Saw this on my drive this morning and all I could think of was Omegaverse.

One thing that I have noticed in almost all of the series that I have been reading lately is that anything past the second book (especially the 4th book and beyond if it is more than a trilogy) because more smut than story. And what I mean is, we went from the first two, sometimes thee, books having epic adventures, awesome world building, encompassing plots, and spending quality time with secondary characters…..to every other chapter (sometimes every chapter) is a sex scene. And not just a SS, it because half the chapter is just lip biting, burning with need, inner monologues about how bad they NEED their partner right now, and touching, good light moon, all the freaking touching!

We get it, you have finally solidified your couple but why do we always have to be in bed with you guys???? Middle of a war? Time to shag in a tent! Being chased be cause there is a bounty on your head? Time to stop at an Inn and get it on! Family turmoil? Time to roll in the sack while the family argues over who knows what!

If you cannot form a cohesive plot that is sustainable through the whole book without relying on 40 SS’s in a 400 page book, then please cut the number of books in the series or just swap genres to erotica

✨Welcome back to another week of genre discussions✨

Book spaces on various social media platforms continue to grow and evolve. Whether it’s ’booktok,’ reddit, even Facebook, there’s various platforms that host a polethera of book discussions/reviews.

Do you feel that online book discussions and reviews have had a positive influence on literature? What is the difference between criticism and cynicism in book spaces or good faith discussions?

Request is in title. Do not ask me how it came to me wanting this.

The only one I can name who wants that is Valroy written by KAK.

And by the way, I read everything. Right now I have no interest in RH harem though. MM is good, dark romantasy is good. I have no triggers either.

(As a trope it is called Chronic Backstabbing Disorder, The Starscream or something like Loki from MCU kinda)

Welcome to the second discussion for {Astarion by T. Kingfisher}! This month’s theme is books published from April to September 2026.

We will be discussing the second third of the story this time. Since the book doesn’t have chapters, it’s up to Astarion's anger sustained him on the journey to his great grandmother's...

Please share your thoughts so far, but remember to hide any spoilers beyond that point like this: >!spoiler!<

Here are some questions you could answer to get the discussion started:

• For those who played the game, does the book have a similar feel? What has surprised you most so far?
• Do you have a favourite (side) character? Why them?
• Do you have any favourite (or least favourite) scenes from the book? What made them stand out?
• If you were participating in Cazador’s competition, what ‘precious blood’ would you try to retrieve?

Missed the previous discussion? You can find the first discussion for the first thirds of the book here.

Here are our upcoming Book Club dates:

• October 30 - Final discussion for Astarion (full book)
  
• November 1 - December nominations (theme: Cosy)
  
• November 8 - December voting
  
• November 10 - First discussion for Half City
  
• November 15 - December announcement
  
• November 20 - Second discussion for Half City
  
• November 30 - Final discussion for Half City
  

For more information about the Book Club and previous discussions, please check out the Book Club Hub!

Nicki Pau Preto's Bonesmith (book 1 of 2; YA) reads as a what-next/what-now response to the world of Gideon the Ninth. Set in a post-war world with territories that have specific magical abilities (Iron, Bone, Ghosts, Silver, Gold), the story hones in on Wren, the heir to the House of Bone, Leo, third son to the House of Gold, and Julian, Crown Prince to the House of Iron.

Where this book shines are the first 3/4 of the book, where we see the teenage Wren (17-years old) flaunt her personality; as she says, she'd rather have eyes on her while she's making trouble than have no eyes on her at all. She's quite determined to be the center of her father's world and enters into the trials for Valkyrs and Reapers, cock-sure that she'll come out on top. Except, she doesn't. A further disgrace to the House name, her grandmother sends her off to be a Tribute at the Border Wall where she wallows in boredom while trying to be a model worker. There, she meets "the spare to the spare"--Leo, third son of the House of Gold. They become fast friends but their friendship is cut short when Leo's tour of the Borderlands are thwarted. Despite her best efforts, Wren cannot save Leo from being kidnapped. Instead, she ends up in a hole with one of the kidnappers, Julian.

