Riot Headline Book Riot’s 2025 Read Harder Challenge

Scathing Dislike, Scorching Chemistry

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It’s part one of our 2023 recommendation request episodes! Jess and Trisha talk about diverse paranormal romances, romances with ace representation, holiday romances, and more!

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It’s happening, readers — we’re bringing paperbacks! Whether you hate carrying around bulky hardcovers, you’re on a budget, you want a wider range of recommendations, or all of the above, you can now get a paperback subscription from TBR, curated just for you by one of our Bibliologists. You can also gift it (and the holidays, they are coming.) Get all the details at mytbr.co.

News

Book club is coming back in early 2024 – huge thanks to everyone who sent suggestions! We’re reading The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz, so read along with us!

Also, check out Jackie Lau’s Kickstarter while you still can!

Books Discussed

The Duke Gets Desperate by Diana Quincy

The Grim Reaper’s Lawyer by Mea Monique

Human Enough by E.S. Yu

Big Bad Wolf by Suleikha Snyder

What the Hex by Alexis Daria

The Blacksmith Queen by G.A. Aiken

Bitterburn by Ann Aguirre

Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas

Their Troublesome Crush by Xan West

Perfect Rhythm by Jae

The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann

Thaw by Elyse Springer

The Lights on Knockbridge Lane by Roan Parrish

In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren 

Lighting the Flames by Sarah Wendell

Merry Inkmas by Talia Hibbert

Three Holidays and a Wedding by Uzma Jalaluddin and Marissa Stapley

Second Chances in New Port Stephen by T.J. Alexander

It’s a Fabulous Life by Kelly Farmer

Being Merry by Meka James

Time to Shine by Rachel Reid

Mistletoe and Mishigas by M.A. Wardell

Let us know what you’re reading, what you’re thinking, and what you’re thinking about what you’re reading! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown), and Jess is even on TikTok (@jess_isreading).