8 Tips for Starting a Book Club That Isn’t Just a Wine Club

We’ve always been avid readers (and not just because of that intoxicating old book smell), and since Emma Watson debuted her book club earlier this year, we’ve been feeling super inspired to start our own club with the bookish babes in our lives. Here’s the thing, though: More often than not, book clubs quickly become wine clubs. While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a little wine with our literary chats, we’re ready to bring our brains to our book club and leave the Drake and RiRi gossip to Saturday night cocktails. With that in mind, we’ve put together eight tips that’ll get you and your ladies on the literary up and up in no time.

1. Make it a mix of friends and strangers. The quickest way for your book club to turn into an hour-long catch-up sesh is by only including your besties in the mix. Have friends invite coworkers, sisters-in-law or gym buddies who don’t know each other for a well-rounded group. The result will be a circle of passionate readers coming from different points of view and will make for some truly enlightening discussion. Trust.

2. Don’t opt for anything too hard or too easy. Sure, choosing a fluffy romp like The Regularswill ensure everyone can finish the book on time, but probably won’t elicit much discussion beyond “I liked it!” Likewise, trying to dig into War and Peace may be a bit too ambitious for an hour’s discussion (or to read in one month!). We suggest choosing contemporary, character-driven novels like Donna Tartt’s The Secret History or Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff to spark passionate, thoughtful conversations. To mix it up, choose books in different genres, like travel or sci-fi, to intro the group to things they never would’ve read on their own.

3. Use digital resources and book club websites. A major reason book clubs start to fumble is because they’re not super organized. We get it — it’s already tough to fit in time to read your monthly book, let alone manage the club and spark a fun discussion. But creating a Google Doc for book recs and extra info and a calendar event will make everyone feel more connected (and accountable). Better yet, make your club official and create a place to share with each other on Book Movement. Also, don’t let something super fun and enriching like a book club become a burden! Tap into book ideas and ready-to-go discussion guides from Emma Watson, Reese Witherspoon and readinggroupguides.com.

4. Designate a new discussion leader for each book. It works best if this person also chooses the book, since giving everyone a sense of ownership of a meeting will encourage your ladies to participate in a real way. This person should also come equipped with questions, thoughts and any interesting antidotes about the book or author to help facilitate the discussion if it gets stuck. Better yet, have this person send a few (non-spoiler) questions or share interesting related news articles or info about the book a few times before the meeting.

5. Talk to the author themselves. What could be more exciting for book nerds than talking to the author? Author chats over speaker phone or video chat are actually pretty easy to arrange and they’re free. We repeat: This awesome perk is FREE. Email the author, let them know your book club chose their book, let them know the day and time of your meeting and see if they can attend. Publishing houses like Knopf Doubleday and Random House also have request forms online. You’ll be talking about this meeting and all the things you learned straight from the source for a long time.

6. Play an ice-breaker game. Literary-themed or not, playing a game will relax your group and get the convo flowing. Break out a quick game like Bananagrams, or create a book-themed game to facilitate discussion. Go beyond trivia, and play a few of Lit Lovers unique games (Alphabet Soup and Extend the End sound super fun!), or have each person read the funniest tweet they found about the book.

7. Encourage people to donate a book for a mini-book swap. If you’ve been reading with your group for a few months, chances are your members have bonded over more lit picks than just the monthly read. Ask members to bring in a recent read they recommend for a mini-book swap. We’re not gonna lie, free stuff is definitely a draw.

8. Switch up the location. Find a comfortable coffee shop, wine bar or living room that everyone can afford, and you’ll definitely make book club harder for people to pass up. Members won’t only look forward to the discussion, but visiting a cool new wine bar or solid fave cafe. The more comfortable and convenient the spot, the more you’ll want to linger.

Which book is your book club reading next? Tweet us @BritandCo and let us know what we should add to our list!

(Photos via Getty)

While other kids were angry about assigned summer reading, I loved whenever teachers prioritized fantasy and greek mythology books. That's why I've been talking nonstop about the upcoming adaptation of The Odyssey that's in production. Directed by none other than Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight and Oppenheimer), it has a star-studded cast that rivals who'll be in the Children of Blood and Boneadaptation.

