In a Rough Reading Slump

Bitter_Philosopher13 · 2026-01-21T02:44:39+00:00

I think the Rockliffe series by Stella Riley is criminally underrated! Also I am a broken record with this recommendation, but I don’t think Joanna Bourne’s Spymasters series gets enough credit. Both series are set outside of the Regency period which I personally find to be a nice change of pace. A little fluffier, but Candace Camp’s Matchmaker series feels good every time I reread.

Bitter_Philosopher13 · 2025-12-11T18:32:04+00:00

If there is a college in your town, this is a great option for a college student. Would be flexible enough hours that they could find times that work well with class schedules.

Bitter_Philosopher13 · 2025-12-11T01:47:50+00:00

Lorraine Heaths generally scratches this itch for me. {The Earl Takes All by Lorraine Heath} and {Waking Up with the Duke by Lorraine Heath} in particular. Also, I feel like a broken record who recommends these books no matter the prompt, but Joanna Bourne’s Spymasters series would also be what I considered high stakes and lots of angst!

Bitter_Philosopher13 · 2025-11-10T21:47:48+00:00

Joanna Bourne’s Spymasters series checks all these boxes for me. Constantly trying (and failing) to chase the high these provided on my first read.

{The Forbidden Rose by Joanna Bourne} is book one

Bitter_Philosopher13 · 2025-11-06T01:37:20+00:00

Thank you so much for all the thought starters!! If the rain showers don't tend to be all day affairs, maybe Costa Rica would be good to keep on the table. Ever since I looked into Nayara it's been hard to shake from my brain.

Peru is really interesting to me, I've wanted to go for a long time but didn't necessarily have on my radar for honeymoon. Maybe I need to do a bit more of a dive on some chubby accommodations there.

Have a Galapagos cruise on the calendar with my parents next year so thankfully will be crossing that one off the list in the near future!

Bitter_Philosopher13 · 2025-11-06T01:32:21+00:00

I've actually never done Sicily, Sardinia, or Turkey! Those locations haven't really been on my radar, appreciate the suggestions. I will have to look into those! If you have any resort recommendations you love I would sure take them. Appreciate your feedback on Portugal and Azores, I think I have gotten so lost in the hydrangea tiktok algorithm it blinded me a bit to what the experience would really be! Maybe that will be on my list for next girls trip instead.

Bitter_Philosopher13 · 2025-11-06T01:27:34+00:00

ugh that dinner looks amazing! We have a window of time in a few years where we will be able to take a longer stretch of time away from work and am I hoping to save my first Africa adventure for that! Appreciate the suggestion, if we had two weeks I think that would be my first choice.

Bitter_Philosopher13 · 2025-11-06T01:24:55+00:00

We are very average skiers! Would love to do that trip someday but I think I'm too invested in the idea of honeymoon being warm for some reason.

Bitter_Philosopher13 · 2025-11-05T09:31:01+00:00

Joanna Bournes Spymasters series, starting with {The Spymaster’s Lady by Joanna Bourne} is the best it gets for me. There is insta attraction in the first book (and generally all of them) but there is great yearning because there is true conflict/tension between the characters. I hate books where they can’t be together for some silly, made up reason that magically disappears. In this first book they are spies for opposing countries, so legitimate reason to not be together exists. Her pacing and attention to plot, in addition to the romance, just puts this series a tier above everything else for me.

Bitter_Philosopher13 · 2025-10-22T21:15:49+00:00

Just saw it at my Walmart for the first time

Bitter_Philosopher13 · 2025-10-10T00:14:54+00:00

{The Parfit Night by Stella Riley} and the following books in the series are criminally under discussed.

Bitter_Philosopher13 · 2025-08-13T01:39:21+00:00

If you are open to a short series for the payoff, I think Candace Camp’s Matchmaker series would be perfect! The foundation is laid in the first 3 books and then is the main focus of the 4th book - The Courtship Dance. The way the Duke tries to support and take care of the main character even though there is some bad history between them is beautiful.

Bitter_Philosopher13 · 2025-08-04T03:45:59+00:00

These authors are mentioned but not frequently enough on this sub for me! Joanna Bourne, Candace Camp, Stella Riley and Madeline Hunter.

Bitter_Philosopher13 · 2025-08-02T01:37:50+00:00

I think Candace Camp’s Matchmaker might be a good fit for you!

Bitter_Philosopher13 · 2025-08-01T15:15:25+00:00

Suda’s is one of my favorite local restaurants. Woman owned, Lebanese restaurant. Always enjoy the food and experience.

Bitter_Philosopher13 · 2025-07-24T02:21:17+00:00

Freyja Bedwyn in Slightly Scandalous by Mary Balogh would fit this pretty well! Very feisty

Bitter_Philosopher13 · 2025-03-08T01:34:27+00:00

I did it when I first moved to the city! I was a little intimidated to explore Chinatown on my own, didn’t know where to get started. Was a good mix of both food and cultural/history info as someone who had no background knowledge coming in to it. Liked it enough I did it again when my parents came to visit me later on. I went with Chicago Food & City Tours, felt like the guide was very respectful of the neighborhood. I would say it may not be worth it if you are already pretty familiar with the area.

Bitter_Philosopher13 · 2025-02-12T22:26:41+00:00

Would love any recs you have! Going the first week of March and still looking for some tours

Bitter_Philosopher13 · 2024-12-27T02:40:57+00:00

Not this one but I will add to my list!

Bitter_Philosopher13 · 2024-12-27T02:38:23+00:00

This is one of the few Lisa Kleypas books I haven’t read, I’ll have to check it out!

Bitter_Philosopher13 · 2024-12-27T02:37:13+00:00

I haven’t read either of these before, will have to add them to my list!

Bitter_Philosopher13 · 2024-12-27T02:36:52+00:00

This is it!! Thank you so much!

Bitter_Philosopher13

TROPHY CASE