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SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOK: A Lady’s Guide To Vampire Hunting by Michelle Maxstoke

Published October 22nd 2026 by One More Chapter
Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Gothic Ficiton, Romance Novel, Fantasy Fiction, Dark Fantasy, Romantic Fantasy, Vampire Literature

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

In the gaslit dark, love is never tender. It’s teeth at your throat. Blood on silk. It is the sweetest surrender – and the most exquisite damnation.

By day Lady Euphemia Butterworth is a dutiful daughter – corseted, perfumed, and groomed to marry a lecherous duke twice her age. By night, she dreams of freedom, the dangerous thrill of adventure and a life not dictated by men with money and cruel smiles. But when a vampire attack shatters her world, Effie is branded hysterical, locked away and desperate to escape and prove what really happened.

Liam Rafferty has ghosts of his own. Orphan, ex-boxer, ex-patient of the asylum, he stalks the shadows as a reluctant hunter, his body inked with sins and his soul fraying at the edges. He finds refuge in a travelling circus, but it cannot silence the devil whispering in his ear – or the fangs waiting in the dark.

When Effie’s gilded cage collides with Liam’s world, the sparks are as dangerous as the bite of the monsters they hunt…

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

After coming face to face with a vampire that kills her beloved brother, Lady Ephemia Butterworth knows she has one purpose: to find and kill the creature that took Cedric away from her. But her father won’t believe what she saw, locks her in her room and has her treated for hysteria. So Ephemia makes her escape. Her path soon crosses with Liam Rafferty, a circus performer by day who stalks the streets hunting vampires by night. She asks Liam to teach her how to hunt and the sparks soon fly between them. As they search for the vampire who took Cedric, Liam and Effie find themselves falling deeper into danger.

Darkly atmospheric, mysterious, transportive and witty, this was an addictive read. A swoonable forbidden romance merged with blood-sucking vampires, this was the perfect read for spooky season. Skillfully written and cleverly choreographed, Michelle Maxstone has crafted a love story with a bite that held me in her thrall. It’s quite the rollercoaster ride; there are emotional moments one minute, then shocking twists the next and I could never predict what crazy situation would happen next. Once I started reading I couldn’t stop and I devoured the book in under twenty-four hours.

The story is set in Yorkshire in an alternate 1800s and I was immediately transported back to the dark, gaslit streets. Evocative imagery brings the story to life and I never doubted for a moment that any of it was real. I felt like I was walking besides the characters at every step in this place drenched in nightmares, where sharp-fanged creatures stalk their prey. My heart was in my throat as I read, terrified of what horrors would happen next.

The story is told by Effie and Liam in alternating chapters. Likeable and easy to root for, I loved reading both these characters. They are such different people from very different walks of life, but they share similarities too. Both of them are determined and will do anything for those they love. There’s an undeniable chemistry between them from the start and I loved their forbidden upstairs/downstairs romance.

A gorgeous gothic vampire romance, add this to your spooky season TBR now.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thank you to One More Chapter for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Michelle Maxstoke was born in Solihull but has lived in Leeds for the past 15 years. She worked for the NHS before completing a PhD in nutritional epidemiology and working as a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Leeds. She has published over 25 articles in a number of scientific journals and magazines. Michelle started writing fiction after taking a creative writing course with the London School of Journalism. In 2017 she won the Rose Simmonds prize, the British Dietetic Association’s most prestigious award for an original research publication.

She lives with her husband, two sons, and a hyperactive Labrador. As a scientist and mum, her hobbies include mulling over the complexities of the universe, treading barefoot on Lego, and chipping dried Play-Doh from fabric surfaces.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOK: Fabulous and Furious by Harper Ford

Published September 24th, 2026 by Avon Books
Contemporary Fiction, Humorous Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Everyone around 55-year-old Nell is absolutely infuriating. Her new boss is a sexist pr*ck, her clients can be selfish tw*ts, and the general public? They can p*ss right off!

But when Nell loses it at a children’s party entertainer (who definitely deserved it) her family send her to a rage room. Nell finds herself stood there with a baseball bat, being instructed to break as many things as possible by an annoyingly handsome man called Glen…

Still, as fun as it is to smash stuff, Nell finds it doesn’t quite hit the spot. Inspired, she starts a new space for herself and the women at work: Rent-A-Rant, a place just for them, to speak their minds, no holds-barred, and to finally be heard. Oh, and to eat loads of biscuits.

All these women have a lot to be mad about. But could it be that, instead of getting rid of their fury, they could channel it for good? With Rent-A-Rant’s help, Nell isn’t going to let everything fall apart ― she’s going to smash it up.

