SUMMER BOOK RECS

Summary

Podcast Summary: “SUMMER BOOK RECS”

Podcast: I'll Read What She's Reading
Hosts: Reggie, Mikayla, Kennedy
Episode Date: June 3, 2026

---

Episode Overview

In this lively, chatty episode, Reggie, Mikayla, and Kennedy embrace the arrival of summer by sharing their favorite summer book recommendations. The trio discusses what makes a perfect summer read—from romance by the pool to intriguing thrillers—while bantering about upcoming book adaptations, casting opinions, and the joys (and quirks) of seasonal reading habits. Whether you read on vacation, at a picnic, or while dodging barbeques, this episode is packed with laughs, hot takes, and a wide variety of fun, bingeable books to add to your TBR.

---

Key Discussion Points & Book Recommendations

1. When is the Best Time to Read?

Timestamps: 00:35–02:16

• Kennedy kicks off with a debate: “What do you guys think is the most elite month for reading?”
• Consensus:
  • Reggie: Winter is best due to being stuck inside (01:04).
  • Mikayla: Summer; “I feel like I’m in a good headspace in the summer” (01:25).
  • Kennedy: Chooses late summer/early fall, partly for the long daylight and cozy outdoor vibes (01:40–01:57).

---

2. Carly Fortune’s Summer Duology

Timestamps: 02:20–07:17

• Kennedy’s Pick:
  • Every Summer After and One Golden Summer
  • “If you haven’t read those yet, read Every Summer After as soon as possible. Because the TV show on Prime…comes out in June.” (02:37–02:51)
• TV Adaptation Banter:
  • Concerns about casting and tone (“Are you guys seeing the music for the trailer?” – Reggie, 03:56)
  • Kennedy: “Unfortunately, that is not my Charlie. I’m sorry.” (03:33)
  • Vibe: Small lake town, time jumps, and “perfect summer reads” (04:35, 05:12)
• Reggie’s Pick:
  • This Summer Will Be Different (Carly Fortune)
  • Setting: Prince Edward Island; main character is a wedding florist, MMC is her best friend’s brother—plus, oyster shucking competitions! (05:53–06:16)
  • “Lots of tension. Some oyster shucking. He loves a paperback in his back pocket. What more could you ask for?” (07:17–07:18)

---

3. Emily Henry: Summer Romances

Timestamps: 07:28–10:51

• Mikayla’s Pick:
  • Happy Place
  • “If you have not read all of Emily Henry’s books, Happy Place is a really good summer vibe book.” (07:41)
  • Bright covers, lake house setting, massive Instagram potential (08:01)
• Adaptations & Casting:
  • Discussion of Emily Henry movie news: mixed opinions about Beach Read casting.
  • Kennedy: “She didn’t like the casting for Beach Read…” (08:28),
    Reggie: “I am crossing my fingers and toes that I’m not super let down…” (09:53)
  • “The chemistry in a romcom is one of the most important things. They have to be able to convince me.” — Kennedy (10:30)
• Adaptation Hot Takes:
  • Discussion of “nepo baby” casting and Jennifer Lopez’s role in adaptations

---

4. Unique New Summer Release: Fantasy & Sports Romance

Timestamps: 10:51–14:19

• Kennedy’s Pick:
  • The Winged Game by Sophie Kim (Release: June 26th)
  • “Sports romance meets fantasy. That was my exact reaction.” (11:10)
  • “It’s a violent rugby-esque game played atop winged beasts. That’s the sport.” (11:38)
  • Enemies-to-lovers, PR relationship, a mysterious beast illness, all set in a fantasy world.
  • “Quidditch meets Off-Campus.” — Kennedy (14:21)
  • Highly anticipated on Goodreads: “Right now it has a 4.31-star rating…” (13:38)
• Fun Segment Idea:
  • Suggests a future game: each describe an outrageous synopsis, but one is fake. “We have to guess which one is fake.” (13:50–13:56)

---

5. Upcoming Buzzy Release: The Shippers

Timestamps: 15:02–17:12

• Reggie’s Pick:
  • The Shippers by Katherine Center
  • “They're on a cruise ship. She's using this man to help her woo someone else and fake dating again.” (15:34–15:54)
  • Light, quick, non-spicy summer fun.
  • Confusion over Katherine Center’s cover colors, and a random association with Sandra Bullock in “The Proposal.” (16:41–17:21)
• “If you're not someone who likes super spicy books, looks like Katherine Center is a great, great option.” — Reggie (17:03)

---

6. Fake Dating Galore: Christina Lauren & Others

Timestamps: 18:06–19:24

• Mikayla’s Picks:
  • The Paradise Problem (Christina Lauren)—“Crazy Rich Asians but instead of being in a relationship, they're fake dating.” (18:18)
  • The Unhoneymooners (Christina Lauren)—“The covers scream summer.” — Reggie (19:24)
  • Kennedy: “I don't know what it is about their books, but they're just like cheesy but actually make me laugh.” (19:06)
• Plot Recaps:
  • The Unhoneymooners – “She goes on her honeymoon with the one person that doesn't get sick from her wedding day…” (19:24–19:51)

---

7. Non-Romance Summer Options

Timestamps: 19:59–23:53

• Kennedy’s Rec:
  • The Compound by Aling Raw—“Love Island meets Lord of the Flies” (20:02)
  • Contestants compete for basic necessities while isolated; a psychological thriller with hot, summery vibes (20:02–21:16)
• Reggie’s Rec:
  • The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young
  • “Set on a flower farm, this is a good book that's not very romance heavy.” (21:43)
  • Magical realism, time travel, family mystery, “magical realism and just the overall setting...gives kind of a fun summer element” (22:24)

