Smart Podcast Trashy Books Romantic Times Rewind We’re taking a tour through the new releases across many genres from April 2005, nearly 20 (!!!) years ago. Romance has changed a wee little bit.

How much cringe shall we find? Plenty!

Other oddities? Mainstream includes YA and Chick Lit. Contemporary includes New Reality. Regency in Format includes Corinthians! And we’re trying to understand a character who wants to “dim the pain of turning 30.” It’s a ride, as usual.

Side trips include Sea Breeze, Stridex, and St Ives Medicated Apricot Scrub.

TW: for mention of sexual assault, body horror – we do announce it in the audio so you can skip ahead.

Music: purple-planet.com

Don’t miss the visual aids for this episode!

Listen to the podcast →

Read the transcript →

Here are the books we discuss in this podcast:

Smart Podcast Trashy Books Romantic Times Rewind

You can find all the Romantic Times Rewind episodes, visual aids posts, and more in one convenient place!

We also mentioned:

Regency in format, not genre: This r/HRNovlesDiscussion post shows a treasure trove of Regency/format books.
Did you use St. Ives Medicated Scrub? I sure as heck did.
RegRom.com answers the question, ‘What is a Corinthian?’
Amanda mentioned author Naomi Hirahara in a recent Get Rec’d with Amanda post

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April showers bring May just end up reading in bed all day, because why not? Especially when the fare is as fantastic as these romances are!

Here We Go Again

Author: Alison Cochrun
Released: April 2, 2024 by Atria Books
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA, Romance

A long time ago, Logan Maletis and Rosemary Hale used to be friends. They spent their childhood summers running through the woods, rebelling against their conservative small town, and dreaming of escaping. But then an incident the summer before high school turned them into bitter rivals. After graduation, they went ten years without speaking.

Now in their thirties, Logan and Rosemary find they aren’t quite living the lives of adventure they imagined for themselves. Still in their small town and working as teachers at their alma mater, they’re both stuck in old patterns. Uptight Rosemary chooses security and stability over all else, working constantly, and her most stable relationship is with her label maker. Chaotic and impulsive Logan has a long list of misguided ex-lovers and an apathetic shrug she uses to protect herself from anything real. And as hard as they try to avoid each other—and their complicated past—they keep crashing into each other. Including with their cars.

But when their beloved former English teacher and lifelong mentor tells them he has only a few months to live, they’re forced together once and for all to fulfill his last wish: a cross-country road trip. Stuffed into the gayest van west of the Mississippi, the three embark on a life-changing summer trip—from Washington state to the Grand Canyon, from the Gulf Coast to coastal Maine—that will chart a new future and perhaps lead them back to one another.

Cochrun’s debut, The Charm Offensive, was so good, it’s put her on my autobuy list, and I’m so glad it did, because this book is a delight. It’s deeply heartfelt and sharply witty and will absolutely make you shed a few tears. You really just can’t go wrong with a good road trip; this made me want to pack my bags for the Grand Canyon immediately. Add some resonant ADHD rep and Cochrun has another winner.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

Find buy links for this book here..

The Prospects

Author: KT Hoffman
Released: April 9, 2024 by The Dial Press
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA, Romance

The pressure cooker of minor league baseball leads to major chemistry in this exhilarating, sexy, and triumphant rivals to lovers debut romance.

Hope is familiar territory for Gene Ionescu. He has always loved baseball, a sport made for underdogs and optimists like him. He also loves his team, the minor league Beaverton Beavers, and, for the most part, he loves the career he’s built. As the first openly trans player in professional baseball, Gene has nearly everything he’s ever let himself dream of—that is, until Luis Estrada, Gene’s former teammate and current rival, gets traded to the Beavers, destroying the careful equilibrium of Gene’s life.

Gene and Luis can’t manage a civil conversation off the field or a competent play on it, but in the close confines of dugout benches and roadie buses, they begrudgingly rediscover a comfortable rhythm. As the two grow closer, the tension between them turns electric, and their chemistry spills past the confines of the stadium. For every tight double play they execute, there’s also a glance at summer-tan shoulders or a secret shared, each one a breathless moment of possibility that ignites in Gene the visceral, terrifying kind of desire he’s never allowed himself. Soon, Gene has to reconcile the quiet, minor-league-sized life he used to find fulfilling with the major-league dreams Luis makes feel possible.

A joyful, heartfelt debut rom-com revealing what’s possible when we allow ourselves to want something enough to swing for the fences.

This book is simply joy. Trans joy, baseball joy, romantic joy…I dare you not to hug this one. There’s just so much to cheer for (pun only partially intended), it’s definitely gonna be a comfort read people go to again and again. It made me want to hug every player on my closest minor league team, and that’s about the highest praise I can give anything.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

Want this book? Here are helpful buy links..

Late Bloomer

Author: Mazey Eddings
Released: April 16, 2024 by St. Martin's Griffin
Genre: LGBTQIA

Winning the lottery has ruined Opal Devlin’s life. After quitting her dead-end job where she’d earned minimum wage and even less respect, she’s bombarded by people knocking at her door for a handout the second they found out her bank account was overflowing with cash. And Opal can’t seem to stop saying yes.

With her tender heart thoroughly abused, Opal decides to protect herself by any means necessary, which to her translates to putting almost all her new money to buying a failing flower farm in Asheville, North Carolina to let the flowers live out their plant destiny while she uses the cabin on the property to start her painting business.

But her plans for isolation and self-preservation go hopelessly awry when an angry (albeit gorgeous) Pepper Boden is waiting for her at her new farm. Pepper states she’s the rightful owner of Thistle and Bloom Farms, and isn’t moving out. The unlikely pair strike up an agreement of co-habitation, and butt heads at every turn. Can these opposites both live out their dreams and plant roots? Or will their combustible arguing (and growing attraction) burn the whole place down?

I was sold the minute Mazey Eddings jumped into Sapphic lit, before I even saw this stunning Jenifer Prince cover, but then I cracked it open and was hit with one of my favorite voices I’ve read in a long while. Opal’s kind heart, impulse control, and self-awareness regarding her desperation to please people made me want to squeeze her for hours, and watching her thaw Pepper over the course of their forced proximity partnership made me smile nonstop. There’s also a solid setup for companions featuring Opal’s sisters, who are also bi, and I would just like to go on the record to say “Yes, please!” if that’s potentially in the works.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

Want to order this one? We’ve got the links you need!.

Playing for Keeps

Author: Jennifer Dugan
Released: April 30, 2024 by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA, Romance, Young Adult

From the author of Some Girls Do comes another heartfelt YA sapphic romance—starring a baseball pitcher and a student umpire who are definitely not supposed to fall for one another.

“Sapphic sports romance perfection. Swoony and romantic, but unafraid to tackle grief, family expectations, and fighting for your dreams, this is a home run of a book.” —Rachael Lippincott, coauthor of the #1 New York Times Bestsellers Five Feet Apart and She Gets the Girl

June is the star pitcher of her elite club baseball team—with an ego to match—and she’s a shoo-in to be recruited at the college level, like her parents have always envisioned. That is, if she can play through an overuse injury that has recently gone from bad to worse.

Ivy isn’t just reffing to pay off her athletic fees or make some extra cash on the side. She wants to someday officiate at the professional level, even if her parents would rather she go to college instead.

The first time they cross paths, Ivy throws June out of a game for grandstanding. Still, they quickly grow from enemies to begrudging friends . . . and then something more. But the rules state that players and umpires are prohibited from dating.

As June’s shoulder worsens, and a rival discovers the girls’ secret and threatens to expose them, everything the two have worked so hard for is at risk. Now both must choose: follow their dreams . . . or follow their hearts?

I’ve been a huge Jennifer Dugan since Hot Dog Girl (which is actually being rereleased this month in a new cheaper paperback format, now that Some Girls Do has blown up so hugely), so whether her new releases are YA (as this one is) or Adult (see: next month’s The Ride of Her Life), I am absolutely on board. But what’s uniquely cool about this newest is that one of the protagonists aspires to be a professional ref, something I’ve never seen in a romance protagonist of any age or gender.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

Want to order this one? We’ve got the links you need!.

Truly, Madly, Deeply

Author: Alexandria Bellefleur
Released: April 30, 2024 by Avon
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA, Romance

Sparks fly when a lovelorn romance novelist and a divorce lawyer who has sworn off relationships agree to cohost a podcast series offering dating advice to viewers, in Truly, Madly, Deeply, the next steamy queer rom-com from Lambda Literary Award winner and national bestselling author Alexandria Bellefleur.

As a bestselling romance novelist, everyone thinks Truly Livingston is an expert on happily-ever-afters. She’s even signed on to record a podcast sharing relationship advice. Little do they know she feels like an imposter—her parents just announced they’re separating, she caught her fiancé cheating, and her entire view on love has been shaken to the core. Truly hopes the podcast will distract her… until she meets her cohost.

Her first impression of Colin McCory is…hot. But then he opens his extremely kissable mouth. Colin’s view on love just pisses Truly off, even if he does have an annoyingly attractive face. Bickering with a cynical divorce lawyer is the last thing she needs—so she walks out, with no plans to return.

A few days later, Truly is surprised when Colin tracks her down, asking for a fresh start. Truly can’t deny the little thrill she gets from Colin begging, so she reluctantly agrees. As they go from enemies to friends to something else entirely, Truly discovers they have more in common than she ever imagined, including their shared queerness. He’s a genuinely good guy—charming, sweet, and equally as unlucky in love as herself—and there’s something about Colin that drives Truly a little wild. When their attraction reaches a fever pitch, Truly is happy for the first time in years. Yet she can’t help but wonder… is Colin truly, madly, deeply in love with her? Or is it all too good to be true?

Is this book heavier on sex and chemistry than plot? Yes. Did I mind for a minute? You better believe I did not. These two bi disasters are so horny for each other, and Bellefleur puts it allll on the page, making for an absolutely electric and banterrific pairing. I could definitely see picking this one up again and again whenever you need a pick me up.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

Want this book? We can help: buy links ahoy!.

Incense and Sensibility

Incense and Sensibility by Sonali Dev is $2.99! It’s book three in Dev’s Rajes series, which is full of Jane Austen retellings. Dev’s books can get pretty emotional, so I suggest checking content warnings.

The author of Recipe for Persuasion—“not only one of the best but one of the bravest romance novelists working today” (Shelf Awareness)—adds an Indian American twist to Jane Austen’s classic Sense and Sensibility in this delightful retelling that is a feast for the senses.

Yash Raje, California’s first serious Indian gubernatorial candidate, has always known exactly what he wants—and how to use his privileged background to get it. He attributes his success to a simple mantra: If you control your feelings you can control the world around you.

But when a bigot with a gun attempts to assassinate him, critically injuring his friend, Yash’s easy life suddenly feels like a lie, his control an illusion. When he tries to get back on the campaign trail, he blacks out with panic.

Desperate to keep Yash’s condition from leaking to the media, his family turns to the one person they trust—his sister’s best friend, India Dashwood, California’s foremost stress management coach. Raised by her grandmother and mother immersed in the practice of yoga long before it became trendy, India has helped San Francisco’s stressed-out overachievers for a decade without so much as altering her breath. But this man with his simmering intensity and absolute faith in his political beliefs is like no other client she’s ever had. Yash has spent a lifetime repressing everything to succeed.

India knows that for Yash to heal, he must face the feelings he’s buried, including the ones they once shared—a too brief, too bright passion that if rekindled threatens the life he’s crafted for himself. Sorting through the lies to get to the truth might be the only way to save him but it’s also guaranteed to destroy the dream he’s willingly shouldered for his family and community . . . until now.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

Stars Collide

Stars Collide by Rachel Lacey is $2.49 at Amazon! This is a lesbian romance between two musicians and I’m inferring a bit of an age difference. I know the Bitchery has enjoyed Lacey’s books before.

Eden Sands has been a star for twenty years, but it’s lonely at the top. Her mediocre marriage just ended, and her inner circle is smaller than ever. The stage is the only place she’s ever felt like she truly belonged, and yet, her last album flopped, and her upcoming tour hasn’t sold out. Eden’s desperate for her star to shine bright again, but when her team suggests a collaboration with an up-and-coming young star to give her a boost, she balks.

Anna Moss is pop music’s rising star. She’s idolized Eden Sands for most of her life—so it’s a dream come true when she’s invited to perform with her at the Grammys. Anna’s tired of being defined by her bubbly persona. She wants to be taken seriously as an artist, and a duet with Eden could be just what she needs.

As Anna and Eden rehearse, they soon realize they have more in common than their musical talents. Now they just have to decide if what is between them is a one-hit wonder or the making of a romance worthy of one of the greatest love songs of all time.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

A Stitch in Time

RECOMMENDED: A Stitch in Time by Kelley Armstrong is $3.49! Ellen read this one and gave it a B:

If you like time travel or gothic romance I think there’s a lot to like here. However, gothic romance fans should note that romance itself is fairly sweet and light and the gothic elements are more embedded in the various ghost and murder subplots.

Thorne Manor has always been haunted…and it has always haunted Bronwyn Dale. As a young girl, Bronwyn could pass through a time slip in her great-aunt’s house, where she visited William Thorne, a boy her own age, born two centuries earlier. After a family tragedy, the house was shuttered and Bronwyn was convinced that William existed only in her imagination.

Now, twenty years later Bronwyn inherits Thorne Manor. And when she returns, William is waiting.

William Thorne is no longer the boy she remembers. He’s a difficult and tempestuous man, his own life marred by tragedy and a scandal that had him retreating to self-imposed exile in his beloved moors. He’s also none too pleased with Bronwyn for abandoning him all those years ago.

As their friendship rekindles and sparks into something more, Bronwyn must also deal with ghosts in the present version of the house. Soon she realizes they are linked to William and the secret scandal that drove him back to Thorne Manor. To build a future, Bronwyn must confront the past.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

Dorie’s Cookies

Dorie’s Cookies by Dorie Greenspan is $1.99! I own a physical copy of this cookbook and its a behemoth. Originally recommended to me by one of my former book club members, this is my go-to for cookie recipes for any occasion.

All-new collection from a “revered icon” and “culinary guru” (New York Times).

Over the course of her baking career, Dorie Greenspan has created more than 300 cookie recipes. Yet she has never written a book about them—until now. To merit her “three purple stars of approval,” every cookie had to be so special that it begged to be made again and again. Cookies for every taste and occasion are here. There are company treats like Portofignos, with chocolate dough and port-soaked figs, and lunch-box Blueberry Buttermilk Pie Bars. They Might Be Breakfast Cookies are packed with goodies—raisins, dried apples, dried cranberries, and oats— while Almond Crackle Cookies have just three ingredients. There are dozens of choices for the Christmas cookie swaps, including Little Rascals (German jam sandwich cookies with walnuts), Italian Saucissons (chocolate log cookies studded with dried fruit), and Snowy-Topped Brownie Drops. And who but America’s favorite baker could devise a cookie as intriguing as Pink-Peppercorn Thumbprints or as popular as the World Peace Cookie, with its 59 million Internet fans?

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

The transcript for Podcast 609. Romantic Times Rewind: April 2005 Reviews has been posted!

This podcast transcript was handcrafted with meticulous skill by Garlic Knitter. Many thanks.

❤ Click here to subscribe to The Podcast →

A house on a tree luminous from the inside and overgrown with red vine in a garden Hey there! It’s been awhile since I’ve asked, so hayadoin?

There’s a lot of awful happening globally and locally, and working through what new awfulness each day brings means that I have been trying to focus on something hopeful to counter *gestures widely*.

It’s just about to go Full Pollen here, where the green paint on my porch becomes covered with yellow, and the cars look dusty.

We also have Bradford pear trees, a Very Cursed Species of tree, and they look pretty for about a week while smelling terrible. It’s entirely true and entirely hilarious to me that this is part of the Wiki entry for the species:

It is most commonly known for its cultivar ‘Bradford’ and its offensive odor, widely planted throughout the United States and increasingly regarded as an invasive species.

“It is most commonly known for…its offensive odor.” Truer Wiki was never pediaed.

They do indeed smell awful, and I don’t like them a lot, except when strong winds blow all the white petals off the trees and it looks like it’s snowing. I do enjoy that part! And I love the daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips popping up everywhere. My neighbor’s front yard is almost entirely daffodils and soon that will be replaced by lily of the valley. It’s lovely.

I think because this winter was so mild, spring feels almost disorienting! And I know for all of you south of the equator it’s nearly fall.

Got plans? I’ve started a new quilt in a pattern I’ve sewn before called “Milky Way” Sawooth Star – the instructions are no longer online but someone shared them in a Reddit thread. The last one I made was in black and orange for Halloween, so this one is blue, green, and cream colored fabrics, very springtime.

I also want to try sewing a quilted tote bag. Do I carry tote bags? Hardly ever. I like to have everything in my pockets if possible. But do I really, really want to sew a quilted tote bag? Yes. Yes, I do. Brains are so weird, though I suppose tote bags are always useful. And my Libby audiobook hold list is substantial that I’ll have lots to listen to while I putter. Reading text still proves challenging for me, so I’m deeply thankful for audiobooks and the folks that put them together.

What about you? Got plans this coming season? Crafting schemes for new crafts or making travel adventures or anything? I’d love to hear about it. How are you looking after yourself? What are you looking forward to with the change of season?

TW/CW

TW: Assault, racism, sexual assault, murder.

It’s a busy season, but let’s all take a minute to celebrate Daisy Bates, the kickass leader of the Little Rock Nine and a lifelong activist. We must also celebrate the Little Rock Nine, a group of kickass students who desegregated Little Rock Central High School in 1957.

Daisy was born in 1914. When she was three, her mother was raped and murdered by three White men. As she grew up and learned more details about the crime, she became suffused with rage. A turning point for her came when her adoptive father told her:

You’re filled with hatred. Hate can destroy you, Daisy. Don’t hate white people just because they’re white. If you hate, make it count for something. Hate the humiliations we are living under in the South. Hate the discrimination that eats away at the South. Hate the discrimination that eats away at the soul of every black man and woman. Hate the insults hurled at us by white scum—and then try to do something about it, or your hate won’t spell a thing.

Black and White Photo of Daisy, from the hips up, she has one hand in her pocket and is looking slightly to the left Daisy married L.C. Bates and the couple started a newspaper, The Arkansas Weekly, which focused on Civil Rights news. They were a team that worked together to produce and distribute the paper. They also served with the Arkansas National Association for Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

Daisy, then president of the NAACP, became the leader and coordinator of the effort to desegregate Arkansas schools, starting with Little Rock Central High School. In 1954 the Supreme Court had ruled that segregating schools was unconstitutional. Daisy wanted to force Arkansas to comply with that ruling. This meant recruiting African-American students to attempt to enroll in and attend classes in an Arkansas High School.

Daisy recruited nine students, ages 14 – 17, who would forever after be known as The Little Rock Nine. She had to convince their parents to allow their children to risk their lives, their health, and their sanity b y being the first African-American students to enter a high school in Arkansas.

Daisy was beautiful and a little bit glamorous, she was a good listener and a persuasive speaker, she was ferociously committed to her cause, and she genuinely liked children and young people. Her warmth and her promise to support the students with every aspect of their experience helped reassure parents.

Once it was time for the students to attend school, Daisy committed herself to giving them physical and emotional support and doing all she could to ensure their safety. She escorted the kids to school, joined the PTA, and helped the students with their homework. Her home was a meeting place for the students and for fellow activists.

The Little Rock students studying together

Daisy and the Little Rock Nine, as well as their families, literally put their lives on the line in their efforts to desegregate schools in Arkansas as well as in the rest of the U.S. They faced bomb threats and death threats. Daisy’s house was damaged. One of the students’ houses was bombed. The students were bullied physically and verbally in and out of school. Many of their parents lost jobs. All of them – Daisy and fellow activists, the students, and their families – were persistent, nonviolent, dedicated, and heroic.

After the Little Rock crisis, Daisy went on to have a career of activism in fighting poverty. She also wrote a memoir, The Long Shadow of Little Rock, which won an American Book Award.

Daisy died in 1999 and became the first African-American to lie in state in the Arkansas Capitol.

Here are the names of the Little Rock Nine and a just a little bit of what they did after graduation:

Melba Pattillo Beals became a journalist. She taught journalism at the Dominican University of California and is the author of four books: Warriors Don’t Cry, White is a State of Mind, March Forward Girl, and I Will Not Fear.
Minnijean Brown-Trickey was expelled from Little Rock Central High School as the direct result of White students who tormented her. She finished high school in New York and after getting a Master’s Degree in Social Work she worked for the Clinton Administration as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Workforce Diversity. She was also a public speaker and has six children. She is the subject of Journey to Little Rock: The Untold Story of Minnijean Brown Trickey, a documentary.
Elizabeth Eckford is the iconic subject of a photo by Will Counts that became famous and helped garner support for the plight of the nine students. Elizabeth suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder from her experiences in Little Rock and grief over the loss of her son, who was killed by police. She is the co-author of the book The Worst First Day: Bullied While Desegregating Little Rock Central High.
Ernest Green was the first African-American to graduate from Little Rock Central High School. He held cabinet positions under the Carter and Clinton administrations. He continued to be a civil rights activist through college and later worked in finance.
Gloria Ray Karlmark built a trailblazing career in IBM as a systems analyst and patent attorney. She has also worked on projects for Boeing, Donnell-Douglas, and NASA. She has lived in Sweden and The Netherlands since 1970.
Carlotta Walls LaNier is a real estate broker and community activist who has worked with organizations such as NAACP and the Colorado AIDS project. She is the author of A Mighty Long Way: My Journey to Justice at Little Rock Central High School. She has also served as the president of The Little Rock Nine Foundation.
Jefferson Thomas served in Vietnam. He also narrated the documentary Nine From Little Rock. He was a civil servant, volunteer, and speaker until his death of cancer at the age of 67.
Thelma Mothershed-Wair earned multiple degrees from Southern Illinois University and became a home economics teacher. She taught in schools as well as in a jail, a juvenile detention center, and a homeless shelter. She is the co-author of Education Has No Color: The Story of Thelma Mothershed Wair, One of the Little Rock Nine.
Terrence Roberts has a Master’s Degree in Social Welfare and a PhD in Psychology. He is the author of Lessons From Little Rock and Simple, Not Easy.

You can read more about their experiences and Central High and their post-high school lives at this National Park Service article.

The Little Rock Nine and Daisy Betts posing for a group photo

There are a gazillion videos and articles about the Little Rock Nine online, but I used these in particular:

Civil Rights Justice Center

National Women’s History Museum

NPR

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I hope your weekend reading has been glorious!

Welcome back to Cover Snark!

To Med the Broken Hearted by Jude Knight. A man and woman are embrace in front of a stone castle. The man's eyes are barely open. Meanwhile, the woman has an aggressive stare going.

From Jazzlet: Him: “urghnnn . . .”

Her: “Are you fainting on me? Not AGAIN!

Sarah: Is he bored or gassy?

Amanda: One vote for gassy!

Kiki: You just know she was thinking “have you taken the picture yet? My neck can’t hold this position”. Also a second vote for gassy. He’s trying to fart sooooo quietly.

Lara: she is deeply unsure of him

Sneezy: My money’s on her punching him in the face.

A Valentine's Day to Remember by Crystal Dawn. A shirtless, smarmy man is point to the giant, red felt heart he's holding. You can see every pore on his chest.

From Lisa Y: This is a book about wolf shifters. Yes, the complete lack of wolves on the cover is a dead giveaway. I don’t mind hairless men (also a dead giveaway that this is a wolf shifter story), but Not-Patrick Dempsey is disturbingly smooth. Sandpaper is not for shaving!

Bonus: Lisa noted the designer, Eagle Eye Covers, and there are many winners.

Sarah: have you met Darin?

And Eudoros.

And Joe, and his pants.

Amanda: The full size of that image shows every pore in that man’s chest.

Kiki: “Can you BELIEVE this stuffed heart? On a Valentine’s book???”

Lara: I vote these 90s windows fonts are the worst part. Might as well be papyrus!

Sneezy: I agree, Lara! Only we mustn’t say it too loudly, or a junior high munchkin may stumble on the P font and inflict it for year on everyone around them!

Alien Mercenary's Scientist by Mina Carter. A shirtless, headless man is standing in front of a glowing orange planet and a teeny tiny moon. He is veiny and his skin looks like rubber.

From lils: Does he have prominent veins or that’s the zipper that allows him to remove his costume and turn into an alien?

Sarah: The extremely textured texture of his skin is making ME feel itchy.

Amanda: I read that as the “Alien’s Mercenary Scientist” and I was actually kind of interested.

Lara: that man has gymed his neck into oblivion

Sneezy: At first I thought he didn’t have hips or legs. Now I see he not only have hips and legs, he also has denim. Good to know jeans are choice wear for alien mercenaries.

From Pam G: Sometimes ya just gotta scratch. Also which leg is that?

Sarah: It’s hard to scratch that region subtly. I feel for her

Kiki: it’s giving “wearing converse under my wedding dress because I’m quirky!”

Sneezy: Is-is the wall eating her dress? Is she inside the stomach of a creature? Is it the stomach acid fumes that’s making her crotch itch?

April is, I am told, a big month for independent bookshops, with April 27th hosting Independent Bookstore Day in the US AND in Canada. (Hi Neighbors!)

To celebrate, Libro.fm is hosting a membership bonus: sign up for a new monthly audiobook membership with code SWITCH, and you get two bonus audiobook credits!

Libro.fm is the audiobook membership that allows you to designate your favorite indie bookstore (aka “Your Local that’s Not a Pub or a Library”) to receive commission from your purchases.

Not sure what audiobooks to buy? April is also Arab American Heritage Month, and Libro.fm has a playlist of audiobooks by Arab American Authors. Or, you can have a noodle at their bestseller list. Or – my favorite – tell us what audiobook you most love!

And, of course, we have books on sale!

Ana María and the Fox

RECOMMENDED: Ana María and the Fox by Liana De la Rosa is $1.99! Carrie and Shana reviewed this book and gave it an A-. Shana says,

I started Ana María and the Fox when I needed a book to distract me, and it was perfect for that purpose. I love historical romances with sparkling dialogue and characters getting into good trouble—this book has both. I burned through it quickly and I’m ready for a sequel!

Shana also mentioned this book in a recent Rec League for books with no third-act breakups! It has a 3.64-average on StoryGraph, with readers saying it’s got strong character development. Have you read this one?

A marriage of convenience between a Mexican heiress and a shrewd London politician makes for a scandalous Victorian bargain.

Ana María Luna Valdés has strived to be the perfect daughter, the perfect niece, and the perfect representative of the powerful Luna familia. So, when Ana María is secretly sent to London with her sisters to seek refuge during the French occupation of Mexico, she experiences her first taste of freedom far from the judgmental eyes of her domineering father. If only she could ignore the piercing looks she receives across ballroom floors from the austere Mr. Fox.

