Smart Bitches, Trashy Books
Bringing you the famous and cheeky SBTB blog for romance enthusiasts. If you're into the romance genre, this is where you want to be. If you're not, avoid at all costs to preserve your sanity. Ha ha. We're just kidding. There are some good things happening in the genre. Stay Golden, Horny Girl!
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This week, Amanda and I catch up on a whole bunch of things, including college visits, airboats, and dating! We also have listener email, including recommendation requests and compliments galore! I know some of y’all love the episodes where Amanda and I hang out and talk books and everything, so if you like this one, let me know? Email, comment, tweet at me, whatever – if you’re into these episodes, let me know! CW/TW: discussion of needles in the first 10 minutes. Also: my dogs barked a lot. Sorry about that! What about you? What books are you looking forward to? We’d absolutely love to know! … Music: purple-planet.com Listen to …
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The Business of Blood The Business of Blood by Kerrigan Byrne is $1.99! This is book one in the Fiona Mahoney historical mystery series. It was recommended by Renee Ahdieh on the podcast and she mentions that it takes place during the time when Jake the Ripper was active. London, 1890. Blood and death are Fiona Mahoney’s trade, and business, as they say, is booming. Dying is the only thing people do with any regularity, and Fiona makes her indecorous living cleaning up after the corpses are carted away. Her childhood best friend, Mary, was the last known victim of Ja…
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B+ Book Lovers by Emily Henry May 3, 2022 · Berkley Contemporary RomanceRomance When the opening pages of a book demonstrate the writer’s deep fluency and familiarity with romance tropes, even by being extremely meta about it, it’s a signal for me that I can trust the book I’m reading to fulfill the expectations I have. If Book Lovers were a person, it would probably be wearing a t-shirt that read, “I am your catnip, Sarah,” and would politely ask if it could hug me. Because this narrative simultaneously operates o…
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This Rec League comes from Kayla. Thanks, Kayla! I’m dying for some BIPOC vampires I can really sink my teeth into. Ideally wise cracking and leather pants wearing but I’m not that picky. I just want more diversity in my night life. Shana: Well, there’s classics that I love, like Jewelle Gomez’s The Gilda Stories ( A | BN | K | AB ), Tananarive Due’s My Soul to Keep ( A | BN | K | G | AB ), and Octavia Butler’s Fledgling ( A | BN | K | AB ), but that doesn’t get you the lighthearted fun…or the leather pants. For that, you need the Vampire Sorority Sisters series by Rebekah Weatherspoon. A | BN | K | ABI didn’t finish The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa ( A | BN | K | …
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Welcome back to Links! Given the recent news regarding Roe V. Wade, I just want to reiterate that SBTB hopes you’ll find a safe, positive place here. Sarah posted some resources to help local abortion funds and I’ll be reposting those below. Try to find a moment to take some joy for yourself. Drop things in the comments that give you hope or silly things to make you smile. … Sarah posted this list yesterday for abortion funds by state. Thanks to Helmsinki on Twitter for compiling all this info. Also in the comments of our commenting bug update Trix brought a free book to our attention. Seven Stories Press is offering free ebook copies of THE NEW HANDBOOK FOR A POST-ROE…
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A Master of Djinn A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark is $2.99! I hope this isn’t a leftover deal that’s about to expire. I picked this one for a previous Hide Your Wallet. Historical fantasy mystery with a badass main character and a supportive girlfriend. Nebula, Locus, and Alex Award-winner P. Djèlí Clark returns to his popular alternate Cairo universe for his fantasy novel debut, A Master of Djinn Cairo, 1912: Though Fatma el-Sha’arawi is the youngest woman working for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities, she’s certainly not a rookie, …
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C+ The Mad Girls of New York by Maya Rodale April 26, 2022 · Berkley The Mad Girls of New York is a fictionalized retelling of the real-life reporter Nellie Bly’s breakthrough investigation into The Women’s Insane Asylum on Blackwell’s Island. The novel is at its best when it sticks to the facts and when it keeps its focus on Nellie and women that she meets. It suffers when the attention shifts to a rival reporter, the fictional Sam Colton. In both this book and in real life, Nellie Bly (born Elizabeth Jane Cochran…
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Count Your Lucky Stars Count Your Lucky Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur is $2.99! Tara was excited about this one, but ultimately gave it a C: Thankfully the epilogue is so far past the main events of the book that I can actually entertain the idea of their HEA, because whoooo, do Margot and Olivia ever need time to work on their communication skills. Following Written in the Stars and Hang the Moon, national bestselling author Alexandria Bellefleur pens another steamy queer rom-com about former best friends who might be each other’s second chance at love… Margot …
