Smart Bitches, Trashy BooksSmart Bitches, Trashy Books ([syndicated profile] smartbitches_feed) wrote2025-07-15 02:00 pm

HaBO: Pink and Gold Carriage

Posted by Amanda

This HaBO is from Nicola, who wants to find this series:

I’ve been trying to find this book for about ten years since our library updated their internal system and cleared my access to loan history before 2016.

There are for sure two books in this series, and I think only two.

The first one has the heroine move next door to an Earl (possibly other nobleman). As part of the opening he wakes up hungover, with a splitting headache, and hears a massive renovation racket next door. He goes over and starts an argument with the newly arrived heroine (newly wealthy, but I don’t think noble) which ends up in the gossip rags. To save her reputation they pretend to court, and of course fall in love.

He is a libertine who is charming, funny, and of course actually a good guy on the inside- she is funny, smart, and strong.

A key detail I remember is she at some point rides in a bright pink and gold carriage wearing a dress to match. That said, I think they get stuck somewhere and she gets covered in mud and ruins the whole thing.

The earl has a Scottish friend (also noble?) who is leads the second book. The woman he falls in love with has some shady friends and there’s a scene in that one where she has to save him from being murdered by criminal elements.

I’m fairly confident this was published sometime around 2013/2014, as it was a recommendation in the comments sections of a Jezebel article about romance novels (before Jezebel imploded thanks to VC takeover).

The internet has not saved me yet, hoping the bitches have ideas!

Let’s HaBO!

FAIL Blog ([syndicated profile] fail_feed) wrote2025-07-15 07:00 am

Tourist demands resident move away as she takes a picture of her husband in a busy area, resident re

Posted by Bar Mor Hazut

Back in the day, when people didn't have smartphones and the only camera you could take to your vacation was a film camera, you knew that every picture mattered. You only had a limited number of moments you could capture from your trip, so you took every single one very seriously. You had to make sure everyone is standing still, that your hands are not shaking, and hope that no one blinks the moment you press the button.

You had to make sure nothing was in the way, because it can be quite disappointing to come back from a magnificent trip and get the pictures developed, only to find out that most of them were blurry or had people crossing right in the middle of the frame.

But these days are behind us, which is why we all have thousands of pictures on our phones that look identical to one another. We can press that button as much as we want to ensure we get at least one perfect picture, and nothing stops us from taking even more if that is what we want.

Which is why people like the tourist in the story below are so annoying sometimes, because they act as if their picture is the most important thing in the world.

FAIL Blog ([syndicated profile] fail_feed) wrote2025-07-15 06:00 am

Young woman aspires to become a plumber after deciding college is a waste of time, stands up to her

Posted by Bar Mor Hazut

When we were kids, our parents always told us that they wanted us to follow our dreams. To find what it is that we are most passionate about, and do it when we are adults. 

Yet, as we grow up, we realize that our parents never really meant those words. They aren't interested in their children following their dreams; they just want their kids to have a stable career, so they'd make enough money to stand on their own two feet. Actually, usually those things do not go hand in hand with our childhood dreams, so our parents end up encouraging us to do the exact opposite of following our dreams. They want us to leave those dreams behind as we pursue a "normal" career, a serious and respectable profession.

It makes sense for parents to push their kids for stable careers because, at the end of the day, they want their kids to be well off, to be fine on their own. Yet, it is hard not to resent some parents for how they end up dictating their kids' lives. 

FAIL Blog ([syndicated profile] fail_feed) wrote2025-07-15 05:00 am

Boss refuses to accept employee's resignation after denying them a well-deserved raise: 'He thinks h

Posted by Ben Weiss

It's always amusing when bosses think they can enforce something that is fully out of their control. Sure, these folks may have risen the ranks within their respective companies, but that does not mean they are responsible for the way the entire world is run. 

