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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Olivia Waite joins me to talk about her New York Times romance column, and her best-of coverage for 2022. We talk about her favorite books of 2022, about writing grief, writing her column, and what’s next. We take a side trip into discussing the emotionally intense books that are popular now, and the properties that had an emotional wallop on us when we were younger. (Hello, Titanic.) … Music: purple-planet.com Listen to the podcast → Read the transcript → Here are the books we discuss in this podcast: …
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A | BN | K Amanda and I make a startling discovery at the start of this episode! Author Karelia Stetz-Waters collects clitoris images and research and we have so many questions. After we take a side trip into the French Olympic mascot design, and cliteracy, a term coined by Sophia Wallace. Then we talk about Karelia’s latest book, Behind the Scenes, which was one of Amanda’s favorite books. … Music: purple-planet.com Listen to the podcast → Read the transcript → Here are the books we discuss in this podcast: …
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Chels, who is on TikTok as Chels_Ebooks, has been doing a series debunking the myths of BookTok, and let me tell you, when people say everything old is new again? Myths about the sales power of readers on social media are recycled with every new platform. We’re going to debunk some myths about romance and TikTok, and cover what Chels really loves about TikTok, too. And we have some very special discussions of classic romances and even more classic cover art. Listen to the podcast → Read the transcript → Here are the books we discuss in this podcast: …
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A | BN | K Jeff Adams, who you may know as one half of The Big Gay Fiction Podcast, is also a credentialed expert in web accessibility, and he’s co-written a new book, Content for Everyone. This book is for creative people to help ensure that all your online content, from websites to social media posts, is accessible to everyone. We’re going to talk about the top four things you can do to make your web content accessible, and spoiler: they’re really not difficult. Then, of course, we’ve got tv and book recs, because that’s what we do here. Listen to the podcast → Read the transcript → Here are the books we discuss in this podcast:…
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Amanda and I are answering listener questions about reading when you’re burnt out, saving the last book of a series, and mood reading. We also talk video games, cozy horror especially, and more. Thank you to Agatha, Malaraa, Clay, Ellen, and Abigail for the questions for this episode! … Coupon! Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @lumedeodorant and get over 40% off your starter pack with promo code SARAH30 at lumedeodorant.com/SARAH30! #lumepod Music: Purple-planet.com Listen to the podcast → Read the transcript → Here are the books we discuss in this podcast: …
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Meredith Goldstein is the host of the Boston Globe’s Love Letters podcast, and she’s been writing their Love Letters advice column for years. The newest season of Love Letters has arrived, and this season is all about money. We talk about the stories from couples featured in this season, and what she’s learned about love and relationships writing an advice column for so long. And of course, we talk about books, too. Listen to the podcast → Read the transcript → Here are the books we discuss in this podcast: …
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Amanda and I are back, trying to shock one another, and possibly you, with astonishing covers. We have Easter and bunnies and our latest guess as to what the next monster schtupping romance trend will be! For extra fun, try to imagine what the cover looks like based on our baffled descriptions, then have a look at the show notes to see the cover in question. How close are you to the stunning reality? Music: Purple-planet.com Listen to the podcast → Read the transcript → Here are the books we discuss in this podcast: Here are the covers! Get ready! …
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You asked questions, and we have answers! We talk about paranormal worldbuilding mysteries, choosing recommendations to introduce folks to romance, and our origin stories – plus the enigma that is Amanda’s ability to remember book details. Thank you to Varian, Norette, Rachel, Elizabeth, Sandra, and Sol for the questions! … Music: purple-planet.com Listen to the podcast → Read the transcript → Here are the books we discuss in this podcast: …
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In September of 2022, we snarked a cover, Planet Oster: Fertility Fusion. The cover designer, who is also one half of the writing team behind the series, reached out to me saying that they were unironically flattered that we’d snarked the cover, and asked if I’d like to talk about the process and the behind the scenes of the design work. Of course I said yes. Music: Purple-planet.com Listen to the podcast → Read the transcript → Here are the books we discuss in this podcast: You can find J on Instagram and Twitter @JayElWr…
