Deep Dive into Nocticadia: Unraveling Gothic Thrills and Spicy ChillsJoin hosts Roe, Allorah, and Shaye in the premiere season of The Plot With A Twist as they explore Nocticadia by Keri Lake. Delve into the mysterious Ivy League school of Dracadia University with Lillia, who seeks higher education and answers about her mother's death. This episode provides a spoiler-free discussion on the book's dark academia vibes, atmospheric storytelling, and character development. Hear the hosts' ratings, favourite quotes, and thoughts on the book's progression and ending. Plus, get a special cocktail recipe inspired by the novel and a nod to a free novella linked to the story. Don't forget to like, share, and review to help the podcast reach more bibliomaniacs.00:00 Introduction to The Plot with a Twist00:26 Spooky Themes and Today's Book Focus01:27 Halloween Excitement and Nocticadia Overview03:06 Reading Formats and Initial Impressions03:49 Ratings and Spice Levels07:45 Prologue and Story Atmosphere10:44 Main Characters Analysis19:55 Story Progression and Final Thoughts20:44 Atmospheric Storytelling and Initial Impressions21:06 Character Introductions and Early Plot Developments21:31 Mid-Book Lull and Pacing Issues25:24 Favorite Quotes and Memorable Scenes30:34 Discussion on the Book's Ending33:28 Audio vs. Reading Experience39:04 Future Reads and Author's Other Works41:02 Cocktail Recipe and Closing Remarks

Chilling Halloween Reads: Thrillers, Dark Romances, and Spooky ClassicsIn this chilling episode of The Plot With A Twist, hosts Roe, Allorah, and Shaye delve into the perfect books for the eerie Halloween season. They explore a variety of dark and dangerous genres, featuring titles such as the 'Devil's Night' series, 'Hollow's Row,' 'Scream for Us,' and 'Don't Stop.' The hosts provide personal insights and recommendations, covering themes like Dark Academia, taboo romance, and pitch-black reads by authors like S.T. Abby, Brynne Weaver, and Stephen King. With discussions on popular tropes such as stalkers and enemies-to-lovers, graphic narratives, psychological trauma, and even a Halloween-themed cocktail recipe, this episode serves as the ultimate guide to spine-tingling reads and spooky storytelling atmospheres for Halloween enthusiasts.00:00 Introduction to The Plot with a Twist00:43 Diving into Dark and Dangerous Themes01:45 Comparing Paranormal and Realistic Thrillers03:08 Halloween-Themed Book Recommendations09:22 Exploring Dark Romance and Psychological Thrillers18:26 Pitch Black and Taboo Reads23:05 Authors Perfect for Halloween Vibes24:53 Discussing Fairy Tale References25:21 Favorite Authors and Their Works26:04 Character Critiques and Plot Points28:24 Mindfuck Series and Graphic Content30:34 Exploring Sinister Legacy31:49 Hitchhiker Series and Dark Themes36:38 Hunting Adeline and Graphic Scenes39:22 Thriller TBR List41:46 Book Recommendations for Listeners44:52 Halloween Cocktail Recipe

Join Our Facebook Group!In this engaging episode of 'The Plot With A Twist,' hosts Roe, Allorah, and Shaye celebrate the Halloween season with a deep dive into spooky book culture globally. They explore the differences in Halloween traditions between the US and Australia, and discuss their favorite Halloween-themed books and series, including recommendations from renowned authors like Stephen King, Anne Rice, and Neil Gaiman. The hosts delve into a variety of genres within paranormal and horror reads, touching on notable titles like 'The Souls Trilogy,' 'House of Night,' 'Stay a Spell,' and 'Chicagoland Vampires.' They also highlight unique fantasy and paranormal series such as 'Throne of the Fallen,' 'Kingdom of the Wicked,' and 'The Pale Court Duet.' The episode features a mix of monster and romance novels, emphasizing the creativity of authors like Opal Rain, Eve Langellas, and Susan Wright. Wrapping up with a pumpkin spice latte cocktail recipe, listeners are fully equipped to immerse themselves in the Halloween spirit with a curated reading list that spans monsters, demons, magical realism, and more.00:00 Welcome to The Plot with a Twist00:29 Halloween's Growing Popularity00:57 Spooktober Reading Guide01:51 Halloween in Australia vs. America05:59 The Allure of Halloween Books16:00 Top Spooky Paranormal Reads29:15 A Terrifying Encounter with Spiders33:13 Paranormal Book Recommendations36:57 Monster Romance: To Read or Not to Read?41:57 Horror Books That Scare Us46:19 Spooky Season Book Picks52:57 Pumpkin Spice Latte Cocktail Recipe54:00 Thank You and Stay Connected

