Book Beat: Jane Austen, Pugs, & More
Jul. 19th, 2025 08:00 am![[syndicated profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/feed.png){kind=small}
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Book Beat aims to highlight other books that we may hear about through friends, social media, or other sources. We could see a gorgeous ad! Or find a new-to-us author on a list of underrated romances! Think of Book Beat as Teen Beat or Tiger Beat, but for books. And no staples to open to get the fold-out poster.
The Grimoire Grammar School Parent Teacher Association
Author: Caitlin Roazkis
Released: May 27, 2025 by Titan Books
Genre: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
From the NYT-bestselling author of Dreadful, Big Little Lies goes to magic school, cozy fantasy perfect for fans of T. Kingfisher, Olivia Atwater and Heather Fawcett. Featuring orange sprayed and stencilled edges, with magic symbols, unicorns and baked goods from the book.
Two parents and their recently-bitten-werewolf daughter try to fit into a privileged New England society of magic aristocracy. But deadly terrors await them – ancient prophecies, remorseless magical trials, hidden conspiracies and the PTA bake sale.
When Vivian’s kindergartner, Aria, gets bitten by a werewolf, she is rapidly inducted into the hidden community of magical schools. Reeling from their sudden move, Vivian finds herself having to pick the right sacrificial dagger for Aria, keep stocked up on chew toys, and play PTA politics with sirens and chthonic nymphs and people who literally can set her hair on fire.
As Vivian careens from hellhounds in the school corridors to demons at the talent show, she races to keep up with all the arcane secrets of her new society—shops only accessible by magic portal, the brutal Trials to enter high school, and the eternal inferno that is the parents’ WhatsApp group.
And looming over everything is a prophecy of doom that sounds suspiciously like it’s about Aria. Vivian might be facing the end of days, just as soon as she can get her daughter dressed and out of the door…
This author’s debut, Dreadful, was recommended in the comments when we featured it on sale. I’m very curious how her follow-up will do!
Pugs and Kisses
Author: Farrah Rochon
Released: July 15, 2025 by Forever
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romance
Series: Doggone Delightful #2
From the New York Times bestselling author of Almost There, a second chance romance between two dog lovers, perfect for readers of Abby Jimenez and Jasmine Guillory.
From the outside, veterinarian Evie Williams appears to have the perfect but boring life. She is desperate to figure out a way to shake it up, but gets more than she bargained for when she finds her fiancé in bed with another woman. Suddenly, Evie is without a fiancé or a job, and isn’t sure what her next steps should be. That is, until her college crush, Bryson Mitchell, returns to town.
Now, a nationally recognized veterinary surgeon, Bryson is stunned when he encounters Evie Williams for the first time in half a decade. When they learn the animal shelter where they used to volunteer is in danger of closing, the two must work together to save it. It has Bryson wondering, can he and Evie also save the friendship they once shared and finally bring it to the next level?
Crushes, forced proximity, and some very cute dogs.
Simple Pleasures
Author: Emma Fontanella
Released: October 24, 2023 by DK
Genre: Cookbook
Rediscover the joy of cooking simple food using fresh, everyday ingredients.
With easy recipes and time-saving techniques for your favorite pastries, breads, cakes, pasta, pizza, cookies, and more, you’ll find something to satisfy your sweet tooth—or your carb cravings.
Cooking and baking don’t have to be time consuming or difficult. With the right techniques, even the most daunting dishes can be simple to master. Chef Emma Fontanella is known for her ability to translate complex methods into approachable recipes that yield amazing results. Utilizing the conveniences of a modern kitchen, she has developed an indispensable collection of classic desserts, comfort food favorites, and everyday meals, all without sacrificing texture or flavor.
Indulge in the simple pleasure of comfort classics such as The Fluffiest Cinnamon Rolls and Melt-In-Your-Mouth Glazed Donuts, or curl up with a cozy bowl of One-Pot Mac and Cheese or Three-Ingredient Fettuccine Alfredo.
A section on foundational techniques provides detailed instruction on making and decorating cakes, working with yeast-raised doughs, preparing pasta, and more. Armed with Emma’s thoughtful instructions and labor-saving shortcuts, you’ll be able to execute everything from Cheater’s Artisan Croissants to a stunning fresh Strawberry Cake with confidence.
Over 100 recipes for breakfasts, breads and baked goods, pasta dishes, celebration cakes, and holiday baking.
Time-saving techniques and pastry chef shortcuts for restaurant-quality results with a fraction of the effort.
Superfast microwave snacks that cook in a minute.
