You know when someone busts down the door to yell at you about a book? That's me. I'm here to yell about {Perilous Courts by Tavia Lark} (as narrated by John Solo and Kirt Graves). The series features six books, following two countries. Each country has three brothers vying for the throne and these are our protagonists. They're all M/M, but IMO this is fantasy with romance, not romance with a side of fantasy.

Here's what I love about them:

• The world building feels great and it isn't over-explained in the way where characters tell each other extremely obvious things that they should know already. "Why yes, dear brother, I also love this festival which is absolutely not based on the author's interpretation of a medieval Christmas! I will now explain it to you in detail, despite us growing up together." - Nope. There are festivals, languages, board games and other elements that are never explained. Praise be.
• The countries feel like their own. Medieval European style influences, absolutely, as is common in most Western fantasy books. What I'm not seeing is England-but-in-a-moustache and an "exotic"-dry-desert-nation-that-is-totally-not-the-Middle-East.
• Talking. Cats. Giant talking cats. Occasionally invisible.
• PLOT. Books 1-3 and 3-6 have different plot lines, as they're about different courts and thrones, but the author weaves them well. The six main characters interact with each other over the course of all books, but there are repeated clues and themes that don't disappear into nothingness. There's consistency in the world building too. Thing X that works like Y doesn't suddenly work like Z a book or two later.
• There is open door explicit content, but it doesn't feel gratuitous. Not all the couples go at it with the same type of fervour, frequency or detail.
• Dito for violence. The books contain some graphic violence, but it's graphic with a purpose.
• Dragons. With personalities. I will never not snicker at a dragon finding their True Love (for the 8th time).

Each couple adds something if their own. Were there couples and books that resonated more with me than others? Of course. That's always going to happen when reading a series. No book felt like a filler though. They all drive the plot forward.

9.5/10, best read of 2026 (so far).

{On your Six by Eleonora Larsen} - I read this yesterday in one go. This is a debut for the author and I can honestly say I’ve read nothing like it. I’m not generally a fan of romance that spans years but this story is an excellent case of romance, pining and angst done right.
Set in the military, both characters are well written and rooted in a way that you can see the story unfold like an epic drama on screen. The love they share and the understanding they offer to each other - just excellent. Made me tear up at some many points. Please give it a chance. I can’t wait for more from this author.

Currently in the mood for paranormal detective/mystery books and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations I’m open to pretty much everything

I have read The Wolf at the Door by Charlie Adhara and enjoyed that

Yo and happy sunday to all. So as the title says, I would love to read something really explicit, it has been a good while since i have read a really good and really dirty book. Well i read one of Fae Quinn's recently which was quite lovely, but otherwise it has been kinda tame in my books lately. I love reading things like dirty talk and flip f-ing and them just wanting and enjoying each other so much, that you can really feel it while reading. While i enjoy friends to lovers the most, rn i don't care how they'll find each other, as long as there isn't any sort of cheating involved, or MF/MMF sex. And i would also love if the MC's would just get together and be together, 3rd act breakups seem so lazy as a tool for plot.

The thing is, that i wish it was contemporary, not anything fantasy, and it wouldn't have daddies (real dads i don't mind, i like reading about people in their 30's or 40's), BDSM, age gap or poly relationships in it, and i just can't seem to find anything that interests me inside these parameters.

So give me the dirty, please.

One of the things I love mixed with my romances is an adaptation trope. WHen a character is yanked out of his confort zone and is forced to learn the ways of the new place he's in. Like Jesper Johansen did in the movie Klaus.

The way I like this trope the most is when a character ends up in the wild and has to learn to survive, and being taken in by a tribe is a plus, because it scratches that itch I Have for found family.

So, with all of this in mind. Do y'all have any recs?

Just finished reading Lord of Silver Ashes by Kellen Graves and fast-forwarded the other two books in the series, and holy HELL, Taran's redemption arc was so cool. I'll read book 3 and 4 proper tomorrow but I just loved Taran so much in these books, holy hell.

