Posted by Amanda

https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/2025/07/hide-your-wallet-july-22nd-release-week/

https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/?p=148391

Happy Tuesday!

It’s a short and sweet release week for us. Only three books that are on our radar: one fantasy romance and two contemporaries. Next week is looking a bit more promising.

How’s your TBR pile doing this week? Let us know in the comments!

Arcana Academy

Author: Elise Kova
Released: July 22, 2025 by Del Rey
Genre: Fantasy/Fairy Tale Romance, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
Series: Arcana Academy #1

A woman who wields magical tarot cards lands herself in a false engagement with the headmaster of a mysterious academy in this first installment of an enthralling fantasy romance series from the bestselling author of A Deal with the Elf King.

Clara Graysword has survived the underworld of Eclipse City through thievery, luck, and a whole lot of illegal magic. After a job gone awry, Clara is sentenced to a lifetime in prison for inking tarot cards-a rare power reserved for practitioners at the elite Arcana Academy.

Just when it seems her luck has run dry, the academy’s enigmatic headmaster, Prince Kaelis, offers her an escape-for a price. Kaelis believes that Clara is the perfect tool to help him steal a tarot card from the king and use it to re-create an all-powerful card long lost to time.

In order to conceal her identity and keep her close, Kaelis brings Clara to Arcana Academy, introducing her as the newest first-year student and his bride-to-be.

Thrust into a world of arcane magic and royal intrigue, where one misstep will send her back to prison or worse, Clara finds that the prince she swore to hate may not be what he seems. But can she risk giving him power over the world-and her heart? Or will she take it for herself?

Dark academia with some fake dating!

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

Want this book? We can help: buy links ahoy!.

Heart Marks the Spot

Author: Libby Hubscher
Released: July 22, 2025 by Berkley
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romance

A treasure hunter and the bestselling adventure novelist who broke her heart after one successful expedition reunite for a summer to search for lost riches.

Treasure hunter Stella Moore dreams of having it all—wealth, love, and a flourishing career—but knows she’ll never be that lucky. Every summer she and her childhood friends travel to search for hidden treasure, but she can barely manage her bills, let alone a relationship. Then, a chance encounter with alluring novelist Huck Sullivan during an expedition in Iceland has Stella thinking maybe her fortune has changed.

After his last book bombed, Huck hasn’t written a word. Joining Stella and her crew on an adventure seems like the perfect distraction from his problems, and when the crew finally uncovers hidden treasure, he is certain that he’s found more than just inspiration for his next novel. Huck and Stella’s undeniable connection gives way to an unforgettable night on a black sand beach.

After Huck disappears without a goodbye, Stella vows to put the heartbreak behind her—but that’s easier said than done when, a year later, every bookstore has a life-size cutout of her ex-lover next to stacks of his latest record-breaking bestseller. Good thing it’s time for another summer treasure hunt. Stella throws herself into mapping the path to a shipwreck off Key West, but the last thing she expects is an extra crew member showing up in search of material for a sequel and a second chance.

Stella and Huck are prepared for storms, sharks, sea sickness, even a tentative truce. But facing the feelings they buried and confronting the devastating truth about why Huck left is the only way to find what their hearts have been searching for all along.

Amanda: Treasure hunting is having a moment in romance.

Lara: I’ve had some good luck with second chance romances lately, so I’m keen to give this one a go.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

Find buy links for this book here..

Love is a War Song

Author: Danica Nava
Released: July 22, 2025 by Berkley
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romance

A Muscogee pop star and a cowboy who couldn’t be more different come together to strike a deal in this new romantic comedy by Danica Nava, USA Today bestselling author of The Truth According to Ember.

Pop singer Avery Fox has become a national joke after posing scantily clad on the cover of Rolling Stone in a feather warbonnet. What was meant to be a statement of her success as a Native American singer has turned her into a social pariah and dubbed her a fake. With threats coming from every direction and her career at a standstill, she escapes to her estranged grandmother Lottie’s ranch in Oklahoma. Living on the rez is new to Avery—not only does she have to work in the blazing summer heat to earn her keep, but the man who runs Lottie’s horse ranch despises her and wants her gone.

