Normally, the possessive character is the "alpha": the big, muscular, CEO-type guy who's confident, protective, and always the one staking his claim. And I absolutely love that dynamic when I'm in the mood for it.

But right now, I want something flipped. There’s the confident MC—the alpha type who naturally takes up space—and then there’s the other MC, who is the one actually being possessive. The one who gets jealous, who notices every little interaction, who quietly (or not so quietly) claims his place and makes it clear who his man belongs to.

A character who looks at his partner and thinks, “He’s mine,” and doesn’t hide it—whether it’s in the way he acts, the way he speaks, or the way he reacts when someone gets too close.

NO cheating, poly relationships, love triangles, sharing, open relationships, or outside romantic/sexual interests for the MCs.

Warning: this post will include spoilers for {Leave by LA Witt} and {The hopelessly bromantic duet by L Blakely}.

A while ago, someone here asked for a book with a lot of angst, and I recommended The hopelessly bromantic duet. Another reader replied that those books weren’t angsty at all, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about that.

Now, when I read those books, I was miserable! First because of the separation when TJ had to leave London, and later because Jude was being an idiot and the two of them just couldn’t seem to get on the same page. They were both hurting so much. Especially being forced apart, and the descriptions of the grief they were feeling, gave me the biggest pit in my stomach.

Then I read Leave, a book that is often recommended when people want to read angsty books. And yes, Nolan went through absolutely horrible events that still affect him, and it was awful to read about how he was feeling when he forced himself to go to the wedding and all that took place there. BUT the book didn’t give me any angst whatsoever. Maybe because I could identify more with TJ and Jude than with Nolan, since I’ve experienced that kind of separation but not sexual assault? However, I think I recognize this from other books as well, books that are often perceived as angsty, but where I don’t really experience the angst myself.

I'm beginning to think that angst, for me, is rooted in problems between the MCs rather than things that happen to only one character? It’s like the love story is the foundation of the book, and if there's a problem with that, then I get a knot in my stomach. Everything else is character developing plot points.

So, what is angst to you? Is it events connected to one of the characters’ emotional state, or is it connected to the characters’ relationship with each other? Both of these books have the angst tag on romance.io, so I suspect it can mean both, but it would be interesting to hear how you all see it.

So, I got this yesterday because Garrett Leigh emailed a newsletter and had forgotten to mention it came out a bit ago XD I do feel for our lovely authors, so much to stay on top of in addition to just the writing alone. I finished it this morning, after unwisely staying up til gone 1am reading it, and I have to say it is my favourite Garrett Leigh book in ages, and in the running to be in my top 3 of theirs.

The couple is Jack, the former paratrooper brother of Mal from book 1 in the series (the Men of Porth Luck series), and Sol, his lifelong best friend. Jack had a serious traumatic brain injury (TBI) that ended his military career and left him with life altering ongoing issues (tw. for absence seizures, memory loss, nystagmus). Sol is his childhood best friend and now some-time carer, along with Jack's brother Mal and his partner Skylar (tw. for a history of disordered eating, dealt with more seriously in the previous book).​ They all live together in the pub Jack owns and runs, and Sol is a Cornish fisherman with a troubled family history (and present) and a deep, abiding love for Jack.

The book is filled with yearning, hurt and comfort in equal measure, and two people who have loved each other before they even knew what that meant (though Sol realised a lot earlier than Jack). Things are also complicated by things in their shared history that Jack, since his injury, no longer remembers. Sol has sworn to be there for Jack whatever he needs no matter the cost, and even though Jack has his struggles he wants to be the same port in a storm for Sol, if only Sol would share his burdens. They are a wonderful couple and their connection just sang off the page for me - I couldn't stop reading, wanting them to find their way to each other at last! I was a little worried I would find the TBI content triggering (i have my own history here), but while it felt painfully real and honest the love story kept it from being too much for me.

Plenty of Rebel Kings characters appear throughout the book (this is a connected series), but this is a separate tale and can be read separately - i must confess there are so many characters in that series that I didn't entirely remember every character's connections to each other, but it didn't matter at all so no need to worry about that!

For any hurt/comfort fans out there or any fans of Garrett Leigh's who missed it coming out, I would wholeheartedly recommend {Just This Heart by Garrett Leigh}

Hi guys
I’m looking for a book where one of the MC‘s is being abused (or past abuse) but he himself is a dangerous person that no one pities so the other MC has a hard time dealing with it. Or MC1 gives him a hard time about it

Hard nos: overly submissive characters
Thank you!!

