🎙️ Author Interview: Katie Bernet | Beth Is Dead Little Women reimagined in this twisty, emotional thriller about sisterhood, secrets, and murder....In this special interview episode of The Jolly Reader, I sit down with debut author Katie Bernet to talk all things Beth Is Dead, the inaugural release from Sarah Barley Books, hitting shelves on January 6, 2026.We dive into how Katie reimagined Little Women as a modern YA murder mystery, what drew her to the March sisters, and how she brought each character to life in a world of true crime obsession, family secrets, and online fame. Katie shares behind-the-scenes insight into her writing process, her journey from creative director to published author, and advice for aspiring writers (especially my listener crew dreaming of writing their own books someday).🛍️ Preorder/Beth Is Dead Links &amp; 📆 Katie’s Book Tour Dates: 📚 https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Beth-Is-Dead/Katie-Bernet/9781665988698📱 Follow Katie Bernet: 🔗 https://linktr.ee/katie.bernetThanks again to Katie for joining me and to YOU, listener friends, for showing up, screaming about books, and demanding justice for Beth March. 💜 Support this podcast at — <a rel='payment' href='https://redcircle.com/the-jolly-reader/donations'>https://redcircle.com/the-jolly-reader/donations</a> Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;🎙️ &lt;strong&gt;Author Interview: Katie Bernet | &lt;em&gt;Beth Is Dead&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; &lt;em&gt;Little Women reimagined&lt;/em&gt; in this twisty, emotional thriller about sisterhood, secrets, and murder....&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this special interview episode of &lt;em&gt;The Jolly Reader&lt;/em&gt;, I sit down with debut author &lt;strong&gt;Katie Bernet&lt;/strong&gt; to talk all things &lt;em&gt;Beth Is Dead, &lt;/em&gt;the inaugural release from Sarah Barley Books, hitting shelves on &lt;strong&gt;January 6, 2026&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We dive into how Katie reimagined &lt;em&gt;Little Women&lt;/em&gt; as a modern YA murder mystery, what drew her to the March sisters, and how she brought each character to life in a world of true crime obsession, family secrets, and online fame. Katie shares behind-the-scenes insight into her writing process, her journey from creative director to published author, and advice for aspiring writers (especially my listener crew dreaming of writing their own books someday).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;🛍️ &lt;strong&gt;Preorder/Beth Is Dead Links &amp;amp; &lt;/strong&gt;📆 &lt;strong&gt;Katie’s Book Tour Dates:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; 📚 https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Beth-Is-Dead/Katie-Bernet/9781665988698&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;📱 &lt;strong&gt;Follow Katie Bernet:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; 🔗 https://linktr.ee/katie.bernet&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Thanks again to Katie for joining me and to YOU, listener friends, for showing up, screaming about books, and demanding justice for Beth March. 💜&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Support this podcast at — &lt;a rel='payment' href='https://redcircle.com/the-jolly-reader/donations'&gt;https://redcircle.com/the-jolly-reader/donations&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Advertising Inquiries: &lt;a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'&gt;https://redcircle.com/brands&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Privacy &amp; Opt-Out: &lt;a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'&gt;https://redcircle.com/privacy&lt;/a&gt;</description>

Bonus: Katie Bernet-Author Interview

We’re kicking off Five Survive by Holly Jackson, and things are already going off the rails. In this episode, I break down chapters 1 through 16 (pages 1–127), where six friends on a spring break road trip find themselves stranded in the middle of nowhere… with a flat tire, no signal, and a lurking sense that this was no accident. Support this podcast at — <a rel='payment' href='https://redcircle.com/the-jolly-reader/donations'>https://redcircle.com/the-jolly-reader/donations</a> Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;We’re kicking off &lt;em&gt;Five Survive&lt;/em&gt; by Holly Jackson, and things are already going off the rails. In this episode, I break down chapters 1 through 16 (pages 1–127), where six friends on a spring break road trip find themselves stranded in the middle of nowhere… with a flat tire, no signal, and a lurking sense that this was no accident.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Support this podcast at — &lt;a rel='payment' href='https://redcircle.com/the-jolly-reader/donations'&gt;https://redcircle.com/the-jolly-reader/donations&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Advertising Inquiries: &lt;a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'&gt;https://redcircle.com/brands&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Privacy &amp; Opt-Out: &lt;a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'&gt;https://redcircle.com/privacy&lt;/a&gt;</description>

Six Friends, One RV, and Zero Cell Service. Welcome to the Nightmare.

