looking for some VERY codependent romances 👀
ok so I’m looking for books where the MCs develop a REALLY intense attachment to each other. not just “they went through something traumatic together and fell in love,” but where they actually become dependent on each other.

and I mean BOTH of them. I don’t want one MC being obsessed/dependent while the other is just like “aww that’s cute” 😭 I want them BOTH to need each other, struggle when they’re apart, feel like no one else understands what they’re going through, etc.

kind of a trauma bond type dynamic?? where whatever they went through together creates an attachment neither of them can really break away from. Like constantly needing to be around each other, always touching/physically close, not wanting to sleep apart, etc.
I want it a little unhealthy lmao. obsession, possessiveness, forced proximity, dependency, all of it.

also PLEASE give me deeper recs and not super cringe/cheesy ones. I really want the relationship/psychology to be in-depth and explore WHY they become so dependent on each other, not just use it as an excuse for smut. I do want smut though 👀
basically I want two people who are equally way too attached to each other and I want to REALLY understand why.

AO3 fanfics are more than welcome too!! And I don’t mind spoilers in the comments, just use the spoiler/hide feature! I can read a spoiler and still enjoy the book 100% lol

I think my brain chemistry was permanently changed by Wyn and Danny from {Soul Eater by Lily Mayne}. One of my favorite elements of the story is this very ancient, long-lived being who has never really felt or been in love before feeling it for the first time and being permanently changed by it. To live that long without experiencing love, and to spend that long probably secretly very lonely, scratches a good itch for me. Bonus points if he acknowledges that he used to look down on mortals for these feelings but now understands the strange things mortals do for the sake of love or something along those lines.

A weird or downright ugly monster is a big plus. Even just unconventional looking is great.

I want something with a very long-lived person/monster. Centuries or millennia. I do not want that person and/or monster to have been in love before he met the MC/ML. So, no vampires finding their reincarnated lovers, no vampire rakes with a long line of loves before the MC/ML, nothing like that.

Third act breakups are tolerated but not ideal. Same with miscommunication tropes.

No poly/mmm+/sharing/swinging/threesomes/menage/etc. Nothing wrong with this but it isn't my cup of tea. Pure monogamy only. Absolutely nothing that takes place in a high school, absolutely no relationships between teachers and students, even if they're in college. No stepcest. No incest. Age gaps are fine but nothing where MC1 knew MC2 as a minor and vice versa. HEAs only. HFN/unconventional happy endings aren't wanted.

I absolutely love ‘why choose’ poly/spoke & wheel (S&W). I feel like I’ve read quite a lot and wanted to

1. list the ones I’ve read to help others in the sub locate them, and

2. see if anyone else has recommendations that I’ve missed

As this is meant to be a list for others to use as well as myself I won’t put any restrictions in. However I ask that when suggesting the book that you confirm the trope (paranormal/fantasy/OV) and any CW such as SA/non con etc. I personally will not read a romance book if it doesn’t have a HEA. However I know some people are OK with that, so please specify *no HEA* if that applies.

Please note I’m not looking to include MMM as there’s quite a few of these so it needs to be 4 x MCs or more!

To confirm, my definition of poly (for the sake of this post only) is a grouping where everyone is involved with one another. I know that differs in real life but this is just for describing these books. S&W has the central MC who is involved with all the other MCs but they’re not involved with each other, only the main MC.

I did an updated list nearly a year ago now and I felt like it needed updating again!

{The Chosen One series by Macy Blake}. Is complete. Has 8/9 x MCs. Paranormal. Poly. Very mild daddy kink, in bed only, between 2 x MCs.

{Sent to a Fantasy World and all the boys want me series by Jaclyn Osborn}. Not complete unless book 7 is the final one? Fantasy. Not poly but not S&W as one MC is only involved with the main MC (that might have changed as the 3rd book is still on my TBR list!)