This hilarious and relatable coming-of-middle-rage novel from Harper Ford fights back at bullies and bastards one menopausal rant at a time ― the perfect read for fans of Alexandra Potter, Jane Fallon, and Riot Women.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

55-year-old Nell is angry all the time. She finds everyone around her infuriating and loses her temper over the smallest thing. But it is after Nell loses it at a party entertainer that her family step in and gift her some sessions at a local rage room. But as Nell stands there with her baseball bat, she realises that what she really needs is a good old rant. So, Rent-A-Rant is born; a place where Nell and other like-minded women can meet for a rant about anything they like. Finally, instead of suppressing their rage, they are expressing it and being heard. But can they take that rage and harness it for good?

Hilarious, maddening, relatable and uplifting, this book made me feel seen. A story about female rage, the patriarchy, aging and bullying, Nell and her friends fight back against the bastards trying to grind them down. Harper Ford is an author I’ve had on my TBR for a while so I was glad of the opportunity to finally pick up one of her books. My only regret is waiting so long. Harper is a comedy genius who perfectly merges witty moments and snarky banter with important topics, which Harper handles with honesty and compassion. I was especially grateful to see her accurate and relatable portrayal of a character with endometriosis and adenomyosis. It is great to see a light shone on these illnesses and to have a character with chronic illness who actually feels recognisable rather than a misrepresentation. 

The book is filled with a cast of charismatic characters and  I loved every moment I spent with them. Like Nell, I’m middle-aged, menopausal, have a grandchild and freed myself from a controlling ex-husband, so I connected with her immediately. I also felt a strong kinship with Idil, Nell’s work colleague who is chronically ill. I adored Nell’s little grandson, Freddie, and enjoyed her romance with Glen, which brought a much-needed spark back into her life.

Feel-good fiction at its finest, this book is an absolute riot and every woman should read it.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thanks you Avon for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Harper Ford is an author, much of the time. She started out as a writer of historical novels, then found out she was funny during lockdown so decided to write contemporary romantic comedies too. Harper Ford is the romcom pen-name for author Becca Mascull.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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SQUADPOD BOOK CLUB: Roman Mornings by Matson Taylor

Published July 2nd, 2026 by Scribner UK
Historical Fiction, Gay Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

A glorious novel of hope and healing for fans of Armistead Maupin, Fredrik Backman and Kate Atkinson from the author of The Miseducation of Evie Epworth

‘Rome is both healer and magician in this enchanting novel of homecoming and belonging, and of the transformational power of friendship. Delizioso’ Sarah Winman, author of Still Life

‘Taylor’s prose is lilting and lyrical, capturing the city’s beguiling atmosphere, creating the perfect backdrop for the allure of la dolce vita’ Daily Mail

1952, Trastevere, Rome. An idyllic maze crammed full of narrow streets and eccentric characters. A young English woman, Clementine Severs, arrives armed with a teaching certificate and enough idealism to fill a host of Grecian urns.

By 1976, she finds herself wilting, her youthful dreams squashed by time and tide. A chance encounter between an angel and a speeding mint green Vespa brings her into contact with a troubled young carpenter called Montgomery Marsh. Clemmie and Monty forge an unlikely friendship that takes them on a magical ride through the Eternal City in search of fresh hope and a new way of living.

Fun, spirited and full of heart, Roman Mornings, like the city of Rome itself, is a novel of mysterious beauty that you will want to revisit time and time again.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Matson Taylor has done it again! Uplifting, funny, heartwarming, transportive and addictive, Roman Mornings is an absolute delight. Matson gives us his take on la dolce vita, transporting us to Rome, 1976. Clemmy is trying out her new vespa when she literally crashes into Monty and lands him in hospital. His boss is less than understanding and fires him, so Clemmy and her friend Floss invite him to convalesce at their home. As Clemmy introduces Monty to the Eternal City, the two forge an unlikely bond in this magnificent tale of the power of friendship, found family, loss, healing and hope.

Beautifully written, this book is the perfect pick me up for any day of the year. The evocative imagery brings this labyrinthine city to life in glorious detail; I could feel the heat beating down on me, hear the sound of the chaotic Roman traffic, see the historic architecture and taste the gelato. I loved the magical realism in this book and how you were never quite sure if what the characters were experiencing was real or in their imagination. One of my favourite things about this book is the inter-generational friendships. I love them and this book contains some of my favourite inter-generational friendships ever. The bonds between Clemmy, Monty and Floss were a wonderful reminder that true friendship can be a balm for the soul. I loved how these people found a home in one another and the ways that they enriched each other’s lives. It was something special. The kind of friendship and acceptance we all hope for.