Nostalgic childhood favorites, such as Instant Frozen Yogurt and Homemade Peanut Butter Cups.
Simple and indulgent? You have my attention. I’m tempted to borrow this one from the library for a test drive.
The Unlikely Pursuit of Mary Bennet
Author: Lindz McLeod
Released: April 29, 2025 by Carina Adores
Genre: Historical: European, LGBTQIA, Romance
Series: Austentatious #1
Jane Austen meets Bridgerton in this sapphic romance between Charlotte Lucas and Mary Bennet that begins four years after the end of Pride and Prejudice.
When Mr. Collins dies after just four years of marriage, Charlotte is lost. While not exactly heartbroken, she will soon have to quit the parsonage that has become her home. In desperate need of support, she writes to her best friend, Lizzie. Unable to leave Pemberley, Lizzie sends her sister Mary Bennet in her stead.
To Charlotte’s surprise, Mary Bennet is nothing like she remembers. Mary’s discovery of academia and her interest in botany (as well as getting out from under her mother’s thumb) have caused her to flourish. Before long, Charlotte is enraptured, and with each stolen glance and whispered secret, their friendship quickly blossoms into something achingly real.
But when her time at the parsonage begins to dwindle and a potential suitor appears, Charlotte must make a choice—the safety and security of another husband, or a passionate life with Mary outside the confines of the ton’s expectations.
A f/f romance featuring Mary Bennet. I’m always on the fence about reimaginings with well-known literary characters, but I’m also not the target Austenite audience.
It's that Time Again
Jul. 18th, 2025 04:56 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
nyykiLove Wish is on a pause, because earlier this week I dreamed a scenario, so I’m writing that one right now. When it gets done I’ll need someone fluent in French and English to make sure nobody in it claims to be a jelly donut or anything else like that.
I’ve got my friends list over on that web 2.0 site down to 75 people. It’s getting a lot harder to cut someone, but there’s a lot of people who’ll go. This is severing contact with more than one social group, but I need to focus on my safety and needs. I’ll be surprised if a single one of them contacts me, because these types of social media platforms trivialize personal connections.
I’m plowing through Penny Reid’s Winston Brothers novels, and I ran into a couple of insults that got a laugh out of me:
“If you were any more inbred you’d be pastrami.”
“Save your breath for inflating your date tonight.”
“You’re less bright than a black hole, and twice as dense as one.”
I love it when people write smart characters well.
I’m hoping to write Love Meme?3: Ready, Set, Inaction in September. I will be chronicling each day’s progress here as I work through everything. The goal is 100k+ words in 30 days. The big thing that will derail this plan is if I don’t get the outline finished.
I still don’t have my hard drive data in hand. It’ll be sorted by file type, so I’ll have to research names and for audio files what album or project they’re from.
How’s my mood? I’m alive, and that’s pretty much all I’ll cop to right now. I feel productive, but I can write until the end of human life and if I don’t have a way to distribute it or get the word out then I’m not doing anything productive with my time. I’m well aware that I’m shooting myself in the foot by purging all my ZP friends, but sometimes considerations conflict with each other and priority means some things either get pushed down the ranking or get deleted.
Jane Eyre, Contemporary Romance, & More
Jul. 18th, 2025 03:30 pmsmartbitches_feedThe Counterfeit Scoundrel
The Counterfeit Scoundrel by Lorraine Heath is $1.99! This is book one in The Chessmen: Masters of Seduction historical romance series, which makes me laugh. I keep thinking of the chessmen butter cookies.
New York Times bestselling author Lorraine Heath begins a compelling new spin-off series, The Chessmen: Masters of Seduction, centering around three heroes–Knight, Bishop, and Rook–who play to win at any cost.
Born into an aristocratic family, yearning for a life beyond Society’s strictures, Marguerite “Daisy” Townsend is an enterprising sleuth. Hired to obtain proof of a wife’s infidelity, she secures a position in the household of the woman’s lover, never expecting to be lured into the seductive blackguard’s arms herself.
Devilishly handsome, David Blackwood, known widely as Bishop, quickly realizes the enticing maid is interested in far more than dusting. She aims to uncover his sins. Although tempted by the dangerous beauty, he can’t risk her learning the truth: his affairs are chaste. As a boy who witnessed his mother’s abusive relationship, Bishop now helps desperate wives escape unhappy marriages.
Yet when he is accused of murdering the husband of a “paramour,” he is forced to seek Daisy’s assistance in proving his innocence. As their perilous search draws them into a web of deceits, they can no longer deny their simmering desire. Once secrets are revealed, will Daisy’s counterfeit scoundrel give up the scandalous games he plays and surrender his heart into her keeping?
