Boozy Bookgasms

Heated Riverly by Rachel Reid This week the cousins are switching up the format! We’re trading paperback pages for power plays and diving headfirst into Heated Rivalry on HBO Max based on the MM romance by Rachel Reid. We'll be joined by a Heated Rivalry superfan, Miranda to recap and review episodes 1-3 and let’s just say, the ice is not the only thing melting. Mix up a Pretty Russian and join us for some laughs!    Signature Cocktail: The Pretty Russian Tonight’s cocktail is the Pretty Russian — a dangerously smooth blend of vanilla, marshmallow, and just enough kick to keep things interesting. At first sip it’s sweet, creamy, and a little indulgent… but much like a heated rivalry, Pretty on the outside… chaos underneath Ingredients: 2 oz vanilla vodka 1 oz coffee liqueur (Kahlúa) ½ oz marshmallow syrup 1 oz half & half or heavy cream Ice Optional “Pretty Factor” 1 drop pink food coloring in the cream Mini marshmallows White chocolate syrup Graham cracker crumbs or vanilla sugar for rim Prep the Glass (makes it look amazing) Drizzle white chocolate syrup inside the glass. Rim the glass with marshmallow fluff then dip in graham cracker crumbs or vanilla sugar. Add ice. Build the Drink Pour vanilla vodka + coffee liqueur + marshmallow syrup over the ice. Stir lightly. Slowly pour the cream (with a tiny drop of pink coloring if you want the swirl effect). Garnish Toasted marshmallow on a cocktail pick Optional: tiny dust of edible shimmer Flavor Creamy vanilla latte Toasted marshmallow sweetness Rich coffee finish Basically this is a grown-up marshmallow latte that looks like it belongs in a romance book scene.

The Devil's Advocate by Ashley Jade Hey Boozy Book Lovers! Today we are going to make Lynn smile when we finally finish the second book in a duet! The cousins are recapping and reviewing book two of the Devil’s Playground duet by Ashley Jade, and let’s just say… if you thought book one was messy, buckle up.  We’re talking obsession, political power plays, true crime, revenge, and a romance that refuses to behave itself. Damien and Eden are back, making choices that will have you screaming, swooning, and maybe texting your therapist “you up?” So grab your drink, lower your expectations for healthy relationships, and join us for some laughs! Signature Cocktail: The Devil Will Get You Ingredients: 1 1/2 ounce vodka or tequila 1 1/2 ounce peach puree 1/2 ounce lime juice Chile-lime seasoning Ice cubes Instructions: Rim your glass with Tajin. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine your alcohol liquid, peach puree and lime juice. Shake until chilled about 30 seconds. Strain into the prepared glass.   

The Devil by Ashley Jade Tonight the cousins dive headfirst into Book One in The Devil's Playground duet where the men are dangerous, the tension is sinful, and the emotional damage comes with a side of sexual chemistry.  Pour a drink and join us as we unpack power plays, toxic flirting, and a love triangle that feels less like romance and more like potential for felony charges. Cheers to bad decisions and even worse men. Signature Cocktail: Devil's Heart Ingredients: 1/2 oz 1883 Spicy Syrup 4 oz White Tequila 1 oz honey 3 oz cranberry juice splash of lime juice   Pour all the ingredients in a shaker, add ice and shake well during 10 seconds. Strain in chilled Martini glass. Decorate with a pepper and a lime peel. 

Phantasma by Kaylie Smith Today the cousins are entering the dark, deadly, and frankly very sexy world of Phantasma, the gothic competition where contestants must survive a series of terrifying trials inside a cursed castle. Think haunted house meets Hunger Games, with just enough brooding men to make everyone question their survival priorities. So pour yourself something strong, light a candle that probably shouldn’t be flickering like that, and laugh along with Kim, Jen and Lynn!

