Let's see how this goes.

Imagine reading a thriller where the threat isn't a serial killer, a secret organization, or a government conspiracy. Instead, it's a drought, a contaminated water supply, or a collapsing ecosystem.

A future that feels uncomfortably possible. That's the power of an eco thriller.

These books take the suspense, danger, and high stakes we expect from thrillers and connect them to environmental issues that already exist in the real world. The result is a genre that can feel terrifying precisely because so much of it feels plausible.

🌎 What Is an Eco Thriller?

An eco thriller is a suspense-driven story in which environmental issues play a central role in the conflict.

The danger may come from climate change, water scarcity, pollution, habitat destruction, extinction, ecological collapse, resource shortages, or corporate exploitation of the natural world.

The environmental issue is what drives the story forward. While some eco thrillers imagine near-future scenarios, others take place in the present day. What unites them is the way environmental pressures create the central threat.

And contrary to what many people assume, nature itself usually isn't the villain. More often, these books explore what happens when people ignore warnings, exploit resources, or place profit ahead of long-term consequences.

🌱 Why Readers Love Them

The best eco thrillers operate on two levels.

On the surface, they're incredibly compelling suspense novels. There are mysteries to solve, disasters to prevent, conspiracies to uncover, and impossible choices to make.

Beneath that, they're asking bigger questions:

• What happens when critical resources become scarce?

• How much are we willing to sacrifice for convenience?

• Can humanity solve the problems it creates?

Those questions add weight to the suspense because the stakes often extend far beyond a single victim. Entire communities, ecosystems, and generations may be affected by the outcome. The result is a genre that feels both entertaining and deeply relevant.

🌊 Why Eco Thrillers Feel Different

Most thrillers focus on a specific threat, but eco thrillers zoom out. The threat is often systemic rather than personal.

• A drought impacts millions.

• A changing climate reshapes entire regions.

• A damaged ecosystem creates consequences that ripple outward in ways nobody anticipated.

Eco thrillers have a unique sense of scale and the danger often feels bigger than any one character can solve alone.

📚 If You Usually Read Other Genres...

One of the reasons eco thrillers are so accessible is that they overlap naturally with several popular genres.

🚀 Science Fiction Readers

Start with: The Water Knife by Paolo Bacigalupi

A near-future thriller where water has become America's most valuable resource. Fast-paced, brutal, and frighteningly believable.

🌎 Climate Fiction Readers

Start with: The Deluge by Stephen Markley

A sweeping look at climate change and its societal consequences. Ambitious, emotional, and one of the defining environmental novels of recent years.

☠️ Post-Apocalyptic Readers

Start with: Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice

A quiet but deeply unsettling survival story that explores what happens when modern systems begin to fail.

😱 Horror Readers

Start with: Hummingbird Salamander by Jeff VanderMeer

Part mystery, part eco thriller, and increasingly unnerving as it explores extinction, environmental collapse, and human obsession.

📖 Literary Fiction Readers

Start with: Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy

A beautifully written novel following the last migration of Arctic terns in a rapidly changing world.

📚 Beginner Pick

The New Wilderness by Diane Cook

In a future where much of the world has become unlivable, a group of people are selected to live within one of the last remaining wilderness areas.

Why it works:

• accessible writing

• survival elements

• environmental themes without heavy science

• strong emotional core

This is an excellent entry point for readers who are curious about eco fiction but don't typically read science fiction.

📚 Advanced Pick

Termination Shock by Neal Stephenson

When one billionaire launches a controversial climate-engineering project, the consequences quickly become global.

Why it works:

• massive scope

• complex environmental questions

• geopolitical intrigue

• no easy answers

This is the kind of eco thriller that rewards readers who enjoy ambitious, idea-driven stories.

🌙 Final Thoughts

The best eco thrillers remind us that environmental issues aren't abstract problems happening somewhere else. They're forces capable of reshaping communities, economies, ecosystems, and individual lives.

This is the content.

The Curse of Chalion.

Empire of Storms!

Empire of Storms is where it really is at for me. This book gave so much more that the first few were missing, SJM filled in the gaps and evidently asked herself the same questions I was by the end of Queen of Shadows. I was struggling to understand "Why Aelin?" and "Why Terrasen?" We know she's special and we know her kingdom is important to her, but why is it important to her allies? Her friends? The rest of the known world?

SJM leaned on those questions and got me so much more than I expected by way of answers. Out the gate, we see Lord Darrow ask the same thing - why you?

I took the controversial stance that Darrow was completely correct to deny Aelin the throne. Especially the way her entire court went about it. I was so frustrated at Aelin's entitlement and haughtiness and complete ignorance to the customs and laws of her own people that I cheered when Darrow shut her down. Here's the thing: just because Aelin is traumatized by her past, doesn't mean she should be given the throne. In fact, it means the opposite of that.

A traumatized leader who steamrolls her court, responds to denial with threats and bullying, has a volatile temper, and is known to literally scorched-earth whoever she deems an enemy is not someone who should be blithely handed a kingdom. Aelin does not collaborate with her court, she won't process her temper, she refuses to be accountable for her behavior, and she chose to surround herself with people who never hold her responsible for herself. So when Darrow bluntly denies her and then tells her how she appears to the rest of the world, it blindsides her. Because that's what happens when you surround yourself with sycophants who never tell you when you're in the wrong.

I'm most angry at Rowan during this exchange, however. He's 300+ years old, has seen empires rise and fall, has been a part of courts throughout history, and he doesn't coach her on anything related to politicking or political maneuvering? He Provides no insight on how men like Darrow and the other lords might push back on her? No strategy for countering it? In fact, Rowan does exactly the thing Darrow denies Aelin the throne for - he resorts to threats of violence immediately when he doesn't get what he wants.