I’ve said it before: Matson is a comic genius, and once again he had me laughing out loud from the opening pages, showcasing his talent for creating witty, offbeat and charming characters who leap from the pages and are totally unforgettable. I adored the characters in this book and loved every moment I spent reading them. Clemmy is in her mid-forties and feeling disillusioned that life hasn’t turned out the way she planned when we meet her, while Monty is working in Rome and experiencing the city for the first time. I loved the wonder he felt when he looked around the city and watching him discover new things such as pistachio ice cream and cappuccino. Septugenarian Floss is an absolute hoot and was probably my favourite character. She doesn’t give a damn and is living life to the full. May we all be more Floss. And I cant forget Octavian, an unforgettable cat filled with attitude who totally stole my heart. 

Witty, warm, joyous and moving, I loved every moment being back in Rome with these characters and never wanted it to end. Highly recommended.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

Thank you Scribner UK for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Matson Taylor is a novelist and design historian.

His first two books, The Miseducation of Evie Epworth and All About Evie, were selected for the BBC Radio 2 bookclub and the Richard & Judy bookclub.

His third novel, Roman Mornings, is available to buy now.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOK REVIEW: The Sugar and Spice Bookshop Bakery by Jennifer Page

Published October 8th, 2026 by Aria
Romance Novel, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy, Cosy Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Louise Dearnley has spent her life editing perfectly neat love stories, where heartbreak leads to fresh starts, charming small businesses bloom, and happily-ever-afters are guaranteed.

But now in her forties, she’s quit her job – and no, she doesn’t want to talk about why – and returned home to Applethwaite, the small Yorkshire village where she grew up. Starting over doesn’t feel nearly so much fun in real life as it does in fiction.

It also doesn’t help that her mother is convinced she’s here to run the family bakery, especially as the locals can’t get enough of Louise’s legendary ginger cake and scrumptious scones. Between renovations, a quirky ex-stepdaughter (who’s unexpectedly come to stay) and a gorgeous Italian who seems too good to be true, Louise’s second chance begins to take shape.

After a lifetime spent polishing other people’s happy endings, will Louise finally have one of her own?

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Louise Dearnley has spent her life editing books where happy-ever-after is guaranteed. But real life doesn’t work that way. And after making a mistake so bad she quit her job, Louise escapes back to her small Yorkshire hometown to put herself back together. But there’s a problem: her mum thinks she’s come back to run the family bakery now that she’s retired. But Louise doesn’t want to run a bakery. She’s always dreamed of running a bookshop. Unfortunately, the locals want her to run the bakery too and can’t get enough of Louise’s ginger cake. Will she find the courage to go after her dream?

When I picked up this book I was in need of cheering up and it certainly did the trick. I mean, books and baked goods; what isn’t there to love? Funny, romantic and uplifting, this moreish read is a bibliophile and cake lover’s dream and feels like curling up by the fire with a good book and your favourite pastry. I’d heard great things about Jennifer Page’s books but this was my first time reading one myself. Now I’m wondering why I waited so long and totally understand why people sing her praises. I loved everything about this book: the writing, the charismatic characters, the dreamy love interest, the Yorkshire setting, the books and the cake. There is nothing not to love. I listened to the audiobook and it was brilliantly narrated by Caroline McNally-Smith. 

Louise is a wonderful protagonist. I felt for her as she beat herself  up over her big mistake and worried about how to tell her mum she didn’t want to run the bakery without upsetting her. But I was thrilled and cheering her on as she found her confidence, started standing up for herself and chased her dream. The will they/won’t they romance between her and Jack was perfect and I was rooting for them to get together. Louise’s relationship with her mother and her step-daughter were also great to read, and there was an array of fascinating background characters too. 

A gorgeous lighthearted read that is perfect for any time of year. I highly recommend this book. Just have some cake handy before you start. 

Rating: 🎂🎂🎂🎂

Thank you Aria for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jennifer Page wrote her first novel – a book about ponies – when she was eight. These days she prefers to write romance. When she isn’t writing, Jennifer can usually be found playing board games which are the inspiration for her first novel. She has worked as a television producer, a music teacher and has even run a children’s opera company. She now lives near Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire with her husband and his large collection of games.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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SQUADPOD BOOK CLUB REVIEW: The Treasures by Harriet Evans

Publised July 2nd, 2026 by Viking
Historical Fiction, Saga, Domestic Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

The unputdownable love story spanning continents, years and families, from the Sunday Times bestselling author – the perfect holiday read for fans of Eve Chase, Lucinda Riley, and Kate Morton.

