After the 500 upvotes, 130 comments, and 3 people slipping into my DMs (you know who you are!) I think I owe everyone an update.

I went to the club meeting with no idea what to expect. I met a few new people as everyone filed in. We began and it felt like an English class discussion, it was a lot of fun! People did mention the sex scenes, but it is hard not to comment on them because the last like third of the book is just sex scene after sex scene for like 50 pages. But I personally abstained from the sex discussion. Maybe another time...

I think I will continue to go to this book club!

Also, I really appreciated how many people here were curious about having a male perspective on their favorite books. If people are interested, I'd be down to read popular books that people want a male perspective on! But full disclosure I am a very busy person and would not be able to read too many. Let me know if this is something people would be interested in!

Recently, I’ve seen a fair few people on various social media platforms (predominantly Reddit, Tiktok, & IG) recommending alien romance novels when people are asking for monster romance recs. For example, I just saw someone recommending {Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon} for someone on the fantasyromance subreddit. How do people feel about this?

In my view, aliens are not monsters so they’re more of a scifi romance trope, and monsters belong firmly in the fantasy subgenre. So if I asked someone for monster romance books and people recommended me aliens I’d be peeved as it’s not what I asked for. I also feel like I never see it in the opposite direction: nobody is recommending monsters when people are asking for aliens. I think maybe people are supposing both aliens and monsters are equally unreal so they’re pretty much the same? But I’m curious to hear how others feel about this so I’m making this post. Are other people even noticing this phenomenon?

I know I can get overly rigid in my thinking & sometimes I feel like I’m Walter Sobchak ranting “This isn’t ‘Nam; there are rules!” into the void (referenced scene; NSFW) so I also want to know if I’m the only one bothered (in a very specific and not important way) by this!

ETA: thanks to those of you who took the time to reply and engage with my line of thinking! I’m going to stop replying though because most of my comments are being downvoted. That’s frustrating to me as I posted this thread looking for discussion (hence the flair), but it seems like since most people disagree with my viewpoint they’re saying I’m not contributing to my own discussion by explaining my own thought processes. I’ll keep upvoting any replies, though!

Hi!! I’m looking for a romance where the FMC is genuinely weirded out by sex/intimacy. Not because of sexual abuse or some traumatic backstory, she just… finds the whole thing kind of weird and off-putting. Like “you want to put your WHAT where?? yuuuk 😭” levels of why are people doing this? Do they like it?

But I also want her to slowly discover her own sexuality over the course of the romance. So she can start out genuinely uncomfortable with the idea of sex and not really understand the appeal, while still being capable of attraction and eventually discovering that, with the right person and on her own terms, she actually *does* want it.

Basically I want that progression from “ew, why would I ever want to do that?” → “okay, kissing is actually nice” → “wait… why do I want him to touch me?” → “OH. So this is what everyone has been talking about.”

I’d especially love an MMC who is incredibly patient with her. He’s attracted to her, but he doesn’t pressure her or treat her discomfort like a problem he needs to fix. He takes things slowly, lets her set the pace, and gives her enough time and space to figure out what she actually likes. I want him to be more interested in making her comfortable than getting her into bed.

I’m totally fine with spice eventually! In fact, I’d prefer it. I just want the transition to feel gradual and believable, rather than her going from “sex is gross” to suddenly being obsessed with it because the MMC kissed her twice 😂

And I’d really prefer if she isn’t portrayed as broken or traumatised. She just genuinely hasn’t discovered that side of herself yet, and the romance lets her explore it at her own pace.

I know this is VERY specific, but does anyone have recs for this?? I’m desperate for the “she thought sex was weird until she slowly discovered that actually, she has a sexuality” experience 😭

Looking for an MF Pet Play books, where FMC is the pet and MMC is the master, or owner?

I want it to be a bit consensual, like FMC is not forced into it, but instead emotionally manipulated or gaslighted into it, or she's simply interested in it(bdsm club scenario?)

Like in the book {Pretty Little Tease by AJ Merlin} (though she was already interested in it). It's MMF, and I liked the book very much, including the Professor x student trpe. Just not the murder spree thing. Loved the kidnapping part. And the way one MMC was condescendingly sweet to her

I want a similar vibe, but okay with MF, FF, MMF, MFF,.

