The Pretty Little Death

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Discussing popular romance and smutty literature, especially those of the dark or taboo verity. We will talk about what works, what doesn't, what we like and what we hated. Join us for our monthly book club reads, and hot topics. Find us on Discord https://discord.gg/CYk65uYq6e

Oct 24

Wedding the Werepanther by Krista Luna | Book Review & Discussion

In this episode, we review Krista Luna's cozy fantasy romance novel Wedding the Werepanther. If you love shifter romance, paranormal romance, or cozy romance stories, this book club discussion is for you! Post Show available to our Discord Subscribers 📚 BOOK DETAILS: Title: Wedding the Werepanther Author: Krista Luna Genre: Cozy Fantasy Romance Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ Our Rating: 3.5/5 Stars Available: Kindle, Kindle Unlimited 🎧 WHAT WE COVER: ✅ Spoiler-free book review and final rating ✅ Spice level talk ✅ Romance tropes and the obsessive hero debate ✅ Plot holes and corrections ✅ Book club discussion of the cozy fantasy world ✅ A Kindle Assisted Reader trick for audio readers ⚡ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Content Notice 1:11 - Catching Up Before the Review 3:04 - Welcome and Book Club Setup 6:09 - Book Details and First Impressions 7:27 - Spoiler-Free Cozy Fantasy Romance Review 11:56 - The Obsessive Hero Debate 17:55 - Favorite Moments and High Points 21:40 - Gilmore Girls Vibes and Gamer Heroine Talk 27:44 - Series Worldbuilding Thoughts 34:59 - Final Rating and Spice Level Talk 38:47 - Corrections and Plot Holes 48:22 - Romance, Smut, or Erotica? 50:35 - Freebie Question: Fae Realm and Bargains 57:56 - Kindle Assisted Reader Hack 1:01:08 - Next Month's Book Vote 1:04:28 - Post-Show 🔥 ROMANCE TROPES IN THIS BOOK: Fake Marriage Hero Falls First Obsessive Hero Miscommunication Small Town Romance 💬 OUR HONEST THOUGHTS: We gave Krista Luna's Wedding the Werepanther a 3.5/5 in this book review. We loved the cozy small-town vibes, the sweet gestures, the werekittens, and a story with no real villain. We split on the obsessive hero and the meddling house, and for us the spice level didn't add much. We also share a handy Kindle trick for readers who do better with audio. 📖 MENTIONED BOOKS & AUTHORS: Priest by Sierra Simone Lights Out by Navessa Allen Not You Again by Erin La Rosa Get 10% off Dubby with code TPLD: https://www.dubby.gg/discount/TPLD?ref=omyyxglq Join us live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/recentminion ⚠️ CONTENT NOTE: This episode opens with a content warning. If you or someone you know needs support, these free resources are available: National Human Trafficking Hotline: 888-373-7888 or text "Info" to 233733 (English and Spanish, 24/7) National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233 or text "Begin" to 88788 (English, Spanish, and 200+ languages through interpretation, 24/7) Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988 (English and Spanish, 24 hours) National Mental Health Helpline: 1-866-903-3787
Oct 6

Tusk Love by Thea Guanzon | Book Review & Discussion (Spoiler-Free)

In this Season 3 premiere episode with a Post-Show, we review Thea Guanzon's 2025 cozy fantasy romance novel Tusk Love. If you love cozy romance, fantasy romance, or Dungeons & Dragons-inspired stories, this book club discussion is for you! 📚 BOOK DETAILS: Title: Tusk Love Author: Thea Guanzon Genre: Cozy Fantasy Romance (Critical Role tie-in) Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Our Rating: 4.5/5 Stars Available: Kindle, Audiobook, Hardcover 🎧 WHAT WE COVER: ✅ Spoiler-free review of Tusk Love and its Critical Role origins ✅ D&D easter eggs, the goblin clan, and Oscar and Guinevere's chemistry ✅ Spice level talk, final rating, and our book club questions ✅ Post-Show book recommendations and our next book of the month 🔥 ROMANCE TROPES IN THIS BOOK: Arranged Marriage Grumpy Sunshine Opposites Attract Forced Proximity Found Family Acts of Service Happily Ever After 💬 OUR HONEST THOUGHTS: In this book review, we both loved Thea Guanzon's Tusk Love, a cozy fantasy romance that surprised us with its sweetness, its D&D easter eggs, and a slow, organic love story with no insta-love in sight. The spice level is moderate with three described scenes, and we think the light worldbuilding fits a romance-first story. We landed on 4.5 stars and would recommend it for your next book club pick. 📖 MENTIONED BOOKS & AUTHORS: The Gargoyle and the Maiden by Sarah Ivy Hill There Is No Antimemetics Division by qntm Wedding the Werepanther by Krista Luna Dubby Sponor Link https://www.dubby.gg/discount/TPLD?ref=omyyxglq Tusk Love Supercut https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBL_HoeNvnk
Jun 24

