Where can I listen to this podcast?

This podcast is available on 8 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.

Does this podcast accept guests?

Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

Hearts & Daggers

Claim This Podcast

by Holly Fairall and Devin MacDonald

5.0(117 reviews)

114 episodes

Updated Daily

Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸

Podcast Authority

Beta

GoodBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more

Quality96

Social91

YouTube0

Engagement92

Learn more

Podcast Overview

Welcome to Hearts & Daggers, a podcast where we chat about the books that make our hearts race—whether that means we're swooning onto the bed or hiding under the covers. Our hosts are Devin, a New Englander living in Colorado who loves romances that amp her up and make her giggle; and Holly, a New Yorker who loves nothing more than reading something dark, creepy, and mysterious. Each week we will discuss two books—one lighter, one darker—that are united by a common theme. We will also each share one book we haven't read that we are excited about, and end with something in pop-culture or life right now that is making our hearts race. We hope you'll subscribe and join us bi-weekly for some fun conversations about romances, thrillers, and all the books in between that get our heart rates pumping!

Language

🇺🇲

Publishing Since

1/7/2022

Visit Website View on Apple Podcasts RSS Feed

🇺🇸 Charts #3

Outreach generated

Apple 142

Spotify 827

Instant mention tracking

Perfect fit!

Unlock The Full Podcast Authority Score Report

See how your podcast performs across key metrics

Podcast Authority

Beta

GoodBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more

Quality96

Social91

YouTube0

Engagement92

Learn more

Excellent Areas

Good Performance

Growth Opportunities

excellent

Episode Length

41 minutes

Performing excellently!

good

Publishing Consistency

Every 11 days

Recommendations available

Unlock the full report to see detailed tips

poor

Episode Thumbnails

Recommendations available

Unlock the full report to see detailed tips

+16 More Metrics

Unlock comprehensive insights including:

• YouTube presence analysis
• Social media reach metrics
• RSS compliance scoring
• Podcast 2.0 features
• Technical standards

What's Included in Your Full Report

Detailed Analytics

Complete breakdown of all 19 authority metrics
Personalized recommendations for each metric
Industry benchmarks and comparisons
Technical RSS feed analysis and compliance scoring

Growth Strategies

Step-by-step action plans for improvement
Quick wins to boost your score immediately
Pro tips from successful podcasters

Get your free podcast insights report

See how your show performs across every key metric

Instant delivery

No spam

Attract Better Guests

High authority scores make your podcast more attractive to industry leaders and influencers who want to appear on credible shows.

Secure Sponsorships

Sponsors look for podcasts with proven authority and engagement. Your score demonstrates your podcast's value to potential partners.

Grow Your Audience

Understanding your strengths and weaknesses helps you make data-driven decisions to expand your listener base effectively.

1 verified contact email on file for Hearts & Daggers

Pitch yourself as a guest, propose sponsorships, or reach out directly to the host.

See contact details

Recent Episodes

June 17, 2025

Ep. 90: LoveFest (Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend)

Hosts Holly and Devin celebrate the middle grade series Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend, exploring its rich world-building, complex characters, and themes of identity, belonging, and courage in this interview episode.

June 3, 2025

Ep. 89: Pregnancy (Ready or Not + Tilt)

Hosts Devin and Holly discuss novels featuring pregnant protagonists, including Cara Bastone's *Ready or Not*, which explores unexpected romance, and Emma Pattee's *Tilt*, which examines vulnerability and perseverance; this is a discussion episode.

May 20, 2025

Ep. 88: Villainous Jobs (Sign Here + Assistant to the Villain)

