Today on the blog, we're talking wallflowers, and the real question is: is this trope still a big thing in romance?

This except I have a blog where I talk about romance books and this is my romance list: Heard of: 6 Read: 0 Plan to read: probably 0 if I'm being honest

I know times are tough for all of us, but there is literally nothing in the #BookstoreRomanceDay coffers. I'm trying to put together some special virtual events over the next few months, but I need funds to do so. If you're able, please consider donating. gofund.me/33b48a4d

I lurve the TBR challenge but am terrible at coming up themes. Creative people, please help

This week on Tumblereads, we're talking about heroes who are Bad Men. Like, real bad, murdery, boundary-pushing, walking-red-flag type guys.

What can I say, we aim to please

We're all about helping people find the right way to get books (especially folks who want to disconnect from Amazon), but, unfortunately, Erin's here to say that Everand ain't it.

I'm in Austin, where the electoral news was…less great than elsewhere in the country. But I also worked the polls yesterday, and I have never seen an hour-long wait near a college campus for a ballot that was entirely opaque constitutional amendments. I'm trying to see this as a small sign of hope.

Review: Dangerous Decisions by Evie Jacobs (2025) Dangerous Skies Adventures, Book #2 Review of Dangerous Skies Adventures, Book #1 Heat Factor: Most of the heat comes from the crime solving, but don't you fret--there's still plenty of the fun kind of heat Character Chemistry: They have very…

I don't pay a ton of attention to the analytics side of the blog, mainly because the data is not going to change our behavior (this is a hobby, not a side hustle). But! This Thanksgiving Romance listicle we made a few years ago is suddenly getting a lot of views: smutreport.com/2022/11/19/s...

D'Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding is *mega fun* and also I'm eyeing that book about rival caterers because I love a good dueling chefs romance

I went to buy this and discovered that I *already own* it. The danger of an out of control TBR is that I have so many treasures buried in my kindle (and on my bookshelf) that I haven't read yet. That is also the joy of an out of control TBR

This week on Tumblereads, we're talking about self-published authors who get picked up by Big 5 publishers.

Our October favs!

October Wrap Up! Here's what we got up to on the blog this month

This month on the podcast (the one we actually prepped for), we're revisiting monster romance

For your reading pleasure: Erin's one year ago review of Hallowpeen smutreport.com/2024/10/31/r...

If you're still looking for spooky books to read (today or because spooky season lasts all year at your house), we put together a list of our spooky books lists smutreport.com/2025/10/25/s...

Look, I know Chuck Tingle is going to make this work, but I would be very concerned about a pumpkin head performing oral sex. Just, like, mechanically. Is that going to feel good? I don't think so.

Review: 10 Ways to Accidentally Fall in Love by Emmy Sanders Erin says, "In every opportunity it had to be so, this book was exceptional"

My friend @seraphrdm.bsky.social has put together a forum/spreadsheet for authors who are offering a free eBook for donations to their local food banks. If you want to be added to that spreadsheet, fill out the form! docs.google.com/forms/d/1F8m...

If you're a queer Texas author of adult or YA fiction & you have one of your books on hand that you'd like to sign & donate to a silent auction bundle for Equality Texas, DM me? The event is Nov 15th so it would need to get in the mail ASAP, or in Austin area I can pick up. Reposts appreciated! 🏳️‍🌈

icymi #romancelandia

Looking to try a new-to-you author? Here's everything you need to know about Nalini Singh, so you can decide if you're more of a Guild Hunter person or more of a Hard Play person.

ICYMI #romancelandia

Ingrid's response to: “Romance novels give women unrealistic expectations of men and relationships.”

Reposting for the Monday morning crowd

This week on Tumblereads, Ingrid's gushing about himbos and we're also talking about great sex writing

ICYMI, for folks in #romancelandia who want to get a bit more spooky season reading done this week 🎃 💙📚

Happy Saturday! Since Halloween is almost here, here's a roundup of all the spooky-season-related listicles we've put together over the years.

@collectingromance.bsky.social (and anyone else who might know), is it possible that I found a copy of Skye O'Malley with the original cover art???

I'm reading My Big Fat Fake Marriage by Charlotte Stein and guys, this book has broken me. Because of it, I am finally watching Ted Lasso.

This is a great piece. Suleikha's newsletter consistently delivers.

For folks who read with their ears, the audiobook is currently on sale!

Review: Prince Material by Nora Phoenix This is not a book for overthinking. This is a book for picking up if you want a feel-good romance.

Today we're talking mafia romance on the blog: the red flags, and things that stroke our id, and when they are one and the same.

Review: I'd Rather Kiss You Goodnight by Christine Columbus Ingrid says: "This book was actually really great for a lot of reasons and I wish there were more like it."

Review: Unholy by Kathryn Amurra This is a fairly gentle and calm vampire romance, good for folks who like their vampires with only a hint of badness and not too much blood and gore.

It's #TBRChallenge day! This month's theme was Here There Be Monsters

Review: Spark the Flame by Ivy Asher Ingrid is still deep in her romantasy binge and she really liked this one

Ok #romancelandia, inquiring minds want to know: what are the random petty things that give you the ick when you read a romance?

After reading Dealing with a Desperate Demon, I picked up a bunch of Charlotte Stein's backlist from the library. I was not prepared for the level of filth.

Indigenous M/M romances are fucking RARE. So when do I see one? I buy it! Immediately! My friend @robincovington wrote this fantastic book (it's 2 stories in one book). 100% WORTH IT! It's called Unforgettable, and you should buy it: app.thestorygraph.com/books/d0bc84...

This week on Tumblereads, we're talking about things we don't like.

24 more hours to grab this amazing deal 👀

Fun fact, I might have gotten a bunch of Charlotte Stein's books out of the library after I finished writing this review

Review: Dealing with a Desperate Demon by Charlotte Stein I absolutely love this one smutreport.com/2025/10/10/r...

This is a great resource! I just got my local ballot and like always, I’ll research candidates for library board by checking out their social media. This article has info on right-wing buzzwords and dog whistles, plus a link to a site where we can see the candidates past political donations. 📌👇🏼

IIRC, in Dangerous Men & Adventurous Women (in 1992), Laura Kinsale argued that romance readers project themselves onto the hero. I don't remember the nuances of her argument, but I wonder if it's a case of same thing, different flavor