Did ya’ll know sloopies are people too? Just had a sighting of one of you out in the wilds of Reddit. Le gasp! And it wasn’t even in a reading, fantasy, romance, or snark related sub. <clutches pearls> And can you believe their comment only had two upvotes? Don’t these muggles know that they have been graced by the presence of a 1% commenter of RCJ? <swoons illiterately>
“A Court of Illiteracy and DNFs”
What’s yours?
I don’t know why everyone gets so confused about this?! It’s simple. Look.
Romantic fantasy is fantasy that is spicy and fantasy romance is romance that is spicy but with elves. Unless there are dragons and then it’s high literature with a spicy setting. If the characters are spicy but the setting isn’t then it’s romantic sci-fi fantasy. But if they’re just wizards in space with magical lube then it’s fantasy sci-fi romance. Now if there are dragon shifters in space fighting spicy rocket ships than it’s sci-rom-fantasy. If the same story is told in poetry it becomes sci-rom-fantasy-spice opera. If it’s a goblinmancy it’s a spicy goblin story with a side of romance. If it’s a Romgoblin story it’s goblin story with a side of spicy romance.
Basically, if there are shapes on pages bound together it’s a book. If it’s a book with countless online posts that make you laugh/scream/cry/stock up on Imodium or Peptmo it’s probably Acotar.
See? Simple.
I don’t know about everyone else, but this is how I mentally cast the characters whenever I read the books.
I enjoy thrillers, mysteries, true crime, and lately really into the Dungeon Crawler Carl series (it's sooo good and funny!). But no question my favorite genre is romantasy.
My partner and I have three kids together that I am a stay at home mom for, reading is my only escape and about a month ago was having a really bad day.
Hubby (he really is amazing) must have picked up the vibes. He lit some candles, drew me a bubble bath, handed me a bottle of wine and said that he was taking all the kiddos for the evening and for me to relax and enjoy my current read in peace. There were no objections on my part.
After an hour in the tub I was wrinkly and ready for bed and as I walk into our bedroom my jaw dropped. My husband is lying in bed, marker on his face and macaroni in his hair. Meanwhile, the boys are bathed, teeth-brushed, in their jammies, and sprawled all over him asleep (feet in his face and elbows digging into his crotch).
That’s not what was so shocking, he is very good at getting those boys ready for bed on his own, he does it a lot. In fact on top of changing my oil and giving me regular foot massages he’s also a great communicator. No, The sight that made me freeze in place and send heat flush throughout my body was seeing him lying there, with the first book of one of my favorite series cracked open in front of his face. After years of trying to get him to read my romantasy, he was finally doing it!
I was trying so hard to play it cool and not make a big deal of it. And after he got all the kids to their rooms without disturbing them I asked, "So what made you decide to start reading that?"
I swear I will never forget his exact words. He looks right at me and says, "This book is important to you, and you like it. And you're important to me, and I like you."
Absolutely melted.
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I had to throw that whole story at you because it's the only way I can explain the current situation I find myself in. He is still doing this for me. It's been absolutely wonderful having my husband be interested in something I am. We have a kind of book club vibe going, we talk about, analyze, and even laugh about things in these books.
But part of me is kind of disappointed that he hasn't started acting more like the MMC's in these books. He hasn’t suddenly grown to become a 7 foot tall muscle-clad warrior who commands shadows, he doesn’t brood enough, and frankly he communicates too well. I thought when he finally started reading my books he’d finally give up his entire personality and become the shadow daddy I truly wanted but they just aren’t working. What's worse, he just keeps being sweet and simping for me when all I want is to live my NLOG dreams of having an emotionally unavailable partner.
Should I tell him this? I don't even know what I would say. Stop being a healthy and well adjusted partner and grow a pair of bat wings already?
What has been your solution to convince your partners to embrace the shadow daddy lifestyle?
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TLDR: Emotionally available hubby* *started reading romantasy books but it didn’t turn him into a shadow daddy like I thought it would.
/uj tried to condense the best I could, italics are the only additions and alterations.
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This is, of course, a question of taste my taste not yours. In my experience the only thing that matters, the main characters in a majority of contemporary novels with erotic content (such as romantasy with sex scenes) aren't particularly complex ones; Both the female and male love-interests tend to be rather cliché and archetypical to say the least but I’ll still imitate them to monetize on a genre I don’t care about or take seriously.