Promise Me Forever by Sadie Kincaid The cousins are back with one of our FAV authors! This office romance delivers longing so intense it should come with a workplace hazard sign. We’ve got sexual tension that escalates faster than a skipped HR meeting, and promises that are less pinky swear and more blood oath in designer shoes. So grab your beverage, silence your inner moral compass, and join us as we unpack love, loyalty, and the kind of romance that absolutely does not come with a 401k.   Signature Cocktail: Promise Forever Ingredients: 2 oz pomegranate vodka (or regular vodka with pomegranate juice) 1 oz cherry liqueur 1 oz simple syrup ½ oz lime juice Ice cubes Cherry or lime wheel, for garnish Instructions: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add vodka, cherry liqueur, simple syrup, and lime juice. Shake well until chilled. Strain into a glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a cherry or lime wheel.  

Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver Today, the cousins dive into Brynne Weaver’s darkly fun romance, Butcher & Blackbird—a story where two morally gray antiheroes team up, use their murder skills for justice, and somehow stumble into one of the healthiest relationships in the book. It’s funny, twisted, unexpectedly tender, and the very first installment in the Ruinous Love Trilogy.   Signature Cocktail: Cookies and Creamtini If you know, you know! If you don't... read chapter 17!  Ingredients: 1/3 cup milk or cream 1/4 cup Pinnacle Whipped Vodka 1 1/2 teaspoons Jell-O Oreo instant pudding mix Hershey's chocolate sauce Crushed Oreo crumbs Whipped cream 1 mini Oreo for garnish (optional) Mix milk/cream, Pinnacle Whipped Vodka, and JELL-O Oreo instant pudding mix in shaker with ice. Shake for about 30 seconds. Dip rim of glass in chocolate sauce, then dip rim into Oreo crumbs. Strain drink into glass. Top with whipped cream and a mini Oreo if desired

Kiss of the Basilisk by Lindsay Straube Jen, Lynn and Kim are joined by a fairy loving friend to recap this story where Game of Thrones meets The Batchelor. Put your claws away, pour a drink and get ready for some hissssterics!   Signature Cocktail: Bloody Snake Bite Tonight’s drink, the Bloody Snake Bite, is as dangerous as it is divine—sweet at first sip, with a bite that lingers just long enough to make you question your choices. A perfect match for Kiss of the Basilisk—tempting, thrilling, and memorable. Ingredients: 2 oz Southern Comfort 4 oz cranberry juice 1 oz lime juice  lime wedge Ice red edible glitter Add a handful of ice cubes to a highball glass. Pour in Southern Comfort and top with cranberry juice, splashes of lime and edible glitter. Lightly stir and garnish with lime wedge.   

Passionate Brew by Sadira Stone Join the cousins and special guest for this cute enemies to lovers story that is guaranteed to leave you with a hoppy ending.   Signature Cocktail: Beer  To keep with the theme grab your favorite brew or cider and curl up with this quick read. 

HallowPeen by Holly Wilde Join cousins Jen, Kim, and Lynn for this special edition as they gourdge on this spicy and sticky  Halloween tale where inanimate objects go bump—and grind—in the night. It’s equal parts punny, spooky, and smutty.    Signature Cocktail: The Drunken Pumpkin Ingredients: 3 oz Whipped cream or marshmallow flavored Vodka  8 oz Pumpkin Spice Latte Whipped Cream Ground Cinnamon cup of ice Fill a cocktail shaker or mason jar with ice. Measure pumpkin spice latte and pour into shaker. Measure and add vodka. Put the lid on the shaker and shake vigorously until the shaker starts to frost. Pour into two glasses. Top with whipped cream (optional) (I used a spray can of whipped cream) Sprinkle ground cinnamon on top of the whipped cream. Garnish each drink with a cinnamon stick, if you like.  You can substitute different vodkas if you don't have whipped. Also if you can't get Starbucks PSL you can use pumpkin spice coffee creamer or pumpkin ice cream. Both are decadent.  

