u/disniya16

Don't come at me but I didn't really have the best impressions of pres from the first 2 books mainly cuz he seemed like an overstimulated toddler with his petty tantrums especially against dahlia (arguably my favourite of the series) even tho she was wronged by marcus but alas, this book really changed things for me

I think I... like Preston. His inner monologues, random idioms, unhinged rants, and the sheer commitment to calling Dahlia with literally anything starting with D but her name. Bro went from Delilah to Doordash. That's some serious dedication. 😭

Marcus reminds me too much of Kayd, just without the ulterior motives. The way he's always in sync with what Pres needs and always puts him first..🤌

The plot was plotting. The humour, pacing, chemistry, and emotional depth were all there. I also loved that this wasn't another recycled story or insta-lust. There was so much passion that I genuinely didn't mind they didn't actually have sex until around 60% into the book. Marcus during those scenes was pure fucking perfection. ✨

Jude and Pres' bromance was another highlight. I always felt like the first gen from RK verse didn't really share a close bond due to weird power dynamics for eg, Aiden and cole or Kirill and Adrian. But Niko and Jer changed that for me. Even though I felt like RK went miles just to sideline Kane (My man) a lil in this book by saying how Jude was allat and everything, I get why that is (I'm lwk glad Kane is only obsessed with dahlia to that extent).

Few things I didn't like to absolutely hated in this book :

- As a psych major, RK always throwing around terms like bipolar, ASPD, psychotic episodes, and DSM is a huge ick. Mental health concerns are much more deeper than Internet trends so misrepresenting them is just as harmful as ignorance. Pres could've just been an unhinged mofo without trying to medicalize his personality.

- Now while I love a diva, Preston's petty levels were a lil annoying in some places. His insistence on calling Dahlia by D names was entertaining but wtf did she do to you bro? Like- I love Pres character cuz it's funny but I would never wanna be friends with him.

- The MCs being feral everytime the other speaks to someone else. Pres at one point was jealous of his sister? That was ew bro. Also, I hate Pres and Marcus' jealousy and treatment of women annoyed me at times. Somehow every woman Marcus flirted with became the problem instead of Marcus himself. And Pres wanted to cut Vee into pieces cuz Pres was flirting with her. Make it make sense!

- RK still repeats the same details in every book. I know it's so they work as standalones, but I really don't need to hear for the hundredth time how huge Jude is or how formidable Vancor is. I love reading different POV of one single but the same adjectives make it tiring

Overall I didn't expect to like this book this much but it's officially one of my fav until the next book releases. So here are my MM book rankings so far :

1. Kiss the Villain

2. God of Fury

3. Tempting venom

4. Hunt the Villain

Alr, so there are so many romance books I love but I hate these scenes that give me instant Ick and I cannot continue anymore

- When the MMC is jealous if the FMC spends time with literally anyone else even if they're her blood relatives, best friends or mentors. Like that's genuinely disgusting to me. So many romances where the MMC is jealous of their son cuz the FMC spends time with him and I'm like– bro what?

- MCs who've failed grade 5 biology. I once read a book where the MMC ties her to the bed and chokes her and he's like "Her heart is beating from our proximity". NO SIR! it's beating cuz she's fucking chained! Oh and don't even get me started on "I hate him but my body wants him" - you want school and he needs therapy sweetheart.

- Misogyny. Need no explanation but romanticizing anything that puts women down and downplays their struggle is a no for me.

- My mom is a working mother, so naturally she comes home and cooks/cleans/does the chores as well. (We hired help now but if they aren't there then the responsibility still falls on her)

- When my mum complained about my dad, my relatives from my dad's side told her to quit her job and put in more effort in her marriage 👍

- I need to go eat/cook for myself but my brother needs to be served cuz 'He wouldn't know what and how' (we're nly 2 n a 1/2 years apart and he's older)

- My dad used to tell me 'He raised me like a son' as a way of telling me I need to be strong

- A lot of my father's friends still use 'Do I look like I'm wearing bangles?' as an insult

Mind you I was raised to be a progressive independent woman who would never cave for anyone including my parents but everyone in my family have high levels of internalised misogyny it irks me to just talk to them

I'm fully trying to change these practices but it's taking a lot more effort that it makes me so damn frustrated to the point of tears. How is this shii even normalised!!?