Hang the Moon
RECOMMENDED: Hang the Moon by Alexandria Bellefleur is $1.99! Tara read this one and gave it an A-:
This book is important for women like me, showing that we can absolutely have our HEA with a man and still proudly claim our queerness. Plus, it’s such a joyful celebration of love that it’s like a warm hug. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will read it again.
In a delightful follow-up to Written in the Stars, Alexandria Bellefleur delivers another #ownvoices queer rom-com about a hopeless romantic who vows to show his childhood crush that romance isn’t dead by recreating iconic dates from his favorite films…
Brendon Lowell loves love. It’s why he created a dating app to help people find their one true pairing and why he’s convinced “the one” is out there, even if he hasn’t met her yet. Or… has he? When his sister’s best friend turns up in Seattle unexpectedly, Brendon jumps at the chance to hang out with her. He’s crushed on Annie since they were kids, and the stars have finally aligned, putting them in the same city at the same time.
Annie booked a spur-of-the-moment trip to Seattle to spend time with friends before moving across the globe. She’s not looking for love, especially with her best friend’s brother. Annie remembers Brendon as a sweet, dorky kid. Except, the 6-foot-4 man who shows up at her door is a certified Hot Nerd and Annie… wants him? Oh yes.
Getting involved would be a terrible idea—her stay is temporary and he wants forever—but when Brendon learns Annie has given up on dating, he’s determined to prove that romance is real. Taking cues from his favorite rom-coms, Brendon plans to woo her with elaborate dates straight out of Nora Ephron’s playbook. The clock is ticking on Annie’s time in Seattle, and Brendon’s starting to realize romance isn’t just flowers and chocolate. But maybe real love doesn’t need to be as perfect as the movies… as long as you think your partner hung the moon.
Salt & Broom
Salt & Broom by Sharon Lynn Fisher is $2.49 at Amazon! The Jane Eyre inspo is obvious here. Carrie said this one would get an A for concept, but the execution was more of B-/C+ territory.
A gifted healer unravels the mysteries of a cursed estate—and its enigmatic owner—in a witchy retelling of Jane Eyre.
Salt and broom, make this room
Safe and tight, against the night.
Trunks packed with potions and cures, Jane Aire sets out on a crisp, clear morning in October to face the greatest challenge of her sheltered girls’-school existence. A shadow lies over Thornfield Hall and its reclusive master, Edward Rochester. And he’s hired her only as a last resort.
Jane stumbles again and again as she tries to establish a rapport with her prickly new employer, but he becomes the least of her worries as a mysterious force seems to work against her. The threats mount around both Jane and Rochester—who’s becoming more intriguing and appealing to her by the day. Jane begins to fear her herb healing and protective charms may not be enough to save the man she’s growing to love from a threat darker and more dangerous than either of them imagined.
Voyage of the Damned
Voyage of the Damned by Frances White is $2.99! This is a fantasy mystery set on a ship and has been mentioned before on the site. Have you read it?
A mind-blowing murder mystery on a ship full of magical passengers. If Agatha Christie wrote fantasy, this would be it!
For a thousand years, Concordia has maintained peace between its provinces. To mark this incredible feat, the emperor’s ship embarks upon a twelve-day voyage to the sacred Goddess’s Mountain. Aboard are the twelve heirs of the provinces of Concordia, each graced with a unique and secret magical ability known as a Blessing.
All except one: Ganymedes Piscero—class clown, slacker and all-around disappointment.
When a beloved heir is murdered, everyone is a suspect. Stuck at sea and surrounded by powerful people and without a Blessing to protect him, Ganymedes’s odds of survival are slim.
But as the bodies pile higher, Ganymedes must become the hero he was not born to be. Can he unmask the killer and their secret Blessing before this bloody crusade reaches the shores of Concordia?
Or will the empire as he knows it fall?
Serious water pollution incidents up 60% in England, Environment Agency says
Jul. 19th, 2025 02:56 ambbc_sci_nature_feed676. Exploring Atonement Sky with Nalini Singh
Jul. 18th, 2025 06:00 amsmartbitches_feed
NOT thanks to Wilbur, my cat, who was vocally put out with my choices, and ends up with Nalini representing him in feline court.
Inspired by other Patreon folks, including Chris DeRosa at Fixing Famous People, I’ve made some of the Patreon content free so you can sample what we’ve got.
