Summary: Make sure you keep the volume on this episode down so as not to disturb your neighbors! Today, Holly and Devin dive into the wonderful world of apartment buildings. They discuss how stacking people like blocks in a single building can facilitate both a lust for blood as well as good old fashioned lust. Whether you’ve always lived in a single family home and have only seen apartments in shows like Friends or you’re listening to this from an apartment right now, our hosts have got what you need to explore this living situation!
Topics Discussed:
The Dagger (5:31): Holly discussed Lock Every Door by Riley Sager, a thriller following Jules Larsen - a recently unemployed, heartbroken 25-year-old in desperate need of monday. When offered, she jumps at a high-paying job to apartment-sit at The Bartholomew, an exclusive, elite Gothic-style Manhattan apartment building. The rules of her stay are strange, but Jules shakes it off…until a fellow apartment sitter, Ingrid, disappears. Holly’s key takeaways were:
The Bartholomew is inspired by real-life historic buildings in NYC. Its creepy, opulent design creates a claustrophobic atmosphere that mirrors traditional haunted house stories while the brooding atmosphere, secretive residents, and eerie silence create a modern gothic mood that amplifies the creepiness of the plot.
Jules is uncertain whom to trust, and her increasing paranoia drives much of the suspense, keeping readers questioning what’s real and who’s dangerous. The story follows her as she navigates fear, gaslighting, and manipulation - ultimately reclaiming power through courage and tenacity.
With the desperate and financially strapped Jules staying in an apartment building designed for the wealthy elite, the novel explores how financial insecurity can make people vulnerable to exploitation—highlighting the stark contrast between the wealthy and the desperate.
The Heart (15:26): Devin discussed Lease on Love by Falon Ballard, a romance following Sadie Green - a sharp, ambitious woman who has just thrown her finance career out the window with a single outburst. With her career thrown in a blender and her housing situation dire, she drinks away her sorrows and browses roommate listings which lands her an appointment for what she thinks is a spare bedroom. She meets Jack Thomas who offers her the entire first floor of his spacious and beautiful Brooklyn Brownstone for a fraction of what he could charge. From there, Sadie and Jack both work on rebuilding - both themselves and their lives. Devin’s key takeaways were:
The apartment—this big, cozy Brooklyn brownstone—is practically a third main character. It becomes a safe haven for both Sadie and Jack. It’s not just a setting, but the space that allows them to let their guards down and build something real.
Both Sadie and Jack are at emotional crossroads, and their relationship becomes a soft space to land. The story leans into themes of trust, grief, and rediscovering purpose—not just in love or their respective careers but in self-worth and their personhood.
Beyond the romance, Lease on Love is a celebration of strong friendships and emotional community as people navigate the rough waters of their 20s. Sadie’s friend group and Jack’s quiet generosity show that love can be a team sport and vulnerability and collaboration pave the way to happiness.
Hot On the Shelf (33:35):
What’s Making Our Hearts Race (37:33):
Devin: A new candle warmer!
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