I'm planning a romantasy novel with erotic content because sex sells, and I'd like for it to have a wide appeal (use another semi colon instead of period to look legit); But I'd also like it to be a complex, artistic work of literature (because I don’t take this genre seriously I just want to cash in). The real question is: Are these conflicting goals? Does exploring two lovers' inner lives and focalisations (POVs) ADD to the erotic appeal, or does it DISTRACT from it? And are there any examples of popular, contemporary, erotic literature that can be considered 'high art'? I don’t believe women actually like sex I’m just pandering to the masses.
Part of my concern also comes from the fact that the male love-interest I'm designing would not necessarily fit the 'romantasy standard' (since he would be a virgin, and that would be a key aspect of his focalisation. Furthermore, the female LI's perception of him as a masculine, sexual being would essentially be a sham - the reader would know this, but she would not, and so it would add to the dramatic irony of the work)(did that sound smart enough? I should use another semi colon); Do readers want to read something like this? Is this too serious to have a wide appeal? I don’t actually believe women can read.
Bear in mind that I'm male writer who's writing in a primarily female literary space; As such, it's hard for me to know what the average reader(ess) is willing to put up with. I’m only here because women don’t really know what they want unless a man tells them and feel they to be reminded of their inferiority by classifying them separately from us serious male readers.
By the way, I'm reading 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' for the first time (after having not read or written anything for about a month - a little cleanse) and I despise it (but I'm only on Chapter 3, so who am I to judge?). I actually love it, the watery bowels especially, but I’ve been told this is the passcode to this romantacy cult.
TLDR; I am a male author who is only writing romantacy because it’s what sells and don’t believe women can actually read or even like sex.
/uj the sauce has already been removed
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/uj this is technically a copypasta, but I had to ask myself can a TikTok be copypasta’d? This was as close as I could manage.
Hi romantasy authors and fans!
I’ve been looking for a writing group for a while and haven’t had much luck, every one else’s tastes just don’t seem to align with mine and I was thinking of starting my own writing coven. Anyone else looking to form a dark bond with me?
A little about me - mid 30s F, illiterate, worshipper of Circe and lover of pig men. I am currently finishing up a first draft of my first romantasy novel 🐉✨🧚🍆*. I’ve been working really hard to generate something fresh about an orphaned girl who joins a military academy only to learn dark secrets about her wor*ld. I am hoping to take it the trad publishing route eventually🤞, but currently just focused on finishing!
Some might say tastes lean more towards the eccentric, maybe a little too unique (maybe even NLOG), which is why I’ve come here to seek my tribe. I personally abhor AI, instead I prefer the traditional methods. Such as gathering in Ancient Forests at midnight under a blood moon and fucking taking in Cernunnos’ dark and powerful dick energy.
I’m looking for an active group of maybe 4-6 members? I’m hoping for:
- weekly blood rites 🫀
- a monthly summoning circle 👹
- curse swaps, feedback, mass hexing of our enemies 👻
- full moon runs in the nude 🌚🌝
Thinking maybe in future we could even do a co-anthology focusing on the merits of subservient pig men and domination over all LOGs… and each fmc will get a cute little woodland critter as a familiar 💕🐿️* Profits shall all go to me and I will distribute them fairly, I promise*!
Really hoping for a supportive, welcoming group 👯♀️👯♀️
If that sounds like something you’d be interested in leave a comment and I can set up a discord server! Or if you know of an arcane rituals and writing group that needs a member please let me know!
/uj Edit: formatting errors.
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/uj This for everyone who knows the sauce and is just Over It ™
So, I recently read this book (MF) where I found the sex scene completely unnecessary and lackluster. It’s about this wounded bird fmc who has to become an assassin to survive. Then one day she is saved by this brooding dark haired beauty. One might even describe him as a…shadow daddy. The book is wholesome and healing. Overall, a pretty good story. I only say this because it has a high rating and booktok told me it was good. But then we get to the sex and it was all just arm length peen, in out in out, moan, grunt, growl, five orgasms, and repeat I wish my sex life was this good. And I usually love a spicy book. All the peppers because it’s trending and cool and I’m incapable of an original thought. But I have skipped studied extensively every smut scene in this book, this Book does NOT NEED ANY SMUT. The smut scenes are too LONG my ex never lasted that long, there are too many and they are so BORING! I Don’t like the ML anymore because of how PLAIN the smut scenes are! The FL is suddently only thinking about ONE thing and it’s not fun anymore I wish I was her but instead I’m going to judge her so others don’t know I’m actually jealous.
