This week on Novel Hour, we went full chaos—in the best way. In this replay from our YouTube live show, we’re talking:

👽 Our favorite alien romance reads (some weird, some adorable, all unhinged)

📚 10 must-read new releases for July 13–19, 2025

📺 What we’re watching: Animal Kingdom's finale, Real Housewives, and the Black Dagger Brotherhood TV adaptation

💍 Upcoming live show themes you don’t want to miss

Whether you're here for weird sci-fi love stories, summer thrillers, or hot takes on streaming shows, there's something for every mood reader in this episode.

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🕰️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome to Novel Hour

00:54 – Victoria’s Alien Book Picks

08:14 – Francesca’s Alien Romance Recs

14:29 – What We’re Watching (TV + Movies)

27:57 – July 13–19 New Book Releases

41:55 – Upcoming Themes

44:39 – Wrap-Up & Final Thoughts

✨ If you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! It helps more romance readers find us, and I always love hearing what books you’re excited about. See you next time! 💕

These notes contain affiliate links. That means we receive a small commission at no cost to you from any purchases you make through these links.

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Stay Connected:

• BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/utcbookblog.bsky.social
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Email: Send your inquiries and feedback to hello@underthecoversbookblog.com

Get Involved:

• Romanceopoly Reading Challenge: Join the challenge and spice up your reading routine with fun, themed prompts: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/reading-challenge
• Join us on Substack: Connect with fellow romance lovers and participate in discussions: https://www.underthecoverscommunity.com
• Sign up for our free newsletter to get the latest updates, book picks, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox: https://www.underthecoverscommunity.com/subscribe

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Is the mass market paperback dying? And what does that mean for the romance genre, especially for readers who grew up sneaking stepbacks and collecting every duke on the shelf?

In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, Francesca dives into the history and legacy of the mass market paperback format and how it helped shape genre fiction, especially historical romance, romantic suspense, and cozy mysteries. We’ll look at why the industry is moving away from this beloved format, how BookTok and the trade paperback boom accelerated the shift, and what it means for accessibility, binge-reading, and the future of romance publishing.

From clinch covers to collector’s editions, from Harlequin Intrigue to BookTok bestsellers. This is a love letter (and a bit of a rant) about what we’re losing… and where we go from here.

• The rise of the mass market paperback in genre fiction
• How MMPB shaped the romance genre, especially historicals
• The romcom boom and shift to trade paperback
• The BookTok effect on what gets published and how
• Why this change hits romance readers harder than most
• Which subgenres (like cozy mystery, romantic suspense, and paranormal romance) are being impacted
• What the end of MMPB means for access and affordability
• Where romance might go next, and how readers can adapt

• Readerlink Will Stop Distributing Mass Market Paperbacks at the End of 2025 (Publishers Weekly)
• Book Publishers Plan for a Reduced Mass Market Paperback Footprint (Publishers Weekly)
• Mass Market Paperback Sales Continue to Decline (Publishers Weekly)
• An Elegy for the Duke (BookTrib)

🎙️ Let’s keep the conversation going!

Tell me your favorite MMPB memory, your go-to author back in the day, or what you’re collecting now. Come chat with me on Instagram @utcbookblog or leave a comment on the blog.

💌 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your favorite romance reader — especially the one still hoarding their Lisa Kleypas backlist in a plastic bin under the bed (no judgment, I am her).

✨ If you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! It helps more romance readers find us, and I always love hearing what books you’re excited about. See you next time! 💕

These notes contain affiliate links. That means we receive a small commission at no cost to you from any purchases you make through these links.

Visit the Blog: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/

Stay Connected:

• BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/utcbookblog.bsky.social
• YouTube:

We’re in peak beach reading season, and today’s Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, episode is serving page-turners for every mood. From cozy mysteries to age-gap romances, survival love stories to sibling drama with a side of murder. We’re recommending books that are bingeable, escapist, and totally beach bag–worthy.

We also dive into 11 brand new releases for the week of July 7–13, 2025, including books by Ruth Ware, Megan Bannen, Kylie Scott, and more. And don’t worry, we've got a little publishing gossip and watchlist chatter to round it all out.

📚 What We Cover in This Episode:

Beach Reads Themed Recommendations

What We’re Watching

New Releases for July 7–13, 2025

Bookish News & Gossip

A new YA/adult crossover imprint called Berkley XO is coming from Penguin Random House! We share first thoughts, predictions, and what it might mean for readers and authors alike.

✨ If you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! It helps more romance readers find us, and I always love hearing what books you’re excited about. See you next time! 💕

These notes contain affiliate links. That means we receive a small commission at no cost to you from any purchases you make through these links.

Visit the Blog: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/

Stay Connected:

• BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/utcbookblog.bsky.social
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/underthecoversbookblog
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/underthecoversbookblog
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/utcbookblog/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@utcbookblog
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/utcbookblog
• Threads: https://www.threads.net/@utcbookblog

Email: Send your inquiries and feedback to hello@underthecoversbookblog.com

Get Involved:

• Romanceopoly Reading Challenge: Join the challenge and spice up your reading routine with fun, themed prompts: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/reading-challenge
• Join us on Substack: Connect with fellow romance lovers and participate in discussions: https://www.underthecoverscommunity.com
• Sign up for our free newsletter to get the latest updates, book picks, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox: https://www.underthecoverscommunity.com/subscribe

Want to start a podcast?