Meet the Team
Under the Covers Book Blog was born in May 2011 with originally 3 friends that met online. Francesca, Annie and Suzanne. A few months later, Angela joined in!
Books have the power to unite people and that is exactly what happened with us! Our love for books brought us together and we became good friends in a short amount of time. We “met” online through Goodreads and decided to share our passion of books with fellow book lovers. And that is how Under the Covers came to be…
Nowadays, the team has changed. Annie is no longer with us but became a published author and you can check out here books as Ana Jolene. Angela has stayed on as a guest reviewer. And we’ve added a wonderful team of reviewers across many genres!
How We Rate
To find out more about how we rate books, check out this brief recap of our differences
Featured
Complete list of articles we’ve written for other websites, as well as where we’ve been featured
Media Kit
Looking for more information about the blog and how to work with us or advertise?
Behind the blog
Francesca
I’m a 30-something bookworm, planner nerd, sun lover, coffee addict and obsessed with all things elephants. I currently live on the West Coast of Florida but I’m originally from Italy and raised in Panama.
I’m one third of the Fangover – listen on your favorite podcast app every week as we romance all things that go bump in the night.
I get easily distracted by pictures of sexy guys and have tons of book boyfriends. I keep all my alpha males chained to my basement and guard them fiercely. *Back off bitches* I like to see Jason Momoa as a lot of those boyfriends, because ….. mmmmmmm JASON.MOMOA!
I love blogging with my girls and I couldn’t do it any other way! My first love is everything paranormal, but in the past few years I’ve learned to love contemporary romance. Every once in a while I like to mix things up with a historical romance, a steampunk or an LGBT book. Because I need variety to avoid book slumps. I don’t always need an HEA although I prefer one, and I love authors that can rip my heart out and make me ugly cry.
Behind the blog
Suzanne
Blogger and host of the podcast The Fangover where we romance all things that go bump in the night!
Gosh, we all seem to be admitting our ages…and I hate that I am at the point in life when admitting my age is a “thing”…whodda thunk it? I was kind of hoping I would remain 21 forever. However, I have moved out of that New Adult stage of my life and am now strictly in the Contemporary Romance age zone of 30. I would prefer to be in an Urban Fantasy arena, but I don’t think I own enough black leather. However, I could probably squeeze into some PNR, I am fully prepared to give a horn job to my favourite demon, or suck on my sexy vamps…fangs and I am definitely up for some heavy petting with some fine looking shifters. Than again their’s always Sci Fi…I am fully prepared to do the right thing and help some poor alien race with more 6 packs than a supermarket repopulate their planet.
Annnnnd I will stop myself there, before I start waxing lyrical about my love of historical romance and fantasy as well; no one needs to know about my elf fantasies. As you can tell, I adore and day dream about most romance genres, and my three big loves are 1) reading about romance 2) writing about romance and 3) talking about romance with my gals. Which, is why I love Under the Covers so much, I get all my bookish needs satisfied and don’t get judged when I talk about my favourite characters like they are real people. Which they are right?
GUEST REVIEWER
Angela
One of the original members of Under the Covers, now taken a step back to stay on as a guest reviewer.
I am young at heart and a die hard romantic living in California. I am happily married to a man who understands my love for reading, blogging and my book boyfriends. I have two beautiful girls who are also avid readers but forbidden to any of my books. I like running, CrossFit and eat healthy but not necessarily good at it. My motto is “I have the right to choose my calories” and often, my choice of poison is a bag of Flammin’ Hot Cheetos. I love to read PNR, UF, Contemporary, New Adult, and Romantic Suspense. Occasionally, I will venture to Erotica, BDSM reads and rarely Historical Romance. There are some sub-genres that I don’t always enjoy, but I’m open to stepping out of my comfort zone. For the most part, as long as there’s a hint of romance, I’m pretty much in.
