From Fan Fiction to Debut Novel: Internet Star Brooke Averick Is the Ultimate Fangirl

A great book is like a great pair of shoes — it can take you somewhere you never expected. But it’s also like that new car feeling — full of possibility, a little thrilling, and totally transformative. In the first episode of this special miniseries sponsored by cars.com, Danielle sits down with booktuber and author Cindy Pham to talk about the tools that have helped her navigate change in her life.    From start to finish, cars.com has everything you need to choose the right car confidently. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Bookmarked by Reese’s Book Club, Danielle Robay sits down with bestselling author Alexandra Andrews to discuss May’s Reese’s Book Club pick, The Fine Art of Lying. Alexandra unpacks why stories about wealthy people behaving badly are so irresistible and how female desire gets tangled up with wonder and meaning. She also shares her unconventional writing process, the pressure of following up a hit debut, and the surprising advice that finally helped her finish a novel.   BOOKS MENTIONED: The Fine Art of Lying by Alexandra Andrews  Ninth Street Women by Mary Gabriel All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me by Patrick Bringley Transcription: A Novel by Ben Lerner Gossip Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar Who Is Maude Dixon? by Alexandra Andrews  The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion  Why I’m Not an Atheist by Christopher Beha All Fours by Miranda July Normal People by Sally Rooney  Mating in Captivity by Esther Perel  Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo  The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave The Woman in Cabin 10 Ruth Ware Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’re “obsessed” with creator and debut author of Phoebe Berman’s Gonna Lose It, Brooke Averick. First known as her online moniker, “@ladyefron,” Brooke Averick’s socials exploded after she posted a TikTok reading a letter to her older self. Brooke Averick has gone on to accrue thousands of followers, host the podcast Brooke and Connor Make a Podcast, and is now a published author. Brooke Averick shares her first obsessions, her current crushes, and how writing Phoebe Berman’s Gonna Lose It may have helped her more than therapy. BOOKS MENTIONED: The Clique by Lisi Harrison The Series of Unfortunate Events by Limony Snicket  The Fault in Our Stars by John Green Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid  Twilight by Stephenie Meyer  Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen  Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë Harry Potter by J.K. RowlingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The hottest book of the year so far isn’t a steamy beach read or a page-turning thriller. It’s a heartbreaking — and empowering — memoir about a divorce. This week, Danielle sits down with Belle Burden to talk about her memoir, “Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage.”  Belle Burden had a picture-perfect life. A husband in finance, three kids, a pristine apartment in Manhattan, and a summer home on Martha’s Vineyard. Then, one day — right at the start of the pandemic — she found out that her husband was having an affair. And the next morning, he tells her he wants out. Out of the house, out of the marriage — even out of custody for their kids. Belle talks about the upcoming Netflix adaptation of her book, starting over after watching her world as she knew it fell apart, and why she wishes a book like hers had existed long before now.    BOOKS MENTIONED: Strangers by Belle Burden Barefoot Contessa by Ina Garten The Summer Pact by Emily Giffin  The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday When the Going Was Good by Graydon Carter  Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh Heart the Lover by Lily King Go Gentle by Maria Semple  Nine Stories by J.D. SalingerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’re joined by BookTube royalty and queen of reviews Cindy Pham. Now stepping into her author era, she’s here to talk about it all: what’s on her TBR, why she’s drawn to messy, flawed characters, and how years of reviewing books have shaped the way she writes her own. Cindy also shares the story behind her debut novel, The Secret World of Briar Rose, from first drafting it as a teenager to returning years later with a completely new perspective and a fully developed frontal lobe. Plus, we get into reality TV deep dives, bookish trends she’s loving and side-eyeing, and the hilarious promise of a future rant video about her own main character, because no one is safe, not even her.   BOOKS MENTIONED: Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser  This is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone and Amal El-Mohtar A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke  The Secret World of Briar Rose by Cindy Pham That Asian Girl Is a Problem by Rachel Phan (Coming Soon) Just Between Us by Adeline Kon  Strange Familiars by Keshe Chow What My Bones Know by Stephanie Foo How to Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami Book Lovers by Emilty Henry The Invocations by Krystal Sutherland The River Drags Her Down by Jihyun Yun Know My Name by Chanel MillerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’re back with Emma Brodie, whose second novel, Into The Blue, is April’s Reese’s Book Club Pick - and Emma and Danielle are going down aaaaall the rabbit holes. From what makes a good fandom, to how improv comedy is, in fact, inherently sexy, to the BTS secrets of filming reality TV, their convo is just as lush as Emma’s decade-spanning, sci-fi tinged, “will they, won’t they” romance.  BOOKS MENTIONED: Into the Blue by Emma Brodie Songs in Ursa Major by Emma Brodie Hitmakers by Derrick Thompson  The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory  Romeo and Juliet by William ShakespeareSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Danielle is chatting with Veronica Roth, who’s fresh off a major announcement: Divergent. Is. Back. The original trilogy has sold over 35 million copies since it debuted 15 years ago. Veronica has been publishing countless novels and short stories ever since, but now she’s ready to revisit the Divergent universe — with a new twist. “The Sixth Faction” is an alternate universe retelling that dares to ask: what if Tris never left Abnegation, and joined Dauntless? Danielle and Veronica talk about hot tubs, dystopian fiction, and learning to love your own work in all its imperfections. And don’t worry — Tris and Four will still have a meet-cute.  Books Mentioned: Divergent by Veronica Roth The Sixth Faction by Veronica Roth  Four: A Divergent Collection by Veronica Roth 1984 by George Orwell Allegiant by Veronica RothSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Danielle is joined by Alex Aster, the prolific, Romantasy Queen of Booktok. Coming out of 2025, in which she published four novels, Alex is back with Starside, her first foray into adult fiction – and, later this year, Barbie: Dreamscape, a YA retelling of the beloved Mattel doll. Alex and Danielle talk perseverance in publishing, the power of storytelling, and which romantasy tropes give Alex the ick (spoiler: hardly any of them do).  BOOKS MENTIONED: A Guide to Literary Agents by Robert Lee Brewer Lightlark Series by Alex Aster Starside by Alex Aster  Curse of the Night Witch by Alex Aster Curse of the Forgotten City by Alex Aster Summer in the City by Alex Aster Barbie Dreamscape by Alex Aster  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s episode, Danielle sits down with Rufi Thorpe, the author of Margo’s Got Money Troubles, the wildly original novel that’s now been adapted into a highly anticipated Apple TV+ series. They talk about the chaos and comedy of motherhood, the reality of being in your twenties with no roadmap, and the power of choosing your own path even when it makes people uncomfortable. Plus, Rufi reveals her delightfully messy writing habits and gives some fun BTS details from the show.   BOOKS MENTIONED: Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel The Master Butchers Singing Club by Louise Erdrich Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride What We Talk About When We Talk About Love by Raymond CarverSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Danielle is hanging out in an icon’s closet. And not just any icon – Lisa F*cking Rinna. Fresh off her book tour for her new memoir, You Better Believe I’m Gonna Talk About It, Lisa is here and ready to show up as her full self – silly, joyful and growing — always growing! Lisa takes Danielle behind the scenes of writing her memoir, deep dives into some juuuicy Real Housewives drama – and even devises a little acting role for herself, should, you know, the opportunity arise.    BOOKS MENTIONED: You Better Believe I’m Gonna Talk About It by Lisa Rinna  Pretty Mess by Ericka Jayne  Believe Me by Yolanda HadidSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.