r/DarkRomance

So, I'm almost finished with {Saint Celine} and oh! My! God! This has to be the WORST FMC I have ever read.

For context, I love kick-ass FMCs with self-preservation instincts. Jade from {Stronger Series} and Lana from {Mind F*ck Series} were chef's kiss. I also love morally grey, selfish FMCs like the chick from {Limerence by HC Dolores}, who is ambitious. Hell, I love flawed FMC's too like Piya from {5000 Nights of Obsession} or Gianna from {The Maddest Obsession}.

You get the gist. I don't discriminate as long as the writer can convince me of the FMCs' choices and actions.

But never have I read such an irredeemable character as Celine. I'm at 80% of the book, and I want to throw my Kindle across the room.

Here's the sequence of events:

>!Katherine befriends the FMC Celine, who is of similar age and also her housekeeper's daughter. They meet when they are only 11 or 12. Kathleen recognizes Celine's ambition and gets her admitted to her prep school, She gives Celine all her expensive clothes, her graduation present: a car, even gets her parents to pay for Celine's education and lies to everyone about her background so she can fit in with the rich kids. !<

>!How does our fearless FMC reward Katherine? Celine steals the first guy Katherine likes and here is the kicker. Celine didn't even like the guy, yet she took him just because she could. Can you say 'pick me' energy? !<

>!That wasn't enough. She plagiarized, YES PLAGIARIZED, a paper Katherine worked really hard on, put her name on it, and used it to secure herself an internship. When Katherine threatened to expose her, SHE KILLED HER BEST FRIEND. Like WTF! I have read many selfish FMCs, but never with so many irredeemable qualities. I hate 'pick me' girls and FMCs who violate the girl code (reminds me of crazy fake friends from middle and high school). !<

Reading about such a vindictive FMC and expecting us to root for her made no sense. Yes, characters should be flawed, but there have to be SOME redeeming qualities that make us want to keep reading.

I know some people think we are harder on FMCs than MMCs, but if an MMC did those awful things to his best friend, I wouldn't finish the book either. The characters need to be somewhat loyal to their core crew (even if they are killers or monsters) and this FMC violated every girl code.

Am I alone in feeling this way?

Did anyone else find this FMC's qualities redeemable?

Does this book get any better? The only way this will be an HEA for me is if someone takes the FMC out.

I am a sucker for a MMC who is nice to the FMC, though is still manipulative and controlling. He doesnt hurt the FMC and the reader knows he never will, however FMC questions his intentions and what he may do next. Bonus for a captor/captive dynamic. I am open to fantasy. I do not care for harem/reverse harem/multiple MMCs, sharing, cheating, overly violent MMC towards FMC, homosexual relationships, taboo relationships. I am open to non HEA but prefer to not be spoiled. An example of an ideal MMC ive read would be {bound to a killer elora reed}

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There are some booktok MMCs i can't stop thinking about 💭. These are the top 5 of them :

1. Aaron Warner Anderson ( Shatter me series )

2. Nikolai Sokolov ( God of Fury )

3. Xaden Riorson ( Fourth Wing )

4. Tristan Caine ( The Predator )

5. Kai Young ( King of Pride )

( P. S. - Kenji kishimoto is love tho 🤍)

What are your favourite mmcs you can't stop thinking about ?!?

Saint by Eva Simmons is the perfect read for fans of The Ritual by Shantel Tessier. If you enjoy a dark romance serial killer, fraternity, masked MMC tropes then you simply MUST read this novel. When Violet and her icky boyfriend are travelling at crazy stupid speeds down an unknown road to a mysterious party, we the reader know that shit is going to go down. I was thinking it would be of the car crash variety, however I was mistaken when they start to approach a masked figure on the road and Liam (the BF) decides to slow down and give him a lift?! What the actual fuck?! Violet is freaking out and has every reason to be concerned about the chilling vibes this stranger gives off. 