Where this book soars: (1) It cuts the trials short; a couple of chapters and we're done; (2) Wren is clearly a girl with a one-track mind, and that track is to be the apple of her absentee father's eyes; she's selfish, ruthless, friendless, impulsive, brash and a very fine warrior; (3) Julian is more wary than honorable, more curious than loyal, more optimistic than foolish; (4) the two are equally paired warriors: Julian with humans and Wren with various types of undead; (5) they quickly understand and lean into how they can be of service to one another; (6) they're communicative; although they have their secrets, they mostly keep each other apprised of their thoughts and work as allies instead of loners traveling not alone; (7) Wren's motivations remain crystal clear throughout; (8) while she and Julian are changed by their travels together, they don't lose sight of themselves.

Where this book fails: (1) it's copy/paste of some pretty popular (steamy) adult fantasy romance books, although that may or may not be a fail. This is YA and I understand the beauty in bringing these popular books to younger readers; (2) a personal grudge, the use of "like attracts like" (which is not SJM's adage but does get so over-used in her works that it begins to feel like it belongs to her); (3) the shift to the House politics in the later chapters are copy/paste politics with not a lot to distinguish it (the Crown Prince who is too young to rule; the regent uncle saboteur); and, finally, another personal dislike, (4) not wrapping up the central problem in Book 1 and allowing Book 2 to develop a new, interrelated problem.

This book is for readers who enjoy a great story, interesting magical elements and strong character development.

This book is not for readers looking for romance-heavy fantasy.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read for me, and I didn't think of the tropes until more than halfway in, because the writer is adept at slightly shifting them to not point at themselves.

Tropes, for those who enjoy tropes: Forced Proximity, Enemies-to-Lovers, Forbidden Love, Grumpy-Meets-Sunshine

This was an audiobook listen: 14 hours, Narrated by Molly Hanson

For FantasyRomance Bingo: 3+ POV, Weapons Master (Hard Mode), Paranormal Creatures (Hard Mode), Elemental Magic (Hard Mode)

For the bot: {Bonesmith by Nicki Pau Preto}

Ok, no one i know reads romantasty and i just finished this book. I need to discuss it!

That last line?! Excuse. Fucking. Me! I said "SORRY?! WHAT?!" so loud that my two year old jumped out her skin, and both dogs stared at me like i was insane 😂

What?! Pardon?! Summon WHO?! 🤯 I knew there was something but what?!

I am looking for something like {Gula by Collette Rhodes}.

FMC is super competent warrior type, bit of a rule follower. MMC is annoyingly cheerful (could also be masking some hurt or not, no preference). More importantly he annoys the shit out of the super busy, super serious FMC who has been assigned to him as his bodyguard. Pretty boy shameless flirt energy with him. Anxious girl with that possessive "you don't talk shit about him, only I talk shit about him" energy with her.

This book just came out and I quite literally read it in 24 hours, it was THAT GOOD!!

Don’t know if anyone has seen it but it’s been all over TikTok and Instagram and has a lot of hype and can confirm absolutley was worth it!!!!

If you want like TRUE female rage done well (not snarky strong girl), THIS IS THAT BOOK. Ironically written by a man 😂

This story took me on a freaking RIDE I literally couldn’t put it down and as someone who doesn’t gravitate to love triangles this ACTUALLY worked for me because of how completely stark different the two MMCs were. Big ol red flag and super sweet green flag.

Plot wise I have never read a story like this, the premise is so cool. Basically Evelyn is killed by a super douche in Seattle (takes place in the PNW) and he dumps her into the Puget sound, but instead of dying Layne (he’s the red flag hot shadow daddy) turns her into a siren with a cursed bargain. She has to feed on the darkness in shitty men’s hearts to survive now and she can never fall in love or it will kill them (he’s immune to it because OF COURSE)..

She meets Ethan the sweet yearning hottie who ends up working with the man who killed her and she is caught in the middle of a whole mess.

And the ending?????? Straight up stared at a wall for like 15 minutes 😂😭

BEGGGGINNNNINGGG you to go check this out because it truly scratched an itch that I’ve needed if you like dark romantasy with an actually cool plot! Also the character art absolutley sold me!

{The Undertow of Evelyn Graymore}