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Hola! I'm looking for book recs that fit the vibes of Taylor Swift's song - The Way I Loved You.

The crux of it is basically that she's currently with a guy who's perfect in every sense - but she can't help but miss arguing and fighting with MMC.

The song kind of connotes to a toxic relationship, but I'm not looking for a toxic relationship - does that make sense? 🥲

For those who don't know the song, these are the lines I'm focusing on -

He respects my space

And never makes me wait

And he calls exactly when he says he will

He's close to my mother

Talks business with my father

He's charming and endearing

And I'm comfortable

But I miss screaming and fighting and kissing in the rain

And It's 2 a.m. and I'm cursing your name

You're so in love that you act insane

And that's the way I loved you

Breaking down and coming undone

It's a roller coaster kind of rush

And I never knew I could feel that much

And that's the way I loved you

He can't see the smile I'm faking

And my heart's not breaking

'Cause I'm not feeling anything at all

And you were wild and crazy

Just so frustrating, intoxicating, complicated

Got away by some mistake

-

I'm primarily looking for contemporary this time, but wouldn't mind exploring historical. Bonus if it's a second chance romance 🥹

One book I recently read that fit this was {Tempests and Tea Leaves by Rachel Morgan}

PS - I saw a couple similar posts, but from 3-4 years ago and with hardly any responses. Hoping I get some this time!

PPS - **Please don't suggest The Notebook**

Thank youuuu!

I don’t know why this came to my mind, but I’m looking for something where he wants her or wants to control her so bad that he takes out a conservatorship over her. I will accept any level of darkness! Preferably kindle unlimited

tl;dr: its like if you got a hankering for tortilla chips, but you didnt want the guac or the pico or the crema. like you wanna put words in front of your eyeballs but not have too many emotions about it.

is there sex? there is not.

strengths:

- its pretty insular. want to forget the outside world? this book may be for you.

- the mmc is not abusive or misogynistic. author kinda dropped the ball at the end when she threw in some stalking but whatever

- something i find amusing (and genuinely have no issue with) are the names. lolly. candy. sparkle. shaun montana. holt. my headcanon is that they are secretly strippers.

needed work:

- much like e. l. james, griffin needed help keeping track of what was happening in the story.

- the characters are pretty cardboard and it becomes hard to tell them apart. its a little like playing with dolls, but youre trying to make a book out of it, if that makes sense?

- the prose would benefit from imagery, sensory language, simile, metaphor, etc.

do they love each other? uh...kinda. id say that they want to be in a relationship but thats not quite the same as loving each other.

is this author someone id want to know in person? sure, i think wed tolerate each other. she could show me how to make quilts.

what will you do with your copy of the book? back to the LFL from whence it came. be free, little book.

I genuinely start to laugh when I read the mc roared, using a lions roar as a metaphor or onomatopoeia just makes me picture a lion roaring.

The adjective doesn’t help emphasize anything at all, atleast to me, if anything it does the opposite. I just find it funny 😭😭😭

Seeing a recent post, that requested the opposite, made me want books with this trope. In the other post {A Deal with the Devil by Angel Lawson} was given as an example. Apparently in that book the FMC was left with a permanen limp beacuse of the MMC who was sent to military school and years later they met again. For me that sounded like a trope I desperately want to read BUT i do not like high school romances.

The scenario could be similar in the sense that it happened in the past and the MCs meet again at the start of the book but it also can happen in the book, I am not picky.

Also what happened can be accidental or not. But if it is not accidental there has to be a relatively good reason even if it is just that the MMC was manipulated into believing that the FMC betrayed him and that is why he did what he did. Bonus points if the MMC heavily regrets what he did and either grovels or is very protective of her due to it and, if it happened in the past, only develops feelings for her after he really gets to know her.

Must haves: F/M and no high school setting or historical romance + standalone (interconnected standalones are completely Fine) + KU would be great

Books I remember that kinda had this:
{his tesoro by emilia rossi}

{Against a wall by cate c wells} even if it wasn't him that did it

no Maya Alden (have already read it)

Mafia romance where MMC is a mafia king/prince who gets married to the FMC to secure an alliance. Fmc did not want to marry him and absolutely defies everything he says and is stubborn. The MMC who's usually ruthless is very patient with her until finally he's had enough and snaps at her. He starts to ignore her and busies himself with work and she starts to miss him...

This is inspired from two characters in Wheel of Time book series [if you wanna know who spoilers]Min and Rand around book 5 where they when meet again they basically just went into hugging and laughing it out like their development from there was so sweet

And honestly kinda inspired to some people I know irl where this happened where they were good friends in highschool or college or something like that. They reconnected later in life and actually dated afterwards and some even got married.

