If you’re craving a book that channels the delicious, edge-of-your-seat thrill of those iconic ’90s psychological dramas — think The Hand That Rocks the Cradle or Single White Female — look no further. Jennifer Van Der Kleut’s debut, The Better Mother, delivers.

It’s unhinged in the best way, deliciously chaotic, and anchored by a lead villain you’ll absolutely love to hate. Tense, twisty, and dripping with nostalgia, this one feels like a late-night thriller you can’t turn off — but in book form.

I was so thrilled to welcome Jennifer to Books Are Chic to chat about her road to this sensational suspense novel. We talked about our favorite thrillers, how Blair Waldorf inspired the story, her persistence on the path to publication, and the Reddit thread that sparked it all. Conversations like this are why I love what I do — getting to peek behind the curtain of a story this juicy.

I truly can’t wait to see what’s next for Jennifer, because The Better Mother is one I’ll be thinking about for a long time.

I’ve been collecting vintage Marilyn Monroe books since college (shoutout to Brattle Book Shop in Boston), so I was beyond thrilled to welcome Lynn Cullen to the show to talk about her latest novel, When We Were Brilliant. In this stunning work of historical fiction, Lynn illuminates the deeply authentic friendship between Marilyn Monroe and legendary photographer Eve Arnold.

The novel is as much about love and loyalty as it is about the cultural moments that shaped these women—many of which still resonate today. Lynn and I talked all things Marilyn, her inner life, the power of female friendships, old Hollywood, books… honestly, the list goes on.

I’m always here for a fabulous historical fiction read, and this one absolutely delivers. If you’ve been curious about dipping your toe into the genre, consider this episode—and this book—your sign. ✨📚

I was so excited to welcome Marisa Walz to Books Are Chic to celebrate her debut psychological thriller, Good Intentions. This fast-paced, page-turning novel centers on twin sisters—one whose life is cut tragically short, and the other who blurs the lines between obsession and justice. Walz pulls together all the best elements of a great thriller and delivers them at a perfectly calibrated pace. It’s hard to believe this is a debut.

Marisa and I also chatted about first-novel jitters, the road to publishing, our shared love of thrillers, and so much more. We raved about the book world and the incredible authors who showed up to support her with blurbs—it truly is an amazing community to be part of. Marisa Walz is absolutely one to watch.

YA royalty, Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick, and New York Times bestselling author Emiko Jean joined me—and it was an absolute dream. Her latest YA romance, Love Me Tomorrow, delivers a little magic, a dash of mystery, and a whole lot of heart. Sold as a duology, this novel will leave you desperately wanting more.

Emiko was such a joy to chat with! We talked about what it’s like to be a Reese’s pick, the importance of YA, family ties, and—of course—BRAVO. And her Chic List answers? Completely nailed it. A+ across the board.

The ’90s. Hip-hop. Fashion. A fabulous, badass leading lady. A glossy magazine world. All the perfect ingredients for Amy DuBois Barnett’s stunning debut novel, If I Ruled the World.

I was beyond thrilled to welcome Amy to Books Are Chic—she truly is the epitome of chic. If you love any (or all) of those elements, consider this the ultimate literary cocktail to add to your 2026 reading list.

I could have talked with Amy for hours, diving into her inspiration, her influential years at so many iconic magazines, the music that shaped the ’90s, and everything in between. This book will make you think, dream bigger, and take action—no matter how big or small those dreams may be.

I said it at the beginning of the episode and I’ll say it again: If I Ruled the World is already topping my 2026 reads. I know I’ll be needing many more Amy books in my future—she is absolutely one to watch.

Beyond excited to welcome back Karen Winn—my fellow Boston gal—for her latest twisty, suspenseful thriller, The Society. Set in historic Beacon Hill, the novel follows two compelling leading ladies whose stories converge within a secret society where mystery and intrigue aren’t just encouraged—they’re required for membership.

This is a book only Karen could write. A true Boston expert, she masterfully uses location and setting as characters themselves—even giving one of the story’s key buildings its own voice. Smart, clever, and undeniably cool, The Societyis the kind of atmospheric thriller you’ll want to devour on a moody winter night.

Karen and I chatted all about sophomore writing, the fascinating research behind the book, and what she’s working on next. We had an absolute blast celebrating this chilling, unforgettable read.

Episode 2 of Season 5 had me absolutely thrilled to chat with YA queen Samantha Markum! We came together to celebrate her latest novel, The Roommate Arrangement—a laugh-out-loud enemies-to-lovers story filled with found family, big life decisions, and the kind of hijinks only college kids could pull off.

Samantha was a total joy to talk to, sharing how her self-proclaimed “fan fiction degree” sparked her love of writing, how her college experience shaped her storytelling, and her love for Drew Starkey—plus our unexpected common thread: Rod Stewart. ✨

She was such a fun, high-energy guest, and that same infectious energy shines through every page of her books!

Thrilled to kick off Season 5 with Book of the Month pick and Reese’s Book Club alum, Ashley Elston! We’re celebrating her sophomore thriller, Anatomy of an Alibi—a twisty, addictive read featuring two compelling leading ladies that will have you questioning everything right up until the final page.

Ashley and I chatted about what it’s been like being part of Reese’s Book Club, how she approached writing her second thriller, her writing process, and so much more. I absolutely loved our conversation and couldn’t think of a better way to launch this season!