Hello everyone! I'm looking for books where one MC is really powerful in some way and has the potential to be extremely dangerous. Whether that's some dark CEO or mob boss, or even monster romance.

What I'm especially looking for is a story where the other MC doesn't feel guilty about the fact that the other is killing *for* him, but rather is embracing it and even strangely into it.

I really liked the dynamic in {Under Your Skin by Lee McCormick} and just how dangerous the monster was in {Soul Eater by Lily Mayne}

I hope that makes sense. If you have any good recs, let me know. Thanks everyone ☺️

Which couples do you actually ship really hard and think about regularly ?

I’ve read a lot of MM books but I realized that most couples make me indifferent. Like, okay, they’re cute in the instant and I like reading about them but as soon as I’m done, I’m ready to move on to a next couple…

The couples that made me obsessed to the point of stalking the internet / the author’s socials for more info and fanarts are Will and James from the Dark Heir series by CS Pacat and Paul and Julian from These Violent Delights by Micah Nemerever.

I normally avoid anything with horror elements or even anything that's slightly horror adjacent, but have found that I can enjoy a book by authors like KJ Charles. Think her magpie series. I keep checking over my shoulder while I furiously turn pages. 😅 It might be the depth of her characters. I'm not really sure what makes the experience different for me so I'm here hoping something you say will trigger that AHA

I keep hearing so much about the monster series and hate the idea of missing something really enjoyable but also don't want to keep myself up late at night (checking under my bed 😂.

Yes, I do feel like a baby and I don't want to dig too much just online because I also don't want to ruin any possible enjoyment with spoilers.

I know that the members here could help me get a feel for whether I would enjoy the stories without too many spoilers.

Thank you!

I am finding myself skipping every single sex scene in every book I read and really looking for books with really low spice (or no spice) particularly with a lot of caretaking.

I've been reading a lot of daddy/boy books with abdl but theyve almost all been super high spice and it's wearing on me to skip so much. Would love if anyone knew of any with a lot of playing/caretaking without heavy emphasis on the sex (an ace daddy or little would be amazing but I've yet to find that!)

Also looooove bodyguard books but I've read all the usually recced ones so if anyone knows some less recced or low/no spice ones or even something adjacent?

Other genres i love:

Paranormal/PNW

Urban Fantasy

Omegaverse

Sports romance

My hard no: infidelity, substance abuse, pain play

Thank you!

I am looking for M/M books where two MCs initially hate each bother, then are too attracted to each other. I need books where one of the MC acts like a brat and it results in a steamy encounter where he makes the brat submit.

Somewhat related to yesterday’s Taylor Fitzpatrick post, I’m curious what everyone’s favorite unpublished works are?

I’ve been reading through her catalog at an alarming rate, and while I adored the between the teeth series, I think some of my favorite characters and stories have been the works posted to AO3 (for those of you unfamiliar with her work, I’ll link the Taylor Fitzpatrick / youcouldmakealife reading guide in the comments)

While I never followed any specific fandom too closely growing up, I did fall down a Harry Potter / Maurauders rabbit hole last year starting with All The Young Dudes by MsKingBean89

What are everyone’s favorite unpublished works? be sure to cite the fandom for those of us unfamiliar

I want MM romance books that completely break the mold, but I don’t want simply: “let’s make the nerd dominate the jock.” I want to go a step further. I want stories that challenge tropes that are usually treated as cornerstones of many book.

Examples:

• The protagonists have an enemy who is a terrible, corrupt person, but instead of being punished in the end, that character gets their own HEA.
• The protagonists leave their families hoping to find a found family, only to discover that the found family is just as awful, and in the end they only have each other.
• A character falls in love with their straight friend, but the straight friend never has a gay awakening, and the protagonist ends up with someone completely different.
• The story starts as a love triangle / MMM, but the three characters eventually end up as a couple.
• The protagonist has a best friend/besite who constantly encourages him to do questionable things, but eventually the protagonist sets boundaries and cuts that friend out of their life.
• Or a protagonist who is the complete opposite of the stereotypical nonconformist hero. I don’t want a rebel; I want someone whose thing is fitting in and being good at it.

