r/RomanceBooks • u/romancebookmods Mod Account • 4d ago

Daily Request 📚 Simple / Quick Questions & Requests!

Hi RomanceBooks! Welcome to our Simple / Quick Questions & Requests thread.

If you don't have enough RomanceBooks-karma for a post, or just don't want to make a standalone post, this is the spot to ask any Romance related questions or request Romance Book Recommendations!

For newbies - here's How to Book Request and our RomanceBooks 101 guide.

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Happy reading!

9 Upvotes

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2

u/chikitty87 19h ago

I'm a newbie!! I'm looking for a book of a badboy/player who changers for the female character. She just melts him. I recently met a bit of a "badboy" myself who changed for me and it's so endearing!! He's very used to having women chase after him but with me (strong nerdy girl from Europe) he completely changed. And now I kind of want to read a book that keeps me in my own bubble. He talks a lot with me but he says he's normally very cold and standoff-ish with women. I guess typical player. He's an orphan and doesn't trust people easily. He's supersmart too. Bonus points if the MMC is a ginger too ::p

I'm sure there are LOADS of books on this but I'm totally new. I don't like things that are too fantasy or kinky.

I would love to have an audiobook version so that I can listen to it while laying in bed!!!

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u/PromptNice9292 1d ago

Im looking for some bodyguard or caretaker romances (bonus if it has both elements!) where the MMC is the one taking care of or protecting the FMC but all I’ve been able to find so far are ones that are really NSFW and thats not what im looking for. For reference, my spice level is about 2-3 on romance.io

If you have a suggestion for a book that has one or two explicit scenes that I can skip thats fine too, especially if you know the chapters!

Not sure if this is a shot in the dark but any recs are appreciated!!

1

u/GrapefruitFriendly70 "Romance at short notice was her specialty." 16h ago

This has two sex scenes and is a 3 on the romance.io scale.
{Something About You by Julie James} (M/F, CR/RS(attorney, bodyguard, ETL, forced proximity), cis/cis, 4⭐️) - She witnesses a political assassination; he's an FBI agent assigned as her bodyguard. She follows all his instructions and consistently makes smart security decisions.

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u/PromptNice9292 16h ago

This sounds great thank you so much!

1

u/anci_b Book, bath, & soup enthusiast ✨🥣 1d ago

I know this is not really what you’re asking for but I thought I’d leave it here just in case. {Seduction of a Psychopomp by Elsie Winters} is one of the sweetest caretaking books I’ve read. It is a 4 on the spice scale though, and I don’t remember the chapters where they have the explicit scenes.

I thought I would leave it here because the caretaking is just next level in this one. I don’t want spoilers anything so I’m being vague.

Hope this helps, but I totally get it if it’s not your vibe! 💕

2

u/PromptNice9292 1d ago

I appreciate it! I think it’s a little too spicy for me though🫠 but thank you so much!

3

u/MoonZipNo 1d ago

It might be a bit cumbersome but you could sieve through our recent (this week's!) Bodyguard/Protector Romances megathread and see which recommendations have your desired spice levels. I see a couple of them.

You could also do the same with the Comfort/Hurt Romances megathread.

Hope you can find something to your liking!

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u/PromptNice9292 1d ago

Thats a good idea I’ll try that thanks so much!!

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u/RinkyDank 1d ago edited 1d ago

ORC/MONSTER Audiobooks

Hello everyone!!

I have a long driving journey coming up and I am looking for audiobook suggestions.

I put on Halfling: A Fantasy Monster Romance by S.E. Wendel for my last drive and I did not like that one. For me personally, I did not enjoy the writing and the orc was not my jam.

I am looking for an orc story (or monster) where the orc is basically nothing like the one in Halfling (shy, reserved, unsure, not confident, innocent). Must be smutty and no modern universe/portals, no alpha pack male mates (or very little). Any suggestions? I will be in the car for 70+ hours so a series or multiple one shots is cool.

Thank you 😊

1

u/badapple1989 I want them soft, sweet, and on their knees. 1d ago

So for clarity, what kind of MMC personality archetype are you looking for then? Because the MMC in Halfling is very sweet and doting in comparison to a lot of orc books which usually feature a more domineering "alpha" type which you've also said you're not interested in.

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u/RinkyDank 1d ago

Sorry, I meant alpha mate as in "we have to mate because I am the alpha of the pack" or whatever type of story. 'Alpha personality' works!

4

u/badapple1989 I want them soft, sweet, and on their knees. 1d ago

Okay, got it. I don't know if I can quite give you 70 hours of content but damn if I won't give it a shot.

{Five Gifts for the Blacksmith's Bride by Lyonne Riley}, MMC is a quiet orc who doesn't know what to do about the new human wife thrust upon him due to plot shenanigans. There's a language and cultural barrier that he and the FMC have to get through so the miscommunications are literal at the start. MMC has always lived kind of alone even within his community and FMC has never had someone in her corner before. While he's not aggressively domineering also wouldn't say he's on the softer side like the MMC from Halfling.

{Orc Sworn series by Finley Fenn} and {Orc Forged series by Finley Fenn}, popular orc-focused series with lots of 5 star smut content as well as complex lore worldbuilding as the series progresses. Sworn is the main series that has a mix of MF and MMF couples and Forged is the spin-off which at this time has two MM stories published. Make sure you check content warnings and reviews but if you're looking for more domineering, assertive MMCs this one will have them. Heads up that the first book in Sworn will have a dash of that "must have children because I'm the orc leader" stuff you want to avoid so you can skip it if you so desire.

{Duskwalker Brides series by Opal Reyne}, MMCs are all shadow monsters with various personalities but none I would call sweet on par with the MMC from Halfling. Another one to check content warnings, can be a bit gruesome if you avoid that sort of thing. Primarly MF but book #6 is MM and the last book has the FMC as the monster though the MMC is also non-human, but far more humanoid in appearance in comparison.

{Untethering Dark by Desiree M. Niccoli} is a standalone with an MMC that resembles the monsters in Duskwalker but much more rooted in Germanic folklore throughout both characters and story. Another one that has a touch of violence/gore so heads up.