---

8. Heartfelt and Unconventional Summer Reads

Timestamps: 23:54–26:57

• Mikayla’s Rec:
  • Promise Me Sunshine by Kara Bastone
  • “It is heartwarming, but it deals with the character grieving the loss of her best friend…he decides to help her live again. It’s really sweet.” (24:25)
• Kennedy’s Rec:
  • Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young
  • “Most romance books…everything leading up to them, you know, getting together or getting married. What was refreshing about this one is…after you’re married, when you’ve been married for a long period of time.” (26:06)
  • Wilderness exploration/camping retreat to rebuild a marriage: “What's more summer than camping?” (26:39)

---

9. The Viral & Twisted: Yesteryear

Timestamps: 26:57–29:41

• Reggie’s Rec:
  • Yesteryear by Carole Claire Burk
  • “If you get fascinated by, like, Ballerina Farm, Nara Smith…you would find this book either really fascinating and/or kind of disturbing.” (27:20)
  • Tradwife influencer wakes up in the 1800s; “it’s bingeable…like a car crash. Like, you can’t look away.” (28:46)

---

10. Bonus Summer Rom-Com: The Bodyguard

Timestamps: 29:46–31:22

• Mikayla’s Rec:
  • The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
  • “Pretty much it follows Hannah, who is a bodyguard for a famous singer…she has to fake date him.” (30:09–30:29)
  • Great “meeting the family” proposal vibes, witty banter, takes place on a family farm.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Summer Reading Vibes:
  • “There’s just something about, one, a bright pink cover. And two, a book where they are at a lake house.” — Reggie (08:01–08:09)
• On Adaptations:
  • “I feel like the chemistry in a rom com is one of the most important things. They have to be able to convince me.” — Kennedy (10:30)
  • “Harry Styles could have chemistry with a rock. So, they missed the mark on that one.” — Kennedy (10:51)
• On Outrageous Premises:
  • “This is real. And then…but get this, guys. A mysterious illness befalls all the winged creatures. What? No. This could not be real.” — Kennedy (12:33–12:36)
• On Summer Thrillers:
  • “That’s one of the few thrillers I’ve read that gives off summer vibes. So, for all you thriller girlies out there, try it out.” — Kennedy (21:16)
• On Binge-able Reads:
  • “It’s bingeable…you want something that you’re gonna sit down and…can’t look away.” — Reggie on Yesteryear (29:23)
• On Summer Romance Realism:
  • “It was really great to kind of see that represented…a couple fight for each other and do everything they could to rekindle their relationship.” — Kennedy on Out of the Woods (26:39)
• On Katherine Center:
  • “I don’t know why I always…every time I hear Katherine Center…I immediately picture...Sandra Bullock to the window, to the wall. I don’t know why.” — Kennedy (17:18)

---

Highlighted Book Recommendations (Quick List)

1. Every Summer After – Carly Fortune
2. One Golden Summer – Carly Fortune
3. This Summer Will Be Different – Carly Fortune
4. Happy Place – Emily Henry
5. The Winged Game – Sophie Kim (Fantasy/Sports Romance)
6. The Shippers – Katherine Center
7. The Paradise Problem – Christina Lauren
8. The Unhoneymooners – Christina Lauren
9. The Compound – Aling Raw (Thriller)
10. The Unmaking of June Farrow – Adrienne Young
11. Promise Me Sunshine – Kara Bastone
12. Out of the Woods – Hannah Bonam-Young
13. Yesteryear – Carole Claire Burk (Twisty “tradwife” fiction)
14. The Bodyguard – Katherine Center

---

Episode Vibe & Tone

The episode is filled with playful group chat energy, breezy tangents, relatable hot takes on book-to-screen adaptation casting, and a deep love for books that fit every summer mood. The hosts mix in genuine insight, humor, and confessions (“I don’t camp…but what’s more summer than camping?”—Kennedy, 26:39), making this an easy listen with plenty of laugh-out-loud and “add to cart” moments.

---

For more summer reading recs and to see what the hosts are picking up next, follow along on their Goodreads, Instagram, and TikTok (OT.shesreadingpod).

Transcript

[Kennedy]

Foreign.

[Reggie]

Hello, everybody. Welcome back to all. Read what she's reading. I'm Reggie.

[Mikayla]

I'm Mikayla.

[Kennedy]

And I'm Kennedy.

[Reggie]

And it's summertime. So we are going to dive into the books that we are recommending for you for the summer. Whether it's for a summer vacation, just sitting out by the pool at a picnic. I don't know, all the summer vibes. I feel like there's some books that you just are like, I cannot read this in the summer. But there's books that you definitely need to read in the summer.

[Kennedy]

You know, Let me ask you guys this question. What do you guys think is the most elite month for reading?

[Reggie]

July.

[Kennedy]

Oh, wait.

[Reggie]

Okay.

[Kennedy]

Not even. Wait, not month. Sorry, not month.

[Mikayla]

Season.

[Kennedy]

I meant to say season. Yeah.

[Reggie]

For me, it's probably winter. Just because, like, I'm stuck inside a lot and I'm not doing as many things. I feel like summer feels busy. Like, I feel like I haven't read very much this summer so far because I'm just like, family event and barbecue this.

[Kennedy]

Like, it's just club. Another club.

[Reggie]

Yeah, seriously. I'd always say winter, but then I feel like there's so many releases that get released, like, end of spring, early summer. Yeah, I don't know.

