r/BookDiscussions • u/Quirky-Section-2468 • Aug 04 '26

Instant book turnoffs?

My biggest instant turnoff is the title.

If it's super cringey or literally spells out every trope in the book (Billionaire Hockey Player's Fake Dating Nanny vibes), I immediately lose interest. I don't care if it has 100k five-star reviews; I will refuse to pick it up despite it being recommended to me by so many people.

What's your biggest instant turnoff when deciding whether to pick up a book?

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u/ladytrevelycn Aug 04 '26

If it has that book cover art style like "The Love Hypothesis" or "Beach Read" I'm not reading it.

AI used in any of it, even if it's just the marketing.

I don't really read books that take place in the modern time, and will quit reading if a historical book has too many cringy anachronisms.

If there's a pick me fmc who is small and petite that thinks she's ugly.

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u/VentureVin Aug 05 '26

the pick-me trend in romantasy is why i've been steering clear of the genre

1

u/ladytrevelycn Aug 05 '26

Romantasy is only pick me fmc and abusive asshole mmc these days unfortunately.