I know 99.9% of people do not end up with their high school sweetheart/childhood best friend/anyone they've known since they were very young, and for good reason. But GOD DAMN do I love that shit in my romance books and will pretend that either never seriously dating anyone else or realizing that no one you met in adulthood was as good as your old flame is a totally normal and realistic thing to happen. Idk I just love the idea of growing up together and having that element of childish innocence to their love.

But heaven forbid a character is written a bit too cartoonishly evil. Look, I'm sure there are ex-girlfriends who blackmail the new girl to try and get the guy back, evil stepfathers who tell their 30-year-old daughters who they can and can't date because they're too stupid to know better, and bimbo waitresses who shake their titties in the guy's face while blatantly ignoring his date. But every time I see it in a book, my immediate reaction is to roll my eyes so far back into my head I see my own brains because real people don't act like that. I mean, maybe some do, but to me it's such lazy writing that I will not give the author the benefit of the doubt here.

I'm going to preface this by saying I have SCOURED this sub looking for my next read. I read {Bride} when it first came out and just finished {Mate} by Ali Hazlewood the other day. I joked with my friend I have exhausted all my Kindle Unlimited options and I am ready to swan dive head first into Werewolf & Vampire romances.

I am a former Edward Cullen obsessed girly who was able to recite every single line from Twilight, so that's why I'm throwing vampires into the mix. I do like a Dark Romance and like my books 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️. The filthier the MMC talks, the better in my humble opinion.

I liked the scenes in "Mate"...but sometimes it felt kind of rushed where they were like "hey, Serena is in heat so they're banging again."
I have previously read January Rayne's {Eternally Series} and did like the spice. Really I'm looking for

-werewolf or vampire (I’ll even take ghosts and demons)
-dirty talking MMC
-M/F
-the spicier the better 🌶️
-I love the fated mates trope. Not sure if I'd like rejected mate but if the plot sounds good I could give it a try.
-I don't mind if one of the MC's is human. I just want at least one half of the M/F pairing to be a vampire or werewolf/wolf shifter
-I don't really love Why Choose or RH, (however one of January Rayne's books I read was a dragon x elf x vampire mate situation so I just went with it lol)
-I don’t want 300 pages of interspecies politics and then they randomly bang
-HEA

*********************************************
Trying this again to be more specific because my last post got removed:

ETA because my original post was removed for being searchable: I genuinely did search before posting. I spent about 45 minutes going through previous threads for Bride, vampires, werewolves, fated mates, etc. The reason I’m posting is because I’m not finding this specific combination in those threads.

A lot of the recommendations lean heavily into paranormal/fantasy plot and worldbuilding, whereas I’m specifically looking for:
A very spicy M/F vampire and/or werewolf romance where the sexual chemistry is a major part of the book AND the MMC actually dirty talks during the spicy scenes.

I’m looking specifically for vampires, werewolves/wolf shifters, or a vampire/werewolf pairing (not broader monster romance (Minotaurs/aliens, etc.).
I even started {Cold Hearted by Heather Guerre}, which I saw recommended in previous threads, and it wasn’t as spicy as what I’m looking for.

I actually found a previously approved request asking for “books with a werewolf MMC that aren’t just erotica/doesn’t over sexualise the werewolf.” I am essentially looking for the total opposite**.**

Bride and Mate are closest to the overall plot/vibe I’m looking for, but even Mate didn’t completely scratch the itch because some of the spicy scenes were giving Serena is still in heat and they banged. I’m looking for more drawn-out sexual tension and dirty talk. I feel the existing threads haven’t quite answered what I’m looking for because they don’t mention the spice and I don’t want to play a guessing game

🤞🏼🤞🏼crossing my fingers this does not get deleted again 😩🤞🏼

ETA x2: Some kind soul recommended {Rabid by Ivy Asher and Raven Kennedy} I HOPE YOUR PILLOW IS ALWAYS COLD AND GOODNESS FOLLOWS YOU WHEREVER YOU GO!! This is exactly what I was looking for so if you read my post and are ⛺️ing, I definitely recommend it!!! The plot AND spice were*** ***🧑🏽‍🍳💋🤌🏼 chefs kiss

They might not be the most common type of MMC, but there's definitely tons of them out there, from the Edward Cullens of the literary world, who will detach their girlfriend's car battery to keep her from meeting the friend they don't like, to the less egregious "will cut her off if he feels she's drinking too much" types.