And then, before the epilogue, BAM! Another sex scene — one that's pretty lackluster if I must say so I reread it so many times my vibrator died. The sex scene was almost, robotic? I need to remember to get new batteries. The author even tried adding two more guys to make it more interesting, and they just. kept. thrusting! It’s like they just never stopped thrusting. Demanding she cum, again and again! Seriously, it was like — they do this and she moans, they grunt, she comes. I mean, whatever happened to a polite gang bang? I wish my ex planned a gang bang for me. Their sex wasn't explored at all! When will a man finally make me cum? Where are all the feelings the rest of the book has?
So I need to know, is anyone just tired jealous of all the unnecessary smut in their books lately?
Hi, as the title says, is it really normal in your day-to-day life to have sex after something tragic happens? I read a lot of romance books, and I just don't understand this trope because, where I live, if something tragic happens, sex would be the last thing on my mind. For example, I'll read a scene where the FMC's father has been exsanguinated, and then the next thing you know, she's having sex with the MMC on top of his grey husk. Or an entire city will be burning and he just has to be inside her. Is this actually common where you live, do people actually fuck on corpses, or is it just a romance fiction trope? If it is common could someone please provide some statistics from your neighbours and examples? Is dead body sex what’s been missing from my relationships this whole time? Or am I just too much like other girls to get it?
Uj/ shoutout to u/scf9009 for the assist
Help!!! I can’t choose my next read?! 😖😖😖 There’s too many great books to choose from but I am so torn because…
I also just got my ARC copy of {Blatant Self Promotion by Mid-At-Best Entitled Male} 🌶️✨!!!OMG!!! ✨🍆
Like look at those abs! The literary talent of Entitled Male just oozes from them!!!
So help a Sloopy out, what should I read next?
Uj/ Thank you both u/terminolgylacking for helping with lineup and u/scf9009 for contributing and acting as art-director for Mid’s new cover design.
I know we’ve all read about the MMC shadow daddies with human family drama, but where is the racoon family representation? Just once I’d like to read about an MMC with a normal healthy racoon family. Maybe if these shadow daddies had a traditional racoon upbringing we’d have more sunshine daddies in romantasy. It’s so unrealistic how every single MMC is an orphan or tortured royal when we all know racoon families are the norm. I mean, do racoon families even exist in romantasy anymore or will I have to forever endure MMCs with unhealthy and unrealistic human family drama?
[Photo of Beth Dutton from Yellowstone, for inspiration]
So I have been on a bad DNF bender lately. One of the biggest factors being the fmcs. So I’m hoping one of you lovely readers might be able to help me out.
As much as I enjoy a trauma plotline and comfort/care I am really tired of reading fmcs that seem to not grow or develop. Or worse, not demand more for themselves. On the other end all the “strong” fmcs I’ve read lately seem to be all bark and no bite, folding as soon as a dimple and square jawline walks in. Or, they just keep parroting how “badass” they are while causing more problems.
What I am desperate for is an fmc with quiet or deserved confidence that makes the MMCs work for it. Sure she might sleep with them, but that doesn’t mean she’s a sure thing, they have to show up and do the work. Her strength doesn’t need to be literal, it could be her ability to adapt, endure, or use her other skills to solve a problem (see The Deadly Dragon Duet and State of Grace). Or maybe she just knows her way around a weapon and doesn’t suffer any fools (see Maura Quinn and Cursed Legacies). But most importantly she doesn’t choose the MMCs just because the author has placed them together, but because they have earned her affection and want to be together.
