A we grow as a community, we need spaces we can come together as a community. I am so thrilled to bring some extra podcast love to Substack. Instead of a blog on my website, I’m creating a newsletter. I’m also building a membership space for listers who want a little bit extra.

I can’t wait to see you there!

This was my first year tracking the number of books that I read. It was surprising to say the least. I finished a few series I had started earlier in the year. I had to pivot when I realized I wasn't on track for my diversity goals. Gotta love a holiday novella to up the number count.

Loved getting to interview Bookishly Haley. We met via Instagram, but live close enough that we have gotten to meet and hug in person. This bookish space is growing and changing, it’s exciting and thrilling to be here, and it can also bring up a lot of pressure. We chat about championing indie authors and finding your crew.

What a year it has been! I read WAY more books than expected. Found a TON of new to me authors. And some new favorites!

I also hit my diversity reading goals and have decided to change some things in 2025.

We finish our conversation about the New Camelot series. This episode leans heavily into the kink in this story. There are MASSIVE spoilers. I am warning you! You will also hear me cry.

This series is so much more than romance. The depth of these characters shocked and devastated me. I was completely wrecked after reading this series.

And I think everyone who wants to should read this IMMEDIATELY.

Time to share all the books I read in November. I’m low key entering my ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) era, so I talk about some books that weren’t out when we recorded OR are coming out in 2025! So exciting!

Are you ready for some emotional agony? I wasn't either. I got Hailey back on the podcast to share one of her favorite series with me.

Amidst the many laughs we had, we got to talk about some of our hopes and dreams for the romance world and communities in the future.

The power of book events is evident in this interview. I get to talk to Terreece M. Clarke and Devyn Sinclair. Two authors I got to know at the Smut Lovers conference. They also met at a conference JUST in April. I loved getting to know them in person and feel so lucky to have them share with you all.

This month was a doozy, Only 4 books and yet still 17 quotes about forearms. You'll just have to listen to figure out how.

I love sharing books that I love with other people. So grateful that Wylie was game to read this book. We had such a good time talking about the story, the choices, and the spice!

Time to share the books I read in October. It was a really good reading month for me.

This is also the first episode we have a video for on YouTube. Link is in the show notes.

My first author interview! I got the chance to speak with Sabrina about the journey from reader, to romance reader, to romance writer. A great conversation from this different perspective within the romance world.

We look back on how Jayce Reads Romance as a podcast came into being. It was a longer process than I’ve let on. Michael joins us to share how he supported this journey.

We have our next book club episode on November 15th. I’m re-reading Dark City Omega by Elizabeth Stephens. I’ll be joined by Wylie from All My Friends Are Reading.

Can’t wait to share this book with you!

This episode contains so many tangents and side stories. I also included 3 quotes about other body parts that I read that month

SPOILERS! Just warning ya'll that I spoil so many things about these books.

I bust through the books I read in the month of September. I hit my diversity goals for the month as well, which I posted in the show notes so ya'll can see.

Conferences aren't just a great place to get books signed by your favorite authors. They are also where book people can come together and talk about the growth (or lack thereof) of the industry. Where we need to evolve. Who is leading the charge. And so much more.

Until this year, I had never been to a book convention. I dived into the deep end and attended 4 between May and October. Here's what I've learned along the way.