Bitterburn by Sierra Simone | Book Review & Discussion

In this season finale episode, we review Sierra Simone's dark romance novel Bitterburn, book three of the Lyonesse trilogy. If you love spicy retellings, found family suspense, or morally gray anti-hero romance stories, this book club discussion is for you 📚 BOOK DETAILS: Title: Bitterburn (Lyonesse Trilogy, Book 3) Author: Sierra Simone Genre: Dark Romance / Erotica / Contemporary Arthurian Retelling Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Our Rating: 2.73/5 Stars Available: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major podcast platforms 🎧 WHAT WE COVER: ✅ Our honest reactions to the Lyonesse trilogy finale ✅ Mark, Tristan & Isolde's character arcs (and where they fell apart) ✅ The Scales reveal and the Ys's plot hole ✅ That controversial "we've done this before" ending ✅ Our biggest plot holes, corrections, and what we'd change ✅ Individual ratings, book stats, and reader reviews ✅ Whether you should actually read this trilogy 🔥 ROMANCE TROPES IN THIS BOOK: Forced proximity Age gap Anti-hero romance Found family Secret organization/society Arthurian retelling Multiple POV Dub-con elements Power imbalance BDSM dynamics Slow burn reveal Tragic source material reimagined 💬 OUR HONEST THOUGHTS: We went into Bitterburn excited for the conclusion to the Lyonesse trilogy, but came away divided — the spice and the Scales twist landed well, while Mark's characterization and the happily-ever-after ending undercut the tragedy the source material promised. We all agreed the book needed higher stakes (someone should have died!) and that Isolde remained the weakest-written character across all three books. 📖 MENTIONED BOOKS & AUTHORS: A Lesson in Thorns by Sierra Simone Salt Kiss by Sierra Simone Honeycutt by Sierra Simone The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown Tusk Love A Bride of Brutal Hearts
May 24

The Daedalus Engine by Ash Greer | This Man Published His Fantasy & We Have Notes

The Daedalus Engine by Ash Greer | Book Review & Discussion In this chaotic, unfiltered episode, we review Ash Greer's self-published sci-fi erotica novel The Daedalus Engine. If you love science fiction, survival romance, or gloriously bad book club discussions, this book club discussion is for you! 📚 BOOK DETAILS: Title: The Daedalus Engine Author: Ash Greer Genre: Sci-Fi Erotica Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Our Rating: 0/5 - 1.5/5 Stars Available: Previously on Kindle Unlimited — currently unavailable 🎧 WHAT WE COVER: ✅ Full spoiler review of The Daedalus Engine ✅ Male gaze vs. female gaze in erotica — and how to spot the difference ✅ Why the Daedalus Engine itself is the biggest plot hole in the book ✅ Craft critique: world-building, pacing, and underdeveloped characters ✅ What this book could have been (and our honest advice for the author) ✅ June Book announcement: Bitter Burn by Sierra Simone ⚡ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Technical Difficulties & Take Two Intro 3:43 - How We Found This Book & Reddit Origins 6:07 - Plot Summary: Crash, Survive, Sex, Repeat 16:30 - Meet the Characters: Victus, Sarah, Evan & Vayne 19:10 - Male Gaze vs. Female Gaze Breakdown 27:00 - Plot Holes & World-Building Failures 35:48 - The Group Dynamic & Where Things Go 42:25 - Ratings & Honest Feedback for the Author 54:55 - New Shows Announced & Season 3 Preview 58:00 - June Book Announcement: Bitter Burn by Sierra Simone 🔥 ROMANCE TROPES IN THIS BOOK: Alien/new world setting Forced proximity Dom/sub dynamics Size difference Reverse harem/polyamorous group Impregnation Enemies to allies to lovers 💬 OUR HONEST THOUGHTS: The Daedalus Engine had the bones of an interesting sci-fi concept buried under underdeveloped characters, rushed pacing, and smut scenes that read more like a script than a novel. The hosts gave credit where it was due — it's a first book, it was finished, and the author had the guts to put it out there — but agreed that spell check, character outlines, and a clearer narrative focus would go a long way. If Ash Greer is out there listening, the door is open and the feedback is genuine. 📖 MENTIONED BOOKS & AUTHORS: Salt Kiss by Sierra Simone Bitter Burn by Sierra Simone Not Enough (previously reviewed) The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty The Story of O Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien Tusk Love (Critical Role) Butcher and Blackbird
Apr 24