Gideon Fox elevated himself from the London gutters by chasing his burning desire for more: more opportunities, more choices. For everyone. Now as a member of Parliament, Gideon’s on the cusp of securing the votes he needs to put forth a measure to abolish the Atlantic slave trade once and for all–a cause that is close to his heart as the grandson of a formerly enslaved woman. The charmingly vexing Ana María is a distraction he must ignore.

But when Ana María finds herself in the crosshairs of a nefarious nobleman with his own political agenda, Gideon knows he must offer his hand as protection…but will this Mexican heiress win his heart as well?

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You can find ordering info for this book here.

Romancing the Duke

RECOMMENDED: Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare is $1.99! This is the first book in the Castles Ever After historical romance series.

Readers loved the quirky heroine, though some warn to keep an open mind because the story could get a little silly at times. It currently has 4-star rating on GR. Sarah reviewed it and gave it a B+:

I think this is a truly unique historical that will appeal to readers who aren’t often historical fans. This story captures both a distant time period, and the present day, reflecting it in the characters – with a story and a parallel set of references beside it that grow together until the meaning of both is intertwined and layered into something I haven’t read before. This is a romance that is also a little bit about the community around romance, and all the many, many people who believe in it and have their fondness for it in common.

In the first in Tessa Dare’s captivating Castles Ever After series, a mysterious fortress is the setting for an unlikely love . . .

As the daughter of a famed author, Isolde Ophelia Goodnight grew up on tales of brave knights and fair maidens. She never doubted romance would be in her future, too. The storybooks offered endless possibilities.

And as she grew older, Izzy crossed them off. One by one by one.

Ugly duckling turned swan?
Abducted by handsome highwayman?
Rescued from drudgery by charming prince?

No, no, and… Heh.

Now Izzy’s given up yearning for romance. She’ll settle for a roof over her head. What fairy tales are left over for an impoverished twenty-six year-old woman who’s never even been kissed?

This one.

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You can find ordering info for this book here.

Dark Heir

Dark Heir by C.S. Pacat is $2.99 as a Kindle Daily Deal that is being matched – love when that happens. This is book 2 in the Dark Heir series, and it has a 4.58 (whoa) star average on GoodReads, a 4.56 star average on StoryGraph (whew!) and 4.7 on Amazon. I know Pacat has a lot of fans, and readers who enjoy tense, emotional, and adventurous stories will probably like this. Also, I love the cover illustrations. Have you read this one?

* Instant New York Times Bestseller * Indie Bestseller *

In this riveting sequel to the New York Times bestselling novel Dark Rise, Will and his allies have survived the Dark’s first assault, but at a terrible cost.

A new threat from the past is rising, and only a handful of heroes remain to fight. Pursued by dark forces, Will and his allies must leave the safety of the Hall and travel to the heart of the ancient world, making new and dangerous alliances and revealing the shocking secrets of the past.

But Will is carrying a dark secret of his own—his true identity. Drawn to the beautiful and deadly James St. Clair, Will is pulled ever deeper into the web of the past and finds himself tempted by the darkness within. As the ancient world threatens to return, can Will and his friends fight their fate? Or will the truths they learn tear their world apart?

Dark Heir is the explosive and highly anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestselling Dark Rise,from global phenomenon C. S. Pacat.

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You can find ordering info for this book here.

The Librarian of Crooked Lane

The Librarian of Crooked Lane by C.J. Archer is $2.49 and Amazon and BN, and is showing as $4.99 at Kobo, but I hope it matches. This is the first book in The Glass Library series, and it has a 4.4 on Amazon and a 3.86 star average on Goodreads. Folks on StoryGraph describe it as mysterious, adventurous and lighthearted. I am really curious if any of y’all have read this, as the cover completely grabbed me, and of course when I went to download a sample, I was told past me had already bought it? Do I remember doing so? No, I do not.

A librarian with a mysterious past, a war hero with a secret, and the heist of a magic painting. THE LIBRARIAN OF CROOKED LANE is an intriguing new fantasy from C.J. Archer, the USA Today bestselling author of the Glass and Steele series.

Librarian Sylvia Ashe knows nothing about her past, having grown up without a father and a mother who refused to discuss him. When she stumbles upon a diary that suggests she’s descended from magicians, she’s skeptical. After all, magicians are special, and she’s just an ordinary girl who loves books. She seeks the truth from a member of the most prominent family of magicians, but she quickly learns that finding the truth won’t be easy, especially when he turns out to be as artless as her, and more compelling and dangerous than books.

War hero Gabe is gifted with wealth, a loving family, and an incredible amount of luck that saw him survive four harrowing years of a brutal war without injury. But not all injuries are visible. Burying himself in his work as a consultant for Scotland Yard, Gabe is going through the motions as he investigates the theft of a magician-made painting. But his life changes when he unwittingly gets Sylvia dismissed from her job and places her in danger.

After securing her new employment in a library housing the world’s greatest collection of books about magic, Gabe and Sylvia’s lives become intwined as they work together to find both the painting and the truth about Sylvia’s past before powerful people can stop them.

But sometimes the past is better left buried…

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You can find ordering info for this book here.

April is so full of great, new books!

Happy Tuesday, everybody and get ready to perhaps add a few more titles to your TBR pile. These are the books on our radars this week and it’s quite the assortment.

Which new releases are you looking forward to this Tuesday? Drop your comments below!

The Age of Magical Overthinking

Author: Amanda Montell
Released: April 9, 2024 by Atria/One Signal Publishers
Genre: Nonfiction

From the bestselling author of Cultish and host of the podcast Sounds Like a Cult, a delicious blend of cultural criticism and personal narrative that explores our cognitive biases and the power, disadvantages, and highlights of magical thinking.

Utilizing the linguistic insights of her “witty and brilliant” (Blyth Roberson, author of America the Beautiful?) first book Wordslut and the sociological explorations of her breakout hit Cultish, Amanda Montell now turns her erudite eye to the inner workings of the human mind and its biases in her most personal and electrifying work yet.

“Magical thinking” can be broadly defined as the belief that one’s internal thoughts can affect unrelated events in the external world: Think of the conviction that one can manifest their way out of poverty, stave off cancer with positive vibes, thwart the apocalypse by learning to can their own peaches, or transform an unhealthy relationship to a glorious one with loyalty alone. In all its forms, magical thinking works in service of restoring agency amid chaos, but in The Age of Magical Overthinking, Montell argues that in the modern information age, our brain’s coping mechanisms have been overloaded, and our irrationality turned up to an eleven.

In a series of razor sharp, deeply funny chapters, Montell delves into a cornucopia of the cognitive biases that run rampant in our brains, from how the “Halo effect” cultivates worship (and hatred) of larger than life celebrities, to how the “Sunk Cost Fallacy” can keep us in detrimental relationships long after we’ve realized they’re not serving us. As she illuminates these concepts with her signature brilliance and wit, Montell’s prevailing message is one of hope, empathy, and ultimately forgiveness for our anxiety-addled human selves. If you have all but lost faith in our ability to reason, Montell aims to make some sense of the senseless. To crack open a window in our minds, and let a warm breeze in. To help quiet the cacophony for a while, or even hear a melody in it.

The latest non-fiction from a site favorite. Also love that cover!

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Want to order this one? We’ve got the links you need!.

An Enchanting Case of Spirits

Author: Melissa Holtz
Released: April 9, 2024 by Berkley
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Paranormal, Mystery/Thriller, Romance

When a fortieth birthday celebration leads to a ghostly visitor, four friends find themselves navigating surprising mysteries and spiritual hijinks, in this clever debut from Melissa Holtz.

Alyssa Mann isn’t adventurous, not since her husband died and she found herself the single mom of a teenage daughter. But there’s no way to avoid celebrating the big 4-0, so when her best friends drag her out for drinks and a tarot reading, she throws caution to the wind and decides to see what the spirits have to say. It’s all fun and games, until she wakes up the next morning with a wicked hangover—and a ghost perched on the edge of her bed.

Sheer panic sends her running to get help from Nick West, the (very attractive) detective who lives next door. When he finds no one inside, Alyssa has to accept that she really did see a ghost. As the dearly departed keep appearing, Alyssa and her friends do their best to learn how to control her newfound power. Trading insults with ghosts, tracking down family heirlooms, and getting closer to the skeptical but helpful Nick is more fun than Alyssa imagined. But when looking into one ghost’s past reveals unexpected—and unwelcome—facts about Alyssa’s late husband’s death, she discovers she just may be in over her head.

Sarah: The lead character is a widowed single mom who finds out she can talk to ghosts, so she starts solving mysteries – and it sounds very charming!

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Aubrey McFadden is Never Getting Married

Author: Georgia Beers
Released: April 9, 2024 by Bold Strokes Books
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA, Romance

All of Aubrey McFadden’s college friends are tying the knot, and she’s been invited to five weddings. Five. In one year. Who wouldn’t want to celebrate so much love and romance?

Aubrey, that’s who.

She’s going anyway, of course. It’s not her friends’ fault her college boyfriend left Aubrey on the day of their wedding. Lies, selfishness, unhappy surprises…no, thank you. And you know who’s responsible for her permanently single status?

Monica, that’s who.

Their friends all say Monica Wallace had a thing for Aubrey back then—not that Aubrey cares one little bit why that still makes her heart race. Monica convinced her best friend Cody that marrying Aubrey, settling down, and locking himself into a 9-to-5 at the expense of his dreams would be a huge mistake. Cody called off the wedding, and Aubrey has never forgiven them.

Aubrey McFadden is never getting married, but she does have five weddings to attend, and she’ll be avoiding Monica at every single one.

Tara: The blurb and cover have a little more of an edge than I’d usually expect from this author, so I’m excited to check it out.

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Bloodline

Author: Jenn Alexander
Released: April 9, 2024 by Bywater Books
Genre: LGBTQIA, Paranormal, Romance

Jenn Alexander introduces readers to a different kind of romance—think Buffy the Vampire Slayer in a coffee shop with lesbians, vampires, and a wide selection of coffinated beverages.

Still reeling from the unexpected loss of her parents, Edie McLean doesn’t have time to grieve. She’s the 4th-generation owner of the McLean Family Coffee Shop, her family’s legacy. Unfortunately, this legacy is littered with decades worth of bad business, regrettable purchases, and massive debt. The McLean family motto was always that “good coffee is in our blood,” but the shop has become an eyesore and its small, loyal customer base isn’t enough to keep it afloat—and if Edie doesn’t find a way to turn business around quickly, the family’s legacy will end with her.

As Edie tries to pull all the pieces of her life together, she finds herself drawn to an alluring night-shift nurse who stops by for coffee every evening after sunset, while contending with a quirky new roommate who sleeps in an honest-to-God coffin. When all three worlds collide spectacularly, Edie’s eyes are opened to a new and untapped market that just may be the key to saving her family’s coffee shop. However, when her Draculattes and Cold Blood Cold Brews begin to raise more alarm than sales, suddenly the stakes involved appear to be of the wooden variety.

Tara: This sounds fun and cozy and I’m expecting a lot of coffee/vampire crossover puns.

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The Familiar

Author: Leigh Bardugo
Released: April 9, 2024 by Flatiron Books
Genre: Historical: European, Science Fiction/Fantasy

From the New York Times bestselling author of Ninth House, Hell Bent, and creator of the Grishaverse series comes a highly anticipated historical fantasy set during the Spanish Golden Age

In a shabby house, on a shabby street, in the new capital of Madrid, Luzia Cotado uses scraps of magic to get through her days of endless toil as a scullion. But when her scheming mistress discovers the lump of a servant cowering in the kitchen is actually hiding a talent for little miracles, she demands Luzia use those gifts to better the family’s social position.

What begins as simple amusement for the bored nobility takes a perilous turn when Luzia garners the notice of Antonio Pérez, the disgraced secretary to Spain’s king. Still reeling from the defeat of his armada, the king is desperate for any advantage in the war against England’s heretic queen—and Pérez will stop at nothing to regain the king’s favor.

Determined to seize this one chance to better her fortunes, Luzia plunges into a world of seers and alchemists, holy men and hucksters, where the line between magic, science, and fraud is never certain. But as her notoriety grows, so does the danger that her Jewish blood will doom her to the Inquisition’s wrath. She will have to use every bit of her wit and will to survive—even if that means enlisting the help of Guillén Santangel, an embittered immortal familiar whose own secrets could prove deadly for them both.

Amanda: Leigh Bardugo’s setups always have me interested, despite never finishing one of her books. It’s me, not her lol

Elyse: Magical fantasy set in Spanish Golden Age.

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Ghost Station

Author: S.A. Barnes
Released: April 9, 2024 by Tor Nightfire
Genre: Horror, Science Fiction/Fantasy

A crew must try to survive on an ancient, abandoned planet in the latest space horror novel from S.A. Barnes, acclaimed author of Dead Silence.

Space exploration can be lonely and isolating.

Psychologist Dr. Ophelia Bray has dedicated her life to the study and prevention of ERS—a space-based condition most famous for a case that resulted in the brutal murders of twenty-nine people. When she’s assigned to a small exploration crew, she’s eager to make a difference. But as they begin to establish residency on an abandoned planet, it becomes clear that crew is hiding something.

While Ophelia focuses on her new role, her crewmates are far more interested in investigating the eerie, ancient planet and unraveling the mystery behind the previous colonizer’s hasty departure than opening up to her.

That is, until their pilot is discovered gruesomely murdered. Is this Ophelia’s worst nightmare starting—a wave of violence and mental deterioration from ERS? Or is it something more sinister?

Terrified that history will repeat itself, Ophelia and the crew must work together to figure out what’s happening. But trust is hard to come by… and the crew isn’t the only one keeping secrets.

Amanda: I enjoyed Barnes’ debut Dead Silence!

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How to End a Love Story

Author: Yulin Kuang
Released: April 9, 2024 by Avon
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romance

A sexy and emotional enemies-to-lovers romance guaranteed to pull on your heartstrings and give you a book hangover from brilliant new voice Yulin Kuang.

Named a Most Anticipated Book of 2024 by Entertainment Weekly · Today.com · Paste · Daily Waffle ·The Nerd Daily and more!

Helen Zhang hasn’t seen Grant Shepard once in the thirteen years since the tragic accident that bound their lives together forever.

Now a bestselling author, Helen pours everything into her career. She’s even scored a coveted spot in the writers’ room of the TV adaptation of her popular young adult novels, and if she can hide her imposter syndrome and overcome her writer’s block, surely the rest of her life will fall into place too. LA is the fresh start she needs. After all, no one knows her there. Except…

Grant has done everything in his power to move on from the past, including building a life across the country. And while the panic attacks have never quite gone away, he’s well liked around town as a screenwriter. He knows he shouldn’t have taken the job on Helen’s show, but it will open doors to developing his own projects that he just can’t pass up.

Grant’s exactly as Helen remembers him—charming, funny, popular, and lovable in ways that she’s never been. And Helen’s exactly as Grant remembers too—brilliant, beautiful, closed off. But working together is messy, and electrifying, and Helen’s parents, who have never forgiven Grant, have no idea he’s in the picture at all.

When secrets come to light, they must reckon with the fact that theirs was never meant to be any kind of love story. And yet… the key to making peace with their past—and themselves—might just lie in holding on to each other in the present.

Dahlia’s pick!

Aarya: All I know about this author is that she’s the screenwriter for Emily Henry’s movie adaptations. Interested to try her prose.

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The Kiss Countdown

Author: Etta Easton
Released: April 9, 2024 by Berkley
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romance

With three months until liftoff, a struggling event planner and a sinfully hot astronaut must decide if their fake relationship is worth a shot at happily-ever-after.

Risk-averse event planner Amerie Price is jobless, newly single, and about to be evicted. With no choice but to gamble on her shaky start-up, the last thing she needed was to run into her smug ex and his new, less complicated girlfriend at her favorite coffee shop. Panicked, Amerie pretends to be dating the annoyingly sexy man she met by spilling Americano all over his abs. He plays along – for a price.

Half the single men in Houston claim to be astronauts, but Vincent Rogers turns out to be the real deal. What started as a one-off lie morphs into a plan: for the three months leading up to his mission, Amerie will play Vincent’s doting partner in front of his loving but overly-invested family. In exchange, she gets a rent-free room in his house and can put every penny towards her struggling business.

What Amerie doesn’t plan for is Vincent’s gravitational pull. While her mind tells her a future with this astronaut is too unpredictable, her heart says he’s exactly what she needs. As their time together counts down, Amerie must decide if she’ll settle for the safe life—or shoot for the stars.

Fake dating with an astronaut hero!

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Leather, Lace, and Locs

Author: Anne Shade
Released: April 9, 2024 by Bold Strokes Books
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA, Romance, Women's Fiction

Melissa Hart is a shy, mousy introvert, afraid to step out of her comfort zone until she dons a mask and leather as the dominatrix persona Mistress Heart. Living a double life, she develops an intimate relationship with a mysterious client who chips away the wall separating Ms. Hart from Mistress Heart to show Melissa the woman she really is.

Golden Hughes had one goal, to turn her passion for dance into a professional career. Then tragedy strikes and Golden sets her dreams aside for a regular job and steady paycheck. Now that she has everything she needs, her passion for dance is reignited in burlesque performance, putting her in the path of two unique and sexy women.

Zoe Grant has spent most of her adult life putting her wants and needs on the back burner to focus on raising her daughter, her career as a beautician, and expanding her family’s natural hair care products business. When a woman running from a painful past comes to the salon for a life-changing haircut, Zoe finds what she wants and needs in the most unexpected way.

Three friends, each on their own path, discover love could lead to happily ever after.

Tara: I’m curious about each of these characters individually and to see how everything comes together.

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The Twilight Garden

Author: Sara Nisha Adams
Released: April 9, 2024 by William Morrow
Genre: Literary Fiction

Two warring London neighbors unite to resurrect a neglected city garden in this uplifting and quietly joyful novel by Sara Nisha Adams, author of the word-of-mouth hit The Reading List.

Between the houses of Number 77 and Number 79 on Stoke Newington Green in London, there is a shared garden. It was a beautiful thing once, a little oasis in a bustling city. Now it’s overgrown and neglected, an empty patch of greenery lost to time. But that suits neighbors Winston and Bernice just fine—their houses may share the garden, but they’re not exactly neighborly.

But one day, a mysterious parcel drops through Winston’s door at 77. It contains no note, only a bundle of photographs of the shared garden many years ago—vibrant with flowers and wildlife, filled with people from every corner of the community. Is someone trying to tell them something?

As a seed is planted. Winston and Bernice lay down their arms and pick up their gardening gloves. As they dig and plant, scrub and water, the garden begins to come out of hibernation—and the frostiness between them slowly begins to thaw. In finding their green fingers, the unlikely pair also start to hatch a bigger plan—could the shared garden help to revive the community spirit that’s been languishing for so long? With a little help from the secret gardener sending the parcels, they’re determined to find out.

Told with warmth and spirit, The Shared Garden is a love letter to the little acts of kindness that can change a life. It’s a story of growth and community, and how when we dig in together, there’s always hope of a brighter future…

Sarah: Characters learn to form a community around an overgrown community garden as it is restored. It sounds like it’s going to make me cry a little, but also the early reviews say it’s gorgeously written.

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Wake Me Most Wickedly

Author: Felicia Grossman
Released: April 9, 2024 by Forever
Genre: Historical: European, Regency, Romance
Series: Once Upon the East End #2

“No one writes love stories with more heart, more swoons, and more sizzle” (Joanna Shupe, USA Today bestselling author) in this clever reimaging of Snow White, where a handsome businessman will do anything to win the heart of the only woman he cannot have.

Solomon Weiss has little interest in power, but to repay the half-brother who raised him, he pursues money, influence, and now—a respectable wife. That is, until outcast Hannah Moses saves his life, and Sol finds himself helplessly drawn to the beautiful pawnshop owner.

Forever tainted by her parents’ crimes, Hannah sees only a villain when she looks in the mirror—no one a prince would choose. To survive, she must care for herself, even if that means illegally hunting down whatever her clients wish. So, no matter how fair or charming she finds Sol, he belongs to a world far too distant from her own.

Only neither can resist their desires, and each meeting weakens Hannah’s resolve to stay away. But when Hannah discovers a shocking betrayal in Sol’s inner circle, can she convince him to trust her? Or will fear and doubt poison their love for good?

Lara: I adore this series and while this book didn’t quite live up to book one, I still absolutely devoured it.

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This HaBO comes from Mary, who wants to locate this comfort series:

My tale is long, so get a cup of tea, coffee, or wine. I’m an older citizen of Romancelandia, having cut my Romance eye teeth on Heyer, Cartland, and Woodiwiss in the 70s and 80s. Our large family lived within walking distance of a library. My parents never censored what we read, so I read The Godfather and others while I was still in high school. So in the adult fiction, I found a group of books all by the same author, all set during WW2, I think.

The one I remember, the female main character was a young ingenue working in NY. Her love interest was labeled unfit for service, but not really. He was a spy/agent for the Defense Department, trying to locate some saboteurs.

The heroine would window shop, specifically Gump’s and a window display with jade jewelry. For a teen in Mississippi in the 70s, it all sounded so luxurious. I could swear the author’s last name was Lowry or Lowery, but would not swear to it. I’m sure they wouldn’t hold up, but they were such a comfort read on a hot summer day. In my mind’s eye, I can still find on the shelves on the wall around the corner from the circulation desk, next to all the magazine racks and study tables. Maybe there are some librarians who can recall these books. Help me, my Smart Bitches, y’all are my only hope!

Let’s HaBO!

Today’s Books on Sale are quite an assortment!

The Bone Shard Daughter

The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart is $2.99 and a Kindle Daily Deal! This fantasy novel was mentioned on a previous Hide Your Wallet, and it is a bit of a dark read. Carrie, Elyse, and Aarya have all read this book, and had a lot of positive things to say – Elyse finished it and immediately had Rich download the audiobook so they could talk about it.

In an empire controlled by bone shard magic, Lin, the former heir to the emperor will fight to reclaim her magic and her place on the throne. The Bone Shard Daughter marks the debut of a major new voice in epic fantasy.

The emperor’s reign has lasted for decades, his mastery of bone shard magic powering the animal-like constructs that maintain law and order. But now his rule is failing, and revolution is sweeping across the Empire’s many islands.

Lin is the emperor’s daughter and spends her days trapped in a palace of locked doors and dark secrets. When her father refuses to recognise her as heir to the throne, she vows to prove her worth by mastering the forbidden art of bone shard magic.

Yet such power carries a great cost, and when the revolution reaches the gates of the palace, Lin must decide how far she is willing to go to claim her birthright – and save her people.

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You can find ordering info for this book here.

Devil in Disguise

Devil in Disguise by Lisa Kleypas is $1.99! Kleypas is an autobuy for many people, including several of us here at SBTB HQ. Catherine reviewed this one, and gave it a B-, saying

“It’s very much fanservice for readers who enjoyed the Wallflower series, with Lillian, Westcliff and Evie all appearing in the story, and Sebastian, who is now the Duke of Kingston, playing a particularly prominent role.”

Have you read this one?

New York Times bestseller Lisa Kleypas returns with an enthralling and steaming romance between a widowed lady and a Scot on the run—who may have connections to one of London’s most noble families.

“The devil never tries to make people do the wrong thing by scaring them. He does it by tempting them.”

Lady Merritt Sterling, a strong-willed young widow who’s running her late husband’s shipping company, knows London society is dying to catch her in a scandal. So far, she’s been too smart to provide them with one. But then she meets Keir MacRae, a rough-and-rugged Scottish whisky distiller, and all her sensible plans vanish like smoke. They couldn’t be more different, but their attraction is powerful, raw and irresistible.

From the moment Keir MacRae arrives in London, he has two goals. One: don’t fall in love with the dazzling Lady Merritt Sterling. Two: avoid being killed.

So far, neither of those is going well.

Keir doesn’t know why someone wants him dead until fate reveals his secret connection to one of England’s most powerful families. His world is thrown into upheaval, and the only one he trusts is Merritt.

Their passion blazes with an intensity Merritt has never known before, making her long for the one thing she can’t have from Keir MacRae: forever. As danger draws closer, she’ll do whatever it takes to save the man she loves… even knowing he might be the devil in disguise.

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You can find ordering info for this book here.

Delilah Green Doesn’t Care

Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake is $2.99! I have several friends who love Blake’s F/F romances and they’ve been featured in Hide Your Wallet before. It has a 4.11 star average on StoryGraph, where readers say it’s funny, lighthearted, and a lot of fun. Have you read any?

A clever and steamy queer romantic comedy about taking chances and accepting love—with all its complications—by debut author Ashley Herring Blake.

Delilah Green swore she would never go back to Bright Falls—nothing is there for her but memories of a lonely childhood where she was little more than a burden to her cold and distant stepfamily. Her life is in New York, with her photography career finally gaining steam and her bed never empty. Sure, it’s a different woman every night, but that’s just fine with her.

When Delilah’s estranged stepsister, Astrid, pressures her into photographing her wedding with a guilt trip and a five-figure check, Delilah finds herself back in the godforsaken town that she used to call home. She plans to breeze in and out, but then she sees Claire Sutherland, one of Astrid’s stuck-up besties, and decides that maybe there’s some fun (and a little retribution) to be had in Bright Falls, after all.

Having raised her eleven-year-old daughter mostly on her own while dealing with her unreliable ex and running a bookstore, Claire Sutherland depends upon a life without surprises. And Delilah Green is an unwelcome surprise…at first. Though they’ve known each other for years, they don’t really know each other—so Claire is unsettled when Delilah figures out exactly what buttons to push. When they’re forced together during a gauntlet of wedding preparations—including a plot to save Astrid from her horrible fiancé—Claire isn’t sure she has the strength to resist Delilah’s charms. Even worse, she’s starting to think she doesn’t want to…

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You can find ordering info for this book here.

The Hookup Plan

The Hookup Plan by Farrah Rochon is $2.99! This is part of Rochon’s The Boyfriend Project series, and was also mentioned on a previous Hide Your Wallet. It has a 3.87 star average on StoryGraph, and I will confess, this is one of my favorite illustrated covers because of her shoes. Have you read this one?

Strong female friendships and a snappy enemies-to-lovers theme take center stage in this highly anticipated romantic comedy from the USA Today bestselling author of The Dating Playbook.

Successful pediatric surgeon London Kelley just needs to find some balance and de-stress. According to her friends Samiah and Taylor, what London really needs is a casual hookup. A night of fun with no strings. But no one—least of all London—expected it to go down at her high school reunion with Drew Sullivan, millionaire, owner of delicious abs, and oh yes, her archnemesis.

Now London is certain the road to hell is paved with good sex. Because she’s found out the real reason Drew’s back in Austin: to decide whether her beloved hospital remains open. Worse, Drew is doing everything he can to show her that he’s a decent guy who actually cares. But London’s not falling for it. Because while sleeping with the enemy is one thing, falling for him is definitely not part of the plan.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

Fanfiction is such a broad community that we’d love to hear about your fandoms! You may even find someone in the comments who travels in the same fandom circles and could have a few amazing recommendations.

