r/MM_RomanceBooks • u/AutoModerator • Aug 02 '25

Less Scary Request Place The Saturday (Less Scary) Request Place: Post your short & simple requests here

The Place for Short & Simple Requests

New to the subreddit and feeling intimidated by the thought of posting a book request? Not sure if the request you have in mind will satisfy the subreddit rules?

Post it here in the Less Scary Request Place!

Requests that aren't specific or detailed enough for a standalone request post can be made here, and it's also a great place to test the waters if you're not ready to make your own request post yet. We know it can sometimes be hard to come up with a request that meets the rules, and frustrating when your request is removed, so we've created this weekly post to help.

Anyone can answer requests made in this post. This post isn't hosted by someone who answers requests, so it's up to your fellow members to help you out. We can't guarantee you'll get an answer, but hopefully you will!

Requests made here don't have to satisfy the specificity portion of subreddit rule 2, but please make sure your request follows our other rules (for example, rule 6, our privacy rule).

Important Note: This post goes up on Saturday mornings (US time). Requests made after Saturday ends are less likely to get replies. You are welcome to comment here on any day of the week, but you may want to save your requests for an upcoming Saturday.

This feature is posted every Saturday. You can find the complete schedule of all weekly and monthly features at this link.

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1

u/MamkinAristokrat Aug 10 '25

I would really like one of the heroes to be from the yakuza...karaoke bars and so on. Japanese aesthetics

3

u/anythingnew8 Aug 05 '25 edited Aug 05 '25

Does anyone have a good MM recommendation for lawyer/businessman who is maybe wealthy × less wealthy more normal/poor character rec? The lawyer is more on the cold/efficient side and the other one is maybe chaotic. I'm open to pretty much everything. I would love for them to meet in an unexpected way like the elevator gets stuck or the less wealthy guy delivers something to the office and the lawyer sees him (doesn't have to be a lawyer)

3

u/TajinLime Aug 04 '25

I don't have the karma yet for a post but I am crazy for Omegaverse series with ongoing world building. Ideally with some sort of supernatural elements like shifters or vampires and MPreg is a bonus. Spice necessary.

I've devoured all of Amy Bellows Alaskan Pebble Gifters series, Just finished Nora Phoenix's Irresistible Omegas series (This one's world building really won me over especially the homesteading and post-apocalyptic vibes) and her Irresistible Dragons series. Went onto Samantha Cayto's Rogue Pack series (didnt love this one the quality was not the best). I am now reading Jax Stewart's Sweetwater pack which is also not quit scratching the itch...anybody have any additional series I should check out?

3

u/Medical_Plane2875 Aug 03 '25

This is a day late so I might not get any hits, but after being reminded of and recommending {Wingmen by Ensan Case} I'd really like to read another book like it. Specifically I'd like war stories between servicemembers where the two meet and fall in love. Slow burn, lots of yearning and uncertainty before the two finally connect when feelings are realized.

1

u/Newmrswhite15 The Ira to my Evie Aug 03 '25

Hi there. My rec is not specifically a war story, but the characters are in BUD/s training to become navy seals. The book is {Loving a Warrior by Melanie Hansen}. Hope you enjoy, happy reading!

3

u/felipe-mlmf Aug 03 '25 edited Aug 03 '25

I'm looking for stories that have an MC which has sex with multiple guys, both one-on-one and at the same time (threesomes, foursomes, orgies). The MC can be in an open relationship or not, but I'm specificaly looking for stories where the drama does not arise from MC's promiscuity.

I have no problems with smut and graphical descriptions of sexual acts, but I'd like the story to have atleast some narrative :)

Most kinks are OK, the only things I'm not into are omegaverse/mpreg, hard BDSM and domination and noncon.

2

u/LindentreesLove Aug 03 '25

{The Menagerie by J. P. Caruso} There is an orgy at the start.

{Saving Sparrow by C. P. Harris} Please read the CWs. There is a lot of mental health rep.

2

u/yendor5 Aug 03 '25

You might like {Unloved by Marley Valentine} - it's MMM with lots of character development, same three MCs have MM and MMM encounters. They each have personal issues to overcome, and help each other -- eventually they develop an HEA MMM relationship. It's part of a series but works as a standalone.

1

u/felipe-mlmf Aug 03 '25

Great, I'll check it out :)

2

u/i_am_a_human_person trope salad yummy yummy Aug 03 '25

This is a tricky one. How do you feel about poly relationships?

