Hide Your Wallet
July 2025 Queer Romances
Happy July! Summer is heating up with a vengeance, both in the air and on the page, so break out some cool drinks, cue up your next read, and enjoy!
Featured
What to Do If You Think You’ve Been Plagiarised
Yep, it's true - I was so shocked I didn't know what to do next.
Podcast
674. Enchanted Romantasy Feasts with Gaby Leon, HappyGabyCooks
You may know Gaby Leon as HappyGabyCooking on TikTok and Instagram. She’s also the author of a new cookbook! The Enchanted Feast is a gorgeous book filled with recipes inspired by Gaby’s favorite Rrrrrromantasy titles. There are cocktails, snacks, entrees, and terrific cookies and desserts. This episode, and this cookbook, might make you hungry. If you’re thinking you might need to check out this cookbook, yes, yes you do. And if you’ve got a potluck … Continue reading 674. Enchanted Romantasy Feasts with Gaby Leon, HappyGabyCooks
Books On Sale
A Freebie, Cat Sebastian, & More
RECOMMENDED: Partners in Crime by Alisha Rai is $2.99! Lara read this one and gave it an A- in a Lightning Review:
Because of my absolute abhorrence of a Big Misunderstanding plot, I nearly didn’t come back to this book, so if that turns you off, too, don’t make my mistake. You’ll be rewarded with a fun, emotionally nuanced, and surprising heist adventure – a very memorable one!
Book Review
Guest Review: The Lilac Ghost by Irene Saylor
This guest review comes from Lucynka! Lucynka is a long-time lurker, who has occasionally commented under a couple different names in the past. Over the last few years, she’s become really interested in the history of the romance genre, particularly those forgotten or oft-overlooked parts. You can find her on Bluesky @lucynka.bsky.social, or else over on her WordPress, where she blogs about “obscure bullshit,” including a lot of romance pulp magazines from the 1920s-’40s. … … Continue reading Guest Review: The Lilac Ghost by Irene Saylor
Links: Blue’s Clues, Romance Bookstores, & More
Welcome back, everyone! How are we feeling this Wednesday? We’ve had a bit of a shakeup in the household and I’m putting things in spoilers as it deals with pet health. For those who have been in a similar situation, please share your wisdom! Because wow, it sucks. If you want to put your comments in a spoiler tag, you’ll want to put your comments between these tags and remove the asterisks. [*spoiler]text goes here[*/spoiler] … Continue reading Links: Blue’s Clues, Romance Bookstores, & More
Books On Sale
Sonali Dev, Bridgerton, & More
Molly Molloy & the Angel of Death by Maria Vale is 99c! I highly suggest listening to the podcast we did with Maria on this book. She explains it well that this isn’t a romance per se
Book Review
Let’s Make a Scene by Laura Wood
I almost never read celebrity romances. Second-chance romances really turn me off, mostly. Enemies-to-lovers is tough to make convincing. I am so glad that I didn’t judge this book based on my past experience of these tropes because this story was ELECTRIC, particularly the chemistry between the two protagonists! I had a phenomenal time reading it. Cynthie Taylor is 20 years old and has been cast in a small British Regency movie. This is her … Continue reading Let’s Make a Scene by Laura Wood
Books On Sale
Fantasy Romance, a Boxed Set, & More
Here for the Wrong Reasons by Annabel Paulsen and Lydia Wang is $1.99! We mentioned on a Hide Your Wallet earlier this spring and it’s a F/F reality TV romance.
Help A Bitch Out - SOLVED!
HaBO: Her Hair is Blonde with Red Patches
This HaBO comes from Hannah, who wants to find this historical: So here’s what I remember: – It was an old-school style paperback romance I bought in the airport in like 2006. – Set in the United States in the early 1900s. – The mother had some drama with this wealthy family and ending up getting pregnant and married to one of them, so when her daughter was born she gave her the family last … Continue reading HaBO: Her Hair is Blonde with Red Patches
Sign Up for Quarterly Book Recommendations!
This piece of literary mayhem is exclusive to Smart Bitches After Dark, but fret not. If you’d like to join, we’d love to have you! Have a look at our membership options, and come join the fun! If you want to have a little extra fun, be a little more yourself, and be part of keeping the site open for everyone in the future, we can’t wait to see you in our new subscription-based section … Continue reading Sign Up for Quarterly Book Recommendations!