When Liam gets a flat tyre, him and the stranger go out to change it and it is here that some serious shit goes down and before Violet knows it, she is legging it through the forest and being chased down by a psychopath. Have your serial killer romance ears pricked up yet?! This novel is all about the fear play, primal play, allllll of the kinky play! It’s extremely spicy and was dubbed five out of five spice levels in my humble opinion, based on the type of spice and the sheer quantity. Seriously, I think you could flick to a random page and land on a spicy scene. Yay! Amongst the spice there is plenty of mystery surrounding the events that unfolded that first night in the forest, and we begin to realise that it may have been no coincidence at all that Liam picked up Saint on that dark, creepy road. 

Now, Goodreads reviews tell me this novel was divisive. I thought it was great. The heat was cranked the hell up, Saint was a vicious character who despite his claims, definitely had a caring side (in a twisted AF way). I really enjoyed Violet’s inner monologue. I liked that she questioned how sick in the head he was and in turn, how sick she was. I liked that she didn’t simply excuse his actions but instead was critically thinking about the ‘why’ of it all. She completely acknowledged that she was sympathising with a killer, but at the same time the novel was fast paced enough that during this inner turmoil she still totally went with the crazy naughty things Saint would inflict. There were no moments where I was yelling at the pages saying “just fuck already!!!”. Simmons delivered when it came to the sexy time scenes, which is what you WANT in a dark, serial killer romance. 

Love, R&R

• Serial killer romance
• Morally grey MMC
• Touch her and ☠️
• Masked MMC
• Breath play
• Primal play
• Fear play
• Pain play
• CNC
• 🌶️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 🌶️/5

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I love dark romance but divding into the genre . I find that a lot of readers can be werid when it comes to women. How the hell can a person sits down anaylze a book and say that the mmc is morall gray and misunderstood but in reality he is just a bad person who ended up getting a redemption arc(Which I dont mind I love a good redemption) But whom somtimes by the way cost the fmcs a lot of tramua. Then women are expected to always be emotionally intellgeint ,forgiving all the damn time and have the prefect tramua response.

If the mmcs have tramua and he loves her ,she should automatically accept him while she is also dealing with her tramua but guess what after being rape as well doesnt give them a right to be a bitches but men having rapey behaviours are forgiving 🙄.

.....Like little stranger Fmc olivia ,I like her even though I side eye a bit and ashytn ,ashytn in her book caranage makes sense why she makes the decisions she makes ,ashytn later on is a different story and also stacey ,her character told me that lot of people really dont understand mental health.

If this ends up needing two separate book requests because there are no books that have both, I will still take that.

I want a book with lots of bondage and chains. Like MMC is so controlling and obsessed, locked doors aren’t enough for him to think she won’t leave. She’s regularly chained to the bed or table, lead around on a leash if needed. A nice dose of drugging would be amazing. Some cuffs lined with velvet because they are on so often they are starting to chaff. He chains he to the shower she has such little freedom. Preferably this all happens in most or all of the book, but I have yet to find that so just want books with as much of it as possible.

I also want lots of free use (I may be using the term wrong so please let me know if I am). She’s sitting on his lap at dinner? He’s gonna stick it in her and starting teasing her right then and there. At any moment he asserts dominance through some sort of sexual act. She is his to use when and as he pleases.

{the collar promises forever by Bianca Howard’s} would probably be what I say is the closest I’ve come to find what I’m looking for. I love that book. I’m not necessarily looking for a pet/slave dynamic, but I do love that. I was not a huge fan of {Servitude of Serpents by Callie Moss}, the MMC was not quite as interested as I would have liked, but the premise is definitely along the lines of what I want. It just felt like it was missing more sex from what I recall (it’s been a while so I could be wrong). I want the MMC to care about her pleasure as well, so books like {Depravity by Ellie Sanders} do not interest me and aren’t my personal cup of tea.

Triggers/nos:
- no pregnancy loss at all
-no pregnancy till the end
- If there are permanent bodily alterations, besides tattoos and piercings, recommend with a spoiler for what it is

I’d like to read an ao3 fic (preferably) where the fmc PURPOSEFULLY tries to remain silent during sex with the intent of irritating/enraging the mmc more because he KNOWS he can, has, and always before makes her moan and whimper etc…I want her to be a real brat about intentionally deciding she is not giving him feedback about it affecting her (even though it is a huge challenge for her to not because it’s definitely pleasurable/painful/etc)…Anything like that out there?