Since we'll have to wait until July 16, 2026 (yep, so serious) to watch Tom Holland and Zendaya help reimagine a classic, I have 10 modern Greek mythology books you can read to hold you over!

Scroll down for to see which modern Greek mythology books you should crack open ASAP!

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Academy of Villains by Ever King

Academy of Villains isn't your average love story because it involves villainy that'll make you think twice about judging a book by its cover.
When a tyrannical king decides he wants more power than he already has, he goes on a crusade to demolish everything in his path so people will bend to his will. He also makes sure to utilize the children left behind for his benefit. From brutal training to become assassins to unthinkable mage training, there's no escaping his evil oversight.

For Kiara, nothing matters more than seeking revenge against the horrors she's seen and committed under the king's rule. She knows the one way to send a message is to kill the prince, but she quickly realizes there's magic in her blood. This makes her journey much more difficult as she's torn between the forbidden love that burns inside of her to realizing the king isn't the only person she has to watch out for.

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Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati

Clytemnestra's life has been full of heartache and it's weighed on her ever since she married the worst man ever. She lost a child at his hands and saw how her desire for more caused him to commit more atrocious acts. Filled with a burning rage, Clytemnestra decides to take matters in her own hands by forcing the gods to act. With a plan like this, everyone will be blindsided by the dutiful wife who seemingly never challenged anyone.

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Ariadne by Jennifer Saint

Princess Ariadne lives a blissful life that's free of worry in Crete. Though her brother is a thunderous Minotaur, she manages to focus on the beautiful life around her. Still, there are those who seek to vanquish the beast and one finally arrives to complete the task — Prince Theseus.
Though Ariadne should know better, she chooses to help him and defy the life she's always known. Due to her actions, a fracture occurs and people take notice. However, no one's more shattered than Ariadne's sister Phaedra.

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A Thousand Shipsby Natalie Haynes

Natalie Haynes wrote A Thousand Ships to make sure Trojan women were given a voice. Starting with the deadly war between the Greeks and Trojans, women's lives who were affected take shape. There's women who have to wonder about their fate while others find love is at the center of their minds. But most of all, the goddesses who triggered this great chain of events are highlighted.

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Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips

The 12 gods who used to live on Olympus have grown bored. Not only are they in a new space in London, they're forced to live somewhere smaller. Also, they have to assimilate into society so no one suspects anything about them because they're losing the great powers they once had. Every action drains their reserves so they do their best to make light of their situation.

But Aphrodite and Apollo's bad terms spill over into the lives of Alice and Neil — two regular humans. They're not sure how, but they have to find a way to stop the world from being destroyed due to childish gods and their egos.

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The Curse of Ophelia by Nicole Platania

Ophelia's lost Malakai to his valiant attempt at participating in the Undertaking and it not only crushed her, but it the practice became prohibited. Weighed down by heavy grief, she's devoted her time to figure out what happened and finds herself caught in the crosshairs of a curse that feels like it personally sought her out. However, it may not be so bad because Ophelia's being looked at as worthy enough to be a savior.

She'll have to find answers and do everything she can to save lives before she succumbs to her curse.

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House of Namesby Colm Tóibín

Colm Tóbín wants readers to know Clytemnestra's story isn't over yet. Though she's still married to King Agamemnon, she's since taken over the throne in Mycenae with Aegisthus by her side. Her plan? Obliterate her husband and make him pay for the death of her daughter of Iphigeneia.
Though she's surprised when Agamemnon reveals he has someone else to love too, she doesn't let this change her plan. One can even say it further proved to her why her plan had to work and how she'd stop at nothing to make sure her desire for revenge ended favorably.

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Medusa by Jessie Burton

Medusa's been shunned in many stories before, but there's much more to the goddess to the horrible fate of having her hair turned into snakes. Before she completely succumbed to her rage, she still found a way to love and it brought her great pain.
When Perseus comes to the island she's been living on, Medusa thinks she found something sweet. However, her past, present, and future collide in tragic ways that seal her fate.

