It’s episode two of Kelsey’s villain era as she and Krista discuss A Ruin of Roses by KF Breene. Listen in as they try to understand the terms of a vague curse, the broody cursed prince, and the heroine who is NOT like other maidens. Could it be another hate read? CW: explicit sexual content, violence, kidnapping, confinement, terminal illness, death of a parent (off page), murder
Shelf Pleasure is back with the third (or maybe fourth?) installation of the Deal with a Demon series by Katee Robert in The Gargoyle's Captive . If you watched Gargoyles as a kid and also fantasized about splooge volume that would rival Nickelodeon, then this is the monster romance for you. Listen in to see what Krista and Kelsey had to say about it. CW: explicit sex, violence, blood, self-harm ideation, consensual non-consent, abuse, murder, giant spiders...
Shelf Pleasure is back, baby! In the Season 2 premiere, Krista and Kelsey really tell on themselves while they discuss Black Sheep by Alexa Harlowe and Brynne Weaver. Listen in to find out who had to read one-handed, who had to stop reading to lay on the floor, and why Tenacious D made an appearance (not irl, just like...as a reference). CW: graphic sex, violence, addiction, references to eating disorders, child marriage, BDSM, consensual non-consent, cults, serial murder...
In the Season 1 Finale, join Krista and Kelsey for a lively debate on good kink, bad Doms, and how much you really make as a secretary as they dive into Praise by Sara Cate. Could this be the rantiest episode to date? You’ll have to listen to find out. CW: explicit sex, violence, gaslighting, infidelity, blackmail, BDSM, transphobia, parental abandonment
Shelf Pleasure is back with more Sierra Simone and this time they're journeying to Thornchapel in A Lesson in Thorns . Because who wouldn't want to reconnect with old friends by conducting magical, kinky sex rituals in the woods? As an added bonus, experience Krista and Kelsey being efficient for the first time ever! CW: graphic sex, BDSM, blood play, abuse, death of a parent, rape (historical, off-page)
If the phrase “Don’t bully me…I’ll come” appeals to you, then you might want to join Krista and Kelsey as they discuss Hate (Madison Kate #1) by Tate James in this week’s episode. If that phrase doesn't appeal to you, we suggest joining anyway because this series and its respective discussion were unhinged in the best possible way. There are more twists and turns than your grandmother’s favorite soap opera. CW: graphic sex, sexism, bullying, violence, assault, death of a parent (historical), sta...
The only thing more exciting than riding a dragon is riding a dragon (if you know what we mean). This week Krista and Kelsey discuss Fire in His Blood by Ruby Dixon and accidentally spoil ACOTAR, From Blood and Ash, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Kelsey also performs an experiment that leaves everyone gagging. Listeners beware! CW: explicit sex, gaslighting, sexual assault, physical assault, kidnapping, attempted murder, murder, apocalypse
Girls, Gays, and Theys: this one is for you! This week Shelf Pleasure dives into their very first steamy sapphic romance as they discuss Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake. Also featured in this episode is a philosophical debate on the terms sex, fucking , and making love (is make love part of shame culture?!) Press play and find out. CW: explicit sex, death of a parent (historical), emotional abuse, gaslighting
Shelf Pleasure is back, baby! To kick off 2023, Krista and Kelsey jump into Twisted Love by Ana Huang and debate the qualities of a good morally grey love interest. Light ranting and several references to The Princess Bride and Drag Race are also included. CW: explicit sex, mild dollification and degradation, kidnapping, death of parent (historical), near drowning, murder
If you’ve ever watched a holiday romance and thought “This is fun, but it needs way more sex” then do we have the book for you! This week Krista and Kelsey visit Christmas Notch, VT to watch washed up boy band members and plus-size porn stars fall in love in A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone. Join them and learn what “a kiss made for fucking” really means! CW: explicit sex, parental death (historical), mentions of fatphobia and sex shaming...
Calling all Alphas, Betas, and Omegas! This week Krista and Kelsey pop their Omegaverse cherries with Baby & the Late Night Howlers by Kathryn Moon. More questions were asked than answered. Brian also joins this episode to give his thoughts and tell everyone what he would smell like as an Alpha (Hint: it’s bright and sweet). CW: explicit sex, drug and alcohol use, abuse, violence, dubious consent/forced orgasm, attempted sexual assault, kidnapping, PTSD, murder...
Buckle up babes! We're off to London to infiltrate secret societies and spy on The Elite in Nana Malone's Big Ben . And we know you're all wondering "How big IS Ben?" Don't worry - he'll tell you. CW: explicit sex, infidelity, violence, emotional abuse/gaslighting, assault, attempted murder, murder
If you thought we were done with monster romances...you thought very, very wrong. Shelf Pleasure is back with the second installment of Katee Robert's Deal with a Demon series in The Kraken's Sacrifice . So if dragon men weren't your style (and even if they were), dive into the deep end and explore tentacled brat tamers and their bratty human lovers with us! CW: explicit sex, size difference, BDSM, abuse (historical), neglect, spousal death (historical), pregnancy termination...
Hasn't everyone wished they could curse an ex after a messy breakup? On this week's episode of Shelf Pleasure, Krista and Kelsey finds out what happens when you can as they laugh their way through Erin Sterling's paranormal romcom The Ex Hex . Also find out what song they would play during their a sex montages (you know you have one too!) CW: explicit sex, death (off page)
If three monster boyfriends left you wanting, we have some exciting news for you! This week the ladies of Shelf Pleasure discuss A Lady of Rooksgrave Manor by Kathryn Moon and its FIVE (yes, FIVE!) monster boyfriends. Also included in this episode: Kelsey has a cold and Krista holds a grudge. Hopefully this leaves you sated. CW: explicit sex, consensual non-consent, discussions of sexual assault and rape, blood play, violence, gore, attempted murder
Shelf Pleasure is back with more monster smut, this time with 3x the vampires daddies! This week Krista and Kelsey delve into Court of the Vampire Queen by Katee Robert, discuss teenage vampire obsessions, and debate the existence of magical assholes. We also learn that Gary Oldman can still, in fact, get it. CW: dubious consent, explicit sex, graphic violence, blood, gore, blood play, breeding + pregnancy, discussions about abortion, attempted drugging/assault, parental abuse, murder, patricide...
