemistry with another actor actually feels like.

[E]

Yeah, I think you do feel it right away, actually. It sounds like a cliche. It sounds like something that an actor is supposed to say or a director's supposed to say. But I think when I got on the Zoom, it was like, oh, that's that thing we were looking to feel. Whatever that I Don't even know if you can put a word on it, but it feels like. It just feels like connection. I think it just feels like someone being available and responsive and not trying to make stuff happen, but letting it happen. And then out of you comes the same thing, and you kind of meet in the middle, and that's when something fresh happens. And what you're really looking for is just not trying to create a moment, but letting a moment happen, because that's when something spontaneous happens.

[H]

It's kind of like a strange metaphor to equate it to, but I played sports growing up, and I always say you could tell how a game was gonna go within the first 30 seconds, the whistleblowing. I think that when you're staring at someone across the field and there's, like, this kinetic energy in the air, and you can kind of just tell your instincts, like, the bells start going off. And I think it's similar with, like, an audition in a way. It feels like, all right, ready, set, go. What is this gonna be, like? So right away, I think, like, you just try to, like, reach through the screen as much as you can because you're battling, like, delays and blur. And I think really quickly, I was like, oh, he's got my back. This is gonna be really fun.

[G]

That's such a great analogy. And I was watching it, thinking you got. I believed your friendship. I didn't just believe the romance, but I believed that deep knowing that I think only usually comes with time. How do you develop the dynamic of, like, friends who know everything about each other within the matter of what I. What's probably days or weeks?

[E]

I mean, for me, it's always the script. Like, it has to be on the page, because if it's not, you can't. Like, I've done films where it's not on the page, but you think you can make. You can put it in the. In on the day. You can't, like, if it's not on the page, is not there. It's kind of as simple as that, except for maybe, like, a scene that's pure improv, where you're allowed to go and play and find it. But, like, it all starts and ends with the words and on the. On the page. And that obviously goes back to the book and then the script. And I think. Yeah, I think. And anything that wasn't working out, we kind of. We all got together and we were rehearsing.

[F]

Well, we did a ton of rehearsal.

[H]

Yeah, we did great.

[E]

And we got the scenes on their feet. And Brett Got chairs in the room and said, okay, this is the motel scene. Like, here's the bed.

[H]

Lay down on the ground.

[E]

Lay down on the ground. Like, we're gonna do the scene here. And at first you're embarrassed, and you're kind of a little bit like, oh, Brett's gonna fire me a week before we start, and that kind of thing. But actually, all that does is it makes you bond, like a. Almost like if you were doing a play. But also it allows us all to really, like, take ownership over the words and feel like they're all of ours, even though we didn't create them.

[D]

But you guys brought.

[A]

You have.

[D]

There are little beats that you. I mean, you did. There are bits that were improv. There are things that you guys developed. The little handshake was all you. Like, there are pieces of Alex and Poppy that came straight from you guys playing together in a way.

[F]

Absolutely.

[E]

Yeah. That's so true.

[F]

And we. And we got to know each other.

[H]

Yeah, I agree. I think there's, like, an element of filmmaking that is so. It's so bizarre. It's sort of like a summer camp, you know, it's like how you. You make best friends for life in a week. It's like this strange element that doesn't exist in the world where you have to trust really quickly and you're all traveling together. And, you know, that's kind of like a really good icebreaker because travel's hard. Everyone's a little bit exhausted and sleep deprived. Caffeine fueled. Yeah, you just become quick friends because you kind of have to.

[F]

Quick family.

[H]

Quick family.

[F]

I think the last couple days of rehearsal, I was like, you guys should just hang out. I was like, just go hang out in Barcelona together, know each other, and just become friends. That will come through on screen. Because that was a challenge for all of us, was how do we see them as friends and then how do we see them as more than friends and lovers? Like, all of that is not something usually it's like, oh, I hate you. Oh, now I love you, and that's easier. Those are. That's a closer line. Friends and lovers are kind of far away from each other in weird ways. So I think that rehearsal time was crucial.

[G]

Emily Henry. I have a friend who's an author named Temby Locke, and she wrote From Scratch, which was adapted to the screen, and it's based on her life, so she has Zoe Saldana playing her. And I asked her this question every time I see her, because I can't get enough of the Answer. Which is, like, what in the world is it like to see an actor perform? Your life on set? That must be so bizarre. And I kind of think this is similar because you've had these characters, Alex and Poppy, in your heart, in your.

[B]

Mind, for so long.

[G]

The most obvious question of the whole day. What was it like to see them come to life? Was it hard to let go at all?

[D]

I mean, the process of letting go was. It happened over multiple years, like a movie, you know, is in the works for so long before shooting starts. So I had plenty of time to let go. There were times, even when. When it seemed like the movie wasn't going to go where I told Brett. Like, I'm sorry, I just. I can't emotionally right now. I don't want to read another draft of the script at this time. And then I would come back into it when I felt ready. And so I had plenty of time, and. And Brett made me feel very, very safe the whole time. My concern was always. And I'm sure I shared this with you last time we talked, but my concern was always for the readers. I have the book. I wrote the book I meant to write. I'm happy with it. It's always going to exist. But I wanted the movie to be something that worked as a movie and that also really made them feel respected and not like someone who didn't get what they connected with, took this thing because they wanted access to their, you know, money and viewership, whatever. And luckily, Brett had done other adaptations, really respected the audience, is a member of the audience, like, loves romantic comedies. And so, yeah, so that whole process, it was so gradual, and it should have been more surreal, but I think it's always hard to feel the good things in the moment. And I had seen the movie two times before. Like, the first time Brett and a room full of people watched me watch it. Don't recommend that experience, but I did get. By the end of it, I just felt relief. I was like, okay, that was good. That was good. I'm no longer scared. Like, that's great. Second time I watched it, I was like, oh, yeah, this is good. And then finally getting to watch it with readers the other night was the first time that I just got swept up in it, and it didn't even feel like my thing, which is not my thing, to be clear. It's like, this is their baby. And, yes, it wouldn't exist without the book, but they all put way more into this than I did, and it's their thing, and I'm So proud of them. But getting to watch it with Brett and with all of these readers, I was laughing and tearing up, and I really just felt like I was watching a great movie. And I was just like, I'm so proud of my friends, and I'm so happy as a viewer. And, yeah, now it feels real in a way that it didn't before.