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Psyche and Eros by Luna McNamara

Princess Psyche's always known she's meant to fulfill a prophecy so she decides to train for the day she'll have to face the monster she's destined to kill. This isn't met with approval from those around her and even the goddess Aphrodite decides she needs to be made an example of. With one command, the god of desire (Eros) is sent to torment Psyche. But his own carelessness makes him fall in love with her instead.

Ripped apart by circumstances, Psyche and Eros will face a great journey that will have a huge impact on their love story.

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Queens of Themiscyra by Hannah Lynn

Hippolyte, queen of the Amazons, has been ruling Themiscyra with her sister Penthesilea for a while. They're well-known throughout Greece for the powerful war skills, but even they're no match for king Theseus' affect on Hippolyte. Without her sister, Penthesilea decides to turn her feelings outwards by creating a reign that terrifies the Aegean. Little does she know, Hippolyte's fairy tale romance has become a nightmare and she finds herself increasingly agitated at the life she's living.

Somehow, the sisters will fight to right the wrongs even if it means losing something in the end.

Visit our Amazon Storefront for more of our 2025 books picks!

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Saturday Night Live just had a 50th anniversary celebration to remember, but despite some iconic callbacks and celebrity cameos, one moment everyone's talking about didn't really have to do with the sketches at all: Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively's appearance.

During a Q&A with Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, Ryan Reynolds stood up to ask a question, with Blake Lively sitting right beside him. After the SNL icons asked him how he was, the Deadpool actor joked, "Great. Why, what have you heard?" And while the audience laughed at the inferred reference to the ongoing legal battle with Justin Baldoni, sources are saying others aren't so happy with the couple's appearance.

Here's what people are saying about Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively's appearance on the SNL50 special.

Ryan Reynolds & Blake Lively "have no regrets" about their SNL50 special appearance.

Following the special, SNL's cue card guy Wally Feresten told Fifi, Fev and Nick that Ryan “had a different line in rehearsal and he pitched that to replace it. That was his idea."

"We wouldn’t want to do anything too controversial unless they were in on it.”

But according to a Page Six source, Ryan didn't actually come up with that joke. “The opening joke was pitched by SNL and never changed,” they said. “The follow-up joke was rewritten in rehearsal.” So who's really behind the joke? For now, no one (except Ryan) knows.

While the moment with Ryan Reynolds got some laughs, another insider reveals that, "People in Hollywood think Blake and Ryan attending the SNL 50th anniversary show was not a good look," and that it might have been a good idea for the couple to "have sat this one out.”

But even though the appearance got some mixed reviews, another source promises they "have no regrets about making an appearance at the show,” and that they “were two of the last people to leave Studio 8H."

"Blake was initially hesitant to attend the SNL 50th anniversary show but ultimately she’s glad she attended and had a really nice time,” the second source continues. “They’re glad they showed up because they have nothing to hide and no reason not to.”

The SNL50 special, and the brief look at Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, came after Blake and Justin Baldoni filed lawsuits against one another — Blake against Justin for alleged sexual harassment and Justin against Blake, Ryan, and the New York Times for defamation.

"It’s very plausible that Justin’s legal team will use this public outing to defend him,” according to the Page Six source. “Justin is taking this lawsuit in all seriousness and isn’t making a public mockery out of it."

Recently, Justin Baldoni published a website with an Amended Complaint and It Ends With Us timeline, but according to First Amendment lawyer Kevin Goldberg, the website is "unnecessary."

"I think it's unusual and I'm not sure it's appropriate once you have already filed a defamation lawsuit," he tells Forbes. "Legally speaking, it's not going to be, itself, relevant as evidence. It could be introduced in evidence but there's no need for it."

"The reason we have very strict standards for anyone who is trying to win a defamation lawsuit — and in particular, a celebrity who is trying to win a defamation lawsuit is they can do things like this," Kevin continues. "Use a website and PR team to restore their reputation, they don't need to use the courts to restore their reputation. So why did he do both is my big question. It seems like his real goal is not to win the lawsuit but restore his good name, just, generally in the public view."

What did you think about Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds' appearance on the SNL50 special? Read up on 10 Weird Moments You Missed From Viral Justin Baldoni & Blake Lively Set Video for more.

