I am currently at 70% into the book and thinking to DNF but at the same time thinking maybe I should just finish it. I was wondering if you have any limit

This is definitely the realm of fantasy and paranormal romance, so I plan to make the appropriate cross-posts which will be placed in a (hopefully pinned, if I can learn how to do that) comment.

So, obviously, he’s not human in this situation. I think that’s a given. But I’m looking for books with a scene where the FMC has a super embarrassing moment where her friends can tell she just performed fellatio because her mouth is a certain color but she has no idea

Did anyone else receive Ana Huang’s newsletter last week and listen to her podcast? I believe she actually was interviewed in April but we got to officially listen last Friday.

She talks of her childhood and having a Chinese/American upbringing and how she used to write on Wattpad before becoming something more “adult” I guess in the “adult world” of things by having her day job, and then once the Pandemic hit, she focused more on her writing, went back to it, and I’m so glad she did.

She birthed some amazing groundbreaking if I say so myself back to back romance books.

The most interesting thing to me is was her anxieties of getting Twisted Games published as she was worried how a follow up could’ve flopped after Twisted Love being the sensation it was.

I’m so glad she did, it went through and was even more successful I’d say. She has some of my favorite books ever because of her courage and belief going through with it.

Also on how she was a TikToker before BookTok became the new thing, and how it helped promote and market her writing through her own sheer creativity.

For those who want to take a listen, the interview is here.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2LnKyuq95J5W0gzBntwh5P

I also love how she mentioned that characters she’s written aren’t necessarily fictional and are based on stuff that maybe happens throughout her life so far, and also people she KNOWS, things she has seen. Her characters have always felt real to me.

Finding bully romances very cathartic at the moment. I’ve just finished Untouchable by Sam Mariano and I found it gripping and really enjoyed the time and attention devoted to the psychological deep dive in the MMC.

One line that the FMC says to the MMC about how she views relationship and dating however really stuck out to me, and I started considering the capacity for demisexual representation and a whole new craving was born!

Book genies, I’m looking for a bully romance with a popular/golden boy MMC with that fixated pursuant energy, and the FMC being more aloof. Demisexual identity doesn’t have to be explicitly stated, but the theme is there for the FMC! Don’t mind slowburn. Well developed characters is a must! I really enjoyed the time devoted to character psychology in Untouchable, and I’m told that can be common in Dark Romance storylines. I’m open to that, too (just please give me a heads up with the TWs! I can handle non-con as long as it’s treated *realistically* as a survivor (i.e Untouchable handled the coping strategies survivors often employ REALLY well and made it clear this was what was happening) and not minimised/reframed by the FMC and the MMC never gaslit her with “you liked it” nonsense 🙏🏽). Setting wise I’d prefer it have that community/peer pressure setting: college or high school, or a workplace in a field that’s got that hierarchical element e.g attorneys in a law firm, or healthcare workers in a hospital.

I had an interesting time knowing how my fellow reader friends of this sub handle book length from my last post.

It sparked another curiosity to know how you guys deal with episodic fiction. To be clear, novels that get released chapter by chapter or a set of chapters get released at once and we get the next set once it's released rather than the traditional book series that we get. These are usually web native. If they're offline they're usually released as a part in daily or weekly magazines.

Excluding all kinds of TV and web series, I've read a few episodic novels and comics. I've been on three the sides, patiently reading all of it and loving it by the end, dropping it somewhere in the middle as it was a drag or I don't like where the plot goes or any other reason, also reading it eagerly and loving it only for the author to stop continuing the story.

Third one is the worst that I wouldn't wish for an enemy. I'm still sulking for the stories that didn't get an ending.

What are your thoughts? Such a pleasure to read them. I'm loving to see how other romance reading friends are doing things.

Hiii, I’m specifically, I’m looking for scenes where the MCs aren’t officially together yet or it’s benefits situation, or the MMC is still denying his feelings), and they’re at a club, party, bar, wedding, or some other social event. Any variation works where the MCs aren’t officially not officially together yet or if one of the MC believes they are not together.

An OM starts flirting with or trying to pick up the FMC, and the MMC. I want him to swoop in with major “back off, she’s mine” energy. The more over-the-top, and irrational his reaction is, the better. Bonus if this leads to angst afterwards because the FMC is confused and calls him out. They’re not together, so what right does he have to act like that? I’d love for the MMC to have to confront his own feelings after being so possessive. Open to contemporary, sports, mafia, dark romance, paranormal, fantasy, and omegaverse. No cheating or RH please.
Thank you!

Basically, this:

MMC: "Your father put you up as collateral in case he couldn't pay back his debts. Now you must marry me."

FMC: "Why?"

MMC: "...What do you mean, why? It's in writing. You have no choice." (shows her a contract) "See?"