Red Fox Ranch has been home to Lucas Iron Eyes since he was sixteen years old. He has lived by three rules to keep himself out of 1) preserve the culture, 2) respect the horses, and 3) stick to himself. When he is tasked with picking up Lottie’s granddaughter at the bus station, the last person he expected to see is the Avery Fox. Lucas can’t stand what she represents, but when he’s forced to work with her on the ranch, he can’t get her out of his sight—or his head. He reminds himself to keep to his rules, especially after he finds out the ranch is under threat of being shut down.

It’s clear Avery doesn’t belong here, but they form a tentative truce and make a Avery will help raise funds to save the ranch, and in exchange, Lucas will show her what it really means to be an Indian. It’s purely transactional, absolutely no horsing around…but where’s the fun in that?

Shana: Apparently this has a Only One Horse scene and I’m here for it.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

Find buy links for this book here..

https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/2025/07/hide-your-wallet-july-22nd-release-week/

https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/?p=148391

the_mary_sue_feed

Posted by Melody Heald

https://www.themarysue.com/red-robin-18-percent-gratuity/

https://www.themarysue.com/?p=890044

Man sees autogratutiy on receipt(l) Red Robin Restaurant Front(r)

If you’ve ever been to a restaurant, you may have noticed an automatic gratuity printed on its menu. Once the check arrives, the question arises: should you add an additional tip or not tip on the auto-gratuity? Popular content creator couple Josh and Callie Mileham (@themilehams) asked this to more than 40,000 viewers after receiving their Red Robin bill with an 18% gratuity added.

Josh and Callie Mileham (@themilehams) have gone viral over the past year for their tips and tricks on saving money to feed their family of six while dining out. This time, it’s about tipping.

https://www.themarysue.com/red-robin-18-percent-gratuity/

https://www.themarysue.com/?p=890044

the_mary_sue_feed

Posted by Rebekah Harding

https://www.themarysue.com/target-man-following-woman/

https://www.themarysue.com/?p=890026

A Los Angeles-based Target shopper confronts a man whom she believes followed her in the store. Others report experiencing the same situation with the same man.

In a video with over 2.2 million views, TikToker Aralennovi (@vonnylowks) films a man wearing a white ball cap in the women’s clothing section.

https://www.themarysue.com/target-man-following-woman/

https://www.themarysue.com/?p=890026

the_mary_sue_feed

Posted by Sarah Fimm

https://www.themarysue.com/the-10-best-modern-fantasy-books-for-adults/

https://www.themarysue.com/?p=890038

Are you a modern adult? Do you like macchiatos and free form jazz? Is your ideal night out actually just a night in? Is your definition of an adventure a rousing trip to the local farmers’ market? It sounds like you could use a little bit of an escape, a dive into a fantasy world populated by characters not ground down by real world. These 10 best modern fantasy books for adults will help you put a little bit of pizzazz in your life, even if it’s experienced vicariously. I’m not knocking on farmers’ markets, God no, but when it comes to adventure, I think these titles can do you one better. As for free form jazz? Yeah, I’m knocking that.

Piranesi

Piranesi is a man with modern problems – he’s a homeowner. The titular protagonist of Susanna Clarke’s 2020 novel, Piranesi has been living in a house with a square footage that other modern adults can only dream of. His house is vast enough to contain a labyrinth of hallways and rooms, some of which are wide enough to hold oceans within. While it sounds like a wet dream to any NYC apartment dweller, Piranesi’s living situation has its drawbacks. For starters, he can’t find the exit. According to his one and only visitor – a mysterious man called “The Other” – Piranesi’s work is too important for him to think about breaking his lease. The lonely fellow spends his days cataloging the quirks of the seemingly infinite house. But as for why he’s there and how he’ll ever escape, that’s a modern problem for you, the modern adult reader, to solve for yourself.

