14 Women to Listen to ASAP Who Aren’t Your Mother

​5. Diver Down

Let’s be honest, one of the things fans were most excited to see now that JJ and Kiara are together is JJ’s protectiveness over Kiara. We’ve seen it plenty of times in the past, but things are a little different now that he’s her boyfriend, and it’s in full force when they’re attacked underwater and Kiara loses the scuba diving gear providing her oxygen.

From JJ stabbing the guy with a spear gun to him banging on the door of the ship, desperate to get back to Kiara and screaming her name, this sequence delivers. Then, of course, there’s the fact that he immediately gives her his air so she can breathe.

​4. An Undercover Date

When trying to track down the man who attacked them, JJ says their plan is to “detain, extract, investigate,” and sneak up on him as spies would. Kiara likes it, declaring they’re undercover before suggesting they act like they’re on a date – if he knows what that looks like. JJ questions her and she mentions they’ve never been on a date before, challenging him to name just one. He then tells her that they're on a date right now, grabbing her hand so they can do date things together on the pier. What does that include? Snow cones and a dare to jump into the water.

​3. “Us Against The Universe.”

Since they didn’t make their diving safety stop as Pope instructed them to, Kiara and JJ get the bends (bubbles in their blood and tissues), and the Pogues rush them to the hospital, where they have to spend 12 hours in a hyperbaric chamber. With 12 whole hours together, you can imagine where this going. But before that, since this is their first moment to reflect on what happened, JJ comments how she almost died, and says that he never should’ve let her go down there. Naturally, Kiara has a different way of looking at it, saying if she wasn’t there, the attacker would’ve gotten JJ instead.

Moral of the story? They save each other and it’s them against the universe. JJ also makes a cute call back to when he called her a Kook, and we love some good banter.

​2. The Turtle Hatch

Kiara’s pure joy at the sight of a turtle hatch on the beach is a beautiful moment for the character, who's talked about saving the turtles since season 1. However, Ruthie and Topper have other plans for this precious moment and decide to drive their truck directly at the Pogues, who are trying to safely get the turtles to the ocean. Kiara notices and goes in front of the truck, trying to tell them that there’s a hatch and to go around, but they ignore her, running over the area not once but twice.

Why this is so high on my list is because of the way JJ stands by her side as she confronts the Kooks for killing a baby turtle. He lets her take charge and say what she needs to, only getting involved when Topper puts his hand on her. JJ's taken the lead in these conversations in the past, and to see the roles reverse like this just proves why they work so well together. Plus, there’s the whole “You come near her, or any of us ever again, and I’ll come back and kill every single one of you.”

“He’s Happy.”

​We're Back On The Outer Banks!

FINALLY! After a couple of seasons in the Caribbean and South America, Outer Banks is back, well, on the Outer Banks. Honestly, this automatically makes the season better because it provides a ton of familiarity, nostalgia, and comfort for readers. And it also provides a realistic, grounded aspect to the adventure. Because let's be honest, a group of teens hopping on a tiny plane and taking part in a jungle treasure hunt requires a little too much suspension of disbelief for me. Plus, just like Gossip Girl wouldn't be the same without Blair and Serena hitting up Bergdorf's, a Pogue beach & surfing day just feels right.

​The Pogues Open Their Own Shop

The first episode of Outer Banks season 4 catches us up on that season 3 time jump. After learning how much money they actually have their hands on, the Pogues move into JJ's old house (renaming it "Poguelandia 2.0"), and open a bait, tackle, and charter shop. While I have a few questions about how six teens literally built a business without the help of a contractor, I love seeing this group lead regular lives. The shop plays into their strengths and allows them to cultivate their relationships in normal settings instead of life-or-death ones. Friendships are made in those boring moments, IMO.

​The Pogues And Kooks Are Fighting Again

Because so much of Outer Banks season 4 takes place on the OBX, it means John B., Sarah, JJ, Kie, Pope, and Cleo are once again clashing with Topper, Rafe, and the rest of the Kooks. Despite the fact this season features plenty of death-defying stunts, the scene that will stick with me the most is when the Pogues and Kooks wind up at the same beach access.