In this case, we have an employee who was sick and tired of being the most dependable person on the team, even though they kept on getting denied their well-deserved raise. So when it came time for them to confront their boss about this, their raise was once again rejected. At that point, it was the final straw for the author, and they knew that it was time to resign. After all, at this point, they had gained enough experience to be able to get a much better job offer elsewhere with a salary and a title that would be worthy of their talents and skillset. 

However, there was a bit of a hiccup in this process: the employee's boss refused to accept their resignation.

FAIL Blog ([syndicated profile] fail_feed) wrote2025-07-15 04:00 am

Diligent student realizes the quarterback keeps copying their test answers, so they answers them inc

Posted by Emma Saven

Revenge is a dish best served cold. 

They say a liar and a cheat always get caught, but what if we go one step further…could we beat them at their own game?

When you're trying to write a test that you actually took the time to study for, and some 'I'm better than everyone' quarterback decides to coincidentally sit next to you in every maths exam…you begin to become a bit more protective over your answers. 

So what's one way to make sure he never copies your tests again…ensuring he falls into the dark pit of the Giant F!

The game plan goes as follows: Circle the false answers, pretend to get up to hand in your paper, and watch him race to the teacher's desk, like he always does, to avoid suspicion. (It's so obvious, buddy!)

Then it's time to POUNCE! Change all your answers to the correct ones, and when your paper returns with a perfect score, watch him sweat…

I Can Has Cheezburger? ([syndicated profile] icanhascheezburger_feed) wrote2025-07-15 07:00 pm

Ex tries to claim partner’s cats, so the partner accepts inflated shared home buyout, leaving the ex

Posted by Etai Eshet

Breakups often devolve into petty accounting, but nothing warps a ledger faster than the threat of pet theft.

 In one spectacular case, an ex decided that two rescue cats made perfect bargaining chips, discovering too late that feline leverage can claw a bank account to pieces.  

I Can Has Cheezburger? ([syndicated profile] icanhascheezburger_feed) wrote2025-07-15 03:00 pm

20 Meowgnificent Memes for Pawrents Plotting to Add More Cats to the Crew

Posted by Sarah Brown

Some people dream of wealth or fame, but true cat lovers know the real goal: more cats. One feline friend is never quite enough. Two? Getting there. Three? Now it's a party! The craving for extra fluffballs is real, whether it's the irresistible charm of a stray whisker or the promise of more purrs, head boops, and playful paws.

It's the daily struggle of trying to resist yet another adoption post, telling yourself "just looking" while your heart screams "take them all home!" There's the challenge of explaining to friends why your cat tower looks more like a skyscraper, why your furniture is mysteriously covered in fur, and why your lap is always full even when you thought you had some "me time."

Wanting more cats isn't just a phase. It's a full-on lifestyle. The love, the mischief, the endless cuddles. It's impossible to say no. Because in a cat lover's world, there's always room for one more purrfect companion to steal your heart (and your favorite chair), making every day a little brighter and a lot furrier.

Fluff. Chaos. Drama! Our weekly cat newsletter has it all -  subscribe here.

I Can Has Cheezburger? ([syndicated profile] icanhascheezburger_feed) wrote2025-07-15 07:00 am

Rich dude refuses to pay $20 cleaning fee for a week of cat-sitting his special needs cat, freaks ou

Posted by Mariel Ruvinsky

Anybody who has ever owned a special-needs cat knows how big of a responsibility it is. These cats need extra from you. That's true and has always been true. So that is something that has to go into consideration when you adopt a special-needs cat. At first glance, it looks like the man in this story did realize this - the weight of the responsibility of having a cat like this. It seems that he looked for a cat-sitter who specializes in cats who need this little bit extra. But then things take a turn. A weird turn. 

This man, who is clearly well-off financially, seems to have had a problem with paying the $20 that this highly qualified cat sitter was asking for, a price that any cat owner, let alone a special-needs cat owner, should be willing to pay for something like this. He put off paying until the last second, and when the cat sitter put her foot down, he did the most unexpected thing of all.  

