Hot and Badgered by Shelly Laurenston is 99c! This is the first book in the Honey Badger Chronicles. Sarah read this one and gave it a B grade:
Among my favorite things about Laurenston’s writing is how very affirming and inspiring and a whole lot of fun it is, because angry, fearless women make room for themselves, they get shit done, and they’re the heroines. More honey badgers, please.
One Dance with a Duke by Tessa Dare is $3.99! This is the first book in Dare’s Stud Club trilogy and features a horse breeder hero. Readers say this one is slow to start with, but recommend powering through! There is a marriage of convenience aspect that reviewers really enjoyed.
First Comes Scandal by Julia Quinn is $2.99! This is labeled as a Bridgerton prequel and Kiki gave it a B:
In the stress of the world right now, there is something extra reassuring in a book that, to put it plainly, isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel. First Comes Scandal never makes you wonder if they’ll end up together (although I LOVE that kind of angst at the right time), and it doesn’t make the characters, or the reader, work too hard for the happily ever after. And honestly? Thank god.
The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh is $2.99! This is a Kindle Daily Deal and is being price-matched. The second book is also a KDD! This is a YA fantasy novel with romance elements and is a retelling of A Thousand and One Nights. Readers love the world Ahdieh built, but do mention there seems to be a love triangle in the first book that doesn’t quite work well. It has a 4-star rating on Goodreads.
Royally Screwed by Emma Chase was a book I was pretty pumped about, given how much I’ve enjoyed Chase’s blend of romance and humor in the past. Plus, it has a hunky royal hero and a heroine who throws a pie in his face. While the description had me salivating and clawing at my Kindle like Gollum on a rampage, the hero’s lack of growth and frequent douchery were a big letdown. Nicholas is Prince of Wessco, … Continue reading Royally Screwed by Emma Chase
Sustained is a contemporary romance that I’ve heard compared to both a romantic comedy and a modern fairy tale. It honestly had to live up to some pretty big words-of-mouth compliments and recommendations, and I can say that for the most part, it totally did. It as funny. It was sweet. I even teared up. Twice. Sustained is also told from the hero’s POV. While I tend to avoid those kinds of romances because the … Continue reading Sustained by Emma Chase
The newest novel from New York Times bestselling author Emma Chase. Head of the class… Garrett Daniels has this whole life thing figured out. The cocky, charismatic former high school star quarterback is an idolized football coach and “cool” teacher in the hometown where he’s not just a golden boy — he’s platinum. He has good friends, a great house on the lake, and the best damn sidekick a man could ask for: Snoopy, the albino beagle. … Continue reading Getting Schooled
Ahoy, yon inbox of Smart Bitches! What appears on the horizon? Looks like a royal flotilla of rec requests, captain! Anka writes: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s engagement made me crave some well-written contemporary romances featuring lovesick princes and their kickass brides-to-be. Maybe you could recommend us some great reads focused on the Royals? Aarya writes: I would love to have a Rec League about royalty/prices/princesses in romance. I’m a shameless fan of the British … Continue reading Rec League: Yup, We’re Looking for Royal Romances!
In just a few days, PassionFlix will officially go live! Once they do, their Founding Member pre-subscription will go poof. If you’re still waffling on whether or not to subscribe early, I was able to get a sneak peek at the Beta version of the site, and have some details to share with you. Passionflix will also have an app for viewing on iOS and Android technology, so you can use a phone or tablet … Continue reading Last Call for PassionFlix’s Founding Member Discount
We’re back with another Rec League and this one is rather specific! Katie C. has a request for romances where the conflict is primarily driven by the hero’s internal issues. Here’s her email, along with books she’s read that fit the bill: I would like to request a Rec League for a specific type of internal conflict. Books where the hero’s main problem is that he thinks/worries he is not good enough for the heroine. … Continue reading The Rec League: He’s Not Worthy
