Halloween Romance, Witches & Cozy Small Towns with Erin Sterling (Rachel Hawkins)

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

It’s officially spooky season on What to Read Next 🕯️🎃 — and today I’m joined by Erin Sterling (also known as Rachel Hawkins) to talk witches, Halloween romance, and the joy of building a town where it’s always autumn.

In this cozy-spooky conversation, we dive into Erin’s beloved paranormal rom-coms The Ex Hex and The Kiss Curse, the art of balancing romance with magic, and why Halloween deserves way more love than Christmas in the seasonal romance lineup. Erin also shares the books she recommends for spooky season — from gothic horror to candy-colored thrillers — plus what she reads when she’s drafting two books at once.

📚 Books Mentioned

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling — Paranormal Romance | Audio ✅

The Kiss Curse by Erin Sterling — Paranormal Romance | Audio ✅

The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas — Gothic Horror | Audio ✅

The No-Show by Beth O’Leary — Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅

My Summer Darlings by May Cobb — Thriller | Audio ✅

The Daughters of the Winter Queen by Nancy Goldstone — Nonfiction/History | Audio ✅

⏱️ Episode Timestamps

[00:00] Erin Sterling & Rachel Hawkins origin story

[01:00] Inside The Ex Hex & The Kiss Curse

[02:45] Building a Halloween-forward small town

[04:00] Why Halloween romance deserves more love

[05:00] Erin’s reading tastes & favorite genres

[06:00] Spooky season book recommendations

[08:30] Writing two books at once

[10:00] What Erin is reading now

Join the Conversation

Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)

Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read Next

Subscribe & leave a review!

Det här avsnittet är hämtat från ett öppet RSS-flöde och publiceras inte av Podme. Det kan innehålla reklam.

Avsnitt(937)

Ghosts, Multiverses & Magic: Speculative Romance Recs | Author Interview Bridget Morrissey

What if you could see every version of your life, including the one where your high school nemesis turns out to be the love of your life? Bridget Morrissey is back to talk about her dazzling new specu...

27 Sep 18min

10 National Book Award Nominees You Need to Know | Literary Fiction Longlist

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.This post was an original Subtack Live that aired on September 18, 2026.Awards season has landed —...

20 Sep 22min

What to Read After Watching Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (SLOMW) | Too Blessed to Stress by Alli Hoff Kosik

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.This podcast originally aired March 2026What happens when influencer culture, megachurch ambition,...

14 Sep 39min

The Myth of the Debut Author, Explained by an Agent | Siren Says by Jennifer Herrera

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What happens when a literary agent decides to become the author she's spent her career championing...

8 Sep 32min

3 Monster Hunter Books for Horror Beginners | Book Goose Substack

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Ever wanted to try horror but didn't know where to start? This episode is your gentle on-ramp.Bri ...

6 Sep 24min

5 Pirate Romantasy Reads You Need on Your TBR | The Siren's Kiss by Leslie Vedder

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Pirates, mermaids, sea witches, and a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance — this episode has every...

1 Sep 12min

2026 Hugo Awards: The Best Novel Nominees, Ranked | Fantasy & Sci-Fi

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Six books, one vote, and a whole community weighing in — Deedi's back to break down this year's Hu...

26 Aug 36min

Silent Book Club for Two: My New Favorite Reading Ritual

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Laura's back with a solo update on slowing down, making reading friends in a new city, and two mys...

10 Aug 9min