I’m not on a current fic kick, but I’ve pulled some from my favorites or “Marked for Later” history on Ao3. Full disclosure: I am Reylo trash and Dramione (DracoxHermione) is my favorite pairing, though we do not support Rowling in this household. I wrote anime fics in high school and wrote a single chapter of a Reylo fic when the itch struck me and then promptly abandoned it.

The Shooting Party (sea_spirit): Pairing is Jaime Lannister and Brienne of Tarth from Game of Thrones (TV). This is an AU (alternate universe) set in 1920s Scotland during a hunting party. Tropes: Fake dating and friends to lovers.

Starry-Eyed: One Shots and Novellas (NewerConstellations): Pairing is Kylo Ren and Rey from Star Wars. I was introduced to this writer through one of my favorite Reylo fanartists, Elithien. Elithien is the one who did the cover for The Love Hypothesis. These are just a collection of quick fics that I can dip into whenever.

Everything to Prove (crossingwinter): Pairing is Kylo Ren and Rey from Star Wars. I’ve probably mentioned this before on the site, but this is a Great British Bake Off AU, where the characters are contestants on a baking show. Shoutout to Kay for putting this on my radar and it’s been a favorite for ages.

For Dramione fics, I have way too many by Freya_Ishtar and senlinyu to mention individually.

Love In a Time of the Zombie Apocalypse (rizzlewrites): Pairing is Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter. Wizard and zombies; what more could you ask for?

The Politician’s Wife (pir8fancier): Pairing is Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter. I’m pretty sure I found this through fanart too. In fact, I find a lot of fics through fanartists I follow. They typically do a great job of citing their inspiration. The description for this is, “Our main characters are Ministry employees, middle-aged, and the majority of them not very happy.” Sounds very dramatic and dishy.

So what are the fandoms you follow? Tell us which fics you’re currently eager to read!

The Kiss Quotient

RECOMMENDED: The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang is $1.99! We had a wonderful guest squee of this and it was Amanda’s favorite read of 2018:

I truly loved this book. Loved. It made me feel like a champagne bubble – all fizzy and light. When I think of all the magical feelings romance gives its readers, I will forever think of this book.

Amanda says she’s “jealous of those who get to read this for the first time,” which is pretty massive praise. If you’ve read this one, at $1.99, maybe you can gift it to a friend!

A heartwarming and refreshing debut novel that proves one thing: there’s not enough data in the world to predict what will make your heart tick.

Stella Lane thinks math is the only thing that unites the universe. She comes up with algorithms to predict customer purchases–a job that has given her more money than she knows what to do with, and way less experience in the dating department than the average thirty-year-old.

It doesn’t help that Stella has Asperger’s and French kissing reminds her of a shark getting its teeth cleaned by pilot fish. Her conclusion: she needs lots of practice–with a professional. Which is why she hires escort Michael Phan. The Vietnamese and Swedish stunner can’t afford to turn down Stella’s offer, and agrees to help her check off all the boxes on her lesson plan–from foreplay to more-than-missionary position…

Before long, Stella not only learns to appreciate his kisses, but crave all of the other things he’s making her feel. Their no-nonsense partnership starts making a strange kind of sense. And the pattern that emerges will convince Stella that love is the best kind of logic…

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

Love and Other Disasters

RECOMMENDED: Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly is $1.99! Tara and Carrie did a joint review and gave it a B+:

Tara: Overall, I really enjoyed this one! Dahlia and London were such wonderful characters, and I’m a big fan of cooking shows, so I know I’ll be reading Love and Other Disasters again. I’ll just be sure to stock snacks next time, because reading about so much amazing food made me hungry.

Carrie: I was delighted with this book overall. The supporting characters were fun (or loathsome, as the plot demanded). The character development was realistic and powerful. The romance was sexy and I can totally picture Dahlia and London as an old couple on a porch somewhere — I was invested in them for the long haul. This will be one of my comfort re-reads for sure!

The first openly nonbinary contestant on America’s favorite cooking show falls for their clumsy competitor in this delicious romantic comedy debut that USA Today hailed as “an essential read.”

Recently divorced and on the verge of bankruptcy, Dahlia Woodson is ready to reinvent herself on the popular reality competition show Chef’s Special. Too bad the first memorable move she makes is falling flat on her face, sending fish tacos flying—not quite the fresh start she was hoping for. Still, she’s focused on winning, until she meets someone she might want a future with more than she needs the prize money.

After announcing their pronouns on national television, London Parker has enough on their mind without worrying about the klutzy competitor stationed in front of them. They’re there to prove the trolls—including a fellow contestant and their dad—wrong, and falling in love was never part of the plan.

As London and Dahlia get closer, reality starts to fall away. Goodbye, guilt about divorce, anxiety about uncertain futures, and stress from transphobia. Hello, hilarious shenanigans on set, wedding crashing, and spontaneous dips into the Pacific. But as the finale draws near, Dahlia and London’s steamy relationship starts to feel the heat both in and outside the kitchen—and they must figure out if they have the right ingredients for a happily ever after.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

ADHD for Smart Ass Women

ADHD for Smart Ass Women: How to Fall in Love with your Neurodivergent Brain by Tracy Otsuka is $2.99! This book is part of a nonfiction sale on Amazon, and is being price matched elsewhere. This book was published in December 2023, so it’s pretty current, and it has a 4.20 star average on GoodReads, alongside a 3.95 average on StoryGraph. Reviews are pretty positive, with readers saying they felt seen finally, while a few questioned the practicality of some of the suggestions.

I know a lot of the community have ADHD or live with someone who does, so I wanted to make sure to highlight this deal. It also appears the audiobook may also be on sale! Have you read this one?

An unprecedented guide for any woman with ADHD looking to celebrate her unique brilliance and to embark on a journey of self-discovery.

ADHD is one of the most common neurological disorders in the United States—yet a staggering 75 percent of girls and women remain undiagnosed. Due to the gender gap in medical research, which does not account for symptoms manifesting differently in women—leading to increased problems with anxiety, depression, working memory, sleep, energy, and concentration—many ADHD women are left to navigate a society that fails to understand their struggles and gifts. But what if every woman had the resources and support to uncover the hidden wonders of her neurodivergent brain?

Enter certified ADHD coach and podcast host Tracy Otsuka. Armed with her experience coaching thousands of women, cutting-edge medical research, and personal insights from her own diagnosis, she presents a revelatory guide tailored specifically for girls and women with ADHD. In it, Otsuka offers an entirely new set of tools, systems, and strategies to access a world of boundless productivity, focus, and confidence.

With her signature wit and levity—in entertaining chapters designed for ADHD readers—Otsuka explores the unique challenges that ADHD women face and illuminates the extraordinary qualities that set them apart: overflowing creativity, laser-focused attention, deep empathy, and fearless entrepreneurial spirit. Even without an official diagnosis, readers will be equipped with the tools to conquer any to-do list and to tap into their true purpose, personally or professionally.

By dismantling the long-standing stereotypes and misinformation surrounding women with ADHD, Otsuka offers a beacon of hope for any woman looking to transform her symptoms into strengths. Comprehensive, lively, and long overdue, ADHD for Smart Ass Women is the key to unlocking unparalleled potential and to understanding your truly magnificent and brilliant brain.

Are you ready to discover your superpower?

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

On Rotation

RECOMMENDED: On Rotation by Shirlene Obuobi is $1.99! Amanda mentioned this one in a previous Get Rec’d, and if you’re thinking, “Wait, didn’t Amanda feature this one recently?”

Yes! She did! And y’all left some very positive comments so I wanted to make sure no one missed this deal. Darlynne said On Rotation was “very good,” and Teresa said, “I also loved On Rotation and while it has a women’s fiction feel (like many contemporaries today) I couldn’t stop thinking about the romance. Swoony.”

SWOONY.

And JenM wrote, “I loved On Rotation. It was very much an Own Voices romance/fiction and I found it completely absorbing. In addition to generally dealing with the experience of second generation immigrant children and the pressures of med school, it also tackled medical inequality for minorities without weighing down the story. The author’s next book is coming out in July and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Another one to buy or gift to someone you like!

Ghanaian-American Angela Appiah has checked off all the boxes for the “Perfect Immigrant Daughter.”

Enroll in an elite medical school. Snag a suitable lawyer/doctor/engineer boyfriendSurround self with a gaggle of successful and/or loyal friends. But then it quickly all falls apart: her boyfriend dumps her, she bombs the most important exam of her medical career, and her best friend pulls away. And her parents, whose approval seems to hinge on how closely she follows the path they chose, are a lot less proud of their daughter. It’s a quarter life crisis of epic proportions.

Angie, who has always faced her problems by working “twice as hard to get half as far,” is at a loss. Suddenly, she begins to question everything: her career choice, her friendships, even why she’s attracted to men who don’t love her as much as she loves them.

And just when things couldn’t get more complicated, enter Ricky Gutierrez– brilliant, thoughtful, sexy, and most importantly, seems to see Angie for who she is instead of what she can represent.

Unfortunately, he’s also got “wasteman” practically tattooed across his forehead, and Angie’s done chasing mirages of men. Or so she thinks. For someone who’s always been in control, Angie realizes that there’s one thing she can’t plan on: matters of her heart.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

Workspace with computer, journal, books, coffee, and glasses. Hey ho! Let’s go!

Though I scheduled this post a couple weeks ago, I’m an officially in South Korea by the time you’re reading this. I’m sure I’m having a great time.

We plan to do an overnight stay at a Buddhist temple and I’m most definitely going to load up on Korean beauty and skincare products. There’s also a chance some areas will still have cherry blossoms. Karaoke and ungodly amounts of Korean BBQ are on the agenda!

…

To all my fellow board gamers! There’s a game hitting Kickstarter in May that might be of interest to you: ApotheBakery. It looks very cute and I signed up to be notified when the campaign goes live. When it comes to board games, I definitely make purchase decisions based on aesthetics.

…

I went down an Anne Hathaway rabbit hole! Here is a segment of her watching some of her previous roles and I loved how seeing The Princess Diaries again makes her so emotional:

And of course, I was recommend even more Anne Hathaway content and proceeded to watch this conversation between Anne and Emily Blunt about their careers and friendship.

…

Malaraa in the SBTB Patreon Discord dropped a link of more Murderbot casting news! I know it’s hard to come back from the Alexander Skarsgard casting choice.

…

Enjoy this kitty being excited by the “rat music” of the Baldur’s Gate menu music. Do your pets react to any particular TV sounds?

…

Don’t forget to share what cool or interesting things you’ve seen, read, or listened to this week! And if you have anything you think we’d like to post on a future Wednesday Links, send it my way!

B+

Warrior Girl Unearthed

by Angeline Boulley
March 2, 2023 · Henry Holt and Co.
Literary FictionMystery/ThrillerYoung Adult

Warrior Girl Unearthed is thrilling, upsetting, and edifying. There are some structural problems with this book, it still delivered the squee factor, in that I was totally absorbed and emotionally invested in this story. This is a stand-alone novel set in the same community as in the book The Firekeeper’s Daughter, another excellent read. Both books tackle difficult issues that face indigenous young women in America with empathy, perception, tenderness, and grit. Neither is a romance and both carry trigger warnings galore.

TW/CW

TW for Warrior Girl Unearthed: racism, references to genocide and the kidnapping of Indian children, desecration of bodies, violence against women, references to rape and grooming.

Anishinaabe teenager Perry Firekeeper-Birch has no desire to leave her community on Sugar Island. She wants to be left alone to fish. However, when her family forces her to participate in a youth leadership program, she becomes aware of her tribe’s efforts to repatriate the heirlooms and human remains of their ancestors from non-tribal universities and museums. Perry becomes determined to carry out a heist that will return remains held by a private collector to their rightful places of rest.

This book has a teenage protagonist who thinks and acts like a teenager, and her character growth is powerful and believable. The description of the community – the complicated ties of family, tribal affiliations, and friendships – feel messy and real. There’s a lot of exposition but it never gets boring or awkward, largely because Perry is in a series of positions that involve her being a student and listening to a teacher or coach.

This is a difficult book to read but a deeply rewarding one. I shared Perry’s anger as she learned about the atrocities practiced in the past and the present. Perry makes a lot of terrible decisions, but I emphasized with her because I wanted to make them myself. At the same time, she learns the importance of thinking long term and making strategic choices. I enjoyed seeing the growth of her friendships, especially the friendship that develops between herself and her classmate Shense as well as the closeness between Perry and her sister Pauline.

I did think that the plot went astray with a new crisis at the last minute. It felt like a massive swerve in terms of tone and genre and, while it did tie some threads together, I didn’t think it entirely fit. As much as this story was emotionally powerful for me, I struggled with the plot structure when it went off the rails with this unexpected twist.

Otherwise, I thought Warrior Girl Unearthed was pretty amazing. Perry is faced with the challenge of learning to understand long-term thinking and different points of view, while also holding onto her rage and her energy. It’s an amazing journey.

I owe this book a particular debt of gratitude because I work in a museum that exhibits some Indigenous heirlooms. As we launch a venture to revamp our exhibits and collections in consultation and with permission from Tribal members, this book is an important reference point for me, a constant and visceral reminder that decisions about how to handle heirlooms are not abstract. Images and passages from this book will stay with me for a long time and serve as a reference point, even as Perry’s character also serves as an inspiration. I look forward to Boulley’s next book!

Embroidering Her Truth

Embroidering Her Truth: Mary, Queen of Scots and the Language of Power by Clare Hunter is .99c! This book jumped out at me because it’s an examination of how Mary, Queen of Scots used textiles, embroidery, and color to communicate and convey power. This book has a 4.13 star average on StoryGraph, and a 4.26 star average on Goodreads. It also won an award as Scottish History Book of the Year in 2022! Have you read this book?

I felt that Mary was there, pulling at my sleeve, willing me to appreciate the artistry, wanting me to understand the dazzle of the material world that shaped her.

At her execution Mary, Queen of Scots wore red. Widely known as the colour of strength and passion, it was in fact worn by Mary as the Catholic symbol of martyrdom.

In sixteenth-century Europe women’s voices were suppressed and silenced. Even for a queen like Mary, her prime duty was to bear sons. In an age when textiles expressed power, Mary exploited them to emphasise her female agency. From her lavishly embroidered gowns as the prospective wife of the French Dauphin to the fashion dolls she used to encourage a Marian style at the Scottish court and the subversive messages she embroidered in captivity for her supporters, Mary used textiles to advance her political agenda, affirm her royal lineage and tell her own story.

In this eloquent cultural biography, Clare Hunter exquisitely blends history, politics and memoir to tell the story of a queen in her own voice.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

The Forever Girl

The Forever Girl by Jill Shalvis is $1.99! This is book 6 in the Wildstone series, and features found family, a second chance romance, and, as usual, a large cast of interesting characters. It has a 4+ star average on Goodreads, and 3.96 on StoryGraph, where readers say it’s emotional, hopeful, and funny – sounds about right! Have you read this book, or the series?

USA Today Bestseller

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis does it once again with a heartfelt story of family, forgiveness, and secrets that have the power to change the course of more than one life.

When Maze returns to Wildstone for the wedding of her estranged bff and the sister of her heart, it’s also a reunion of a once ragtag team of teenagers who had only each other until a tragedy tore them apart and scattered them wide.

Now as adults together again in the lake house, there are secrets and resentments mixed up in all the amazing childhood memories. Unexpectedly, they instantly fall back into their roles: Maze their reckless leader, Cat the den mother, Heather the beloved baby sister, and Walker, a man of mystery.

Life has changed all four of them in immeasurable ways. Maze and Cat must decide if they can rebuild their friendship, and Maze discovers her long-held attraction to Walker hasn’t faded with the years but has only grown stronger.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

The Ward Witch

The Ward Witch by Sarah Painter is $2.49! The first thing I need to tell you is that this is book 1 of a series called Unholy Island, and one of the lead characters is an innkeeper there. This story is “set in the same world as the urban fantasy mystery books, Crow Investigations, but it is the start of a separate series,” so if you’re a fan of that series, hooray, there’s more! This book has a 4.26-star average on Goodreads, and 3.88 on StoryGraph, where readers say it is very mysterious. Have you read this one? (NB: book 2 of the series, The Book Keeper is also available, and the ebook is $4.99.

Mysterious, magical, and a little bit deadly… Welcome to Unholy Island.

Esme Gray runs the guest house and tends to the ethereal wards that protect the island. She’s sheltering from a terrible past and will do anything to stay safely hidden.

Luke Taylor has been searching for his missing twin for months, but has begun to believe that his brother might be dead. With his hope in tatters, a tip off leads him to a remote tidal island in the North Sea. It’s further out than the famous Holy Island, and far stranger.

Visitors shouldn’t be able to stay for more than two nights, so when Luke breaks this rule, the close-knit community is sent into turmoil. The residents of Unholy Island have secrets and they intend to keep them.

When Luke stumbles across one of the islanders dead on the shore, he finds himself under suspicion, made worse by his own troubles washing up on the tide.

Esme is drawn to Luke, but she doesn’t trust her own instincts. That’s not ideal for a witch — especially when there is a killer on the loose and a storm is rolling in…

The Ward Witch is the first book in a brand new contemporary fantasy series from the bestselling author of magical fiction, Sarah Painter.

*The Ward Witch is set in the same world as the urban fantasy mystery books, Crow Investigations, but it is the start of a separate series and can be enjoyed independently.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

It Had to Be a Duke

It Had to Be a Duke by Vivienne Lorret is $1.99! This is book 1 of The Liars’ Club series, and features a fake engagement. Amanda reviewed this one, and gave it a C, saying “There’s a lot of ‘eldest child managing the emotions of relatives or handling the family baggage’ with both main characters.” Amanda also mentioned some excellent side characters, including a cheeky reverend, and an heiress who likes inventing things. Sometimes I know y’all are looking for effervescent historicals to read, and this seems like it might fit the bill. Have you read this one?

USA Today bestselling author Vivienne Lorret launches a new series with a sparkling romance about a spinster, a duke, and a fake engagement that blurs the lines between enemies and lovers…

Verity Hartley always tells the truth. Well, mostly. However, when her snooty neighbor returns to their small hamlet to brag about having a grand Season, a plethora of ballgowns, and so many suitors that she cannot possibly decide which one to marry, Verity tells a lie. She claims to be betrothed. To a duke. Who happens to be her family’s sworn enemy. But what are the odds that he would ever learn of this one, little, harmless falsehood?

Magnus Warring, the Duke of Longhurst, is on the precipice of marrying an heiress to save his estate from financial ruin. At least, he was. Until he hears an unbelievable rumor that he is already betrothed. To the daughter of a liar, cheat, and swindler! Needing to protect his reputation, he hunts down the culprit. And when he finds the untamed beguiler, she has the audacity to ask him to lie for her. To pretend to be her fiancé!

One week, that’s all Verity needs. Then Magnus can return to his life. But nothing is ever that simple. Sometimes it doesn’t take that long to fall in love, even with the enemy.

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You can find ordering info for this book here.

A | BN | K

What happens when you write the books you want to read but are having a hard time finding? Many good things. Kimberly Lemming loves fantasy, and started writing her own catnip, which led to the joy that is the Mead Mishaps series.

We answer ALL the tough questions, like how many mead mishaps have we personally experienced? How does one make the bananas spin? And why is Galavant the greatest production ever made?

Note: in the middle of the episode, the email Kimberly sent that gave me a peek at the cover for That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Human, which was in the final stages of development, so you’ll hear me lose my cool.

Music: purple-planet.com

Listen to the podcast →

Read the transcript →

Here are the books we discuss in this podcast:

You can find Kimberly Lemming at KimberlyLemming.com, and on Instagram @KimberlyLemming.

We also mentioned cover artist Mike Pape, and the cover art for the Mead Mishaps series is visible on his website, too!

We also mentioned:

Thank you for supporting our show, and our advertisers! new customers GET $5 OFF a Lume Starter Pack with code SARAH15 at LumeDeodorant.com. That equates to over 40% off your Starter Pack when you visit LumeDeodorant.com and use code SARAH15.

If you like the podcast, you can subscribe to our feed, or find us at iTunes. You can also find us on Stitcher, and Spotify, too. We also have a cool page for the podcast on iTunes.

More ways to sponsor:

Sponsor us through Patreon! (What is Patreon?)

Thanks for listening!

Remember to subscribe to our podcast feed, find us on iTunes or on Stitcher.

It’s FRIDAY! Woo! Here are some deals to take you into the weekend. Happy reading, and get good sleep!

Be Mine Forever

Be Mine Forever by Kennedy Ryan is a KDD at $1.99 today only! This is book 3 in the Bennet series, and it has a 4+ star average on Goodreads, and 3.72 on StoryGraph. Ryan’s books are superb, with strong emotions and complex characters. Readers state that the emotional payoff for this story was incredible, though some grew weary of the angst on the way. Have you read this one?

From the bestselling author of Queen Move, a mysterious artist’s dark past stands in the way of a second chance at love in this sizzling suburban romance.

Can a secret crush . . .

Jo Walsh has loved Cameron Mitchell for as long as she can remember. Whether front and center in her life or on the periphery, the tall, brooding artist has made his presence seductively and irresistibly known. But whenever they start to get close, Cam pulls away. Jo’s tired of keeping her feelings in a box Cam is afraid to open. If he wants her, he’ll have to prove it. And if he doesn’t, Jo will need to know the real reason why . . .

. . . become the love of a lifetime?

How do you walk away from your soul mate? Cam wishes he knew. No matter how far he runs from Jo, he can’t resist looking back at the silver eyes that seem to see right through him. But as well as Jo thinks she understands Cam, the dark truth about his past is something she shouldn’t have to handle. Cam’s sure that setting Jo free is the right thing to do. Too bad his heart has other ideas . . .

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

Watercolor Is for Everyone

Watercolor is for Everyone by Kateri Ewing is $1.99! This is part of a series that seeks to make art more accessible to everyone, especially beginners. I highlighted it today because last Friday I was at a romance event in DC, and when I arrived, Thien-Kim Lam was sketching while she waited for everyone to arrive. It was really neat, and since then, I’ve been thinking about portable art and trying to use watercolors. Reviews for this one are very positive: some struggled with the “woo-woo” that came with emphasizing mindfulness, while others found the exercises and projects extremely soothing and were happy with their results. Have you tried this book, or tried watercolors?

In this beautiful book, artist Kateri Ewing, author of Look Closer, Draw Better, guides you through a series of simple creative projects using a soulful, meditative, and reflective process. Whether you’re picking up a paint brush for the first time or are an experienced artist, you’ll discover and deepen your creative potential through these exercises, because everyone can make art. Each project results in two art pieces: one to keep for yourself, and then another one, such as a postcard or mini painting, to share with someone else or send out into the world, to spread their color, creativity, and joy in new places.

With Watercolor Is for Everyone, you can learn how to build a daily practice and how to set intentions and create, even if you have just 10 minutes a day. The projects draw inspiration from poetry, music, literature, and the natural world, and invite experimentation with a variety of sources, from tarot and oracle cards to rocks and feathers. You’ll pursue your personal passions through accessible projects as you build your artistic skills, confidence, and creativity.

“Written in a warm and inviting tone that is both inspirational and aspirational, this is an excellent introduction for artists of all levels to the rewarding medium of watercolor.” —Library Journal (starred review)

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

Moonglow

RECOMMENDED: Moonglow by Kristen Callihan is a KDD at $1.99 today! This is book two in the Darkest London series, after Firelight. Moonglow was a RITA finalist back in 2013, and our Reader Challenge reviewer Fran wrote in her A- review,

Often paranormal romances (in my experience) end up using the supernatural elements as simple garnishes for the romance, but Ms. Callihan has her love arc thoroughly integrated with her world. She strikes the balance necessary for an engaging story without compromising the development of the relationship or the emotion.

Amanda also loves this series a lot and speaks of it fondly. Have you read this one?

Once the seeds of desire are sown . . .

Finally free of her suffocating marriage, widow Daisy Ellis Craigmore is ready to embrace the pleasures of life that have long been denied her. Yet her new-found freedom is short lived. A string of unexplained murders has brought danger to Daisy’s door, forcing her to turn to the most unlikely of saviors . . .

Their growing passion knows no bounds . . .

Ian Ranulf, the Marquis of Northrup, has spent lifetimes hiding his primal nature from London society. But now a vicious killer threatens to expose his secrets. Ian must step out of the shadows and protect the beautiful, fearless Daisy, who awakens in him desires he thought long dead. As their quest to unmask the villain draws them closer together, Daisy has no choice but to reveal her own startling secret, and Ian must face the undeniable truth: Losing his heart to Daisy may be the only way to save his soul.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

A Lakeside Reunion

A Lakeside Reunion by C. Chilove is $2.99. This is a second chance romance set at a gorgeous and wealthy lake town in Florida, and it sounds like ideal afternoon reading when it’s sunny and warm (which is it not today so I’m projecting a lot, here). It has a 3.69 star average on Goodreads, and a 3.7 on StoryGraph, where readers say it’s lighthearted but emotional, and particularly liked the tension provided by family secrets. Have you read this one?

This summer, escape to the Shores–a Southern lake town full of elegance and glamour in a story about family traditions, friendship, and a love that can’t be denied–for readers of Sunny Hostin’s Summer on Sag Harbor

Chareese “Reese” Devlin spent every summer of her childhood in the lake town of Mount Dora, Florida, where her days were filled with fun in the sun. Reese never realized that the idyllic haven hid a deep divide between the town’s haves and have-nots. Not until the summer she turned seventeen and fell for Duncan McNeal, a boy who lacked the pedigree so valued by her parents and their equally well-connected friends.

After her family squashed the budding romance, Reese refused to return to the place she lost her heart. Now, ten years later, she’s back to attend her sister’s debutante ball and must come to terms with all she’s missed. But the biggest surprise of all is that Duncan is now a successful real estate developer in Mount Dora—and time hasn’t weakened the connection between them.

Behind the multimillion-dollar homes of the Shores lay old grudges and secrets capable of collapsing any family legacy. As the summer progresses, Reese must fix the sins of the past by facing the lines between truth and deception, tradition and breaking free, and family expectations and self-discovery.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

Touch Not the Cat

Touch Not the Cat by Mary Stewart, a classic Stewart novel, is .99! If you’ve thought about trying Stewart, this might be a terrific place to start, though more widely-read Stewart fans may correct me there. This book features telepathic people, family secrets, creepy houses – all the classic Gothic hallmarks. Have you read this one? Do you recommend it for Stewart beginners?

After the tragic death of her father, Bryony Ashley returns from abroad to find that his estate is to become the responsibility of her cousin Emory. Ashley Court with its load of debt is no longer her worry. But there is something odd about her father’s sudden death . . . Bryony has inherited the Ashley ‘Sight’ and so has one of the Ashleys. Since childhood the two have communicated through thought patterns, though Bryony has no idea of his identity. Now she is determined to find him. But danger as well as romance wait for her in the old moated house, with its tragic memories . . .