Comment some practices in your home or society that makes no sense whatsoever because of patriarchy

So I saw a post that said Msc HRD though pays initially well than other psych majors, still pays lesser than those who pursue MBA HR.

The only reason I took MSc HRD is because of the pay and I might not make much in other fields like clinical or counselling for a while (everyone I met during internship and I connected with in this field told me as such)

Can someone with personal experience or know someone who's done this course please tell me if this is true.

I've been a feminist ever since I learned what the word meant, though like many of us with the infamous brown upbringing, I had to unlearn a lot of internalised misogyny.

My parents aren't the most progressive, but they raised me to stand up for myself. My mom always pushed me to be independent because of the failed marriages she's seen (some of those were horror stories) but despite everything she teaches me, still puts up with a lot of my dad's shit, while my dad, despite being a great father, still holds pretty misogynistic views. He'd say things like, "I raised you like a son," as his way of saying I'm equal to my brother and we've always fought bcz of his views. My grandma is a straight-up misogynist even though she was abandoned by a man and raised her son and her siblings on her own

I've also found myself clashing with friends who talk about being girls' girls but still center men and patriarchal ideas, some of them are queer and assault survivors. A lot of people around me support women's rights in theory but avoid calling themselves feminists.

I'm from South India, where the word "feminist" still carries a lot of stigma, and even celebrities especially of bollywood often treat it like a bad word. You mention it and you'll def be bashed.

So I'm curious: for women who openly identify as feminists, how has it affected your relationships, family dynamics, and especially your romantic life?

Personally, I love when one hates themselves for loving another person>>> (not in a sad or L way but when they kinda despise the other person but cannot get them outta the system) - Also, Nobody gets to kill you but me!!

Ooo and there's a scene in a book where the FMC straddles the MMC on a chair or sum, but it's too big for her legs to fully reach the ground while they're doing it so the guy is like, 'I got this' 😋

I also recently read a MM book where the guy just randomly drops into his enemy/bane-of-his existence's house whenever he's horny (this time because the guy texted saying he has no groceries so he got a bag full of condiments 😂)

Micro tropes I love :

\- Enemies to lovers × forced proximity × forbidden love

\- who did this to you but turns out the FMC already took care of the issue 💅

\- I hate you but I want you

\- I don't get jealous, the smoke is just my brain thinking 😗

\- Marriage of convenience but she's the most inconvenient person ever 🤌 (should I use this as a book title?)

\- Your life belongs to me × 'Wtf bro' energy

These are very random but I love humour especially in dark romance books...

Share your favourite scenes or sub tropes...

Personally, I love when one hates themselves for loving another person>>> (not in a sad or L way but when they kinda despise the other person but cannot get them outta the system) - Nobody gets to kill you but me

Ooo and there's a scene in a book where the FMC straddles the MMC on a chair or sum but it's too big so her legs don't fully reach the ground while they're doing it so the guy is like 'I got this' 😋

I also recently read a MM book where the guy just randomly drops into his enemy/bane-of-his existence's house whenever he's horny (this time because the guy texted saying he has no groceries so he got a bag full of condiments 😂)

Micro tropes I love :

- Enemies to lovers × forced proximity × forbidden love

- who did this to you but turns out the FMC already took care of the issue 💅

- I hate you but I want you

- I don't get jealous, the smoke is just my brain thinking 😗

- Marriage of convenience but she's the most inconvenient person ever 🤌 (should I use this as a book title?)

