#ripped bodice bingo

[aspiringpolymath]

This is the first time I've ever successfully completed The Ripped Bodice Summer Bingo! This card covers back to June 1st (if you saw my July wrap up a lot of these were on there, too.)

The best book I read for this, and probably the best book I've read all year is We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian. I've been a fan for years and that one is just . . . I still haven't found the words to really do it justice.

#ripped bodice bingo #romance reading #lgbtqia+ romance #queer romance books

[seiya-starsniper]

Dreamling Bingo WIP - Technology

From angst to horny, my next snippet is from a human AU, where Dream is an audiobook narrator, and Hob is secretly obsessed with all of his works. Especially the romance novels.

This fill will be used for my @dreamlingbingo Square E2: Technology.

Hob Gadling has a rather embarrassing secret.

The secret can be easily found in his Audible library, whose existence is already embarrassing enough. Where possible, Hob prefers to either outright buy his audiobooks from better services, or borrow them from his local library. Unfortunately, Audible has an exclusivity agreement with a certain publisher, one that puts out dozens of romance novels all written by various authors…and all read by the exact same narrator. 

Murphy E. Thomas.

Hob had never paid attention in the past to who was narrating his books. Sure, there had been certain voices that he found more annoying than others, and others he found more soothing and pleasant to listen to, but nothing had prepared him for the deep velvet baritone of Murphy’s voice.

Murphy has no business sounding as sexy as he does when talking about North American wild birds, but after that first recording, Hob had immediately gone searching for other books in the man’s catalog. To his delight, he found that Murphy had an extensive compilation to choose from.

To his horror, and arousal, the vast majority of those books were romance novels. Romance novels with some of the filthiest, most bodice ripping dialogue Hob has ever heard in his entire life. The first time Murphy’s sensuous voice calls his heroine “a naughty girl, looking to be punished with my cock”, Hob thanks all the stars in the sky that he is at home washing dishes, and not say, on public transit on his way to work.

#dreamling #dream x hob #hob x morpheus #the sandman #sandman fanfic #seiya writes #seiya's wip previews #seiya writes dreamling

[limetimo]

Ok fir ships opinion thing i'm going to list out a few and tell me your opinion of them from the bingo! If they're too many just pick however many you'd like to answer-

For HP - regulus/remus, remadora, snape/sirius (snack :P), regulus/barty, harry/voldemort, dramione

for marvel - pepperony, winteriron, frostiron, thorki, ironstrange, ironspider

Mostly I picked out ones that we haven't talked about because i'm curious ^^

*whispers* i love you

Also I filled them all, circles for "YES!!!" and marks for "yes"

*inherent eroticism of successful murder (of somebody else, not each other)

I'm not crazy about them, but I'll read it

nobody does enemies to lovers better than them

bartylus my beloved ♥

I've read a few and it's like, alright, but I'll far rather read a story where Harry somehow ends up raising pre-Voldemort Tom

If somebody raved to me about a dramione fic I would give it a go, generally not too interested tho. From the little I've seen they do the enemies to lovers in bodice-ripping paperback way... and I'm not really crazy about either character as an individuals either, the brainrot's just not there

they're steady, you know? sometimes you need steady over fireworks. also they did successfully kill 2 people together sooo i guess i forgot the inherent eroticisom of teamwork and murder

*compatible brand of freaks - it's the PTSD baby ♥ and the tech ♥ oh and I forgot, they're fucking the same guy (Steve)

the psychology of a well written frostiron fic--

i like hearing about them more than i like reading about them if that makes sense

just not my thing, sorry :(

tbh most ironspider I've read were PWPs but like, if you're going for a story, it has themes, it has drama. I'm not opposed.

#holly shit i have mail #witty coin ♥

[kittyk4att]

So I thought it would be funny to try and fill in The Ripped Bodice summer romance bingo with Star Trek fanfics (not to submit, just for funsies). Any suggestion?