https://www.themarysue.com/the-10-best-modern-fantasy-books-for-adults/

https://www.themarysue.com/?p=890038

the_mary_sue_feed

Posted by Rachel Leishman

https://www.themarysue.com/it-has-been-one-year-since-the-best-legacy-sequel/

https://www.themarysue.com/?p=890041

Daisy Edgar Jones and Glen Powell sitting on a truck

Sometimes, a movie changes your life. And then you can one day see a sequel to that movie that will always rewire your brain. And now one of the best legacy sequels around has turned one and lets celebrate it!

The summer of 2024 was dubbed “Glen Powell Summer” for one reason: Twisters. Powell starred as Tyler Owens, the Tornado Wrangler, who uses his YouTube following to help earn money and show what you can and cannot do in a tornado. He meets Kate (Daisy Edgar-Jones) as she works with Storm Par and the rest is romantic comedy history.

https://www.themarysue.com/it-has-been-one-year-since-the-best-legacy-sequel/

https://www.themarysue.com/?p=890041

smartbitches_feed

Posted by SB Sarah

https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/2025/07/podcast-676-your-transcript-is-ready/

https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/?p=148401

The transcript for Podcast 676. Exploring Atonement Sky with Nalini Singh has been posted!

This podcast transcript was handcrafted with meticulous skill by Garlic Knitter. Many thanks.

❤ Click here to subscribe to The Podcast →

The transcript for my interview with Nalini Singh is ready and appended to the podcast entry- woo hoo!

https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/2025/07/podcast-676-your-transcript-is-ready/

https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/?p=148401

the_mary_sue_feed

Posted by Rachel Leishman

https://www.themarysue.com/wonder-woman-has-found-its-writer-for-the-dcu/

https://www.themarysue.com/?p=890036

For all our Amazonians, our journey with Diana Prince has been an interesting one. For years, we waited to see her take on the silver screen and with James Gunn and Peter Safran taking over DC Studios, her short-lived film franchise ended. Now, she’s coming back.

James Gunn has been talking about the future of Wonder Woman and did say that he is really excited about her next outing. And now The Wrap reported that Ana Nogueira, who also wrote Supergirl, is set to pen the script. There is no news yet on who is going to direct the new Wonder Woman movie.

https://www.themarysue.com/wonder-woman-has-found-its-writer-for-the-dcu/

https://www.themarysue.com/?p=890036

the_mary_sue_feed

Posted by Rachel Leishman

https://www.themarysue.com/kevin-feige-says-the-pivot-away-from-kang-was-always-the-plan/

https://www.themarysue.com/?p=890033

Marvel’s Phase Four and beyond had a different outlook when it all kicked off. The post Avengers: Endgame feel was set around one big bad: Kang. But now, that’s not the case and Kevin Feige says the move away from Kang was always the plan.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe was setting itself up for a new team to take on Kang the Conqueror, played by Jonathan Majors. Then reports came out that Majors allegedly assaulted his ex-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari. When Majors was charged with and eventually convicted of misdemeanor assault and harassment, he was let go from the MCU.

https://www.themarysue.com/kevin-feige-says-the-pivot-away-from-kang-was-always-the-plan/

https://www.themarysue.com/?p=890033

the_mary_sue_feed

Posted by Sabine Joseph

https://www.themarysue.com/ray-ban-meta-glasses-club/

https://www.themarysue.com/?p=890015

Blonde woman smiling (l) Close up of Ray-Ban storefront (r)

A man attempted to go into a gentleman’s club with Ray-Ban Meta glasses and was shocked when he was told he had to ditch them or leave.