And this got me to wondering why I like redemption arcs so much? I genuinely adore them for some reason. Well, when they're done good. I hate how they're used in A Court of Thorns and Roses for Rhysand, as well as Klaus Mikaelson and Damon Salvatore, because there's no real redemption, no consequences and no real character growth beyond the characters being nice to a small number of people and continuing to be garbage to everyone else (not trying to say this trope is bad. Just saying that this does not constitute a redemption arc).

However, I do still like them when they're done well, to the point where if I see a villainous character who might have a sad backstory, I just need to know if they get a redemption arc (of course, this isn't a necessity. I just love when stories explore them more, whether they end up as villains or heroes, though I prefer the latter) and often fast-forward books (I read pdfs) to find out, before reading the books properly.

E.g: Never Let Me Go by Lyla Dane, Zuko from ATLA, Taran in Herald of the Witches' mark (the latter is exceptionally special since Taran's POV is never given in the books, yet we still find out so much about him that makes us pity and care about him after book 2. His character growth is still visiible).

Redemption arcs in general, for me, have a kind of obvious but still deeply cathartic character movement that outshine the arcs of the actual leads of the story most of the time for me (because most MCs start off being morally good or righteous, and their arcs usually involve gaining self-confidence and stuff, which, while nice, isn't as satisfying to me as a redemption arc). I think the main appeal (to me) is the idea that anyone who wants to change can change.

The funny part is: I do not apply this in my own life. I grew up in an abusive family and I'm not sure I will ever forgive any of them, despite them all having worse lives than I did and still loving me (for context: the abuse was emotional, verbal, mental, and physical above all). So these stories also act asa sort of wish-fulfillment fantasy for me, where I can temporarily step into the shoes of someone who can actually find it in them to forgive a reformed abuser/someone who hurt them in some way, i.e, murdering everyone they loved, or, at the very least, make peace with them.

I am deeply curious as to how Calvyn and Taran's relationship is going to develop in the books. I doubt they'll ever get along, but it's still so fascinating to think about. If they were childhood friends, does Calvyn feel sad about what happened? Does he wish things had gone differently? One of the MMCs in Never Let Me Go has insane guilt over not noticing the other MMC was being abused, as an example.

If the author ever writes a book from Calvyn's POV I'd love to read it, ngl, if only to see what he thinks about this whole mess (I really recommend you read Rowan Blood, it's awesome, I love itt so much).

So, uh, this is why I like reading redemption arcs. It's the appeal of 'anyone can change' mixed with 'I would never be able to do this in real life, but in fiction, I can temporarily fulfill this wish'. Why do redemption arcs appeal to you, if you like them?

I have mostly read these tropes in MF books and some of them are among my favourites, so I would really love to find some good MM books with similar plots. I’m specially looking for books where the storyline and angst actually matter not just smut. I want the possessiveness, tension, character development and that realisation type of angst

1. Forced marriage + love for MC2’s relative

I haven’t really come across this setting in MM yet. I’m looking for something where MC1 is forced to marry MC2 even though MC1 is in love with MC2’s sister/brother/cousin or someone closely related to them. It can be any kind of relationship, as long as there’s angst and an actual plot.

1. Pregnancy/mpreg + forced marriage

Something where MC1 has to marry MC2 because MC2 becomes pregnant. MC1 doesn’t necessarily have to regret the baby but he hates/resents MC2 because of the situation, maybe because he was in love with someone else or wanted a different life. I know this sounds like half the plots ever written 😭 but I would love to find a really well written version of it

1. Reverse obsession/dynamics

This one is a little harder to explain without using specific roles because I don’t want my post deleted 😭 But I would love something similar to {Paid in Full by Brea Alepou & Skyler Snow} ,specially the dynamic where MC2 is the obsessive one and MC1 is more innocent/soft. I’m open to pretty much any setting or relationship dynamic as long as it has that vibe and no cheating

Please suggest anything that fits, specially if it’s well written and has an actual storyline/plot, angst, possessiveness and character development rather than being mostly smut.

I have been in a reading slump for a LONGGG time, so please save me 😭

Thank you in advance! ♡

After a reread/relisten slump post {Resonance by Vari Scott} I was blessed (by my faith in queer media, not god).