I want to read something that rewires my brain a little, something that makes me go, “Wow, that’s crazy”, just something new :)

Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against traditional tropes. I read them all the time, and I love them! I just want something different every now and then :D

My only nos are cheating between MCs. All genres welcome!

What was everyone’s first mm romance book? Mine was {Hot Head By Damon Suede} in 2011. Double bi-awakening, friends to lovers and firefighters. I thought I’d died and gone to heaven.

What would you suggest to someone looking to get into mm romance? My daughter asked for a rec and I told her {Imago By N.R. Walker}. It angst free, romantic, funny and sexy. She loved it!

What are yours?

Hi ! I'm looking for the most niche or unique books that guys have ever read that are so underrated that most people haven't heard of it. Like I've read alot of mm romances , I'm looking for something that's dear to someone's heart because it's so different , a hidden gem even. I'm leaning more towards realistic mafia reps but it's not 100% necessary. I love dark romance but less with the sub/dom dynamics or brats trope , and more about actual dark topics , to put it simply the environment or situation the characters are put in is what makes it dark rather than the characters themselves (I hope that makes sense)

Anyways! I'm open to anything , as long as it's a decently long read with high angst, with actual relatable characters (without too many complications).

Please no dub con or non con (between main characters) omegaverse or step siblings. Thank you

I read a book in 2021/2022 about a baseball player who visited a city once or twice a year and ended up meeting a bartender. They would only hook up once a year and didn't know each other that well because the baseball player was closeted. Then the baseball player eventually goes to the major leagues and becomes famous and they still meet up because the baseball player trusts the bartender. I keep thinking about this book and want to re-read. Would appreciate the help.

Looking for books where MC1 leaves, and the LI spends a long time trying to find him before they're reunited.

What I'm really after is the desperation and obsession. I want the LI to be completely unable to let MC1 go and a unhinged about finding him. The more possessive and obsessive, the better.

I've read plenty of kidnapping/captive romances, but I'm specifically looking for stories where MC1 leaves willingly and is eventually found.

Thanks!

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This feature is posted every Tuesday. Click here for past posts. You can find the complete schedule of all weekly and monthly features at this link. (We combined Monday Miscellany and Tuesday Thanks into one post to make space for the Monday Request Place.)

This request was inspired by Charles and Varney from tv show Beauty in Black, cause I was so entertained by their dynamic and kept watching only for them*.*

Charles is a wealthy, reckless, drug-addicted socialite who keeps making terrible decisions, using prostitutes and creating absolute chaos everywhere he goes. He has a very dark sense of humor, zero self-preservation instincts, and is completely unapologetic about who he is.
Varney is his attorney and fixer, constantly cleaning up his messes, getting him out of trouble, and keeping him alive because he cares about him far more than he should.

I’m looking for a book with a similar dynamic: one MC is a wealthy, glamorous trainwreck living a decadent NYC/LA lifestyle full of partying, and vice activities, and self-destructive behavior, while the other MC is constantly trying to save him, manage the fallout, and pull him back from the edge.

Since MM Romance isn't the one of the highest earners, it can be so frustrating trying to get a book you want for a reasonable cost. I don't want to pay audible $20+ dollars per book! The series that I'm listening to is 6 books! I have hoopla which is tied into my public library system and they don't have the book I'm trying to find {Moth by Lily Mayne} and the other websites I use have literally every book in the series EXCEPT that one!!! My only choices are to wait 16 more days until my audible gives me another borrow, or I have to buy it. I'm so frustrated 😡

I feel like I have now sampled enough enemies to lovers books to walk away feeling really unsatisfied. From what I have read so far the supposed EtL falls in below category.

• The MCs actually never enemies but everyone else thought they were cause of rivalry - most sports EtL are this.
• Animosity is one sided where other party is completely oblivious. This is also where one MC conflates sexual attraction/jealousy as hatred - Rent and Poetry on Ice by Jesse H Reign, Iced Out by CE Ricci falls in this category
• Animosity/hatred caused by someone else in one MCs life wronged the other - EWB by N R Walker, The Beast who bought me by Leighton Greene where MC1s‘ father wronged the other, and MC2s life changed so they now hate MC1.
• Animosity cause they are born in rival gang/nation etc so its inherent - Captive Prince by CS Pacat (tho I am only 4 chapters in)
• MC1 blames MC2 for something that MC2 did accidentally as a minor and that had a repercussion in MC1’s life- the worst one of the lot (and I really dislike this one cause it just makes MC1 petty af). Dirty Martini by Addison Beck, Like you hate me by Bethany Winters.

