Category: Thick Babes

Categories
RomCom Spicy🌶️ Thick Babes

THE DATING PACT

BY Lulu Morris. Pub Date 1/15/2025

Rating: 4.5*s

PUBLISHER’S SYNOPSIS

When Ellie bluffs her way into a high-end party with her best friend, the last thing she expects is to end up going home with infamous actor Alex King, because he’s too drunk to remember what hotel he’s staying in. But when the paparazzi catch them together the morning after, their new friendship suddenly becomes the tabloids’ front page.

Alex needs a plus-one. Not only is his brother marrying his ex, but he’s become the villain in the eyes of the press. With a loved-up date by his side, the public might finally see him as moving on and his new play might finally get the ticket sales it needs to not close down.

But a wedding in the Bahamas, surrounded by gorgeous celebrities, with the paparazzi lurking everywhere, is plus-sized Ellie’s worst nightmare. Even as Alex’s displays of affectionate become more real and less fake, will she lose a part of herself during their pact?

REVIEW

This was such a cute thick babe romance. Alex and Ellie have been through the wringer personally and professionally and it’s surprising that the spark they have when they meet doesn’t catch the entire bar on fire. The fake dating trope is a fun one, and the setting and deepness of the characters make it that much more intriguing. I do love a good dual POV–matter of fact, they are my favorite type of romance.

I really loved both of the MMCs and how they presented themselves to the world and balanced one another. Alex and his struggles being seen by his family, and Ellie and her body issues, which I totally could commiserate with. They really became good friends even with all of the drama, and that made the chemistry so much better. I do wish we had more depth with the other characters, but the hateable ones were super hateable and the loveable characters made you want to squeeze them.

I highly recommend this to the thick babes romance readers who also love a good faux dating trope!

Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for an advanced ebook copy in exchange for a fair and honest review!

Categories
After Dark Contemporary Fiction Romance RomCom Spicy🌶️ Thick Babes

FUNDAMENTALS OF BEING A GOOD GIRL

By Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone. Pub Date 1/13/2025

Rating: 4*s

PUBLISHER’S SYNOPSIS

Maddie Kowalczk is ready to be a bad girl. When the rookie lecturer lands at Astra University, she’s looking to start fresh after a messy breakup. But her first night in town takes a twist when she bumps into Bram Loe—a reserved but incredibly handsome single dad she (not so accidentally) stole a parking spot from earlier that day. The unspoken chemistry as he locks eyes with her while she gets a birthday spanking at a local bar is hotter than a Bunsen burner at full flame.

Bram is looking for a break from his hectic life as an ecology professor and dad to rambunctious twins and a busy teenager. So when his college friend’s divorce celebration brings him face-to-face with the same delectable brat who stole his parking spot, he’s ready for a night to remember. But the next morning, Bram’s world turns upside down (and that’s not just the hangover talking). His new nanny? None other than Maddie, who also happens to be the new poli-sci adjunct at the university where he teaches.

Maddie is desperate and broke, so when Bram offers her a raise and the chance to set some ground rules, she can’t say no. As the two settle into their new roles, the normally unruffled Bram finds that no one riles him up like Maddie does, which is a problem when every argument feels like foreplay. Of course, Bram is an educator first and foremost, and he very quickly finds he can’t resist the temptation of instructing Maddie in the fundamentals of being a good girl.

And it turns out Maddie’s a hands-on learner…

REVIEW

I cannot express how excited I was to see the Murphy/Simone duo back together again!

The A Christmas Notch series was amazing and one of my favorite series and most highly recommended spicy book trilogies, and after reading The Fundamentals of Being a Good Girl, I have a feeling that the Academic Affairs series is going to be skyrocketing to the top, too.

This book is deliciously spicy, with complex and complete characters, beautifully described settings, and all the right kinks. I loved Bram and his family and friends and I thought Maddie was a great character. Very strong, and her struggles to find the right future for herself after spending so many years with the wrong person felt very reminiscent of my own experience, and the way Bram went from buttoned up dad to feral daddy? So hot.

