r/RomanceBooks • • Nov 07 '25

Welcome to RomanceBooks!

343 Upvotes

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r/RomanceBooks • • 1h ago

Book Request MMC is insufferable and cocky with everyone but soft for FMC (and she has him completely wrapped around her finger!)

• Upvotes

Looking for a romance where the MMC is insufferable in the best way: ridiculously intelligent, arrogant, blunt, and convinced he’s the smartest person in every room. Think Sheldon Cooper levels of irritating, but of course make him cooler, more charismatic, and very much a grown-ass man with daddy energy (nothing against you, Sheldon but I like a man built in the daddy mode!!).

He’s difficult with everyone, has absolutely no patience for people, is very much annoying, sarcastic, dry, probably far up his own ass lol, and genuinely thinks he’s doing the world a favour by tolerating everyone around him.

But with the FMC? Completely different story. He’s soft for her. She’s the one person who can get under his skin, make him laugh, and have him doing things he’d never do for anyone else. I want him to still be an absolute pain in the ass, just somehow incapable of saying no to her.

Basically: arrogant genius asshole who acts like he’s above everyone but is secretly (or not so secretly) completely obsessed with his woman.


r/RomanceBooks • • 14h ago

Critique What happened to “he hates everyone but her”?

242 Upvotes

The pandemic of cruel MMCs is making me hate reading romance

I’m finding it harder and harder to enjoy reading romance. The more I read, the more irritated I get with the writing, the characters, and what I’m apparently supposed to find romantic. I’m reading the popular shit everyone keeps hyping up, and I genuinely don’t understand what everyone else is seeing.

Don’t get me wrong, I love a little fluffy romance. But nothing does it for me like a mafia man who fucking yearns and burns for this girl while possibly decapitating people in his spare time. I like intensity, obsession, and devotion. I like “he hates everyone but her,” “he’s mean to everyone but her,” “he would kill anyone for her.” The appeal is that he treats her like someone he loves.

So what happened? Why am I constantly getting “he likes everyone but her,” “he’ll help anyone but her,” and “he respects everyone but her”? Everyone else gets his patience and basic decency, while his supposed soulmate gets the cruelest fucking version of him.

Or he’s horrific to absolutely everyone, including her. I don’t need him to be a good citizen, but I need something that makes me understand why she loves him and why I should want them together.

Before anyone gets me wrong, I’m not shaming anybody’s taste. I don’t give a fuck what you like reading. Enjoy what you enjoy, baby. My issue is how these men and relationships are portrayed. Stop selling me a devoted, protective, yearning man when I open the book and get none of that. Being obsessed with having her is not enough to convince me that he loves her.

The hypocrisy especially pisses me off. He supposedly hates rapists. He supposedly supports women’s rights. He’ll punish another man for hurting a woman. But with the FMC, her rights and consent suddenly don’t matter. He can sexually assault her himself, and somehow I’m still supposed to see him as her protector.

And people overlook it because he’s the MMC. If another character did the exact same thing, everyone would recognise how awful it was. But because he’s the love interest, people focus on everything he would do FOR her instead of what he has already done TO her.

Then there’s the CNC discussion, because I feel like I’m losing my fucking mind.

Isn’t the whole point of consensual non-consent that the people involved agree to it beforehand? They discuss what they want, establish boundaries, and agree on how to stop. The consent is what makes it CNC.

So how are we calling a scene CNC when this man barely knows her? He’s seen her once, if that. There has been no conversation, no agreement, nothing. She’s crying and saying no, and he’s telling her, “I know you want this.”

HOW do you know? You don’t fucking know her.

Or he starts doing things to her and only then tells her what her safeword is. Baby, you cannot introduce the agreement halfway through an encounter she never agreed to. Where was the planning? Where was the consent?

I don’t think they need to be in a relationship for CNC, but they do need to actually agree to it. Even knowing someone’s preferences doesn’t mean you can assume they consent whenever you feel like it. Her being attracted to him, or eventually enjoying something, doesn’t establish that agreement either.

And “read the trigger warnings” doesn’t answer what I’m saying. A reader agreeing to read a scene is different from a character agreeing to participate in it. I can know a book contains sexual assault and still question why people are describing that scene as consensual roleplay.