[G]

Emily Bader. As I was watching, I was thinking, okay, it's giving a little 500 days of summer a little Zooey Deschanel. And I say that because you played the character in a way that showcases that she's so perfectly imperfect and so true to herself. And it's so fun to watch a woman just be her honest self.

[H]

Thank you. I mean, that was like, the goal, right? Is not. You never want to judge the characters. And I think it's like Brett really just let me go. And not only that, but he helped me so much in sort of relinquishing the fear of looking silly and falling on my face every single day. I mean, truly, just like, trying to swing big and embarrass myself. And that's. I don't know if I would have had as much strength to do that without your encouragement to do it, really.

[G]

Did you pull from any rom com leads or anyone that you were inspired by in the past from, you know, watching some of these growing up?

[H]

Oh, yeah. I mean, I was thinking about that today. I mean, I love movies, so my homework was like, let me watch every rom com. What a terrible job. I'm sitting on the couch and watch all the rom coms and I just realized something. Goldie Hawn in Overboard.

[B]

Yes.

[E]

Oh, snap.

[H]

She's one of my favorite. She's so inspirational to me. I mean, I think she's a comedic genius. And there's something that Goldie Hawn does where she can be glamorous and flirty and refined, but then also be absolutely, ridiculously, like, unhinged. And I think she was so early in doing that, in a time when maybe those roles weren't, like, super emphasized for women. And so she was a huge inspiration. And then, of course, you know, Meg Ryan, Julia Roberts, Sandra Bullock. I mean, there's this group of actresses that I'm just. If I could learn anything from all of them. And we were trying to, you know, make something reminiscent of those movies or at least how they make us feel.

[D]

So.

[G]

Yeah, I love that you said Goldie Hawn, because Rhys always talks about how that's one of the main people she watched too.

[H]

Oh, yeah. She's I mean, she's amazing.

[F]

I'd love to tell a quick story about Goldie Hawn. When I lived in. I grew up in Key west, and she was down there shooting a movie when I was 5 years old and I got to be an extra in it. And I was at Wendy's with my mom and Goldie Hawn walked in and I ran up to her and I just said, I was in your movie. I was in your movie. And I'll never forget. It's one of my earliest memories. She kissed me on my forehead.

[B]

I.

[F]

She said, oh, da, da, da, and she kissed me on my forehead. I get it. I get, like, choked up thinking about it. But Gulihan is.

[H]

No, that is because I loved Overboard.

[F]

I was obsessed with Overboard.

[D]

And death becomes her death becomes.

[H]

I mean, she's just an amazing her.

[F]

So she's amazing.

[E]

And.

[F]

Yeah. I love that you.

[D]

Yeah, that's a. She's kind of. I feel like, underrated at this moment in time. Like, she is a huge star, but, like, I don't feel like people bring her up as a romantic lead as often as they should. I love that.

[G]

I agree.

[H]

Her and her daughter. That genetic line is strong.

[B]

It's strong.

[G]

Tom, how about you? Did you watch any films? Were there any particular leads? I mean, the accent is giving Hugh Grant, but I don't know if that's what you were going for.

[E]

I hope the accent in the film isn't giving Hugh Grant. No, I really miss them all. That would be. I need to go back to the drawing board and get a dialect. We have to release the story.

[F]

Sorry, we gotta start over.

[H]

Yeah, yeah.

[E]

Gotta get in the booth quick. Get in the booth. No, I try to think if. I don't know if I watched. I just watched some rom coms. I mean, When Harry Met Sally is my all time favorite and I'm. Yeah, I think everyone's gonna get sick of me saying it soon because it's like one of my. It's my favorite rom com, but it's one of my favorite films.

[F]

Yeah.

[E]

And I think Nora Ephron's script on that film is.

[B]

Yeah.

[E]

Truly timeless. And another Hundred Years will still be one of the best films of all time. Like, it just ages so well and you can't. I mean, it's hard not to draw a parallel between, like Alex's kind of grouchiness at times and Billy Crystal in that film. But also the dryness, you know, that Billy Crystal brings to it. I tried to bring a bit of the kind of dryness and the kind of sardonic humor. Like when he does chirp up, it's kind of sarcastic and, you know, I mean, I wouldn't claim to be Billy Crystal, but I hope that we're somewhere in the ballpark there a little bit. Yeah, that would be. That's the kind of. That was my Golden Compass the whole time. I like gold keeps coming up today. Why do I keep bringing that up?

[H]

He thought that I was in the Golden Compass.

[F]

No, I didn't.

[E]

I just put your animals.

[H]

Anyway, I thought I played the big polar bear with the armor.

[D]

I thought that too. Actually, that's a rumor online.

