Fantasy Fangirls Podcast: "Book Recs To Cure Your Book Hangover w/ @kaila.books"

Release Date: June 26, 2025

In this bonus episode of the Fantasy Fangirls podcast, hosts Nicole and Lexi welcome their special guest, Kayla (@kaila.books), a renowned content creator known for her exceptional Romanasy recommendations. The episode, titled "Book Recs To Cure Your Book Hangover," delves deep into Kayla's expertise, offering listeners a treasure trove of book recommendations to reignite their passion for reading after finishing popular series like A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) and Fourth Wing.

Introduction to the Episode

The episode kicks off with Nicole and Lexi setting the stage for an engaging conversation about overcoming the "book hangover"—that lingering feeling after finishing a beloved series. They emphasize the goal of providing fresh and captivating recommendations without major spoilers, ensuring listeners can seamlessly add these titles to their TBR (To Be Read) lists.

Getting to Know Kayla: Rapid Fire Session

To unwrap Kayla's insights, the sisters engage her in a rapid fire segment, uncovering her journey into the literary world and her favorite reads.

• What Inspired Your Love for Reading?
  Kayla shares, "I discovered the Court of Thorns and Roses series about a year and a half ago, which ignited my passion for fantasy books." [06:28]

• Favorite Book or Series?
  "Court of Thorns and Roses in the Sarah J. Maas universe," Kayla responds, followed by her admiration for Melissa K. Rorich's Legacy series for its darker fantasy elements and intricate world-building. [07:44]

• Preferred Reading Formats?
  Kayla prefers audiobooks, stating, "Audiobooks are how I finish as many books as I do," but also enjoys immersion reading by syncing her Kindle with audio for a faster reading pace. [08:32]

Diving into Book Recommendations

The core of the episode revolves around Kayla's curated book recommendations tailored to fans of popular fantasy series.

Books with Fourth Wing Vibes

Kayla identifies key elements such as romance, found family, and academy settings that resonate with Fourth Wing fans. Recommended series include:

1. Blood and Steel
   A four-book completed series featuring a female warrior and a broody mentor-mentee dynamic set in an academy with magical elements. [20:54-21:16]

2. Dire Wolves
   Combines academy settings with mind-connecting wolves, offering unexpected twists and strong character relationships. [21:16-22:44]

3. Kingdom of Shadows and Wings
   Focusing on dragon riding and a protagonist overcoming fear, this series presents a rich fantasy world with immersive lore. [22:47-23:11]

4. Fear the Flames
   A quest-driven narrative with dragon-shifters and reluctant alliances, perfect for readers seeking adventure and romance. [23:11-23:58]

Kayla notes, "If you like dragons, obviously you guys have dragons," highlighting the engaging fantasy elements that make these series stand out. [22:44]

Recommendations for ACOTAR Fans

For those recovering from ACOTAR, Kayla suggests series that embody similar romance and lore richness:

1. Trial of the Sun Queen
   Described as "The Bachelor meets Survivor," this series features a fierce female protagonist competing in trials to win the king's hand. [25:04-26:30]

2. Serpent and the Wings of Night
   A multi-book series with political intrigue and a completed duology, offering a strong blend of romance and fantasy. [26:30-29:48]

3. Empire Flame and Thorns
   An incomplete series gaining traction on BookTok, featuring dragon-shifters and a compelling enemies-to-lovers storyline. [29:48-30:15]

Kayla emphasizes the immersive world-building and slow-burn romance that these series offer, making them perfect for ACOTAR enthusiasts. [25:04]

Completed Series for Satisfaction

Understanding the need for closure, Kayla recommends several completed series:

1. Zodiac Academy
   A fun, bingeable series likened to "Love Island at Hogwarts," with intentionally cringy humor and a unique take on magic and academies. [31:04-31:56]

2. Daughter of No Worlds
   A serious dystopian series that serves as a counterpoint to more whimsical fantasies, offering depth and resolution. [31:56-33:29]

