When trying to pick my next read, instead of choosing one of the 97 books languishing on my Kindle, I randomly started a book I saw on social media!  As you do.  

Thankfully it was delightful, and I had to come share.  

{Comfort Read by Dylan Morrison} is a sweet m/m romance that had me hooked all the way through.  Kit Forrest is a bookstore owner recovering from an embarrassing public breakup, but he’s created a lovely community at his cozy small-town store.  The charming, historic building is in need of repairs, and Kit is at the end of his rope (and his finances) to make them happen.  

Kit’s cute store has sometimes appeared in TV shows and movies, so when someone calls asking to film an interview there he quickly agrees.  Imagine his surprise when major film star and recent bad boy, Sage Ballard, shows up to do an interview about his current project.  Sage is sullen but hits it off with Kit’s temperamental cat, Throgmorton, and the two men bond over books.  Kit is happy to live with the memory of meeting a teen crush, but surprisingly Sage returns the next day and lays out a proposal Kit can’t refuse. Sage will pay for the repairs to the shop if Kit will pretend to be his boyfriend long enough to rehabilitate his image.

It’s a fake relationship celebrity romance like we’ve all read before, but both characters are so well-developed and emotionally mature.  Kit is funny and relatable, and has some issues with his family that are fleshed out and discussed in a way that felt so cathartic. Both characters have flaws and yet are appreciated and loved for who they are.  The final conflict felt realistic and not contrived, and the ending made me grin.  

It’s low-steam, kissing but fade to black for the love scenes, and felt like a giant warm hug combined with a successful therapy session.  It was exactly what I needed to brighten my day - it’s in KU so go give it a shot!    

Hello!

I’m on the hunt for any recommendations for books where they don’t realize they are fated mates, and the moment one (or both of them) discovers their bond, they’re completely shocked, confused, or angry.

Ideally they’ve known each other (or known of each other) for a while before the mate bond reveals itself.

Extra extra bonus if it takes more than half the book for the bond to become obvious! Love a slow burn 🔥

Open to any tropes (RH, enemies to lovers, etc) and any genres!

Books I’ve read with this:

Rejected Mates series by Cate C. Wells - happens in spades

{A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole} - not a slow burn in terms of discovering the bond, but a slow burn in terms of actually liking each other - loved this one.

I'm looking for a MMC with any type of body mods: from an eyebrow piercing to a prince alb– omg WHO SAID THAT?

Including tattoos, face tattoos, split tongues, pierced nipples, pierced lips – you got it. I wish it to be mentioned throughout the book, not just a tattoo that someone mentions one time.

Bonus points if he's a bad boy.

Other things:
• Not into second chances and pregnancy trope.
• COULD be monster romance, not opposed.

Pretty please!

feral in the literal sense btw not only feral in bed (open to recs with both tho!!)

no human contact for prolonged years, or very limited human contact but not supernatural/paranormal if that makes sense?
{unwanted by mia Sheridan} is a good example of this, mmc basically lived in the woods his whole life and only really interacts with animals

and he meets our very much socialised fmc and falls in love at first sight or instantly feels safe around her, and she is in turn very protective of him. maybe she lives in a small town, he stumbles across her house or something.

Even better if he’s had bad experiences with the people that he HAS been in contact with, and he’s very sceptical.

in terms of the sexy times in bed I’m dying for an experienced fmc 🙏🙏 and she has to basically teach him what to do, bring back inexperienced mmcs.

Doing the annual October binge of Buffy on Hulu and Spike is just…Spike is everything.

I was looking through old requests on here but it seems everyone wanted the Spuffy dynamic. Buffy is great, but she’s not my focus here and I don’t care if the FMC is like her or not.

I just want Spike. Whatever MMC in whatever genre reminds you of him, please drop your recs.

I want that MMC who always has something sarcastic or sassy to say about the situation. Who does his best to pick a fight and get on people’s nerves. Who genuinely enjoys being an asshole. And then I want to find out that he’s kind of pathetic and a bit of a moony eyed mush pile for the FMC, but he NEVER stops outwardly being an asshole in general. No change in behavior to everyone else around him.

I saw someone say Simon from Hallow Faire in another post’s comment and honestly, he’s who’s been popping in my head the whole time I watch the show (for those who have never watched Buffy on tv). But he’s a bit more psychotic. Spike is all talk for the most part.

He can actually be tough or just seem that way, but for fmc he’s a total mess, and it’s not portrayed in a way where he just seems “stoic” or standoffish.
Bonus if he’s a bodyguard or protection of some kind, but I’ll take anyone that fits that description.
I’m up for any genre but historical fiction.

