Insider #19: I read Silver Elite so you don’t have to…
Plus what to read instead, a few reality TV romance recs, and a cozy weekend vibe check
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Insider #19: I read Silver Elite so you don’t have to…
Hey friend,
Some weeks, your TBR is a carefully curated roadmap.
Other weeks? It’s detours through donut shops, awkward dating shows, and cowboys who shoot their shot a little too early.
And sometimes… it’s a book that completely derails you.
I read Silver Elite by Dani Francis last weekend—yes, that book everyone is talking about—and let’s just say it sent me into a minor reading spiral. Was it AI? A pen name? A fever dream? I’m still not sure. (We did talk about that in this week’s Novel Hour)
What I do know is I needed something—anything—to act as a bookish palate cleanser. So this week’s reading life was a little all over the place… but I still have messy, bingeable recs to share with you, some seasonal content, and a full vibe check to close out the week.
I was hoping to film another reading vlog. But halfway through trying to record it, I realized… I didn’t have a vlog. I had a mood. And a weird reading slump. And a new blush that made me look vaguely alive. So instead, I made this:
🎥 Bookish Brunch: Messy Romances, Makeup, and Mood Reading
In it, I talk about the books I actually read, the ones I wanted to read, and the two new arrivals I couldn’t wait to unbox (spoiler: one of them might live on my bookshelf forever, if I survive assembling it).
And since the blog was ALL about messy, binge-worthy romance this week, I’m pulling those recs into a little roundup here—just in case your reading life also needs a little mess.
Books That Feel Like Reality TV (In the Best Way)
If you're craving the book version of Love Island, The Great British Bake Off, or HGTV—but hotter, this week’s blog theme was for you. Here are a few standout picks:
🕺 Take the Lead by Alexis Daria
A pro dancer + a rugged Alaskan wilderness star on a dancing competition show. The tension? Off the charts. The steam? Dancing With the Stars wishes.
🛠️ Mr. Fixer Upper by Lucy Score
Grumpy contractor. No-nonsense TV producer. Home renovation shenanigans and a very sexy tool belt situation. If HGTV had more smoldering glances, this would be it.
💔 Thank You, Next by Kathryn Freeman
What’s more awkward than running into your ex on a dating show? Running into two. This one is pure reality show chaos, in the best way.
🎂 Battle Royal by Lucy Parker
Think GBBO meets enemies-to-lovers. She’s a sunshine baker. He’s a brooding royal cake expert. There’s rivalry, glitter, and a royal wedding cake on the line.
🎙️ First Time Caller by B.K. Borison
A single mom is signed up for a radio matchmaking segment by her kid... and accidentally falls for the host. Small town charm meets broadcast butterflies.
🍩 Just Our Luck by Denise Williams
A lottery win, a donut shop, and fake dating gone absolutely sideways. If you like your messiness with sweetness and banter, this one’s for you.
Want more reality TV inspired romance books? Check out all the recs on the blog this week:
10 Reality TV Romance Books That Bring the Drama (and the HEA)
9 Reality TV Dating Show Romance Books You’ll Binge Like the Bachelor
Did you miss last week’s Insider? Check it out here:
The Silver Elite Spiral (and Better Books Instead)
I didn’t go into Silver Elite expecting brilliance—but I also didn’t expect to question reality for 500+ pages. Why was it so long? It was chaotic, tropey, vaguely (and I mean barely) dystopian, and honestly? I still don’t know what I read. But I did film the whole journey.
📺 Watch the reading vlog here
And in case you want actual dystopian romances with tension, worldbuilding, and stakes that make sense…
📺 Watch: Adult Dystopian Romances Worth Your Time - Better Than Silver Elite – YouTube
Spring Reading Vibes (aka the blog is thriving)
This week’s blog content is full of soft spring vibes—think florals, time slips, and romantic strolls through Paris.
🌻 Flower Shop Romances – Florists and all the flower shops you can sneeze at (that’s all I can think of because allergies are HARD).