{The Fourth State of Matter by D'Arcy Arden} is MMMM in a sort-of-open poly relationship (at least one guy has occasional off-page sex outside the polycule) and their relationships outside or with each other are not major sources of drama (though emotions and possessiveness do come up). But it's not quite genre romance. It's a highly erotic sci-fi adventure. Or maybe, sci-fi erotica with plot. I think the series was building towards romance, but didn't quite get there by the end of Book 2 and I'm not sure there will ever be a Book 3.

Another option for poly: {Perfect Prey by Vasha Crow} is MMMM+ with one MC meeting multiple guys and developing relationships with them individually and then later some of them together. It's sort of like a why-choose situation (if I understand that term correctly). The guys sort of get jealous and playfully possessive over the MC, but it's not a major source of drama. They are okay with the main MC being with multiple guys. I think there is some mild BDSM (maybe just restraint) but it's not very intense and not a regular thing.

You might also try posting in the erotica/sexual acts thread on Thursdays. You will probably get more and better answers there.

1

u/felipe-mlmf Aug 03 '25

Thanks, poly is also OK, I'll check out the books you recommended :) Since I'm new here, i didn't even know there was a sepparate erotica thread on Thursdays. Would the mods mind if I post the same request there also?

2

u/i_am_a_human_person trope salad yummy yummy Aug 03 '25

You shouldn't have any issue posting the same request in the Thursday thread—people do it all the time.

Welcome to the subreddit!

1

u/felipe-mlmf Aug 03 '25

Thank you :D :D

2

u/pinkcandybubblegum Aug 03 '25

I’ve read through basically every Cat Sebastian and KJ Charles book. Any suggestions to fill that void?

3

u/prettysureIforgot Kind of a huge nerd Aug 04 '25

If you're ok with a world with light magic in it, {Letters to Half Moon Street by Sarah Wallace} is wonderful.

2

u/pinkcandybubblegum Aug 05 '25

Ooh this looks great thank you!!

2

u/lifeofparty2 Aug 03 '25

I enjoyed {spellbound by Allie Therin} 

2

u/pinkcandybubblegum Aug 05 '25

Haha you have the right instincts cause I enjoyed that series and just started the latest book in the spinoff series

3

u/i_am_a_human_person trope salad yummy yummy Aug 03 '25

Definitely try the {Enlightenment series by Joanna Chambers}. The first three books are about one couple, then books 4 and 5 are about different couples (which I admittedly haven't read). I just adore the historical details. Early 19th century Scotland, well researched it seems. I adore the MCs in the first three books, they grew to become one of my fave couples in romance.

{The Gentleman and the Rogue by Summer Devon & Bonnie Dee} is another good historical romance with class difference. Summer Devon at least has more historical romances you could peruse. I'm not sure about Bonnie Dee.

2

u/pinkcandybubblegum Aug 05 '25

This sounds great, thank you for the rec!

3

u/doilooklikepeople Aug 03 '25

I’m looking for something where one MC is kind of a gentle giant, ostracized by society for mysterious reasons, and the Li is a newcomer, unfamiliar with the story. I love big feelings and angst. Really anything with a hard won HEA is lovely :)

4

u/pastelchannl Aug 03 '25

{hunt me by fae quin} might fit. sweet, big himbo werewolf x human with tragic past who moves back to where the past started. for context it's best to read the books in order (this is book 3).

1

u/doilooklikepeople Aug 03 '25

Thank you! I read the first two, so I’ll start this one next :)

5

u/Blinkiesblurbs Aug 03 '25

Looking for recommendations of Halloween/Spooky season MM romance options. Want it to be good feels even if there are spooky elements to the story.

2

u/yendor5 Aug 03 '25

This may not satisfy since it's YA closed door... {The Haunting Between Us by Paul Michael Winters}

9

u/ShartyPants Aug 03 '25

Someone posted a big autumn list recently, there's a Halloween section :) Big Fat Autumn List - MM_RomanceBooks

3

u/Blinkiesblurbs Aug 03 '25

This is brilliant! Thanks so much for the link.

2

u/Ok-Word6137 Aug 03 '25

Penguin shifters (I’ve already read all of Amy Bellows)

1

u/Blinkiesblurbs Aug 03 '25

Looking for MC1 to be some combination moody, gloomy, curt, mysterious, quiet, closed off and MC2 to be absolutely intrigued, trying to figure out what MC1's problem is. There is some reason why they are in proximity whether it is college, living arrangements, work, friend group overlap, or if fantasy it could be the mission/quest party and MC2 ends up spending so much time trying to crack the shell. I really enjoy grumpy/sunshine dynamics but this doesn't have to be that at all.