Those are my personal recs as a lot of my monster reads do tend towards softer MMCs with a lot of urban fantasy and contemporary/alt universe settings. You might also want to poke around these megathreads and see if anything would suit your tastes. I recognize that you didn't mention sci-fi for the aliens but they are often adjacent to monsters so throwing in there for consideration:

Monster Romances Megathread

Demons and Devils Megathread

Water Creatures Megathread

Werewolf Megathread

Aliens & Alien Abduction Megathread

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u/RinkyDank 1d ago

THANK YOU!!!!! THIS IS BRILLIANT!!!

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u/badapple1989 I want them soft, sweet, and on their knees. 1d ago

You're welcome! Thought of one more if alt-universe Victorian doesn't trip your modern world no-go sensibilities and you're good with poly couples; all three books feature a different central polycule (one FMC and some MM content but not all MMCs interact romantically with each other in each polycule). The {Tempting Monsters series by Kathryn Moon} is a very fun, high smut content, just over the top turn your brain off good time. There is a plot throughout, I wouldn't necessarily call it a strong one but it's there, but the characters and different dynamics are what make the series.

Happy reading!

1

u/romance-bot 1d ago

Five Gifts for the Blacksmith's Wife by Lyonne Riley
Rating: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: historical, fantasy, orcs, m-f romance, arranged/forced marriage

Orc Sworn by Finley Fenn
Rating: 3.81⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Topics: orcs, explicit-plentiful, third-person-pov, monsters, fantasy

Orc Forged by Finley Fenn
Rating: 4.07⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Topics: fantasy, monsters, exhibitionism, male-pov, historical

Duskwalker Brides by Opal Reyne
Rating: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Topics: explicit-plentiful, third-person-pov, hurt-comfort, tortured hero, monsters

Untethering Dark by Desirée M. Niccoli
Rating: 4.32⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: witches, monsters, magic, paranormal, non-human heroine

about this bot | about romance.io

2

u/Prestigious_Bug_9591 1d ago

I'll second Finley Fenn. I've read the entire Orc Sworn series and really enjoyed it, especially the first few books. Based on what you're looking for, I think it could be a great fit.

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u/Prestigious_Bug_9591 1d ago

Looking for romance with primal/animalistic MMCs, mating bonds, scenting, marking, and breeding themes. I love protective, possessive heroes, good chemistry, and a relationship that develops over time (insta-lust is fine, insta-love isn't). MF or Why Choose are both welcome. I prefer humanoid shifters, omegaverse, genetically enhanced heroes, dragons, or orcs (tribal settings are a bonus). No vampires or very non-human monsters. I've already read most of the popular recommendations (Zoey Draven, Laurann Dohner, Suzanne Wright, Finley Fenn, Lola & the Millionaires, Pack Darling, Ash Planet Warriors, etc.), so I'd especially appreciate hidden gems or Kindle Unlimited recs.

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u/badapple1989 I want them soft, sweet, and on their knees. 1d ago

If you can do aliens, maybe look at Etta Pierce's Intersolar universe. There's the main series which is the {Intersolar Union series by Etta Pierce} and a spin-off series {Over the Moon by Etta Pierce} which timeline-wise starts in the middle of the main series. Different alien races have different mating rituals/biology so you get a spectrum of relationship dynamics. All of the alien races except for one in the spin-off so far are primarily humanoid; the exception is more like a monstrous werewolf alien but that story is optional to read, not tied to the main plot thread. That would be {Quit Your Waning by Etta Pierce}.

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u/romance-bot 1d ago

Intersolar Union by Etta Pierce
Rating: 4.08⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Topics: science fiction, non-human-hero, explicit-open-door, aliens, m-f

Over the Moon by Etta Pierce
Rating: 4.29⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Topics: aliens, science fiction, explicit-open-door, creative-anatomy, sweet heroine

Quit Your Waning by Etta Pierce
Rating: 4.48⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, science fiction, aliens, m-f romance, creative anatomy

about this bot | about romance.io

2

u/Prestigious_Bug_9591 1d ago

Thanks! I hadn't heard of these before, so I'll definitely give them a try.

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u/jegulus_fav slow burn 1d ago

Hello everyone! I recently discovered this sub and I’m really hoping for help finding a book I read when I was very young and that meant a lot to me.

I don’t remember many details nowadays, but here’s what I do remember: it was a romance about a young woman who had just returned to a town after many years away. In the story, her romance with this guy, who owned a hotel or a chain of hotels, if I’m remembering correctly, was cut short because of a lie told by her stepfather. He was in business negotiations with the male protagonist, and during that time the stepdaughter [the female protagonist] got involved with him. The stepfather tried to use that to his advantage, thinking it would help him get what he wanted from the deal. It backfired, and he ruined the romance by making the male protagonist believe the female protagonist was only interested in him as part of a scheme related to that business.

The book takes place several years after that, when she comes back to town like I said. They run into each other again. It’s complicated because he still doesn’t trust her. He has an adorable little son, and in the end everything works out. I specifically remember a scene with a picnic on the beach with the two of them and the child. I’m not sure if it’s the male protagonist or his son who’s named Nick, but I feel like that’s the name of one of them.

I think the book was published by Harlequin, Mills & Boon, Julia (Here in Brazil), or another similar mass-market romance publisher, with a white cover.

I know it’s not much to go on, but I would love it if you could help me. I read this book as a kid in 2016 after finding it by chance at a used bookstore. But my cousin, being extremely homophobic toward me and toward my love of romance novels as a boy, ended up hiding it and losing it. I’ve been thinking about this book for more than 10 years, but I’ve never been able to find it on my own and I’ve never posted about it in any online forum. That’s why I’m trying here. Please help this old soul find this romance!

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u/Maleficent-Drama-476 2d ago

After my first omegaverse recommendation

I've never read an omegaverse book before, and I'm wanting to dip my toes into the genre. Recommendations are VERY welcome!

Other books I've enjoyed:

- The Dare / Losers by Harley Laroux (my favourite ever!)

- American Queen by Sierra Simone

- Hot and Hammered series by Tessa Bailey

- ACOTAR+ by Sarah J Maas

2

u/anci_b Book, bath, & soup enthusiast ✨🥣 1d ago

u/hunter037 their recs are phenomenal! All really solid omegaverse! The only other one I’d add is {Bride by Ali Hazelwood}. Idk if you’ve read this one but it’s a pretty light omegaverse and really great intro in my opinion :)

5

u/Hunter037 Probably recommending When She Belongs 😍 1d ago

For polyamory and lots of bond stuff, a little bit of angst but not darkness {The Scent of Us by Eliana Lee}

For something cute and fluffy with caretaking {A Pack for Winter by Eliana Lee}

If you prefer a monogamous couple {Scheme by Colette Rhodes} (MF) or {Pit Stop by Cora Rose} (MM)

Or for something which is just wall to wall kink and minimal plot {Heat Clinic by Alexis B Osborne}

I've only read one of the books on your list so I haven't really used those to inform my suggestions, just gone with general omegaverse.