Five Survive Part 1

Seven Dirty Secrets – Part Three: Chapters 21–31 (Pages 210–313)Alright crew… it’s the final stretch, and the chaos is peaking.In this episode, we’re tackling the last section of Seven Dirty Secrets by Natalie D. Richards and everything we thought we knew is getting turned upside down. Secrets are exploding into the open, trust is completely shattered, and the danger hits way too close. We even get what I can only describe as an accusing people pizza party, before it all circles back to where it began for a dramatic and dangerous finale.💜 If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse:Please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org for 24/7 confidential support.📚 I highly encourage you to read this book. You can find it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Dirty-Secrets-Natalie-Richards/dp/1728215781Thanks to our sponsor TK Books, TKBooksLLC.comIf you need a good laugh you can find me on social media:www.tiktok.com/@thejollyreaderpodcastwww.instagram.com/thejollyreaderpodcast/www.facebook.com/thejollyreaderpodcastIf you want to support The Jolly Reader you can donate, which goes towards buying new books and allows me to keep making new episodes. Thanks, Crew!! Support this podcast at — <a rel='payment' href='https://redcircle.com/the-jolly-reader/donations'>https://redcircle.com/the-jolly-reader/donations</a> Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Seven Dirty Secrets – Part Three: Chapters 21–31 (Pages 210–313)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Alright crew… it’s the final stretch, and the chaos is &lt;em&gt;peaking&lt;/em&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, we’re tackling the last section of &lt;em&gt;Seven Dirty Secrets&lt;/em&gt; by Natalie D. Richards and everything we thought we knew is getting turned upside down. Secrets are exploding into the open, trust is completely shattered, and the danger hits way too close. We even get what I can only describe as an &lt;em&gt;accusing people pizza party,&lt;/em&gt; before it all circles back to where it began for a dramatic and dangerous finale.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;💜 If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Please call the &lt;strong&gt;National Domestic Violence Hotline&lt;/strong&gt; at &lt;strong&gt;1-800-799-SAFE (7233)&lt;/strong&gt; or visit thehotline.org for 24/7 confidential support.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;📚 I highly encourage you to read this book. You can find it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Dirty-Secrets-Natalie-Richards/dp/1728215781&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Thanks to our sponsor &lt;strong&gt;TK Books, &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span&gt;TKBooksLLC.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you need a good laugh you can find me on social media:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;www.tiktok.com/@thejollyreaderpodcast&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;www.instagram.com/thejollyreaderpodcast/&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;www.facebook.com/thejollyreaderpodcast&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you want to support The Jolly Reader you can donate, which goes towards buying new books and allows me to keep making new episodes. Thanks, Crew!!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Support this podcast at — &lt;a rel='payment' href='https://redcircle.com/the-jolly-reader/donations'&gt;https://redcircle.com/the-jolly-reader/donations&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Advertising Inquiries: &lt;a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'&gt;https://redcircle.com/brands&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Privacy &amp; Opt-Out: &lt;a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'&gt;https://redcircle.com/privacy&lt;/a&gt;</description>

Secrets, Pizza, and Pointing Fingers

Seven Dirty Secrets Part 3

Part 2: Seven Dirty Secrets by Natalie D. Richards (Chapters 10-20 / Pages 98–209)In this episode, we dive into the second half of Seven Dirty Secrets by Natalie D. Richards, and let’s just say: the paranoia is rising, the clues are coming in fast, and the trust levels are at an all-time low. We’re unraveling more of the scavenger hunt , trying to figure out who’s behind it all, and questioning everyone’s motives, yes even the ones we thought were safe. 💜 If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse:Please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org for 24/7 confidential support. 📚 I highly encourage you to read this book. You can find it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Dirty-Secrets-Natalie-Richards/dp/1728215781 If you need a good laugh you can find me on social media:www.tiktok.com/@thejollyreaderpodcastwww.instagram.com/thejollyreaderpodcast/www.facebook.com/thejollyreaderpodcast If you want to support The Jolly Reader you can donate, which goes towards buying new books and allows me to keep making new episodes. Thanks, Crew!! Support this podcast at — <a rel='payment' href='https://redcircle.com/the-jolly-reader/donations'>https://redcircle.com/the-jolly-reader/donations</a> Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Part 2: Seven Dirty Secrets by Natalie D. Richards (Chapters 10-20 / Pages 98–209)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, we dive into the second half of &lt;em&gt;Seven Dirty Secrets&lt;/em&gt; by Natalie D. Richards, and let’s just say: the paranoia is rising, the clues are coming in fast, and the trust levels are at an all-time low. We’re unraveling more of the scavenger hunt , trying to figure out who’s behind it all, and questioning &lt;em&gt;everyone’s&lt;/em&gt; motives, yes even the ones we thought were safe.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;💜 If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Please call the &lt;strong&gt;National Domestic Violence Hotline&lt;/strong&gt; at &lt;strong&gt;1-800-799-SAFE (7233)&lt;/strong&gt; or visit thehotline.org for 24/7 confidential support.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;📚 I highly encourage you to read this book. You can find it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Dirty-Secrets-Natalie-Richards/dp/1728215781&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you need a good laugh you can find me on social media:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;www.tiktok.com/@thejollyreaderpodcast&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;www.instagram.com/thejollyreaderpodcast/&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;www.facebook.com/thejollyreaderpodcast&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you want to support The Jolly Reader you can donate, which goes towards buying new books and allows me to keep making new episodes. Thanks, Crew!!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Support this podcast at — &lt;a rel='payment' href='https://redcircle.com/the-jolly-reader/donations'&gt;https://redcircle.com/the-jolly-reader/donations&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Advertising Inquiries: &lt;a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'&gt;https://redcircle.com/brands&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Privacy &amp; Opt-Out: &lt;a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'&gt;https://redcircle.com/privacy&lt;/a&gt;</description>