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The transcript for Podcast 610. “Who’s Going to Stop Me?” Writing Super Fun Fantasy with Kimberly Lemming has been posted!

This podcast transcript was handcrafted with meticulous skill by Garlic Knitter. Many thanks.

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A photograph of a deep pink camellia in bloom with dark green glossy leaves against a bright blue sky Hey y’all! I’m driving the Whatcha Reading? bus this week, as Amanda is traveling the globe.

Spring has SPROINGED around me. This is a picture I took recently of my neighbor’s camellia (I think that’s a camellia) against the sky. In a truly dorky move, I’m trying to match the colors for a quilt in progress because I love blue, green, and pink together.

Here’s what’s on the currently-reading list at SBTB HQ – with a mild TW for some discussion of depression.

Elyse: It’s FINALLY spring here so I assume it’s my brain telling me to get outside. I downloaded the audio of Ghost Station by SA Barnes ( A | BN | K ) to accompany me on walks.

Lara: I’m struggling to find a book that sticks around. I’m DNFing pretty often lately.

Elyse: I think I’ve started and put down 5 books this month. My brain is tired and restless.

Lara: I need a word that describes the unsettling sadness of not being able to find joy in reading because none of the books you pick up are hitting the spot.

A | BN | K

Elyse: Rich calls it “book ennui.”

Sneezy: Well now!!! I’m stealing that. My book ennui is making me appear saintly while I shelve my books. (Yes, aftershocks [from the earthquake in Taiwan] are still being drama llamas, but fuck it I want my floor space back.)

Sarah: My brain is restless, too! The book that seems to be tempting my brain the most is Happy Medium by Sarah Adler ( A | BN | K ), because I can’t stop thinking about it.

Lara: The book I’m currently trying is Gator Queen by Tara Lush ( A | BN | K ). I think it’s a comedy but it’s very early days yet.

Susan: It’s seasonal depression new years for me, so I’m listening to the audiobook of Dana K. White’s How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind ( A | BN | K ) while I try to unfuck my house from its depression pit state.

I find her stuff great for helping me not focus on the shame of letting things get this bad, because her attitude is “whatever you do is progress.”

A | BN | K

Sarah: Oh, heck. I hate the depression pit and I’m sorry you’re there.

Susan: Thank you, it sucks here! I’m doing the most scattershot job of sorting things out and booking workmen, but it’s progress.

Tara: I’ve been reading A Sweet Sting of Salt by Rose Sutherland ( A | BN | K ) and it’s beautifully written.

It takes place in the 1800s in Nova Scotia and is a sapphic retelling of the folk tale The Selkie Wife. It has a romance, but is not a romance, and has a gothic vibe to it.

Some of you might be wondering if it has a happy ending or not, because queer stories in this era are often heartbreaking.

I needed to know so I could have the right expectations and skipped to the end (don't come at me) and...

…the ending is happy!

Shana: I’m reading Shadowlands Omega by Elizabeth Stephens. ( A | BN | K )

It’s a standalone in a dark fantasy romance series and I spent the first chapter flailing about trying to figure out the world building. But I got totally sucked in and now I’m having trouble doing anything else but read this book. It comes out April 18.

Also, the heroine is bald which is delightful!

Kiki: I’m listening to The Perils of Pleasure by Julie Ann Long ( A | BN | K | G | AB ). I tried one of the other books in this series before and was put off by what felt like a very bad ratio of internal narration vs actual conversation between the characters, but I’m liking this one better so far.

Sneezy: I’m rereading Father, I Don’t Want This Marriage on Tappytoon. I forgot how funny it is!

The main story is completed and smutty versions of the side stories that are coming out alongside the non-smut version. Fellow Smut Demons, please note you HAVE TO buy the smut chapters from a separate link and all smut is only available on browser. If you buy the wrong chapter, you’ll have to pay twice!

What about you? Whatcha reading? Tell us everything in the comments!

Welcome back to Get Rec’d!

This one has more romance than I typically include because we already recommend so many romances on the site! Of course, romance is also what we’re here for. On top of two romance recommendations, I’ve included a YA graphic novel and a super cute picture book.

Have you received any good recommendations? Drop them in the comments below!

Ghost Roast

I’m a sucker for anything with a ghost! This is a YA graphic novel about a teen who is the daughter of a “ghostbuster” of sorts.

Ghost Roast delivers a paranormal adventure full of first crushes, lost histories, and the impossible task of fitting in when your dad is a professional ghosthunter. A stand-alone YA graphic novel from authors Shawneé and Shawnelle Gibbs and artist Emily Cannon!

For as long as she can remember, Chelsea Grant has tried everything she can think of to distance herself from the disastrous damage her father does to her social life. It’s not easy to shake her reputation as Ghost Girl when Dad keeps advertising his business as a “paranormal removal expert” in big, bold, loud letters all over New Orleans!

This year, Chelsea’s all grown up, attending one of the most prestigious high schools in the city, and she’s finally made friends with the popular crowd. Things are looking up—until a night on the town backfires spectacularly, landing her in hot water at home. Her punishment? Working for her dad at Paranormal Removal Services. All. Summer.

Worst of all, her new job reveals an unexpected secret she has to keep: While Dad hunts ghosts with his own DIY tech, Chelsea can actually see them. And when she meets Oliver, a friendly spirit, at the fancy mansion her dad is getting a handsome fee to exorcize, she realizes she has to save his after-life, even if it risks everything her father’s worked for.

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You can find ordering info for this book here.

The Lady He Lost

Do you need a romance with lots of pining, a slow burn, and complicated feels? Check out this debut historical romance!

Her only interest is in making her own way in the world. Luckily, he can help.

Lieutenant Eli Williams was supposed to be dead. In the two years since his shipwreck, his friends and family mourned him, his brother spent his savings, and his fiancée married someone else. So, when he turns up in the middle of the London social season, he quickly becomes the talk of the town. All Eli wants is to set his life back in order and reconnect with Jane Bishop, a friend who has always meant so much more to him, before returning to sea.

Jane refuses to waste any more of her life pining over Eli, who chose her cousin instead of her. She needs to focus on gaining her financial independence by establishing a ladies’ gambling club. Never mind that Eli keeps trying to atone for his past mistake by bringing in new members. He’s obviously keeping secrets about his disappearance, which means that she can’t trust him with her heart even if she did kiss him in a moment of weakness. Or three.

As Eli works to regain her trust, Jane’s defensive walls begin to crumble. But when Eli faces a court of inquiry on suspicion of desertion, Jane must decide if she can let go of the past to build a future with Eli, or risk losing him for good.

This charming and sexy friends to enemies to lovers historical romance romp is the perfect read for fans of Evie Dunmore and India Holton.

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You can find ordering info for this book here.

Luigi, the Spider Who Wanted to Be a Kitten

I will say that the spider the size of a kitten is a little terrifying, but I love the idea of a grandma adopting a stray pet “kitten” and it’s actually a giant bug.

From the New York Times best-selling creators of Library Lion comes a warm (and delightfully fuzzy) storybook about learning to be—and be loved for—exactly who you are.

On a street of old houses, a big hairy spider is searching for a home with dark corners to hide in. But when he wakes up, he finds a hand reaching for him and a lady proclaiming that she has always wanted a kitten—and will name him Luigi! At first, a somewhat puzzled Luigi, used to being left alone to creep and dangle and spin webs, resists her kind advances. But soon, tasty breakfasts and getting tucked into bed (no one’s ever wished him good night before) have him thinking that kittens surely live magical lives. I will be a kitten! he decides. But how long can he keep up his facade, and what might be at stake in pretending to be someone you’re not? The award-winning duo behind Library Lion delivers another classic in the making, marked by humor and depth, endearing characters, and the assurance that the right people will accept and adore us, unconditionally, just as we are.

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You can find ordering info for this book here.

Say You’ll Be Mine

A grumpy/sunshine fake dating romance! The main character are hoping to get their matchmaking family members off their backs for a while. A cute debut that I think is worth checking out.

n this utterly charming debut romance, a teacher with big dreams joins forces with a no-nonsense engineer to survive an ex’s wedding and escape matchmaking pressure from their Indian families. Their plan? Faking an engagement, of course.

Meghna Raman’s parents wanted her to be an engineer, but instead she’s followed her passion, becoming a theater teacher and aspiring playwright. But when she discovers that her beloved writing partner, best friend, and secret crush, Seth, is suddenly engaged—and not to her—she realizes he’s about to become the one-that-got-away. Even worse, he’s asked her to be his best man. And worse than that, she’s agreed. Determined to try and move on and relieve a bit of the pressure she feels, Meghna agrees to let her parents introduce her to a potential match. Maybe she’ll even find the engineer her family wishes she became. . . .

Grumpy, handsome engineer Karthik Murthy has seen enough of his parents’ marriage to know that it isn’t for him. He only agreed to his mother’s matchmaking attempts to make her happy, never dreaming he would meet someone as vibrant as Meghna. Though he can’t offer her a real marriage, a fake engagement could help Meghna soothe the sting of planning Seth’s wedding festivities and Karthik avoid the absurd number of set-ups his mother has planned for the next year.

But as they find common ground, grow protective of one another’s hearts, and learn to fall for the flaws they thought they hated, an undeniable chemistry takes shape. Soon, Meghna and Karthik’s expectations and insecurities threaten to risk something that’s become a lot more real than they hoped.

Say You’ll Be Mine is a delightful trip back to the heyday of swoony romantic comedies from the nineties, but with a deep and poignant look at the effects of culture and family in our most intimate relationships.

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You can find ordering info for this book here.

C+

Wake Me Most Wickedly

by Felicia Grossman
April 9, 2024 · Forever
Chick LitContemporary RomanceRomance

CW/TW

CW: sexual harassment, discussion of transactional sex with no real enthusiastic consent, lots and lots of antisemitism

I enjoyed this book. I read it cover-to-cover in almost one sitting, but as I sit here to write this review, I’m left with distinctly meh feelings about it. Is this because I had a disappointing breakfast and that’s colouring my perspective? Or was the book meh? Let’s find out together.

This story is set in the Jewish community of London in the 1830s and is essentially a gender-reversed Snow White retelling.

Solomon Weiss is a rich businessman whose focus is ensuring that he makes his half-brother (who raised him) proud. To this end, he works for the family bank, and he knows he will have to marry soon. The trouble is that Solomon cherishes his ties to his Jewish heritage while his half-brother despises them. Solomon attends synagogue and fosters his connections with other Jewish people. However, within the Jewish community, there are, as the book describes, ‘good Jews’ (like Solomon is trying to be) and ‘bad Jews’ (like Hannah Moses). I think you see where this is going.

Hannah Moses isn’t quite an outcast, but she isn’t welcome either. She attends synagogue on holidays, but she is labelled a ‘bad Jew’ for her family’s criminal past. Hannah herself is certainly a criminal, there’s no getting around that. But she does it to build up a dowry for her younger sister so that she can live the life of a ‘good Jew’. She runs a pawn shop and occasionally sells stolen goods. On the side, she also finds out information about people and sells that information to bad folks.

This is a difficult life for Hannah and she faces a lot of sexual harassment. One night, she sees the neighbourhood thugs getting ready to beat up Solomon. Hannah saves his life through some quick-thinking on her part. When Solomon sees his saviour at synagogue at the next holiday, he is delighted. But his friends waste no time in filling in the blanks on Hannah’s past. Solomon wasn’t raised Jewish so he doesn’t know the community’s history well. This is one of the central points of tension in the book: the challenge of conforming to the boundaries of being a ‘good Jew’.

Of course, they fall in love! Cue sex scenes and parts of the Snow White plot! At this stage, I must admit some reservations on that first kiss between Hannah and Solomon. Solomon makes a cute wager of it, but for me, Solomon was a bit too bold with Hannah, and I felt he took advantage of their respective social positions. He had too much power in that scenario for Hannah to say a comfortable no. BUT the kiss is one that is electric for both of them, despite the small ick I felt. From that point on though, in their interactions with each other, the two feel like genuine peers despite how they are viewed by the broader community in the book.

Wake Me Most Wickedly is quite closely linked to the first book in this series, Marry Me By Midnight, so I would recommend reminding yourself of the plot of book 1 before getting into book 2. At least, that’s what I should have done. I was initially really confused because I had forgotten about Solomon’s role in Midnight and his place in the community. Hannah is totally new to this book-world, so her backstory was told in detail.

For me, the plot doesn’t quite work as well as it could. Most romance novels I read follow a pretty standard plot arc with tension building to a climax. This book had a few mini climaxes along the way with a bigger one at the end, but there wasn’t that building of tension ratcheting things up in between. So at some points I was left a little bored by events. BUT, I kept reading. I read this book well past my bedtime.

Because it is a gender-reversed Snow White, it wasn’t immediately clear who the characters were other than Solomon being Snow White. Hannah is the prince in the sense that she saves Solomon at the start of the book, but otherwise she’s pretty powerless throughout. It takes a while for the other Snow White plot elements to be revealed in the book. Most of it happens in the last third of the book, and I don’t want to spoil too much. For the first half of the book, the focus is on Hannah and Solomon finding excuses to spend time together which may or may not include climbing through a few windows.

In conclusion, this book sits in an uncomfortable grade zone. It’s not thrilling enough that I can unreservedly recommend it, but good enough that I will absolutely be reading book 3 when it comes out. If it’s about the couple that I think it’s about, it promises to be FILLED with tension, an ornery cat, and great banter.

A Power Unbound

RECOMMENDED: A Power Unbound by Freya Marske is $2.99! This is book 3 of The Last Binding series, a queer historical fantasy series that began with A Marvellous Light (which is in KU so if you haven’t read this trilogy, it’s easy to start). A Power Unbound was mentioned in Hide Your Wallet, and Freya Marske was a guest on the podcast to talk about the second book A Restless Truth. This trilogy is terrific, and A Power Unbound has a 4.39 star average on StoryGraph and 4.32 on Goodreads. Have you read this book?

A Power Unbound is the final entry in Freya Marske’s beloved, award-winning Last Binding trilogy, the queer historical fantasy series that began with A Marvellous Light.

Jack Alston, Lord Hawthorn, would love a nice, safe, comfortable life. After the death of his twin sister, he thought he was done with magic for good. But with the threat of a dangerous ritual hanging over every magician in Britain, he’s drawn reluctantly back into that world.

Now Jack is living in a bizarre puzzle-box of a magical London townhouse, helping an unlikely group of friends track down the final piece of the Last Contract before their enemies can do the same. And to make matters worse, they need the help of writer and thief Alan Ross.

Cagey and argumentative, Alan is only in this for the money. The aristocratic Lord Hawthorn, with all his unearned power, is everything that Alan hates. And unfortunately, Alan happens to be everything that Jack wants in one gorgeous, infuriating package.

When a plot to seize unimaginable power comes to a head at Cheetham Hall—Jack’s ancestral family estate, a land so old and bound in oaths that it’s grown a personality as prickly as its owner—Jack, Alan and their allies will become entangled in a night of champagne, secrets, and bloody sacrifice . . . and the foundations of magic in Britain will be torn up by the roots before the end.

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You can find ordering info for this book here.

When We Left Cuba

RECOMMENDED: When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton is $2.99! This one features a character from the first book in this series, Next Year in Havana, but I believe you can manage this one as a standalone. If I’m wrong, though, chime in below! Here’s what Sarah had to say:

When We Left Cuba is beautiful and fascinating. Better recommendation comes from my house sitter earlier this year who very shyly asked if she could read my ARC of book three because she loves the series so so much and was so excited that a preview copy was in her vicinity.

In 1960s Florida, a young Cuban exile will risk her life–and heart–to take back her country in this exhilarating historical novel from the author of Next Year in Havana, a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick.

Beautiful. Daring. Deadly.

The Cuban Revolution took everything from sugar heiress Beatriz Perez–her family, her people, her country. Recruited by the CIA to infiltrate Fidel Castro’s inner circle and pulled into the dangerous world of espionage, Beatriz is consumed by her quest for revenge and her desire to reclaim the life she lost.

As the Cold War swells like a hurricane over the shores of the Florida Strait, Beatriz is caught between the clash of Cuban American politics and the perils of a forbidden affair with a powerful man driven by ambitions of his own. When the ever-changing tides of history threaten everything she has fought for, she must make a choice between her past and future–but the wrong move could cost Beatriz everything–not just the island she loves, but also the man who has stolen her heart…

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You can find ordering info for this book here.

Cold-Hearted Rake

RECOMMENDED: Cold-Hearted Rake by Lisa Kleypas is $1.99! Elyse reviewed this one and gave it an A:

Cold-Hearted Rake has the elements that make me love Kleypas so much as a writer: female friendships, a hero who is a rake but somehow also emotionally aware, a setting that’s fully developed and not a backdrop, and scalding sexual tension.

A twist of fate…

Devon Ravenel, London’s most wickedly charming rake, has just inherited an earldom. But his powerful new rank in society comes with unwanted responsibilities . . . and more than a few surprises. His estate is saddled with debt, and the late earl’s three innocent sisters are still occupying the house . . . along with Kathleen, Lady Trenear, a beautiful young widow whose sharp wit and determination are a match for Devon’s own.

A clash of wills…

Kathleen knows better than to trust a ruthless scoundrel like Devon. But the fiery attraction between them is impossible to deny—and from the first moment Devon holds her in his arms, he vows to do whatever it takes to possess her. As Kathleen finds herself yielding to his skillfully erotic seduction, only one question remains:

Can she keep from surrendering her heart to the most dangerous man she’s ever known?

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You can find ordering info for this book here.

The Rogue Not Taken

RECOMMENDED: The Rogue Not Taken by Sarah MacLean is $3.99! Elyse read this one, and gave it an A:

Let me start by saying that The Rogue Not Taken by Sarah MacLean is my favorite book of hers to date. If you’ve read her, or know me, then you know that I just said a thing. I mean, there is a scene in this book where the hero sensually rubs honey on the heroine’s body while she dreamily describes the bookstore she’ll own one day.

Lady Sophie’s Society Splash

When Sophie, the least interesting of the Talbot sisters, lands her philandering brother-in-law backside-first in a goldfish pond in front of all society, she becomes the target of very public aristocratic scorn. Her only choice is to flee London, vowing to start a new life far from the aristocracy. Unfortunately, the carriage in which she stows away isn’t saving her from ruin . . . it’s filled with it.

Rogue’s Reign of Ravishment!

Kingscote, “King,” the Marquess of Eversley, has never met a woman he couldn’t charm, resulting in a reputation far worse than the truth, a general sense that he’s more pretty face than proper gentleman, and an irate summons home to the Scottish border. When King discovers stowaway Sophie, however, the journey becomes anything but boring.

War? Or More?

He thinks she’s trying to trick him into marriage. She wouldn’t have him if he were the last man on earth. But carriages bring close quarters, dark secrets, and unbearable temptation, making opposites altogether too attractive . . .

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You can find ordering info for this book here.

Happy Tuesday, everyone! Are we ready for some new releases?

There are a lot of contemporary romances on our radars this week. But we also have some horror comics and mysteries. Things taper off slightly as we reach the end of the month!

What books are you ready to read this week? Let us know!

Bad Dreams in the Night

Author: Adam Ellis
Released: April 16, 2024 by Andrews McMeel Publishing
Genre: Comic, Horror, Graphic Novel

Like a graphic novel version of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, this collection of original horror tales is packed with urban legends, terrifying twists, and delightfully haunted stories by one of the biggest stars in webcomics. Each story will make you scream for more!

A new take on a classic format, Bad Dreams in the Night is an updated, illustrated take on the horror anthologies the author grew up with as a kid, such as Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark and In a Dark, Dark Room. These self-contained stories grew rapidly in popularity among the author’s online audience, and even inspired production of a motion picture from Buzzfeed Studios and Lionsgate Films. Filled with spine-tingling, pulse-increasing tales of mystery and supernatural occurrences, this book of never-before-seen comics will be the perfect gift for people who love Black Mirror and Stranger Things and listened to podcasts like Welcome to Nightvale and Rabbits.

Amanda: I’ve been following Adam’s comics since before his Buzzfeed days and I love his horror comics on Instagram. I’ve been tempted to subscribe to his Patreon for quite some time.

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Want to order this one? We’ve got the links you need!.

Butter

Author: Asako Yuzuki
Released: April 16, 2024 by Ecco
Genre: Mystery/Thriller

A highly fresh and original novel following a journalist in contemporary Japan as she investigates a serial killer convicted of luring wealthy men in with her cooking classes only to seduce, murder, and rob them, and a gripping exploration of misogyny, obsession, and the pleasures and pressures of food.

Journalist Rika Machida is facing an unusual assignment: she is tapped to investigate serial killer Manako Kajii, notorious for drawing rich men in with her pricey cooking classes, only to murder them and move on to the next. Kajii refuses to cooperate with the press until Rika writes her a letter asking for her beef stew recipe, a correspondence and ongoing series of conversations between the two women that sees Rika transforming as she becomes closer to Kajii, taking on some of her confidence and strength but also some of her deadly intention. Game on.

Set in 2011, when dairy product shortages across Japan made butter a hot commodity, Butter depicts a vivid, panoramic view of contemporary Japan as seen through a diverse cast of Japanese women. An endlessly entertaining and sharply insightful look at the relationships between women and how they engage and challenge one another, revealing the many contradictions and complexities in the process, Asako Yuzuki’s novel is filled with intoxicating descriptions of food and the body that also looks deeply at its connection to the sinister, criminal, and taboo, its enduring power and delight.

Amanda: I’m intrigued!

Elyse: This looks super interesting and different from anything I’ve ready lately.

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Find buy links for this book here..

Christa Comes Out of Her Shell

Author: Abbi Waxman
Released: April 16, 2024 by Berkley
Genre: Chick Lit, Contemporary Romance, Romance

Just when she thought she’d gotten far enough away . . . a life-changing phone call throws an antisocial scientist back into her least favorite place—the spotlight. A hilarious and insightful new novel from the USA Today bestselling author of The Bookish Life of Nina Hill.

After a tumultuous childhood, Christa Liddle has hidden away, both figuratively and literally. Happily studying sea snails in the middle of the Indian Ocean, Christa finds her tranquil existence thrown into chaos when her once-famous father—long thought dead after a plane crash—turns out to be alive, well, and ready to make amends. The world goes wild, fascinated by this real-life saga, pinning Christa and her family under the spotlight. As if that weren’t enough, her reunion with an old childhood friend reveals an intense physical attraction neither was expecting and both want to act on . . . if they can just keep a lid on it. When her father’s story starts to develop cracks, Christa fears she will lose herself, her potential relationship, and—most importantly—any chance of making it back to her snails before they forget her completely.

Lara: It takes a lot for me to enjoy contemporaries and this one really hit the spot.

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Want this book? Here are helpful buy links..

Dear Wendy

Author: Ann Zhao
Released: April 16, 2024 by Feiwel & Friends
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA, New Adult, Romance

Dear Wendy’s Sophie and Jo, two aromantic and asexual students at Wellesley College, engage in an online feud while unknowingly becoming friends in real life, in this dual POV Young Adult contemporary debut from Ann Zhao.

Sophie Chi is in her first year at Wellesley College (despite her parents’ wishes that she attend a “real” university, rather than a liberal arts school) and has long accepted her aromantic and asexual identities. Despite knowing she’ll never fall in love, she enjoys running an Instagram account that offers relationship advice to students at Wellesley. No one except her roommate knows that she’s behind the incredibly popular “Dear Wendy” account.

When Joanna “Jo” Ephron—also a first-year student at Wellesley—created their “Sincerely Wanda” account, it wasn’t at all meant to be serious or take off like it does—not like Dear Wendy’s. But now they might have a rivalry of sorts with Dear Wendy? Oops . As if Jo’s not busy enough having existential crises over gender, the fact that she’ll never truly be loved or be enough, or her few friends finding The One and forgetting her!

While tensions are rising online, Sophie and Jo are getting closer in real life, bonding over their shared aroace identities. As their friendship develops and they work together to start a campus organization for other a-spec students, can their growing bond survive if they learn just who’s behind the Wendy and Wanda accounts?

Exploring a-spec identities, college life, and more, this platonic comedy is ultimately a love story about two people who are not—and will not—be in love!

A new adult ace romance with anonymous social media profiles!

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Want to order this one? We’ve got the links you need!.

Houseswap 101

Author: Jaime Clevenger
Released: April 16, 2024 by Bella Books
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA, Romance

When Devyn Lancaster comes home from a busy shift at the hospital, the last thing she expects to find is a woman weed-whacking her garden. It gets worse when she learns her ex-husband invited the woman to trade houses with him—all without telling her a thing about the plan.

Robbie Price was looking forward to a month-long vacation in San Diego. A break from the Seattle rain in exchange for doing a few home repair projects and taking a cute dog to the beach seemed well worth a house swap. Then she meets her coworker’s ex-wife.

For Robbie and Devyn, even tolerating each other feels impossible at first. And neither expect to learn to like each other. But at the end of the month, parting ways is what feels impossible.

Tara: This concept is just bonkers enough that I have to know if it works.

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Want to order this one? We’ve got the links you need!.

One Last Word

Author: Suzanne Park
Released: April 16, 2024 by Avon
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romance

“With pitch-perfect humor, endearing insights and wonderfully relatable characters, One Last Word is a smart and breezy read about taking hold of the life you want and refusing to let go. An absolute delight.” —Allison Winn Scotch, bestselling author of Take Two, Birdie Maxwell

What would you say to your meddling parents, your ex-best friend, your toxic boss, or your high school crush if you didn’t have to face the consequences?

Sara Chae is the founder of One Last Word, an app that allows you to send a message to anyone you want after you pass. Safeguards are in place so the app will only send when you’re definitely, absolutely, 100% dead, but when another Sara Chae dies and her obituary is posted online, Sara discovers that drafted messages she had drunkenly uploaded on one night have been released —one each to her emotionally charged mother, to her former best friend who ghosted her, and to her unrequited high school crush, Harry Shim.

Still reeling from this disaster, Sara finds out she’s been accepted into a venture capital mentorship program— and that the mentor she’s been assigned to is none other than Harry, who’s now a major VC superstar. With her life going from uncertain to chaotic overnight, Sara has to deal with the havoc that ensues and reopen wounds from the past to find a true path forward.

A pitch-perfect homage for fans of Annabel Monaghan, Alisha Rai, and Jenny Han, One Last Word is an empowering, laugh-out-loud story about a woman who learns to speak up and fight for what she wants in life and love.

The latest adult contemporary romance from Suzanne Park!

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One of Us Knows

Author: Alyssa Cole
Released: April 16, 2024 by William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: Mystery/Thriller

From the critically acclaimed and New York Times bestselling author of When No One Is Watching comes a riveting thriller about the new caretaker of a historic estate who finds herself trapped on an island with a murderer–and the ghosts of her past.