[E]

Very early on I said to Brett, like, as you mentioned, if, like there are obvious comparisons because even in the book, I think you were paying homage to it. Yeah. And I loved very early on that in no way did it feel like copying, but it did feel like paying homage to one of my favorite films.

[B]

Yeah.

[F]

Yeah.

[B]

I recently went on a big family trip reuniting with cousins, aunts, uncles, people I hadn't seen in years. 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 [e-mail] host 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 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.

[C]

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[B]

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[G]

Brett mentioned earlier that part of the film was filmed in Spain, which is a big upgrade from the book which was in Palm Springs. So that's really Springs.

[D]

I think it would have just been too hot, honestly.

[G]

I was going to say, what inspired the change?

[F]

Well, it was really a practical decision. I wanted to do the locations exactly as they were in the book. That was certainly where we started from, a place. But once the rubber hits the road and you start looking at a budget. We don't have a James Bond budget, but we do have James Bond locations. It was incredibly challenging to figure out where we were going to shoot this film and get multiple locations out of stuff. Spain came up as a place that we could get multiple locations. And I said, well, could we do Barcelona for Palm Springs? And I asked Emily's blessing, and she gave it to me. And we really looked at that trip and said, what's most important on that trip? Well, it's the Airbnb.

[B]

It's hot.

[F]

It's them being stuck, it's them being hot, it's them having to go to a wedding. All of that was very doable in Barcelona, and it was a great place to shoot. And we got so much out of it. I had to slightly adjust some of the vacations. Like, Squamish is not exactly how it is in the book. I think it captures the spirit of the Canada trip in the book. But I put it in Squamish because I was looking at Spain going, I can't pull off Victoria, but you can pull off Squamish, but I can pull off Squamish. And then I started building that trip around camping and. And I was like, we can make this work. So it was really about what was on hand. And then New Orleans was always. And we're in New Orleans right now. New Orleans was a. Was a. Like, we're absolutely shooting in New Orleans, and we're absolutely doing the New Orleans vacation, because there's only one New Orleans. So that one we fought for.

[E]

And I think. I do think when you first set out to do the film, any adaptation, the first thing is fear of, like, oh, God, if we get. If we mess something up, we change something, are the fans gonna hate it? But actually, I think the reality is out of those kind of, like, boundaries of whether it's budget or location that end up making you change stuff comes, like happy surprises.

[D]

Yeah, totally.

[E]

And it forces you to take a left turn when you thought you were gonna go straight on. And it gives the audience kind of a gift, for sure, because actually, what happens is, like, audiences go in to see a story they love, and they get like, a Two for the price of one. Because they get to see a new version of it that they weren't even expecting. And I love that, because you don't go to see the book on film. That's not what you do.

[D]

And it's not possible even. Cause everyone's version is actually different.

[E]

It's in their head.

[D]

Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I totally agree, and I've just tried to be very vocal about this. My favorite parts of this movie are the things that I did not write, because, I mean, I'm so happy the other things are in there, but the fact that there are extra scenes that the readers have never experienced before but are so true to the characters, it's just a gift. It's a delight to have more of this thing you already love. And the book is not going anywhere. It's always there. But here are, like, these little alternate reality moments and these little, you know, like, detours.

[G]

Emily, I. I want the amount of surrender you have. I don't know how much therapy you've been to to get to this, but it is. It is amazing.

[B]

Genuinely.

[H]

You're like, I'm sure you're a dream to this business.

[D]

I mean, it is hard, but it would not have been this way with a different team. It is famously a nightmare. The joke is that everyone in Hollywood thinks that authors are nightmares. And then authors all get together, and we're like, can you believe this business? What the hell is going on there? Are they okay? And it's usually a nightmare. That's just the fact. Even if you end up with a beautiful end product, it's usually a nightmare. I was so, so, so lucky. I did not choose Brett to be my collaborator. He was chosen for me. And from that first phone call, realizing he cared so much about my audience, I just. I was able to surrender because I didn't have to fight so hard for them. It was like, he cares. He's gonna ask, and we're not gonna get everything that we want. But, like, he cares, and that's all you could ever ask for.

[F]

All it takes is really knowing why you're making this movie.

[D]

Yeah.

[F]

Why are we even being given this opportunity? Well, because of the fans of Emily Henry and because of Emily Henry. For me to come onto this project and not respect them immensely and make them a top priority would have been so foolish. But it's also just in my heart as a storyteller, I know what resonates with people, and my goal is to go and capture that. And so I kept Emily probably more involved than you know, certainly than I was supposed to. I was going. I was back chilling with her constantly.

[D]

I don't have a single author friend who's had the level of just knowledge of what's going on with their book. This is not normal. Like, they don't let you. They don't let you know what's going on.

[F]

And I just made the decision that that's how I was gonna operate, and I stand by it. And I think it made for a better film. And there was a lot of things that we caught, a lot of strays that we caught. Because Emily would go, I don't think that is right. It's. I understand what you're trying to do, but if you do that, I think the. That's. And I would just quietly go, you know, guys, I don't.

[D]

I just was thinking about this.

[F]

I was just thinking. But I really.

[H]

Yeah, that's great. Epiphany.

[G]

I actually have a question about that, because as a reader, I don't want to give too much away for anybody who hasn't seen it. But there's, like, the climax of the film is the balcony scene. And as a reader, I'm dying to watch that on screen and see how you guys recreate that. Was there a scene? Cause you guys all read the book, I'm sure. Was there a scene that you read and thought, ooh, I cannot wait to recreate that. I would love to hear each of yours.