Summary: Muahaha! Cower in fear, dear listeners, as Holly and Devin discuss villains… who need a paycheck too. Whether you’ve worked in Corporate America or just like to imagine hell as an office building, these books will be a home run. Topics Discussed: <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> The Dagger (3:26): Holly discussed <a href= "https://bookshop.org/a/84672/9780593545775">Sign Here by Claudia Lux</a>, a satirical exploration of morality and corporate offices following Peyote Trip, a caseworker in the Deals Department of the fifth floor of Hell. Responsible for securing soups by making deals with humans desperate enough to sign away their afterlives, Peyote is on the cusp of a promotion. If he can sign up one more member of the Harrison family he’ll get a “Complete Set” - five souls from the same lineage. Holly’s key takeaways were: </li> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="2"> Hell's depiction as a monotonous office environment serves as a critique of bureaucratic inefficiencies and the dehumanizing aspects of corporate life. Peyote's journey reflects a deeper quest for self-understanding and the possibility of redemption, even within the confines of Hell. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="2"> The novel explores the gray areas of morality, questioning the binary notions of good and evil through its characters' choices and motivations. The Harrison family's dynamics highlight the impact of generational secrets and the lengths individuals go to protect or escape their lineage. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="2"> For Holly, the premise of the story was stronger than the execution. While it was entertaining throughout, the two storylines of Peyote in Helly and the Harrison Family on Earth don’t come together as strongly and clearly as they could have. </li> </ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> The Heart (13:20): Devin discussed <a href= "https://bookshop.org/a/84672/9781649375803">Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer</a>, a BookTok-sourced Romantasy following Evie Sage, a young woman lying in the magical kingdom of Rennedawn who is in desperate need of a job. After an unfortunate firing and a spell of bad luck, she stumbles into a chance encounter with The Villain and ends up hired as his personal assistant. While yes, there are body parts swinging from the ceiling, his castle runs much like any business and Evie can handle the paperwork. Devin’s key takeaways were: </li> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="2"> This novel highlights a recent publishing trend of storylines and authors becoming popular on social media sites like TikTok before they are published, then being signed by publishing companies to ride the wave of their popularity. Pros include increased diversity and a resurgence of popularity of reading in the zeitgeist, but Holly and Devin review cons like rushed editing and expected tropes as well. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="2"> Maehrer explores the idea that even villains deserve loyalty, empathy, and maybe even a decent lunch break. It’s a workplace comedy... if the workplace had torture chambers. The absurdity of running an evil empire like an office is what makes the “villainous job” theme shine. Capitalism meets chaos magic. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="2"> While not spicy at all, there are romantic elements to the story. The push-pull between danger and attraction for Evie and The Villain is delicious, especially when the boss could literally smite someone - but instead just broods silently when Evie talks to another guy. </li> </ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Hot On the Shelf (35:54): </li> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="2"> Holly: <a href= "https://bookshop.org/a/84672/9781982112820">My Friends by Fredrik Backman</a> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="2"> Devin: <a href= "https://bookshop.org/a/84672/9780316570350">That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Human by Kimberly Lemming</a> </li> </ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> What’s Making Our Hearts Race (41:47): </li> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="2"> Holly: <a href= "https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3581920/">The Last of Us Season 2</a> on HBO Max </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="2"> Devin: Volunteering in her local community </li> </ul> </ul> Instagram: <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/heartsanddaggerspod/">@heartsanddaggerspod</a> Website: <a href= "http://www.heartsanddaggerspod.com">www.heartsanddaggerspod.com</a> If you like what you hear, please tell your friends and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so that we can find our perfect audience.

114 total episodes available

Deep-dive analytics for Hearts & Daggers

Frequently asked questions

Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

What is Hearts & Daggers?: Welcome to Hearts & Daggers, a podcast where we chat about the books that make our hearts race—whether that means we're swooning onto the bed or hiding under the covers.

Our hosts are Devin, a New Englander living in Colorado who loves romances that amp her up and make her giggle; and Holly, a New Yorker who loves nothing more than reading something dark, creepy, and mysterious.

Each week we will discuss two books—one lighter, one darker—that are united by a common theme. We will also each share one book we haven't read that we are excited about, and end with something in pop-culture or life right now that is making our hearts race.

We hope you'll subscribe and join us bi-weekly for some fun conversations about romances, thrillers, and all the books in between that get our heart rates pumping!
How often does this podcast release new episodes?: This podcast updates daily.
Where can I listen to this podcast?: This podcast is available on 8 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
Does this podcast accept guests?: Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

Legal Disclaimer

Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.

All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.

We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.

While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.

By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.