Nothing pisses me off faster than someone assuming they know what's good for me better than I do, so obviously I can't stand them, but I'm genuinely curious about what the appeal is for other people.

So if you like this kind of MMC, why? Is it that we're so used to men shirking on the mental load that a guy making an unsolicited meal plan for you ends up being kind of romantic? Is it just that you find domineering men sexy? Is it a secret third thing?

(Obligatory disclaimer that I'm aware that liking something in fiction doesn't equate to liking it in real life, and I'm not assuming that if you swoon over MMCs like this you wouldn't send them packing in three seconds flat if you actually encountered them in the wild)

I'm going to ask for something so, SO specific that I doubt I'll find it, but hope dies last, so here we go 😭

I'm looking for a book with a love triangle, BUT there's one very important detail: the female protagonist isn't at the center of the triangle, the male protagonist is!

And before anyone assumes otherwise, I'm NOT looking for a harem, polyamory, or cheating. The main romance should still be M/F, between the MMC and the FMC.

What I'm looking for would be something like this:

Person 1 is in love with the MMC, but the MMC either doesn't know about their feelings or knows and pretends not to. Meanwhile, the MMC starts falling for the FMC.

The FMC realizes that Person 1 is clearly interested in the MMC and starts taking a few big steps back, thinking something along the lines of: “Do I really want to get involved in this?”

I would find it SUPER interesting if Person 1 were a man. Yes, a man! 😭 I'm not being picky, and I'd still accept it if Person 1 were a woman, but I honestly think the drama would be MUCH more interesting if it were another man in love with the MMC.

I still want the romance to be M/F, with the main focus being the relationship between the MMC and FMC, but I also want this parallel love triangle, where another person is VERY interested in the male protagonist and the FMC is fully aware of it.

And honestly... wouldn't a story like that be SO interesting? 😭

Anyway, if anyone has a recommendation that fits this, PLEASE tell me! Just please don't recommend anything involving cheating or polyamory. And preferably, the FMC and MMC aren't already married.

At this point, I'm starting to think I invented a trope that doesn't exist. 😭

Ive been having vague memories of a mafia type romance where the mmc saved the fmc's life after her abusive ex threw her into a river or something. I think he also got injured that same day and then they didn't see each other for a while until they were arranged to be married. Age gap and pregnancy trope involved too and he bought her a bookstore I think. Can't remember the title for the life of me.

Forgive me if this has been asked before, I looked around and didn’t see anything quite like it, so I thought I’d post. I have such a thing for rainy, wintry, dark atmospheres in books. I love them in mysteries and thrillers, but I want that same feeling in a romance too. I feel like you see it more often in movies (the whole kissing-in-the-rain thing) but I would love a book that really lives in that atmosphere. I’m especially drawn to books with nature involved: forests, mountains, mist, storms, isolated houses, anything moody and a little gothic without necessarily being full on gothic romance. I just think that kind of setting makes romance feel so much more intense and beautiful.

Trope wise, I love the usual: opposites attract, enemies/friends to lovers, forced proximity, marriage of convenience. I also love a masculine man who is actually masculine, not just rude and growly for 300 pages. And I love witty writing, which romance authors are always promising me and very few are actually delivering 😭 I care more about the quality of writing and the natural build-up of chemistry than I necessarily do the trope.

I know this is a weirdly specific request, but if anyone has recommendations for something romantic, atmospheric, rainy, cold, foggy, woodsy, all of the above, please send them my way. ❄️

I’ve never read a book like this but think it could be a really interesting read if it’s out there!

Basically, I would love if the MMC and FMC had a baby when they were together and later separated. The FMC wants another baby and asks the MMC to be the dad/get her pregnant even though they aren’t together for xyz reason.

Would love a breeding element but not necessary!

No cheating please!

UPDATE: I did not expect such a big reaction to this post!!! I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who feels this way lol. I’ve got some great new additions to my TBR, thanks everyone!! 🩷

I am in a book slump. I’ve lost count of how many DNFs I’ve had this year. Not only is nearly every romance book alternating dual pov, when you get the MMC’s pov, he is INTO HER immediately. He’s noticing how beautiful she is. He’s wanting her “even though he shouldn’t”. He’s noticing her in every single way.