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A Taste of Heaven A Taste of Heaven by Penny Watson is 99c! This cover is making me so hungry. This is a contemporary romance with an older hero and heroine (late 40s) and a food competition show. Readers loved the heroine and her relationship with the grumpy Scottish chef hero. However, some readers felt the action of the book happened a little too quickly. It has a 3.9-star rating on Goodreads. “Create one perfect bite.” Good little widow Sophia Brown always follows the rules. When the producer of a cooking competition requests an amuse-bouche, the chefs stick with…
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True Pretenses True Pretenses by Rose Lerner is $2.99! This historical romance was previously featured on Cover Awe with its previous cover. The hero is Jewish and Lerner mentioned in a previous podcast that the book was inspired by the movie, The Brothers Bloom. Have you read this one? Never steal a heart unless you can afford to lose your own. Through sheer force of will, Ash Cohen raised himself and his younger brother from the London slums to become the best of confidence men. He’s heartbroken to learn Rafe wants out of the life, but determined to grant his broth…
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Our Crooked Hearts RECOMMENDED: Our Crooked Hearts by Melissa Albert is $3.99! Elyse gave this one an A: Don’t start Our Crooked Hearts unless you have time to finish it. It’s such a wonderful, spooky, thrilling story that it’s hard to put down. It’s a book about imperfect parents, teenage dissatisfaction, and female empowerment and it unfolds beautifully. It’s also a remarkable ghost story. THE SUBURBS, RIGHT NOW . . . Seventeen-year-old Ivy’s summer break kicks off with an accident, a punishment, and a mystery: a stranger whose appearance in the middle of the roa…
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Sunshine Sunshine by Robin McKinley is $1.99! McKinley has been recommended several times at SBTB HQ. I always love featuring this one because we get some really lovely comments. “Her feet are already bleeding – if you like feet…” There are places in the world where darkness rules, where it’s unwise to walk. Sunshine knew that. But there hadn’t been any trouble out at the lake for years, and she needed a place to be alone for a while. Unfortunately, she wasn’t alone. She never heard them coming. Of course you don’t, when they’re vampires. They took her clothes and …
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Duchess by Design Duchess by Design by Maya Rodale is $1.99! This is the first book in the Gilded Age Girls Club series. Elyse read this one, but gave it a B-, as she didn’t believe the hero really deserved the heroine. Have you read this one? Do you agree with Elyse’s assessment. In the first novel of Maya Rodale’s enthralling new series, an English duke vows to make an American seamstress his duchess… In Gilded Age Manhattan, anything can happen… Seeking a wealthy American bride who can save his family’s estate, Brandon Fiennes, the duke of Kingston, is a rogue de…
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To Catch An Earl RECOMMENDED: To Catch An Earl by Kate Bateman is $1.99! This is the second book in the Bow Street Runners series and Elyse gave it an A: To Catch an Earl is a fun, fast-paced read with lots of sexual tension and capers a-plenty. It’s been one of my favorite books so far this year and I highly recommend it. A case of secret identities finds reunited lovers on opposite sides of the law in this fun, flirty Regency romance. There’s only one case Bow Street agent Alex Harland, Earl of Melton, hasn’t cracked: the identity of the mysterious woman who stole…
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Sword Stone Table Sword Stone Table edited by Swapna Krishna and Jenn Northington is $1.99! Catherine reviewed this one and gave it a B: If you like twists on the King Arthur stories, if you enjoy fantasy and science fiction, and if you like more POC and queer people in your stories, I think you will enjoy Sword, Stone, Table. But if you are coming into this as a romance reader, please do be aware that while there are plenty of happy endings in this book, there are quite a few tragedies as well. Which, after all, reflects the source material. Featuring stories by a b…
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If the Boot Fits If the Boot Fits by Rebekah Weatherspoon is 99c! This is book two in the Cowboys of California series and was featured in Hide Your Wallet back in October. Have you read this one yet? From award-winning author Rebekah Weatherspoon comes a thoroughly modern take on the timeless tale of a struggling Cinderella who finds her prince charming at the eleventh hour—and the adventure that ensues the morning after . . . Working as the personal assistant to one of Hollywood’s cruelest divas has left Amanda Queen more determined than ever to sell her screenplay…
