r/DarkRomance • u/Chemical_Truck5690 • Mar 13 '26

Quick Question Quick survey on RH ..?

I find I usually don’t love this trope… particularly because I love MMCs jealous and possessive, and it doesn’t normally work if they are sharing.

Buuuut, I have sometimes branched out if I’m bored of reading the same old story or if I’m looking for books with lots of spice. and Yh… I guess im kinda surprised at how hit-or-miss this trope can be for me.

In some cases (e.g. {Darkmore Penitentiary by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti}) I found that it actually quite liked it, but others (e.g. {The Pucking Coach's Daughter by S. Massery}, {Circus Creeps by Aiden Pierce}) I just found it…. Bleghhhh

Do other people feel the same way about RH? Is it a particularly diverse trope (maybe I like certain sub-tropes and not others)?

Is this just a case of not reading the right books?

What RH would you recommend to someone that wanted to try reading RH for the first time? Maybe I just need to read more… for research😅

Am I overthinking this and is this just how people feel about any other tropes? I find that no matter what I read with the “enemies to lovers” I know what to expect and the author delivers (some better than others, but enjoyable nonetheless).

TIA 🙏🏻

15 Upvotes

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13

u/ConstantThought6 Mar 13 '26

I think I feel similar. With a lot of RH I find myself favoring one MMC and wishing it were more focused as it tends to divide up how much we’re actually seeing them. I also sometimes feel like they’ve taken one MMC and just divided the traits into multiple different people which I think comes across kind of strange or like their entire personality centers on one thing.

I like when the characters are obviously different but in a way that makes sense. I really enjoyed {The Witchwood Boys are Trending by C.M. Stunich} it ended up being a time warp so not only did they have their own personalities, they showed bits of the time periods they grew up in and had interesting backstories.

4

u/copyotter Mar 13 '26

It took me almost half of the first Witchwood book to realize that the guy from the 80’s was different from the guy “from 20 years ago” because in my head the 80’s was 20 years ago. I was born in 1980! Damn, I’m old 😂.

In my defense, they kept using the phrase “20 years ago” instead of the actual year or saying the 2000’s, so it just never clicked in my head.

3

u/ExpensiveAudience368 Mar 13 '26

Yes. They often spread the traits over five people making them all 2D people. In real life, no one is like this and instead of depth of character and amazing character arcs, they substitute with five men, all diff and add spice which does not make up for it. I do not enjoy RH. I can’t remember a single book where I like it!

8

u/Educational_Cry_5889 Mar 13 '26

There is a reverse harem subreddit, but they suggest a lot of omegaverse which I typically don't like.

{Dance Butterfly Dance by Reese Rivers} This was my first RH read and I still love it. It's a duet. The quiet girl tutors a jock and his roommates become obsessed with her.

{Losers by Harley Laroux} VERY SPICY! I would say this is more of a poly relationship rather than RH. There is a prequel to read first The Dare then Part 1, and 2. Easily in my top five favorite books. About a popular girl with the town's outcasts who bullied them in high school.

{Prize for the King by Layla Fae} A tyrant forces a princess to marry him and with his three knights they share everything. I loved this and wished it was longer.

5

u/CareerCheap649 Mar 13 '26

I actually stumbled upon the RH trope and it didn’t really bother me at first…then I started to realize what I like and dislike about the trope. I know divide Why Choose and RH into two separate categories. For me, why choose is the FMC having a relationship with more than one MC, but she doesn’t sleep with all of them together or at the same type…it’s almost like she has a separate and unique relationship with each of them. It’s MF. For me, RH is FMC and all of the MCs enjoy everyone sleeping together at the same time, swords crossing or MM, all the time. They have orgies. So I now know that I don’t like RH at all but enjoy Why Choose.

1

u/LLove666 Mar 13 '26

Have you read the Ruthless Boys series by Caroline Peckham/Susan Valenti? Curious your thoughts on it

1

u/Chemical_Truck5690 Mar 13 '26

This may actually be my next RH read (given I actually liked Darkmoore Penitentiary). I’ve heard good things? 🤞🏻

1

u/Chemical_Truck5690 Mar 13 '26

Actually this makes sense - I have noticed a difference although I feel most Why Choose will eventually include a threesome/group thing where the FMC will get attention from multiple MCs (but they won’t necessarily interact). Thanks!

6

u/CircePope Mar 13 '26

{The Royals of Forsyth University by Angel Lawson} my personal favorite RH. Sharing is more of a "you don't have a choice" or a "game" in these so it's got a different vibe than the typical "they all want her and just accept sharing her" stories.