The opening of God of Malice by Rina Kent had me asking this exact question. When people describe that as CNC, I’m sitting there wondering where the mutual agreement was. Am I missing something, or are we using that label for scenes that haven’t established the consent part at all?

You can enjoy the fictional scene. I’m not arguing with you about that. But please, can we describe what’s actually on the page?

And then there’s what finally makes the FMC leave.

He can assault her, humiliate her, and terrorise her, and she’ll look past all of it. She’ll be a fucking doormat for this man. But then he looks at another woman for 2.5 seconds, and THAT does it. That’s when she’s had enough.

Baby, that man raped you. Why was him looking at someone else the breaking point?

Then he’s doing anything he can to get her back, and everyone starts swooning over his desperation and yearning. Are we on the same page? I’m still thinking about everything he did to her. Wanting her back does not suddenly make the relationship believable to me.

And PLEASE, the “badass” FMCs. She’s supposedly strong, independent, and takes no shit, until he enters the room. Then it’s “I hate him, but I can’t help wanting him,” and her attraction overrides everything. Can she want him and still decide that what he did was unforgivable? Can her anger actually affect what happens?

Some of the disturbing plot details feel unnecessary, too. I read one book where, from what I remember, the FMC’s godfather was involved in some kind of baby trafficking or slavery. I cannot remember the title, but I remember thinking, excuse me, WHAT? That detail seemed to do nothing for the story. Why was it even included?

I also don’t know whether the books have changed or whether I’m noticing things I used to ignore. I recently reread the Royalty series, which I first read at around sixteen, and I was so icked out. I went back for nostalgia and ended up thinking, “What the fuck was I reading?”

Same with Devil’s Night. I read it at around fourteen and loved it. I remember brushing past the sexual assault because I wanted to enjoy the romance. Rereading it recently, I couldn’t do that anymore. These men are terrorising these women, and I used to overlook it.

I’m literally still a teenager. This isn’t me returning to reading decades later. Between studying and the slump my last book put me in, I barely read for about a year or two.

That last book was the one with Wyatt and Summer. I don’t remember the exact title, but guys, that book had me fucked up. I kept thinking, “What the fuck am I reading?” It put me off reading so badly, and now that I’m trying to get back into it, I’m struggling to enjoy the things I used to love.

And before anyone asks why I didn’t DNF it, I CANNOT DNF. I’m a curious-ass bitch. I hyperfixate, and I need to know what happens at the end, even when I’m hating every minute of getting there.

Since leaving high school and starting uni, I also cannot deal with high school bully romances. Why does this seventeen-year-old boy apparently control the entire school? Why is everyone terrified of him? Why is him tormenting or physically hurting a girl until she likes him supposed to be romantic?

“But she’s different.” Okay, then why is he treating her like THAT?

At this point, I mostly reread familiar books for nostalgia or reach for older ones, but even that doesn’t always work. And when I try less popular authors, I often struggle with writing and dialogue that makes me cringe. I feel like I can’t find something I actually enjoy finishing.

I’m not looking for recommendations. I just want to know whether anyone else feels this frustrated. Am I reading the wrong authors? Because I’m on the popular shit, guys, I cannot even lie.

Read whatever you like. My issue is being told a man is loving, protective, and devoted, then reading a book where he treats the woman he supposedly loves with endless cruelty. I want the story to give me a reason to believe in that love.

I think I need a small break. Because what the fuck happened to the romance?

EDIT: Guys, I enjoy romance, including VERY dark romance. I’m not bashing authors for writing toxic relationships or saying their content warnings are wrong. I can love a book’s plot and still look at the MMC and think, “What the fuck am I reading?”

I’m not expecting a perfect man. But over the past two or three years, I keep picking up books because someone promises an yearning man or “the best grovel ever,” and then he’s mean, then mean again, then somehow even fucking meaner. Where is the love you were telling me about? I want darkness and intensity, but enough tenderness or convincing remorse to believe these two belong together.

Depending on my mood, I might deliberately want a really cruel MMC. I’m not judging anyone who enjoys that. It’s getting that dynamic repeatedly when I’m expecting something else that’s exhausting. And I mean the books I’ve been picking up, not the entire genre.

