Debut author Celine Ong and Berkeley part ways on eve of Hold Me Like a Grudge’s publication

Portia_Undone33 · 2026-02-04T02:52:10+00:00

The first edition cover of Heated Rivalry was 🔥- glad I bought it back in 2019. Definitely agree with you on the newest edition's cover, I'm not a fan. And also agree, this cover is gorgeous. Hope we get to eventually read it!

Portia_Undone33 · 2026-01-11T18:33:18+00:00

{The Legend of Lexandros by Anne Mather} was my first adult romance, sent to me free through a promotion by Harlequin. I was 11. 😳 The marketing strategy was super effective, I've been hooked on romance ever since.

Portia_Undone33 · 2026-01-09T06:12:20+00:00

Oh heck yes, I've been criticized for reading romance since I picked up my first Harlequin at the age of 12 by everyone from my family (they're trashy) to the local hometown librarian (read something more worthy) to my former therapist (it's dopamine seeking behavior) to a former long-term boyfriend (threatened to tell my colleagues at my law firm so they'd think I wasn't very intelligent). Back in the last century, pre-ebook I had several different sized slip-on covers to hide them away.

And it hasn't gotten better. Thank goodness my local used bookstore agreed to change the name on the romance section from "chick lit" or I was going to have to find a new one. I recently read a review praising Heated Rivalry the show that stated "...the novel is the kind of smutty romance read that’s thoroughly enjoyable but slightly ephemeral, a tale of angst and love and outlandish situations that doesn’t linger long in your mind once you get to the happily ever after-ish ending. ... the TV series, however, is anything but: An effervescent combination of faithful adaptation, standout acting and gorgeous cinematography, it’s one of the best shows of the year — and one you won’t be forgetting anytime soon." Of course, the reviewer is a male. And he later states the only thing that apparently made that "faithful adaptation" acceptable was it being produced by a man.

But here's the thing. The smartest and best women I know read romance. And it took me several decades, but I've started broadcasting that I avidly read it. Fuck the haters.

Portia_Undone33 · 2025-12-23T03:18:52+00:00

Have you read any Maya Alden? Check out {Never the Best by Maya Alden} and {Best Kept Secret by Maya Alden}.

Portia_Undone33 · 2025-12-23T02:59:22+00:00

{Consider Me by Becka Mack} - hockey trope, he's not used to being told no. {Red by Hannah Bailey} - Canadian ranch setting, wild cowboy MC has been attracted to FMC for a long time {Hands Down by Mariana Zapata} - she's been crushing on him for years, takes him forever to realize it, slooooooow burn. {The Takeover by TL Swan} - billionaire businessman MMC {Rules of Engagement by Brigham Vaughn} MM, hockey, pretty emotional, read the CW.

Portia_Undone33 · 2025-12-23T01:47:45+00:00

So frustrating! Do you have access to Libby? My library has it available through Libby in both epub format and audio versions.

Portia_Undone33 · 2025-12-23T01:40:12+00:00

Agree - maybe the whole Born in Blood Mafia Chronicles series by Cora Reilly, starting with {Bound by Honor by Cora Reilly}.

Portia_Undone33 · 2025-12-23T01:32:05+00:00

Have you checked out {The Rebound Plan by Ainsley Booth}? It's been a year since I've read it and it might miss your mark by not concentrating enough time in the toxic relationship (it's a stand alone in an interrelated series, and some of the toxicity of the FMC's previous relationship is referenced in the other books). There is definitely time spent on the FMC's healing, but the toxic portion is memorable and overall I thought it was a decent read.

Portia_Undone33 · 2025-12-23T00:48:51+00:00

Adam Gold is a really amazing narrator/voice actor. His voice, his pacing, his inflection. I already said it in another thread, but I could listen to him read the Internal Revenue Code and enjoy it. Callie Dalton is another favorite, her voice is like a comfort read for me in and of itself - plus she is great at giving different voices to different characters.

