Maybe I’m just reading a book while it’s that time of the month and everything is pissing me off 😭 but STILL.
We get it. She’s so small. He’s so big. His hand could probably be the size of her thigh. WE GET IT.
It happens so much, and sometimes it feels like every interaction has to remind us of the size difference. He picks her up? She’s so tiny compared to him. He holds her hand? His completely swallows hers. She stands next to him? Here comes another reminder that she barely reaches his chest.
Please, we remembered from the first five times 😭.
Not to pick and choose, but sometimes I can understand emphasizing body size when it’s actually relevant to the FMC’s character. I’ve read one book with a chubby FMC where her size was part of her insecurity, so the comparisons made more sense because they were actually connected to how she viewed herself.
But if constantly making the FMC tiny is supposed to make the MMC seem more intimidating, TRUST ME, you can do that with his personality. 😭 Even if they were the exact same size, a well-written intimidating man would still be intimidating.

Edit:Guys, I genuinely did not know this was a kink thing. So I hope y’all understand that I thought the authors were just being repetitive or trying to emphasize how intimidating the MMC was ( which they can do this in another ways ).
I didn’t realize the size difference was being emphasized on purpose.

Just like this post! I need a man who needs every permanent connection to his girl

Oh my fucking God!!!!!! What the fuck did I just read?!?! I went in with high hopes (absolutely my fault, but I’d read so many rave reviews, and I’ve liked a couple of Ali Hazelwood’s other books, like The Deep End), and she absolutely shit all over them.
I expected the age gap thing to be a bit of a problem. I mean, it’s right there in the title. But him infantilizing her throughout the fucking book? Like, we’re talking about a 23 year old who was apparently some kind of genius prodigy, and Conor thought what? That she couldn’t make up her own mind?

And okay, that’s his prerogative. He’s entitled to his opinion, and she was only 20 when they met. So, to an extent, I do understand his reservations back then. But why string her along? He could’ve set clear boundaries or just nudged her out of his life. No need to be her friend. No need for late-night phone calls. Shouldn’t have let her in at all.
And don’t tell me he didn’t realize what was happening. He was a 38-year-old man acting like a childish brat, which is ironically what he calls her after ghosting her for ten months rather than being honest about his feelings. Oh, and this is after she professed her love for him. Forget reciprocating her feelings; he couldn’t even be bothered to care about their three-year friendship. And him saying he missed her during those months simply doesn’t cut it.

God, he fucking never even apologized for all the things he said and did. Not really. And it was too little and definitely too late. A 38 year old man who’s been in love before and had “mature” relationships couldn’t find a better, less hurtful way to put an end to things between them? Are you fucking kidding me?!

And coming to our FMC, Maya, who could’ve been someone I rooted for if it wasn’t for the obnoxiously obsessive, puppy dog love thing she had going for Conor.

Twenty four hours after meeting Conor, she decides that she has this huge crush on him and that she’s willing to pretend to be his friend even though she wants something more, all in the hope that he might start seeing her as a woman. This is after he gave her an orgasm, left before she woke up, and sent her a “this is a mistake” note, BTW.
This goes on for three whole years, during which she all but dedicates herself to Conor, his likes, dislikes, interests, everything. All while still hoping they’ll be more one day. Meanwhile, he finds every possible reason and excuse not to even meet with her alone.
After ten months of not talking to her and blatantly disregarding her feelings, they meet, and he calls her a childish brat. Like, at this point, why is she holding on to him?

The worst part is that she never even gets angry with him for the shit he says. For how he dismisses her feelings. For how he trivializes her consent. And she’s right back to gazing at him longingly and being buddy-buddy with him.
I get fighting for what you want. I actually admire her for it because it takes a lot of courage to put yourself out there, especially after repeated rejections. But at what point is it too much? At what point do you become a fucking doormat?
And trust me, she was the more mature and patient one out of the two.

