Jimmy John's taps Walton Goggins to narrate, bring spice to 'smut' audiobook
Jimmy John's is getting spicy this summer, with not just a collection of new saucy sandwiches, but a "smut" audiobook, narrated by no other than "White Lotus" Season 3 star Walton Goggins.
"The Blade and the Brine," a two-part romantasy audiobook read by Goggins, is available for Jimmy John's Freaky Fast Rewards members who purchase any sandwich or wrap between June 23 and July 6. The book is a part of the sandwich chain's Summer Menu of Ultimate Temptation, or S.M.U.T., campaign of new menu items.
Ahead of the audiobook's release, USA TODAY got an exclusive listen to the creamy, steamy romance. Here is what to know.
Check it out: USA TODAY / Novel Neighbor Adult Audiobook Subscription
How do you listen to 'The Blade and the Brine'?
"The Blade and the Brine" is available to Jimmy John's Freaky Fast Rewards members who make a purchase of any sandwich or wrap with the promo code: "BEACHREAD".
To receive part one of the audiobook, rewards members must order a sandwich or wrap between Monday, June 23, and Sunday, June 29. To receive part two, members must order between Tuesday, July 1, and Sunday, July 6. The audiobook will be sent to the email address associated with a customer's Freaky Fast Rewards membership.
The audiobook is not available with other offers or discounts.
'Feels fantastic!': Walton Goggins talks being 'a sex symbol at 53' in 'SNL' monologue
What is 'The Blade and the Brine' about?
Set in the Sandwich Kingdom, part one of "The Blade and the Brine" follows a Jimmy John's delivery girl named Viola who learns she is destined to become Queen Mayo. In part two, Viola must choose between two suitors: Lord Mayo, her protector who captivates her in part one, or Lord Pickle, who is dark and mysterious.
The audiobook is full of Jimmy John's puns like, "Rivers of Kickin' Ranch glided through hills of crusted parmesan."
How long is 'The Blade and the Brine'?
Part one of "The Blade and the Brine" is about five minutes and 40 seconds long, and part two is six-and-a-half minutes long.
Just how 'saucy' is 'The Blade and the Brine'?
Dripping with "creamy, spicy" ranch, the audiobook is indeed pretty saucy.
Is 'The Blade and the Brine' a real audiobook?
Yes, "The Blade and the Brine" is a real audiobook, in the sense that a narrator reads a story to listeners. However, the audiobook is only a part of Jimmy John's summer promotional campaign. It cannot be purchased elsewhere or checked out from the local library.
What sandwiches make up the S.M.U.T. lineup?
The Summer Menu of Ultimate Temptation features three sandwiches and one wrap:
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
3 hours ago
- USA Today
Sydney Sweeney pretty in pink for Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sánchez Bezos wedding
Sydney Sweeney was pretty in pink for the Venetian wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos. The "Euphoria" star stunned as she was pictured Friday, June 27, in a plunging blush pink dress — paired with a Messika diamond necklace — while leaving to attend the nuptials of the billionaire Amazon founder and the award-winning TV journalist. Sweeney was among the A-list guests who attended the star-studded ceremony, which also included sisters Kim and Khloé Kardashian, their youngest sisters Kendall and Kylie Jenner and family matriarch Kris Jenner; Leonardo DiCaprio and his model girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti; and Bezos' fellow billionaire Bill Gates. Oprah Winfrey, Tom Brady, Tommy Hilfiger, Orlando Bloom and model Brooks Nader also attended. For Bezos wedding festivities, Sweeney's stylist Molly Dickson outfitted the star in a summer green and pink archival Elie Saab dress, with her blonde locks in lightly tousled curls. Earlier in the week, the "White Lotus" actress sported a playful little black dress-inspired look, pairing a black Chloé V-neck silk romper with Miu Miu buckle slingback pumps and Balenciaga LED sunglasses. Oprah Winfrey, Ivanka Trump, Khloé Kardashian wear pink at Bezos wedding While butter yellow has ruled the fashion industry in 2025, pink was the color of the day among fashion royals at the Bezos wedding. Khloé Kardashian wore a captivating pink strapless Tamara Ralph Couture gown with a feathery jacket, black sunglasses and diamonds while Ivanka Trump wore a Tony Ward Couture dress adorned with crystal beading. Oprah Winfrey wore a conservative pink gown while supermodel Brooks Nader also wore a strapless pink dress à la Sweeney and Kardashian. Sánchez Bezos wore a Dolce & Gabbana silhouette dress with a high-neck, adorned with 180 silk chiffon-covered priest buttons paired with a tulle-and-lace veil, inspired by a similar veil that iconic Italian actress Sophia Loren wore in the 1958 film "Houseboat," according to a Vogue magazine exclusive. "It went from 'I want a simple, sexy modern dress' to 'I want something that evokes a moment,' and where I am right now. I am a different person than I was five years ago," she told Vogue.