If not and/or in lieu of that…any really good stories with her being a brat of the “make me” type because she is generally upset with him in a minor way (but not the kind of brat who is harmful or topping from the bottom) would be nice. I need to vicariously live through fmc at this moment lol

Bonus points if mmc is a dirty talker and if the story has size difference between the mmc and fmc.

Thanks in advance!!

I know a lot of this stuff in these books are like morally gray or even pitch black and wouldn’t be legal in real life, but you guys ever have to like stop because you’re weirdly jealous of the female main characters lol . It’s like got to a point to where when I go out on dates I find almost everybody boring. 🥱 like obviously there’s some stuff that I wouldn’t personally want done to me, but like at the end of the day, it’s so disappointing that these men don’t exist. Am I right ladies-

Also, I just read Rook and rebel in one day for the third time and I love it each time. I definitely recommend it.

I never really thought about it because I take it as a given for DR, but are there any books where the MMC doesn’t have any tattoos?

Sounds like a weird request but I want to see the difference in the books that make that choice!!

I rewatched 27 Dresses recently and realized what I actually wanted wasn't the rom-com—it was the angst.

I'm not looking for the "always the bridesmaid" trope, and I'm not looking for a retelling.

What I'm looking for is the emotional dynamic Jane has with the people in her life.

Jane is constantly giving. She's the dependable one. The people she loves take and take because they know she won't say no.

Then, within what feels like no time at all:

- Her sister ends up with the man Jane has loved for years.

- Her sister takes their mother's wedding dress—the one Jane always dreamed of wearing and had an emotional connection to—even though she'd always mocked it.

- Her father just... lets it happen.

- Everyone expects Jane to smile, help with the wedding, and keep putting everyone else's happiness before her own.

That's the feeling I'm chasing.

I want an FMC who's kind, self-sacrificing, and so used to being taken for granted that she doesn't even realize how unfairly she's being treated.

Then enters the MMC.

I want him to see what's happening almost immediately. He's powerful, competent, maybe even feared by everyone else—but with her he's patient, protective, and completely in her corner.

He gets angry for her before she ever gets angry for herself.

He shows her what she's worth, helps her stop settling for scraps, and makes the people who've taken her for granted realize exactly what they've lost.

I'm not necessarily looking for revenge or a huge public humiliation of the family. I just want that deeply satisfying moment where the people who always expected her to keep giving suddenly realize she doesn't have to anymore.

Bonus points for:

- Cold/gruff MMC who's soft only with her.

- Instantly obsessed or fiercely protective hero.

- Family or ex who experiences genuine regret.

- The FMC slowly learning to choose herself instead of everyone else.

- Lots of emotional caretaking and "you deserve better" moments.

I'm just a girl looking for a book where the sunshine heroine finally gets someone who's completely, unapologetically on her side.

I was thinking about the fact that Reddit is a place where so many people from around the world interact on a daily basis.

I am wondering if anyone has any good recommendations for books that start with the FMC receiving a dm?

Bonus points for them being strangers. Why choose, paranormal, sci-fi, modern are all acceptable.

Extra points if you would never guess the twists!

You are all the best!

I have a thing for second chance romances and marriage in trouble tropes. I’m looking for a specific scenario where the MMC doesn’t appreciate the FMC. Either he felt pressured into the marriage or he felt like he settled cause he couldn’t get the girl he really wanted.
The FMC really tried to make it work but agreed to divorce since the MMC seemed so miserable. They stay friends after and the MMC starts dating around but the FMC stays single for a couple years and the MMC gets too comfortable thinking she will always be there. Until another guy comes along.
The FMC gets blackmailed into a fake relationship and is in a dangerous situation. The MMC doesn’t know but hates the way she is being treated and also realizes that he doesn’t her to disappear from his life.

I want groveling but also arrogance in that he doesn’t want her to be happy without him.

Sorry for the long post ! Please share your recs!!

I have come across some absolutely wild one-star reviews over the years on goodreads, and now I'm curious about everyone else's experiences.

What is the dumbest reason you've ever seen someone give a book a low rating?

