HTHA Episode 5: Duplicity by Elodie Hart

HTHA Episode #14: Game changers and Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid (part 1)

This week, TV tackles the first two books in Rachel Reid's wildly popular Game Changers series: Game Changer and Heated Rivalry. Topics include: hot hockey players, playoff beards, closeted NHL stars, rival superstars making terrible life choices, seven years of secret hookups, internalized homophobia, Russian visas, and why buying an entire building for your clandestine relationship might be a bit excessive. Join TV for a surprisingly structured discussion of queer hockey romance, the pressures of being "the first," and why sometimes all you really want from a book is hot people making out while wearing skates. Spoilers for both books included. TW; smut, NSFW, spoilers

HTHA Episode #12: Eyes on you by Evie James

Veya jumps into a "stand alone" that isn't really, with a decent plot and some kink. Mafia/mob with some very sweet moments TW: smut, mafia themes, bdsm

HTHA Episode #11 Creamed by my Monster Stand Mixer by Krista LaRae

This week on Hot Takes and Heartaches, TV dives into Creamed by My Monster Stand Mixer by Krista LaRae, a book that somehow manages to be exactly what the title promises and absolutely nothing like what you'd expect. What started as an attempt at a live read quickly fell apart when TV realized there was far too much plot to unpack. Beneath the absurd premise lies an urban fantasy packed with magical sanctuaries, ley lines, ancient supernatural mysteries, and one of the funniest protagonists we've encountered in a long time. Join us as we discuss Abby, her sourdough starter Edgar Allan Dough, an extremely consent-focused stand mixer, and why TV somehow finished this book with strong opinions about the magical infrastructure of Portland. Come for the kitchen appliance. Stay for the worldbuilding. TW: smut, nsfw, alcohol consumption

HTHA Episode #10 Infamous Love by Livia Grant

Veya's take on Infamous Love by Livia Grant. Interesting throuple learns multiple names for genitalia! TW: weight, bdsm and wierd names for genitals

HTHA Episode 9: Kiss of the Basilisk and Between Two Kings

After two unplanned weeks off, we're back with TV is diving into the Kiss of the Basilisk duology by Lindsay Straube and she has very different feelings about each book. One delivered exactly what it promised. The other had approximately seventy plot points, none of them resolved cleanly, and a villain with a gold penis. Spoilers ahead, drinks strongly recommended, and yes there will be plot holes. Many of them.