This week we're reading He Sees You When You’re Sleeping by Alta Hensley, a dark holiday romance that asks one big question: what’s better than one stalker? Two.We debate whether there’s a “right” way to stalk someone, why you should always help your elderly neighbors, and the logistics of getting from Manhattan to Staten Island in a blizzard. Join us as we unpack the deeply questionable ethics of stalker love.
Trigger warnings: stalking, sexual assault (attempted), dubious consent
We're going on a holiday road trip romance with brother’s best friend(s) in Filthy Rich Santas by Eva Ashwood. We’re joined by our friend (and real-life Christmas bride) Casey for backup who brings words of wisdom on the best Christmas movie to watch if you're trying to impress your date. You're welcome!
Trigger warnings: verbal abuse (family)
We’re kicking off our first female–female romance with Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner. We debate whether these characters can put the “mami” in mother or if we’d rather vote them off the Love Island entirely. Plus, our main character shares one of our names, which was confusing, to say the least. Join us for this holiday-light sapphic romance as we ease our way into the season.
Trigger warnings: alcoholic parent (mention)
We’re diving into White Rose Painted Red by Blake and Elena Lawson, and this episode features a special guest: Danielle’s sister. Cassie is overwhelmed by the Northeastern accents, we debate the true value of good pastrami, and we ask the critical question of the day - is shirtless beekeeping hot or just completely unrealistic?
Trigger warnings: Abuse (past), murder
We’re wrapping up Emily Rath’s Jacksonville Rays series with Pucking Strong, and we can’t believe it’s the end (for now). This one might just be the best of the bunch, and not just because we love a good M/M romance. Expect slow burn, big feelings, and plenty of spice on and off the ice as we say goodbye to our favorite hockey crew.
Trigger warnings: Attempted assault, death
We’re diving into Stuffed by Jessica Gadziala, a cozy second chance romance. Did we pick it because of the name? Absolutely. Did Danielle’s mom write it? Probably not… but we’re not ruling it out. Tune in to find out if this feast left us stuffed or still hungry for more.
Trigger warning: body dysmorphia
We’re breaking down Pucking Sweet by Emily Rath, and it seems she’s finally hit her M/M stride! But can the "interactions" be strong enough to help Danielle survive her most-hated trope… pregnancy? We’re about to find out.
Trigger warnings: Pregnancy
We’re getting Pucking Wild with another Emily Rath hockey romance, and the book definitely lives up to the name. 🏒 Expect adventurous toys, steamy saunas, and plenty of drama as the Jacksonville Rays bring the heat on and off the ice. Perfect for fans of steamy sports romance.
Trigger warnings: domestic violence (off page), stalking
We’re diving into That One Night and Pucking Around by Emily Rath—a steamy reverse harem hockey romance. 🏒 From Kindle translation tips to testing the limits of smut and cheering for the interactions we’ve long awaited, join us for a fun kickoff to a sports romance series with every couple dynamic from A to Z.
Trigger warnings: Nothing major
Next week we’re launching our deep dive into Emily Rath’s Jacksonville Rays series—a hockey romance universe filled with steam, heart, and every kind of couple dynamic. 🏒 In this teaser, we share why we’re so excited to explore the Rays, what makes these interconnected stories impossible to put down, and why you’ll want to read along before each episode drops.
Lucky number 13! We’re talking Brutal by AJ Merlin — a dark, killer romance that’s either deadly serious or not serious at all. Cassie breaks out her English degree for some actual analysis, while Danielle can't hide her disdain for our FMC. The result? A Halloween treat.
Trigger warnings: Murder, stalking, dubious consent
We’re back in the omegaverse and this time, the bonds are officially forming. All the threads we’ve been waiting for finally come together with healing, love, steam, and a well-earned happily ever after. Plus, a ballet scene so hot it’s permanently on our mental highlight reel.
Trigger warnings: Sexual abuse (past, off page), stalking
We're diving into a cozy omegaverse romance where kind, well-adjusted (and well-endowed) men give our heroine the princess treatment she deserves. Plus, we finally get those interactions we’ve been waiting ten episodes for.
Trigger warnings: Sexual abuse (past, off page), stalking
Ever wondered what it’s like to get up close and personal with a guy rocking more piercings than a jewelry store? Yeah…neither had we (ahem). But thanks to this week’s read, Up the Ladder by Ana D’Arcy, we found out anyway. This one is extra spicy, so buckle up, grab your headphones, and maybe keep the volume low if you’re in public.
Trigger warnings: Emotional abuse, death (past)
This week, we continue the mafia series by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti with book two, Beautiful Savage. We’re talking an unrelenting barrage of pet names (“savage girl,” “mountain man” truly nonstop), Little Mermaid-style lost voice drama, and some pre-coitus property destruction that had us fuming.
Trigger warnings: Violence, torture, attempted sexual assault, abuse
This week, we’ve got Beautiful Carnage by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti. Yes, the same duo behind Zodiac Academy, but this one’s a deep cut from their backlist. It’s billed as a dark mafia romance but it isn’t all that dark (or maybe we’re just a little twisted). There are ridiculous situations galore: handcuffed together (and oops, lost the key), destroying hundreds of bottles of wine for no apparent reason, and oh yeah - someone literally punches a wolf in the face.
Trigger Warnings: Violence, kidnapping, attempted sexual assault
We’re volleying our way into Clean Point by Meg Jones. This sports romance has an age gap, drug-test drama, and just the right amount of family drama. Two rival tennis stars, off-the-court tension, and a small but oh-so-important hat subplot. Is it a slow burn if they’re thirsting after each other from page one? We have thoughts and we're sharing them.
Trigger warnings: Abusive parent, drugging
The Smut Plug — your new favorite hookup for all things romance, romantasy, and seriously spicy smut. Book besties Danielle and Cassie are here to be your personal book club for the stories you might be too shy to bring up at brunch. Reverse harems? Bully romances? Dark mafia love affairs? We’ve got it all and we’re not afraid to talk about it.
Just realized the title symmetry as we wrote this. It's fitting because we’ve finally made it to Unbroken Bonds, the last book in The Bonds That Tie series! We thought it was all wrapping up after book five but nope, there’s a whole new set of villains popping up to keep the story going.
We'll also finally rank the boys on our Book Boyfriend Tier List (Atlas’s spot will shock no one), and share our go-to reverse harem recs for when you inevitably need more. Join us on the dark side!
Trigger warnings: Death, violence
The title says it all. Things are getting tragic. In this episode, Danielle and Cassie dive into Tragic Bonds, book five of The Bonds That Tie series. Emotions are high, trauma is front and center, and Nox’s backstory starts to click.
Join us as we get closer to the end of this wild ride (pun intended). Plus, we finally get to explain why we call this series “shadow d****” to literally everyone we know.
Trigger warnings: Sexual abuse (past), death, violence