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Just in case you haven’t heard… our first full length deep dive series for 2026 is none other than THE Plated Prisoner by Raven Kennedy! Today we’re kicking off this (at least) six-book, and seven-part journey with book one: Gild.

We know that this series can be triggering, controversial, or even so slow to start (for some 😉) that it gets a “dnf.” We’re here to convince you to read it because in our not so humble opinion, it’s one of the most well-written, soul-crushing completed romantasy series out there, and it does not get the credit it deserves. Hey… it even has one of Liz’s top three book boyfriends OF ALL TIME. Don’t you want to meet him?

These books take us on an intense journey through abuse, trauma, transformation, healing, self-discovery, empowerment, and love. We discuss the unique nature of a story that begins with a main character who’s job as a quite literal golden sex worker keeps her locked in a cage by a greedy and abusive king. And what it takes for her to attain freedom, literally and otherwise by finding her own power.

We have everything from spoiler free star and spice ratings to the five sentence summary, important themes, most loved and hated plot points, tropes, and characters… and our incite into why this book is worth every page read. We hope you join us on this journey every other week (with a big bonus guest coming soon!) to see where Auren ends up.

And don’t worry, we still bring you our faves and fails of the week and a smash or pass with a golden robot, and a crazed hottie…?

Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…)

• Shop our Merch line | * https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.com

Check out these author interviews? ⬇️

Penn Cole talks with us about Strong Female Characters, Feminist Themes, and her debut bestselling Spark of the Everflame Series! https://youtu.be/7ukNImyoObw?si=7C3Y9kOUMN4hfcKb

We interviewed Callie Hart all about her NYT Bestseller Quicksilver! Watch it here! https://youtu.be/CED5s7qDBdQ?si=8xtIRO1IzX6Rsld4

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Shop Bookish Merch we are wearing:

Ashley is wearing: “Support Your Local Book Dealer” tee from @ShopWildeshadows | https://www.wildeshadows.com

Liz is wearing : A Medusa “Female Gaze” Crop Tank by @feralreaderco | https://feralreaderco.com & A “Good Girl” Beanie by @little.Villians.shop | https://littlevillains.ca/products/good-girl-beanie-embroidery?srsltid=AfmBOoo2YA_vB825EKUtWAjXvy6voDESSyZvFJ7jc686Vs-KaTSgGkmu

Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our

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We’re baaaaAAAk! And we’re bringing you a very special episode to kick off the new year! Something we’ve never done in a standalone episode before… it’s a book versus movie showdown with a deep dive into The Housemaid by Freida McFadden and a comparison deep dive into the 2025 movie adaptation starring Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney. Which was better the book or the movie?

Thrillers are a genre that we historically haven’t covered much here on the podcast, but the hype surrounding this story encouraged us to go down the rabbit hole… and boy howdy a new type of episode was born. We give you the five sentence summary with a "Did that happen in the movie?!” twist, and an on the spot “Which was better?” We give star and spice ratings for both (spoiler free!) and then go over the tropes, reviews, the characters, and our favorite book vs. movie moments.

Do we understand the hype and fandom surrounding The Housemaid after doing the research? Are we reading more Freida McFadden books? And do we have unanswered questions… that only sequels can answer? Stick around for our yap sesh all about fem rage and what we hope movies like his can do for the film industry as a whole. But not before a new year's goal fave and fail and a smash or pass with a follow up and a… punk rock turtle?

Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…)

• Shop our Merch line | * https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.com

Check out these author interviews? ⬇️

Penn Cole talks with us about Strong Female Characters, Feminist Themes, and her debut bestselling Spark of the Everflame Series! https://youtu.be/7ukNImyoObw?si=7C3Y9kOUMN4hfcKb

We interviewed Callie Hart all about her NYT Bestseller Quicksilver! Watch it here! https://youtu.be/CED5s7qDBdQ?si=8xtIRO1IzX6Rsld4

Check the official Follow Up Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of the Split or Swallow Universe all about Between Two Kings! https://youtu.be/OW1cxXTVcTc?si=oOxVIzbIheET_bNE

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Shop Bookish Merch we are wearing:

Ashley is wearing: A Kejari embroidered sweater from @TheBeanWorkshop (use our affiliate code “BOOKBESTIES10”) | * https://www.thebeanworkshop.store/BOOKBESTIES10

Liz is wearing : Our Besties And The Boo

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms
@BestiesandtheBooksPodcast

Besties and the Book Club on Fable!
https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358

Liz
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@TheRealLifeVeganWife

Ashley
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@AshleyEllix

Send us a text

It’s the most wonderful time… of the year? Happy Holidays from us to you! We hope you’re surviving the chaos, insanity, and general family drama. So in true Besties & the Books fashion, we’re here to bring you some distraction and laughs to help carry you through the madness, and to remind you that you’re not alone… because “It’s Christmas and we’re all in misery!” (As the famous Clark Griswold would say.)

In our last episode of the year, we’ve got everything from stripper discrimination, college-level microwave mac and cheese Christmas dinner, and DIY gift complaints… to the classics like absentee fathers, unconventional food choices… and headwear requests?

Come with us on this journey to determine who the holiday a holes really are. Plus, we start with a fave and fail Christmas treat edition, give some holiday book recommendations, and end on a high note with a classical unhinged smash or pass.

Don't be shy, subscribe! New Podcasts every Tuesday!! (And sometimes Friday!…)

• Shop our Merch line | * https://besties-and-the-books-shop.fourthwall.com

Check out these author interviews? ⬇️

Need more Halloween reads in your life? Find out if “Halloweentown for adults” with Gilmore Girls vibes might be for you with our Haven Ever After Hazel Mack Interview! https://youtu.be/-kDxchCTysw?si=KpEbcsCHAniU-JTS

Penn Cole talks with us about Strong Female Characters, Feminist Themes, and her debut bestselling Spark of the Everflame Series! https://youtu.be/7ukNImyoObw?si=7C3Y9kOUMN4hfcKb

We interviewed Callie Hart all about her NYT Bestseller Quicksilver! Watch it here! https://youtu.be/CED5s7qDBdQ?si=8xtIRO1IzX6Rsld4

Check the official Follow Up Author Interview with Lindsay Straube of the Split or Swallow Universe all about Between Two Kings! https://youtu.be/OW1cxXTVcTc?si=oOxVIzbIheET_bNE

____

Shop Bookish Merch we are wearing:

Ashley is wearing: A Velaris T-shirt from @TheBeanWorkshop (use our affiliate code “BOOKBESTIES10”) | * https://www.thebeanworkshop.store/BOOKBESTIES10

Liz is wearing : “The Season” Crewneck by @darkanddisturbedshop (use our affiliate code “VEGAN10”) | https://darkanddisturbedshop.com/products/the-season-crewneck

We are both wearing a 2 PACK of ridiculous Santa hats from @ Amazon | * https://amzn.to/3MR6jan

Any link with an * is an affiliate link through the service Magic Links and is eligible for a commission to us with no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support our podcast!

Support the show

YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Podcast Platforms
@BestiesandtheBooksPodcast

Besties and the Book Club on Fable!
https://fable.co/bestiesandthebookclub-474863489358

Liz
Instagram | TikTok
@TheRealLifeVeganWife

Ashley
Instagram | TikTok
@AshleyEllix