FMC: (reads it, tears it up)

MMC: "What the fuck?! That's a binding contract!"

FMC: "Not for me. I'm not bound by a contract to which I wasn't a party."

MMC: "Yes, you are! Your father even signed it in a solution of your mother's menstrual blood and the liquefied vomit of a magical space unicorn!"

FMC: "Okay, first of all, ew. Second of all, the fact that I never signed anything already rendered this thing null and void. Third of all, even if it hadn't, the attempt to compel me into marriage would have. And, finally, even if it were legally enforceable, what were you gonna do? Sue me for breach of contract? Expose your whole thing in front of a room full of lawyers?"

MMC: "THE MAGICAL SPACE UNICORN WAS NAMED BUCKY!"

FMC: "Cute, but still no. Are we done here?"

MMC: "NO! No, we're not!" (holds a gun to her father's head) "Marry me or he dies!"

FMC: (shrugs) "Go ahead. He might have sucked at selling me out, but he sure gave it a try. I don't need to care what happens to him anymore. Hell, give ME the gun. I'll do it myself. Also, you just admitted that you have to resort to blackmail because your contract isn't actually worth shit."

MMC: "But I've been secretly lusting after you for years! I'd want to marry you regardless!"

FMC: "Amazingly, that doesn't make any of what just happened better."

MMC: (sighs) "All right. You leave me no choice." (walks over and looms over her)

FMC: "Um, what are you doing?"

MMC: "I am making you wet and pliable by summoning the power of dominant alpha hotness."

FMC: "Your tie is in your zipper."

MMC: "Motherf--" (fixes it) "Okay, now."

FMC: (waits) "Yeah, I'm drier than Death Valley right now. I'm leaving."

MMC: "Not unless Frankie over by the door stops you."

FMC: (not even turning around) "Hey, Frankie, there's some nice gabagool in the kitchen."

FRANKIE: "Gabagool?!" (runs out)

FMC: "Anything else?"

MMC: "Student loans."

FMC: "Fully funded 529."

MMC: "Fleabag apartment."

FMC: "No, it's pretty clean."

MMC: "Unfulfilled dream of opening a bakery."

FMC: "Why would I want to get up that early every day?"

MMC: "THIS. NECKLACE."

FMC: "I hate peridots."

MMC: (defeated) "Can I offer you a ride on Bucky?"

FMC: "Not if he's still vomiting. See ya."

The way I ran here after seeing this!

Some of you might remember my emotions thread after I read {Pen Pal by J. T. Geissinger} and the twist at the end ruined me because I wanted them to get their HEA dammit! … well, looks like they are finally going to! I can’t wait for this book 😍😍

The new book is called Pen Pal: Afterlife and releasing Nov 24

People always say, "That's great in fiction, but it would never work in reality." And sure, some romance tropes are unrealistic or unhealthy to expect from a real partner.

But I'm curious about the opposite.

What's something from romance novels that made you realize, "That's the new bare minimum for me now".

You know how we’re always reading about MMCs who’ve slept with half the city, only to toss women aside like they meant nothing?

I need the role reversal.

Give me an FMC who’s the player. She sleeps with many men with zero strings attached. Commitment and clinginess makes her sick, and the only guys she’s willing to keep around are reliable booty calls with good dick. She can be a nice whore (non-derogatory) or an egotistical menace, I genuinely don’t care.

As for the MMC, he doesn’t necessarily have to be meek or shy (which, it’s fine if he is). I just want him to be inexperienced and/or someone who genuinely believes in love. And if he’s neither of those, I’ll happily take a tall, muscular grump who’s never cared enough about sex to bother with it…until he meets our FMC, of course.

I also want the MMC so down bad, it’s not even funny. I want him relentlessly pursuing her, doing literally anything he can to get her to give him a real chance.

I’m so tired of sexually liberated women getting the worst representation in romance. The “slut” is always the groupie, the side piece, the puck bunny, or the MMC’s unhinged former hookup who refuses to leave him alone. Meanwhile, the MMC who’s slept his way through his entire country gets a heartfelt redemption arc. I’m so over this trope. 😭

Bonus points if the FMC annoyingly does literally *ANYTHING* in her power to avoid her feelings for him once they start creeping in. Denial, self-sabotage, emotional constipation, pushing the mmc away, trying to get the mmc out of her mind by linking with her past-hookups. I mean ANYTHING.

I’m looking for books like Ain't She Sweet by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.

I love the "it girl comes home" trope — the popular, beautiful FMC who left her high school heartthrob and the town she swore she’d never return to. Rich, spoiled princess energy. Broke hearts. Ruined reputations. Comes back years later broke and desperate.

But here’s the twist I need:
She’s the one who dumped the popular MMC in high school, and he moved on. Now she’s back and he’s already with another woman he doesn’t love. I don’t mind OW/OM drama as long as there’s angst, jealousy, and both of them pining.

