This week Katie is exploring all of Ali's forays into romance territory. Her most recent book, Deep End, seems to bridge the gap between the spicier side of romance (Not in Love) and her traditional rom-coms like Love, Theoretically and The Love Hypothesis. Deep End explores BDSM themes, power dynamics, and a peculiar type of love triangle. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/212808709-deep-end?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=2c5NZIKHfr&rank=1 Want more of Jordan, Katie, and Not Another Heroine? Join us on Patreon for bonus episodes and to listen to our Patreon-exclusive series, Tawdry Tuesday! https://patreon.com/notanotherheroine…

Is there anyone who hasn't read The Cruel Prince yet? This is an urban fantasy (kind of) filled with deliciously evil fairies, a bloodthirsty heroine, and a very questionable romantic lead. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26032825-the-cruel-prince?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=e1JnZ4s2bm&rank=1 Check out Tithe by Holly Black for Lord Roiben's story. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46777.Tithe?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=FPSJA9LO0S&rank=1 Want more of Jordan, Katie, and Not Another Heroine? Join us on Patreon for bonus episodes and to listen to our Patreon-exclusive series, Tawdry Tuesday! https://patreon.com/notanotherheroine…

If you like the trope of damsel-gets-saved-by-badass-protector (of the ghost, demon, death, variety) then this is the book for you. Ladybirds is a younger, entry-level introduction to this author, who also wrote the darker romantasy duology Peaches & Honey. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59086069-ladybirds?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=hmdg2hUPuJ&rank=1 Other books mentioned in this episode: Belladonna by Adalyn Grace https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59227936-belladonna?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=X9RVXpqfsw&rank=1 Phantasma by Kaylie Smith https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/204593914-phantasma?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=yMfhZE8gJT&rank=1 Peaches & Honey by R. Raeta https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62691790-peaches-honey?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=rp21XFSsc5&rank=1 The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199928276-the-love-of-my-afterlife?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=fyZRgCypqH&rank=1 The Dixon Rule by Elle Kennedy https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/200338241-the-dixon-rule?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=zYU0HddBQc&rank=1 A Sensual Summoning by Rachel J. Roman https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/195742750-a-sensual-summoning?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=dDP8kbRusU&rank=1 Want more of Jordan, Katie, and Not Another Heroine? Join us on Patreon for bonus episodes and to listen to our Patreon-exclusive series, Tawdry Tuesday! https://patreon.com/notanotherheroine…

Want more of Jordan, Katie, and Not Another Heroine? Join us on Patreon for bonus episodes and to listen to our Patreon-exclusive series, Tawdry Tuesday! https://patreon.com/notanotherheroine Time travel? Check. A teeny, tiny, Corlath moment of romance? Check. More dragon books? Check. We're closing out Dragonflight this week, but come back next Monday for our first epic series of the season: The Cruel Prince by Holly Black. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61975.Dragonflight?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=1dVggNUtlb&rank=1 --------- Other books mentioned this episode: The Mistborn Saga by Brandon Sanderson https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/68428.Mistborn?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=xVi3lmZiGd&rank=1 Song in the Silence by Elizabeth Kerner https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1022209.Song_in_the_Silence?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_19 Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/150739.Dealing_with_Dragons?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=hn5OINtlqe&rank=1 The Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61431922-fourth-wing?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=X8dpktjyMK&rank=1 Wyvern by Grace Draven https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31560086-wyvern?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=PoorCyP5ki&rank=1 The Temeraire Series by Naomi Novik https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28876.His_Majesty_s_Dragon?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=1LT7PxRDAx&rank=6 Nerilka's Story by Anne McCaffrey https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61974.Nerilka_s_Story?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=mySSoIixvJ&rank=1…

We all need a break from romantasy sometimes and Katie is fully invested in her contemporary romance era: enter her current obsession with Christina Lauren. Check out the whole series for a dual, first person POV style, and for bonus points, the audiobook has a very nice British narrator for the MMC. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62361081-the-true-love-experiment Other books mentioned in this episode: The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58438593-the-soulmate-equation?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=4UmZfqwnEQ&rank=1 The Bodyguard by Katherine Center https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58724801-the-bodyguard?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_14 Bride by Ali Hazelwood https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/181344829-bride?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_12…

