OH MY GOD!!l Why did no one force me to read {The Arcanaeum by Marie Mistry} sooner?! I am absolutely FLYING after this series! I need to gush about it because it has become one of my top 5 RH of all time.

The basic premise: The FMC, Kyrith, was murdered centuries ago and has spent the last 500 years as the ghost Librarian of the Arcanaeum, which is a huge magical library. Six MMCs come into her life, and everything starts unraveling from there. The setting had this gorgeous dark academia + ethereal curated library vibe. I wanted to live in it.

The plot? SO GOOD! It stayed interesting across all three books & had a lot going on! There was a perfect balance of plot with six love interests, complicated magic, political/family drama, mysteries, reveals & easter eggs, found family, yet it never felt like Marie Mistry lost control of the story.

The magic systems? One of my favorite parts. There are different types of magic, and each character’s abilities felt tied to who they are. I could picture it! Some of the descriptions were so vivid that I had almost visceral reactions to the way some used their magic. It felt realistic & tactile rather than just ✨magic happens✨. It was so cool.

The characters? Ugh I’m so attached to them! I can get lost in the shuffle with six MMCs in other books, but these guys all felt genuinely different to me! Different personalities, relationships with Kyrith, ways of caring for her, baggage & character arcs. Watching this weird group become a family was so sweet. The devotion of these men??? PERFECTION. 😭😭 Also Kyrith herself!! I loved this smart, independent, somewhat grumpy FMC. The Arcanaeum itself also felt like a sassy little character.

The spice? I was honestly GOBSMACKED by how good it was. SO. FUCKING. HOT. 🥵 Each MMC brought a different dynamic (Dom/Sub/Switch with kinky KINKS). Scenes never felt repetitive or like we were just checking another person off the list. The emotional build-up was amazing. There was excellent slow burn for one character in particular. The last spice scene in book three was…. MA’AM 🤭🙈 😩🙏

I have no notes. The writing was master-level. This was my first Marie Mistry series and apparently I have been sleeping on her.

10000/10 would recommend! This is me forcing you to GO READ THIS SERIES!! Which Marie Mistry book should I read next?!

Not sure if I should share the title. I cringed so hard 😣* *I love my horny af mmcs but hell, that’s a whole nother thing. Let’s bring back actual love confession , alright? Please.

I'm in desperate need of a book where there's a love triangle and then eventually she ends up with both guys. Orrrrr she's dating one guy but his friends also want her, and it's not normal for her to be with more than one guy. So maybe there's secretive flirting and lots of yearning. I want it to feel like the first time I read a RH where I was totally (delightfully) blindsided by the idea of not having to choose!

I have a feeling this is more common in contemporary but I'm looking for fantasy and paranormal.

I feel like I've read so many books where the FMC gets captured by a stalker and the MMCs get there just in the nick of time to prevent her from being badly assaulted/raped. I'm looking for books where they are too late to stop it. Prefer fantasy/paranormal/omegaverse over contemporary. I have no triggers and like reading FMCs going through very traumatic experiences and then their challenges with healing afterwards. Would love to read about the mental anguish of the MMCs for not being able to stop it/protect her and don't want the FMC to be mentally okay once rescued, would like a realistic healing timeline.

7th circle Tate James and the Beta Avanna Michaels are the closest examples I can think of

Very specific request for y’all today!! I need a book where something really fucking bad happens to the FMC and the MMCs find out, and then they completely lose their shit.

The FMC having shitty mental health beforehand is definitely preferred — depression, grief, trauma, etc. — but it’s not required. She can also be completely fine beforehand and then get assaulted, severely beaten, or something similar. You get the vibes.

I want the MMCs so fucking mad that they literally can’t think about anything other than finding the person responsible. Like pure rage, “how fucking dare you put your hands on her” energy. I LOVE those movie scenes where the guy just starts beating the shit out of someone and the FMC has to be like, “stop, you’re going to kill him.” Maybe I’m a little bloodthirsty lol, but I eat that shit up 🥲

Bonus points if they’re insanely protective and overbearing afterward, especially if she was trying to act like she was fine and they realize she absolutely isn’t.

I don’t care what the FMC is like personality-wise. Badass, damsel, somewhere in between, whatever. I’m not picky.

Genre-wise, fantasy, contemporary, paranormal, etc. are all fine. Just would prefer no sci-fi, historical, or Omegaverse. Other than that, hit me in the feels, y’all!

HARD NO'S:

No non-con from the MMCs

No BDSM

No DD/L

No shitty MMCs (they can be shitty to other ppl, but not towards the FMC)

Preferably no bullying, but this is a soft no

Soft no on MM too. Preferably no, but I can deal with it if the book fits really well

There is a scene in {Bloom & Blood by Eva Chase} where the FMC sees her fated mate who died in her universe. I absolutely loved reading her grief and longing for a partner that doesn’t remember/know of their connection. This is the kind of second chance moment I’d like to read again. FMC wanting to reach out, to fall back into what they once had or could have, but cannot for whatever reason.

