Today in the Trope Cabinet, we’re pulling open the shimmering drawer labeled Fated Mates, and oh… it’s humming. We’ll explore the magic behind this beloved trope, why destiny-bound couples make us feral, the specific moments that send us into emotional spirals, and the pitfalls that can ruin the entire story. Plus, we walk through some of the best executions of the trope and what these books get so, so right.

If you’ve ever screamed “JUST ACCEPT THE BOND!” at 2 a.m., this episode is for you.

As always if you want to connect with Bloom and flame you can find me on Instagram @bloomandflamepod and on YouTube with the same name!

Until next week!

Step into the Bloom & Flame bookshop and settle in — today we’re chatting about The Ascended, a story packed with trials, betrayal, morally gray men, twin bonds that make your heart ache, and a heroine whose strength carries the entire realm on her back.

In this episode, we break down everything: — the characters who surprised us (and the ones who broke us) — Thatcher and Thais’ twin dynamic and why it works so well — Xul’s chef’s-kiss MMC energy — the trials that nearly destroyed us — the plot twists we should have seen coming but absolutely did not — and whether this book lived up to the hype (spoiler: I have thoughts)

If you’ve finished The Ascended, pull up a chair. If you haven’t… go read it and come back. I’ll be waiting right here in the shop.

As always if you want to connect with Bloom and flame you can find me on Instagram @bloomandflamepod and on YouTube with the same name!

Until next week!

Ok let's chat all about Brimstone by Callie Hart! In this episode I go in depth about the characters, the scenes, the romance, and even some theories! Let me know what are you theories, drop them on the bloom box over at Instagram or leave a comment here.

So get comfy, grab a drink, and join me as we chat about our favorite parts of this book, all in preparation for the release of Brimstone!

You can find Bloom and Flame on Instagram and YouTube @bloomandflamepod

I finally finished Brimstone and I am sharing all my thoughts! In this episode I talk about the good, the not so good, and expectations for book 3. Half of the episode is spoiler free, but the second half is not. So make sure you listen to the warnings and pause the episode if you have not finished Brimstone.

I also discuss the most anticipated move of 2026, well at leas for me! The trailer of Sunrise of the Reaping just got released and I loved it!

As always if you want to connect with Bloom and flame you can find me on Instagram @bloomandflame pod and on YouTube with the same name!

Until next week!

In this episode of Bloom & Blade, we’re diving into Quicksilver by Callie Hart. This story that gave us enemies to lovers, found magic, and one of my favorite morally grey man, Kingfisher.

Instead of a recap, this is a cozy, emotional book chat, we are exploring the moments that made us laugh, swoon, and overanalyze every look, line, and morally gray decision.

We’ll talk about the ending of the book with a quick recap and then start our book chat! We will chat about the characters, the scenes, quotes, and all the juicy details of the romance.

So get comfy, grab a drink, and join me as we chat about our favorite parts of this book, all in preparation for the release of Brimstone!

Step into Bloom & Flame, a romantasy and fantasy-romance podcast for anyone who likes their fantasy romantic and their heroes morally gray. Hosted by Kristi, each episode feels like a cozy-chaotic book chat it’s part heart, part humor, and just the right amount of emotional damage. From tender moments to high-stakes worlds, we dive into the stories, scenes, and characters that stay with us long after the last page. Step inside this little nook where fantasy meets feelings, and every story is a reminder why we read.