[Mikayla]

I would say mine is probably summer just because I feel like I'm in a good headspace in the summer.

[Reggie]

Ooh, that's a good point.

[Mikayla]

Like, spring and summer. I feel like I'm just, like, ready to read for some reason.

[Reggie]

That makes sense. Yeah.

[Kennedy]

I don't know. But I also agree, when you're stuck

[Mikayla]

inside, like, there's nothing else to do. I mean, there's a lot of things to do, like be on your phone. But I'd rather read.

[Kennedy]

I feel like I have the most time to read in the winter. But I'm gonna take out, like, my job out of the equation. Because summer is the worst part. Time for my job. I'm gonna say summer's the best time. One, because it's warm outside, it's easy just to, like, lay outside and read a book and also think about it. You have so much more light to read. So if you're reading a physical book, it's a lot easier. Yeah. You know, you don't have to use a light or whatever. So I'm gonna say if I'm gonna get really specific, I'm gonna say late summer, early fall. Oh, okay. Sorry, I just. I just threw that on them, but I figured that was a good little. No, that's interesting question.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

So good way to kick it off.

[Mikayla]

Kick it off.

[Reggie]

Who wants to kick off. Kick it off with.

[Kennedy]

Oh, because I'm scared what? You guys are gonna steal this book. So I want to go first.

[Reggie]

Oh, okay. All right.

[Kennedy]

Okay. My first recommendation. I'm gonna be surprised if you listening. Haven't read it at this point. I'm gonna say every summer after. In One Golden Summer by Carly Fortune. Yes. Okay. Was it on both of you guys list?

[Reggie]

Well, yeah, because the TV show comes

[Kennedy]

out, like, so soon, so if you haven't read those yet, read every summer after, as soon as possible. Because the TV show on Prime. Right? It's prime.

[Reggie]

Yes, I think so. Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Comes out.

[Mikayla]

Prime is.

[Kennedy]

I think it comes out in June. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Very soon.

[Reggie]

Did you guys watch the trailer?

[Mikayla]

No. Yes. I'm a little nervous for it.

[Kennedy]

Gonna be cheesy.

[Reggie]

Well, I don't know. Here's my thing.

[Kennedy]

Really young.

[Mikayla]

They do, I think.

[Reggie]

Well, the thing is, they are supposed to be young, so I wonder if they'll. Yeah, well, it's. Well, that's the thing is, I'm like. Are they having.

[Kennedy]

Are they having people play them 10 years later?

[Reggie]

Yeah. So I don't know if they're gonna,

[Kennedy]

like, make them older.

[Mikayla]

They played them.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, they play them both.

[Mikayla]

Yes.

[Kennedy]

But from what.

[Reggie]

The clips I've seen, I feel like they're. I'm trying to remember from the trailer.

[Kennedy]

They.

[Reggie]

Yeah, they do look young. It's not even the fact that they look young. I just feel like I pictured more attractive people for the boys.

[Kennedy]

Unfortunately, that is not my Charlie. I'm sorry.

[Reggie]

I. I don't know. I just.

[Kennedy]

I like her, though. What's her name again?

[Reggie]

Percy.

[Kennedy]

No.

[Mikayla]

Yeah, that's her name in the book.

[Kennedy]

Yes. I like Percy. I like the casting for Percy. Yeah. Yeah.

[Reggie]

I can't get over High School Musical, the musical, the series. I don't know. Hopefully I'll be pleasantly surprised. But I won't lie. Like, I saw the trailer and I was kind of like, are you guys

[Mikayla]

seeing music for the trailer?

[Kennedy]

Do you guys feel like it's going to be more. More tweeny and cheesy than the summer I turn pretty? No, it's gonna be on par with that.

[Reggie]

I would say it's gonna give similar.

[Mikayla]

Ish.

[Kennedy]

Okay, all right.

[Reggie]

But not as young as Somewhere after.

[Kennedy]

It's an adult book. It's an adult.

[Reggie]

Yes, yes. So that's why I'm thinking it will be, like, the same.

[Kennedy]

I don't know.

[Reggie]

I don't know.

[Kennedy]

I don't know, my expectations are not super high.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

So.

[Mikayla]

But that could. They could surprise me.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

You know, so I think to go

[Reggie]

along with, like, you suggesting it, it's a great book to read because it's summer vibes. But also the TV show's coming out.

[Kennedy]

I want to live on Berries Bay.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

It's like Lake Town.

[Reggie]

There's a group.

[Kennedy]

There's two brothers and a girl.

[Reggie]

They're all friends.

[Kennedy]

There's kind of some time jumps right. In the first book. Just. Just pick it up and. And see.

[Mikayla]

What is it called? The show they're calling it because it's not the same. It's Every Summer F. Before.

[Kennedy]

Oh, does she have a book called Every Summer After? No. They're not calling it Barry's Bay, are they?

[Mikayla]

No, it's something with summer in the title.

[Reggie]

The summer will be different every year after.

[Kennedy]

Every year after.

[Reggie]

That's right.

[Kennedy]

Well, if it also motivates you to read it. Every one. Golden Summer was a five star read for me. I'm obsessed with that book. It's my favorite Carly Fortun book. They're both literally perfect summer reads.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

So pick it up.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Well, I'll go next by the same author, if that's okay. I was gonna say this summer will be different.

[Mikayla]

Everyone's taking mine.

