It's been a minute since we've recapped an alien romance, and HERE WE ARE, HBs! ARTEK by Honey Phillips manages to be both Western Times and alien, which is hard to pull off. This slice-of-life Seven Brides for Seven Brothers retelling was a romp from beginning to end! Bonus Content: Sabrina's Libby nemesis is still abusing her with book 2 of the Spymaster series, Mel can't remember alien names, NIMBYs try to ruin everything again (but fail!), we need this to be a smutty animated series, and so ...
Jul 29, 2024•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 369
Hey HBs! Mel and Sabrina are here with LOVE & OTHER DISASTERS by Anita Kelly! This queer contemporary romance is set on an amateur cooking show. Dahlia is a divorcee who quit her job to be there and doesn't quite know how she'll pay rent if she doesn't win the $100k prize. Meanwhile, London is the show's first non-binary contestant, this is their national coming out declaration, and they want to use the money to start a non-profit to support queer kids where they live. They may be competitor...
Jul 22, 2024•2 hr 26 min•Ep. 368
Hey HBs! We're here with the second half of THE SPYMASTER'S LADY by Joanna Bourne! Our couple is on a fall-in-love trek on foot all the way to London and boy does Annique feel guilty about being attracted to boy Grey and Robert... little does she know, they're the same bloke! Come with us as we finish our journey through spy times! Bonus Content: Mel gets recognized by a mom at her school, the gals ruminate on tips of icebergs, Sabrina is an angry boomer about JUST GOOGLING IT, and so much more!...
Jul 15, 2024•1 hr 48 min•Ep. 367
Hey HBs! We're here with THE SPYMASTER'S LADY by Joanna Bourne! It's great to be back in France Times with an extra dose of intrigue and nefarious plots! We meet Annique, a 19 year old lifelong spy and Grey, the second in command of all the British spies right after the French Revolution. They are undoubtedly enemies who can't trust each other, unless they find out they've got way more in common than either of them think. Except for killing. She doesn't kill on purpose, he'll kill anything no pr...
Jul 08, 2024•1 hr 41 min•Ep. 366
Hey HBs! We're here with our first Nora Roberts book, THE VILLA! It's winerytimes and the Giambelli matriarch is here to shake up with corporate structure! But also intrigue and murder with no less than 3,000 characters. And in this head-hopping 3rd person book, everyone (and we mean EVERYONE) gets a POV moment. Plus, not one but two romances! Bonus Content: Pebbling as a love language, Treat Lifestyle, whimsying math, and so much more! A note on audio: Mel's audio is wonky in the first 40 mins ...
Jul 01, 2024•1 hr 57 min•Ep. 365
Hey HBs! Mel's here with gueesstttssss! BFFs of Mel and the pod Jenny Nordbak and Katee Robert (of Bonkers Romance ) are here to recap the movie Challengers, starring the one and only Zendaya. Jenny and Mel had no idea what they were in for and BOY did this romantic psychological thriller deliver. It's so sexy! And messy! And mean! And baffling! And we loved it. Just a quick note: Mel had some ridiculous audio and recording issues, so (even with a lot of intervention) the sound quality isn't up ...
Jun 24, 2024•1 hr 58 min•Ep. 364
Hey HBs! We're here with masterpiece of sorcery! Emma Hamm's WHISPERS OF THE DEEP took every single one of Sabrina's phobias and said we shall overcome with seggsy swooniness! It's a monster romance between a merman and a human deep, DEEP under the sea. Like, in the vast deep. He kidnaps her to get information that his people will use to destroy hers, he thinks every part of her body is disgusting, and this can only end in one of their deaths... unless she teaches him how to kiss! Get stoked, y'...
Jun 17, 2024•2 hr 11 min•Ep. 363
Hey HBs! We're here with a contemporary sapphic romance! It's a fake relationship extravaganza with a buttoned-up couple's counselor and a cool, alt actor. CW: Mel got really triggered by this book, so look out for discussions of disordered eating, diet culture, rampant fatphobia, and more. Bonus Content: Mel cut her own hair!, where is all the roller skating the cover promised?, moaning in front of strangers in the workplace, and more! Lady Loves: Mel: Cut your own hair and liberate your neck i...