Fluff. Chaos. Drama! Our weekly cat newsletter has it all -  subscribe here.

I Can Has Cheezburger? ([syndicated profile] icanhascheezburger_feed) wrote2025-07-15 02:00 am

Injured dog gets physically rescued by hooman, but emotionally rescued by the hooman's cat: ‘Animals

Posted by Elna McHilderson

Have you ever been injured and just wanted someone you love close by to hold you and tell you everything is going to be okay? Sure, when you were little you would shout out for mommy or daddy when you would scrape your knee and they would hold you and give you a band aid and you would feel all better. But what do you do when you're an adult? Do you call out to your mommy and daddy again? What if you live across the world from each other or your parents are too old to care for you? That's when a partner or a great friendship or even just a great neighbor is important to have. 

 

This need isn't just for humans, animals need comforting too, especially rescue animals. Take, for example, this sweet pup who was rescued after being hit by a car. A woman stepped up to foster her even thought she was so injured that they were going to have to amputate. The woman was so concerned about rescuing this poor pup in need, that she didn't think about her rescue cat she had at home and how he was going to react to a dog…

Smart Bitches, Trashy BooksSmart Bitches, Trashy Books ([syndicated profile] smartbitches_feed) wrote2025-07-15 07:00 am

Hide Your Wallet: July 15th Release Week

Posted by Amanda

Happy Tuesday!

This is quite a busy week for new releases; we have a dozen on our radar. Things do calm down as we get closer to the end of the month.

Which releases are you excited for this week? Let us know in the comments!

A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping

A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna

Author: Sangu Mandanna
Released: July 15, 2025
Genre: , , ,

An enchanting novel about a witch who has a second chance to get her magical powers—and her life—back on track, from the national bestselling author of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches.

Sera Swan was once one of the most powerful witches in Britain. Then she resurrected her great-aunt Jasmine from the (very recently) dead, lost most of her magic, befriended a semi-villainous talking fox, and was exiled from her magical Guild. Now she (slightly reluctantly and just a bit grumpily) helps Aunt Jasmine run an inn in Lancashire, where she deals with her quirky guests’ shenanigans, tries to keep the talking fox in check, and longs for the magical future she lost.

When she learns about an old spellbook that holds the secret to restoring her power, she turns to Luke Larsen, a gorgeous historian who might just be able to help her unlock the book’s mysteries. Luke, who has his own reasons for staying at the inn, never planned on getting involved in the madcap goings-on around him and definitely had no intention of letting certain grumpy innkeepers past his icy walls, so no one is more surprised than he is when he not only agrees to help, but also finds himself thawing.

Running an inn, reclaiming lost magic, and staying one step ahead of the watchful Guild is a lot for anyone, but Sera is about to discover that she doesn’t have to do it alone… and that the weird, wonderful family she’s made might be the best magic of all.

Amanda: Is this a Grumpy/Grumpy romance?!

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Atonement Sky

Atonement Sky by Nalini Singh

Author: Nalini Singh
Released: July 15, 2025 by Berkley
Genre: ,
Series: Psy-Changeling #9

The hunt for a stealthy predator takes a damaged J-Psy to the heart of falcon territory in this new Psy-Changeling Trinity novel from New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh…

Justice-Psy Eleri Dias knows the end is near for her, her mind one step away from fatal psychic exposure. In the short time that remains, she is determined to atone for an act of omission that has haunted her for a long, cruel decade. But that decision not only means facing a powerful changeling wing leader, but also putting herself in the path of a serial killer.

Falcon wing leader Adam Garrett is fiercely protective of his family and his clan. After losing his parents as a teenager in a shocking act of malice, Adam has no forgiveness in him for the J-Psy who betrayed him, betrayed them, at the most painful moment of his life. But the evil that stalks his territory will allow him no respite, forcing him once more into contact with the J he has never been able to forget.