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One golden summer. One missing treasure. And a secret that binds two lives together.

Every year, Alice’s father gives her a treasure. Then on the morning of her sixteenth birthday, her final gift vanishes – along with the fragile certainty of her world. Alice runs, towards New York City and away from the memories of that last summer at the orchard where she grew up.

Across the Atlantic, Tom has always felt that something is missing from his life. When he finds a long-forgotten letter, it leads him away from Sevenstones – the house at the heart of his family for generations – and towards a truth no one has ever fully told.

From post-war London to 1960s New York, Alice and Tom’s stories become entwined. But will the secrets of their past bring them together, or break them apart?

BOOK REVIEW

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MY REVIEW:

Poignant, immersive and compelling, The Treasures is a sweeping saga about family, love, loss, secrets, trauma and intertwining destinies. Spanning multiple countries and years, we go from post-war London to hippies living in 1960s New York, following Alice and Tom as they search for answers about their families that leads them back to one summer, a missing treasure and a long-buried secret that binds their lives and their families together. 

Beautifully written, deftly plotted and expertly interwoven, Harriet Evans has crafted an absolute masterpiece. She explores topics including grief, mental illness and the ripple/ricochet effects of trauma, writing in a way that manages to be both sensitive and real. In particular, her descriptions of grief are so evocative, raw and real that I was close to tears many times. My heart shattered for Alice and her mum. Harriet expertly puts us in the characters’ shoes and makes us feel everything they do at every step. 

The story is filled with characters who are messy and painfully human but also charismatic. They pull you into their world and make you care about their lives. Alice and Tom were great protagonists, but the character I found most fascinating was Teddy and I was so glad we got to learn more about her as the story went on. And her arc was certainly the one that surprised me most of all. Both families are steeped in dysfunction, which Harriet writes so skillfully, slowly peeling back the layers to reveal the darkest secrets they would rather keep hidden.

I enjoyed trying to predict what direction the story would take and how Alice and Tom’s lives would entwine. And would Alice find her final treasure? I was on the edge of my seat waiting to find out but at times I had no idea how Harriet was going to tie it all together. But, as we approached the finale she pulled it off with finesse. I loved the ending and am so glad this is the first in a series as I need more from this family. I need the second instalment now! 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

Thank you to Viking for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Hello lovely readers. Thank you for stopping by. Here’s a bit more about me and my books:

I’m the author of fourteen novels.

I’ve been a Richard and Judy book club selection twice and have shaken both Richard and Judy’s hands. I have sold over a million copies and been a Top Ten bestseller and still can’t believe I am lucky enough to be a writer.

I used to work in publishing editing some wonderful authors including Penny Vincenzi, Marian Keyes and Sue Townsend but my proudest moment was reissuing LACE as a very junior editor at Penguin.

In June 2025 my novel THE TREASURES will be published by Penguin. It is the first in a trilogy about a family, the Ravens, over a fifty years, from their beginnings to the present day. I am so excited about people reading it and can’t wait to hear what you think. I am really proud of it. I’m currently writing the second in the trilogy- more soon.

My favourite writers write the kind of books you find on holiday home shelves with faded covers and I want my books to have the same effect: Daphne du Maurier, Elizabeth Jane Howard, Rosamunde Pilcher, Penny Vincenzi, Dorothy L Sayers, Susan Howatch, Sally Beauman, Georgette Heyer, all of the Brontes, and of course Jane Austen.

I love musicals, karaoke, long hilly walks in the countryside, hedgerows (also Bramley Hedge), old Laura Ashley catalogues, Cheers and Frasier, peppermint creams and reading.

I have a very large fluffy cat whom we adopted last year when he decided to move into our house without consulting anyone else. It is like living with Ken from the Barbie movie.

I have two daughters. They are embarrassed by everything I do. Girls i’m only getting started, sorry.

I live in Bath, home of Jane Austen and Bath buns (but full disclosure have never had a Bath bun).

Last year I published my first murder mystery under the name Harriet F Townson, D is for Death, set in 1935 and featuring detective Dora Wildwood who finds a body in a library. There will be more Dora books, I don’t know when, but I adored writing it and her.

I am on the management committee of the Society of Authors, fighting for better deals for authors, talking about the dangers of AI, ghostwriters, bad contracts, ghosting, royalties and other issues facing authors. I volunteer with Inspiring the Future, aiming to widen aspiration for all children, and am an ambassador for the London Library.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOK: Faculty of Liars by R. L. Heber

Published August 6th, 2026 by Point Blank
Dark Academia, Suspense, Thriller, Crime Ficiton, Psychological Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Anatomy of a Scandal meets The Maidens in this seductive dark academia thriller, an intoxicating, high-stakes tale of desire, betrayal, and the dangerous cost of power

When a woman’s affair ends in murder, it threatens to expose a scandal at the heart of one of America’s most powerful universities

Elizabeth Harker has a secret.