{Infinite Bond by L Rose}. Paranormal in magic school setting. Standalone. Not poly but not S&W as one MC is only involved with the main MC. Has 4 x MCs.

{The Chain Reaction Trilogy by Aurora Crane}. Complete. Contemporary. Has 5 x MCs. Is poly.

{Savage by Brea Alepou} Standalone but in a shared author world. Has x 4 MCs and I’d consider it more S&W. Is a mafia themed book with an enforcer being obsessed with x 3 best friends. Mild daddy kink, no age play.

{Dark Desires Duet by Kali Noir}. So this is like all the kinks, book 1 has a primal play scene. Contemporary. Has x 4 MCs. 1 x MC is more focused on the main MC and isn’t really involved with the other two.

{Four Play by H J Welch}. Can be read as a standalone but in a series. Contemporary. It had intense primal scenes at the beginning. Is poly. Elements of daddy kink. No age play. Has x 4 MCs. CW for MC escaping an abusive relationship.

{Villain by Chani Lynn Feener} I’ve not read this and it was on my TBR list but from reviews it has non/dub con so I can’t. It has 4 x MCs. From what I’ve read of this author, or tried to in the past, please take any CW they give seriously. Series complete.

{Four mercenaries by K A Merikan} I got through part of book 1 but wasn’t in the right head space to finish. Is contemporary and complete. Please check CW as it started with MC trading sexual favours for safety after being rescued by the mercenaries. Has 5 x MCs.

{sinful surrender series by N Slater} book 1-2 are a duet, book 3 has an FMC with 2 x MCs and I’ve not read it, book 4 is a standalone. I actually started with book 4 accidentally and is S&W to my recollection whilst the duet is poly. Book 1,2 & 4 have 4 x MCs.

{Lucky Boys by Rowan Kingston} is poly with 6 x MCs but has individual groupings within this if that makes sense. Has like all the kinks, so please check CWs! I personally didn’t like the main ‘dom’ in book 1 as he fucked up, acknowledged this, then basically fucks up again, caused one of the subs to have a massive meltdown then triggered his own dom drop. It just didn’t sit right with me. Due to this I’ve not read book 2.

{fated in the stars series by Remy Bishop} has 8 x MCs, poly grouping. Lots of kinks. Please check CWs as there’s on page DV in book 1 (heavy). Very unique take on OV due to different types of alpha designations. Reference to mpreg in book 1 & 2, book 3 has mpreg. Author has started a spin off series.

{marked by Alphas duet by Zara Lee} is paranormal with 3 x Alpha werewolf brothers and their mate. No incest so is S&W. More books planned following other brother groups and their mate. {bound by Zara Lee} and has similar content with the 3 x brothers and their mate, this has sex in partial shifted form with the fox retaining his ears and tail if that interests anyone!

Also has {Dearest Alpha Brothers by Zara Lee} not set in the same world, but has the same vibe - S&W, supernatural fated mate situation. I liked the worldbuilding. Looks like an intended long series.

NB/this author has done other MM+ series but due to utter boredom I’ve stopped reading their works.

{fire and brimstone scrolls series by Nik Night} on my TBR list. I got 20% into book 1 and the religious abuse just wasn’t something I was in the right headspace for. So please check the CW as I’ve heard it gets tough in places.

{the wraith lords series by Amy Sumida} is fantasy, had 4 x MCs at book 3 (I think) as the main MC has to keep adding more MCs for plot reasons. I did give up as this author is notorious for writing insanely long series - one of hers has 35 books - and I’m not too sure if I have the bandwidth to keep track….

{wishing for mates series by Registe Liljadorff} so it’s 3 x duets that need to be read in order and each group has 4/5 MCs. Fantasy. S&W

This author has other MM+ books so would be worth checking those out if you like the Wishing for Mates books

{problems by Brea Alepou} has MC1 as spoilt mafia heir and 3 x mafia enforcers/right hand men, they’re the Doms and the heir is the sub. Is S&W

{perfect prey duet by Vasha Crow} it’s S&W with x 4 doms falling for the sub, who is kinda their prisoner in book 1 due to witnessing a crime. But there’s no dubcon issues. Contemporary.