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Podcasts Downloads
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AUTHORS FEATURED
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Get to Know Us
Guest Reviewers
Allie
Favorite Authors: Abby Jimenez, Alexa Martin, Chloe Liese
Forever a hopeless romantic and lover of sappy movies, I became reacquainted with my love for reading, in particular romance, during the pandemic. Running on coffee and Hamilton lyrics, I fill my days to the brim. Most days I’m awake from sun up to sun down, teaching middle schoolers, reading, exercising, and chasing around my two kids. You can find me reading romance, YA, and nonfiction books in my spare time and slyly sliding my favorite authors’ DM’s trying to become their new best friend.
Amanda
Favorite Authors: V. E. Schwab, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka
Amanda (Manda) is a graduate of Michigan State University, where she received a degree in sports journalism. Her love of books started at a young age, and has continued into adulthood. The pandemic made her fall even more in love with books than before, which led to her creation of a bookstagram and really immersing herself more into the bibliophile world. She loves anything YA, fantasy, romance, thrillers, and historical fiction.
Ashton
Favorite Authors: Marissa Meyer, Julie Kagawa, and Mary E. Pearson
Hi, I’m Ashton!! I’m 18 and I will be a student in college starting Fall 2021! I obviously love to read; my go-to genre is fantasy but I’ll read anything YA (especially if it has romance)! Along with reading, I love vocal music and literally sing allll the time. I’m into all things cozy: blankets, Netflix, candles, sweatshirts, you name it! You can catch me on Bookstagram and on Goodreads, so come and fangirl with me anytime!
Dusty
Favorite Authors: Rick Riordan, Illona Andrews, Christine Feehan
A long time ago in a land not so far away there lived a bookworm named Dusty. When Dusty isn’t busy mixing potions in a chemistry lab, she’s usually dreaming of heroes who slew ancient Greek monsters of myth and legend. She’s also a not so closeted Hallmark addict. It’s totally okay though because admitting it is the first step to getting help. She would love to visit the worlds of Ilona Andrews and Christina Lauren’s creation (if given the chance). These days you’ll find her reading mostly urban fantasy romance stories. You may also catch her reading books with a young adult or contemporary romance vibe.
Ines
Favorite Authors: JLA, Sarah J Maas, Ilona Andrews
I´m a 20 something – closer to 30 than 20 if I´m being honest – year old latina obsessed with the English written world. Living in Argentina with only two real English bookstores has been a challenge for most of my life. Most of my international trips include coming back home with a bag dedicated to books bought abroad. My kindle is my most prized possession, helping me read multiple books a year, as well as getting to know new authors. When I´m not working, you can find me spending time with my friends and a good wine or enjoying the outdoors. Always with my head behind a book (kindle or paperback, whichever I can get my hands on), my friends describe me as that obsessive reader that loves to spend hours on end in my couch, or the bus, or even walking with my mind in the fantasy world. If it´s not of this world, I´m usually a sucker for those, since I especially love to disconnect through living in worlds totally different from ours. Anything with romance, be it Urban Fantasy, New adult, Paranormal and YA is usually part of my yearly reads. I´ve burned my friends’ ears talking about dragons, fae, vampires, and werewolves and obviously hearing about all of my amazing book boyfriends I´ve met throughout the years. Some of my favorite authors include JLA, Sarah J. Maas, Ilona Andrews, and Jeanine Frost.
Izzy
Favorite Authors: Chloe Liese & Elle Cosimano & Nicola Yoon
I’m a 20-something anxious, developmental genetics research scientist with imposter syndrome that frequently listens to sad songs when I’m already sad. I’ve been a voracious reader for my whole life, preferring to spend my free time with my nose stuck in a book. I read mostly romance with a dash of YA, thrillers, and fantasy thrown in. Enemies-to-lovers and slow-burn romances full of steam are what I’m most often drawn to, but I can get behind a good closed-door romance. Even now, I’d rather spend my free time curled up with a fuzzy blanket and a good book. I’m excited and honored to be joining Under the Covers as a guest reviewer and sharing my love of books.