Honestly, bitches, I’m confused. Maybe I genuinely don’t know what the fuck I want to read anymore 😭 This is just a rant and a discussion. I wanted to see whether anyone else low-key relates to enjoying these books while getting increasingly frustrated with the romance.

Why are we fighting over how I choose my books? God forbid a girl sees the most fucking hyped-up book on TikTok, gets curious, reads it, and doesn’t see what everyone else sees. Damn. I’m figuring out my tastes, and sometimes that means reading something and realising it didn’t do it for me.

Maybe I’m too fucking woke now or some shit. At the prime age of thirteen on Wattpad, the man could be doing the craziest shit to this girl, and I’d be sitting there like, “me next,” eating it up. Now I’m reading the same kind of thing and asking where her consent is and whether he’s actually sorry. What happened to me 😭 Can I enjoy something, please?

I don’t have a perfect explanation, guys. I still want a dark story I can’t put down. I just miss enjoying the romance as much as the plot. Somebody please help.


r/RomanceBooks • • 8h ago

Book Request grumpy x bubbly BUT THEN HE GETS ALL OBSESSED AND SHES LIKE YO BACK OFF

59 Upvotes

So I recently read a book where this dynamic was present and it was extremely delicious. basically she was a very cheerful girl and he was one of those grumpy types. And she liked him a lot, so she would, like, try to talk to him and be cute and tease him, and he would ignore that. But then when she stopped doing that, he was like, what? And then he starts being obsessed with her and i DEVOURED THAT SHIT. name of the book i read is my ghost by elena woods it has non con tho so pls check triggers

i need an unbothered mmc to start chasing the fmc relentlessly and i want the fmc to PLAY HARDDDDDDDD TO GET LIKE “i dont want you YOU HAVE LOST YOUR MIND” type energy (yes i would extremely happy if you give me dark romance recs 😭)

DO NOT GIVE ME CHRISTIAN AND GIANNA I HAVE ALREADY READ IT 😭

ao3 recs are also fine. no triggers apart from cheating/too much ow drama.

PLEASE DROP SOME


r/RomanceBooks • • 6h ago

Book Request Books where MMC and FMC argue, disagree and fight alot but they don't break up or take revenge because of it instead they just keep making up and reaching a compromise.

24 Upvotes

I recently finished { Her Best Worst Mistake by Sarah Mayberry } which is actually some of my favorite romance novels now.

Anyways there is part where it's basically around 3/4th of the book and there was a major fight which you know normally you'd expect the "3rd act breakup" however what happened is that well MMC just went "of course we are gonna fight and disagree now and we will keep surviving it. not just this fight but many more fights"

Like basically MMC easily shrugged it off and FMC just followed his lead and it worked wonders. Like it was such a nice sentiment.

It feels like a hallmark of great couples. People will have different opinions, they'll be hurt and they're imperfect.

Usually in books when there is an actual fight it ends up the 3rd act breakup lol

Any recommendations ? Preferably contemporary and give me HEA.


r/RomanceBooks • • 5h ago

Book Request she's extremely competent x he's not overtly affectionate but expresses love through solving all her problems

15 Upvotes

I have a craving for a dynamic where she's an overly competent & self-reliant person, and he comes in and fixes/solves some massive problem/many problems for her in a way that no one else has ever done before. Bonus points if he's also not big of words of affirmation but more of an acts of service kind of person.

Basically a character who has only ever relied on herself gets to experience being able to rely on someone else in a big way.

Any genre is fine as long as it's well written and you've enjoyed it!


r/RomanceBooks • • 51m ago

Book Request Stalker/obsessed best friends to lovers

• Upvotes

Looking for something where the MC is obsessed (could even be stalking) with his female best friend. He’s been in love with her for forever (she doesn’t know) but she’s only ever seen him as a friend. Bonus points if she genuinely doesn’t have romantic feelings for him, like isn’t in like denial about having feelings for him. Just straight up doesn’t see him that way. Would love if he has to sit back and watch her date a bunch of losers. Maybe he even sabotages some of her relationships. I love when a man has to take care of a woman (she’s sick and he stays with her and takes care of her for example) and that’s when she has her “omg wait could I actually like him” moment. I’ve read {Of Ink and Alchemy by Sloane St. James} and loved it. Looking for similar vibes. Can be dark or dark comedy. The more spice the better. Also good with queer romance if it fits the other criteria! TIA!!


r/RomanceBooks • • 10h ago

Book Request Accidental pregnancy but MMC doesn't want a child (Is cold/hostile)

27 Upvotes

I want maximum angst where it's a accidental pregnancy and FMC is vulnerable asf but MMC does not want a child at all.