I am psyched for the next book. If it’s about who I think it’s about–well, let me put it this way: I’ve been searching for a bully to lovers romance and I have a feeling that’s exactly what is coming.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Harper Voyager for the advanced ebook copy in exchange for a fair and honest review!

Categories
Cozy RomCom Spicy🌶️ Thick Babes

SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE

By Olivia Dade. NOW AVAILABLE!

Rating: 3.5*s

Publisher’s Synopsis:

“Karl and Molly were never together. There was a time, right after high school, where it seemed like they might finally cross the line from friends to lovers…but instead, a foolish misunderstanding meant they never spoke again. Molly went to LA and got married. Karl stayed in Harlot’s Bay and bought a bakery.

The only connection the pair has shared over the years is painfully one-sided: Now divorced, Molly narrates monster romance audiobooks, and Karl is an ever-diligent listener, clinging to his only piece of the one that got away.

Still, Molly hasn’t totally left Harlot’s Bay behind. When she hears that Karl’s obituary has run in the local paper, unexpected grief prompts her to hop on the next flight to Maryland…where she finds Karl very much alive, the victim of nothing but an accidental obituary.

As the pair reunite, they finally hash out their missed connection. True, Molly isn’t quite ready to trust again, but Karl is determined to prove himself worthy of her faith and devotion. And as her remaining time in Harlot’s Bay ticks down, Molly, the habitual cynic, just might find that Karl, the cranky town curmudgeon, is impossible to leave behind a second time.“

Thoughts:

Olivia Dade is one of my absolute favorite authors. Karl and Molly’s story is cute. I can’t say it’s my favorite Olivia Dade story, but I did respect the choices made throughout. And of course we’re all mostly here for the hilarity, character growth and SPICE, and the author absolutely delivers on all of them. It’s Harlot’s Bay, after all, and the Spite House is open for rent.

The only reason I didn’t connect as much with this book was more because of the characters, and not becaise they weren’t well written, but because I didn’t personally connect to standoffish Molly and I only somewhat connected to gruff and blunt Karl. I do think that other people will have a better experience and I’ll definitely recommend it to my sister. Again, the writing is fine, but I just had a hard tome connecting. I did enjoy the ending!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Avon Harper Voyager for the advanced copy in exchange for this review. I knew this one was going to be good!

Categories
After Dark Romance Spicy🌶️ Thick Babes

LOVE ME STALK ME

BY Laura Bishop. Pub Date 12/2/2025

Rating:

PUBLISHER’S SYNOPSIS

When overworked department store manager Izzy Russo downloads an AI boyfriend app to fill the emotional void left by her inattentive real one, she thinks she’s just venting to a harmless chatbot named “Caleb.” In reality, she’s been pouring her deepest, dirtiest fantasies into the ears of Callahan Knight—her store’s brooding new head of security.

Because Cal? He’s been listening. The moment he saw Izzy, he knew she was his. Did he hack her phone? Absolutely. But who could blame him? A woman like Izzy deserves to be cherished by someone who truly knows her worth—and he’ll do anything to be that man.

So when Izzy finally sees her boyfriend for who he really is, and the danger she’s unknowingly been caught up in, Cal is ready to protect her, no matter the cost. Even if it means revealing the truth.

She might not have meant to build the perfect man. But he’s here now. And he’s never letting her go.

REVIEW

This was a good introductory Stalker romance. Morally Grey, but we’re talking LIGHT gray. The stuff that happens to Izzy because of her ex is a different story. That’s definitely the darkest part. I really enjoyed the relationship development between Izzy and Cal, and all of the other characters were also well fleshed out. Amanda has a story of her own coming and Izzy’s family probably isn’t going away soon, and that’s a good thing. Their banter is hilarious and I LOVED Nonna.

The spicy scenes were fantastic. You would expect something dark from the description regarding the AI, and maybe I’m desensitized, but I thought the MMC used it in the most wholesome way given how dark romances like this tend to get. Don’t get me wrong, the sex scenes are still explicit and petty hot, but the overall lead up and motivations from our “stalker” are a romantic dream.

