In this week’s episode, we’re talking The Trade Off by Samantha Greene Woodruff—a sharp, fast-paced historical fiction set in 1920s New York. Join us as we dig into ambition, gender roles, market chaos, and what it means to be the smartest (and most ignored) person in the room.

Links

• Official author website (https://www.samanthawoodruff.com/)
• The Trade Off (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/207644520-the-trade-off)
• Samantha Greene Woodruff on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21418696.Samantha_Greene_Woodruff)

Chapters

• (00:46) - Skip intro
• (01:24) - A special guest?!
• (04:11) - Book summary
• (05:17) - SPOILER ALERT!
• (05:47) - Kristy's review
• (07:02) - Jon's review
• (09:29) - Impressions of Bea
• (11:50) - Shifting social status
• (14:30) - Bea & Sophie
• (16:44) - Henny & Millie
• (18:52) - Jake
• (22:59) - The Great Crash
• (25:13) - What if Jon was Bea?
• (27:27) - Trust & perseverance
• (29:49) - Oh, Nate
• (35:31) - Pauline
• (38:27) - Introducing our special guest!
• (48:05) - Interview debrief
• (48:33) - Recommendations

In this episode, we dive into Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez—a heartfelt, emotionally layered romance that’s equal parts swoony and soul-stirring. We’re talking long-distance love, grief, family struggles, and why Abby’s stories always hit deeper than your average love story. This one gave us all the feels. Tune in for our take on one unforgettable night, an unexpected connection, and the kind of love that refuses to fade.

Links

• Official author website (https://www.authorabbyjimenez.com/)
• Say You’ll Remember Me (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/216437557-say-you-ll-remember-me?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_16)
• Abby Jimenez on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18446724.Abby_Jimenez)

Chapters

• (00:46) - Skip Intro
• (03:16) - Book summary
• (04:28) - SPOILER ALERT!
• (05:01) - Jon's review
• (06:25) - Kristy's review
• (07:47) - Instant attraction
• (10:18) - Withholding critical information
• (12:25) - Black cat vs golden retriver
• (15:15) - Impact of dementia
• (19:10) - A husbandly conundrum
• (23:02) - Adult understanding
• (27:34) - The hits just keep on comin
• (30:20) - Xavier’s demons
• (33:22) - The family intervention
• (37:05) - Parallel timelines
• (39:54) - Thoughts on the ending
• (41:54) - To buy, or not to buy… mustard
• (44:30) - Final thoughts

In this episode, Kristy and Jon dive into The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune—a heartwarming tale of magical children, unlikely friendships, and finding your voice. They unpack themes of prejudice and humanity, gush over favorite characters like Chauncey and Talia, and reflect on the cozy magic of this feel-good read. Come for the laughs, stay for the tears... and maybe a surprise Rudolph reference.

Links

• Official author website (https://www.tjklunebooks.com/)
• The House in the Cerulean Sea (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45047384-the-house-in-the-cerulean-sea)
• TJ Klune on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5073330.T_J_Klune)

Chapters

• (00:46) - Skip intro
• (01:37) - Upcoming books
• (02:39) - Book summary
• (03:53) - SPOILER ALERT!
• (04:19) - Kristy's review
• (05:22) - Jon's review
• (05:58) - Live up to the hype?
• (07:26) - Linus
• (10:58) - Favorite children
• (14:24) - Chauncey!
• (16:39) - Lucy(fer)
• (19:15) - Body size metaphor
• (23:39) - Arthur
• (29:01) - Blindly following the rules
• (30:51) - Addressing prejudices
• (32:24) - A magical romance
• (34:12) - Finding 'home'
• (36:55) - A surprise question?!
• (39:08) - Recommendations
• (40:55) - Closing time

In this episode, we dive into The Family Experiment by John Marrs, where various families volunteer for a cutting-edge virtual reality competition that pairs adults with children to form instant families. We break down the hidden agendas, the crazy tech, and the total emotional chaos.

Links

• Official author website (https://www.johnmarrsauthor.com/)
• The Family Experiment by John Marrs (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/197108968-the-family-experiment)
• John Marrs on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7264719.John_Marrs)

Chapters

• (00:46) - Skip intro
• (02:11) - Book summary
• (03:24) - SPOILER ALERT!
• (03:43) - Jon's review
• (04:54) - Kristy's review
• (06:48) - Relevancy of AI
• (08:33) - Physically moving, virtually
• (10:15) - Cadman and Gabriel
• (13:12) - Woody and Tina
• (17:50) - Selena and Jaden
• (21:35) - Dimitri and Zoe
• (24:38) - Adam
• (27:23) - Hudson
• (30:32) - 24/7 surveillance
• (33:17) - £250,000
• (36:24) - The great (meta) debate
• (42:44) - Would society be ready?
• (45:52) - Would we volunteer?
• (47:07) - Our recommendation

In this week’s episode, we dive into Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli — a magical tale filled with rebellion, romance, and just the right amount of witchy chaos. But the real question is… did Jon fall under its spell or was he ready to banish this book to the shadow realm?