Love on Ice by Ja Low Join the cousins for this heartfelt love story, where fake dating leads to real feelings and hockey meets heart. Not a hockey fan? Doesn't matter, most of the action takes place between the sheets not on the ice. Grab your "Hat Trick" cocktail and settle in for a fun, flirty discussion of Love on Ice and all the sparks that fly both on and off the rink!   Signature Cocktail: The Hat Trick This drink inspiration comes from the game itself. The idea of a "Hat Trick" in hockey is where a player scores three goals in one game. Although our characters "scored" way more than three times I think this one will be a winner for you too.  Ingredients: 2 oz Vodka  1 oz cranberry juice 1 oz lime juice  ½ oz orange liqueur  Splash of club soda Ice red sugar for glass rim Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, vodka, orange liqueur, lime juice, and cranberry juice. Shake well until the shaker is thoroughly chilled (about 15-20 seconds). Prepare your highball glass by dipping the rim in water then placing the rim in red sugar. Strain the cocktail into your beautifully rimmed glass and add a splash of soda to give it some fizz.

Dark Notes by Pam Goodwin We needed a 4th cousin for this one! Pull up a bench, pour a drink and join us as we unpack Dark Notes. A story that gives a whole new meaning to hands on learning. It's forbidden, it's flawed and it might just hit a high note you didn't see coming. Signature Cocktail: Caged Heart With a mix of dark rum, blackberry liqueur, and a splash of danger, this drink is as intense as the story. One sip tangles you up in passion, secrets, and a melody that’ll leave you breathless. It's not just a drink, it's an experience. Cheers to the dark side! Ingredients: 2 oz dark rum 1 oz blackberry liqueur (such as Chambord) 1 oz fresh lime juice 1/2 oz simple syrup (or to taste) Ice Fresh blackberries (for garnish) Lime wheel (for garnish)   In a cocktail shaker, combine dark rum, blackberry liqueur, lime juice, and simple syrup. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds until that shit is nice and cold. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with a few fresh blackberries and a lime wheel. Serve immediately and enjoy the dark, complex flavors as you dive into Dark Notes!  

The Protector by Jodi Ellen Malpas Trumpian father figure, super model nepo baby, British redneck and a naked treasure hunt with a picnic at the end. If you thought we were done there, think again! There are more side plots between these pages than garnishes in a bloody mary.  Signature Cocktail: The Spicey Independent Ingredients:  1 1/2 parts Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey 1/2 part fresh lemon juice 3/4 part simple syrup 7 blackberries 7 fresh mint leaves 2-3 parts sparkling wine Muddle 6 blackberries and 6 mint leaves in a shaker with 1/4 part simple syrup. In the mixing glass, combine the bourbon, lemon juice and remaining simple syrup then add to the blackberries and mint leaves. Add ice and shake that baby up. Double strain into a Collins glass with fresh crushed ice. Top off with sparkling wine and garnish with your remaining mint leaf and blackberry. 

Chasing the Wild by Elliott Rose Hot secluded mountain men and enough sexual tension to explode... yes please! Join us as we discuss cowboy hats, the backseat of a pickup and one of the best reads this season.  Signature Cocktail: The Complex Cowboy Ingredients: Chocolate Whiskey, Bourbon, Orange Bitters, Chocolate Bitters, Orange slice for garnish.   Combine 1.5 oz chocolate whiskey, .75 oz of bourbon and 2 dashes of both orange and chocolate bitters in a mixing glass and add ice. Stir until well combined. Strain into a chocolate rimmed rocks glass with one large rock.  Garnish with a chocolate dipped orange peel.  This one should be enjoyed slowly making sure you take in every drop.

Kiss of the Irish by Lauren Hawkeye Who knew building confidence and finding the perfect guy meant dropping everything and heading to Ireland? From 'not my type' to 'let's go all night,' this one is quite a ride. Listen in as Jen, Lynn, and Kim discuss this cute Irish romance just in time for St. Patrick's Day. Signature Cocktail: Guinness Ingredients: A big tall glass of ice cold Guinness beer, don't make it hard! Go to the store and buy a Guinness beer and take a nice frosted glass and pour that baby slow and smooth, building it into the perfect drink for this Irish romance. Remember the head makes all the difference. 

