Reading Under the Covers: A Romance Novel Podcast

Paranormal romance, fantasy romance, romantasy, urban fantasy. What's actually the difference? In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, I'm breaking down the four categories that cover all of speculative romance fiction and giving you the three questions that sort any book correctly every time. No more guessing. No more conflicting labels. Just a map that works.
Is ACOTAR paranormal romance? Is Shadowhunters fantasy romance? Where does Romantasy actually live? We're settling all of it.
📖 Full Paranormal Romance Guide: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/paranormal-romance-genre-guide/
📖 Full Fantasy Romance Guide: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/fantasy-romance-guide/
📖 Fantasy Subgenres on the blog: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/popular-fantasy-subgenres/
👀 WATCH NEXT:
Genre vs Trope vs Category video: https://youtu.be/oz7iyAjpi_c
Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/JfHWVdYz5U
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Introduction
00:57 Three Question Sorting Method
01:16 Question One Setting Matters
02:14 Made Up Worlds Romance Test
03:23 Romantasy Marketing Myth
04:45 Our World Creatures Check
05:50 Paranormal Romance Essentials
07:37 Urban Fantasy Versus PNR
10:39 Creature Types Tropes Not Genres
12:21 Cheat Sheet Recap
13:40 Q&A Wrap Up And Next Video
BOOKS MENTIONED:
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey
Dark Lover by J.R. Ward
Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh
A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews
Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs
Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost
Haven Ever After series by Hazel Mack
The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher
The Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne
✨ Loved the episode?
Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕
💌 Talk to Me:
Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.
☕ Support the Show:
Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.
📚 Stay Connected:
Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.
YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.
Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.

💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!

I binged all 8 episodes of Off Campus on Amazon Prime in one sitting and I have a lot to say about it. I didn't re-read the book first on purpose and I think you shouldn't either. Today on Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, I'm talking about the Off Campus and Heated Rivalry comparison that needs to die, the chemistry hierarchy (Dean and Allie are running away with this thing, sorry not sorry), the spice level reality check, how the show handles the heavy stuff without being heavy, the random locker room penises (yes really), and whether this show captures the same addictive crack energy that made the books impossible to put down.
Also: casting feelings, a confession about Belmont vs. Ella, and the sex scene conversation that's more about narrative purpose than body count.
Come discuss the show with us over on Discord
Join Discord: https://discord.gg/JfHWVdYz5U
Off Campus Chat Thread: https://discord.gg/GX4FUZH37t
📺 Off Campus Series Reading Order: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/off-campus-series-reading-order/
📝 Blog post comparing the book vs. show changes coming soon!
🎁 Signed Off Campus Bundle Giveaway:
Comment on the Youtube video for this and then fill out the form below. Giveaway closes May 23, 2026. Additional chances to enter at the links at the top of the form. https://airtable.com/appBLTJOpGtECUf2m/pagsNM6fIQaQFWCa6/form
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Season One Setup
00:55 Book Background
02:06 Heated Rivalry Debate
03:56 Vibe And Worldbuilding
05:17 Casting Breakdown
08:45 Justin Plot Issues
11:28 Chemistry Standouts
12:51 Future Season Worries
14:50 Spice And Sex Scenes
18:38 Bingeable Energy
19:57 Season Two Tease
21:53 Wrap Up And Questions
✨ Loved the episode?
Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕
💌 Talk to Me:
Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.
☕ Support the Show:
Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.
📚 Stay Connected:
Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.
YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.
Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.

💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!

We’re going back to Briar, and yes, Garrett Graham is still a problem.
In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, I’m ranking the books in Elle Kennedy’s Off-Campus universe from my least favorite to my absolute favorite. That includes the original Off-Campus series, the Briar U spinoff, and the next generation books connected to the original couples.
I first read The Deal before it came out in 2015, and watching that book explode before BookTok even existed was wild. Now that Off Campus is coming to Amazon Prime, it felt like the perfect time to revisit the whole universe and see which books still hold up, which ones surprised me, and which ones I would personally defend with my whole chest.
This is a ranking episode, not a reading order, so if you’re new to the series and want to know where to start, I’ve linked the full reading order and individual reviews below.
Links Mentioned
📚 Full Series Reading Order + Individual Reviews:
https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/off-campus-series-reading-order/
🎁 Signed Off-Campus Bundle Giveaway:
I’m giving away a signed bundle of the original four Off-Campus books and the first two Briar U books with the original covers.
Podcast note: you can’t enter through the podcast app. To enter, comment on the YouTube video, Facebook post, Instagram post, or blog post, then fill out the giveaway form below. All linked through form below.
Giveaway closes May 23, 2026.
https://airtable.com/appBLTJOpGtECUf2m/pagsNM6fIQaQFWCa6/form
Timestamps
00:00 How The Deal Went Viral
01:10 Ranking Rules And Giveaway
02:02 Next Gen Worst To Best
10:07 Briar U Ranking
19:52 Off-Campus Ranking
30:34 Recap And How To Enter
✨ Loved the episode?
Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕
💌 Talk to Me:
Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.
☕ Support the Show:
Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.
📚 Stay Connected:
Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.
YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.
Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.

💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!

April was… a month. I only managed to read 11 books, but when I did pick something up, I flew through it so we’re calling that a win.
In this April reading wrap up, I’m chatting through my StoryGraph stats, the genres I actually reached for, and all the books I read this month, including cozy paranormal mystery, vampire romance, dark romantasy, historical romance, a popcorn thriller, sports romance with magic, tennis rivals, and a few next-generation series surprises.
Plus, I’m sharing which books worked for me, which ones were just okay, why some next-gen romances hit better than others, and what I’m hoping to read more of in May.
Timestamps:
00:00 April Wrap Up Intro
00:53 StoryGraph Reading Stats
01:35 Cozy Paranormal Mystery
03:18 Vampire Retreat Romance
04:20 Dark Romantasy Debut
05:45 Popcorn Thriller Review
07:22 Second Chance Historical
08:39 Off Campus Next Gen
12:49 Bodice Ripper Book Club
14:28 Demonica Next Gen Surprise
16:32 Beauty Beast Twist
18:41 Magic Sports Romcom
19:36 Tennis Rivalry Romance
22:08 Final Thoughts And May Plans
✨ Loved the episode?
Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕
💌 Talk to Me:
Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.
☕ Support the Show:
Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.
📚 Stay Connected:
Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.
YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.
Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.

💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!

We're back at Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, with the second and final discussion of Tender Is the Storm by Johanna Lindsey for the Ripped & Ravished Book Club.
This episode covers chapters 22 through the end, and honestly? Things get wild. Francesca is joined again by Becky from Too Stupid to Live to talk through the reveals, the missing emotional beats, the secret twins, the revenge plot, the questionable communication skills, and whether this romance actually earns its happily ever after.
We also discuss whether Tender Is the Storm reads like a vintage romance palate cleanser, a soap opera, a telenovela, or just two deeply chaotic people making choices.
And stay tuned until the end because we announce the next Ripped & Ravished Book Club pick.
In This Episode
We discuss:
The second half of Tender Is the Storm
Why so many major scenes happen off-page
The big Slade/Lucas reveal
Secret twins and extremely casual baby announcements
Whether Sharisse and Lucas/Slade actually trust each other
The revenge plot and whether it was satisfying
Johanna Lindsey’s storytelling style
Why this book feels like vintage romance meets soap opera
Final ratings and whether we’d recommend it
Our next book club pick

Links Mentioned
Read the blog post and join the discussion:
https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/tender-is-the-storm-by-johanna-lindsey
Sign up for the Ripped & Ravished Book Club newsletter:
https://underthecovers.myflodesk.com/ripped-ravished
Get all the details about the next book club read:
https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/bodice-ripper-book-club/
Timestamps
00:00 Bonkers Cold Open
00:14 Podcast Setup
01:51 Where We Left Off
02:20 Town Showdown Offscreen
03:40 Missing Scenes Problem
06:54 Low Angst No Romance
09:06 Secrets And Trust Issues
11:04 Wild Final Reveals
12:31 Twins Bombshell Fallout
15:17 Dad Schemes And France Trip
18:11 No Act Three Closure
22:12 Shock Value Vs Story
25:28 Everyone Is Psychotic
26:37 Reveals That Dont Land
28:01 Brother Twist Fallout
29:41 Revenge Plot Undercooked
30:56 Missing Payoff Scenes
32:35 Bonkers Ending Whiplash
34:54 Why Choose Detour
38:41 Trauma And Kink Talk
40:34 Final Ratings Breakdown
43:46 Palate Cleanser Debate
52:54 Sharing With Mom Safe
55:28 Book Club Wrap And Next Pick
✨ Loved the episode?
Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕
💌 Talk to Me:
Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message.
☕ Support the Show:
Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.
📚 Stay Connected:
Blog: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo.
YouTube: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs.
Newsletter: join our insider for the latest updates.

💖 This episode may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show!