12 Seriously Addictive Books on Twisted Love

While we’re all about healthy relationships, there’s definitely no harm in living vicariously through a seriously twisted, fictional relationship. Just like the romantic highs and lows of celebrity couples keep us coming back for more, the dark turns and unexpected moments of clarity in books can teach us a lot about what we want — or don’t want — in our relationships with our friends, family members and significant others.

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This week, we’re chatting with Caroline Kepnes, the brilliant mastermind behind the novels You and Hidden Bodies. If you haven’t read either of these books, stop what you’re doing, run to your nearest bookstore and buy them. Then call in sick to work and get ready to hunker down and read for the next 72 hours, nonstop. Seriously, the books are that good. And if you don’t believe us, take Stephen King’s word for it. He calls You, “Hypnotic and scary… never read anything like it.”

Both You and Hidden Bodies explore the dysfunctional relationships of Joe, a lonely book seller who seamlessly moves from best boyfriend to creepiest stalker EVER. Whether he’s infiltrating exclusive Upper East Side parties in NYC or hunting for his ex-girlfriend through the Hollywood hills, both of these novels are nonstop chills, and you’ll love every second of it.

Today, Caroline shares her favorite twisted love stories, which she clarifies, “might not seem like love stories, but are actually very much about the human quest for love and fellowship, and how we all have very different ideas about what that is.” Scroll on for 12 reads to add your bookshelf STAT.

Caroline Kepnes’ Favorite Twisted Love Stories

1. Less Than Zeroby Bret Easton Ellis ($9): Bret Easton Ellis fulfilled my dreams and nightmares with this story, drenched in neon. It amazed me that he was 21 and his book felt young and old, wide-eyed and jaded. Love is not enough, and it’s not always gonna work out for everyone.

2. Strange Animals by Chad Kultgen ($16): The quest for meaning, purpose and companionship is so profoundly universal, and Chad Kultgen celebrates this fact. He ensures that each character is a human. Every belief system is valid to the believer. And that’s true, difficult love.

3. Misery by Stephen King ($8): The obsession, the twisted logic of Annie Wilkes, the way all love feels real to us, regardless of how it feels to others — Stephen King is our nation’s best psychologist, and there’s a reason this story always feels relevant. It’s as if he saw the future.

4. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens ($4): Because so many years later, I still carry the image of Miss Havisham in the forefront of my mind. The sweeping narrative, the way a person can control you — aah, Dickens!

5. F*ck Love by Tarryn Fisher ($12): Tarryn Fisher has that thing. You’re instantly in this, and the conflict feels so immediate and bitingly sincere. Fearless writing with constant vulnerability.

6. Winner of the National Book Awardby Jincy Willet ($16): Because Jincy Willet knows that we seek out anxiety in so many ways. We are messed up! We pursue it. We all have our version of what happened. Also one of the funniest books ever.

7. Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? by Joyce Carol Oates ($6): I’m a writer because of this short story in a lot of ways. A caveat about flirting, taut, spellbinding. Because Arnold Friend exists, because Joyce Carol Oates sees the web of the world like no other.

8. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov ($10): I read it one summer while working in a used bookstore. How liberating, how Nabokov dwells in a moment, in a mind. I love the density, the my-way-or-the-highway of his style, how that dovetails with the story itself.

9. Better by John O’Brien ($16): There is darkness and then there’s John O’Brien level of darkness. This book traps you in the sun, in this house, with The Love Boat on TV and this nasty, lazy, hazy love triangle.

10. What She Saw…by Lucinda Rosenfeld ($13): Lucinda Rosenfeld is a hero to me, constructing this heartfelt, humorous book about how we become the people we are. Ultimate Relationship Writing.

11.In the Lake of the Woods by Tim O’Brien ($10): It’s a deep mystery both in terms of plot and character. How you can know someone and not know someone? Also the footnotes. Also politics. Also Tim O’Brien!