In their first read of spooky season, Krista and Kelsey venture into Pestilence by Laura Thalassa and ask the question: how can you fall in love with a being who is meant to end the entire human race? Especially if that being insists on guarding you while you pee and almost unalives you once or twice. Can love really conquer all? If you too need answers, this might be the episode for you! CW: explicit sex, animal cruelty, graphic violence, torture, attempted/suggested rape, death...
The Hate Read continues! Krista and Kelsey finally make it out of Den of Vipers by KA Knight but not without taking their pound of flesh along the way. That's how you have to do it with a mafia romance, right? Fans of the book beware: it's a Hate Read for a reason. CW: explicit sex, dubious consent/non-consent, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, kidnapping, self-harm, violence, torture, murder, gore
It's a two-for-one deal this week as Krista and Kelsey tackle their first Hate Read AND Why Choose Romance with Part I of Den of Vipers by KA Knight. This episode covers chapters 1-33 of the book and Part II will cover chapters 34-Epilogue. Fans of the book beware: this review may be even spicier than the book was. CW: explicit sex, dubious consent/non-consent, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, kidnapping, self-harm, violence, torture, murder, gore
On this episode of Shelf Pleasure, we present to you the chaotic ramblings of Kelsey and Krista as they dive into The Marriage Contract by Katee Robert. As an added bonus, listen in real-time as Krista discovers she has a hand kink and experience Kelsey's shame when she realizes she doesn't know how long she's been engaged to her partner. This is why they are no longer allowed to record on weekends. CW: explicit sex, abuse, graphic violence, assault, kidnapping, gun violence, murder...
How many pairs of panties are necessary for an overnight trip? Do fake condoms make you laugh or cringe? Are revenge schemes better when they include pranks or suffering? If you've asked yourself any of these questions, you'll probably enjoy Krista and Kelsey's discussion on The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa. Also learn which family members are brave enough to listen to this podcast! CW: explicit sex, sexism For additional resources on abortion advocacy, please visit podvoices.help ....
In this week’s episode of Shelf Pleasure, Kelsey & Krista get into Hooked by Emily McIntire and discover why going to therapy is sexy. If you enjoy dark romance, lively debates on virginity as a plot device, and brief anecdotes on why you should never follow strange men to their houseboats, then this may be the episode for you. Bonus content: What's the best way to apologize after kidnapping someone? CW: explicit sex, assault, murder, torture, kidnapping, drug references, choking/breath play...
Join us on this episode of Shelf Pleasure to hear Krista and Kelsey fangirl over Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. For added fun (and possibly a drinking game), count the number of times they use the words "charming" or "cerebral" or "romantic". Bonus content: still wondering what dick spurs are made of? We have your answers! CW: explicit sex, forced outing, homophobia, attempted sexual assault (historical), death of a parent (historical), drug abuse (historical) For additional res...
If you've ever wondered what it would be like to take a tumble with a giant blue alien after being abducted by little green men and crash landing onto a planet of perpetual winter, do we have the book for you! Journey to the distant planet Not-Hoth with Krista and Kelsey as they explore Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon in this week's episode. CW: explicit sex, interspecies sex, dubious consent, size difference, pregnancy, abduction, human trafficking, forced abortion, rape, imprisonment, viol...
Step back in time with Krista and Kelsey as they discuss Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore! If you're a fan of the one horse trope, old-timey slang for fingerbanging, or wondered where you could find some Victorian reverse harems then this is the episode for you. CW: explicit sex, assault, unplanned pregnancy, miscarriage, imprisonment
In this latest installment of Shelf Pleasure, Krista and Kelsey dive into How to Bang a Billionaire by Alexis Hall. Conversation topics include the best way to say thank-you for a bj, why you should never touch someone's nipple rings unless invited, and how many pop culture references are too many (if such limits exist). CW: explicit sex, kink, abuse (historical), attempted suicide (historical), drug use, tobacco use, attempted sexual assault
In this episode of Shelf Pleasure, Krista and Kelsey review The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood. There may or may not have been conversations about consensual Force choking, secondhand embarrassment strong enough to kill, and discovering that you're a size queen. Bonus content: Is anointing oil water-based? We have your answers! CW: explicit sex, workplace sexual harassment, bullying, gaslighting, death of a parent (off-page), power disparity
In this installment of Shelf Pleasure, Krista and Kelsey explore the steam and theme of Priest by Sierra Simone. Discussions of sex as religion, The Walking Dead subreddit, and whether or not sacred oils are water-based ensued. CW: explicit sex, sacrilege, blasphemy, BDSM, violence, child abuse, sexual assault, suicide, and religious trauma
In the inaugural episode of Shelf Pleasure, Krista and Kelsey recount how they met (once, twice, and thrice) and their first romance novels as readers before diving into The Dragon's Bride by Katee Robert. Discussions of scaly lizard men, sexy chase scenes, and Hungry, Hungry Hippos followed. CW: violence, abuse, murder, explicit sex, breeding/pregnancy/birth, dubious consent, human/nonhuman sex, size difference
Shelf Pleasure is the podcast for romance readers, by romance readers. Explore everything from sweet and steamy rom-coms to sci-fi and fantasy erotica with your hosts Krista and Kelsey. Chapter 1 coming soon!