In the premiere season of 'The Plot With A Twist,' hosts Roe, Allorah, and Shaye delve into the world of indie authors, discussing their evolution, significance, and the impact of platforms like Amazon Kindle. They examine the challenges indie authors face, such as marketing and piracy, while highlighting their creative freedom and unique voices compared to traditionally published authors. The conversation also covers various genres, including dark romance and monster smut, that gained popularity through indie publishing. Additionally, they explore the importance of ARC (Advance Reader Copy) processes for indie authors, sharing personal experiences and standout indie books worth reading, while expressing appreciation and support for the indie author community. The episode concludes with a recipe for a themed cocktail, as always.00:00 Welcome to The Plot with a Twist00:26 The Rise of Indie Authors01:28 Challenges and Misconceptions of Indie Publishing04:42 Personal Experiences with Indie Books08:20 The Influence of Social Media on Indie Authors14:42 Genres Explored Through Indie Authors24:44 The ARC Process for Indie Authors36:23 Discovering New Authors Through ARC Reads37:26 Unexpected Twists and Memorable Endings38:52 Underrated Small Town Romance Gems42:01 Balancing Indie and Traditional Publishing44:46 The Benefits and Challenges of Indie Publishing50:38 Favorite Indie Authors and Their Works59:50 Top Indie Book Recommendations01:07:13 Unique Drink Recipe and Closing Remarks

Emotionally Charged Review: Still Beating by Jennifer HartmanIn this episode of The Plot With A Twist, hosts Roe, Allorah, and Shaye dive into an intense discussion of Jennifer Hartman's Still Beating. The story follows Cora and Dean, who are abducted and held captive for 20 days, enduring severe trauma. The hosts explore themes of emotional recovery, the complexity of relationships formed under duress, and the impacts on their personal lives. While engaging with the profound subject matter, they offer differing perspectives on the character developments and narrative choices. The episode includes detailed analysis, warnings on potentially triggering topics, and a signature cocktail recipe to tie in with the book's intense emotional journey.00:00 Introduction and Hosts00:29 Book Overview: Still Beating by Jennifer Hartman01:03 Content Warnings and Listener Discretion01:44 Initial Impressions and Ratings02:01 Plot Summary and Key Characters03:28 Detailed Book Discussion: Emotional Impact and Character Growth11:45 Part One: Captivity and Escape13:43 Part Two: Struggling to Reintegrate15:00 Part Three: Hitting Rock Bottom and Recovery17:08 Relationship Dynamics: Dean and Cora23:48 Mandy's Perspective and Family Dynamics26:24 Analyzing Mandy's Insensitivity27:10 Dean's Trauma and Relationship Struggles31:28 The Larger Theme of Trauma33:23 Side Characters and Their Impact36:37 Jennifer Hartman's Writing Style43:10 Future Reads and Series Continuation52:34 Cocktail Recipe and Closing Remarks

In this episode of The Plot With A Twist, hosts Roe, Allorah, and Shaye dive deep into the beloved 'Enemies to Lovers' trope popular in books. They explore what makes this trope work, its versatility, micro-tropes, and banter. The episode features a lively discussion on side characters, tension, hate-filled relationships, and specific books and authors who excel in writing enemies-to-lovers stories, including series recommendations and upcoming releases. The episode concludes with a cocktail recipe called 'Broken and Bitter,' perfectly embodying the spirit of these tumultuous love stories.00:00 Introduction to The Plot with a Twist00:31 Exploring the Enemies to Lovers Trope01:57 Key Elements of a Good Enemies to Lovers Story08:58 What We Dislike in Enemies to Lovers15:04 Authors Who Nail the Enemies to Lovers Trope24:46 Complementary Tropes for Enemies to Lovers27:00 Enemies to Lovers: Carnal Games27:49 Marriage of Convenience and Mafia Arranged Marriages28:02 Fake Dating and Forced Proximity28:48 Micro Tropes in Enemies to Lovers29:08 Possessiveness and Protectiveness31:45 Non-Consensual Tattoos and Markings35:47 Enemies to Lovers Book Recommendations44:27 Upcoming Enemies to Lovers Releases48:54 Cocktail Hour: Broken and Bitter

