Francesca:
00:00:05
Welcome to reading under the covers a romance novel podcast, where
2
:
00:00:08
we chat fan girl, and maybe even swoon
over our latest reads, I'm, Francesca
3
:
00:00:12
from under the covers book blog.
4
:
00:00:13
And today I'm going to dive
again into this week's.
5
:
00:00:16
hottest new releases for January
th,:
2025
6
:
00:00:21
Now this week's theme at the
blog is all about cozy comfort.
7
:
00:00:25
And for us that often means
fantasy magic and a bit of murder.
8
:
00:00:28
So on under the covers we're
featuring magical realism and some
9
:
00:00:32
completed fantasy series that are
perfect for bingeing this winter
10
:
00:00:35
season and over on mysterylandia.com
11
:
00:00:38
I've got you covered with also
some completed cozy mysteries
12
:
00:00:42
and also the perfect cozy mystery
starter pack for romance readers.
13
:
00:00:46
So if you haven't tried cozy mystery
yet, and you are a romance reader, these
14
:
00:00:50
are going to be perfect starters for
you to dip your toes into the genre.
15
:
00:00:54
And you can find all of those links
in this week, Sunday newsletter.
16
:
00:00:57
So be sure that you subscribe
to our free sub stack.
17
:
00:01:00
So you'd never miss a
recommendation or an update.
18
:
00:01:03
But before we jump into the books for this
week, I also have to give a bit of a shout
19
:
00:01:07
out to our book release database that's
available for our paid substack members.
20
:
00:01:11
And that is basically your one-stop
shop for keeping track of all
21
:
00:01:15
of the new releases, all in one
place and across multiple genres.
22
:
00:01:19
Just for this week, there are
over 40 book releases in there.
23
:
00:01:22
So if you're a mood reader or
if you just want to keep tabs
24
:
00:01:25
on what's the new releases for
every single genre that you like.
25
:
00:01:29
Then the database is perfect
for planning your TBR.
26
:
00:01:31
You can also look back at previous
releases that we've entered.
27
:
00:01:34
We've been keeping this
database since:
2024
28
:
00:01:37
And also we are constantly
adding older titles as well.
29
:
00:01:41
In our tags database.
30
:
00:01:42
So you'll be able to browse by genre,
by tags, which is basically tropes
31
:
00:01:46
and character types and settings.
32
:
00:01:48
Giving you an unending source
of book recommendations.
33
:
00:01:51
Perfect.
34
:
00:01:52
For every single mood.
35
:
00:01:53
But now with all of that, out of the
way, let's get into this week's books,
36
:
00:01:56
because I am super excited for them.
37
:
00:01:58
The first one is lessons with
the mothman by kathryn Moon.
38
:
00:02:02
I talked about this book in one
of my most anticipated books
39
:
00:02:06
of 2025 videos over on YouTube.
40
:
00:02:08
And I have to say, I read Kathryn Moon
before, but I have not read the series.
41
:
00:02:12
This is book three in the
monster mash agency series.
42
:
00:02:16
And it had to go on my TBR number
one, because it has a beautiful cover.
43
:
00:02:20
And number two, because it's a
book about a moth man do I have
44
:
00:02:24
to say anything else past that
45
:
00:02:26
it is actually my current read.
46
:
00:02:28
And I also want to let you guys know that
I will be discussing this book with Becky
47
:
00:02:33
from the too stupid to live podcast.
48
:
00:02:35
Very soon.
49
:
00:02:36
So be sure that you're also
following Becky over on sub stack
50
:
00:02:39
and subscribe to her podcast.
51
:
00:02:41
And there will be a new episode
with a discussion on this book
52
:
00:02:45
with the two of us very soon.
53
:
00:02:46
But what is this book about?
54
:
00:02:47
So this one is perfect.
55
:
00:02:49
If you love a quirky, steamy monster
romance Elias is a rare moth fae.
56
:
00:02:54
Who's never given love much of a thought.
57
:
00:02:56
He's a consultant for
the monster smash agency.
58
:
00:02:59
And he spent his life focusing
on his work and not emotions.
59
:
00:03:03
But lately watching all of his friends
full head over heels has made him a little
60
:
00:03:07
bit curious about what he's missing out.