That reaction from both of them is why she shouldn't have the throne. Aelin won't be making decisions just for herself anymore, she will be making them for a nation. Her people will be the ones to suffer for her behavior, her outbursts, her decision to blow away anyone she disagrees with. And Terrasen is already in tatters. No army, fighting poverty tooth and nail, and the one man who held it together and kept them from destitution or genocide is being told he didn't do enough and has to hand over the country to a 19-year-old who did, in fact, abandon her people for ten years while they suffered.

Yes. I said it. Aelin was traumatized and endured so much. But from the perspectives of her people, she also spent a decade lounging in finery and indulging a career of murder. These lords and probably many of her people - Ren included! - see her having indulged herself in Adarlan's finery while they starved. Regardless of what we, the reader, know about her past, this remains true of everyone else's perception of her. She has to contend with that. She has to, unfortunately, prove them wrong. And marching in demanding a title and her throne without regard to the laws or customs of her own nation fails to do that.

I want to talk a little about Aelin's decision to give Lysandra land and title without thinking it through because Aelin's whole theme is not thinking things through. I agree she was right to give Lysandra that gift. But she should have recognized the limits of her power and posited it as a plan when she has the throne. By tipping her hand to Darrow about how she intends to reward a court he doesn't approve of, she opened the door to be blockaded by the men who already hold power there.

I understand that Darrow is stuck in the old ways, but you have to consider this from the perspectives of people holding on by a thread. They have been brutalized, subjugated, and impoverished. Darrow and their customs have likely kept them alive. Those customs kept Terrasen safe and secure for centuries before Erawan ripped the nation apart by force. I know Aelin wants to create a new kind of court, but the world her people are in has depended and succeeded with the old one. In fact, the "new court" of Adarlan rule is what put them in this horrifying state. Why on earth would or should they be receptive to ANOTHER "new court"?

I also want to point out that Aelin later in EOS agrees that she isn't ready for rulership and Darrow was right to deny it to her. So. Vindication.

Let's be very clear though: this doesn't mean I am pro Darrow speaking how he did and calling Lysandra a whore and dragging Aedion's reputation into this. Both of them approached that discussion completely incorrectly and did more damage to each other than anything else. Neither of them helped Terrasen in that room, but Darrow was right to deny her power.

What's so funny about that scene to me though?

If Chaol were there, he could have helped Aelin navigate it better than any of them. He knows court intrigue by exposure. He knows customs and rules and how to facilitate those conversations. Chaol could've saved that meeting. I'll die on this hill.

ANYWAY. The rest of this book.

Lysandra? Damn. She really rocketed to the top of my list. I loved Lysandra so much. The sea dragon fight in Skull's Bay made me shout about things while I read this book. I locked in for her. I would ride or die for Lysandra. I love her and Aedion's relationship and how much he respects her autonomy. His lack of caring about her former profession? Very attractive behavior. He understands intimately what you have to do sometimes. Also, Aedion pansexual king? We love that.

Elide and Lorcan, though. Let me tell you what. I loved them. A lot. I love Lorcan and Elide, I hope everything works out for them because they would be so cute and sweet. Elide is such an amazing FMC because she takes everything about keenness, insight, knowledge of human conditions, perception, and turns it into strength that outmatches a fae warrior sometimes. That is just such a cool spin on "weakness" in characters.

Manon continues to be the house fave. She was less present in Empire of Storms, I noticed, but I loved her in it anyway. And her and Dorian? Adorable. I like them together with their deeply parental trauma. Manon remains a mirror arc to Chaol, honestly. She's gravely injured and has to decide to rebuild her sense of justice. So does Chaol. They're two sides of the same coin.

I have THINGS to address, however. And you're going to hear them!

I don't appreciate or respect how Aelin and Rowan weaponize Aedion's parentage to their own advantage in one hand while telling him it's his choice with the other. They both took away Aedion's autonomy in this situation. They actually take it away from him a lot, which makes me very angry because Aedion is so mindful of everyone else's only for his to be removed at every turn of the dial.

Rowan weaponized Aedion against Gavriel when it suited him, robbing Aedion of the decision to tell his dad or not on his own terms. Aelin did the same. By the time Gavriel and Aedion encountered each other, there wasn't really much choice left for him except "talk to your dad or don't talk to your dad". I'm glad he got out his feelings at him and I love how Lysandra considers everyone else's perspective and accounts for their thoughts as well. I love a generosity of spirit thinker. However, I'm angry and begrudging at Aelin and Rowan for telling Aedion it was his decision and then making it for him.

In the end of the book, I went back to being frustrated with Aelin because, honestly, her being captured by Maeve is mostly her own design. I know that's not popular to say either, but Maeve was alerted to her whereabouts by Lorcan because Lorcan didn't know the fleet was Aelin's. His idea was to draw Maeve to them and then spark a fight between what he thought were two enemy armadas. It was actually a smart plan, I respect Lorcan for it. He did exactly what he should have with the information he had. Information Aelin denied to everyone. At any point, her capture could have been avoided if she had just shared her plans with the class. Her capture was very much one of her own making, which angers me for her and for everyone else. Not trusting her court made everything significantly worse for her and for everyone who trusted her.

I know she's traumatized, but here's the thing: trauma isn't an excuse. At some point, we are responsible for repairing damage that was done to us. No, we didn't cause it and it isn't our fault, but we are still obligated to repair the damage. This capture is a direct result of Aelin refusing to repair that damage or confront it with loved ones. I feel bad for her, I'm scared for her, I know this is going to be VERY BAD, but I also am frustrated that she did a lot of it to herself because she wouldn't take responsibility for her actions.

Finally (I swear), I need to talk about... The Plan.

Yes.

That Plan.

