Bodice Riffers

Wherein we discuss Prisoner of My Desire by Johanna Lindsey (1991). Trigger warning for a story where consent has left the building, and everybody's traumatized. Annie explains the finer points of trauma bonding, Maude and Jayne ponder the parameters of "dark romance", and we desperately attempt to draw parallels between taboo romance fiction and true crime documentaries so we can all still sleep at night.

Queen Takes Rose by Katee Robert. Changing it up, Annie and Jayne explain this sapphic romance to Maude! Nominally a revamp of Sleeping Beauty (it's a bit of a stretch, but we'll allow it). Not a lot of action, but plenty of "action" (wink-wink), and a master class in responsible domination. Also, at what point does an excessive collection of strap-on dildos actually qualify as hoarding?

The Hooker and the Hermit by L.H. Cosway and Penny Reid. Special guest rugby player Captain Cupcake shares his expertise on the surprisingly erotic sport and Very Manly Opinions on everything from romance and sports fame to the relative heteronormativity of men washing their own asses. We discuss themes of consent, problematic romantic overtures, and surprising (if unlikely) alternative uses for car seat belts. Speaking of which, buckle up once again, friends, and prepare for a wild ride.

Knot Her Goal by Ari Wright (Book one in the MVP: Most Valuable Pack series). Welcome to the Omegaverse! Our heroine is a marketing superstar with an unfortunate medical condition whose only cure is four hot dudes to pamper her in between providing her with a whole lot of dick. A LOT. Oh, and there's, like, trauma processing and stuff.

Stalked By The Kraken by Lillian Lark. At last - TENTACLES! Annie needed a little support for this one, so welcome Guest Therapist "Penny Wise", as we discover new wonders and ask new questions. How many red flags are too many? Is it really stalking if he's just utilizing his professional qualifications? If you cut off an octopus dick, will it grow back? Buckle up, friends. This one is a wild ride.

Wherein we complete the Dirty Mafia Duet with White Knight by Meghan March. Family ties get complicated (is it incest when your half-brother and half-sister hook up even if they don't share parents with each other?) and our heroine - Drew? Memphis? Drewphis? - may have yet another secret identity even SHE didn't know about. 

Black Sheep by Meghan March. Book One of the Dirty Mafia duet. The heroine is not who she seems, the hero's name is a tad on the nose (but we're not mad about it), and playing solo shuffleboard is not a euphemism. Also, prepare for blue balls, literarily speaking, because this sucker ends on a cliffhanger. Support us on Patreon!

Wherein we discuss Big Sky River by Linda Lael Miller. A big-city fancy gal, a cowboy with no cows or horses, a passel of kids with no mamas, and a shocking lack of foreplay. These feuding neighbors know the best way to make nice is with lots of... "cookies". Support us on Patreon!

We discuss The Price of Scandal by Lucy Score (Bluewater Billionaires #1). A sexy lady billionaire discovers mixing business with pleasure is the perfect cure for her own public relations nightmare. Also, the meet cute is walking into the bathroom to find a hot naked guy smoking in the tub. Somehow this works exceptionally well. Just go with it. Support us on Patreon!

HALLOWEEN SPECIAL! Wherein we discuss Hunting Season by Shelly Laurenston. The corvid-winged minions of two Nordic gods rain vengeance upon the deserving, but mostly the two main characters trade witticisms between vigorous sexual marathons - and we are not mad about it. (Okay, Annie's a little mad about it.) Support us on Patreon!

We discuss "Morning Glory Milking Farm" by C.M. Nacosta. What does late-stage capitalism have to do with minotaur spunk? This wild ride ranges from the perils of student debt to surprisingly educational phallic pastry. Oh, and Maude will never see milk bottles the same way again. Support us on Patreon!

Wherein we discuss Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas - book one in her Wallflowers series of historical romance novels. Maude shares the sweet origins of her love for the genre, and we explore tropes galore, the problematic mores of Victorian high society, and one character's hysterically bad attempt to prepare her daughter for the wedding night. Oh, and we get a character's name wrong for almost the entire episode. (It's Westcliff, not Westfield. Sorry Lisa!) Support us on Patreon!

Wherein we discuss the novel Rule by Jay Crownover. ***Content Warning: Includes references to attempted sexual assault*** Bad boys, good girls, great ink, terrible mothers, and the dangers of liquid courage. Annie goes deep... into psychology - we explore some of the reasons we love a good bad boy, the definintion of boundaries, and the unrealistic expectations in fictional therapy.  Click to support our Patreon!

Wherein we discuss Kiss of the Basilisk (A Split or Swallow novel) by Lindsay Straube. Uninhibited and unhinged - and for once, we don't just mean your hosts. Not for the faint of heart, this journey can best be described as a sexual acid trip where The Bachelor collides with monster porn, and even the therapist can't process the experience. Buckle up, kids! Support us on Patreon

We explore "Playing the Game" by MQ Barber, joined by guest mental health counselor, couples' counselor, and sex therapist Bella Donna, who shares her expert insight on ethical non-monogamy, polyamorous relationships, and kinky power dynamics. In this bonus-length episode, we explore the surprisingly wholesome potential of a well-balanced throuple, and also decide that if Dom Tattoo artist is not already an established career field, it really needs to be. (Yes, please do call us good girls and tell us how well we take that ink.) Support us on Patreon!

We discuss The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary. The subtlety of the spice is more than made up for by the depth of the psychanalysis. Slip into your nerdiest glasses - it's gonna get cerebral up in here.

Wherein we discuss "That Time I Got Drunk and Saved A Demon" By Kimberly Lemming. Demon dragon shifters? Evil lich queen? A found family of pirates? Spicy nachos? Lovers screwing like bunnies on a deserted tropical isle?! Yeah, we got all that and more.

Wherein we discuss "Heated Rivalry" by Rachel Reid, and discover a new obsession with queer hockey romance.

We discuss The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang. Conversation ranges far and wide, including neurodivergent relationships, the benefits of legalized sex work, and accidentally buying sex toys with the company credit card (true story.)

We discuss "Lights Out" by Navessa Allen. A sexy stalker romance with murder and serial killers, which doesn't sound hot but here we are. Also, we discover some heretofore unrealized interest in knife play.

We discuss "Ice Planet Barbarians" by Ruby Dixon. Blue aliens with unexpected genital anatomy and a serious service kink, and we are here for it.

We discuss "Come Away With Me" by Kristin Proby. In Seattle, the love is fast, the sex is frequent, money is never an issue, and we have thoughts.

This week we discuss Burn by Suzanne Wright. Things get a little spicy, and we definitely overshare.