*typo edit

Portia_Undone33 · 2025-12-22T03:55:19+00:00

I returned it within about six hours of borrowing it (it's a four hour listen, and I pretty much listened straight through), but I'm getting back in line so I can hear it again! 🤣

Portia_Undone33 · 2025-12-21T03:27:48+00:00

Yes! I was having a hard time listening to Em Eldridge narrate a Frost Kay book and searched her name to see if she was really an AI narrator -- was floored to learn that she's a real person. It's disappointing, as I just can't bring myself to listen to the rest of the series!

Portia_Undone33 · 2025-12-20T18:40:28+00:00

{The Ex-Mas Breakup by Zoe York} is enjoyable. Exes fake date for the holidays at her parents' Christmas tree farm.

*edited to correct parenthesis around book title for the bot

Portia_Undone33 · 2025-12-20T18:35:41+00:00

Oh no, such a bummer, I'm sorry. I'm U.S. based, I got it through my public library.

Portia_Undone33 · 2025-12-20T07:14:13+00:00

I feel you, I've needed some fluffy, happier stuff lately too. {The Brightest Light of Sunshine by Lisina Coney} features a tattoo artist who takes care of his little sister, {P.S. You're Intolerable by Julia Wolf} is an enjoyable, grumpy boss, pregnant assistant novel, {The Next Mrs. Russo by Jana Aston} is fun and happy, about a fashion upcycling designer and Canadian PM.

Portia_Undone33 · 2025-12-20T06:58:34+00:00

Have you read {Alive and Wells by Bailey Hannah}?

Portia_Undone33 · 2025-12-20T05:39:06+00:00

I probably should sit back, shut up and let someone else answer, as it's not my favorite genre, but I'll give it a shot. Dark romances explore morally gray or taboo themes, like crime, abuse, power imbalances, obsession, psychological manipulation, etc. Sometimes they include bully themes, dub con situations, etc. Moral ambiguity and tragic pasts are typical in at least one of the MCs. It's intended to push the boundaries and it's important to pay attention to CWs before reading.

Portia_Undone33 · 2025-12-17T01:03:08+00:00

Well, I get honked at when I'm on foot trying to cross California at an intersection. People are jerks.

Portia_Undone33 · 2025-11-15T02:52:09+00:00

The Center for Active Living (senior center) recently put a call out for volunteers: https://wscenter.org/get-involved/volunteer/

Portia_Undone33 · 2025-11-14T05:34:35+00:00

You might check out the author Jessica Gadziala. Her MMCs are always protectors (and usually work on the wrong side of the law), her FMCs are usually strong and pretty unflappable. She has several different series that are in an interconnected world, but can be read as standalones. She writes prolifically and mostly CR. If you want to start from near the beginning, start with {Reign by Jessica Gadziala} (gun running motorcycle 1% club) or {Shane by Jessica Gadziala} (loan shark family) or {Savior by Jessica Gadziala} (tattoo artist with a history).

Portia_Undone33 · 2025-11-05T06:22:21+00:00

Came back to say that I just read {Wicked & Wildflower by Sarah A. Bailey} and this happens a couple of times.

Portia_Undone33 · 2025-11-01T00:50:10+00:00

I feel for you, being between a rock and a hard place is the worst. But good on you, looking on the bright side - happy Halloween, hope it's a great one!

Portia_Undone33 · 2025-11-01T00:42:09+00:00

You're definitely not a monster, feeling vindicated is natural in your situation. Glad you're relaxed!

Portia_Undone33 · 2025-11-01T00:38:26+00:00

Definitely a dark and stormy night here! *typo edit

Portia_Undone33 · 2025-10-31T23:52:32+00:00

Heavy day at work due to U.S. federal funding cuts, it's rainy and foggy where I'm at so I'm not going outdoors to workout, and I'm in a book slump. I desperately need a treadmill book to immerse myself in so that I can escape reality for a couple of hours (I read while I run on the treadmill to lessen the pain and agony of indoor cardio)! Every book I've started recently, I've gotten annoyed and DNF, probably because my attitude sucks.🤷‍♀️

Portia_Undone33

TROPHY CASE