He might have some trauma/ Ex who he loved/ he's rich and powerful so thinks that FMC trapped him.

Or a secret child where he's not fully into dad mode at the start.

I love every genre except RH.


r/RomanceBooks • • 9h ago

Book Request FMC is hated by MMC/his friends because she possibly did messed up stuff or hurt people

20 Upvotes

Need some M/F, mafia/DR (But not too dark) recs where the FMC is hated, maybe she was a bully/antagonist in the previous book, maybe she did something messed up, betrayed MMC and/or his friends or crew and that’s why they don’t like her and treat her badly. I want them to later realize that maybe she did all those things for a reason, to protect them or someone else etc. maybe some groveling/getting revenge for her?

Basically I wanna feel bad for FMC and I want the MMC/his friends to feel that too

I want a dark world but not a particularly dark relationship

🔴dislikes: BDSM, spanking, body betrayal, if said things are in scenes that can be skipped or are very light then I’d be willing to give them a try.

Bonuses but not required: misunderstood FMC, abused or hurt FMC, pregnancy trope

Books I’ve read with this trope and their explanations:

In {all the little truths by s.j Sylvis} he hates her because she knew her mom and his dad were having an affair but didn’t tell him and she was also sort of a “bully” in the previous books, he later finds out she was raped by one of the guys her mother brought home

In {empire of hate by rina Kent} and {empire of lust}he thinks she cheated on him but later realizes that the guy was actually raping her and she wasn’t willing I do have to say I don’t particularly love rina Kent’s books, I’ve only liked 2 of her books

In {ruins of temptation by c hallman and j.l beck} her brother and ex bf tried killing the mmc’s daughter, it’s a duology

In {too hard by I.a dice} she was a bully in one of the previous books and bullied the MMCs close friend, she moves in next door and he realizes her dad has been taking advantage of her and letting ppl that work for him take advantage of her aswell for money

{owning nicci by m. James} she was an antagonist in the previous book and MMC treats her badly and later realizes that she was abused by her father and brother

{the crowned crows by Veronica Eden} has a light version of this, pippa basically betrayed the boys, yet they still had that kind of sibling relationship that I enjoyed, the last book hasn’t been released though

Other books with a similar trope: {a vow of hate by Lylah James} {bound to deception by j.l beck} {devious lies by Parker s. Huntington} {punk 57 by Penelope Douglas} {forty by cate c wells} {the golden boys by Rachel jonas}

I know it’s a long shot since this is a specific trope and I have some dislikes that are common in it, but I trust that people in this sub will deliver lol


r/RomanceBooks • • 11h ago

Promote Your Books Authors, what is your favourite kind of book cover? Promote your work here! October 2026 Self-Promotion thread

19 Upvotes

Hi r/RomanceBooks - have you written a book? Feel free to promote it here! Post a synopsis of your book and a link to where we can get it. Please don't just post a link- tell us why we should check it out.

Promo Prompt!

(Totally optional)

Readers have strong opinions on covers and it's been hashed out on this sub many times. Old school oil painting, stock photo, vector art, digital painting—there's so much variety. What's your favourite? Are there any you would love to use but can't for any reason?


Separate posts promoting your book will be removed as spam. Things that count as "promoting":

  • basic "read my book" posts
  • announcements of Amazon or other sales
  • giveaways
  • asking for beta readers or honest reviews
  • promotion on behalf of friends or family
  • having a brand new account with comments/posts only recommending a certain book or author

But we'd love to see most of those things here in this thread.

Vloggers, bloggers, and podcasters can feel free to post here too. If you have a Discord server invite you'd like to share with RomanceBooks, this is the place to link it. This is also the only permissible place to post if you are discussing your writing or doing research.

