Genre: Historical: American
Book Review

The Shabti by Megaera C. Lorenz

The Shabti

Within the first paragraph of reading this I knew I wanted to review it. When the writing itself is just so good, you have to share it. About a chapter in, I actually stopped and restarted the book because I was reading it too quickly and I wanted to savour it. The book didn’t quite live up to the promise of those first few pages, but I still devoured it in one sitting. The book … Continue reading The Shabti by Megaera C. Lorenz

Book Review

You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian

You Should Be So Lucky

I’m in an unusual position here. Usually, Cat Sebastian novels are endlessly charming and they have caused many a Bad Decisions Book Club over the years. This one didn’t quite hit that same high for me, but I did still enjoy it. Let’s unpack this situation together. Eddie O’Leary found out on national television that he was being traded to the Robins in New York. His outburst in response to the news could not have … Continue reading You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian

Lightning Review

We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian

We Could Be So Good

CW: Homophobia on the page and mentioned in the past Cat Sebastian is an auto-read for me. She never lets me down. And she certainly hasn’t with this book. Nick Russo is on the city desk at the Chronicle, a progressive newspaper in New York. (Progressive because they don’t toe the party line and they dare to criticise the police.) He’s worked hard to get there and he’s good at his job. He’s brusque, respected … Continue reading We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian

Other Media Review

Series Review: A League of Their Own

A LEague of Their Own with a black woman in a blue unform holding a ball, and a white woman in a red univorm with a bat over her shoulders members of the ensemble are at the bottom

CW: period-appropriate homophobia and racism, raid on a gay bar at the end of episode 6 I wasn’t planning on watching A League of Their Own when I heard it was being turned into a TV series. The original film was such a foundational part of my childhood, how could I possibly enjoy an 8-episode series as much? Also, I’d heard it was super gay, which made me concerned about what traumatic events we’d see, … Continue reading Series Review: A League of Their Own

Lightning Review

The Demon Equilibrium by Cathy Pegau

The Demon Equilibrium

Grace Carter is a magic “source.” Maggie Mulvaney is her “catalyst,” helping Grace harness the magic so that, together, they can take out demons. Maggie is also the love of Grace’s life and Grace has been searching for her for nine months after a forced separation. When Grace finds Maggie, Maggie doesn’t remember her or their life together in the demon-hunting Order of Saint Teresa, where they were the strongest duo the Order had seen … Continue reading The Demon Equilibrium by Cathy Pegau

Book Review

The Lady Has A Past by Amanda Quick

The Lady Has a Past

The Lady Has a Past is a really strong romantic thriller with mild paranormal elements that delivers on both the thriller and the romantic aspects of the story. Unfortunately, while I thoroughly enjoyed this story while I was reading it, I found myself increasingly troubled by certain aspects of the narrative once I began to reflect on the story in order to write this review. The story begins when apprentice PI and former socialite Lyra … Continue reading The Lady Has A Past by Amanda Quick

Book Review

The Heiress Hunt by Joanna Shupe

The Heiress Hunt

TW: Sexual assault Joanna Shupe is one of my auto-buy authors, so I was bummed when The Heiress Hunt fell flat for me. This first book in her Fifth Avenue Rebels series promised a friends-to-lovers romance, which I adore, but the hero’s inability to grow or change left me lukewarm at the end. Harrison Archer is the second son to a tycoon and grew up in a pretty awful household. While his older brother, Teddy, … Continue reading The Heiress Hunt by Joanna Shupe

Lightning Review

Wild Rain by Beverly Jenkins

Wild Rain

Content warning: Spring’s backstory contains abuse, including sexual exploitation, and Garrett is a former slave and child soldier. Both characters face racism, and this is a major plot point. Wild Rain is a lovely, tender romance between Spring, a horse-rancher living in Wyoming, and Garrett, a reporter for a Black newspaper who has travelled out West to interview Spring’s brother. Spring is independent, prickly, and extremely competent, and Garrett is charmed by her almost from … Continue reading Wild Rain by Beverly Jenkins

Book Review

Guest Rant: Night Storm by Catherine Coulter

Night Storm

A longtime romance aficionado and frequent commenter to SBTB, Lisa is a queer Latine critic with a sharp tongue and lots of opinions. She frequently reviews at All About Romance and Women Write About Comics, where she’s on staff, and you can catch her @thatbouviergirl on Twitter. There, she shares good reviews, bracing industry opinions and thoughtful commentary when she’s not on her grind looking for the next good freelance job. This is her third … Continue reading Guest Rant: Night Storm by Catherine Coulter

Book Review

An Heiress to Remember by Maya Rodale

An Heiress to Remember

I’ll be honest, I probably wouldn’t have picked up An Heiress to Remember had I not liked the other books in the series (and Maya Rodale’s writing in general). It’s got that “dude seeks revenge on the woman who didn’t choose him” plotline, something I find tiresome and rarely resolved to my satisfaction. I’m so glad I gave it a chance though because this book, while not perfect, was absolutely a ton of fun to … Continue reading An Heiress to Remember by Maya Rodale

Book Review

The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller

The Widow of Rose House

Ignore your first impressions of the cover — yes, I’m already frantically googling that dress for the inevitable closing date of my Gothic mansion, but the cover doesn’t exactly scream romance novel. Rest assured, The Widow of Rose House is 100% a historical romance, complete with charming sequel-bait family members, protagonists smelling like sandalwood (it’s the heroine this time!), sex scenes with protection (more of this in historicals, please), and a central love story that … Continue reading The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller

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