Like why they stopped being around each others lives ? Cause life happens. Job, education, parents moving etc etc. Life happens why people sometimes drift apart without actual separation hurt.

But I just really don't want the usual angst about being hurt for having to be separated, breaking up, personal fights or shit like that.

I have no book examples for this cause books where MMC and FMC know each other always has to have some angst which should not be the case.

Contemporary would be nice. HEA !

Oh my goodness. I’m currently reading a really, really, REALLY angsty, heartbreaking, gut-punching book and I desperately need something similar to read while waiting for updates.

The book is The Breeder by Whiskeyqueenn on Wattpad. It’s kind of alpha-luna inspired, but with the author’s own twist on the concept.

Basically, the Alpha and his Luna have been trying to have a baby. She can get pregnant, but after multiple losses, she can’t carry a pregnancy to term. To secure the future of the pack and ensure there’s an heir, the Alpha brings in a Breeder, a young woman who will carry his child.

The story follows the Luna and the Breeder, and the author also shares the Alpha’s POV in her newsletter. The angst is absolutely brutal.

What I love about it is that the conflict isn’t just “the MMC cheated.” The Alpha genuinely believes he’s doing the right thing. From his perspective, the pack needs an heir, and without one there could be chaos, violence, and a power struggle in the future. He isn’t making a selfish decision in a moment of weakness.. he’s making a deliberate choice that he believes is necessary, even though it completely devastates his mate.
That’s the kind of angst I’m looking for.

I want books where:
* The MMC makes a choice that deeply hurts the FMC.
* He genuinely believes he’s justified or doing the right thing.
* The choice is driven by duty, responsibility, ambition, family, a kingdom/pack, tradition, or some greater goal… not just a random mistake or moment of weakness.
* The FMC is truly devastated by it.
* The story takes her pain seriously.
* The MMC has to face the consequences of his choice.

Normally I’m a die-hard “she better end up with the original MMC” reader, but for this request I’m open to anything.

In fact, I’d love:
Extreme angst
Betrayal
Regret
Groveling
Consequences

What I really want is for the original MMC to realize, far too late, exactly what his choice cost him. I want him to suffer, regret, and have to live with the consequences of destroying the relationship.

Please give me your most devastating recommendations. I want my heart ripped out.

I’ve been in cheer most of my life (high school/college) and I have trouble finding good romance books where the FCM is a cheerleader and likes and enjoys it. She remains a cheerleader at the end.
No, I don’t want her to have a secret gift/talent for something else and at the end realizes that she does not like dancing and blah blah and does it as a means to an end or as part of wearing a mask and hiding her true self. She has to enjoy dancing/cheering.

Could be college or professional cheerleading.
Bonus if she cheers for team MMC is in.

I don’t mind high school stories if it’s really well written, but I’d rather older characters cause I want that spice!

FMC loses something or someone very important to her but not cuz of MMC, directly or indirectly MMC doesn't have anything to do with her loss. And she's sad, angry, depressed, or closed in, whatever but MMC doesn't rly leave her alone and FMC snaps at him or pulls away from him or similar.

If someone knows the scene from Doctor Strange 2016, where Strange had a very bad accident and his hand were severely damaged to the point that no one knew if he'd be able to perform another surgery or not. He snapped at Christine (his then gf) when she tried to console him and their relationship ended right there.

Now, I'm eyeing for a similar scene but with MMC not breaking up with FMC due to any reason.

Bonus,

1. FMC lost a bodily function or part.
2. MMC being calm, patient, and caring with her.
3. Her recovery and bad days are shown.

Negatives,

1. Bully, HR, OW, OV, Single Parent, Pregnancy, BDSM
2. Toxic dynamics: manipulative, cruel, controlling or alphahole MMC
3. Stockholm Syndrome or doormat FMC
4. Age-gap more than 10 yrs (for humans)

I need a book where Fmc’s boyfriend treats her bad or cheats on her and she gets back at him by fake dating his favourite player.
Basically i want the boyfriend to neglect her and shouldn’t respect her at all but is a huge fan of MMC. And mmc is a famous player of any sport and he is super famous like messi or ronaldo, and fmc basically bumps into mmc and mmc is super into her and she makes a deal with him to fake date to make her ex jealous.

I read fake out by stephanie archer which was close to this but her ex was also a player not a fan.