The Plan that Lysandra and Aelin made that relied on lying to two of the men in Aelin's life she says she loves. That plan... was fucked up. I can't even apologize for this. Autonomy and self-determination are two of my core personal values. They are immovable for me. Anytime someone denies information to someone that would affect choices they could make or robs someone of autonomy over their body or life, my walls slam shut and I will never make space for that person ever again in my life. Trust is irrevocably broken and I will remove that person from closeness with me forever.

That plan robbed both Aedion and Rowan of autonomy. Completely and entirely. It relied on rape by deception of Aedion to succeed. And Lysandra agreeing to it caused me grievous harm to my love for her. Aedion would never in a million years have accepted a plan that turned her into a breeding mare, but she turned around and agreed to one that made one of him. Aedion was right to be furious. If anything, he wasn't furious enough. And Rowan. Would they think he wouldn't know? He would just go along with it? I know there's a prevailing theory that Rowan would have known immediately, but it would be too late to stop Aelin and so they would work it out. However, I can only ever go on information I have that is said to me, not on what someone doesn't say to me. If it isn't said, I can't use it as information. They didn't say that. I'm hoping it gets expanded more in Kingdom of Ash so I'm reserving my decision to be furious about it or not, though, until I see the fallout.

When you're making a plan like that and it involves the bodily autonomy of another person, that person needs to be in the room. Full stop. The only person you can ever make decisions about with regard to their life and body is yourself. You can never make those decisions for another person. I am shocked and frankly kind of put off that Aelin, who had her autonomy robbed at every turn, would then do the same to people she loves. Again, hoping for more expansion on this insane plan in Kingdom of Ash, but right now I think Aedion was right to be furious and Rowan should've been more mad.

This book though? My favorite so far. I loved it. This was so sharp and snappy and paced so well. I loved the twist about Why Aelin (not going to spoil that bit for folks, that's just mean), actually. I think that is so tragic and frustrating and I liked it a lot. I am officially Elena's enemy, that's for sure. I loved how they mirrored Elena's irresponsible, reckless behavior and belief she was always right with Aelin's and how it resulted in all this. SJM handled that very interestingly and smartly.

I'm moving onto Tower of Dawn and so far? SO good. Can't wait to blast my love for Yrene into the sky forever.

And remember: Chaol could've changed the whole course of Empire of Storms with his quiet pragmatism and understanding of nonmagical folks. Yup. I stand on this. Chaol not having magic would've been a boon in that mountain tavern discussion and that's why it went to shit. Fight me.

Hi besties,

As part of your paid subscription, you'll be getting first dibs on new historical fiction notices. That's right! Each month I'll send you a link to a password protected blog post that ONLY you can know the code to access. It will remain password protected until the first of the following month. Use that list to plan your TBR, request library holds, or just be in the know.

Making these lists each month brings me so much joy because I know how long those library/Libby hold lists can be. Hopefully this gives you an edge so you can be first in line!

August Historical Fiction Releases Blog Post:

https://shesbecomingbookish.com/new-historical-fiction-books-august-2026/

Password = newbooks

Let me know your thoughts on this fun new feature! I'm hoping to share this mid-month moving forward, so watch for those Bindery alerts.

Happy Reading!

xoxo

C

P.S. I've got big plans for another fun subscribers-first series centered around trips to my local library, so stay tuned for that.

Hi all - at this point, my personal celebrations of the Wheel of the Year are just disappointing. I was all geared up after the move to be ready for summer solstice. I have great outdoor space, I'm close to a number of friends at my new location, and I had plans for a little bonfire. The weather had been lovely the day before. I woke up on the day of the Solstice to.... rain. And 65 degrees F. I tried to still muster up the energy to do something to celebrate, but not being able to even see the sun in the sky, it just didn't happen for me. Bonfire plans were cancelled and I spent the day inside working on an editing project. Maybe this year is just not going to work out for me for witchy holiday celebrations, since I have not yet been able to celebrate one this year. Thankfully, they are a season and not just one day, even though we do tend to celebrate on one day. So let's see what the focus is of this season.

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE: SUMMER SOLSTICE/MIDSUMMER

The Solstice is, you guessed it, another fire festival. These spring and summer holidays especially tend to be fire festivals. The Solstice is the longest day of the year and a celebration of the sun and the peak of summer. This has always thrown me off, as for me, June never seems like the peak of summer. Instead it seems like the very beginning. So knowing the days get shorter from here is not my favorite. But we still have plenty of sunlight ahead and that is what this celebration is for. Much like Beltane before it, this is a holiday that is a celebration of fertility (particularly the peak of the growing season), as well as the connection to the fae. When thinking of the wheel of the year, I like to think of balance. The light half of the year tends to be about fertility and the fae while the dark half of the year is about rest and the dead.

For reading during this season, focus on action - whatever that means for you. Maybe a fast-paced thriller or scifi. Or maybe continue the romance streak you had earlier in the year. Maybe a book with short chapters that is easy to fly through. Or a short book altogether. For non-fiction, the focus should be action as well. Maybe a how-to, or something more action-based than just theory.

Outside of reading, this time of year is about being outside and soaking up as much of the warm weather as possible (even if you hate being hot like I do). Go out and commune with nature. Spend time in a garden if you have one, or have access to one. Go to a local body of water. Make the most out of the extra hours in the day.

SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE: WINTER SOLSTICE/YULE

On the other side of the world, you are experiencing the darkest days of the year. From here, the sun will start to come back. Winter Solstice is about the hope of welcoming the sun back. But there's still rest to be had. Now is not the time for a lot of movement or action. It is instead about sitting on the lessons you learned during the rest of the year, and contemplating them. You aren't even to the point that you are planting the next seeds yet. Instead, you are reflecting.

For reading, I recommend something slow, whether that's fiction or non-fiction. Something you can take your time with and absorb. Maybe something you've been putting off for a while. Now is the time.