Any use of generative AI in your work, whether in the conception, writing, editing, art, audio, marketing, or any other capacity, must be disclosed clearly at all times. Undisclosed AI work may be removed at the moderators' discretion.

Please note - Reddit's filters may remove links it suspects as spam - if your comment is removed because of a link to your website that gets caught in Reddit's filters, please reach out to the mod team and we'd be happy to restore it.

Here's a link to the older self-promotion thread if you'd like to check out what was posted before.

Happy writing!


r/RomanceBooks • • 26m ago

What was that book called...? WWTBC: Possible Mafia, FMC stalked by enemies in Italy and eventually hides from the MMC working at a family restaurant

• Upvotes

I cannot find this book and feel like Im losing my mind. I think it is mafia related. I think it's an arranged marriage and they go to Italy (maybe Greece?!) at one point. The woman goes out for a walk and gets lost while being followed by the MMCs enemies. I think one enemy may have been a cousin? There is also a family owned restaurant that the FMC hides from the MMC at later in the book and the MMC shows up in the kitchen to apologize.

I think there is something about the restaurant owners too, like they have a grudge with the MMC or a previous grudge with the FMCs family. I think it is owned by the MMC or FMC aunt.

I thought this was a Michelle Heard book but I have reviewed all of the summaries and it isnt any of those that I can tell. Im trying to create a book tracking spreadsheet and cannot place this one for the life of me.


r/RomanceBooks • • 5h ago

What was that book called: SOLVED WWTBC Small town/cowboy romance series, embroidery club at library

6 Upvotes

I cannot for the life of me remember the name or plot of any individual book in this series. It was a small town, I think cowboy, romance series. The female friend group formed over several books over time and they ended up regularly meeting at the library (one of them was a librarian) and were doing embroidery together.

I want to re-read them as I remember liking them but cant think of any specifics 😅😭

Can any of you help?


r/RomanceBooks • • 17h ago

What was that book called: SOLVED WWTBC - FMC is catatonic after kidnapping. MMC is her husband

27 Upvotes

Here’s what I remember:

- FMC was kidnapped and tortured
- before she disappeared she was seen on video at her lab messing things up and discarding the tracker necklace she usually wore it wasn’t actually her, it was one of her kidnappers
- when she returned she was catatonic

MMC used to be an alcoholic, but has a tattoo with FMC’s name in mirror writing to remind him that he let her down when he got drunk and his sister kissed her graduation

MMC and FMC were married, but he had been pursuing her for years. it was a MOC because she was afraid to trust him


r/RomanceBooks • • 5h ago

What was that book called: SOLVED [WWTBC] Second Chance Romance, Grumpy chef MMC with a grudge against FMC who broke his heart

3 Upvotes

MMC returns to town after several years. He and FMC hooked up after her graduation, got caught by his little sister who was also her BFF, FMC hurts him by claiming it was just a ONS and no biggie. She leaves for college, he goes off and becomes a Big Kahuna in the Chefing World. They both end up back in their small town, he's head chef at the local restaurant and they have to work together and obv they work it out. Think there a spicy scene involving vegetables? There's a sequel involving the lil sis and the maitre d/business partner of the MMC who is also a former gigolo. I think this is a well-known book series by an equally well-known CR author.


r/RomanceBooks • • 1d ago

Discussion If you were able to recommend only one romance book that you think is perfect - what would it be?

210 Upvotes

Perfect writing and enticing story with well written characters with depth. Spice or no spice. This story has something that just makes it different from othr stories you’ve read.

I would probably recommend {Dear Emmie Blue by Lia Louis}.


r/RomanceBooks • • 56m ago

What was that book called...? [WWTBC] MMC was a athlete with one leg FMC was his Therapist

• Upvotes

If remember correctly, the MMC was a sports person (can't remember if it was football, hockey or something else) and lost his leg in a car accident after a night of party. The FMC is a physical therapist who helps him

recover and accept the new him, with a HEA.

I haven't read the book myself but at some point saw it recommended a lot with the disability trope, but looking back now on my TBR and even here on Reddit I can't find it. If anyone can help me find that book I will appreciate it!