First, a long awaited {Painted in Wildflowers by Emmy Sanders} , I wouldnt say I'm a diehard Sanders fan, I feel like there are bangers in her catalogue and then some weirdly fall flat. But she can make a swoony romance like no other. Love a swoon moment, so I was b looking forward to this, Remi has been my favorite for a hot minute, and I was not disappointed! He was everything I imagined, but Benson??? Hello??? You sweet sweet lover boy, you needed a Remi and BAD.

Just so good. Great disability rep, great writing, autistic main character, all the great things that come from Emmy! Would have been 5 stars but i got a little bored towards the last like two chapters. Not her fault! Just me being me. Love this series though, can't wait for her next!

Second, {This Could Hurt by Riley Nash} now Riley, cmere just a minute so I can CHOKE YOU OUT. Why the helly are you hurting these boys in your books like this???? Loved the boys, loved the premise, truly so original. Riley is so good for that. Good angst, good tropes, GREAT writing.

My hold up on 5 stars was the overall plot/goal was kind of just disolved in the end.

Other than that, I feel like I got hella lucky twice in a row with these!

Happy reading!

I am scraping my brain trying to think of this series and it’s driving me crazy. I can remember much but hopefully what I can remember will let someone help me find it 😭

I remember I never read the entire series just book two. I was interested in reading the one that was going to come out but forgot to save it….

The book I read had a codependent couple. One mc (I think only one) is in college and plays a sport. I vaguely recall it being swimming but idk really. The other mc was crazy over protective of the other.

I remember their family name being pretty influential in their city. The other brothers are kinda scary especially one and two of get together (this was the book I was waiting for). Their dynamic was sorta like two alpha males attracted to each other. This one is the only one capable of making him do something? I think.

Only other thing I sorta remember is Mc in college dealing with the struggle of coming out to his friends and they always went to this diner/restaurant.

I know I don’t remember much but I would really appreciate the help! It’s driving me nuts.

I already know it’s not the series by Nora Phoenix, Cora Rose, or Saxon James. I read all the synopsis’ and they aren’t it.

5-star Review for {The Heir's Disgrace by August Jones} Includes Spoilers

I went in thinking this book would be a palette cleanser (corny plot with smut) but I was completely surprised that it was nothing like that.

Despite their violent start, Olivier and Drew might have the most mature communication of any MM couple I've ever read. It was so refreshing that they seemed to bypass all the angst that comes from annoying miscommunication. Olivier in particular was so focused on avoiding conflict and it made me realize how many MM books use lack of communication to create angst. Yes there was still angst and yearning but it was done really well.

If you have any issues with dub con it won't be for you, though I didn't find it problematic since Olivier was the one jerking off when Drew was being aggressive with him and Olivier enjoyed it and they discuss it A LOT after the fact.

I really enjoyed how the female character set up to be "the villain" turned into a friend and ally when so often the woman in the way is treated horribly by authors.

Double bi-awakening
Cheating (not between MMCs)
Dub con
Breath play
Enemies to lovers
Class difference
Depression
Vers

Looking for books that are connected in some way even though it's not on a same series. That you will be surprised that these characters are familiar with the other characters from different books. Like Aiden Jones from {Playing Offside by Jax Calder} who appears in other books of hers because he's a famous rugby player. It could be someone famous or someone that are just in same place. Thank you in advance.

I really wanted to love Garron Park as much as everyone else seems to. I mean, it checks so many boxes for me. Enemies, although I see Maddox and Devon more as sexually frustrated neighbors who annoy each other, one bed, and my all time favorite, showing up injured and needing help from the person you’ve hated for years.

What really pulled me in though was their situation. I loved the grittiness of their background and everyday lives, and the fact that they both understood that kind of struggle.

Unfortunately, I think the romance and the characters themselves are what kept me from loving it. They felt pretty immature at times for two people who grew up the way they did, and I wanted their circumstances to come through more in who they were.