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This HaBO is from Lia who wants to find this historical romance: I really hope someone can remember this book! Here’s what I can recall: –Basically, the book takes place in California before it becomes a state (1800s) –Female Lead was really sick at the start of the book (consumption or something similar) and she survived but was super weak –Male Lead loves Female Lead from the start but because of her weakened condition he’s too worried something will happen to her so he puts a halt to romance plans –Something about gold or treasure? –Female Lead gets captured by the bad guy and then rescued by Male Lead Hopefully someone remembers! Sound familiar to anyone? …
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Thank you to everyone who emailed me that things were weird in the hot pink palace HQ. I’m not sure why the comment post button has disappeared, but I’m working on it! In the meantime, take care of yourself, read a soothing book, and if you want to help the existential dread in the US, here is a list of abortion funds across the country. You can also Google your local providers, and see how you can support them personally, even and including sending them a card to thank them. And Nicole Cardoza at the Anti-Racism Daily has additional resources today. (I very effusively recommend the ARD.) I’ll update when the weirdness with the site is resolved. Sorry about this, y’all…
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A+ When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill May 3, 2022 · Doubleday Science Fiction/Fantasy When Women Were Dragons is unlike any other book I’ve read and I found to be painful, joyous, and liberating. I couldn’t stop reading it even when it made my chest hurt, and I’ve thought of it so many times since, with scenes popping into my head as though I just read them yesterday. This is not a romance, but it will appeal to those who like women’s history with a side of rage and fantasy. Alex Green is a little girl in 19…
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The Rakess RECOMMENDED: The Rakess by Scarlett Peckham is $1.99! I haven’t seen any updates about new releases aside from something on Amazon for next March (SO FAR!), but I hope we get some soon! Carrie read this one and have it an A-: The combination of personal catnip with descriptive language and complex characterization is spot on. I recommend this for fans of vocal feminism, found family, angst, and explicit sex in their historicals. I plan to read my copy many, many times! Meet the SOCIETY OF SIRENS—three radical, libertine ladies determined to weaponize their…
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Let’s look at some adorable and amazing covers! Maya: Here’s one I am OBSESSED WITH. Tiaras are always the answer Amanda: That feels like a step above of a tiara, Maya! Sneezy: Mood music for eyes! Sarah: Definitely le plus ultra tiara. Stunning. Amanda: I really like this and the happy moment of jumping into someone’s arms! Sneezy: Me too!!!! Tara: Cute! Sarah: This cover makes me smile every time I see it. Especially her devious expression. From Vasha: For your next Cover Awe — this is the best fake date photo ever. They’re having so much fun conspiring together! Sarah: That is a fantastic picture! Lara: She is having the best time! Amanda: It’s like …
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Our latest bestseller list is brought to you by fresh blooms, buzzing little bumblebees, and our affiliate sales data. Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots Amazon | B&N | Kobo The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec Amazon | B&N | Kobo While We Were Dating by Jasmine Guillory Amazon | B&N | Kobo Rock Hard by Nalini Singh Amazon | B&N | Kobo When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare Amazon | B&N | Kobo | GooglePlay How to Catch a Duke by Grace Burrowes Amazon | B&N | Kobo C…
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http://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/WP/wp-content/themes/smartbitches/images/posts/hide-your-wallet.jpg If you’re new to Hide Your Wallet, this is where we list new releases we’re pretty excited for in the coming month. Each reviewer has a book maximum (five per person), and we’ve separated HYW into two parts. The first HYW of the month will cover books that release from the 1st to the 14th. The second HYW will cover books released from the 15th to the end of the month. We also think this will help us feature books from smaller publishers who don’t have buy links up as early as the bigger trade houses. As always, if we missed any books that you’…
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It’s time for Pudding and I to put down our embroidery and watch The Courtship. I apologize for the quality of this photo, but this is the look that Pudding gave me after I brushed her for THREE ENTIRE SECONDS. Mind you, she also had a bowl of warm shredded chicken for dinner and I had been checking on her every 2 hours all day to make sure her heating pad was on. Call Sarah McLachlan. Pudding: The audacity. We open with Nicole and Miss Cleary snuggled up in Nicole’s bed. There’s a knock on the door and it’s Mr. Chapman with a breakfast tray. Miss Cleary leaves and Mr. Chapman and Nicole kiss. SCANDALOUS Click for Mr. Chapman and Nicole Nicole’s parents are a…