Years after a breakdown and a diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder derailed her historical preservationist career, Kenetria Nash and her alters have been given a second chance they can’t refuse: a position as resident caretaker of a historic home. Having been dormant for years, Ken has no idea what led them to this isolated Hudson River island, but she’s determined not to ruin their opportunity.

Then a surprise visit from the home’s conservation trust just as a Nor’easter bears down on the island disrupts her newfound life, leaving Ken trapped with a group of possibly dangerous strangers–including the man who brought her life tumbling down years earlier. When he turns up dead, Ken is the prime suspect.

Caught in a web of secrets and in a race against time, Ken and her alters must band together to prove their innocence and discover the truth of Kavanaugh Island–and their own past–or they risk losing not only their future, but their life.

Elyse: I will read anything Cole writes.

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When I Think of You

Author: Myah Ariel
Released: April 16, 2024 by Berkley
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romance

In this sweeping second chance romance from debut author Myah Ariel, the unexpected spark of two former flames may force them to choose between their dreams and each other.

Kaliya Wilson has paid her dues. But all the years behind the reception desk at a flashy film studio have only pushed her movie-making dreams further out of reach. That is, until a surprise reunion presents an opportunity that could make her career, or break her heart…a second time.

It’s been seven years since Kaliya’s whirlwind college romance with Danny Prescott went up in flames. While her passions have stalled, his career is taking off. So when the hot shot director reappears to offer her a job on his next production, it’s a shock to the system. Working with Danny may recapture the intensity of their film school days, but trusting him again won’t come as easily.

As the pair allows themselves the openness and vulnerability to entrust their deepest truths to each other, the possibility of a true connection draws ever closer. But when Hollywood politics and scandal threaten to sink the production and her career, Kaliya may have to risk everything to do what’s right—even if it means letting go of the second chance love of a lifetime.

Loving the rich colors and the art style on this cover!

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The Upper Crush

Author: Evie Alexander
Released: April 17, 2024 by Emlin Press
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romance
Series: Foxbrooke #3

Enjoy this laugh-out-loud, steamy romance series by award-winning romantic comedy author Evie Alexander…

He wasn’t banking on someone else taking the reins…

Lady Estelle Foxbrooke is done cleaning up the mess left by her wild parents. She’s got a plan: take the reins and save the family estate her way. But then she’s saddled with a business partner she’s hated all her life. He’s her twin brother’s worst enemy and looms in her path like a six-foot-four hurdle.

After a catastrophic business failure, rich and successful James Hunter-Savage has watched his dream life in London crash and burn. Forced to ditch the city for the Somerset countryside, he’s now living with his parents and expected to work with the infuriatingly attractive Estelle. She’s sharper than a whip, pushes all his buttons, and seems determined to break him.

As Estelle and James jockey for position, their explosive personalities combust into passion, sending Estelle’s plans to the edge of ruin. With James’s flimsy reputation in tatters, and the biggest event on the Foxbrooke calendar on the brink of collapse, will they realise their love is worth fighting for? Or are their hearts and hard work heading for the ultimate fall?

The Upper Crush is a laugh-out-loud, enemies-to-lovers, steamy, standalone, small town romantic comedy with a fiery country girl giving a cocky city boy a run for his money. No cheating or cliffhanger, but snort-laughs, swoons and a deliciously happy ending guaranteed in this sparkling and sizzling romcom!

Amanda: Country girl meets city boy, you say? That’s my catnip and perhaps I sense a Rec League in the future.

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Relinquishing Control

Author: J.J. Arias
Released: April 20, 2024
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA, Romance
Series: Dominion #3

The only deal she can’t close might just open her heart.

Natalia Flores rules her exclusive talent agency with an iron fist, brokering blockbuster deals while keeping everyone at arm’s length. But beneath the cold exterior lies a heart that yearns to be understood.

Enter Professor Samantha Reyes—brilliant, fierce, and unwilling to let Natalia manipulate her way into the film rights to her book. Their encounters spark with tension and undeniable chemistry.

For the first time, Natalia faces someone not swayed by her tactics. Yet she won’t give up her pursuit of the lucrative rights, even as an irresistible attraction grows. Natalia is soon forced to make an impossible choice — between furthering her ambitions or embracing a once-in-a-lifetime love.

In a world where control is everything, can two powerful women let go of their fears to find a love that’s worth the risk?

Relinquishing Control is a steamy page-turner about ambition, authenticity, and defrosting the ultimate ice queen.

Relinquishing Control is the third book in the Dominion series. A steamy, sapphic series set in a Miami talent agency and centered on strong women and the ladies who can’t resist them.

Dahlia’s pick!

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This HaBO is from Raina, who wants to find this older historical romance:

Looking for a really old romance novel. Probably 20-30 years or so.

It was a historical with the hero taking over the heroine’s castle by force. I believe the hero’s name was Royce and the heroine was Bethany, but don’t quote me on that. One was a Saxon and the other a Norman?

The heroine tried to save all of her people by having them leave through a secret tunnel while she tried to fight the hero in armor. He found them and then basically made her his servant/slave. They have a slow burn enemies to lovers type thing through the story. He makes friends with her younger brother (a child) and only the younger brother knows that the hero speaks their language until the end of the book. The younger sister (probably early 20s) winds up being the villain of the story. This has an HEA. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Sarah and I have asked Raina and it is not The Prize by Julie Garwood, A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught, or Glorious Surrender by Nickii Fowler.

There are so many great deals today, from retcon romantasy to romance to memoir to dishy nonfiction.

The Winter King

The Winter King by C.L. Wilson is $1.49! This is book one in the Weathermages of Mystral series. This is a fantasy romance originally published 10 years ago in 2014, and it has some interesting magical systems and societies, but readers on StoryGraph have warned that there is dubious consent and assault. This is part of what I think of as “Retcon Romantasy:” an older book that fits what is right now the very hottest reading trend. Have you read this one? (And isn’t that cover something?)

After three long years of war, starkly handsome Wynter Atrialan will have his vengeance on Summerlea’s king by taking one of the man’s beautiful, beloved daughters as his bride. But though peace is finally at hand, Wynter’s battle with the Ice Heart, the dread power he embraced to avenge his brother’s death, rages on.

Khamsin Coruscate, Princess of Summerlea and summoner of Storms, has spent her life exiled to the shadows of her father’s palace. Reviled by her father, marriage to Wintercraig’s icy king was supposed to be a terrible punishment, but instead offers Kham her first taste of freedom—and her first taste of overwhelming passion.

As fierce, indomitable Wynter weathers even Khamsin’s wildest storms, surprising her with a tenderness she never expected, Kham wants more than Wynter’s passion—she yearns for his love. But the power of the Ice Heart is growing, dangerous forces are gathering, and a devastating betrayal puts Khamsin and Wynter to the ultimate test.

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Kitchen Confidential

Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain is $4.99 at Amazon and Kobo (come on over, price matching fairies!).

This is Bourdain’s tell-all memoir, containing stories about what really happens in the kitchens of restaurants, and how he became a chef. Bourdain fans love this book, and with all the kitchen-set dramas and reality shows, it’s perennially relevant.

Overview

Last summer, The New Yorker published Chef Bourdain’s shocking, “Don’t Eat Before Reading This“. Bourdain spared no one’s appetite when he told all about what happens behind the kitchen door. Bourdain uses the same “take-no-prisoners” attitude in his deliciously funny and shockingly delectable book, sure to delight gourmands and philistines alike. From Bourdain’s first oyster in the Gironde, to his lowly position as dishwasher in a honky–tonk fish restaurant in Provincetown (where he witnesses for the first time the real delights of being a chef); from the kitchen of the Rainbow Room atop Rockefeller Center, to drug dealers in the East Village, from Tokyo to Paris and back to New York again, Bourdain’s tales of the kitchen are as passionate as they are unpredictable. Kitchen Confidential will make your mouth water while your belly aches with laughter. You’ll beg the chef for more, please.

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Battle Royal

RECOMMENDED: Speaking of kitchens! Battle Royal by Lucy Parker is $1.99! Catherine gave this one an A-:

I loved Battle Royal. While it did have minor flaws, it more than made up for them with humour, tenderness, and food porn.

Beloved author Lucy Parker pens a delicious new romantic comedy that is a battle of whisks and wits.

Ready…

Four years ago, Sylvie Fairchild charmed the world as a contestant on the hit baking show, Operation Cake. Her ingenious, colorful creations captivated viewers and intrigued all but one of the judges, Dominic De Vere, the hottest pastry chef in London. When her glittery unicorn cake went spectacularly sideways, Dominic was quick to vote her off the show. Since then, Sylvie has managed to use her fame to help fulfill her dream of opening a bakery, Sugar Fair. The toast of Instagram, Sugar Fair has captured the attention of the Operation Cake producers…and a princess.

Set…

Dominic is His Majesty the King’s favorite baker, the go-to for sweet-toothed A-List celebrities, and a veritable British institution. He’s brilliant, talented, hard-working. And an icy, starchy grouch. Learning that the irksome Sylvie will be joining him on the Operation Cake judging panel is enough to make the famously dour baker even more grim. Her fantastical baking is only slightly more troublesome than the fact that he can’t stop thinking about her pink-streaked hair and irrepressible dimple.

Match…

When Dominic and Sylvie learn they will be fighting for the once in a lifetime opportunity to bake a cake for the upcoming wedding of Princess Rose, the flour begins to fly as they’re both determined to come out on top.

The bride adores Sylvie’s quirky style. The palace wants Dominic’s classic perfection.

In this royal battle, can there be room for two?

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My Fair Concubine

My Fair Concubine by Jeannie Lin is $1.99! This is a historical “My Fair Lady” style romance – set in the Tang Dynasty in China. Readers loved the retelling and the depth of characterization, and it has a 3.74 star average on StoryGraph. Have you read this one?

THE NOBLEMAN WHO TURNED A TEA GIRL INTO A PRINCESS…

Yan Ling tries hard to be servile-it’s what’s expected of a girl of her class. Being intelligent and strong-minded, she finds it a constant battle.

Proud Fei Long is unimpressed by her spirit-until he realizes she’s the answer to his problems. He has to deliver the emperor a “princess.” In two months can he train a tea girl to pass as a noblewoman?

Yet it’s hard to teach good etiquette when all Fei Long wants to do is break it, by taking this tea girl for his own…

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Endgame: Inside the Royal Family and the Monarchy’s Fight for Survival

RECOMMENDED: Endgame by Omid Scobie is $4.99. If you can get the audiobook, I recommend that most emphatically as Scobie reads it himself.

I’ve said before on the podcast that watching the story of the royal family since Queen Elizabeth’s passing is watching the unraveling of a delicate balance of propaganda between the monarchy and the press. Endgame looks at the fragility of the agreements made between the British press and the monarchy through the lens of the absolute mess that’s been made since the queen died. I love reading nonfiction wherein a member of the media attempts to analyze the media itself, and I thought this was a really interesting book.

Endgame, the explosive book from longtime royal journalist Omid Scobie and author of the international blockbuster Finding Freedom, is a penetrating investigation into the current state of the British monarchy—an unpopular king, a power-hungry heir to the throne, a queen willing to go to dangerous lengths to preserve her image, and a prince forced to start a new life after being betrayed by his own family.

Queen Elizabeth II’s death ruptured the already-fractured foundations of the House of Windsor—and dismantled the protective shield around it. With an institution long plagued by antiquated ideas around race, class and money, the monarchy and those who prop it up are now exposed and at odds with a rapidly modernizing world. Relying on his vast experience as a royal reporter and over a decade of conversations and interviews with current and former Palace staff, trusted friends of the royals and even the family members themselves, Scobie pulls back the curtain on an institution in turmoil to show what the monarchy must change in order to survive.

This is the monarchy’s endgame. Do they have what it takes to save it?

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B+

Christa Comes Out of Her Shell

by Abbi Waxman
April 16, 2024 · Berkley
Contemporary Romance

CW/TW

CW: sexual assault (in the past, brief description)

Christa Liddle has led an interesting life. When the book opens, she is studying sea snails on a fictional island in the Indian Ocean. Her mom calls her frantically because her father who ‘died’ in a plane crash 25 years prior has come back to life. A complicating factor is that Christa’s dad is a Steve Irwin-type character – a famous TV conservationist. He also started a toy company called Liddle’s Liddles – a Beanie Baby-type affair. His plane had crashed in the Alaskan wilderness and he was never seen again. At the time Christa was only 2, so his disappearance from her life didn’t make much of a personal impact, but it had a huge impact on her two older sisters and her mom, which in turn affected Christa. She also grew up in the public eye with all the bullshit that that brings. She had found a temporary reprieve on her island with her sea snails, but events pull her back to LA.

The title suggests that Christa needs to come out of her shell but that’s not entirely accurate. If you’re thinking of the common idiom meaning that someone needs to gain confidence and stop being shy, you’d be wrong on that count. Christa is not shy. She’s pretty forthright, but she was absolutely hiding from people and from problems, too. She was hiding from the things she did and had done to her as a teenager in the public eye (think Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears), she was hiding from her big emotions, and she was certainly hiding from her family, with whom she has a loving and complicated relationship. While the romance subplot is quite strong, especially in the last half of the book, I would categorise this book as closer to women’s fiction, due to the importance of the relationships that Christa has with her two sisters and her mom.

First person narration is often a miss for me, but Christa’s wit and personality really shine so it was a pleasure to immerse myself in her thoughts. Within the first few pages, I felt I knew Christa on a bone-deep level. My emotions were deeply invested in this story and it was very easy to empathise with Christa to the point I got angry when her mother would seem to make decisions for her around public appearances.

Back to that romance subplot: it is charming and gentle. Our hero, Nate, very much meets Christa where she’s at. For a brief moment at the start of the book I feared that it would be a love triangle (something I detest) but that is not the case. Christa’s HEA is only possible because of the growing she does as an individual. Nate is a pretty uncomplicated character in this story.

Much of the plot rests on the fact that Christa’s family was famous and their fame rises again with her dad’s reappearance. There are some really interesting reflections on the impact of that level of celebrity, especially because Christa detests being in the public eye, in part because of her terrible experiences.

In the wake of her dad’s disappearance, Christa and her mom went on many TV shows to talk about the conservation foundation and raise funds. Christa, as the youngest, was the most pliable and so was roped into these things. As a teenager, Christa rebelled and the media ate it up. The media got their piece, and fame has only ever had a downside for Christa. For example, her sisters were jealous of the time that Christa and their mom spent together. Not because the sisters wanted to be on TV. They just wanted their mom. There’s a lot to unpack in those relationships. In the wake of her dad’s reappearance, Christa is once again roped into the public eye and as a reader I got to see her navigate it as an adult this time.

I genuinely enjoyed this romance and will definitely be looking out for more Abbi Waxman novels! I devoured this book. It was charming and completely immersive, and after bouncing off many a contemporary romance lately, that is high praise indeed from me.

The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi

RECOMMENDED: The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty is $4.99! We mentioned this book in a recent discussion about stories that are tremendously fun to read, and Carrie gave this book a SQUEE! grade, saying,

In a plot filled with external sources of tension (such as the aforementioned scorpion-tentacle monster) it’s the internal conflict Amina feels about her past as well as her relationships with her biological and found family that both ground and drive the story.

“A thrilling, transportative adventure that is everything promised–Chakraborty’s storytelling is fantasy at its best.” — R.F. Kuang, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Babel and The Poppy War

“An exhilarating, propulsive adventure, stitched from the threads of real history, Amina’s adventures are the reason to read fantasy.” — Ava Reid, internationally bestselling author of Juniper & Thorn

Shannon Chakraborty, the bestselling author of The City of Brass, spins a new trilogy of magic and mayhem on the high seas in this tale of pirates and sorcerers, forbidden artifacts and ancient mysteries, in one woman’s determined quest to seize a final chance at glory—and write her own legend.

Amina al-Sirafi should be content. After a storied and scandalous career as one of the Indian Ocean’s most notorious pirates, she’s survived backstabbing rogues, vengeful merchant princes, several husbands, and one actual demon to retire peacefully with her family to a life of piety, motherhood, and absolutely nothing that hints of the supernatural.

But when she’s tracked down by the obscenely wealthy mother of a former crewman, she’s offered a job no bandit could refuse: retrieve her comrade’s kidnapped daughter for a kingly sum. The chance to have one last adventure with her crew, do right by an old friend, and win a fortune that will secure her family’s future forever? It seems like such an obvious choice that it must be God’s will.

Yet the deeper Amina dives, the more it becomes alarmingly clear there’s more to this job, and the girl’s disappearance, than she was led to believe. For there’s always risk in wanting to become a legend, to seize one last chance at glory, to savor just a bit more power…and the price might be your very soul.

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With Love, from Cold World

RECOMMENDED: With Love from Cold World by Alicia Thompson is $1.99! This book was mentioned in Hide Your Wallet (Amanda is always into books set in Florida) and Dahlia Adler featured it in her August roundup of Queer Romances, saying “this immediately shot to my list of all-time favorites.” And Maureen mentioned really enjoying it in the comments of a Whatcha Reading? thread, and said “I liked their interactions and the way they were able to admit when they were wrong.” Have you read this one?

She has a to-do list a mile long and falling for her coworker isn’t on it–yet somehow he’s become her top priority in this romantic comedy from the national bestselling author of Love in the Time of Serial Killers.

Lauren Fox is the bookkeeper for Cold World, a tourist destination that’s always a winter wonderland despite being located in humid Orlando, Florida. Sure, it’s ranked way below any of the trademarked amusement parks and maybe foot traffic could be better. But it’s a fun place to work, even if “fun” isn’t exactly Lauren’s middle name.

Her coworker Asa Williamson, on the other hand, is all about finding ways to enliven his days at Cold World–whether that means organizing the Secret Santa or teasing Lauren. When the owner asks Lauren and Asa to propose something (anything, really) to raise more revenue, their rivalry heats up as they compete to come up with the best idea. But the situation is more dire than they thought, and it might take these polar opposites working together to save the day. If Asa thought Lauren didn’t know how to enjoy herself, he’s surprised by how much he enjoys spending time together. And if Lauren thought Asa wasn’t serious about anything, she’s surprised by how seriously he seems to take her.

As Lauren and Asa work to save their beloved wintery spot, they realize the real attraction might be the heat generating between them.

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Kamila Knows Best

RECOMMENDED: Kamila Knows Best by Farah Heron is $2.99! This book is inspired by Jane Austen’s Emma, is lighthearted and rather sexy as well, and I recorded a podcast episode with Farah about the release. Have you read this book?

Kamila Hussain’s life might not be perfect, but, whew, it’s close. She lives a life of comfort, filled with her elaborate Bollywood movie parties, a dog with more Instagram followers than most reality stars, a job she loves, and an endless array of friends who clearly need her help finding love. In fact, Kamila is so busy with her friends’ love lives, she’s hardly given any thought to her own . . .

Fortunately, Kamila has Rohan Nasser. A longtime friend of the family, he’s hugely successful, with the deliciously lean, firm body of a rock climber. Only lately, Kamila’s “harmless flirting” with Rohan is making her insides do a little bhangra dance.

But between planning the local shelter’s puppy prom, throwing a huge work event, and proving to everyone that she’s got it all figured out, Kamila isn’t letting herself get distracted—until her secret nemesis returns to town with an eye for Rohan. Suddenly, it seems like the more Kamila tries to plan, the more things are starting to unravel—and her perfectly ordered life is about to be turned upside down.

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Fool Me Twice

RECOMMENDED: Fool Me Twice by Meredith Duran is $2.99! This historical is book two in the Rules for the Reckless series. Whenever Duran is mentioned, I know many of you talk about how much you love her books and hope she returns to writing someday. Fool Me Twice was a finalist for a RITA, so we have two RITA Reader Challenge reviews. Nita G. gave it an A-, and cover snark connoisseur PamG gave it an A. Both praised the writing and the character development. Have you read this one?

Sensible and lonely, Olivia Mather survives by her wits—and her strict policy of avoiding trouble. But when she realizes that the Duke of Marwick might hold the secrets of her family’s past, she does the unthinkable, infiltrating his household as a maid. She’ll clean his study and rifle through his papers looking for information.

Alastair de Grey has a single reason to live: vengeance. More beautiful than Lucifer, twice as feared, and thrice as cunning, he’ll use any weapon to punish those who fooled and betrayed him—even an impertinent maid who doesn’t know her place. But the more fascinated he becomes with the uppity redhead, the more dangerous his carefully designed plot becomes. For the one contingency he forgot to plan for was falling in love…and he cannot survive being fooled again.

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Workspace with computer, journal, books, coffee, and glasses. Welcome back, everyone!

I am still in South Korea and tomorrow I will celebrate my thirty-fifth birthday! Wowza! I never thought I’d be experiencing such a trip in my lifetime, let alone for a bit of a milestone occasion.

I am sure Sarah is steadily steering the S.S. Smart Bitch in my absence. Oh captain, my captain!

Also, we’re in mid-April now! How did that happen? The spring always feels like it flies by. Maybe because New England still have whispers of winter every so often. I’ve had it snow on my birthday before and just before I left for my trip, we had some flurries. Stay in your lane, winter!

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Did any of you hear about the Scottish grandma who has become a Fortnite sensation? Firstly, how adorable! And secondly, I love the reminder that gaming spaces can be for all sorts of players. Whether they are welcoming to all sorts of players is another story.

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I loved this reimagining of a 1950s Beauty and the Beast! The artist also has other really great fanart.

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A post shared by ⭐Joninha⭐ (@joninhaart)

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Dr. Tressie McMillan Cottom is one of the most talented pop culture writers and professors. I swear, she has no misses. Recently, some universities announced they’d be raising tuition to $90k and she astutely notes that while campuses are becoming a battleground for politics, the average student is more concerned with how they can afford to live and study.

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There’s a small clothing collection inspired by Little Golden Books! There’s a top, skirt, dress, and hair scarf.

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The Rec League - heart shaped chocolate resting on the edge of a very old book This Rec League is from Elizabeth. Thanks so much!

After reading this one and The Worst Guy (also reviewed on the site, also hilarious!), I discovered I have a thing for romance novels about villains, or at least jerks who find happiness with other jerks. I wonder if there is a whole genre of those.

Amanda: We have a Villains Redeemed Rec League, but I definitely want to focus on the jerks 4 jerks part of the request because that’s super interesting! We haven’t done that one before.

A | BN | K

Sarah: This one really stumped me. The villainous or mildly jerky characters I can think of usually end up with people who provide redemption or at least a morality chain arrangement.

Amanda: Laura Hankin’s One-Star Romance has some jerkish characters. I didn’t love it but

Sarah: Oh! Hang on. The one with the carapace guy. The Auditor is the heroine. But not really a romance. Very mild pants feelings IIRC.

Hench!

That’s the one. Good job brain

But not quite a fit for the request. I wonder if most of the suggestions will be for secondary characters. It might be easier for two secondary characters to be terrible jerks who find each other.

A | BN

There is often an expectation of likeability or reader approval for main characters especially heroines.

Amanda: I think Lothaire ( A | BN | K | G | AB | Scribd ) could maybe fit? Lothaire is definitely a jerk. I wouldn’t say Ellie is a jerk per se but she has a snarky streak.

Elyse: Pretty much everything Holly Renee has written but for sure The Touch of a Villain ( A )

Master of Salt & Bones (but beware this book is all kinds of f’d up)

Shana: Not Here to Make Friends! ( A | BN | K ) And maybe Assistant to the Villain? ( A | BN | K ) Because Evie does start to like the idea of torture.

Elyse: Any of the VE Schwab books work? ( A | BN | K | AB )

Which books would you recommend? Let us know in the comments!

A Perilous Undertaking

RECOMMENDED: A Perilous Undertaking by Deanna Raybourn is $2.99 as a KDD today! This is book two in the Veronica Speedwell series and I LOVE THIS SERIES. I’ve listened to it one after the other. I reviewed this one and gave it a B, and wrote, “the series is a sizable amount of fun if you like historical mysteries, fearless and intelligent heroines who take negative-zero crap from anyone, characters who embrace sarcasm, adventure and nefarious plotting, and taciturn but brilliant heroes with simmering sexual tension.”

Veronica Speedwell returns in a brand new adventure from Deanna Raybourn, the New York Times bestselling author of the Lady Julia Grey mysteries…

London, 1887 . . Victorian adventuress and butterfly hunter Veronica Speedwell receives an invitation to visit the Curiosity Club, a ladies-only establishment for daring and intrepid women. There she meets the mysterious Lady Sundridge, who begs her to take on an impossible task saving society art patron Miles Ramsforth from execution. Accused of the brutal murder of his artist mistress Artemisia, Ramsforth will face the hangman’s noose in a week s time if Veronica cannot find the real killer.

But Lady Sundridge is not all that she seems and unmasking her true identity is only the first of the many secrets Veronica must uncover. Together with her natural historian colleague Stoker, Veronica races against time to find the true murderer a ruthless villain who not only took Artemisia s life in cold blood but is happy to see Ramsforth hang for the crime.

From a Bohemian artists colony to a royal palace to a subterranean grotto with a decadent history, the investigation proves to be a very perilous undertaking indeed….

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The Work of Art

RECOMMENDED: The Work of Art by Mimi Matthews is free today! Mimi Matthews has been a guest on the podcast in episodes 574 and 598, where we talked about “Historical Romances for Horse Girls.” The last time we featured The Work of Art, many of you commented positively about her work. TinaNoir said, “Work of Art was the first Mimi Matthews book I ever read and I loved it. Prompted me to check out her back list,” and SusanH said,”I love Mimi Matthews. She’s great for those who like their historical romance to feel very grounded in the era.” Have you read this one?

An Uncommon Beauty…
Hidden away in rural Devonshire, Phyllida Satterthwaite has always been considered more odd than beautiful. But in London, her oddity has made her a sensation. Far worse, it’s caught the eye of the sinister Duke of Moreland — a notorious art collector obsessed with acquiring one-of-a-kind treasures. To escape the duke’s clutches, she’s going to need a little help.

An Unlikely Hero…
Captain Arthur Heywood’s days of heroism are long past. Grievously injured in the Peninsular War, he can no longer walk unaided, let alone shoot a pistol. What use can he possibly be to a damsel in distress? He has nothing left to offer except his good name.

Can a marriage of convenience save Philly from the vengeful duke? Or will life with Arthur put her — and her heart — in more danger than ever?

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The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea

RECOMMENDED: The Mermaid, The Witch and the Sea by Maggie Tokuda-Hall is $3.99! Maggie has been a guest on the podcast, and talked at length about this book in episode 406 and in episode 584, where we discussed this series, aka “Queer Pirate Decolonization Fantasy.”

Tara also squeed about this one:

Because, whoa, did TMtW&tS ever help me escape the world we’re in right now. I loved it so much and I can’t stop thinking about it. I’ve already told eleven friends in the two days since finishing it that they must read this book.