Everything that could’ve been between Eleri and Adam was lost years ago, a shimmering promise crushed. As they work to uncover a monster, the moment of reckoning looms ever closer. Soon, there may be no more time left for either atonement…or love…

Sarah: The whole world is based on understanding empathy, which, yes please – AND the hero does a lot of emotional heavy lifting in this one!

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The Bewitching

The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Author: Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Released: July 15, 2025 by Del Rey
Genre: , ,

Three women in three different eras encounter danger and witchcraft in this eerie multigenerational horror saga from the New York Times bestselling author of Mexican Gothic.

“Back then, when I was a young woman, there were still witches”: That was how Nana Alba always began the stories she told her great-granddaughter Minerva—stories that have stayed with Minerva all her life. Perhaps that’s why Minerva has become a graduate student focused on the history of horror literature and is researching the life of Beatrice Tremblay, an obscure author of macabre tales.

In the course of assembling her thesis, Minerva uncovers information that reveals that Tremblay’s most famous novel, The Vanishing, was inspired by a true story: Decades earlier, during the Great Depression, Tremblay attended the same university where Minerva is now studying and became obsessed with her beautiful and otherworldly roommate, who then disappeared under mysterious circumstances.

As Minerva descends ever deeper into Tremblay’s manuscript, she begins to sense that the malign force that stalked Tremblay and the missing girl might still walk the halls of the campus. These disturbing events also echo the stories Nana Alba told about her girlhood in 1900s Mexico, where she had a terrifying encounter with a witch.

Minerva suspects that the same shadow that darkened the lives of her great-grandmother and Beatrice Tremblay is now threatening her own in 1990s Massachusetts. An academic career can be a punishing pursuit, but it might turn outright deadly when witchcraft is involved.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is back with some more Gothic spookiness. 

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The Enchanted Greenhouse

The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst

Author: Sarah Beth Durst
Released: July 15, 2025 by Bramble
Genre:
Series: Spellshop #2

New York Times bestselling author Sarah Beth Durst invites you to her new standalone novel set in the world of The Spellshop! Follow her to The Enchanted Greenhouse, a cozy fantasy nestled on a far-away island brimming with singing flowers, honey cakes, and honeyed love.

Terlu Perna broke the law because she was lonely. She cast a spell and created a magically sentient spider plant. As punishment, she was turned into a wooden statue and tucked away into an alcove in the North Reading Room of the Great Library of Alyssium.

This should have been the end of her story . . . Yet one day, Terlu wakes in the cold of winter on a nearly-deserted island full of hundreds of magical greenhouses. She’s starving and freezing, and the only other human on the island is a grumpy gardener. To her surprise, he offers Terlu a place to sleep, clean clothes, and freshly baked honey cakes—at least until she’s ready to sail home.

But Terlu can’t return home and doesn’t want to—the greenhouses are a dream come true, each more wondrous than the next. When she learns that the magic that sustains them is failing—causing the death of everything within them—Terlu knows she must help. Even if that means breaking the law again.

This time, though, she isn’t alone. Assisted by the gardener and a sentient rose, Terlu must unravel the secrets of a long-dead sorcerer if she wants to save the island—and have a fresh chance at happiness and love.

Funny, kind, and forgiving, The Enchanted Greenhouse is a story about giving second chances—to others and to yourself.

More cozy fantasy from Sarah Beth Durst. 

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Everyone is Lying to You

Everyone is Lying to You by Jo Piazza

Author: Jo Piazza
Released: July 15, 2025 by Dutton
Genre:

The #tradwife murder mystery we’ve all been waiting for. From the bestselling author of The Sicilian Inheritance and the creator of the Under the Influence podcast comes an explosive thriller about two estranged friends, a grisly murder, a sudden disappearance, and the truly shocking revelation that everyone is lying to you about something . . .

Lizzie and Bex were best friends in college. After graduation, Bex vanished, leaving Lizzie confused and devastated.

