Not Another Heroine

Hi Readers and Happy May! We're still on a reading hiatus but found this rant of an episode in our 2025 library. ----- Thank you Reddit for inspiring yet another H&B episode: this week we're getting judgy. What is your book? You know the one. If someone says it's their most favorite, artistic rendering of the genre, an utter masterpiece. and you just, can't? Every single recommendation they ma...

As promised Readers, we present some of our older rant sessions on random book-adjacent topics. This episode was originally recorded in February 2025 and focused on Kindle Unlimited. -------------- Is Kindle Unlimited unduly influencing the writing/editing game? Romantasy books keep getting longer, plot predictability is at an eye-rolling level, and if we meet one more shadow daddy on page 2 we're...

Readers, We never want books to feel like a chore or for our episodes to be an endless nitpicking critique, but we've found ourselves drifting closer to that reality. We want to return to why we started Not Another Heroine in the first place: love of reading and the desire to share that excitement with another reader. Our first episodes on Sherwood Smith's "Crown Duel," while entirely too long, we...

While it looks fluffy and silly, Boyfriend on Demand offers a surprisingly dark commentary on modern dating. Jisoo from Blackpink and Seo In-guk (Doom At Your Service) star as almost enemy coworkers who each harbor secret feelings for the other. And if you like an extra helping of eye candy, there are many other recognizable actors who make appearances as Jisoo's virtual boyfriends. https://www.ne...

This book is over 40 years old and a product of its time, but we enjoyed the accurate (but digestible) historic setting, character development, and well-paced romantic tension. Warning for romance readers who like their side of spice...there is none in this book. Similar Books and Shows The Illusionist https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443543/?ref_=fn_i_1 The Sound of Music https://www.imdb.com/title/...

If you liked The Reluctant Heiress, just make this one your next read. Same tropes, same characters, just new names and a South America setting. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/963274.A_Company_of_Swans?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=2ulW7hj6nx&rank=1 Similar Books Edenbrooke Julianne Donaldson https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12820360-edenbrooke?from_search=true&from_sr...

This book is over 40 years old and a product of its time, but we enjoyed the accurate (but digestible) historic setting, character development, and well-paced romantic tension. Warning for romance readers who like their side of spice...there is none in this book. Similar Books and Shows The Illusionist https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443543/?ref_=fn_i_1 The Sound of Music https://www.imdb.com/title/...

Once Upon a Time (the TV show) get a spicy, modern setting where all the traditional fairy tale characters are flipped on their heads. What makes a Good or Bad person? How do you get sent the to WUB Club? Is Cinderella really doing that with her mice? This is the first in a seven book series, but each can be read as a standalone (the characters are interconnected a la Bridgerton style). https://ww...

Katie makes an attempt at extroversion during a Heated Rivalry event and runs a marathon instead of a turkey trot. The list of DNFs continues to grow and the reading slump persists. Please leave a comment and help us narrow down our future reads, some options: Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/222376906-wild-reverence Divergent by Veronica Roth https://www.goodread...

A slow start (Katie had to persevere through the first 50 to 60 percent), but thorough world-building and a rewarding friends-to-lovers romance make this worth the effort. Not quite as emotionally immersive as others in the genre, but this does tend to lean more traditional fantasy. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/220137908-the-second-death-of-locke?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=A...

So many walls and the weirdest love confession we've read yet. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/218333744-traitor-son?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=cYvC4cviR5&rank=1 Similar Books The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10429092-the-girl-of-fire-and-thorns?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=w6brDLeNax&rank=1 The Emperor's Edge b...

There was too much going on for any one aspect of this book to be particularly good. An interesting start with a novel setting led to shoved in tropes and a romance that felt flat and forced. This would've been better as a pure fantasy. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/219268963-this-monster-of-mine?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=eUgEEnIeQ8&rank=1 Similar Books One Dark Window b...

It's not too often that a Pick of the Week turns into a Monday episode but given the similarities to Grace Draven and J.D. Evans, we should've known better. Traitor Son is a bit of a sleeper hit, equal parts intricate world-building and romance. The heroine is not your typical romantasy lead. She's a bit mousy, submissive, and sometimes innocent to an eyeroll level, but she undergoes massive chara...