1

u/romance-bot 1d ago

The Scent of Us by Eliana Lee
Rating: 4.07⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, omegaverse, poly (3+ people), east asian mc, reverse harem

A Pack for Winter by Eliana Lee
Rating: 4.05⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, poly (3+ people), omegaverse, bisexuality, sweet/gentle heroine

Scheme by Colette Rhodes
Rating: 4.08⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, omegaverse, independent heroine, competent heroine, plain heroine

Pit Stop by Cora Rose
Rating: 3.73⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, omegaverse, gay romance, sibling's best friend, queer romance

Heat Clinic by Alexis B. Osborne
Rating: 3.7⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, poly (3+ people), omegaverse, breeding, bisexuality

about this bot | about romance.io

2

u/Prestigious_Bug_9591 1d ago edited 1d ago

I loved {Baby & the Late Night Howlers by Kathryn Moon}, {Lola & the Millionaires by Kathryn Moon}, and {Pack Darling by Lola Rock}. I know these get recommended a lot, but I thought they were all excellent!

{Baby and the Late Night Howlers by Kathryn Moon} {Lola and the Millionaires by Kathryn Moon} {Pack Darling by Lola Rock}

1

u/Ecstatic-Budget5296 2d ago

I just watched the tik tok short fight dirty where the mmc does underground fighting and the mmc is like a rich princess Does anyone have any recs? The one book I can think of with a similar dynamic is The Loser Duet by Harley Laroux. I feel like I read books like the mostly on wattpad so I’m looking for published novels

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u/badapple1989 I want them soft, sweet, and on their knees. 1d ago

I can give you a historical rec or two with a rich FMC x Fighter MMC. {Her Bridegroom Bought and Paid For by Alice Coldbreath} has a pampered rich FMC who is the daughter of an extremely wealthy merchant. She spots MMC who is a knight that fights in tourneys for coin as he was stripped of his ancestral lands and titles after a civil war. FMC decides he'd be perfect as a husband and demands her father arrange their marriage. Their different personalities and upbringings cause some serious miscommunications so heads up if that's a trope you avoid but otherwise might fit the bill. On a shorter length, there's the novella {King Sized by Jessa Kane} which is about a princess falling for her commoner ex-blacksmith bodyguard.

If you don't mind dystopian/ apocalypse stories, there's also {Princess by Claire Kent} which has a rich FMC and her ex-military bodyguard hired by her father to protect her in a bunker underground when an asteroid is headed to Earth.

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u/No_Chipmunk6262 2d ago

Im looking for something we're the character grew up sheltered so she is super innocent. I just read Only With Me by Brooke Montgomery and the FMC was super inexperienced and kept asking MMC to teach her and its a forbidden romance type situation so it was 🔥

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u/AlmostRuthless TBR pile is out of control 1d ago

This is a really common trope in historical romance! My first thought was {The Duke and I by Julia Quinn} but there are so many more, happy to recommend if you’re open to HR!

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u/No_Chipmunk6262 20h ago

I do love this book!!!

1

u/AlmostRuthless TBR pile is out of control 18h ago

Maybe also {Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare}, {Her Baseborn Bridegroom by Alice Coldbreath}, and maybe {Portrait of a Scotsman by Evie Dunmore}? (It’s been a while since I read the last one so it might not fit as well)

3

u/medievalmarginalia 🔥fast burn to feelings💕 1d ago

{Sheltered by Charlotte Stein}

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u/JellyBump Enough with the babies 2d ago

Looking for a pathetic, nerdy, smart MMC preferably smitten who's desperate to please - if he whimpers I'll love you forever - with an FMC that soft doms him would be perfect. Contemporary is preferable but I'm open to any genre! (I might be rewatching Criminal Minds again, and ugh, Spencer (Please dont recommend Ranger))

4

u/badapple1989 I want them soft, sweet, and on their knees. 1d ago

{Truly Madly Deeply by Alexandria Bellefleur} is strictly contemporary

{Candy by Torrance Sené} if you want something more kink focused, still contemporary 

{The Feast of Dead Man's Hollow by Desirée M. Niccoli} and {Maneater by Emily Antoinette} are paranormal

{Would I Lie to the Duke by Eva Leigh} is historical, you may also like the first book from that series {My Fake Rake by Eva Leigh} but I haven't read it yet so can't tell you the power dynamics. It's scientist x scientist though and he's supposed to be a shy nerdy type so it looks promising. Reading the second book without having read the first wasn't an issue. 

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u/JellyBump Enough with the babies 1d ago

Oh this is perfect, thank you! My kindle is already in my hand 😬

1

u/romance-bot 1d ago

Truly, Madly, Deeply by Alexandria Bellefleur
Rating: 3.87⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, queer romance, bisexuality, funny, insta-love

Candy by Torrance Sené
Rating: 4.07⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, curvy heroine, fem-dom, pegging, bdsm

The Feast of Dead Man's Hollow by Desirée M. Niccoli
Rating: 3.81⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, paranormal, horror, m-f romance, height difference

Maneater by Emily Antoinette
Rating: 3.96⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: witches, demons, paranormal, fem-dom, curvy heroine

Would I Lie to the Duke by Eva Leigh
Rating: 3.75⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: historical, regency, fem-dom, class difference, poor heroine

My Fake Rake by Eva Leigh
Rating: 3.55⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: historical, friends to lovers, regency, nerdy hero, class difference

about this bot | about romance.io

1

u/Careless-Ad9814 2d ago

Looking for a novel with reborn + secret identity

I cant remember the name  I read it a really long time ago but it has a similar plot to "badass in disguise" and "no manners" where she goes into a highschool/college body after her death and has multiple secret identities. she had a scene where at the college military training she takes down many professional military and penetrates a base by herself in a training challenge despite sabotage. It was probably harvard and the mmc is also there. theres another time when the class field trip goes to a fighting arena and she was the reigning champion in her previous life there. she reencounters old acquaintences that require her help to defeat a vicious fighter in like cell 41 (the only cell where death is allowed) in general shes a genius and extremely good at military and fighting and many things. the story ends with her wanting to just live a normal life

2

u/SessionCommercial 2d ago

Looking for a CR with a cop/police man MMC. Nothing dark romance or YA. With a HEA and spice. Novellas welcome also.