Forbes
4 hours ago
- Forbes
‘Squid Game' Season 3 Ending Explained—Who Wins, Who Dies And What It All Means
Squid Game S3 Lee Jung-jae as Seong Gi-hun in Squid Game S3 Warning: Spoilers ahead for all of Squid Game Season 3. The explosive series finale of Squid Game delivers some of the most emotional and intense moments of the entire series. The game ends with the heartbreaking death of a major character, and the last scene appears to set the stage for a potential spinoff. Read on for a complete breakdown of how Squid Game Season 3 brings Netflix's South Korean thriller to a close. The third season opens in the wake of the deadly rebellion depicted in the Season 2 finale, which left Jung-Bae and many of Gi-hun's allies dead. Young-il is no longer a player and has resumed his role as the cloaked Front Man. Still unaware of the Front Man's true identity, Gi-hun grapples with survivor's guilt and begs to be killed. He's then forced to compete in a sinister game of hide-and-seek, where even more players are eliminated. Young-il's brother is still searching for the island — but a traitor on the boat is preventing the detective from reaching the game site. Woo-seok grows suspicious of Captain Park, breaks into his home, and discovers photos of him with the Front Man, along with his Squid Game uniform. Woo-seok is arrested but manages to steal back his phone to warn Jun-ho before it's too late. Although Gi-hun wants to save as many people as possible, he's forced to continue playing the remaining games, including a terrifying round of double Dutch involving the creepy giant dolls. He manages to carry Jun-hee's (Player 222) baby to safety, but after Jun-hee dies, the VIPs vote to bring her newborn into the competition. How Does The Front Man Reveal Himself To Gi-Hun? Squid Game S3 Lee Byung-hun as Frontman in Squid Game S3 For the final game, the nine remaining players are given the power to select at least three competitors to eliminate. Surprisingly, the Front Man summons Gi-hun and offers him a proposition. 'I'm trying to help you and the baby,' the cloaked man says, suggesting he may have had a change of heart. He gives Gi-hun a knife and tells him to go back and kill anyone who wants to harm him or the baby. When Gi-hun asks why he's saying all of this now, the Front Man removes his mask. 'I'm sorry about Jung-bae,' he says. As Gi-hun prepares to attack, the Front Man tells him that killing him won't change anything — the games will simply appoint a new leader and continue. He explains that if Gi-hun kills the other players in their sleep, he and the baby will win the game, since the next round can't proceed with just two players. But Gi-hun can't go through with it. How Does The Final Game Of Squid Game Work? Squid Game S3 Lee David as Min-su in Squid Game S3 Cr. No Ju-han/Netflix © 2025 The final game is called Sky Squid Game. It takes place over three rounds and requires players to move across three pillars: one shaped like a square, another like a triangle and the last like a circle. On each pillar, players must push at least one other player off the structure. However, a red button on the ground must be pressed to officially start each round; any deaths that occur outside an active round are considered invalid. Gi-hun holds Jun-hee's baby close to his chest, honoring his promise to protect her. During the first two rounds, he manages to keep the baby away from the other players, whose alliances constantly shift. The child's father, Myung-gi, even tries to kill her out of greed for the prize money. By the third and final round, only Gi-hun, Myung-gi, and the baby remain. Gi-hun and Myung-gi face off in a violent knife fight, as Myung-gi attempts to eliminate his own child and claim the entire prize. But Gi-hun stops him, and Player 333 ultimately falls to his death. Does Gi-hun Die In Squid Game Season 3? Squid Game S3 Lee Jung-jae as Seong Gi-hun in Squid Game S3 After Myung-gi is killed, Gi-hun realizes the red button was never pressed — meaning the final round hadn't officially started. He presses the button, and the ten-minute timer begins. Holding the baby one last time, he kisses them on the forehead. Now, he's left with three options: kill the baby and win the games for a second time, do nothing and let them both be killed or sacrifice himself and let the baby win. He delivers a final speech to the Front Man and the VIPs, reminding them that the players are not 'horses' but human beings. Then, he jumps off the platform, choosing to end his life to save the baby. Series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk told Netflix's Tudum that he hadn't originally planned for Gi-hun to die. But he ultimately realized the story needed something that would bring 'both the game and Gi-hun's journey' to a close. 