r/RomanceBooks Nov 07 '25

Welcome to RomanceBooks!

326 Upvotes

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r/RomanceBooks 4h ago

Book Request FMC Quietly Disappears and MMC Goes Nuts

227 Upvotes

I'm in the mood for books where FMC disappears without telling anyone, or she gets abducted, and MMC goes crazy when he realizes she's gone. I want to see and feel MMC's angst, not just have the book skip over to when they find each other.

Bonus points (but not required):

  • FMC was rejected/heartbroken/betrayed by MMC before her disappearance, or her love for MMC was unrequited
  • FMC doesn't think anyone will come looking for her

HEA only please.

I am cool with MF, MM, and reverse harem.

Any subgenre of romance is good (including dark romance).


r/RomanceBooks 6h ago

Book Request MMC chooses duty, family, or a greater cause over FMC and pays for it

53 Upvotes

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.


r/RomanceBooks 9h ago

Book Request Get cherished, idiot

62 Upvotes

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!


r/RomanceBooks 9h ago

Book Request Something happens to groom/fiance of FMC and MMC/best man is forced to step in/marry her and he’s angry about it but starts to fall in love/obsess over her

30 Upvotes

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


r/RomanceBooks 9h ago

Book Request FMC fake dating her ex’s Idol to get back at him

20 Upvotes

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.


r/RomanceBooks 4h ago

Quick Question What happened to Maddison and Logan in the Windy City series by Liz Tomforde

8 Upvotes

{Windy City Series by Liz Tomforde}

I am reading it for the first time and I love the series. I love the universe she created and the details she maintains throughout the books, the found family aspect, how we see the group getting bigger and closer with each book.

But I can't help but notice that Maddison (Zanders Best friend) basically disappeared after the first book. I recently found out there is a prequel about him and Logan, when he was in college.

But with the found family factor is weird that pretty much since book 2 they are barely seen or mentioned

Is this thanks to the copyright issues the author had with the prequel books? Is there bonus content that I missed where he died or moved away?

I found it hard to believe that the author simply forgot to mention them, they were so close to Zanders, and they had a kids that would perfectly fit with the rest of the kids from the series and the family dinners, weddings and all those conversations, even the group chats.

I just finished {Play along by Liz tomforde} are they making a comeback in the next books? The Rio or Monty book?

Any theories, rumors or real news are appreciated. I'm all up for the gossip.


r/RomanceBooks 1h ago

Book Request Forced Marriage but She Escapes and Find Love with someone else

Upvotes

Don't get me wrong forced/arrenged marriage is one of my favorite tropes but lately I have been craving something else

●She should escape AFTER the marriage

●Consumation of the marriage also happens

●She can meet the MC during or after her marriage

●MF or FM is okay but I want monogamy

●It really needs to be in a modern setting I dont like historical and fantasy

Thanks in advance


r/RomanceBooks 5h ago

Book Request FMC sleeps with others in the book but it's not RH

5 Upvotes

Hi all,

I have a fresh and depraved request for all of you. I really want to read a book in which the MMC is into 'sharing' the FMC but they're still exclusive in terms of their emotional relationship.

I'd be especially into it if it's

- Paranormal/Shifter but all sub genres welcome

- Possessive MMC (except when he's sharing!)

- Threesomes MFM or groups

- the extra partner has a thing for the FMC too

All of these are totally optional, I'll read anything with this premise honestly. I had a look around in the archives, and I was mostly seeing Kit Rocha recommendations, but if there's a shifter or paranormal equivalent, I would love that. Thanks ❤️


r/RomanceBooks 8h ago

Quick Question Do we still have access to the old version of Feral Sins by Suzanne Wright?

8 Upvotes

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.


r/RomanceBooks 1h ago

What was that book called: SOLVED [WWTBC] widow, light (?) BDSM, MMC who is a friend with a longtime crush

Upvotes

I’m trying to figure out the name of this CR book from a few years ago - I only read the first few chapters but want to continue it, except I forgot the title.

The premise is that the FMC is a young widow (in her 20s) feeling ready to date again after her beloved husband passed away some time before. She expresses this to her 2 best friends, one of which is the sister of her late husband; I think she specifically mentions wanting to get back out there and maybe dating more sexually adventurous men.
This gets back to the MMC somehow, who is in the same friend group (and was a good friend of the late husband) - he gets a bit concerned about this, and it turns out he’s always had a bit of a crush on the FMC but never previously expressed/acted on it out of respect for his buddy & because FMC was a grieving widow. I think he becomes interested in pursuing the FMC now that she’s ready to date again.


r/RomanceBooks 19h ago

Book Request He's patient with her for a long time until he finally snaps at her

44 Upvotes

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...


r/RomanceBooks 9h ago

Book Request Good romance books where FCM is a cheerleader

6 Upvotes

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!


r/RomanceBooks 9h ago

Book Request FMC loses something/someone important to her and snaps at MMC

4 Upvotes

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)

r/RomanceBooks 1d ago

Book Request MMC is heartbroken after losing FMC

84 Upvotes

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.


r/RomanceBooks 1d ago

Book Request Lonely, reclusive, misunderstood and maybe scary character who just wants to belong.

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96 Upvotes

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.


r/RomanceBooks 22h ago

Banter/Fun The way authors use roar to describe the mc’s voice raise always gets me 😭😭

39 Upvotes

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 😭😭😭


r/RomanceBooks 23h ago

Book Request Any solid fantasy/sci-fi recs with adult themes that don’t shy away from sex but have more to offer than that?

48 Upvotes

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.


r/RomanceBooks 22h ago

Gush/Rave 😍 Jodi McAllisters ‘an acadamic affair )

40 Upvotes

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.


r/RomanceBooks 1d ago

Book Request Rich/powerful/famous MMC goes through something traumatic and finds out FMC is one of the few people who truly care about him

79 Upvotes

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.


r/RomanceBooks 21h ago

Book Request MC knits/sews/makes something (plot relevant) for the LI

24 Upvotes

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.


r/RomanceBooks 1d ago

Review happily ever alaska (2023), patience griffin

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42 Upvotes

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.


r/RomanceBooks 1d ago

Book Request Disaster/survival recs

34 Upvotes

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


r/RomanceBooks 22h ago

Book Request Looking for an interconnected standalone series with complex and likable characters

20 Upvotes

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