Jen
Favorite Authors: Jennifer L. Armentrout/J. Lynn, Sarah J. Maas, Lynsay Sands
A book reader, tea drinker, and nap taker, I spend my days working in a college library and spend my nights reading books, reviewing books, and thinking about books.
Jocelyn
Favorite Authors: Sarah J Maas, Jennifer L Armentrout
I am a 20something wanderluster, and avid reader stuck behind a screen living the reality of office life while completing graduate school for Creative Writing. I love to travel and am a huge history buff. I am happiest with anything related to tea, books, and travelling. You can always find me walking around with a book in my hand and a notebook. I am happily married to a man who understands my love of book boyfriends (ahem ahem Jamie Fraser and Matthew de Clermont) and the frequent packages of books that just happen to appear on our porch containing new books. It must be magic.
I’m an aspiring novelist and hope to one day create dynamic characters and worlds for others the way books have always made me feel less alone or somehow always knew exactly what I needed. I love to read anything related to romance. I’m particularly interested in paranormal, fantasy, urban fantasy, contemporary, historical fiction, and YA. One of my favourite tropes is enemies to lovers.
Leah
Favorite Authors: Sarah J Maas, Jennifer Armentrout, Stephanie Garber
Hi, I’m Leah! I have had my nose buried in a book since I can remember. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve lost track of the time or what I’ve been doing because I HAD to finish the book I was reading. I love many different genres some of my favorites are fiction, fantasy, romance, and I generally read YA and New Adult.
Some of my favorite authors are Sarah J Maas, Jennifer Armentrout, Karen Marie Moning, Sally Thorne….wow I could go on and on.
Liz
Favorite Authors: Helen Hoang, Tessa Dare, and Mariana Zapata
I was an avid reader as a kid and then really got back into it after I finished up my PhD. Nowadays, it’s really all about reading anything I can get my hands on! I especially like romance (contemporary and historical are probably my go-to sub-genres, but I read a bit of everything), although I love dabbling in other genres too!
When I’m not reading, I love to plan. I really enjoy having a semblance of organization in my life, even if it’s sometimes totally just a façade. Currently I use 4 different planners, only some of which are probably necessary, but I like them anyway!
Mariángeles
Favorite Authors: Taylor Reid Jenkis, Helen Hoang, and Isabel Allende
I’m a 20something wannabe editor and translator all the way from Puerto Rico. As an island girl, I’ve been using reading as an escape to larger and magical worlds for as long as I can remember. It only made sense that I would want to make a career out of it and so I went on to study English Literature at university. Right now, I’m working hard as a graduate student in Translation (from English to Spanish), hoping to someday be translating or editing the same books I’m obsessed with crosses fingers.
I love romance in any shape or form, but I’m specially fond of steamy fantasy romances that leave me with a book hangover for days on end. Apart form romance, I’m not too picky with my books, and will usually read anything thrown at me with a pretty cover. I’m so excited to be sharing my thoughts with everyone here at UTC and to be in a space with so many bookish lovers!
Marie P
Avid reader from Chicago! I’ve always loved reading, ever since I was young, and have tried to make it a consistent part of my life. In college I majored in writing-intensive English, and I eventually went on to law school, where there was no shortage of reading (albeit a very different kind of reading!). I work an as attorney now, but in every spare moment I have I can be found reading. I’m a fur mama of a retired racing greyhound, and my favorite genre is anything fiction (contemporary/women’s/YA/historical), as well as nonfiction. Excited to read and write about some amazing books on an amazing site!