[E]

The car scene, for me, it was. I mean, yeah, just them. It's the getting to know each other. It's the homage to my favorite rom com, like I said. And that was kind of. That was kind of the clincher for me that made me want to do it.

[D]

Yeah, that's awesome.

[E]

And also, I love road trips. I love road trips. I love driving with someone I love and, like, getting to know them better, you know?

[D]

So that's saxophone.

[E]

I actually genuinely love saxophone.

[H]

He loves saxophone.

[F]

Oh, he loves saxophone. Look at him.

[D]

Yeah, look at this guy.

[F]

You can tell.

[D]

You look at the guy and you.

[E]

Think, what does someone who loves saxophone even look like?

[G]

I have one earring like you.

[F]

Me too.

[H]

One small earring. Good hair.

[D]

Good hair. Thick, wavy hair. That's a saxophone man.

[G]

Yeah, it's definitely a hoop.

[H]

Yeah.

[E]

Someone else, please tell your story.

[H]

I was gonna say that, but you stole it.

[E]

You can say the same thing.

[H]

I think that's what's so fun about this. The idea of doing this movie is that it just keeps going. It never stops. It's fun, but, I mean, Honestly, like, there's no lull in the entire thing, and I love that so much. I think I. I was really excited to do the wedding because I just was. It feels so big, and I just couldn't even imagine what they were gonna dream up. And then we got there to shoot that, and my jaw hit the floor.

[F]

Most beautiful set I have ever shot on by hands down.

[H]

Wow. It was on the cliff side in Costa Brava in this stunning manner. And the set design. I mean, it was just. Our crew is amazing.

[G]

That's so cool. Emily, how about you? Was there anything that you were really excited to see them recreate?

[D]

I mean, honestly, the condom scene. That's my answer. And then especially once Molly signed on and seeing Honest, I was so lucky to be there the day that Alan and Molly were shooting their stuff and watching both of you break. But also match them. Like, you matched them beat for beat. And there was a lot of improv in those on that day in particular, that ended up just so good and so authentically funny. And I think, like, I remember watching you and Molly on the monitor when you shouted wanda. And that was improvised.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[D]

That was not in the script. She just kept. Cause Molly just kept going. That was probably, like four and a half minutes of Molly doing this while Emily's, like, dying, falling on the bed, being like, please stop, stop. And the scene just kept going. And. Yeah. Beyond my wildest dreams. Beyond my wildest dreams.

[F]

Yeah. For me, it was New Orleans. Just knowing that vacation is so rowdy and how much I love this city. And it was the most fun I had, too. Shooting the movie was the day that we just went down Bourbon street without. We just grabbed the Steadicam and went. And we were just. With real people on Bourbon Street.

[H]

Oh, that was the best.

[F]

Street performers and drunk people. We were just like, let's go. That day was an absolute dream of a day. And I want to give Bader all the flowers for saying Poppy has to wear a wig. Thank you.

[H]

Thank you. I will take those flowers, New Orleans.

[F]

And I think it was one of the best creative decisions.

[D]

Now, who took Alex's hat, though?

[F]

I think you chose your own, because that all stuff, didn't you? We gave you a bunch of stuff to choose.

[D]

Plus New Balance sneakers.

[F]

Incredible.

[E]

Such a weird look.

[D]

And then you had, like.

[H]

You had, like, a lobster necklace.

[D]

Yeah. Like a penis.

[H]

Yes. There may have been one of those.

[D]

She brought those things from home.

[B]

Yeah, those.

[H]

Those were his personal.

[D]

He was just wearing those on the flight in and.

[E]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[G]

That's something that a person who loves saxophone would wear.

[F]

Yes, exactly.

[D]

We'll make him take them off. Before we started filming Saxophone of your.

[F]

Band, and the other thing I was very. The other thing I was very excited about recreating was the book cover. And I don't want to give too much away, but where we put that was very fun. And so that. That was also really important to me.

[G]

So if I can get into that a little bit, because I don't know if you guys know this, but Emily Henry is the people's princess. Like, there is no one more beloved than Emily Henry. And so her fans are gonna watch this film and dive into every single Easter egg. I caught one. I. Obviously, Alex was reading the book that Gus wrote, which was so fun. Is there anything else you can give us for sort of like, our Eagle Eye readers?

[B]

Ooh.

[F]

I think you should pay attention to items of clothing and props. Like, things that are mentioned in the book are probably gonna be there.

[G]

Okay.

[F]

In different ways, for sure.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

That's fun.

[D]

The first time that Poppy and Alex meet Poppy's outfit is, like, really significant in a way for book readers. Also, like, getting to go see Poppy's childhood bedroom. That was really fun. The production designer, Bruce, like, in his team. That room, he was really excited to, like, go in that room with me and just let me wander around and look at everything. And I remember there was, like, your little soccer picture.

[H]

I gotta tell you, that is the craziest experience, because I walked in, and there's just baby pictures of me everywhere.

[D]

And you're like, I didn't give them these.

[H]

I had no idea where they came from, from how they got them.

[F]

Your parents?

[E]

Yeah.

[D]

I was like, let's.

[H]

I know, but they didn't tell me they had a soccer.

[D]

I saw that frame.

[H]

So cute. That is the exact same one I have in my childhood bedroom. The exact. I had my mom send me a picture. I thought they got it from my house.

[D]

Oh, my gosh. I am a little bit like, Bruce, what are we. How did. How did you do this, Bruce?

[F]

They have ways.