A desperate orphan turned pirate and a rebellious imperial daughter find a connection on the high seas in a world divided by colonialism and threaded with magic.

Aboard the pirate ship Dove, Flora the girl takes on the identity of Florian the man to earn the respect and protection of the crew. For Flora, former starving urchin, the brutal life of a pirate is about survival: don’t trust, don’t stick out, and don’t feel. But on this voyage, as the pirates prepare to sell their unsuspecting passengers into slavery, Flora is drawn to the Lady Evelyn Hasegawa, who is en route to a dreaded arranged marriage with her own casket in tow. Flora doesn’t expect to be taken under Evelyn’s wing, and Evelyn doesn’t expect to find such a deep bond with the pirate Florian.

Soon the unlikely pair set in motion a wild escape that will free a captured mermaid (coveted for her blood, which causes men to have visions and lose memories) and involve the mysterious Pirate Supreme, an opportunistic witch, and the all-encompassing Sea itself.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake

RECOMMENDED: Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake by Alexis Hall is $2.99! Amanda has featured this book before, and wrote, “Carrie and I jointly reviewed this one and agreed on a B+. As a bisexual woman, I definitely felt seen by this book and I’m here for all the baking romance reads.” A mild heads up from Marjorie, who wrote in the comments when this book was on sale in 2023, “I enjoyed Rosaline Palmer but it was SO much darker than I anticipated from the cover. I’m really over these cartoon-y covers that are like shiny candy coatings on a Brussels sprout.” Have you read this book?

Fans of Casey McQuiston, Christina Lauren, and Abby Jimenez will love this scrumptious and sweet romantic comedy from the “dizzyingly talented writer” of Boyfriend Material (Entertainment Weekly)!

Following the recipe is the key to a successful bake. Rosaline Palmer has always lived by those rules—well, except for when she dropped out of college to raise her daughter, Amelie. Now, with a paycheck as useful as greaseproof paper and a house crumbling faster than biscuits in tea, she’s teetering on the edge of financial disaster. But where there’s a whisk there’s a way . . . and Rosaline has just landed a spot on the nation’s most beloved baking show.

Winning the prize money would give her daughter the life she deserves—and Rosaline is determined to stick to the instructions. However, more than collapsing trifles stand between Rosaline and sweet, sweet victory. Suave, well-educated, and parent-approved Alain Pope knows all the right moves to sweep her off her feet, but it’s shy electrician Harry Dobson who makes Rosaline question her long-held beliefs—about herself, her family, and her desires.

Rosaline fears falling for Harry is a guaranteed recipe for disaster. Yet as the competition—and the ovens—heat up, Rosaline starts to realize the most delicious bakes come from the heart.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

The New Plant Parent

The New Plant Parent: Develop Your Green Thumb and Care for Your House-Plant Family by Darryl Cheng is $2.99 at Amazon – come on over, price-matching fairies! This is a friendly guide to caring for your house plants, and it is reviewed very positively – 4.43 on StoryGraph, 4.45 on Goodreads (with 2k+ ratings!) where Jennifer wrote, “This little plant book is the BEE’S KNEES and absolutely one of the better reads I’ve had this year!” If you’re looking to level up your houseplant care, this might be a great option!

For indoor gardeners everywhere, Darryl Cheng offers a new way to grow healthy house plants. He teaches the art of understanding a plant’s needs and giving it a home with the right balance of light, water, and nutrients. After reading Cheng, the indoor gardener will be far less the passive follower of rules for the care of each species and much more the confident, active grower, relying on observation and insight. And in the process, the plant owner becomes a plant lover, bonded to these beautiful living things by a simple love and appreciation of nature. The New Plant Parent covers all of the basics of growing house plants, from finding the right light, to everyday care like watering and fertilizing, to containers, to recommended species. Cheng’s friendly tone, personal stories, and accessible photographs fill his book with the same generous spirit that has made @houseplantjournal, his Instagram account, a popular source of advice and inspiration for thousands of indoor gardeners.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

Smart Podcast Trashy Books Romantic Times Rewind In this week’s podcast episode, we’re looking at the ads and features in the April 2005 issue of Romantic Times, aka RT Book Reviews.

Special and massive thanks to Kay Layton Sisk for sending me this issue!

You can also find all the RTRW content at our category page for Romantic Times Rewind.

And, most importantly, if you want to listen and follow along with this entry, we have more detail in the audio, but you can click play and listen and read and absorb all the visual goodness:

Cover time!

This is the cover of this month’s issue, featuring the original cover of Brenda Jackson’s novel Unfinished Business.

Romantic Times BOok Club cover April 2006: Brenda Jackson's book Unfinished Business is the cover feature, and the art for the cover is a closeup of a woman's face with curly hair and pinkish lipstick, with a Black man in a black tshirt standing in the distance behind her. The cover is washed over with pink and yellow so it's very stylized

Not a bad cover, and I like the use of the left sidebar to show so much of the content. The covers for Jackson’s novels have undergone a lot of changes. Here are the old and new covers side by side:

Unfinished Business - original cover is a close up photo of a woman with strange eyelashes washed over with a pink color wash, and there's a dude in the background. The new cover of Unfinished Business features a fluffy white rug, silver heels, and a slinky red dress thrown over a chair

The older cover looks dated in terms of the colors, but, as Amanda points out, the covers are communicating different things.

The first ad on the inside cover: Ellora’s Cavemen, and their serious expressions about headgear.

The inside cover features a shirtless man in an Egyptian headdress holding a big cobra staff with smaller images of equally muscly shirtless dudes in various forms of Egyptian cosplay

Amanda had a Jafar’s Staff toy growing up, which now sells for hundreds on eBay.

I also noticed the references to Borders and Waldenbooks – ah, memories. Do you remember the big, big Borders, or, if you didn’t have a mega-Borders, the route you’d take around the mall that included the bookstore?

Next up: These Covers.

We have some QUESTIONS from this ad:

An ad for Ellora's Cave, including six books, three of which I'm calling out below because they're VERY strange. They're all AI poser or illustrations, and some depict coitus!

1. Rapture’s Etesian: Are They Doing It?

Rapture's Etesian features some blurry background which is irrelevant. The title is in loopy pink font, almost as loopy as the coca cola font, but bottom center are two AI generated naked people and he is entirely on top of and inside the woman. 100% coitus on the cover.

It looks like they’re doing it. The AI people. Definitely AI Coitus.

2. A Hero’s Kiss: What’s With That Hair?

Two AI people about to kiss take up most of the cover but his hair is SO BIG and SO FAKE it's like six wigs piled on top of each other.

Are those AI generated people, and if not, what is happening with his hair? How many wigs is that?!

And…lastly.

3. Never Send a Dog to do a Woman’s Job by Shelley Munro:

Never Send a Dog to do a Woman's Job by Shelly Munro is illutrated in a very modern style in pale blue and beige, but the guy is incredibly shapely, wearing a blue banana hammock and he has a mullet - it's very stylized and because it's the lightest thing on the page it jumps out.

First, if you told me that was an illustrated cover on a new book, I’d believe you. Secondly, that is a very shapely person right there. Very.

A lot of the issue is in black and white on newsprint paper, and the covers are often MORE disturbing if we find them in color. For example: Masks by ML Rhodes.

It’s pretty creepy in black and white. But wow, is it even MORESO in color:

a white man in a half of a gimp mask maybe? eyes forehead and cheeks covered with nose and mouth exposed looking at the camera against a blue background it is very spare and very creepy

Was he wearing that mask for the photo or was it added on?

And does that style of mask have a name?

More importantly, do I want to know the name if there is one? Probably not.

There was also an ad for The Erotic Adventures of Ulysses: The Lotus Eaters by Lady Isabeau

THe Lotus Eaters - the erotic adventures of ulysses by Lady Isabeau

Big Sword!

But to my shock and delight, there is one color image of this cover remaining in the searchable internet. And I have it, because we snarked this cover in APRIL 2005! Aw, back when we were a baby website!

HAY GUYZ LOOK AT MY SWORD LOLOLOL A naked AI generated man holds a sword that is more than 3/4ths the length of his body, and he's holding it pointed up from his groin. Of course.

Wow. That is a big sword.

The letter from the editor is where I learn of something truly, incredibly amazing that I missed:

If you can’t read the text:

On March 14 at 10 pM (ET), friends and the RT BOOKclub staff will gather ’round the telly for the first televised version of the Mr. Romance Cover Model Pageant, produced by the Oxygen Channel, and we hope you will throw a party too! You’ll recognize many familiar faces, beginning with cover model Cindy Guyer, who is co-host for the six-episode reality TV show, and the “King of Covers” himself, Fabio.

RT BOOKclub fans in the L.A. area participated in several shows, and judges for the final elimination round included myself, plus Heather Graham, Harlequin publicity manager Marleah Stout and two former Mr. Romance winners, John DeSalvo and Tony Ranaudo. Comedian Fred Willard and Gene Simmons (of KISS fame) lent glamour to the final episode. The winner will receive $50,000 in cash and appear on a Harlequin novel. Be sure to check local listings for show times in vour area and cheer on your favorites!

FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS! Fred Willard and Gene Simmons lent glamour! I’m bereft that I missed this.

I found a clip, and it’s incredible:

There’s a full page ad for the program later in the magazine, so buckle up.

The letters to the editor in the mailbag are a TREASURE TROVE.

First: BUMMED BY BIGGER BOOKS!

If you can’t read the text:

I own a new and used bookstore and have been getting RT since its first issue.
It’s one of the most valuable tools for my store. Your reviews and ratings are what I use to place my monthly book orders and what I use for my personal reading list.
Your articles keep me up to date with all the news in the publishing world and let me pass information on to my customers that affects their reading and book buving.
In the March issue (#253), RT states that Simon & Schuster and Penguin are going to be releasing a larger–and more expensive- mass-market book in the near future. Can you tell me what imprints belong to these two companies?

I am trying to figure out which authors will be published at this new price because I am already getting complaints from my customers about it.

No one is happy about the price change, and my customers are already stating that they will not pay $10 for a paperback.

First, we have bad news about book prices from the future.

Second, this was, I’m pretty sure, the book size I called “The Venti.” I saw them in the Stop’n Shop and wrote about them in June 2006!

A dim camera image of a Johanna Lindsey novel Marriage Most Scandalous in the standard MMPB trim size, next to Angels & Demons by Dan Brown, in the Venti size, narrower by about a half inch and taller by at least an inch. Weird!

Remember those? I see them every so often, and they were not popular at the time, that is for sure.

RT responded (in the image below):

You’re not alone in your dislike of the new larger-sized mass-markets and their correspondingly larger prices.

We’ve heard complaints from many other readers about this development in the industry.
Some publishers have hinted that they may publish titles in both the more expensive and cheaper formats, or reprint titles in the cheaper format after a certain period of time (much as they do with hardcover to paperback reprints).

The best way to show publishers what you really want is to vote with your wallet.

Again, we have bad news from the future about paperback prices, y’all. Sorry.

There’s also a letter about authors with Star Wars collections!

Madeline Baker wrote:

Wow, I thought I was the only romance writer with a room dedicated to Star Wars collectibles. It’s nice to know I’m not alone. I’ve been collecting since the first movie came out and continue to do so.

My husband doesn’t understand my obsession–for it truly is an obsession, but what a fun one!

I wish I had the shelves shown in the pictures accompanying the Suzanne Enoch article in your March issue. I’d like to say that Star Wars is my only obsession, but I also collect Beauty and the Beast, Phantom of the Opera and a smattering of The Lord of the Rings memorabilia. And Suzanne, am I mistaken, or did I spot an Aragorn figure in amongst the Star Wars goodies?
Madeline Baker, author
via e-mail

We’re thrilled you enjoyed seeing the photos of Suzanne Enoch’s fabulous Star Wars collection but did you notice something strange on the first page? Unfortunately; a printing error caused the opening photo on that spread to be replicated by the one below it, so the same image was printed twice. Above is the photo that should have run.

And Madeline, in answer to your question about Aragorn from Lord of the Rings, Enoch admits to another little obsession. “That was definitely Aragorn–my addiction bas broadened to cover The Lord of the Rings too. In fact, I have enough LoTR stuff to cover a whole other article!”

Amanda and I both want to listen to Madeline Baker and Suzanne Enoch talking about their Star Wars collectibles. That’s so neat.

The cover feature of Brenda Jackson featured the news that she went on a 10th Anniversary Cruise with her fans. More cruises!

There was also this adorable bit of info:

TO CELEBRATE HER 10-year Madaris milestone, Jackson treated herself to her dream car- o silver Nissan 350Z. *I look at the car as a result of my writing accomplishments,"she says. And, and you can see, the license plate pays homage to a beloved family. With a picture of the license plate which is a Florida plate with the word MADARIS on it.

I hope Brenda Jackson still has that license plate.

The middle of the magazine is all about YA and Teen Readers. It’s a massive section, all in full color, too. Our favorite parts:

Look at the bottom there — Lindsay Lohan was going to be in a Gossip Girl movie written by Amy Sherman-Palladino? Whoa!

A full page ad with a list of names on a piece of paper held by giant hands.

List of Names! Very Little Context! Check out these Quality Authors!

This ad led us down a very, very wild rabbit hole:

A Gift for Someone You Love Who murdered the Princes in the Tower? RICHARD III: WHITE BOAR is a fascinating tale of intrigue, revenge, betrayal, death and victory! Kathleen Ann Milner is a natural-born psychic. Part II explains how the book evolved through site exploration, research and out-of-the-ordinary experiences.

Richard III: White Boar is fiction based on psychic readings. I’m wondering if colored-pencil-style illustrations will be the next ‘new’ trend in cover art?

And now: PAGE FIFTY.

A full page ad of Mr. Romance on Oxygen network with Fabio pointing at the reader (ew) while the very bronze, shiny, shirtless cover models pose in black pants and shoes with no socks

We spent a lot of time looking at the strange assembly of model contestants.

Like why does the one in the middle look so…suspicious of us? And Mr. Iliac Crest is ready to show you all his treasures.

A close up of four of the dudes, with one guy hiding nearly entirely behind two other dudes

And then this poor person who has to lean over because they’re clearly taller than everyone else.

A tall man is leaning over to stay in frame? maybe? but it's clear he's taller than the other three dudes standing around him. MUCH taller

Amanda asked if maybe they got a deal on a group spray tan and I think she’s right and they did.

Amanda flagged this ad:

Leader of the Pack by Carys Weldon is disturbing in black and white the summary reads Step into the scintillating, titillating world of Kayty Smalls. She's bitten off more than she can chew, fallen head over heels for Leer, a werewolf, and now her world is shape-shifting, too!

Pretty weird, like this guy is flashing this couple in the middle of their walk? Then we found it IN COLOR.

The color version of leader of the pack features AI generated muscular people with a white tank top painted on, while a naked man is flashing them and you can see that long hair or texture of some sort has been drawn all over his body I presume to create the suggestion of fur.

I appreciate the use of texture to create the suggestion of fur. But the painted on wife beater is INCREDIBLE. You’ll be seeing that style on runways this fall.

There was a recipe in this episode! A recipe with A LOT OF MEAT IN IT.

I know that’s very small text so here is the recipe:

DANTE’S TASTE-OF-HEAVEN
TORTELLINI TEMPTATION
2 tb. unsalted butter
2 oz. minced ground pork
2 oz. minced ground turkey
2 oz. finely chopped sausage
2 oz. minced mortadella
1 c. grated Parmigiano Reggiano
1 pinch grated nutmeg
1 1b. fresh pasta dough, made with your own two hands

Salt and pepper to faste

In a large skillet, heat the butter over medium heat, watching it melt while you’re thinking of the beautiful woman you want to impress. Add the meats and sauté until cooked thoroughly. Remove from heat, add the remaining filling ingredients, choosing only the best quality for her. If needed, dice additionally in a food processor so everything is even and beautiful. Set aside.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pasta dough (or use a pasta machine) to a thickness of us inch. Drop ½ teaspoon of filling along the length of the dough, about two inches apart. Then carefully cut the dough into squares with a pastry wheel.

With a pastry brush or your finger dipped in water, moisten the dough around the filling. Don’t overdo this because you want it to be a perfect tortellini cirde. Fold the squares into triangles and press the dough to mold around the filling.

Shape into the sexy curves of a belly button with your pinkie, pressing the ends together very well–you don’t want this to come undone; much better for her to do that when she eats this delight.

Allow tortellini to rest on a floured tea towel for at least an hour while you cook up something else with the pretty lady at your table.

Later, boil in salted water, being careful not to crowd the tortellini.

Serve with a meat sauce and a good red wine. Cap the meal with a kiss and a promise of more dessert to come.

“Shape into the sexy curves of a belly button with your pinky.”

Then we spotted this ad and the cover in color is something.

Ads for two books including Running Anonymous by Jesse Casavant, and stranger in the night by lacey diamond. the formats available include Formats available: html, pdf, Rocketreader, Reb1 100, Reb 200, Hiebook, Mobipocket, Palmpilot, MSReader, Franklin, and pocketpc.

Two computer generated people in gimp masks sitting naked with the woman across the man's lap while he sits in a very uncomfrtable chair

Gimp Masks!

At the bottom of the ad, this part made me extremely nostalgic:

Formats available: html, pdf, Rocketreader, Reb1 100, Reb 200, Hiebook, Mobipocket, Palmpilot, MSReader, Franklin, and pocketpc.

Remember writing your credit card number on a post card and dropping it in the mail?

The mail in postcard to subscribe to RT includes a space for you to write your credit card number on the bottom and just...drop it in the mailbox? AS IF.

A year for $54 via first class mail!

Then there was a whole separate ad for the Mr. Romance Pageant, which is run by the magazine and has nothing to do with the TV show, so: more chests!

11 black and white photographs of contestants in various stages of shirtlessness. The dude in the lower right corner looks like he just put down a wrench fishing his daughter's hair tie out of the sink

Ed Scott, bottom right, totally just put the wrench down while fishing his daughter’s hair tie out of the bathroom sink so he could pose for this picture, which I imagine was submitted by his other daughter because her dad is the greatest.

Were you at this Mr Romance at RT 2005?

Then, the back cover. PLEASE SOMEONE TELL ME YOU HEARD THESE.

FEELING IS BELIEVING - romance sound tracks for contemporary, Edge of Midnight for rom sus, Emerald Passion for Celtic romance, and Somewhere in Venice for Exotic locale

Romance Sound Track CDs!

I’m SO BUMMED I cannot find any trace of these on Al Gore’s internet.

Now, instead of simply reading your next romance novel… you’ll be able to “feel” every word like never before. Each one of the Romance SoundTracks provides you with a full hour of beautifully orchestrated selections – custom written and produced to enhance your romance reading experience. Whether at home or away, slip one of the Romance SoundTracks” into your CD player and settle in with a favorite novel for one of the most emotion-filled reading experiences you’ve ever imagined!

Value-priced at only $9.99 each, you can begin building a library of Romance SoundTracks” that will become a companion to all of your favorite styles of romance reading. You can currently choose from Bliss (Contemporary Romance), Edge of Midnight (Romantic Suspense), Emerald Passion (Celtic Romance), and Somewhere in Venice (Exotic Locale Romance). Additional titles are scheduled for release over the next several weeks including Historical-Regency Romance, Paranormal Romance, Inspirational Romance, Western Romance and many more.

Order today and take your romance reading enjoyment to a whole new level of feeling.

I love listening to music while I read (Brain.fm and lo-fi hip hop videos on YouTube are my favorites) but I had NO IDEA there were romance soundtrack CDs. And the titles and terms are generic enough that I can’t find them. Other search results get in the way of my quest! I wish I could find one and hear the whole CD.

Thanks for joining us in April 2005!

Did you listen to Romance Soundtracks on CD?! Did you watch Mr. Romance on TV? Do you remember any of these books?

A reminder: if you join the Patreon, you’ll get access to the entire issue as a PDF.

See you next month, when we head way, WAY back in time to May 1994.

Smart Podcast Trashy Books Romantic Times Rewind Y’all, the April 2005 issue of Romantic Times is a treasure of truly amazing fun. So many of you told me that episode 609, where we looked at the reviews, made you laugh so hard you cried.

Well, let me share some highlights of what is about to happen to your eardrums.

The Mr. Romance Cover Model Pageant was a Six-episode reality tv show on the Oxygen network, and we missed it when it ran. It’s not all on YouTube but we have a few links!
We have the arrival of what I called the “venti sized” paperback
Romance writers with “dedicated rooms for Star Wars collectibles!”
We’ve got some disturbing gimp masks on computer generated Poser people.

It’s a glorious time. Come on over.

Did you ever attend Mr Romance at RT? Did you see the Mr Romance Pageant on tv?! And gosh, do you have a Romance SoundTrack CD? Please tell me everything.

Don’t miss the visual aids! The ads are truly incredible.

Listen to the podcast →

Read the transcript →

Here are the books we discuss in this podcast:

Again, The Visual Aids are Incredible!

Links! For your browsing pleasure!

One of the clips of the Mr. Romance Pageant on Oxygen:

Music: purple-planet.com

If you like the podcast, you can subscribe to our feed, or find us at iTunes. You can also find us on Stitcher, and Spotify, too. We also have a cool page for the podcast on iTunes.

More ways to sponsor:

Sponsor us through Patreon! (What is Patreon?)

Thanks for listening!

Remember to subscribe to our podcast feed, find us on iTunes or on Stitcher.

What Moves the Dead

RECOMMENDED: What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher is $2.99! This was mentioned in a previous Hide Your Wallet, and has been on sale a few times. Kim said in September 2023, “Loved What Moves the Dead–or, who am I kidding, all T. Kingfisher books. Genuinely creepy, atmospheric, with likeable and interesting characters. Fun science-y stuff, too. [The book] has a nonbinary main character and does interesting alt-history things with gender identity.”

I know Kingfisher is an auto-buy for many of you. Did any of you pick this one up?

From the award-winning author of The Twisted Ones comes a gripping and atmospheric retelling of Edgar Allan Poe’s classic “The Fall of the House of Usher.”

When Alex Easton, a retired soldier, receives word that their childhood friend Madeline Usher is dying, they race to the ancestral home of the Ushers in the remote countryside of Ruritania.

What they find there is a nightmare of fungal growths and possessed wildlife, surrounding a dark, pulsing lake. Madeline sleepwalks and speaks in strange voices at night, and her brother Roderick is consumed with a mysterious malady of the nerves.

Aided by a redoubtable British mycologist and a baffled American doctor, Alex must unravel the secret of the House of Usher before it consumes them all.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

Snow Place Like LA

RECOMMENDED: Snow Place Like LA by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone is $1.99! This is the second novella in the Christmas Notch series, and when it was released, DiscoDollyDeb mentioned it in Whatcha Reading, saying “I think I liked the book more for the hilarious, snarky, pop-culture-infused, and self-aware narration of Luca rather than the romance itself…. A fluffy bon-bon of a book. Highly recommended.” Have you read this book?

Cowritten by #1 New York Times bestselling author Julie Murphy and USA Today bestselling author Sierra Simone—a steamy second chance Christmas in July rom-com.

After Angel and Luca connected on the set of Duke the Halls and had a whirlwind romance in the literal snow globe of Christmas Notch, Vermont, Luca found himself falling in love. Hard. He’d never been one to believe in fate or true love, but one thing was certain: Angel was his person. He knew it as well as he knew the history of American figure skating. But when Angel left for an art school semester abroad without a word, Luca’s already brittle heart was broken. No one ghosted Luca. Unless he was in a haunted house.

But with the spring semester long over, Angel is back home in Los Angeles for the summer, and unfortunately for Luca, this big town is turning out to be smaller than either of them ever expected.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

American Dreamer

American Dreamer by Adriana Herrera is $1.99! I read this one when it was released and gave it a B:

This was a truly delicious, delectable, emotional story with resonance and heart and so much food, it might as well have its own stomach because yours shouldn’t be growling alone.

Have you read this one?

No one ever said big dreams come easy

For Nesto Vasquez, moving his Afro-Caribbean food truck from New York City to the wilds of Upstate New York is a huge gamble. If it works? He’ll be a big fish in a little pond. If it doesn’t? He’ll have to give up the hustle and return to the day job he hates. He’s got six months to make it happen—the last thing he needs is a distraction.

Jude Fuller is proud of the life he’s built on the banks of Cayuga Lake. He has a job he loves and good friends. It’s safe. It’s quiet. And it’s damn lonely. Until he tries Ithaca’s most-talked-about new lunch spot and works up the courage to flirt with the handsome owner. Soon he can’t get enough—of Nesto’s food orof Nesto. For the first time in his life, Jude can finally taste the kind of happiness that’s always been just out of reach.

An opportunity too good to pass up could mean a way to stay together and an incredible future for them both…if Nesto can remember happiness isn’t always measured by business success. And if Jude can overcome his past and trust his man will never let him down.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

Ten Things I Hate About the Duke

RECOMMENDED: Ten Things I Hate About the Duke by Loretta Chase is $1.99! Catherine loved this one and wrote a Squee review for it:

Ten Things I Hate About The Duke was a joy to read. The humour and banter was delightful, but this was also a book with a lot of heart.

(I miss Catherine’s reviews!)

USA Today bestselling author Loretta Chase continues her Difficult Dukes series with this delightful spin on Shakespeare’s classic, The Taming of the Shrew.

This time, who’s taming whom…

Cassandra Pomfret holds strong opinions she isn’t shy about voicing. But her extremely plain speaking has caused an uproar, and her exasperated father, hoping a husband will rein her in, has ruled that her beloved sister can’t marry until Cassandra does.

Now, thanks to a certain wild-living nobleman, the last shreds of Cassandra’s reputation are about to disintegrate, taking her sister’s future and her family’s good name along with them.

The Duke of Ashmont’s looks make women swoon. His character flaws are beyond counting. He’s lost a perfectly good bride through his own carelessness. He nearly killed one of his two best friends. Still, troublemaker that he is, he knows that damaging a lady’s good name isn’t sporting.

The only way to right the wrong is to marry her…and hope she doesn’t smother him in his sleep on their wedding night.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

The Kingdom of Prep: The Inside Story of the Rise and (Near) Fall of J.Crew

The Kingdom Of Prep: The Inside Story of the Rise and (Near) Fall of J.Crew by Maggie Bullock is $2.99! This book caught my eye because I remember the complete chokehold J.Crew had on my high school years. I have an original J.Crew rugby (probably from 1991 or 1992?) with the mattress-ticking placket. It has HOLES in it and I can’t throw it out because it was one of the few J.Crew items I had as a teenager. I can tell you exactly where it is on the shelf, too.

If you’re watching RHONY, this will give you a LOT of backstory as to the rise of Jenna Lyons’ career, too. Described as a “juicy business narrative,” this book has 4 stars on StoryGraph and Goodreads, too. Do you remember the heydey of J.Crew? And have you read this book? (If so, please tell me everything because I’m diving into this one very soon. Maybe wearing my very old rugby!)

