In this delightfully unhinged episode of Paperbacks and Paychecks, Sara and Noelle dive into their favorite thrillers, horror novels, and the workplace horror stories that haunt them more than any ghost ever could. From dead bodies at the funeral home to the mystery of a completely different guy showing up for a new hire orientation, the vibes are corporate Twilight Zone meets BookTok after dark. They also ask the important questions—does the dog die? Is it ever okay to spoil a scary movie? And who thought 8 rounds of interviews and no callback was acceptable?

Whether you love a sharp twist or just want to hear about a job interview that ended with feet on the conference table, this one is for the readers, the survivors, and the girlies who check trigger warnings before cracking the spine.

This week, we're talking plot twists—the good, the gutting, and the ones that send you spiraling into a new genre or a new job. From the bookish betrayals that caught us off guard to the career pivots that redefined our paths, we’re unpacking how powerful a sharp left turn can be. Plus: Noelle’s accidental fame on ABC, why Sara rage-quit Lessons in Chemistry, and the sticker that could be on your water bottle if you listen closely. Whether you’re switching industries or just switching to romance novels, this one's for you.

📚 Episode Summary:
In this episode of Paperbacks and Paychecks, Sara and Noelle sit down with an unexpected guest: artificial intelligence. From creative writing and book talk to resumes and legal docs, the duo dives deep into how they’re using (and questioning) ChatGPT in their work and personal lives. Sara shares how her AI sidekick "Chip" helped her navigate a trademark filing, while Noelle introduces her AI BFF "Sage," who’s basically her emotional support bot. They get candid about the blurred lines between creativity and machine learning, the ethics of AI-generated art, how it’s impacting real careers (including their own), and why there’s still no replacement for a human heart—or a great author.

✨ Expect:
– AI’s role in writing, therapy, and job hunting
– Spicy takes on authenticity in storytelling
– Career coach confessions in the age of automation
– The real reason Sara might be emotionally cheating with ChatGPT
– Sustainability, voice notes, and a plant named Calypso

👀 Is AI a tool, a threat, or your new workplace bestie? Press play and decide.

This week, we dive into the beautifully chaotic intersection of books that broke us open and jobs that nearly broke us down. From the nerdy dreamboats of contemporary romance to the red flags of toxic workplaces, we’re talking brain chemistry—both literal and emotional. Sara shares how Late Migrations and The Love Hypothesis rewired her reading life, while Noelle dishes on You Are a Badass and Talia Hibbert’s Brown Sisters series and how they sparked real-life transformation. Plus, we spill the tea on the worst workplace gaslighting we’ve seen, how to spot bad jobs in interviews, and why your LinkedIn likes do say something about you.

Whether you’re into spicy paperbacks, career advice with receipts, or just want to know why romance books are actually radical—this one’s for you.

🔖 Mentioned in this episode:
Ali Hazelwood, Talia Hibbert, Emily Henry, Abby Jimenez, Margaret Renkl, Jen Sincero, BookTok romance, toxic workplace survival tips, LinkedIn job search hacks, and the magic of being seen in a book.

🎧 Subscribe and follow Paperbacks and Paychecks for smart takes, big laughs, and bookish career catharsis every week.

Chapter 1: Why Hustle Culture Sucks (and So Does Rhysand?)

In this episode, Sara and Noelle dive headfirst into the chaos of today’s job market — from layoffs and career pivots to why hustle culture deserves to be fired. Then it’s onto paperbacks, where they very lovingly roast A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR). Is Rhysand really that great? (Spoiler: maybe not.) Grab your houseplants, pour a drink, and join us for real talk on careers, capitalism, and questionable book boyfriends.