[Reggie]

Were you gonna say that one too? I really like that one. I. Okay. I really liked one Golden Summer. That's probably my favorite. If not this summer will be different. Those two are, like, kind of tied. As my favorites is this one with

[Kennedy]

the main male character that carries books in his back pocket.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Okay.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Reggie]

So it follows it's on Prince Edward Island, I believe. And your female main character is a wedding florist. And the male main character is her best friend's brother.

[Mikayla]

Isn't he like a.

[Kennedy]

Doesn't he do a competition?

[Reggie]

He shucks oysters.

[Kennedy]

Oysters, that's right.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Oyster shucker. Yeah.

[Reggie]

I loved it. I don't know what I loved about it. Maybe it's just because I've never. I don't think I'd ever read that trope before. If I can remember. Our brother's best brother's best friend. I ate it up. The tension. Also just the vibes of the island. I was like, I want to be there. Like, I was transported. It's going to be a Netflix movie. I don't know when, but I really hope they capture the vibes of the book because. And also, like, if you look at the COVID of the book, which Carly Fortune has immaculate Covers for her books. I think that's. Is that one my favorite cover? I don't want to say it's my favorite color, if not. Anyways, the COVID gives summer. I mean it says Summer in the title.

[Kennedy]

But like Carly Fortune sets the vibe in all of her books.

[Mikayla]

Covers too are just like Scream Summer.

[Kennedy]

Except for maybe our Perfect Storm. It's summer, but I feel like it gives a little moody fall.

[Reggie]

Yeah, moody summer. Anyways, I really like that one. Lots of tension.

[Kennedy]

Some oyster shucking.

[Reggie]

Some oyster shucking. He loves a paperback in his back pocket. What more could you ask for?

[Mikayla]

Okay, I'll go next because you guys took mine.

[Kennedy]

But it's okay.

[Mikayla]

I'm gonna talk about Emily Henry. But very specifically, I feel like there's only a few books that can are give off summer, you know, Summer.

[Reggie]

Summer.

[Mikayla]

I feel obviously people we meet on vacation, that's a no brainer. But I feel like you guys have probably already read that because the movie came out. So I'm going to recommend if you have not read all of Emily Henry's books. Happy Place is a really good summer vibe book.

[Kennedy]

Also, it's just really cute for all your Instagram dumps.

[Mikayla]

Yes.

[Reggie]

There's just something about one, a bright pink cover.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

And two, a book where they are at a lake house.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

There's just something about it.

[Kennedy]

And this summer is the perfect time to reread Emily Henry since we're not getting one. So if you have read it, go

[Mikayla]

ahead and spend two ready getting her

[Kennedy]

bag in other ways. That's okay. That just means her. The adaptations will be better because she's so heavily involved. Right.

[Mikayla]

Wait, didn't you see the interview?

[Kennedy]

Oh yeah. She didn't like the casting for Beach Read.

[Mikayla]

Yeah, well, she didn't explicitly say she didn't like it. She's just said I'm trusting.

[Reggie]

So I don't know if she's as involved. I mean she was really involved with people we meet on vacation. But I think it's because all her books are getting picked up by different places. So I think that like different contracts.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, she's probably involved more so in some adaptations than others.

[Reggie]

Probably how they hope she's more involved in Happy Place because I'm a little nervous about Jennifer Lopez. Oh, she's the one doing it. Yeah. Her production and some of her shows she's done. I'm like, okay, I'm gonna hopefully just hope.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

That she gives us a really good cast for that because I don't want to be let down. Like I Have a featured.

[Mikayla]

So what's Beach? Her name is Phoebe. Oh, it's. It's Bridgerton.

[Reggie]

Yeah, she's great.

[Mikayla]

She. I think she will be pretty, like good for the role. That's What. Sorry, I didn't finish my sentence.

[Reggie]

She'll be pretty.

[Mikayla]

She'll be pretty. She is already pretty. I mean, pretty good for the role.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Mikayla]

On the other hand, I feel like he's got a little bit of Nepo baby.

[Kennedy]

Remind me, is he a Schwarzenegger? Yeah.

[Mikayla]

Okay.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

I also, I don't know, I'm hoping

[Mikayla]

her first one I'm gonna just in. Oh, White Lotus. Yeah. Right.

[Reggie]

I believe that's correct.

[Mikayla]

Yes.

[Kennedy]

Yep, it is.

[Reggie]

So I don't know, I don't want to like completely write off the movie just yet, but I am crossing my fingers and toes that I'm not super let down for people.

[Mikayla]

Even on vacation. I did question the casting of people

[Kennedy]

we meet on television.

[Mikayla]

Tom Blay. Just because I'm like, he's a cutie. But I'm like, I don't know if that's. He nailed it.

[Reggie]

Yeah, he did well.

[Mikayla]

So I'm like, I could be proven wrong yet again.

[Reggie]

I think it's just hard because everyone's fan casts for Beach Read have been like the total opposite of what they ended up picking. Like, people were like Logan Lerman, Harry Styles, like, yeah.

[Kennedy]

So maybe give him a. Maybe they have really good chemistry. Like, I would rather the two actors have really good chemistry. And maybe they don't cast someone who looks the exact way maybe described in the book. Because I don't know about you guys, but I feel like the chemistry in a rom com is what is one of the most important things. Yeah. They have to be able to convince me.

[Mikayla]

So. Yeah, yeah.

[Kennedy]

But I mean, Harry Styles could have chemistry with a rock. So they missed the mark on that one. Okay. This one. Okay. A few of mine I have not read. This one is a book that's coming out on June 26th, so I'm considering it a summer read. It is a fantasy book. Now hear this, y'.

