Welcome to Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast. It’s getting real in the hockey romance world 😳 An NHL reporter just accused a romance author of stealing her identity for a book character, and it’s MESSY. In this week’s Novel Hour Live Replay, we’re breaking down the Piper Shaw vs. Chelsea Curto controversy, why it blew up on BookTok, and what it says about real-life inspiration in fiction.

We’re also sharing this week’s hottest romance, fantasy and mystery new releases, including must-read dark romances, fantasy, and cozy reads for your fall TBR.

💬 Let us know in the comments:

Are you Team Piper or Team Chelsea? Do authors have a responsibility to avoid “real-life” inspiration in their books?

⏰ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Welcome to Novel Hour Live!

00:06 NHL Reporter Accuses Romance Author

09:43 Legalities and Real-Life Inspirations

11:16 New Releases for the Week

19:23 Current Reads and TBR Struggles

20:56 Halloween Dark Romances

24:30 Great British Baking Show Update

26:55 Billionaire's Bunker Review

32:14 Young Millionaires and Dollar Netflix Reviews

34:18 Upcoming Shows and Final Thoughts

📖 BOOKS MENTIONED:

→ Power Play by Chelsea Curto: https://rstyle.me/+hlw5cJhkUuSEl5CdYgkubw

→ Good Spirits by B.K. Borison: https://rstyle.me/+Lq_88G_3LqHe-pC49lo4kg

→ I Am Cleopatra by Natasha Solomons: https://rstyle.me/+jgRNvxmopVhOEMvoAHmleg

→ The Devil She Knows by Alexandria Bellefleur: https://rstyle.me/+lnvDIq6HIR0ed978VtHMAQ

→ The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah by Jean Meltzer: https://rstyle.me/+X7LS4wkdQ_gvbLn0wBylBw

→ Death at the Door by Olivia Blacke: https://rstyle.me/+5df_YK665EdNxeWbO3F3ng

→ Blind Date with a Werewolf by Patricia Briggs: https://rstyle.me/+q-9TBeBBHMhfZSW_5pPJag

→ The Huntsman by Naima Simone: https://rstyle.me/+1tpsTqmRkgCr2CllxNQyjw

→ The Death-Made Prince by Lisette Marshall: https://rstyle.me/+ZwDZ7IBbGWCkYs7OGQwH7Q

→ Elanie and the Empath by Jess K. Hardy: https://rstyle.me/+5eBVu4ju5fz4OQ_mz8l88w

→ Half-Light Harbor by Samantha Young: https://rstyle.me/+Qgo02mjxe_XtNgsLMASi4w

→ Beg For It by Madison Fox: https://rstyle.me/+lB5MCOmKiHXsMAh4ozyPGQ

→ In the Dark by Chelsea Curto: https://rstyle.me/+HsF293P95VNOhX-8CuYlEQ

→ Thrown for a Loop by Sarina Bowen: https://rstyle.me/+xefxZvWXMJgsTLl3vh9etg

🧁 Mentioned While Discussing Shows

Money Heist (Netflix show — referenced)

Berlin (Netflix spin-off from Money Heist — referenced)

The Great British Baking Show (comfort watch — not a book)

Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice (TV show tie-in mentioned for next week)

🧠 DISCUSSION TOPICS

BookTok drama: NHL reporter vs. romance author

Real-life inspiration in fiction — where’s the line?

The portrayal of women in male-dominated sports

Best romance & mystery releases this week

Cozy fall reading recs + new shows to binge

Sources Mentioned:

https://www.threads.com/@authorchelseacurto/post/DP9BKSeDmbn?xmt=AQF0hC5EBdEL1c8fLbTh4nMbzqmNGfofXCDAjQM3z9p8TA

https://www.threads.com/@loangellauthor/post/DP-6aLVjUBf

https://www.reddit.com/r/SeattleKraken/comments/1oat12y/piper_shaw_calls_out_author_for_using_her/

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