Hearts & Daggers

• Ep. 83: Ireland (Last Call at the Local + Strange Sally Diamond)

  Summary: Grab a pint and cozy up with us to talk all things Ireland on today’s episode! Whether you have Irish blood in your family like Holly or have never visited the country like Devin, the unique and salt-of-the-earth culture of this small island country has captured the hearts and imaginations of authors in every genre. With gray skies and warm, well-lit pubs creating contrast, this country is the ideal intersection between our hosts’ wheelhouses.  Topics Discussed: The Heart (3:30): Devin discussed Last Call at the Local by Sarah Grunder Ruiz, a romance following free-spirited American singer-songwriter Rain Hart. Originally from Boston, some bad luck leaves her unable to perform and stranded in a small Irish town. Seeking solace at a pub called The Local, Raine insults and intrigues Jack Dunne, the pub’s owner. After asking her to help bring the rundown watering hole back to life, Raine and Jack must confront their growing attraction and their opposite lifestyles. Devin’s key takeaways were: The quintessential setting of an Irish pub serves to accentuate Raine’s place as a stranger at first, but also the unique warmth and community found across Ireland that so many are drawn to. Jack’s ownership of the pub comes with baggage, but in collaboration with the red-headed American he starts to see how The Local can transcend his trauma.  Ruiz touches on neurodivergence and mental health conditions with grace and empathy. Raine manages her ADHD as best she can while enjoying her nomadic lifestyle, and Jack balances his OCD and his business. The way their situations influence how their relationship evolves is one of the deeper and more fulfilling aspects of the story. Another hallmark of stories centered on Ireland, this book is full of deep community. The side characters are rich and heavily involved, and The Local itself increasingly becomes the center of the small town’s universe.  The Dagger (11:34): Holly discussed Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent, a crime fiction story following Sally Diamond, a socially isolated woman living in rural Ireland. When she takes her father’s directive of “when I die just put him out with the bins” literally, she draws unwanted attention to herself including police, a media frenzy, and the unearthing of long-buried secrets about her past. Sally must piece together horrifying truths and navigate an unknown figure from her past and how to integrate into a society that sees her as an outsider. Holly’s key takeaways were: Sally's early childhood affected her development into an adult and left her emotionally detached, and the novel explores how deep-seated trauma manifests in behavior. She struggles with demonstrating emotions and understanding social cues. Her adopted father sheltered her as much as possible, so she’s never had a job, a romantic relationship, or even a friend. Sally’s inner thoughts are super funny and this brought lightness to a very otherwise dark book. Her perspective is in some ways beautiful and hopeful amidst the dark themes and her treatment as an outsider forces readers to consider how society perceives neurodivergence or unusual behavior. Nugent doesn’t present Ireland as a stereotypical location or even sets out to convey a strong sense of literal place, but the writing feels strongly irish in its tone; dark, doesn’t pull punches, but on sentence level well written and enriched with detail and humor.  Hot On the Shelf (27:29): Devin: The 7-10 Split by Karmen Lee Holly: The Dream Hotel by Laila Lailami What’s Making Our Hearts Race (31:39): Devin: SNL 50: Beyond Saturday Night Holly: Rewatching the TV show Lost   Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com   If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.

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• Ep. 82: Novellas (We Have Always Lived in the Castle + Loathe to Love You)