12. Young Hearts Crying by Richard Yates ($13): I’m a Yates fanatic and it’s hard to choose one. But this one, oh God — the self-destruction on display in this stubborn, painful book about the treacherous territory where money and love collide.

What’s your favorite dysfunctional romance novel? Tweet us @BritandCo and let us know!

Feature image via Getty

1923 season 2 premieres on Paramount+ February 23, and Michelle Randolph (who plays Elizabeth Dutton in the cast) is "so excited" for you to watch the new episodes — and she's been keeping up with all your fan theories!

"There are some crazy ones. I feel like the biggest fan theory thing is the family tree," she tells Brit + Co exclusively. "I've seen many different family trees and so it's like, 'OK, which one's accurate?' I actually drew my own at one point."

Here's what Michelle Randolph had to say about 1923 season 2, and the Dutton family tree, in Brit + Co's exclusive 1923 interview.

Michelle Randolph teases '1923' season 2 finally gives us answers to the Dutton family tree.

By the end of season 2, Michelle Randolph says "we might be able to fill in some blanks" in the Dutton family tree, which is a very hot topic for internet users! "I had to make my own [family tree] because all of the ones I saw on the internet were like — every single one was different. I was like 'I'm confused.'"

The Dutton family is made up of incredible cast members like Brandon Sklenar, Harrison Ford, and Helen Mirren, and Michelle reveals that the cast are just as close as their characters.

"There's a giant group chat called Giddy Up, which started during cowboy camp of season one," she says. "A cute little name, and I think I mean we all were on location in Montana and all in the same hotel, and we would get dinners after [filming], so I think even though our characters are very different and in different story lines like we all really did bond, which was really helpful to have each other throughout the chaos of of shooting a show."

The actress also says Elizabeth would connect with her 'Landman' character Ainsley.

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

And if you're a tried and true Taylor Sheridan fan, you've probably picked up on the fact that Michelle isn't just in 1923 — she also has a starring role as Ainsley Norris in Landman! But would Elizabeth and Ainsley get along if they met in an alternate universe?

"That would be a fun thing to witness. I think they would," she says. "They're very different, but the similarities between them is they're both young women who are finding their place in this world and I think that they both actually look at the world through very bright eyes and have a lot of hope, which is an interesting correlation between the two of them. I think Elizabeth has gone through so much more than Ainsley obviously, so there might be a difference there, but I think they would get along."

Check out the 8 Compelling Historical Fiction Books For 1923 Lovers and read our interview with Julia Schlaepfer where she teases the Spencer and Alex's future.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. And this post has been updated.

It's almost time to return to Cousins! The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 is coming this summer, and Prime Video just gave us a first official look at Belly, Jeremiah, and Conrad. The new episodes will open at the end of Belly's freshman year of college, and in addition to seeing the evolution of our favorite characters, author and co-showrunner Jenny Han says "there are going to be surprises" in the final season. Eek!

Here's your first look at Lola Tung, Gavin Casalegno, and Christopher Briney in The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3, coming to Prime Video July 2025!


Jenny Han says 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' fans are in for a few surprises.

Erika Doss/Prime Video

"There are the things that [fans] know and then there are things they think they know, and then there's going to be, hopefully, things that surprise them," Jenny Han tells Entertainment Weekly. Listen, I am a very proud member of Team Conrad, and seeing how cozy Belly and Jeremiah are in these pics (not to mention the set leak that's definitely not in the third book), I'm starting to wonder if Prime Video is teasing I should switch teams.

But no matter which team you're on, Lola Tung promises the season won't let you down.

Team #JellyFish will get their time this season.

Erika Doss/Prime Video

"The one thing I've always admired about Jenny is that every season and every decision about what's coming next is purely to serve the story," Lola says. "She's never going to do anything that doesn't make sense for the story. It's all about this beautiful world she's created and giving the fans something really, really special and giving us something really special to work with."