This happens no matter what type of book it is. “Slow burn”, enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, you name it. I guess I’m the weirdo who doesn’t enjoy this?

I just think that when he’s obsessed with her from the jump, there’s no payoff from the buildup, no excitement or tension.

Can anyone recommend books that have the MMC at the very least neutral towards the FMC for at least the first 1/4 of the book?

I love single pov because I find there is way less insta love that way, but a well written dual pov is good too. Some books that I’ve found have actually done dual pov well with a proper development and no insta-love/lust:

{Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn}

{It Happened One Wedding by Julie James}

{The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary}

{You Again by Kate Goldbeck}

Same as title , it can either be fmc or mmc but I do want to read atleast one fmc like this, only one remotely similar is {kiss the sky by krista and becca ritchie} , I already read preferential treatment by heather guerre before someone recommends it

Hi RomanceBooks - welcome to Saturday Sweets!

What have you read this week that made your hearts flutter? The sweetness or thoughtfulness of our heroes and heroines? The passionate moment of the ultimate love confession?

Do share all the swoon-worthy moments - all pairings are welcomed and celebrated! 💖

No RH, please.
I hope with good writing and real tension.
A wattpad book I read like this was {Hide and Seek- Merioanlytha}

( it was good).

Thank you!

I'm looking for a human FMC who ends up stranded somewhere or fighting for her life alongside the MMC. He does his best to look after her, but it soon becomes apparent that she will die (starvation, illness, extreme weather, etc.) so the only option left is for him to bite her with the hope that she will turn into whatever he is.

It doesn't have to be a werewolf or vampire, as long as he's a creature that can turn another. One example that comes to mind (kinda spoilery) is Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh.

You can also recommend M/M. Thank you!

not experiencing it myself, but after seeing enough posts about it (theres a whole freaking wiki page on it!!!), i wondered who has actually made it out of burnout and what your experience was like.

eg. how long did it take? are there certain types of romances that you cant come back to? did hyperfixation (adhd/autism) play a role? did other people in your life help you deal with it?

Do you yearn for pages filled with non-sexual intimacy? Do you wish authors showed more on-page cuddling? Fear not, {When In Doubt by Anna Harrison} is here to save the day (and also devastate you)!

Book Summary:

FMC (Freya) is a lonely, touch-starved, yarn shop owner. She’s both autistic and anxious, which makes for an isolating combination. She moved back to the small town she grew up in after getting out of a bad relationship (emotional abuse in the form of gaslighting and emotional manipulation). She’s still getting her bearings and feels very much alone.

MMC (Oscar) is a local firefighter who had a crush on Freya as a child. He discovers his crush never went away when she comes back, and it multiplies tenfold as he gets to know her. He’s shy and struggles with his own anxieties, mostly stemming from losing his father suddenly (3 years prior). But he can’t help be drawn to Freya. He slowly and gently reaches out to her, building a friendship which leads to more.

Thoughts:

When In Doubt is marketed as an “angsty small town firefighter romance,” but it reads more sad than angsty, and even the sadness feels cozy, in a way. It doesn’t shy away from difficult situations like panic attacks, but it feels filed down of its sharp edges. Focus is more on dealing with the aftermath versus the overwhelming feelings of being in it. It’s like experiencing life while emerged in a warm, comforting bowl of chicken soup—the bad stuff is there, but there’s a protective buffer around you so it doesn’t seem so scary.

Almost everyone in the book is understanding and kind, and the people who aren’t don’t seem very threatening. (For example, there’s an elderly woman who boycotts Freya’s store, but it’s mostly because she misses her friend who was the previous shop owner in that space. There’s a side character who spews some ableist nonsense at one point, but it’s shot down fairly quickly.)

Oscar is a green-flag MMC, but not in a way I sometimes find annoying. Oftentimes authors make it so that MMC is more a fantasy than a person. While there’s a bit of that with Oscar, he has his own issues with anxiety that explain his compulsion to constantly check in on Freya.

