Hot Takes and Heartache

A first for HTHA! This is *not* smut! Veya takes us through an adorable love story that includes elements like a step child, ptsd and comedic relief. TW: PTSD, nightmares, scars, military/war.

This week, TV tackles Still Beating by Jennifer Hartman—her first HTHA DNF. Why did one of BookTok's biggest dark romances fail so spectacularly for her? From emotional logic to the fantasy of dark romance, this episode dives into why a great premise isn't always enough. BIG TW: DEALS WITH SA (BOTH GENDERS) TW: NSFW, swearing, very trauma heavy

Book #1 Whispers of the Deep Book #2 Song of the Abyss This week Veya goes through two of the novellas from Emma Hamm's series Deep Waters. Including monster smut, world building and a tangent about ASL. TW: NSFW, mermaid sex, dp

TV dives into *Audacity* by Elodie Hart, the first book in the Seraph series, featuring elite executive assistants, priest kink, corporate chaos, and some truly scorching roleplay. Expect smart smut, sex-positive heroines, complicated feelings about shame and desire, and TV once again raving about why Elodie Hart writes romance for people who like their spice with a brain. TW: NSFW, kink, smut, su...

This week Veya takes us on a ramble through a Marvel-like world with special powers and a dysfunctional back and forth relationship. TW: smut, rocky relationships, swearing NSFW

This week, TV tackles the first two books in Rachel Reid's wildly popular Game Changers series: Game Changer and Heated Rivalry. Topics include: hot hockey players, playoff beards, closeted NHL stars, rival superstars making terrible life choices, seven years of secret hookups, internalized homophobia, Russian visas, and why buying an entire building for your clandestine relationship might be a bi...

Veya jumps into a "stand alone" that isn't really, with a decent plot and some kink. Mafia/mob with some very sweet moments TW: smut, mafia themes, bdsm

This week on Hot Takes and Heartaches, TV dives into Creamed by My Monster Stand Mixer by Krista LaRae, a book that somehow manages to be exactly what the title promises and absolutely nothing like what you'd expect. What started as an attempt at a live read quickly fell apart when TV realized there was far too much plot to unpack. Beneath the absurd premise lies an urban fantasy packed with magic...

Veya's take on Infamous Love by Livia Grant. Interesting throuple learns multiple names for genitalia! TW : weight, bdsm and wierd names for genitals

After two unplanned weeks off, we're back with TV is diving into the Kiss of the Basilisk duology by Lindsay Straube and she has very different feelings about each book. One delivered exactly what it promised. The other had approximately seventy plot points, none of them resolved cleanly, and a villain with a gold penis. Spoilers ahead, drinks strongly recommended, and yes there will be plot h...

This week Veya is back to finish what she started, and she has lots of feelings. This review covers the next three books in the Her Vicious Beasts series by E.P. Bailey. This episode is born from concentrated rage and the kind of stubborn determination that comes from genuinely needing to know how it ends. Pour yourself something strong and get ready to listen.

In today's episode, TV attempts to review Sky Daddy by Kate Folk (quite possibly the most bizarre book she's ever read). Join her on an unscripted adventure as she tries (and fails) to figure out what the hell she just experienced.

In this episode join Veya as she dives into "Wicked Favor" by Sawyer Bennet. This novel is about the owner of an elite sex club called The Wicked Horse in Las Vegas and the desperate woman looking for help.

Are you a fan of billionaire romances and hot spice? Then, you'll love The Seraph series by Elodie Hart. Join TV as she reads "Duplicity" by Elodie Hart and dives deep. The book features Marlowe, a desperate single mom, who agrees to become a full-service executive assistant to make enough money to get her daughter heart surgery. Be prepared to have your heart ripped out.

Are you interested in Romantasy? Then join Veya as she reads "Blood of Hercules" and dives deep into the Spartan War Academy.

The 'fake dating' trope might just be my favorite romance trope. So, when I saw a book that had fake dating combined with heterosexual monogamous omegaverse, I just had to read it. Even if I'm not normally someone who reads medical romance. And if that description just sounded like I briefly forgot how English works… then you definitely need to join TV for a deep dive into  The Fake Mate  by Lana...

Meet Veya as she dives into a series today. Her Vicious Beasts by E.P. Bali. This series is a reverse harem about fated mates.

Welcome to Hot Takes and Heartache. For the first episode, TV will be reviewing Alchemised by Senlinyu. This dark fantasy debut is based on the massively popular Harry Potter Fanfic "Manacled" and has been reworked into an original story.