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B- A Caribbean Heiress in Paris by Adriana Herrera May 31, 2022 · HQN Books Romance Content WarningsCW: sexism, parental abandonment, grief I have a weakness for both Scottish and Caribbean characters, so when I saw that A Caribbean Heiress in Paris paired a business savvy Dominican heroine with a progressive Scottish earl, I knew I wanted to try it. And since Claudia loves historical romances, I begged her to read it with me. (Claudia here: Shana had me at hello!) Luz arrives at the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris on…
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A Castle for Christmas by Kim Beyer-Johnson, Ally Carter, Neal H. Dobrofsky, Tippi Dobrofsky B Not a Book Carrie and Shana decided to start December off right with a midweek movie night. Also in attendance were Carrie’s daughter, a dog, and a cat. As consummate professionals, we prepared by reading this article about the realism, and lack thereof, of the movie. It’s been a long time since we’ve done a recap, and we are prepared. Shana was in charge of snacks. Bitches, let me tell you. If you ever have the chance to do so, PUT SHANA IN CHARGE O…
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Wild, Wild Rake Wild, Wild Rake by Janna MacGregor is $1.99! This is book six in the Cavisham Heiresses series. Shana reviewed this one and wasn’t able to finish it, but your mileage may have varied! Her first marriage was an epic failure. Lady Avalon Warwyck never did love her husband. Arrogant, selfish, and cruel, it’s a blessing when she’s widowed and left to raise her son all by herself. Finally, Avalon can live freely and do the work she loves: helping fallen women become businesswomen. She’s lived these past ten years with no desire to remarry―that is, until Mr…
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The Midnight Bargain RECOMMENDED: The Midnight Bargain by C.L. Polk is $1.99! Shana gave it an A-: Readers who like cultural world building with a feminist lens, and don’t mind a quick romantic connection that takes most of the book to resolve, might like The Midnight Bargain. From the beloved World Fantasy Award-winning author of Witchmark comes a sweeping, romantic new fantasy set in a world reminiscent of Regency England, where women’s magic is taken from them when they marry. A sorceress must balance her desire to become the first great female magician against he…
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Back in the Burbs Back in the Burbs by Tracy Wolff and Avery Flynn is 99c! This is part of today’s Kindle Daily Deals. This seems to lean more toward chick lit rather than a full-on contemporary romance. Have you read this one? Ever have one of those days where life just plain sucks? Welcome to my last three months—ever since I caught my can’t-be-soon-enough ex-husband cheating with his paralegal. I’m thirty-five years old, and I’ve lost my NYC apartment, my job, my money, and frankly, my dignity. But the final heartache in the suck sandwich of my life? My great-aunt…
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As a reminder, we will not be featuring any HarperCollins titles until a fair contract is negotiated with the HarperCollins Union. The Raven Spell The Raven Spell by Luanne G. Smith is $1.99 at Amazon! This is book one in a series that seems to combine fantasy, mystery, and historical settings. It’s been on my TBR pile since it came out earlier this year. In Victorian England a witch and a detective are on the hunt for a serial killer in an enthralling novel of magic a…
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Small Town, Big Magic Small Town, Big Magic by Hazel Beck is $1.99! I believe Sarah mentioned this one in a previous Hide Your Wallet. Are you on the witchy book trend? For fans of THE EX HEX and PAYBACK’S A WITCH, a fun, witchy rom-com in which a bookstore owner who is fighting to revitalize a small midwestern town clashes with her rival, the mayor, and uncovers not only a clandestine group that wields a dark magic to control the idyllic river hamlet, but hidden powers she never knew she possessed. Witches aren’t real. Right? No one has civic pride quite like Emers…
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Anna and the French Kiss Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins is $2.99! This is a contemporary YA romance, Kindle Daily Deal, and many reviews on Goodreads mention becoming a member of the Bad Decisions Book Club in order to finish it. However, some found the heroine a bit too cutesy for their tastes. Have you read this one? It’s on my TBR pile. Anna can’t wait for her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a good job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. So she’s not too thrilled when her father unexpectedly ships her off to boardin…
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