So we open back in Malta at the Pre Dreaded Rose Ceremony where Maria is crying. There was beef between Sydney and Maria (that appeared to be manufactured entirely by Sydney). Joey sent Sydney home, but now Lea has taken over having pretend drama with Maria. None of this makes any sense by the way. Don’t try to think about it too hard. Then it’s time for the Dreaded Rose Ceremony. Maria has a date … Continue reading Elyse Watches The Bachelor–S28 E5: My Heart is in My Ass →
We open with a shot of Sydney and Maria sitting on the deck of a boat while dramatic, ominous music plays in the background. If you didn’t know they’d be set up as rivals, it would be a fair assumption to make here that Joey got eaten by a shark. He did not. We are not that lucky. We’re on to the international travel portion of the show, with the gang going to Malta, where … Continue reading Elyse Watches The Bachelor–S28 E4: The Sausage Wheel →
This episode jumps right into it, so I’m doing the same thing. We start off with a group date. The women are brought to a theater where the words Mrs. Right are on light up in the back. Some of the contestants from The Golden Bachelor are there too: April, Susan, Kathy and Nancy, the ASKN ladies. They were all friends, but had a falling out after this cameo I guess? I didn’t watch The Golden Bachelor … Continue reading Elyse Watches The Bachelor–S28 E3: Pool Party Sponsored by KFC →
I would just The Bitchery to know that I am postponing reading House of Flame and Shadow to recap this. That’s how much I love you all. We open with Joey (who is a tennis coach) playing tennis with Jesse. Much to my surprise, neither of them are shirtless. We start with a group date and it’s the same stupid date we get every single season where the women dress up like brides. Could we get … Continue reading Elyse Watches The Bachelor–S28 E2: Beef with Michael Bolton →
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 →