  Summary: We’ll make it quick this week, folks! Or not, since Holly and Devin can’t resist waxing poetic about how awesome novellas are. Shorter than a novel, longer than a short story, these ~160 page books really pack a punch. Growing in popularity in Holly’s wheelhouse lately but still more rare in Devin’s, this corner of published works is sometimes overlooked but always worth digging into more deeply, especially if you enjoy watching authors use economy of words to create a world you’re sucked into.  Topics Discussed: The Dagger (5:15): Holly discussed We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson, a gothic horror novella following Merricat Blackwood, an 18 year old girl who lives on her family's estate with her older sister Constance and their ailing uncle Julian. The Blackwood family used to be larger but was decimated by arsenic poisoning at a family dinner six years before the novel begins, for which Constance was accused and acquitted. Their days pass in happy isolation until cousin Charles appears, seeking to claim the Blackwood fortune. His presence threatens their secluded way of life, and Merricat feels she must act swiftly to keep them all safe from his designs. Holly’s key takeaways were: The novel explores themes of societal cruelty, mob mentality, and the persecution of those who are different. Through Merricat and Constance, the reader explores human nature and society’s treatment of outsiders. The story can be read as a subversive take on women’s roles, with Constance as the domestic caretaker and Merricat as a defiant, untamed force. Jackson creates a chilling atmosphere of dread and paranoia, influencing modern gothic fiction and psychological thrillers we see today. She explores the lines between social ostracization and self-imposed exile, how the Blackwoods' past defines their present and how Constance and Merricat cope differently with their trauma.  As a novella, Holly was impacted the most by Jackson’s effective writing in so few pages. She felt joy at every single sentence, every weird quirk of the characters, the tone that was partly childlike and partly old fashioned, every detail about their house and their shopping and the claustrophobia of it all. The Heart (16:56): Devin discussed Loathe to Love You by Ali Hazelwood, a collection of three novellas that can stand alone but also work in harmony as a collection. Mara, Sadie, and Hannah are three engineers with different specialities, living in different places, united by friendship and their hatred for men thrust into their lives. Whether you’re following Mara as she fights for space living with Liam, Sadie as she grapples with rejection while trapped in an elevator with Erik, or Hannah as she struggles for survival (and control of herself) with Ian in the arctic, these novellas are delightfully feminist and steamy. Devin’s key takeaways were: As with many of Hazelwood’s works, these novellas are grounded first and foremost in feminism and women in STEM; the three protagonists are very different but united in their work in the sciences and the challenges they face as women in a male-dominated field. As a novella, these stories stay tight and build romantic tension by putting the protagonists in closed environments; roommates, trapped in an elevator, in a tiny research facility in frigid conditions. By limiting the scope of locations and characters, Hazelwood could more efficiently create the perfect cocktail of emotion, tension, and chemistry that makes for great Enemies to Lovers reading. A standout component of the novella collection was the men; each in their own way was misunderstood by the female protagonists and for good reason. The flip of the switch from skepticism and assumption that they’re just one of those sexist, ladder-climbing men to understanding and attraction was a blast to read.  Hot On the Shelf (29:51): Devin: Likeable Badass by Alison Fragle, PhD Holly: Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson What’s Making Our Hearts Race (34:52): Devin: Sex Lives of College Girls Season 3 on Max Holly: Say Nothing on Hulu   Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com   If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.

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• Ep. 81: Young Adult (I Kissed Shara Wheeler + The Grace Year)

  Summary: Whether you’re young or just young at heart, the explosion of Young Adult novels in the last decade has made an impact on the publishing industry and readers alike. Today, Holly and Devin review YA stories from their wheelhouses, showing us the breadth and depth of YA stories - they can get intense, both romantically and horrifically.  Topics Discussed: The Heart (6:23): Devin discussed I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuinston, a YA romance following Chloe Green after her rival and prom queen Shara Wheeler kisses her and then disappears from their small Alabama community. Chloe teams up with Rory Heron and Smith Parker, who Shara also kissed, to find her. Along the way, they also realize they’re finding themselves. Devin’s key takeaways were:  The characters embark on a journey of self-exploration, grappling with their sexuality, ambitions, and the expectations imposed by their conservative community. McQuinston highlights the complexities of discovering and embracing one's true self, especially in a setting that demands conformity. The story explores the tension between individuality and societal pressures, especially within the confines of a rigidly conservative environment. Shara’s mysterious game becomes a form of rebellion, challenging the rules and norms of their community while encouraging others to question them too. Through the unlikely alliances and shared experiences of Chloe, Rory, and Smith, the book examines the power of understanding and empathy. It underscores the importance of building authentic connections, healing fractured relationships, and finding common ground with others—even those you least expect. The Dagger (16:22): Holly discussed The Grace Year by Kim Liggett, a YA dystopian horror set in the fictional Garner County, in which a patriarchal society teaches girls they have the power to lure grown men from their beds and drive women mad with jealousy. As a result, each girl is banished from the community when they turn sixteen - they must release their magic into the wild so they can return purified and ready for marriage. Tierney James dreams of a better life, but as her own grace year draws near, she realizes that she has a lot more to fear than the brutal elements outside Garner County. Holly’s key takeaways were: This story was particularly well suited for a young adult audience even though it clearly can resonate with anyone of any age. Liggett takes things that teens are dealing with, especially expectations and limitations on girls and women throughout history to today, and shows them in a new light by dialing them up to this extreme, dystopian level.  The Grace Year critiques societal systems that oppress women through fear, control, and systemic violence. The story explores how women are pitted against each other under patriarchal systems and how solidarity can emerge even in dire circumstances. The concept of "magic" is used metaphorically to explore how fear and myths are wielded as tools to control and subjugate populations. Tierney’s struggle to survive physically and emotionally highlights themes of resilience and self-reliance inside of the restrictive bounds of that “magic.”  Hot On the Shelf (31:52): Devin: Single Player by Tara Tai Holly: Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao What’s Making Our Hearts Race (36:21): Devin: Athletic Brewing NA Beer  Holly: Conclave   Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com   If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.

