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Twilight is 20, and I’m Recommending Books in The New York Times

Twilight and SBTB were born in the same year, so now we're both 20! Let's make some recs about it.

Gift Guide 2023: Last Call on Cyber Monday Deals!

Stuff We Like - Cyber Monday

We’ve got readerly gifts, and some links to reader must-haves, all on sale for Cyber Monday! Want to see? Just click that image above or click right here, and come shop with us! And if you’d like to browse some more, we have a complete Stuff We Like archive, including past Gift Guides and other posts of our favorite items.

Books On Sale

Historicals and Contemporaries!

Books on Sale: The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by KJ Charles & More

RECOMMENDED: The Secret Lives of Country Gentleman by KJ Charles is $1.99! I’m hoping this isn’t a leftover KDD from the weekend. Carrie gave this one a B+:

The strengths of this book are in the balancing of conflict with humor and optimism, the rich characterizations, and the portrayal of life on the marsh, as well as a romance between two opposites. It’s entertaining, exciting, and immersive. While I wanted a little more from the ending, I enjoyed this book overall!

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Book Review

It Had to Be a Duke by Vivienne Lorret

It Had to Be a Duke

This is my first Vivienne Lorret historical romance. I picked it up because I feel like I’m forever chasing the Good Book Noise™ or rather Good Book Experience I had with Tessa Dare’s When a Scot Ties the Knot. I want a leading character who plays along with the lie of being betrothed, or dating, etc. It’s a slightly different flavor of fake dating with a little more oomph and tension. Rather than two people … Continue reading It Had to Be a Duke by Vivienne Lorret

Cover Snark: Happy Holidays from Krampus

Married to Krampus by Marina Simcoe. A rockabilly styled woman with wavy blonde hair is back to back with a very hairy man with horns. However, his neck, ears, and most of his face are not hairy.

Welcome back to Cover Snark! From Elizabeth S: Simultaneously, ’Why?!?” and ’Yes!?!” Sarah:HOLIDAY TAILS. Amanda: Krampus would have a rockabilly girlfriend. Sarah: On brand, yup. Tara: I want to know his grooming situation. Did he have to wax his ears, cheeks, forehead, nose, and eyelids to appeal to her? Amanda: I also read the author name too fast and thought it said Marinara Sauce. From Pam, about the same cover: No pecs today, just a … Continue reading Cover Snark: Happy Holidays from Krampus

Get Rec’d with Amanda – Volume 55

Welcome back everyone! If you’re in the States and had a yummy dinner, I hope it went smoothly! I made my family’s stuffing and I forgot how much it rules, and why the hell do I make it only once a year?! We’re gearing up for the holiday season and this is my plug to shop local or buy from small businesses. For many, a bulk of their sales happen during this time of year! … Continue reading Get Rec’d with Amanda – Volume 55

Whatcha Reading? November 2023, Part Two

The woman in yellow coat jeans and boots sitting under the maple tree with a red book and cup of coffee or tea in fall city park on a warm day. Autumn golden leaves. Reading concept. Close up.

Welcome back to Whatcha Reading? Here’s how we’re wrapping up November: Lara: I just started Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban and so far I’m charmed! Shana: I’ve been wanting to read that, Lara! I just finished Game On by Seressia Glass. It’s about a gamer and who streams her scathing critique of a game that lacks racial diversity…and the hot, nerdy CEO of the game company who responds to … Continue reading Whatcha Reading? November 2023, Part Two

Books On Sale

Books by Olivia Dade, Katherine Center, & More

Books on Sale: Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree & More

RECOMMENDED: Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree is $2.99! Carrie gave this one a Squee grade:

Friends, I have to tell you that Legends and Lattes is absolutely, utterly delightful. It was as comforting as the coffeehouse setting that the protagonist attempts to create. It’s a cinnamon roll of a book which, by the way, contains actual cinnamon rolls. I am in love.

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Podcast

590. Audiobooks and Romance Tropes with Mara Wilson

Recently, Mara Wilson was talking about her favorite (and least favorite) romance tropes on social media, so I invited her onto the podcast to tell us all about it. You may know Mara Wilson from Matilda or Mrs. Doubtfire, but she’s currently working very happily as an audiobook narrator, most recently for Chuck Tingle’s Camp Damascus! Please note: we don’t talk a lot about the films she has been in, because this was recorded while … Continue reading 590. Audiobooks and Romance Tropes with Mara Wilson

What are Your Pets Up To?

A white dog with floppy ears in a grey fleece sweatshirt sits on the back of the sofa and hides behind a rubber tree plant so her nose and eyes are visible, and her feet, but not her mouth

Lara suggested this as a community query, and I’m so here for it: what drama, mayhem, shenanigans or cuteness are your pets up to lately?  In my house, we have one dog and two cats. Buzz, who to my knowledge has never been a solo dog before, has adjusted to life without his brother, Zeb, who left us in August. He takes excellent naps with his feet in the air and has been spotted hanging out … Continue reading What are Your Pets Up To?

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