My husband, Rich, wanted me to wait until he got home to recap this episode because said the first episode is always the best one. That’s like picking the best turd out of the litterbox. In case this is your first time reading one of my recaps I have a theory regarding The Bachelor. No one wants to win this show. You want to stay on it long enough to enjoy the free booze, free travel, … Continue reading Elyse Watches The Bachelor–S28 E1: Even Canada Says No…Thanks →
A Fragile Enchantment is a gentle, cozy fantasy romance (I refuse to use the word romantasy–you can’t make me), and it’s perfect for anyone looking for a romance that’s got a solid conflict, but isn’t angsty. I loved this book. This book is like being wrapped up in a blanket that just came out of the dryer. This book is like drinking the perfect cup of tea while watching it snow outside, knowing you don’t … Continue reading A Fragile Enchantment by Alison Saft →
The Ladies Rewrite the Rules is a “proper,” traditional Regency novel that reminds me of something I might have read years ago from a category line. The heat level stops at smooching and we don’t get a ton of angst or conflict. If you’re looking for a more modern voice (like Sarah MacLean vs Georgette Heyer) this isn’t the book for you. Maxwell Dean is a second son who publishes a booklet identifying wealthy widows … Continue reading The Ladies Rewrite the Rules by Suzanne Allain →
It’s the fifth night of Hanukkah, and this giveaway was created by Elyse, who knows all types of crafty ways to make sure people are warm and cozy. Before I turn this over to Elyse, my Hanukkah wishes for you tonight include the softest yarns, the most delicious snacks, and the very coziest socks. Take it away, Elyse! Elyse: The holidays are upon us! That means, for me anyway, a couple of looooong dreary winter … Continue reading Hanukkah 2023 Night 5: A Crafting Collection! →
Sweeten the Deal is a contemporary romance that flips the usual financial conventions around. In this book the heroine is a decade younger than the hero, but she’s also a millionaire who hires him to be her companion. Typically the person with the financial power in contemporary romances is the hero and the older character, not vice versa. I picked up the book because I was intrigued by that premise, but what I found I … Continue reading Sweeten the Deal by Katie Shepard →
TW: Violence, violence to animals, death of parent Night of the Witch is part historical fantasy and part paranormal romance. It’s the first book in a series, but doesn’t really end on a cliff hanger and the romance gets a full arc by the end, so it’s fine as a standalone. I enjoyed the supernatural element of this book, but I really enjoyed the historical aspect as it was a time period I hadn’t read … Continue reading Night of the Witch by Sara Raasch and Beth Revis →
A Haunting on the Hill is a horror novel set in the same mansion as Shirley Jackson’s classic The Haunting of Hill House. There are brief references to the events in Jackson’s novel and a snippet of her dialogue, but those were the only things connecting the two books. For me, this was an excellent, creepy book that worked well as a standalone, but I think people especially nostalgic for The Haunting of Hill House … Continue reading A Haunting on the Hill by Elizabeth Hand →
If you are even remotely on bookish social media, then you are aware of Fourth Wing. It’s been much-hyped and sold out and everywhere I look online there are rave reviews for this YA-fantasy-romance. I am not here to yuck anyone’s yum. If you read Fourth Wing and you loved it, I am totally happy for you. I want people to love what they read. This was not a book that worked for me, though, … Continue reading Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros →
One of my favorite weekends of the entire year is the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival. I save my yarn shopping money just for this weekend and make plans to go with my fiber-inclined friends. Sheep and Wool Festivals (there’s one for NY and MD too) are different than yarn shows and cons. One of the reasons I love Sheep and Wool Festivals is that you get to experience the process of fiber arts from … Continue reading Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival Recap →
Before we begin the recap, some sad news. It is with a heavy heart that I must announce that last week Lady Pudding, Duchess of Smackington, painlessly departed for a better place. I like to think of her in the south of France, with a scandalously younger gentleman. Pudding was almost 18, had the softest forehead for kissing, and my whole body hurts with missing her. She taught me to love fiercely, maintain my boundaries, … Continue reading Elyse Watches The Bachelorette–S20 E9: A Farewell →
I achieved SABLE (stash acquisition beyond life expectancy) a long time ago. Some people can only buy yarn when they know the specific project they’ll use it for. Not me, I buy yarn when I see it and it’s pretty and squishy, and then I figure out what I’m going to do with it later. Since I knit a lot of socks and shawls, most of my stash is in fingering or sock yarn weight. … Continue reading Stash Busting with Lady Pudding →