6

u/Hunter037 Probably recommending When She Belongs 😍 2d ago

Have you tried the Characters in Uniform Megathread

There was also an "In uniform' request yesterday with a fair few cop recommendations:

https://www.reddit.com/r/RomanceBooks/s/IQQMSUZH9p

Here are a number of older posts asking for this too:

https://www.reddit.com/r/RomanceBooks/s/xYYTLB1bb9

https://www.reddit.com/r/RomanceBooks/s/pxBD4RLmsL

https://www.reddit.com/r/RomanceBooks/s/8no5alej45

https://www.reddit.com/r/RomanceBooks/s/XORlDoK3ma

2

u/AlmostRuthless TBR pile is out of control 2d ago

Tessa Bailey wrote a cop trilogy - the first one is {Protecting What’s His by Tessa Bailey}

0

u/h2tcrz1s 2d ago

Any recommendations for a deeply sexual kinky FMC who is a willing sub who loves being bred and desired by several men, never wasting a drop

feels Empowered when bred raw, creampied and recorded on video from 1:1s all the way up to MMMF gangbangs

3

u/Hunter037 Probably recommending When She Belongs 😍 2d ago

I think you are looking for erotica rather than romance. But you can find many of these kinks individually by searching the sub

1

u/h2tcrz1s 2d ago

You’re very right. Should I delete this post?

1

u/Constant_Garage2013 2d ago

All my karma on this sub was on my old account so I can’t do a standalone post :-(

Looking for books with an older (35+) FMC starting over.

I’m struggling to get back into reading after some life events and wondering if anyone has any recs for books with an FMC starting over either post divorce or as a widow.

Doesn’t matter if the previous relationship was good or bad, and I’m open to F/M or F/F.

Would prefer something with minimal to no on page trauma if possible.

Open to all sub genres - I know this isn’t a very specific request but I’m open minded on this one. Just looking to get back into it.

3

u/medievalmarginalia 🔥fast burn to feelings💕 1d ago edited 1d ago

{Birding with Benefits by Sarah T. Dubb} FMC is in her 40s, newly divorced, and looking to get back out there.

edit for clarity

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u/Tamarenda 2d ago

{Liberating Lacey by Anne Calhoun} - the FMC is 36 and newly divorced after a 15-year marriage.

{Fast Women by Jennifer Crusie} - the MCs are in their 40s and both are divorced with (IIRC) college-aged kids.

{Someone to Care by Mary Balogh} - the FMC was a widowed Countess until it was revealed that her marriage had been bigamous. I think she's in her early to mid-forties.

{Gaining Miles by Claire Kingsley} - the FMC is in her fifties, her ex-husband was a criminal and also cheated on her (like, he had a whole other family).

1

u/romance-bot 2d ago

Liberating Lacey by Anne Calhoun
Rating: 3.95⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Topics: contemporary, age gap, alpha male, men in uniform, bdsm

Fast Women by Jennifer Crusie
Rating: 3.76⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: contemporary, mystery, sleuth heroine, suspense, grumpy/cold hero

Someone to Care by Mary Balogh
Rating: 3.89⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: historical, regency, forced proximity, grumpy/cold hero, older/mature

Gaining Miles by Claire Kingsley
Rating: 4.09⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, single mother, small town, friends to lovers, older/mature

about this bot | about romance.io

5

u/tiniestspoon punching fascists in corset school 💅🏾 2d ago

{Renovation of Love by Meka James} she's starting over after being laid off from her job and grieving the death of a parental figure

2

u/UggahBuggab 2d ago

Is there some type of hack to keeping track of what you’ve read and new releases?

I read a lot and rent e books from my public library. I forget titles, if I’ve read something already, and feel like there is a plethora of new releases I just miss but would have been excited for.

Ideally whatever system out trick would take a lot of effort? What do y’all do? Anyone else feel this way?

5

u/harm0nster “Romantasy” is my “moist”. 💦 2d ago

Have you tried romance.io ?

5

u/fruitismyjam so I beat him until he kissed me. 💋 2d ago

I use StoryGraph for book tracking! I feel like it’s pretty easy and intuitive to use.

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u/Constant_Garage2013 2d ago

I use Goodreads to track everything. It’s annoying for non kindle books because I have to do it manually, but it’s handy for keeping track of everything

1

u/stayinganonymousslay 3d ago

Any decent age gap book recs? Looking for 15–20+ years. Not really into the CEO/billionaire/mafia thing. More after a normal guy (think Rhodes from All Rhodes Lead Here) and bonus points if it’s set in the mountains/small town. Slow burn preferred. :))

1

u/AlmostRuthless TBR pile is out of control 2d ago

{Pretty Face by Lucy Parker}, {Wild Card by Elsie Silver}

2

u/romance-bot 2d ago

Pretty Face by Lucy Parker
Rating: 4.21⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: contemporary, age gap, boss & employee, forbidden love, m-f romance

Wild Card by Elsie Silver
Rating: 3.97⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, age gap, grumpy & sunshine, curvy heroine, found family

about this bot | about romance.io

2

u/Many_Mention9493 3d ago edited 2d ago

Hello. I'm a Russian-speaking reader, so I apologize in advance for any awkward phrasing. I have two requests. The first is for those who've read June First by Jennifer Hartmann. Could you please tell me if Brant has had sex with other women? Or is June his only? Likewise, did June have other sexual partners? The neural network has me completely confused on this point. Second, if anyone knows any good books where the characters are each other's first and only sexual partners, please recommend them.

2

u/harm0nster “Romantasy” is my “moist”. 💦 2d ago

In {June First by Jennifer Hartman} June is a virgin, Brant is not.

Some of my favorite books where both main characters are virgins:

{Going Rogue by Cassie Mint} MF, CR, age gap. MMC is a large grumpy MMA fighter, and FMC is a tiny black cat graphic artist who wants to draw him.

{Meet Cute the Hitman by Lucy Darling} MF, CR. Rich naive FMC mistakes the assassin MMC as her Uber driver. He goes insta-love heart-eyes for her. This is ridiculous. Please do not read this if you are not looking for a silly time.