Outside of reading, this time is all about rest. Don't try to make winter anything that it isn't. You are a mammal. Mammals are supposed to rest. Everything in nature is resting and storing up energy. Indulge in more naps if you need to. Do quieter hobbies or activities. Don't fill up your calendar. There is time for all that action during the rest of the year.

xoxo Sam

Every year when I host the Disability Pride Readathon or my Read Disabled Storygraph challenge there are people who are upset that I don’t require participants to exclusively read books by disabled authors and think that I should do so. I understand the sentiment–I too want to support and promote disabled authors first and foremost, but I ultimately feel that in this case, the risks outweigh the benefits. I think this perspective of “exclusively disabled authors” works very well for personal convictions of what you read or recommend or for a book club or a reading challenge where participants read specific books–ie. instances in which you have control over which books are selected–but when it is an open-ended, prompt-based readathon/reading challenge that is for thousands of followers, with hundreds of participants, I think that requiring disabled authors runs the risk of causing harm.

Disability is an identity that is deeply personal. Two people may have the same condition, but one may identify as disabled and another may not. Many members of the Deaf community do not identify as disabled. Many people who have mental illnesses or certain chronic illnesses do not identify as disabled–many may not have ever considered it a possibility. Where, then, does that leave these books? Calling a character disabled when the author may not see it that way is one thing–but to include a book by an author who does not consider themselves disabled in a challenge requiring disabled authors is to publicly assign an identity to them that they do not identify with. Disability and the disabled experience are a spectrum, and people’s identities have so much nuance. Everyone is on a journey to understanding themselves and their identities, and I do not think that is my place, nor the place of my readathon or readathon participants, to assign an identity to someone who has not themself claimed it.

At the same time, the disabled identity is a marginalized one, and some people keep that identity private to protect themselves and/or their loved ones. Some people have personal or professional reasons where being public about their disability puts their financial, professional, familial, or personal safety at risk. But even if someone is in a place where they are safe, I believe they have the right to keep information private if they so choose, and I don’t believe that writing a fictional book where a character has a disability forfeits them that right.

Requiring books by disabled authors leads to people trying to search out if an author is disabled, and if that is not readily available information, it can lead to people asking authors if they are disabled, which is an invasion of their privacy. I don’t want a readathon or reading challenge that I organized to lead to people crossing boundaries. 

I also think that a general attitude that the only disability representation that “counts” is that which is written by disabled authors puts a general pressure on authors to open up about their disability when they may not truly be comfortable doing so. We have seen in other marginalized communities authors and celebrities who have been forced to publicly claim an identity before they were ready to because people claimed they shouldn’t be writing the books they were writing, and I do not want, even indirectly, to be involved in anything that could lead to that outcome.

These first two reasons are the driving force behind my decision to not require books by disabled authors for participants in my reading challenge. However, I believe there are also some benefits to allowing participants to read any books with a disabled character instead of exclusively those by disabled authors. It makes participation easier for those who are more casual readers, or those who are not generally invested in seeking out disability representation. Some people are going to look at the prompts, see if any of the books already on their shelves fit, and participate based on that. I’d rather a person pick up The Hunger Games or Percy Jackson or Love, Theoretically for the challenge as opposed to not participating at all. Everyone has to start somewhere, and if a book by a non-disabled author is what gets them in the door, gets them thinking about disability representation and diversifying their reading, then I want them to feel welcome in our discussions–because those discussions do emphasize books by disabled authors and #ownvoices representation.

I also see benefits to non-own voices representation, when it is done well. Yes, it is more prone to inaccuracies or stereotypes–but there are many books by non-disabled authors about disabled characters with good representation, just as there are harmful books by disabled authors. My thoughts on disability representation by non-disabled authors could be an essay on its own (and perhaps it will be at some point), but I do truly believe it can be good representation, and it can further the goal of promoting acceptance of disabled people in our society and help individuals with disabilities feel represented. My “main” disability (PANS/BGE) is only featured in two narrative books–one of them is own voices (My Heart to Find by Elin Annalise) and the other is not (The First Rule of Climate Club by Carrie Firestone)--but both were incredibly meaningful for me to read. Both represented my disability well. And only the latter is geared towards children, the main demographic impacted by PANS. I think that book has a place in the discussion of Disability Pride for people who have PANS, and I think other books that make people feel represented do as well, even if they are not by disabled authors. 

That said, I do believe it is vitally important to prioritize own voices representation and uplift disabled authors. I just don’t believe that requiring disabled authors in the challenges that I run is a requisite part of that. Instead, I do so by encouraging people to seek out books by disabled authors. All recommendations that come from me, for these challenges are own voices or by disabled authors (as are the majority of books with disability representation that I recommend on my page, generally) as well.

As of the writing of this post, over 80% of books that people have added to the Storygraph challenge associated with the Disability Pride Readathon are by openly disabled authors (this number was ascertained by me going through the Instagrams and author websites of any author I was unfamiliar with to see if they mentioned being disabled/writing own voices rep). When I look at the books people are discussing in the Discord channels or the posts people tag me in on social media for these challenges that I run, they are overwhelmingly by disabled authors. To me, that shows that my efforts to emphasize disabled authors are effective. Maybe I could increase that percentage by strictly requiring books by disabled authors, but I, personally, do not consider that worth the above risks when the vast majority of books read for these challenges are by disabled authors.

I know that not everyone is going to agree with me on this. We each have our own consciences, and we can weigh the same variables and come to differing conclusions, but I hope that you are at the very least able to understand where I am coming from and why I have made this decision for the challenges and readathons that I run.

Thank you to all of you who show up and support these readathons, and thank you to those who have and continue to challenge me to improve them and improve my support of disabled authors and the disabled community at large. Even when we come to differing conclusions, I appreciate your perspectives and your desires to make the world and our shared bookish community more accepting, equitable, and supportive of disabled authors. I truly believe that we all want what is best for our community.

