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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.

Comic Style Covers Keep On Coming

A vintage comic style illustration of two men about to kiss. One is standing up, has blonde hair in a kind of pompadour, and is wearing a right red shirt and jeans. In front of him is a seated man in a director's chair wearing a white button down and jeans.

It’s Comics, but it’s not Comic Sans! Recently Cat Sebastian revealed on Instagram the cover for her new book, Star Shipped, coming out in March 2026: Vintage comic style! I dig it. It conveys an era without being exactly specific, and it’s a style that’s nostalgically familiar. I’ve noticed this style as a growing trend in romance. Now, usually when I notice a trend, it’s after two similar occurrences. That’s a coincidence, I know. This … Continue reading Comic Style Covers Keep On Coming

Lightning Review

Love at First Fright by Nadia El-Fassi

Love at First Fright

I have to be upfront about some personal pet peeves first. I hate cosy witch stories. I don’t like twee and I don’t like cutesy. This book has touches of that initially and a lot towards the end, which has definitely coloured my experience of this book. So if cutesy, twee, and cosy are things that bring you joy, then bump this grade up a level or two. Lara, it’s already a B, I hear … Continue reading Love at First Fright by Nadia El-Fassi

Get Rec’d with Amanda – Volume 98

Welcome back, everyone! This round has a romance and a thriller, plus more nonfiction (as always). I just can’t help myself. Out of the nonfiction, one is more biography and the other is definitely a bummer. Do you have any recommendations to share? Let us know in the comments!

Sunday Sale Digest!

Smart Bitches in a blue typewriter font, and After Dark lit up like hot pink neon

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 Sunday Sale Digest!

Whatcha Reading? September 2025, Part One

Bath tub with flower petals and lemon slices. Book, candles and beauty product on a tray. Organic spa relaxation in luxury Bali outdoor bathroom.

Welcome back to Whatcha Reading! Here’s how we’re kicking off the month of September: Lara: I’ve totally given in to the impulse to read the rest of the Guild Hunter novels. I’m currently reading Archangel’s Light. This series is big and comforting and cathartic. I’m so thankful to have another quiver to my bow of therapy reads. Good people doing good things, defeating evil and loving each other while they do it. Balm for the … Continue reading Whatcha Reading? September 2025, Part One

Podcast

684. Thief of Night with Holly Black

The second book in Holly Black’s Night duology, Thief of Night, is out now, and I was so excited to talk with her about it. We start right off by talking about creepy places – like, what kind of magic comes out of Jersey? Then we talk about world building, starting with atmosphere instead of plot, and the intricacies of shadow magic in her duology. Plus, we squee about books we’ve loved, magic powers we … Continue reading 684. Thief of Night with Holly Black

Lightning Review

Jane Austen’s Fashion Bible by Ros Ballaster

Jane Austen’s Fashion Bible

Jane Austen’s Fashion Bible is a great gift book for a very specific reader. They must be sufficiently interested in Jane Austen’s work to want a book which combines excerpts from Austen with Regency era fashion plates from La Belle Assemblee, a periodical that published its first issue in 1806. But they also have just the right level of interest – too much, and this book will leave them feeling cheated of more information. This … Continue reading Jane Austen’s Fashion Bible by Ros Ballaster

Links: Crochet Patterns, Soap Operas, & More

Workspace with computer, journal, books, coffee, and glasses.

Hello and happy Wednesday! What a week! I’ll be bopping around Disney next week to attend a giant pin trading event and partake in the Epcot Food & Wine Festival. I’m so stoked. I feel like my last vacation was to South Korea over a year ago. Doesn’t it feel great to have a big thing to look forward to? (Even if it means the time crawls by.) Any exciting plans on the horizon for … Continue reading Links: Crochet Patterns, Soap Operas, & More

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