Plot Trysts
Episodes
The Chemistry of Familiar Objects by Alexandra Vasti
02 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you haven't yet, go sign up for Alexandra Vasti's newsletter. You get free gems like this seriously perfect novella. A plot AND sex scenes? Sign us...
My Word as Vorkosigan: The Vor Game
27 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Meg and Alex are joined by R.E. Stearns to discuss the next book in Miles' coming of age journey. Given the social status of the main characters in th...
At First Spite by Olivia Dade
23 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If we didn't know better, we'd say Olivia Dade plumbed the recesses of our minds to produce Meg's platonic ideal of a sexy book and Laine&...
The Paper Boys by D.P. Clarence
20 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you criticize Sunny, Meg will fight you. Just an FYI.
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
16 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ali Hazelwood breaks away from science contemporary into paranormal romance. A lot of her go-to tropes really worked for us here! Laine got a crash co...
My Word as Vorkosigan: The Warrior's Apprentice
13 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Meg and Alex are joined by Lynn Buchanan to introduce the Miles-focused part of the series. So many characters get new framing from Miles's perspectiv...
To Woo and to Wed by Martha Waters
09 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This was a really tough one for us. On the one hand, West and Sophie have great banter and a series worth of feelings to work through. On the other ha...
Accidentally His by Sabrina Jeffries
06 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Verify finally figured out who her phantom is! And he's hot! But he's also busy saving England. Is this book great? No. Is it the best in the series? ...
The Breakup Tour by Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka
02 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
College sweethearts go on tour when one of them gets super famous writing about the breakup. Excellent concept, we were iffy on some of the execution ...
My Word As Vorkosigan: Barrayar
01 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Meg and Alex are joined by Aliette de Bodard for an in-depth discussion of Barrayar. Long live Cordelia.
Seduction at the Chateau by Delphine Roy
26 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This modern take on Dangerous liaisons charmed both of us. Who knew hide and seek could be so sexy?
The Suffragette Scandal by Courtney Milan
25 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We bought this one completely, from the conflict to the love story. Maybe the ending was unbelievably sweet, but that's a good thing.
Her Adventures in Temptation by Megan Frampton
23 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This book is fun and charming and cute. However, be prepared that (for a book about a sex bet) it's very tame.
My Word as Vorkosigan: Shards of Honor
22 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Meg is joined by Alexandra Vasti for a new limited series in which they will dive into the Vorkosigan saga by Lois McMaster Bujold with a new guest ho...
When the Viscount Wanted Me by Lydia Lloyd
19 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We really loved the unapologetic incorporation of a sexually active heroine, and if anyone knows anything about those pearls, hit us up.
Red String Theory by Lauren Kung Jessen
09 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Look, this was an adorable book with a fun concept but the official rating is G.
Second Duke's the Charm by Kate Bateman
04 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hypothetically a virgin widow crime fighter getting with the heir is a plot we can get behind. The specifics of this one, however, left something to b...
Snowbound with the Suffragette by Ginny B. Moore
01 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We kick off the new year with an adorable and sexy novella that understands sometimes you just need two hot people and weather-related forced proximit...
Bed Me, Baron by Felicity Niven
29 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Parts of this book are very fun and then a major spoiler/twist happens and we stopped having any fun at all, but the main characters weren't having an...
A Holly Jolly Ever After by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone
28 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Meg and Laine agree that this book does its thing very well and that there is significantly more attention paid to one character's development. We dis...
By Winter's Light by Stephanie Laurens
26 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Stephanie Laurens doesn't know how to write less than 300 pages and even when there's nary a whiff of plot to be found, we can't spend less than 40 mi...
The Captain's Midwinter Bride by Liana De La Rosa
22 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The good: well executed, sexy, and a total breath of fresh air. The Laine has notes: It is December and there was nary a Christmas carol to be found.
Snowed in with the Scoundrel
19 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This is a novella about a Christmas sex cabin. It was so good, but we struggled to stay on topic when discussing
A Christmas Spark by Diana Biller
14 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you can deeply internalize the expectation that this will be very short and closed door, everything in this novella is perfect. If you hear the wor...