- Your life belongs to me × 'Wtf bro' energy

These are very random but I love humour especially in dark romance books...

Share your favourite scenes or sub tropes...

Hey guys, I was looking for an official app or any platform (!legal) to read the original web novel from. If anyone has any idea, could you kindly help me out or dm?

This is a vent/rec post.

So my posts got taken down in the other subs because I mentioned the forbidden M-word, but alas, my time to shine has come!!

The bot messages I got telling me to "edit" or "replace" that word had me laughing so hard because right before that I'd seen a post asking for recs with way more unhinged plot than equality.

Here's the thing: there needs to be space for everyone to open up about what they enjoy reading. That includes people on the complete opposite end of the spectrum from you. If they're not barging into your post asking for "an FMC who's a doormat," then why should posts asking for "a strong feminist FMC" be removed?

At this point, the only solution I can think of is adding a new TW:

TW: Contains a badass FMC actively ruining the day of anyone who thinks equality is optional.That way I can just say, "If it's not for you, don't read it."

And before anyone comes at me, I literally came across a comment on this sub where someone said misogyny was their kink, and someone else even helped them out with a quote recommendation. First off, slay. You do you, bro.Genuinely, I'm not judging. As long as people can separate fiction from reality, read whatever the hell you want.

But my problem is this: If I come out and say my kink is reading about dark romance not bordering on misogyny, suddenly we're having a debate. Meanwhile, if someone asks for the exact opposite rec, the response is usually "don't yuck someone's yum." So explain to me how that's fair.

Anyway, coming to my actual point: Can I please get recs where there's little to no misogyny from the MCs? And when I say little, I mean reformed. If the MMC starts off being a dick, he eventually realizes being a dick isn't cool. The FMC doesn't need an entire internal battle about how she'd never submit to a man while actively following his every word. I want MCs who advocate for equality where someone says something sexist and they're just like, "Bro, wtf"

There was a comment asking for something similar a while back, but it didn't get many replies, so I'm making a whole post for it.

Hit me with your best recs. Here's mine, it's a dark romance and the first time I read it, my brainwashed deeply integrated patriarchal mind hated it so that's how ik this book is awesome. It's { Ruthless People by J. J. McAvoy }

So I have a very specific book request. It might be a lil confusing (I think) and rare so I'm only hoping.

I want a romance book filled with angst but the one which makes your stomach ache and not bawl your eyes out.

I'm looking for anything where the MCs know they're end game not cuz they're compatible but bcz nobody else can have them. At least one MC must be plotting their union forever but the other needs to be oblivious about it until a major crisis happens which might just cause them to break up and then the MC realises that there were always signs of love from the other.

Think, a marriage in convenience where the FMC thinks MMC only did for the convenience and plans to leave it but turns out he's head over heels for her. I'd love a screaming/yelling/loud "It's always been you" confession. But before the break up the FMC falls in love which creates the angst.

This is just an example, anything filled with will they won't they chose me, or mild OW drama just to incite jealousy, past fling resurfacing, MMC coming off as a a-hole who doesn't care for FMC, a cheating scare (should not be actually true) works.

Some examples are

- enigma by shandi boyes - in the last book FMC finds out MMC's ex wife who was presumed dead is actually alive and with a kid who looks like MMC and informs that to the MMC and he just leaves her to go visit his ex and the entire time FMC is kinda going through 'he didn't even look back' thing.

- In fourth wing - When Violet found out xaden trained cat just like he trained her. My heart broke but the throne scene healed me.

- Twisted Hate - 'The Scene' everyone hates where he basically cons her into sleeping with him and then later tells her to get out (this but groveling needs to be peak)

The perfect example I can think of is { The devil you know by Elizabeth Roark } - FMC has issues where she keeps thinking the MMC is cheating on her (it's single POV so there's quite a bit of angst) and he's always proving how She's it for him. It's funny, it's achy and it's amazing!!!