I audibly gasped when Ruthie, Topper's new girlfriend, plays chicken with the Pogues on the beach, almost hitting Kiara with her Jeep and running over a turtle hatch in the process. (IRL, protecting endangered sea turtles & their hatches are a big deal on the Outer Banks, so this definitely got a visceral reaction from me).

At the end of the day, the major (and arguably, the most painful) conflict of this teen drama is how the Kooks make the Pogues feel like they don't belong anywhere. And if you ask me, exploring this tension and these relationships is where the show truly shines.

​The Villains Are Actually Scary

That being said, I found the villains this season, Lightner and Dalia, to be way scarier than I expected — especially once Lightner killed Terrance and almost killed Cleo. Every time he showed up onscreen, my heart started pounding like he was chasing me! The thought of being stuck in my bait shop alone with a creepy guy, especially one brandishing a knife? Thank you, next.

​The Pogues Are Searching For More Than Blackbeard's Treasure

After Outer Banks season 3, the one thing I said I didn't want the show to do was go into supernatural, ghost territory. Turns out, that's exactly where we're going. Wes Genrette and his son-in-law Chandler Groff hire the Pogues to find Blackbeard's treasure, but it doesn't take long for them to realize they're once again in over their heads.

Wes is a direct descendent of Francis Genrette, the man responsible for killing Blackbeard and his wife Elizabeth. Now, Elizabeth haunts every generation of the Genrette family, and once she appears, you don't have long to live. Wes reveals his daughter Larissa (Chandler's late wife) saw Elizabeth a week before she died, and Wes himself has seen her, which means his days are numbered.

Now the Pogues have to find Elizabeth's amulet to break the curse. Their race against Lightner and Dalia brings Pope, Cleo, Sarah, and John B. to Charleston — and leavesPope and Sarah trapped in a crypt as it slowly floods.

​Powers At Be Want To Bulldoze The Cut

If this show has proven anything, it's that the OBX is far from paradise. This season, some big names are trying to turn The Cut — including Poguelandia 2.0 — into an extension of the wealthier Figure Eight. Things get even more complicated when Hollis, who worked with Ward before he died, wants Rafe to be her financial partner...and then gets his girlfriend Sofia to convince him to sign her contract.

​Rafe Could Actually Be Getting A Redemption Arc

Drew Starkey admitted after season 1 that he didn't care whether Rafe got a redemption arc, and I agreed at the time. I found the idea of Rafe, who was so driven to please his father he'd literally murder for him, incredibly compelling. Plus, he's been the ringleader of the War on Pogues this whole time, so suddenly making him sympathetic towards them felt like backtracking on his character.

But now that I've seen him with Sofia, the romantic in me is kicking her feet and giggling.

Rafe still has his moments (like saying he'd never date a Pogue after finding out Sofia was from The Cut), but for better or worse, Sofia brings out the best in him. And in the aftermath of Ward's death, and his ultimate wish that Sarah and Rafe would make up, feeling sympathy for the Pogues might be Rafe's way of staying loyal to his dad.

I just want to know how Rafe is going to respond when he finds out Sofia overheard his comments about never dating a Pogue...and then tricked him into signing Hollis' contract. Messy, messy.

​Luke Is Back

After JJ & Kiara said goodbye to JJ's dad Luke in Outer Banks season 2, he's been totally off the grid. Except, apparently, he hasn't? JJ learns Luke is back when he visits Barracuda Mike, but the father-son bonding quickly takes a turn for the crazy when Luke drops a piece of news that changes everything: he isn't JJ's biological father. Chandler Groff is.

JJ Has Actually Been A Kook This Whole Time

JJ's entire character is based around the fact he's proud to be a Pogue. He hates the Kooks and everything they stand for, which is why when Luke reveals he isn't JJ's biological father, and that JJ is related to the Groff/Genrette clan, it totally sends JJ into orbit.

This Kook identity is something he's been running from the entire series — even before Kie had to reassure him that finding the gold didn't make them Kooks — and he's going to have to do some serious soul searching to figure out who he actually is now.

I was wholly sold on the theory Outer Banks 4 would reveal JJ and Sarah were siblings, but this is a pretty good alternative. And who knows? Maybe they're cousins. Fingers crossed JJ doesn't get a deadly visit from Elizabeth's ghost in part 2...