[Reggie]

All.

[Kennedy]

Sports romance meets fantasy. That was my exact reaction. I was kind of scrolling, no, I don't think so, because I had never heard of it. I was kind of scrolling on Penguin Random House's website for their releases in the summer and this caught my eye because sports, romance mashup with fantasy. Sure.

[Mikayla]

However, what's the sport? Is it a fan?

[Kennedy]

Like a made up one? Rugby esque?

[Reggie]

Okay, okay.

[Kennedy]

As I read the synopsis, this may be very Cheesy. So take this recommendation with the grain of salt because I have not read it.

[Reggie]

Okay.

[Kennedy]

Okay. The book is the Winged Game by Sophie Kim. So we have Kerry Witchett. It's a violent rugby esque game played atop winged beasts. That's the sword. Ooh. Okay. Okay, we have Taissa Cho. She was the UK's most promising player. And then her nemesis, Kion Locke destroyed her career in a single moment. So Teysa was expelled from the game. Okay. But she's offered a chance to redeem herself, but her and her arch nemesis have to enter into a PR relationship for the team because they're playing on the same team.

[Reggie]

Okay.

[Mikayla]

Whoa.

[Reggie]

This is so different.

[Kennedy]

So now these two characters professional sports

[Mikayla]

or is like college?

[Kennedy]

Not sure.

[Mikayla]

I feel like it sounds like professional sports based on the PR relationship, but

[Reggie]

there's like winged beasts involved.

[Kennedy]

Yes. So they have. They have to have this PR relationship. They have to have this PR relationship.

[Mikayla]

Are you shaking my leg?

[Reggie]

This is real.

[Kennedy]

This is literally real.

[Reggie]

And then.

[Kennedy]

But get this, guys. A mysterious illness befalls all the winged creatures. What? No. This could not be real. So then they have to, you know, figure out why these beasts or beasts are sick. So sports, romance, X fantasy. Will it be good? Who knows? But it's coming out this summer and it sounds very different. Like, listen, that's a different feel.

[Reggie]

Oh, it's different. Everyone is one and wants different. I feel like I see a tick tock every day that's like I just want something new.

[Kennedy]

And there you go.

[Reggie]

There you have it.

[Kennedy]

Pick up the Winged Game by Sophie Kim Wing.

[Mikayla]

The Winged Game.

[Kennedy]

I am. My interest is fantasy, winged beasts, fake dating. Sure, sure.

[Reggie]

Sign me up. Actually, I'm so intrigued.

[Kennedy]

Here's the thing. You're being so for real right now. I'm being so for real. I just marked it as want to read on Goodreads. Now you're g. Look, all of these people. Okay, every. Well, I guess it's maybe only showing me the five star reviews, but people who all got the arc five star reviews. Right now it has a 4.31 star rating and there's 449 ratings.

[Mikayla]

Oh, okay.

[Reggie]

Who is this author?

[Mikayla]

Okay.

[Reggie]

Holy cow. I feel like you want to know

[Kennedy]

what we should do for an episode? Oh my gosh.

[Mikayla]

We should find the most outrageous synopsises for books.

[Kennedy]

But one of them that each of us tells is fake. Oh, and we have to guess which one it is. Which one is fake.

[Mikayla]

That's a really good idea.

[Reggie]

I love that idea.

[Kennedy]

Anyways, that's a real book, guys. I promise.

[Mikayla]

Wow.

[Kennedy]

And I honestly, I think I'm gonna read it. It doesn't say it's in a series. I'm hoping it's a standalone.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

Huh. Yeah.

[Mikayla]

Dang. I'm impressed.

[Kennedy]

There you go.

[Mikayla]

Wow.

[Kennedy]

Wow, wow.

[Reggie]

Yeah, it's legit.

[Kennedy]

And I didn't even do a bad job of explaining the synopsis. That's literally the synopsis.

[Reggie]

I mean, yeah, I'm locked in for that.

[Kennedy]

Quidditch meets off campus.

[Reggie]

Yeah. All right.

[Mikayla]

You know how when you finish a Romantasy and you just need the next thing immediately? Hatch made that a thing.

[Reggie]

It's called Ophelia. An original audio drama inspired by Hamlet where Ophelia finally gets to be the main character. Forbidden magic, a crumbling kingdom, a slow burn love triangle with a prince and his very guarded, very intriguing best friend. The kind of love triangle where you will absolutely pick a side and you will not be quiet about it.

[Kennedy]

Book one of the three part series is now available for free wherever you stream, with new chapters dropping every Tuesday. For books two and three, check out Hatch co Ophelia. Stay until the end of the episode for the full trailer of Ophelia by Hatch.

[Reggie]

I don't think I can top that one, but I'm gonna say this is a release that's new. Haven't read it, but I know I'm going to probably enjoy it because I need to read more of her books because I've read one and I absolutely love it. Loved it. The Shippers. Shippers? Yeah, the Shippers.

[Kennedy]

Michaela's pissed because that was on her list.

[Reggie]

The Shippers by Katherine Center.

[Mikayla]

Everyone is choosing the one.

[Kennedy]

Wait, have you read that, Michaela?

[Mikayla]

No, it's not out yet.

[Kennedy]

Oh, okay.

[Reggie]

No, it is. It came out my 19th.

[Mikayla]

Oh, that one. Yes, it did. I haven't read that one yet.

[Reggie]

All right, well, it's the shippers. They're on a cruise ship. All right, so she's using this man to help her woo someone else and fake dating again.