In a viral TikTok, Atlanta bouncer Britknee (@britknee0405) tells a man, “You can’t even wear those shades in here.” He asks why, and she says, “‘Cause they have [cameras].”

https://www.themarysue.com/ray-ban-meta-glasses-club/

https://www.themarysue.com/?p=890015

the_mary_sue_feed

Posted by Rachel Leishman

https://www.themarysue.com/no-you-didnt-discover-that-actor-my-guy-millennial-girlies-have-been-there/

https://www.themarysue.com/?p=890022

Growing up a fan of movies means that sometimes you just know actors that no one else does. We are talking about your side characters who only you love. Sometimes, those actors go on to become big stars and when that happens, you feel untouchable.

Right now, that’s very much how being a Millennial woman feels. Specifically ones who have loved movies their entire lives. I’m talking about all us girlies who have known these actors taking on superhero roles or big blockbuster movies finally getting our time to shine.

https://www.themarysue.com/no-you-didnt-discover-that-actor-my-guy-millennial-girlies-have-been-there/

https://www.themarysue.com/?p=890022

the_mary_sue_feed

Posted by Gisselle Hernandez

https://www.themarysue.com/water-bottle-in-sun-warning/

https://www.themarysue.com/?p=890011

A Louisiana woman is warning you to think twice about where you get your bottled water from after she caught several cases “cooking in the sun.” She went so far as to double-check her claim, but was she being an alarmist, or is there some truth to her PSA?

In a viral TikTok, @kristierin5 shares a clip of the area behind her grocery store in Sulphur, Louisiana. She records several pallets of water bottles on the pavement, basking in the sun.

https://www.themarysue.com/water-bottle-in-sun-warning/

https://www.themarysue.com/?p=890011

xkcd_feed

https://xkcd.com/3118/

Washington, DC: Eastern gray squirrel, Amur honeysuckle. Puerto Rico: Crested anole, sea grape. US as a whole: Mallard, eastern poison ivy.

https://xkcd.com/3118/

smartbitches_feed

Posted by Amanda

https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/2025/07/f-f-romance-kennedy-ryan-more/

https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/?p=148335

Consort of Fire

Consort of Fire by Kit Rocha is $1.99! This is book one in Bound to Fire and Steel fantasy romance series. Book two is also on sale. Have you read either book? What did you think?

From cult-favorite writing duo Kit Rocha comes a fiery novel set in a lush fantasy world brimming with ancient magic, dangerous secrets, and erotic connections.

For three thousand years, an ancient dragon god has protected the borders of the Sheltered Lands. In return, he makes only one demand: every one hundred years, the mortal ruler must send their heir to serve as his consort…for as long as they can survive.

Sachielle of House Roquebarre is the thirty-first consort to be sacrificed to the monster who guards the mountain passes. She is young, beautiful—and she has three secrets.

First: she’s a disposable orphan trained in seduction.

Second: her handmaid, Zanya, is an assassin and the only person she has ever loved.

Third—and most dangerous: she’s cursed. Sachi and Zanya have five weeks to murder the Dragon in his bed. If they fail, the mortal king’s curse will steal not just Sachi’s life, but her very soul.

The Dragon has only one secret: he is nothing like what they have been told. And he will do whatever it takes to possess them both.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

Until I’m Yours

Until I’m Yours by Kennedy Ryan is $1.99! This is book four in the The Bennet series, which is has been re-released with new covers. Have you read any of the books in this series?

The world knows her face . . .

Mean girl. Goddess. Bitch. Supermodel Sofie Baston has earned those labels . . . yet they don’t scratch the surface of who she really is. Before she can follow her own dreams, Sophie must do her daughterly duty and reel in a “fish” for her father’s business-a tall, brown-eyed entrepreneur who immediately hooks her. He’s a big guy with an even bigger heart . . . but will that heart be open to Sofie once her darkest secret is revealed?

. . . but only one man knows her heart

To Trevor Bishop, Sofie is a beautiful mystery he would gladly spend his life solving. He figures her tough demeanor is armor against a world that’s hurt her too many times. Then Sofie’s deepest wounds are reopened by the powerful, ruthless man who made them. When she musters the courage to take him down, her world shatters. Now Trevor is determined to help Sofie pick up the pieces so they can build a future together. The challenge will be convincing his ice princess that it’s safe to melt in his arms . . .