I never need a reason to be entertained by scary things, but I've been trying (and failing) to wean myself off Nosferatu ever since I saw it. That film is the sole reason why gothic horror books and movies have been at the forefront of my mind, and now? Well, I fear my weird intrigue with tales of paranormal activity has been invited to the party.

All jokes aside, the perfect day for me looks like watching or reading anything that features specters, a display of psychic powers, and forces that come from the depths of hellish places. If this is your vibe, I want to be friends!

Scroll to see the paranormal horror books and ghost stories that'll reignite your love for all things scary!

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1. The Orphanage By The Lake by Daniel G. Miller

30-year-old Hazel's life is a mess and so is her career as a private investigator. Unsure of what's next, she's stunned when socialite Madeline Hemsley dangles a new mystery in her face. There's been a disappearance from The Orphanage By The Lake and Hemsley is confident Hazel can find the missing child.

Hazel's investigation starts off normal, but then she continues discovering weird symbols and hostile shadowy figures at every turn. She'll have to figure out what's going on behind the doors of the orphanage and what Madeline really wants before it's too late.

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2. Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

Teenaged Fern finds herself living among other young and unwed pregnant mothers at the Wellwood House in Florida. Under Miss Wellwood's strict tutelage, it's meant to be a place of hiding from "proper" society and reform. Not only does Fern develop a bond with a few of the other girls, they realize they've been sent somewhere that truly wants to break their spirits.
It isn't until Fern receives a special book filled with spells that she and the girls unleash their power. Seeking revenge against their harsh conditions, they vow to make things right. But with great power comes even greater responsibility leading someone to take things too far.

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3. Haunt Sweet Home by Sarah Pinsker

Mara's luck changes for the better when she becomes a P.A. (production assistant) on Haunt Sweet Home, a paranormal decor show created by her cousin. She immediately takes a liking to placing spooky elements that'll scare the show's participants, but her joy is short-lived when off-putting things occur.
From an odd co-worker to her own secrets, Mara won't be the same once Haunt Sweet Home gets done with her.

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4. The Honeys by Ryan La Sala

Mars and his twin sister Caroline couldn't be any different. Whereas the latter is a ray of sunshine, Mars is eclipsed in her shadow. Still, his love for her never wavers even when their bond is severed. So when Caroline's life is cut short, Mars immediately wants to take action. However, his identity causes his well-connected family to shun him.
Undeterred, Mars decides to become Caroline and attends Aspen Conservancy Summer Academy to understand what happened to his sister. What he finds is stoic tradition that demands too much of its students. Even more, Mars locates the Honeys and their "too perfect" personalities.
The deeper he goes to find out the truth about Caroline, the more Mars stars to lose himself and his plan to seek justice.

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5. Doctor Sleep by Stephen King

Dan Torrance was only a child when his father lost his mind at the Overlook Hotel, but he's been haunted by the memory of it all...and the ghosts. He's since tried to ignored his ability to see paranormal activity, but that along with his father's anger and alcohol dependency have turned him into an unrecognizable version of himself. The only thing that keeps him sane and sober is his job at a local hospice. Though he's known as "Doctor Sleep," no one knows his gift is what helps patients transition from this life to the next.
One day, he's contacted by someone who's more powerful than he is and is horrified when he realizes she's only 12. When they both realize a horrific cult is after them, Dan tries to keep young Abra as safe as possible. The closer he gets to her, the more he understands how intertwined their fates.
He'll have to decide if he's willing to lean into his gift to save her, even if it means sacrificing himself in the end.

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6. Ghost Eaters by Clay Chapman

Erin's having a hard time creating boundaries with her ex Silas and it's causing her great stress. The last thing she wants to do is keep bailing him out every time he succumbs to his addiction, but she shows up for him anyway. What she doesn't expect is hearing about his death days laters.
On her hunt to uncover what happen, Erin learns about a drug named Ghost that allows users to see those who've died. Against her better judgement, Erin attends a drugged séance to speak with Silas one last time, but she enters a world from which there's no returning.