I have been meaning to read "Orientalism" by Edward W. Said for years now and I finally picked it up a few months ago. Yes, it took me a few months to get through. This book is a dense piece of academia, but it's so foundational when understanding the narratives that the western world abscribes to the east.

Summary

In this wide-ranging, intellectually vigorous study, Said traces the origins of "orientalism" to the centuries-long period during which Europe dominated the Middle and Near East and, from its position of power, defined "the orient" simply as "other than" the occident. This entrenched view continues to dominate western ideas and, because it does not allow the East to represent itself, prevents true understanding. Essential, and still eye-opening, Orientalism remains one of the most important books written about our divided world.

What I learned

• "What our leaders and their intellectual lackeys seem incapable of understnding is that history cannot be swept clean like a blackboard, clean so that 'we' might inscribe our own future there and impose our own forms of life for these lesser people to follow."
  
  History, culture, and collective memory cannot be discarded just because they are inconvenient to colonialism and its leaders. This is still especialy relevant today as leaders continue to frame domination as a "fight for democracy" or a "new start" while ignoring the people whose histories and identities are already deeply rooted in the place that they want to occupy.
  

• "It does not occur to Balfour, however, to let the Egyptian speak for himself, since presumably any Egyptian who would speak out is more likely to be 'the agitator [who] wishes to raise difficulties' than the good native who overlooks the 'difficulties' of foreign domination."
  
  The former prime minister of Britian and one of the figures behind the Balfour Declaration which supported a "national home for Jewish people" in Palestine in 1917 assumes authority to define Egypt and Egyptians without ever considering their own perspectives. Unsurising that Balfour did the same to Palestinians.
  

• "Most important, such texts can create not only knowledge but also the very relity they appear to describe."
  
  Descriptions of other cultures are never neutral. In fact when they're repeated enough, they shape how people see the world and how institutions behave. The "Orient" was not simply discovered through Western writing, it was constructed by it.
  

• "According to Israeli law only a Jew has full civic rights and unqualified immigration privileges; even thought hey are the land's inhabitants, Arabs are given less, more simple rights: they cannot immigrate, and if they seem not to have the same rights, it is because they are 'less developed'. Orientalism governs Israeli policy towards the Arabs throughout, as the recently published Koenig Report amply proves. There are good Arabs (the ones who do as they are told) and bad Arabs (who do not, and are therefore terrorists). Most of all there are those Arabs, who once defeated, and be expected to sit obediently behind an infallibly fortified line, manned by the smallest possible number of men, on the theory that Arabs have had to accept the myth of Israeli superiority and will never dare attack."

  Orientalism isn't just a thing of the past, but still shapes our world today, most notably in Palestine. This is a key example where entire populations can be divided into categories of "good" and "bad" based on their willingness to accept existing power structures.

  

As Echoes of Love, the second book in The January Rose Chronicles, prepares to release on June 30th, we sat down with romance author Emily Rose Brlevich to talk about balancing family life and writing, creating rockstar romances, favorite book tropes, music, character inspiration, and the emotional heart behind her stories.

From school pickups and voice memos to tea-fueled writing sessions and original song lyrics, Emily shares an honest look behind the scenes of her writing journey.

1. A Day in the Life Balance

Q: Your bio mentions the beautiful chaos of family life, school runs, and being a brand rep with your daughters. How do you find the quiet moments to slip away into the world of your characters and write?

Emily: This some days, even weeks, can prove extremely difficult. Some days I might only get in half an hour of writing once the housework is done and while I wait for school pickup to arrive.

When things pop into my head and I don't have time to write it into my manuscript, you'll find me scrambling for my phone to either make a voice memo or write it down in my notes until I can get back to my computer.

A lot of the time this happens while I'm shopping or waiting at school pickup. When we have a weekend with nothing planned, which isn't very common, I try to organize an activity or movie for the kids so I can get a little extra time to write or research.

2. The Reality TV Vibe

Q: If the characters from The January Rose Chronicles were forced to go on a reality television show together, which show would it be, and who would win?

Emily: Maybe something like I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!

I think Aries would win because he always seems to be so level-headed in high-stakes situations. But then again, maybe Phoenix would win because he likes to treat everything with a fun attitude and always has a joker side to him.

3. The Glam Factor

Q: As a qualified makeup artist, do you ever find yourself mentally designing the makeup looks or aesthetics for characters like Ariana or Delaney while you're writing them?

Emily: Definitely. I do it all the time and then spend so much time describing them before realizing readers probably don't need a full detailed description.

When writing Ariana's makeup looks, I chose a red lip as her comfort color. For me, it's like body armor and makes me feel powerful, which is exactly what I wanted to portray for Ariana.

4. The Ultimate Romance Mix

Q: If you had to pick romance tropes you'll always auto-buy, what would they be?

Emily: I love a second-chance romance.

I also love bad boy x good girl. My favorite movie is A Walk to Remember and I loved the dynamic between those characters.

I also love a good redemption arc.

And honestly, I have to add one more—the illness trope. If a character is sick and falls in love, I'm there. That trope is my go-to when I need a good cry.

5. The Gateway Book

Q: What was the first book that made you fall in love with reading?

Emily: I don't remember any specific books. I just always remember loving stories.

Growing up, books were always around me. Even now, I still have some of them and have passed them on to my girls.

6. The Comfort Read

Q: What book can you reread forever?

Emily: I've fallen in love with Siena Trap's books during my reading journey and would happily reread them over and over again.

I've recently started rereading them in audiobook format, which is great because I can listen while still following along with the physical book whenever I want.

7. The To-Be-Read Pile

Q: What books are currently waiting on your TBR?

Emily: I'm probably one of the only people in the world who hasn't read the Off-Campus series yet. I know, I know!

They're on my list, along with the Boys of Tommen series and the Chestnut Springs series. Since adaptations are coming, I'd love to read them beforehand.