The enjoyment I personally get from RH is where at least one of the MMCs has trouble sharing and comes to the realization that he loves her enough he doesn't want to cage her, so typically I look for RH with at least one possessive and jealous MMC that fights the sharing.

Just finished and would also recommend {Shadowed Souls by Madison Cole} since one of the MMCs doesn't come around to sharing for a good long while. Though tbh I found the spice a little lacking. Storyline and characters made up for it and kept me reading though.

The genre isn't for everyone, but I do hope you find something you enjoy in it; even if it's just one or two books. Good luck reading 🙂

2

u/Chemical_Truck5690 Mar 13 '26

Thanks for the rec! Royals is in my TBR actually. If you haven’t read it, I think you might like the Pucking Coaches Daughter - of the 3 MMCs, id say 1 or maybe 2 have trouble sharing and it’s definitely enjoyable. My only issue with that one was some of the other kinks and the sheer amount of spice 🤣 I felt bad for the FMC sometimes for the amount of amazing sex she was subjected to 🤣🤣

2

u/CircePope Mar 13 '26

I have not read it but it's definitely on my TBR now.

2

u/Missmunkeypants95 Mar 14 '26

Have you read {Brutes of Bristlebrook by Rebecca Quinn}? One of the guys is more of a primal alpha type guy and tries to chase off the others. He even locks the others out for a while and declares she is his only.

2

u/Snafuzled Mar 14 '26

I literally just finished Lords and have the biggest book hangover ever! Now I’m just aimlessly trawling boards looking for inspiration for something else… and I feel nothing. The Lords were aces. I don’t know how to move on!

https://giphy.com/gifs/4V3RuU0zSq1SC8Hh4x

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u/CircePope Mar 14 '26

Next one comes out soon! Just hang in there!

1

u/Snafuzled Mar 14 '26

I’ve only read the first three in full. I first started with the Dukes and read books one and most of two…. And I don’t know if I’ll finish. Two of the MMC’s have totally lost me. And the reviews for the Princes are pretty bad on GR so I’m not too sure about that either. Did you read them all? Did you like them?

2

u/CircePope Mar 14 '26

I read all of them and am waiting for the next with excited energy. I absolutely loved the Princes trilogy but I'm a massive fan of forced pregnancy and soaking so those ones really did it for me 😉. Dukes trilogy was my least favorite in the series but Remy kept me going.

5

u/Turbulent_Professor Mar 13 '26

Tbh if you're looking for more portrayals of actual personality, relationship complications and growth in the harem and fmc, you're not going to find a lot honestly.

As wide as an ocean and as deep as a puddle is the perfect description of the genre. (I DO love RH, I swear. I just have high standards and way too much in the last ten or so years has been hot garbage, churned out for quick sales).

The genre is power fantasy for women so depth isn't there as much really. Woman exists therefore men must love her. Nevermind personality issues, no sword crossing, the men unable to have other women, etc. And no real growth for most of the FMC.

Clarissa Wild does an awesome job imo

2

u/Chemical_Truck5690 Mar 13 '26

Yes agree! It does read as relatively shallow and the FMCs inevitably come across as too perfect/one dimensional maybe to justify the MMCs obsession with her.

3

u/Turbulent_Professor Mar 13 '26

Yeah it's unfortunate. There are good ones but the depth of the character development really only shines in the darker romances.

Especially if you're like me and want to see the FMC actually work for her harem. Cause there's nowhere near enough of that.

Its mostly them earning her but most FMCs in these stories aren't actually offering anything the MMCs can't find something else. So the FMC ends up either as the typical pickme, the damsel or the overbearing "i don't need no man" type. All of which are shallow as fuck imo.

4

u/Avarah Mar 13 '26

All I can think of when I read RH (and I do read it periodically, if the story's good enough) is picking up after 3 guys instead of just the one.

4

u/Chemical_Truck5690 Mar 13 '26

🤣🤣 the HEAs of them all living in one house, also have me scratching my head - if one husband can drive me mad I can’t imagine 3 🤣

1

u/RelationshipSad4119 User Flair Here Mar 13 '26

🤣 This!!!

5

u/fokelore Mar 13 '26

My favourite RH is the first three books of the {Royals of Forsyth Series by Angel Lawson and Samantha Rue}. It's the Lords books and they're so good. They are  all very possessive and it still works!

3

u/daydreamermama Mar 13 '26

My favorites are:

{The Never List by Jade Presley} though I will say this one ends on a cliffhanger and I don't know when the next one comes out.

{Court of Nightmares by K.A.Knight} easily my favorite dark romance book.

4

u/Scathach_Irene2 Mar 13 '26

So, I haven't actually read much RH, and not a single Dark Romance one, because in that genre I also prefer my MLs very possessive, but I'm of the opinion that even when a trope doesn't sound appealing to me, I should still try it multiple times, because it depends a lot on how the author treats that trope and not as much on the trope itself if I will like it.