Sugar Baby by Harley Madison Hey, school's expensive, and a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. Sometimes, the most educational experiences happen outside the classroom and in this case come with some pretty hot perks.    Signature Cocktail: Multiple Orgasm Ingredients: Vodka, Amaretto, Tia Maria, Half & Half In a cocktail shaker, add ice, 1/2 oz Vodka, 3/4 oz Amaretto and 3/4 oz Tia Maria and 2ct. Half & Half.  Shake until chilled and strain into a tall glass to serve. 

Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren   Let's leave HR out of this discussion today! Hang on to your panties ladies, we'll be covering an office romance with no shortage of scandalous scenes in small spaces!   Signature Cocktail: Silk Panty Dropper Ingredients: Vodka, Peach Schnapps, Cranberry Juice, Cherry for garnish   Pour 1.5 oz vodka, .5 oz of peach schnapps and 1 oz of cranberry juice into a mixing glass, stir, strain into a martini glass filled with crushed ice.  Garnish with a fresh cherry and enjoy.

Cupid's Mistake by Chantilly White Join Jen, Lynn and Kim and see if you can help us figure out exactly what Cupid's mistake was in this book. Hey, no slut shaming allowed!    Signature Cocktail: Cupids Arrow Ingredients: Vodka, Blood Orange Liqueur, Orange Juice, Lemon Juice, Chopped Berries (raspberries or strawberries) sugar, Sprite, Chocolate shavings for garnish In a cocktail shaker, add ice, 1.5 oz vodka, .75 oz blood orange liqueur, 1.5 oz orange juice, a splash of lemon juice and a teaspoon of sugar or sugar substitute. Shake vigorously. Wet and dip a glass rim in pink or red sugar crystals then fill with ice cubes. Pour shaken mixture over ice and add the Sprite. Drop berries in and stir to mix. For an extra bit of love, sprinkle the top with chocolate shavings prior to serving. 

Lights Out by Navessa Allen We're back baby! Jen, Lynn and Kim talk stalking, kitty cats and polite mafia good guys.  Signature Cocktail: The Fred Fizz Ingredients: Bourbon Whiskey, Simple Syrup, Lemon Juice, Orange Curacao, Lemonade, Shaved Ice.  Grab a tumbler and fill it 3/4ths of the way full with ice. Then measure out 2 ounces of your preferred bourbon or rye whiskey and pour it into the tumbler. Add 1.5 ounces of fresh squeezed lemon juice and 1/2 an ounce of simple syrup. Put your top on your tumbler and shake till it's ice cold and frost starts to form on the outside. In a tall glass add 1-2 scoops of shaved ice. Strain your shaken cocktail into the shaved ice. Float a layer of orange curacao on top. In a second glass add 4 - 6 ounces of lemonade. Pour your first glass into the second one. This step seems convoluted but the pouring the first mixture into the second is what creates the fizz part of the Fred Fizz. * Remember you can substitute other flavors for whiskey, simple syrup and even limeade for extra fun and a little variety. 

Join Jen and the Twin Sister fairy smut connoisseurs for another week in the land of fairy wine and large wing spans!    Cocktail: The Hello Feyre Darling Ingredients: 1 oz vodka, 1 oz lime juice, 2 oz Chambord Raspberry Liquor, 2 oz Sprite, drop of purple food coloring (so we can get the color of Rhysand's eyes). Mix and pour over ice!

Turn on the twinkle lights and pour yourself some Under the Mountain Jiggle Juice, we are kicking off our ACOTAR series!  Cocktail: Under the Mountain Jiggle Juice (Tamlin Namby Pamby) Ingredients: 2 oz Moscato, 1 oz Vodka, a splash of cranberry juice and iridescent cocktail sparkle. Mix and serve over ice!