Maybe a bit recycled on the plot but what isn't these days? This was a decent read, reminiscent of some the blockbuster romantasy hits. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58650445-heavenly-bodies?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_15 Similar Books The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75668288-the-hurricane-wars?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=D4qBxLmvHn&rank=1 Throne...

This iteration is more faithful to the book than past seasons, perhaps that's why we enjoyed it more? Or maybe it's the acting chops of Katie Leung (Araminta) and Yerin Ha (Sophie), who absolutely kill it in both of their roles. We do have some gripes with the show in general, namely the constant jumping around to different couples who already had a whole damn season for their story. Netflix also...

A Lilo and Stitch meet-cute on a Wall-E style Earth featuring Cinderella and a Ken doll? This week's pick is a little unhinged, and while it might not be a good book, it was definitely an enjoyable one. Stick around if you like monster romance, are intrigued by sci-fi, or just need some cute fluff to get you through a reading slump. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50337348-homebound?from_searc...

Is Benedict the most believable rake of all the Bridgerton brothers? Maybe that's what makes his insta-love with the Lady in Silver so convincing. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9408584-an-offer-from-a-gentleman?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_23 Similar Books Stranger In My Arms by Lisa Kleypas https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/243206.Stranger_in_My_Arms How the Marquess Was Won by Julie Anne Long https:/...

It's taken years, but Katie FINALLY read The Hating Game, and the result? 5 stars, immediate re-read shelf. It's a Dramione-level enemies to lovers but in a contemporary business setting. Banter, tension, and humor that doesn't feel cheesy or forced. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27213238-the-hating-game?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=Ju29076QRy&rank=1 Similar Books The Bodyg...

Julia Quinn can be relied upon to provide a safe, hallmark-worthy intro to historical romance. Just enough background and history to keep you immersed in the world without drowning you in the minutiae of how day-to-day life in the 1800s. Sophie and Benedict's story is our favorite of the Bridgerton novels for it's pacing but we're missing the angst of Lisa Kelypas' couples. https://www.goodreads.c...

"I'm not mad, just disappointed." The writing is fine, the premise is interesting, but between the characters and the slow pacing this book transformed from a reliable romcom to a DNF. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60683957-check-mate?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=7ufhbF1VSO&rank=1 Similar Books and Shows The Queen's Gambit (Netflix) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10048342/?re...

We're finishing Frankenstein with some final thoughts on the recurring themes of parenthood and obsession, as well as the miraculous (and inconsistent) transformation of the creature into an independent being. Next week it's into the land of fairy tales and ballgowns as we read "An Offer From a Gentleman" by Julia Quinn and we pray that the almighty Shonda Rhimes gives our Sophie a true Benedict-e...

Katie's pick is an underdog of a romantasy, with minimal Goodreads reviews and an uninspiring title, but a vampire-monster MMC and an aspiring librarian heroine save the day. Unless you're triggered by dual-POV, this might just bring you out of a reading slump. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/219513328-a-vow-of-blood-and-tears Similar Books Radiance by Grace Draven https://www.goodreads.com/bo...

This week we're talking about Frankenstein's parallels with parenting and AI, the amazing (and symbolic) costumes designed by Kate Hawley, and our recurring wish for more heroine character development. Readers, if you've been on the fence about Jacob Elordi, especially with his upcoming role in Wuthering Heights, this movie will make a believe out of you. Similar Books and Shows Alchemized by Senl...

Check out my wings bro, I ain't no dragon. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31560086-wyvern Similar Books Song in the Silence by Elizabeth Kerner https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1022209.Song_in_the_Silence In the Darkest Midnight by Grace Draven https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39874001-in-the-darkest-midnight Dragon's Bait by Vivian Vande Velde https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/372807...

The Bird and the Sword might be for you if you loved the mysterious eagle rescue in Tamora Pierce's "Wild Magic," but want something more grown up with a witcher-style MMC. The writing style wavers between fairy tale and heavy introspection and our woebegone heroine Lark might annoy you with her poetry. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29008738-the-bird-and-the-sword?from_search=true&from_s...