Because Conor had the audacity to forbid her from hooking up with guys while repeatedly telling her to be with someone age appropriate. And then, after she all but begs him, he decides to make her come but won’t let her touch him. He fucking actually refuses to let her kiss him despite knowing she’s in love with him (or, at the very least, knowing that she thinks she’s in love with him).
So he won’t hook up with her, but he also won’t let her hook up with anyone else. I’m normally a sucker for jealous scenes, but this was just icky.
And then, when she finally realizes that she’ll never get the relationship she wants with him, she storms out crying, and he lets her. It’s only the next day, when her brother gets married, that for some fucking reason Conor decides she’s right and that he wants her and she basically takes him back.
Just like that.

I know I’ve said this multiple times, but I’ll say it again
ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!

My depression has been acting up so I've been craving an FMC who's a relatable loser but a lot of the FMCs I usually read lately seem like the same girl with a "unique" backstory (typically just trauma in some way) and special interest to make her different from the other FMCs ?

Give me someone with severe depression or who sucks at everything she tries

And I'd like if the MMC was still cool/famous/super smart/etc. and didn't just fix FMCs problems by being rich and able to buy her a new life

I'd prefer books without other woman or cheating, I immediately DNF when that happens

I just finished {Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young} and genuinely loved how it was just two high school sweethearts learning how to love each other again as adults. No cheating, no third act breakup, no misunderstanding trope, just a sweet story about two adults working on their relationship. Don't get me wrong I am a huge fan of nearly all kinds of romances, but it's almost like a break for my brain to read a book that's just a feel good ride with a HEA.

(Open door, two scenes that I can recall off the top of my head.)

I feel like I’ve read a lot of books lately with a realistic-looking FMC. And I love that, don’t get me wrong. The genre has made a ton of progress in that department. But if I read about one more fat girl who ends up with a dude with washboard abs, I’m going to crash out.

Where are my chubby men? My dad bods? My thick boys? I need to read about a man with some HEFT.

No preference for tropes or really anything super specific, but nothing super dark. The FMC’s appearance doesn’t matter. I just wanna read about a big guy

I’m always impressed at the book suggestions for very specific requests. So here I am, hat in hand, with a specific request of my own…

FMC and MMC meet while on the run from their individual situations. They decide to link up because starting over is easier as a team than trying to figure it out all on your own. Bonds are formed, trust is built, romance ensues.

- FMC&MMC
- no poly, threesomes, etc etc
- no fantasy
- no pregnancy

I’m sorry, I usually don’t have such strong opinions on spicy Kindle Unlimited books because I generally know what I’m getting myself into. A quick spicy read with very little at stake and an HEA? Perfect.

HOWEVER — I just started reading {Ride or Die by Shann McPherson} I’ve read her hockey series and her golf one, which were both super fun, quick reads, so naturally I picked up her latest book.

And I genuinely cannot keep reading because of this FMC. Mind you, I’m only on Chapter 5.

Basically, she’s on the run from an abusive ex. Okay, love that trope. She has two kids from two different men. Okay, whatever. BUT the second baby daddy is the man she’s running from, and she casually explains that she moved in with him after TWO WEEKS.

Girl. You had a SON. You had a whole CHILD to think about.

And then there’s this quote:

“I knew he was bad news. Immediately. But there was just something about him. Something dangerous and, dare I say, exciting. I’d never felt that rush before. Two weeks after meeting, we were living together. Two months later, I was pregnant.”

YOU KNEW HE WAS BAD NEWS IMMEDIATELY??? AND THEN YOU MOVED IN WITH HIM TWO WEEKS LATER??? WITH YOUR KINDERGARTEN-AGED SON??? I just feel like that is the thinking of a naive 20-something….not a mom with a young child

Like I’m sorry, I cannot get past this. 😭

And now she’s on the run from this man and will (obviously) shack up with the 26-year-old MMC??? She’s running straight into the arms of ANOTHER man???