Fifteen years later, Bex is now Rebecca Sommers, a “traditional” Instagram influencer with millions of followers who salivate over her perfect life on her ranch with her five children and handsome husband, Gray. Lizzie is a struggling magazine writer, watching reels while her young children demand her attention.

One night out of the blue, Bex calls Lizzie with a career-making proposition—an exclusive interview with her about her multimillion-dollar business venture and an invitation to MomBomb, the high-profile influencing conference.

At the conference, Bex goes missing and Gray is found brutally murdered on their ranch. Lizzie finds herself plunged into the dark side of the cutthroat world of social media that includes jealousy, sordid affairs, swingers, and backstabbing. She must learn who her old friend has become and who she has double-crossed to try to find her, clear her name, and maybe even save her life.

Piazza’s master storytelling and razor-sharp insight into the world of social media brings us a pulpy, juicy, and cleverly plotted read that will have you guessing all the way through and leave you gasping for more.

Sarah: Trad wife murder mystery – and if you’re familiar with mommy bloggers and/or influencers, this is a JUICY fun book.

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Hit Me with Your Best Charm

Hit Me with Your Best Charm by Lillie Vale

Author: Lillie Vale
Released: July 15, 2025 by Viking Books for Young Readers
Genre: , , ,

“Enchanting, flirty, and crafted from pure practical magic!”—Julian Winters, award-winning author of Right Where I Left You

The occasionally magic, always superstitious town of Prior’s End is famous for three whimsical charm at the annual Fall Festival, the legend of the wishing well hidden in a forest bristling with secrets, and Nova Marwood’s missing hiker father.

Every year without him, it gets easier to pretend Nova doesn’t believe in myth and magic. Easier to pretend she’s doing okay. Easier to pretend she doesn’t have a secret crush on the girl she fake-hates.

Kiara Mistry is the luckiest girl in town and the thief of every crush Nova had her heart set on first. In theory, Nova should resent Kiara. But it’s getting harder to deny her feelings.

When Nova lays an unintended hex on Kiara at the Fall Festival, and one misfortune after another swiftly follows, soon Kiara’s very survival is at stake. To reverse the bad luck, Kiara’s exes turned BFFs commence a quest for the miraculous wishing well. There’s only one person who can get them there . . . Nova.

But to save Kiara—and maybe find her dad, too—she’ll have to believe in something much stronger than magic. Nova will need to believe in herself.

Tara: I think it sounds really cute.

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How to Sell a Romance

How to Sell a Romance by Alexa Martin

Author: Alexa Martin
Released: July 15, 2025 by Berkley
Genre: ,

Romance is the biggest scheme of them all in this laugh-out-loud romantic comedy from beloved author Alexa Martin.

Emerson Pierce loves everything about being a kindergarten teacher except the painfully low salary. It isn’t until she hears about Petunia Lemon—an opportunity to sell makeup products, make some extra money, and meet a group of skin-care aficionados—that she begins to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Sure, it sounds a little too good to be true, but what’s the worst that could happen?

Investigative reporter Lucas Miller didn’t always have a chip on his shoulder…until his wife joined Petunia Lemon, drained their savings, and filed for divorce. Now he’s a little bitter, a lot single, and determined to expose the company. After infiltrating their largest convention yet, the last thing he expects is to lose sight of his mission for one night with the gorgeous woman at the bar.

When Emerson and Lucas learn that she’s his daughter’s teacher, they decide to ignore their scorching chemistry. Until things with Petunia Lemon turn downright diabolical and Emerson turns to Lucas for help. They work together to bring the company down but can the two come out on top in this pyramid scheme of love?

Dahlia: I’m already a Martin fan from The Playbook series, but even if I weren’t, everything about this book looks hilarious and utterly cathartic for anyone who’s ever wanted to see multi-level marketing schemes taken on.