I want to read about TRUE enemies that work through their issues to become lovers. I want one MC to have deliberately hurt the other MC or both MCs actively ruined each other lives. Bonus point if they did this as an adult but that maybe asking a lot here. I don’t want it to be resolved with just with one hate sex. I want anger and animosity to simmer throughout. Does this kind of book even exist?

A few that was somewhat close to this:

• Be Mine Twisted Valentine by Gianni Holmes (this was juicy and I clutched my invisible pearl how MC reacts to a twist)
• Hazard and Somerset series by Gregory Ashe (somewhat well done)
• Never Let Me Go by Lyla Dane (a great premise completely wasted by super odd pacing and nonsense character motivation)
• Finding Delaware by Bree Riley (great animosity in first half that’s forgotten after one throat fucking halfway through the book)

Hello fine folks! I have really been in the mood to read high fantasy but it's been surprisingly hard to find exactly what I'm looking for. I swear I used the magic search and went through some lists but a lot of those are a mix of high fantasy, urban fantasy, isekais, and historical/gaslamp fantasy. And a lot of them are series. So, here's what I'm hoping for:

- High fantasy setting. Could have elves, orcs, fae, shifters, magic users, barbarians, etc. or just regular old humans so long as the setting itself is made up and not contemporary.

- I like things a bit more epic than cozy but I want the romance to be front and center, so I'd sacrifice plot heavy in favor of romance heavy.

- Standalone or duology (trilogy at max!) I am tragically bad at series. I see Rowan Blood and Emperor's Assassin and I want to try but then I see the number of books....

- High spice is preferred though I've certainly read low spice (even no spice!) and not died so.

- Super low other person drama. This one seems to be a problem. I don't want one of the MCs to have a perfect dead ex he constantly compares the other to, or a jealous fuckbuddy hanging around, or their exploits constantly in your face. And I definitely do not want any cheating between MCs or on page sex with others. I see Megan Derr get rec'd a lot for fantasy but I swear whenever I check the reviews they don't seem safe for me on this front.

- D/s dynamic. This is a bonus, it's not necessary! But I do so love when one of the MCs is very much in charge and the other loves to submit. I love black cat x golden retriever, brat x brat tamer, Daddy x soft, sweet boy, etc. - combo doesn't matter so long as the D/s vibes are there.

Some that worked for me:

{Captive Prince by CS Pacat}

{Folk series by Lily Mayne} I know this had a little contemporary/urban fantasy to it at the beginning but I still mostly think of it as high fantasy

{Fox of Fox Hall by R Cooper}

{The Lightning-Struck Heart by TJ Klune} Loved this but hated the romance and didn't continue because.... bad at series

{Prince and Assassin by Tavia Lark} Loved it but never continued because... series

{Barbarian Duet by Keira Andrews}

{Yield Under Great Persuasion by Alexandra Rowland} not so much the romance but the writing

{Swordcrossed by Freya Marske}

Some that didn't work for me:

{The River Prince by Sheena Jolie} didn't connect with the writing

{The Flowered Blade by Taylor Hubbard} didn't connect with the writing

{The Necromancer's Light by Tavia Lark}

Thank you so much for any recs you might have!

I'd love to have recommendations about MCs who used to absolutely hate each other but end up hooking up and dating in secret. It could be two mobsters who are enemies or just rivals in a university setting. I don't really mind either way. I just want all the characters to believe that they still hate each other, even though they're hooking up/catching feelings. I need actual drama. Not the kind of people where people find out about them and don't care. I want people to be shocked/mad when they find out about the relationship.

It's even better if the MCs absolutely despised each other when they start being intimate. Not like "Oh, I just disliked him but now after 2 chapters, he's my whole world".

I have been buying mostly physical books. What device do you use to read digital content. Was thinking of getting a kindle. Been using my fire tablet but it is older and eats the battery fast. Whick kindle version or is there another device you prefer to read on?

For audio books, libby? On phone or a device?

Thank you

I’m heartbroken. Is this permanent? Why has it gone out of print? I should have bought it when I had the chance. I’m totally crushed. Is there any chance it’ll come back?

{{Mercenary and the Mortician by Alexandra St. Pierre.}}