We’re back with your regularly scheduled programming to talk Taylor Swift’s 12th album, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s breakup, Bad Bunny Super Bowl, and what we’re reading this week. Stay tuned for the latest in bookish news, too! Time Stamps: (0:00) Intro and catch up (0:30) Panic! At the silent disco (5:17) The Life of a Showgirl: We have thoughts (27:22) Sydney Sweeney and Scooter Braun (30:39) Louis Tomlinson’s new music (33:59) Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban split af...
We're back for part 2 of our Zodiac Academy: The Reckoning recap! This week Katie and Amanda follow chapter 11-20- learning more about Diego's hat, Max's potential love interest, and a steamy scene between Darcy and Orion. What was your favorite part of this section? Let us know in the comments on social! Time Stamps: (0:00) Intro (1:39) Chapter 11 Darcy (10:10) Chapter 12 Tory (18:19) Chapter 13 Darcy (29:21) Chapter 14 Tory (37:36) Chapter 15 Orion (44:10) Chapter 16 Darcy (55:88) Chapter...
In honor of spooky season, we decided it was time for some alien romance. Welcome to “The Story is Pod” with best-selling sci fi romance author, Victoria Aveline! Today we’re chatting about the development of her popular Clecanian series, her writing process, and the impact of BookTok for the book community. After reading Choosing Theo, we just knew we had to have her on. We hope you enjoy the episode! Get Choosing Theo here or call the store to reserve your copy! https://bookshop.org...
Welcome back to ‘The Story Is’ Pod with Katie and Amanda! This week we’re starting the third book of the Zodiac Academy series, The Reckoning by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti. In Chapter 1-10, we’re unpacking the aftermath of the Pitball battle, the challenges of Hell Week, and the evolving romantic relationships among the characters. We’re getting closer on the order form reveal and what’s under Diego’s hat people! Join us next week for Chapters 11-20! Time Stamps: (0:00) Intro ...
In this episode, Katie and Amanda chat Emmy wins. How did their predictions hold up?! We discuss the rumor mill around a potential one direction reunion, the summer I turned pretty season 3 finale and Victoria Beckham's new show. Stay tuned until the end for a book report on our recent romance reads including Wild Card by Elsie Silver and Choosing Theo by Victoria Aveline! Time Stamps: (0:00) Intro and Emmys wins (11:48) The Summer I Turned Pretty S3 debrief *spoilers* (18:29) The Reali-tea...
We've made it to the end of Zodiac Academy Book 2! In this episode, we recap Chapter 21- the end, including the bonus chapter! Listen for our predictions about the nymphs, Tory and Darcy's order, the culmination of Tory's revenge tour on the Heirs, and our final thoughts on Ruthless Fae. Make sure to share your thoughts on social if you're reading with us! Time Stamps: (0:00) Intro and Chapter 21 (6:21) Chapter 22 (13:28) Chapter 23 (24:67) Chapter 24 (31:45) Chapter 25 (33:29) Chapte...
We’re back with another episode of “The Story Is” Podcast! Katie and Amanda chat pop culture updates like Taylor Swift and It Ends With Us, celebrity breakups like Nina Dobrev and Shaun White, reality TV drama with Taylor Frankie Paul, and of course, everything we’re reading! Time Stamps (0:00) Intro (1:20) Nina Dobrev and Shaun White break up after 5 years (3:52) The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives x The Bachelorette (11:45) Labubu x Louis VouVou (12:52) Taylor Swi...
Join us as we continue our Zodiac Academy Book 2 journey! In today’s episode we’re exploring chapters 11-20 of Ruthless Fae by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti. From the complexities of the Guardian Bond to the thrilling revenge plots, we can’t wait to get into it! Time stamps: (0:00) Intro and Chapter 11 (4:58) Chapter 12 (11:36) Chapter 13 (14:52) Chapter 14 (17:46) Chapter 15 (26:58) Chapter 16 (35:10) Chapter 17 (37:45) Chapter 18 (44:22) Chapter 19 (47:24) Chapter 2...
In this episode, your hosts Katie Mitchell and Amanda Earle discuss celebrity news ranging from the impact of fashion icons like Giorgio Armani to the buzziest dating rumors in Hollywood. In book report, we dive into all of the big fall romance releases, upcoming movie adaptations of popular books, and what’s on our spooky/cozy fall TBR! Time Stamps: (0:00) Intro (00:42) Giorgio Armani, Vogue’s new creative director (2:53)- Chloe Grace Moretz got married, Sophie Turner is Lara Croft 2.0...
In this episode, we’re diving into the second book of the Zodiac Academy series, Ruthless Fae by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti. Who killed Professor Astrum? Is Diego a nymph? Has a new villain entered the chat? And will Darcy and Tory return to the human realm? All discussed in this week’s episode! *Spoilers mentioned from book 1* Time Stamps: (0:00)-(9:15) Chapter 1 (9:16)-(11:52) Chapter 2 (11:53)-(14:32) Chapter 3 (14:33)-(21:50) Chapter 4 (21:52)- (30:15) Chapter 5 (30:16)-(48:35...