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In the Veins of the Drowning

In the Veins of the Drowning by Kalie Cassidy

Author: Kalie Cassidy
Released: July 15, 2025 by Little, Brown and Company
Genre: , ,
Series: The Siren Mage #1

An “atmospheric and evocative” (Rachel Gillig) romantasy debut about a threatened Siren who forges a bond with a brooding, self-righteous king in order to flee the king who raised her, for fans of One Dark Window and For the Wolf. 

The monster is always slain…

Imogen Nel is in hiding. Hiding from a cruel kingdom that believes Sirens are monstrous, blood-hungry creatures. Hiding from a king and his captain who viciously hunt her kind. Hiding from her own alluring abilities. By keeping herself from the sea, Imogen’s bloodlust is dulled, and her black wings remain hidden beneath her skin.

When a neighboring king comes to visit, Imogen can no longer hide. He knows precisely what she is, and he believes she can save both their kingdoms from an even greater monster. But Imogen’s power threatens to violently reveal itself, and the two form a blood bond that protects them both. They flee the kingdom together, traversing waters teeming with the undead. As the lines between duty to their people and desire for each other begin to blur, Imogen worries her own ancestral powers may not be enough to kill what hunts her—the only way to defeat a monster may be to become one herself.

Amanda: I’m clicking buy because of the siren heroine.

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Maid for Each Other

Maid for Each Other by Lynn Painter

Author: Lynn Painter
Released: July 15, 2025 by Berkley
Genre: ,

A millionaire and a house cleaner are a match maid in heaven in this sparkling new romantic comedy by Lynn Painter, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Happily Never After.

As a professional cleaner, Abi Mariano never thought her apartment would have any sort of infestation, but because of a building-wide outbreak, she now needs somewhere to stay for a week. As a part-time student with two jobs, she doesn’t have many options. Then the solution presents itself: the owner of the penthouse she cleans is out of town for the week. She normally wouldn’t consider it, but he’s literally never around (she hasn’t even met him). It goes great…until one morning she finds two strangers in the kitchen. They’re the parents of the penthouse owner and they seem to think they’ve heard all about Abi—not as their son’s maid, but as his girlfriend.

Declan Powell has always put his career first, working his way up to become an executive at his company, but he still has his sights set on the next level. When his parents mention that they met his girlfriend, “Abby,” he all but chokes on his escargot. As wonderful as it sounds that she was just darling, he doesn’t actually have a girlfriend—he made her up to get everyone off his back. When Dex finds out who Abi really is, he makes her a proposition: pretend to date him, and he’ll provide everything she needs during their little arrangement. What harm would it do? It’s purely business, no pleasure…right?

Lara: This is a romance with an old-school vibe with none of the cringe/offense that comes with reading an actually old romance. Review incoming!

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The Odds of Getting Even

The Odds of Getting Even by Amanda Sellet

Author: Amanda Sellet
Released: July 15, 2025 by St. Martin's Griffin
Genre: ,

A fling with a mysterious stranger leads to a rollicking adventure in the wilds of South Dakota in this madcap and romantic follow-up to Amanda Sellet’s Hate to Fake it to You.

The last thing reluctant resort employee Jean Harrington expected to find on a middle-of-the-night towel run was a bashful scientist in desperate need of company . . . and clothes. Charmed by his awkwardness and endearing tangents about reptiles, she returns the next day to give the handsome mystery guest she knows only as “Charlie” lessons in poker.

He’s reserved and she’s chaotic, but together, the two of them just click. It’s like a honeymoon without the hassle of a wedding, until Jean discovers there’s a lot more to Charlie’s story than shyness and snakes—and she isn’t the only person with a pressing interest in his whereabouts, not to mention his secretly scandalous dating history.

When Charlie has the audacity to abandon her without a word, Jean has a score to settle. She’ll do whatever it takes to get him back—no, get back at him—even if it means chasing him across an ocean to brave the wild west of his remote hometown, and the famous family business he neglected to mention. With flames from their pasts raising the stakes, Jean is gambling she can get the upper hand before Charlie calls her bluff.

