We’re jumping back to Victorian England to discuss The Love Remedy by Elizabeth Everett! But the best part? We’re actually TALKING to Elizabeth! Apothecary Lucy Peterson is on the brink of financial ruin. A rival apothecary stole the formula for a throat lozenge and is passing it off as his own invention and she believes he stole another formula that has gone missing. So she hires Jonathan Thorne under the guise of being her store’s bookkeeper in order to find the culprit. But in the meantime, t...
Jun 12, 2024•3 hr 40 min•Season 1Ep. 92
Riders, you are not ready. This week, we’re diving into Downpour by Maggie Gates. Downpour picks up during that critical moment when Ray is in the chute, waiting for the gate to open. We see snapshots of his recovery and the process of him becoming more independent, but he still needs some at-home assistance. Enter: Brooke, a beautiful disaster attempting to burn his kitchen down. Also discussed: the perfection of Margot Robbie, Veronica’s upcoming book release, and non-vacation vacations. Up Ne...
May 29, 2024•2 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 91
The two-year wait is FINALLY over! Kind of! We got the first half of Bridgerton season three–the long awaited Colin and Penelope season and Rae cannot contain herself. Here, we cover the first half of the new season. We talk about each episode, what we like and what we don’t, and what we’re anticipating for the second half. We’ll finish this up next month after the second half releases. Up Next: Downpour by Maggie Gates SHOW INFORMATION: Join the Discord Follow us on Spotify ! (It helps us with ...
May 21, 2024•2 hr 36 min•Season 1Ep. 18
The day has FINALLY come, dear listeners! We’re talking about one of Rae’s all-time favorites: Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn. In case you’ve been living under a rock, this is Colin and Penelope’s story and it’s so very sweet (with a little spice). This episode is about the book, but we do discuss the upcoming season of Bridgerton from Netflix. Also discussed: everything Bridgerton, the general life of wallflowers, and why Colin and Pen’s story is so beloved among fans. Up Next: Downpou...
May 16, 2024•2 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 90
Hello, hello, loves! We got an ARC of the latest work from S.L. Prater— Coven of Ill Repute . This series opener introduces our main characters, Quiet (a witch) and Rorick (a vampire). They’re investigators charged with solving a murder, which just happens to be one of Quiet’s sister witches and Rorick’s cousin. What neither of them realizes is that the house is literally haunted and it has no plans to let them leave. Not alive anyway. Is it different from her other series? Yes. Is it steamy? Al...
Apr 30, 2024•1 hr 36 min•Season 1Ep. 89
Welcome everyone! Today, we’re not only talking about Risks and Whiskey by Dani McLean, but we’re talking to Dani McLean herself! Risks & Whiskey is a friends-to-lovers workplace romance with a double grand gesture and plenty of spice. We do our regular compliment sandwich plus ratings, stunt casting, and recommendations, and in between, you’ll get to hear Dani talk about this book, as well as her novella series and what she has coming up next (and why next Christmas might be real awkward fo...
Apr 16, 2024•3 hr 33 min•Season 1Ep. 88
Welcome lovely listeners! Today, we’re discussing Love You, Mean It by Jilly Gagnon. We got an ARC through NetGalley and we’re covering it early for scheduling reasons. Marketed as a playful romantic comedy featuring dueling delis, fake dating, a shockingly awesome ex, and juuuuuust the right amount of amnesia. Having read the book, we can confirm that it’s the perfect amount of amnesia. Also discussed: Cameo as a concept (Thank you Thoren Bradley for the birthday wishes!), documentaries that ma...
Apr 03, 2024•2 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 87
The ladies are getting in on the single dad action (...what?) with Dust Storm by Maggie Gates. Christian Griffin, widower with two adorable daughters, took over operations from his father, but business doesn’t always go as planned, and they’ve hit a rough patch. City slicker Cassandra Parker is in hot water at work, so she’s being exiled to the sprawling Texas ranch to develop a long-term plan for the business. These two butt heads immediately, even though they’re both attracted to each other fr...
Mar 19, 2024•1 hr 42 min•Season 1Ep. 86
Hiya, wee lads and lasses! We landed an ARC of https://www.threads.net/@akileybooks debut novel Kilt Trip , which means you get to listen to Rae’s Scottish accent. When Addie Macrae’s wanderlust leads her to her homeland—specifically, Edinburgh—to consult with a family-run travel company, she’s thrown face-first into ghosts from her past. And the person leading that charge? Logan… the heir to the travel company. Who she accidentally already met when she was doing recon, which doesn’t exactly lea...
Mar 05, 2024•1 hr 56 min•Season 1Ep. 85
Our second pick for Black History Month is Never Tell by Stacey Abrams (writing as Selena Montgomery). Never Tell is a romantic suspense initially published in 2004, but republished in 2023 by St. Martin’s Griffin. Dr. Erin Abbott is a professor in New Orleans, Louisiana, who finds herself at the center of a serial killer’s tangled web—and journalist Gabriel Moss is the only person taking her seriously. Can Erin and Gabriel figure out who’s killing people in Erin’s orbit before they get to Erin?...