61
:
00:03:09
And then we have the heroine, Victoria.
62
:
00:03:11
Who's an academic, she's all about facts
and not feeling so she's been researching
63
:
00:03:16
why monster human relationships seem
more satisfying than human to human ones.
64
:
00:03:21
Elias volunteers to help her study,
except that his plans involve
65
:
00:03:25
exploring their chemistry in ways
that go way beyond the lab victoria is
66
:
00:03:29
determined to keep things professional.
67
:
00:03:31
Even when the moth man who's helping
her is distractingly handsome.
68
:
00:03:36
As their connection deepens
though, Elias and Victoria find
69
:
00:03:38
themselves in a push and pull.
70
:
00:03:40
That might just teach them
both some lessons about love
71
:
00:03:42
that they never expected.
72
:
00:03:43
So this one's got all the academic
vibes, it's got some forced proximity
73
:
00:03:47
and of course, a monster human romance.
74
:
00:03:49
That has all the goodness
you could ask for.
75
:
00:03:51
The second book is probably the most
popular that I'm going to talk about.
76
:
00:03:55
I think it is Phantom by HD Carlton.
77
:
00:03:58
HD Carlton is super, super popular.
78
:
00:04:00
The haunting Adeline series.
79
:
00:04:02
Which by the way I still have to
read, but I did read the prequel.
80
:
00:04:05
But this one is separate.
81
:
00:04:07
So this is perfect for readers who
love their romance, a bit darker
82
:
00:04:11
Gothic, and of course, laced with
some danger because it's HD Carlton.
83
:
00:04:16
I think this one is going
to be your next obsession.
84
:
00:04:18
It's set in 1944.
85
:
00:04:20
it's a haunting tale that takes
place in Parsons Manor, which is
86
:
00:04:24
a crumbling house full of secrets.
87
:
00:04:26
And this sinister energy, our heroine
is trapped in a Loveless marriage to
88
:
00:04:30
a man that she fears and everything
changes when a mysterious figure
89
:
00:04:34
appears outside of her window.
90
:
00:04:36
He's terrifying and hypnotic,
but she can't stop herself
91
:
00:04:39
from being drawn to him.
92
:
00:04:41
And what begins as this dangerous
fascination spirals into a passionate
93
:
00:04:45
and forbidden romance, but her Phantom,
isn't just a mysterious stranger.
94
:
00:04:49
He's a mobster and a criminal, and
he's offering her an escape from the
95
:
00:04:53
real monster, which is her husband.
96
:
00:04:55
As their connection deepens, the
heroine must navigate this web
97
:
00:04:58
of danger and secrets and her
own growing desire to break free.
98
:
00:05:01
And it's a story that's perfect.
99
:
00:05:03
I think for readers who crave a very
high stakes romance with morally gray
100
:
00:05:06
characters, but also Gothic vibes and
a touch of obsession of course Carlton
101
:
00:05:11
fans you already know is that she's
a master of keeping you on the edge.
102
:
00:05:15
So prepare for an emotional
roller coaster with Phantom.
103
:
00:05:18
The next one is the uncrowned
king by Donna Grant.
104
:
00:05:21
So for my fantasy romance lovers.
105
:
00:05:23
This is the epic conclusion
to Donna Grant bastard.
106
:
00:05:26
Duology.
107
:
00:05:26
Our heroine is a hell hound.
108
:
00:05:28
And the last of her kind hunted
to extinction by dragons.
109
:
00:05:32
She has spent her life on the
run, trying to survive in a
110
:
00:05:35
world that she sees as the enemy.
111
:
00:05:37
But everything changes
when she meets the hero.
112
:
00:05:40
He's a dragon who should be her
mortal enemy, but becomes the
113
:
00:05:43
one person that she can't resist.
114
:
00:05:45
Their love is this intense
forbidden and all-consuming romance.
115
:
00:05:48
But just when they think that they have
found their forever, it's ripped away.
116
:
00:05:53
By violence.
117
:
00:05:54
Now she's being hunted again,
but this time she's done running.
118
:
00:05:57
She's ready to fight
for love for survival.