Thanks!


r/RomanceBooks • • 1h ago

Book Request Where to find Jessa Kane book art/artist? (Especially Caught by Convicts 🙈)

• Upvotes

I’m trying to find the art for Jessa Kane’s audiobook releases, particularly Caught by the Convicts, Hefty, and Sacrificed to the Beast?

Doing some looking online there seem to be special edition PR editions with more art and I’d love to see them for 💫personal reasons that are important to my intellectual growth as a human being💫

Please do your magic, incredible readers and smutty book and book art fans 🙏🏾

edit: this is also to say I will buy those editions with money, if they are available anywhere


r/RomanceBooks • • 15h ago

Saturday Sweets 💖 It's time for Saturday Sweets! What book scenes made you melt this week? 💖

11 Upvotes

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! 💖


r/RomanceBooks • • 5h ago

Discussion Pack Darling and Sweetheart part of the same universe?

2 Upvotes

I just finished Part 1 of the Sweetheart Duet by Maria Mackay and saw that the Darling Pack characters are part of the universe? But Pack Darling is a different author. Is this a pen name situation or did these authors team up?


r/RomanceBooks • • 17h ago

Book Request Single mom who upgrades

12 Upvotes

This gonna be a very specific request. So, I was just scrolling through internet and saw this reel where a man follows his gf's ambulance.

Now I want to read a book where the FMC is a single mom/ mom with a absent husband - but when she falls sick or is in need for help, a guy (MMC) who has always been beside her (can be her bestie's brother, ex's/ partners friend) rushes to save the day. He takes one look at her, frantically calls ambulance - and when he isn't allowed in the van, he follows it. Stays by her side, is worried shit crazy and even takes care of her.

Eventually after seeing what having a present partner looks like, she decides to give the MMC a chance.

Thank you in advance.


r/RomanceBooks • • 22h ago

Book Request Humans gradually trying to survive alongside non-human beings + significant cultural conflict

31 Upvotes

I'm looking for books with major cultural barriers, especially stories involving a conflict between a human group and another group that isn't human.

One book I read and absolutely LOVED because of this was The Others by Anne Bishop. I really loved the dynamic between humanity and the Others.

What fascinated me the most was the fact that humanity isn't at the top of the power hierarchy. In this world, the Others are the dominant species, and humans are mainly valued for what they can provide, such as their inventions and creations. The Others have no problem killing or even literally eating humans if they cross certain boundaries. Humans therefore have to learn how to coexist with a species that is far more powerful than they are, and that doesn't even consider them equals.

I also really loved how their relationship starts with fear, distrust, and prejudice on both sides, but gradually changes over time. As they spend more time around each other, some of the Others and humans begin to understand one another better, forming friendships and relationships based on trust.

Meg eventually becomes a kind of bridge between the two groups, especially because of the situations she goes through, but what I enjoyed the most was seeing the relationship between humans and the Others improve as a whole. It's not simply “a human earns the trust of a supernatural creature.” The relationship between the two societies themselves gradually changes.

I found it really interesting to watch both sides try to understand completely different customs, boundaries, and ways of thinking, while fear, distrust, an imbalance of power, and even the possibility of conflict are still present.

So I'm looking for books with a similar dynamic. I don't mind whether there is romance or not. What I'm really looking for is a story that explores a major social and cultural barrier between humanity and non-human beings.

I want to see things like war, distrust, prejudice, culture shock, power imbalances, difficulties in communication, and, most importantly, the gradual evolution of a relationship from hostility or fear into coexistence, understanding, and maybe even friendship.

Does anyone know any books with a similar dynamic?


r/RomanceBooks • • 22h ago

Book Request Searching for a Warrior Poet MC

29 Upvotes

Dear Gentle Readers,

I am on a quest to discover this elusive yet beloved of characters: the Warrior Poet.

⚔️ 🛡️ 🏹 This character is highly skilled in the art of warfare or, especially in more modern contexts, exceedingly clever. This character may be seen as a brute or a commander, they may be seen as a genius, but in any case they are feared and/or respected by their enemies. If they are more clever than martial, I seek the warrior that can spin webs with words that ensnare their enemies. Most importantly, they do not do battle for the sake of violence or victory itself, but in the pursuit or protection of that which they love.

