The Ezra Klein Show Reading List: Books Recommended By Guests On The Podcast (part 1 Of 3)

In the heart of New York, Lyra Octavia finds herself rejected by her first mate, Luca and replaced by her close friend. Her life took a tremendous turn when she crossed path with Xavier, a powerful alpha king and her lover from her past life who was cursed by the moon goddess. Her precognitive dreams returned after her encounter with Xavier. Will she discover the secrets of her precognitive dream and rewrite the destiny of her past lover when she finds out who she really is? That's for you to find out.

Betty was sold to the Lycan tyrant by her mum to be his mistress just in exchange for some cash. Betty, hurt and devastated, at her mum's actions decided to accept her fate and found out along the way, the Lycan king was her mate. The Lycan king who cherishes power over anything else felt disgusted to have a mere human trash as a mate, so he rejected her boldly, Infront of everyone and declared his childhood friend with more higher status as his mate. Hurt and broken by this, developed hatred in her heart for him. The Lycan king despite having a fiancee already kept bedding Betty, and one day she got pregnant. Scared, and thinking her and her innocent baby would be murdered, she immediately decided to ran away and escaped successfully only to fall into the enemies territory, which is the werewolf Realm and from there, she met her second chance mate, who was the Alpha. She felt safe with him and Demetrius decided to use her as a pawn in his games. What games? Meanwhile, back at the Lycan's world, the Lycan king is worried and is continuously searching for Betty. Upon hearing she was in the werewolf Realm, he journeyed to get her back, but the questions are: Would she accept him back? What is Demetrius plan? Is it evil, or for the benefits of his people? What is Betty's special identity? Does Betty know she is special? And finally, who would Betty finally choose between the two kings? The one who rejected her because he wanted someone of higher status, or the one who wanted to just make use of her powers and end her? Why don't you all delve in with me and find out in this werewolf romance filled with twists?.

You are the bane to my existence, Ethan. Always hovering over me, dictating my life. But I won't let you control my heart." "Oh, Ava, if you only knew the chaos you've stirred within me. You challenge me in ways I never thought possible. I'm captivated by your spirit, your unwavering determination. Let me show you a love that defies expectations, a love that is entirely our own." "I'm not one to be easily swayed by words, Ethan. I need actions, true intentions. Prove to me that this arrangement isn't just another game of power and control." **** In the dazzling world of high society, Ava Sinclair is a force to be reckoned with—a fiercely independent woman who defies conventions and fights for her dreams. But when an arranged marriage binds her to Ethan Morgan, a brooding and enigmatic billionaire, her carefully constructed world is turned upside down. Ava resents the idea of being tied to a man she barely knows, and Ethan is equally reluctant to enter into a loveless union. Yet, as they navigate the intricacies of their forced arrangement, they find themselves drawn to each other in ways they never anticipated. As their initial animosity gives way to unexpected sparks, Ava and Ethan discover a connection that transcends their obligations. But with their families and society watching their every move, will they have the courage to defy tradition and pursue their own desires? Amidst grand balls, scandalous secrets, and whispered gossip, Ava and Ethan must navigate the treacherous waters of high society and their own guarded hearts. Will they succumb to the pressure of societal expectations, or will they dare to chase the love that sets their souls on fire?

He’s a ruthless, powerful, and undefeated Alpha. She’s a weak omega with no family or rights, a slave. Could the moon goddess have made a mistake? In the history of this infamous race, there has never been a divine mating between an Alpha and an Omega. Power and weakness do not mix. Aurora, an omega with no memory of her past, has done well to live quietly and hidden in a pack that merely tolerates her. Damon Bane, one of the strongest Alphas to ever grace the battlefield has returned from war. He’s to conquer a list of other alphas in battle and become the Alpha king. But first, he needs a Luna to be qualified. He has no interest in love or matrimony. So he agrees to have his Luna chosen for him. Then the unbelievable happens. Aurora, a slave and omega in the pack, is chosen for the Alpha. Aurora’s quiet life is driven into chaos when the Alpha rejects her. She has nowhere else to go. Especially with the dark secret that haunts her. Will the moon goddess’ choice make or break the Silvercrest pack? Or can Aurora prove to her Alpha what she’s worthy and melt his cold, lonely heart? And when she finds out his secret, a deep truth hidden from all, will he be able to trust her with his legacy? *** “Damn the moon goddess. Never will I bed a pathetic, little omega, or make her my Queen! She has nothing to offer and is worth less.” His eyes glowed blood red when he turned to her, his exposed fangs stamping his disgust. “If I ever set my eyes on you again, I’ll rip your throat open with my teeth and send you to the goddess.”