Dark Obsessions by Lexi C. Foss | Monster Romance Book Review & Dark Romance Book Club Discussion

In this chaotic episode of Pretty Little Death, we review Lexi C. Foss's dark monster romance novel Dark Obsessions (Monsters of Darkness Series). If you love monster romance, dark fantasy, paranormal romance, or spicy book reviews, this book club discussion is for you! Pretty Little Death is a dark romance and paranormal romance book club podcast where we read so you don't have to. 📚 BOOK DETAILS: Title: Dark Obsessions (Monsters of Darkness) Author: Lexi C. Foss Genre: Dark Monster Romance / Paranormal Romance Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Our Rating: 1/5 Stars Available: Kindle Unlimited (KU) 🎧 WHAT WE COVER: ✅ Whether the Strigoi lore actually delivers on its promise ✅ The wildly questionable consent arc and safe word reveal ✅ Why the trials are basically participation trophies ✅ A thousand-year-old virgin king and why that's a problem ✅ The infamous dinner scene and the tail situation ✅ Plot holes, mind reading before the blood bridge, and a British accent in Transylvania 🔥 ROMANCE TROPES IN THIS BOOK: Fated Mates Monster Romance Dark Romance Virgin Hero Captive/Forced Proximity Tail Play Immortal x Human Dual POV First Person Safe Word / Consent Negotiation Insta-Love 💬 OUR HONEST THOUGHTS: Dark Obsessions had a genuinely promising premise — a folklore researcher stumbling into the realm of the Strigoi King — but the execution fell completely flat. The book leans heavily on explicit content at the expense of world building, character development, and any meaningful plot, and the titular "dark" elements never really materialize. Between the consent issues, the recycled tropes, and a thousand-year-old virgin king who somehow can't pick a lane on whether he wants a mate, this one earns a hard one star and a recommendation to read literally anything else. 📖 MENTIONED BOOKS & AUTHORS: Dark Obsessions by Lexi C. Foss (Monsters of Darkness Series) Brutal Prince (referenced as previous episode's read) The Bride of Brutal Hearts by Kate Stevens (current giveaway) Salt Kiss (referenced for fated mate trope comparison) Lioness Trilogy — Book 3 (June Book of the Month) The Daedalus Engine by Ash Greer (May Book of the Month) Omegaverse genre (briefly referenced) Not Enough (referenced, title not confirmed) 💀 If you made it this far, drop your most hated book trope in the comments. We read the trash so you don't have to — but if you did read this one, you already know. Like and subscribe so you never miss a Pretty Little Death episode, and join our Discord community for book of the month picks, giveaways, and all the chaos in between.
Mar 24

Brutal Prince by Sophie Lark | Book Review & Discussion

In this chaotic, laugh-until-you-cry episode, we review Sophie Lark's 2022 mafia romance novel Brutal Prince. If you love enemies to lovers, arranged marriage, or forced proximity stories, this book club discussion is for you! 📚 BOOK DETAILS: Title: Brutal Prince Author: Sophie Lark Genre: Mafia Romance / Enemies to Lovers Spice Level: 🌶️ Our Rating: 1/5 Stars Available: Amazon, Kindle, Audible, Apple Books 🎧 WHAT WE COVER: ✅ Whether this actually qualifies as a mafia romance — and why all three of us think the answer is a hard no ✅ Ada and Callum's rushed enemies to lovers arc, the pacing problems, and a shower scene that had us questioning everything ✅ Major plot holes, dropped characters, and what we would have done differently to make this story actually work 🔥 ROMANCE TROPES IN THIS BOOK: Enemies to lovers Arranged marriage Forced proximity Forced marriage Mafia families Class difference Obsessive ex 💬 OUR HONEST THOUGHTS: Brutal Prince had all the ingredients for a compelling mafia romance — rival Irish and Italian families, a forced marriage between two people who despise each other, and an enemies to lovers slow burn that should have had us hooked. Instead, the mafia elements feel like window dressing on what is essentially a poorly paced love story, Ada's entire personality is sass with nothing underneath it, and Callum reads like a teenage boy's fantasy rather than a seasoned playboy. The hosts collectively gave it a 0.83 average rating, and the only reason it scraped above zero is because Nigel was in a good mood. 📖 MENTIONED BOOKS & AUTHORS: Bride of Brutal Hearts — Sophie Lark Salt Kiss Series — Sophie Lark Most Forgettable Girl Not Enough Sugar Rush
Feb 24

