u/CrystalizedRedwood

You know those dreaded words, the ones spoken by your guy best friend who you have zero romantic interest in. The guy who you have known for years, and truly, you thought only viewed you as a friend. Valued you as a friend- nay- a person. And then one day at midnight you are talking about something more heavy or even lightly sexual and he hits you with the:

“Can I tell you something?”

A chill runs up your spine, because you know… You know he’s about to tell you that for the past 5 years of friendship that he’s been in love with you, that he “didn’t want to ruin the friendship” or whatever other bullshit line they feed you so it doesn’t seem like he were waiting in the lurch. But of course, he was.

Anyways, I’m looking for a book like this! I want some unrequited love from FMC to MMC. I want him to be hopelessly in love with her but she vehemently views him as a friend. She does value him. Just not like that.

I want to see this man beg for her to love him back. And her to reject him. I want to see him break inside and then take her anyway. Tired of hearing the chorus of “nos” and somehow forces her into a relationship with him. Turn the sweet guy into a monster because he couldn’t have her nicely. So he takes her instead.

Please have: noncon, forced relationship, ott MMC, I need FMC to have a backbone, a HEA is a must!

Please no: RH, Rina kent, Deathsdoll, Sam Marino, water sports, anal

I have been doing some thinking about HEA vs. HFN endings in dark romances. Mainly about how I think a HEA can end with FMC not thrilled knowing she chose MMC, but she still did and even loves him. Or even if it’s not a choice for her, especially in any sort of noncon scenario. If he kidnapped her and she never gets away, but does love him then do you consider it a HEA or a HFN?

So in your mind what do you consider a HFN vs HEA?

For instance: if FMC stays with MMC partly because she fears the repercussions and because she loves him, is it a HEA?

To me: yes, she loves him but it’s kinda a grey area. If he’s psycho and she knows it then obviously leaving wouldn’t really be in the cards. But she also loves him despite it all. Which in reality might just be making the best of a bad situation but if that’s the case, is it a HFN?

But I want to know others opinions on this topic as well.

Alright I have done a lot of reading recently and I am in a slump. I need something fresh that will make me stay up past my bedtime just to read it. I have seriously considered doing some re-reads at this point.

I’m thinking a good bully romance will give me a fix.

Here is the NOs:

No Rina Kent, Deathsdoll, Sam Marino, RH, cheating, watersports, disfigurement, no doormat FMCs, no incest (step is fine).

Here is what I am looking for:
MMC hates FMC for whatever reason and has decided to bully her. Maybe he blackmails her into a relationship or manipulates her into a relationship. He’s an asshole. Like seriously the worst.

Kinda feeling maybe an office setting but I am not picky. I’ll take whatever though.

I would LOVE some noncon, forced proximity. I want this man to be JEALOUS, like doesn’t even want another man to look at her. I want FMC to hate his guts in the beginning and she enjoys sex with him but doesn’t want it. Doesn’t want anything to do with him. Maybe she has some psychological issues too.

I have no triggers.

Essentially if you have had or been to a lowkey bachelor party (cabin stay, beach house, etc) what all did you do?

I’m saying this as a woman who does this. I’m not wearing the clothes to be looked at or anything. But if you are wearing revealing clothing you can’t be upset that people are looking at you. It’s human nature.

When I wear 2 inch shorts in the gym and I never get mad when people are looking. I’m not trying to get looked at or anything, I wear them for me. You can’t expect people not to look though. I know people get mad when they are sexualizing them but if you are choosing to sexualize yourself then don’t be mad that others are too.

There are obviously people that are full on staring and I can understand that being creepy. That’s valid but just looking is normal.

Blanket statement. Not just women. Both and all genders. This is not directed at women solely.

Also I am appreciating the outfit, it’s not a shame or creepy thing.

What was that book called?

I read this a while back on AO3 and I never bookmarked it, it was unfinished.

FMC has a sex tape leaked at her office and her boss who she hates promises to help her find out how it was leaked. But of course he’s the one who leaked it.

She’s the niece of the owner of the law firm but hates using her nepo status. She’s got this super irresponsible friend who was in the sex tape that is planning to marry her but MMC is trying to stop it. Also MMC is being groomed to take over the company and FMC is very unhappy about it.

She also starts to take advice from MMC on her cases and starts to get really good but makes a pretty severe mistake and he helps cover it up but also uses it against her.

I can’t remember if he also takes photos and videos of her but he might.

The last scene I remember is her staying over at his apartment and him demanding she act like his stay at home wife.

Help a girl out!

I saw this get recommended the other day as a good non-con book. I will say that it did not disappoint. The noncon between MMC and FMC felt real. Her reactions and behaviors were real.