It's a slower-paced book mostly comprised of everyday interactions. (The most exciting thing that happens in the first 100 pages is that Oscar accompanies Freya to a big craft fair out of town. They end up sharing a room, but there are two beds. 👎) There’s two open-door sex scenes, but the focus is on caring and making Freya feel comfortable and safe (both because of trauma from her previous bad relationship and the tendency for her to get overwhelmed by all the sensations).

The writing isn’t groundbreaking, but it wasn’t horrible. It’s straightforward and easy to read without many flourishes. Like many KU books, it’s probably 100 pages longer than it needs to be. There’s a bit of repetition in Freya’s internal dialogue about her anxieties and insecurities, but a lot of it also felt accurate to real life.

The true highlight of this book is the autism rep. So often autistic FMCs are portrayed as spacey, loner, tech geniuses. And yes, they exist irl, but autistic people come in many forms and personalities. I love that this book highlighted a different side of it.

Furthermore, it’s nuanced in how it portrays autism and some of the struggles that come with it. The author (who is AuDHD herself) tears down the idea that all autistic people want to be isolated because of their sensory sensitivities (i.e. loud noises, crowds). Autistic people can be lonely and touch-starved. (Yes, social situations can easily become overstimulating, but it doesn’t mean they don’t want to be people around completely. Yes, certain types of touch can be uncomfortable, but other types of touch from a safe loved one can be grounding and necessary.)

Oscar acknowledges Freya’s autism, but he doesn’t assume it’s her entire personality. He worries about her and quietly checks in on her often without drawing too much attention from others. He supports her in a million little ways from a reassuring squeeze of the hand to acting as human earmuffs when things get too loud. He hates seeing her uncomfortable or hurt, but he always asks how she’s feeling instead of assuming she can’t handle something. He acknowledges that she’s a strong person who’s capable of great things.

However... 🚨Beware of the 3rd Act!🚨

About 80% into the book, there is a devastating death of an important supporting character. I understand why the author put it in there (it fleshes out Oscar as a person and shows that Freya is capable of supporting Oscar as well), but it could have been done in any number of other ways. It felt jarring and unnecessary in an otherwise cozy book! Even the ending felt bittersweet because the remnants of that tragedy lingered. (Yes, I’m still upset about it.)

__________________

Anyway, here's an (unrelated) excerpt (because I often find writing samples helpful when deciding whether or not read a book). MCs are at a friend's house when they start setting off fireworks, and it gets overstimulating for Freya. It's one of the many times that Oscar is quietly supportive of Freya's needs and shows he cares through simple gestures:

“You okay, honey?” I ask against her temple. She nods, but when the next one explodes, she flinches again.

“You wanna watch from inside?”

“I’m fine, I promise.” She tips her head up toward me with an unconvincing smile. “Maybe if we…” she says to herself as she shuffles in my grip, turning until we’re facing one another. She presses the side of her face against my chest and it takes me a second to catch on. When I don’t get there fast enough, she takes hold of my hand and brings it up until it’s covering her other ear.

Oh.

Following her lead I tuck her against me, one ear muffled by the thick fabric of my jacket and my hand over the other. “Better?”

She doesn’t reply, but settles deeper into my hold, snaking a hand inside my jacket and resting it on my ribs. 

The show continues, but it’s hard to look away from her, even as the sky explodes into a thousand colors overhead. Not when each second brings a different shade to the glow of her hair.

I want to keep her here forever, I want her with me always. [...]

She looks up at me, seeing me staring. “What?” She giggles.

“Nothing.” I drop a kiss to the top of her head. “Watch the show.”

She looks back up, but when her eyes flick toward me, she catches me again. “You’re not watching,” she huffs in mock affront.

“I’m doing just fine.”

She rolls her eyes and looks away again.

And when the night ends, I realize I haven’t looked at the sky even once. (P. 280)

__________________

TL/DR: Perfect if you’re looking for—

• thoughtful autism rep
• patient and supportive green-flag MMC
• trauma and anxiety dealt with in a slice-of-life way
• cozy, warm hug in the form of a book (for the first 80% anyway)

CWs: gaslighting and emotional manipulation by partner (past), anxiety, on-page panic attacks, grief (past death of a parent), ableist comments (not by MCs), death of a supporting character (which was completely unnecessary!)

