Welcome back to Reading Between Deadlines, the podcast where two authors read with the kind of energy usually reserved for stress-dreams about book launches. In this episode, Rachael Johns and Anthea Hodgson dive into Swept Away by Beth O’Leary—a bestselling author known for quirky, heartfelt rom-coms.But this one? Let’s just say, our anchors weren’t the only things that didn’t stay put.In this episode, we cover:🌊 Is this a fun high-concept romance… or an oil rig of far-fetched plot devices?🛏️ Why did they bang while the boat was sinking?🤷‍♀️ Chemistry check: did anyone else feel like these two had nothing in common?🪑 Contrivances galore: secret logbooks, missing dock ropes, a deserted oil rig—oh my!👩‍❤️‍👨 Age-gap angst: is a 30-year-old woman really ancient compared to a 23-year-old?🫣 Plot twist or plot oops: the baby daddy reveal that should’ve come with a group chat first📚 Plus: Rachael listens on audio and cringes at every sexy scene, while Anthea reads in Bali and possibly gives the book too many margarita pointsAnd of course, we rate it: Kiss, Kill, or Marry?⏰ Timestamps00:30 – Meet the authors (again): coffee, Diet Coke, and questionable memory02:00 – Why we picked Beth O’Leary and what made Swept Away sound so irresistible05:00 – The premise: one-night stand, houseboat, shenanigans08:00 – Rating time! Anthea says “kiss,” Rachael shocks us with a “kill”12:00 – Why the boat plot lost steam: flat characters and no real tension15:00 – The romance that couldn’t: forced proximity but no spark19:30 – Plot twist breakdown: baby drama and logic gaps24:00 – Is this book secretly anti-swimmer?28:00 – Our rewrite suggestions: enemies-to-lovers, surprise houseboat squatters, and maybe less rig collapse31:00 – Does audio change how you experience a book?34:00 – The verdict: will we read Beth again?👉 Listen now, subscribe, and let us know—did you get swept away or were you screaming “abandon ship” by chapter five? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingbetweendeadlines.substack.com

This book contains a content warning for loss of a child.Welcome back to Reading Between Deadlines, the podcast where we read with the kind of unhinged energy usually reserved for deadline week meltdowns. In this episode, Rachael Johns and Anthea Hodgson attempt to unpack the cult favourite Brother of the More Famous Jack by Barbara Trapido—a book that’s been praised by literary giants and passionately pushed into readers’ hands since 1982.And yet... we didn’t love it. In fact, we might get cancelled.In this episode, we cover:📚 Is this a feminist classic… or just a snobby book with a confusing cast of J-names?👶 That baby loss twist: gut-wrenching shock or tonal whiplash?🧼 The Goldman family—lovably eccentric or absolutely exhausting?😳 Roger, Jonathan, John, Jake, Jane—why does everyone in this book have the same name?😤 Catherine: hot mess, sad snob, or just aggressively beige?🍷 Plus: how many wines does it take to realise you’ve skipped 40 pages?And, of course, we rate it: Kiss, Kill, or Marry?⏰ Timestamps00:30 – This week’s pick: Brother of the More Famous Jack by Barbara Trapido03:00 – Rachael loses her place and 40 pages in New Zealand (relatable content)08:00 – The literary world LOVES this book. Do we…?11:00 – The rules: no influencing, just instincts (and the kiss, marry, kill rating)14:00 – Catherine Brown: the protagonist we didn’t need and still don’t understand19:30 – Is this book feminist? (Spoiler: probably not)23:00 – Snobbery, elitism, and emotional detachment—are we just not clever enough to get it?28:10 – Confusing names, weird family dynamics, and public cervix announcements33:00 – Have we evolved since 1982? (Yes. But also… maybe not.)35:00 – Reading regret and the weight of literary expectations👉 Listen now, subscribe, and tell us—do you believe in the hype, or are you secretly glad someone else finally said “meh”? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingbetweendeadlines.substack.com