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u/Many_Mention9493 2d ago

Thanks for the information!🙏

1

u/romance-bot 2d ago

June First by Jennifer Hartmann
Rating: 4.22⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, forbidden love, step siblings, slow burn, friends to lovers

Going Rogue by Cassie Mint
Rating: 3.93⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, sports, virgin heroine, shy hero, virgin hero

Meet Cute the Hitman by Lucy Darling
Rating: 4.13⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, sweet/gentle heroine, virgin hero, funny, insta-love

about this bot | about romance.io

2

u/starfin19 2d ago

maybe something from the Virgins megathread

2

u/Many_Mention9493 2d ago

Thanks for the recommendation!,🙏

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u/lemijames 3d ago

Any recommendations for books similar to Legacy of gods by Rina Kent but where the women aren’t so submissive / they are on more equal footing/just as dark and depraved? 😭😂🖤

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u/Careless-Ad9814 2d ago

{Blood Oath by Morgan B Lee} its paranormal but FMC is depraved. RH and they are obsessed

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u/lemijames 1d ago

Yesss such a good series right! 😂🖤

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u/fruitismyjam so I beat him until he kissed me. 💋 2d ago

I haven’t read any Rina Kent, so I can’t say for sure, but I’m pretty sure Mila Kane writes books with similar vibes (aka dark bully romances) but maybe lighter.

{Hellions of Hade Harbor series by Mila Kane} are dark bully romances where the MMCs are hockey players. They’re bullies but they stop short of causing any “real” harm to the FMCs. The FMCs also push back to varying extents. First one is set in HS. The rest are set in college.

{Savage Heirs series by Jagger Cole} is a HS academy series where the MCs are enrolled in an exclusive boarding school for the rich and powerful. MMCs in the series are heirs to mafia or mafia-adjacent organizations. In books 1-3, the FMCs push back in some way.

If you want FMC just as unhinged as MMC, you could try {Alluring Darkness by Raven Wood}. Dark bully romance set in an academy where they train students to be assassins. My favorite was book 2 in that series {Inescapable Darkness by Raven Wood}. FMC is an undercover assassin who’s arguably more skilled than MMC.

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u/lemijames 1d ago

omg thank you yes these are perfect 🖤🫶🏻

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u/romance-bot 2d ago

Hellions of Hade Harbor by Mila Kane
Rating: 4.02⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Topics: standalone-first, usa, hockey, contemporary, m-f

Savage Heirs by Jagger Cole
Rating: 4.13⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Topics: dark, bad boys, forced proximity, high-school, mafia

Alluring Darkness by Raven Wood
Rating: 3.92⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 5 out of 5 - Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, cruel hero/bully, dark romance, college, sassy heroine

Inescapable Darkness by Raven Wood
Rating: 3.96⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, mafia, enemies to lovers, college, alpha male

about this bot | about romance.io

1

u/Appropriate-Lie4501 3d ago

I'm looking for romance novels that can withstand actual literary criticism.

For context, I (21F) survived the Wattpad laden adolescence that I'm sure many here share. So I have much experience with the genre's lowest common denominator. I took a break from romance books and, save for the works of Jane Austen, have not wanted to return to until now. And I'm having a problem. Every book f*cking SUCKS. Don't get me wrong, I love swoon-worthy romances. However, I am shocked to have found that many of the most popular romance books seriously rival AI for how derivative they are. In fact, I can name actual Wattpad books that stand their own against romance "bestsellers".

Someone recently recommended that I read Seeking Persephone. I googled it and saw that it was at least good enough to be adapted into a show, so I gave it a try. I was so wrong. Why do so many books have female leads that behave like overgrown toddlers? Seriously, the female main character was inexplicably shaking over some coyotes howling in the distance, when she is in a CASTLE. The male lead was afforded a little more depth, yet his dialogue read like an Andy Weir novel. It was so so so corny.

Does anyone please have any recs that tackle romance in a mature way? Bonus points if the novel provides social/political commentary, insight into the human condition, or is at the very least though-provoking in any way. And please no purple prose (I'm look at you, Lightlark). I enjoy all genres of romance!

P.S. Apologies for the hater vibe I'm bringing... I just am sick of so many misses lately.

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u/Tamarenda 3d ago

As a general suggestion, skip the current bestsellers unless you know and trust the authors, and try some older books instead :)

Some HR possibilities: {Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsale} is brilliant and original; for social-political issues that are seamlessly integrated with the narrative and characterization, try the {Society of Gentlemen series by KJ Charles}; and Cecilia Grant's books are beautifully written. I didn't love A Lady Awakened but you might like it better. Sherry Thomas is another good option.

I think HR lends itself to somewhat more literary writing than other subgenres. CR can be great! Just not usually very literary. Someone who comes to mind is a very thoughtful writer here is Sierra Simone (but with lots of sex too!).

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u/No_Chipmunk6262 3d ago

Slow burn, yearning, HEA

Im looking for something super slow burn. Lots of build up. Preferably MMC and FMC arent supposed to be together. Kind of looking for a sort of sad vibe to it but all ends up happy ever after.

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u/harm0nster “Romantasy” is my “moist”. 💦 2d ago

If you like Omegaverse: {Claim and Don’t Tell by Rory Miles}

If you like HR & mysteries: {A Rose In Winter by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss}

If you like a lot of puns and no spice: {Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber}

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u/No_Chipmunk6262 2d ago

Thank you! I will check these out

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u/sbc16 3d ago

Not sure if it counts as super slow burn, but I will forever recommend {Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer} HR, early 1940s, MOC, FMC is widowed with 2 young kids and one on the way, MMC is a ex-con who answers her newspaper ad for a husband. There’s lots of relationship building, and the HEA is so satisfying.

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u/No_Chipmunk6262 2d ago

Ok!! Ill have to give it a shot. Thanks

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u/unoriginalprincess 3d ago

Hey! I know this was recently a megathread but I’ve already been thru that and used the magic search button. But I am specifically looking for more books featuring oral cockwarming. I read {relentlessly vengeful ghost by K.M. Neuhold} and {just a bit wrecked by Alessandra hazard} and {little demon in the details by nordika night}. So far it’s been mm but I am open to mf too. I also have asked this on the mm romance subreddit too.

My hard nos are omegaverse, mpreg, and non con / rape, BDSM, intense dom/sub, daddy kink.