3. Once Upon a Broken Heart
   An adult fairy tale with whimsical elements and emotionally gripping narratives, perfect for readers seeking a touch of magic and romance. [33:29-34:13]

Exploring Tropes: A Segment on Literary Devices

In a lively trope-themed rapid fire segment, Kayla and the hosts discuss popular literary tropes in fantasy romance, providing book recommendations for each:

• Slow Burn Romance:
  Books like Trial of the Sun Queen and House of Beating Wings exemplify this trope with their gradual romantic developments. [51:50-54:07]

• Enemies to Lovers:
  Series such as Zodiac Academy and Fire in the Sky showcase the transformation from rivalry to romance, enriching character dynamics. [56:13-57:15]

• Fake Dating & Arranged Marriage:
  Titles like Avenian Kingdom and Reign of Shadows and Endings incorporate these tropes to build tension and romantic intrigue. [55:13-56:08]

• Found Family:
  Books like Blood and Steel and Road of Bones highlight strong community bonds, offering readers a sense of belonging within the narrative. [53:38-53:54]

Kayla remarks, "There is a whole new world of books out there," encouraging listeners to explore beyond their usual picks. [55:56]

Diversity and Representation

Touching on the importance of diverse characters, Kayla recommends books featuring BIPOC and LGBTQ+ protagonists:

• BIPOC Female Main Characters:
  Series like Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J. Tuli and Heavenly Bodies introduce rich, diverse characters navigating complex fantasy worlds. [41:01-42:17]

• LGBTQ+ Themes:
  Kayla highlights Blood and Aether and Bonded by Thorns for their inclusive relationships, adding depth and representation to the genre. [48:23-50:45]

Discussing Gideon the Ninth, Nicole shares, "It is a phenomenal book and it's so entertaining," emphasizing the appeal of strong, diverse narratives. [50:33-51:02]

Meet Kayla: From Book Lover to Content Creator

Towards the end of the episode, Kayla opens up about her journey as a content creator:

• Accidental Beginnings:
  "I started on TikTok two years ago, posting funny memes and book recommendations, and it unexpectedly grew into a fulfilling career," Kayla explains. [59:14-60:13]

• Building Community:
  She appreciates the supportive community of book enthusiasts, remarking, "There's a huge community out there of like-minded book people." [60:13]

• Where to Follow Kayla:
  Listeners are encouraged to connect with Kayla on TikTok and Instagram under the handle @kaila.books for more book recommendations and literary content. [60:24]

Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

Nicole and Lexi express their gratitude to Kayla for her insightful recommendations and encourage listeners to download the accompanying PDF with all the suggested titles. They also remind listeners to support the podcast by rating and reviewing it.

Lexi concludes, "Thank you so much, Kayla. Now you get to go and follow her on social media so you can see all the more book recommendations." [61:10]

Key Takeaways:

• Diverse Recommendations: A wide array of book suggestions catering to fans of ACOTAR and Fourth Wing, including completed series and works by indie authors.

• Tropes Explored: Insightful discussion on popular literary tropes in fantasy romance, helping listeners identify and seek out books that match their preferences.

• Representation Matters: Emphasis on the importance of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ characters in enhancing the richness and relatability of fantasy narratives.

• Community Building: Highlighting the significance of supportive literary communities and the role of content creators like Kayla in fostering these connections.

Whether you're struggling to move on from a captivating series or looking to expand your fantasy horizons, this episode is a must-listen for any avid reader seeking their next great adventure.

Recommended Follow-Up:
Download the PDF provided in the show notes for a comprehensive list of all the books mentioned in this episode. Connect with Kayla (@kaila.books) on TikTok and Instagram for ongoing recommendations and literary insights.

Note: This summary excludes all advertisement and non-content segments to focus solely on the enriching discussions and recommendations provided during the episode.