I want something that can be fixed with groveling, misunderstanding trope, jealousy trope, miscommunication trope, slow burn and HEA

Please no cheating (of any kind. At. All), MMC being an asshole/man child for no good reason, accidental pregnancy (it's okay if it's a scare), love triangle, Actually sad/depressing book, doormat FMC.

If anyone has such recs please help me out!!

I'm partial to Rina Kent's books but for me when it comes to MM no rules apply. I'll take it all (I'm almost certain it has sum to do with misogyny). So clearly I devoured her MM books. They were absolutely delicious and I cannot get more of them. Sadly, at least for me, her latest book, HTV was a bit of a let down. I still liked it but i couldn't really enjoy it as I did the others and I cannot get over her first 2 MM books. God of fury and Kiss the Villain are literally pieces of art for me. I've tried and I cannot let go so naturally I surfed the net to find something similar and I did!!!!!

For people who loved GOF :

{ Dance of Defiance by Jagger Cole } a grumpy, deeply closeted power-ish bottom with issues and cannot avoid the manic top even if he wants to and a sunshiny-ish top who unalives people for his brother but goes ballistics over his brother's rival's son. It's a crazy dance and I loved it!

For Kiss the Villain lovers :

{ Crimson Chaos by S M Tist } - Mafia romance with a mafia prince and his cocky rival (with ulterior motives). Both cannot stand each other yet cannot stay away from each other. They're always trynna kill the other too but end up sleeping 😌

Happy reading! Let me know how it goes!!

On a side note, these are the books in my tbr (for extra recs) but I'm not able to get to them, can someone please persuade me!!

1. The mercenary and the mortician

2. Garron Park

3. Blitz'd

4. Head in the game

Hey folks, I just got done with { Caught up by Liz Tomforde } for the 100th time. I re-read her books so often, that I've actually lost count.

Anyway, kindly suggest single dad romance with little to no age gap please. It's okay if the MMC is an uncle/bsf of the kid's father/relative as long as he has custody. I don't mind the age gap if the woman is closer to her 30s (at least 25). Anywhere before or barely legal fmc with a 35 sun yr old, I'm good, thanks.

Bonus points if the kid is a toddler so we can get all the cutesy moments...

I'm okay with any popular tropes, especially grumpy× grumpy or grumpy × sunshine, Enemies to lovers, slow burn, rivals, boss × employee

Books I've read in this genre :

1. { Last on the list by Amy Davis } - It was good.

2. { To hate adam Connor by Ella Maise } - Loved!! It was so funny and wholesome!!

3. { Two week's notice by Whitney } - Hated this book, the MMC was a total child.

Tropes I hate :

Cheating, love triangle, the FMC having no other personality than being a sunshine, barely legal × age gap, accidental pregnancy, asshole MMC for no reason.

I'd already made a post asking which books y'all wanted adapted into movies or shows, and some of the answers made me ridiculously happy while others would've put the creators in prison for life ?

Anyway, it got me thinking that there isn't really a recent thread where people can find romance book adaptations all in one place. So let's make one.

Name a romance book adaptation and tell us which version you preferred—the book or the screen adaptation with little to no explanation.

Here's mine (you don't have to agree with me)