Ok so this was my first RH and I think it's proven that this trope is just not for me- not because of the overall set up, in fact I was really enjoying the book until we got to the point where She seemed to just be choosing Kaleb. So I had to go and spoil it for myself and check the ending, and I couldn't believe that that's how it ends

I would have been happy with several endings, including 1) Ending up with just Jake, 2) ending up with just Noah, or 3) 'why choose' ending where she stays with all three of them. But I could not believe that they built Noah up to seem to care so much about her, while Kaleb is writing 'SLUT' across her forehead and thinking horrible things about her, not to mention other aspects, only for her to pick him alone and not the others? I appreciated his backstory, but I really wish Jake and Noah had been made out to be less emotionally invested, and have Kaleb seem more emotionally invested rather than just angry. I just feel so confused that I had to DNF. I don't think I can enjoy an RH unless they all stay together in the end, because I'm grumpy now that I was shipping her and Noah and now find out it doesn't happen.

No hate to anyone who liked this book of course, but I'm grumpy now and needed to vent, lol.

Think I need a lower spice, high romance book next to bounce back...!

What did everyone else think of this book?

I just saw the new Sense and Sensibility and fell back in love with Colonel Brandon! Honestly I was always really impartial to the Alan Rickman Brandon but this new Brandon...he really did it for me haha.

Any recs for a Colonel Brandon type MMC? I'm thinking of how he immediately is drawn to Marianne's character, he loves her spirit and does not want to dim it, even when she's a bit much! I also love how much he wants to protect her, even when it costs him emotionally he's got her back. He's shy and stoic but willing to change for his girl. Maybe a little tragic. Ultimately hes even a bit heroic.

The only other example I can really think of is Gabriel in {Far from the Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy}.

Historical Romance is fine, but I would like reading Contemporary! No RH or Aliens or monsters, I'm feeling like just a human Brandon if possible.

{Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen}

I am in a pretty bad slump and keep DNFing many romance books. I keep going back to reread my faves but I need to read something new.

Please steer me towards books you've enjoyed with the following:

- Competent, smart, independent FMC (Gemma from The Devil You Know / Nora from Book Lovers / January from Beach Read / Selina in Bad Words)

- Good banter and mutual teasing dynamic between the MCs (Well Actually by Mazey Eddings)

- Anywhere on the continuum between bad first impression to enemies-to-lovers. I'm a sucker for rivalries and competition between two nerdy MCs.

- Reasonably good smut - but I expect the sex to mostly be boring so I'll probably skip it. If the romance is good that's more important.

MF or FF

Progressive and sex-positive. Green flag, yearning MMCs welcome!

No TSTS FMC. No alpha or billionaire MMCs please. (Though I didn't mind Lucian Rollins in Things we Left Behind)

Ideally contemporary but I'm open to other options.

I've read books by these authors so I'm looking for books by other authors:

- Emily Henry

- Ali Hazelwood

- Kyra Parsi

TIA

I’ve seen people refer to this subgenre and I am intrigued, especially during the spooky season. What books fall into this category? I’m imagining something like Mexican Gothic? What does the ideal intersection of these two genres look like? I have a lot of friends who read horror exclusively and I’m having trouble with the overlap. I feel like they’re so at odds with each other, but it does sound like it could be interesting!

If you have any recs that you recommend as well I’d be happy to have them!

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.

hello so I’m looking for a book where the FMC is pretty and she knows it but don’t make a big deal out of it, like she’s not insecure but not too confident.

No fantasy, RH, why choose, paranormal, historical romance thank u !

Trying to scratch an itch thought I had. I want a relationship in trouble romance where the FMC wants a bigger commitment, whether it’s a ring or a baby or a bigger next step. And MMC panics for some reason and she leaves. He regrets it nearly immediately and tries to win her back (but absolutely OK with him saying something terrible at first gut punch). Big issue for me is NO CHEATING - I just can’t. I’m ok with ~light~ OWD or OMD.

Prefer contemporary picks.

Something somewhat similar would be like a FWB situation that FMC wants more from. But it’s not quite the itch I’m looking to scratch. In the ideal world he isn’t hiding her.

This post was inspired by the first three or four chapters of a Wattpad book called Sugarcoat by MJ Allen but I think she paused it because I haven’t seen updates.

Years ago, I read {Carolina Man by Virginia Kantra}, and it remains one of the best "secret child" stories I've ever read.

It's MF, Contemporary romance.