{beg for it by Alisha Williams} is OV, no mpreg and poly. Please check CW as has MC with mental health conditions and attempted suicide. It is described as a bully romance but frankly I’ve read ones (over in the FMC ‘why choose’ world) where the MCs actions nearly killed the FMC and caused temporary blindness…. Yeah, let’s just say I don’t read bully romance anymore, which is why I was dubious about starting this. I’d actually put it under stalking/obsessed MCs instead of bullying. But that’s just my viewpoint.

{the night movers by Nolah Harker} is OV, no mpreg in book 1 but could be in the future. Has 1 x omega and 6 x alphas. Please check CW as this is set in a dystopian society and omegas are basically treated like property/breeding machines.

{Irish Roulette series by Ki Brightly} has nerdy professor and 4 x mafia MCs. I only read the first two books and it was S&W with slowly adding the MCs onto the main spoke. It then starts to move into poly in later books.

{Our King, Our Master series by Brea Alepou} urban paranormal with loads of different shifters. Poly with all the sex, like to the point it is just sex scenes with some plot tying it together. Complete I think.

{Golden by Helen Juliet} daddy kink, more erotica. Pretty much just a lot of sex around a light plot! Poly

{The second awakening series by Alexander C Eberhart} is urban fantasy with an excellent plot. Really focuses on worldbuilding. Planned 4 book series with same MCs. Is S&W up to book 2, then moves into poly.

{Teach me by Alisha Williams} set in the same world as Beg for It. OV, no mpreg. Has mafia elements, poly and the omega is the Dom with the alphas more submissive.

{Cam’s Treasures by Stella Rainbow} is paranormal, poly. Fated mates that add to the poly group as they go along with a total of 4 x MCs. Very relationship focused and I found the blurb misleading - gave off action vibes but the issue referred to in the blurb was resolved in two chapters.

{Always Yours series by N Slater} unique take on OV as you progress throughout the series as to designations. Please take CW seriously as there’s graphic DV and reference to SA. Again omegas seen as property. Is mpreg but happens very late in the end of the final book, no on page birth and described as happening off page - so no POV of the birthing MC. Has some follow up books of their family life afterwards that I’ve not read. Poly.

{Heart Reclaimed by N Slater} has 4 x MCs with betas being main focus. Does reference abuse but not as graphic as above and also set in the same world. Mpreg in epilogue and can be ignored. Poly.

{Rope me down by N Slater} pretty much erotica. Contemporary, cowboys and S&W. Does involve a Dad and 3 x sons with MC1 formerly being with the 4th son (who wasn’t into sharing and was an abusive POS - emotionally).

{Five to love him by Alexa Piper} is paranormal and super unique as has MC1 involved with a hive of x 5 MCs who are basically all of one mind but have 5 x bodies. Has OV elements of nesting/caring. Very sweet but references historical abuse/PTSD

{Knotted their Beauty by Jenn Bullard} OV with x 2 omegas 2 x Alphas and no mpreg. Mental health rep. Poly.

{The protection of the pack by Dessa Lux} is OV but I DNF book 1 as it was just super sex heavy. My understanding it’s poly and the pack grows throughout the series.

{Irresistible Omegas by Nora Phoenix} is OV with mpreg. I’ve not read as I can only read mpreg in very specific circumstances. Books have a mixture of 3/4 MCs and I don’t think every book has mpreg but maybe someone else can confirm.

{Blood and Omega by Halle Dawson} is OV and S&W. I DNF this as it had rape - not dubcon, outright stating ‘no’ and trying to fight off one of the Alpha brothers. Plus, our omega MC destroyed his hand - down to the bone - and he was just patched up at home with bandages and a couple of days later was just fine…..