In Ain't She Sweet, Sugar Beth and Ryan don’t end up together. I want the opposite — FMC and MMC DO get their happy ending, despite everything.

Hey y’all! So I’m really craving a book (maybe femdom? But not necessarily) where the dynamic between the FMC and MMC is that the MMC absolutely WORSHIPS the FMC’s body. The MMC is absolutely devoted to the FMC’s pleasure and gets off when she gets off. I want an MMC who eats out the FMC like nobody’s business and where the FMC’s pleasure is centered in most all the sex scenes. I’m talking MMC who would eat the FMC out for hours or finger her for hours until she comes. I am completely okay with femdom and would love to see books where the FMC is sexually dominant, open about her desires, and assertive about what she wants. The MMC should be receptive to this and enjoy the dynamic. I do not want an MMC who is resistant or critical of the FMC’s sexual openness. I don’t want any alphaholes, MMCs who use sexist nicknames, MMCs who act as though they own the FMC’s body, MMCs who try to control the FMCs life/choices, or authors who describe other female characters in super negative ways (like criticizing, other female characters in the book for being sluts, ugly, etc.).

Please help!!

It MUST be STRANGERS TO LOVERS. I don't want them to have any shared history, childhood connection, past romance, or secret relationship. They should be COMPLETE STRANGERS.

Bonus points if it's a workplace/office romance.

The heroine is misunderstood by everyone. She's cold, aloof, intimidating, and generally disliked, but beneath that icy exterior she's deeply lonely. Her coldness is simply a defense mechanism born from past trauma. (She is not neurodivergent).

The hero is her complete opposite. Everyone likes him - he's charismatic, confident, sociable, and effortlessly charming. He's genuinely kind, not a playboy or womanizer. He's also highly intelligent, observant, and emotionally perceptive.

He's always been intrigued by the ice queen and may have even developed a small, secret crush on her from afar, but never approached her because of how intimidating and prickly she is.

When they finally begin interacting, he's patient, gentle, and quietly persistent. He loves teasing her just enough to get a reaction, and he finds her fiery, prickly side incredibly attractive. Meanwhile, she tries to hide how flustered he makes her by becoming even colder and more defensive.

I want a true slow burn, where every wall he helps her tear down only makes him fall deeper in love with her. Once he learns about the trauma she's been carrying, he becomes fiercely protective of her.

Please recommend romance novels that match this dynamic as closely as possible. I've been searching for this kind of romance for a long time. 🥹

Heyyy readers 👋 I desperately need books where the FMC herself uses the MMC as a shield to protect herself!

I don't want the MMC stepping in front of her first. I want her to be the one who runs behind him and uses him as a human shield.

Like maybe she's scared of a lizard, rat, cockroach or literally anything and just grabs the back of his shirt and presses herself against his back while he's standing there confused or amused! Like in {till summer do us part by meghan quinn}

I NEED scenes where she's clutching his clothes for dear life and doesn't even realize how close she's gotten until later. Maybe he's annoyed or maybe he's laughing at her but I want him to be aware of the contact and maybe he looks over his shoulder and they've an intense eye contact 😭

Or it can be a serious scene too. She's scared, nervous, overwhelmed, uncomfortable, and her first instinct is to move behind him and use him as a barrier between herself and whatever's bothering her.

The important thing is that SHE does it first. Not him.

I want the MMC ready to step up, but before he can even move she's already hiding behind him like protect me!! make it go away!!

Bonus points if this happens multiple times throughout the book and eventually becomes her automatic response whenever she's scared or startled. Pls pls pls give me book recommendations also I think {fractured souls by neva altaj} fits partially because she was scared to do anything but it was her trauma response.

I listened to this series on Audible probably close to 10 years ago.

The series is about a family of brothers who have a cattle ranch in I think Montana? And they have angel names like Gabriel but goes by Gabe.

The first book is the oldest brother with the “girl next door” and her name is Jax. There’s also a set of twins and a brother who ends up in a poly relationship. Another brother ends up with a woman with kids who escaped a cult and can’t have standard penetration sex and he goes to the poly brother for advice.

Narrators are Tatiana Sokolov or Tanya Eby.

I remember so much about this series but scrolling through my reading history I cannot find it! There was a request recently and the book with the woman who escaped the cult fit the brief exactly but I could not for the life of me find it.

I KNOW you ladies can help me. Please and thank you!!!

Hello!!!! I’ve been thinking about this specific trope? For a while, and I’ve yet to sadly come across any books that may have it.

There’s a sort of specific scene/moment/storyline where it’s rooted in found family and the mmc needs to appear as if he had died and everyone in his friend group or close family is aware of it except for the fmc, and she can’t know, maybe for her safety I’m not sure just a very good reason.