One of Vogue’s most anticipated books of 2023.

A quintessentially American fashion narrative about the rise and fall of the first lifestyle brand, J.Crew, and what the company’s fate means for the shifting landscape of the retail industry.

Once upon a time, a no-frills J.Crew rollneck sweater held an almost mystical power—or at least it felt that way. The story of J.Crew is the story of the original “lifestyle brand,” whose evolution charts a sea change in the way we dress, the way we shop, and who we aspire to be over the past four decades—all told through iconic clothes and the most riveting characters imaginable.

In The Kingdom of Prep, seasoned fashion journalist Maggie Bullock tells J.Crew’s epic story for the first time, bringing to life the deliciously idiosyncratic people who built a beloved brand, unpacking the complex legacy of prep—a subculture born on the 1920s campuses of the Ivy League—and how one brand rose to epitomize “American” style in two very different golden eras, and also eventually embodied the “retail apocalypse” that rocked the global fashion industry and left hollowed-out malls across the country.

In a juicy business narrative rich with humor and insight, Bullock combines the colorful characters of The Devil Wears Prada, the business insight of Deluxe, and the nostalgia factor of True Prep, to chart J.Crew’s origin story, its Obama-era heyday, and its brush-with-death decline through the stories of the mercurial characters who helmed the company. There is founder Arthur Cinader, who set out to sell the Ralph Lauren look for half the price, and his daughter Emily, who turned J.Crew into a new campus uniform, and then a temple to ‘90s minimalism. Then came ex-Gap CEO Mickey Drexler—the most renowned (and controversial) retailer of his generation—who took J.Crew to a never-before-seen peak, only to contribute to its financial disaster, and the brilliant designer Jenna Lyons, who rose from the anonymous ranks of a catalogue company to become a star in her own right, but burned so bright she left J.Crew in her shadow.

Through extensive interviews with more than 100 J.Crew insiders and top industry experts, Bullock crafts an impossible-to-put-down, neon-glitter-sprinkled tale that traces the trajectory of American style, invites us into the inner sanctum of fashion’s most bold-faced names, and weaves together the threads of style, finance, and culture like no other brand’s story in our lifetime.

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I know it’s two windows, but don’t miss the visual aids! The ads are truly incredible.

Welcome to Book Beat!

Book Beat aims to highlight other books that we may hear about through friends, social media, or other sources. We could see a gorgeous ad! Or find a new-to-us author on a list of underrated romances! Think of Book Beat as Teen Beat or Tiger Beat, but for books. And no staples to open to get the fold-out poster.

A Flame in the North

Author: Lilith Saintcrow
Released: February 13, 2024 by Orbit
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy
Series: Black Land's Bane #1

From New York Times bestselling author Lilith Saintcrow comes the first book in a thrilling Norse-inspired epic trilogy about ancient myth and magical destiny.

The Black Land is a myth: Centuries have passed since that Great Enemy was slain. Yet old fears linger, and on the longest night of the year, people in the South still light ritual bonfires to banish the dark.

In her village, this duty falls to Solveig, a girl favored by the gods with powerful fire magic. But when her brother kills a Northern lord’s son during the ritual, it is Sol who faces punishment, by being weregild—part hostage, part guest—in the North for a year and a day.

As she journeys to her captivity, Sol starts to realize that the Black Land is no myth. The forests teem with foul beasts. Her travel companions are not what they seem, and their plans for her magic are shrouded in secrecy.

With only her loyal shieldmaiden and her own wits to rely upon, Sol must learn to master her powers and wrest control of her fate. For the Black Land’s army stirs, ready to cover the world in darkness—unless Sol can find the courage to stop it.

Lilith Saintcrow, who I’m familiar with through her urban fantasy novels in the early 2000s, is now writing epic fantasy!

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Want to order this one? We’ve got the links you need!.

A Step Past Darkness

Author: Vera Kurian
Released: February 20, 2024 by Park Row
Genre: Mystery/Thriller

SIX CLASSMATES. ONE TERRIFYING NIGHT. A MURDER TWENTY YEARS IN THE MAKING…

There’s something sinister under the surface of the idyllic, suburban town of Wesley Falls, and it’s not just the abandoned coal mine that lies beneath it. The summer of 1995 kicks off with a party in the mine where six high school students witness a horrifying crime that changes the course of their lives.

The six couldn’t be more different.

• Maddy, a devout member of the local megachurch
• Kelly, the bookworm next door
• James, a cynical burnout
• Casey, a loveable football player
• Padma, the shy straight-A student
• Jia, who’s starting to see visions she can’t explain

When they realize that they can’t trust anyone but each other, they begin to investigate what happened on their own. As tensions escalate in town to a breaking point, the six make a vow of silence, bury all their evidence, and promise to never contact each other again. Their plan works – almost.

Twenty years later, Jia calls them all back to Wesley Falls—Maddy has been murdered, and they are the only ones who can uncover why. But to end things, they have to return to the mine one last time.

Kurian’s previous thriller was pretty good, but my thriller-loving friends seem divided on this one after reading their respective reviews on Goodreads.

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Want to order this one? We’ve got the links you need!.

Death in the Spires

Author: KJ Charles
Released: April 11, 2024 by Storm Publishing
Genre: Historical: European, LGBTQIA, Mystery/Thriller

The newspapers called us the Seven Wonders. We were a group of friends, that’s all, and then Toby died. Was killed. Murdered.

1905. A decade after the grisly murder of Oxford student Toby Feynsham, the case remains hauntingly unsolved. For Jeremy Kite, the crime not only stole his best friend, it destroyed his whole life. When an anonymous letter lands on his desk, accusing him of having killed Toby, Jem becomes obsessed with finally uncovering the truth.

Jem begins to track down the people who were there the night Toby died – a close circle of friends once known as the ‘Seven Wonders’ for their charm and talent – only to find them as tormented and broken as himself. All of them knew and loved Toby at Oxford. Could one of them really be his killer?

As Jem grows closer to uncovering what happened that night, his pursuer grows bolder, making increasingly terrifying attempts to silence him for good. Will exposing Toby’s killer put to rest the shadows that have darkened Jem’s life for so long? Or will the gruesome truth only put him in more danger?

Some secrets are better left buried…

From the bestselling, acclaimed author of The Magpie Lord and The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen comes a chilling historical mystery with a sting in the tail. You won’t be able to put this gripping story down!

KJ Charles has a historical mystery coming out and I expected way more buzz!

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Never Been Better

Author: Leanne Toshiko Simpson
Released: March 5, 2024 by G.P. Putnam's Sons
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Literary Fiction, Romance

A hilariously offbeat and tender comedy about one bipolar woman’s messy search for love at a seaside wedding where no one can stay afloat.

Is she falling in love, or falling apart?

Dee, Misa, and Matt were the “three musketeers” of the psych ward. A year after discharge, Dee is eager to convince everyone that she’s finally turning things around. But Matt and Misa are tying the knot in Turks and Caicos, surrounded by guests who have no idea where they met, and the secrecy isn’t sitting well with Dee, who has been hopelessly in love with Matt since before she got kicked out of the hospital.

So, when Dee arrives at the swanky resort with her high-voltage sister, Tilley, it’s now or never to confess how she feels. But disrupting her best friends’ nuptials would jeopardize the entire support system that holds the trio together. When it comes to happily ever afters, how is a girl supposed to choose between love and recovery?

Introducing a sparkling new voice in commercial fiction, Never Been Better revels in the heartache and hilarity of falling in love when you haven’t quite figured out how to live with yourself.

This may be more women’s fiction than contemporary romance, but I’m drawn to the main character’s bipolar representation. The author herself has also been open about her bipolar diagnosis.

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Embroidering Her Truth by Clare Hunter Amazon | B&N | Kobo
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Touch Not the Cat by Mary Stewart Amazon
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I hope your weekend is beautiful, restful, replenishing, and your kind of fun.

C

When I Think of You

by Myah Ariel
April 16, 2024 · Berkley
Contemporary RomanceRomance

When I Think of You is a second chance romance that, while enjoyable, would have benefited from a 3rd person vs 1st person POV. I enjoyed the inside look into the film industry it provided, but found the storyline of the vengeful ex a little tiring and overdone.

Kaliya Wilson has always dreamed of being a movie producer, but is stuck working the front desk at a studio, finding it difficult to get her foot in the door. When her ex, Danny Prescott, shows up for a meeting one day it’s a blast from her past.

Kaliya and Danny met at film school in New York when they were younger. Danny was a little bit older than Kaliya and she helped him make his thesis film, but when things got serious between them Danny seemed to panic and, afraid of abandonment, Kaliya more or less ghosted him.

Now the studio that Kaliya works for is producing Danny’s latest film. Danny is the son of an Oscar winning director, so he didn’t find it as difficult to break into the industry as Kaliya has. When he sees her working a front desk job he feels like her talent is being wasted and offers to make her the director’s assistant on his upcoming film.

There’s a scene I really liked where Kaliya calls bullshit on Danny’s astonishment that she hasn’t gotten further in her career (they are on the phone in this scene):

I roll my head on my shoulders and sit up straighter in bed. “I’m not like you, Danny,” I say. “I’m not in a position not to take it personally when I’m repeatedly overlooked and disrespected by the people in positions to either help or hurt my career. It’s a privilege to not care how those in power perceive and treat you. And as much as I desperately want to just show up and ‘do me,’ that’s a privilege too—another one I don’t have.”

Danny’s privilege comes from his family legacy, and I liked that the book acknowledged that.

Despite his status, when Kaliya shows up at work she finds out a studio executive’s niece has taken her job and Danny has had to bump her to a PA role.

It’s moments like this in the book when I wished we had Danny’s perspective.

Kaliya is blindsided by this change and while Danny later explains and apologizes, it felt like a pretty big slight for me, as the reader, to bounce back from, because I have only Kaliya’s experience and perspective. If we had seen the internal battle Danny fought on her behalf earlier on, it would have smoothed things over for me.

Kaliya was honest with Danny about how difficult and sometimes heartbreaking being dismissed and discounted in the film industry has been for her. When she shows up at work only to find out her job is gone (and she’s already quit her last one), she is completely surprised, and so was I.

When Danny texts her back with a frantic “working on it,” it felt like such a betrayal given what she just shared with him. I felt her humiliation and fear vicariously. For me this was such a huge fuck up on Danny’s end that as a reader I lost a lot trust in him, even though he did eventually make things right. Because I didn’t see Danny getting blindsided or see his reaction to the news or see him advocate for Kaliya, it was hard to let go of his betrayal.

This pattern of unexpected bewilderment and unexpected pain for Kaliya continues with Danny’s ex and a producer on the film, actress Celine Michele. Initially Kaliya (and the reader) think that Danny and Celine are still a power couple.

mild spoiler ahoy

]We find out later that they broke up shortly after Kaliya got the job, but because we don’t know that right away, it feels like when Celine is mean to Kaliya (which she is), it’s weird that Danny doesn’t defend her more.

When we eventually learn that there’s already a lot of tension between Celine and Danny and that he’s navigating a place of working with an ex who is also partially financing his film, it makes more sense. I think it would have been more satisfying to learn these things, from Danny’s perspective earlier than have to forgive him (again).

I didn’t love the Celine angle very much. I’m tired of the “beautiful but mean ex girlfriend” trope in romance, and Celine’s petty cruelties to Kaliya really didn’t need to happen to move the story along. There is certainly some realism in having a famous and rich actress treating the crew of a film like garbage, but in some respects it just detracted from the main conflict. Some of the issue is that as a character, Celine isn’t much more than a mean, pretty rich girl. She’s a caricature, not really a person.

What Kaliya doesn’t know (and I didn’t know because I didn’t get Danny’s POV) is that when they were in college part of the reason Danny pulled away from her is that he was struggling to navigate his grief surrounding his father’s death and the support his mother needed. Kaliya, for her part, runs away the second she thinks she could be abandoned. There was plenty of emotional conflict and growth to work with here, without the inclusion of Celine being jealous, although the solution to most of it was just Danny finally telling us things.

I did enjoy that this was a celebrity romance that didn’t focus solely on actors. We get to see the work that goes into preproduction of a film, from scouting to casting, and it was really interesting and different.

Overall, I really did enjoy the main conflict and growth both Kaliya and Danny need in order to come together and I found their development really satisfying. I think the novel would have benefited from Danny’s POV and Celine could go, but this is still an enjoyable second chance romance and a new take on the celebrity trope.

TW/CW: The following post contains mention of intimate partner violence and domestic abuse.

A | BN | K

Recently the Instagram algorithm served me a video of a young woman with incredible red hair and an absurdly glorious complexion sitting in her pjs on her bed trying to teach me Scots.

You might have seen Len Pennie on Instagram or TikTok, as she has a daily program teaching folks like me the Scots word of the day.

It turns out the algorithm, and myself too, were late: Len started this project in 2020.

But her posts to Twitter, then to Instagram, built quite a following.

Len also just released poyums, a book of poetry in both English and Scots, and she’s been sharing videos and pictures from her UK book tour in March.

poyums was an instant bestseller in the UK (#2 on the Sunday Times list) and several of her events sold out. The US edition will be released tomorrow, 23 April.

The poems are feminist and heartbreaking, especially the ones that talk about abuse, gendered violence, and women’s rights. Librarian friends, I know you might be adding to your poetry collection, and this might be a very fun choice!

The poems are terrific, too. Some are entirely in English, or entirely in Scots, and some mix the two.

Here’s a video of Len reading “chattin shite.”

And this is “I’m no havin children,” which is her favorite, and is entirely in Scots:

(This one is one of my favorites, too.)

This is the first verse of “hauntit” (I don’t want to reproduce too much).

hauntit

There’s a ghost in ma heid, an A want it tae leave.
It isnae richt deid, but A’m wantin tae grieve
Fur the bodie it hurt till she startit tae want
Tae be the richt kind ae hollow fur ghostiest tae haunt…

As her Scots word of the day audience grew, Len has been subjected to horrible abuse from people online. At one point, she went private on Twitter, a departure that was mentioned on r/Scotland when it happened in 2022.

Fast forward to now: it’s 2024, and poyums has just released to massive praise and a lot of support online and off. And it would be neat if this were the ending, but alas, no, the release turned into a bit of an ordeal for Len.

CW/TW: Again, please be aware that from here on, I’m talking about domestic violence, abuse, and harm.

poyums released on 22 February in the UK, and Len had several events scheduled to promote it. But behind the scenes, she’d also been part of a BBC Disclosure documentary on intimate partner violence/domestic abuse, detailing an abusive relationship she’d been in between 2017 and 2020.

When she’d left her partner Gregor Monson, he began a campaign of harassment and stalking, endangering her personally and professionally. She had over a million followers, but had to set her accounts to private. The post in r/Scotland and the article it links to mentions an abuse campaign after her appearance at Transpoesie 21, but her withdrawal from social media was in part due to the specific targeted harassment and stalking from her former partner. (NB: she told me this herself in an interview, which is coming Friday.)

Gregor Monson pled guilty to domestic violence and was “sentenced to a two year behavioural programme for domestic abusers,” while Pennie was granted a 3 year non-harassment order, forbidding him from contacting her.

BBC Disclosure had been following seven women for a few years as they navigated the justice system in Scotland alongside advocates and volunteers for the documentary.

Surviving Domestic Abuse released 11 March 2024 – just as Len was doing public events for poyums.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Len Pennie (@misspunnypennie)

Alas, the documentary is not available in the US, and I hope it will be. TW/CW for those able to play the video: it contains personal footage, audio clips, and extremely frank descriptions as well as court testimony for all the women involved. Folks in the UK can view it on the BBC iPlayer.

There’s also some footage in this 1 March article from Catriona MacPhee and Jax Sinclair of the BBC Disclosure team.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Len Pennie (@misspunnypennie)

Y’all, you’d think folks would be able to show up on the internet and read poetry and teach people Scots without abuse, but alas, not. It’s a terrible timeline in a lot of ways. She’s mentioned the nasty comments she’s received in several videos, and has shared the revolting messages she gets on social media, some of which she’s turned into poems.

But a few absolutely terrible people accused her of timing the book release to the release of the documentary (are you fucking kidding me) (how would that even be possible) (I can hear the sound of a few dozen publicists rolling their eyes at the idea) (come ON now) (ffs) and it was a visible struggle for Len, as she put it, to differentiate between Big! Things! Happening! that are good, and Big! Things! Happening! that are not so good.

Book releases, whatever the genre, are hard enough as an author, even with a big platform and a big following, and my heart broke for Len over and over watching her navigate the joyful welcoming audiences at events for poyums while at the same time the press was asking for interviews and she was getting increased attention (some of it negative) from the documentary’s release. She’s said countless times that she’s so proud of all of her work on the program, but bringing all of it up and witnessing it through the documentary footage was brutal.

I’m really, really excited that poyums ( A | BN | K ) is available in the US tomorrow, and have ordered myself a copy of the audiobook (read by Len herself! Cheers to that!). You can listen to a sample as it’s available in Hoopla already. And Len will be my guest on this week’s podcast episode, talking about her book and about teaching Scots!

If you are struggling with intimate partner abuse, domestic abuse violence, the BBC has compiled a series of resources for various places in the UK, including Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline (0800 027 1234).

In the US, help is available in English and Spanish 24 hours a day at 1-800-799-7233 from the National Domestic Violence Hotline. They offer a text and chat service as well.

poyums is available at all major US retailers starting tomorrow. Congrats, Len!

A | BN | K

Hello, everyone! I am back and have taken command over Books on Sale once again. Apologies if these deals expire as I’m getting back into the routine and may have missed whether these were limited time deals.

Battle Royal

RECOMMENDED: Battle Royal by Lucy Parker is $1.99! Catherine gave this one an A-:

I loved Battle Royal. While it did have minor flaws, it more than made up for them with humour, tenderness, and food porn.

Beloved author Lucy Parker pens a delicious new romantic comedy that is a battle of whisks and wits.

Ready…

Set…

Match…

The bride adores Sylvie’s quirky style. The palace wants Dominic’s classic perfection.

In this royal battle, can there be room for two?

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You can find ordering info for this book here.

The Dating Playbook

The Dating Playbook by Farrah Rochon is $2.99! This is book two in The Boyfriend Project series, though it works fine on its own. The heroine is a personal trainer and the hero is an athlete who wants to get back into the NFL.

When a personal trainer agrees to fake date her client, all rules are out the window in this delightful romantic comedy from the USA Today bestselling author of The Boyfriend Project!

When it comes to personal training, Taylor Powell kicks serious butt. Unfortunately, her bills are piling up, rent is due, and the money situation is dire. Taylor needs more than the support of her new best friends, Samiah and London. She needs a miracle.

And Jamar Dixon might just be it. The oh-so-fine former footballer wants back into the NFL, and he wants Taylor to train him. There’s just one catch — no one can know what they’re doing. But when they’re accidentally outed as a couple, Taylor’s game plan is turned completely upside down. Is Jamar just playing to win . . . or is he playing for keeps?

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You can find ordering info for this book here.

My Fair Concubine

My Fair Concubine by Jeannie Lin is $1.99! This is a historical My Fair Lady style romance – set in the Tang Dynasty in China. Readers loved the retelling and the depth of characterization. However, some readers mentioned that the story dragged at time due to the lack of external conflict.

THE NOBLEMAN WHO TURNED A TEA GIRL INTO A PRINCESS…

Yan Ling tries hard to be servile-it’s what’s expected of a girl of her class. Being intelligent and strong-minded, she finds it a constant battle.

Yet it’s hard to teach good etiquette when all Fei Long wants to do is break it, by taking this tea girl for his own…

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You can find ordering info for this book here.

It Happened One Fight

It Happened One Fight by Maureen Lenker is $1.99! I believe we mentioned this on a previous Hide Your Wallet. The Old Hollywood setting definitely grabbed our attention

From Entertainment Weekly writer Maureen Lee Lenker comes a swoony romantic comedy set in the world of 1930s film.

Joan Davis is a movie star, and a damned good actor, too. Unfortunately, Hollywood only seems to care when she stars alongside Dash Howard, Tinseltown’s favorite leading man and a perpetual thorn in Joan’s side. She’s sick of his hotshot attitude, his never-ending attempts to get a rise out of her—especially after the night he sold her out to the press on a studio-arranged date. She’ll turn her career around without him. She’s engaged to Hollywood’s next rising star, after all, and preparing to make the film that could finally get her taken seriously. Then, a bombshell drops: thanks to one of his on-set pranks gone wrong, Dash and Joan are legally married.

Reputation on the line, Joan agrees to star alongside Dash one last time and move production to Reno, where divorce is legal after a six-week residency. But between on-set shenanigans, fishing competitions at Lake Tahoe, and intimate moments leaked to the press, Joan begins to see another side to the man she thought she had all figured out, and it becomes harder and harder to convince the public—and herself—that her marriage to Dash is the joke it started out as.

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You can find ordering info for this book here.

Welcome back to Hide Your Wallet! This is where we talk about the books releasing this week that are pretty buzzy or are on our radar.

This time, I feel like there’s an even mix of subgenres across romance!

What books are you excited for this week? Let us know in the comments!

A Letter to the Luminous Deep

Author: Sylvie Cathrall
Released: April 23, 2024 by Orbit
Genre: Fantasy/Fairy Tale Romance, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
Series: The Sunken Archive #1

A charming fantasy set in an underwater world with magical academia and a heartwarming penpal romance, perfect for fans of A Marvellous Light, Emily Wilde’s Encylopaedia of Faeries and The House in the Cerulean Sea.

“An underwater treasure-chest to be slowly unpacked, full of things I adore: nosy and loving families, epistolary romance, gorgeous worldbuilding, and anxious scholars doing their best to meet the world with kindness and curiosity.” —Freya Marske, author of A Marvellous Light

A beautiful discovery outside the window of her underwater home prompts the reclusive E. to begin a correspondence with renowned scholar Henerey Clel. The letters they share are filled with passion, at first for their mutual interests, and then, inevitably, for each other.

Together, they uncover a mystery from the unknown depths, destined to transform the underwater world they both equally fear and love. But by no mere coincidence, a seaquake destroys E.’s home, and she and Henerey vanish.

A year later, E.’s sister Sophy, and Henerey’s brother Vyerin, are left to solve the mystery, piecing together the letters, sketches and field notes left behind—and learn what their siblings’ disappearance might mean for life as they know it.

Inspired, immersive, and full of heart, this charming epistolary tale is an adventure into the depths of a magical sea and the limits of the imagination from a marvelous debut voice.

Amanda: A cozy fantasy romance with an underwater world and epistolary elements!

Sarah: I LOVE epistolary stories, and Amanda flagged this for me the minute she saw it.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

Find buy links for this book here..

Earls Trip

Author: Jenny Holiday
Released: April 23, 2024 by Kensington Books
Genre: Historical: European, Romance

Ted Lasso meets Bridgerton for a 19th century spin on The Hangover in USA Today bestselling author Jenny Holiday’s laugh-out-loud bromantic comedy featuring three Regency-era Earls on their annual trip – ride-or-die buddies offering one another unconditional support in everything from Lady problems to family woes.

“One of the best historical romances I’ve read in years. I truly felt like the characters were falling in love.” —Julia Quinn, bestselling author of the Bridgerton novels

Even an earl needs his ride-or-dies, and Archibald Fielding-Burton, the Earl of Harcourt, counts himself lucky to have two. The annual trip that Archie takes with his BFFs Simon and Effie holds a sacred spot in their calendars. This year Archie is especially eager to get away until an urgent letter arrives from an old family friend, begging him to help prevent a ruinous scandal. Suddenly the trip has become earls-plus-girls, as Archie’s childhood pals, Clementine and Olive Morgan, are rescued en route to Gretna Green.

This…complicates matters. The fully grown Clementine, while as frank and refreshing as he remembers, is also different to the wild, windswept girl he knew. This Clem is complex and surprising—and adamantly opposed to marriage. Which, for reasons Archie dare not examine too closely, he finds increasingly vexing.

Then Clem makes him an indecent and quite delightful proposal, asking him to show her the pleasures of the marriage bed before she settles into spinsterhood. And what kind of gentleman would he be to refuse a lady?

Jenny Holiday has her historical romance debut!

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Want to order this one? We’ve got the links you need!.

Funny Story

Author: Emily Henry
Released: April 23, 2024 by Berkley
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romance

A shimmering, joyful new novel about a pair of opposites with the wrong thing in common.

Daphne always loved the way her fiancé Peter told their story. How they met (on a blustery day), fell in love (over an errant hat), and moved back to his lakeside hometown to begin their life together. He really was good at telling it…right up until the moment he realized he was actually in love with his childhood best friend Petra.

Which is how Daphne begins her new story: Stranded in beautiful Waning Bay, Michigan, without friends or family but with a dream job as a children’s librarian (that barely pays the bills), and proposing to be roommates with the only person who could possibly understand her predicament: Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak.

Scruffy and chaotic—with a penchant for taking solace in the sounds of heart break love ballads—Miles is exactly the opposite of practical, buttoned up Daphne, whose coworkers know so little about her they have a running bet that she’s either FBI or in witness protection. The roommates mainly avoid one another, until one day, while drowning their sorrows, they form a tenuous friendship and a plan. If said plan also involves posting deliberately misleading photos of their summer adventures together, well, who could blame them?

But it’s all just for show, of course, because there’s no way Daphne would actually start her new chapter by falling in love with her ex-fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex…right?

Sarah: Debut book by a new author no one has ever heard of, sounds neat! (I’m kidding.) Emily Henry knows tropes SO well, and it’s fun to see what she does with them.

Lara: This book wrecked me. Not in a crying way, but definitely in a using-all-my-emotions-to-the-max way.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

Want this book? We can help: buy links ahoy!.

My Season for Scandal

Author: Julie Anne Long
Released: April 23, 2024 by Avon
Genre: Historical: European, Romance
Series: The Palace of Rogues #7

In USA Today bestselling author Julie Anne Long’s latest installment in the Palace of Rogues series, a notorious rake meets his match in a doe-eyed girl from the country, changing the course of both of their futures…

A London season is the chance of a lifetime for Catherine Keating. But the ton’s glitter and decadence and casual cruelty threaten to crush her hopes of finding a husband before her season even begins…until she accidentally acquires one of the most scandalous men in England as a secret chaperone.

Famously fiery Lord Dominic Kirke can hold the House of Commons—and any woman he chooses— in thrall. But when his house goes up in flames in the dead of night, he finds himself at the Grand Palace on the Thames. And there he discovers his cynical armor is no match for another an innocent country girl with a crackling wit and eyes like a summer sky.

He’s maddening, elusive, hopelessly charismatic, wrong in every way—perfectly designed to break her heart. But she doesn’t know she holds his battered heart in her hands. And though it will destroy him, Dominic knows loving her means setting Catherine free for the life—and man—she deserves.

