Eighteen years ago, on 31 January 2005, Smart Bitches began.
The site launched with a review for Angel-Seeker by Sharon Shinn and for The Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann.
Zero plans and strategy beyond, “Let’s talk about romance fiction critically and enthusiastically,” and holy cow.
We’re still here.
Literally, every year when I file the annual reports and taxes and all that business business, I look around my office and think, “Yup, still here.” Still talking about romance, still enthusiastic, still interacting with readers around the world.
Thank you. The site wouldn’t be here without you. Our community is welcoming new readers, helping people find the books they want to read, and thriving as a warm and wonderful collection of humans from all over the globe.
In a time when media is contracting, when sites are folding or having their entire staff laid off by the conglomerate that bought them, that we are chugging along is astonishing and I don’t take that for granted.
Thank you for hanging out with us, for telling us about all the books you’ve read and liked, and about the books you’ve read and didn’t like. Thank you for supporting our work and telling us jokes, for emailing us exquisite cover art, and for being part of our community.
As I always do, I took a look at the traditional and modern anniversary gifts for the 18th year, and this year, both modern and traditional gifts are porcelain.
NO PROBLEM. I don’t know who or what source provides these anniversary gift lists, but porcelain is no problem, because it’s January, and Hot Beverages like tea, hot chocolate, and coffee are often served in porcelain.
We’re giving away gorgeous teacups and saucers to celebrate!
There’s this gorgeous hibiscus set with a cup, saucer, and spoon:
and this adorable set that looks like a HANDBAG, omgosh:
And this set includes an infuser for loose tea, and the infuser can rest on the lid while you sip – so clever and beautiful:
Plus, Amanda sent me a link to this absolutely incredible shop, Miss Havisham’s Curiosities, and I was doomed, I tell you. Doomed.
How about a Villainess teacup and saucer?
So, want to win one?
Just comment below and share one of your favorite Smart Bitches memories.
A book you discovered here that you adore?
A cover snark that you re-read and then snort-laugh?
A HaBO you solved or a HaBO you sought?
What post or moment do you think of when you think of Smart Bitches? Tell us one of your favorite Smart Bitches moments and you’re entered to win.
Standard disclaimers apply: We are not being compensated for this giveaway. Void where prohibited. Open to international residents where permitted by applicable law. Must be over 18 and ready to sip beverages and read books. Not responsible for increased consumption of tea or hot chocolate, or the increased collection of teas, chocolates, and coffees. Comments will close at noon ET on Sunday 5 February 2022 and winners will be announced shortly afterward.
Thank you for being part of Smart Bitches, and thank you for celebrating with us. Happy Anniversary!!
Winner update: Congratulations to the following commenters:
Be sure to check your inboxes! As always, thank you all for another year of SBTB shenanigans.
Félicitations! I can’t believe it has been 18 years! I discovered Ilona Andrews, early Anita Blake and so much other stuff. The gift recs gave me birthday and Christmas gift ideas. I have loved the community you’ve built, and could not have survived the times of Covid without you. Thank you and may the site be around forever and ever;)
Happy anniversary!
I remember reading the review for volumes 1 and 2 of Lois McMaster Bujold’s THE SHARING KNIFE, then waiting impatiently for the whole tetralogy to be published in mmpb… before finally diving in for a satisfying read. *happy sigh*
Thus began by LMB glom…
I’ve been looking forward to SBTB landing in my inbox every day for years now! It’s truly one of the only emails I get that I look forward to reading every time I see it land!
One notable SBTB moment for me was a guest article on better bipoc representation in historical Romance. I was at a point where I was finding historical romance a little lacking, and that article caught me so spot for what was missing in the genre for me. Even in the years since, we’re seeing more, and contemporary romance is doing great in making the paces but we still need so much more representation of all voices!
Thanks to all of you for being my ‘booktok’ long before tiktok was ever a thing. Here’s to another 18 years!
