TBRs, TBDs & Total Chaos

New Releases, Narrators & No Restraint

This week we're recapping everything we read in June, deciding which books were actually worth the hype, and (once again) attempting to create a realistic July TBR...that we'll probably ignore. We debate what makes a book an automatic yes, discuss audiobook narrators we're completely incapable of saying no to, spiral over some highly anticipated upcoming releases, and somehow turn picking our next buddy read into a full-blown event. Will we actually stick to the list this month? History says no.

Tunnel Buddies, TikToks, & Trauma

On this episode of True Smut, Essie and Addie kick things off with introductions, chaotic reading preferences, and the kind of unhinged book conversations you’d expect from two girls who spend way too much time reading smut. From "cheating" scandals and revenge buddy reads to audiobook obsessions and wild theories about how a book is going to end, absolutely nothing stays on track for long. The chaos only escalates as the conversation spirals into questionable terminology, cursed definitions, and debates no one asked for — including “Eskimo Brothers,” “Tunnel Buddies”, "duck dives", and whatever the hell a “minivan” is supposed to mean. Add in random life updates, TikTok plans, doctor appointment avoidance, and the usual oversharing, and you’ve got another completely unserious episode of True Smut.

Booktok, Backshots & Bad Takes

This episode is a chaotic mix of taboo book talk, unhinged opinions, and us absolutely exposing ourselves through one-star reviews. We kick things off talking controversial reads, book conventions, and our ongoing battle with microphone issues before diving headfirst into some truly wild one-star book reviews. We get into the differences between how men and women react to spicy books, the things readers pretend don’t bother them, and why some books make people clutch their pearls while the rest of us immediately add them to our TBR. From awkward Starbucks moments to defending “problematic” books, we’re talking all things taboo, hilarious, and slightly concerning. We also chat about mafia obsession, trademark drama in the book world, upcoming releases we’re already emotionally attached to, and the books we cannot stop thinking about. Basically: chaos, laughter, questionable opinions, and way too much excitement over fictional men. As always. #BookTokPodcast #DarkRomanceBooks #SpicyBookTok #RomanceReaders #BookishPodcast

Praise Kinks, Cam Girls & Eyes on Me

This episode starts exactly how you’d expect from us… with technical difficulties, chaotic microphones, and a full discussion about embracing natural curly hair. Naturally, that spirals into talking about nose rings, podcast struggles, and trying to keep our lives together for five minutes. Once we finally get semi-functional, we dive into this spicy read, the series as a whole, and whether these books really work as standalones. We break down Garrett and Mia, debate the red flags, and somehow end up unlocking childhood memories about American Girl Dolls and Barbies along the way. The conversation gets deeper as we talk about online relationships, emotional cheating, truth talks, and the messy gray areas of connection and loyalty. Of course, we also get into the taboo elements of the book, rate the book boyfriend potential, discuss whether the plot actually plots, and finish things off with audiobook thoughts, reading plans, and our usual unhinged final remarks. #BookTok #RomanceBooks #DarkRomance #BookPodcast #BookishPodcast

What We Read, What Wrecked Us & What’s Next

This week Essie & Addie are recapping the books that wrecked us, surprised us, and made us question our reading choices. We’re talking Heartless, Nocticadia, Sicko, Confessions of a Wildflower, and Addie’s current adventure through Daggermouth — because apparently we love red flags and emotional damage around here. We’re also chatting book boyfriend energy, judging books by their covers (because yes, we apparently do it), current reading goals, audiobook life, Kindle discoveries that somehow made us feel 87 years old, and what chaos June may have in store. Plus the truly important topics… random life tangents, pets, and a cat named Donut. Come hang out while we discuss what we read, what we’re reading, and what books may be ruining our lives next. #BookTokPodcast #DarkRomanceBooks #RomanceReader #BookishPodcast #SpicyBookTok