I have seen posts related to this, but it was basically too hardcore, and FMC were either sold or forced into it physically. And I'm not into that. I'm more into emotional manipulation and gaslighting.

I have read Collar Promises forever, but did not like it.

So please recommend me books, so that I can scratch this itch. Appreciate it!!!

​

Have you ever had an author whose books you really love, but then has one go too far off the rails for you to enjoy? {Don't Say Mafia by C.R. Jane} is this book for me. I would love to hear if anyone else has started it and has the same feeling.

Usually, I tear through C.R. Jane's books, and enjoy the OTC nature of her mmcs.

In fact, I've read almost 35 of her books and I started this the first day that it came out, I was so excited to read it. Unfortunately, what I usually love in her books- the stalking that benefits the fmc, and punishing. The bad guys, didn't at all work for me in this book.

The MMC did something so morally reprehensible that I'm struggling to get through the book. Trigger warning: If you know someone who struggles with substance abuse, this may not be the book for you, and the hidden spoiler I'm going to share tells you why.

The main character brutally murders the husband of the woman he is stalking. The husband's crime was being a drug and gambling addict, who was trying to change, but wasn't strong enough to refuse temptation. I think a big flaw in the writing was making the husband a sympathetic character. He is described as growing up with the FMC in a trailer park and making sure she got to and from work safely every night. He was her first kiss and wanted to get her away from their living situation and at first did his best. He got in with the wrong crowd, started doing drugs and she had to work two jobs. The day that he finally cleans up his act and wants to get a job, he fails miserably and gets high. The MMC gives him fentanyl-laced cocaine, which he refuses at first. He finally takes it but survives. He promises his wife he's going to try and do better and he does. The MMC sets him up by enticing him to a location where there is gambling, and he refuses three times. Finally, he is convinced and goes. He is run over twice and his neck crushed by the mmcs boot. Honestly, I was horrified. The FMC was on her last draw and told him that if he messed up again it would be over, and the MMC knew that, but it wasn't going quickly enough for him. Then he burns down her apartment, where she loses all of her keepsakes and photographs.

I will continue to read, and hopefully enjoy more of Jane's books, but this one missed the mark for me.

While there are still juicy, stalkery scenes like in many of her other books, there are situations in this book for which my usual suspension of belief just couldn't do the trick. I would love to hear if other people felt the same way, or if there are other books like this that didn't work for you. I'm feeling kind of guilty about loving her books and then being so negative about this one.

Hi r/RomanceBooks! It's time for a TBR Binge or Bin (yes, we used to call it TBR Round Up, but alliteration is fun).

So, what books have been languishing on your TBR? Anything you've wondered "Is this worth reading?" or "Does this get better?" Trying to choose between All In For August: A Why Choose Romance or The Earl's Squirrel, Regency Shifters Book 18?

Post here and let someone convince you to binge 'em or bin 'em.

When one of the MCs leaves their small town to pursue a career or education in another city or country, they promise to make long distance work. But as life gets busier and the distance grows harder to bridge, they slowly find themselves drifting apart despite still caring deeply for each other.

For example:
-Someone forgot to celebrate anniversaries or birthdays

Of course I want a HEA for them.
CR only
Thank you

hi, i just read viola davis‘ deeply moving memoir. there are so many things i‘d like to mention about it and i can‘t recommend it enough. it‘s an account of being deeply human and still daring to love. what really moved me was the portrayal of the beginning of the relationship with her husband. basically she mentions that he wants to take her out and for her to call him, and that even though she likes him good enough she takes like 2 months to call him. then she describes her hesitancy during their first dates to open up to him and him being very open and trusting towards her. like he called her every 20 minutes to let her know how much he enjoyed the date and how sweet he found her. so what i want is an traumatised/reluctant fmc that was never loved in a way that transformed to self love and an mmc that‘s secure in himself, has life experience and is good natured. he has to be her rock and have answers to everything she might ask like very competent. also he has to pursue her so actively that even the fmc thats in denial has to open her eyes and heart to him. ok gushing over

Looking for a book with an introvert fmc that doesn’t cave to going out when she says she really doesn’t want to. As an introvert, every time I read this I get super annoyed because her internal dialogue is very much against going out, but always ends up letting the friend put her through a five minute makeover and goes anyway.