I literally just recommended SmartBitches to someone on reddit looking for a specific trope (cozy fantasy with bearded dudes falling in love in a greenhouse, here’s hoping they find it). So I’d say my favorite thing is the Rec Leagues. I love the community and kindness in helping each other find the exact catnip our brains would enjoy most. Very close second, the snark – Elyse’s recaps make me snort laugh. Congrats on 18 years, here’s to many more!
Happy anniversary!
I love Elyse’s reviews of the Bachelor/Bachelorette (I don’t watch the shows, but her recaps are amazing). Also here for her cat updates.
My favorite SBTB moment is the review of “Tempest in Time.” If you haven’t read it, it definitely worth a look.
Talia Hibbert and Alisha Rai for the win! Love this sight. Happy 18th birthday!
And @FashionablyEvil, congratulations!! Wishing you and your little the best of all the things.
Happy Birthday Bitches!! I hope there are many more years with you. I discovered Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs, Faith Hunter, Courtney Milan and Gail Carriger with you and this is off the top of my head. I have learned from you and relish new discoveries. Thank you!!
Happy anniversary! And many more to come!
I remember exactly how I became a devout follower of SBTB: someone recommended to me that I read a hilarious review of a book called “Pregnesia,” which I did. The review was hysterical and complimentary only in a backhanded way, but then, the comments! And what I loved, loved, loved was that the author, Carla Cassidy, commented also, in the same style as the reviewer. And she was so funny herself, taking the review in good part, and all the other commenters were so much fun and so generous, I was just smitten with the entire process. I went online instantly and bought the book, which I enjoyed exactly as the review had promised, and I’ve been a fan of SBTB ever since.
I just recently found your site that I have enjoyed so much, that even though I don’t even read romance, I’m going to start!
Thank you for putting quality snark online for your devoted audience.
I also plan to watch “A Castle for Christmas” while I recuperate from surgery this weekend so I found that review was just in time.
ps: I have no room in my house for more teacups but I want all of these. How could you?
Congratulations on your anniversary. This is one of the sites I check daily. I discovered Alisha Rai through the site and am so glad I did. I have learned the hard way not to read Cover Snark while at work.
SBTB introduced me to T.Kingfisher, and I happily dived right in and haven’t looked back. However, Cover Snark is what led me to this site in the first place (shared by one of my Facebook groups), and it has brought me great joy ever since. Every time I see book cover with a man standing behind a waist-high bear, I think of you.
My first thought as I read this was of Candy’s D+ review of Decadent by Shayla Black in 2008. No, that’s a lie. At my age, remembering the actual title of that book would be a miracle. My FIRST first thought was “fucking your ass saving your life.” I had to back search it from there. In the interests of honesty, I think my most favorite features on Smart Bitches Trashy Books have been the ones melding fiery outrage with edged weapon levels of humor. It’s ironic, but really satisfying to me that such a genuinely kind and caring community can be stirred to such righteous passion when confronted by offenses ranging from bad writing to injustice to plagiarism to yet another ignorant elitist who badmouths romance writing from a pulpit of abject sexist ignorance.
I can’t believe it’s been this long! I recently came back to the site because I finally got around to watching Bridgerton & wanted to see what the Bitchery thought (and I wasn’t disappointed!).
A favourite memory is the Cassie Edwards plagiarism scandal! I’d been a faithful reader for about a year by that point and the discussions & jokes had me up laughing through the night.
I’m so happy that the site is still here & going after all these years. Happy 18th anniversary & may there be 18 more!
Oh, happy birthday, Bitches! I have a ridiculously long list of favorite authors that I’ve picked up from you, but what I appreciate the most is your unfailing intellectual / emotional / social integrity. I look to you-all to help me learn and grow, and I so appreciate it. xoxo
p.s. Pudding 4eva
There’s been so many and over so much time that it’s hard to pin down. I’m going to go with the Green Bones Saga and Murderbot series.
Happy birthday, SBTB! Thank you for the thoughtful, informative and entertaining content. I can always rely on reading a well considered review and have found so many excellent books and authors from you.. I will never forget the details of the prince’s white pants in the most recent Cinderella movie. Who knew white pants were so complicated?