We're back with a Taylor episode! Sorry non-swifties, but we had to. In this episode, hosts Katie and Amanda discuss the breaking news of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's engagement, exploring the details of the ring, fan reactions, timeline for the proposal and dream wedding guest lists. Also quick pop culture updates and what we’re reading including Dark Lover by JR Ward and Till Summer Do Us Part by Meghan Quinn! Time Stamps (0:00) Intro (0:26) Taylor + Travis are engaged- ring, pro...
In this episode, Katie and Amanda delve into chapter 17 until the end of Zodiac Academy Book One. We chat about the falling star reveal, the school dance, and that traumatizing pool incident. Our predictions for the next book include character growth, romantic couples and the orders of Tory and Darcy Vega. And we’re wrapping it up with a little more insight into the bonus chapter featured in the newly printed books! Join us for Book 2 starting 9/4/25! Get your copy of Zodiac Academy (no...
In this episode of The Story Is, we’re talking about everything, literally. From the newest mamacita Mille Bobby Brown to our favorite Jeni’s Ice Cream flavors to the chick who built the titanic set in her 400 square foot apartment. Of course, we’ve also got updates on everything happening in romance publishing and what we’ve been reading lately! Time Stamps: (0:00) Intro and Catch-Up (5:00) Gavin Newsom’s unhinged social media (complimentary) (8:03) Logan Lerman Michael Kors ad campa...
In this episode, Katie and Amanda dive into chapters 9 through 16 of Book 1, 'Zodiac Academy: The Awakening.' They chat about who they think is coupling up, theories about Tory and Darcy’s order and the evolving relationships between the heirs and our protagonists. Join us for the second week of this special episode! Feel free to share your thoughts on the book so far with us on social media. Remember, no spoilers for the rest of the series please! Get your copy of Zodiac Academy (non-Charlot...
In this episode of The Story Is, Katie and Amanda discuss Taylor Swift's monumental appearance on the New Heights podcast with her boyfriend, Travis Kelce. They delve into the dynamics of Taylor's relationship, her album art choices, and the fan theories that have emerged for her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl. We also chat about pop culture nostalgia, what we're reading, Katie's recent love for her Kindle, and some HUGE book news for fall and spring! Time Stamps: (0:00) In...
In this episode of The Story Is Podcast, the hosts Katie and Amanda dive into Zodiac Academy by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti for the very first time! This episode will only discuss chapters 1-8, so please no spoilers for the remainder of the series! We’re sharing our thoughts on the protagonists, Darcy and Tory, the new Fae world of Solaria, and our introduction to the potential bad boy love interests. Get your copy of Zodiac Academy (non-Charlotte locals): http://bit.ly/4fpCoA...
In this episode of The Story is Podcast, Katie Mitchell and Amanda Earle catch up on their lives, discuss recent tiktok and culture events, and dive into the absurdities of modern dating. Plus, highlights for what romance books you should be adding to your TBR. Time stamps: (0:00) Intro and catch up (5:51) Jacob Elordi and Olivia Jade break up (again?) (7:27) Learning new Gen-Z terms (8:48) Theater kids are having a moment right now (17:08) Where in the world is Katie Mitchell (20:41)...
In this episode of The Story Is Podcast, Katie and Amanda chat about the latest additions to their beauty routines, American Eagle being out of pocket, and what we're reading. Get your copy of Zodiac Academy (non-Charlotte locals): http://bit.ly/4fpCoAc Zodiac Academy Charlotte: call Trope Bookshop and request an in-store pick up at (704) 724-6696! Time Stamps (0:00) Catch up and our latest beauty routines (5:40) Amanda’s AI Matchmaking experience (17:16) Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby...
In this episode of The Story is Pod, we share our concert experience with the Backstreet Boys in Vegas, a few ideas for romance books, and we FINALLY rank our top 10 book boyfriends! And of course, we share what we're reading and what's on our TBR including Keep Me, Crash Test and Metal Slinger. Stay tuned until the end for a special announcement! Time Stamps: 0:00 Backstreets Back + our Vegas recap 12:59 Book Ideas for Romance Authors 16:44 Pop Culture News 24:53 Boy Bands and Unreal...
In this episode, Katie and Amanda share their excitement for the upcoming Backstreet Boys concert and peak millennial nostalgia. They discuss the recent 2025 Emmy nominations, share their predictions for winners, and explore the latest celebrity hard launches. Plus, our book reports and who we're adding to our favorite book boyfriend list! Time Stamps: 00:00 Introduction and Week Recap 02:48 Backstreet Boys Anticipation 04:38 Nostalgia for the 2000s MTV era 14:55 Upcoming Movies and Zenda...