This book contains a content warning for loss of a child.Welcome back to Reading Between Deadlines, the podcast where we read with the kind of unhinged energy usually reserved for deadline week meltdowns. In this episode, Rachael Johns and Anthea Hodgson attempt to unpack the cult favourite Brother of the More Famous Jack by Barbara Trapido—a book that’s been praised by literary giants and passionately pushed into readers’ hands since 1982.And yet... we didn’t love it. In fact, we might get cancelled.In this episode, we cover:📚 Is this a feminist classic… or just a snobby book with a confusing cast of J-names?👶 That baby loss twist: gut-wrenching shock or tonal whiplash?🧼 The Goldman family—lovably eccentric or absolutely exhausting?😳 Roger, Jonathan, John, Jake, Jane—why does everyone in this book have the same name?😤 Catherine: hot mess, sad snob, or just aggressively beige?🍷 Plus: how many wines does it take to realise you’ve skipped 40 pages?And, of course, we rate it: Kiss, Kill, or Marry?⏰ Timestamps00:30 – This week’s pick: Brother of the More Famous Jack by Barbara Trapido03:00 – Rachael loses her place and 40 pages in New Zealand (relatable content)08:00 – The literary world LOVES this book. Do we…?11:00 – The rules: no influencing, just instincts (and the kiss, marry, kill rating)14:00 – Catherine Brown: the protagonist we didn’t need and still don’t understand19:30 – Is this book feminist? (Spoiler: probably not)23:00 – Snobbery, elitism, and emotional detachment—are we just not clever enough to get it?28:10 – Confusing names, weird family dynamics, and public cervix announcements33:00 – Have we evolved since 1982? (Yes. But also… maybe not.)35:00 – Reading regret and the weight of literary expectations👉 Listen now, subscribe, and tell us—do you believe in the hype, or are you secretly glad someone else finally said “meh”? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingbetweendeadlines.substack.com

Welcome back to Reading Between Deadlines, the podcast where we devour books with the same chaotic energy we bring to deadline week. This week, Rachael Johns and Anthea Hodgson dive tentacle-first into The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus—a debut novel full of moody university students, Scottish castles, emotionally unavailable parents, and yes... actual octopus metaphors.Written by Emma Knight (co-founder of a fancy Canadian juice company and mysterious woman of few bios), this book swept us away with its atmosphere, aching honesty, and a twist that actually delivered.In this episode, we cover:🏰 Old houses and young women—why that combo will always get a “marry” from Anthea🧬 Is this a book about secrets, or a dissertation on emotionally constipated boomers🪞 The Octopus Metaphor™: profound, heartbreaking, or too slimy to think about?💌 Alice, the sidekick: necessary subplot or just a lice-fuelled distraction?💘 Fergus, the awkward love interest with great banter and deeply average timing🧠 Trauma, parenthood, and why sometimes a Scottish university is the best place to confront your origin storyAnd, of course, we rate it: Kiss, Kill, or Marry?⏰ Timestamps03:10 – This week’s book: The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus by Emma Knight08:30 – The “young woman + ancient castle” trope gets us every time11:42 – The family mystery that actually pays off (for once!)15:03 – Fergus: Hot mess, lovable larrikin, or octopus bait?19:55 – Motherhood, sacrifice, and whether we’re all secretly cephalopods27:20 – The octopus metaphor: beautiful or slightly haunting?33:50 – Is Alice’s storyline needed? Plus: the most awkward lice scene in fiction38:18 – White shadowing, university nostalgia, and other tangents you didn’t ask for41:40 – Final verdict: KISS, KILL, or MARRY?👉 Listen now, subscribe, and tell us—would you go to Scotland to solve a family mystery, or just for the castles and drama students? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingbetweendeadlines.substack.com