And that includes some sweet moments which Jeremiah and Belly, who "are, at their core, best friends," Lola adds. "That relationship is something that's so special and so unique to them, so it's exciting to see this season and how their relationship blossoms."

And 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' images also feature Conrad.

Erika Doss/Prime Video

But don't worry Conrad fans, we also get a look at the elder Fisher brother who "we know that he went to Stanford, and so he's continuing on his journey to become a doctor, as you can see from that white coat," Jenny says. "I think people won't be surprised to see that."

Keep reading for more images from The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3!

Erika Doss/Prime Video

Jenny Han also teases this image is actually a flashback, "so do with that what you will." BRB, I'm off dreaming of a beach vacation. I also can't help but point out the warm color grade of this season! The golden look makes everything feel warmer and more magical — and offers a youthful glow as Belly gets older.

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But for those of us who care more about Steven and Taylor (Sean Kaufman and Rain Spencer) than the main love triangle, we got this single crumb from the new images. And I'm more than happy about it, thank you very much.

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Belly (Lola Tung) gets cozy on campus in a hoodie and sunglasses.

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And Belly and Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno) get cozy with each other at a party.

Erika Doss/Prime Video

But they work as hard as they play! I have this exact outfit Belly's wearing, and you best believe I'm adding it into my fashion rotation.

How many episodes will The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 have?

Erika Doss/Prime Video

Great news! The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 will have 11 episodes instead of 7 or 8 like seasons 1 and 2 did. Stay tuned for the official release schedule.

Who's in the cast?

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The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 cast features all your favorites:

  • Lola Tung as Belly Conklin: a beach-loving volleyball player who's always dreaming of summer.
  • Christopher Briney as Conrad Fisher: Belly and Steven's lifelong friend who Belly's always had a crush on.
  • Gavin Casalegno as Jeremiah Fisher: Conrad's sunny younger brother.
  • Sean Kaufman as Steven Conklin: Belly's older brother.
  • Rain Spencer as Taylor Jewel: Belly's best friend.
  • Jackie Chungas Laurel Park: Belly and Steven's mom and Susannah Fisher's best friend.

Meet The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 Cast before the new episodes air on Prime Video this July!

Considering the popularity of Alex and Spencer's relationship in 1923, it might surprise you to know Julia Schlaepfer was nervous to bring the "special" story to life with actor Brandon Sklenar. "I was a little nervous because I was like, 'This is such a big universe and I want [fans] to love it as much as they love 1883 and Yellowstone,'" she tells Brit + Co exclusively.

Here's what Julia Schlaepfer had to say about Brandon Sklenar, Alex and Spencer, and Harrison Ford in Brit + Co's exclusive 1923 season 2 interview.

Julia Schlaepfer says filming '1923' with Brandon Sklenar felt like a "secret."

Emerson Miller/Paramount+

"Brandon [Sklenar] and I, when we were filming [season 1] in Africa, we would talk all the time about how it felt like we were making this really secret little indie movie together because we were so separate from the rest of the cast," she says. "Everything was so new to us, we were in Africa, and so it kind of felt like a secret. It felt like a very personal thing."

She didn't quite realize just how special 1923 was until she finally got to see the show's opener. "I'll never forget actually, [when] our producer Michael Friedman showed us the opening credits for the first time," Julia adds. "We were in Malta and we were doing the swimming sequence and he was like, 'I have to show this to you guys because I don't think you know how special it is.'"

"Our names pop up right after Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren and we all, like, cried together, and I think I was like, "Oh, this is so exciting and big,'" she continues. "It's been so special and I'm really glad that the fans like it."

But for the new episodes, Julia Schlaepfer and Brandon Sklenar "barely" saw each other.

Yep, after countless fan edits, I can confidently say fans love Alex and Spencer — but (to my utter heartbreak), Julia teases we'll see way less of her and Brandon onscreen together this time around after season 1 split up their characters in the finale.

