Join me this week for the third in my 2026 author interviews. This time I'm talking with Venetia Constantine about her captivating debut fantasy novel, The Last Starborn Seer.

Released by Aria on the 5th of March, it is a sweeping, high-stakes journey through a world of ancient prophecies and celestial magic. It follows Leilani, a young woman whose volatile magic grants her visions of the future while slowly taking a toll on her mind. It is a brilliant read for anyone who loves epic world-building and high-stakes quests.

We talked about everything from her inspiration, an incredibly fascinating (and terrifying) story about how she came to write the book when she did (honestly, it is incredible), and her journey to traditional publication.

As always, we both did our best to avoid revealing any spoilers, because the book should be enjoyed without spoilers!

So, get yourself a cup of something hot and warming or cool and refreshing and settle down to enjoy the latest episode of Being Bookish.

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This week, I had the pleasure of talking with author and Guardian Columnist Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett about her latest brilliant novel, Female, Nude.

Released on the 12th of February by Tinder Press, it is an exploration of the female gaze, set against a stunning Grecian backdrop.

Sophie, an artist, is contemplating her life when she spends time with university friends in the run-up to a wedding. In relation to a study of female self-portraits, she analyses her life, the choices she must make, and what it means to be a woman of a certain age under the pressures of societal expectations.

We talked about everything from her inspiration and the research that went into the book to the writing process and her ideas behind the narrative.

So, boil your kettle, make a cup of something hot and settle down with the latest episode of Being Bookish.

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This week is the first of my author interviews for 2026, and I am chatting with Hannah Brohm about her debut STEM romance, Love and Other Brain Experiments.

Released by Head of Zeus on the 12th February, this novel is the ideal read if you love Ali Hazelwood. The story is one of fake dating, forced proximity, a great deal of chemistry and academic enmity!

We talked about everything from inspiration, dream TV show/film casting and the writing process.

As always, we don't cover any spoilers, because the book should be enjoyed without spoilers!

So, boil your kettle, make a cup of something hot and settle down with the latest episode of Being Bookish.

Website

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In this episode of Being Bookish, I am heading to the tranquil banks of the Thames to visit with Judith, Becks and Suzie as they investigate two unfortunate deaths in Marlow while dealing with personal issues in The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts by Robert Thorogood.

As the creator of the hit TV show Death in Paradise, Thorogood knows exactly how to craft a brilliant mystery. This latest release, which hit shelves on January 15th, 2026, marks the fifth book in the popular Marlow Murder Club series.

As always, I will be sharing my personal thoughts as well as looking at other reviews to provide a balanced perspective because we cannot all like everything. I will also be keeping it completely spoiler-free because you may want to visit Marlow for yourselves at some point, and you know I don't like to spoil books for anyone!

If you enjoy a classic cosy mystery with a sharp-witted protagonist, a touch of eccentricity, and a puzzling case that keeps you guessing, this episode is definitely for you. It is the perfect recommendation for fans of cosy crime and amateur sleuths looking for their next favourite read. Can you solve the mystery before the trio of friends does?

To round things off, my second, shorter review is for Esther is Now Following You by Tanya Sweeney. This is a far more unsettling and contemporary read that not only explores the dark side of social media obsession and parasocial relationships but also tackles deeper, moving themes of mental health issues and grief. It offers a sharp contrast to the charming, community-driven sleuthing in Marlow and is a must-read for fans of character-driven stories with real heart.

So pop the kettle on, get comfy, and let’s talk books.

Death in Paradise S1

The Marlow Murder Club

Hickory Dickory Dock

Evil Under the Sun

Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death

Cosy Mysteries Playlist

In the first episode of 2026, I'm visiting the dark romantasy world of Solanis, where the stars have been pulled from the sky, and humans battle for survival against a ruthless king and vampire armies in The Stars are Dying by Chloe C. Penaranda.

As always, I'll be sharing my personal thoughts as well as looking to other reviews to provide a balanced perspective - because we can't all like everything. I'll also be keeping it completely spoiler-free because you may want to dip your toes into The Nytefall Trilogy for yourselves at some point.

If you enjoy fantasy romance with high stakes, morally complicated characters, and that delicious sense that anything could go wrong at any moment, this episode is definitely for you.

To round things off, my second, shorter review is for Solo by Caroline Swinburne, released in the latter part of 2025. This is a far more grounded and reflective read that offered a very different experience and made for a really interesting contrast to the high-stakes celestial drama of Solanis.

So pop the kettle on, get comfy, and let’s talk books.

In the final episode of the year, I'm reflecting on my reading (in general), sharing my top 10 favourite reads of 2025, as well as five books that didn't quite work for me. None of these are ranked in any particular order as I talk through them, until we reach the read I loved the most, a novel I feel has been ignored by many and is massively underrated.

It's been a year of highs and lows, with numerous books that captured my attention and reminded me why I love reading so much. At the same time, there were a handful of reads that served as a reminder of how much I wish I had allowed myself to DNF more often instead of pushing through when they were clearly not the book for me.

Now is a time of reflection, and over the last few weeks, I've spent some time looking ahead to 2026 and reflecting on how my relationship with reading is changing. Rather than setting a long list of strict reading goals, I am approaching the new year with a much gentler mindset. I want 2026 to be a year focused on enjoyment, flexibility and living in the moment where books are concerned, without feeling the need to plan every reading decision down to the smallest detail.

So, take a seat, pour yourself something to toast with, and enjoy the last episode of 2025...

Brat: An '80s Story

The Names

Paradise

In my last book review of 2025, I'm taking a look at one of the newer Romantasy releases of the year, The Wolf King by Lauren Palphreyman. It's an exciting blend of highland romance and dangerous fantasy. Dangerous court politics, rival kingdoms, and a princess caught in the middle of it all. A story full of intrigue, heat, and all the popular fantasy tropes that keep people reading!

As always, I am going to share my personal thoughts on the book; the world, the characters, the themes, and what I thought about the story overall. I will, as ever, be keeping it completely spoiler-free because why buy the cow when you get the milk for free?

If you enjoy fantasy romance with high stakes, morally complicated characters, and a sense that anything could go wrong at any moment, this episode is for you.

My second, shorter review is for A Short Walk Through a Wide World by Douglas Westerbeke, a more reflective read that offered a very different experience and made for an interesting contrast.

So pop the kettle on, get comfy, and let’s talk books.

This week, I’m joined by author Victoria Prince to talk about her gloriously escapist debut novel, The Chalet Girl, which is released on 4th December 2025 by Penguin. It's a sparkling, sexy, snow-dusted romp that channels the glamour, drama, and irresistible excess of classic 80s bonkbusters.

Set in a luxury Alpine resort where secrets simmer beneath the snow, and desire is as dangerous as a black-diamond run, The Chalet Girl follows three women navigating ambition, temptation, and the intoxicating world of the ultra-rich. Think Jackie Collins glitz combined with Jilly Cooper mischief, all wrapped up in Victoria’s fresh, funny, fiercely readable voice.

Victoria and I chat about the inspirations behind the book, from retro paperbacks with gold-foiled titles to the larger-than-life heroines who strutted through the stories of Collins and Cooper. We get into writing bold characters, crafting deliciously chaotic plotlines, and bringing back the unapologetic glamour and fun of the bonkbuster.

If you’re into big personalities, snowy scandals, and fiction that lets you escape into a world of outrageous luxury and even more outrageous behaviour, this episode is for you.

So grab a hot chocolate, get cosy, and let’s head up the mountain together.

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