Review: Avalon Tower by C.N. Crawford and Alex Rivers (2026)

Fey Academy for Spies, Book 1 Heat Factor: Much yearning, a sprinkling of spice, a hint of darker things to come Character Chemistry: Heroine is an asthmatic surprise rookie spy and her love interest is a head honcho spy and their love is FORBIDDEN Plot: Nia goes on vacation to France where the border with the Fae territory is and ends up getting involved in a rescue operation where she learns she’s actually half fae and everyone’s depending on her and she can’t fall in love with the guy who once broke her heart.

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My First Smut: It Stirred Me Emotionally

My First Smut is a recurring feature where we talk about our formative smut experiences. These short confessionals may include such details as: What book did you read? How old were you? Were there other people involved? What made the experience special? What role does smut play in your life? This week, erotica author Rowan Thorn talks about recovering from toxic shame. First romance novel you read Books of Blood, Clive Barker - specifically the story "Jacqueline Ess: Her Will and Testament" How old were you (or what life stage were you in)?

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The Smut Report Bookshop

We firmly believe that there is a romance novel out there for every taste, and we want to help you find it.

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Review: When the Tides Held the Moon by Venessa Vida Kelley (2025)

Heat Factor: It eddies and then swirls away Character Chemistry: Other recognizes other Plot: A suddenly out-of-work blacksmith impressed the man who commissioned his last project so well that he’s invited to join the man’s freak show, where he befriends and then falls in love with the man’s newest exhibit: an imprisoned merman. Overall: The best part of this romance was the gay, Puerto Rican outsider finally finding a place inside. (The found family is strong with this one.)

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Tumblereads: Loose Threads

This week on Tumblereads, Erin is asking whether Holly and Ingrid have noticed a lack of follow through in romance books. Note: Holly was not in her normal recording space this week, so apologies for the extra echoes when she talks.

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October 2026 Releases We’re Excited About

How to Catch a Hellhound by Shannon Mae Hellhounds of Paradise, Book #6 Releases October 1 PaulI’m not exactly sure how I became sheriff of Paradise Falls, but I take the protection of the people in my town seriously. That even includes Jude, who’s constantly pulling pranks in the hopes of getting arrested. I know he’s flirting with me, but how can someone as damaged as me be a match for his eternal good cheer? Never mind the fact that I may also be losing my mind—I’m getting crazy feelings about people, and the urge to act on them is getting stronger.

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September 2026 Wrap Up

It's officially fall, which means it's time to cuddle up under some cozy blankets with warm beverages and your favorite smut books. Our Favorite Reads… Erin's Pick: Playing His Game by Ashlyn Kane & Morgan James It follows the expected beats—but it also absolutely nails them. (Erin's full review.) Ingrid's Pick: Daggerbound by T. Kingfisher This book delivered exactly what we want from a Kingfisher adventure, with the bonus of a complex and wounded protagonist. (Ingrid and Holly's joint review.) Holly's Pick: By Any Means by E.M.

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Review: Baby Bump for the Mafia Boss by Evie Rose (2026)

Heat Factor: She’s a virgin, he hasn’t been with anyone for ages (because of her, obvi), completely OTT Character Chemistry: “I love you so much, I won’t say anything for fear of upsetting you! But also, I’m kind of upset about it!” Plot: Two dumdums succumb to their mutual lust while trapped in the wilderness for a night, avoid each other for four months, then continue to avoid talking when a surprise pregnancy makes physical avoidance less desirable. Overall: It wasn’t as fun as the other two books I’ve read by this author, but it was still ridiculous and fun.

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Author Spotlight: Rachel Reid

Looking for a new author to try? Here's everything you need to know about Rachel Reid, whose books included Heated Rivalry (and the rest of the Game Changers series!), Time to Shine, and The Shots You Take. What She Writes: High heat M/M romance novels, almost entirely centered on Canadian protagonists (Game Changer and Common Goal being the exceptions), and always (so far) featuring active or retired hockey players. Writing Style: Reid writes in a semi-close 3rd person, past tense, with great suggestion. Because of this, the reader has numerous opportunities to observe the protagonist lying to himself, or to catch the little hints of emotional investment that are unclear to the protagonist in the midst of his own emotional turmoil, so it packs that emotional punch that frequently results in stomach flutters.

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TSR Book Club: The Paris Match by Kate Clayborn

This month was Holly's pick, and the team read The Paris Match by Kate Clayborn. There's discussion of on-the-nose metaphors, how we feel about *Paris*, and the moments that are really great. Note: There are a few big reveals in this book that happen about 3/4 of the way through, and we discuss them, so here's your SPOILERS note. Heat Factor: There’s a lot going on Character Chemistry: It’s like lightning and in those lighting flashes they are revealed to each other Plot: Damaged people overly invest themselves in other people’s unraveling wedding, and find their own impetus to change…

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Dueling Review: Daggerbound by T. Kingfisher (2026)

Swordheart, Book #2 Holly's Review of Swordheart, Book #1 | The Whole Team's Convo about Swordheart, Book #1 Holly's Take Heat Factor: A high ratio of innuendo to shagging Character Chemistry: Mutual admiration society Plot: Learned Edmund is bringing a dagger and some books to the big city but *surprise!* the dagger is a person Overall: This hits all the Kingfisher checkboxes Ingrid's Take Heat Factor: There’s heavy flirting and blushing but it’s not what I’d consider high heat.  Character Chemistry: I think meant to be opposites attract but they’re both ultimately serving as the cheerleader to each other’s humility/wounds…

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Review: Revenge of the Sunshine by Jackie Lau (2026)

Love & Spite, Book #1 Heat Factor: A solid chunk in the middle is them having allllll the sex Character Chemistry: She asks him to do activities with her and he discovers that having fun is a good thing Plot: Zoe gets revenge on her cheating ex by fake-dating his older brother. With exclamation marks! Overall: This was a fun read with surprising depth.

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Tumblereads: Spanky Hanky Panky

Our conversation this week was inspired by this piece by Rien Grey on "if only" eroticism. We do talk about sex a bit more than we normally do, so please proceed accordingly.

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