Duke the Halls by Felicty Niven
12 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Add this to the list of books we didn't think would work for us, but totally did! Everything that's usually annoying to us was charming. Maybe that's ...
A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone
07 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A boy band member trying to rehabilitate his image with a Christmas movie is shocked but not appalled when his new costar is his favorite porn star. M...
The Earl I Want for Christmas by Colleen Kelly
05 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This cute newsletter novella scratched Laine's Christmas itch, but Meg struggled with some hamfisted Christmas hijinks. We both enjoyed the sex vacati...
Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura
01 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We wanted to like this "rival archeologist" book very much, but the male main character is nothing like Lord Ingram or Rupert, so we struggled.
A Demon's Guide to Wooing a Witch by Sarah Hawley
28 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode went a little off the rails. We remain charmed by glimmer falls and enjoyed this new twist on an amnesia romance.
Errata Not Erotica
25 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy our unhinged outtakes and random discussions.
Never Met a Duke Like You by Amelie Howard
21 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We really struggled to review this book! It was really fun and really sexy, but the characters were inconsistent and the plot was hard to follow. We b...
Do Your Worst by Rosie Danan
16 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Laine found this to be the perfect balance of zany and sincere. Meg had trouble suspending disbelief. Laine 's started a countdown to Christmas.
Sin & Serendipity by Sylvie Sinclair
14 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The perfect newsletter novella makes you want to read more by the author, and this achieves this in spades. It doesn't reinvent "falling for the wrong...
The Countess Conspiracy by Courtney Milan
10 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Meg felt many things while reading this book, including devastation that the important scientific work of so many women was lost to history. Laine tho...
One Night in Hartswood by Emma Denny
07 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Moral of the story: all half-Scottish people are queer
Some Winter's Evening by Erin Langston
02 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This is a platonic ideal of a romance novella! Virgin hero, Christmas, and a whole lot of acted-on lust.
It's in Her Kiss by Katherine Grant
31 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Harriet has needed a best friend for a long time: me. Chow might not be as useful as an honest friend over brunch, but he does keep her from making a ...
The Marquis Who Mustn't by Courtney Milan
27 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We were so excited for this new release by Courtney Milan and it didn't disappoint! The couple was totally adorable even if their personal ethics didn...
10 Things That Never Happened by Alexis Hall
24 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This is a Christmas novel and it is perfect.
Despising the Duke by Stevie Sparks
20 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This book charmed both of us in different ways. Meg with touching emotional scenes and Laine with WTFery
The Gargoyle from General Management by Kate Prior
17 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We remain suckers for this series that is equal parts monster romance and office satire. Is capitalism getting you down? At least you're not at a mand...
The Earl Was Wrong by Britt Belle
13 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We were very charmed by this debut novella that taught us we don't hate miscommunication when there isn't supposed to be a prior relationship built on...
Dreaming of a Duke Like You by Sara Bennett
10 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Gambling hell owner and suddenly-legitimized dukes will inevitably have a lot of issues that gently bred but down on their luck women can solve.
The Heiress Effect by Courtney Milan
06 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We really like books in which the couple is on the same side but there are realistic circumstances keeping them apart. We loved this book.
Surrender to a Wicked Spy by Celeste Bradley
03 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In which we say the word "dildo" enough times that it loses all meaning.
Re-release A Duke in Shining Armor by Loretta Chase
29 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Meg and Laine talk about anxiety, secret love nest cabins, and duels. Like a lot about duels.
The Duke Gets Desperate by Diana Quincy
26 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Apologies because neither Laine nor Meg can keep family relationships straight when discussing this one. Dude who expects to get his family castle bac...
Every Duke Has His Day by Suzanne Enoch
22 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A perfect closed-door screwball romance?? Who are we??
The Hellion of Drury Lane by Katherine Grant
19 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This novella is the latest entry in the Preston series and it was a lot of fun packed into very few pages. We enjoyed it, though it was surprisingly h...
My Rogue to Ruin by Erica Ridley
14 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Wynchesters are at it again, but this time "at it" means Marjorie spends 10 hours in a room with a super hot dude just... talking.