DJ Heart has a number of MM+ books. They are OV with no mpreg. However I can’t read them due to the extent of the kinks - heavy BDSM/impact play etc. so please take the CW seriously (I didn’t with one, my mistake, and yeah it was super uncomfortable for me, but certainly helped me realise more limits at my end).

I hope this helps and please do add any others in the comments!

What Will You Read This Month?

Use this post to let us know your reading plans for the month. Whether you're planning to read specific books, or only have a genre or mood in mind, or even if you have no idea what to pull out of your "to read" pile, share your thoughts here!

This feature is posted on the first Wednesday of every month. Click here for past posts. You can find the complete schedule of all weekly and monthly features at this link.

So I would like a book that has an MC who is an underground/back alley doctor who is working illegally.

It could be for various reasons.

And his clients could be anyone from normal citizens who can't afford medical treatment or criminals.

He could or could not also be working at the hospital and no one is aware of his underground work.

I would like it if his medical practice is more of the plot like it actually affects his normal life.

I have no hard no's

I have read the {Doc by R.J Scott} and liked it very much!

I want a book where the pregnancy is a HUGE deal socially/politically.
Basically, I want the pregnant omega to become extremely important/respected because of the baby. For example:
He’s carrying the heir to a royal family/kingdom
He’s carrying the future heir of an important alpha or powerful family
He’s pregnant with the next leader of an important pack
Maybe he’s carrying the heir to a famous/popular band or some kind of powerful organization or whatever
Or The pregnancy has political/social significance and everyone knows how important the baby is, and so the omega is to be pampered, protected, respected and treated like he’s precious.

The title says it. I am looking for historical romance, set in a regency period (bonus if it contains fantasy) between an anxious, withdrawn, unpopular MC and LI who is confident and socially active. It should also include: hurt/comfort, caretaking, LI pursuing MC, green flag LI, protectiveness, first times (not a strict requirement)

This request is inspired by Letters to Half Moon Street by Sarah Wallace, BUT I wish for something with more spice/described intimacy and not written in form of letters. 3rd person preferable, but I can do with 1st person.

I'm guessing that The Magpie Lord by KJ Charles will be recommended, but it does not fit what I'm looking for because, for one, Stephen is very strong and powerful, and for second, it's focused on plot more than romance, and I wish for something fully romance focused.

Please do not recommend anything that contains >!sexual assault!< of the MCs, mpreg, cheating or arranged marriage with other characters (but I love the trope where MCs enter arranged marriage with each other)

basically what the title is looking for, open to most things except
❌ noncon/sa between love interests
❌ huge age gap/daddykink
❌ omgeaverse

I’d basically like a book where they’re both on the same ward in a psychiatric hospital and really slow burn too, I love longer books/book series. Maybe one of the mcs is non verbal/really quiet but steps out of his comfort zone to be around mc2. I watched a movie like this once that’s loosely around the same concept but it was wlw and I don’t remember if it was a psychiatric hospital or not, but one aspect that I liked in the movie that I’d like in the book is sneaking around in the middle of night to see each other even with the risks of getting caught

I don’t know if everyone is subscribed to Jax Calder’s newsletter, but she released an ebook with all three books in the trilogy, plus a bonus story about Oliver and Callum, the protagonists from the first book.

I really recommend reading the bonus story!

If you’ve already finished the trilogy, you can just download the ebook and skip straight to it.

From what I understood from the newsletter, Jax’s next book will probably be about a character who is mentioned in this story and who will become part of Callum and Oliver’s lives. And I think Oliver and Callum will very likely appear in the next book too and probably as more than just a cameo. After all, these people seem like they’re going to become very important in both of their lives.

It was beautiful, fun, and emotional.

I loved this bonus story, and now I’m even more excited for Jax’s next book!

{Unlikely Dilemmas: The Complete Trilogy by Jax Calder}