Jun 10, 2024•2 hr 12 min•Ep. 362
Hey HBs! We're back with another book we didn't know was part 1 of a 4 part series with the same couple. WHOOPS, but no regrets. BENEATH BLACK SAILS by Clare Sager is a historical fantasy pirate adventure with a famous pirate queen and the pirate hunter sent to take her down. This heroine is brash and fun and we can't get enough of her. Bonus Content: we're hot messes who got suckered!, this dedication slayed us, this took Mel back to Dangerous Tides, he's the epitome and she's the definition, S...
Jun 03, 2024•1 hr 42 min•Ep. 361
Hey HBs! This week we've got a delicious contemporary lesbian romance: D'Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins! This perfect morsel has so many things we love! Reality TV, fat rep, queer rep, overcoming religious trauma, loving and eccentric families, and WOWZA the spicy times are faaaantastic. This is a hard recommend from us! Bonus Content: Mel just like her drinks dry, Sabrina can't handle a mid-recording puck of Mexican hot chocolate, Mel fancast this book: D'Vaughn is Susie D...
May 27, 2024•1 hr 53 min•Ep. 360
Hey HBs! We're here with the contemporary Scottish romance ON DUBLIN STREET by Samantha Young! It's Edinburgh, it's family tragedy, it's basing life decisions on great bathtubs. There's an emotionally skittish heroine, an alpha hero who's eight years older, a friends-with-benefits arrangement, and a little too much boundary pushing for Mel's complete comfort. And we knew this before, but we pinpoint one of the ways subgenre impacts reader expectations! Bonus Content: eyeball cupcakes, trip plann...
May 20, 2024•2 hr 7 min•Ep. 359
Wooo! HBs we're here with book 1 of the Victorian Rebels series, THE HIGHWAYMAN by Kerrigan Byrne. We loooooved this book! As Sabrina is a longtime Kerrigan Byrne fangirl, it's not a shock. We've got a childhood-spouses-to-lovers book that knocked our socks off! But yikes, it gets dark. Lady Loves: Sabrina: if you're lonely, but don't have anyone around physically, get on a video call and play video games parallel to each other! Mel: find the light in the dark when you can! Turns out, the best w...
May 13, 2024•2 hr 16 min•Ep. 358
Hey HBs! In this episode, Sabrina and Mel recap DEATH'S OBSESSION by Avina St. Graves. It's a dark, paranormal, stalker romance that gave us KING OF FLESH AND BONE , SING ME TO SLEEP , and SOUL EATER vibes. Overall, they enjoyed the experience, but were generally underwhelmed. But! They talk a lot about reader "meters" and it's appropriately scientific and straightforward. During the episode, Sabrina's three pooches are competing in some serious doggy Olympics in the background, so there will be...
May 06, 2024•1 hr 42 min•Ep. 357
Hey HBs! We're here with LOVE FOR THE COLD-BLOODED, OR THE PART-TIME EVIL MINION'S GUIDE TO ACCIDENTALLY DATING A SUPERHERO by Alex Gabriel! Boy, oh boy, this MM superhero fantasy novel is fan-damn-tastic; the voice is SO UNIQUE, the world-building is incredible, and the romance is SMOKING HOT. There's accidental sex work, it highlights the power of perspective, and someone puts quail eggs on pizza. Plus, FORCE FIELD S*X! Bonus Content: rich boy pizzas, force field condoms, telling your employer...
Apr 29, 2024•1 hr 50 min•Ep. 356
Hey HBs! We're here to recap JUST FOR THE CAMERAS by Viano Oniomoh! It's a fluffy contemporary with delicious and supported sex work, amazing communication, a sad sad Sebastian boy, best friendship goals, and an MMF menage that made us feel all gooey and sparkly inside. And WOW the hot hot sexy times! This is definitely an erotic romance. Bonus Content: this is a giggly episode, sad boy catnip, dimple piercings, celebrations of beautiful fat bodies, Pavlovian Portraits, only one bed, two boys ju...