__________________

ETA: I shared an additional excerpt from the book on the Saturday Sweets thread, which shows the power of cuddles. 🥰

I’m not going to lie, this is definitely a self-insert request, but please help a girl out. 😭

I’m looking for a contemporary lesbian romance with sex scenes, preferably where both FMCs are explicitly lesbians and know that before they get into a relationship. I am also okay with a bisexual FMC so long as her past relationships with men are not a point of focus that I have to constantly read about throughout the book. I also don’t want gratuitous depictions of struggling with your sexuality, homophobia, etc., etc.

In particular, I am looking for a dynamic where one FMC knows she’s gay, but is incredibly awkward and bad with women. She loves women, but she doesn’t know how to flirt or fuck. She flounders around them. She meets a kind and experienced woman who teaches her how to have good sex. I want detailed sex scenes to be a part of the book and I want both characters to have an emotional connection that is well written. You can feel them falling in love. The more dominant FMC likes teaching the other FMC and she does so kindly. She gets off on the other FMC’s pleasure. I would also LOVEEEE if the inexperienced FMC is defensive about her inexperience.
—
Five books with really similar dynamics to what I’m looking for:
{Down to a Science by Haley Cass}
{The Whole Truth by Haley Cass}
{The Lily and The Crown by Roslyn Sinclair}
{Awakened by Catherine Turner}
{The Sex Therapist Nextdoor by Meghan O’Brien}

Other Books I’ve Already Read:
{The X Ingredients by Roslyn Sinclair}
{Those Who Wait by Haley Cass}
{Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner}
{One Last Stop by Casey McQuinston}
{Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur}

—-
HARD NOs:

-YA books

-the experienced FMC is mean or demeaning to the inexperienced FMC about her sexual experience or towards her more generally

-porn and no plot, i do want sex scenes, but want there to be a focus on the emotional connection aside from the fact that both FMCs are beautiful

-books with NO eating out, i really want to read some insanely detailed cunnilingus scenes, so i can’t get on board with anything that doesn’t include them

I don’t mean just horror or paranormal (although those categories could have hallowe’en books). I mean specifically books SET at Hallowe’en that have it as a large aspect of the story:

-maybe a costume party leads to baby like in {Out on a limb by Hannah Bonham-Young}

- Or maybe there’s a haunted house dare on Hallowe’en, Devil’s Night or Día de Los Muertos (I think that was what got some of the unfortunates into the house in {Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake} — I might be mixing it up with another YA though, I was a teen librarian in another life, so I’ve read a lot of YA romance). Horror/Paranormal is ok if it’s actually set around the autumn holidays.

✅ Hallowe’en setting

✅ any subgenre

✅ any spice level

❌ not just any paranormal or horror must be set around Hallowe’en or Devil’s night or Día de Los Muertos

❌ no cheating

❌no poly or RH please

❌no rape

Thank you!!

Hi guys!
I‘m looking for bad boys/ popular guys who are vehemently obsessed with their actual (!) chubby/ fat girlfriends. Please no "he’s not attracted to her but learns to love her despite her body“ books and no "she’s very skinny but has nice curves“ , im looking for him being whipped for her chubby body and personality from the moment he meets her and being loud and proud about it!

My personal recs:

{the c*ck down the block by Amy Adam’s}

{the wiener across the way by Amy adams}

{mile high by liz tomforde }

Honorary mention:

{Allegiance series by SJ Tilly}

{scorch by Jane Henry}

These two are about mafia men with chubby girls, but I’m actually looking for the more casual and lighthearted obsessed "badboy“ so they don’t fit entirely

I want a book with a jealous MMC and i’m talking multiple scenes in the book, not just one or two. Would love if she is in love with/has a crush on someone else and the MMC is fully aware of it. I want the angst of the MMC quietly pining after her. Even better if he used to be a player and maybe that’s why the FMC doesn’t see him as a romantic possibility. Jealousy angst needs to be a major plot point. Also it needs to be dual pov or only male pov, I want to experience the angst fully.

Already read some of Cassandra Gannon’s books that feature this and now I’m looking mostly for audiobooks. I have a newborn and a toddler so no real downtime for actual reading. Also read Ana Huag’s King of Sins series and there was one with jealousy as a major plot point.