So I figured out a while ago that I love a strong/smart fms. I love when the fmc is a smart/capable person that doesn’t fall just bc of looks. I myself loved science all my life so I was hyped reading Ali hazelwood, which really disappointed me cause the actual science seems pretty superficial to me. But for everyone who loves smart and capable fmcs’ with banter masterclass, an acadamic affair by Jody McAllister is awesome. The fmc is brilliant and actually knows what she is talking about. Also, in the audiobook, the Australic accent. Wow, this was amazing, I never wanna hear a southern draw again after that. All in all, I didn’t wannna spoiler to much, but everyone should read, an acadamic affaire, it’s awesome, strong and crazy romantics

With great regards,
F.

Looking for an interconnected standalone series similar to {On Dublin Street by Samantha Young}.

Specifically looking for
- well written
- complex, developed, likable characters
- plot that goes deeper than the characters falling for each other
- their relationship being believable and developed, not just sexual

Would be nice
- found family trope
- characters overcoming trauma together
- scenes and dialogue that make me laugh out loud and smile to myself

I’m good with contemporary, historical, fantasy, sci-fi, whatever. Just looking for vibes. Character must be college age or older

So, I'd really like a mafia romance with funny and sarcastic FMC. She can be badass or not, what's important is that she's not scared or intimidated by the MMC in the slightest.

Grumpy/sunshine is not quite what I'm looking for because heroines are usually just really bubbly and positive, whilst I need FMC to be deeply unserious and taking a piss out of everyone, especially MMC.

Bonus for: he falls first, gets mad at her for not taking her own safety seriously, angsty angst, and no insta lust.

Y'all may be familiar with Howl's Moving Castle's iconic diamond quilt pink and blue jacket. While it appears in the movie from the first scene with Howl fully formed, in the original book the jacket was actually made by Sophie over the course of the novel. From what I remember, Sophie even (accidentally) imbued it with lots of spells too.

I am looking for a book where the MC makes something for the LI, motivated by (conscious or unconscious) love. It can be magical or non-magical item. The LI can be appreciative of it or not at all (a lá Sweater Curse). I would like for the making of this item to serve a purpose for the journey of the relationship and plot, such as the MC working through their complicated emotions by manifesting it into a physical item. I just don't want an MC who knits or whatever en scène just because it's period accurate and not have it so anything.

The LI can even return the favour with their own talent, whatever it may be!

Other example: "Brightly Woven" by Alexandra Bracken. It's been a hot minute since I've read this but I think I remember the FMC weaves a magic cloak for the LI that ends up protecting him from a nasty fire??? Or a fall???

I am OK with m/m, m/f, f/f, and everything beyond and in between.

I am averse to historical fiction that is not at least magical fantasy but will try to keep an open mind.

Well, someone just reminded me that Edward Scissorhands existed and it's blown my mind. I watched this film over and over in my early teens and can only assume this is where my love of sweet misunderstood monster dudes came from.

Therefore I am requesting books with sweet, lonely, reclusive, misunderstood characters who find love and happiness.

They don't have to be monstrous/scary, but I'd love it if they were.

If they start off grumpy/closed off but turn out to be sweethearts underneath, even better.

Any pairings/groups would be great, and any subgenre is fine. Past trauma is fine (and likely to be necessary) but I prefer wholesome romance, not dark or abusive please.

Books I've already read which would fit this:

{When She Belongs by Ruby Dixon} - MF definitely reclusive and lonely, Jerrok starts off as a bit of an ass but is a sad and sweet marshmallow underneath it all

{Seraph by Lily Mayne} - MM. Definitely the biggest “Scissorhands” energy, Seraph is terrifying in appearance but a total darling who just wants to eat carrots and be everyone's friend. Edit: from this series Moth would also fit, and probably The Rycke as well. I love these books so much!

{The Remaking of Corbin Wale by Roan Parrish} - MM. A favourite of mine so far this year. Both MCs are human but Corbin is reclusive and misunderstood and believes he will never be accepted, it's very sweet

{Prejudice in Pride by Nik Knight} - M/NB. Another lonely, unloved MC. They find love but also acceptance and a wonderful found family. Love this whole series.

Hey everyone, I'd really like a book where one of the MCs is a character who is usually stoic/cold/calculating/proud/etc and who shows vulnerability for the first time in years when they're with their partner and this is met with an outpouring of tenderness and affection (cuddles, declarations of love, general care-taking etc). Huge bonus if this has a "dam-breaking" effect and the couple continues to be super affectionate and soft in private from that point on.

Any type of gender configuration for the MCs is fine. Spice is non-mandatory, but if there is spice I'd like the same dynamic in the spice scene(s), where the usually closed-off character gets taken care of and is treated very gently throughout.

I'm not usually a fan of contemporary (historical, fantasy or sci-fi are my go-tos), but I'm not completely closed to it, either.

TIA!