[D]

But there's so many little Easter eggs in that room. Just things that, like, we know Poppy likes in the book. And Bruce was so excited. He's like, do you notice anything? And I remember there was, like, a Dolly Parton poster. I think there was, like, a Fleetwood Mac poster. And just all these. The little notes from Poppy's mom, which in the book, like, Poppy's mom writes these notes on her mirror just being, like, affirmations and Whatever. And there were all these cute little notes that you can imagine Molly Shannon as Wanda just scribbling down to Poppy and. Yeah. So, so sweet.

[F]

And I think, like, if we had to leave a character out from. From the movie, there's a reference to them or a line about it or. There's lots of things.

[B]

Napa.

[F]

Oh, yeah. I know. People have already picked up on. And it's. They're so smart fans of that picture.

[E]

Of me with the wine. Yeah.

[F]

View with the wine. And they go, oh, that's him.

[D]

There was huge.

[F]

Napa. There was huge celebration drunk or whatever. Like, they know exactly what scene that is.

[E]

And that's exactly what we said when you took it.

[F]

You and I took the picture of.

[D]

Well, and you even had it saved as Alexander the Greatest, which is what he saved as her phone. And people do at the screening, there was, like, kind of a cheer when she looks at you on the photo.

[H]

Oh, my gosh.

[D]

So sweet.

[H]

All the little details are really fun.

[E]

So cool.

[G]

Emily mentioned Poppy's style. It's so unique. Did you, Emily, take anything home from set? And Tom, did you keep any of Alex's boring khakis?

[H]

I was desperate. He. I doubt it. Look at this man.

[E]

Doubt it.

[F]

Look at this.

[D]

This man.

[G]

Yeah.

[F]

Nothing like Alex.

[E]

I hope you did.

[H]

Oh, I took everything that they would give me.

[F]

Yeah.

[H]

The hard thing is that. The hard thing is you never know if you're doing pickups.

[D]

Oh. So they need it.

[H]

And we used a lot of vintage, so so much of what we wore was vintage, which means we only had one, which is, like, very dangerous when doing a movie. But Colin, our costume designer, was like, poppy feels like a vintage girl.

[E]

She's right.

[H]

But I took home quite a bit of stuff that we didn't end up using in the movie. My costume fittings, I think, were, like, two weeks of costume fittings, like, hours a day, just trying stuff on. So I have a nice.

[G]

You could definitely tell.

[E]

And I didn't take any khakis. I would never wear them. They would gather.

[H]

Is it car keys?

[E]

Khakis? How do you say that?

[F]

Car keys.

[H]

Car keys.

[E]

I didn't take the car key the.

[G]

Way Hugh Grant would say it in English.

[E]

But I did steal his running clothes because went into this project hating running and thinking it was boring and for boring people. But I was wrong. I was very wrong.

[G]

And there you go.

[F]

Started running because.

[E]

To get into the head of Alex because I was trying to find a way in. And I was like, what's my way in? And usually It's a physical way. I was like, what do I do? So I started running and it really helped. And then I kind of got into it, and now I'm like, those short shorts. So I got some short shorts and.

[D]

Some running training out on the trails.

[E]

Yeah, yeah. Shortest shorts in the longs. Exactly. Ari Styles, make it happen.

[B]

Yeah.

[E]

I'm joining the club of short, short boys.

[G]

You can rock them. They look good on you. Every week, I ask our guests what they've bookmarked this week. It could be a fun quote, a poem, something you've texted your best friend, a lyric. Absolutely anything. What have each of you bookmarked this week?

[E]

This week, specifically. My mom. Yesterday, out of the blue, and I hadn't spoken to her in a few days on Instagram, DMs forwarded me a reel that was like some cartoon dog saying, I'm proud of you. And. And I was like, what the. I think it was AI.

[G]

She's like, then you believe this?

[D]

A lot.

[E]

It was so sweet and so out of the blue and like. And just. Yeah, out of nowhere. And she's. She doesn't always know how to express her feelings. Blessed with my mom. So it was. It went. Meant a lot more than I think she knew.

[H]

That was.

[D]

That was like. She accidentally sent that to you, I think.

[E]

It wasn't meant for me. It's probably meant for my sister, to be honest, but that is so sweet. I'm claiming it and I'm bookmarked. Yeah.

[D]

That's so sweet.

[G]

That's a great one, Tom.

[D]

Yeah, that does remind me of something that I did send to people, which was a video of. It's all gonna just be animal videos now. I feel like you triggered something, but it was a video of a pit bull asleep and then this little Chihuahua walking up to it wearing a Halloween mask. And the pit bull woke up and his eyes kind of went. And then he jumped up and, like, ran away really scared, and it was really cute.

[E]

Did my mom send it to you?

[D]

Yeah, it was your mom. We messaged a lot. I want you to follow her back. The one person Tom follows on screen, I swear, that'd be too dangerous for your mom. It'd be too dangerous for your mom.

[E]

She doesn't need that heat.

[D]

No, she doesn't. We gotta protect her at all costs.

[B]

I recently went on a big family trip, reuniting with cousins, aunts, uncles, people I hadn't seen in years. 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 [e-mail] host 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.

[H]

Hi, I'm Cindy Crawford and I'm the founder of Meaningful Beauty.

[C]

Well, I don't know about you, but.

[H]

Like, I never liked being told, oh wow, you look so good for your age. Like, why even bother saying that? Why don't you just say you look great at any age? Every age. That's what Meaningful Beauty is all about. We create products that make you feel confident in your skin at the age you are now. Meaningful Beauty Beautiful skin at every age. Learn [e-mail].

[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 [e-mail].

