This Rec League was sent in by Anne: I’ve been re-reading Susanna Kearsley’s books about the Jacobites was reminded about how very unlucky the Stuarts were in their efforts to regain the throne in England. I am interested in books about what might have happened in the Stuarts were successful or if Queen Anne had named her half-brother as her successor instead of her German cousin. On a similar note, I’m also interested in books … Continue reading The Rec League: Alternate History →

This Rec League came from our staff reviewer Shana: Have we done a Rec League on books where the couple’s first time having sex is awkward or bad and they had to learn how to give each other pleasure? I feel like I remember us talking about those romances but I’m not sure what we might have called the Rec League. I love historical married couple romances, and this trope feels somewhat adjacent. Carrie: Jennifer … Continue reading The Rec League: Awkward Sex →

This Rec League was sent in from Cassidy: I’m looking for a book recommendation (recommendations if I’m being honest) for a book with a reverse grumpy x sunshine relationship. As much as I appreciate the brooding, cold, grumpy hero, I prefer romance where it’s the woman who is the grumpy or closed off one while the guy is social, pleasant to be around, funny, and an overall ball of sunshine/ a golden retriever—but books with … Continue reading The Rec League: Grumpy/Sunshine with Grumpy Heroines →

This request came from Vicki. Thanks, Vicki! I was chatting with someone in India who is unhappy with their cricket team and remembering playing cricket as a kid. I’m wondering if there are any good cricket romances. Sarah: I am stumped! Amanda: Same! If any exist, they’re most certainly indie pubbed or not readily available in the US, given that Jodi McAlister’s reality TV romances were Aussie-only for a while, given that her publisher wasn’t … Continue reading The Rec League: Cricket Romances →

It appears that several of our SBTB Podcast Patreon Discord are planning for a vacay. In preparation, we’d like to compile some great vacation reading suggestions for the occasion. Sarah: On one memorable vacation, this book gave me an absurd good time: The Very Virile Viking by Sandra Hill Carrie: If you haven’t read The Windflower by Laura London on the beach then you haven’t lived. Lara: During my last holiday, my best friend introduced … Continue reading The Rec League: Vacation Reading →

This Rec League came in from Liz. Thanks, Liz! I’ve been on a romantic fantasy and sci-fi marathon lately and I’m looking for some recs, please. So, you know how in many fantasy novels, particularly urban/modern fantasy, there’s a lot of MC’s that go through a culture shock, fish out of water, “ZOMG! Vampires and shifters and magic!?!” phase that’s often at the start of a series? I would like the opposite of that. I’m … Continue reading The Rec League: Self-Aware Fantasy Main Characters →

This Rec League is from longtime commenter, Stefanie! It’s a good one: Have you done a rec league for those who like what I’ll call The Shop Around the Corner Trope. I can’t think of what else to call it, since it’s not quite enemies to lovers or friends to lovers. Apparently, I really like this trope whether it is played straight, using the plot points from that original movie, which I watch every Christmas, … Continue reading The Rec League: The Shop Around the Corner →

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 →