- Do you want to do a crossword puzzle from the May 1995 issue of RT? The crossword puzzle is available for free on Patreon right now!
- Would you like to read an issue of RT Magazine? The December 1997 issue is now available for your perusal.
- Or would you like to try one of our bonus episodes? Join Amanda and me as we look back at our 2024 predictions about romance and publishing.
This collection of special previews is available now to all listeners, and there’s a link in the show notes to dive in. And if you like our free samples, join us in the Patreon community where there’s bonus content and more.
Music: purple-planet.com
Listen to the podcast →Read the transcript →
Here are the books we discuss in this podcast:
You can find Nalini Singh at her website, NaliniSingh.com, and you can sign up for her newsletter to receive periodic short fiction! You can also join her on Facebook and Instagram.
We also mentioned:
- Midsomer Murders
- Shortland Street
- Coronation Street
- Murderbot
- Pride and Prejudice (BBC)
- Pride and Prejudice (2005)
And of course, the Nutella picture:
If you like the podcast, you can subscribe to our feed, or find us at iTunes. You can also find us on Stitcher, and Spotify, too. We also have a cool page for the podcast on iTunes.
More ways to sponsor:
Sponsor us through Patreon! (What is Patreon?)
What did you think of today's episode? Got ideas? Suggestions? You can talk to us on the blog entries for the podcast or talk to us on Facebook if that's where you hang out online. You can email us at sbjpodcast@gmail.com or you can call and leave us a message at our Google voice number: 201-371-3272. Please don't forget to give us a name and where you're calling from so we can work your message into an upcoming podcast.
Thanks for listening!
Remember to subscribe to our podcast feed, find us on iTunes or on Stitcher.
Unique 1.5m year-old ice to be melted to unlock mystery
Jul. 18th, 2025 12:18 ambbc_sci_nature_feedBBC Inside Science
Jul. 17th, 2025 04:00 pmbbc_sci_nature_feedCelebrity Romance, F/F Romance, & More
Jul. 17th, 2025 03:30 pmsmartbitches_feedThe Queer Principles of Kit Webb
RECOMMENDED: The Queer Principles of Kit Webb by Cat Sebastian is $1.99! Lara wrote a Lightning Review for this on and gave it an A:
At a time when I didn’t have a lot of energy, I was gifted with pounds of joy, laughter, intrigue, and suspense. The Queer Principles of Kit Webb was a fresh approach to historical romance that made me fall in love with the genre again.
Critically acclaimed author Cat Sebastian makes her trade paperback debut in a stunning historical romance about a reluctantly reformed highwayman and the aristocrat who threatens to steal his heart.
Kit Webb has left his stand-and-deliver days behind him. But dreary days at his coffee shop have begun to make him pine for the heady rush of thievery. When a handsome yet arrogant aristocrat storms into his shop, Kit quickly realizes he may be unable to deny whatever this highborn man desires.
In order to save himself and a beloved friend, Percy, Lord Holland must go against every gentlemanly behavior he holds dear to gain what he needs most: a book that once belonged to his mother, a book his father never lets out of his sight and could be Percy’s savior. More comfortable in silk-filled ballrooms than coffee shops frequented by criminals, his attempts to hire the roughly hewn highwayman, formerly known as Gladhand Jack, proves equal parts frustrating and electrifying.
Kit refuses to participate in the robbery but agrees to teach Percy how to do the deed. Percy knows he has little choice but to submit and as the lessons in thievery begin, he discovers thievery isn’t the only crime he’s desperate to commit with Kit.
But when their careful plan goes dangerously wrong and shocking revelations threaten to tear them apart, can these stolen hearts withstand the impediments in their path?
Love at First Set
Love at First Set by Jennifer Dugan is $1.99! This is a contemporary romance with bisexual leads. However, a lot of reviews mention toxic mom relationships, if that is your nope button.
The gym is Lizzie’s life—it’s her passion, her job, and the only place that’s ever felt like home. Unfortunately, her bosses consider her a glorified check-in girl at best, and the gym punching bag at worst.
When their son, Lizzie’s best friend James, begs her to be his plus one at his perfect sister Cara’s wedding, things go wrong immediately, culminating in Lizzie giving a drunken pep talk to a hot stranger in the women’s bathroom—except that stranger is actually the bride-to-be, and Lizzie has accidentally convinced her to ditch her groom.
Now, newly directionless Cara is on a quest to find herself, and Lizzie—desperate to make sure her bosses never find out her role in this disaster—gets strong-armed by James into “entertaining” her. Cara doesn’t have to know it’s a setup; it’ll just be a quick fling before she sobers up and goes back to her real life. After all, how could someone like Cara fall for someone like Lizzie, with no career and no future?