#reading challenge #star trek #might do it with other fandoms as well #and if something doesn’t exist #i can always try to write it myself

[claudeng80]

Ride to Hounds

Happy Birthday @sabraeal!!!

Regency AU, after Shirayuki has been kidnapped.

Casting Instructing hounds to spread out in search of the fox.

Carriage wheels rumble beneath Zen’s feet as he turns over the card in his hands. It’s thick paper, handwritten in elegant ink. Everything’s proper about it, but that’s not going to stop him from scowling.

Kit snatches it from his fingers. “It doesn’t say anything different than when we left Wistal, and you’re going to mark your gloves.”

“Tell me again why we’re not staying at Tanbarun House?” Mitsuhide ignores the brewing argument in favor of introducing a new one. The coaching-inn down in the village lacked a mirror sufficiently large for his purposes, and he’s been complaining since.

Zen grabs the invitation back from Kit, who snickers stretching back against the squabs. Zen’s cast-offs have been long since replaced with a quality bespoke brocade suit, and it always makes Zen feel the slightest bit untidy just to be in the same room. “I’m not taking hospitality from that man,” he grunts.

“And yet you attend his ball,” says Kit.

Read the rest on AO3

#regency au #in which no bodices are ripped #not for au bingo

[thegoldhat]

Steve/Tony Sparring Art Reclist

A fill for @stevetonygames​ ! Check out these great works!

Username: HT Worktype: Reclist Bingo Prompt: Sparring Extra Prompts (Up to 5): Works not on AO3 Avengers Academy sparring by SirSapling  The power behind the kick is intense! And I love the decision to show Tony without a hand (in line with the popular headcanon that AvAc Tony's gauntlet is a prosthesis)

Taking a break from sparring to enjoy the view by tishawish   This scene is so sweet with them tired and sweaty after a good workout :D

Heavy training by ash3 Tsum tsum art! This art and the entire series is amazing and adorable.

Tony and Steve sparring by qouinette   Their expressions are worth the click :D 

Bodice Ripper/Pirate AU by hackedmotionsensors  This artist draws the most beautiful faces and the best AUs!

Steve and Tony Sketch by mirthandstar  Not explicitly showing sparring, but I think it has the intensity and heatedness that we love about this trope. So if you like sparring, I think you’ll like this one

Pinned [Art] by DarthBloodOrange (DepressingGreenie) The blushies are so cute, and you can definitely tell what's about to happen next ;)

They call it "wrestling"  byAskafroa ***NSFW, Rated M*** This is gorgeous. And sorry to spoil it, but this sparring art includes shirt-ripping.   

#stevetony #superhusbands #stevetonygames

[rhiannonroot]

BOOK REVIEW: ‘You Had Me at Hola’ by Alexis Daria

Content warning: Off-screen stalking, harassment, unsupportive families, paparazzi

I loved the heck out of Alexis Daria’s “You Had Me at Hola.” This was so much fun and extremely well done. Daria is incredibly talented and I will be reading more books by her in the future.

Jasmine Lin Rodriguez is a working actor and trying to recover from an abrupt breakup with a famous musician named McIntyre (that’s his entire name, he’s a douchecanoe.) She’s about to star in a bilingual adaptation of a telenovela that’s called “Carmen in Charge” and wants to get her life back on track. She creates a Leading Lady Plan with the help of two of her cousins, who are her besties.

There’s also an added challenge with the role because Jasmine speaks Spanish as a second language and isn’t quite fluent. Understandably, she’s a little shaken up by all this.

THEN! A last-minute change puts Ashton Suarez, hunky telenovela actor, into the love interest role. Ashton is Jasmine’s grandma’s favorite actor, so you know, more pressure! Jasmine’s cousins tell her that he’s a bit of a diva, but professional on the set.

Ashton is getting older and he’s worried about breaking into Hollywood. He’s got a secret (it’s a child! This is revealed early to the reader, it’s not a spoiler) and he’s dealing with some very real trauma and anxiety from a break-in a few years ago. He’s fixated on keeping his private life private and taking care of his family in Puerto Rico.