[Mikayla]

Yes, guys, I'm a sucker for fake dating. I really like Catherine.

[Kennedy]

Now, she has little to no spice, right?

[Reggie]

I'm pretty sure, yeah.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

So this female main character, Jojo, gets her childhood best friend to be her wingman and they are on a cruise ship and she's using him to get this guy that she's really into. I'm sure that it's going to be pretty, like cheesy, but really entertaining.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, that's what you need in the summer.

[Reggie]

Yeah, like you're on A cruise ship. You're. I guess.

[Kennedy]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Like fake dating with your childhood best friend.

[Kennedy]

Ooh, childhood best friend and fake dating.

[Reggie]

Also, when have I ever read a book that's like, takes place on a cruise ship? That's kind of cool. I don't think I imagine reading that book on a cruise.

[Mikayla]

Oh, the COVID is just so cute.

[Kennedy]

It is so cute. There's a little life preserver on it, right? It's yellow. Oh, no, it's.

[Mikayla]

I think it's white.

[Reggie]

It's blue.

[Kennedy]

Oh, it's. What do you mean? That is orange to pink ombre.

[Reggie]

Let me see. Are you talking about the actual cover or are you talking about the life preservers?

[Kennedy]

I was talking about the actual cover. I was like, reggie, are you colorblind?

[Reggie]

I'm like, the life preserver is blue.

[Kennedy]

In case you're curious.

[Reggie]

We're just dissecting this, but it's really cute.

[Kennedy]

I feel like she always has pretty cute covers, too, and they're really quick reads.

[Reggie]

Yeah. Not super, I'm pretty sure. Little to no spice. If you're not someone who likes super spicy books, looks like Katherine center is a great, great option.

[Kennedy]

Can I just be honest with you guys for two seconds? I don't know why I always. Every time I hear Katherine Center, I

[Mikayla]

don't know why I picture this.

[Kennedy]

Don't ask me why.

[Mikayla]

This is so off topic.

[Kennedy]

Every time someone says Katherine Center, I immediately picture I don't know why. Sandra Bullock to the window, to the wall. I don't know why. I swear. Did she not mention that scene of that movie in one of her books?

[Mikayla]

I have no idea.

[Kennedy]

I don't know why. The weirdest connection my brain makes. I don't know. Literally every time.

[Reggie]

Well, you heard it here first.

[Kennedy]

Oh, sorry. That was so random. No, I love it.

[Reggie]

That's funny.

[Mikayla]

I really want to ask you why.

[Kennedy]

I swear she wrote about the proposal in one of her books, but I could be wrong. Does she have a book called the Proposal?

[Reggie]

No, I don't think so.

[Kennedy]

I don't know, guys. If any of you listening can. Can find the connection with that. Yeah, Let me know. Okay.

[Reggie]

All right. All right.

[Mikayla]

I feel like we're all saying fake dating stuff, but the Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren. I don't remember a ton about this, but if I remember this correctly, it's like crazy rich Asians, but instead of them, like, being in a relationship, they're fake dating.

[Kennedy]

Yeah. She takes someone to a wedding, or he takes her to a wedding, but they're fake dating.

[Mikayla]

He takes It. Because he's the family.

[Kennedy]

Okay.

[Mikayla]

Yeah. Family built from the ground up. However, in his 100 million dollar inheritance.

[Reggie]

And.

[Kennedy]

Oh, there's He. He has to be married. Yeah. And she. She's like the exact opposite of like rich girl. Yeah. And I remember her having like a struggle with trying to pretend to be this. Yeah, yeah, that's a good one.

[Mikayla]

So, yeah, it's like crazy rich Asians but fake dating. Because in order for him to get in his inheritance, he has to be in a five year relationship. That's right.

[Kennedy]

Yes.

[Mikayla]

Wow. So that one is really fun.

[Kennedy]

I feel like what I love about Christina Lauren's books is they're not. I don't know what it is. They're just like. I remember listening to the Unhoneymooners and that was one of the very first rom coms that I actually laughed out loud too. I don't know what it is about their books, but they're just like cheesy but actually make me laugh. I don't know why. But that one's a good one. That's a really good.

[Reggie]

Yeah, the Unhoneymooners would be a good one too. I had that on my list. The covers scream summer. They do. Yeah. And yeah. Summer Vibes on Honeymooners is a good one. That one's like that one, if I'm remembering correctly, she goes on her honeymoon with the one person that doesn't get sick from her wedding day.

[Mikayla]

Or like it's the. It's the bride's maid of honor. Oh, bride, sister.

[Reggie]

Yes.

[Mikayla]

The bride and the groom get food poisoning.

[Reggie]

Yes. And they send them on maid of honor.

[Kennedy]

The best man. Yeah, yeah. That's okay. My next one's kind of a little bit left fields.

[Mikayla]

I don't think anything is more left field.

[Kennedy]

Well, okay. It's not a romance book. It's not a fantasy book. So I'm recommending the compound by Aling Raw. Hopefully I didn't butcher the last name. I rated it 3 stars. So don't go into it thinking you're going to have this like five star read. Maybe you will. I don't know. I'm recommending it because it gives off summer vibes. So the way they describe this book is it's Love island meets Lord of the Flies. Okay. Two very opposing vibes. Right. So we're following a main character who goes on a show where they drop all of these people. And I believe they're singles onto this property. But the catch is, is they have to do challenges in order to get basic necessities so when they first arrive to the house, there's no fridge, there's no beds, there's no food. And they have to execute these challenges in order to receive perks. And then, obviously, you're trying to win the show. A little bit of a psychology, psychological thriller. But they're out in this desert. It's really hot. There's a pool, there's hot people. Survivor meets Lord of the Flies meets Love Island. That is that book.