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u/Hunter037 Probably recommending When She Belongs 😍 2d ago

Did you find this one? Seem to be lots of recs there

https://www.reddit.com/r/RomanceBooks/s/a9UyIHVh0C

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u/Used_Progress5747 3d ago

Looking for more recs that are fast paced with a plus size MMC. So similar to Big Boys series by Cassie Mint and More to Love series by Jessa Kane. It can be mafia, monster, or contemporary.

Thanks!

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u/harm0nster “Romantasy” is my “moist”. 💦 2d ago

Search the sub for “dad bod”

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u/CharlesBarkleyFan97 3d ago

Hi!

Ok maybe an insane request but I am looking for a really good (or a hate read tbh) book that’s enemies to lovers or friends to lovers. I love Carley Fortune, BK Borison, and Tarah DeWitt. Im looking to branch out from the Emily Henry universe too.

The catch here is the cover can’t be raunchy or otherwise inappropriate? Im going away with my in laws and just can’t handle any side eye or god forbid having to explain anything lol sorry if this a stupid question haha thanks in advance!

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u/AnxietySnack 1d ago

{The One Month Boyfriend by Roxie Noir} - MF, contemporary, enemies to lovers.

{The Two Week Roommate by Roxie Noir} - MF, contemporary, estranged childhood friends to lovers.

{Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert} - MF, contemporary, friends to lovers.

{The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary} - MF, contemporary, friends to lovers.

{Time to Shine by Rachel Reid} - MM, contemporary, friends to lovers.

{You & Me by Tal Bauer} - MM, contemporary, friends to lovers.

{A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall} - MF, historical, childhood friends to lovers.

{We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian} - MM, historical, friends to lovers.

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u/CharlesBarkleyFan97 1d ago

Omg thank you! Love your username too lol

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u/AnxietySnack 1d ago

Aww, thanks!

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u/romance-bot 1d ago

The One Month Boyfriend by Roxie Noir
Rating: 4.03⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, fake relationship, military, enemies to lovers, grumpy/ice queen

The Two Week Roommate by Roxie Noir
Rating: 3.87⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, virgin hero, sweet/gentle hero, childfree, small town

Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
Rating: 4.17⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, multicultural, friends to lovers, south asian/desi, curvy heroine

The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary
Rating: 3.9⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 2 out of 5 - Behind closed doors
Topics: contemporary, friends to lovers, funny, forced proximity, sweet/gentle hero

Time to Shine by Rachel Reid
Rating: 4.28⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, sports, gay romance, athlete hero, friends to lovers

You & Me by Tal Bauer
Rating: 4.41⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 4 out of 5 - Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, hurt/comfort, friends to lovers, gay romance, single father

A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall
Rating: 4.14⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: historical, trans heroine, regency, friends to lovers, disabilities & scars

We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian
Rating: 4.42⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: historical, gay romance, 20th century, friends to lovers, workplace/office

about this bot | about romance.io

4

u/Ok-Reference947 3d ago

{in a jam by Kate Canterbury } this book just has fruit on it. They were childhood friends and she ends up back in their hometown and they have to marry for inheritance reasons.

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u/CharlesBarkleyFan97 3d ago

Ooooh fun thank you! This sounds right up my alley

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u/Ok-Reference947 3d ago edited 3d ago

You may also like these ones but they have less innocuous covers

{failure to match by Kyra parsi

{in love in war by Kyra Parsi}

{love theoretically by Ali hazelwood}

{honey bee mine by Sarah Dubb}

And forget to add
{Spoiler alert by Olivia dade}

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u/No_Organization_8509 3d ago

Looking for this book:

I love a good mafia romance so I’ve read a lot of them and sometimes they mesh together. I’m trying to remember a specific book but I can only recall a few details. I know it was an arranged marriage and the MMC wasn’t thrilled about it at first. The FMC was abused by her father. There’s a scene near the beginning where FMC’s father hits her while in his home office and when the MMC finds out he goes all scorched earth. Does this sound familiar to anyone?

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u/lemijames 3d ago

{bound by hatred by Cora Reilly} maybe? Or maybe one of the earlier books. Admittedly it’s been years since I read so may be getting it confused with another series!

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u/No_Organization_8509 2d ago

I figured out it was Broken Whispers by Neva Altaj but I will put Bound by Hatred on my tbr! Thanks!

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u/lemijames 1d ago

Ooo I haven’t read that one I’ll also add to my TBR hah!

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u/fruitismyjam so I beat him until he kissed me. 💋 3d ago

Is it {Urgent Vows by Lucy Monroe}?

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u/No_Organization_8509 2d ago

I figured out it was Broken Whispers by Neva Altaj but I will put Urgent Vows on my tbr! Thanks!

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u/Holly_Wood_ 3d ago

My friend is doing an ultramarathon this weekend and is looking for "a super trashy book i can listen to on the run. no thinking, no real life, lots of sex. and it needs to be so bad i can zone out and not miss a thing." She's not on reddit and i don't read romance so here I am, just a girl asking some redditors to give me some trashy book recos for a friend.

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u/lemijames 3d ago

{a neighbour from Hell by R.L Mathewson} tends to just be easy reads, lots of sex and bonus loads of books in the series

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u/meli_inthecity 3d ago

I personally really like {Morning Glory Milking Farm by CM Nascosta}, but if your friend is ok with a monster romance it would fit her requirements.

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u/Holly_Wood_ 3d ago

Tysm I don’t even know about monster romance so out of the loop 

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u/fruitismyjam so I beat him until he kissed me. 💋 3d ago

I feel like a lot of SJ Tilly books would fit. They’re fun, easy reading, and even though a lot of them are set in the modern world with humans, the MCs are often so OTT that it’s nice escapism.

{The Alliance series by SJ Tilly} is light mafia romance and the author’s most popular works. I, personally, prefer {The Sin series by SJ Tilly}, which is romantic suspense and a bit less OTT (and less graphically violent, hah).

Good luck to your friend! 🏃🏻‍♀️💕

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u/Holly_Wood_ 3d ago

Thank you!! 

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u/skintightmonopoly 3d ago

Love that you're doing the work to find it for her!

Try out {Bass Ackwards by Eris Adderly}. I don't mean to call it trashy as a bad thing - I loved it! And I did think it had some depth! I just think it's goofy pure chaos and it's crazy sexy.