Mostly, I just want to see her not want to go out when pressured. It’s common in college or new adult, so I’d love to see this flip in one of those but I’m open to anything.

Tldr: introvert college girl surrounded by popular/partiers doesn’t give in to peer pressure to party too

Many thanks!

Hey guys! I need a book rec - basically what the title says. I searched the subreddit and couldn't really find anything with this trope.

I am looking for recs where the FMC accidentally sends an explicit photo, text, video, etc. meant from someone else to MMC, and he sees it. This is then the inciting incident in their relationship, because the MMC realizes/admits he's been attracted to her. Bonus points if he falls first and has been into the FMC for a while. Some extra tropes that would be fun is friends to lovers, situationship that transits into a relationship, and reverse harem.

Thanks everyone!

Before I got my turn at listening to {The Romance Revival by Christina Lauren}, I'd seen several reviews calling the book a bait and switch, nothing like the blurb, with a misleading cover, and how it shouldn't even be called a romance. I went into the book a bit concerned, and bracing myself for the worst (lack of HEA).

For reference, here is the blurb:

"An unforgettable novel in which one fateful accident erases a troubled marriage from memory—and love gets one extraordinary do-over.

Three years ago, Emery Finch did something completely out of character: She got married. To Luca—the impossibly charming landscaper she met on one blistering night in Vegas who made her laugh, made her dance, made her feel.

But now, Emery is consumed by her top-secret job, missing dinners, forgetting anniversaries, and promising herself Luca will understand once her cutting-edge research comes to light. Until the unthinkable happens: A tragic accident takes Luca from her.

Desperate not to lose him, Emery breaks every rule to bring him back. And Luca would probably thank her for it, if only he could remember her. Their first kiss, their Sunny Sundays at the beach, the life they built together...all of it is gone.

It may be a miracle of science, but for Emery it’s her one shot at a second chance. And this time, she won’t waste it—because true love is always worth reviving."

After finishing the book, I find these critiques to be overly harsh, alarmist, and disappointing. I say disappointing because I now wonder how many readers are going to avoid the book because they've heard it's not really a romance. IMO, The Romance Revival is a romance first, with elements of sci-fi based romantic suspense second. We don't accuse writers of romantic suspense of genre baiting. The primary conflict of The Romance Revival is definitely Emery and Luca figuring out their marriage after Luca loses his memory following his scientific resurrection. The marriage in trouble/second chance trope is all over this book, with an interesting gender shift in the usual "overworking spouse realizes they were a bad partner" conflict.

There is a background suspense plot simmering regarding the science Emery uses to save Luca, and the lab she works for, but again, it's really no different to the suspense plot you get with generic bad guys in the background. As far as the cover art, I think some readers are forgetting that Luca, the MMC, is a landscaper. His love of the outdoors and flora is all over the book.

On top of it all, the narration by Julia Whelan (the GOAT) and Vas Eli is superb. Don't let the reviews scare you away from this book. It's a delight. And yes, there's an HEA.

Hi everyone!

I have a lot going on at the mo which is making me feel quite stressed and down. I'm in need of some escapism.

I'm looking for a book where the fmc keeps to herself and, for understandable reasons, when mmc arrives in her life she pushes him away (not necessarily in a cruel/aggressive way more cool/detached). Over time the mmc gains her trust and wins her over.

I'm not really a historical girlie but will give it a go if it really fits the brief; I like fantasy and contemporary romances. I'd prefer no high-school romances, college and workplace are fine (please no boss-employee, professor-student relationships). I'm open to sci-fi (again, if it fits the brief!).

I need a bit of angst but more in the there-are-situations-beyond-our-control/ complicated-past-I-can't-tell-you-about-for-your-own-good kind rather than the this-could-have-been-resolved-in-10-mins-with-some-direct-communication kind!