Ewedoos Tennis Dress

Nothing snatches you up quite like a workout dress. This stretchy, shaping mini supports your figure with built-in shorts (they have side pockets!) and a removable bra, which also help add coverage where you need it most. It even has adjustable straps that cross in the back for an eye-catching factor when you're not layering up with a cardigan or jacket.

Prettygarden Swiss Dot Ruffle Dress

This pleated maxi dress undoubtedly draws attention to the girls, if you catch my drift. The upper half is thoughtfully designed with an empire waistline to elongate your torso and emphasize your bust, while the ruffled tie-up collar really, well, ties it all together. You'll fall in love with the soft, flowy texture of this subtly-dotted dress the moment you put it on!

Prettygarden Wrap Flowy Dress

A wrap dress is gonna do it every time. Whether you're a plus-sized baddie or a petite gal, the waist-hugging nature of wrap dresses help give your body shape. I love that this one is more modest around the neckline, too, so you don't have to worry about tussling with major slips throughout the day. The pleated skirt and wide puff sleeves give it some real flirty flair that you can wear confidently anywhere!

Cupshe Cutout Self-Tie Long Dress

More fit for the summer season – but equally stylish for fall – this maxi dress accentuates your waist to a tee. The twisted front detail is met by a playful open back design that lets you show some skin, all while looking ahh-mazing. This breezy number also comes in tons of colors and patterns to match your exact vibe!

IHOT Faux Wrap Bodycon Dress

From the ruching along the sides to the tapered skirt, this bodycon dress means business. Though most skin-tight dresses give the impression of being entirely too uncomfortable, this one has just enough stretch to give you ample breathing room! The v-shaped neckline is big bust-friendly, as is the pencil skirt for bigger booties. No matter your body type, you will look on fire.

Blencot Short Sleeve Square Neck Split Midi Dress

Milkmaid dresses are where it's at, y'all! This one's full of feminine flair, thanks to the fitted bodice, puff sleeves, and tie-up front. The midi-length skirt even features a high-cut leg slit for a dash of sexiness (and breathability). This pick will look just as cute with casual sneakers as it will with tall fall boots!

Dokotoo Elegant Bow Tie Mini Dress

If you're on the shy side to show your arms completely, this fluttery mini is just the perfect piece to add to your dress collection. The flowy, oversized sleeves provide the ideal amount of coverage while still being stylish enough to amp up your outfit. The length is flattering all around, plus it boasts a cute little bow on the front for visual appeal!

BTFBM Long Sleeve Ruffle Boho Dress

I think I just found my next fall dress. The ruffles! The sleeves! The florals! It's all working for me. This dress' flowy skirt will pair well with riding boots and a denim jacket for a cute-but-casual ensemble.

The Drop Lana Maxi Slip Dress

I fear you can never go wrong with a slip dress. From curvy to straight body types, they just look utterly timeless and modelesque. Plus, slip dresses are fairly basic, so you can have fun dressing them up to your liking! This deep red color is the perfect hue for the season – it'll surely turn heads. Plus, the fit of this piece is meant to "follow the body," so it won't be too loose nor too tight.

Prettygarden Spaghetti Strap Long Dress

This maxi dress is gonna become your go-to on days you don't necessarily want to wear pants, but still have to dress up a bit. The loose fit around your tummy and legs is super comfy, plus you won't have to worry about any coverage woes since the dress is quite long! The squiggly contrasting trim adds a youthful vibe to what would've been a very plain black maxi, which is always welcome for the sake of the 'fit check!

Luxely Spaghetti Strap Angled Tiered Maxi Dress

Simple and chic – just the way I like it! This dress has the best of both worlds. I love the extra details via the side ruching and tiering on the maxi skirt, too. It'd be perfect for brunch parties, baby showers, and every special occasion in between!

Sidefeel Button-Down Denim Dress

Denim dresses reign supreme, come fall. This one isn't just your ordinary denim dress, though: it's fitted with fun ruffled sleeves, buttons up along the front, and has plenty of interesting seam work to keep your look fresh.