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

Cover Story

Cover Story by Rachel Lacey is $2.49 at Amazon! Both Elyse and Dahlia were excited for this one when it was released in March. Lacey also has a few celebrity romances if that happens to be your catnip.

Natalie Keane is one of Hollywood’s top leading ladies, but she’s paid a steep price for her fame. After she was stalked eight years ago, the ensuing media frenzy almost broke her. So when a new threat arises, Natalie agrees to extra security, but she wants to keep it under wraps. The last thing she needs is another tabloid spectacle, especially during awards season.

Taylor Vaughn has made a career as a bodyguard to the stars, but an injury has kept her sidelined for the past three months, jeopardizing her future in the job she loves. When an opportunity arises to work for Natalie Keane, Taylor jumps at the chance—even before knowing the details of the assignment.

From the moment they meet, Natalie knows this could Taylor, the bodyguard, masquerading as her girlfriend. The perfect cover story. But as circumstances push the two women closer, the lines between fantasy and reality begin to blur.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

Pomona Afton Can So Solve a Murder

Pomona Afton Can So Solve a Murder by Bellamy Rose is $2.99! This is a mix of mystery and romance with some class differences and forced proximity. It looks like a second Pomona Afton mystery will be coming out next April.

A spoiled heiress must investigate her grandmother’s death in order to gain back her trust fund, all while discovering how to be her own person and maybe even falling in love in this “enormously fun, witty, and warm” (Kristen Perrin, nationally bestselling author) rom-com meets murder mystery that is perfect for fans of Only Murders in the Building.

When Pomona Afton, Upper East Side hotel heiress, stumbles out of a gala and upon the scene of her grandmother’s murder, her first thought is that the society queen won’t be missed for her kind, cookie-baking ways. In fact, she was mean, greedy, and paranoid—so paranoid that she secretly slipped a clause into her will mandating that, should she die an unnatural death, all the family assets get frozen. And if the “unnatural death” isn’t explained? Those accounts stay frozen.

Practically overnight, Pomona is locked out of her penthouse with no other option than to move in with a Gabe, the irritable (yet handsome) son of her former nanny. Not only is his apartment cramped, but it doesn’t even have a doorman. Or a chef! Pom needs someone to solve this murder, like, yesterday, so she can get her trust fund back.

And Gabe? He needs this murder solved because that’s the only way his mother, who toiled for the Afton family for years, will ever get the retirement money she deserves. As Pom’s family clams up, blocking the police at every turn, Pom quickly realizes that if she wants her glamorous life back, she’s going to have to put on her big-girl Manolos and do it herself…with the help of Gabe, who she’s falling for more and more by the day.

Can Pomona Afton (who previously couldn’t solve a crossword in the bath on a hungover Sunday) actually solve this murder? And if she does return to her former life of luxury, will it be worth the possibility of losing Gabe?

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/2025/07/f-f-romance-kennedy-ryan-more/

https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/?p=148335

the_mary_sue_feed

Posted by Claire Goforth

https://www.themarysue.com/male-sonographer-scares-pregnant-woman/

https://www.themarysue.com/?p=890004

Woman shares how she was treated by doctor during sonogram(l) Doctor Preparing Sonogram machine(r)

A mother-to-be recently had a traumatic experience compounded by her sonographer in the emergency room (ER).

Kenzi (@kenziiiim) writes in the caption on a TikTok in late May that she slipped that morning while walking their dog. She says her first appointment with her obstetrician wasn’t for a couple of weeks and her husband was out of town. So Kenzi went to the ER.

https://www.themarysue.com/male-sonographer-scares-pregnant-woman/

https://www.themarysue.com/?p=890004

cakewrecks_feed

Posted by Jen

https://www.cakewrecks.com/home/sumer-lovin-2025

So tell me, Wreckies, how are you enjoying your summer?