[G]

Can I ask you guys a deep question because we've had such a fun conversation.

[F]

Yeah.

[G]

So I think at the heart of this movie, if I dig for a second, it's kind of about this aching tension between deep friendship and romantic love. But it's about the fear of losing one if you risk the other. Period. Thank you, Emily.

[A]

Right.

[D]

Correct.

[G]

Which holistically, I think in the woo woo world is called a limiting belief. I definitely have had one. I'll give an example. I felt for a long time that I couldn't have the career I wanted and the romantic partnership I wanted at the same time.

[B]

And I kind of think we all.

[G]

Have these stories that we tell ourselves. So to go Dr. Phil on you for a second, what do you hope that this story gives people the courage to do after watching it?

[E]

That's so good.

[F]

I love that for me, this is a story at the end of the day. We've talked about it. It's really about fear and courage. It takes a lot of courage to love and be loved and be fully seen. To love is to be fully seen by another person. And that also requires seeing yourself. That also requires seeing yourself as love and loving yourself. These are all very scary things about a tirup. I know we have to go very deep to love. I think that you can have surface level love and that's fine and it works for some people. But I think the deep level of love and the love between Poppy and Alex is a deep love. And to go there requires an immense amount of courage and the possibility of losing it. You're handing someone your heart and saying, you could crush this at any time. And I hold yours and mine. That's what this movie's about for me. And it makes you laugh and it's really pretty to watch. But yes, it's about all of that. So that to me Is the core of this. And it's the core of every great romance, in my opinion.

[G]

Yeah. You gave me chills when you said that.

[H]

So beautiful.

[D]

Yeah.

[E]

So good.

[G]

That was really well said. Beautiful.

[H]

I don't think we can say anything else.

[G]

Yeah. I mean, as Emily Henry would say, period.

[E]

I do love what you said, though. You said it. It's about, like, the story we tell ourselves. Right. Or the narrative we tell ourselves.

[B]

Yeah.

[E]

I'm such a big believer in that. Like, and more. The older I get, the more I believe that. Which is, like, we all tell ourselves narratives, whether it's about love or something else.

[G]

Yeah.

[E]

Or work or relationships. And oftentimes we think other people or other obstacles are holding us back and it's actually the story you're telling yourself. And, like, so often we box ourselves into a certain way of thinking and actually, no one else is boxing you in but yourself. And I think Alex does that from day one. Like, when we meet him, he thinks that, like, to be too big is to. Is to, you know, to be too risky or to, you know, to express yourself is to not be humble or whatever it is. Actually, he's just limiting himself. And it's not until he meets someone that tests that theory and kind of, you know, says that's a narrative you've told yourself that he starts to realize how fun his life can be and vice versa. Because Poppy tells herself that, like, to build a. She's too much. Yeah. Well, she doesn't at first. Right. She's not too much. And then she thinks she is.

[F]

And then.

[E]

And then also she thinks too much.

[D]

Really?

[E]

Oh, yeah.

[F]

By the way, I was just gonna.

[E]

Say she fears building a home because she thinks that building a home is to restrict herself. And it's like, you can actually have both.

[H]

Well, to be witnessed fully for an extension of, like, her whole life. And I think that's the fear, like, for her. And that's something that I really, you know, take from this. You talk about, what do you call it, Limiting belief systems.

[G]

Limiting belief.

[B]

Yeah.

[H]

And I think sometimes we think, like, the social part of life is such a specifically human struggle that we have. You know, happiness is only real when shared, is such a true thing. We're communal creatures. And I think sometimes it feels like in order to have that which we need, we deeply, like, require that we have to dull ourselves. We have to dampen ourselves because we're so scared of that not being there for us. And I think something that this movie kind of taught me as someone who's maybe Felt like how Poppy's felt in my life is that to not fully express yourself, you are probably going to be doing maybe more damage in the long run, even if that means that you have safe people around you. And are those people around you really the right people? I think that at the end of the day, every person, if they have like a nice heart and they're kind and however you are, there are people out there that will appreciate you because there's. I mean, God, how many billions of people are there in the world? And I think it's just the bravery to kind of hold out for that.

[G]

Yeah, there is a lid for every pot.

[H]

Yes, there's a lid for every pot.

[E]

Period.

[D]

Period. Period. You can't be truly loved if you're not truly known. And I think, like, for me so much, it's like, I've thought about this.

[F]

I have. It's like I write this stuff.

[D]

Yeah, well. And I just like, I feel like the last five years of my life have been untangling people pleasing tendencies. And I realized that, like, yeah, you're making yourself smaller. You're dulling yourself because you think, well, if I really who I am, then I'm gonna be alone. And I don't know why we all think that. Like, I don't know why we think if you disagree with someone or you confront someone about something, you're like, it's so terrifying. You're looking at Alex and Poppy and you're screaming, just have a conversation about this. But in real life, they. You don't do it. You don't have those conversations because you're so afraid of what will happen if you do. You're so afraid that the answer you get will be, no, you're not enough or you are too much. And yeah, and by doing that, by holding back, you're not actually protecting yourself because you can't be truly loved. You can't be truly loved if you don't let someone see all of you. You're self rejecting.

[F]

Yeah. And resentment will build within that for whatever. For yourself, for others. Like, be you. Be you and allow it to be seen fully and love fully.

[G]

So beautiful. This is such a testament to what is created when people come at things with love instead of fear. Like, I can just feel it. And you felt it on screen. You guys made something so beautiful.

[F]

Oh, thank you so much.

[A]

So much.

