Not Another Heroine

The only thing we trust to break a reading slump? Dramione. This week's pick is slightly outside of Katie's norms. The story takes place during 8th year and is told from Draco's perspective with some found family tropes and cute muggle references sprinkled throughout. Also, novella-sized so don't be afraid to commit to this one (unlike some of the others listed below). https://www.goodreads.com/bo...

Is every age gap romance problematic? We're here to dive deeper into Ali Hazelwood's most recent book. Maya is not your typical romcom heroine; she's got anger issues, teenage trauma, and isn't afraid to call people out. She's not for everyone, but her romance with Connor feels organic, and the well-paced flashbacks make this book fly by. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/228691356-problematic-s...

Ready for a c-drama readers? The Double (on Netflix) has every romantasy trope come to life. Our heroine plots the ultimate revenge against her ex-husband and in-laws while bantering and plotting with the mysterious Duke Su. It's Crown Duel meets Poison Study, just freaking watch it! https://www.netflix.com/title/81900131 https://patreon.com/notanotherheroine

This story ends...predictably, but it's not a terrible ride, especially if you're new to the genre. If you do like your stories heavier on fantasy elements, we recommend you check out Naomi Novik's "Uprooted." If you find yourself itching for more hot wax scenes, check out anything by Carissa Broadbent. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/205335957-the-knight-and-the-moth Similar mentioned in this...

Are you even surprised anymore when you see an Ali Hazelwood episode? Of course Katie read "Problematic Summer Romance," but there's a lot to unpack in this one so we'll cover it in a full episode later this summer. For now, we hope this preview inspires you to read it and share your thoughts on the age-gap debate. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/228691356-problematic-summer-romance Similar an...

Great world-building, engaging side characters, and a predictable, video-game style plot. There's nothing too off the mark in Rachel Gillig's most recent book. If you enjoyed One Dark Window, this one is a safe bet. We have a few complaints, namely the romance - it's about as lackluster as her previous attempts - but her writing style is solid (rare for a first-person POV). https://www.goodreads.c...

There's a reason this book is recommended everywhere. If you like historical fantasy, prickly heroines, and a very clean slow-burn, then Emily Wilde just might be your girl. https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/413390-emily-wilde-s-encyclopaedia-of-faeries Similar Books: Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60717747-half-a-soul Prince of Hearts by Margaret Foxe http...

What have we been doing for the last couple weeks? Well, Readers, it's been some attempted mathematical analysis of Ali Hazelwood's spice levels, some introspection on book ratings, and a renewed obsession with all things Dramione. So just about the same as usual on our shelves. Check back in on Wednesday for a long overdue pick of the week (something about academia and faeries), and next Monday f...

It's time we took a reading break. Our regular episodes will resume on June 16th with "Ravishing the Heiress" by Sherry Thomas. In the meantime, check out some of our genre-divergent picks below: Vita Nostra by Marina Dyachenko, Sergey Dyachenko, Julia Meitov Hersey (Translator) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38633526-vita-nostra The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow https:/...

The best books, The worst books, And the books that have yet to come. For a few more details on our upcoming schedule (we're taking a break until June 16th), you can check out our somewhat more coherent reading update, posting this Wednesday, May 28th. patreon.com/notanotherheroine @notanotherheroine

If you like a little more romance in your romantasy, this book might appeal to you despite the page count, awkward turns of phrase, and overplayed-out genre tropes. Katie made it to 90 percent, enjoyed the journey, and was sucked in by a particular scene in which the MMC turns invisible so he can secretly dance with the heroine. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203579027-the-courting-of-bristol...

Consensus: Jennifer Ehle is the better Elizabeth, and Mr. Darcy's fencing scene? Delicious. Tune in next week for our mid-season review (and if you want to see the bonnets again, check it out on our Youtube channel). We'll discuss our favorite books this year, some hard misses, and preview a few things to come later this season. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112130/ patreon.com/notanotherheroine

After two failed attempts with "Byrony and Roses" and "Nettle and Bone," a T. Kingfisher book finally snagged Jordan with "Swordheart." This book pokes fun at the genre but has some creepy moments with sticky, flying, invisible manta rays. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42747739-swordheart Similar Books: Paladin's Grace by T. Kingfisher https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50702014-paladin-s-g...

