u/Budget-Pumpkin-8392

I have a handful of authors that I could ALWAYS count on. The kind where I automatically knew it was going to be a 5-star read with ALL the emotions and amazing storylines!!!

Lately, though... I've been so disappointed.

I've DNF'd so many romances this year because they legit all feel the same. They're so spicy with little to no storyline.

Now even my go-to authors are changing.

It feels like every new release has to be spicier than the last, throw in random tropes that don't add to the story, or spend chapters making sure they're being inclusive. It almost feels like there's a checklist they HAVE to complete, even when it doesn't make sense for the story.

I just miss when romance was... romance.

Give me the longing. Give me the butterflies. Give me the "they're almost together" moments that have you kicking your feet. Give me the emotional payoff instead of endless spice.

We already live in such a lustful world, and reading is supposed to be an escape from all of that. Instead, it feels exhausting having to research. Every. Single. Book. just to find one that focuses on the romance instead of the spice.

Maybe it's just me, but romance books just don't hit the same anymore, and it honestly makes me sad because reading used to be my favorite hobby.

Has anyone else experienced this with authors they used to absolutely love?

Just a little rant because I'm genuinely wondering if I'm the only one.

I LOVE reading, and what I love most is a good storyline, the slow burn, the yearning, the tension. Have the MMC call the FMC "baby" a few times and I'm happy. 😂

I don't mind skipping smut—that's not really the issue. The problem is when I'm skipping half the book because every other chapter is another sex scene or constant lust. Whatever happened to the actual story? So many books feel exactly the same now because everything revolves around the physical relationship instead of character development.

What's even more frustrating is seeing authors I used to love slowly shift in that direction. Their older books had a great balance, but now it feels like the plot exists just to connect one smut scene to the next.

I've DNF'd so many books this year it's insane. I'm constantly reading reviews beforehand trying to figure out how smutty a book is, but everyone's definition is different. One person's "a little spice" is another person's "every other chapter."

Maybe I'm in the minority, but we already live in such a lust-filled world. Reading used to feel like an escape from that, and lately it feels like I can't escape it anywhere.

Please tell me I'm not the only one.

Just a little rant because I'm genuinely wondering if I'm the only one.

I LOVE reading, and what I love most is a good storyline, the slow burn, the yearning, the tension. Have the MMC call the FMC "baby" a few times and I'm happy. 😂

I don't mind skipping smut—that's not really the issue. The problem is when I'm skipping half the book because every other chapter is another sex scene or constant lust. Whatever happened to the actual story? So many books feel exactly the same now because everything revolves around the physical relationship instead of character development.

What's even more frustrating is seeing authors I used to love slowly shift in that direction. Their older books had a great balance, but now it feels like the plot exists just to connect one smut scene to the next.

I've DNF'd so many books this year it's insane. I'm constantly reading reviews beforehand trying to figure out how smutty a book is, but everyone's definition is different. One person's "a little spice" is another person's "every other chapter."

Maybe I'm in the minority, but we already live in such a lust-filled world. Reading used to feel like an escape from that, and lately it feels like I can't escape it anywhere.

Please tell me I'm not the only one.

Just a little rant because I'm genuinely wondering if I'm the only one.

I LOVE reading, and what I love most is a good storyline, the slow burn, the yearning, the tension. Have the MMC call the FMC "baby" a few times and I'm happy. 😂

I don't mind skipping smut- that's not really the issue. The problem is when I'm skipping half the book because every other chapter is another sex scene or constant lust. Whatever happened to the actual story? So many books feel exactly the same now because everything revolves around the physical relationship instead of character development.

What's even more frustrating is seeing authors I used to love slowly shift in that direction. Their older books had a great balance, but now it feels like the plot exists just to connect one smut scene to the next.

I've DNF'd so many books this year it's insane. I'm constantly reading reviews beforehand trying to figure out how smutty a book is, but everyone's definition is different. One person's "a little spice" is another person's "every other chapter."

Maybe I'm in the minority, but we already live in such a lust-filled world. Reading used to feel like an escape from that & everything else going on…., and lately it feels like I can't escape it anywhere.

Please tell me I'm not the only one.

I’m currently obsessed with grovel romances that make you feel every emotion possible. I want the MMC to genuinely mess up and actually WORK for forgiveness. Bonus points if the FMC completely drops him, moves away, ignores him for years, or levels up without him… but they stay emotionally attached to each other the whole time.
Lately I’ve been getting frustrated with books that focus more on spice than storyline, so I’d really appreciate recommendations with strong emotional depth, angst, and character development. I honestly care way more about the emotional payoff than spice.
Some tropes I’m specifically looking for:
FMC overhears the MMC insulting or mocking her
MMC makes a cruel mistake and regrets it later
FMC has secretly loved him for years and gets heartbroken
Public humiliation or betrayal
MMC realizes too late what he lost and has to grovel HARD
Shy/sweet FMCs
Curvy FMCs
Protective/alpha MMCs
Preferences:
Contemporary romance
M/F only
No why choose/sharing
No historical or fantasy
Open to wolf/bear shifters though 👀
Books I’ve already read and enjoyed:
Never the Best by Maya Alden
Sweet Dreams by Kristen Ashley (wanted more grovel though)
Wrecking Ball by P. Dangelico
The Humiliated Wife
Any emotional, painful, angst-filled recs are appreciated 🙏

I’m currently obsessed with grovel romances that make you feel every emotion possible. I want the MMC to genuinely mess up and actually WORK for forgiveness. Bonus points if the FMC completely drops him, moves away, ignores him for years, or levels up without him… but they stay emotionally attached to each other the whole time.

Lately I’ve been getting frustrated with books that focus more on spice than storyline, so I’d really appreciate recommendations with strong emotional depth, angst, and character development. I honestly care way more about the emotional payoff than spice.

Some tropes I’m specifically looking for:

FMC overhears the MMC insulting or mocking her
MMC makes a cruel mistake and regrets it later
FMC has secretly loved him for years and gets heartbroken
Public humiliation or betrayal
MMC realizes too late what he lost and has to grovel HARD
Shy/sweet FMCs
Curvy FMCs
Protective/alpha MMCs
Calls each other “Baby”

Preferences:
Contemporary romance
M/F only
No why choose/sharing
No historical or fantasy
Open to wolf/bear shifters though 👀
Books I’ve already read and enjoyed:
Never the Best by Maya Alden
Sweet Dreams by Kristen Ashley (wanted more grovel though)
Wrecking Ball by P. Dangelico
The Humiliated Wife

Any emotional, painful, angst-filled recs are appreciated 🙏