Shelf Pleasure

This week, Krista and Kelsey discuss It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey, (along with Schitt’s Creek and Deadliest Catch, of course). Would they let the crew of the Della Ray give them crabs? Listen to find out.  CW: explicit sex, violence, discussions of grief and loss, death of a spouse (off page) death of a parent (off page), drowning (off page) 

Come be part of our world as Krista and Kelsey discuss The Merman's Kiss by Tamsin Ley! Nothing says fantasy romance like looting corpses, magic whales, and bland underwater sex. CW: explicit sex, violence, infidelity, discussions of infertility and infant death, attempted suicide, attempted rape/sexual assault

This week Shelf Pleasure hits another milestone: finishing a damn series! Listen in as Krista and Kelsey discuss the finer points of Saint (Priest #3) by Sierra Simone, monk-brewed beer, and how much God is too much. Rosaries, chastity belts, and hair shirts are all optional (but encouraged).  CW: explicit sex, infidelity, depression, religious trauma, racism, homophobia, childhood sexual abuse (o...

This week we're circling back to something familiar and bringing you something new! For the first time in the show's history, Krista and Kelsey take opposite positions when discussing Sinner (Priest #2) by Sierra Simone and waste no time arguing their points. Listen in to see who was the lover and who was the hater...All's fair in smut and war, right? CW: explicit sex, violence, racism...

Monarchist or not, you’re not going to want to miss this week’s episode where Krista and Kelsey discuss The Princess Trap by Talia Hibbert. Listen as they gush over a stellar cast and unexpected spice level…and feel their confusion when they realize they don’t know what the bases are (when it comes to hookups). Honestly, does everyone just have their own definition?  CW: explicit sex, violence, ra...

It’s episode two of Kelsey’s villain era as she and Krista discuss A Ruin of Roses by KF Breene. Listen in as they try to understand the terms of a vague curse, the broody cursed prince, and the heroine who is NOT like other maidens. Could it be another hate read?  CW: explicit sexual content, violence, kidnapping, confinement, terminal illness, death of a parent (off page), murder 

Shelf Pleasure is back with the third (or maybe fourth?) installation of the Deal with a Demon series by Katee Robert in The Gargoyle's Captive . If you watched Gargoyles as a kid and also fantasized about splooge volume that would rival Nickelodeon, then this is the monster romance for you. Listen in to see what Krista and Kelsey had to say about it. CW: explicit sex, violence, blood, self-ha...

Shelf Pleasure is back, baby! In the Season 2 premiere, Krista and Kelsey really tell on themselves while they discuss Black Sheep by Alexa Harlowe and Brynne Weaver. Listen in to find out who had to read one-handed, who had to stop reading to lay on the floor, and why Tenacious D made an appearance (not irl, just like...as a reference). CW: graphic sex, violence, addiction, references to eating d...

In the Season 1 Finale, join Krista and Kelsey for a lively debate on good kink, bad Doms, and how much you really make as a secretary as they dive into Praise by Sara Cate. Could this be the rantiest episode to date? You’ll have to listen to find out. CW: explicit sex, violence, gaslighting, infidelity, blackmail, BDSM, transphobia, parental abandonment

Shelf Pleasure is back with more Sierra Simone and this time they're journeying to Thornchapel in A Lesson in Thorns . Because who wouldn't want to reconnect with old friends by conducting magical, kinky sex rituals in the woods? As an added bonus, experience Krista and Kelsey being efficient for the first time ever!  CW: graphic sex, BDSM, blood play, abuse, death of a parent, rape (historic...

If the phrase “Don’t bully me…I’ll come” appeals to you, then you might want to join Krista and Kelsey as they discuss Hate (Madison Kate #1) by Tate James in this week’s episode. If that phrase doesn't appeal to you, we suggest joining anyway because this series and its respective discussion were unhinged in the best possible way. There are more twists and turns than your grandmother’s favorite s...

The only thing more exciting than riding a dragon is riding a dragon (if you know what we mean). This week Krista and Kelsey discuss Fire in His Blood by Ruby Dixon and accidentally spoil ACOTAR, From Blood and Ash, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Kelsey also performs an experiment that leaves everyone gagging. Listeners beware! CW: explicit sex, gaslighting, sexual assault, physical assault, kidnap...

