Holiday Reads, Cozy Mysteries, and a Little Festive Chaos

In this special holiday episode of Dragons and Spaceships, Brandi leans into the cozy, playful spirit of the season with reader questions, festive book recommendations, and a Dragon’s Roar full of upcoming releases to add to your winter TBR.

The episode kicks off with a fun listener prompt about favorite holiday reads. Romance, mystery, fantasy, or a little bit of everything are all welcome here. Brandi also poses a playful holiday thought experiment. If you were planning a Christmas heist, what festive object would be worth stealing? A priceless ornament, Santa’s list, or the world’s biggest cookie are all on the table.

In this week’s Dragon’s Roar, Brandi spotlights Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood, a spicy enemies to lovers novella originally released as an audio exclusive and now coming to print and e-book on February 10th, 2026. Set during a winter retreat, the story follows video game designer Viola Bullen and her longtime rival Jesse Andrews as forced proximity turns icy tension into sparks.

Brandi also highlights The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year, a cozy holiday mystery that delivers charm, humor, and festive vibes without the darkness. It is the perfect snow globe of a story to curl up with by the fire.

The episode wraps with warm holiday wishes, cozy vibes, and encouragement to fill your reading list with stories that feel comforting, joyful, and just a little magical.

Episode Highlights
- Favorite holiday reading moods and genres
- A playful Christmas heist question for listeners
- Dragon’s Roar spotlight on Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood
- Why enemies to lovers and winter settings work so well together
- A cozy recommendation for The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year
- Holiday reading as comfort, joy, and escapism