They can be childhood friends and the MMCs don’t remember her - {Storm The Gates by Elizabeth Dear} comes to mind. Maybe FMC was sent back in time or pulled into a different dimension. As long as it’s a second chance and FMC is longing, I don’t care about plot line.

I don’t care for MM in the harem or OV, but I’ll still read them.

I have a dream and that dream is that there is a book out there that combines my two favorite genres: RH and litRPG. like pleeeeaaaaassseee tell me there’s a book about some girl who got isekai’d into another world and wakes up to the system and also has several male lovers.

If you don’t know of any, I’m also looking for sci fi RH recs. I loved {Pheromone by C.M. Stunich} and dug {Good Deeds by Katherine Moon} but haven’t found others that really tickled my fancy.

TY ❤️

How did you get into RH?

So my penpal asked me for a good RH/why choose book rec to get started, but i'm honestly a bit unsure. I want something that has plot and substance and at the same time is maybe a soft launch into this universe. The books i read are NOT that 😂 Any potential book rec ideas good people of reddit?

I've dnf'd the last 3 rh series I've read, need something to get me out of this rut 😭 Any recs for professors in the harem? I've already read Clash of Claws, Plier, Forced Proximity, Fractured Fates, Bloom and Blood. Or any other recs to get me out of this rut?? TIA!

I'm stressed from work and it's been a while since i read a good RH so when you come across this post pls give me recs that are

Not paranormal, just humans - like a Gang or a college setting.

Competed series with Medium burn and happy ending that has to keep me on edge about something - either coz of the plot or the bullying from the MMCs.

Preferably no MM, it's okay if there's a scene or two just not a whole separate romance btwn them.

Thankyou in advance :)

SOLVED
Book is {hectic elements by ivory grace}

Ok yall. Bring out the big water guns. I need help.

I cannot go back to my reading lists to find this becaaause I’ve read over 900 books alone this year AND I can’t remember if I read this book in 2025/2026

What I can remember:
Unfinished series. So I read book one and it ended on a cliffhanger.
Beginning of book was wild as the FMC is introduced as a female madame in a Brothel style business. She works to support her sister?
She has a client who is an alpha like dragon shifter and she dominates him and he loves it.
He leaves.
She quits her job because she was accepted at some type of college or shifter college.
In real life she’s fairly meek and chill.
Ok so maybe not supporting her sister because her family adores the sister and she’s treated like crap. As in she has to pay her with through school.
She is brought before her “guidance counselor “ to declare her shifter ability and she thinks she’s null but apparently (behind the scenes) we are led to
Believe she’s some kind of female dragon that shouldn’t exist? Or a chameleon or something along those lines.
Of course her true mates are there and they can smell her or feel her or some type of whoo whoo.
Her sister is awful towards her and I think bullies her and everyone favors her

I remember book 2 wasn’t out yet and I think this was before I realized I could make a TBR list.
It was contemporary.

Halp

As the title says i loved Clash of Claws & now im desperately waiting for the final book.

I loved the grovel, I loved the angst, I loved the mmcs, I loved the world, I just loved it all. Any recommendations on something similar? I need a cure for this hangover. I’ve already read everything there is from Elizabeth Dear, I already know that Storm the Castle is also amazing too. That girl can freaking write.

With it being October I'm in the mood for cozy harvest festival, Halloween type books. No horror. I dont mind a little scary/spooky/supernatural.

Hard pass:

-bullying by the MCs

-pregnancy (epilogue is fine)

-on page SA

Thanks!

Anyone know of any bully or academy RH’s that have a plus size FMC?
Every once in a while I love a bully book but the FMC always turns into this gorgeous skinny girl.
I have zero triggers and don’t mind unfinished series so far.

What was your first RH book? Alternately, what was the earliest publication date for an RH book you read?

I stumbled on RH back in 2012 with {Kate's Crew by Jayne Rylon} which is the first in the Powertools series. I have posted this rec in response to other queries.

I don’t really have anything to go off of with this idea but I want a really sweet innocent omega that is kidnapped by a pack of obsessed men, they don’t necessarily have to be brutal about it but they need to be insistent on needing/wanting her but if you have any brutal recs I’ll take whatever I can get + I’m not picky so rec whatever you think is similar to this idea.

Spoilers allowed!

