The Coven Codex

Welcome, Book Babes. This is your go-to resource for navigating the Two Girls, One TBR world. From Our favorite dark tropes to our safety commitments, find everything your need to know below.

​ARC (Advanced Reader Copy):

A pre-publication copy of a book sent to reviewers to generate buzz before the official release.

Back​list:

Books published before the current year that are still waiting on your shelf.

​Book Bestie:

Your partner in crime for discussing chapters, swapping recommendations, and venting about cliffhangers.

​Book Haul:

A photo or video showing off your newest additions; usually followed by a sigh over your lack of shelf space.

Book​ Hangover:

The emotional void you feel after finishing a 5-star read and not knowing what to do with your life next.

​Bookstagram:

The book-focused community on Instagram, known for beautiful aesthetics and deep discussions.

​BookTok:

The massive book-loving side of TikTok where trends move at lightning speed.

​Buddy Read:

Reading the same book at the same time as a friend so you can scream about plot twists together.

​Cliffhanger:

That heart-stopping moment at the end of a chapter or book that leaves you desperate for the next page.

​Cover Buy:

Buying a book solely because the cover art is stunning.

​DNF (Did Not Finish):

When a book just is not hitting the mark. It is okay to walk away from a book that is not for you.

FMC (Female Main Character):

The primary woman protagonist of the story.

HEA (Happily Ever After):

The gold standard of romance where the couple ends up together and happy.

HFN (Happy For Now):

When the couple is together at the end of the book, but there is still room for their story to continue in future sequels.

​Maasverse:

The interconnected worlds created by Sarah J. Maas, including ACOTAR, Crescent City, and Throne of Glass.

MMC (Male Main Character):

The primary man protagonist of the story.

POV (Point of View):

The perspective from which the story is told.

​Rep:

Representation of diverse backgrounds, identities, and experiences within a book.

Slow Burn:

While this is a trope, it is also a lifestyle

​Standalone:

A complete story contained in one book; perfect for a palate cleanser.

​TBR (To Be Read):

The ever-growing stack of books you plan to devour.

​🥀 Betrayal and Plot Twist:

The moment the story shifts, usually when someone you trusted turns their back on you.

​✨ Fated Mates:

A magical or supernatural connection where two people are destined to be together.

​⛓️ Forced Proximity:

Characters are trapped together and have no choice but to interact.

​🫂 Found Family:

Characters who choose each other as their family, forming an unbreakable bond while fighting the world.

​☀️ Grumpy and Sunshine:

One character is a brooding force of nature; the other is pure sunshine.

​👑 Hidden Identity and Secret Royalty:

When a character is more than they seem, often hiding their lineage to survive.

​🩶 Morally Grey:

A character who operates in the shadows. We do not want them to be good; we want them to be interesting.

​👀 One-Sided Pining:

When one character has been obsessed with the other for years without the other realizing it.

​🛏️ Only One Bed:

A classic staple. They have to share a room and a bed, leading to peak tension.

​⏳ Slow Burn: When the relationship takes its sweet time to develop. The tension is palpable.

​🛡️ Touch Her and You Die:

The ultimate protective love interest vibe. If someone harms the protagonist, they are going to regret it.

​🖤 Dark Romance:

Romances that feature non-traditional relationship dynamics, morally grey characters, or intense themes.

​🗡️ Dark Fantasy:

Fantasy settings that lean into grim, gritty, or macabre atmospheres.

​🔥 Spicy Romantasy:

The intersection of fantasy world-building and high-heat romance. This is the heart of our community.

​🏙️ Urban Fantasy:

Fantasy stories set in a recognizable modern-day, real-world setting.

​☕ Cozy Fantasy:

Low-stakes, warm, and comforting fantasy stories that prioritize atmosphere and character growth.

​🏰 High Fantasy:

Worlds that are entirely imagined, usually with their own unique magic systems, complex lore, and epic stakes.

​🌙 Paranormal Romance:

Romances that feature supernatural beings like vampires, shifters, fae, or witches in a setting otherwise grounded in our world.

​🥀 Gothic Romance:

Stories defined by an atmosphere of dread, suspense, and romance, often featuring decaying estates and family secrets.

​📜 Spicy Historical:

Romance set in the past where societal constraints make the tension and spice feel even more forbidden.

​🏈 Sports Romance:

High-stakes competition, locker room banter, and the tension of romance on and off the field.

​👹 Monster Romance:

Where the love interest is a creature; non-human, supernatural, and utterly captivating.

​👽 Alien Romance:

Sci-fi settings where out-of-this-world heroines meet extraterrestrial mates.

​🔪 Thriller:

Fast-paced stories focused on suspense, tension, and excitement. Expect high stakes, unreliable narrators, and twists that keep you guessing until the very last page.

​Physical Books: The ultimate experience. There is nothing like holding a book, annotating your favorite scenes, and displaying your collection on your shelves.

​Kindle and E-Readers: Perfect for convenience, late-night reading, and fitting an entire library into your bag. It is a lifesaver when you need a book immediately after a cliffhanger.

​Audiobooks: The best way to read while you are on the go, doing chores, or commuting. It brings the story to life through the narrator’s performance.

​We include Trigger Warnings to allow you to make empowered choices about what you consume. When we discuss a book, look for our content notes in the episode description. We list heavy themes so you can decide if it is the right time to read that story.

​At Two Girls, One TBR, we believe that every reader deserves to see themselves in the stories they love. We are an inclusive space that celebrates diversity in all its forms. We proudly support women and the LGBTQ+ community, and we are committed to ensuring our platform is a welcoming place for all voices to be heard and celebrated.