We Didn't Expect to Love This 😭📖 | The Doctor by E.L. Todd | Feb Book of the Month + Post-Show

The Doctor by E.L. Todd | Book Review & Discussion In this special extended episode, we review E.L. Todd's forbidden romance novel The Doctor, the first book in her four-book series — and we've included our full Post-Show as a bonus for our listeners! If you love slow burn romance, forbidden romance books, or grumpy sunshine stories with unexpected depth, this book club discussion is for you! 📚 BOOK DETAILS: Title: The Doctor Author: E.L. Todd Genre: Forbidden Romance, Contemporary Romance Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ Our Rating: 3.5/5 - 4/5 Stars Available: Kindle, Audible, Kindle Unlimited (Books 2-4) 🎧 WHAT WE COVER: ✅ Full spoiler book review of The Doctor ✅ Forbidden romance tropes: brother's ex-wife, slow burn, grumpy sunshine ✅ Why flat characters can still be completely compelling ✅ The toxic love interest red flags Pepper keeps ignoring ✅ Audiobook narrator discussion (valley girl vocal fry warning) ✅ The biggest plot hole nobody talks about ✅ Romance vs Smut vs Erotica classification ✅ March Book of the Month announcement: Brutal Prince by Sophie Lark 🔥 ROMANCE TROPES IN THIS BOOK: Brother's ex-wife forbidden romance Slow burn romance Grumpy sunshine dynamic Friends to lovers (adjacent) Military hero romance No strings attached gone wrong Divorce recovery & self discovery 💬 OUR HONEST THOUGHTS: We discuss why this unexpected Stuff Your Kindle Day find became one of our best reads of 2026, why flat characters can still carry a series, and how a knockoff Fifty Shades cover almost stopped us from reading one of our new favorite series. This episode is longer than usual as we have included the full Post-Show as a bonus! 📖 MENTIONED BOOKS & AUTHORS: Brutal Prince by Sophie Lark Paladin's Grace by T. Kingfisher A Fate Inked in Blood Saved by the Caladrius by Mary E. Jung Fifty Shades of Grey Salt Kiss Series
Feb 11

2025 Wrap-Up

I read over 300 books in 2025 and I'm sharing my most memorable reads—both amazing and awful! Join me for The Pretty Little Death's first-ever reading wrap-up as I discuss 12 noteworthy titles from my year of reading nearly a book a day. 📚 BOOKS DISCUSSED: BEST READS: Bride of Brutal Hearts - fae vampire romance with representationA Most Forgettable Girl - plus size FMC, matchmaking romanceHis Orc Lady - female monster romance, fated matesWar Maiden - orc warrior romance, enemies to loversDark Fae trilogy (combo volume) - vampire fae, MMF romanceA Vow of Blood and Tears - deaf/mute FMC, Beauty and the Beast retellingWORST READS: Between Two Kings - disappointing sequelTraitor - dark motorcycle club romance gone wrongA Wife for Silas - disturbing dark romanceValhalla is Full of Hunks - ridiculous premise, no plotBought - bait and switch murder mysteryEntwined - biggest disappointment of the yearKEY TOPICS: ✨ AI-generated books flooding the market ✨ Problems with Kindle Unlimited quality ✨ Importance of professional editors vs. ARC readers ✨ Monster romance recommendations ✨ Dark romance vs. truly dark content ✨ Romance industry trends 2025

Discussing popular romance and smutty literature, especially those of the dark or taboo verity. We will talk about what works, what doesn't, what we like and what we hated. Join us for our monthly book club reads, and hot topics. Find us on Discord https://discord.gg/CYk65uYq6e

Creator

TPLD Production
Years Active

2024 - 2026
Episodes

51
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© C. Redding 2024
Show Website

The Pretty Little Death