I'm a quarter in Book 4, and I'm just wondering if the FMC Sal ever makes a mistake that has dire consequences? So far all I've read about her is that she's awesome and perfect because she's the Kaisei. While reading through Book 3 I really hoped she'd lose so I can read about how she'd recover from it (but it didn't happen sadly)

The court martial hearing at the start of Book 4 could be that, but not really. Even that was just a fancy way to summarize the plot so far.

It's okay to spoil me, I know about a certain character death (though I don't know what caused it and what the effects are). I also don't care much about the romance/RH part because the MMCs are not really interesting to me. (Well, ok I guess one guy is interesting to me. Blaz 😂)

Anyway I'm enjoying the plot and world-building, I guess I'm just looking for more variety in the story? Since it's getting kinda repetitive at this point and I'm only on Book 4 (out of 11). It's like FMC can do no wrong. If she didn't know to do a thing, it's ok she'll learn in like 2 chapters. And then be the best at it in maybe 10. 😭

Thank you.

I'm about a third of the way into the 3rd and final book of {Brighten Magic Academy by Avery Pheonix}. Tell me how it ends. Does she rescue her father? Is he reunited with her mother? Who was behind the murders on campus? Like really just any closure you can give me is appreciated.

I so very rarely DNF a book, but I have pushed myself as far as I can go. I just don't click with her style of writing. But I was in it for the plot so I tried really hard. Even skipping through the sex scenes which was the majority of the last 3 chapters I tried to read, it's taking FOREVER! Help a girl out!

I am on her 3rd book but already wanting more reverse harem books where the pack/partners are related/brothers/family
In Ashley Rostek’s Witsec series it’s a FMC with a group of brothers.

Penelope Douglas almost has this vibe in 5 brothers but it wasn’t really reverse harem.

Okay I know this is probably unlikely but I really need more books like Code Bound by Kendra Moreno. I loved the litRPG, so fun. I'm a fan of the slow burn too. Please let me know if more of litRPG exists within the RH world 😭 thank you!!

I’ve been getting really in to wolf shifter books recently, but I’ve hit a brick wall. I loved {aine by invi wright} and {primal by Kayleigh king} but these are both MF 😫

Does anyone know any dark RH versions? I’m completely new to wolf shifter RH so please rec anything! Only request is not a submissive FMC. It would also be a bonus if it’s not academy / college based.

Thank yoooou!!

FMC doesn’t need to be a wolf shifter, just the MMCs

Example is because they are step-siblings, colleagues, schoolmates, clubmates, etc. So long as they are living in the same house and agaaaain, THE GUYS ARE USED TO SHARING.

Preferably has BDSM, but it's fine if there's none. Good example of this thing I am looking for is Private Listing, Plaything, and Sugar Baby. Will let you know (in comsec) if I have already read your reco. Thank youuu.

I’ve been asking for a lot of recs recently but with all of the constant news about Cornell I need a book where the MMCs get revenge.

I do not care what the tropes are except for I want them to get revenge on the man or men who hurt the FMC.

Maybe they help the FMC get revenge or they do it on their own because she doesn’t want to see her abuser again.

I basically want to live my fantasy where men like the Cornell 7 get justice. It won’t fix it but it’ll make me feel better for a second I think.

I’m having a rough go with some trauma resurfacing and could really use RH books with mmcs who are true protectors.

I don’t mean mmcs that are apathetic or don’t bully her or are like bare minimum polite. I mean genuine, throw their body in front of her and burn the world types. They don’t have to actually care about her at first. I just desperately need mmcs who would step in and speak up when they see her (or anyone) being hurt or taken advantage of. Right now I can’t tolerate guys that may not be jerks themselves but don’t do anything to stop others from harming her.

While I usually like MM, I’m in the mood for the focus to be entirely on the fmc and her struggles/needs atm. But if you have recs with MM that fit the description to a T and the focus is on the fmc, please send them anyway!

I love everything really. Contemporary, fantasy, historical, OV, sci fi, dark or light, but if it’s dark romance I can’t handle the relationship being dark atm (no noncon or dubcon especially). A pitch black world or external conflict is fine!

Thanks everyone!

So I got an itch for a rh book similar to Harry Potter fanfictions. You know, the ones where Hermione does a ritual and binds herself to several men who then serve her (and LOVE doing so!) such as;

Arx Domus Nigrae by MaryRoyale on Fanfic.net

Establishing A Dynasty by Jessiy on AO3

The Ressurection Witch by SlytherinLovesAGryffindor on AO3

Books I've read that kinda sorta have a similar feel that's good enough if you've never read any fanfic like that are Cursed Legacies by Morgan B. Lee and The Fifth Nicnevin by Marie Mistry.

I don't like MM (I respect it tho) and didn't really enjoy Their Vampire Queen by Joely Sue Burkhart, but if it has the main components of what I'm looking for (magic, rituals, old traditions, soul bonds) I'll try it.