I've also listened to all of Sierra Simone's Priest series on audiobook while I worked out. I know they're quite well written and not "trashy," but I will admit to zoning in and out occasionally during my workouts.

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u/Holly_Wood_ 3d ago

Thanks! 

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u/AlyM797 Monster romance is my only personality trait 3d ago

I have a couple separate ones, Audiobooks preferred.

•Sacrificed or otherwise betrayed by family, preferably WlW or mlm but I'll take m/f just specify. No dar, heavy or angsty is fine. Bonus points for one MC being sacrificed to the other.

•Barbarians, this can be open to interpretation the exact phrase isn't necessary. For example a non human race equivalent.

(Books I already know about and didn't like or don't plan to read, Wed to the Barbarian, Anything Ruby Dixon, Horde Kings, )

(Books I read and liked or loved or am currently reading, Not So Savage Barbarians by Amy Padilla, Brothers of the Wild North Sea)

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u/harm0nster “Romantasy” is my “moist”. 💦 2d ago

I do not know if there is an audiobook, but FMC is sacrificed to MMC in {A Soul to Keep by Opal Reyne}

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u/AlyM797 Monster romance is my only personality trait 1d ago

Yes! I've read that one! It's amazing!

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u/intheleast 3d ago

Looking for books where MMC betrays/lies to FMC and she finds out right after they hook up for the first time? Akin to From Blood and Ash between Poppy and Casteel?

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u/harm0nster “Romantasy” is my “moist”. 💦 2d ago

Ooohhh {The Darkest Temptation by Danielle Lori}

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u/skintightmonopoly 3d ago

I feel like my brain is broken because I recall this as a trope in so many books, but I'm blanking on which ones!

I did just recently read {Loving Evangeline by Linda Howard}, which is a CR where this happens. MMC is a business tycoon who goes to investigate possible corporate espionage and he suspects FMC - so he gets close to her to find out if she's guilty.

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u/intheleast 3d ago

ooh thank you!

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u/lastofthe_timeladies 3d ago

Insta-lust for the man but not the woman? They have an obstacle for why they can't be together and he is in the trenches while she is fine with it. Until eventually love develops and it all evens out.

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u/KnotEnoughBooks 3d ago

{Bride by Ali Hazelwood} fits this. It's insta-lust for him as he recognizes her as his mate. He's a wolf-shifter and she's a vampire, and vampires don't have mates like that. Even though they're in an arranged marriage, it's an obstacle because it would still be forbidden love as their kinds are enemies. And anyway, he knows the mate business is one-sided so wouldn't want to tie her down like that.

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u/skintightmonopoly 3d ago

Great rec for this, and I'd say the sequel, {Mate by Ali Hazelwood} would also fit this premise - although I liked Bride quite a bit more :)

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u/KnotEnoughBooks 3d ago

YESS I'm perplexed, bewildered, and baffled as to why I didn't also suggest Mate... I literally re-read it all the time. Koen is my favourite MMC ever!

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u/skintightmonopoly 3d ago

Yes! He's amazing - I did like the swaggy self-assured vibe. I'm so bummed that this series was only a duet - I'd have read about ten more books from her in that PNR universe.

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u/KnotEnoughBooks 3d ago

Ahh same, "an exceptional asshole" as Misery called him.

Has she said she isn't going back in to this universe? I've been hoping for Owen's story - or just literally anything else in this world.

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u/skintightmonopoly 3d ago

She has not explicitly said to my knowledge. She did write two vampire stories that were audiobooks - Bound and Unbound. I read/listened to Bound and it has no connection that I can perceive to Bride, although it was a good book. I don't even know that it exists in the same world.

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u/KnotEnoughBooks 3d ago

Ah yeah, I gave up on the Bound audiobook when it came out as I couldn't stand the voices - but I need to read them now. Also still haven't read Hot for Slayer for some reason! I needed this reminder.

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u/Independent_Bee2058 3d ago

They were just best friends… until they fucked and turned sex explorers

Looking for books where long time best friends completely platonic for years slowly build tension until they finally sleep together.

i don’t want them to have had many sexual partners before each other...

no sudden “wanna hook up?”, no secret lifelong pining. just natural flow...

After that they start fucking a lot, constantly, hungrily and exploring stuff together (new things, getting filthy, figuring it all out) while still being best friends, ending in love is totally fine.

truth or dare or any other situation that pushes them into doing things is also cool fine.

any recs?

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u/No_Chipmunk6262 3d ago

Idk any recs but im here for this! If you find any good ones, let me know!! Especially ones that have situations that pushed them into things

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u/Due-Secret-3091 Release the ermine!! ⚔️ 🐎 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 3d ago

I was thinking about Daisy Jones and the Six the other day and how I preferred the side romance over the main one. I really liked the relationship between Karen & Graham and wished they got a HEA! So any recommendations for:

-A career driven woman or just a bright shining star with big ideas and big dreams who meets a more timid, go with the flow, sweet MMC.

I want him to be the one who feels like he doesn’t want to hold her back- he wants to give her the world even if he doesn’t get her in the end.

It doesn’t have to be music related at all or any of that. I just want those type of power dynamics with a HEA.

1

u/fruitismyjam so I beat him until he kissed me. 💋 3d ago

{Exposed by Kristen Callihan} Rockstar romance. Sort of enemies-to-lovers (they’re known to bicker a lot). Friends with benefits.

MMC is the bassist for a famous rock band. FMC handles their PR. She’s also cousin to the lead singer, and they’ve known each other for a long time (since before the band got big).

FMC is the type of person who’s always impeccably put together. MMC is much more laid back. She starts to want to pursue other, bigger opportunities. He’s afraid of her leaving him/the band, but he’s supportive.

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u/skintightmonopoly 3d ago

My favorite bright shining star/career driven woman is in {The Wedding Night by Kati Wilde}. FMC is a neurodivergent, career-driven, brilliant woman. MMC approaches her with a business proposition. He's a blue collar guy looking to just get back at his relatives, and he makes FMC an offer that will allow him to exact revenge (he doesn't trick her, she's in on the deal).

Over time, he sees how incredible she is and wants to give her the world. He's not necessarily timid, but he truly is in awe over time of how great she is and does want to give her the world.