Some RHs I’ve read that have done this well imo:
{Citius by Greer Hudson}
{Maura Quinn by Ashley N Rostek}
{Cursed Legacies by Morgan B Lee}
{The Redemption Saga by Kristen Banet}
{Age of the Andinna by Kristen Banet}
*{Psycho Academy by Jasmine Mas} (Guys are assholes though)
{Shear Instinct by MK Michelle}
{Twinverse by Jenn Bullard}
*{Bloom and Blood by Eva Chase} (Felt like she could have asked more questions, fought situation more)
{Double Bluff by Ruby Vincent}
*{Saint and Sinners by Ruby Vincent} (never really cared for MMCs, liked her)
{Bros and the Witch by River Ramsey}
{The Reluctant Hero by Gina Morris}
{Feral Omega by J Ever} (DNF, but good fmc)
{Hard Limits by Suki Williams}
{Rogue Riders by Blake Black}
{Fae Revealed by Katie May and Quinn Arthurs}
{Broken Beta by Calliope Stewart}
*{Pack Darling by Lola Rock} (second book not so much)
*{Shifter City Fated Mates by Jaymin Eve} (liked how she stuck to her guns but wish more communication happened)
{Liminal by Marie Mistry}
{Bad Alpha by Kathryn Moon}
{Deadly Dragon Duet by Colette Rhodes}
{State of Grace by Colette Rhode} (as series progresses)
{A Knight’s Revenge by Elizabeth Dear} (waiting for clash of claws to finish before reading)
(I have started {Lightbringer by Evelyn Flood} but it is sitting heavy with me right now so I had to stop, I can see the fmc falling into this category also)
Authors that I haven’t had success with: M Sinclair, Shona Knight, Thea Ravine, KA Knight, Tate James, CM Stunich, Gwendoline Rose, Elizabeth Knight
Fantasy is my preferred genre but I’m open to anything excluding scifi/aliens. I don’t care for bully but can handle MMCs being hostile if there is good reason for it. Preferably main characters are older than 20.
Thank you for any and all Recs 🙏
So I’ve been watching The Other Bennet Sister for the last month and the final episode is being released in a few days and I’m already sad. If you haven’t watched it and are a P&P fan I totally recommend.
Basically, the story focuses on Mary Bennet the youngest of the Bennet sisters. Always overshadowed by her beautiful and interesting sisters. She’s book smart, socially awkward, and has a negative view of herself due to her mother’s bullying. Resigned to a life of spinsterhood she goes to the city to work as a governess and meets Mister Hayward (and Mister Ryder). Lots of awkwardly adorable moments, bad timing, and yearning glances. My favourite thing about it is that Mary doesn’t get some crazy makeover where she takes her glasses off and becomes a supermodel able to talk to guys. She remains herself just with more confidence. And she still has these two men desiring her even if she thinks they’re just being friendly. They want her for her, oddities and all.
So what I’m looking for specifically is an unconventional fmc that is oblivious to the MMCs affections. I would like if MMCs are absolutely charmed by her oddities (but no backhanded compliments like “she’s not pretty but for some reason I want her” if possible please). Even better if life keeps getting in the way right as they’re about to admit their feelings. It doesn’t need to be historical, just please no sci-fi and no bully (unless it’s outside harem and it’s something she overcomes). I’m fine with OV.
Closest I could think of was {Demons and Debts by Kyra Alessy} but I’ve already read it.
Ironside kind of fits too but I read half and it was a DNF for me.
{Shear Instinct by MK Michelle} works for the MMCs being charmed but I’ve read (Plus, the fmc doesn‘t really fit)
Some RH authors I like: Kathryn Moon, Ivy Asher, Raven Kennedy, Colette Rhodes, Blake Black, Reese Rivers
Authors that I don’t have success with: M Sinclair, Shona Knight, Thea Ravine, Tate James, KA Knight
Thank you for any and all Recs 🙏 📚
This is both a rave and rec request. As an adult the teenagers didn’t really do anything for me in the Bridge Duet but the dads were flipping perfect. As much as I enjoyed the story and the drama I just wanted to read more Bram and Noble scenes. Didn’t know I had a thing for the protective single dad energy until these books (I know Bram is married and I’m happy for him, but in my head he’s a single dad). Especially the fact that Bram is a respectful girl-dad. All his proud moments of her sticking up for herself were great. And while Noble wasn’t as present in the sequel I loved his exasperated type of love for his son and Wyatt. Seriously, was I the only one swooning over these two?
I’ve read plenty of single mom stories but anyone have any good recs for single dads, particularly of older kids. The only one I can think of is an OV where they hire a surrogate (cannot find the title but there was annoying OW drama with surrogate) and the Soulful Seas Duet (only one mmc really gave the single dad vibes I’m looking for). Knot a bed of Roses had some of what I’m looking for but isn‘t quite right. If not single dads, any recs for characters similar to Bram and Noble? Doesn’t need to be MC story (kind of prefer it wasn’t, but I’m okay with it if it is).