"It was very separate," she says of filming the upcoming episodes. "I mean, we block shot as well, so we were all kind of coming in at different times to film, but no, we did not [see each other a lot...Season one we spent all our time together, this season we barely spent any time together. It was very much like, suddenly we were ripped apart. But that's what the characters are going through."

Now, this is a huge tease for what to expect from 1923 season 2 (and might even be a spoiler) because some fans' biggest questions are: What episode does Spencer get home in 1923 season 2? When are Alex and Spencer going to reunite?! Unfortunately, it looks like it'll take a bit before we see them together again.

Even though it was an "odd" and "isolating" thing, and a "totally opposite experience" from filming the first season, Julia says the split "works for the characters this season, you know. It was very helpful as an actor because that's what they're going through as well."

Fans can expect to see a whole new side to Alex in '1923' season 2.

Lauren Smith/Paramount+

Even though Alex is on her own, it was important to Julia that she still have that "sparkle" we all love. "It was about digging deep and finding a more scrappy side to her," she says. "It was tricky because I didn't want to lose Alex's sparkle, I didn't want to lose the vivacious, happy side of her, but she's going through something completely different. So bringing the core of who she is and what she stands for and how deeply she loves and how bravely she lives combined with, you know, the fear and the determination was, it was a really great challenge as an actor. But yeah, we see a lot more grit from her this season, I would say."

And not only does Julia love Alex's grit, but she's inspired by her ferocity.

"Since starting season one, I'm like, 'I have to live like that,'" she says. "She follows her happiness like so fiercely and I was like, 'Why aren't I doing that? What can I do to bring more joy to my life and to live as honestly as she lives?' I've learned a lot from her."

Read up on The 1923 Season 1 Ending, Deaths, & Betrayals, Explained before season 2 premieres! And check out our interview with actress Michelle Randolph, where she teases we'll finally "fill in some blanks" in the Dutton family tree!

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

This post has been updated.

Leaders in the matcha industry are predicting a matcha shortage this spring. Sparked by a huge surge in demand, it’s possible that your go-to drink could be affected.

Here’s everything you need to know about this season’s matcha shortage.

Nataliya Vaitkevich / PEXELS

Per The Japan Times, increased demand for matcha powder put an “unprecedented strain” on the tea industry last year, and the same effect is predicted to take place in 2025.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan saw a 185% increase in matcha production from 2010 to 2023 in order to keep up with demand from cafes and home baristas around the world, The Japan Timesreports.

Cup of Couple / PEXELS

Seeing that over half of Japan’s matcha is exported internationally, matcha lovers are looking toward the country for their green tea fix. Search interest for matcha has nearly quadrupled over the past 5 years, and it shows no sign of slowing down.

Olena Bohovyk / PEXELS

This year, mostly organic matcha strains will be affected by the shortage, though lower-grade varieties could face the same issues if consumers begin reaching for them in favor of organic offerings. While top-tier, organic strains like ceremonial-grade matcha are known for being sweeter and smoother, the lower-grade kinds like culinary-grade matcha are noticeably more bitter and don't have the same vibrant color.

Charlotte May / PEXELS

Matcha can only be harvested in the springtime, so though a shortage may be happening now, there’s hope for increased supply in the near future. This year’s harvest will start in April.

Polina Tankilevitch / PEXELS

Even though production will ramp up, Jason Eng of Kametani Tea in Japan, a company that produces matcha for beverage companies around the world, says: “This year will be an interesting one. We haven’t hit a point yet where we’re going to run out, but it’s going to be really tight this autumn – not just for us but for everybody. The demand is off the charts.”

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We're over halfway through 1923 season 2 and there is so much to talk about — like Cara getting attacked by a wolf in the middle of the night, Spencer getting roped into a plot to uncover a whiskey operation, and Alexandra getting stalked and attacked multiple times in her journey. Wow. There's one more episode before the 1923 finale on April 6, 2025.

Here's everything you need to know about how and when to watch the 1923 season 2 finale, airing on Paramount+ April 6, 2025.