I recommend this for those who enjoy a dark romance but really want that white (gray) knight vibe as a change of pace.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced ebook copy in exchange for a fair and honest review!

Categories
After Dark Contemporary Fiction Spicy🌶️ Thick Babes

COME OUT COME OUT

By Alexia Onyx. Pub Date 8/26/25

Rating 3.5*s

PUBLISHER’S SYNOPSIS

“She’s creeping slowly toward death. He’s determined to keep her alive.

Aiden

My little wraith torments herself in a desperate attempt to escape from the pain that runs deep in her veins. I could be that escape if she’d only let me. I will own her pain, her suffering, and her pleasure. I just need her to see me.

Skye

Every day is a burden that pushes me closer and closer to my end. I always found the notion of death romantic; I never could have predicted how right I would be.

Contains mature themes.”

REVIEW

I was pretty psyched to receive this audiobook as an ARC. Grayson Owens is one of my top masc audiobook readers. I also read that this was a super dark romance with a thick lady main and I’m all about that representation.

The premise was interesting, the narration was great, and the story was very spicy. I saw the pattern for Aiden’s corporeal visiting hours almost right away. I also like Skye, though there is a good reason for the self harm trigger warnings, so if they bother you I advise either skipping this one or proceeding with extreme caution.

I am into the cat and mouse thing that has been a recent trend in erotica romantic fiction and this story had plenty of that in it and Aiden’s obsession with Skye was at the exact right pitch. It was mostly fantastic.

I really enjoyed this up until the very last scene, which left me in existential crisis mode a little. It was super great until that point, but it kind of felt like it was trying to one-up similar books and sort of overshot it from enjoyable and hot f*##$% up to disturbing. Again, I loved it up until the end. It was so nice having a bigger body represented in one of these obsessive romances, but I feel like the HEA could have ended better. I wish I could say more, but I don’t really want to spoil it. Some people may find it to be very Romeo and Juliette coded, so if you’re into that you would probably really like this, but R&J has never really been my cup of tea. I will definitely be going back to listen to a few scenes again because it is good and although I didn’t like the ending, the rest was worth the listen.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tantor Media for the advanced audiobook copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Categories
After Dark Contemporary Fiction Cozy Mystery Paranormal Spicy🌶️ Supernatural Thick Babes

LOVE AT FIRST FRIGHT

By Nadia El-Fassi. Pub Date 09-16-25

Rating

PUBLISHER’S SYNOPSIS

Rosemary Shaw’s ability to see the dead has never scared her. In fact, it’s secretly inspired most of her horror novels. Now at twenty-nine, Rosemary is an acclaimed author, and her most successful book is about to be a blockbuster movie. The film set is in a beautiful manor house in the English countryside, and it’s no surprise there are ghosts hanging around. But ghosts are something Rosemary can handle; she’s not so sure how to deal with her infuriatingly handsome leading man, who is all wrong for the role.

Ellis Finch is a longtime Hollywood heartthrob with a secret of his own. He’s tired of playing the action movie hero and would much rather be gardening with his sweet dog, Fig. Frankly, he’s getting too old to maintain the industry’s standards of what a man should look like. Starring in a historical horror movie will be perfect for his new image, until he finds out that the author tried to get him kicked off the project, but Ellis won’t go down without a fight.

Amidst filming the movie and the chemistry-filled feuding between Rosemary and Ellis, Hallowvale manor comes alive, literally. Trying to balance the mayhem of her writing deadlines, an adorable ghostly dog, and a pair of Regency-era women who are definitely nothing more than friends, Rosemary is at risk of telling Ellis her secret, or worse—falling for him.

REVIEW

I really love a good paranormal romance and this had a very interesting premise, but when it came to executing it? NAILED IT. 

I loved the enemies to lovers trope and how well executed that relationship was and how realistically the author executed Rosemary’s ability to see ghosts. They presented it much like how you would expect it would in real life with having to mask that you’re chatting with people others can’t see. The side plot involving Ellis and his struggles with being who he is authentically also felt very much borrowed from real life.

