I was sold on this book when I heard it has a donut shop called Amazin’ Glazin’. Yes, sure, new small town romance by one of my favourite authors, whatever. But DONUTS, friends, are important. Unsurprisingly, the donut shop name is just one of the many things I fell in love with when I read Beautiful Dreamer, because I am thoroughly smitten with this book. Everyone in the tiny South Carolina coastal town of Dreamer’s … Continue reading Beautiful Dreamer by Melissa Brayden →
NB: Please welcome Tara Scott with another squee-worthy review! Check out her previous squees of The Liberators of Willow Run and Courting the Countess. Tara reads a lot of lesbian romances. You can catch her regularly reviewing at The Lesbian Review and Curve Magazine and hear her talk about lesbian fiction (including romance) on her podcast Les Do Books. You can also hit her up for recommendations on Twitter (@taramdscott). … If you were to ask me for a … Continue reading Guest Squee: Strawberry Summer by Melissa Brayden →
Welcome back to Whatcha Reading! Here’s how we’re capping off this month: Sneezy: I’ve been rereading Only Hope. It’s still ongoing, and I’m VERY much not a thriller person, but something about some Will Kill You cinnamon rolls is making my brain happy right now. Lara: I’ve been so lucky with books lately. So many good ones! At the moment, I am knee deep in And Then There Was the One by Martha Waters. It’s … Continue reading Whatcha Reading? September 2025, Part Two →
Welcome back to Whatcha Reading! Here’s how we’re wrapping up May: Elyse: I just started This Monster of Mine. The author said the hero was inspired by Ben Barnes as the Darkling so … Claudia: I’m struggling with the new Susanna Kearsley book, The King’s Messenger. It’s told from the perspectives of multiple characters and to me it just feels jarring, like I don’t get to know any of them. Amanda: What a coincidence, I … Continue reading Whatcha Reading? May 2025, Part Two →
In this small-town second chance romance, Melissa Brayden’s Dream a Little Dream explores the pain of betrayal, the courage to face the unexpected, and the longing for a love that’s unforgettable. Savanna Potter is having an off year. Her aunt died, and the woman of her dreams, who had agreed to meet her on the suspension bridge one year after their first amazing date, stood her up. Then, in news that rocks her, it turns out the … Continue reading Dream a Little Dream →
This piece of literary mayhem is exclusive to Smart Bitches After Dark, but fret not. If you’d like to join, we’d love to have you! Have a look at our membership options, and come join the fun! If you want to have a little extra fun, be a little more yourself, and be part of keeping the site open for everyone in the future, we can’t wait to see you in our new subscription-based section … Continue reading What Have You Learned About Yourself from Romance? →
Welcome to Whatcha Reading! It’s our first one of the month and we want to hear about which books are at the top of your TBR pile. Elyse: I’m reading Where the Dead Wait, which a horror novel about arctic exploration that includes cannibalism, so it feels weird to say it’s just incredibly beautifully written. If you like horror it’s a must read. Lara: I’m reading At First Spite by Olivia Dade. It’s a bit … Continue reading Whatcha Reading? February 2024, Part One →
What do you get when you combine a sweet cinnamon twist and robust Italian wine? Bestselling author Melissa Brayden’s You Had Me at Merlot, the perfect blend of sugar and spice. Bordeauxnuts is New York City magic, and it all belongs to Jamie Tolliver. A charming coffee and doughnut spot by day, Bordeauxnuts transforms with a sprinkle of powdered sugar into a cozy sophisticated wine bar each evening. Jamie’s enjoying a blueberry latte with her quirky band … Continue reading You Had Me At Merlot →
This Rec League comes from Will. Thanks, Will! I’m looking for a recommendation of a queer romance novel (ideally f/f or m/m or trans) with great side characters. I’d love a book with the feeling that the side characters have their own lives and their own stories. Bonus points if they don’t ship the main couple, get bored when the main character talks about their love life or are so occupied with their own problems … Continue reading The Rec League: Queer Communities →
It’s Rec League time! Thank you to Aubrey for sending this one in: Do you have recs for a feel-good contemporary with a bi/pansexual female main character? Bonus points if she discovers her full sexuality as an adult! I’ve seen books with trauma, bisexual men or supporting characters, bisexuality as a one-line mention, or it’s YA. Or the bisexual character is “just confused” or “experimenting.” Do good adult romance books with a bisexual woman exist? … Continue reading The Rec League: Bi/Pan Heroines →
This request comes from Anne. Thanks, Anne! I’m a successful self-made businesswoman. I love fiction with a romantic element about successful businesswomen, like classics by Judith Krantz and Barbara Taylor Bradford. But I have a hard time finding it. Too often businesswomen in romances are not that good at business (anxious, unsure about how to make the business work financially) relieved when a successful here comes to save them – or they are good at … Continue reading The Rec League: Competence Porn + Business Owners →