On the day she hears the news that her husband is to be the President of one of the most prestigious universities in New England, she is in the arms of another man.

Then, on presidential inauguration day and just moments before Elizabeth is due to step on stage and deliver a speech to be broadcast around the world, she learns her lover has been brutally murdered.

As the university closes ranks, Elizabeth is forced to grieve in silence whilst protecting a secret that could destroy everything. But the harder she tries to contain the affair, the more she begins to see what lies behind the university’s immaculate façade: a world where power is absolute and any threat to the institution is buried without hesitation.

Because this was never just an affair.

And this was never just a murder.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Elizabeth Harker’s husband Jeff has just been promoted to President of one of one the most prestigious universities in New England. It’s his dream role and Elizabeth throws herself into organising events to celebrate his achievement, even planning to deliver a speech at his inaugural event. But just before she steps onto the stage, she learns that her lover has been brutally murdered on campus and her whole life is turned upside down. 

Sex, secrets, scandal and murder. A gripping thriller showing the darker side of academia, Faculty of Liars pulls back the curtain to explore what lies behind the perfect veneer of prestigious institutions. The story is told from Elizabeth’s point of view which gives the story a very claustrophobic and isolated atmosphere. Well-written, cleverly plotted and perfectly paced, R. L. Heber has crafted an intriguing thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The characters are flawed but compelling and Elizabeth pulls the reader into her world as she tries to uncover the truth about the lover’s death.

The main theme of this book is secrets. Everyone is keeping them and the secretive nature of Elizabeth’s affair is magnified by the fact that she never utters her lover’s name, keeping his identity a mystery to us throughout. Her lover’s death tears her apart and Elizabeth is determined to get justice for the man she loved. So she begins to investigate, but is unprepared for the secrets she’s about to uncover and the greater scandal lurking behind the scenes of the university. Tension radiates from the pages, ramping up to a heart-pounding crescendo as we approach the finale. 

Scandalous, suspenseful and seductive, this is a must-read for fans of dark academia and well-written thrillers.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thank you Point Blank for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

R L Heber is the author of three previous novels and has been selected as a WHSmith Fresh Talent. She is a comms strategist, and runs her own business, Words With Bex.

She lives in London.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOK: Time To Burn by Ellery Lloyd

Published July 23rd, 2026 by Pan Macmillan
Historical Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Science Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

From the author of The Club, a Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick, Time to Burn is Ellery Lloyd’s compelling time travel thriller.

If the past catches up with you, time travel can be murder . . .

London, the present day: commercial time travel is a reality.

Tempus Tours – owned by controversial tech entrepreneur Inigo Frank – offers the wealthy a chance to witness pivotal moments in history.

To immortalise his achievement, Frank enlists award-winning filmmaker Phoebe Hunt to create a fly-on-the-wall documentary. On her first day shadowing Inigo, she is set to witness the return of a billionaire property developer and his family from their trip to the past. But instead of their awe-filled return, she captures the group arriving bloodied and traumatized, with one of their number missing.

Not only that, but Phoebe recognizes the missing woman. She knows not only that she’s not who she claims to be, but that the woman has every reason to harbor a grudge against her. And as events begin to unravel in the present day, it seems increasingly clear that the woman had sinister motives for returning to the past – and that people close to Phoebe are in danger.

Can Phoebe stop the ripple effect before she loses everything – and everyone – she holds dear?

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Have you ever wanted to go back in time and witness some of the most pivotal moments in history? Well now you can with Tempus Tours, a commercial time travel business that allows you to do just that. For a hefty price tag of course. Tempus’ owner, controversial tech entrepreneur Inigo Frank, decides he wants his achievements immortalised and invites award-winning filmmaker Phoebe Hunt to create a fly-on-the-wall documentary that goes behind the scenes at Tempus. She will start by capturing the return of a group who travelled back to the Blitz. But things don’t go to plan and the group return injured and bloody, while one member, Sasha, is left stranded in 1941. As Inigo and his team try to figure out how to rescue Sasha, Phoebe realises she recognises the missing woman. And she’s not who she says she is. And as events unfold, we learn she has sinister motives for remaining in the past that could change everything for people in the present.