[Mikayla]

I think I remember you telling us about that. It's also very short, seems very intriguing.

[Kennedy]

I think it's under 300 pages. Would be. I read it in one day. But it also would be a good listen because it's quick and easy, and there's not anything that you have to, like, totally pay attention to.

[Mikayla]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

But I feel like that's one of the few thrillers I've read that gives off summer vibes. So for all you thriller girlies out there, try it out.

[Mikayla]

All right.

[Reggie]

I'm. I forget that book exists. And then whenever I hear someone talk about it, I'm like, I feel like

[Mikayla]

I would really like that.

[Reggie]

So. All right. My recommendation. This one is not. I mean, I guess you could consider it kind of a romance, but, like, not at the same time. The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrian Young.

[Mikayla]

I kind of forgot about that one.

[Kennedy]

Me too.

[Reggie]

Too. I just feel like this is a book that. I mean, I know it wasn't our most favorite, but I also think that sometimes when things are like a book club book and we. Depending on the time, you know, there's like, this pressure or, like, urgency to, like, hurry and finish the book. I feel like I didn't have the best reading experience with it, but I feel like you put yourself in a nice summer. Like, it's set on a flower farm. Okay. So if you are just, like, out in the outdoors, this is a good book. That's not very romance heavy. Because it's not. I think it's just women's fiction, wouldn't you say?

[Kennedy]

But there's, like, subplot of romance.

[Reggie]

There's like a subplot of romance. And there's also just some magical realism.

[Mikayla]

Yes.

[Reggie]

Which I think makes for a fun summer read because it's, you know, it gets your mind working and, I don't know, just fun, fun kind of vibes. But basically you have this female main character, June Farrow, and she's been raised by her grandmother, and there's all these, like, rumors of how she was brought up and kind of like, where she comes from, and it's set on a flower farm, like I said, and this mysterious door just pops out. Out of nowhere, she goes through this door. She's transported back in time, and she's trying to help her family of the past solve a murder. But then, like I said, there's like this romance subplot. Yeah, it's just, like, set out in the rolling fields of North Carolina. I feel like the magical realism and just the overall setting of the book gives kind of a fun summer element to it. But not that it's necessarily a fun book because there's that intrigue, that mystery a little bit. But if you're someone who doesn't want to just be reading romance all summer long, I feel like that would be a good book to kind break things up.

[Kennedy]

Yeah, for sure.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Mikayla]

It's very different, very unique book.

[Kennedy]

I also think I remember. Well, if. If you read it, we have a whole episode about it.

[Reggie]

Because it was a book club book.

[Kennedy]

I think I thought it was going to be a lot different than it was, and I think that's why I didn't. I think I rated it three stars. But, yeah, I completely agree. I think it's a great summer read and also a good switch up from just strictly romance. So.

[Mikayla]

Yeah. All right.

[Kennedy]

Sorry.

[Mikayla]

I have a lot of romance books.

[Kennedy]

So do I.

[Mikayla]

But this one. Okay. I guess it's like kind of romance, kind of not. Promise Me Sunshine by Kara Bastone.

[Kennedy]

I haven't read that one yet.

[Mikayla]

That one. But the thing, like, cover gives summer vibes.

[Kennedy]

Wait, show me the COVID real quick.

[Reggie]

Oh, it's like the flowers and the. Right here or something.

[Mikayla]

Promise Me. Sorry, I just screenshotted it, the synopsis.

[Kennedy]

This is the COVID Oh, yeah, for sure. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Mikayla]

But I wouldn't say it's like the most. It is heartwarming, but it deals with the character grieving the loss of her best friend, and then she meets a stranger who swears that he can turn her life around and make her help her live again. It's really sweet. It's really sweet. And so it's. Yeah, just like her dealing with her, like, the loss and her trying to navigate life with losing her best friend. And yeah, there's this guy, he's kind of a grump, but he decides to help her live again. Oh. And so it's a little bit of, like, a slow burn. So it's really sweet. It's really sweet. Yeah, so I. Yeah, I really like that one. So if you're wanting something a little, like More heartfelt. I don't know. That's like. That's a good one. Not just like your typical. I mean, there's obviously some comedic moments in there, but it has a little bit more tug on your heartstrings than just like a rom com.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Mikayla]

So, yeah, that one's cute.

[Kennedy]

Okay. For my last recommendation on a summer book, I'm going to recommend out of the woods by Hannah Bonham Young. Basically, you're following a couple who was high school sweethearts, right? Yes, high school sweethearts. And they're married, but they're going through some tumultuous times, so they go on a wilderness exploration trip to rekindle their relationship and kind of fall back in love with each other. So I'm recommending this one because most romance books that you read, it's everything leading up to them, you know, getting together or getting married. What was refreshing about this one is it's everything that happens every after you're married, when you've been married for a long period of time. So it was really great to kind of see that represented in a romance novel. And also I'm recommending it because summer, wilderness exploration. They're in a tent. You know, what's more summer than camping? I don't camp, but what's more summer than camping? So I think I rated that four stars. I do remember there was a few things about this book that I wasn't obsessed with, but I did really appreciate just how unique it was and just seeing a couple fight for each other and do everything they could to rekindle their relationship. So it's one of my favorite Hannah Bonham Young books.

[Reggie]

Yeah, it's a good one.

[Kennedy]

And the COVID is Summer. She's like walking on a log.