The real trick will be remembering what they’re playing for, when the biggest risk is putting all their cards on the table.

Dahlia: Sellet is one of the wittiest writers out there, and after the clever romp that was Hate to Fake it to You, I am totally ready for this follow-up. (Plus, reserved guy/chaotic girl is my favorite hetero pairing.)

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Roll for Romance

Roll for Romance by Lenora Woods

Author: Lenora Woods
Released: July 15, 2025
Genre: ,

Two fledgling tabletop gamers find themselves falling for each other—both in and out of their weekly D&D sessions—in this charming, fantasy-tinged romance.

“Sweet, charming, and wonderful!”—Sarah Beth Durst, author of The Spellshop

When Sadie Brooks unexpectedly loses her marketing job, she flees New York City to spend the summer with her best friend in small-town Texas, where joining his Dungeons & Dragons campaign is the perfect distraction while she plans her next steps.

In the game, she becomes Jaylie, a powerful human cleric blessed by the Goddess of Luck. But in real life, Sadie believes her luck has run out—until she meets Noah Walker, the outgoing bartender roped into joining their party as Loren, an adventurous and charismatic lute-strumming elf. Just as Jaylie finds herself succumbing to the bard’s charms over the course of their party’s travels, Sadie also begins to fall under Noah’s spell.

As their relationship progresses in both worlds, Sadie wonders if what they have might last beyond the game. But like his traveling bard character, Noah never stays in one place for long. When a new opportunity arises in New York, Sadie must face the truth about why she lost her job in the first place—and whether she and Noah have found something in Texas worth staying for. Torn between her career dreams in the city and the exciting uncertainty of a new adventure, she will have no choice but to roll the dice.

Elyse: I’ve never read a D&D romance before but I am here for it!

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Taste the Love

Taste the Love by Karelia Stetz-Waters

Author: Karelia Stetz-Waters
Released: July 15, 2025 by Forever
Genre: , ,

A delicious, heartwarming romantic comedy about big dreams, life-changing friendships, and the people who bring out your best.

Six years ago, eco-chef Alice Sullivan and her culinary-school rival almost gave into the burning tension between them. But those kisses? Just the heat of competition boiling over. Sullivan never expected to see Kia after graduation . . . until Kia crashes back into her life with a plan to buy Sullivan’s beloved Portland greenspace.

Kia has worked hard building her social media empire as the big-hearted glitter-bomb queen of the food-truck scene. Now she’s one step away from opening a foodie utopia for underrepresented culinary talents. But Kia’s plans catch the attention of a bulldozer-happy food conglomerate, and now both Kia and Sullivan’s dreams are on the line. When a legal loophole turns out to be the only way to save what they each love most, they’re left with one pull off a very public fake marriage to obtain the deed to the land and keep their old rivalry under control.

As the line between fake and real love blurs, can Kia and Sullivan set aside their differences and find the perfect recipe for happily ever after?

Tara: I love fake relationship romances, so I’m looking forward to this one.

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FAIL Blog ([syndicated profile] fail_feed) wrote2025-07-14 04:00 pm

21 Funniest Rootin' Tootin' Yeehaw Memes for Cowboys and Cowgirls Who Need a Good Laugh

Posted by Elna McHilderson

Nothing is more cowboy than memes! And that's the yee-hawin' truth. A cowboy life is rough and tough. You ride horses, feed horses, take care of horses, and eat beans. It's not easy! I'm making it sound easy, but there is so much more to it that only a cowboy will understand, so I won't even both mentioning it. It's not because I'm not a cowboy! I'm the most boot clackin', lasso lassoing, cowboy you ever did see! Ain't nobody tougher than a meme slinger this side of the Mississippi. Cowboys need a good laugh too. We're talkin' hootin and hollerin. It's not just about the horses and beans, it's also about the good gang outlaws you make on the way. So, put that ten gallon hat on, say howdy to your pardoner, and giddy on up to these memes below! 