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7. Hell House by Richard Matheson

Belasco House hasn't been occupied for over two decades because terrible things have happened within it's walls. And guess what? Any time someone's tried to figure out what happened, it seems like the house unleashes something that leads to their death.
This still doesn't stop four strangers from trying to unlock the truth for themselves. They're sure they'll find something exciting and they do. It's just they may not live long enough to tell anyone what they saw.

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8. The Year of the Witchingby Alexis Henderson

Immanuelle Moore was conceived in ill conditions because of her mother's outlawed interracial relationship. Determined to fall into her family and society's good graces, Immanuelle dedicates her life to worship. If this means becoming a "yes woman," then so be it. However, a grave accident leads her to Darkwood and the angry spirits that haunt it discover her. Intending her no harm, they gift her with words left behind by her mother.

Soon, Immanuelle learns that the very Church she's been trying to follow has dark secrets that doesn't align with the pious nature it expects of its members. If she wants to set things right, she'll have to abandon the path she thought she was supposed to be on in favor of revealing the truth.

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9. The Swarm by Andy Marino

Detective Vicky Paterson's cursed with solving a terrible case and understanding why her teenaged daughter Sadie was viciously attacked by a group of cicadas. But, she's not the only one puzzled by what's going on.
Private investigators Will and Alicia are trying to figure out what a girl disappeared when they're also attacked by cicadas. Their only refuge from them is behind the doors of a motel full of other survivors.

The key to stopping the ravenous cicadas rests with figuring out who unleashed them and why, but time is running out...

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10. The Invocations by Krystal Sutherland

Zara Jones is trying to believe in something ever since her sister died because she's trying to find a logical explanation for what happened to her. Sadly, she chooses to follow the occult in order to bring her sister back. Then there's Jude Wolf. A deal with a demonic presence is tormenting her soul and she's not sure if there's much hope for her.
Lastly, Emer Byrne rounds out the trio with her witchy abilities that are able to help Zara and June. Despite her chosen life, she helps women via invocations if they're willing to part with a little of their soul.
On the hunt for Emer are Zara and Jude because a trail of dead bodies is trailing behind the witch. However, she's not responsible for their deaths.
Together, the girls work together to stop a murderous killer with the hope of getting something in return. But, Emer's not sure she has the heart to tell Zara and Jude the truth about what they expect her to give them.

Browse more of the books we can't stop talking about to find your next TBR read!

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You read that correctly: Tom Brady and Irina Shayk (yes, Bradley Cooper's ex-wife) may be back together. Despite the fact we thought the former pro-football player and Gisele Bündchen were endgame, we discovered some good things don't last forever. But the heartbreak didn't seem to matter once Tom found model Irina Shayk — at least until they broke up for a while.

Imagine everyone's surprise now that the two are allegedly dating again. It's like the tale of the two exes who can't leave each other alone no matter how hard they try. Whether this is good or bad is TBD, but we're intrigued either way!

Here's what to know about Tom Brady & Irina Shayk's potentially rekindled relationship!

Victor Boyko/Getty Images

Page Sixreported Tom Brady and Irina Shayk are rumored to be dating again, per a source. The anonymous person said, "Tom and Irina have started dating each other again and are open to see where things go" which seems extremely vague.

Adding more ambiguity to the will-they-won't-they rumor mill? A second source revealedthat the former couple had "been talking on the phone" around the New Year — and were allegedly planning a trip together — according to Page Six. "Neither one is in a serious relationship right now, so why not take a trip.”

Jane Gershovich/Getty Images

Prior to this, Tom Brady and Irina Shayk only dated for a short time before closing their door on their relationship. TMZ exclusively reported they'd chosen to amicably break up because things simply "fizzled out." According to an earlier Page Six article, the sexy couple were no longer spotted together at different events which raised eyebrows about their dating status.

It's safe to say that Tom Brady & Irina Shayk's "relationship" may have been more of a "situationship" because they were first linked after paparazzi spotted the latter being picked up from Hotel Bel-Air by Brady last summer (via Page Six). The eager photographers must've camped out at Tom's house overnight because they also spotted the two leaving his home the next morning. One can only assumed what happened, but it seems like they reportedly had a date shortly after that (via Page Six).