Apr 22, 2024•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 355
Hey HBs! It's Post-Apocalyptic Times!! We're recapping CLAIMED by Elle Kennedy , and wow is outlaw country sex and kink positive! We've got a heroine with a BIG secret, a hero with a vendetta, and a passel of boys we can't get enough of! Bonus Content: Michael's angry bird artistic debut, that potent post-apocalyptic pussy, sexy hit point increases, the confusing commerce of outlaw country, flower favors, outlaw jail, and so much more! Lady Loves: Sabrina: see your friends as much as possible! E...
Apr 15, 2024•1 hr 41 min•Ep. 354
Hey HBs! Mel and Sabrina are here to recap RAVISHED by Amanda Quick! It's a historical with a fossil-obsessed heroine, a VERY misunderstood hero, a dangerous ring of robbers, and a cavernous ruination!! Bonus Content: Mel got her 5 yards of dirt delivered, Sabrina wants to be BFFs with this heroine, the gals go on a crustacean tangent, Mel does a big word association on everyone because it's tired in here, Lady Whipplethorpe, Lord Applebottom Doorman, and so much more! Lady Loves: Joint lady lov...
Apr 08, 2024•1 hr 44 min•Ep. 353
Hey HBs! HAPPY ST. VINCENT WEEK! Tomorrow, April 2nd, is officially the 3rd (or maybe 4th?) annual St. Vincent Day! Where we celebrate Sebastian St. Vincent, the misunderstood bad boy who's really just broken and wants to ensconce your feet in warmth and feed you and plan funerals so you don't have to and become the sexist casino business man and take bullets for you. CASUAL STUFF. Last year, we got recommendations for books that have St. Vincent vibes and boy did HB Taylor deliver! She's back w...
Apr 01, 2024•2 hr 2 min•Ep. 352
Hey HBs! We haven't recapped an alien romance in a while... dare we say TOO LONG! We're here today with TAKEN TO VORAXIA by Elizabeth Stevens! As of the release of this episode, Mel has read through book 6 without any plans to stop. This series is sooo good! TW: discussions of sexual assault, slavery, and forced abortions. Bonus Content: Mel can't tear herself away from the Ruthless Bosses series by Theodora Taylor, how much we love the there-aren't-enough-babies trope, xora pockets (insert roos...
Mar 25, 2024•1 hr 44 min•Ep. 351
Hey y'all! We're here with part 2 of IN THE MIDDLE OF SOMEWHERE by Roan Parrish! We left you in the middle of their first (and only?) fight, which we acknowledge was a mean thing to do. But! There's an HEA! CW: for discussions of parental death and attempted suicide. Bonus Content: Mel did some hyperfocus "cleaning" because there was no one around to stop her, Sabrina wants Ginger's book (it exists! Huzzah!), Mel "pegged [Sabrina] so hard," and Sabrina is a sister goddess. Lady Loves: Mel: Mary ...
Mar 18, 2024•1 hr 52 min•Ep. 350
Hey HBs! We're here with IN THE MIDDLE OF SOMEWHERE by Roan Parrish! This is part 1 because we loved this book soooooo much. This MM romance features a tattooed professor with anxiety and a super burly, cabin-building, care-taking dreamboat. Bonus Content: Mel's bringing big grown-up-lady-sleepover energy, Sabrina is now tailoring reading lists to Mel's big mouth, both gals are horned up for love, and we meet Sabrina's anxiety gremlin! Lady Loves: Mel: The soundtrack of the musical SIX! Especial...
Mar 11, 2024•1 hr 52 min•Ep. 349
Hey HBs! We're back with ANY DUCHESS WILL DO by Tessa Dare! We restart our tale right after the library finger-b*ng, and these two are convinced that they only have until the end of the week. Will he gut his BFF for this woman?? Content warning: discussions of infant death and mentions of miscarriage. Bonus Content: Mel just dropped her family off at the airport, Mel and Sabrina "haven't even been railed yet" (or ever?), Sabrina found the ultimate tax-deductible ass, and we love every blue-blood...
Mar 04, 2024•2 hr 6 min•Ep. 348
Hey HBs! We're here to recap ANY DUCHESS WILL DO by Tessa Dare! It's an Englandtimes book featuring a sad, broken Duke, his desperate mother, and the serving girl who will change them all forever. Bonus Content: Mel's got a mesakkah dick on her phone screen now, Sabrina learned about screenshots a long time ago, Sabrina has special feelings about stickers, and so much more! Lady Loves: Sabrina: Wear the silly costume! Be a shrimp! Do it!! Mel: Call an audible! The sportsball kind, that is. If so...