Red Flags, Bad Vibes, and Terrible Decisions

Seven Dirty Secrets Part 2

Part 1: Seven Dirty Secrets by Natalie D. Richards (Chapters 1–9 / Pages 1–97)In this episode, we dive into the opening chapters of Seven Dirty Secrets, where a mysterious scavenger hunt kicks off a tense and twisty birthday like no other. With cryptic clues and dangerous secrets waiting to be unearthed, the suspense builds fast… and no one feels safe.I highly encourage you to read this book. You can find it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Dirty-Secrets-Natalie-Richards/dp/1728215781Our wonderful sponsor this week is <a href="http://proliffic.com/" rel="nofollow">Proliffic.com</a>. Where you can find a new writing prompt everyday to help you become a better writer!!Also check out Rebecca Danzenbaker&#39;s new book SOULMATCH. https://www.amazon.com/Soulmatch-Rebecca-Danzenbaker/dp/1665963700If you need a good laugh you can find me on social media:www.tiktok.com/@thejollyreaderpodcastwww.instagram.com/thejollyreaderpodcast/www.facebook.com/thejollyreaderpodcastIf you want to support The Jolly Reader you can donate, which goes towards buying new books and allows me to keep making new episodes. Thanks, Crew!!! Support this podcast at — <a rel='payment' href='https://redcircle.com/the-jolly-reader/donations'>https://redcircle.com/the-jolly-reader/donations</a> Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Part 1: Seven Dirty Secrets by Natalie D. Richards (Chapters 1–9 / Pages 1–97)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, we dive into the opening chapters of &lt;em&gt;Seven Dirty Secrets, &lt;/em&gt;where a mysterious scavenger hunt kicks off a tense and twisty birthday like no other. With cryptic clues and dangerous secrets waiting to be unearthed, the suspense builds fast… and no one feels safe.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I highly encourage you to read this book. You can find it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Dirty-Secrets-Natalie-Richards/dp/1728215781&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Our wonderful sponsor this week is&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;a href="http://proliffic.com/" rel="nofollow"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Proliffic.com&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;strong&gt;. &lt;/strong&gt;Where you can find a new writing prompt everyday to help you become a better writer!!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Also check out Rebecca Danzenbaker&amp;#39;s new book SOULMATCH. https://www.amazon.com/Soulmatch-Rebecca-Danzenbaker/dp/1665963700&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you need a good laugh you can find me on social media:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;www.tiktok.com/@thejollyreaderpodcast&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;www.instagram.com/thejollyreaderpodcast/&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;www.facebook.com/thejollyreaderpodcast&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you want to support The Jolly Reader you can donate, which goes towards buying new books and allows me to keep making new episodes. Thanks, Crew!!!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Support this podcast at — &lt;a rel='payment' href='https://redcircle.com/the-jolly-reader/donations'&gt;https://redcircle.com/the-jolly-reader/donations&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Advertising Inquiries: &lt;a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'&gt;https://redcircle.com/brands&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Privacy &amp; Opt-Out: &lt;a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'&gt;https://redcircle.com/privacy&lt;/a&gt;</description>

Seven Dirty Secrets Part 1

This may not be an audiobook, but it is a whimsical podcast where I recap and react to young adult murder mystery books, one unhinged chapter at a time. I break books down chapter by chapter, full of spoilers, bad jokes, and big opinions. I also chat with authors and share bookish chaos on social media.

The Jolly Reader

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