119
:
00:05:59
And for revenge, this book is packed
with high stakes action, intense
120
:
00:06:04
passion and a romance that's going
to burn as bright as dragon fire.
121
:
00:06:09
If you're into epic fantasy romances
with star-crossed lovers and some
122
:
00:06:12
hard pounding twists, then for
sure at this duology to your list.
123
:
00:06:16
Don't forget, obviously, to read
book one, to get the full story.
124
:
00:06:19
And I think that if you're into
dragons, I know there's a big release
125
:
00:06:22
coming soon that has all to do with
dragons, but please be sure to add
126
:
00:06:27
Donna Grant to your reading list for
must read dragons she's the O G in
127
:
00:06:32
my opinion, queen of dragon romance.
128
:
00:06:35
Now switching gears here, let's
talk about a dark and twisty
129
:
00:06:38
thriller from Alice Feeney.
130
:
00:06:40
So we have beautiful, ugly.
131
:
00:06:42
Which dives into the messy truths
about love marriage and revenge author
132
:
00:06:47
Grady green is having a life-changing
day when he calls his wife, Abby.
133
:
00:06:52
To share exciting news and
then something goes wrong.
134
:
00:06:55
He hears brakes, screech and abby
get out of the car and then nothing.
135
:
00:06:59
Later he finds her car
abandoned by a cliff.
136
:
00:07:01
Her phone's still
inside, but Abby is gone.
137
:
00:07:04
A year later, Grady is still consumed
by grief and desperate for answers
138
:
00:07:08
about what's happened, hoping for a
fresh start, he retreats to a remote
139
:
00:07:12
Scottish island, but instead he finds
himself in a fresh mystery when he sees
140
:
00:07:17
a woman who looks exactly like Abby,
141
:
00:07:19
I think this story sounds
so amazing and it's perfect.
142
:
00:07:22
If you're a fan of psychological thrillers
that are going to have you questioning
143
:
00:07:26
everything you think about love and trust.
144
:
00:07:29
And then to end things on a lighter
note, I've got a contemporary
145
:
00:07:32
romance for you, and it's once
smitten, twice shy by Chloe Liese.
146
:
00:07:37
Which is book three in
the Wilmot sister series.
147
:
00:07:40
This is a steamy reimagining
of Shakespeare's Twelfth night.
148
:
00:07:44
Juliet has sworn off love after
heartbreak turned her into a cynic,
149
:
00:07:48
but when she keeps running into
Will Orsino, who's this gorgeous,
150
:
00:07:52
quiet guy and completely off limits.
151
:
00:07:55
She starts to think that universe
might be sending her a sign.
152
:
00:07:58
So will needs to learn the ropes over
romance for the sake of his family's
153
:
00:08:02
business, but has no confidence
in his ability to woo a wife.
154
:
00:08:06
When fate puts Juliet in his path, she
offers to help him practice romance purely
155
:
00:08:11
as a no strings attached arrangement.
156
:
00:08:14
Of course, practicing romance leads
to all kinds of complications.
157
:
00:08:17
This one is perfect for fans of
star-crossed lovers, slow, burns,
158
:
00:08:21
and when fate gets just a little bit
involved in their happily ever after.
159
:
00:08:26
And with that, that's a wrap for this
week's new releases that I wanted
160
:
00:08:30
to make sure were on your radar.
161
:
00:08:32
Whether you're in the mood for
some fantasy, some dark Gothic,
162
:
00:08:35
or some twisty thrillers.
163
:
00:08:37
There's something here for everyone.
164
:
00:08:39
And don't forget that this week's
theme is all about cozy comfort.
165
:
00:08:41
So make yourself a nice
cozy drink for this weekend.
166
:
00:08:45
Settle in for a bit of your
own private reading retreat.
167
:
00:08:49
Carve out some time for yourself.
168
:
00:08:51
And find the perfect
book to settle in with.
169
:
00:08:53
As always, I want to remind you to
subscribe to our free substack newsletter.
170
:
00:08:56
So you don't miss out on our features
and content across all of our platforms.
171
:
00:09:01
Thanks for spending some time
with me today and I'll see
172
:
00:09:03
you guys in the next one.
173
:
00:09:04
Bye.