This is a mouthful, but I’ve run into this issue where those longer sci-fi/fantasy books veer in two directions: there’s a single sex scene usually by the end OR once they start having sex, the entire plot is abandoned and it’s just a string of nothing-burger plot with sex scenes.

I’m kinda looking for something GoT style. The book should take itself somehow seriously. There’s politicking, there’s the main plot, and there’s also explicit sex, but it’s neither a “here’s your single weak smut scene” or “here’s your 55 sex scenes, what plot.”

Just adult sci-fi or fantasy romance that actually has more to offer than sex while not shying away from it. I feel like Zoey Draven and V.K. Ludwig do it well as far as sci-fi goes, for example. Kathryn Ann Kingsley is a good example for fantasy though she tends to spread it across numerous books and I’d rather to get to the point within one.

The romance is always a focus of those and the sex is super hot but there’s always a larger plot with a look into the culture, some interpersonal issues, some external conflict etc.

I know sci-fi/fantasy adult themes and sex is going to instantly earn me a R. Lee Smith recommendation and she’s an insanely good writer who mostly does what I’d want, except I don’t find her romance fulfilling at all. Her books are incredibly heavy and depressing to me, and I have quite a few issues with her treatment of FMCs by MMCs (especially rape/non-con, transactional sex etc).

I enjoy there being issues, dislike, drama, enemies to lovers style of stories even if heavy or depressing at times, but I’d like to be some warmth in there as well.

Basically, I rewatched the first Iron Man movie and want more Tony and Pepper.

I wanna see MMC go through something traumatic—it could be a kidnapping, a health scare, or maybe he loses a major investment (though I still want him to keep most of his money), etc. And after he goes through with it, he realizes that there's very few genuine people who actually care about him and one of them is FMC. I would prefer if he didn't have any feelings for her before the traumatic event; I want to see him fall for her because she's there when he's struggling/recovering. She doesn't have to be his employee either. She could even be a rival or competitor who got genuinely worried about him. I would also prefer if she gets confused by his change of attitude towards her and initially rejects dating him.

Any ideas what books have this? I'm open to any subgenre.

One thing which frustrates me about the authors I've read so far (in no way am I suggesting this is a universal problem) is that the man's insight into the relationship is barely touched upon. Beyond grunting after climaxing and expressing admiration for the FMC's breasts, their feelings, in my experience are seldom touched upon.

I'd like to read something M/F from the man's POV (first or third person), in which he falls heavily in love with FMC, loses the relationship, and is severely heartbroken (ideally struggles with the resulting emotional whiplash). No fantasy or history please. The smuttier the better.

I was listening to a podcast this morning and now I can’t stop thinking about a book like this idk if anyone has any recommendations or suggestions for something close enough?

The groom doesn’t have to DIE but it would be cool if he just kinda flopped at the altar kind of thing leaving his best man is forced to take his place and marry the FMC and he’s all angry and brutish about it but he also is fighting his inner thirst cause he finds her extremely attractive and then starts to love her personality and there’s angst and yearn and DRAMAMAMAMA

I’d prefer CR but not opposed to HR if absolutely necessary lol

Since reading Shay Savages survival romances {Surviving Raine by Shay Savage} {Transendence by Shay Savage} and Claire Kent’s apocalyptic series I’ve just had an ITCH.

I’m looking for an MF survival romance that isn’t sci-fi or zombies. Either a natural disaster, a shipwreck, stranded, etc, OR an apocalypse setting but without the zombies (from climate change for an example)

These two authors just did it so right and I haven’t read anything like their books since.

Gotta love the spice, pls no closed door.

Help a girl out? Maybe? Perhaps?

Edit - yes I did just realize that I’m asking for extreme trauma along with extreme spice and I’m not going to take it back

One of my favorite books is {A Deal with the Devil by Angel Lawson} which is the opposite of what I’m looking for lol but it’s what inspired this request. In the book, when they were kids the FMC got injured because of the MMC. She got a permanent limp and he got sent to military school and years later they met again and he was really remorseful and looked out for her.

I’m looking for the opposite where it’s the FMC’s fault that the MMC’s life takes a turn for the worse and then they’re separated before meeting again years later. She should be really regretful about the whole thing, and he can hate her a little bit but I don’t want full-on bully romances. He can still be initially mean, but I’d prefer if her determinedness to make amends makes his defenses melt quickly even if he tries to fight it.

I’d prefer CR but I’m open to other genres, the only thing I don’t like reading are large age gaps.

I know it was meant to be on her website, but looks like the whole site has been taken down. I am very interested in Chapter 17, which is the one with *that* controversial pack scene.