Welcome to the Bennets and Bonnets episode featuring The Rob, a heated debate about Mr. Collins, and many teacups of twisky. Don't miss the episode trailer on YouTube, the bonnets are truly magnificent. patreon.com/notanotherheroine

Is it Dramione fanfic or hockey romance? Fake dating or marriage of convenience? It's Katie's pick this week, readers. You know what you're in for. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45484397-the-deal Similar Books: Easy by Tamara Weber https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16056408-easy The Graham Effect by Elle Kennedy https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123255391-the-graham-effect Icebreaker by...

We've discovered our pod attention span fails us on these longer series, but we do manage to wrap up The Folk of Air trilogy. The romantic tension continues to be a little lacking but we get a tidy ending with some hints at past and future series offshoots. Check back in next Monday for our Bennets and Bonnnets episode! https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26032912-the-queen-of-nothing Other books...

Ripped bodices, tea parties, ball gowns....we're back into historical romance this week with "His At Night" by Sherry Thomas. This is less Bridgerton and more Downtown Abbey with a side of intrigue and murder. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6903194-his-at-night Similar Books: Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/114162.Secrets_of_a_Summer_Night Yours U...

Hot take: ACOTAR is the adult (not necessarily better) version of this book - a little more angst and introspection vs the constant action and plot progression we've seen throughout The Folk of Air trilogy. Inhale this book on a hot day with a drink in hand, and you might catch a glimpse of faerie wings out of the corner of your eye. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26032912-the-queen-of-nothin...

Almost-erotica is on sale at your local Costco, readers. At least that's where Katie found this Ali Hazelwood oyster of a book. Yes, oyster. You don't read this kind of story because you want to read something, the same way you don't order oysters because you're hungry. Check this one out if Deep End wasn't quite satisfying and you like your heroine a little less emotionally available. https://www...

Could The Wicked King be improved with more romance and would it help this series appeal to a broader audience? Or would it distract from the political machinations and world-building? Our takeaway: Holly Black can do no wrong, but secretly, we're just romance devotees masquerading as romantasy readers. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26032887-the-wicked-king?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_15 If you do like...

Jordan's recommendation for fixing your romantasy book slump: the one, the only, Grace Draven! This time in novella form! Jordan read In the Darkest Midnight for her pick this week - a (fairly clean!) coming of age story featuring a student-teacher romance with a redheaded sword fighting instructor (hell yeah.) In the Darkest Midnight by Grace Draven https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39874001-in...

Officially, this series is "The Folk of the Air" trilogy, and in book 2, Jude is firmly established as the right-hand of the very disgruntled King Cardan. Anyone else a fan of Taryn? Katie is all about a book from her perspective a la Nesta from ACOTAR. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26032887-the-wicked-king?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=XcbhAfESGf&rank=1 In case you missed T...

Confession time: Katie needed more romance, more college hockey smut, and more dragons after finishing Anne McCaffrey. Voila, Rebecca Yarros to the rescue. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/90202302-iron-flame Want more of Jordan, Katie, and Not Another Heroine? Join us on Patreon for bonus episodes and to listen to our Patreon-exclusive series, Tawdry Tuesday! https://patreon.com/notanotherhero...

Is there anyone who hasn't read The Cruel Prince yet? This is an urban fantasy (kind of) filled with deliciously evil fairies, a bloodthirsty heroine, and a very questionable romantic lead. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26032825-the-cruel-prince Poison Study by Maria Snyder is also mentioned in this episode, check it out here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60510.Poison_Study Want more...

All the stars! This kindle unlimited series set in Annette Marie's Guild Codex Universe is a non-stop 4 book binge of constant action, the slowest of slow burns, and complex world-building. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44932446-taming-demons-for-beginners Want more of Jordan, Katie, and Not Another Heroine? Join us on Patreon for bonus episodes and to listen to our Patreon-exclusive series,...