8. The Soundtrack of Writing

Q: Do you listen to music while writing?

Emily: Surprisingly, no.

When I'm drafting, I usually have a TV show or movie on in the background. Music tends to muddle my thoughts.

When I need songs for my book playlists, I step away from writing and spend time researching songs that fit the mood and characters. Sometimes I'll even look for female covers of songs originally sung by men, or vice versa, depending on the POV character.

I also love that this helps showcase smaller artists trying to make a name for themselves.

9. The Happily Ever After Guarantee

Q: What makes romance your ultimate genre?

Emily: I am a hopeless romantic and I love love.

It sounds corny, but nothing makes me happier than seeing two people in love. I love the warm feeling romance ignites within readers, myself included.

10. From Book One to Book Two

Q: What can readers expect from Echoes of Love?

Emily: Book two dives much deeper into the characters.

Ariana wasn't a huge character in Book One, so readers really get to know her, watch her grow, and see her relationship with Hendrix develop.

Book two also tackles some hard-hitting subjects that artists and rockstars face within the industry, including drugs and alcohol, and how those struggles affect the entire group.

11. The Rockstar Life

Q: What do you enjoy most about writing the contrast between fame and vulnerability?

Emily: The life of a rockstar isn't always sold-out arenas and screaming fans.

Real-life rockstars have quiet, vulnerable moments too, and I wanted to showcase that side of fame. Famous people are still people who deal with things privately, and reminding readers of that is important.

12. Small Towns vs. Big Lights

Q: How much of your own perspective influences Ana's story in Kissing in the Spotlight?

Emily: Honestly, my idea of a small town came mostly from movies.

Australia's version of a small town feels different than the American version. My interpretation was based on imagining what that experience would be like.

13. The Early Spark

Q: Have any of your childhood poems or song lyrics made their way into your books?

Emily: Not directly.

However, I have incorporated my songwriting skills into my books. Every book contains original lyrics.

One of the songs in Melodies of the Heart was actually written with help from my daughter, who wanted to learn about my songwriting process.

Writing lyrics from a character's perspective is much harder than people realize because you're writing from experiences that belong to fictional people rather than yourself.

14. Plotter vs. Pantser

Q: How do you approach a new project?

Emily: I have a document where I outline the characters and plans. I include images of what I think they'll look like and continue adding to it as I write.

I know where I generally want the story to go, but sometimes the characters take me somewhere unexpected and I have to go back and adjust my plans.

I already have ideas written down for a brand-new series once The January Rose Chronicles is complete.

15. The Writing Setup & Routine

Q: What does your writing space look like?

Emily: My desk is currently a fold-out table in my living room, and honestly, it's perfect.

I like having the TV on while I write, and being in the living room makes it easy to write a few lines here and there between chores and taking care of the kids.

I don't really have a set creative time because inspiration shows up whenever it wants to.

16. The Fuel

Q: Coffee, tea, or something else?

Emily: Tea. Always tea.

There is always a cup of tea beside me when I'm writing.

17. The Hardest Part

Q: What comes easiest to you, and what is the most difficult part of writing?

Emily: The hardest part is definitely writing intimate scenes.

I don't want them to be boring, but I also don't want them to feel unrealistic. Since my books aren't dark romances, I don't want those scenes to suddenly feel completely different from the rest of the story.

The easiest part is coming up with plot ideas. I always have a million story ideas running through my head. I also love creating characters.

18. The Cast

Q: If you could spend one day with one of your characters, who would it be?

Emily: That's such a hard choice.

Probably Phoenix. His story hasn't been told yet, but from what readers have seen so far, he's fun, charming, and I know he has a deeper story beneath the surface.

Although honestly, I'd love to spend a day with all of January Rose. Their love of music and brotherhood would be amazing to experience.

19. Writing Healing

Q: Your books tackle trauma, healing, and loyalty. How do you balance those heavier themes with hope and romance?

Emily: I believe everyone deserves a happy ending.

It can be difficult knowing where to draw the line between trauma and romance, but that's part of the art of being a writer.

Book two is definitely heavier emotionally, and I had to make sure those moments remained grounded in contemporary romance without becoming too dark.

Some of the emotions I draw from come from my own experiences. While the events may not have happened to me personally, I use those emotions to help shape what my characters feel.

20. The June 30th Countdown

Q: What does release day look like for you?

Emily: Honestly, it usually feels like a normal day except for the endless butterflies.

My girls are excited for me, but they don't fully understand what publishing a book means. My husband is proud of me, but he's not a reader, so he doesn't quite share the excitement either.

I struggle with celebrating my successes. That probably comes from childhood and never really feeling celebrated for achievements.

It's heartbreaking but honest.

I do usually treat myself to something small, though. A chocolate is always a good choice.

Where to Find Emily Rose Brlevich

🌐 Website: www.emilyrosebrlevichwrites.com

📚 Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/ebrlevichauthor

📖 Pre-Order Echoes of Love: https://amzn.asia/d/09oVspCS

🛒 Previous titles are available through Amazon.

Final Note

In addition to writing her novels, Emily has also taught herself how to create her own character art, which she uses to bring the cast of The January Rose Chronicles to life.

As Echoes of Love approaches its June 30th release, we can't wait to see where the music, romance, and heart of this series take readers next.

We are incredibly excited to welcome small-town romance author Emily Rose Brlevich to the blog today! As a self-proclaimed hopeless romantic who simply loves love, Emily writes heartfelt stories filled with hope, healing, and deep emotional connection. With her highly anticipated rockstar romance, Echoes of Love Book 2 in The January Rose Chronicles, hitting shelves on June 30th, we sat down to talk about her creative process, favorite tropes, and how she balances writing with the beautiful chaos of family life.

For our free community members, here is your exclusive look into Emily's writing world, featuring the complete 9-question Q&A!