Welcome back to Reading Between Deadlines, where we devour books with the same unhinged enthusiasm as we write them. This week, Rachael Johns and Anthea Hodgson take on The Bridges of Madison County—the love story that convinced an entire generation that cheating is fine as long as it’s poetic.Yes, it’s that 90s classic about a lonely farm wife, a broody photographer, and an affair so powerful it makes Francesca ditch all common sense and pine for decades. Romance? Tragedy? A cautionary tale for every book club member who’s ever fantasised about their barista? Let’s discuss.In this episode, we cover:🌉 Bridges: Functional or metaphors for forbidden love?📖 Was this book actually good, or did Meryl Streep trick us all?💔 The moral dilemma: Soulmates or a midlife crisis with better lighting?🔥 Sex scenes: Passionate or just forbidden?And, of course, we rate it: Kiss, Kill, or Marry?⏰ Timestamps00:00 – Welcome! Rach and Anthea introduce the book & reveal that they are, in fact, not math geniuses.01:19 – Is Bridges of Madison County a romance, or just a Nicholas Sparks fever dream?06:42 – The “forbidden love” trope: Timeless or just an excuse for bad decisions?09:06 – Rating time: Kiss, Kill, or Marry? (Or a sneaky cigarette after?)21:13 – The big question: Was Francesca’s affair actually worth it?32:17 – He literally wouldn’t shut up about being the last cowboy!36:54 – It’s like an ice cube melting on a hot skin…42:45 – Next up: The Bridges of Madison County sequel! (Kidding, we’d rather stare at a wall.)👉 Listen now, subscribe, and tell us—would you have run off with the hot photographer or stayed home and baked lasagna? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingbetweendeadlines.substack.com

🚨 Book rants & wildly fluctuating opinions incoming! 🚨This week, Rachael Johns and Anthea Hodgson take on Sally Rooney’s latest, where two brothers navigate grief, romance, and existential dread—all while occasionally playing chess.Along the way, we discuss:♟️ The many, many chess metaphors—how far is too far?📖 Why this book is giving Ulysses energy (but make it Rooney)💔 A love triangle that had us screaming “just pick someone already!”🎭 The existential crisis of two brothers navigating grief, relationships, and DublinAnd, of course, we rate it: Kiss, Kill, or Marry? (Spoiler: it’s a tough call.)⏰ Timestamps00.00 Intro1.19 Sally Rooney is very young and very famous – like Rachael!2.04 The more famous you are – the shorter your biography3.47 Rachael has reasons for reading Rooney – Anthea’s just here for the accents5.42 The blurb – not bad – but does it over promise?6.42 Sibling drama and its role in literature and in life9.06 Rating Intermezzo – Kiss, Kill and Cigarettes10.22 Are long books the enemy? Does size really matter?12.47 Goodreads ratings – Sally Rooney is more popular than Guinness15.25 Meet Peter and Ivan, and the women they love, mostly21.13 Reviews – the good, the bad and the ugly22.01 Autism and disability in fiction25.06 James Joyce – what are you doing here?32.17 Crisis! Every time we meet a new character35.17 Killing Intermezzo, with love36.54 Rachael susses Anthea out for a throuple. Anthea is not keen.39.42 Hat puzzle confusion (no green hats were harmed in the making of thisconversation)41.47 What does Intermezzo mean, anyway?42.45 The Bridges of Madison County next time! Surely it’s a marry???👉 Listen now, subscribe, and tell us—did Intermezzo hit or miss for you? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingbetweendeadlines.substack.com