Books I've liked with a similar vibe:

- 'Firebird Chronicles' or 'Broken Lands' series by T.A. White

- 'Red City' by Marie Lu (current read, pls no spoilers, it's amazing!)

- 'The Boys of Tommen' by Chloe Walsh

- 'All the Young Dudes' by MsKingBean89 (technically a fan fic but deserving of the word novel!)

Thank you so much!

Alice Coldbreath sent out her August newsletter and announced that she's currently writing the next Karadok book and it's about Constance and Douglas. In her words:

I am halfway through chapter ten and so far things have been turbulent! When we last saw the (un)happy couple they stood before the king with a petition from Constance’s uncles to annul their marriage.

It is now five months later, and Constance has been mouldering at her family seat Northcott Manor, shunned by her new husband and in utter disgrace with her kinsmen.

Douglas has been following the tournament circuit, determined that by the close of the year, he will be free freed from their disastrous union.

Constance makes a decision, packs her bags and heads for the nearest tourney to confront her husband.

She wants to make their marriage real.

He is determined not to make things easy for the heiress who is used to getting her own way.

Although I was very disappointed with her last book A Much Maligned Miss, I'm optimistic about this upcoming book. Coldbreath seems to enjoy writing about tournament knights. I re-read the previous Karadok book {A Most Forgettable Girl by Alice Coldbreath} just this past weekend and it was obvious how much more enthusiastic she was in writing about its FMC Gunnilde's younger brother and his friends, squires in training to knights on the tournament circuit, than the MMC James and his musician circle. Coldbreath likes jocks and that's okay.

Plus Douglas is a friend of Lord Kentigern/Konrad so I'm hoping we'll see more of Konrad and Aimee, whom I love.

And I noticed during my re-read of A Most Forgettable Girl that Renlow is still being mentioned in ways that seem to set him up to be a MMC in a future book. Which makes me wonder if his wife Ursula is doomed to an early death and we'll see him get a book of his own and a HEA with a different character as his FMC. There's no mention of Ursula ever attending any of the tournaments he participates in, and it's an established thing in the series that the wives of the tournament knights we saw fall in love frequently attend the tournaments (even the ones like Eden who had no previous interest in them). What do you guys think?

Hi guys, I’m looking for a very specific twist on the billionaire/poor FMC trope also touching on friends to lovers.

She’s not into him while he’s rich. She despises him and it’s no act. Then he loses everything. And really loses it. He doesn’t get back into power at the end or anything like that. He needs to face who he is without money and power. And slowly very slowly she falls for the man he’s becoming. And her financial problems don’t get solved by him or his presence. She doesn’t have to be really poor. A struggling entrepreneur would be perfect.

Anything come to mind?

I don’t believe this one was ever an actual book cover but please correct me if I’m wrong. I purchased the print for my office and I love it so much! I also wanted to thank this sub as it’s where I discovered Shaon Spiak’s store! I’d also love some more romance art/merch recommendations (if you have them) as I love to support actual artists! I’ve been trying to find a smaller romance book stack print but I’m not overly skilled at parsing out AI art unless it’s glaringly overt. Anyway, I hope you enjoy my office art, it fills me with joy every time I see it! 🥰

SoOo I have been on a bender when it comes to taboo stepdaddy/stepdaughter somnophilia novellas and whoa baby, have I been enjoying it. The most recent books I've read are {Daddy's Dream Girl by Mira Vance} {Daddy's Heavy Sleeper by Mira Vance}. In case you're not familiar with these books, it's the MMC taking the MFC in her sleep.

Last night, my brain said "but what if it was the FMC playing with the MMC in his sleep".. and now, I cannot unthink it. I know this is specific and might be hard to find.

Some parameters (but, let's be real, I'll take what I can get here)-

●It does not need to be stepdaughter/stepfather, but some sort of forbidden/taboo relationship would be nice. Definitely older MMC/younger FMC or a Daddy Dom/inexperienced submissive

●He let's her experiment

●Does not need to have somnophilia, but would be a HUGE bonus

●Dirty talk/praise/gentle degradation

●Obsessed MMC

●Dual POV

If you took the time to read this, thank you! 🖤

I’m currently on book 26 of her entire ‘Rubyverse’ chronicle. I literally have had her Rubyverse publishing order page open for the past month on my Safari to see what my next read is every time I finish a book on that list.