Always Be My Duchess by Amalie Howard
11 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This book is super heavy on the Pretty Woman references. Laine missed all of them.
To Wed a Scandalous Spy by Celeste Bradley
05 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ok, so there's a secret society of lords who are sworn to protect the monarch (think Kingsman, but only 4 of them) and one of them is pretending to be...
My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine
01 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Meg and Laine disagree, for those of you who see that as a selling point! Meg thought this was a book that exceeded her expectations. Laine is an old ...
When the Duke Loved Me by Lydia Lloyd
29 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This book has a ton of potential and we're definitely going to be reading what comes next from Lydia Lloyd. Did we have some minor and major quibbles?...
Knockout by Sarah MacLean
25 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Meg has very strong opinions on the right kind of starchy hero learning to question authority. Laine just likes it when badass women get a stoic dude ...
In Which Winnie Halifax is Utterly Ruined by Alexandra Vasti
21 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Vasti has done it again with another pitch perfect novella. This time Laine is head over heels while these two romp through London deciding that annou...
A Day Until Forever by Erin Langston
18 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The prequel novella takes place entirely within one day (other than the prologue and epilogue of course) and we we so very charmed by that, and the ev...
Dark Desires by Eve Silver
14 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Darcy gets taken in by this great employer who pays well but everyone warns her about him, and she concludes it is quite possible he kills people. She...
Cruel Seduction by Katee Robert
10 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I think four protagonists in a polycule is just too many to give each character and relationship the depth it requires to be compelling. Meg argued th...
A Kiss for Midwinter by Courtney Milan
07 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Laine and Meg kick off Holiday Novella season with this entry from Courtney Milan. Milan managed to include a lot of detail and characters in a way th...
The Earl Takes All by Lorraine Heath
03 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Buckle up people, because this book is B.A.N.A.N.A.S. There are a ton of terrible ideas with no consequences. and convincing yourself that your brothe...
The Countess and the Casanova by Ginny Moore
01 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you can't make the BFF you've been in love with fall in love with you in Italy, where can it happen? This is basically both of the main cha...
How to Tame a Wild Rogue by Julie Anne Long
28 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We really loved this entry into the palace of rogues series, and not just because it spends so much time with old favorite characters. Not you, Delaco...
The Poetics of Passion by Delphine Ross
25 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Secret pen pals meet in real life but don't know it, because she's THE secret author of erotic poetry trying to overcome her family's scandalous reput...
Not that Duke by Eloisa James
21 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We both really loved this book even though there are some elements and themes that aren't usually our favs.
A Courtesan's Worth by Felicity George
18 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This heroine is a working courtesan and the hero is the stereotypical second son meant for the clergy. The set up and the twist were both extremely un...
Say Yes to the Princess by Charis Michaels
13 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This series about exiled French royalty is going to be right up our alley. It was less fluffy than we've come to expect from Michaels, but it was supe...
Barbarian's Mate by Ruby Dixon
11 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We say a goodbye, at least for now, to the Ice Planet Barbarians series with this review of Barbarian's Mate. There are a lot of themes here that we'v...
Bed Me, Duke by Felicity Niven
07 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Are the hero and his friends a little too historically-accurate gross and misogynistic? Yes. Did we have a lot of fun? Also yes.
Re-Release: The Duchess War by Courtney Milan
04 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Meg and Laine talk about childhood chess trauma, how to do tropes well (hint: this book is the answer), and good secondary characters.
The Notorious Lord Knightly by Lorraine Heath
30 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you love Lorraine Heath, please tell us which of her books are a must-read and skip this episode. Meg and Laine just didn't get these characters or...
Forever Your Rogue by Erin Langston
27 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We did not expect this story about a widow using an old friend who'd never grown up to retain custody of her kids would be scorchingly hot. But it was...
Bookshop Cinderella by Laura Lee Guhrke
23 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This book hit allllll of the right notes for us. There's communication, a believable conflict, and a ton of palpable sexual tension.
Sharp Edges by Jayne Ann Krentz
20 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I think I could smell jelly shoes while reading this book. Welcome to 1998.