Suspenseful, transportive, twisty and bingeable, Time To Burn is another winner from Ellery Lloyd. Expertly written and cleverly choreographed, this action-packed historical thriller had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The story is told in the present and in 1941, with flashbacks that tell the story of Phoebe and Sasha’s shared past. I was intrigued by the idea of being able to travel back in time to witness history for yourself, but this story serves as a reminder of how such technology can be exploited and the butterfly effect that can occur from going back in time. 

Narrators Phoebe and Sasha are compelling and deeply flawed characters. But I had a real soft spot for these women, even if I didn’t always agree with their actions. We know from the start that their histories are intertwined in some way, that Phoebe regrets her behaviour and understands that Sasha is probably out for revenge, but it takes some time for the full picture to emerge. And when it did I certainly understood Sasha more but still wasn’t on board with her plan for revenge and the way she altered people’s lives.

An addictive and propulsive historical thriller that you don’t want to miss.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thank you Pan Macmillan for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ellery Lloyd is the pseudonym for New York Times bestselling husband-and-wife writing team Collette Lyons and Paul Vlitos.

Collette is a journalist and editor, the former content director of Elle (UK) and editorial director at Soho House. She has written for The Guardian, The Telegraph, and the Sunday Times.

Paul is the author of two previous novels, Welcome to the Working Week and Every Day is Like Sunday. He is the program director for Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Greenwich.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOK REVIEW: Under Story by Chloe Benjamin

Published September 1st, 2026 by Tinder Press
Literary Fiction, Romance Novel, Speculative Fiction, Science Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE IMMORTALISTS COMES AN ENTHRALLING NEW NOVEL THAT ASKS: WHAT WOULD YOU DO FOR MORE TIME WITH THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE?

At an isolated research station in Antarctica, biologist Laurel Salter washes dishes for a living ten hours a day, six days a week. She tells no one why she left her career, or why her marriage ended.

But even in this remote outpost, Laurel can’t outrun her past. When a strange light appears across the ice and draws a group of physicists to McMurdo, her former husband, Eli, won’t be far behind.

Laurel is captivated by the Arc: its surreal glow; the way it seems almost alive. And though Eli is reluctant to test her wildest theory, Laurel is convinced that the Arc leads down a rabbit hole and into a world they can barely imagine. Can she persuade him to risk everything to fix the burden that hangs between them – to turn back the clock and live their story a second time?

And this time, live it differently.

Once read, never forgotten, Under Story is a genre-defying exploration of the promise of this life, what might lie beyond it, and how far we would go for more time with the people we love.

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

What if our world wasn’t the only reality? What if there was another universe identical to ours where time moves differently? What if you’d made a mistake so devastating in this world that it shattered your life. Would you take the chance to right that wrong in the other world and recapture the happiness you once had?

These are the questions at the heart of Under Story. Inventive, complex, thought-provoking and emotional, this was not an easy read. First of all because of the heartbreaking subject matter, and secondly because it gets off to a very slow start. This book is a chonker and for the first 100 pages I just wasn’t feeling it. I couldn’t connect with the characters, wasn’t enjoying the story and felt bogged down by all the scientific jargon. But I’d been looking forward to this book so much, plus it was one of our SquadPod Featured Books, and readers I trusted had told me they loved this book, so I decided I’d read a quarter of the book before I’d DNF. I am so glad I did because the tides turned; I connected with the characters, felt invested in their lives and fell in love with this story. Suddenly, I didn’t want to put it down and couldn’t stop thinking about it whenever I did. But it isn’t going to be for everyone and I think this will be a marmite read that divides Bookstagram.

So what is it actually about? Well, the story follows biologist Laurel Salter who is working at an isolated research station in Antarctica trying to escape the heartache of her marriage ending and the mistake she can’t move on from. But even here Laurel’s past haunts her. And when a strange light appears across the ice it draws a group of physicists, including her ex husband Eli. After a strange dream, Laurel becomes convinced that the Arc is a portal to a parallel universe and the answer to the pain that destroyed their marriage. Eli is unsure at first, but eventually agrees to test Laurel’s theory. Will they find another world where they can turn back time and erase the pain of the past?

Chloe Benjamin has crafted a well-written, intricate and layered story that captures the imagination. The imagery is evocative, especially when they are in the Antarctic and the icy beauty was written so vividly that I felt like I was shivering from the cold even though it’s still summer. As I’ve mentioned, a lot of the science felt hard to follow or went over my head as I’m just not wired that way. However I was fascinated by the different ways things worked in the antiuniverse and enjoyed the parts that explained them. But for me, what I really loved about this book was its heart. Once we get into the book, this is a story steeped in heart-rending emotion and I was hooked. Chloe expertly captures the raw heartache, guilt, confusion and fear that Laurel felt and I was captivated by her dilemma. It really made me think about what I would do in her shoes and I had to keep reading to see how things worked out.