🕰️ Time Travel Romance Books +
🔎 Time Travel Mysteries on Mysterylandia – Parallel lives, lost timelines, portal chaos.
🇫🇷 Romance Set in France – Springtime strolls, Parisian pining, and bakery smooches.
And if you’re feeling stuck with your TBR or just need a vibe check for what’s worth reading right now…
♉ Taurus Season Reading Reset (YouTube) – I shared 12 books + 6 tropes that are perfect for your current mood.
Don’t forget to download the May Romance Horoscope with the perfect new release for your zodiac sign.
What I Actually Read
📘 Much Ado About Hating You by Sarah Echavarre Smith
Shakespeare-inspired, enemies to lovers, and a twist: he writes anonymous romance fanfic, and she’s his biggest fan—without knowing it’s him. Slightly underwhelming, a few 🚩 moments, but still a fast read.
⭐ 3–3.25 stars
🤠 Rein Me In by Kayla Grosse
Cowboy. Age gap. Small town. Healing from grief. I liked this one more—it’s light, sweet, and a bit emotional.
⭐ 3.5 stars
Switching Genres, Saving My Sanity
This week reminded me: I need to read for me. Not for trends. Not for the algorithm. Not because BookTok said it’s the next big thing.
So I’m starting:
Heart of the Sun by Mia Sheridan – Post-apocalyptic, ex-con bodyguard, pop star second chance.
To Catch a Lord by Emma Orchard – Steamy love triangle in a Regency setting? Count me in.
And if you’re feeling the same TBR burnout, I wrote about that too:
So if you’re in the middle of a reading funk, or just want to permission-slip yourself out of the latest BookTok trend, this one’s for you.
Happy Mail This Week
Even if the reading was a little off, my mailbox came through with good vibes:
💄 Tower 28 Magic Hour Blush
A peachy cream blush that’s been doing the most—on cheeks, lips, and eyes. It’s the only reason I look alive in this week’s brunch video. Shop it here
🏠 Owl Bookstore DIY Book Nook (CuteBee)
I’ve gifted book nooks before, but this is the first one I’m actually building myself. Wish me luck (and patience). Shop it here
💋 Eadem Lip Gloss in Butter Mochi
This came in during the Silver Elite vlog. It’s plush, neutral color, and feels amazing—kind of like comfort reading for your face. Also I love that it’s not sticky. Shop it here
📚 Book Mail: An Unladylike Secret by Anita Murray
A surprise mail from the publisher—historical, feminist, and with mystery vibes I’m excited to explore the series. Might pair it with tea. Have you read this series yet? Check it out
More to Watch
If you still can’t get enough, here's what else went up on YouTube this week:
This Week’s New Releases – What’s hot or on our radar → Watch now
Taurus Season Reading Reset - 6 tropes + 12 books to read right now → Watch now
Recent recommendation: Daughter of Tides by Kit Rocha
Replay: Novel Hour Live — Jewish American Heritage Month
This week’s Novel Hour was packed:
Books by Jewish American authors (across romance, historical, and paranormal)
Gossip + fanfiction news (yes, we talked Draco/Hermione book marketing drama), Audible doing AI narration, Dani Francis pen name discussion, narrator hate and why some people need to be house trained before commenting online.
New release spotlight
What we’re watching (including Secret Lives of Mormon Wives)
🎥 Watch the full live replay
📝 All 9 books by Jewish American Authors Featured
Join us every Thursday at 12PM EST for our Novel Hour show on Youtube.
And what do you think about this new format for the Weekly Insider—with a Sunday video chat and a reading vibe check to close out the week?
I’d love to know if it’s something you’d want more of.
Hit reply and spill it all. I’m listening. 💌
xo,
Francesca
Sharing our love for books as Under the Covers Book Blog since 2011, running the Romanceopoly yearly reading challenge since 2019 and hosting the Reading Under the Covers podcast since 2020. Launched Mysterylandia in 2025.