This is our central conflict: The heroine is tabloid fodder and can’t escape from them and our hero is camera-shy and wants nothing to do with the paparazzi.

Both are attracted to each other almost immediately and then Daria adds that they study and admire one another’s work. They both have a lot riding on this show and want it to be successful. Ashton helps Jasmine with her Spanish and they work together. And things escalate from there. (There’s a seriously cute scene in a grocery store!) They like each other from the beginning and rely on each other’s input for their performances. It’s FANTASTIC.

Jasmine was a totally relatable heroine. She’s kind and open, her family doesn’t totally get what she does (except for her cousins) and she can be a bit shortsighted and self-centered. I loved Ashton as a hero. He’s supportive in a lovely way and devoted to the people he loves. Also, I love that he’s so clearly smitten and awkward about it at the beginning. It’s charming as hell.

There are a ton of things I loved about “You Had Me at Hola.” There’s smart, insightful commentary about representation. The pacing is exquisite. And the DETAIL. Holy shit the detail in this book is absolutely fantastic and every part of this felt so real.

“You Had Me at Hola” was a delight to read and I’m so glad I did. I can’t wait to read more of this series and future books by Alexis Daria. If you’re playing along with The Ripped Bodice’s Bingo challenge, “You Had Me at Hola” counts for Set On An Island and Dad Jokes.

And I want to give another major shoutout to Loyalty Bookstore and Alyssa Cole’s Date Night webcast series. Daria was on the eighth one and it was awesome.

#books #book reviews #you had me at hola #romance novels #alexis daria

[staygoldenlightning]

No, I’m not dying, but Bucket List sounds way more fun than “To Do List”

Sometimes, it’s hard for me to pick a favorite season. I flip flop between autumn and summer depending on what day someone asks me the question. In my heart of hearts, I think I have to say summer is probably my true favorite. While I think fall fashion, colors, and flavored beverages are probably the most me, I was born in the summer (and apparently Leos are very loyal to their season) and even though I’m out of school and “summer vacation” does not exist for me in the same sense anymore, I think it’s the season where I feel more alive.

Without the school year to set the summer apart as something special, however, I’ve found that it takes a little more deliberate effort to make summer feel as special as it can be. Extracurriculars used to take up a lot of my summers anyway, so I thought the best way to make the most of the summer was to create a Bucket List of things I want to do before it’s over and get started crossing things off. No pressure, no requirements, and if I don’t get everything done, it’s not the end of the world. But at least I’ll have the list to give me an idea of what I want to do with my ~favorite~ season.

The Summer 2019 Bucket List

Finish this draft of my novel to a point where it’s ready to send to beta readers for feedback (btw, let me know if you’re interested!).

Read five books (I found something really cute called Summer Romance Bingo from The Ripped Bodice, and I want to see if I can get a bingo).

Take a few road trips to visit some friends at their current stomping grounds.

Go to Edgewater Beach in Cleveland.

Cook a meal for a group of people.

Dye my hair (even if it’s just back to blonde).

Clean out my car (they can’t all be fun).

Go to a festival (I did see The 1975 “festival style,” as shown in these photos, but that was in May so it technically doesn’t count).

Eat a funnel cake (I require one per summer in order to live).

Draw a digital comic.

  Summer Bucket List No, I'm not dying, but Bucket List sounds way more fun than "To Do List" Sometimes, it's hard for me to pick a favorite season.

#summer

[respectingromance]

I finished Too Wilde to Wed by Eloisa James. It nets me the “Birds Are Somehow Involved” spot on The Ripped Bodice’s bingo card. I can’t believe I got the weirdest square on my first try!