Be sure to stop by our freshly minted Facebook group which you can find HEREIn this episode of The Plot With A Twist, hosts Roe, Allorah, and Shaye dive into the fascinating world of hockey romance, with a focus on the popular book Icebreaker by Hannah Grace. The discussion covers everything from the charismatic male lead, Nate, to the complexities and criticisms of the female main character, Stassi. Along with spirited debates about the dynamics between the characters, the hosts also touch on the book's writing style, favorite and least favorite moments, and side characters. The show wraps up with a fun cocktail recipe inspired by the icy theme of the book. Listeners are encouraged to engage on social media and stay tuned for more bookish discussions.00:00 Introduction to The Plot with a Twist00:30 Hockey Romance Takes the Spotlight00:45 Diving into Icebreaker by Hannah Grace03:17 Initial Reactions and Ratings11:19 Character Analysis: Nate15:03 Character Analysis: Anastasia25:46 Heated Debate and Moving On26:08 Discussing Hannah Grace's Writing Style29:40 Favorite Moments in the Book31:12 Criticisms and Controversies36:43 Side Characters and Their Impact44:25 Spice Rating and Reader Journey46:50 Special Editions and Future Reads51:39 Cocktail Recipe and Closing Remarks

Exploring 'Leather and Lark': Deep Dives and Dark HumorThis episode of The Plot With A Twist features hosts Roe, Allorah, and Shaye as they delve into Leather and Lark by Brynn Weaver, the second book in the Ruinous Love Trilogy. The hosts discuss key plot points, character dynamics, thematic elements, and provide an in-depth analysis of Lachlan and Lark's relationship. They share favorite moments, humorous scenes, and thoughtful commentary on the book's reception. Additionally, they introduce a thematic cocktail, Goldstar!, inspired by the book. Listener discretion is advised due to mature content and potential triggers.00:00 Introduction and Hosts00:31 Book Overview: Leather and Lark01:17 Content Warnings and Listener Discretion01:55 Initial Impressions and Character List03:58 In-Depth Character Analysis09:07 Favorite Moments and Humorous Highlights25:18 Discussing Dislikes and Impatience27:17 Audiobook Narration Insights29:49 Favorite Quotes and Merchandise31:10 Chemistry Between Main Characters35:28 Dark Humor and Unique Elements40:57 Comparing Main Couples45:26 Anticipation for the Next Book48:15 Cocktail Recipe and Farewell

Exploring 'Iron Flame': Spoilers, Theories, and Fiery Cocktail DelightsIn this engaging episode of The Plot With A Twist, hosts Roe, Allorah, and Shaye delve deep into Iron Flame, the second book in Rebecca Yarros' Empyrean series. They discuss key plot points, character arcs, and major twists, diving into theories about Violet's second signet and potential storylines. The hosts debate over character decisions, upcoming books, and favorite moments while addressing emotional scenes. A special focus is on Andarna’s anticipated comeback and Xaden's fate. The episode features a themed cocktail, 'Andarna's Fire', crafted by Roe. Listener discretion is advised due to discussions of sexual content and spoilers. Listeners are encouraged to engage on social media and support the show's future episodes.00:00 Introduction and Hosts00:28 Book Overview: Iron Flame01:10 Spoiler Alert and Episode Start01:31 Discussion Kickoff: Iron Flame02:23 Plot Recap: Fourth Wing to Iron Flame03:52 Character Deep Dive06:02 World Building and Comparisons11:19 Favorite Parts and Characters17:29 Rants and Criticisms26:24 Villains and Plot Twists38:16 Audio Books vs. Physical Books: A Different Experience38:58 Heartbreaking Betrayals and Emotional Turmoil39:24 Irritations and Animosities: A Reader's Perspective39:58 The Impact of Well-Written Scenes40:46 Military Influence in Rebecca Yarros' Writing41:24 Discussing the Ending: Familiar Tropes and Reactions53:08 Theories and Speculations: Violet's Second Signet01:00:33 Dain's Redemption Arc: A Controversial Topic01:03:25 Twists and Turns: Predictable and Shocking Moments01:08:46 Hopes for Onyx Storm: What We Want to See Next01:12:47 Cocktail Time: Andarna's Fire01:14:21 Thank You and Stay Tuned!

