Searching for something needlessly specific, preferably standalone or short series
Since the kinds of stories I tend to like (outside of some mainstream stuff) tends to be fairly niche and hard to search for, I thought I might try asking here to see if there's something I'm not seeing in my searches that might fit what I'm looking for. (Some of the specific traits are more significant to me than others, but I'm hesitant to prioritize them too much and risk narrowing my search field too far. I've already had trouble with being too picky.)
I'd prefer to find a story that is a standalone novel or maybe part of a duology. I don't mind character moments that don't push the overall story forward, but I dislike filler that pads the page count without adding anything to the characters. I'm fine with either first or third person perspective, as long as the narration fits properly with the choice. (No "I'd never discover this, but this formation is called a ____", like in a story I read once.) I'm also fine with vernacular as long as it feels deliberate rather than something missed in editing. (For instance, orphaned etymology is fine if the rest of the narration is implied to be "translated" into modern English, but works less well for me if something like therapyspeak is used in a historical setting with no explanation.)
I'm most interested in F/M or F/F stories. For leading women, I'd like to see one that's strong of character, regardless of their strength of body or will. (Basically, no "I'm not like the other girls" or other stuff that insists the main girl is the strongest ever or seems to put down other women.) I'm flexible about the age of the leading woman, but prior experiences make me lean toward someone in their 20s or 30s (or the universe's equivalent). I also would very much like to avoid stories that feel misogynistic; I'd like any story that doesn't take place in an egalitarian setting to at least avoid using the events or narration to suggest that women are objectively inferior or evil, despite what some characters may think in-universe. (Relatedly, I also don't want to read stories that have a hollow "girl power" spin that ignores, inverts, or whitewashes sexism. I once backed away from a book preview when the narrator had an inner monologue about how women are superior assassins because men are inherently unable to ignore her boobs, or something that read to that effect.)
For the leading man (or other men involved in the main couple/s), I have a hard "no" on anyone that would call themselves an "alpha"/"sigma" if they were in our world. I'm trying to be a bit more flexible overall, but I'm kind of leaning towards wanting to see a leading man that isn't buff enough to be played by a Marvel Chris. If there are point-of-view sections for multiple characters and the male lead is one of them, I'd like him to have his own story arc and thoughts beyond his interest in the leading woman, even if she is ultimately more important to him. (Also, in general, I'm interested in seeing at least the main couple having their own viewpoint segments.)
I'd prefer for there to be a happy ending with the main couple together, though it's fine if it's a hard road to get there (or if not everyone else gets a happy ending). Something bittersweet (like the ending of the musical and film versions of Wicked) can also be fine, but it's pushing my limit.
Some other elements that come to mind:
Hard No: Either of the main couple stopping all other thoughts when narrating their first sight/realization of the canon partner. I recall struggling with the preview of something I was recommended a while back because of this: the entire first three pages was the leading man describing the way the female lead looked and behaved. Maybe this can work for me, but it's a really rough way to start and makes me automatically assume there's going to be a "s/he's not actually that hot/cool/whatever" arc, which then has to be delivered on to avoid making me mad. (Belated realization: I think I feel this way not just because I don't think "true love" can be "at first sight", but because I have written stories (plural) that start with a too-good-to-be-true bait-and-switch, so I'm primed to assume that's the plan.)
Absolute No: Abuse treated as love (by the narrative itself), or misused BDSM excuses. Could elaborate, but I feel like I don't need to. (Abuse is okay as a plot point, but only if it's addressed.)
Prefer to Avoid: Miscommunication that is unnecessary or drawn-out (AKA "the final 20 minutes of a Hallmark movie"). If the leading pair never actually gets along, or manage to spend most of the book over something that could be resolved in ten words, it better be the crux of the plot and not just added drama.
I'd prefer to have the main couple spend most of the story together, with the relationship as the focus (instead of "is there a relationship?"). That said, if the story begins with them not together, I'd like there to be some buildup and implication of time passed, rather than an instant connection. (Timeskips or montages are fine.)
I don't mind the stakes of the overall plot are smaller, more personal, or more localized. If there are bigger stakes, I want to feel like the "correct" main characters are in the related roles. (Fewer teen genius generals, unless it's about how the teen genius doesn't have the wisdom of experience and thus makes mistakes from that.) If there is a lot of worldbuilding, I'd like for most of it to feel relevant to the story and consistent.
For F/M stories, I'd like to see something where the woman is the older, or more experienced, or more socially-relevant partner. (Such as a mentor, protector, or otherwise senior role to the leading man.)
Kind of implied by some of the elements above, but the narrative or marketing putting people down is a bit cringey for me. For examples not covered by the above, if the writer is negative about other fantasy romance books in the marketing, or if the story seems to imply nerdy girls are inherently smarter/better than pretty girls (etc.), it leaves a bad taste for me. If it's just the marketing and the book avoids it I may still give it a chance, but I'd need to be assured that the weirdness isn't in the story itself.
I think that's already too many concepts to use as "search filters", so I'll stop there. If there's anything that meets a chunk of these ideas, I'd like to hear about the books in question. I know some of these are kind of picky, but I already have other projects I'm working on at the moment, so I can't just "make it myself" right now. (Sometimes, I want to be able to read something that fits my nitpicky interests without having written it myself.)