Books are Chic

Such a joy chatting with fellow New Englander Riss M. Neilson as we celebrated her latest romance, The Bridge Back to You. Set against the backdrop of a restaurant and a touch of forced proximity, it’s the perfect recipe for heart, heat, and so much more. I found myself telling Riss again and again her stories feel like the people we know and the lives we’ve lived.After speaking with her, it’s so clear how deeply she values human connection and how it shapes healing, love, and family. We talked about everything from our shared love of the beach and books to writing, grief, and the ways our pasts can quietly influence our futures. Riss is incredibly thoughtful and insightful, with a warmth and positivity that truly shine both in conversation and on the page.

Beyond thrilled to welcome this month’s GMA Book Club pick and March Book of the Month author, Elizabeth Arnott, to Books Are Chic! Her latest, The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives, is a glamorous, darkly delicious tale that defines killer chic.Elizabeth joined me during the U.S. leg of her book tour, and honestly I could have talked books and true crime with her for hours. We dive into her bold shift in genre (and why we’re so glad she made it), serial killers, the intrigue of the 1960s, what’s next for her in the mystery space, and so much more.This is a perfect book club pick, sparking conversation around women’s roles in the ’60s, the stigma faced by families of criminals, and the power of female friendship. Trust me- pour yourself a margarita and get ready to fall in with this unforgettable group of women.

I was so excited to welcome Cara Bastone back to the pod. Our first conversation was such a standout, Cara is such an intentional romance writer, creating characters that feel deeply real and meet you right at life’s crossroads. Her latest, No Matter What, is brimming with heart, heartbreak and healing power of art.We dove into art therapy, navigating life’s inevitable road bumps, her signature romance elements, and so much more. Cara is always such a joy to talk to—and that warmth and sincerity shine through in every one of her books.

It’s always chic to take two takes—especially when it’s with Jenna Blum and we’re celebrating her latest: Murder Your Darlings, her incredible first thriller. It has all the perfect ingredients for a true page-turner: a dash of stalking, a hint of murder, and a heaping spoonful of the writer’s life—with just the right amount of spice.I’m still a little shocked that, with Jenna’s incredible backlist, this is her first thriller. She absolutely nails it.In our chat, nothing was off topic. We talked about everything—from writing and Boston bookstores to Seventeenmagazine. Jenna is truly an open book, which makes talking with her so much fun.Do yourself a favor and pick up this novel. It’s twisty, smart, and after listening to this episode you’ll see that it has Jenna’s voice all over it—witty, fun, and, of course, completely chic. ✨

Beyond excited to welcome Allison Pataki to Books Are Chic for her inaugural visit! We got together to celebrate and chat about her latest novel, It Girl.A fictionalized, deliciously juicy story filled with fame, scandal, and so much more, It Girl brings to life the original influencer, showgirl, and true pop culture sensation, Evelyn Nesbit. If you love The Gilded Age or have been listening to Life of a Showgirl, this is absolutely the book for you.I also stand firm that this would be the perfect gateway into historical fiction if you’ve been thinking about dipping your toe into the genre. It basically reads like a vintage Us Weekly cover story—juicy, fascinating, and impossible to put down.Allison and I had the best time chatting about pop culture, writing historical fiction, the research behind these larger-than-life stories, how she finds her leading ladies, and so much more. Add this one to your spring break #TBR—it’s the perfect poolside companion. 📚☀️

One of my favorite guests joy in human form joined me to celebrate his best yet: That’s What Friends Are For. I was beyond thrilled to welcome back Wade Rouse to the show.We celebrated this absolute gem of a novel, one that carries so many personal connections for Wade. Yes, it’s a love letter to The Golden Girls, but it’s also so much more. It’s part of his story a Palm Springs tale only Wade could tell filled with heart, humor, and the kind of characters you wish you could sit down with over cheesecake.Wade and I chatted about our shared love of the ladies, the moment he knew it was time to write this novel, and the nostalgia of growing up. We also talked about the journey he’s been on throughout his life and career.One thing I know whenever I reunite with Wade is that I will laugh and laugh we did. He is the medicine this world needs and a beautiful reminder that humanity is rooted in love, kindness, and connection. 💛📚

Okay but when I tell you I found my reality TV–loving, reader soulmate in Alli Hoff Kosik… I mean it. And somehow it gets even better — because she’s also the author of the fun, juicy, influencer-coded debut Too Blessed to Stress.If you’re obsessed with The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives or The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City (we absolutely are), this is your next read. Four religious influencers begin to suspect that the pastor of their glossy mega-church might not be making the most… wholesome choices. What follows? A deliciously dramatic plan to expose the truth. It’s sharp, funny, relevant and so bingeable.Beyond being a newly minted author, Alli also hosted a book podcast — which only deepened our instant kinship. She knows books, she knows authors, and she understands the culture around both. We talked influencer life and the research behind the novel, TLC lore (IYKYK), the road to debut, and all the behind-the-scenes.And because one chat simply wasn’t enough… we’re hosting an event together. 🎉Details are on my page — trust me, you’ll want in on this one.

In the words of Danny Pellegrino — queen, icon, legend and that title fits Kate White perfectly. She joined me again to celebrate her latest psychological thriller, I Came Back for You, and truly… what a gift.Longtime listeners know the Bailey Weggins series is one of my ultimate literary Roman Empires, the gateway into the brilliant, twisty world of Kate White. Any chance I get to talk with her, I fully embrace my fangirl era and profess my undying love for her books.Her newest novel is classic Kate: razor-sharp, emotionally charged, and impossible to put down. A mother, reeling from her daughter’s murder, begins to question everything she thought she knew — about her family, her past, and the truth itself. It’s layered, suspenseful, and delivers the kind of twists that only Kate can craft.We talked about our shared obsession with true crime, the secret ingredients that make a “Kate White novel” hit every time, her writing process, and so much more. Beyond the brilliance of her storytelling, Kate remains one of the most humble, thoughtful, and genuinely lovely people to chat with — which somehow makes being a fan even better.

If you’re craving a book that channels the delicious, edge-of-your-seat thrill of those iconic ’90s psychological dramas — think The Hand That Rocks the Cradle or Single White Female — look no further. Jennifer Van Der Kleut’s debut, The Better Mother, delivers.It’s unhinged in the best way, deliciously chaotic, and anchored by a lead villain you’ll absolutely love to hate. Tense, twisty, and dripping with nostalgia, this one feels like a late-night thriller you can’t turn off — but in book form.I was so thrilled to welcome Jennifer to Books Are Chic to chat about her road to this sensational suspense novel. We talked about our favorite thrillers, how Blair Waldorf inspired the story, her persistence on the path to publication, and the Reddit thread that sparked it all. Conversations like this are why I love what I do — getting to peek behind the curtain of a story this juicy.I truly can’t wait to see what’s next for Jennifer, because The Better Mother is one I’ll be thinking about for a long time.

I’ve been collecting vintage Marilyn Monroe books since college (shoutout to Brattle Book Shop in Boston), so I was beyond thrilled to welcome Lynn Cullen to the show to talk about her latest novel, When We Were Brilliant. In this stunning work of historical fiction, Lynn illuminates the deeply authentic friendship between Marilyn Monroe and legendary photographer Eve Arnold.The novel is as much about love and loyalty as it is about the cultural moments that shaped these women—many of which still resonate today. Lynn and I talked all things Marilyn, her inner life, the power of female friendships, old Hollywood, books… honestly, the list goes on.I’m always here for a fabulous historical fiction read, and this one absolutely delivers. If you’ve been curious about dipping your toe into the genre, consider this episode—and this book—your sign. ✨📚