But the more Lizzie gets to know Cara, the more she likes her, and the more is on the line if any of her rapidly multiplying secrets get out. Because now it’s not just Lizzie’s job and entire future on the line, but also the girl of her dreams.
One in a Million
One in a Million by Beverley Kendall is $2.99! This is a celebrity romance that published in March. Elyse was pretty excited about this one and mentioned it on Hide Your Wallet.
She’s got everything planned—including when she’ll have kids. Until something completely unplanned turns her world upside down.
World-famous Whitney “Sahara” Richardson is at the top of her game. With four Grammys, an Oscar nod, and a billion-dollar clothing line, her career is skyrocketing. Even her headline-grabbing dating life is looking up. And if everything goes as planned, marriage and children are just a few years away—and they will come in that order.
That is…until a mix-up at the fertility clinic where her eggs are stored puts the cart before the horse. Oops. Whitney suddenly has a daughter…whose biological father is reluctant to share her.
One in a Million is a fun celebrity rom-com with the poignancy of Abby Jimenez and a modern twist on “surprise baby” for fans of Jasmine Guillory.
“A smart, sexy rom-com that had me chuckling from the first page. I loved it.” —BRENDA JACKSON, New York Times bestselling author, on Token
The Launch Date
The Launch Date by Annabelle Slator is $1.99! This is a workplace, rivals to lovers romance. I believe this is also Slator’s debut. Did any of you read thi sone?
What if the secret to finding true love on a dating app was meeting them IRL first?
In this witty and fun rom-com debut from Annabelle Slator, rival coworkers become reluctant daters after they’re forced to work together on a brand-new dating app in hopes of winning a promotion—perfect for fans of Sally Thorne’s The Hating Game.
Grace Hastings’s dream job at the popular “true love” dating app, Fate, has turned into a nightmare. Her boss is a leech, her career is stagnating, and her fiancé has just brutally dumped her. Her hope for finding her own love story is waning, and she feels like a fraud for promoting a concept she no longer believes in. When the company’s CEO offers her an opportunity to earn a big promotion, she resolves to fight her imposter syndrome to show she deserves a seat at the table.
The opportunity? To launch a brand-new app focusing on IRL dating and genuine connection.
The problem? She must develop and test-drive a series of “first dates” with the other person gunning for the job: notorious socialite playboy and Grace’s biggest work rival, Eric Bancroft.
During their disastrous hikes, dangerous cooking classes, and steamy yoga sessions, they begin to realize their stark differences may just be surface level and Eric might just be the perfect person to challenge Grace’s perceptions of love, dating culture, and self-worth.
Maid for Each Other by Lynn Painter
Jul. 17th, 2025 07:00 amsmartbitches_feed
This is an average length book at 368 pages. But it flew past in the blink of an eye. If I were to make a reading recommendation, I would say block off half a day and forbid anyone from interrupting you, then dive into this book and just revel in it.
This is a fake relationship book that has that most rare of things: the reason for the fake relationship actually makes sense. I did not have to suspend my disbelief as to why two people might benefit from a fake relationship. I could just go with what the story was telling me. Lovely!
Abi is a house cleaner and when she is mistaken for the apartment owner’s (fake) girlfriend “Abby,” the boyfriend in question, Declan, sees an opportunity to appear as ‘settled down’ at the annual shareholder’s weekend.
But let me put the blurb here, it shares almost all of the setup:
As a professional cleaner, Abi Mariano never thought her apartment would have any sort of infestation, but because of a building-wide outbreak, she now needs somewhere to stay for a week. As a part-time student with two jobs, she doesn’t have many options. Then the solution presents itself: the owner of the penthouse she cleans is out of town for the week. She normally wouldn’t consider it, but he’s literally never around (she hasn’t even met him). It goes great…until one morning she finds two strangers in the kitchen. They’re the parents of the penthouse owner and they seem to think they’ve heard all about Abi—not as their son’s maid, but as his girlfriend.
Declan Powell has always put his career first, working his way up to become an executive at his company, but he still has his sights set on the next level. When his parents mention that they met his girlfriend, “Abby,” he all but chokes on his escargot. As wonderful as it sounds that she was just darling, he doesn’t actually have a girlfriend—he made her up to get everyone off his back. When Dex finds out who Abi really is, he makes her a proposition: pretend to date him, and he’ll provide everything she needs during their little arrangement. What harm would it do? It’s purely business, no pleasure…right?