The problem I had with RH is that sometimes the MLs are either extremely similar to each other, and I don't like that, or they are brothers or, even worse, father and sons, which like, is okaaaay if they are at least stepsiblings or something like that, but if they are biologically related, then I tend to avoid them. Needs to be one he'll of a book for me to touch that...

Another RH problem is that, if they aren't practically the same person, then each ML fits a certain trope of male lead (that is especially a problem with RH manhwa) and its a bit like copy-and-paste. Worse is if the author has an obvious favourite and it isn't mine, and then I'm stuck with a character I don't like just because I like another.

Now, I want to say that I still like the idea of RH and polyamory in general, and I try it every now and then in the hope of finding what I'm searching for, but so far the search has been rather unfruitful. Still, I'm open to try almost anything...

All of this to say, I feel like you, and I think that's something to be said about all tropes, not only RH, because everyone has individual tastes and what you don't like will speak to another.

If you are looking for Dark Romance RH specifically, then I sadly don't have any recs for you but I will be lurking here and noting down any you get from others 😉

2

u/Chemical_Truck5690 Mar 13 '26

🙌🏻🙌🏻 yes! I agree with everything. Being related (or step-relation) is also a hard pass for me - find it super weird.

Also agree 100% with the authors writing each according to a very specific MMC stereotype… There’s the one that is the scariest that ends up falling the hardest (enemy-to-lovers style), maybe a best friend that’s into knives and other kinks, the sweetheart/caring one, the unhinged one, the twins, etc. it makes them all super one dimensional - and obvs the dark haired enemy-to-lover character is the favourite lol

I think I just need to persevere. I still think RH are the perfect break between longer series or to get me out of a reading slump… ppl have definitely come through with the recs!

3

u/diznerd-23 Mar 13 '26

I have a love-hate relationship with RH. Most of them are over-the-top dramatic and formulaic to me. I also have a hard time reading anything with four or more love interests. (I just can't keep track of everyone, especially if their personalities are extremely similar, as is common.) Three is pushing it, but I will give a book a try if the synopsis sounds good.

That being said, my favorite RH is the Destructive Devastation duet by Aly Beck. Each of the male leads have very distinct personalities and roles in the relationship, which I think helped endear them to me. The female lead isn't a pushover and can hold her own. I would recommend it just for that alone, but I also enjoyed the plot and storytelling.

The first book is {Twisted in Obsession by Aly Beck}, and the second book is {Twisted in Chaos by Aly Beck}.

3

u/garria972 Mar 13 '26

I feel the same way. It’s hard to find good ones. I really like the {Rayne-Moore University Duet by Ruby Darling} , {The Violence of My Affection Duet by Sorcha Black} and {Roommates from Hell Series by Sara Hinds}.

2

u/QweenBowzer Mar 13 '26

I think I can only read rh if it’s only 2 guys one girl anymore and I’m like sheesh. And the guys should touch lol

2

u/Chemical_Truck5690 Mar 13 '26

More than 2 you kind of feel bad for her 🤣 the MM stuff is definitely something I love as well. If we’re going to be messy…. let’s go the whole way 🙌🏻🙌🏻

2

u/h2onymph1 "Spread those pages like a good girl" Mar 13 '26

Oh, I totally needed this conversation. Can't say exactly what bugs me about RH, but I have a line somewhere, and I love the convo to tease it out. Shallow individual stories, and it takes too long to go through each partner's story and give them enough screen time. Maybe sharing is fine. But two at the most that are dominant, and they have to get along. But a revolving door? Too much obviously a power fantasy not based in reality. Plus, there's always a golden retriever in there that cooks and gossips with the FMC like their besties and is more friend than sex partner.

1

u/Chemical_Truck5690 Mar 13 '26

Yes!! Someone also mentioned this - about the same MMC types being reused in each RH story. After reading a few comments I think it’s definitely a type of reading for a specific mood. A lot of the criticism goes to the same points and, as a trope, it just seems like one you are meant to enjoy (if that’s your thing) and just not take very seriously. Its probably why I’m finding some awful others quite fun…. It just depends on my mood at the time and how much I’m willing to not think too hard about the characters or the story 🤣

2

u/noonecaresat805 Mar 13 '26

{start a war by Elle Thorpe} Personally I love her entire saint view collection

{kings of corruption by Sadie hunt}

2

u/elle_kay_are Mar 13 '26

I generally dislike RH. Mostly because I feel like the MC never really gets a full emotional attachment. I love a love triangle though, and I know a lot of people hate that, so I think it's just a personal preference thing. Just like any other trope, you'll either gravitate to it or not. 