An imaginative and emotional read, this is one of those books I had to sit with for a while after turning that final page. And it is certainly one I won’t forget.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thanks to Tinder Press for sending me a proof copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Chloe Benjamin is the author of The Immortalists and The Anatomy of Dreams.

A Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers selection, LibraryReads favorite, and #1 Indie Next pick, The Immortalists was named a best book of 2018 by NPR, The Washington Post, Entertainment Weekly, and others.

The Anatomy of Dreams received the Edna Ferber Fiction Book Award and was long listed for the 2014 Center for Fiction First Novel Prize.

Originally from San Francisco, CA, Benjamin is a graduate of Vassar College and the M.F.A. in fiction at the University of Wisconsin. Her work has been translated into over thirty languages. She lives with her husband and two Maine Coon cats in the San Francisco Bay Area.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2026 Squadpod Squadpod Book Club Squadpod Reviews

SQUADPOD BOOK CLUB: The Trouble with Sister Francis by Matt Coyne

Published August 27th, 2026 by Wildfire
Humorous Fiction, Domestic Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

A heartwarming and hilarious new novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author of FRANK AND RED

Sister Francis is an unlikely nun.

She’s sixty, sweary, drives like a lunatic and smokes like a stacked chimney . . . and she runs the Blessed Assumption Boys Club.

Richie, Bennett, Kenny and Stan are four best friends from the Whittle council estate with little to do but get up to no good. After a run-in with local bullies, they discover the crumbling, forgotten club and find themselves in the company of the most remarkable person they will ever meet.

Set against early 1980s Britain, THE TROUBLE WITH SISTER FRANCIS is a funny, heartwarming, and heartbreaking story of unlikely heroes, quiet rebellions, fierce loyalty and unexpected hope.

And at the centre of it all lies a long-forgotten journal that might just change everything.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

There are some books you just know you are going to love before you’ve even started reading. The Trouble with Sister Francis is one of those books. Matt Coyne’s debut, Frank and Red, was my favourite book of 2024 and I’ve been eagerly awaiting his sophomore offering ever since. So when I learned it would be the SquadPod Book Club pick for August, I was thrilled. But when I received the book I didn’t want to pick it up, because I knew once I did I knew I’d never want it to end. 

Sister Francis is not your usual nun. She’s sixty, sweary, chain-smokes, reads the racing post and drives like a lunatic. But she also has a heart of gold and cares deeply about young people. Rich is a normal boy from a council estate in Sheffield. He lives with his mum and grandad and spends his free time hanging out with his mates Bennett, Stanley and Kenny at the local park or getting up to no good. When the group have a run-in with the local bullies, Rich’s mum gives him an ultimatum: Boy’s Club or spending the summer with his Auntie Carole. He chooses the Boy’s Club and takes his friends along with him to the dilapidated clubhouse. What follows is a heartwarming, hilarious and hopeful story that is impossible to put down.

This is a story that will break your heart and make it whole again, wrapping around you like a warm hug and splitting your sides with laughter. A story about friendship, loyalty, community and unlikely heroes, the book is filled with wonderful characters I absolutely adored. Sister Francis is now one of my favourite heroines and it was impossible not to have a soft spot for Rich, Bennet, Kenny and Stanley. One of my favourite things about this book is the portrayal of friendship, especially between these four young lads. I loved seeing how they were there for each other and the loyalty they had for each other. 

Overflowing in northern charm and 80s nostalgia, this book felt like home and transported me back to my own childhood at that time on a council estate in Sheffield. Matt has captured the era so perfectly; that time when summer meant hanging out with friends and the days felt endless. There is also a past timeline which is told through extracts from a journal written by a teenage boy from 1938-41 Reginald was one of the attendees of the original Boy’s Club (or The Dead Dad’s Club as it was then known). I loved these extracts. Matt expertly captures the vibe of an angst-filled teenager and all of the dilemmas that come at that stage of life whilst combining them with the brutal realities of war. 

One of the core themes of this book is that it is a story about the unfortunates; those people who are struggling in life. For example, Reginald is an evacuee, Rich lost his father when he was just six, and all of his friends have problems at home of some kind. It is even evident in the Boy’s Club, which was formed during World War II for the boys whose fathers were away and sometimes didn’t come home. And once again we see how friendship and community can help, offering us hope and restoring our faith in people. 