[Mikayla]

They're in the woods, out of the woods.

[Reggie]

Oh, let's Talk about Yesteryear by Carol. What's her name?

[Kennedy]

Hold up.

[Reggie]

Carol Claire Burke. I feel like this kind of gives summer. It's not like a rom com by any means.

[Kennedy]

By any means.

[Reggie]

But it's twisty and people are eating it up. Everyone, if you haven't read it yet, if you're a big fan of, like, just following influencers, if you like watching. And I'm not saying these influencers are like this main character.

[Mikayla]

Okay.

[Reggie]

I'm not saying that by any means. But if you get fascinated by, like, Ballerina Farm, Nara Smith, just any of those, like, homestead influencers, Tradwife, you would find this book either really fascinating and slash or kind of disturbing. So many people are rating this book Five stars. I didn't. No. I don't think the three of us did. But I feel like there's enough people talking about it right now and loving it so much that I feel like I need to recommend it because it is different from anything I have ever read. And I feel like the reason why I would class put this under, like, a summer read is because it's really bingeable. Like, you can't. It's like a car crash. Like, you can't look away. You're like, I shouldn't be looking at this right now. But, like, you can't look away. And it's just very mind bendy. And, you know, it's set on a. It's set on a farm. I feel like it kind of. I don't know, there's something about it that feels summery to me, but not in the, like, traditional way. Traditional way, yeah. So if you're unfamiliar with the plot, it basically follows this tradwife influencer, and her life just is not what it seems to be online. And she. She wakes up and it's the 1800s. Yeah. So she's trying to figure out how she got there. And then you're also getting this timeline of her as this very popular, wealthy influencer. It's crazy. Like, literally crazy.

[Kennedy]

So she's one of the most insufferable characters I've ever been. Whether I don't even want to use the word pleasure of being inside their head. She's horrid.

[Reggie]

But the thing is, is I think I've seen people rate the book low because they're like, I hated the main character, but you have to go into the. This book knowing that you're going to hate her. Yeah. And that's like, the point of the whole book, one of the main points of the book. So some of you might be like, why are you recommending this as a summer read? But I just feel like it's. It's bingeable when you want to go sit and, like, read by the pool. You want something that you're gonna sit down and be like, you're sad.

[Kennedy]

Okay.

[Reggie]

I feel like that book gives you that while also, you know, in the open fields on a farm also.

[Kennedy]

It came out, like, very recently. Yeah. Well, may.

[Reggie]

But yeah. Anyways, I'll recommend that one to you guys if you haven't heard about it yet or if you've been intrigued to start it.

[Mikayla]

Oh, man, that is something. That book is something, let me tell you.

[Kennedy]

Okay.

[Mikayla]

I forgot I had this on my list or Else I would have kind of put it together with Katherine Center. Oh, but the Bodyguard by Katherine Center.

[Reggie]

It's the only one I've read and

[Kennedy]

I really like that they talk about their proposal.

[Reggie]

It's because it kind of gives us. No, wait.

[Kennedy]

Okay. I don't know. I can't remember.

[Mikayla]

It's been so long since I've read it. But pretty much it follows Hannah, who is a bodyguard for a fam. Singer.

[Reggie]

Yes.

[Mikayla]

And the famous singer Jack Stapleton doesn't want his family to know that he has a bodyguard because he has a stalker. And he doesn't want them, the family doesn't. He doesn't want the family to know that he has a stalker, so he makes the bodyguard fake date him.

[Kennedy]

I love that.

[Reggie]

So it really. It gives proposal vibes because she's meeting his family for the first time.

[Mikayla]

Maybe that's why. Yeah, I don't know. Maybe they talk about it. Maybe there's a reference to it. Because I could imagine Katherine Sinner's character being like this feels like the proposal where I have to fake.

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Kennedy]

I think that was my first Katherine center book that I read and I really, really loved that one.

[Mikayla]

In my review I just said I loved every second of it. But I. I just think Katherine center has a really good job of like writing witty characters and witty like funny moments. Um, and yeah, so I just, I thought it was really fun. It takes place on a farm because Jack Stapleton is going and helping his family's farm and hence bodyguard to help stalker. I don't know. Meeting family. Anyways, Summer vibes.

[Reggie]

Yeah, that's a good one.

[Kennedy]

I liked that one a lot.

[Mikayla]

It's a fun one.

[Reggie]

Amazing. Well, we hope we gave you guys some good recommendations for your next vacation, your next pool day, whatever it may be. Hopefully you guys have some great books lined up for your summer reads. And if you guys want to go and follow along on our Goodreads to kind of see what summer reads were gonna be reading, you can find those linked in our Instagram bio. Our Instagram and our TikTok is OT. She's reading pod. You can join us on Patreon for more exclusive content and extra book club and you can shop our merch. Alright.

[Mikayla]

What?

[Reggie]

She's reading dot com. So thanks so much for listening. We will see you guys next Wednesday. Bye.

[Narrator]

Welcome to Ophelia, a Shakespeare After Dark series from Hatch. Inspired by Shakespeare's Hamlet. This romantasy reimagining gives Ophelia the story and the fate she never had. Ophelia's story will be told over three books, with each chapter fitting within 20 cozy minutes. Ophelia has always been expected to be small. But on the eve of her 21st birthday, something ancient awakens inside her. As she reconnects with the charming Prince Hamlet and his brilliant guarded friend, Horatio, Ophelia finds herself caught between love, loyalty and a power she cannot ignore. So warm yourself by the hearth and enjoy the tale of Ophelia.