[G]

I have one minute left with you. So usually I do something called speed read, but today we're gonna build a little rom com together. I know it took you years. We're gonna do it in 60 seconds, so lock in. Emily Henry, what is the literary trope that we are going to embody today?

[D]

Oh, I wanted. Is it brutal to say marriage of convenience?

[G]

Tom, what era are we in?

[E]

Ooh, we're in the 1960s.

[D]

I knew you were gonna say 60s. Love that.

[G]

Brett, what's our setting?

[D]

Paris, 1960.

[B]

Love.

[F]

Yes.

[G]

J' Adore.

[E]

Summer of love in Paris.

[G]

Emily Bader. What is our leading lady's job?

[H]

She's gonna be a baker.

[F]

Yeah.

[D]

Yes. A boulangerie.

[E]

I love.

[F]

I knew him.

[G]

Tom, what is our leading man's flaw?

[E]

Not me. Screaming, I love pastry.

[F]

I love pastry.

[D]

They're gonna gif that or gif that. Whatever.

[E]

What is our leading man's floor? Where do I start? Oh, my God. He. No, he hates pastries.

[D]

Oh, that is a flaw. That's a flaw.

[E]

He's a baker and he hates pastries.

[H]

He's gluten free.

[G]

He's gluten free. He's gluten free.

[F]

Disease in 1916 in Paris, where no.

[E]

Hasn'T even been diagnosed.

[D]

What do you eat in Paris in 1960 with celiac disease?

[E]

He's allergic to bread.

[H]

He owns a competing cheese store.

[E]

Whoa.

[G]

Cheese store.

[D]

Yeah.

[H]

But it's like they're. I don't know.

[D]

Yeah, yeah. I mean, we need more of that.

[E]

More questions?

[G]

Yes. Emily Henry, what's our central conflict?

[D]

Well, I feel like we already kind of developed it, so if it's like, I do love the idea that he is not like, sugar. He's all about, like, I'm healthy. He's orthorexic, and she's like, joie de vivre, you know? And they have shops on the same corner, and they're always feuding over maybe they share a wall. They share a wall. And something about the way that she runs her business. She's always got the music cranking. It's the 60s, and he's like a crabby old man sort of. I mean, it's kind of. We're going back to Alex, but it's the 60s.

[F]

Yeah.

[G]

Okay, Brett, what's our final scene?

[F]

The male character eating one of her pastries for the first time. And it's like that scene in ratatouille where the critic eats the ratatouille. He eats it and he almost tears up because he can. And she's made him a specific pastry.

[A]

Brett.

[D]

Look at me getting full body chills.

[F]

Only for him. And has delivered it to him.

[D]

It's not sweet.

[F]

And he eats it, and it's the first time he realizes that he was wrong in being stubborn. And he tears up a little bit and they kiss.

[D]

And I think his baking situation, something with his mother.

[E]

Yeah.

[F]

Who used to bake for him, and he lost.

[H]

Wow, this is good. Can I be in this?

[D]

Yes.

[F]

But I think it's this. That realization and coming to it. But I do see that last image of him eating it.

[D]

Yeah.

[F]

Can it be.

[E]

Can it be called Patissari? Yeah.

[B]

Like.

[G]

Guys, this became perfectly unhinged. Thank you.

[F]

Always does when you put us together. This is. This is the vibes.

[G]

I wish you all beautiful, beautiful vacations. And I. I hope this movie has a lot of success us.

[H]

Thank you.

[F]

Thank you so much.

[H]

This was so fun.

[F]

It was really fun.

[E]

Thank you.

[G]

Oh, before you go, I've got one more trick up my sleeve. Okay. This week we're kicking off a new.

[B]

Segment all about book news.

[G]

Book influencer, Bookish media co founder and friend of the pod. Morgan Book is giving us the inside.

[B]

Scoop on upcoming releases, book talk trends.

[G]

And what's on the top of her own TBR pile.

[B]

Take a listen, Morgan.

[G]

Hi. Welcome to the club.

[A]

Thank you so much for having me.

[G]

So everyone that listens to the POD knows that I love firsts, because on our first episode, I talked about how I think you never forget your first car, your first concert, your first kiss. Like, you just remember your firsts. And today we're stepping into a first. You are our first bookmarked correspondent.

[A]

Oh, my God. Wait. I'm honored. Thank you.

[G]

I was thinking about how we could, like, introduce you or what the tagline would be. I was giving. I. I guess my inspiration was Real Housewives, so I was thinking something like, I love a good plot twist on the page and off, or I don't judge a book by its cover, but I will read you.

[A]

Okay. Okay. Yeah, I like that. I mean, I sometimes will judge a book by its cover. I don't know if this counts as a tagline, but, like, everyone needs a good book because my last name is Book. So, like, everyone, like, needs a good book.

[G]

I was going to ask you if that's your real last name, legally.

[A]

Book. Yeah.

[G]

This was meant to be your obsession.

[A]

And I always joke, like, when I eventually get married. I'm so sorry, like, I will not be changing my last name. I can't.

[G]

No, you can't, because you are a book influencer. You have 2.6 million on TikTok, 1.2 million on YouTube, 138,000 on Instagram. You have literally millions of eyeballs on you daily. And you're putting so much good stuff into the world because you're talking about.

[B]

Literature and books and reading and the.

[G]

Love of words and you can really tell you love it so much. What have books added to your life?

