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Julia Diaz-Young is back on the pod! In this episode, we catch up on her new role in wellness nonfiction marketing and dive into why nonfiction can feel just as gripping as your favorite rom-com. Julia shares upcoming books she’s working on—from Anatomy of a Con Artist to Mundane Magic—plus her current romance and historical reads.

We also talk about her favorite new reading app, Page Bound, breaking up with Goodreads, and why romance readers will fall in love with inclusive historicals and witchy self-help.

If you love smart, joyful book talk with a publishing insider, this one’s for you.

Anatomy of a Con Artist by Jonathan Walton — Buy on Amazon | True Crime | Nonfiction | Audio ✅

Mundane Magic by Molly Donlan — Buy on Amazon | Witchy Wellness | Self-Help | KU ✅ / Audio ✅

Daddy Issues by Kate Goldbeck — Buy on Amazon | Rom-Com | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅

Along Came Amor by Alexis Daria — Buy on Amazon | Latina Romance | Audio ✅

Only Earl in the World by Amalie Howard — Buy on Amazon | Historical Romance | KU ✅/ Audio ✅

Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood — Buy on Amazon | Vacation Rom-Com | Audio ✅

Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood — Buy on Amazon | STEM Rom-Com | Enemies to Lovers | Audio ✅

[00:00] Catch-up + Julia’s new publishing role

[02:45] Why nonfiction can feel like fiction

[03:30] Anatomy of a Con Artist discussion

[06:00] Mundane Magic and the witchy wellness trend

[10:00] Taking what works from self-help books

[11:00] How publishing verifies wellness info

[12:00] Julia’s latest rom-com and historical romance recs

[15:00] Breaking up with Goodreads + discovering Page Bound

[18:00] Ali Hazelwood and Amalie Howard chat

[22:00] Julia’s book club and publishing behind-the-scenes

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Ever wondered what happens when Bookstagram meets cosplay and orc romances? In this episode, I’m catching up with my longtime friend Katie from KSquaredReads, one half of the OG Bookstagram duo you’ve seen everywhere.

We talk about her transition to BookTok, why cosplay has become her creative escape, and how the Orc Sworn series by Finley Fenn completely reignited her love of monster romance. We also chat about the evolution of romance heroes—from the red-flag alpha males of 2016 to today’s morally-gray men and golden retrievers. If you’ve ever defended your love of dark romance, this one’s for you.

The Orc Sworn Series by Finley Fenn — Buy on Amazon | Monster Romance | KU ✅ / Audio ✅

Bull Moon Rising by Ruby Dixon — Buy on Amazon | Shifter Romance | Audio ✅

Ensnared (The Spider’s Mate Series) by Tiffany Roberts — Buy on Amazon | Sci-Fi / Monster Romance | KU ✅ / Audio ✅

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne — Buy on Amazon | Enemies to Lovers / Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅

Tell Me Lies by Carola Lovering — Buy on Amazon | Toxic Relationship / Domestic Fiction | Audio ✅

Credence by Penelope Douglas — Buy on Amazon | Dark Romance | KU ✅ / Audio ✅

[00:00] – Catching up with Katie from KSquaredReads

[02:00] – Wedding chaos & friendship with Kellisa

[05:00] – How cosplay became her creative escape

[08:00] – Fanfic eras & new obsessions

[10:00] – The evolution of romance heroes

[14:00] – Orc Sworn & monster romance recommendations

[16:00] – Other monster romances: Ruby Dixon & Tiffany Roberts

[17:00] – Where to find Katie online

Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)

Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read Next

Subscribe & leave a review!

Mentioned in this episode:

Advertise with Us

Do you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.

Advertise With Us

🎧 Try Audible Today I love Audible for their original novellas, binge-worthy Plus Catalog (like Deanna Raybourn’s Veronica Speedwell series), and their amazing audiobook sales. Currently, Audible is offering a special promotion for new members and returning listeners.

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Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books.

This episode originally aired 9/3/2024

If you’ve ever burned yourself out trying to make the holidays perfect, this episode will hit home. A Bright Side of Christmas by Morgan Elizabeth reminded me that joy doesn’t come from doing it all — it comes from slowing down and setting boundaries.

In this re-air from the What to Read Next vault, I revisit my conversation with author Morgan Elizabeth — queen of small-town, feel-good rom-coms with early-2000s movie vibes. Before our chat, I share my reflections on A Bright Side of Christmas, a story about Wren, a teacher who embodies the Christmas spirit but loses herself to people-pleasing and burnout. This one hit me hard because I’ve been there — learning that saying “no” can be an act of self-care.

Then, Morgan joins me to talk about her journey from blogger to bestselling rom-com author, her signature “vibes only” writing style, and why her books feel like pumpkin-spice-scented serotonin. If you’re craving small-town romance, pop-culture nostalgia, and cozy holiday feels, this episode is for you.

A Bright Side of Christmas by Morgan Elizabeth — Buy on Amazon | Holiday Rom-Com | Small Town, Teacher/Grumpy Neighbor | KU ✅

Tis the Season for Revenge by Morgan Elizabeth — Buy on Amazon | Holiday Rom-Com | Legally Blonde Vibes | KU ✅ / Audio ✅

Cruel Summer by Morgan Elizabeth — Buy on Amazon | Rom-Com | Mean Girls Inspired | KU ✅ / Audio ✅

Passenger Princess by Morgan Elizabeth — Buy on Amazon | Rom-Com | Grumpy Bodyguard / Road Trip | KU ✅ / Audio ✅

If This Was a Movie by Morgan Elizabeth — Buy on Amazon | Holiday Rom-Com | Friends to Lovers, Hallmark Vibes | KU ✅ / Audio ✅

Marriage and Masti by Nisha Sharma — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Enemies to Lovers | Audio ✅

Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood — Buy on Amazon | STEMinist Romance | People-Pleaser Heroine | Audio ✅

Only for the Week by Natasha Bishop — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Vacation Fling | Audio ✅

Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young — Buy on Amazon | Emotional Contemporary | Grumpy/Sunshine, Single Mom | Audio ✅

[00:00] — Why I’m re-airing this episode & my reflection on A Bright Side of Christmas

[02:00] — How Wren’s burnout reminded me of my own people-pleasing years

[04:00] — Morgan’s rom-com universe and the comfort of her small-town worlds

[06:00] — Morgan’s journey from mom blogger to full-time author

[08:00] — How “vibes-only” writing keeps her stories fun and cozy

[09:00] — Where new readers should start with Morgan’s books

[12:00] — The story behind...