Sorry, I mean, "Sumer?"

Or is it "Sumeer?"

You know what, just to be safe, let's sell both versions.

And then make this one the store display, so everyone can see it:

I like to be happy, summetime.

Well, however you spell it, I hope you're taking this time to enjoy a little sun.

Or a large, red-eyed spider crawling out of your cake.

And that you're working on your tan:

Or dismembering Edward Cullen. (Hey bakers, where's the glitter?)

Of course, the only acceptable foot wear right now are flip-flops:

Emphasis on the "flops."

And every meal should end with a hefty slice of watermelon:

Preferably the seedless kind. Unless you're expecting...to be expecting.

(See what I did there?)

And since these are the lazy days of summer we're talking about, you should be taking lots of breaks:

Stickin' it to the man. Or in this case, the customer.

Maybe visit the pit of despair community swimming pool?

"Watch out, kids, I'm about to throw another one down."

Or just spend a few quiet evenings walking the beach, looking for seashells and/or body parts:

Who wants ribs?

Thanks to Cassie, Brian B., Molly S., Jill V., Tina, Jaemie G., Lindsay W., Elizabeth & AnneMarie, & Anony M. for the disarming finds.

*****

P.S. If you actually go to the beach, then clearly you need a mesh tote bag that's in such high demand they couldn't even get one for the photoshoot, and had to photoshop it in (badly) later:

Oversized Mesh Beach Bag

Oh yeah, bad Photoshop is how you know it's good. Well, that, and the 2,000+ 5-star ratings. Turns out this thing is actually pretty awesome, and also comes in blue, gray, or white. Grab yours before the manufacturer tries to snatch the last one up for a re-shoot.

*****

And from my other blog, Epbot:

https://www.cakewrecks.com/home/sumer-lovin-2025

smbc_comics_feed

Posted by Zach Weinersmith

https://www.smbc-comics.com/comic/canon

Click here to go see the bonus panel!

Hovertext:
I don't know if we need any kind of formal Canon of unread texts. I just think it'd be nice if we all failed to read the same cultural touchstones, you know?

Today's News:

https://www.smbc-comics.com/comic/canon

the_mary_sue_feed

Posted by Rachel Joy Thomas

https://www.themarysue.com/favor-shopper-fails-at-job/

https://www.themarysue.com/?p=889999

H-E-B Store Front(l) Woman shares what shopper delivered for her purchase(r)

A woman on TikTok received $15 worth of additional produce that she didn’t order or ask for while using Favor. Sarah Thomas (@sarahkittenz), a TikToker, posted a video that garnered over 1.7 million views. In the video, she shared her experience with a personal shopper who got every single item wrong from H-E-B.

“This is why men should be banned from being personal shoppers for any sort of app,” she said.

https://www.themarysue.com/favor-shopper-fails-at-job/

https://www.themarysue.com/?p=889999

smartbitches_feed

Posted by Elyse

https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/reviews/six-wild-crowns-by-holly-race/

https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/?post_type=reviews&p=147750

B

Six Wild Crowns

by Holly Race
June 10, 2025 · Orbit
Science Fiction/Fantasy

Back in the early aughts I had a minor obsession with the Tudors. The Other Boleyn Girl was in theatres, The Tudors was on Showtime, and Phillippa Gregory and Alison Weir were having literary moments.

Six Wild Crowns pulled me right back into my fascination with that moment in time (in fact, I’m rewatching The Tudors). This is a high magic fantasy based loosely on Henry VIII and his six wives, but with a feminist twist. It is not, however, a romance.

First of all, this novel is the beginning of a series (or duology, I’m not sure) so if you don’t want to start a series that isn’t finished yet, be aware that this is the only book published so far.

Six Wild Crowns takes place in a fantasy version of England called Elben. Henry is king and he is married, simultaneously, to six queens. The magic system in this novel involves a magical force called the bordweal that forms an invisible barrier around the island Elben that potential invaders or enemies cannot cross. The king also has some magical abilities himself.