'The message I wanted to communicate was that if we solely pursue our immediate self-interest, and refuse to self-restrain, sacrifice, or bear any costs — and if we don't put our heads together — we have no future,' Hwang explained. "Gi-hun's self-sacrifice to save the baby is the message we need to hear today. This character, who is thrust into the game, endures everything, and then jumps back in to end it, is the one who should deliver this message.' Who Is The Winner Of Squid Game Season 3? Squid Game Season 3 Player 222, Jun-hee's baby, is declared the winner of Squid Game following Gi-hun's death. According to creator Hwang Dong-hyuk, the twist was designed to inspire hope. "Ultimately, the baby represents the future generation." 'I believe we also have the responsibility and duty to try everything that we can in our power to leave a better world for the future generation,' he added. 'The baby coming out [as] the winner was in line with the meaning of Squid Game.' What Happens To Gyeong-seok (Player 246) And No-eul? Squid Game 3 Park Gyu-young as Kang No-eul In Season 3, Pink Guard No-eul devises a plan to rescue Gyeong-seok (Player 246) and get him safely off the island. She first met Gyeong-seok while working at an amusement park, where she was introduced to his sweet daughter, who was later diagnosed with cancer. Knowing the child couldn't survive without her father, No-eul wanted to help him escape. Before Gyeong-seok's organs could be harvested following his elimination from the game, No-eul pretended to befriend the guards, then killed them and forced the doctor to save his life. After they were discovered by her boss, she was also forced to kill her superior and burned all the participant files. She successfully got Gyeong-seok off the island, where he was rescued by Jun-ho and the Coast Guard. Six months after the games, No-eul visits Gyeong-seok. He draws a portrait of her, unaware that she was the guard who saved his life. His daughter, Na-Yeon, is also shown to be alive and doing well. As No-eul leaves the amusement park, she receives a life-changing phone call: her own daughter may have escaped North Korea and could be in mainland China. No-eul's story ends on a hopeful note as she decides to follow the lead and boards a plane to China. 'She's someone whose inner light has all but faded, drifting deeper into the night,' Hwang said to Tudum. Then, when she shaw Gi-hun's 'ultimate act of self-sacrifice," something inside her shifted. 'A flicker of hope and pull towards life reignites within No-eul. I wanted to show her rising again, reclaiming her will to live, and giving life another shot.' What Does The Front Man Do With Player 222? Squid Game S3 Wi Ha-jun as Hwang Jun-ho in Squid Game S3 After Gi-hun is eliminated, a guard informs the Front Man that the Coast Guard is approaching. The Front Man orders the island to be evacuated. Before leaving, he visits Gi-hun's body and rescues Jun-hee's baby, who is still lying on the circle pillar. After grabbing the baby, the Front Man encounters his brother, Jun-ho, in the VIP viewing area. Jun-ho demands answers about his involvement in the games, but the Front Man remains silent. He then activates a timer that will detonate explosives across the island, effectively erasing all traces of what took place. Six months later, the Front Man breaks into Jun-ho's apartment and leaves behind a gift. When Jun-ho walks in, he finds Jun-hee's baby lying on the table, along with a debit card loaded with her 4.56 billion won prize money. So, Who Took Gi-hun's Prize Money? Squid Game S3 Lee Byung-hun as Frontman in Squid Game S3 After Woo-seok is released from jail, he asks Jun-ho what happened to Gi-hun's prize money, which had been left on a bed at the Pink Motel. Later, it's revealed that the Front Man took the cash, deposited it into a bank account, and traveled to Los Angeles to give the money to Gi-hun's daughter, Ga-yeong. He also informs her of her father's death. What Does the Final Scene Of Squid Game Season 3 Mean? After leaving Ga-yeong's home, the Front Man is driving through Downtown Los Angeles when he hears two people playing the familiar Korean game, ddakji. He looks over and sees a struggling man and a well-dressed woman, portrayed by Cate Blanchett, holding a briefcase. She glances at him, appearing to be a recruiter for another version of the games — possibly an American version. While David Fincher is reportedly developing an English-language Squid Game spinoff for Netflix, sources told The Hollywood Reporter that the cameo in the final scene in Season 3 is not currently intended to set up any future storylines 'at this time.' Meanwhile, Hwang Dong-hyuk explained the creative decision behind the surprise cameo. He told Netflix that he felt having a 'woman as a recruiter would be more dramatic and intriguing" for the series. "And as for why Cate Blanchett, she's just the best, with unmatched charisma. Who doesn't love her? So we were very happy to have her appear. We needed someone who could dominate the screen with just one or two words, which is exactly what she did.' He continued, 'If Gong Yoo is the Korean Recruiter, I thought she would be the perfect fit as the American Recruiter, bringing a short but gripping and impactful ending to the story.' Stay tuned to learn more details about the potential Squid Game spinoff. Squid Game Season 3 is streaming on Netflix. Watch the official trailer below.