Marie W
Favorite Authors: Sarah J Mass; Kerri Maniscalco; KA Tucker
I am Canadian, living in Beautiful British Columbia and a Dog Mom to an adorable Golden Retriever who most days forgets she’s a dog. By day, I am an engineering (almost) professional – fingers crossed that “P” in my email signature comes in soon. By night, I’m a avid adventurer of all things fictional. I am also a light-duty outdoor adventurer – I love skiing and hiking – but I haven’t quite got into carrying my supplies on my back; I need that comfy bed or cozy, practically fully furnished tent at the end of my day.
When it comes to books, my heart has always and will always belong to fantasy, magic and anything extraordinary, especially if there’s romance involved. While my shelves are full of fantastic monsters, my Kindle and Library history are jam packed full of rom-coms, historical romance, new adult romance and the more than occasional foray into erotica of all genres. While I love consuming new reads, I am also a chronic re-reader of my favourites. Oh, and don’t ever crack the spine of my books. Ever.
I joined Bookstagram in 2020 and have met some many wonderful bookish people. I’m super excited to be joining the lovely ladies of the UTC blogging team and getting the chance to connect more with this community!
Mariya
Favorite Authors: Sarah Maas, VE Schwab, Rebecca Ross, Scarlett St Clair, Ilona Andrews
Hi, I’m Mariya. My day job is working with people with hearing loss but whenever I have down time you can find me curled up with a book, my reading buddy, Belle the tabby, never too far away.
A world traveler, I love books that transport me to other worlds and times. Which is why my favorite genres are fantasy and historical fiction. A good dose of romance mixed in is always welcome.
When I’m not reading I love taking photos for my blog, grabbing coffee with friends, collecting book inspired merch and exploring the city with my boyfriend.
Mayda
Favorite Authors: Of all time or current? I’ll give you both. Poe, Emily Dickinson and Anne Rice. Recently, Penelope Douglas, Celia Aaron, Theoroda Taylor, Ruby Dixon, Willow Winters
Hi there! My name is Mayda, your friendly caffeinated bookworm. I have always been a voracious reader and lead a very bookish life. When I am not reading for fun, I work as a book layout designer, proofreader and illustrator for the publishing/art licensing world. My literacy background consists primarily of non-fiction and literature. However, in recent years I’ve been introduced to the alluring world of romance. From the meet cute, rom-com to dark romance all the way to outer space (alien romance) has now consumed my literacy world.
Noemi
Favorite Authors: Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer Armentrout, Stephanie Garber
I can’t remember a time when my nose wasn’t buried in a book. I love browsing in bookstores and there is always a book or my kindle in my bag, because you never know when you may find time to read. A few years ago, I started blogging and reviewing and spending more time on social media which I think is the perfect place to get book recommendations and meet people who share my same passion and interests. I used to read mostly thrillers, romance, and women’s fiction – and I still ready many of them -, but a couple of years ago I started reading fantasy (YA and Adult) and it is now my favourite genre and my favourite authors include Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer Armentrout, Stephanie Garber, and Kerri Maniscalco.
If I am not reading, and spending way too many hours working, I like watching TV, swimming, hiking, travelling, and I spend a lot of time with my three lively nephew and nieces.
Pilar
Favorite Authors: Kristen Ashley, Lora Leigh, Lisa Kleypas
I am an “X” year old hotel executive lover of all things romance (It was instilled in me that after age 20 a lady should never reveal her age, lol). My love of romance began with Spanish telenovelas at a young age. I spent great spans of time with my grandparents who did not speak English and became engrossed in the world of telenovelas as they were always playing on the TV in their home. In my teens some of my first ventures into romance were Forever by Judy Blume, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. With the passage of time when I went to college I read anything that was available in the limited market, and romance section at the local B&N. My first favorites were by Jude Deveraux, Judith McNaught, Johanna Lindsey, Linda Lael Miller, Amanda Quick aka Jayne Ann Krentz, and Sandra Brown.