Want more of Jordan, Katie, and Not Another Heroine? Join us on Patreon for bonus episodes and to listen to our Patreon-exclusive series, Tawdry Tuesday! https://patreon.com/notanotherheroine It's time for the mating flight. Yes, readers, remember Fourth Wing's cringey dragon sex? Here's the original. This is where the book started to lose us as it quickly shifts into F'lar's perspective. --------- The OG of dragon stories and science fiction (yes, it's both), Anne McCaffrey wrote Dragonflight almost 60 years ago. If you're a Fourth Wing fan, you'll recognize many (sometimes alarmingly so) similarities between this book and its modern counterpart. Our heroine, Lessa, is gritty, clever, and ruthless - the only issue is we didn't get enough of her. A perspective switch a third of the way through the plot hijacks what could've been a solid romantasy story. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61975.Dragonflight?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=1dVggNUtlb&rank=1…

Under the Star of Paris is a very clean, slow-burning, contemporary romance published in the 1950s - for today's reader, the cultural norms and gender roles are so dated, this feels like a historical. Take it as a palate cleanser - easy to read in a few hours on a rainy day. Also, a very believable, not toxic love triangle will keep you guessing the whole book. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3343881-under-the-stars-of-paris Other books mentioned in this episode: Lady Avery and The False Butler by Sofi Laporte https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123238138-lady-avery-and-the-false-butler?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_24 Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15795628-blackmoore?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=84DaFReATJ&rank=1 How to Marry a Millionaire https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045891/…

Want more of Jordan, Katie, and Not Another Heroine? Join us on Patreon for bonus episodes and to listen to our Patreon-exclusive series, Tawdry Tuesday! https://patreon.com/notanotherheroine The OG of dragon stories and science fiction (yes, it's both), Anne McCaffrey wrote Dragonflight almost 60 years ago. If you're a Fourth Wing fan, you'll recognize many (sometimes alarmingly) similarities between this book and its modern counterpart. Our heroine, Lessa, is gritty, clever, and ruthless - the only issue is we didn't get enough of her. A perspective switch a third of the way through the plot hijacks what could've been a solid romantasy. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61975.Dragonflight?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=1dVggNUtlb&rank=1…

Type A heroine, flipped gender roles, fake dating. Can you tell it's Katie's pick this week? This was a surprisingly good, clean romance. Katie consumed it via audiobook but believes it can stand alone in either format. Whether you're an avid contemporary romance consumer or you're interested in dabbling in the genre, this is a perfect little cream puff of a book. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58724801-the-bodyguard?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=8I6R9pmgIQ&rank=1 Other books mentioned in this episode: The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56732449-the-love-hypothesis?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=szAk2MTyyt&rank=1 The Graham Effect by Elle Kennedy https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123255391-the-graham-effect?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_17 Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being in Love by isthisselfcare https://archiveofourown.org/works/34500952/chapters/85870804…

Wish fulfillment is what the story feels like and there ain't nothing wrong with that, except when: a mustache-twirling villain hijacks the plot (at least it was exciting); the MCs have a taste for exhibitionism but awful timing; and, the heroine is an inconsistent idiot. We finished it (shocking considering how many issues we found in the overall design), but we highly recommend skipping this pod read in favor of some of the author's fanfiction. (You can find her on AO3 under LovesBitca8) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/201627074-not-another-love-song https://archiveofourown.org/users/LovesBitca8/pseuds/LovesBitca8 Rating: 3 Spice: 4 Genre: Contemporary Sub-genre: more romance than plot Heroine: The Diamond, The Downtrodden Hero: Billionaire, Walking Red Flag Tropes: slow burn, enemies to lovers…