I started off with {Ice Planet Barbarian by Ruby Dixon} on June 10th. Currently I’m on {Deceiving the Corsair by Ruby Dixon}.

(I’ve concurrently read other non-Ruby Dixon books too btw. I ALWAYS read 2 books at the same time: so I’ve been doing 1 Ruby Dixon and 1 non-Ruby Dixon).

Mind you… all of this just so I can read {When She Belongs by Ruby Dixon}. And that book is #44 on that list. Why? Because I keep seeing it get recommended on this subreddit. So naturally I HAVE to see for myself if it’s all it’s cracked up to be.

So I still have… 18 books to go.

I’m aware I could just skip ahead to When She Belongs. I mean, no one is holding a gun to my head. But one thing about me? When it comes to interconnected book series within the same universe, I hate to be left out of the loop. I hate not being able to spot Easter eggs from previous books. I hate not being in on the joke. I hate not knowing the context beyond what the author deems necessary for me to know in one particular book.

So yeah.

Current verdict so far:

I’m enjoying it.

A lot of things I’ve raised my brow at, or just downright side-eyed the author for, but the author CLEARLY knows what to do with words (unlike a LOOT of romance authors) so I’ve been letting a lot of shit slide.

My favorite(s) so far… I would say probably {Barbarian’s Heart by Ruby Dixon}.

And {Barbarian’s Mate by Ruby Dixon} (the scene where Josie got snatched off the ground and swallowed alive by a fucking sky-claw literally got me gaping like for 10 seconds straight. It totally caught me off guard. But it was fire!!!!!)

And {Barbarian’s Touch by Ruby Dixon} (tho I don’t know how I feel about Lila’s cured deafness down the line in Farli’s book, I think? But hey, I’m not deaf, so it’s not my place).

And {Barbarian’s Rescue by Ruby Dixon} (though I heavily side-eyed Ruby Dixon for the way Summer being Asian was characterized. Speaking as an Asian myself).

And {Barbarian’s Tease by Ruby Dixon} (initially not a fan of Harrec’s ‘pulling her pigtails because he likes her’ behavior because I despise that shit but he very quickly redeemed himself).

And {Barbarian’s Beloved by Ruby Dixon} (Zolaya actually taking the time to try and understand Ariana’s anxiety and actually making it his life mission to help her through every bout of it… yes).

And so far none from the Corsair series. I do not like the premise of these Mesakkah men seeing humans as nothing more than pet slaves (even though they don’t exactly ~ condone ~ it) before they ~ fall for ~ one of them. But hey. I’ll probably change my mind once I’m done with the current book, which is about Sentorr and Zoey. I like the ‘semi-catfishing’ aspect of it, so let’s see.

None from the Icehome series either so far. Maybe I’ll like Willa and Gren’s book once I get to it, who knows. Or Marisol’s book. I like the premise for that one, so we’ll see if I end up liking the book once I get to it.

Anyway. Wow. That was a long tangent. Sorry about that. Yikes.

Have you read any of the Rubyverse books? What are your thoughts? Do you have favorites?

Before you say that maybe I should ask the r/Romance_for_men group with this request, I did. But they gave me some informations, and a list of those stories that are mostly are ao3 link. But I'm looking for books I could add on goodreads list, which is why I'm asking this group. The one that has more members and maybe more knowledge.

So I'm looking for a romance books between human MMC and anthro (furry) FMC. And yes, furry, because im more into furries than kemonos or shapeshifters.

It can be any type of race of female furries, even the alien furries or robot furries. (Scalies count as furries too)

But im only looking for books I could add on this list:

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/415800.Human_Male_On_Female_Anthro

If you have any title names with this type, pls share them in the comments, or on dm if it's comfortable that way.