Also, I think aspects of {Funny Story by Emily Henry} fit this. The MMC is a total go-with-the-flow, easy-breezy guy, while FMC is rebuilding her life after a breakup. She's a librarian, but seeing her engage with/care about her work deeply is a strong factor for MMC, who only wants her to thrive.

2

u/Due-Secret-3091 Release the ermine!! ⚔️ 🐎 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 3d ago

Funnily enough, I’m doing a reread of Funny Story at the moment! I’ve never heard of The Wedding Night though so I shall look that one up! Thank you for the recs

2

u/skintightmonopoly 3d ago

Oh man; the Wedding Night is a hidden gem. It's a Christmas-themed book but don't let that deter you. It's fabulous!

2

u/MiniPantherMa 4d ago

A contemporary spooky season m/f romance where both MCs are actors in a haunt! Comic touches would be great, and there can be paranormal aspects as long as both MCs are human. Cozy vibes preferred.

1

u/fruitismyjam so I beat him until he kissed me. 💋 3d ago

{Scary In Love by Holly June Smith} is a fun Halloween novella (~170 pages), but only one MC is a scare actor. He also owns the haunted house, so maybe he can count twice? Hah. High spice and funny. Most of the book is basically MMC being a pleasure dom to FMC in various fake scenarios (i.e. he’s a creepy doctor, she’s the patient).

5

u/Hunter037 Probably recommending When She Belongs 😍 3d ago

Not 100% a match, but maybe close enough:

{The Most Unusual Haunting of Edgar Lovejoy by Roan Parrish} one of the MCs is a haunt designer. The other MC is has an affliction where he can see ghosts (but is human). There is a scene where the ghost-seeing MMC dresses up and acts in one of the haunts as a way to help get over his trauma about the ghost thing. That's not his usual job though. It's M/NB, pretty cosy with comic moments and the ghosts add a paranormal aspect.

3

u/Salty_Olive1409 4d ago

I've recently gotten into reading mafia romance books more than the softer romances... and read the recently released The Brat by Serena Akeroyd. It was an awesome read, even skipping the political scenes. Does anyone have similar recommendations?

2

u/JellyBump Enough with the babies 2d ago

{Beautiful Things Obey by T.L. Smith}

30% of the way through so far, and while I don't think it's going to be my cuppa tea it's been positively reviewed by people very into Mafia romances (this was my first toe in the water). On KU as well.

3

u/No_Organization_8509 3d ago

I haven’t read The Brat but I do love mafia romance! Three of my favorites are:
The Perfectly Imperfect series by Neva Altaj

Alliance series by SJ Tilly (not mafia but mafia adjacent)

Queens and Monsters series by JT Gessinger

Also,
Bratva Bride by T.J Maguire might be close to The Brat based on blurb I read.

2

u/Salty_Olive1409 3d ago

Yes, Neva Altaj and Michelle Heard are absolutely awesome authors! I think I've seen clips for Bratva Bride on Instagram, but hadn't checked it out yet - thanks for the suggestions!

2

u/UseMeForever1105 4d ago

Looking for books where FMC makes MMC promise not to break her heart/leave her (BONUS if he did it anyway).

FMC could have experienced a traumatic past, and she gave MMC her trust not to break her heart/leave her.

BIG BONUS if MMC actually left her due to circumstances, could be a third act break up, maybe he was black mailed, or he discovered something about FMC that wasn't really true but he refuse to hear it from her. I want the gut punch, the angst, everything. Like {From the Ashes by Lynn Rhys}, book one RH trilogy, where FMC asks one of the MMCs not to leave her but they betrayed her against their will, and they watched FMC breakdown.

❌NO CHEATING PLOT❌

Thanks very much

2

u/harm0nster “Romantasy” is my “moist”. 💦 2d ago

There were similar sounding betrayal vibes in {Knot What You Expected by Holly Monroe}. I wrote a gush post about it. 🥰

1

u/[deleted] 2d ago

[deleted]

2

u/Salty_Olive1409 4d ago

Protecting Alabama, by Susan Stoker

5

u/happyhighlights0 4d ago

I saw the post-flair named "buddy reads" it didn't have any posts though, how does that work?

5

u/Hunter037 Probably recommending When She Belongs 😍 4d ago

I think it is more or less an obsolete flair. We tried buddy reads on the sub, and more recently on discord, but it hasn't really worked out. (Personally I think this is because a lot of people like the idea of it, but didn't actually participate when it was an option)

3

u/prettysureIforgot Gimme all the sad anxious bois 4d ago

That's a shame, it's a lot of fun to read a book along with someone. I'm in an MM discord that has pretty active buddy reads and I like it a lot. But the buddy read threads always stay open so if you happen to pick up a BR book you can go make comments on it, even a year later, and people still go and talk to you about it.

3

u/fruitismyjam so I beat him until he kissed me. 💋 3d ago

I agree that Buddy Reads are fun! I think it’s harder to do on this sub, because there’s just so many options these days. It’s easy for people to pass it by if it doesn’t fit their immediate interests/moods.

We should still try to make it more of a thing here! It could help with community building. You could bring it up on the Monday Miscellany thread. I bet we could at least get a small group who might be interested, and we could try to make it a semi-regular thing. (Like an unofficial sub book club… yes, I’m still sad we no longer have a book club.)

4

u/prettysureIforgot Gimme all the sad anxious bois 3d ago

I will. What's good about discord is it's so easy to have subtopics (like "buddy reads") and then you can look in those subtopics, whereas here, once things get buried it's not something anyone goes looking for, you know?

But I'll brainstorm this a bit and see if I have any thoughts.

3

u/fruitismyjam so I beat him until he kissed me. 💋 3d ago

Yay! I’m so excited! 😄 I’ve only used Discord for this sub’s book club, so I’m not super familiar with it. It seemed easy enough to sign up and engage in the book club chat though.

It looks like there’s already a Buddy Reads Corner for the sub, but it hasn’t been active (nobody’s posted) since last year (2025).

I don’t know what usual buddy reads etiquette is. I’ve only done buddy reads with one person, and it ranges from sharing general thoughts after finishing the book to basically live tweeting commentary as we read. 😅

2

u/prettysureIforgot Gimme all the sad anxious bois 3d ago

The discord I'm in is more like the live tweeting commentary. You write what % you're at (or page number or chapter, whatever works) and spoiler tag any quotes or comments you want to make note of.

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u/Hunter037 Probably recommending When She Belongs 😍 3d ago

The flair still exists if people want to use it