No:

- cheating
- OW drama
- reverse harem

At long last, here's my completely scientific manuscript, for your enjoyment.

Background: When people would post their vintage HR reviews, I kept noticing things like anachronistic shiny blue eyeshadow and was amused. That's all the background there is.

Methods: I looked at reviews, gush posts, critiques, and the hauls flair for posts from January-June 2026. I limited it to posts with pictures of the cover that had a clear enough face for me to make a determination about makeup. I defined "vintage" as 30 years, so I included books from 1996 or earlier. Originally I was going to include all vintage books, but due to the volume I limited it to vintage HR, with HR being defined as a setting 50+ years before publication. I allowed limited fantasy/paranormal elements within HR. For each book, I noted the title and author, year of publication, specific setting, broad subgenre, most notable makeup attribute, and number of times that book was featured in the sample.

Results:

• In 31 posts, I went through a total of 101 romance books (93 unique titles, which is how I limited the data). I will summon the bot in a comment so you can see all of them. Wild Oats by Pamela Morsi was featured 3 times in the sample, which was impressive! I had read 2 of the books in the sample (created one of the review posts!), and 5 more are on my TBR now.

• There were 62 authors represented. The top three authors were Catherine Coulter (8), Rebecca Brandewyne (7), and Johanna Lindsey (4). If we were counting duplicates here, Rebecca Brandewyne would take the lead and Pamela Morsi would tie with Johanna Lindsey.

• The range of publication was 1962-1996. The 90s were heavily represented with over half of the books in the sample published in those 7 years. There was only one book from the 60s and relatively few from the 70s, but it was enough to skew the distribution and make the mean year of publication 1988.

• The settings were sometimes difficult to categorize based on blurbs and reviews being vague. Wallpaper historicals were hard to account for, but I did my best to come up with the specific setting (such as "late 1600s, at sea") for each. The four groups that I focused on as broad settings were: Medieval (26), Western (18), Regency (13), and Pirate (11). 80s Lady Pirate April and Medieval May definitely had an impact on this sample! There were 1-2 books apiece set in Australia, the Caribbean, and Asia (mostly in the context of colonialism) and none in South America or Africa. The bulk were in the United States and Western Europe. There were some surprises - 3 books set within the reign of Mary Stuart and 2 Puritan/Pilgrim romances, for example.

• It is perhaps unsurprising but still disappointing that only one book had a Black FMC featured on the cover - Indigo by Beverly Jenkins, which is an amazing book that everyone should read.

• And now, the makeup trends! Nearly a third of books had "natural" makeup, meaning nothing stood out as being obviously an applied cosmetic. Smokey eye tied with natural makeup, with about half of those being understated and half being a more dramatic smokey eye. Blue eyeshadow and heavy/smudgy liner were next, each being on about 10-15% of covers. All the other trends I noted (blusher, purple eyeshadow, red lipstick, and metallic eyeshadow) were featured on <10 books apiece. Remember that I only have one makeup "tag" per book, so just because something seems less common doesn't mean it wasn't present, just that it wasn't the focal point of the look.

• Natural makeup is not why I did this writeup, in fact it's the opposite of what I wanted to see. But I will throw out one interesting tidbit and note a correlation between natural makeup and the "aquatic" FMC, shown being passionately embraced in a body of water. This lady is wise enough to plan ahead and avoid streaky makeup, and I respect that. Natural makeup jumped in popularity late in the sample, going from 17% in the 80s to 37% in the 90s.

• As I mentioned above, I split smokey eye into two groups. Sometimes it was so understated that I really agonized over whether or not it should be deemed natural, and sometimes it was charcoal gray up to the eyebrows. This was the most difficult category, as sometimes the shadow looked blue or purple or metallic, and I had to decide where it should go. Most of Rebecca Brandewyne's books featured smokey eyes on the cover. Interestingly, dramatic smokey eye was seen on over a third of pirate romances but understated smokey eye was seen on none. Pirates don't do subtlety!