This premise gave me major nostalgic vibes for the books I used to read when I first got into romance. Rich dude helps poor lady out and they fall in love. It really scratched an old itch I had. I was curious about how a premise like this would work in 2025 and I was delighted to find out that it worked wonderfully.
Abi is that most treasured thing: a character that feels like a real person. She’s rounded out and detailed and there is a coherent internal logic to her construction. Declan is initially more of a mystery but as he thaws around Abi, we see more of the nuance and depth to his character. As these two get to know each other, the gradual growth of feelings is wonderful. The primary emotion I felt is the rush of falling in love. I was properly giddy and my chest felt warm and I had that gushing feeling in my chest. It was great!
While the emotion is satisfying, it doesn’t have a patch on the BANTER. This is A-grade, magic banter of the highest order. I spent at least 70% of the time smiling at my Kindle. That kind of goofy smile that tells my partner I’m reading a great book and cannot be disturbed. They have inside jokes that run the duration of the book which I love because it made me feel like I was an insider too.
I found Abi and Declan’s emotional maturity to be really satisfying to read. For the most part, they were brave and honest and always followed best practice for enthusiastic consent. These characters had done the work in therapy and it showed.
There was one thing that I found puzzling. It involves the resolution so I’m hiding it behind a spoiler.
Their relationship is never revealed as fake to those around them. It goes from fake to real, but the people around them think it was real the whole time. Sarah pointed out to me that this isn’t necessarily a problem. Just because fake dating books usually have some kind of reveal during the ‘dark moment’, this does not need to be the case. My only reservation around the book does hinge on this lack of reveal though. Declan lied to his family and colleagues for a while before Abi entered the picture IRL. Abi fitted into the mould of ‘Abby’ with minimal lying, but there was still very much lying present. So my reservation hinges around the longevity of their HEA. For example, Abi’s parents aren’t dead but Abby’s are. Things like that. I can’t fully relax into the HEA knowing that there are these traps that lie ahead.
I really really enjoyed this book. I wanted it to be so much longer so that I could immerse myself in more of their banter. I happily recommend this book to the Bitchery.
Utterly bewitched by books
Jul. 16th, 2025 11:03 pmthebloggess_feedLinks: Cowboy Romance, K-Dramas, & More
Jul. 16th, 2025 06:00 pmsmartbitches_feed
Is it Wednesday? Who knows anymore! I sure don’t.
I’ve redownloaded Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey because mentally, I just want to be a buff lady, sneaking up on dudes, and giving them a violent dirt nap. Last time I played in on a console, but I’m trying PC out because I’d rather be cozy in my gaming chair with a beachy candle burning than downstairs on my couch where we don’t have a mini split installed. I’m finding the controls both on keyboard/mouse and a controller a little clunky. Oh well! Sacrifices must be made.
Are you revisiting any cathartic pieces of media lately?
…
Robin (or Janet from Dear Author as you may know her) has a GoFundMe up for medical expenses.
…
Author Danica Nava is over on She Writes discussing the reclamation of the cowboy romance.
…
Many cats are running for mayor of the Somerville community bike path. Man, I miss living in Somerville.
…
Love k-dramas and want to listen to other people love them too? Did you just watch KPop Demon Hunters and want to dip your toe into the kdrama waters? Might I suggest the Chasing K-Dramas podcast!
They do deep dives episode by episode on various kdramas, so it feels like you’re watching along with friends.
…
Don’t forget to share what cool or interesting things you’ve seen, read, or listened to this week! And if you have anything you think we’d like to post on a future Wednesday Links, send it my way!
Kew Gardens' Palm House will close for five years for major makeover
Jul. 15th, 2025 11:01 pmbbc_sci_nature_feedNon-Fiction, Contemporary Romance, & More
Jul. 16th, 2025 03:30 pmsmartbitches_feedThe League of Gentlewomen Witches
The League of Gentlewomen Witches by India Holton is $1.99! This is book two in the Dangerous Damsels series, which I found to give me the same vibes as Shelly Laurenston. It’s just over the top, goofy fun!
Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the teahouse…
Miss Charlotte Pettifer belongs to a secret league of women skilled in the subtle arts. That is to say—although it must never be said—witchcraft. The League of Gentlewomen Witches strives to improve the world in small ways. Using magic, they tidy, correct, and manipulate according to their notions of what is proper, entirely unlike those reprobates in the Wisteria Society.