Analyzing 'Throne of Glass': Spoilers, Controversies, and Character DebatesIn this episode of The Plot With A Twist, hosts Roe, Allorah, and Shaye dive into an in-depth discussion of Sarah J. Maas's Throne of Glass series. Addressing the first two books, Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight, as well as the novellas in Assassin's Blade, they dissect character arcs, plot evolution, and world-building. The hosts share their mixed feelings, debate the love triangle between Selina, Dorian, and Kael, and express their frustrations and hopes for the series’ future. They also draw parallels to Maas's 'ACOTAR' and Crescent City series, discussing potential connections in the larger Massverse. The episode features a Long Island Iced Tea cocktail recipe to match the assassin theme of the series.00:00 Introduction to The Plot with a Twist00:33 Diving into Throne of Glass Series02:07 Mini-Series Announcement and Book Overview03:45 Character Rundown and Initial Thoughts04:41 Discussion on Assassin's Blade06:32 Personal Ratings and Reading Order07:44 Thoughts on the Series and Character Development21:01 Speculations on the Mass Verse28:17 Writing Style and Progression29:21 Discussing the Writing Style of Assassin's Blade31:27 Character Analysis: Selena's Contradictions33:28 Predictable Plot Twists in Crown of Midnight35:39 Debating the Love Triangle: Dorian vs. Kale44:33 Ranking the Books in the Series51:44 Favorite and Least Favorite Characters58:11 Cocktail Time: Assassin's Long Island Iced Tea

Butcher and Blackbird: Dark Romantic Comedy Deep DiveIn this episode of The Plot With A Twist, hosts Roe, Allorah, and Shaye explore Butcher and Blackbird by Brynne Weaver. They discuss the book's dark romantic comedy elements, character dynamics, and plot nuances. The hosts share their personal ratings, favourite scenes, and characters, while diving into the book’s humour, dark themes, and unique elements that set it apart in the dark romance genre. The episode also includes trigger warnings and a discussion on the audiobook narration. The anticipation for the next books in the Ruinous Love trilogy, ‘Leather and Lark’ and ‘Scythe and Sparrow,’ is palpable. Finally, they share a recipe for a boozy Shamrock shake, inspired by the book's Irish male main character, Rowan.00:00 Introduction and Hosts00:28 Plot Overview of 'Butcher and Blackbird'01:13 Content Warnings and Listener Discretion01:51 Initial Reactions and Ratings02:01 Discussion on Humor and Dark Romance Elements02:30 Character Dynamics and Relationships08:56 Narration and Audiobook Impact15:50 Critiques and Time Jumps24:07 A Painful Goodbye24:38 Analyzing the Subtext26:40 Favorite Parts and Quotes30:41 Character Favorites32:14 Writing Style and Time Jumps36:56 Anticipation for the Next Book44:35 Boozy Shamrock Shake Recipe46:09 Closing Remarks and Social MediaBrynne Weaver BooksOur Facebook PageOur Instagram