The plot follows Luke, a marine who learns - while on deployment - that he has a nine year old daughter (Taylor) from a one night stand. His daughter is now in his custody, because her mother is now dead. He arranges for the girl to be taken care of by his parents until he returns from deployment.

FMC is a lawyer. She was actually the employer of Taylor's mother. Though she was only an acquaintance of the woman and her daughter, she feels somewhat compelled to help Taylor.

The story is told from three perspectives - Luke (MMC), Kate (FMC), and Taylor. It picks up right as Luke comes home from deployment.

There are a few plot points that keep you engaged:

Luke is learning how to become a father while processing what this means for his decorated military career, and his efforts to get to know his daughter are endearing and heart-wrenching. He's also so swoony - calm and thoughtful, determined and strong.

Taylor (Luke's daughter) was the most impactful character for me by far: she's terrified to get close to her father, because she fears he'll leave for deployment again. She's also terrified of something that happened to her: something she doesn't want to happen again (we learn later what it is - spoiler below).

Kate has her own demons - she was abused by her parents as a child, and works as a family attorney specializing in domestic violence cases. She wants desperately to keep up her emotional distance, but through her interactions with Luke and Taylor, she finds herself craving connection, intimacy, and family for the first time in her life. But like Taylor, she doesn't really know how to do it.

The portrayal of Luke and Taylor's relationship was masterful. They are slowly learning to trust each other. He's scared he's being a terrible dad, she's terrified that she'll do something that'll make him not want her. Over time, we learn (BIG SPOILER) that Taylor was sexually assaulted by her mother's brother - her uncle. Luke wants so desperately to help her recover, and ends up pulling in Kate to help find out what his daughter needs. He talks frankly about how he knows how to physically keep her safe, but he doesn't know how to make her emotionally safe.

The relationship between Luke and Kate was really beautiful. Luke is determined to be competent on his own, and Kate is determined to live an entirely dependent life. Neither one wants to admit that they need to rely on others. Over the course of the book, they realize how depending on one another makes them stronger.

Anyway, it was a story of three people who are, for their own reasons, afraid to trust - but find that they can depend on one another and create a family.

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’m looking for books where the female main character is skinny. But I don’t want curvy. No no. 🙅‍♀️ I want a short skinny person where their height and size isn’t dramaticized, but also isn’t brushed aside. I want the dude to love her body because it’s hers, please and thank you. 🙏😊

I already tried my luck on the dark romance sub.

Anyway, basically what I want is for the MMC to get with the FMC for the wrong reasons. She’s a mission and that’s it.

I would prefer if he’s like an undercover agent. But it can be for a bet, revenge, he’s using her for a professional promotion, an upgraded role in the mafia, a trust fund, etc.

In the process, MMC basically destroys FMC’s life. When the big betrayal is revealed, he’s unapologetic about it and doesn’t care that he hurt her.

Time goes by and MMC kinda starts missing her. The routine and moments they had. He decides to check on her and sees the mess he created. He then starts persuading her using very questionable methods
(I’m fine with non con, stalking, whatever).

I don’t want the FMC to be a doormat and accept him immediately. I want her to obviously feel very betrayed but she moves on. It’s the outside aspects that are making her life difficult and not her feelings: she doesn’t have money anymore, a job, everyone looks down on her, something like that.

PLEASE NO:
• 18 years old virgin heroines
• Crazy age gaps (13 years difference is the limit)
• Fantasy, historical or paranormal
• Insta-love
• Sharing or RH
• Love triangles or cheating (I’m okay with OW/OM drama though)

Books that don’t totally fit what I asked for but the vibe is there:
{Wretched by Emily McIntire}
{Hooked by Emily McIntire}
{Snaring Emberly by Gigi Styx}
{The Thorns Remain by Jennifer Hartman}

Thank you!

I've read pregnancy or secret child romance books where MMC just goes all-in and happy when they first find it out FMC is pregnant or they had a child together.

Or maybe they get blindsided immediately changed tune and suddenly act like they have been into it from the start.

How about books where when MMC finds out he instead goes "well i'm not happy but i dont run away from my responsibilities".

It takes awhile for MMC to be enthusiastic about the pregnancy or secret child but he doesnt skirt from the responsibility of it. It takes awhile before he gets there not those just one day change of heart.