I go through genre phases at times but will read just about anything romance with the exception of NA/YA which I tend to stay away from. I have read some romances with MM roles however it is not what I prefer unless there is a Menage MMF relationship. The vast availability of talented work by so many authors and all at the click of a button make it feel like it’s Christmas every day and my wallet feels it as well, though sometimes some books I buy feel like lumps of coal in my stocking. I am trying to get on track with using Goodreads so I can keep it all straight. I live for the moments when I can lay in the sun on a beautiful island destination with my family, a tropical drink nearby, and my trusty paperwhite in hand, or just spending quality time with great friends, family or a book on my nook or kindle!
Rachel
Favorite Authors: Chloe Liese, Emily Henry, Meghan Quinn
I’m a 30-something with a love of book, especially romance and thrillers. I’m a sucker for a happy ever after, but also love the thrill of a mystery. My personal preference is that the steamier the romance, the better, but I can appreciate a good slow-burn or closed door romance when all the other elements of the story are clicking. I’m a cat-mom who believes pets make the best reading companions. My TBR pile is never-ending thanks to Bookstagram and I’m so thrilled to be a part of that community thanks to all the wonderful people I’ve met along the way and the amazing book recommendations I’ve received. I have a special interest in noting what’s good to “Read For A Moment”, whether it’s sharing a book featuring a sport around the time of a major sporting event, sharing holiday books or books perfect for reading on vacations. I’m honored to be a guest reviewer and sharing some of my bookish thoughts with you!
Sara
Favorite Authors: Jim Butcher, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Madeline Miller
I have lived through over 30 rotations around the sun. But how many exactly is for me to know. As well as being a sarcastic gem and avid book lover, I enjoy playing Dungeons & Dragons, video games, baking, martial arts, and being a coffee (addict) aficionado. When I’m not involved in my nerdy pursuits, I can be found working long hours in a chef’s coat.
When it comes to book genres, my go to is Urban Fantasy. Honestly, all forms of Fantasy will do. I also enjoy reading Supernatural Horror, Sci-fi, Thrillers, Mysteries, Mythology Retellings, and Paranormal Romance.
Sarah
Favorite Authors: Sarah J. Maas, Sally Thorne, Riley Sager
My love for reading began at the school Scholastic Book Fair and has since become an addiction I just can’t quit. Special thanks to my trusty library card for being my wallet’s saving grace.
My happy place is relaxing on the front porch swing with a hot cup of coffee and getting lost in a book.
I enjoy reading everything from Romance, Contemporary, Thriller, Fantasy, YA, New Adult, Suspense, Paranormal, and Historical. However, there is nothing better than a good love story.
Serenity
Favorite Authors: Maureen Johnson, Erin Morgenstern, Elise Bryant
I’m a 20-something year old, coffee addicted, vaccine research scientist who’s been in love with the written word for as long as I can remember. Growing up, my mom read me every book under the sun and gave each character a unique and distinct voice. That alone is what gave me my love for reading. I fell away from the book life in college, but now that I’m working and have more time on my hands, I ran headfirst into the world of bookstagram and discovered so many new favorite novels.
When I’m not working, I’m nestled on my couch with whatever books I can find. I don’t really have one go-to genre (I really like branching out), but lately I’ve been reading YA/NA Contemporary Romance and High Fantasy. There’s something about reading a good romance that always hits me right in the feels. I live for the nights I can just sit on my couch, a fuzzy blanket draped over me, with a cup of hot coffee and a book in my hands.
Sophie
Currently on a quest to own library cards from every county in California so I can have my options open , I happen to be a hardcore romance novel junkie both in English AND Spanish, which I enjoy MOSTLY via audiobooks during my daily commute to and from work.
I’m also a true and loyal #ally and supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, and LOVE #QueerLit.
My top 3 sub-genres are YA, Contemporary, and M/M.
Past Reviewers
Over the years, the UTC team has been made only better by having some amazing ladies as part of our reviewer team. With a wide range of genres to focus on. While they are no longer part of the team, we’re excited to see that some of them have also gone on to become authors themselves and wish them much success. Check out their reviews below.