I asked this question on Bluesky a bit ago, and was enchanted with all the answers (and all the covers). What romance novel could you do a 10 minute presentation on with no warning? Vintage old skool romances welcome! When I first posted this back in September 2024, I thought it would be Midsummer Magic by Catherine Coulter, the first romance I read, and one that “lives in the inside foyer of my brain, ready to … Continue reading Which Romance Could You Give a 10 Minute Presentation About with No Prep?→
Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson is $1.99! This is book one in the Ernest Cunningham Mysteries series. I remember this one making a splash when it released because that title is very compelling.
RECOMMENDED: Earls Trip by Jenny Holiday is $3.99! This is a standalone historical romance and was described as Ted Lasso meets Bridgerton for a 19th century spin on The Hangover. We ran a guest review of this one and it earned a B+.
The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by NK Jemisin is $1.99! This is a fantasy novel with a bit of romance and a strong, fierce heroine who is MUCH loved by readers. This book was nominated for the Hugo, the Nebula, and won the Locus for Best First Novel.
Smart Bitches started as a review blog, and we are still going. We’ve published more than three thousand reviews since 2005, and we wanted to share some of our favorites. Choosing only a few has been really challenging, because we all have many favorites. We wanted to talk about reviews we were proud of and that we thought were memorable. I asked Amanda what reviews she thought I should include and she rattled off, like, … Continue reading Twenty Years of Smart Bitches Reviews→
We’re nearing the end of January! Here’s what we’re reading lately: Elyse: I just started Strike and Burn and DNF’d after one chapter. 1. The hero is named Strike Madden. 2. The hero and heroine make out less than an hour after she sees her sister’s dead body in a morgue. 3. His parting words to her are “See you around this fucking world, Honor.” Lara: I’m reading I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now … Continue reading Whatcha Reading? January 2025, Part Two→
The Perks of Loving a Scoundrel by Jennifer McQuiston is $1.99! This is part of the Seduction Diaries series and readers are divided on whether they eventually warmed up to the hero. Jennifer’s podcast interview on the site is one of my faves because she’s so fascinating.
Savannah Carlisle is the author of The Library of Second Chances and is a sports business reporter and nonfiction author under the name Kristi Dosh. Her romance centers on a Little Free Library, so of course we are talking about that. We also discuss the difficult economies of small coastal towns, and the ways that memories can be attached to a place. Then we talk about sports romance – and why she doesn’t want to … Continue reading 651. Little Free Libraries and Sports with Savannah Carlisle and Kristi Dosh→
We Solve Murders by Richard Osman is $6.99! This came out last September, but I suspect some of you may still be waiting for your library hold to come in. Maybe snap this up if you impatience is winning out.
This Rec League came from Elle. Thanks, Elle! I feel like I struggle to find what I think of as feminist romances. I would love urban fantasy, paranormal or fantasy romances where the women are powerful and shine just as much as the guy characters. I love a good devoted guy MC too. Shelley Laurenston is the best fit for what I am thinking but I’m sure there are others with interesting takes and characters … Continue reading The Rec League: Feminist Fantasy→