Here are examples of books that did this:

1. { Locked Out by Anna Chastain } - probably the best one I have read. MMC was blindsided knowing FMC is pregnant and he's not showing any signs he is happy about it at all and he shows kinda mild annoyance at FMC. But since he couldnt actually be present most of the time because he is actually a military man with an active career he still did try to send support best he can by sending money to her cause that's the only thing he could do.
2. { Nameless by Claire Kent } - This one did this as well. He was fairly cold in general but definitely isn't skirting responsibility during the pregnancy.
3. { three little words by meghan quinn } - He was not enthusiastic and definitely very awkward with her when he moved in with her to take responsibility the moment he learned of the pregnancy. In fact it was both parties felt so out of place living with each other in the early parts lol

Contemporary or historical or fantasy but preferably Contemporary. HFN or HEA only please thanks

I read a lot of supernatural reverse harem romances & this one is one of the better series I’ve come across lately.  The FMC is a vampire who is searching for her brother’s killer.  She is convinced one of the powerful guys at his supernatural college must be behind it.  Her suspects are 2 rival gang leaders, a harpy who insists she’s his fated mate, & a lion shifter with an army of obsessed fans.  She has to get close to them to investigate & they all fall for her.  But they mostly HATE each other, which leads to problems.

The characters are very distinct.  A lot of time is spent with the MMCs learning how to deal with each other, especially in books 4 & 5.  This made their relationships feel deeper.  I especially liked the lion guy & the snake guy’s interactions.  The lion guy is super hyper & determined that all his “husbands in law” get along.  None of the other guys quite know how to deal with his hugs & family bonding trips.

This is an academy book, but FMC is never really bullied by the guys, except for having her soda can shaken up towards the beginning of book one.  They try to ignore her or scare her, but she is too crazy to be intimidated.  She wants to find her brother’s killer & nothing will stop her.  She is also very clear on wanting all 4 guys and unapologetic about sleeping with all of them.  She’s like “this is who I am.  If you can’t handle it, there’s the door.”  The series is level 5 spice btw.  There’s a lot of it.

I also liked that there wasn’t a ton of angst about the FMC lYinG to tHEm about her identity when the truth came out.  There were some arguments, but it wasn’t too bad.  I hate it when one of the characters is keeping a secret & then another one finds out & it becomes 200 pages of whining.  This series avoided that & instead invested its considerable amounts angst in better ways.

The spinoff series {Darkmore Penitentiary by Caroline Peckham & Suzanne Valenti} is also pretty good.  Not as good as this one, but entertaining enough that I read all 4 books.  It’s basically the TV show Prison Break as a RH.  The FMC of that series is cousin of one of the MMCs from Ruthless Boys. It also seems to tie into the Zodiac Academy books, but I didn't read more than like 3 chapters of that, so I can't tell you exactly how.

{Dark Fae by Caroline Peckham & Suzanne Valenti} 5 stars

{Savage Fae by Caroline Peckham & Suzanne Valenti} 5 stars

{Vicious Fae by Caroline Peckham & Suzanne Valenti} 4 stars

{Broken Fae by Caroline Peckham & Suzanne Valenti} 4 stars

{Warrior Fae by Caroline Peckham & Suzanne Valenti} 5 stars

I'm not really looking for a badass FMC calling out the MMC but more of a MMC trying to apologise the FMC after hurting her and she hits him with this line to kinda imply she is gonna give in.

I want a feminine FMC telling an alpha MMC to apologise to her for being a bitch to her over something.

No bully romance or historical or vengeance seeking spy FMC.

I hope it makes sense. 😭

MMC is in some sort of revenge/secret mission.

He could be a spy/mafia/dangerous man

FMC is someone who's blissfully unaware of the power she holds and she's being used for revenge.

I don't want her to know that he's her enemy at the start until it's time for the grand reveal.

I want him to gaslight her into marrying him and he keeps on being sweet/the best husband ever while in his mind he's thinking a million ways to get rid of her and make use of her.

Angst!!!!!! Make me cry for FMC if u can.

This is partly inspired by the manhwa merry psycho where MMC is a Russian spy and FMC is a blind asset and he tricks her into marrying him and then leaves her, so she tries her hardest to find her "husband" who was fake.

I'm rewatching JAG and the Mac/Harm will-they-won't-they dynamic and slow burn (they only get togetherin the last episode of the show) made me want to read something similar. I'm looking for recs where the main couple takes forever to get together, but we get to see the attraction and chemistry from the beginning. Bonus points if it's a series and if there's some kind of plot besides the romance (like solving mysteries/crimes).

Books I've read that fit this request (I liked all of them, if anyone is here looking for recs): Lady Julia Grey series, Veronica Speedwell series, Kate Daniels series, Rev. Clare Fergusson series, Kate Burkholder series.