But I can’t leave this review without talking about the romance piece. Honestly, I just expected a somewhat basic contemporary feel good supernatural romance type vibe, but holy sh** did I get so much more. This book is super hot. It trussed me up and ROASTED me with how deliciously spicy it was. I definitely discovered things about myself. It explores a few kinks in a very consenting way. You may want to make sure you’re not in a public place while reading (unless you’re into that).

Overall, definitely one of my FAVORITE books of 2025!

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for the advanced ebook copy in exchange for a fair and honest review!

Categories
Romance Spicy🌶️ Thick Babes

My Big Fat Fake Marriage

by Charlotte Stein

Rating: 4*s – Sweet n Spicy!

Publish Date is March 11, 2025

Publisher’s Synopsis:

“Connie has always distrusted nice guys. In her experience, they’re just waiting to reveal some horrible secret. And then she meets big, adorable, Henry Samuel Beckett—editor extraordinaire, lover of bow ties, sweet and so cheery she struggles to believe he’s real.

Until Henry Samuel Beckett—or Beck, as he’s known to most—tells her the secret underneath his sunny surface: He’s been single all his life. But in a moment of panic, he’s told everyone at his publishing house that he’s married. And when Connie, an aspiring writer herself, can’t help defending him, she ends up being the fake wife he doesn’t actually have.

When they head off on a writing retreat, surrounded by people convinced this must be a ruse, both of them can’t help but agree. Until they share their first kiss, their first touch, their first time in only one bed. Side by side, every night, as the simmering tension builds…Connie starts to wonder if this might be real after all.”

REVIEW:

CHARLOTTE STEIN has quickly become one of my absolute favorite authors of thick queen contemporary romance alongside Olivia Dade. I love the dynamic between her characters and My Big Fat Fake Marriage was no exception. This one was so cute, so sexy, and 100% awesome. Deserves the all the delicious buzzwords like ‘unputdownable’ and ‘beautifully smutty’. Our mustachioed main man was all green flags and our thick queen was properly ravished and had excellent character development. 

Love this author’s stuff and CANNOT WAIT for what she has next!

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy in exchange for this review!

Categories
Romance RomCom Spicy🌶️ Thick Babes Witchy!

How to Help a Hungry Werewolf

By Charlotte Stein.

Rating: 3*s – Supernatural Spice

NOW AVAILABLE FROM ST. MARTIN’S PRESS!

Publisher’s Synopsis:

“When Cassandra Camberwell returns to her hometown of Hollow Brook to clear out her late grandmother’s ramshackle old house, the last thing she expects is Seth Brubaker on her doorstep. Her former best friend was responsible for the worst moment of her high school life, and she can’t imagine he wants to do anything but torment her all over again.

Until she unearths the real reason this annoyingly gorgeous beast of a man keeps hanging around: he’s an actual werewolf, who’s certain she’s the witch that will ease his suffering. But Cassie just isn’t sure if she can trust him again. So Seth offers a pact: he’ll teach her all about her undiscovered magic, and she will brew the potions he needs. No feelings, no funny business, just a witch and a werewolf striking a deal.

Totally doable. Until they get hit with a do-or-die mating bond. And now the heat is rising, in between fights with formers bullies and encounters with talking raccoons. They just have to not give in. Unless giving in just might be the very thing they never knew they always wanted.”

REVIEW:

Let me preface this by saying that I LOVE Charlotte Stein books. I also LOVE witchy books. I dig Werewolf stories, and LOVE enemies to lovers romances. Why am I sugar coating? Because although I loved the ending and see the potential in a series, the first 25%-40% of this was ROUGH. Not everything. Just the dialogue between the MCs. It felt like it was one person talking to themselves. They talked the same and it really did not feel like there was any actual chemistry. The male MC had some Himbo energy, but it wasn’t pulled off well–at first!

Although the beginning was rough and I hated the dialogue, the rest of the story was a ton of fun. Very redemptive. It’s kind of worth the bumpy road in the waybin, hut it would have been better if the dialogue hadn’t been super cringe. I almost DNFed in the beginning. But I’m really glad I stuck with it!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!