FacebookInstagramRomantasy: A Deep Dive into Fantasy RomanceIn this episode of 'The Plot With A Twist,' hosts Roe, Allorah, and Shaye discuss the intriguing genre of romantasy -- a blend of romance and fantasy. They define and differentiate romantic fantasy from fantasy romance, emphasizing key elements like witty banter, strong side characters, and immersive world-building. The hosts share their favorite tropes, including enemies to lovers, rival kingdoms, and forced proximity. They also discuss their top picks in romanticy, including 'Fourth Wing,' 'Dark-side Series,' and 'Legends of Thesmar.' Additionally, they ponder over hyped books that fell short of expectations and anticipated upcoming romanticy releases.00:00 Introduction to The Plot with a Twist00:32 Diving into the World of Romanticy01:43 Defining Fantasy Romance vs. Romantic Fantasy04:25 What Makes a Good Romanticy?07:22 Exploring Popular Tropes in Romanticy12:32 Character Dynamics in Romanticy26:14 Group Dynamics and Sacrifice26:53 Top Romanticy Book Recommendations27:31 Darker New Series by Suzanne Wright29:02 Vampire Academy and Bloodlines Discussion31:44 From Blood and Ash Series35:47 Books Falling Short of Expectations41:58 Favorite Authors in the Genre44:32 Upcoming Releases to Look Forward To51:03 Cocktail Recipe: The Grasshopper52:28 Closing Remarks and Social Media

FacebookInstagramIn this episode of 'The Plot with a Twist,' hosts Roe, Allorah, and Shaye delve into the audiobook world, debating whether listening to audiobooks counts as reading, and exploring the various narration styles. They share personal experiences with narration speeds, audiobook apps, and their top narrator recommendations. The episode highlights the rise of graphic audiobooks and discusses favorite audiobooks that are better listened to than read. Listeners are treated to an in-depth conversation about audiobook icks, standout full cast performances, and popular narration couple pairings. The episode concludes with a themed piña colada recipe. Follow us on social media to stay up to date on new episode releases each week!00:00 Introduction to The Plot with a Twist00:31 The Audiobook Debate: Is Listening Reading?02:42 Narration Speed Preferences06:53 Different Audiobook Styles09:59 Where and How We Listen to Audiobooks21:50 Top Female Audiobook Narrators33:33 Rising Stars in Audiobook Narration34:05 Dark Romance Narrators34:25 Top Narrators and Their Performances35:18 The Impact of Narration on Dark Romance36:01 Butcher and Blackbird: A Surprising Revelation40:09 The Art of Duet Narration43:45 Full Cast Audiobooks: A New Experience46:11 Graphic Audiobooks: Worth the Hype?50:29 Audiobook Icks: What Bothers Us55:36 When Listening is Better Than Reading01:00:47 Favorite Audiobooks and Narrators01:06:07 Cocktail Time: Piña Colada Recipe

FacebookInstagramExploring Dystopian Worlds: From Books to CocktailsIn this episode of 'The Plot With A Twist,' hosts Roe, Allorah, and Shaye delve into the fascinating realm of dystopian books. They discuss what makes a good dystopian novel, the themes of human nature, societal collapse, class division, and governmental intrigue. The episode covers notable series like 'Divergent,' 'The Hunger Games,' and 'Scythe,' highlighting how these books depict possible future scenarios. The hosts also share recommendations for dystopian reads on their TBR lists, such as the 'Red Rising Saga' and 'The Family Experiment.' Finally, the discussion takes a fun turn with a themed cocktail recipe, 'The Girl on Fireball,' inspired by 'The Hunger Games.'00:00 Introduction to The Plot with a Twist00:32 Exploring Dystopian Worlds01:38 What Makes a Good Dystopian Book?03:07 Human Nature and Society in Dystopian Fiction04:30 The Role of Destruction and Politics06:37 Class Division and Struggle07:46 Unique Elements in Dystopian Stories11:59 The Formula for a Good Dystopian15:34 Personal Reflections on Dystopian Books18:47 Exploring Dystopian Settings18:56 Favorite Dystopian Reads20:08 Unexpected Twists and Series21:05 Dystopian Book Recommendations22:07 Unique Dystopian Premises26:38 TBR List and Anticipated Reads34:15 Cocktail Time: The Girl on Fireball35:44 Closing Remarks and Social Media

FacebookInstagramIn this episode of 'The Plot with a Twist,' hosts Roe, Allorah, and Shaye revisit the beloved YA series, Vampire Academy by Rachelle Mead. The hosts discuss their memories, the book's storyline, and character development, focusing on Rose Hathaway, her best friend Lissa, and their vampire-filled world. They analyze the series' unique magic system, the differences between mortal and immortal vampires, and the impact the books had on their reading journeys. The hosts also rank their favorite books in the series, express their disappointment with the 2014 movie adaptation, and praise the TV series adaptation despite its short run. Additionally, they discuss the spinoff series, Bloodlines, highlighting Sydney and Adrian's evolving relationship. The episode concludes with a fun, themed mocktail recipe called 'Rosemary Home Spritzer,' perfect for young adult readers.