Sincerely Yours is a gender-swapped Dramione retelling of You've Got Mail. Hidden identities, letter writing, self-growth - all wrapped into a tidy novella. This is a perfect introduction to fanfiction if you're not a die-hard HP fan and tomes like Manacled are a little intimidating. https://archiveofourown.org/works/48211207/chapters/121579090 Other books mentioned in this episode: Forget Me Not by Julie Soto https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61618737-forget-me-not?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=24LFYmEpAo&rank=1 Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60784546-divine-rivals?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_13 All things Ali Hazelwood https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21098177.Ali_Hazelwood…

Want more of Jordan, Katie, and Not Another Heroine? Join us on Patreon for bonus episodes and to listen to our Patreon-exclusive series, Tawdry Tuesday! https://patreon.com/notanotherheroine You know when you're hungry and the only thing available is a gas station sandwich that's a few days old but somehow still has some flavor? So you finish it and you feel less hungry but somewhat disappointed with your life choices. That's how we feel about this book. The writing is fine, there's some semblance of a plot, and the cool background details are engaging, but the characters are unlikeable mostly due to their immaturity. Stick around for the fun music references but maybe wait until the title pops up on Libby to start reading. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/201627074-not-another-love-song Rating: 3 Spice: 4 Genre: Contemporary Sub-genre: more romance than plot Heroine: The Diamond, The Downtrodden Hero: Billionaire, Walking Red Flag Tropes: slow burn, enemies to lovers Other books mentioned in this episode: Forget Me Not by Julie Soto https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61618737-forget-me-not…

Reality TV is about how Katie sums this book up. It's not great, there are definitely other books that surpass Icebreaker in general quality, but if you need something to fill the time and you're in your hockey romance era, this just might tide you over until you find a better read. *Mild caution for some eating disorder themes. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61767292-icebreaker Other books mentioned in this episode: The Graham Effect and The Dixon Rule by Elle Kennedy https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123255391-the-graham-effect?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=MUKab2vIIr&rank=1 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/200338241-the-dixon-rule?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=mL7O9iE78r&rank=1 All of Ali Hazelwood's works: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21098177.Ali_Hazelwood?from_search=true&from_srp=true Some hidden gems: Easy by Tammara Weber https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16056408-easy?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=3vpKLYRjSK&rank=2 Simon Says by Lori Foster https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/155317.Simon_Says?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=mNVqcFA8gg&rank=19…

We have entered our era of fanfiction. This week we're reading "The Right Thing To Do" by LovesBitca8 (aka Julie Soto, the author of Forget Me Not). This work is the author's first fanfiction, posted in 2017 and served as the inspiration for another beloved fic, "The Auction," due to be published later this year under the title "Rose in Chains." "The Right Thing To Do" feels like a 16-episode corporate romance k-drama complete with makeover sequence, busybody mom, several secondary love interests, and a third-act break-up. At its heart, this story is driven by the character's insecurities and repeated instances of miscommunication, but despite these typically alienizing tropes we devoured this story and the slowburn to a happily ever after. https://archiveofourown.org/works/11472648/chapters/25724661 Rating: 5 Spice: 3 Genre: Fantasy Sub-genre: more romance than plot Heroine: Soft Girl Hero: Billionaire, Golden Retriever Tropes: slow burn, forbidden love Other books mentioned in this episode: Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/201627074-not-another-love-song…

It's another DNF week for both of us but not for the reasons you might think. Throne in the Dark is the first book in the Villains & Virtues series and it is all over the romantasy subbreddit. This book is frequently recommended hand in hand with Reign & Ruin by J. D. Evans (which we loved), but this just hits a little different. Well-written but created in the vein of Spaceballs and The Princess Bride, this is a campy romp following the evil son of a demon lord and a do-goody damsel. If that's your thing, you will love this book. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62232755-throne-in-the-dark?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=zFYRO5uAfD&rank=1 Other books mentioned in this episode: Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123257687-assistant-to-the-villain?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_5 The Songbird & The Heart of Stone by Carissa Broadbent https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/210134467-the-songbird-the-heart-of-stone?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_23 Reign & Ruin by J. D. Evans https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50607309-reign-ruin?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=oUkIsWUSuJ&rank=1 When The Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202507554-when-the-moon-hatched?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=Sb4riMkZpN&rank=1 Also check out: Galavant https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3305096/…