In order for Henry to access his magic and for the bordweal to be maintained, he must have six queens, each of whom occupies a coastal castle, and through a ritual during their wedding ceremony, strengthens Henry’s bond with his own magic.

This part was a little confusing. The average person in this book does not have magical abilities, and the queens do not have them until they marry Henry and take occupancy of his castle. Initially it’s pretty unclear where that magic comes from.

When the book opens Henry has just married Queen Boleyn. Boleyn is similar to her historical counterpart in her looks and intelligence, and she is in love with Henry and he with her. It’s tradition for each of the queens to gift a new queen a present on her wedding day, and rather than jewels or or a pet dragon (there are dragons in this book and they are cool), Queen Aragon gives her a servant–Seymour. Seymour is actually there as a spy (of course) and her assignment is to assassinate Boleyn on Aragon’s orders.

The book is told through Boleyn and Seymour’s alternating viewpoints. Boleyn is a strategist, determined to become the most powerful and favorite queen among Henry’s five other established wives. She’s also researching why, despite Henry now having his six queens, the bordweal has been consistently weakening.

Seymour is an unwilling spy and assassin. She comes from a noble family who groomed her to help her family’s fortunes rise, but she mostly just wants to be left alone. She cannot lie convincingly, she doesn’t want to kill anyone, and she doesn’t want to be involved in royal political games. So of course she does the most inconvenient thing possible and falls in love with Boleyn.

Boleyn meanwhile begins to see Henry’s true colors and her love for him changes to disgust. She meets Queen Howard, who she realizes was married to Henry at just thirteen and is still very much a child. She sees Henry’s selfishness and vanity.

Her research into ancient texts about the bordweal leads her to information that stuns her.

Realizing that Henry remaining in power will be disastrous not only to her personally, but also the kingdom, she tries to unite the other five queens against Henry.

While this is going on, Henry’s wife Queen Blount dies, and much to everyone’s surprise, he marries Seymour. She can’t stand Henry, is afraid of him, and loathes sexual encounters with him. Even though Boleyn doesn’t return Seymour’s romantic love, they form a close friendship and unifying force.

The main theme of this book is power being stolen from women, and women being pitted against each other for the benefit of the patriarchy. The six queens are supposed to be jealous and conniving against one another in order to be most beloved in Henry’s eyes. They are never meant to be friends or allies.

I always like the theme of women discovering their power, and women coming together to be stronger as a group. This is definitely a “fuck the patriarchy” fantasy. I also liked the courtly machinations and political plots. It’s a little bit House of the Dragon that way. The color of clothing, the type of gift given, all have important subtle but symbolic meanings and every gesture from a queen means something significant beneath its face value.

The only thing I thought Six Wild Crowns could have improved on was the relationship between Boleyn and Seymour.

Show Spoiler

Boleyn knows Seymour is in love with her, but doesn’t return the feeling (she’s not queer), so they just sort of become friends. Seymour’s romantic feelings for Boleyn aren’t really addressed again after that and I guess we’re just supposed to assume she’s just dealing with them? The tension of “I love her but she doesn’t love me” isn’t really addressed.

Aside from that, this book is a wonderful reading experience. The setting, clothes and manners are all from a familiar enough place in time that it didn’t require a ton of world building, but Elben was still unique as a fantasy world. The action and the conflict were paced very well so the book grows in momentum. There’s also the “Earl has to die” plotline that I always appreciate.

Six Wild Crowns is a fun, historical fantasy and I’m really looking forward to the next book in the series.

https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/reviews/six-wild-crowns-by-holly-race/

https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/?post_type=reviews&p=147750

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The Girl Genius comic for Monday, July 21, 2025 has been posted.

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Yes, we have walked past this bush five times already, but I noticed you dispensed a piece of your tragic lore the first time we walked past it and I need to know if this phenomenon is repeatable.

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