Feb 21, 2024•1 hr 41 min•Season 1Ep. 84
Welcome to a BONUS episode of CLBC! We landed an ARC of Lauren Morrill’s new book More Than a Feeling and we couldn’t not tell you about it. Due to technical difficulties, this episode is releasing a week after the release of the book, but we’re incredibly honored to have had the opportunity to interview Lauren and hear all about her plans for the Cardinal Springs series. More Than a Feeling introduces us to the McBride family, where we follow Grace as she devises a plan to save the town’s libra...
Feb 20, 2024•2 hr 30 min•Season 1Ep. 83
To honor and celebrate Black History Month, we’re starting off with bestselling author Xio Axelrod—featuring an interview with Xio herself!—and her brand new book Girls with Bad Reputations ! This is book two in The Lillys series, where we follow drummer Kayla and bus driver Ty as they get to know each other on the road. They both have things to hide, but they’re both trying to find their way in the world. Can they find what they’re looking for together? Also discussed: utility kilts, the Barbie...
Feb 06, 2024•2 hr 35 min•Season 1Ep. 79
We’re back with the first book review of the year, which just so happens to be the viral sensation Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage. Emmy Ryder is coming home to Meadowlark, Wyoming after an injury… that her family doesn’t actually know about. She’s helping out around the family ranch and winds up spending more time with her brother’s best friend, Luke Brooks. Emmy thinks Luke is an irresponsible playboy. But is he? Emmy’s going to find out. Is the book overhyped? Absolutely not—totally worth the hy...
Jan 23, 2024•2 hr 38 min•Season 1Ep. 81
Ladies and gents, welcome to our third anniversary show! Thank you so much for being here. We appreciate each and every one of you and we’ll appreciate you even more if you can get someone in Antarctica to listen to us. We’ll recap our faves from 2023 and drink too much champagne. What else is new? Also discussed: Rae isn’t allowed to choose movies anymore, December was a complete disaster, and our love for our listeners and author friends. Up Next: Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage What We’re Readin...
Jan 10, 2024•3 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 80
Merry Effing Christmas dear listeners! As our gift to you, we’re releasing our holiday episode one week early (aren’t you lucky?). This week, we’re talking about Snowed In by Catherine Walsh. In order to get through the holidays with a buffer, childhood school mates Christian and Megan agree to forge a fake relationship—Megan because she hasn’t been home since she pulled a runner on her wedding day, and Christian because he’s the last single person in his family. It’s a mutually beneficial situa...
Dec 19, 2023•2 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 79
In one of the biggest surprises we’ve had this year, we present to you, dearest listeners, The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson. Mackenzie Carter teams up with Noah Taylor in a relationship-of-convenience shifter romance. Mackenzie wants to get her grandma off her back and Noah is potentially in trouble with the hospital board for concealing his alpha status. Mackenzie will pretend to be his mate, solving both of their problems. The thing is, Mackenzie is also keeping a secret. Also discussed: Real do...
Dec 14, 2023•2 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 78
Folx, it’s a rough review this week. We wanted to cover something that people are in denial about. We settled upon Kiss an Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. We’ve read amazing novels from this author, however, this was not one of them. If you wanted to hear us lose our minds for an hour, this is the episode for you. Also discussed: the wonders of Reddit, how the 90s held different standards of human behavior, and what a swinging dildo actually does. Tattoo Numbing Cream Up Next: The Fake Mate b...
Nov 29, 2023•3 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 77
The ladies are both getting ill again, and not in the fun 90’s r&b kind. This week it’s another ARC for us with The Plot Twist by Erin La Rosa. Sophie is a blocked romance writer who’s never been in love and Dash is a recovering alcoholic and child start trying to find their path. Along the way they gravitate toward each other and struggle to find if what they’re experiencing is the big ‘L’ word. Also discussed: Novella November, being proud of Ohio (for once), and our magic spells for yo’ d...
Nov 16, 2023•2 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 76
Crossover month concludes with another spooky book: An Inheritance of Monsters by Cate Corvin. Please welcome back special guest Ween from the Booze, Boobs, and Blood podcast! This book was her pick, so if you hate it, blame her. (Kidding.) When ghosthunter Juno gets an exclusive invitation to live in the most haunted house in America, she can’t refuse. And when she finds out monsters live under her bed… and in her closet… and in her bathtub… she isn’t exactly upset about it. Also discussed: voi...
Oct 31, 2023•2 hr 55 min•Season 1Ep. 75
It’s spooky season, bishes! We’re doing two spook-ish books this year and the first one is Bad Luck Charm by Julie Johnson. When an animal sacrifice is left outside her beloved aunt’s shop in Salem, Massachusetts, Gwendolyn Goode is expectedly shocked. To add insult to injury, her childhood crush—a man she now hates—has been brought in to consult in the ensuing investigation. Can Graham Graves protect her against her will? Or will dark forces get to Gwen first? Also discussed: these delicious pu...