Zacharias Goldman's second-in-command was a young and beautiful Beta. His friends, thinking he had never done anything to the Beta, often laughed at his incompetence. "She's a cute female. Are you sure you can hold it back?" Zacharias leaned into the back of the couch lazily. His voice was oozing with nonchalance. "I can't. She's… delicious." That shocked the crowd. Mikhail Crosswing, his best friend, whistled. "And I thought you were loyal to the end. Loyal to Lucilla. She's going to raise hell if she finds out." Zacharias chortled. "Ah, yes, she can be a headache when she does that. That's why you boys need to cover for me. The bonding ceremony is in three days. I don't want anything to go wrong." The boys cackled and promised they would keep their mouths sealed. I was standing right outside the door. I heard everything, but all I did was leave in silence. The mate ring was still in my hand, but the bonding ceremony was not going to happen.

20 year old Leilani Whitlock experiences first hand hardship when her once peaceful life goes suddenly from good to terrible in a night. Her parents, who were the Alpha and Luna of their pack, meet with mayhem on their way back from a long trip. They are announced dead at the spot leaving the young Leilani to fend for herself as well as for her younger sister. Her father’s Beta, Joyner, then makes himself Alpha by forcing himself into the throne. He at first, takes Leilani and her sister in as his but then after Leilani rejects his very many sexual advancements, he changes towards her and her sister, forces them to practically become slaves in his kingdom and then sells them off when he no longer found them useful. They successfully escape their buyers, run into the streets but fall into the territory of the Crescent Moon pack. What then happens to Leilani when, due to desperation, takes up the job role of being the nanny of three grown adults who are way older than she was? And to top matters, what would she do when the three of them seem to show a special interest in her? …even after all of this confusion, she’s faced with a bigger challenge when their family friend, Lucas joins in the already misshaped love rectangle, and then she’s forced to make a decision on whom to choose between the quartet. And to make matters worse, she gets an unannounced call from her past…

“ It was not Love but a game! ” ANASTASIA ADAMS, used to live her life alone, away from the filthy business of her Mafia Father; WILLIAM ADAMS. When one day he called her back home, as an unfamiliar enemy has risen to wreck them. Not conscious of the truth of Twisted Mafia world, she fell in love with the wrong person. The man who walked down the path of vengeance, BEAST. He was Vengeful, Cold, Ruthless and the worst Mafia around. His heart was void of any variety of emotions, which turned him into a monster. What will happen when he will kidnap her and show her, his real face? What will happen when she finds out, that he was the danger, she was supposed to be conscious of? What will happen when she becomes his favourite prey? ~He leaned down, till their noses touched and whispered, “Did you think it was love?” He laughed looking away and licked his lips up, while his gaze travelled from her eyes, that had been glaring at him hatefully, to her lips, that looked as delicious and eye-catching as ever. “No, Angel!” He leaned closer and she ought to feel his hot breath hitting her face. She clenched her eyes closed and thrashed again, to get out of the chains keeping her down, which proved to be of no use. He leaned nearer and their lips slightly touched, sending the acquainted tingles down her spine. His gaze was fixed at her plump lips when he whispered, “It is Just a Game!”

“She is mine!” Alpha Casper roared, yanking me toward him, his eyes blazing a dangerous shade of red. “Let her go, you filthy mutt and I might let you live.” Alpha Jake only pulled me closer, his lips curling into a dark smirk. “Funny,” he growled, “I was about to say the same thing to you.” The room trembled with their growls, two powerful Alphas locked in a deadly stare, both refusing to back down. But just when I thought it couldn’t get worse, the doors burst open and another Alpha stepped in. His eyes landed on me, and his voice rumbled with possessive fury. “Mate!” … Kamari had just turned eighteen, the age every wolf dreams of, when she can finally shift and embrace her destiny. But the Moon Goddess had other plans. Instead of one fated mate… she was given three. Three powerful Alphas, each bound to her by destiny, torn apart by rivalry, and willing to destroy the world just to claim her heart.

WARNING!!! THIS IS A TRUE SLOW-BURN ROMANCE. If you're looking for instant heat or early smut, you won't find it here. This is a slow, emotional, character-driven romance where every moment is earned. The fire comes later… and it’s worth the wait. Still here? Brave soul. Let's see how long you last. She woke from a two-year coma… into a billionaire’s revenge. Aria Williams opens her eyes and discovers she’s been forced into a contract marriage with Damon Stone, a cold, calculating billionaire who believes she’s her identical twin—the woman who stole millions from him and vanished without a trace. To him, she’s Ava—the liar, the thief, the woman he’s vowed to ruin. Only, Aria is innocent. She’s been in a coma for two years, unaware of the chaos her sister left behind. Now, trapped in a life that isn’t hers, she must navigate Damon’s wrath, her own fear, and the dangerous pull of a man who swore he’d never feel anything again. But as Aria fights to survive in a twisted game of mistaken identity, passion flares, secrets unravel, and the line between love and hate begins to blur. Because the most dangerous lie of all isn’t the one told to her... It’s the one she’s telling herself.

This book is the continuation of Protected by the Devil. Elena was betrayed once again, and to escape her problems of infernal royalty, she returns to the human world and seeks to live hidden from the archangels. The problem is that one of the archangels linked to her destiny finds her and reveals the terrible truth about the beginning of the war between angels and demons; the Apocalypse.