When the long lost amulet of Black Beryl is discovered, it is up to Charlotte, as the future leader of the League, to make sure the powerful talisman does not fall into the wrong hands. Therefore, it is most unfortunate when she crosses paths with Alex O’Riley, a pirate who is no Mr. Darcy. With all the world scrambling after the amulet, Alex and Charlotte join forces to steal it together. If only they could keep their pickpocketing hands to themselves! If Alex’s not careful, he might just steal something else—such as Charlotte’s heart.
The Love Lyric
The Love Lyric by Kristina Forest is $1.99! This is book three in the Greene Sisters contemporary romance series. It came out in February and was featured on Hide Your Wallet!
An R&B singer and a corporate executive find love that hits the right notes in this romance by Kristina Forest, USA Today bestselling author of The Partner Plot.
Iris Greene used to be a woman with a plan. But all of that changed after she met the love of her life at twenty-four, got pregnant and married…and then became a widow and a single mother all within the span of a year and a half. Now, after years of hustling, Iris is the director of partnerships at a beauty company and raising spunky six-year-old Calla by herself. Despite her busy life, she still can’t help but feel lonely. She just needs to catch her breath—and one night, at her sister’s wedding, when she steps outside to do just that, she sees a certain singer who takes her breath away. . . .
By all accounts, pop R&B singer Angel Harrison has it made. He’s a successful musician and has just scored a brand ambassador deal with an emerging beauty company. But he’s still not fulfilled; he’s not producing songs he’s passionate about, and there’s a gaping hole in his love life. When he visits the Save Face Beauty office to kickstart his campaign, he’s delighted to see Iris, his stylist’s sister—the beautiful woman he’s secretly had a crush on for years.
Despite their obvious attraction to each other, they must stay professional throughout the campaign tour—which doesn’t quite pan out. But when it becomes clear their lives aren’t in sync, can they fall back in step to the same rhythm and beat?
The Highwayman
RECOMMENDED: The Highwayman by Kerrigan Byrne is $1.99! Redheadedgirl grabbed this at RT 2015 when it was held in Dallas. She reviewed it and gave it an A-:
What I liked best about this book was the liberal use of crazysauce. It’s a melodramatic tale of a broken man healed by the love of a good woman, and the good woman that’s strong enough to love this man and bring him back into the world.
They’re rebels, scoundrels, and blackguards-dark, dashing men on the wrong side of the law. But for the women who love them, a hint of danger only makes the heart beat faster, in the stunning debut historical romance The Highwayman by Kerrigan Byrne.
STEALING BEAUTY
Dorian Blackwell, the Blackheart of Ben More, is a ruthless villain. Scarred and hard-hearted, Dorian is one of Victorian London’s wealthiest, most influential men who will stop at nothing to wreak vengeance on those who’ve wronged him…and will fight to the death to seize what he wants. The lovely, still innocent widow Farah Leigh Mackenzie is no exception-and soon Dorian whisks the beautiful lass away to his sanctuary in the wild Highlands…
COURTING DESIRE
But Farah is no one’s puppet. She possesses a powerful secret-one that threatens her very life. When being held captive by Dorian proves to be the only way to keep Farah safe from those who would see her dead, Dorian makes Farah a scandalous proposition: marry him for protection in exchange for using her secret to help him exact revenge on his enemies. But what the Blackheart of Ben More never could have imagined is that Farah has terms of her own, igniting a tempestuous desire that consumes them both. Could it be that the woman he captured is the only one who can touch the black heart he’d long thought dead?
World of Wonders
World of Wonders by Aimee Nezhukumatathil is $2.99! This is a Kindle Daily Deal. I mentioned this one on a previous Get Rec’d! It’s great if you love learning cool things about nature.
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Jul. 16th, 2025 09:27 ambbc_sci_nature_feedMovie Review: KPop Demon Hunters
Jul. 16th, 2025 06:00 amsmartbitches_feed
KPop Demon Hunters
by Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans, Hannah McMechan and Danya Jimenez
This guest squee is from Jeevani Charika! Jeevani Charika (also known as Rhoda Baxter) writes romantic comfort reads with a dash of fun. Her books have been shortlisted for multiple awards. Jeevani is British-Sri Lankan. She loves all things science geeky. She also loves cake, Lego and playing with Canva. You can find out more about her (and get a free book!) on her website. Her next book, How Can I Resist You? is available for pre-order.
…
When Netflix suggested K-Pop Demon Hunters to me, I added it to my list immediately, based solely on the title. I know very little about K-Pop, but I love fantasy K-dramas. This show is a 100 minute animated film and the title is brilliant.