Girls, Gays, and Theys: this one is for you! This week Shelf Pleasure dives into their very first steamy sapphic romance as they discuss Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake. Also featured in this episode is a philosophical debate on the terms sex, fucking , and making love (is make love part of shame culture?!) Press play and find out. CW: explicit sex, death of a parent (historical...

Shelf Pleasure is back, baby! To kick off 2023, Krista and Kelsey jump into Twisted Love by Ana Huang and debate the qualities of a good morally grey love interest. Light ranting and several references to The Princess Bride and Drag Race are also included. CW: explicit sex, mild dollification and degradation, kidnapping, death of parent (historical), near drowning, murder

If you’ve ever watched a holiday romance and thought “This is fun, but it needs way more sex” then do we have the book for you! This week Krista and Kelsey visit Christmas Notch, VT to watch washed up boy band members and plus-size porn stars fall in love in A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone. Join them and learn what “a kiss made for fucking” really means! CW: explicit sex...

Calling all Alphas, Betas, and Omegas! This week Krista and Kelsey pop their Omegaverse cherries with Baby & the Late Night Howlers by Kathryn Moon. More questions were asked than answered. Brian also joins this episode to give his thoughts and tell everyone what he would smell like as an Alpha (Hint: it’s bright and sweet). CW: explicit sex, drug and alcohol use, abuse, violence, dubious cons...

Buckle up babes! We're off to London to infiltrate secret societies and spy on The Elite in Nana Malone's Big Ben . And we know you're all wondering "How big IS Ben?" Don't worry - he'll tell you.  CW: explicit sex, infidelity, violence, emotional abuse/gaslighting, assault, attempted murder, murder

If you thought we were done with monster romances...you thought very, very wrong. Shelf Pleasure is back with the second installment of Katee Robert's Deal with a Demon series in The Kraken's Sacrifice . So if dragon men weren't your style (and even if they were), dive into the deep end and explore tentacled brat tamers and their bratty human lovers with us!  CW: explicit sex, size difference...

Hasn't everyone wished they could curse an ex after a messy breakup? On this week's episode of Shelf Pleasure, Krista and Kelsey finds out what happens when you can as they laugh their way through Erin Sterling's paranormal romcom The Ex Hex . Also find out what song they would play during their a sex montages (you know you have one too!) CW: explicit sex, death (off page) 

If three monster boyfriends left you wanting, we have some exciting news for you! This week the ladies of Shelf Pleasure discuss A Lady of Rooksgrave Manor by Kathryn Moon and its FIVE (yes, FIVE!) monster boyfriends. Also included in this episode: Kelsey has a cold and Krista holds a grudge. Hopefully this leaves you sated.  CW: explicit sex, consensual non-consent, discussions of sexual ass...

Shelf Pleasure is back with more monster smut, this time with 3x the vampires daddies! This week Krista and Kelsey delve into Court of the Vampire Queen by Katee Robert, discuss teenage vampire obsessions, and debate the existence of magical assholes. We also learn that Gary Oldman can still, in fact, get it.  CW: dubious consent, explicit sex, graphic violence, blood, gore, blood play, breed...

In their first read of spooky season, Krista and Kelsey venture into Pestilence by Laura Thalassa and ask the question: how can you fall in love with a being who is meant to end the entire human race? Especially if that being insists on guarding you while you pee and almost unalives you once or twice. Can love really conquer all? If you too need answers, this might be the episode for you! CW: expl...

The Hate Read continues! Krista and Kelsey finally make it out of Den of Vipers by KA Knight but not without taking their pound of flesh along the way. That's how you have to do it with a mafia romance, right? Fans of the book beware: it's a Hate Read for a reason.  CW: explicit sex, dubious consent/non-consent, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, kidnapping, self-harm, violence, torture, murder, g...

It's a two-for-one deal this week as Krista and Kelsey tackle their first Hate Read AND Why Choose Romance with Part I of Den of Vipers by KA Knight. This episode covers chapters 1-33 of the book and Part II will cover chapters 34-Epilogue. Fans of the book beware: this review may be even spicier than the book was.  CW: explicit sex, dubious consent/non-consent, domestic abuse, sexual abuse,...

On this episode of Shelf Pleasure, we present to you the chaotic ramblings of Kelsey and Krista as they dive into The Marriage Contract by Katee Robert. As an added bonus, listen in real-time as Krista discovers she has a hand kink and experience Kelsey's shame when she realizes she doesn't know how long she's been engaged to her partner. This is why they are no longer allowed to record on weekend...