New York Post
5 hours ago
- New York Post
Sarah Sherman ‘started hysterically sobbing' after her ‘SNL' checks were sent to late comedy icon's estate
Sarah Sherman is recounting a heartbreaking moment. The 'Saturday Night Live' star, 32, recently revealed a cosmic connection she had to the late Gilda Radner, who appeared on the sketch comedy show from 1975 to 1980, before her 1989 death from ovarian cancer at age 42. 'I got a giant envelope in the mail,' Sherman recounted on Vulture's 'Good One' podcast last week, 'with a handwritten letter that was like, 'Hey, I'm Gilda Radner's brother. Weird thing happened where I've been receiving all of your residuals checks for the past few months.'' Advertisement 8 Sarah Sherman at The Television Academy in 2025. Todd Williamson/NBC via Getty Images 8 Gilda Radner during Season 3 of 'SNL.' NBCUniversal via Getty Images Sherman broke down after receiving the message from the beloved comic's sibling. Advertisement 'I started, like, hysterically sobbing, obviously,' she confessed. 'Because I'm like, 'Okay, God's speaking to me right now.' The fact that my SAG residuals checks had been sent to Gilda Radner's estate?' Sherman immediately told 'SNL' creator Lorne Michaels. 8 Gilda Radner attends the 'Saturday Night Live' New York City Premiere on December 12, 1977. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images 'I texted Lorne [and] I was like, 'Oh my God, my checks have been sent to Gilder Radner's estate! Isn't this like a crazy coincidence?'' the actress explained. ''I feel like this is like a miracle or like I feel like this is a spirit is talking.'' Advertisement 'Obviously, that's a schizophrenic text message,' she quipped. But Michaels, 80, simply replied: 'That's sweet.' Radner was the first person to be hired for Season 1 of 'Saturday Night Live' alongside Garrett Morris, Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Jane Curtin, Chevy Chase and Laraine Newman. 8 Sarah Sherman performs onstage during the 2025 Night of Too Many Stars in NYC. Getty Images for Night of Too Many Stars Advertisement 8 Gilda Radner, Chevy Chase, rehearse a 'Weekend Update' sketch with Emily Litella. The fallen star was on air for five seasons, bringing fan-favorite characters to life, such as Lisa Loopner of 'The Nerds,' Roseanne Roseannadanna and Baba Wawa — her Barbara Walters parody, Radner took home an Emmy for her work on 'SNL' in 1978. Sherman, meanwhile, joined the NBC series during Season 47 in October 2021. The 'You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah' actress came under fire in April for her 'White Lotus' parody that left Aimee Lou Wood feeling hurt. 8 Gilda Radner as Roseanne Roseannadanna. NBCUniversal via Getty Images Despite the backlash, Sherman explained her perspective on the sketch. 'I was excited to play her because she's so iconic, her character is so iconic,' Sherman told Vanity Fair in May, 'and I f–king obviously never meant to hurt anyone's feelings. Never in a million years did I get into comedy to make anyone upset. I feel terrible that anyone would feel bad.' Advertisement The April 12 episode poked fun at Donald Trump and his tariffs, using the characters from the third season of the HBO series to act out a family scene. Wood, 31, took to social media after the skit to call out Sherman's take on her character, Chelsea. 8 Sarah Sherman as Bannessa. Will Heath/NBC via Getty Images The comedian insisted that she wasn't trying to be mean about the 'Sex Education' alum. 'The show is in constant dialogue with culture as it's happening, and it happens really fast,' Sherman admitted. 'You have to be vigilant, you know what I mean?' Advertisement 'There are a lot of things out of your control,' she continued. 'You're playing a lot of different parts, you're doing a lot of different roles that you're not in control of. A lot of the process of the show has been, to me — how am I answering this? Staying vigilant but also being a part of the show — that is your job.' 8 Sarah Sherman during the 'White Lotus' sketch on Saturday, April 12, 2025. Holland Rainwater/NBC via Getty Images During her chat with the magazine, Sherman also touched on how being a part of 'SNL' has made her better at her craft. 'I came into the show as if everyone was like, 'She's crazy,'' she reminisced, 'and I did all this crazy stuff. It's like, oh, crazy doesn't go that long of a way. The show is an hour and a half. It can't be crazy the whole time. So the show has supported me to move in places that make me understand comedy better.'