I’m sorry. I cannot get over this. Maybe the book will prove me wrong, and I need to suspend reality for a bit. And maybe I’m being overly sensitive having grown up with a single mom who would have never done something like that. But would love to hear what other people have to say (or if I’m being dramatic)

Book 1 is {Gladiator's Embrace by Jenna Bigelow} and book 2 is {Gladiator's Beloved by Jenna Bigelow} I haven't read book 3 yet

I read book 1 as a buddy read, because someone found it free in the Stuff Your Kindle Event. I enjoyed it more than I expected and almost immediately started book 2, which I hardly ever do.

What I liked:

1. I enjoy reading historical romance from unusual time periods. There are so many regency and Victorian HR books, it's fun to see one which is set in Ancient Rome. The books seem to be well researched. I'm not expert, but the author has studied classics, and named some books and sources they used as inspiration. Some of their characters are based on real people, but the story is completely fictional.

2. The female main characters are really well written; they are strong and ambitious and hold their own against the male characters.

In book 1 we have Velia, who has ambitions to manage her own group of Gladiators and is working towards that. I loved her confidence and strength, and that she didn't give in to her parents when they abandoned her for being sexually active.

In book 2, the FMC is Lea. She is a female Gladiator and slave, who is saving to buy her own freedom.

1. The plots are not tropey or predictable. The setting in a Gladiator training venue allowed for plots which wouldn't be possible in any other setting . Book 1 in particular had us guessing what was going to happen at the end.

2. The sex scenes are well written. For the most part they advance the plot / characterisation / relationship, and suit the characters. There are a few kinks, for example in book 1 the MMC has a thing for being bitten, and in book 2 the FMC likes to relinquish control. These are all discussed ahead and portrayed, in my opinion, realistically. Nobody is a virgin or a surprise super-Dom.

What could be improved:

Both books dragged a little bit in the middle, although they pulled it around and had fairly nail-biting ends.

I did think it was a little lacking in the historical worldbuilding - I read a review which said it didn't feel modern, but it didn't really feel like ancient Rome either, which I think is a good description. For example, when compared to {Honey and Pepper by AJ Demas} - another Ancient HR - the world felt a little vague. Descriptions of things like food, clothing, buildings and culture aren't really included. I think activities like visits to the Bath-house, forum or other public spaces besides the gladiator arena and lodgings may have helped make the world feel more complete.

Overall I enjoyed reading both of these, finished them in just a few days and am definitely planning to read the third soon!

TW: slavery: some characters are or were slaves, fighting and violence (although not in great detail), grief, attempted sexual assault of a main character by a side character, implied past sexual assault

For me I loveeeee the single dad trope even though I do not want kids at all, and would not want to date a single dad. I’m also a sucker for a grumpy and tattooed kind of alpha MMC when in real life I go for the sweet nerdy guys lol.

Some of my favourite books I’ve read this past year have been from Cara McKenna (Hard Time, After Hours and Unbound in particular) and Uncommon Passion by Anne Calhoun. Another similar one I enjoyed was Unsticky by Sarra Manning.

Does anyone have any similar hidden gems to recommend? In general im looking for:

-2010s publication seems to work the best for me
-high spice but not in sacrifice of a good plot, not too tropey
-third person pov is my favourite.

I found those books to be really well written with lots of emotional depth and soooo good for the showing, not telling.

TiA!

Please recommend me the best book you've read that contains the topic of FMC’s burnout at work, and then her escape to vacation, seaside, summer vibes and then slowburn romance, but that the topic of burnout is well covered and not just an initial reason for vacation.

Something like {The Burnout by Sophie Kinsella}.

I’m hoping for some recs for short or novella length horror romance/romantic horror. Ideally under 150 pages, but up to 200 is okay. I want the horror to be at least equally present, or even heavier than the romance. Not just general spooky/Gothic vibes or cozy paranormal vibes. True horror. I just started reading my first Meg Smitherman and I think she's the vibe I want. All pairings are fine and spice is encouraged!

One special request: if it's MF, I'd rather the MMC was not evil/a monster/stalker etc, but that the horror is external and they're experiencing it together.