I probably first discovered this site because of the cover snark, but it was mostly because I discovered a site where people loved reading romance, loved discussing and reviewing books, and were proud to share, promote, and defend their love of the genre.
One of my favorite parts of this site is The Rec League. I love the recommendations from other readers and discovering new books and authors as well as new themes and categories. I remember one time I was in a horrible book slump and wasn’t enthusiastic about reading anything. I couldn’t start a new book; I just endlessly reread some of my old favorites. But one day there was a Rec League request for survivor romances. It sparked something in me: “Yes, this is what I want to read.” There were a lot of suggestions, and I wanted to read so many. I wanted to read! (What I relief to me that I felt that emotion again.) There were books from various categories: books that were historical, contemporary, suspenseful, humorous, adult, young adult, sweet, steamy, and so on. And suddenly I had a list of books to read, and new authors to read, and it was all thanks to the smart bitches out there. So, thank you. All of you.
I have so many good memories! I love the fact that the comments section is one of the most respectful I have seen. I’ve been reading romance for four decades, but this is the place that introduced me to MM. This is the place that really gave me a language to think about why I love some sub genres and plot types and hate others. (Mobster and time travel are not for me).
I just reread The Goblin Emperor after it came up in comments on Ask A Manager, but this is where I heard about it first, along with so many other books I read and reread.
The comments in this thread are making me all weepy. Thank you for celebrating with us! It means a lot that you’re here and you’re all so wonderful.
I’ve found SO MANY new authors, and books I’ve loved. I really love the emphasis on books with consent, those give me the feels. Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn was one of my first SBTB recommend reads <3
Congratulations SBTB! Happy Anniversary! You’ve been a life saver for me (not just the candies!)… I joined your mailing list a couple of years ago and read your newsletter everyday. I’m obsessed with romance books — always have been — but stayed mostly in the woodwork about my obsession (even denying myself when I was younger). And worse — my knowledge of the genre was really limited until I found your site. But you’ve really opened up the genre for me and I’ve been happily exploring since. Thank you!
I will never forget my first contact with SBTB, the famous quote
“Fucking her ass. Saving her life.”
forever and ever it will be my SBTB tagline
omg, EIGHTEEN! CHAI in Hebrew/Gematria! Which of course means LIFE. And this site is SO ALIVE with great recs and humor and passionate discussion and community. THANK YOU for your service — um, oh, I guess the site is also old enough to enter the military and to vote — and MAZEL TOV to FashionablyEvil for bringing a new life to the party as SBTB ages out of its childhood.
Also, being on the podcast was a total bucket-list item for me. I’ve loved y’all for so long, and it was such an honor to discuss SORRY, SORRY, SORRY with you.
Happy 18th! I feel like we grew up together! Without Smart Bitches I wouldn’t have found Sherry Thomas, Meredith Duran (is she still writing?), Courtney Milan, Lorretta Chase, or MURDERBOT. Thank you.
SBTB introduced me to Courtney Milan, Lucy Parker, Helen Hoang, and Loretta Chase!
Congratulations on the birthday. I found the site through another romance blog and then read some of your reviews.
Happy anniversary!
I love seeing HABO requests. I don’t think I’ve ever ever solved a single one. But I’m always so impressed at the knowledge out there. This site has so much to enjoy, including knitting which I love, and the tone is caring, inclusive, and positive. I’ve been introduced to lots of authors but probably most thankful for Courtney Milan and Sherry Thomas.
Congratulations!
Happy Anniversary! I enjoy this site so much. I have found so many great books to read that I would never have known about without this site.
Happy anniversary! I was told about the Snark, and I found that I love it all. I will be forever grateful for your rec of T. Kingfisher, who I just love. Elyse’s bachelor posts are also a favorite.
As @DiscoDollyDeb says, I do come to SBTB mainly to look at knitting books. But even if I don’t come to the site myself, I get plenty of recommendations from my mom, who finds many reads here. SBTB is more meaningful because it is a place on the Internet that is inclusive and sensitive (and those places are few and far between on the Internet). Congratulations on 18 years, and I hope for many more years of recommendations and community!