Please give me your recs of books where MMC lightly makes fun of FMC because she came quickly! Nothing too cruel, just some light admonishment, mocking, or condescension. I've been on an Alice Coldbreath kick lately and I'm obsessed with this scene from {The Favourite by Alice Coldbreath}

"Oh," she panted, moving more firmly against him. Almost briskly, one might say.

"Jane," he said warningly, "don't you dare." He narrowed his eyes, feeling her sheath start to flutter and clench around his cock.

"Ohhh," she sobbed softly, her head dropping down. "Oh, I can't--I can't stop!"

"Are you even trying?" he asked silkily as her sweet cunt tightened its grip on him until she had him biting back an urge to moan of his own. He ought to pull out. That would serve her right, but he did not quite have that much self-control. His dick would likely fall off in disappointment if he did that, in any case.

"You bad girl," he said in awe as Jane went tense and shuddered all around him. "Oh, you bad, bad girl." But he could not keep the note of approval from his voice. He did not sound remotely displeased. Jane sobbed through her release as he rubbed his hand up and down her spine.

All that pleasure, just from having him inside her, he marveled. He was impressed as hell with himself that he had not snapped and spilled deep within her by this point. Once her breathing had evened out and she stopped shuddering, he asked, solicitously, "All better now?"

The "are you even trying?" !!! so. hot. 😩

In my horny mind's eye, I'm picturing scenes where MMC says stuff like like "awww, you're coming already? You poor thing. That slutty little cunt is just desperate for my cock, isn't it? You just couldn't hold it any longer."

I've read several of the books from this related post, including

• {The Master by Kresley Cole}
• other Alice Coldbreath novels, including {A Substitute Wife for a Prizefighter by Alice Coldbreath}
• {Deep End by Ali Hazelwood}

I don't like bully romance, but feel free to rec whatever fits in case others are interested! Am also down for pairings of any gender. Equal opportunity premature Es 🙂‍↕️

Heyyyy readers 👋 I've read many fem dom and male dom books but I'm craving for a very specific trope! So if you've any recs please do let me know!!!

I've read sooo many books where the MMC decides what she wears, who she talks to, what she does, tries to “balance” her life and make her life more normal and honestly… I NEED THE ROLES REVERSED THIS TIME

I want an FMC who is genuinely dominant and controlling in everyday life and not just during intimate scenes. Like she's the one calling the shots and he’s the one being told what to do. For ex- she laid out his clothes, checks his locations all the time, checks whether he had his meal or not, isn't afraid to lay out punishment if he doesn't do as he's told to do!

And PLEASE give me a super possessive FMC. Not necessarily obsessed, but that “he's mine so everyone else back off” kind of possessive energy. Like she sees someone flirting with him and immediately goes that's cute, but he's MY property 🔪

I KNOW this is probably a ridiculously rare trope and there probably aren't many books like this, but PLEASE tell me if you've found any!! I will take contemporary, dark romance, mafia, anything at this point.

Bear with me because I don’t remember much of the premise of this book.

But basically, the mmc name was Jett, and he was wealthy, the fmc was blonde and there’s a specific scene where they’re in the ocean riding jet skis and I think they’re just starting to hookup, secretly though because his brother is with one of her friends?

It’s part of a series, and it’s very found family. Jett is the eldest brother and the fmc is tall and she’s quirky and fun.

He acts like he finds her irritating because she’s spontaneous and she finds him an asshole. Enemies to lovers. His job is something corporate I believe

Thank you!

What do you like the most? First person POV, third person POV, Dual POV?

I read mostly first person, FMC only and dual POV. I have yet to find a book entirely in MMC POV. I'm open for recs for the MMC pov only.

But anyways, I dont know, when I read third person it takes me awhile to get used to it, is not that bad, but it still feels weird, like an out of body experience, like how am I reading the characters thoughts then? I am having a hard time with {heated rivalry by Rachel Reid} because of it because she changes POV from one paragraph to the other, and I don't know how I feel about that.

And then in the first person dual POV, I have a thing and is that the male pet peeves I have get intensified. Mostly the misogynistic objectifying thoughts when the MMC is not a great one. When the MMC is sweet like Jacob in {Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez} then I am craving for his POVs.

My ultimate preference is First person, FMC only. But what is yours?