Beatriz Velasco/Getty Images

The former couple have yet to make public comments about if they're dating or not — they could just be having fun! If either way is the case, we wish them all the luck in the world!

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1923 is back! After two years of wondering how Alex and Spencer would find each other after their separation, if Jacob and Cara would survive the attempt to steal their ranch, and if Teonna would make it to safety, the 1923 season 2 premiere is answering some of our biggest questions. Although actress Michelle Randolph told me we might have to wait until the end of the season to see whether the show "fills in some blanks" in the Dutton family tree, we're already getting plenty of info.

Here's everything you missed in the 1923 season 2 premiere, "The Killing Season."

In the '1923' season 2 premiere, Jacob & Cara Dutton are protecting their ranch.

Right at the beginning of the episode, we get a beautiful look at Montana and the Yellowstone ranch, with Cara Dutton revealing via narration they've sold everything except 4 bulls and 100 heifers to pay off some of the money they owe Whitfield — and that it's up to Spencer to rebuild everything they've lost.

Jacob and Jack leave the ranch for a hearing — and come face-to-face with a mountain lion on the porch. However, the lion races off before Jacob can kill it, and after Cara jokes it's comforting Jacob now has something to worry about, Jacob tells her he's "always worried, honey" and gives her a kiss. I am simply obsessed with them!! (I also need them both to make it to the end of the series, I'm so serious).

The mountain lion doesn't last for long, however, after it returns, almost attacks Elizabeth, and gets shot by Cara.

In town, Jacob (and us) learn Zane and Alice's marriage has been rendered void after they were attacked & arrested for miscegenation last season — and that Whitfield is behind everything...to literally no one's surprise.

Whitfield's still thinking about the Duttons himself, talking about how Jacob might be strong and mighty like a bear, but enough bee stings can lead to the bear's death ("Death by a Thousand Cuts" anyone?). He finds reassurance in the knowledge the trial is another metaphorical bee sting for Jacob Dutton to, well, bear.

Banner Creighton's also preparing for the trial, and tells his wife that after a lifetime of struggle, Whitfield's new provision means their son has a future. "I'll lay with the devil to give him that," he says. Chills me to my very core.

Teonna Rainwater is still on the run.

Father Renaud and his men are still on the hunt for Teonna. Unfortunately I do mean that very literally because they attack a Comanche village in their pursuit, but Teonna, thank goodness, is safe with her father and Pete, the latter of whom she finally starts a romantic relationship with.

But right when they're starting to get ~cozy~ (if you catch my drift), they notice a horseback rider — and learn from him that they're in Texas (don't worry, the horseback rider isn't Father Renaud).

And Spencer & Alex are fighting to get back to each other.

Spencer's latest sea voyage is a lot less relaxing than we saw at the end of season 1; he's working in the bottom of a ship, where he becomes friends with Luca after defending the younger man from a rapist and saving him from jumping into the ocean. And, okay, we're only one episode in and they've already formed a really sweet bond that I hope continues through the whole season — maybe Luca can come back to the ranch!

Our favorite Dutton hero now has two missions: get back to his family and find Alex. So, to get some money and get it quick, Spencer starts a couple of one-on-one fights while Luca collects bets. Of course, Spencer wins. (Duh).

Meanwhile, back in England, Alex is still mourning her separation from Spencer. And when Jennifer visits her, Alex reveals she's desperate to get to Montana is because she's actually pregnant with Spencer's child. WHAT! I need 5-7 business days to process this information! Who knows, maybe Alex and Spencer are ancestors of John Dutton? (Beth definitely shares Alex and Spencer's grit and spunk, hello). Alex ropes Jennifer into selling her jewelry to book passage to America...even if that passage ends up being in the thieves and beggars class.

Whew! I can't wait to tune in next week to see what the future has in store for the Duttons.

What time does 1923 air?

New episodes of 1923 season 2 airs on Paramount+ at 12 AM EST/9PM EST.

See our interview with Julia Schlaepfer for more — and read up on The 1923 Season 1 Ending, Deaths, & Betrayals, Explained for a refresher.

This post has been updated.