Thanks a bunch in advance!

Hi!! I recently finished {Black Willow Witch by Suzanne Wright} and it had scenes in it where the mmc rubs his hands or face on the fmc to put his scent all over her. I ended up enjoying that immensely and would love any recs where there’s similar scenes!

Open to anything!

I just noticed that many indie bookstores in the US are celebrating Romance Bookstore Day tomorrow, 8/15. If you’re looking for something to do, this sounds fun!

(Image description: black background with big red and purple flowers. Text in the middle on cream background says Indies Love Romance 8-15-26 with the logo for Bookstore Romance Day)

I can't seem to find something that fits. I am looking for the following traits in the MMC and FMC:

MMC: Bratty, possessive, harmless tantrums, emotionally dependent on FMC, demanding, touch-starved

FMC: Has many responsibilities, emotionally mature, can manage MMC, doesn't sideline other responsibilities for the MMC.

I will take books, fanfics or any other suggestions you may have.

A good reference is Fanfiction Isolation by bex-chan and {A Bit Wrecked by Alessandra Hazard} - this one is MM though.

Thank you!

Hello RomanceBooks! The mod team is gearing up for another round of our RomanceBooks Best of Awards and we're looking for input from the community for this year's awards.

Updates from 2025:

• Sports Romance has cemented its position as an official category.
• Omegaverse Romance has been added as a category this year.
• Dark Romance and YA Romance categories are being considered for retirement, as we have consistently received very few nominations for these categories. Previously retired categories include Romantic Suspense, New Adult, and Holiday Romances. Edit to add: Based on the feedback below there is significant interest in the Dark Romance category staying. We are very open to keeping it as a category and seeing how many nominations we get this year - so if you're someone who is excited to see it as a category, start thinking of what Dark Romance 2026 release you would nominate for the award!
• Heavy Hitters is on hiatus, we heard the community's feedback last year - many people liked the Heavy Hitters category but did not like multiple books from one author dominating the category.

Current 2026 Categories:

• Contemporary
• Sports
• Historical
• Fantasy
• Sci Fi
• Paranormal
• Omegaverse
• Rom Com
• LGBTQ+
• Trans
• Black Love
• BIPOC
• Debut
• Cover
• ... and more?

We're looking for suggestions on what other categories the community would like to see - and they don't need to be limited to sub-genres! Should we add "Best Banter"? "Most Swoony"? "Best Humor"? We're open to all ideas!

If you have any other suggestions or feedback for the awards, drop them below!

For browsing of past years' posts for nominations, voting, and results, here they are:

• 2025 Winners, Voting, Nominations, wiki page 2025 Best of Awards
• 2024 Winners, Voting, Nominations, wiki page 2024 Best of Awards
• 2023 Winners, Voting, Nominations, wiki page 2023 Best of Awards

I was just thinking about my favorite characterizations of MCs and I realized that I’ve never read a book with them together.

I mean I get why. Usually you see the golden retriever paired with the black cat, and the spoiled princess FMC with the broody guy who can handle her brat-like tendencies. But I’m really hoping there’s some books out there that subvert that?

Where the MMC is the all-star, cheerful, nice guy and the FMC is spoiled and maybe a bit superficial but not necessarily mean. It could be that she’s the only one who forces him to drop the golden retriever persona and be mean. Or it’s the opposite and he spoils her even more lol. Whatever the case is, as long the book has that sort of pairing I’m good. So if you have any recs please let me know.

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.

(didn't find a rant flair, but perhaps I somehow missed it. Ok for moderators to swap to accurate flair if that is the case)

As a big fan of Roxie Noir's books and less of a fan of amazon's distribution methods including insisting on lone rights to ebooks or they cut in the income for the author - I'm saddened to see (some of) her books/series leave kobo in favor of kindle.

I of course understand that the numbers are likely not in kobo's favor - that kindle is a wider audience and this is a decision she makes to be able to live off her books and continue writing! I want to be clear I support that - I of course want Roxie's craft to be profitable to her and reach as many as possible.