The Q&A Preview with Author Emily Rose Brlevich

1. A Day in the Life Balance

Q: Your bio mentions the beautiful chaos of family life, school runs, and being a brand rep with your daughters. How do you find the quiet moments to slip away into the world of your characters and write?

Emily: Some days, even weeks, can prove extremely difficult! Some days I might only get in half an hour of writing once the housework is done and while I wait for school pickup to arrive. When things pop into my head and I don't have time to write them into my manuscript, you will find me scrambling for my phone to either make a voice memo or write it down in my notes until I get a chance to get back to my computer. A lot of the time, this happens when I am out shopping or waiting to pick up the kids from class. When we have a weekend with nothing planned, which isn't very common, I do try to organize the kids with an activity or a movie so I can get a little extra time on the computer to write or do research.

2. The Reality TV Vibe

Q: You love unwinding with reality TV! If the characters from The January Rose Chronicles were forced to go on a reality television show together, which show would it be, and who would win?

Emily: Maybe something like I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! I think Aries would win; he always seems to be so level-headed in high-stakes situations. But then again, maybe Phoenix, because he likes to treat everything with a fun take and always has a jokester attitude about himself!

3. The Glam Factor

Q: As a qualified makeup artist, do you ever find yourself mentally designing the makeup looks or aesthetics for characters like Ariana or Delaney while you're writing them?

Emily: I definitely do all the time! I'll spend so much time describing them until I realize that readers probably don't necessarily need a full, detailed description, lol. When writing Ariana's makeup options, I specifically chose a red lip as her comfort color. For myself, a red lip is like body armor. It makes me feel powerful, which is exactly what I wanted portrayed for Ariana.

4. The Ultimate Romance Mix

Q: Your bio mentions a love for romance and rom-coms. If you had to pick three fictional tropes that you will always auto-buy or read, what are they?

Emily: I do love a second-chance romance, and I'm a big fan of bad boy x good girl. My favorite movie is A Walk to Remember. I just loved the dynamic of the main characters in that story. I also love a good redemption arc. Actually, I have to throw in one more, which is the illness trope. If a character is sick and falls in love, I am there! That trope is my absolute go-to when I need a good cry.

5. The Gateway Book

Q: What was the first book you remember reading that made you absolutely fall in love with reading?

Emily: I don't remember any specific titles, I just always remember loving stories. Growing up, I always had books around me. In fact, I still have some of my childhood books today, which I've been able to pass down to my girls.

6. The Comfort Read

Q: What is the one book you can re-read over and over again and never get tired of?

Emily: I have fallen completely in love with Siena Trap, a fellow indie author, during my reading journey. I would happily reread her books over and over again. I have actually just started re-reading them as audiobooks, but the good thing is I can follow along in the physical copy when I feel like I want the book in my hand, too.

7. The To-Be-Read Pile

Q: What books are currently sitting on your nightstand waiting to be read next?

Emily: I'm probably one of the only people in the world right now who hasn't read any of the Off-Campus series by Elle Kennedy. I know, I know! They are firmly on my TBR list. There are also a couple of other series with adaptations coming soon or just announced that I want to try and read beforehand, like the Boys of Tommen series and the Chestnut Springs series.

8. The Soundtrack of Writing

Q: Music plays a massive role in both Melodies of the Heart and Echoes of Love. Do you listen to specific playlists or rock music when you are drafting, or do you need absolute silence?

Emily: When drafting and writing, I actually have the TV on with a show or a movie playing in the background. I don't like listening to music while writing because it muddles my head. However, because my books have playlists to accompany them, when I feel like a song match for a specific scene is needed, I step away from writing to research. I spend time listening to find the right aesthetic for the storyline. For example, if a chapter is in a female POV but the original song I like is written by a male artist, I will search for covers, or vice versa. I feel like this is also a great way to showcase smaller, independent artists trying to make a name for themselves!

9. The Happily Ever After Guarantee

Q: What is it about the "quiet magic of two people finding their way to each other" that makes romance your ultimate genre to write?

Emily: I am a hopeless romantic and I just love, love! It sounds corny, I know, but nothing makes me feel better than seeing two people in love. I love the warm, cozy feeling that romance ignites within readers, myself included.

Coming June 30th: Echoes of Love

While Book 1, Melodies of the Heart, introduced readers to Aries and Delaney, the upcoming Echoes of Love shifts the spotlight to Hendrix and Ariana. Readers can look forward to deeper character development, immense emotional growth, and a poignant storyline that explores some of the difficult realities and struggles artists face behind the scenes.

The Story: Echoes of Love is a heart-gripping story of trauma, healing, loyalty, and a love that refuses to fade. A love that lingers through the hurt, the triumphs, and the quiet moments that change everything. A love that doesn’t disappear. It forever echoes.

Want Deeper Access? 💎

This is just a small preview of our wonderful conversation with Emily! The First Editions, can log in now to read our massive, exclusive 20-question interview.

Inside Emily dishes on:

• Deep-dive, behind-the-scenes world-building details for The January Rose Chronicles.

• How she balances heavy themes like trauma and healing with bright, hopeful romance.

• More details on her daily writing routine, her tea obsession, and her creative process.

• Exclusive character secrets you won't find anywhere else!

Connect with Emily Rose Brlevich

Don't miss out on Hendrix and Ariana's emotional journey! Secure your copy before June 30th and follow Emily online:

• Pre-Order Echoes of Love: Amazon AU Store Link (Can be easily adjusted to your preferred local Amazon store)

• Shop Previous Books: All titles are available on Amazon

• Follow Emily: Website | Goodreads | Instagram | Threads

There's something magical about seeing a favorite book come to life on screen especially when that book is a beloved college romance like The Deal by Elle Kennedy.

