In this episode, we dive into My Friends by Fredrik Backman—a deeply human story about connection and the messy devotion that holds friendships together. We talk about friendships as a lifeline, the way humor softens heartbreak, and why these characters feel so lived-in. Listen for the themes that hit hardest and if we recommend adding this to your TBR.

Links

• My Friends:(https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217163697-my-friends)
• Fredrik Backman on Goodreads: (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6485178.Fredrik_Backman)

Chapters

• (01:49) - Why Kristy picked it
• (03:21) - Calling all listeners!
• (04:20) - Book summary (spoiler-free)
• (05:50) - SPOILER ALERT!
• (06:10) - Kristy's review
• (08:23) - Jon's review
• (10:10) - Finding your people
• (13:23) - Louisa
• (16:10) - The struggle was real
• (19:54) - So much trauma
• (21:36) - A slight divergence...
• (23:36) - Back to the question...
• (25:20) - Who did Kimkim love?
• (27:57) - Christian
• (30:20) - Meaning of the pier
• (32:13) - Unpacking the ending
• (36:29) - Final thoughts

In this episode, we dissect The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood—the STEM rom-com packed with fake dating and grumpy/sunshine chemistry. We talk about what felt rom-com convenient, power dynamics inside academia, and whether the resolution sticks the landing—professionally and romantically. Join us for our favorite laugh-out-loud moments!

Links

• Official author website: (https://alihazelwood.com/)
• The Love Hypothesis: (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56732449-the-love-hypothesis)
• Ali Hazelwood on Goodreads: (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21098177.Ali_Hazelwood)

Chapters

• (01:27) - Announcing contest winner
• (04:41) - Book summary (spoiler-free)
• (06:24) - SPOILER ALERT!
• (06:44) - Jon's review
• (07:44) - Kristy's review
• (09:41) - The academic setting
• (12:51) - Olive
• (16:57) - Adam
• (21:36) - All the tropes
• (23:58) - Protecting a friend’s happiness
• (26:06) - Bad reputation (Adam's version)
• (30:30) - F-ing Greg
• (32:37) - The "conference"
• (38:58) - How Olive handled "the situation"
• (43:47) - Final thoughts

In this episode, author Paige Harbison joins us to unpack The Other Side of Now—a grief-tinged “what if” that drops a woman into an alternate version of her life. We talk about how loss reshapes identity, the fault lines in friendships when reality shifts, and why the book’s timeline jump works without leaning heavy into sci-fi.

Links

• Official author website: (https://www.paigeharbison.com/)
• The Other Side of Now: (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217388211-the-other-side-of-now)
• Paige Harbison on Goodreads: (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4130856.Paige_Harbison)

Chapters

• (01:57) - Why Kristy picked it
• (05:22) - Book summary (spoiler-free)
• (07:18) - SPOILER ALERT!
• (07:36) - Kristy's review
• (09:37) - Jon's review
• (11:44) - What about the 'what if'
• (16:17) - Reshaping choices, values, and relationships
• (23:16) - Fame and identity
• (25:55) - The reveal
• (29:34) - You're not the person I know!
• (33:40) - What would your alternate reality look like?
• (35:25) - Interview with the author
• (01:06:27) - Wrapping up