Lara: This book and I had a wonderful time together. This is definitely my favourite in the series.

Aarya: JAL’s best book after What I Did for a Duke.

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Song of the Six Realms

Author: Judy Lin
Released: April 23, 2024 by Feiwel & Friends
Genre: Historical: Other, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult

Judy I. Lin, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Magic Steeped in Poison , weaves a dreamy gothic romance worthy of the heavens in Song of the Six Realms .

Xue, a talented young musician, has no past and probably no future. Orphaned at a young age, her kindly poet uncle took her in and arranged for an apprenticeship at one of the most esteemed entertainment houses in the kingdom. She doesn’t remember much from before entering the House of Flowing Water, and when her uncle is suddenly killed in a bandit attack, she is devastated to lose her last connection to a life outside of her indenture contract.

With no family and no patron, Xue is facing the possibility of a lifetime of servitude playing the qin for nobles that praise her talent with one breath and sneer at her lowly social status with the next. Then one night she is unexpectedly called to the garden to put on a private performance for the enigmatic Duke Meng. The young man is strangely kind and awkward for nobility, and surprises Xue further with an irresistible serve as a musician in residence at his manor for one year, and he’ll set her free of her indenture.

But the Duke’s motives become increasingly more suspect when he and Xue barely survive an attack by a nightmarish monster, and when he whisks her away to his estate, she discovers he’s not just some country He’s the Duke of Dreams, one of the divine rulers of the Celestial Realm. There she learns the Six Realms are on the brink of disaster, and incursions by demonic beasts are growing more frequent.

The Duke needs Xue’s help to unlock memories from her past that could hold the answers to how to stop the impending war… but first Xue will need to survive being the target of every monster and deity in the Six Realms.

Amanda: Lin’s books are always beautiful to look at and full of adventure.

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The Stranger I Wed

Author: Harper St. George
Released: April 23, 2024 by Berkley
Genre: Historical: European, Romance
Series: The Doves of New York #1

New to wealth and to London high society, American heiress Cora Dove discovers that with the right man, marriage might not be such an inconvenience after all. . . .

Cora Dove and her sisters’ questionable legitimacy has been the lifelong subject of New York’s gossipmongers and a continual stain on their father’s reputation. So when the girls each receive a generous, guilt-induced dowry from their dying grandmother, the sly Mr. Hathaway vows to release their funds only if Cora and her sisters can procure suitable husbands—far from New York. For Cora, England is a fresh start. She has no delusions of love, but a husband who will respect her independence? That’s an earl worth fighting for.

Enter: Leopold Brendon, Earl of Devonworth, a no-nonsense member of Parliament whose plan to pass a Public Health bill that would provide clean water to the working class requires the backing of a wealthy wife. He just never expected to crave Cora’s touch or yearn to hear her thoughts on his campaign—or to discover that his seemingly perfect bride protects so many secrets…

But secrets have a way of bubbling to the surface, and Devonworth has a few of his own. With their pasts laid bare and Cora’s budding passion for women’s rights taking a dangerous turn, they’ll learn the true cost of losing their heart to a stranger—and that love is worth any price.

Amanda: Harper St. George’s historicals are an autobuy for me!

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This HaBO comes from Alexis, who wants to find this trio of romances:

I read this series of books when I worked at a public library somewhere between 2010 and 2015. There were three different books, each about a different friend in a group of three. The first has a one night stand with what turns out to be a vampire, and they become a happy couple. The second does the same with a werewolf. The third is some kind of an Avon lady and dedicates her life to selling makeup and becoming the top earner to get the pink car, until she finds out she’s dying. For the life of me I cannot remember what happens after, but I’d love to reread the books! HABO please??

I, too, want to know what happens to the third friend, considering the previous two books are paranormal and the third’s paranormal elements aren’t quite revealed.

We Could Be So Good

RECOMMENDED: We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian is $1.99! Thanks to everyone who let us know about this deal; fingers crossed it’s still active! Lara gave this one an A:

TL;DR: Read this book if you’d like to be swept along safely in a rising tide of emotion, predominantly love.

Nick Russo has worked his way from a rough Brooklyn neighborhood to a reporting job at one of the city’s biggest newspapers. But the late 1950s are a hostile time for gay men, and Nick knows that he can’t let anyone into his life. He just never counted on meeting someone as impossible to say no to as Andy.

Andy Fleming’s newspaper-tycoon father wants him to take over the family business. Andy, though, has no intention of running the paper. He’s barely able to run his life—he’s never paid a bill on time, routinely gets lost on the way to work, and would rather gouge out his own eyes than deal with office politics. Andy agrees to work for a year in the newsroom, knowing he’ll make an ass of himself and hate every second of it.

Except, Nick Russo keeps rescuing Andy: showing him the ropes, tracking down his keys, freeing his tie when it gets stuck in the ancient filing cabinets. Their unlikely friendship soon sharpens into feelings they can’t deny. But what feels possible in secret—this fragile, tender thing between them—seems doomed in the light of day. Now Nick and Andy have to decide if, for the first time, they’re willing to fight.

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Ten Things I Hate About the Duke

USA Today bestselling author Loretta Chase continues her Difficult Dukes series with this delightful spin on Shakespeare’s classic, The Taming of the Shrew.

This time, who’s taming whom…

Now, thanks to a certain wild-living nobleman, the last shreds of Cassandra’s reputation are about to disintegrate, taking her sister’s future and her family’s good name along with them.

The only way to right the wrong is to marry her…and hope she doesn’t smother him in his sleep on their wedding night.

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The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels

RECOMMENDED: The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton is $2.99! I reviewed this one and gave it a B:

The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels felt very much like a Shelly Laurenston romance in a historical package. It’s loud, over the top, and has much more of a focus on wild action scenes.

A prim and proper lady thief must save her aunt from a crazed pirate and his dangerously charming henchman in this fantastical historical romance.

Cecilia Bassingwaite is the ideal Victorian lady. She’s also a thief. Like the other members of the Wisteria Society crime sorority, she flies around England drinking tea, blackmailing friends, and acquiring treasure by interesting means. Sure, she has a dark and traumatic past and an overbearing aunt, but all things considered, it’s a pleasant existence. Until the men show up.

Ned Lightbourne is a sometimes assassin who is smitten with Cecilia from the moment they meet. Unfortunately, that happens to be while he’s under direct orders to kill her. His employer, Captain Morvath, who possesses a gothic abbey bristling with cannons and an unbridled hate for the world, intends to rid England of all its presumptuous women, starting with the Wisteria Society. Ned has plans of his own. But both men have made one grave mistake. Never underestimate a woman.

When Morvath imperils the Wisteria Society, Cecilia is forced to team up with her handsome would-be assassin to save the women who raised her–hopefully proving, once and for all, that she’s as much of a scoundrel as the rest of them.

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Georgie, All Along

Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn is $3.99! I’ve had several friends read this one and mention it brought them to tears. Have you read it?

The acclaimed author of Love Lettering weaves a wise and witty new novel that echoes with timely questions about love, career, reconciling with the past, and finding your path while knowing your true worth.

Longtime personal assistant Georgie Mulcahy has made a career out of putting others before herself. When an unexpected upheaval sends her away from her hectic job in L.A. and back to her hometown, Georgie must confront an uncomfortable truth: her own wants and needs have always been a disconcertingly blank page.

But then Georgie comes across a forgotten artifact—a “friendfic” diary she wrote as a teenager, filled with possibilities she once imagined. To an overwhelmed Georgie, the diary’s simple, small-scale ideas are a lifeline—a guidebook for getting started on a new path.

Georgie’s plans hit a snag when she comes face to face with an unexpected roommate—Levi Fanning, onetime town troublemaker and current town hermit. But this quiet, grouchy man is more than just his reputation, and he offers to help Georgie with her quest. As the two make their way through her wishlist, Georgie begins to realize that what she truly wants might not be in the pages of her diary after all, but right by her side—if only they can both find a way to let go of the pasts that hold them back.

Honest and deeply emotional, Georgie, All Along is a smart, tender must-read for everyone who’s ever wondered about the life that got away . . .

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A

Funny Story

by Emily Henry
April 23, 2024 · Berkley
Contemporary Romance

CW/TW

CW: Child abuse/neglect (in the past, discussed briefly)

I read romance novels for a lot of different reasons. To feel less alone, to feel that surging bubble of joy in my chest, to feel connected to new and exciting lives. This book ticked all those boxes and more for me. I fell asleep reading it. Woke up, and carried on reading.

I write reviews for lots of different reasons, too. In this particular case, I’m writing this review because I want to keep that bubble of joy going for just a bit longer. And sometimes that bubble of joy is paired with a tinge of melancholy, or perhaps an awareness at how fragile and beautiful happiness is. Anyone else get that feeling?

Anyway, Peter and Daphne are engaged. Peter’s lifelong best friend is Petra, who is in a relationship with Miles. Something happens at Peter’s bachelor party and Peter and Petra break off their respective relationships/engagements in favor of a romantic relationship of their own.

Daphne had moved to Peter’s hometown and didn’t really know many people despite being there for a year already. So when both relationships fracture, Daphne has nowhere to go. A chance conversation has her moving in with Miles.

The two are heartbroken, for sure, and are also very different individuals connected by their former relationships with other people. Miles loves Celine Dion ballads and smokes the occasional joint. Daphne stuffs her wedding dress and decor in the hall cupboard and just wants the whole business to go away.

Within their forced proximity, Miles and Daphne strike up a friendship of sorts. Things are turned up a notch when Daphne lies to Peter and says that she is in a relationship with Miles. Miles goes along with it in the hopes of making Petra jealous. But this isn’t a classic fake relationship book. Or even a forced proximity book. This is a book in which two people have to face a reckoning with their pasts as they figure out their present and future. While this is primarily a story of two people healing in their own ways (and together), there is a lovely backdrop of Miles introducing Daphne to the town that she’s called home for a year but hasn’t really gotten to know. Every Sunday, Miles takes her to new and interesting places around town. Daphne works as a children’s librarian and is building up to a readathon at the end of the summer. At work, she strikes up a friendship with a coworker – a major accomplishment for her.

Daphne’s dad was hardly ever around and never showed up to things that he said he would so she’s grown up to be a closed book. She doesn’t think of herself as worthy of love. Miles had an abusive childhood and desperately needs to be ‘okay’. I won’t say more about that here, but they both need to do a lot of processing before they’re in a position to love again. They do this through their increasingly powerful friendship. If this book is any trope at all, it is friends-to-lovers. Not usually something that I enjoy but this friendship felt so real and important to me that I felt a little sad when they added romance to the equation as though they were inviting in potential for disaster. Even though I know it is a romance and there’s a beautiful HEA, the friendship was so real to me that for a moment I was sad. Of course then the swoony romance of it started and I was in raptures. Realistically the romance was there the whole time (certainly the sexual tension was present), but this friendship felt to me like I feel about my best friend: compulsory for continued living. In my reading, it is a rare and beautiful thing when there is such a wonderfully strong bond of friendship before things become romantic. Perhaps I should reconsider my stance of avoiding friends-to-lovers romances.

Both Miles and Daphne do so much growing separately and together. I have a book hangover because this book turned me inside out. No, I didn’t cry. It wasn’t like that. But its impact was nonetheless powerful and I can heartily recommend it. Be prepared for Daphne and Miles to feel so real that you want to reach into the book-world and be their friend in truth. Get ready to love the friendship between the two as much as you’ll love the romance. In truth, this book will feel so real, that you might need a little help reentering the real world afterwards. My emotions had a workout feeling all those big beautiful feelings: the power of true friendship, the unbelievable courage of being totally vulnerable with someone and the heart-filled glory of being truly known. If you’re sensitive like me, have a treat with your best friend lined up for after you read the last page. A gentle reentry to the world is something a best friend specialises in. Just ask Daphne and Miles.

The Stand-In

RECOMMENDED: The Stand-In by Lily Chu is $1.99! This is a debut contemporary romance. Elyse gave this one an A:

So we have a celebrity romance, women being friends and helping each other with their mental health, and reflections on identity and community. That’s a lot to pack into a book, but it all works and delivered by Philippa Soo’s incredibly soothing voice, it was totally my jam.

How to upend your life:

–Get fired by gross, handsy boss
–Fail to do laundry (again)
–Be mistaken for famous Chinese actress
–Fall head-first into glitzy new world

Gracie Reed is doing just fine. Sure, she was fired by her overly “friendly” boss, and yes, she still hasn’t gotten her mother into the nursing home of their dreams, but she’s healthy, she’s (somewhat) happy, and she’s (mostly) holding it all together.

But when a mysterious SUV pulls up beside her, revealing Chinese cinema’s golden couple Wei Fangli and Sam Yao, Gracie’s world is turned on its head. The famous actress has a proposition: Due to their uncanny resemblance, Fangli wants Gracie to be her stand-in. The catch? Gracie will have to be escorted by Sam, the most attractive—and infuriating—man Gracie’s ever met.

If it means getting the money she needs for her mother, Gracie’s in. Soon Gracie moves into a world of luxury she never knew existed. But resisting Sam, and playing the role of an elegant movie star, proves more difficult than she ever imagined—especially when she learns the real reason Fangli so desperately needs her help. In the end, all the lists in the world won’t be able to help Gracie keep up this elaborate ruse without losing herself… and her heart.

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Murder on Black Swan Lane

Murder on Black Swan Lane by Andrea Penrose is $3.99! This is the first book in the historical mystery Wrexford & Sloane series. Subsequent books in the series are also $3.99 in case you’re looking to round out the series on your ereader.

In Regency London, an unconventional scientist and a fearless female artist form an unlikely alliance to expose unspeakable evil . . .

The Earl of Wrexford possesses a brilliant scientific mind, but boredom and pride lead him to reckless behavior. So when pompous, pious Reverend Josiah Holworthy publicly condemns him for debauchery, Wrexford unsheathes his rapier-sharp wit and strikes back. As their war of words escalates, London’s most popular satirical cartoonist, A.J. Quill, skewers them both. But then the clergyman is found slain in a church—his face burned by chemicals, his throat slashed ear to ear—and Wrexford finds himself the chief suspect.

An artist in her own right, Charlotte Sloane has secretly slipped into the persona of her late husband, using his nom de plume A.J. Quill. When Wrexford discovers her true identity, she fears it will be her undoing. But he has a proposal—use her sources to unveil the clergyman’s clandestine involvement in questionable scientific practices, and unmask the real murderer. Soon Lord Wrexford and the mysterious Mrs. Sloane plunge into a dangerous shadow world hidden among London’s intellectual enclaves to trap a cunning adversary—before they fall victim to the next experiment in villainy . . .

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A Devil of a Duke

A Devil of a Duke by Madeline Hunter is $2.99! This is the second book in the Decadent Dukes Society, but can be read on its own. Readers say this one has a great pace to the romance and action, but wish it had more emotional depth.

From New York Times bestselling author Madeline Hunter comes the latest sexy tale of three untamable dukes and the women who ignite their decadent desires . . .

HE MAY BE A DEVIL

He’s infamous, debaucherous, and known all over town for his complete disregard for scandal, and positively irresistible seductions. Gabriel St. James, Duke of Langford, is obscenely wealthy, jaw-droppingly handsome, and used to getting exactly what he wants. Until his attention is utterly captured by a woman who refuses to tell him her name, but can’t help surrendering to his touch . . .

BUT SHE’S NO ANGEL EITHER . . .

Amanda Waverly is living two lives—one respectable existence as secretary to an upstanding lady, and one far more dangerous battle of wits—and willpower—with the devilish Duke. Langford may be the most tempting man she’s ever met, but Amanda’s got her hands full trying to escape the world of high-society crime into which she was born. And if he figures out who she really is, their sizzling passion will suddenly boil over into a much higher stakes affair . . .

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When a Dragon Falls

When a Dragon Falls by Kerrelyn Sparks is $1.99! This is the fourth book in the Embraced by Magic series. This series didn’t really work for me, but I’m curious if it’s going to get a second wind with the prominence of fantasy romance right now.

Brimming with humor, romance, and magic, the delightful new novel in New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kerrelyn Sparks’s Embraced by Magic series, which Kirkus Reviews calls “an adventurous fantasy romp,” is perfect for readers of G.A. Aiken and Lynsay Sands.

Princess Lenushka of Norveshka prides herself on her courage. She’s faced down the doubters who think a woman dragon shifter is worth less than a man. She will marry to secure the support of her nobles—and ensure she’ll hold the Norveshki throne. A battle-hardened soldier, she’s prepared to destroy the Brotherhood of the Sun, who threaten all Aerthlan. But she can barely look at Bran Morris, the Raven. His dark, brooding beauty is off-limits for a princess who must wed for advantage. And he has far too many secrets of his own for Lennie to trust him with hers.

Bran’s quest is for vengeance, against the Brotherhood monsters who killed his brother and abused his sisters. He can’t dream about the sharp-eyed woman warrior whose memory haunts him, not even when she appears to rescue him from an unknown dragon shifter. But when Lennie and Bran discover they’re Aerthlan’s last defense against a powerful, murderous mastermind, they can no longer afford to deceive each other—or themselves. And when a dragon’s passion is freed, anything is possible . . .

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Workspace with computer, journal, books, coffee, and glasses. Hello, everyone! I am officially back in the States! Thank you for all the birthday wishes and if you wish to see some of my adventures, feel free to look at my Instagram. The trip was wonderful and full of delicious food.

I will also have to return to South Korea in about a month because my baby brother (yes, he is 30 but will always be “baby brother”) is getting married! Very excited, but since I used all my vacation time, my partner and I will be flying there, celebrating, and coming back in five days. Please pray that the jetlag gods will be kind to me.

My trip also really makes me want to get back on the kdrama train. Do any of you have some current recs from within the last couple years? Ones I’ve previous enjoyed are Boys Over Flowers, Fated to Love You, Crash Landing on You, and City Hall. Help me!

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Lumberjanes is turning ten! There is currently a Kickstarter to back a special anniversary edition, plus some extra collectibles. Are you a Lumberjanes fan?

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Nat Henry (@NatMakesMaps on Twitter) has launched “an interactive map that shows walkable, bikeable, and transit-friendly neighborhoods across every block in the United States.” It automatically defaults to Seattle, but you can search other cities.

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Tropes & Trifles, a romance bookstore in Minneapolis, had their grand opening! I saw some pictures from the amazing turnout. If any of you went, we’d love to hear about it!

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I know I’m way late, but apparently over a decade ago, NASA put together a list of the most scientifically plausible films of all time. The list originally lived on Moviefone’s blog, which isn’t really around anymore. I feel like we should all take the list with a grain of salt, but peep number seven! I’d also love an updated list.

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A

My Season for Scandal

by Julie Anne Long
April 23, 2024 · Avon
Historical: European

CW/TW

CW: Death of a parent (off-page and in the past), aging parent for whom death approaches

I sit here stunned. Yes, I have written this review twice. The first version was too overwrought because I was entirely overcome by this book. This is such a bracing, visceral story of deep thoughts and even deeper emotions that it left me wrung out.

Before I go any further, I need to beg you to absolutely delete this book’s cover from your mind. It is horribly misleading. Our hero is not a smug git. Our heroine does not spend her time in a dead faint.

Lord Dominic Kirke is a Whig MP and a well-known orator. His latest affair (i.e. consensual business arrangement) ended and in response his thwarted mistress tried to burn his house down, somewhat intentionally. So he seeks refuge at the Grand Palace on the Thames (the setting for all of the stories in this series), where he meets Catherine Keating. She is a country-bred lady in town for the season to catch a husband. Catherine is also a temporary resident of the Grand Palace on the Thames.

The impact they have on each other is immediate:

She stared, blinking, into the space he’d left, her ears ringing as if he’d been a cymbal clash, instead of a man.

In the opening chapters of the book, Catherine and Dominic have a few conversations in quiet corners of fancy houses during the balls they attend. These conversations are unlike any I’ve read in romance. Dominic is wry and biting and whip smart with a tremendous amount of passion for protecting the most vulnerable of society. Catherine has experienced great loss (her mom and it’s made her really appreciate the shortness of life and how precious it is, in a full-hearted way) so she faces the ton as both an innocent and as someone who struggles to find her place in this bright and shining London where things like the correct sleeves are apparently important. That innocence is matched with a biting wit of her own that she unleashes on Dominic often during their singular, secret conversations.

In Dominic’s eyes:

For such a soft-spoken person Keating’s wit had surprising angles and edges. There was almost nothing he loved more than angles and edges. They were the means by which puzzles were put together.

From the very start, he is confused and defensive and spellbound by this woman. Catherine is astonished by the ferocity of this, her first love – the ways in which it reshapes her, and makes her more herself. The backbone of this story is not a plot: it is two people falling in love through conversation, each one more delicious than the last. If pining is your thing, this book has it in spades. It sears the senses and the thwarted lust makes me blush. But if you need ACTION in your books, then this won’t be the one for you. The events are things like, ‘sitting quietly in a corner of a ballroom talking’ and ‘secretly sharing a cab’. There is rather delicious tension in how they have to secretly see each other and the central conflict between them is based on their need to let down their guard and trust that love is possible for each of them.

The one potential red(ish) flag? The age gap. Dominic is 35 and Catherine is 22. Their age gap is not shied away from; on the contrary, it is front and centre as they get the measure of each other. The story is honest about how one person in the couple has a lot more life experience than the other, but that knowledge doesn’t diminish the experiences Catherine has had. Because it is dealt with so forthrightly and in the open, it didn’t feel gross to me, though I don’t gravitate toward age gap romances so my experience there is limited.

Our hero and heroine are deep, philosophical thinkers, but that thought is matched by deep, honest emotions, so the philosophical questions about a state of being are never boring or pompous. These are questions that make up the stuff of life and they are asked with a clear-eyed sincerity about any number of topics.

For example, when faced with her first ball and her absent chaperone, this is how Catherine felt:

She felt undeniably a little melancholy, but it was also a bit dreamlike and delicious to be completely alone in a strange place. As if she was floating unmoored through space. As if anything could happen at any time.

If you need a heart-heaving historical in your life, I think this might be the one you’re looking for.

The Sun and the Void

The Sun and the Void by Gabriela Romero Lacruz is $2.99 and a Kindle Daily Deal! This was mentioned on a Hide Your Wallet post and the author is an accomplished artist! I own a few of their very cute coffee mugs.

In a lush world inspired by the history and folklore of South America, a sweeping epic fantasy of colonialism, ancient magic, and two young women’s quest for belonging unfolds.

Reina is desperate.

Stuck living on the edges of society, her only salvation lies in an invitation from a grandmother she’s never known. But the journey is dangerous, and prayer can’t always avert disaster.

Attacked by creatures that stalk the region, Reina is on the verge of death until her grandmother, a dark sorceress, intervenes. Now dependent on the Doña’s magic for her life, Reina will do anything to earn—and keep—her favor. Even the bidding of an ancient god who whispers to her at night.

Eva Kesare is unwanted.

Illegitimate and of mixed heritage, Eva is her family’s shame. She tries her best to be perfect and to hide her oddities. But Eva is hiding a secret: magic calls to her.

Eva knows she should fight the temptation. Magic is the sign of the dark god, and using it is punishable by death. Yet, it’s hard to deny power when it has always been denied to you. Eva is walking a dangerous path, one that gets stranger every day. And, in the end, she’ll become something she never imagined.

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It Had to Be a Duke

It Had to Be a Duke by Vivienne Lorret is $1.99! This is book one in The Liars’ Club. I gave this one a C, but other people in the comments liked this one more than I did.

USA Today bestselling author Vivienne Lorret launches a new series with a sparkling romance about a spinster, a duke, and a fake engagement that blurs the lines between enemies and lovers…

One week, that’s all Verity needs. Then Magnus can return to his life. But nothing is ever that simple. Sometimes it doesn’t take that long to fall in love, even with the enemy.

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The Forest of Stolen Girls

The Forest of Stolen Girls by June Hur is $2.99! This is a young adult historical mystery set in Korea. Ellen reviewed Hur’s debut book and absolutely loved it. They also mentioned this one on a previous Hide Your Wallet.

Suspenseful and richly atmospheric, June Hur’s The Forest of Stolen Girls is a haunting historical mystery sure to keep readers guessing until the last page.

1426, Joseon (Korea). Hwani’s family has never been the same since she and her younger sister went missing and were later found unconscious in the forest near a gruesome crime scene.

Years later, Detective Min—Hwani’s father—learns that thirteen girls have recently disappeared from the same forest that nearly stole his daughters. He travels to their hometown on the island of Jeju to investigate… only to vanish as well.

Determined to find her father and solve the case that tore their family apart, Hwani returns home to pick up the trail. As she digs into the secrets of the small village—and collides with her now estranged sister, Maewol—Hwani comes to realize that the answer could lie within her own buried memories of what happened in the forest all those years ago.

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Dragged to the Wedding

Dragged to the Wedding by Andrew Grey is $1.99! I mentioned this on one Get Rec’d. The biggest critique I saw of this book is that one of the heroes is a cop and the book doesn’t really satisfactorily address the history of law enforcement targeting queer and drag communities.

The Wedding Date meets The Birdcage in this laugh-out-loud gay romantic comedy from Andrew Grey

He’s here to slay…but will he stay?

James Petika is living the single gay life he always wanted. A police officer in Chicago, he has a good job, good friends—and he’s two thousand miles away from his family’s expectations. He also has a problem: he needs a date for his sister’s wedding in Missoula, Montana, but his family has no idea that he’s gay, and he’d like to keep it that way.

The solution? Daniel Bonafonte aka Lala Traviata, the queen of the Chicago drag scene. Lala is the real thing: she can sing, she can dance—and she can throw more shade than a solar eclipse. One drink and plenty of dishing later, Daniel agrees to help James out and be his incognito date to the wedding.

Daniel’s drag-diva skills are put to the test right away, with the bride’s ill-fitting wedding dress, a groom who’s a danger on the dance floor and more drama than auditions for a gay men’s chorus. Faking this relationship—and ignoring the very real feelings developing between them—might just be the performance of their lives.

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Len Pennie’s book of Scots poetry poyums is out in the US this week, and you might have seen my post about her book launch earlier this week. Len is my guest today and we’re going to talk about:

Poetry!
Healing from trauma and abuse
The subversive revolution of teaching a word a day in a minoritized language
Using humor to overcome the “cultural hangover of linguistic oppression”
More poetry!

TW/CW: discussion of intimate partner violence and domestic abuse, depression, stalking.

Music: purple-planet.com

Listen to the podcast →

Read the transcript →

Here are the books we discuss in this podcast:

You can find Len Pennie on Instagram @MissPunnyPennie, on TikTok @miss_punnypennie, and on YouTube @MissPunnyPennie.

We also mentioned:

And here’s a performance of “Taboo” by poet Grey Crosbie:

If you like the podcast, you can subscribe to our feed, or find us at iTunes. You can also find us on Stitcher, and Spotify, too. We also have a cool page for the podcast on iTunes.