#romance novels

[besshirtstore]

Some Grandpas Play Bingo Real Grandpas Play Vintage shirt

It’s everybody’s worse Some Grandpas Play Bingo Real Grandpas Play Vintage shirt . fashion nightmare One minute you’re sitting pretty in your favorite jeans when—oops!—that weather-worn denim is ripped from front to back. The sound itself is unmistakable. The solution? Patch 'em up! Or maybe, toss them? You could just make like Emily Ratajkowski just did on Instagram and rock them anyway. In a selfie posted today, the supermodel is posing coyly in a cushy chair, her legs crossed quite intentionally to expose the gaping wide hole across the back of her denim pants. The rest of her look is classic EmrataSome Grandpas Play Bingo Real Grandpas Play Vintage shirt, hoodie, sweater, longsleeve and ladies t-shirt

Classic Women's

Long Sleeved

Unisex Sweatshirt

Unisex Hoodie

Classic Men's

Cloth Face Mask crop top and cozy shearling-lined denim jacket Some Grandpas Play Bingo Real Grandpas Play Vintage shirt . She captioned the image with her signature sardonic wit, too: “Business Casual.” The day after, she went even further, and uploaded an Instagram showing a full, bursting-at-the-rip backside photo with the caption: “accidents happen.”The ripped jeans aren’t the only attention-grabbing thing about her outfit. The supermodel is wearing a logo hat boasting the letters OPN by the alternative artist Oneohtrix Point Never. (His most recent album Age Of features plucky medieval instrumentation.) Does Ratajkowski listen to his music? That remains unclear. One thing's for sure: the experimental music nerd uniform has never looked this um, cheeky.Corsetry dates back a ways in fashion. Those laced-up bodices, pulled so tight they took one’s breath away, were all the rage during the Elizabethan era; the defined waists helped counter the voluminous skirt proportions of that time period. Since then, design has evolved, and less-constricting approaches have been taken. Yet here we are in 2019, and like all trends, it seems to be resurfacing—this time, in an ultra-modern way.Today, Elle Fanning attended the 2019 Hulu Upfronts in New York City wearing an unexpected interpretation. Hers was a black leather style by Alexander McQueen, worn just under the bust like a giant belt, fanned out at the sides. She offset its severity with a sweeter dress, a white cotton short-sleeved silhouette. On her feet, a staggering pair of Mary Jane platforms elevated (literally) the whole ensemble, while a sportier shoulder bag added a dash of fun. So, does it mean one needs to constrict themselves for the next big Friday outing? Don’t start waist-training just yet, though a streamlined version—more of an accessory than a body modifier, really—feels unexpectedly fresh, and not at all dated. You Can See More Product: https://eternalshirt.com/product-category/trending/ Read the full article

[whynottshirt]

Some Grandpas Play Bingo Real Grandpas Play Vintage shirt

It’s everybody’s worse Some Grandpas Play Bingo Real Grandpas Play Vintage shirt . fashion nightmare One minute you’re sitting pretty in your favorite jeans when—oops!—that weather-worn denim is ripped from front to back. The sound itself is unmistakable. The solution? Patch 'em up! Or maybe, toss them? You could just make like Emily Ratajkowski just did on Instagram and rock them anyway. In a selfie posted today, the supermodel is posing coyly in a cushy chair, her legs crossed quite intentionally to expose the gaping wide hole across the back of her denim pants. The rest of her look is classic EmrataSome Grandpas Play Bingo Real Grandpas Play Vintage shirt, hoodie, sweater, longsleeve and ladies t-shirt

