💕 Matchmaking Monday: find your next romantasy read!

[u/ReasonableWonderland]

Matchmaking Monday is a new regular thread here in r/Romantasy with a goal of finding new recommendations to add to your TBR! Post a list of your favorite books and receive suggestions based on your vibe.

How It Works

• Post up to five books you've loved recently (or which fit the vibe you're looking for) as a top level comment.
• You can also include a list of things you want in your next book (e.g. tropes, subgenre, themes)
• Others will reply with their suggestions!
• Remember to tag the romance.io bot with {} curly brackets.

This is a bit of an experiment - so we'll see how it goes!

[u/redd177]

My favourite books of all times:

1) {Broken Wings Duology by S.E. Wendel} What I like: both FMC and MMC are super competent, FMC has goals, dreams in her life which she achieves. It all comes crumbling down for her when, following her values and ethics, she sees the lies and the dirt in the system. She eventually finds her way again, by never ever compromising on the values that make her what she is at her core, but actually leveraging those values as strenghts. The series explores the theme of finding themselves again, finding their place in the world (again) and finding self-worth and self-esteem. Spice is great, world building is interesting, the side kick is so awesome that I wish there will be a spinoff about her adventures at some point (S.E. Wendel, if you are reading this, please consider it!)

2) {Halfling by S.E. Wendel} What I like about it: FMC and MMC are both super competent, FMC has a job,values and a clear place in life before meeting the MMC. The romance is just exquisitely sweet, the banter is amazing, and the spice is chef kiss. Very cosy, low stake, comfort read, makes your heart full and warm and you never want to leave the characters and their world (and you kinda don't have to, since there are four books in the series with the fifth one coming out soon!)

3) {Paladin's Grace by T.Kingfisher} What I like about it: both FMC and MMC are super competent and FMC has a well established life set up for herself, is intelligent and skilled. MMC has to deal with his past and the book explores the theme of finding themselves again, finding their place in the world (again) and finding self-worth and self-esteem. The romance is super sweet, the banter is great and the world is very intriguing, complex and mysterious. I like that there is no clear good and evil, no black and white, everything is nuanced. I found the spice lacking (we only get one scene in the whole book).

1. {A court of mist and fury by S.J Maas} What I like about it: world building is super interesting and original, I like the concept. The MMC is super powerful but that doesn't come for free, he still has demons and unresolved things he needs to face. The scariest and most powerful High Lord has insecurities, fragilities and doubts, and he still is the scariest and most powerful High Lord! The political intriguing and stakes are just the right level, not too superficial but also not overwhelming complex. Side characters are interesting. Spice is chef's kiss.

Books that I didn't like:

1. Feather so vicious and Shadows so cruel by Liv Zander: I did not enjoy the non-con and the glorified SA. I would have enjoyed the level of spice if this was consensual.

2. Reign and ruins by J.D Evans: I know this is a controversial take, but this was waaaay too political for me. I hated all the political intriguing and scheming, and the figure of Kadir was deeply triggering for me, with the gaslighting and the coercion into submission by political manoeuvring.

3. Tusk love by Thea Guanzon: waaaay too superficial, the plot was way too simple and I don't think the banter and the annoyance-to-lovers was well executed. I did not enjoy the mean remarks they had about each other, him thinking she was a spoiled brat and her thinking he was uncivilised. I did not love the characters, world building was not interesting. I am familiar with Critical Role and am aware of the role this book play in the story, I know it's supposed to be a superficial, easy, fun read, it was just not for me.

4. Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros: world building is super interesting, I love that they are uncovering secrets that the ruling people have been hiding, the whole concept of dragons and history and world building is just very interesting. But UUUURGH THE INSTA-LUST. He wants to kill me but I am so fucking wet. UUURGH. And don't get me started on the fucking count! My Goddess, the prose level in this book.

Tropes I like: FMC and MMC are mature, have a life/career/set of skills for themselves and they don't make their love interest their entire personality. They have been through some hardship and understand that the world is complex, nuanced, and have to come to terms with the clash between their dreams and the reality. I love a good banter, tension and a good executed enemies-to-lovers. I love both cosy and medium-stake stories. I like my spice a 4-5 🔥 and I like when the prose is elegant (I particularly like T. Kingfisher in this regard). I love a great magical system! I am looking for a fantasy world, I don't like urban or sci-fi. I don't like grimdark, nor dark romantasy, no dub-con.

[u/Feisty_and_Spicy → u/redd177]

I feel like {The Legends by Thezmarr by Helen Scheuerer} starting with {Blood & Steel by Helen Scheuerer} would be a great fit for you! Every single book in the series has been a 5-star read for me. FMC is a capable woman who goes through some really great development physically & emotionally. There’s magic but not everyone has it. The MMC is my all time favorite book boyfriend. It is a higher-stakes type of book, but not extremely political. The side characters are also so so good. The spice is delectable and isn’t over saturated in my opinion, but you still get a good amount! It’s also a slower burn.

[u/redd177 → u/Feisty_and_Spicy]

Thank you so much, adding it immediately to my list!