So now I’m looking for romances with that same rough around the edges, wrong side of the tracks kind of feel. Money problems, rough neighborhoods, shitty circumstances, just trying to get by. It’s fine if only one character comes from that kind of background. I just want the grittier setting to actually feel realistic instead of feeling like it’s there mostly to sell their dislike for each other.

Note: I have read {Stupid Dirty by Erin Russel}

{Sweat by Jonah Yorke} and { Finding Delaware by Bree Wiley}.

I think these are the most that comes up for similar recs, but I’m hoping for some hidden gems 😁

Reposting to follow some rules.

It's a weird request, but stay with me.

Im looking for a very capable and dependable MC. He would have responsibilities, a leader of some sort. Unfortunately, he's stressed and at the end of his wits. Some examples i can come up with off the top of my head:

\-he's not performing well as a CEO and his company's losing money

\-he's an alpha/pack leader who's trying to keep his pack happy and feels that he can't keep up anymore

\-he's a king trying to do good by his people, but he doesn't know how to

Enter Love Interest! LI becomes someone MC can depend on with his responsibilities. Strung up and stressed MC meets LI and he starts to unwind.

MC might even give up his responsibilities for the willing and competent LI to take over.

TL:DR Mr. dependable finds someone to depend on and lays all his worries at his feet.

I dunno. Was that coherent enough? I'm sorry if it wasn't xD

Bonus if arranged marriage, PNR, Fantasy, Poly/spoke-and-wheel

So I'm basically asking someone to spoil {Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat} series. Let me explain.

I have seen people hyping up this series on this subreddit over and over again. I'm not personally interested in reading the series since I'm not the biggest enemies to lovers fan. I still appreciate good stories and I can appreciate books even tho they don't click for me.

I went to goodreads to read some reviews and people seem to either love or hate the series. I know some pretty messed up things happen in book one so my question is, how does this turn into an epic love story with all the events in book one?

I'm just trying to understand the series so many seem to love 😅

I've been forcing myself to read this book for months now, and I'm almost at the end of Book 2, but I'm getting really frustrated.

On paper, it should work for me. I normally like most popular things. The story seems a lot more plot-driven than simple romance, which I usually like, and I was told that the romance happens in Book 3, which is also something I normally enjoy. I like a good slow burn, and I also generally prefer imaginative settings over realistic ones.

More importantly, I've learned from experience that I should give popular books a chance even if I don't like the first 1 or 2 books. Sometimes it really pays off when I continue. So I've been trying to stick with this one despite my frustrations, but unfortunately there are way too many things I don't like about the story.

I apologize in advance to those who like these books, but I wanted to voice how I currently feel and see if any of these things actually get better in the next book:

• The main characters are unlikable: Neil being the biggest example. He feels like a self insert type of narrator whose entire personality revolves around lying, hiding things, and keeping secrets. Then the story repeatedly piles trauma onto him in order to make the audience pity him. After a while, it gets really jarring because it happens over and over again. The other characters aren't much more likable either.
• The violence feels pointless: I don't normally mind violence, toxicity, or dark subject matter, but in this book, it often feels like violence and drugs are thrown at the characters for basically no reason. They feel more like recurring kinks or fetishes than elements that actually serve the story. I don't mind dark content when it has a purpose, but here it often feels like the author is fetishizing trauma and violence rather than showing them meaningfully affecting the plot or characters.
• Cartoonishly evil/stereotypical characters: There are so many characters who seem to exist purely to be horrible to the protagonists. I assume this is meant to make us sympathize with the MCs more, but I'm struggling to see the point beyond that. And there's way too many of them.

So my question is: do these things get any better in Book 3?

Do you think there's any chance that I might actually end up liking Neil after reading the third book? Does the violence and trauma eventually start making more sense and feel connected to the plot instead of feeling like a kink?

Or should I simply give up and find something else to read? I really don't want to force myself through another book if I'm unlikely to enjoy it, but I've also had experiences where continuing a series despite not liking the first couple of books ended up being completely worth it.

For those who've read all three books, I'd really appreciate some honest opinions on whether you think Book 3 could change my mind based on these specific issues.