[A]

Books have given me so much. Books have given me my dream life. Like if you could tell my 13 year old self that I host a book podcast and I have a book club and I create book content, I I don't even like it sounds cheesy. But the fact of the matter is books give readers the opportunity to visit different places in the world. Books also give me a sense of peace. Like when I'm really anxious listening to an audiobook or picking up just like a very light and fluffy romance. It works wonders on the brain to calm down and really just ground yourself again. So I mean, they've given me everything.

[G]

So beautiful. Thank you Morgan. I always say good books and good shoes take you places, into continents, into love stories. They take you anywhere you want to go. What is on the top of your TBR pile right now?

[A]

I have so many books on my roster right now. I really want to read more of Ellen Hildebrand. She wrote the Hotel Nantucket, which I read earlier this year and it became like very quickly one of my favorite books of all time. So I think to escape like the very cold, dreary winters we have here in Southern Ontario, I want to read Five Star Weekend by her and 28 Summers. And then I recently got an arc, an advanced reader copy of Sarah Adams new book. It's called in youn Dreams which is like an interconnected small town romance series. And I'm reading an arc right now called Seeing Other People by like a husband and wife duo author. And that one's very fun like magical realism, ghost type vibes.

[G]

And the two authors that you just shared both have sort of a fantasy or escapism aspect to them. I'm curious about upcoming fiction releases that you're most looking forward to in 2026.

[A]

The first one that comes to mind is Elle Kennedy's new book. I think it's called Love Story. I will read anything that Elle Kennedy puts out. Like I read her off campus series when I probably first started reading like new adult fiction. Liz Tomford has a book releasing in February or March. I believe that's like a new spinoff series from her Windy City series. I don't believe Emily Henry is releasing a book in 2026, but if by some miracle she does, then I'm excited for that one.

[G]

Morgan, what do you think it is from your perspective? Because I'm a huge Emily Henry fan. I'm obsessed with her as a person and an author. But what do you think it is that has created this fandom?

[A]

I think it's just the way she crafts these characters that feel like you're escaping into this other world, but they also feel so close to home. I think I related a lot to Alex and people meet on vacation. As much as I admired Poppy as a character, I'm very much more like type A, like Alex. And I think I also really liked. I think in Cause people we meet on vacation and Happy place are my favorites of hers. Like my soul books. Probably top two romance books of all time, especially in an audiobook format. They were just genuinely incredible. And she creates very relatable characters in a world where you can still escape. And the romance is there, but it's not overpowering. I love a smutty, spicy book, but I also really appreciate when you get to know the characters and you get to feel their romance in a different way than, like, sexual intimacy.

[G]

I have a book talk question for you because I felt like in 2025, Booktok was buzzing with dark academia. And as we head into 2026, I'm curious what your predictions are for booktok trends. I can tell you I have this. I have no bearing or reason for feeling this way. It's just a gut feeling. I feel like historical fiction with a modern resonance is gonna be big.

[D]

Okay.

[A]

I mean, I've heard rumblings. Like, even when I ask authors, I'm like, where do you see or where do you want the romance genre to go? And several of them have brought up bringing back historical romance. Not even for, like, that. They wanna write it. They just wanna read it. So, I mean, I'm so down for that. I think another subgenre or genre in general that we will see in 2026 is Hockey Romance. Don't know if you've seen Heated R.

[H]

No. Okay.

[A]

After this call, you should go watch. You absolutely need. Have you heard anything about it or seen it?

[G]

No. Tell me what this is.

[A]

Okay. Okay. Okay. So heated rivalry is a adaptation. There's two rival NHL hockey players who have this, like, secret romance, secret fling over the span of eight years.

[G]

Oh, my God.

[A]

I mean, it's changed the game just, like, overall, like, with hockey romances, with challenging, like, the stereotypes of, like, straight hockey players. And it's just. It speaks so many volumes. I think we're moving away from, like, the regular genres, like Romance is obviously so big and like, but there are so many like needs of, like, combining these genres together and combining these emotions. Like even what I have noticed as a creator on the platform is there's a really big demand for like, emotional reading. Like, like, I'm not looking for a romance. I'm looking for a book that's going to make me feel inspired. I'm looking for a book that's going to destroy my soul. I'm looking for a book that's going to make me believe in love. Again. Like, there's a lot of demand for how a book is going to make someone feel, which I love as a creator and I love as a reader because it just like enhances this level of curation that you can do with books.

[G]

I love that sentiment and I can't wait to talk books with you in 2026.

[A]

Me too.

[B]

And if you want a little bit 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. And I'm at Danielle Robay R O B A Y Come say hi and DM me. And if you want to go 90s on us, call us.

[G]

Okay.

[B]

Our phone line is open, so call now at 1501291. 3379. That's 1-501291-3379.

[G]

Share your literary hot takes, book recommendations.

[B]

Questions about the monthly pick, or let us know what you think about the episode you just heard. And who knows, you might just hear yourself in our next episode. So don't be shy, give us a ring. And of course, make sure to follow. Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your shows. Until then, see you in the next chapter.

[G]

Bookmarked is a production of hello Sunshine and iheart Podcast.

[B]

It's executive produced by Reese Witherspoon and me, Danielle Robay. Production is by Acast Creative Studios.

[G]

Our producers are Maddie Foley, Brittany Martinez, Sarah Schleed and Darby Masters. Our production assistant is Avery Loftus. Jenny Kaplan and Emily Rutter are the executive producers for Acast Creative Studios.

[B]

Maureen Polo and Reese Witherspoon are the executive producers for hello Sunshine. Olga Kaminwa, Kristin Perla and Ashley Rapaport are associate producers for Reese's Book Club.

[G]

Ally Perry and Lauren Hanson are the executive producers for iHeart podcasts.