In this episode of 'The Plot with A Twist,' hosts Roe, Allorah, and Shaye dive into their favorite books and discuss one-star reviews to see if they hold any merit. The trio examines 'Once and Future Witches' by Alix E. Harrow, 'Sing, Unburied, Sing' by Jesmyn Ward, 'The Immortalists' by Chloe Benjamin, 'Kiss the Sky' by Krista and Becca Ritchie, 'Throne of the Fallen' by Kerry Maniscalco, 'Wretched' by Emily McIntyre, 'Mother Faker' by Brittany Nicole, 'War' by Laura Thalassa, and 'Leather and Lark' by Brynne Weaver. Despite the harsh criticisms, each host elaborates on the plots, shares their ratings, and defends their choices passionately. The episode entails a mix of humor, critique, and deep dives into character and plot analysis, capped with a quirky cocktail recommendation, Alien Brain Haemorrhage, themed after the one-star reviews where it sounds bad but it actually delicious.

FacebookInstagramIn this episode of 'The Plot with a Twist' hosts Roe, Allorah, and Shaye dive deep into the beloved genre of romantic comedies. They discuss what makes a good rom-com, focusing on essential elements like a believable plot, vibrant side characters, and strong chemistry between the leads. They explore various tropes they enjoy, such as enemies-to-lovers and reformed playboys. The hosts share their favorite rom-com authors and books, and discuss upcoming releases from Hannah Grace, Megan Quinn, Elle Kennedy, Tessa Bailey, and more. The episode concludes with a special cocktail recipe dubbed 'Sweet Nothings,' created for Valentine's Day. Listeners are encouraged to like, share, and subscribe for more bookish discussions every Wednesday.

FacebookInstagramIn this episode of The Plot With A Twist, hosts Roe, Allorah, and Shaye review the book Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. The discussion covers the book's epic fantasy storyline set in the dangerous Bazgaith War College, character analysis, book ratings, and favourite moments. The hosts also address criticisms related to world-building and character development, and highlight the representation of disability and diversity within the book. They share personal connections to the text and discuss the impact of dragons on the narrative. Additionally, the episode features a fan cast discussion and a themed cocktail recipe inspired by the character Zayden. This engaging episode ends with a mention of upcoming events in Perth, Australia featuring author Rebecca Yarros.Black Magic Cocktail

FacebookInstagramS. Massery Book ShopIn this episode of 'The Plot With a Twist,' hosts Roe, Allorah, and Shaye delve deeply into the growing popularity of dark romance, exploring its characteristics through BookTok and Bookstagram trends. They discuss their personal introductions to dark romance, including initial reads that captivated them, and their rankings of the books in the 'Hockey Gods' series by S. Massery. The hosts also talk about acceptable red flags in book characters, the reasons behind their appreciation of dark romance, and the criticism readers often face. Additionally, they provide recommendations for both newcomers and seasoned fans of the genre, touching on essential titles and series. The episode wraps up with a recipe for a spicy dark-and-stormy cocktail inspired by their love for morally grey characters.

FacebookInstagramIn the third episode of 'The Plot with a Twist,' hosts Ro, Allorah, and Shay dive into Sarah J. Maas's popular fantasy series 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' (ACOTAR). They discuss why the series is compelling, highlighting its blend of romance, fantasy, and character-driven plot. The hosts debate the writing style, favourite and least favourite characters, and speculate on plot directions for future books. They also share a special cocktail recipe inspired by Rhysand, the series' main male character. Please share, subscribe, and review the podcast to help other book lovers discover the show.Rhysand's Night Court Margarita from Nerdy Gourmet