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D The Long Game by Rachel Reid April 26, 2022 · Carina Press Romance TW/CW Discussion of disordered eating, homophobia, bullying, mental illness. The Long Game is the sequel to Heated Rivalry, the rivals-to-lovers hockey romance that pairs Ilya, an infuriating Russian, with his hockey nemesis, sunny Shane. Heated Rivalry has a permanent home on my keeper shelf, but the book ends with a HFN. I was dying to revisit these two and see them have a more permanent HEA. Unfortunately, I had three main issues with this b…
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The transcript for Podcast 508. Celebrating 100 Books with Jess Michaels! has been posted! This podcast transcript was handcrafted with meticulous skill by Garlic Knitter. Many thanks. ❤ Click here to subscribe to The Podcast → View the full article
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The Hollow of Fear RECOMMENDED: The Hollow of Fear by Sherry Thomas is $1.99 and a Kindle Daily Deal! This is the third book the Lady Sherlock series, which probably needs to be read in order. Sarah gave it a B+: I will keep recommending this series, as it is so layered with opportunities to examine it. It can be read as a mystery, as a historical novel with found family, as an examination of sexism and societal limitations on women, and how those limitations are subverted in acceptable and unacceptable ways, or as a study of those outside the boundaries of high society and how they survive with disgu…
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A | BN | K | ABJess Michaels is celebrating the release of her 100th book, 100 Nights with the Duke! That’s a lot of books, and a long career of close to 20 years! We talk about how she’s celebrating this milestone, and we take a look back at how her experience of the romance industry has evolved over two decades. Along the way we cover: Commemorative tattoos The biggest changes she’s experienced in her career How romance readership has evolved Finding your own compass to guide your business CW: Jess’ father passed away earlier this year, and we talk a little about that near the end of the episode. … Music: purple-planet.com Listen to…
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When a Scot Ties the Knot RECOMMENDED: When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare is $3.99! Elyse loved this book so much and gave it an A: Everything about When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare worked for me. Everything. Bust out the squee mop, y’all because this review is just going to be a flappy-hands Good Book Noise® mess. Things this book has: 1. A sexy Scot hero I pictured as Sam Heughan. 2. A heroine who is a naturalist and illustrator. 3. Tons of UST. 4. A completely crazy sauce plot that Dare pulls off flawlessly. 5. A missing lobster. On the cusp of h…
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A- Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher April 26, 2022 · Tor Books Science Fiction/Fantasy TW/CW TW: stillbirth and death of infants, domestic violence including rape (all of these are alluded to but not shown or explicitly described) Take the horror elements from T. Kingfisher’s novel The Hollow Places and combine them with the character dynamics and gentle, slow-burn romance of the Paladin series and you get Nettle and Bone, a fairy tale in which a princess enlists the help of a witch, a warrior, and an evil godm…
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Happy Wednesday! Is anyone else ready for this week to be over? I’m already exhausted from it. Also thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes and happy belated birthday to those who celebrated their own! We’re warming up here in New England and I already miss the fall weather. I feel like spring is probably the hardest for me to dress for in terms of managing layers and rainy weather. I also look much cuter in my fall and winter attire. Any seasonal preferences in the audience? … I know we have some fellow gamers amongst us! My friend Emma recently backed this on Kickstarter: Kiss U. It’s a high fantasy dating sim set at a university and features a non-binary Howl…
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The Witch’s Heart The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec is $1.99! Carrie gave this one an A: I was constantly surprised – sometimes delighted by a surprising event and sometimes heartbroken. The prose was stunning and the protagonist someone I wanted to spend all my time with. When a banished witch falls in love with the legendary trickster Loki, she risks the wrath of the gods in this moving, subversive debut novel that reimagines Norse mythology. Angrboda’s story begins where most witches’ tales end: with a burning. A punishment from Odin for refusing to provid…
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D Birds of California by Katie Cotugno April 26, 2022 · Haper Perennial Contemporary Romance The Birds of California is a celebrity romance which is totally my jam, but there was a big problem with the book’s ending. Specifically we learn about a trauma the heroine has survived at the very end of the novel, which gave me as a reader no time to process that trauma (even if the heroine already had). There’s no way to review this without being spoilery, so I’ve put more specifics in the spoiler tags belo…
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