FAIL Blog ([syndicated profile] fail_feed) wrote2025-07-14 03:00 pm

UPDATE: 'He didn't take it well': New boss demands employee stay to work unscheduled overtime, emplo

Posted by Brad Dickson

You'll find yourself in one of these situations, wondering to yourself whether or not it's worth speaking up. Even if you're on the right side of things, morally, ethically, and according to company policy, doing so could land you in hot water and on the wrong side of a wrongful termination because someone above you in the chain let their ego get in the way.

At that point, wrongful or not… you're still fired. 

Many of us simply cannot afford to up and quit a job in dramatic fashion or take a theatrical last stand at work in order to put our toxic, egotistical boss in their place. Doing so would place us in a compromised position where we're out of a job and scrambling to find another to simply make ends meet. If you have rapport or positioning in the company where you think doing otherwise is possible and even appreciated, then you can do so. But making an effort to stand out in anything but a positive light might see you up on the chopping block. 

While there is no consensus on the widely reported claim that most Americans live paycheck to paycheck, many households report that they do, with nearly half of Americans reporting that they "somewhat agree" with the statement "I am living paycheck to paycheck." Surely, most people at least feel the strain and necessity of not being able to effortlessly handle a period without any income.

Because of this, the reality is that the best way to handle any conflict or expectation at work is to do whatever is expected, insulate yourself from and mitigate the effects of that expectation on your personal life, and quietly determine whether or not you want to continue to work there. If you are in a situation where a change is not next to impossible, then it's time to start looking for other employers.

I Can Has Cheezburger? ([syndicated profile] icanhascheezburger_feed) wrote2025-07-14 02:00 pm

“There was no way this tiny ball of fur could make it on her own”: Good samaritan and emergency crew

Posted by Laurent Shinar

Now yes, this story is about a scared kitten who found itself in genuinely the last place a cat should be, like swimming on a lake would be more reasonable than this. But what is most impressive about this story is the manpower, time and resources that city officials authorized to use in order to save this defenceless kitten. We will not spoil this story for you with all the details, but we will say that with the myriad of stories out there where a heroic hooman stepped in to save the day, the most the hooman ever had, was a helping hand and a donated blanket.

Any expenses came out of their own pocket, and no one really wanted to help them on their hero's journey. But in the case of this kitten, all those cheap thoughts seem to have flown out of the window and landed far, far away, as little to no expense was spared to save this sweet kitten.
 

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I Can Has Cheezburger? ([syndicated profile] icanhascheezburger_feed) wrote2025-07-14 01:00 pm

‘Even the bats I’ve handled were easier than him’: How a Feral Street Cat in Dubai Fought Off Help U

Posted by Laurent Shinar

Well, here we have rather the emotional story about a heroic hooman who did not give up, no matter what, and all for an animal who did not live in their home, nor even their street. It is not often that a rescuer gets involved past the delivery to the local vet office, after all, life is busy and tough enough as it is. But in this story our heroine felt that something was amiss, that while she had made the right moves to save the cute cat she cared about, something was not being done about it.

And much to everyone's misfortune, she was right, but not too late. And that is where her hero's journey really kicks into high gear and gives this rescuer the chance to prove how devoted she truly is to cat kind. If the cat council were watching (and they always are), we would assume that a delivery from the Cat Distribution System will arrive shortly. 
 

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FAIL Blog ([syndicated profile] fail_feed) wrote2025-07-14 02:00 pm

Incompetent CEO blames an employee for their screw up, so the employee pulls the receipts exoneratin

Posted by Jesse Kessenheimer

When you play the blame game in the workplace, make sure the person you're pinning your failures on can't summon receipts. Because when it comes to company follies, these days, any hardworking employee is smart enough to keep things in writing—not only to record their efforts, but to protect themselves from incompetent CEOs.