The setup is exactly what you’d expect from the title. The film is about a K-pop girl band who are…secretly demon hunters. In a world where demons prey on human souls in order to bring life force to their leader in the underworld (Gwi-Ma), every generation has a trio of female hunters whose voices can ignite a force in the hearts of their human listeners and generate a protective force field called the Hunmoon. Right now, the trio takes the form of the super popular girl band Huntr/x.
Rumi (voiced by Arden Cho) is the lead singer, whose voice feeds the Hunmoon, Mira is the main dancer and choreographer while Zoey raps and writes lyrics. They all work hard balancing performing and demon slaying. When they turn the Hunmoon golden, the demons will be trapped in the underworld forever.
Rumi has an extra reason to want to turn the Hunmoon golden. She has a secret that not even her bandmates know about – she is part demon, as evidenced by the symbolic patterns on her arms. Her mentor has told her that when the Hunmoon is golden, she will banish her demon side and become fully human. So, despite her voice sometimes failing, she pushes the band to release their next new single.
Meanwhile, Gwi-Ma is annoyed that his minions have failed once again. The Hunmoon is getting stronger and they need to do something. A demon called Jinu suggests a way to steal the fans away from Huntri/x and weaken the Hunmoon. His suggestion – a demon boy band.
Let’s just sit with that a minute. Demon. Boyband.
Suddenly, Huntri/x’s chart domination has some competition for the mysterious boyband The Saja Boys. The girls quickly work out that the boys are demons. If The Saja Boys win the International Idol Competition, it’s game over for Huntr/x and for the Hunmoon.
This is a kids’ animated film (rated PG). There is a hint of a romantic thread, though there’s no real romance in it, but don’t let that stop you. It’s still awesome. There is an uplifting ending (but, again, it is definitely not a romance ending). There is some violence and mild horror elements because of the demons, but it’s very cartoonish. In general it is bright and jaunty.
First of all, the girls. Rumi, Mira and Zoey are accomplished performers on stage, but messy and real in private. The scenes where the girls are relaxing are some of my favourites – all they want to do is eat a huge amount of food, take long baths and lie around on the couch.
They are messy, chaotic and affectionate. The movie captures the divide between their ‘perfect’ external personas and the messy reality of being human really well. There is a lovely scene where, post-battle, the girls are bruised and scratched, but when they hear their manager coming up in the lift, there’s a flurry of activity, so that by the time the lift doors open, they’ve done their makeup and hair and are looking flawless again.
Next, the boys: The Saja boys are hot (how can animated characters be so hot?!). Jinu is voiced by the Canadian-Korean actor Ahn Hyeo-Seop, who K-drama fans will recognise as the male lead in Business Proposal. The rest of the Saja boys don’t get much air time, but they form a stereotypical boy band – the hearthrob (Jinu), the bad boy, the cute one, the mysterious one and the funny one.
Jinu has real depth. He is racked with guilt about his past, specifically about the people he betrayed when he took his deal with the devil, and if he succeeds in destroying the Hunmoon, his reward will be to have his memories wiped. Being in the real world (and spending time with Rumi) changes him subtly, but even at the end, he still has moments when he looks unsettling. He has a goofy magical tiger and a creepy black bird in a hat as companions.
The tiger is adorable. There’s a lovely scene where Mira asks about the hat the bird wears and Jinu mutters that he made the hat for the tiger, but the bird keeps stealing it. This is a lovely way to humanise a guy who is, essentially, still a demon.
The animation is mostly representations of the real world, but sometimes it veers towards anime and some of it is genuinely funny
…like how, whenever Zoey sees the abs of ‘Abby’, her eyes start making popcorn (this made me laugh every time it happened).
A lot of the K-drama tropes pop up at various times – the wrist grab, the nosy ahjummas, the moment when the hero helps the heroine when she least expects it. I don’t know enough about K-pop to spot the references, but I gather there are K-pop easter eggs in there too. If you spot any, post in the comments! There are a lot of Korean cultural elements incorporated into the visuals,
…most notably, for the final performance, when the Saja Boys wear modified hanboks and hats that make them look like mythical grim reapers.
Given that it’s a story about two rival bands battling it out for the hearts and minds of the fans, there’s a lot of music in this film. The songs are surprisingly catchy. It’s been a few days since I watched it and I still catch myself humming ‘Takedown’.
The messaging in the story is great for younger viewers: eat all the snacks, take long baths, trust your besties to have your back.
For me, it was 90+ minutes of pure, uplifting fun.
KPop Demon Hunters is available on Netflix.
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