Hello Rebel Readers,

Valentine’s Day weekend may be over… but at Rebel Reads Podcast, we’re still celebrating love, romance, and all the swoon-worthy feels

In this special Meet the Author episode, Cheryl sits down with USA Today bestselling author Jenna Hartley, the queen of feel-good forbidden romance, for a heartfelt, steamy, and inspiring conversation you won’t want to miss.

Jenna opens up about how her real-life forbidden love story with her husband of over 20 years inspired the passionate, obstacle defying couples in her novels. We dive into:

- Forbidden romance tropes

- Billionaire boyfriends (our favorite!)

- Steamy, slow-burn chemistry

- A swoony sneak peek at her upcoming hockey romance

- And even her fun nod to Charlie Puth and the role music plays in her creative process

This episode blends romance books, real-life love, emotional depth, pop culture, and irresistible tension. Perfect for fans of contemporary romance, billionaire heroes, and forbidden love stories.

If you love authors who write with heart, heat, authenticity and loves to add the Spice, this one is for you.

Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share the Rebel Reads Podcast. Love is still in the air… press play.

Happy Listening!

Hello Rebel Readers, From Lambda Literary Award-winning author Alexandra Villasante comes Fireblooms, an emotionally rich story about grief, love, and healing that lingers long after the last page.

In this Rebel Reads conversation, Alex joins me to talk about her tender, thought provoking speculative queer romance set in a town that uses technology to promise safety by controlling language. We dive into themes of queerness, forgiveness, and what it truly means to feel safe, as we follow seventeen-year-old Sebastian navigating grief, family trauma, and an unsettling community designed to eliminate hate speech and bullying at a cost.

Alex also shares her journey as a Latinx creator, her deep commitment to supporting young readers, and the incredible community work she does to uplift kids and families through stories. She is a true inspiration. This conversation was incredibly heartwarming. Alex was so easy to talk to and even offered words of encouragement that I know I will carry with me forever.

Alex, thank you for everything you do. Not just for the book world, but for the time, care, and learning you give back so generously. Thank you for creating space not only for Latinx voices, but for all kids and families to truly enjoy and feel seen in books.

Hello Rebel Readers,

In this episode of the Rebel Reads Podcast, we sit down with USA TODAY bestselling author Samantha Markum to talk about her laugh-out-loud, swoon-worthy new YA rom-com, The Roommate Arrangement—on sale January 27, 2026!

Samantha shares the inspiration behind the story, her love of rom-com tropes like forced proximity and brother’s-best-friend, and how she balances humor, heart, and ambition in her writing. We also chat about her creative process, life as a YA author, and the moments that make writing feel a little magical.

Perfect for fans of smart, charming rom-coms with big feelings, this episode is a must-listen for readers who love secrets, sparks, and summer chaos.

Tune in and add The Roommate Arrangement to your TBR.

Happy Listening!