When Prime Video announced Off Campus, fans of the bestselling series immediately started wondering: Would Garrett and Hannah feel the same? Would the chemistry translate? And how closely would the adaptation follow the book that launched so many readers into their hockey romance era?

Let's dive into the similarities, differences, and book club discussion points surrounding The Deal and its television adaptation.

🏒 The Story at the Heart of Both Versions

At its core, both The Deal and Off Campus tell the story of Hannah Wells and Garrett Graham.

Hannah is a talented music major carrying emotional baggage that has made relationships difficult. Garrett is Briar University's star hockey player whose academic struggles threaten his future on the ice.

When Garrett convinces Hannah to tutor him in exchange for pretending to date her, what begins as a mutually beneficial arrangement slowly turns into something much more meaningful.

The fake dating trope, opposites-attract chemistry, found family friendships, and personal growth remain the foundation of both the novel and the television series.

📖 What Readers Loved About The Deal

One reason The Deal became such a fan favorite is the balance between humor, romance, and emotional depth.

Readers often praise:

• Garrett's confidence mixed with genuine vulnerability

• Hannah's strength and personal growth

• The witty banter between the main characters

• The strong friendship dynamics among the hockey team

• The emotional themes woven into the romance

The novel gives readers direct access to Hannah and Garrett's thoughts, making their emotional journey feel especially intimate.

📺 How Off Campus Brings the Story to Life

The Prime Video adaptation expands the world of Briar University by leaning into the ensemble cast and campus atmosphere.

While Season 1 focuses primarily on Hannah and Garrett's romance, viewers also get more opportunities to see the friendships, rivalries, and team dynamics that make the Off-Campus universe so popular.

The series embraces the college-drama format, blending romance, friendship, hockey, and coming-of-age moments in a way that feels approachable for both longtime fans and newcomers.

🔍 Biggest Differences Between the Book and Show

1. Expanded Supporting Characters

One of the most noticeable changes is the amount of screen time given to supporting characters.

In the novel, the focus stays tightly on Hannah and Garrett. The television adaptation broadens the spotlight, allowing viewers to connect with other characters who may become central figures in future seasons.

2. Visual Storytelling Changes

Books allow readers to spend time inside a character's head. Television relies on performances, dialogue, and visual cues instead.

Some emotional moments may feel different simply because the show has to show rather than tell.

3. Updated Campus Dynamics

Like many modern adaptations, Off Campus updates certain aspects of campus life and social interactions to better fit today's television audience while maintaining the spirit of the original story.

4. Pacing

Readers can spend hours immersed in Hannah and Garrett's developing relationship. The television series must condense story beats into episodes, which can make certain moments feel faster or more streamlined.

❤️ Did the Chemistry Survive the Adaptation?

For many fans, this is the most important question.

The success of The Deal has always depended on the connection between Hannah and Garrett. Their banter, emotional growth, and slow-building trust are what elevate the story beyond a typical fake dating romance.

While every reader imagines characters differently, the adaptation succeeds when it captures the emotional heart of their relationship: two people helping each other become stronger versions of themselves.

🏆 Book Club Verdict Categories

Rate each category from 1–5 stars:

⭐ Hannah's Character Development

⭐ Garrett's Character Development

⭐ Chemistry Between the Leads

⭐ Faithfulness to the Book

⭐ Supporting Characters

⭐ Briar University Atmosphere

⭐ Hockey Representation

⭐ Overall Entertainment Value

💬 Discussion Questions

1. Did Hannah and Garrett match the versions you imagined while reading?

2. Which scenes felt most faithful to the book?

3. Were there any changes you actually preferred in the television adaptation?

4. Did the expanded focus on supporting characters improve the story?

5. Which character surprised you the most on screen?

6. If you've never read the book, did the show make you want to pick it up?

7. What are you hoping to see in Season 2?

8. Which Off-Campus couple are you most excited to see adapted next?

📚 Final Thoughts

Whether you're a longtime fan of The Deal or discovered Briar University through Prime Video's Off Campus, both versions offer plenty to love.

The novel delivers an intimate, character-driven romance filled with heart, humor, and growth, while the television series expands the world and introduces a new audience to Hannah and Garrett's unforgettable story.

For book clubs, this adaptation creates the perfect opportunity to compare what works on the page versus what shines on screen and debate which version scored the winning goal.

Now it's your turn: Team Book or Team Show?

July is almost here, OMG. This year has been a blur, but here's what I've got my eye on for July releases.

Perverts by Mac Crane - July 7 - Nothing is off limits for Mac Crane as they rework classic stories of rejection, isolation, and connection to suggest that the so-called pervert, by existing in the margins of society, may be the one who sees the world most clearly.

Moss'd In Space by Rebecca Thorne - July 7 - Former smuggler Torian Razner finally bought a starship, and contrary to Amelia’s assessment, it was not “a meteoric sign of stupidity.” Except Torian’s first flight reveals a surprise passenger: the moss is actually an organic computer with a snarky attitude and serious abandonment issues. (Psst - snag yourself a copy of this one if you're part of my Found Family Book Club!)

Not With A Bang by Temi Oh - July 14 - Station Eleven meets Leave the World Behind in this family drama at the end of the world about a crumbling household’s attempts to find their way back to each other amidst a cataclysmic event from the Alex Award–winning author of Do You Dream of Terra-Two? and More Perfect.

Hustle, Baby by Priya Guns - July 14 - From the incendiary voice behind Your Driver is Waiting, a riotous novel following a family of Tamil refugees who fled civil war in Sri Lanka to pursue a better life, just for it to be up-ended by the schemes of a self-proclaimed day-trading savant, jeopardizing everything they’ve worked so desperately to secure.

Free Girls by Kristen McCallum - July 14 - A heartfelt coming-of-age debut about a girl starting over while keeping secret that she’s spent the last year in juvenile detention. Perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon and Leah Johnson.

What are you hoping to pick up in July?