u/Crazy_Yogurt3344

Hiii, I am looking for sports romance, preferably hockey with forced proximity. For example, FMC is a friend of a friend, working around the team, a bartender at their usual spot, or generally being in their orbit. I really like series where it’s a full team or friend group and each book follows a different couple. Bonus points for angst and strong found family vibes where the teammates actually feel like a chaotic group of friends throughout the series. Open to dark romance just no cheating or RH. Thank you!

Books i have read and enjoyed

{Windy City by Liz Tomforde}
{Stand and Defend by Sloane St. James}
{Puck Me Secretly Odette Stone}
{Beautiful Venom by Rina Kent}
{Sweet Venom by Rina Kent}
{Gloves Off by Stephanie Archer}
{Behind the Net by Stephanie Archer}

So this is might be a bit niche but i read Blurring Lines by youngbody_oldsoul on ao3 and it had this trope. Basically MMC blackmail FMC into having sex with him but she initially does not participate when they are having sex. I don’t know if i am making sense so I’ll post the except that inspired this request. I think the tag called the MMC a “evil golden retriever” so any books with that would be appreciated!

>!He scrolled lazily through his feed and stopped on an obvious thirst trap of a girl on a boat!<

>!Posed on the bow, the skimpy bikini showed every curve and practically every crevice!<

>!It felt like something sharp slammed inside her chest as he lingered on it for a couple of seconds before double tapping to like it!<

>!Humiliation and self-righteous anger sliced through her!<

>!If he was forcing her to have sex with him, the least he could do was not like pictures of beautiful half naked women on social media during it!<

>!At least not while she was sitting in front of him, on him, naked and exposed!<

>!As much as she hated herself for it, mortifying tears stung the backs of her eyes and the disgusting feeling of being ugly swallowed her hand and hand with her anger!<

>!When she looked back at him, she found his twinkling eyes already on her, full of mocking condescension!<

>!He was laughing!<

>!Laughing at her while he was inside her!<

>!The humiliation of it was too much to bear!<

>!If she thought she could’ve gotten away with it, she would’ve slapped him!<

>!She jerked up her knees to get off of him!<

>!He caught her by the neck before she could, yanking her forward, making her catch herself on his chest again!<

>!Glittering eyes stared down at her, so dark, they almost seemed black!<

>!”Now, you see how shitty it feels when someone acts disinterested when you’re trying to fuck them”!<

>!He rolled them in one motion, pinning her to the mattress underneath him with his weight before she could move, a whine broke from her lips at the deep pressure between her legs at the new angle!<

I did really enjoy the dynamic in the book so any similar suggestions are appreciated!

I feel like dark romance is usually written with the relationship and emotional connection as the core of the story, even if the relationship is toxic. I still need to feel the attraction and tension. Whereas dark horror feels different because the disturbing elements are meant to horrify or unsettle the reader rather than build romantic tension. For me personally, the line is usually when the relationship feels cold and there is zero emotional connection between the MCs. I can handle possessive or morally grey MMCs, power imbalances, etc if there is still emotional intimacy underneath it all. But if the FMC never really comes around emotionally, or the relationship never feels emotionally mutual in some way, then it starts feeling more like horror than romance to me. Also cheating! If the MC is cheating then the obsession just feels like comes from the need to torture than actual attraction. 

I’m curious where other readers draw the line because I’ve noticed people define “dark romance” very differently. 

Hi everyone, I’m new to dark romantasy and still fairly new to the genre in general, so I’d really appreciate some recommendations.

I’m specifically looking for dark enemies to lovers romantasy, especially with political marriage, arranged marriage, or fated mates / mate bond dynamics. I love high angst, emotional tension, and relationships that start off hostile or distant but slowly build into something intense and consuming. I prefer MF romance and NO RH or why choose. I would love any recommendations that fit this kind of vibe or anything similar. 

I have read {Rain of Shadows and Endings by Melissa K. Roehrich} while I generally enjoyed the book the lack of communication was frustrating so I don’t think I will continue the series. I also think ends up being a why choose. Thank you so much!

Hiii everyone, I’m looking for a very specific trope where the MMC is initially only interacting with the FMC because of someone else, like he’s being a wingman for his friend, taking one for the team, or just putting up with her because of a shared friend group. I want a scene where the FMC overhears or finds out that he was never genuinely interested in her and was only entertaining her for his friend. Ideally this really affects her, and she pulls back, keeps her distance, or completely stops engaging with him.

Then I want the MMC to actually notice her absence, realise he misses her, and start wanting her for real. Bonus if there’s regret, grovelling, or a clear shift where he actively pursues her after. I love angst, emotional payoff, and that shift from indifference or mild annoyance to genuine interest and attachment. Contemporary preferred but open to other genres and ao3.

No cheating please. {The Wingman by Natasha Anders} has this but i’d appreciate more angst thanks!

Hiii everyone, I’m looking for books with a friends with benefits or enemies with benefits dynamic, but specifically in a shifter or omegaverse setting. I want that tension where they’re not together emotionally, but are still involved physically or stuck in close proximity, and feelings slowly start creeping in. I love when there’s denial, miscommunication, or one of them catching feelings first and trying to ignore it.

I’m especially interested in enemies to lovers with a physical arrangement or friends to lovers where they blur the line and it gets messy. I also love when pack dynamics or alpha and omega hierarchies add pressure, and when jealousy or possessiveness shows up even though they’re “not together.” Would love if the MMC is a bit territorial or possessive, and there’s a strong push and pull before they fully commit. Emotional payoff after all the tension is a must. I’m open to dark romance, just no cheating please or RH. Thank you!!

Books I’ve read

{Luxuria by Colette Rhodes}- enemies with benefits

{When He’s an Alpha by Suzanne Wright}- (dnf) friends with benefits