Feb 26, 2024•1 hr 53 min•Ep. 347
Hey HBs! It's time to cross the finish line of THE GIRL WITH THE STARS IN HER EYES by Xio Axelrod . Toni is starting to mesh with and carve out her role in the band, Seb is remining himself of his no-fraternization clause constantly, and Kandy is ready to make some waves! Y'all, this childhood best-friends to lovers set in the soundscape of an all-girl rock band, frankly, rocked our world. Bonus Content: Sabrina has been ORGANIZING HER LIFE and will not be accepting questions, we're so glad we'r...
Feb 19, 2024•2 hr 5 min•Ep. 346
Hey HBs! We planned this as a two-parter because we knew we would need to obsess over every detail AND WE WERE RIGHT. We're recapping THE GIRL WITH STARS IN HER EYES by Xio Axelrod ! It's a second chance, childhood-best-friends-to-lovers romance set in the music industry and ehrmegerd we're hooked. Bonus Content: Mel's entire personality is gardening, this book has so much TEXTURE, you can hear the music and smell the smells and feel ALL the feels, Mel's rogue tampon, the blissful city of Tamtop...
Feb 12, 2024•1 hr 46 min•Ep. 345
Hey HBs! It's time to get our hockey on with HARD HITTER by Sarina Bowen! It's a massage, it's a yoga, it's a crime thriller! Ari and Patrick are so swoony! CW for discussions of past domestic abuse. Bonus Content: Sabrina (on record as NOT a re-reader) has read this book 3 times, Mel has been cut off by Hoopla, the gals both need massages badly, Mel learns what "uppers" actually are (yikes), dicks in coffee makers, and so much more! Lady Loves: Sabrina - rereading! Sometimes it's so so so good!...
Feb 05, 2024•2 hr•Ep. 344
Hey HBs! Mel and Sabrina are back with HIS PRETEND BABY by Theodora Taylor! Nyla and Go are imperfectly perfect for each other and it was SO SWOONY! Self love, acceptance, and hot hot s*x are huge themes in this book and we couldn't get enough. Bonus Content: Mel has a dick on her phone and both gals only share VERY begrudgingly. Lady Loves: Sabrina: Find yourself a local community. Having someone who would come over to make sure she was ok after a concussion was an amazing experience. Mel: the ...
Jan 29, 2024•2 hr 8 min•Ep. 343
Hey HBs! It's chaotic over here. Mel's drunk, Sabrina's an ADHD, and birds are locking people out of their cars. Also, Bobby De Niro is here! In this episode we recap a 5 Star Review Bribe MOVIE: the 2007 film Stardust starring Claire Danes, Daredevil, and Not-Goldie-Hawn. This road trip romance is a romp that everyone needs to see! Bonus Content: did Mel incept Sabrina to DIY renovate her house or is she just turning 30?, is this a perfect movie? Everyone is in it!, this whole movie/book was in...
Jan 22, 2024•1 hr 48 min•Ep. 342
Hey HBs! We're here recapping THE MASTER by Kresley Cole! It was formerly a Patreon-only episode, but we're doing something we basically never do and releasing it wide. We originally recapped The Professional and then finished the series on Patreon. This episode was supposed to be a recap of both The Master and The Player, but we loved the books so much we had to give them their own episodes. Bonus Content: Did Mel incept Sabrina with Lady DIY Instagram or is she just turning 30?, chastity in BD...
Jan 16, 2024•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 341
Helloooooo HBs! I hope you've been exercising your huggin' arms because it's time for the 2023 annual Heaving Bosoms Reading Embrace!!!!!!!! We gave you 20 categories and you did whatever you wanted with them. And if you notified us that you even thought about doing the Embrace, YOU GET SNUGGLED INTO OUR BOSOMS! More than anything, we need to say the biggest, most heart-felt thank you to YOU, Listener. You continue to melt our hearts and blow us away with your support, generosity of spirit, and ...
Jan 08, 2024•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 340
