A Few Comfy Things
Plus, our first lesson in Romance 101
As I write this week’s newsletter, I’m unfortunately suffering from a book hangover. It tends to happen after I finish a series that I’ve been fully immersed in. Symptoms include: fatigue (from staying up all night to read the last chapters), brain fog (from being thrust back into the real world), headache (from staring at my Kindle), dehydration (from forgetting to drink water), and overall despair (from wishing it hadn’t ended).
The book at fault? Rebecca Ross’s A Fire Endless, the second novel in her Elements of Cadence duology. I mentioned in the last newsletter that I was reading it, and now that I’ve finished, I’m *unwell*. Aside from the fact that Ross’s prose is truly bewitching, I miss the characters already and I’d give just about anything to return to the magical island she created. The series is fantasy (Celtic vibes with a parallel spirit realm), multi-POV, and has a fairly slow burn romance. If you’re an Outlander fan, or need a bit of escapism, this might be for you!
Like a normal hangover, the only cure for a book hangover is Advil something spicy, sharp, and easy to go down (aka a bloody mary equivalent). I chose Jessica Joyce’s You, With a View, which I’d heard was smutty enough to do the trick. I don’t usually go for a hyper current story (it starts with a viral TikTok), but I’m actually really enjoying it so far. It feels like Mrs. Nash’s Ashes, but even spicier.
Speaking of spicy things, after last week’s newsletter, I received quite a few messages, texts, and DMs asking me to explain smut and its different levels and/or ratings, which made me realize that quite a few of you are new to the genre and could benefit from a little Romance 101. How do we feel about sprinkling in a few fun terms here and there?
At its basic definition, smut refers to a story that includes one or more sexually explicit scenes. This is also called open door romance. You’ll often see a spice level rating on a romance novel that indicates how steamy and/or explicit it is. On booktok and its instagram equivalent, they use fire or chili pepper emojis (lol). If the novel’s pretty tame, it might receive a Level 1 (out of 5) rating. I’d rate A Fire Endless at this level. If the novel features multiple, descriptive scenes and its plot is basically in service of the smut, it’ll get a Level 5. Depending on what you’re in the mood for, each serves a purpose!
Of course, many romance novels don’t have any smut, and in that case, they’re considered closed door and/or fade to black, which means that anything R-rated happens off the page, and you, the reader, are not privy to such information.
No judgment here—there is a time and place for both, but I personally prefer a little spice! Not only is it fun to read (live a little, people!), but I also think it helps inform the chemistry and connectedness between the main characters. Moving forward, I’ll include a book’s spice levels (if relevant). Some of my favorite smutty authors who you can always count on to bring the heat (lol sorry): Christina Lauren, Meghan Quinn, Talia Hibbert, Elle Kennedy, Ana Huang, Tessa Bailey, Lisa Kleypas, Elena Armas, TL Swan, and JR Ward. Katie from Beach Reads & Bubbly has a comprehensive list of crowdsourced smut here (she calls them BRADS, aka beach reads after dark).
If you’re new to smut romance and want to try one out, I vote starting with Christina Lauren’s Beautiful Bastard series (a 5/5 series for me), Elena Armas’s The Spanish Love Deception, Tessa Bailey’s It Happened One Summer (and the second in the series, Hook, Line, and Sinker), and Talia Hibbert’s Get a Life, Chloe Brown (and the two others in the series). Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Silver Flames is my favorite of all, but you need to read the other books in the ACOTAR series before that one.
Enjoy, kids!
Quick pivot. As I’ve mentioned before, comfort is something that’s very important to me right now. I want Romance Adjacent to be a place of comfort, too (smutty lit is comforting, I promise), so I’m going to share a few of my favorite comfy things as of late:
Lands’ End Luxe Supima Cotton flannel sheets: A few weeks ago, after lamenting over our cold bed sheets, I broke down and ordered these flannel sheets (in white) for our bed. I’m not exaggerating when I say they’ve been life-changing. I’m toasty warm now—and dare I say I’ve been sleeping better? Why have we not always switched to flannel sheets in the winter? Bonus: they’re 50% off right now.
Le Bon Shoppe sweats: I recently got this sweatshirt and these sweatpants as a birthday gift and I’ve been wearing them constantly. Thick with a good structure to them, they feel a bit more elevated than most sweats. The balloon shape of the pant leg is fun, too.
Coyuchi knit throw: Not only does this organic cotton blanket add a nice texture when draped on my couch, but it’s also perfect for lounging (and so warm!). The best part? Ollie always reaches for it when we read together.
Gap straight leg sweatpants: I didn’t mean to include multiple gray sweatpants in this round-up, but they’re what I reach for the most. These ones look and feel more expensive than they are. I sized down to get a more fitted, cropped look.
Nancy’s Fancy Butterscotch Budino gelato: It’s hard for me to explain in words how good this ice cream is. And how is the texture so soft right out of the freezer? I have to physically restrain myself from finishing the whole container in one sitting (it’s a small container though, so if it happens, it happens). But, wait! The best part is the caramel rosemary swirl, which is—somehow—reminiscent of summering in Italy??? I’m not even kidding, either. I get mine at Whole Foods or Bristol Farms.
Last thing! There is a great article in The Strategist with romance novel recommendations from The Ripped Bodice bookstore in Culver City (a romance-only bookstore!). I trust The Ripped Bodice 100% and their recs are all top-notch.
Time for me to get back to You, With a View. More next week!
Love all the sweats! So chic
Adding You, with a View to my list! This also reminds me I have another rec — I'd rate it a 1.5-2 on the smut scale: A Thousand Miles by Bridget Morrissey (https://bookshop.org/p/books/a-thousand-miles-bridget-morrissey/17477036?ean=9780593201176). I randomly thought of it, but I'm realizing it has some themes in common with You, with a View, including a road trip. I think I've decided my ideal romance is a 3.5 on the scale, but as you say, it depends on my mood!
I hear you on flannel sheets! I always wanted them when I was a child and my parents never let me get them because I'd "get too hot." As an adult now who buys my own bedding, I have been loving them.
Ollie's curls are so adorable!