📺 TV Shows / Series

1. Bridgerton — Loved the changes. Show > Books.

2. The Vampire Diaries — First four seasons were 🤌.

3. The Summer I Turned Pretty — Hate the books, don't like the show.

4. Off Campus — Used to love the books, like the show so far, but I'm lowkey concerned.

5. Outlander — Like the books, and I appreciate how they didn't butcher the one fantasy adaptation.

6. The Kissing Booth — Series.

7. Heated Rivalry — If anyone says this adaptation is bad, imma come for you 😌.

8. Every Summer After — Hate the story and not a fan of the adaptation either.

9. Maxton Hall : shows

🎬 Movies

1. It Ends With Us — Didn't love the book and the adaptation was okay-ish.

2. The Idea of You — Haven't read the book but I liked the movie. (Should I read it?)

3. The Hating Game — Movie's good, but the book is peak.

4. After — I genuinely don't know whether Hardin is worse in the books or the movies.

5. To All the Boys I've Loved Before — One of my comfort reads, but the movies did a pretty good job.

6. Twilight — Nope.

7. Pride and Prejudice — The OG. Book always >>

8. People We Meet on Vacation — Movie.

9. Wuthering Heights — Didn't like the book and haven't watched the adaptation ✌.

10. Red, White & Royal Blue — Like the book, LOVE the movie.

11. Fifty shades : Movies

12. Wait with me (Passionflix) : Books

13. Through my window : You might like the shows but you'd def like the books

14. My fault : english movie > books

15. Perfect Addiction : movies?

16. Beautiful Disaster : Movies

Add yours! And if you've consumed both versions, tell us which one did it better.

Book > Adaptation?

Adaptation > Book?

Or one of those rare cases where both absolutely ate?

I want romantasy/science fiction recommendations where romance is the main genre but there's also a PLOT with a capital P.

Please don't recommend ACOTAR. I've genuinely tried—multiple times—to like that series, and I just can't see what everyone else sees in it.

Here's what I've loved:

- Divergent — Even though the romance is technically a subplot, it plays such a huge role in the story that it never feels secondary. I loved Four and his dynamic with Tris.

- Fourth Wing — I cannot express how much I love this series. If transmigration were real, I'd choose to be Violet in a heartbeat. She's badass, the world is fun, and Xaden is 🤌.

- Shadowhunters / The Mortal Instruments — if you guys have watched the show, I love what magnus and alec have. IK it's tamer than above but I found myself wishing the romance had even more focus.

Basically, I grew up on YA fantasy and sci-fi, which made me a complete sucker for MMCs who belong to some powerful faction, military unit, rebellion, kingdom, secret society, etc., and end up guiding, training, protecting, or working closely with the FMC.

What I'm struggling with is finding books where the romance is central without sacrificing the actual story.

Some popular books/series I didn't enjoy despite going in with high expectations:

- Crowns of Nyaxia — First book was okay-ish. Second book completely lost me.

- ACOTAR — Ironically, I pushed through the first book (which most people seem to dislike) and eventually enjoyed parts of it. The second book held my attention for a while, but somewhere around the last quarter I completely checked out. I've tried picking it back up multiple times and just can't.

- Shatter Me — I was ridiculously hyped for Aaron Warner. The plot itself interested me, but the direction the story took in later books just didn't work for me.

One thing I've noticed is that I really dislike the "placeholder love interest" trope—the guy who's clearly there to be the first love interest before the author eventually tears him down so the FMC can end up with the real MMC. Think Tamlin or Adam.

I know it's common, but it often feels like a shortcut used to make the main romance seem stronger.

So if you have recommendations with:

- Strong romance and strong plot

- Fantasy or sci-fi

- A competent FMC

- An MMC who's part of a larger faction/order/military/political structure

- Little to no placeholder love-interest nonsense

- There needn't be spice (I would highly appreciate that) but I really want ther to be major tension and chemistry

please help me out.

Bonus points if the MMC is a faction leader, squad leader, commander, heir, ruler, or otherwise holds actual power and responsibility within the story.

With the rise of book-to-screen adaptations, I'm kinda torn on how I feel about them.

On one hand, I know adaptations are rarely completely faithful to the source material, and I understand why changes happen. On the other hand, as a reader, it's always a little disappointing when scenes don't match what I imagined or end up being worse than what was in my head.

It also makes me wonder: if creators are planning to change major plotlines, character arcs, or personalities anyway, why adapt a well-loved franchise in the first place? Why not pick a lesser-known book or just create an entirely original series?

So, what are some books you'd love to see adapted into movies or TV shows?

Idk if I missed any, lol.

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