Angela- It's October! Yay! I'm so ready for fall weather and end-of-the-year releases. Also, I'm gearing up for all the best of and favorite lists. I have a few books I'm excited for this month (a couple I've already read, but want to make sure they are on your radar). The Brightest Star in Paris by Diana Biller 10/12 Historical Romance- I've been looking forward to a new Diana Biller since the moment I finished The Widow of Rose House. I hear this one is quite emotional and I'm here for Continue Reading
Melinda’s Favorites of 2020
YA: A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow blew me away when I listened to it this summer. The worldbuilding she managed to do is astonishing considering it's about Black sirens but set in modern times. Combine that with a discussion of respectability politics and misogynoir as well as sisterly love. It's a book I wish I could re-read for the first time again, it's that good. You Should See Me In a Crown by Leah Johnson is delightful and made me so happy. The cover is just beautiful to look Continue Reading
Kate’s Favorites of 2020
Historical Romance The Duke Who Didn't by Courtney Milan: I'm not entirely sure what I can say since I feel like everybody has already read and loved this book. The Duke Who Didn't is a fluffy romance with a side of food porn. I fell in love with Chloe and her lists and board clip, her dad and his spicy food for Jeremy, and Jeremy and his endearing goofiness. I can't wait to visit Wedgeford again. The Beast of Beswick by Amalie Howard: I read The Beast of Beswick near the beginning of Continue Reading
Melanie’s Favorites of 2020
Contemporary: Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert - cinnamon roll heroes were what got me through 2020 and very few authors do it as well as Talia Hibbert. When security guard Zafir Ansari's rescue of PhD candidate Dani Brown during a fire drill gone wrong goes viral (#DrRugbae 4ever), the two decide to fake a public relationship for the sake of Zaf's kids' charity with a side order of sexy times in private. I love the “lets bang to get her out of my system and surely I will not Continue Reading
Did Not Finish Friday
Here's a round up of books that I started but didn't work for me. Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade - I was so excited about this book. The cover is gorgeous. And I am 100% here for fat people finding the love they desire. But this book was a terrible let down for me. I made it 40% and I just felt so disconnected from the story. For me, the beginning being so steeped in the world of fan fiction, particularly a fictional version of Game of Thrones, which I don’t watch. For me, this was a Continue Reading
Review: Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade
Just a caveat that I don’t know if I can be completely unbiased when it comes to Olivia Dade’s books anymore because I’ve grown to genuinely like her as a person. I *think* I can separate the author from the art, but who really knows? However, Spoiler Alert really impacted me from start to finish and I loved it so much, and honestly it took me by surprise! The concept is a great one, but one I wasn’t sure would appeal to me specifically. April writes fan fic and is one of the top fic Continue Reading
The Chicks Gaslighter Album but make it Romance
Melinda and I have been DMing not stop about the new Chicks album since it debuted. We both love it. When Melinda pitched this list to me for a post on Smexy, I couldn't say yes fast enough. In the comments, tell us your favorite song from this album and what romance novel you would match it up with. Huge thank you to Melinda (@MelindaEdits) for this post. The Chicks released their 8th studio album on July 17th and I’ve probably listened to it at least 300 times since then. I can’t Continue Reading
Kini’s Mid-Year Update: What Books I am excited about July – December 2020
Much like Angela I have A LIST. There are just so many good sounding books coming out. And these are only the ones we know about. I am sure more books will be announced for October/November/December that will make it on my list. July: Boss in the Bedsheets by Kate Canterbary 6/26 Contemporary Romance Rapper's Delight by Kenya Goree-Bell 6/30 Contemporary Romance One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London 7/7 Women's Fiction A Sweet Mess by Jayci Lee 7/14 Contemporary/Rom Com Dirty Continue Reading
Guest Review: 40 Love by Olivia Dade
Today we have a guest reviewer- Melinda @melindaedits with a review for 40 Love by Olivia Dade which pubs June 18. Olivia Dade is one of those authors that has slowly become one of my auto-buys because of the way she handles fatness, consent, and so many other topics. She has this way of weaving these issues into the fabric of her books without sacrificing plot, character, or emotion and always gives me incredible pay-off. 40-Love opens with truly one of the best and funniest scenes Continue Reading
Smexy’s June TBR
Angela- I have so many books on my TBR list this month I've been itching to read. 2020 might be a shit year so far, but some great books have been released. A Dark and Stormy Knight (Victorian Rebels #7) by Kerrigan Byrne 6/2 Historical Romance- Kerrigan Byrne is self-publishing Carlton Morley's book and I am so thankful. I don't think this series would have been complete without it. Dragon Unleashed (Fallen Empire #2) by Grace Draven 6/9 Fantasy Romance- I have been a long time Grace Continue Reading