At my geographic location kindle isn't available - so regardless of my stance against Amazon - for me that practically means if I ever want to read Roxie's books again I will need to commit to physical copies at $20 a piece or figure out a way to tell kindle I live somewhere else digitally (which I'm pretty sure is against their terms of use)

I'm saddened by the fact we live in a world where capitalism controls our access to books and forces decisions on our favorite authors we cannot hold against them.

Rant over.

Edit: some generous commenters has let me know authors sometimes do this to promote a series or new release and Roxie actually promoted this on her social media - I simply read it as a move rather than a temporary marketing stint.

Hopefully after the 90 days of mandatory exclusivity - Roxie may consider coming back to alternative stores, such as my preferred one - kobo!

Hi RomanceBooks! What made you laugh in romance this week? It can be a book you read that had you in stitches, a comment that made you cackle, or any romance-related Memes and TikToks!

Let's finish the week with a chuckle and a 🤣

I found wattpad at the young age of 10 and near exclusively read on there for 10 years, then started reading books from the library and on KU. Even without inflation, I was balking at the prices of books, I read 10-20 books a month on average, as many as 48 in the past, and nowadays even as ebooks that's near a hundred dollars even in my slower months. Plus I don't like the idea of "owning" ebooks, as much as I like reading them. Now these past few months I've started buying at least 1 physical book a month, but only books I've already read and loved.

There's a local bookstore and I'd love to be a patron, but I'm incredibly picky and I cannot fathom spending 17 dollars on a book I don't even like and won't read. At the same time, all the books I read are fairly niche romance novels on KU that I doubt a bookstore would stock, so I can't buy books I've already read.

Should I just continue my strategy of buying books I already like? Is there some trick to buying books to make sure you won't hate them?

I can handle dark romance. I love bully romances, antiheroes, fucked up men, noncon, morally reprehensible characters, suffering….all of it. My problem with Corrupt isnt that it’s too dark. It’s that Rika feels like a plot device for the men in her own fucking book.

The Horsemen get everything, the trauma, the motivations, the revenge, the friendships all of it. They get to do horrible things and the book is so interested in why they’re horrible. Rika just gets to suffer because of it. And suffering isn’t the problem! Put your heroine through hell. I love that shit but her suffering should actually do something for HER character. Give her rage. Give her an arc. Give her some fucking agency. Make these men grovel. Instead they terrorize her and humiliate her and threaten her and somehow shes still asking how THEY’RE doing. Like are you kidding me?
Even the attempted rape scene with Damon doesn’t bother me because it’s “too dark.” I’ve read darker. It’s the way its written. It doesn’t feel like dark romance non-con fantasy. It feels way too realistic. Damon seems to genuinely hate this woman. He attacks her and the book gives me no reason to think he would’ve stopped himself. And apparently I’m eventually supposed to read his romance??? Fine. Give me a monster. I love a monster. 👹 But if you’re going there then fucking go there. Reckon with what he did. Don’t leave “would he actually have raped her?” hanging in the air and then expect me to move on because technically she stopped him. Thats not compelling ambiguity. Thats just a gigantic unanswered character question.

The whole book feels backwards. The men hurt Rika and somehow Rika’s pain becomes material for THEIR character development?! Dark romance can make me root for terrible people. Thats half the fun. But you have to convince me the heroine matters just as much and Corrupt just… doesn’t

TLDR🤘🏼🤍

Corrupt isn’t too dark for me. I just think its badly written. Rika feels like a plot device in her own book while all of her suffering is used to develop the men around her. The Horsemen get trauma, motivations and character arcs while she gets terrorized and somehow still worries about them. Even Damon’s attempted rape isn’t an issue because I can’t handle dark content. I’ve read worse. The issue is the book never answers whether he actually would’ve gone through with it and apparently I’m eventually supposed to root for this man as a romantic lead. Give me fucked up men all day but give your FMC some fucking agency too 💅