Warm, witty and absolutely wonderful, I highly recommend this book.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

Thank you Wildfire for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my hoenst review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Matt was born and raised in Sheffield and, in his younger years, made himself a poster-boy for staying in full-time education, by doing a succession of genuinely crappy jobs. Variously, he has been a toilet roll packer, turnstile-operator, cardboard box folder and a sorter of coat-hangers for Burton Menswear. Matt has been sacked a lot.

After a couple of years of this he returned to education to obtain an English degree from Manchester University. From University, Matt drifted into the graphic arts. In 2007, he quit and set up his own print and design company.

In September 2015, Matt became a father for the first time, to Charlie. After three months of dealing with the missile of chaos that is a newborn, he posted his thoughts online. In January 2016, these thoughts went viral. The original post was shared over fifty thousand times and was featured in newspapers and on television across the world. Matt’s first book, Dummy, based on his experiences of being a first-time father, was published in 2017 by Headline. The follow-up, Man vs. Toddler, was published by Headline in 2019. Matt’s first children’s book, My Dad and the Toot that Shook the World, came out in 2024, the same year that his debut novel, Frank and Red, was also published.

Matt is also a singer/songwriter with the band ‘Terry and Dead’ and has appeared on compilation albums with Paul Heaton, Billy Bragg and Sleaford Mods. He lives in Sheffield with his son Charlie, his partner Lyndsay and a Jack Russell terrier with ‘issues’ called Eddie.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

Categories
book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Squadpod Squadpod Featured Books

SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOK: The Spy and the Snake by M. J. Robotham

Published July 9th, 2026 by Aria Books
Suspense, Mystery, Thriller, Historical Fiction, Spy Fiction, Adventure Fiction, Romance Novel

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

THE NEW TRAILBLAZING NOVEL FROM INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING AUTHOR, MANDY ROBOTHAM

One mission. One fake husband. One very real problem.

Maggie Flynn has finally earned her place at of MI5-but with promotion comes paperwork. No more disguises, no more danger, just meetings, memos, and the quiet realisation that life feels a little too safe.

With her daughter away at university and her spirited mother pursuing her own adventures, Maggie’s days in London are starting to feel decidedly ordinary. So when the chance arises to return to the field, she doesn’t hesitate.

The assignment: fly to Budapest and pose as the wife of a notorious British defector in order to smuggle him back to the UK. It should be a straightforward operation. But Maggie Flynn has never done straightforward-and what’s waiting in Budapest is anything but routine.

As Cold War tensions simmer and shadows linger on every corner, Maggie finds herself navigating a city steeped in secrets-and drawn to a mysterious stranger who may endanger the mission. or steal her heart.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Maggie Flynn is back. The MI5 agent has spent the last three years playing housemaid and babysitter. But now her boss is offering her a chance to finally go into the field. They want her to go to Budapest to spring former-MI6 agent-turned-defector Fitzroy Carver out from behind the Iron Curtain and back to London. What’s more, this job is off the books. Meaning she would be totally alone with no-one to back her up if things go wrong. Maggie isn’t sure she’s ready. But with the encouragement of her friend, fellow spy Bea, she decides to do it. What follows is a tense, twisty and entertaining espionage caper that will keep you on your toes. 

M. J. Robotham’s books are always a real treat and I loved being back with Maggie. Intelligent, witty, intriguing and addictive, I was immediately transported back to the sixties and into Maggie’s world of spies and secrets. Skillfully written, cleverly plotted and well researched, Ms. Robotham knows how to keep her reader hooked and I was on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The story is rich in historic detail, nostalgia and counterintelligence that adds a layer of authenticity. Ms. Robotham manages to expertly make the story feel lighthearted whilst also making it nail-bitingly tense and addressing some darker themes such as war and grief. 

Maggie is a wonderful character. Fierce, smart, determined and upbeat, she is easy to like and root for at every turn. Isolated and unsure who to trust, Budapest is lonely for her, so I was extra thankful for my favourite Maggie character quirk: the cast of voices that talk to her in her head. Her banter with them is always fun to read and I love how they help her get out of scrapes, encourage her, or offer comfort when times are hard, which she certainly needed on this job. The other characters are just as richly drawn and compelling, and I had a real soft spot for cafe owner Zoltan, who was just a delight. However Fitzroy was a frustrating and difficult character, which I liked as it made things more interesting and added to the tension.

A delightful and intriguing mystery, I highly recommend this one. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thanks to Aria for sending me a proof copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

M J Robotham saw herself as an aspiring author from childhood, but was waylaid by journalism, birth, children and life. After twenty years as a midwife and a Creative Writing MA, she is a full-time author, writing historical fiction as Mandy Robotham. She lives in Gloucestershire with her partner.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxx

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