I’m flexible on genre, I just avoid sci-fi and sports, and would prefer older fmcs (21+ preferably). Nothing super dark but again I’m flexible on triggers.
Images from:
{So This is Love by Ashley N Rostek}
Single Dads/Dad MMCs I’ve read:
*Unknown OV mentioned* DNF
*{Knot a bed of Roses by Roxy Collins}
{Soulful Seas Duet by Blake Black}
{Breaking the Ice by Calliope Stewart}
{Mercy and Her Devils by Rosemary A Johns} DNF
{Shades of Trouble by Kitty Cox} DNF
{Dance Butterfly Dance by Reese Rivers}
Single Dads I’ve found so far (none quite right):
{Pack Choice by Hannah Haze} — maybe
{In Stockings by Hannah Haze} — not interested
{Sharing the Nanny by Krista Wolf} — not interested
{Pucking with my Head by Melissa Huxley} — maybe
{Grin and Bear It by Sam Hall} — maybe
{Nanny for the neighbours by Lily Gold} — not what I’m looking for
{Omega Lost by Evelyn Flood} — maybe
{Elora by Beanie Harper} — not what I’m looking for
{Single Dads Club by Rebel Bloom} — maybe
{Sticks and Stones by Grace McGinty} — not what I’m looking for
(Just realized Father‘s day is coming up, can’t decide if it’s weird timing or meant to be…)
You know when the female lead walks in and says or does something spectacular or otherwise, leaves without a backwards glance, and the guy just stands there and flat out declares “I’m gonna marry that woman”. Any of you ever come across this in RH?
It doesn’t need to be insta love, I just want the lightening bolt realization that one or all the MMCs have met “the one”.
Bonus if they actually say the words.
Flexible on everything, just don’t like sci-fi or bully (enemy-to-lovers or animosity/distrust for a logical reason is okay). Preferably an older fmc if possible.
Anyone else just have a billion tabs to various book recommendations open? I’d transfer them to a list but I’d be more likely to forget them if I did and I kind of like closing them like a game of Guess Who after I’ve tried them.
I learned today that according to to my goodreads history this May marked six years of me reading RH, woohoo 🎉
I also discovered there are a ton of RH series and books I’d completely forgotten about and some I have no memory of reading at all. This is likely because I started reading RH during the pandemic and at that time I was reading around a book a day. (How I long for the days before reading slumps.)
Has anyone else completely forgotten books or series they’ve read? Books that have you going “oh yeah, I remember that one!” or maybe just gems that are never mentioned anymore?
Some of my lost RH Reads from Oldest to Newest (DNFs excluded)
*Might Revist
**Will definitely revisit
Will be edited, dated, and cross out if retried.
The Forgotten:
**{The Last Vessel by Winter Rose}
{Thd Last Shifter by Sadie Moss}
**{Hijinks Harem by Tate James and CM Stunich} (6/2/26 DNF — characters, pacing)
{Escaping Monsters by Rita Stradling and Alexa B James}
{Dark Glitter by CM Stunich}
{Hidden Hope by Elizabeth Knight}
*{Compel Me by Elena Lawson}
*{Playing with Hellfire by Mila Young and Harper A Brooks}
*{Soundless Cora by Morgan Stewart}
*{Magnetic by Anya J Cosgrove}
{Flicker and Flame by Willow Hayes}
*{The Queen of Carnage by Candice M Wright}
*{Shadow Touched by Harper Wylde}
{Tethered to the World by Stacey Brutger}
{Dragon Marked by Jaymin Eve}
*{The Fifth Horsemen by Freida Kilmari}
*{A Fate Unknown by Sinclair Kelly} (6/2/26 DNF—cringe)
{Wolf Shunned by Laurel Knight}
*{Defied by Persephone Steele}
**{Killian Blade by Stella Brie}
{Outcast by RL Caulder}
**{Widow by Maya Nicole} (Unavailable 6/2/26)
{Elemental Awakened by Helen Scott}
{A Shifter’s Sin by Debbie Cassidy}
{Nefarious Betrayal by Leah Steele}
{Wolf Hunts by CJ Cooke}
**{Bound Spirit HA Wills}
{Summoned by Magic by Lexie Scott}
{The Devil’s Sin by Kira Roman}
{Cruel Monsters by Katherine Bogle}
{Loxley Prep by Hattie Jude}
*{The Halloween Boys by Kat Blackthorne}
{Unlikely Omega by Mona Black}