Links

• Official author website (https://www.kristenciccarelli.com/)
• Rebel Witch (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60217777-rebel-witch)
• Kristen Ciccarelli (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15428577.Kristen_Ciccarelli)

Chapters

• (00:46) - Skip intro
• (02:36) - A special thank you
• (03:00) - Book summary
• (04:21) - SPOILER ALERT!
• (05:10) - Kristy's review
• (06:18) - Jon's review
• (07:43) - Time gap
• (11:04) - Rune & Cressida
• (12:43) - Cressida's page time
• (15:20) - MIS.COM.MUN.I.CATION
• (16:58) - Magical realism
• (18:40) - Sacrifices
• (21:05) - Sisterhood predictions
• (23:56) - Powers of a Sybil
• (26:20) - Antonio
• (30:32) - Seraphine
• (32:08) - Who’s the real rebel
• (34:59) - Casting call is back!
• (40:58) - Would Jon recommend?
• (42:57) - Closing time

In this episode, we dive into Kristin Hannah's powerful novel The Women, a gripping exploration of one woman’s journey through love, loss, and resilience during the Vietnam War. Join us as we unpack the novel’s themes, characters, and unforgettable moments. We’ll share our thoughts, reactions, and — of course — how Jon felt about reading this intense and emotional journey.

Links

• Official author website (https://kristinhannah.com/)
• Kristin Hannah on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/54493.Kristin_Hannah)
• The Women on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/127305853-the-women)
• VA Mental Health (https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/)
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (https://www.nami.org/)
• National Council for Mental Wellbeing (https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/)
• National Health America (https://mhanational.org/)

Chapters

• (01:59) - Content warning
• (02:41) - Book summary
• (04:30) - SPOILER ALERT!
• (04:51) - Jon's review
• (05:50) - Kristy's review
• (06:45) - Knowledge going in...
• (09:35) - Frankie
• (13:18) - “Women can be heroes too”
• (15:05) - Ethel & Barb
• (18:20) - Jamie
• (21:16) - Rye
• (26:42) - An un-hero's welcome
• (30:36) - Rye's manipulation
• (35:20) - Portrayals of PTSD
• (37:18) - Oh, Henry...
• (40:28) - The parental units
• (44:13) - Kristy's PSA
• (44:26) - A happy ending?
• (47:51) - A memorable quote
• (48:41) - Recommendation
• (50:33) - Closing time

This episode unpacks The Crash, where eight-months-pregnant Tegan’s desperate escape lands her in a brutal Maine blizzard. Stranded with a dead car, a broken ankle, and a rescue that quickly turns ominous, danger follows every twist. Join us for Season Two, Episode Two, as we debate the ethical costs of survival and the unsettling lure of stranger danger.

Links
Official author website: https://www.freidamcfadden.com/

Freida McFadden on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7244758.Freida_McFadden

The Crash on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/216223604-the-crash

Chapters

• (00:46) - Skip intro
• (03:03) - Book summary
• (04:25) - SPOILER ALERT!
• (04:39) - Kristy's review
• (06:35) - Jon's review
• (10:21) - Morals over money
• (16:06) - Tegan
• (19:07) - Polly
• (20:58) - Survival skills?
• (23:52) - Polly & Sadie
• (26:08) - Hank
• (30:06) - Are they good people?
• (35:27) - Stranger danger
• (39:19) - Predicting the twists
• (41:08) - Freida #2
• (42:26) - Would Jon recommend?
• (43:21) - Wrap up

Season Two kicks off with a fiery deep-dive into Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros! In this episode, Kristy and Jon tackle everything from Violet’s frustrating decisions to dragon conspiracies, lost history, and that jaw-dropping ending—plus, wild theories about her second signet. Tune in for laughs, debates, and a sneak-peek at the rest of the books coming up this season! 🔥📖

Links
Official author website: https://rebeccayarros.com/

Rebecca Yarros on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7539785.Rebecca_Yarros

Iron Flame on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/90202302-iron-flame

—

BIMMHR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/booksimakemyhusbandread/

Chapters

• (04:09) - Book summary
• (05:31) - SPOILER ALERT!
• (05:57) - Jon's review
• (09:05) - Kristy's review
• (10:39) - Full disclosure!
• (14:13) - Trusting her squamates
• (16:08) - Who's calling the shots?
• (17:53) - The role of language
• (22:02) - Why did he save Violet?
• (23:46) - Why'd they keep him alive?
• (26:02) - Oh, Dain...
• (29:37) - Current events?
• (32:31) - A book on feathertails
• (34:32) - Signet theories
• (37:58) - General Sorrengail
• (42:57) - 650 years?
• (44:26) - The last rider
• (46:35) - Predicting the future
• (48:31) - FInal thoughts