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• Episode 80: LoveFest (Top Books of 2024)

  Summary: Welcome to a very special Love Fest to celebrate our 80th episode! Today, Devin and Holly share their top 10 Hearts and Daggers books from 2024. Holly spent the year falling in love with more literary stories from the darker wheelhouse with mic drop endings. Devin’s year was highlighted by audiobooks, digging deeper into cozy romantasy as well as incredibly sexy scenes. Either way, it was a banner year for reading and we hope you had a great one too!  Topics Discussed (10:40): The Dagger: 10: Three Assassins by Kotaro Isaka 9: Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke 8: What Happened to Nina? By Dervla McTiernan 7: The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean 6: The God of the Woods by Liz Moore 5: Bad Cree by Jessica Johns 4: How Can I Help You by Laura Sims 3: The Eyes are the Best Part by Monika Kim 2: Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth 1: Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk The Heart: 10: Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura 9: The Art of Catching Feelings by Alicia Thompson 8: Do Your Worst by Rosie Danan 7: The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes by Cat Sebastian 6: Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver 5: Ready or Not by Cara Bastone 4: Bride by Ali Hazelwood 3: The Prospects by KT Hoffman 2: How You Get the Girl by Anita Kelly 1: Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan 2025 Anticipated Release (44:20): Holly: Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito Devin: Bears & Bakeries by Dylan Drakes   Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com   If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.

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• Ep. 79: Second Chances (My Murder + Before I Let Go)

  Summary: Welcome to 2025 and a fresh start! Join our hosts today as they discuss books that feature second chances. What happens when you don’t nail it the first time, but get another shot to turn things around? What if that new shot is a cloned body after you were murdered, or a co-parent looking more and more like the love of your life again? Whatever your wheelhouse, this time of year is a great opportunity to get a fresh perspective.  Topics Discussed: The Dagger (4:15): Holly discussed My Murder by Katie Williams, a sci-fi mystery thriller following Louise, the happily married mother of an adorable toddler and recent victim of a serial killer. Thanks to a pilot program created by the US Government, Lou has been cloned and “brought back to life.” The clones in the program are returned to their grieving families and the lives that have been stolen from them, the memories, feelings, and personalities of their original selves intact (for the most part). For Louise, though, there’s a lingering unease and she’s haunted by the gaps in her memory from the lead up to her murder. Holly’s key takeaways were: This thriller blends speculative science fiction and domestic suspense, with the sci-fi coming across as very approachable and a light touch; for example, the serial killer Edward Early is meant to serve out his sentence in an induced coma as part of his rehab.  Williams explores the nature of identity and selfhood; she interrogates what makes you, you - is cloned Louise the same as the Louise who was killed? What does it mean that she no longer has a c-section scar and her toddler sometimes doesn’t recognize her?  There is a very literal second chance in this story - Louise is cloned and placed back into her old life. However, is this opportunity the bright, happy solution the program intends?  The Heart (14:31): Devin discussed Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan, a romance following Yasmin and Josiah as they work to co-parent their two children, Deja and Kassim, after their painful but amicable divorce. After the tragic loss of their third unborn child and Yasmin’s struggle with depression, the forever that Yasmin and Josiah saw for themselves fell apart. Now, as they both recover and begin to find joy and themselves again, will they return to each other? Devin’s key takeaways were: Ryan explores second chances not just for their relationship but for themselves as individuals; Yasmen and Josiah work the entire book to really come back to themselves after the tragedy and give themselves the permission to feel joy and enjoy life again. Their self-evolution naturally leads to the exploration of their divorce and the love they still have for each other. Unlike a lot of romances, children and co-parenting play a huge role in this book; Yasmen and Josiah work constantly to meet the needs of their children and a lot of their coordination and early plot revolves around them. The family is richly described with rounded characters all around and are easy to fall in love with Josiah and Yasmen co-own a restaurant, Grits. It’s so successful that they’re looking to expand into a new market, and the family history and culinary connection brightens the book and adds texture that it would otherwise have missed.  Hot On the Shelf (26:07): Devin: Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rudell Holly: Old Soul by Susan Barker  What’s Making Our Hearts Race (29:20): Devin: Our Little Secret with Lindsay Lohan on Netflix Holly: Flow, the animated movie    Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com   If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.

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