His by Opening Day by Kat Sterling
16 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This novella is so feel-good and adorable, and packed way more 🌶️ than we were expecting! With a unique and real sense of setting, we both really...
Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
13 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We really loved this book, Jack is the best hero she's ever written. The tropes here are pretty close to the first two books, but she really does some...
His Study in Scandal by Megan Frampton
09 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Oh no, these two people who are extremely hot for each other are forced into constant close proximity to keep him from marrying her daughter! Whatever...
Re-release: The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan
02 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There is a lot of trauma packed into this novella. Milan is a good author who is capable of deftly handling some heavy issues in romance. The question...
Desert Island Duke by Kate Bateman
30 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You'd think a book about two people stuck on a deserted island waiting for rescue would be stressful, but this one isn't at all. Caro and Max know the...
The Duchess Takes a Husband by Harper St. George
26 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Camille finally gets her happily ever after and it involves a sex bargain! That sex is largely spent recovering from past trauma, which works for 50% ...
The Reluctant Countess by Eloisa James
22 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Yasmin is a BAMF who has overcome a ton to become both sassy and likable. Giles is a wet noodle.
The Love Wager by Lynn Painter
19 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This short and sweet contemporary romance hit the spot for both of us! A total potato chip read, if you need something for a plane or beach!
Winnie West Has an Agenda by Kat Sterling
16 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Unexpected road trips and a fantastic epilogue made this a fun read, if you can handle a lack of communication as the central conflict.
What Happens in the Ballroom by Sabrina Jeffries
11 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
"What Happens in the Carriage House" would have been a more accurate title.
The Lady Knows Best by Susanna Craig
09 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes you just need a book where nothing bad happens and everyone is a good person just trying their best. This is that book.
The Astronaut and the Star by Jen Comfort
05 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This excellent debut novel has a ton of sexual tension and smart people, which we appreciated, even if their decisions stressed Laine out.
Surrendering to the Duke by Stevie Sparks
02 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This book has so many trigger warnings and yet is also exceptionally hot? This is pretty much the whole book.
A Rogue's Rules for Seduction by Eva Leigh
28 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The best way for a man to beg forgiveness when he left you at the altar is to 1) actually grow up and 2) provide multiple organisms.
Errata Not Erotica: Ranking Maiden Lane
25 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As promised, we rank all 15 of these books. We felt very differently about this series overall, but the important parts were unanimous.
The Secret Service of Tea & Treason by India Holton
22 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is it a man who has always worked for the system and begins to question the system? Are Meg and Laine trash? You bet.
To Swoon and to Spar by Martha Waters
18 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Penvale and Jane agree to get married because they both love the same house, but Jane's hoping she can live in it solo. In excellent romance novel for...
Dino Stud by Lola Faust
14 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We read a dino book, you guys. It was a whole thing (but also not as strange as we were ready for).
Once Upon a Maiden Lane by Elizabeth Hoyt
11 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We end Maiden Lane with the least angst-y Hoyt ever? There are only three content warnings! Worth it for the reunion at the end alone.
Ana Maria and the Fox by Liana de la Rosa
07 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ana Maria is super into this dude but she's engaged to someone else and she's too much trouble for him. The first 70% of the book is described by the ...
The Countess by Sophie Jordan
04 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sophie Jordan has some serious magic powers, because we both loved this dark book with a ton of infidelity because it was hot and fun?
Hotel of Secrets by Diana Biller
31 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You know we love a competent man who learns quickly. Eli learns sex for Maria.
Duke of Desire (sic) by Elizabeth Hoyt
28 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welp. We finished Maiden Lane and have some THOUGHTS. Spoilers abound because there is so much trauma.
A Spinster's Guide to Danger and Dukes by Manda Collins
24 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This novel was super delightful! There was a lot of romance novel hijinks and some very heavy issues but the book managed to have so much levity and f...
The Build Up by Tati Richardson
20 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Contemporary workplace romance isn't usually our thing, but we really liked these characters!
A Tempest at Sea by Sherry Thomas
17 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This book is an absolute joy. We always love Lady Sherlock, but Ingram and Charlotte trapped on a boat is everything we didn't know we needed.