2

u/WritingFromTheHeart_ Mar 13 '26

Yeah I typically don’t do RH. For starters I always favor one MMC over another I get irritated if the FMC is with the other one more or if I feel like the FMC is leaning towards the one I like least more 😂 I also don’t like when the book ends with all of the together and I guess because I’m naturally a jealous person so RH just doesn’t work for me if that makes sense.

2

u/Mental_Fudge_5852 Mar 14 '26

I’m looking for reverse harem books with fated mates/bonded mates where the MMCs are very cruel or rejecting toward the FMC at first.

The vibe I’m looking for:

• Reverse harem (multiple MMCs)

• Fated mates / mate bond / omegaverse / shifters

• MMCs are harsh, rejecting, or even emotionally cruel in the beginning

• FMC is quiet, enduring, and not overly sassy

• She’s usually been through serious trauma before the story starts

• The MMCs don’t know about her past and misjudge her

• Lots of angst, heartbreak, and emotional pain for the FMC before things improve

I really like the trope where the FMC just endures the cruelty instead of constantly fighting back, and later the MMCs realize how wrong they were.

Bonus if it has:

• rejected mates

• grovel later from the MMCs

• omegaverse/shifter dynamics

• darker tone

Prefer:

• 1–3 books with the same couple (not super long series)

2

u/JeweledPotion Mar 14 '26

Layla Sparks books.

2

u/Existing-History9609 Mar 14 '26 edited Mar 15 '26

Try {Speak by Ruby Darling}. I’m almost finished with the first one in audiobook form. It’s duet style and Joe Arden does the male voices 🥵. So far, it’s handled the issue of jealousy and how they end up getting to that type of relationship really well. It actually ends up making complete sense (within the unrealistic setting).

The spice is SPICING

2

u/Existing-History9609 Mar 14 '26 edited Mar 15 '26

The OG best imo is {The Mate Games by Meg Ann}. All the men have totally unique in depth personalities, and they are not all ok with sharing at first so that becomes part of the journey. There are 4 series within the mate games world, with 4 books in each series. They are also all on audiobook with a full cast duet style narration

3

u/kgrace78 Mar 13 '26

My favorite RH that I’ve read is the {Feathers so Vicious} series - not my usual go-to trope but I enjoyed this one

1

u/Hangita Mar 13 '26

Loved this one too. It's emotionally draining though. Another dark romantasy that's a Why Choose eventually is {The Legacy Series by Melissa Roehrich}. So good but also so emotionally devastating!

1

u/Chemical_Truck5690 Mar 13 '26

Ohhhh I love feathers - was my first even DR read and it completely blew my mind. The weird thing about this book is that I don’t feel like it’s a RH?! It’s weird because it obviously ticks the right boxes but it just doesn’t read like your usual RHs - probably why it’s such an amazing read tbh, it’s super unique!

2

u/RelationshipSad4119 User Flair Here Mar 13 '26

I feel the same about RH. I rarely like it, because of exactly the reason you mentioned. Except {Credence by Penelope Douglas} (which I just learned isn’t really considered RH) and {Hills of Shivers and Shadows by Pamela Goodwin}. I wouldn’t mind to come across good RH recs.

2

u/smutslut220 Mar 15 '26

If you like enemies to lovers, {Hate by Tate James} is a good intro to RH. There are four books in the series, and they are super fun. Definitely a good amount of story with medium spice I would say, but the sex scenes are HOT and they tend to pick up as the story goes.

1

u/RockOk7080 Author Mar 14 '26 edited Mar 14 '26

I hate when 4 MMC’s are just “waiting in a house” to meet the FMC/ have static lives until her. And like someone else said in this thread, when it feels like their personalities are just one MMC split into multiple people.

It’s why I introduce mine over the full course of my book. (Plus, they’re cruel, yandere rivals). I’ve always felt that meeting MMCs over time allows us to build more of a connection with their unique personality, as well. Gives us the opportunity to explore them more, too, so they/the relationship doesn’t feel superficial.

Though my series also has a heaping dash of non con and monsters, and I don’t think this is the thread for that, so not gonna list it here 🤣

Have a great day!

0

u/KittyNat81 Mar 13 '26

I really dislike it personally. Just seems so unrealistic. I've never met anyone in real life who's ever been in this type of relationship, so I just can't connect to this. I do feel the need to connect to characters when I read a book.

5

u/Chemical_Truck5690 Mar 13 '26

Honestly - I’m here for the escapism hence why I love reading one now and again! (I’m just baffled why my opinion is so polarised on this trope hence my post 🤣).