JanineConversationsbad outcome / bodice rippers / breakup / character death / HEA / reader expectations / reader response26 Comments

There was recently a hullabaloo about Devil in Disguise, Lisa Kleypas’ historical romance, around the time of its release in July. Here’s what one Goodreads reviewer said in her review: Fourteen years ago, I drove like a madwoman an hour away to my nearest B&N with a cranky teething baby ... more >

October 3, 2021

Open Thread for Readers for October 2021

JanineBook Reviews / Open Thread18 Comments

Got a book you want to talk about? Frustrated with a book or series? In love with a new one? Found a buried treasure? An issue that keeps popping up in the books you are reading? Just want to chat about stuff in general?

October 2, 2021

REVIEW: Velvet was the Night by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

JanineA- Reviews / B+ Reviews / Book Reviews / Recommended Reads1970s / body image / Cold War / cynicism / disappearance / disillusionment / government suppression / idealism / legal secretary / Mexico / mystery/thriller / noir / operative / POC / POC author / protest / Silvia Moreno-Garcia / surveillance3 Comments

Dear Silvia Moreno-Garcia, I’ve had mixed success with your books. I loved Gods of Jade and Shadow, your young adult fantasy, liked your sort-of-domestic-noir thriller, Untamed Shore, and didn’t care a bit for Mexican Gothic, the horror novel you came out with last year (I was an outlier; it was ... more >

JanineConversationsbook titles / book-covers / chat / grammar / marketing / publishing trends18 Comments

Recently, Jayne, myself and a friend of ours (someone who writes grammar textbooks) had this conversation: Jayne: I just started The Ex Hex and am hoping for a cutesy rom-com. We’ll see what I get. Janine: Have you noticed how The [Adjective] [Noun] titles have become a trend in contemporary ... more >

JanineConversations / Letters of Opinionabortion / Alaska / Texas18 Comments

Recently a Berkley publicist sent me an email highlighting several books coming out in December 2021. I was struck by the number of books mentioned that were set in Alaska. Here are brief excerpts from their descriptions on Amazon: Love and Let Bark by Alanna Martin (Hearts of Alaska Book ... more >

JanineConversationsbook marketing / false advertising / publishing trends / reader expectations18 Comments

Janine: In our recent joint review of Helen Hoang’s The Heart Principle, Jayne and I expressed our dismay over the way the book is marketed, and over missold books more generally: Jayne: I also feel that in my opinion, this is more a women’s fiction book albeit one with strong ... more >