🚨 Time travel, book rants & chaos incoming! 🚨In this episode of Reading Between Deadlines, Rachel Johns and Anthea Hodgson take on The Ministry of Time—a book that dares to mix time travel, romance, and social commentary. Does it work? Do they even understand the plot? Who's to say!Along the way, they tackle:⏳ The baffling science of time travel (we’re still confused)💔 A romance that…was technically there?🔥 Sideburns, honour, and whether Victorian men can handle the 21st century🤯 A plot twist that came in way too late📖 The real reason this book blew up (spoiler: we have theories)Plus: Listener reviews, husbands with opinions, and a rating system that gets more chaotic by the episode.Join us for bookish banter, hot takes, and at least one moment of Wait, what just happened? 🎙️👉 Subscribe, leave us a review (preferably with words!), and tell us what book to tackle next!⏰ Timestamps00:00 – Intro & Weather Chat – Because every good book discussion starts with a dramatic climate update.03:42 – Podcast Reviews & Listener Feedback – We read your reviews! Some glowing, some… interesting.06:39 – Husband's Feedback & Podcast Dynamics – The men have opinions. Some are useful. Some are… less so.09:12 – Introducing the Book: The Ministry of Time – Time travel, romance, and sideburns for days.10:35 – Book Awards & Reception – This book has won everything. But do we agree?12:26 – Book Recap & Our Wildly Fluctuating Rating System – Kiss, Kill, Marry—or do we need a new category?13:56 – Character Names & Why We Apparently Don’t Need Them – A bookish trend or just confusing?14:18 – Story Recap: Time Travellers, Secret Agencies & Victorian Charm – A crash course in who’s who.16:13 – Time Travel & Romance: A Perfect Pairing? – Or just an awkward history lesson?18:05 – Social Commentary: Race, Climate Change & Colonialism – Big themes, but do they land?20:07 – Plot Twists & Character Development – Surprises! Betrayals! Future versions of ourselves!22:04 – Ratings & Personal Reflections – Is this a book we’d marry, kiss, or dramatically dump?26:04 – Final Thoughts on the Book – Wrapping it all up before we time travel out of here.28:49 – The Romance: A Slow Burn or Just… Slow? – Exploring the chemistry (or lack thereof).35:00 – Confusion vs. Clarity: Did We Keep Up? – A deep dive into what worked and what left us scratching our heads.41:28 – Why Is This Book So Popular? – Theories, analysis, and maybe a tiny existential crisis.46:20 – Engaging with Literature & What’s Next – Looking ahead, plus how you can help pick future books! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingbetweendeadlines.substack.com

Rachael Johns and Anthea Hodgosn interview author Jacqueline Bublitz about her latest book (and book club pick), LEAVE THE GIRLS BEHIND. They discuss Jacqueline's journey from a call center worker to a successful author, her writing process, and the themes explored in her novels, particularly around crime and gender. The conversation delves into the challenges of writing, character development, and the influence of personal experiences on her storytelling. Jacqueline also shares insights into her reading habits and future projects, making for an engaging and insightful discussion for book lovers.👋 Follow Jacqueline💻 Jacqueline’s Website📸 Jacqueline’s Instagram⏰ Timestamps00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest03:25 Jacqueline Bublitz: Author's Journey and Background06:20 Transition to Writing: From Reviews to Novels11:59 Exploring 'Leave the Girls Behind': Concept and Themes16:18 Character Development and Writing Process21:45 Conclusion and Final Thoughts23:21 Navigating Expectations and Second Book Syndrome26:15 Exploring the Crime Genre and Its Nuances30:52 Reading Habits and Influential Books36:47 Upcoming Projects and Themes in Writing39:20 Introduction to the Book Club39:21 Engaging with Literature This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingbetweendeadlines.substack.com

🎥 Watch it now Join authors Rachel Johns and Anthea Hodgson in their inaugural episode of 'Reading Between Deadlines,' where they dive into Miranda July's eyebrow-raising 'All Fours.' They debate the book's shock value, delve into its portrayal of midlife awakenings, and humorously dissect its outrageous moments. Don't miss their playful banter and honest critique as they rate the book on their unique 'Kiss, Kill, Marry' scale. Plus, get a sneak peek at upcoming reads and author interviews!⏰ Timestamps00:00 Introduction to Reading Between Deadlines00:42 Meet the Hosts: Rachel and Anthea00:56 The Origin of Rachel Johns Book Club03:42 Transition to Podcasting05:25 Podcast Rules and Rating System08:00 First Book Discussion: All Fours by Miranda July11:28 Diving into the Plot and Characters16:43 Themes and Shock Value22:16 Questioning the Protagonist's Attraction22:36 The Unlikely Romance23:10 Self-Absorption and Midlife Crisis23:50 The Social Media Dilemma24:39 Exploring Relationship Dynamics25:20 Menopause and Sexuality29:46 Coincidences and Plot Twists34:39 Privilege and Relatability38:37 Final Thoughts and Reflections43:06 Upcoming Book Club Picks This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingbetweendeadlines.substack.com

In just under a week, our bookish podcast, Reading Between Deadlines launches and we can’t wait to share it with you!Here’s a sneak peek…sneak listen? Sneak listen…🎧😊What should we read next? Let us know in the comments below. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingbetweendeadlines.substack.com