One thing I LOVED about this book was that while FMC was sweet and kind she wasn’t a doormat. She was kind to everyone but not stupid about it. She feels innocent without being innocent. She resisted MMC till the end and I enjoyed that.

I also like that MMC is a Chinese man and not your classic shadow daddy. (Don’t get me wrong I love them but it’s a nice change of pace)

FMC and MMC are actors in movie together who play characters that have an on screen romance. MMC tries to hit on FMC but she’s oblivious because English is his third language and he’s not overt. She tries to remain professional even though they have intimate scenes together. >!In one of which he noncons her while they are filming and no one but the two of them know.!<

This is the first of two books and the next one won’t be released till next year but I really enjoyed this one.

{Lacrima by H.E. Lee}

To clarify, do you feel happy? Does it make you feel like you have a stronger relationship as friends? Is it a good feeling that she wants to hug you?

(It’s not meant to be a sexual question unless those are your thoughts when you are hugging them.)

For me, when I hug my male friends I feel safe and comfortable. They are stronger than my female friends and I like being squished a little.

There is a TikTok (non AI) that tells the story of a young woman in a historical setting who is clearly innocent and trusts a vampire unknowingly, who takes advantage of her and turns her into a vampire against her will.

You see the emotions go from trusting to betrayal and rage and then eventually acceptance.

So what I am looking for is essentially an MMC who tricks FMC and turns her into a vampire against her will simply because he wanted her. They can be mates or whatever idc. What I really want to see is the anger and betrayal at MMC and the rage and sadness of losing her humanity.

Preferably noncon, maybe some kidnapping. Can be modern or historical. FMC doesn’t have to be a virgin but if she is then fine. I’d prefer she’s not like a teenager but I’ll take what I can get.

No RH or Rina Kent.

Either HEA or HFN, but no non-HEA or good for her ending.

Recently this has been popping up and I thought “hmm what the heck, the tropes are right up my alley”

Let me tell you I DEVOURED this book. It’s a 4 part series. I have already finished one and two within 2 days. My sleep schedule hates me. I’m on book three now and AHH I’m loving it so much.

It’s no masterpiece but I’m enjoying it!

Two princesses sold to the Urekai (kinda like vampires werewolves fae like creatures) one is a in disguise because females are scarce in the human realm now and are often sold to brothels. The Urekai buys her sister and she demands to go too. The princess stays in disguise the entire first book. MMC is stuck as mindless beast in the first book but regains sanity and human form. She’s his soulbond.

The second book is sooooo good. I just finished am I’m on the third. Really loving this series so far.

{the Princess in a Prince disguise by Kiss Leilani}
{the slave in a princess disguise by Kiss Leilani}

Recently I have been doing some readings of my favorite tropes: noncon, forced marriage, bullying, enemies to lovers.

Every time I see certain requests about different tropes it’s usually some of the same authors.

So who are your favorite authors for your favorite tropes?

I just finished {corrupt idol by Dinah Harper} which I devoured in a single night. She also writes under a different pen name as: Mia Knight.

One of my other favorite is {Prince of diamonds by Quinn Blackbird} I LOVE her books. Her MMCs are the worst. Yet they still get their happy ending.

I’d zoomed in all the way and found a mountain lion staring straight at me, its lips pulled back into a sinister smile when it realized I’d caught on just before sundown.

I have reread {Prince of Diamonds by Quinn blackbird} probably too many times and the last book doesn’t come out till next month. (You can catch me with a marker in my calendar)

Here is what I need:

FMC has an arranged marriage to MMC. They can be enemies or just distain. Don’t care as long as she’s not happy about the marriage whenever she finds out.

Essentially everyone but her knows about it. Whenever she finds out she is pissed and wants to do anything she can to get out of it.

No triggers. Help a girl out 🙏🏻

Essentially the title, I watched a show a while back where the FMC gets trashed drunk and is sad and accidentally marries a guy (MMC) she finds out the next day and she is immediately like “uh no we need to get an annulment” and he literally tells her no. Now in this instance they knew each other a few years back.

So I am searching for a DR similar to this, they don’t need to know each other before they get married but I want MMC to not let her leave him.

No RH (I think that kinda goes without saying unless they were a bunch of Mormons)

Bonus if there is non con or breeding so she can’t leave him.

Tomorrow is “read a book in the park picnic day” and I need a new book to read.

Who do you imagine when you think of when you reading your favorite DR?

Doesn’t have to be a famous person. But when you read, what in your minds eye are you picturing?

I am looking for a book where the MMC is FMCs therapist. It starts off as simple attraction but then starts to grow to unsustainable levels before MMC has to have her. Maybe he’s fighting internally with these feelings and constantly considers stopping being her therapist but also knows he can’t let her go.

Bonus points would be if FMC had a boyfriend or something and MMC is constantly trying to get her to leave him.

No RH or sharing.