Oct 17, 2023•2 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 74
The final ARC before a mini-break is The Love Rematch by Kay Marie! If your mom went on national television and begged America to find you a boyfriend, would you agree to be on the Bachelor-style show that calls a couple of days later? Well, Emily reluctantly agrees—not to find a husband, but to promote her homemade jewelry line. The only snag in her plan is that one of the field producers is none other than the man who epically ghosted her seven years ago. It’s fine—she can dress for revenge. W...
Oct 03, 2023•2 hr 34 min•Season 1Ep. 73
The ARC streak continues with Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner. Professional soccer rookie Phoebe Matthews has been drafted to play for the New Orleans Krewe with hopes for a callup to the national team. The good news? She’ll get to play with her idol, Grace Henderson. The bad news? Grace is gorgeous and talented and maybe a little grumpy. Is that bad news though? Seems like Grace is into Phoebe, too. Is teammates with benefits a thing? Also discussed: sentient inanimate object erotica, double dragon...
Sep 19, 2023•2 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 72
On this episode we discuss the new release from Lauren Morrill, Sister of the Bride , a friends to lovers, Father of the Bride-inspired romcom. This was an ARC from NetGalley and releases September 12th. When 26-year-old workaholic restaurateur, Pippin, discovers that her twin sister is getting married to a practical stranger and her beloved home/business is going to be put on the market, she struggles to make sense of what life is in store for her. With the help of her newly relocated best frie...
Sep 05, 2023•1 hr 47 min•Season 1Ep. 71
We delve into the wonderful world of Jane Austen reenactments with Robyn Gynne’s, The Worst Darcy. Set in a small tourist town named Austen, the local inhabitants spend one month a year celebrating all things Jane A. This year, being the pinnacle of pieces, Pride and Prejudice, newly relocated town librarian and “Keaton’s mom,” Vivian, feels that this is her opportunity to make a name for herself in the community by playing Lizzy. Metalhead and all around town ‘bad boy,’ Brodie Bishop, is strong...
Aug 22, 2023•2 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 70
We are joined by one of our favorite guest hosts, Lee, to record a commentary of the newest Amazon release of Casey McQuinstons, "Red White and Royal Blue" which released 8/11. Feel free to sync up to our commentary as we cackle and chortle while Alex and Henry fall in love. :sigh: Also, if you'd like to review our review of RW&RB with guest host Lee, it's Episode 25! The video commentary of this episode is available on our Youtube ! We'd like to thank our listeners who responded via our Q&a...
Aug 15, 2023•2 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Episode 69! Nice. We’re wrapping up Scoresley Month(and-a-half) where we read books by Claire Kingsley and Lucy Score! Our final selection is Whiskey Chaser , co-written by both these queens. Devlin is in need of a place to lay low. Hot off a political scandal, he figures the best place to get off the grid is his grandmothers cabin in rural West Virginia. Scarlet is grieving the death of her father and attempting to care for her older siblings. Sparks fly when these two broken hearts find each o...
Aug 08, 2023•2 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 69
Welcome back to Scoresley Month(and-a-half) where we read books by Claire Kingsley and Lucy Score! Next up is Mr. Fixer Upper from Lucy Score. Gannon co-stars in a home renovation show that Paige works on as a field producer. He’s explosive, she’s calm. He’s boisterous, she’s reserved. But man, he falls first and there’s no way he’s giving up on her. This book features the greatest grand gesture we’ve ever read. Ever. Also discussed: Issue 1 in Ohio (please vote on August 8!), the best kinds of ...
Jul 25, 2023•2 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 68
Welcome to Scoresley Month(and-a-half) where we read books by Claire Kingsley and Lucy Score! First up is Book Boyfriend by Claire Kingsley. Alex is a writer who’s accidentally found success in the romance genre using a female pen name, Lexi Logan. Mia is a nine-to-fiver by day and a book blogger by night who is very close with… Lexi. When fate steps in, Alex and Mia quite literally bump into each other at a book store and begin dating. What happens when Alex knows the whole story, but Mia’s in ...
Jul 11, 2023•2 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 67
We close out Authors You Should Know month by speaking with one of our favorite historical romance authors, Tracy Sumner! We discuss her book, Tides of Passion (The Garrett Brothers #3), a beautiful story of finding love after grief between a bad ass suffragette and small town constable. Like most of Tracy’s books, this is muy caliente! We also discussed her latest release, Kiss the Rake Hello (Wicked Widows League #13) which is an older heroine, enemies to lovers, sorta second chance in which t...
Jun 27, 2023•3 hr 35 min•Season 1Ep. 65
Today your favorite foul-mouthed ladies are joined by Piece of Cake authors Mary Hollis Huddleston & Asher Fogle Paul. We got an ARC of Piece of Cake, which comes out June 20. Claire Sommers (the villain from Without a Hitch) is rebuilding her life after basically ripping it apart in the last book. She’s paired with a Brooklyn influencer, Dom, to try to save the magazine she works for, Piece of Cake. Will they accomplish their goal in saving the magazine? Will Claire admit she has feelings f...
Jun 14, 2023•2 hr 52 min•Season 1Ep. 65