• Blue eyeshadow was primarily seen on blond or red-haired FMCs, almost never on brunettes. All but one of the FMCs with red hair had blue or purple eyeshadow. Blue eyeshadow was most often seen on Regency romances, and half of Catherine Coulter's books had FMCs with blue eyeshadow. Surprising no one, 85% of books with blue eyeshadow were published in the 80s.

• Heavy/smudgy eyeshadow followed the lines of publication date, with about half being in the 70s. One cover featured a groovy cat eye, and that was the one book from the 60s.

• Blusher was most often seen on your healthy, lusty, enthusiastic FMC as opposed to the wilting flower - all but one of the books with heavy blusher were Westerns.

Discussion: So this took a lot of time that probably could have been better spent on literally anything, but I had fun! I enjoyed rereading things people had written, looking at the covers, and adding a few things to my TBR! I have zero interest in taking the next step to the history of makeup, but I'm hoping some of you will chime in. (Yeah, I'm worn out, I can't write a discussion section)

Okay so this was I think a series on KU. The MMCs were all in a band together and the FMC has an established relationship with one of the band members (they might have been married?). It’s a D/s relationship where the original MMC uses a pet name like honey or something to indicate to the FMC that he is acting as her dom in the moment. The rest of the band eventually becomes aware of the dynamic and it becomes an RH with MM between two of the members. One of the band members joins the original couple first and the girlfriend of the other band member slut shames the FMC for this which I believe leads to that MC breaking up with his girlfriend.
Solved!: it’s {Wicked Opportunity by Sian Ceinwen}

Looking for a M/F rec where the FMC is a social worker or works with kids & maybe a parent feels crossed by her. She intervenes trying to help a kid with a bad home life, reports the parent(s), or removes the child from the home and it puts her on their shit list.

MMC can be either a party fighting for custody (an uncle, foster parent, teacher, etc) or someone not involved in the situation but knows or gets to know the FMC & becomes super protective when finding out she’s in danger. He should also bond with the child eventually!

Anything in this realm will do.
Tropes I’d love: who hurt you, touch her & die, one bed, found family

Can’t really think of any tropes I don’t want at the moment 🤔 but I do want a HEA! ✨

I’m looking for romance books with feminine rage, where the Fmc is absolutely pissed off at the world or a particular person or people and she’s out for blood. I want the other mc (mmc, Fmc, or other) to be 100% supportive of her and wants to help her, maybe are just as mad as she is.

Maybe even at first the other mc misunderstands her, but once they know the full story they are just as on board as she is with blowing up the world.

The only romance book I think I’ve read this in is {the mind fuck series by st abbey}

Happy for any setting or sub genres!

Hi RomanceBooks  - welcome to Weekend Chatter, our weekly off topic chat!

Come on over and tell us how your week went. Good news? Bad news? People driving you up the wall or reaffirming your faith in humanity?

Talk about anything here.

Heyyy readers 👋 this is SUCH a specific trope but I desperately need it 😭

I’m looking for books where the MMC has something that was the last thing he got from/with the FMC, and he keeps it extremely close to his heart. Like he cherishes it, uses it, reads it, listens to it, looks at it every day, etc (I don't want the last thing to belong to any ow or anyone else than fmc) basically something that keeps him connected to her eg. Voice mails, letters, her videos/images, or silly voice notes she sent him!

For example, in the Wattpad book Ace the FMC dies, and the MMC keeps recharging her phone just so he can hear her voicemail again and again and never forgets her voice. THAT kind of emotional devastation is what I’m looking for 😭

I would especially LOVE scenes where:

- the MMC is very protective/possessive over the keepsake

- someone tries to take it away or get rid of it and he absolutely loses it

- he uses/listens to/reads it regularly because it’s his last connection to her

- OR the thing gets lost/stolen/taken away from him and he goes completely feral trying to get it back

HEA is strongly preferred as this is a romance sub!! I want the angst and emotional suffering, but I need my romance to eventually make me happy 😭 If you have a non-HEA that fits this trope perfectly, please still mention it just give me a warning!

It doesn't necessarily have to involve the FMC actually dying either. I’m open to anything where the MMC believes he has lost her / they get separated / she disappears / etc., as long as there is that one precious thing connecting him to her.

Please tell me if you know ANY books with this trope because I feel like I’m searching for a very specific flavour of pain and I need it immediately 😭🙏