Classic Women's

Long Sleeved

Unisex Sweatshirt

Unisex Hoodie

Classic Men's

Cloth Face Mask crop top and cozy shearling-lined denim jacket Some Grandpas Play Bingo Real Grandpas Play Vintage shirt . She captioned the image with her signature sardonic wit, too: “Business Casual.” The day after, she went even further, and uploaded an Instagram showing a full, bursting-at-the-rip backside photo with the caption: “accidents happen.”The ripped jeans aren’t the only attention-grabbing thing about her outfit. The supermodel is wearing a logo hat boasting the letters OPN by the alternative artist Oneohtrix Point Never. (His most recent album Age Of features plucky medieval instrumentation.) Does Ratajkowski listen to his music? That remains unclear. One thing's for sure: the experimental music nerd uniform has never looked this um, cheeky.Corsetry dates back a ways in fashion. Those laced-up bodices, pulled so tight they took one’s breath away, were all the rage during the Elizabethan era; the defined waists helped counter the voluminous skirt proportions of that time period. Since then, design has evolved, and less-constricting approaches have been taken. Yet here we are in 2019, and like all trends, it seems to be resurfacing—this time, in an ultra-modern way.Today, Elle Fanning attended the 2019 Hulu Upfronts in New York City wearing an unexpected interpretation. Hers was a black leather style by Alexander McQueen, worn just under the bust like a giant belt, fanned out at the sides. She offset its severity with a sweeter dress, a white cotton short-sleeved silhouette. On her feet, a staggering pair of Mary Jane platforms elevated (literally) the whole ensemble, while a sportier shoulder bag added a dash of fun. So, does it mean one needs to constrict themselves for the next big Friday outing? Don’t start waist-training just yet, though a streamlined version—more of an accessory than a body modifier, really—feels unexpectedly fresh, and not at all dated. You Can See More Product: https://eternalshirt.com/product-category/trending/ Read the full article

[theamazingstories]

Summer Reading Bingo Science Fiction Romance Style

Summer Reading Bingo Science Fiction Romance Style

Note: Portions of this post previously appeared on Veronica Scott’s blog.

The Ripped Bodice Bookstore in SoCal is conducting their fourth annual Summer Romance Bingo. It’s an amusing exercise to take their bingo card of categories and identify science fiction romance titles that satisfy the requirements for readers. I recently asked the members of The Science Fiction Romance Brigade on Facebook,…

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#Science Fiction Romance

[guaripetemagazine]

Recommendations for The Ripped Bodice’s 2019 Summer Romance Bingo

Recommendations for The Ripped Bodice’s 2019 Summer Romance Bingo

The Ripped Bodice is back with another round of Summer Romance Bingo. Visit their site for a printable bingo card and rules on how to win prizes!

We’ll be playing along in our Goodreads group and helping one another out with recommendations. You can also follow The Ripped Bodice on Twitterfor more recs. If you’re not on Goodreads, that’s okay! We’ll be giving some suggestions here and opening…

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#Books Trending News

[skyljammes-blog]

Bookish Thoughts: Full Book Lists Wanted, The Ripped Bodice is Accepting Patrons, Passionflix, Series Reading and #ShallowReaderBingo

Wanted: Full book lists on author websites

Authors, please include a full list of your works, including short stories, on your website. I'm the type of person who likes to read a series (especially long ones) in order, including novellas. If I can't find the information on your website, I'm going to be pretty annoyed. As an example, I'm going to use Ilona Andrews. On the Kate Daniels page, it lists only the full length novels. However, there is a link to the full list, including anthologies.

Clicking the Small Magics anthology link takes me to a full page list of the stories set in the world, including all short stories and where they fall in the line-up.

Authors, seriously. I need this in my life. Please, if you haven't already, go update your book lists.Keri Arthur, I'm looking at you. The title of your novella and what anthology it's available in would also be much appreciated!

The Ripped Bodice (the only exclusively romance bookstore in the Northern Hemisphere) is now accepting Patrons

From their latest newsletter:

Today we're taking a new step that we hope will help us to continue to grow and thrive for years to come.Many members of the romance community have expressed a desire to support The Ripped Bodice from afar.

We're excited to announce that we've launched aPatreon, and you can become an officialPatron of the Ripped Bodice.

I'm not sure how I feel about this. On the one hand, I think it's great for those who want to support them but don't live close enough to do so in person (I live in SoCal, but the 2.5 hour drive makes it hard to get down there on the reg). On the other hand, why offer a crowd funding service instead of pushing their online bookstore? Unless this is a way to help offset the cost of author and reader events at the store? That would make sense. Anyway, here's the info:

Why become a Patron?