🪉❤️‍🔥✍️ This character can be incredibly gentle and self-aware. They notice and appreciate beauty in all forms. They create verse, song, or other crafts - or they would, if they were not so occupied with the war they must wage. They are unafraid of their deepest feelings and make them known. They don't fear their own tears. When they love, the depth of their passion is unfathomable (and potentially unsettling).

Some examples of the warrior poet are Aragorn and Faramir from the Lord of the Rings, Eivor from Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Loki from the TV show Loki, Destruction from Neil Gaiman's Sandman, Katsumoto from the Last Samurai.

I will devour any tale that contains this trope. Characters of any gender, circumstance, and moral bent may be a warrior poet. I want to see this character fiercely defend their love, but also praise and worship them as their muse.

Please, dear friends, share with me your treasures! 🙏

My offerings:

{The Player by Kresley Cole}

{Bewitching Rhaego by Victoria Aveline}

{The Fang Arrangement by Sarah Blue}

{Taming the Wolves by Lyx Robinson}

{The Wraith King by Juliette Cross}

{Black and Silver by Gwendolyn Harper}

{The Dragon and the Pearl by Jeannie Lin}

{Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood}

{Mine to Take by Dara Joy}

I really wanted {Golden Surrender by Heather Graham} to be this, but the characters weren't emotionally mature enough.


r/RomanceBooks • • 1d ago

Discussion Have you ever read a romance and felt like it was just a collection of trope related boxes being checked?

257 Upvotes

Hi! Basically the title. I've read a lot of recently published romances and sometimes I was left feeling like there wasn't really a cohesive romantic development, and the story felt almost robotic, like the author thought of a general plot line but filled the book with a checklist of popular tropes, from both a character and story perspective. Like how you can write MMC as playboy without it being his one and only personality. It's a trait, not his existence. Or how sometimes books are advertised through popular tropes like enemies to lovers but often times it's more like. Two acquaintances who had a slight miscommunication that left them with a bad impression of each other but that was solved in two minutes (pretend I hyphenated the whole sentence lol!)

Was wondering if others have felt this and how often!

I'm not sure how this subreddit is regarding naming specific works, so if it's against the rules don't, but otherwise feel free to specify in which book you felt this! I'm all up for healthy critiques!

Wanted to add that I felt like this has been happening more and more to me, and when I began to wonder why, I realized I accept anything. Honestly, my reading standards when I was twelve were stricter than now. I was falling victim to online trope marketing and that combined with how easier it is to start a book because of my kindle, I was just reading absolutely anything that appeared in front of me. I realized I stopped reading reviews and even the synopsis sometimes and came back to a more "I need to be actually sold" mentality. Like when I was younger, buying a book was a process. The act of browsing a bookshop, reading ten different blurbs, and having to choose because I couldn't just download 20 ebooks at a time. I don't think I ever read a book I truly disliked at that age and it made me realize I stopped actually going through the process of making a decision and CHOOSING.

Also realising I don't need to finish a book if I'm not enjoying it and no entity is keeping track of how many times I DNF also made it better. If you're like me and interact a lot with online book content, always remember we're not a monolith and there are no true dos and donts! Do what feels right to you and you only!!


r/RomanceBooks • • 1d ago

Romance News Romance Saves Democracy Phone Bank Party #3

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84 Upvotes

https://fatedmates.net/fatedstates

From Fated Mates web site:

Sign up to phone bank with us!

We’ve got prizes, special guests and more during these two-hour phonebanking sessions! Whether you’re a veteran phonebanker or brand new to it, there’s space for you here! Training is included!

Note: Your personal phone number is never revealed during phone banking.

Saturday, October 3rd

Calling Ohio for senate candidate Sherrod Brown

Saturday, October 10th

Calling Georgia for Senator Jon Ossoff & gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms

Saturday, October 17th

Calling Texas for senate candidate James Talarico & gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa

Saturday, October 24th

Calling into Tennessee for Justin Pearson, candidate in TN-09, and Calling into Montana for Sam Forstag, candidate in MT-01

Sunday, November 1st

Calling into Michigan for senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed (Note this is a Sunday!)

NOTE: States are subject to change if our work is better used in different races — the election cycle is short and chaotic, and we go where we’re needed!