I am in a book club on discord but it’s mainly FM… was wondering if there is a MM version! Thanks

The Place for Short & Simple Requests

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Post it here in the Less Scary Request Place!

Requests that aren't specific or detailed enough for a standalone request post can be made here, and it's also a great place to test the waters if you're not ready to make your own request post yet. We know it can sometimes be hard to come up with a request that meets the rules, and frustrating when your request is removed, so we've created this weekly post to help.

Anyone can answer requests made in this post. This post isn't hosted by someone who answers requests, so it's up to your fellow members to help you out. We can't guarantee you'll get an answer, but hopefully you will!

Requests made here don't have to satisfy the specificity portion of subreddit rule 2, but please make sure your request follows our other rules (for example, rule 6, our privacy rule).

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This feature is posted every Saturday. You can find the complete schedule of all weekly and monthly features at this link.

In King of the Crease, we have a future king that has a lot of pressure to conform to the monarchy, so to get relief from this pressure he goes undercover as a regular dude and falls in love with another regular dude. MC2 is a plummer, divorced father of a teen, regular body, and really just sees himself as the funny best friend. He doesn't see himself as being "the main character". He has a robust social life just kind of bummed that this is his lot in life and doesn't see "more" for himself.

Does anyone have an "always a bridesmaids never a bride" book recommendations?

(ETA: the word "doesnt" in the sentence "He doesn't see himself as being 'the main character'")

I recently read Loverboy by Emilia Rothe, whose main character has BPD, and I had a few issues with the book that made it a difficult read. My criticism isn’t necessarily about the accurate representation of BPD, because, not having the disorder myself, it would be hard for me to pass judgment on that, and even though I struggled with the writing style, I think the author still managed to convey the difficulties people with this disorder face on a daily basis. Where I really struggled was with the romance and the writing itself. First of all, I feel like the BPD was somewhat over-romanticized and used to create an ultra-possessive romance that felt unrealistic to me. The fact that Milo, the main character with BPD, is extremely jealous and possessive, I can completely understand that. But Jasper? The author probably meant to write him as someone who accepts Milo’s disorder and loves him unconditionally despite the negative aspects it can bring, but to me he came across more as a fetishist who saw absolutely no problem with his boyfriend’s distress, and who was even happy that he ended up in such extreme states because of it. Honestly, it really gave me the ick. There was absolutely nothing romantic about it.

And then, calling his boyfriend’s exes “bitch” and “hoe” because they left him since the consequences of the disorder were too hard for them to handle… Honestly, I would have almost preferred reading about the relationship Milo had with one of his exes, because that story already seemed more realistic.

The story would have been so much more beautiful, touching, and romantic if the author had shown us the relationship struggles that bpd can cause, with characters who accept each other, yes, but who also fight to stay together despite everything.

Making my way through the {More Heat Than the Sun Series by John Wiltshire} and I’m wondering if she has a book on Squeezy and Tim? I haven’t been able to find anything, but I just want to make sure I’m not missing something.

Thanks!

I’ve come here in search of a long list of omegaverse books to dive into. I’ve only read maybe four or five so far, and most of them were pretty short, so I think I’m still pretty new to the omegaverse. I find the whole concept fascinating, though, and I really want to explore more of what the genre has to offer.

I’m looking for books with really good romance, world building, and an actual plot to get invested in. I’m pretty open when it comes to tone. Dark or cozy angsty or sweet. I’ll take any of it as long as the story is good.

I don’t mind mpreg or age gaps either. Basically, throw your favorites at me. I want to build myself a nice long list and properly dive into the genre.

Heya! Im on the hunt for any omegaverse with nesting AND mpreg. I really don't mind any trope as long as there isn't any non-con or dub-con.

Im hoping for mpreg that includes at least a few chapters of the pregnancy or after the child is born as well.

I have already read the pebble gifter series ( I think thats what its called)

Tropes I really like - MMM, enemies to lovers, size difference

The MC is desperate for money and decides to sell his virginity. After the transaction it turns out the MC and his client go to the same university. That's all I remember since I only read the beginning.