Our page has detailed information about giving levels and some of the fun and exciting things you'll receive every month. While we will never stop communicating and sharing the goings on at the store with the internet at large, some of our behind the scenes tomfoolery will be moved over to the Patreon and be available just for our patrons.

For the first month of our Patreon, all our new Patrons will get 10% off our fly new gear! Discount code only available till 9/5/17 (code comes in your thank you email) You can check it outhere!

You can donate $3, $5 or $20 (or more!) per month for various offers and discounts from The Ripped Bodice. Check out the Patreon site for details. There's a Sherry Thomas short story being offered for new members, thanks to Berkley and the author!

Passionflix Turning your favorite romance novels into movies andseries OnDemand

Have you guys seen this? I can't tell you how excited I am! Passionflix is a subscription streaming service that turns our romance novels into movies on demand. I'm not going to lie, I'm a little nervous about the quality of the movies being produced. We've all seen the traveshamockery at Hallmark and Lifetime (remember Rose Hill, the made-for-t.v. movie of For the Roses by Julie Garwood? shudder). Still, I'm hoping for the best.

Here's what you get for your money:

Becoming a found member ($100 flat fee):

A 2 year Subscription (a 30% savings!) Invites for a walk on role, Passionflix parties or set visits. Voting privileges on our exclusive reality shows like Cast Your Book Boyfriend. Help us find the next romantic leading man. Discounts on Passionflix Merchandise. Be the First to Know what's going on Behind the Scenes.

Be an Early Bird Subscriber ($3.99 monthly fee): Register your interest now and you'll be invited to join when we launch for a discounted price of $3.99/month.

I signed up as a Founding Member. Despite my concerns over the (possible) quality of the movies, I'm excited about this.

Here are the movies already in production:

Hollywood Dirt

Alessandra Torre

While making a movie in a small Georgian town, Hollywood's hearthrob Cole Masten casts spirited local girl Summer Jenkins as his leading lady, on screen and off.

Coming Sept 2017

Afterburn/Aftershock

Sylvia Day

Businesswoman Gia Rossi is determined to be successful in her new job, but when her ex lover Jax Rutledge waltzes back into her life, their passionate connection ignites not only in the boardroom, but the bedroom.

Coming Nov 2017

The Trouble with Mistletoe

Jill Shalvis

Real estate developer Keane Winters may have stood up pet shop owner Willa Davis in high school, but now he wants her under the mistletoe and in his life.

Coming Dec 2017

A Brother's Honor

Brenda Jackson

While working to prove their father's innocence and save the family company each of the three brothers come to terms with the past, find their own future happiness and unexpected love.

Coming 2018

Shallow Reader Bingo

Thanks to Willa on Twitter, I recently discovered Shallow Reader Bingo. You guys, this is amazing! It looks like it hasn't been updated in a couple months, but I love the idea.

Series Reading When is it Time To Say Goodbye?

While putting together a list of books I'm looking forward to in September, I started thinking about long-running series. Specifically J.D. Robb's In Death series (currently at 45 books) and Hannah Howell's Murray Family series (21 books). I had to stop reading the Murray Family series because I felt like each book was the same, so I'm not quite sure how it ended (or if it did). I'm behind about 10 books in the In Death series, but I wonder if it's becoming stale (for the record, I'm not suggesting it is, as I'm so far behind, just wondering how long she can sustain it).

At what point should a series end? When the author is tired of it? When it stops selling well? Obviously, there's no right answer to that question since each series and author is different, but how do you feel about open-ended series?

[rhiannonroot]

BOOK REVIEW: ‘Polaris Rising’ by Jessie Mihalik

Content warning: Violence, imprisonment, threats of war, general mayhem

If you’re also on the “I don’t wanna live on this planet anymore because so many people are acting like selfish jerks during the pandemic” bus, Jessie Mihalik’s “Polaris Rising” is the space opera treat you’ve been looking for.