I'm not talking about legitimate criticism like poor writing, bad pacing, plot holes or weak character development. I mean reviews where the readers clearly ignored the blurb or misunderstood the genre or complained about something the book never claimed to be.

For example, Last week I was checking the one start reviews of a book and there was a review where the reader gave it one star because she read the blurb and didn't like the characters name😭. Mind you, she didn't read the book only the blurb and decide to give it one star💀😭.

Another one was, I saw it on threads and it was about cliffhanger 🤣. The OP was complaining why a trilogy has cliffhanger and rated it one star when the author clearly stated that the first book gonna end on cliffhanger.

So what is the stupidest review you've ever came across?

I feel like I have read every single dark romance book and the new ones are just not hitting. There is no chemistry between the characters, or the dialogue is too cringy or there is just no plot. Basically I get no BUTTERFLIES. I need a book where the hero is genuinely obsessed to the point that he protects her without any second thought, he is sweet to her but not that sweet you know, I NEED SOME ANGST, I NEED SOME DRAMA, I NEED TO GASP. Dont even recommend famous writers like rina kent, danielle lori etc ive read it all.

What I like:
Obsessed hero but doesn’t hurt her

some level or age gap or if no age gap then power imbalance

I need the fmc to be dependent on him, and I need the mmc character to fully take care of her BUT without it being cringy (idk if this make sense)

I dont want insta lust or insta love okay insta lust I get but not extreme obsession from the start yk like it slowly develops and he realizes that he will never let her go

Im a sucker for dirty talk and just care after sex. I need the sex to be dirty but the aftercare should be soooo good.

Also I always eat it up when the heroine just has no idea the level the hero would go to for her and when she realizes she’s like oh fuck.

Recent Books I liked:

Branded By Saffron A. Kent: Absolutely loved the wife/husband possessiveness (also i love period care books)

Sinner by Simone Sierra: Amazing chemistry

Mine to take by Eden Cynthia: the possessiveness and protective I crave

Tank by Carmen Jenner

The entire Reapers MC series by Wylde Joanna

please thread pull through i trust yall

So I was thinking of giving this book a try, so from other discussions and reviews I came to know that mmc is obsessed with both fmc and her best friend? Some people were wishing for him to end up with her best friend because that makes more sense? Mmc possibly doesn't even love the fmc(not even in a twisted way) and treats her as a toy instead? Possibility of MFF or mmc leaving fmc for her best friend in future?

Sorry I have never read any of her books before or know anything about her universe so anyone who has read these, can you confirm if it's true? Spoil a bit here if you want.

I finished reading the first Book Lights Out a few days back and i liked everything about it, since it has alot of chapters from josh's perspective and it captures my interests. So i gave the second Book a chance and it started out alr with the first chapter (spoilers ig) beeing from Juniors perspektive which is relatably written (unlike Haunting Adeline but it doesnt matter rn). But in the Second Chapter the story reveals that the Female Protagonist basically does onlyfans and lives in a shared apartment with two other people that also do onlyfans and help each other wax their asshole 🙂. Not really what I was hoping for (no offense). However I havent read past the first two chapters yet and I was wondering if it keeps up the sexworker-life-topics or will it become more Jr. and Laurent focused. In other words: I really enjoyed the first book, is it worth to read the second and third or are they to different to the first.

I read these two in span of 56 hours. maybe that’s the reason, but I felt like both of them have the same characters MMC possessive and arogant. the female leads are also like similar who don’t bend to the kings and some of the lines also. Like Deviant king feel like same as Cruel but like in a different font? is it only me?

p.s. i’m still hooked on their stories , starting steel princess today lol

it almost 1 to 2 years since last one any one know when they puplish any new book

I want him to be so sweet and loving to her, the book can be pitch dark, but he's never harsh to her. Idk quite how to describe what I'm looking for, it's not exactly a baby girl/daddy dynamic. But like he sees sex as taking care of her. He's calling her sweetheart and being so patient coxing her to climax

Mfc is raped by her uncle for years, and her mother knew about it and allowed it to happen because the uncle was rich. Then the Mfc runs away and returns years later for her uncle's funeral with a child, refusing to tell anyone the father's identity.the child father is revealed at the end.

SOLVED! Her Dark Secrets by Victoria Wright