Where can I watch the 1923 finale?

Emerson Miller/Paramount+

The 1923 season finale will air on April 6, 2025 on Paramount+. New episodes of 1923 season 2 air on Paramount+ Sunday at 12 AM EST, which means if you live on the west coast, you get new episodes on Saturday nights!

How many episodes of 1923 are there?

Emerson Miller/Paramount+

1923 season 2 premiered on February 23, 2025, and it's going to have 7 episodes total:

  • Season 2, Episode 1 "The Killing Season" premiered February 23, 2025
  • Season 2, Episode 2 "The Rapist Is Winter" premiered March 2, 2025
  • Season 2, Episode 3 "Wrap Thee in Terror" premiered March 9, 2025
  • Season 2, Episode 4 "Journey the Rivers of Iron" premiered March 16, 2025
  • Season 2, Episode 5 "Only Gunshots to Guide Us" premiered March 23, 2025
  • Season 2, Episode 6 "The Mountain Teeth of Monsters" premiered March 30, 2025
  • Season 2, Episode 7 "A Dream and a Memory" premieres April 6, 2025

Who's in the 1923 season 2 cast?

Christopher Saunders/Paramount+

There's a good chance you're familiar with Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford, but the whole 1923 cast in incredible!

  • Harrison Ford as Jacob Dutton: Dutton patriarch and a protector of the Yellowstone ranch.
  • Helen Mirren as Cara Dutton: a hardworking and kind woman who's Jacob's wife.
  • Brandon Sklenar as Spencer Dutton: Jacob and Cara's nephew who's making his way back to the ranch.
  • Julia Schlaepfer as Alex Dutton: Spencer's new wife, and a spunky and resourceful woman making her way to America on her own from England.
  • Michelle Randolph as Elizabeth Dutton: a kind yet determined young woman who's married to Jack.
  • Darren Mann as Jack Dutton: Jacob and Cara's great-nephew who lives with them on the Yellowstone ranch.
  • Aminah Nieves as Teonna Rainwater: an Indigenous young woman who's on the run after escaping a Catholic assimilation school.
  • Jennifer Carpenter as Marshal Mamie Fossett: a U.S. Marshal who crosses paths with Spencer on his journey.
  • Jerome Flynn as Banner Creighton: one of Jacob's sworn enemies dead set on taking the Duttons down.
  • Timothy Dalton as Donald Whitfield: a snaky businessman who has Jacob and the Duttons under his thumb.
  • Isabel May as Elsa Dutton: Spencer's sister from 1883 who serves as narrator.

What happened to Jack Dutton in 1923?

Emerson Miller/Paramount+

To everyone's shock, Jack Dutton died in 1923 season 2, episode 6, "The Mountain Teeth of Monsters." While Jacob and a couple men set off to meet Spencer at the train station, Jack was instructed to stay at the Yellowstone ranch to defend the house, as well as Cara and Elizabeth.

But when he chose to leave anyway, Jack was met with two of Whitfield's men, who shot and killed him. Actor Darren Mann admitted the death made him "angry, sad and frustrated," telling People that "There must've been four or five people who went down just right there in that one episode. Death everywhere."

Where did 1923 season 2 film?

Lo Smith/Paramount+

1923 season 2 filmed around Texas in 2024, and began filming in Austin on July 17 according to My San Antonio. Filming locations also included Lockhart and Bartlett, Texas.

How does 1923 connect to Yellowstone?

Lauren Smith/Paramount+

1923 is a Yellowstone prequel series from creator Taylor Sheridan (so is 1883!). The Duttons we see in 1923 are the ancestors of John Dutton III, Beth Dutton, Jamie Dutton, and Kayce Dutton.

Check Brit + Co for the latest TV news and subscribe to see our new podcast Yap City ahead of the 1923 season finale — you won't want to miss our 1923 season 2 ending explainer!

This post has been updated.