Ada of House von Hasenberg is one of the youngest siblings in her family and she’s out running away from an engagement. It’s not even an official engagement, but political and family politics being what they are, she makes a break for it. Our story begins two years later when Ada is caught and she’s unceremonious tossed on a merc ship.

She meets Marcus Loch, an infamous criminal who’s damn sexy and has some serious Han Solo vibes. Yum. Anyway, in his first appearance he’s in chains (space chains?) and stripped down to his underwear…because he’s dangerous.

SWOON.

The two forge an uneasy alliance and get the heck out of dodge.

And all hell breaks loose. I don’t wanna say much more about the plot because it’s fun and it builds upon each moment. It’s an adventure. It’s a space opera with a badass space princess. Either this will make you go “OOOO! I wanna read that!” or I’ve lost you already.

There are a lot of elements I really loved. The family dynamics were fascinating and a little terrifying. Loved the found family elements, especially Veronica. The action was fun and believable and though I have questions about this world, they aren’t so many where I don’t buy it, you know? My questions about this world are because I’m engaged as a reader and damn, that’s awesome.

Oh, also, Ada’s dick of a not-fiance’s name is Richard. Perfect. It’s damn perfect.

I enjoyed the hell out of this. I will be reading the rest of the series.

If you’re playing along with The Ripped Bodice’s Bingo challenge, “Polaris Rising” counts for the Final Frontier and Debut Novel squares.

SIDE NOTE: I like to think I would have found “Polaris Rising” totally on my own, but I wanna give a major shoutout to Alyssa Cole’s Date Night series hosted by Loyalty Bookstore. Mihalik was a guest with Nalini Singh on Date Night #4. Seriously, this series has been a bright spot for me.

#romance novels #book reviews #polaris rising #space opera

[rhiannonroot]

BOOK REVIEW: ‘Xeni’ by Rebekah Weatherspoon

Content warning: Weatherspoon lists the stuff in the front of the book, but yeah, there’s a lot here that could be difficult for some readers.

“Xeni” by Rebekah Weatherspoon rocks! I enjoyed this book thoroughly and I will be reading more books by this fantastic author.

Xeni Everly-Wilkins begins the book by attending the funeral of her favorite auntie, Sable. She thinks she’s just there to celebrate her life and claim a modest inheritance.

Yeah…that’s not what ends up happening. Instead, we find out that Xeni is actually Sable’s daughter, Sable had a lot of money for the inheritance ($23 million) and in order to claim that inheritance, Xeni has to marry Mason, the awesome bagpiper at Sable’s funeral. (They only have to be legally married for 30 days, though.)

All of this is, obviously the stuff of nightmares and quite a shock, but Xeni and Mason decide to do it and try to navigate a fucked up situation as best they can. And you know what? It’s wonderful and I really, really liked their dynamic.

This book is pretty short, so I’m not going to say a lot more about the plot.

Overall, “Xeni” explores a weird and upsetting situation extremely well. I was cheering for these two and wanted their happiness.

I only had a few things that bugged me: One, how the heck did Sable die? If it’s mentioned, I somehow blinked and missed it. It’s super weird that this isn’t talked about more in the story. Two, the secondary characters kinda blur together and I had a hard time remembering who was whom. Three, the ending felt slightly rushed and I wanted more scenes of yearning.

I loved Mason as a hero. He’s in touch with his feelings and so kind. Xeni was also a wonderful heroine and I admired her tenacity and kindness. (Both are wonderful and kind humans.)

If you’re playing along with The Ripped Bodice’s Bingo challenge, “Xeni” would count for Dumped at a Wedding, Apple Orchard, Meddling Matchmakers, Protagonist Plays an Instrument that Isn’t Piano or Guitar and There Was Only One Bed. (This book also gave me my first bingo! Yay!)

#book reviews #xeni #rebekah weatherspoon #romance novels