And it takes his family and friends to comfort her in ways and then to give the mmc updates and he’d emotionally dying from the hurt the situation is causing her. She’d start to close off or just not be herself.

And then obviously it’ll be relieved mmc is actually alive but fmc goes ballistic because like whaaat?

Anyways, recommendations are greatly appreciated! (No RH, HR, omega verse or paranormal please!)

I'm looking for a very specific vibe and I'm hoping someone knows books that fit!

I want the FMC to be poor, street smart, and just trying to survive. Maybe she's dating a petty criminal, low-level thug, or just generally awful boyfriend who gets himself mixed up with the mafia. Or she's running errands for a local crime boss, collecting debts, handing over cash, stealing, or doing whatever she has to do to get by.

Then the real mafia MMC notices her.

I don't want him to explode onto the page yelling and throwing people around. I want him to be quietly terrifying. The kind of man who never raises his voice because he never has to. He's always in control, always three steps ahead, sitting back playing with his watch while everyone else panics. He leans in to whisper threats rather than shouting them. Completely unflappable.

I want the feeling that she's already trapped in his web before she even realizes she's become important to him. He's watching, pulling strings, removing people from her life, making decisions for her behind the scenes, and she slowly discovers just how much control he has.

I'd love:

Slow burn.

No arranged marriage or insta-love.

Protective/possessive but intelligent MMC.

Power imbalance where she's clearly outmatched without her being helpless.

Lots of tension and psychological cat-and-mouse.

Bonus points if her terrible boyfriend unknowingly owes money to the mafia or drags her into the situation.

Basically I want the vibe of a spider patiently waiting in its web rather than a loud alpha barging in.

Any recommendations? I don't mind dark romance at all!

I want rockstar/popstar but not JUST that. I want specifically the OTHER partner not knowing that they’re famous when they first meet and begin to fall in love.

❌ {If you don’t love me we both die by CM Stunich}
She knows he’s a pop star before they meet, so not like this!

✅ {The Comeback by Lily Chu}
She doesn’t know he’s famous at all!!

✅any pairing m/f, m/m, f/f etc

❌no cheating

❌no poly OR RH

❌no real people!!

Thank you!

Hi friends, idk about you guys but I BINGED Claire Kent’s apocalyptic series (still ongoing) and I just haven’t been able to find another apocalypse romance that I haven’t already read.

UNTIL NOW!!!

This book randomly showed up on my kindle and I decided to take a chance on it and it was actually pretty good! I’m on the second book now which just came out last month I think.

Book one is {Between You & I by Isolde Blackwood} It is about a 30yr old FMC who is perpetually numb to everything and a 40 something yr old MMC grump. They’ve “hated each other for 6 years while working at the same aquarium.

You follow their journey through the beginning of the end of the world.

Cool zombies, lots of rough smut, enemies to lovers. All good stuff

I’d rate it probably a 3.5/5. It would’ve been a 4/5 but FMC has a bf in the beginning and there’s a sex scene that’s uncomfy and I just hate sex scenes that aren’t between the MCs. BUT it’s only in the very beginning

Also some grammatical errors and weird paragraph spacing but I’ve gotten pretty used to that with KU so it didn’t bother me much.

My spice scale is pretty extreme (I’ve read some crazy shit) and I’d give this one a 4.5/5 on the amount of smut and a 3.5/5 on the description/scenes. Not bad at all just a bit repetitive after a while. Like girl… we get it… you want it to hurt… she says that about 500 times

Anywho, just wanted to share for all my other survival romance fans out there. I hadn’t seen this one recommended anywhere yet and I was happily surprised.

HEA
1st DUAL POV
SPICY
SOME BDSM
SOME GORE
STANDALONE SERIES (DIFFERENT COUPLE IN EACH BOOK)

I recently read A Darkness So Sweet by Emma Hamm which then lead me to a re-read of Radiance by Grace Draven (similar vibes) and now I just need more! I also think that Luxuria from Colette Rhodes kind of fits this for anyone in the same boat as me.

Basically the commonalities here that I love are:
- MMC and FMC from two very different worlds or different races and basically find each other repulsive, scary, and/or weird in appearance.
- They get married to bring their kingdoms together or for similar reasons (arranged marriage)
- fall in love with who the person is, which then makes them physically attracted to them
- FMC is going to a culture better than hers (ie. treat women better, people are kinder, etc)
- wholesome romance that also has spice
- found family aspects

Thanks so much in advance! :)

Might be weird, but I want a story where the plot is around marine animals, the main characters are scuba divers, maybe in a live in boat, or an island.

Could be marine biologists or scuba instructor / student, I don't know haha

I just want them to dive in the ocean and see beautiful animals and then bond over the exhaustion after a dive 😅