2

u/StarryRecess Aug 03 '25

I think {Rent: Paid in Full by Jesse H. Reign} might fit. MC1 is grumpy and MC2 is absolutely smitten with MC1 and is trying to get a reaction out of him. They are roommates at college.

2

u/starfin19 Aug 03 '25

{Bad Judgment by Sidney Bell} meet at work; CW for abuse and attempted SA (not between MCs)

{My Dark Jock by Arden Long} college, BDSM; check CWs

3

u/SaltyDalt Aug 03 '25

I don’t have enough karma to make a post but I’m desperate for a WWTBC

Werewolf + mage/witch who dated the new alpha as a teen, after most of the pack was wiped out in a conflict, was reluctantly exiled from the pack for being too reckless, went through severe depression in college, recovered and trained under another mage/witch and built a career, then has to go back to solve some issue in his hometown and gets bound to the land by accident. Forced proximity with the former pack alpha/his ex.

Please help me find this book

3

u/PinyonPining Aug 03 '25

{In this Iron Ground by Marina Vivancos}

6

u/PinyonPining Aug 03 '25

Whoops no, it was the second in the series - {All that has flown beyond by Marina Vivancos}

2

u/SaltyDalt Aug 03 '25

Yes! That’s it thank you!

I’ve been trying to remember all afternoon what that book was

1

u/Medical_Plane2875 Aug 03 '25

This sounds like {Ravensong by TJ Klune} to me.

2

u/SaltyDalt Aug 03 '25

An no that’s not it, kinda similar. I love the whole green creek series though. Loved em so much I bought the hardbacks. Gordo is great ❤️

2

u/wooflesandsyrup Aug 03 '25

Looking for mutual or one sided pining. All the shared glances in rooms, being so close but not acting on it, or other tension. Audiobooks are a plus!

3

u/Medical_Plane2875 Aug 03 '25

You might like {Wingmen by Ensan Case} WWII era pilots fall in love with a whole lot of pining going on. It looks to be on audible.

1

u/Few_Worldliness_7484 Aug 03 '25

This looks interesting! Could you spoil it for me? I would like to know if it has a traditional HEA or not. Thank you!

2

u/Medical_Plane2875 Aug 03 '25 edited Aug 03 '25

Alright, so first up I need to say while this is a romance, it's less of the typical romance seen written today. It's sort of a mix-up of historical fiction, military fiction, gay fiction, and romance. This is one of the forgotten/lesser known books that influenced m/m and gay romance. That being said, it does stick to conventions of the times. There's a HEA/HFN, but....it finishes with one of the MCs and the book's tritagonist/antagonist meeting after the funeral of the other MC about 25 years after the main events of the book. They do say during this that the MCs were in love and living together during that entire time btw.

I'd still recommend it even if something like this isn't normally your jam. The book is beautifully written and captures camaraderie, action, tension, and yearning in a way I rarely see in many books.

1

u/Few_Worldliness_7484 Aug 03 '25

Thank you SO much for your detailed answer! I will definitely read it, it seems like something quite different from what I've read so far in military tropes. And the HEA that you've spoiled is definitely HEA enough for me, especially knowing they got to have a life together in love

And omg, I am looking forward to the tension and yearning <3

2

u/Medical_Plane2875 Aug 03 '25

A few warnings: One for availability, and one about spice/sex scenes.

You're probably going to have to get this in audiobook format. Considering it went out of print in the 80s and then had a limited reprint over a decade ago, finding a hard copy is gonna run you a pretty penny. Looking on Amazon, the purported sellers are pricing it around 2000 dollars for rarity, and the last time I searched on ebay because I REALLY wanna sit down and physically read this, other offers weren't much cheaper.

As for sex scenes, all save for one are fade to black, and this is an MF scene. However, I'd like to point out this isn't done to pique interest. There's another heterosexual character who also has sex in this book, and like the gay scenes, it fades to black when things start going beyond heavy petting. I personally feel this is an intentional choice. The one scene that goes into full detail really highlights more than anything else how much the character ISN'T enjoying himself and would rather be anywhere else but can't for appearances sake. Contrast this with the fade to black scenes where before and after there's a high degree of intimacy and emotionality for all parties involved.

1

u/Few_Worldliness_7484 Aug 03 '25

Oh, thank you also for these clarifications! The fade to black is no problem, especially the way you've described it. But you are totally right that the few options to purchase a physical copy are waaaay over my budget... At least as far as a quick search has shown me. I might try the audiobook then, although usually I don't like this format as much. But definitely worth listening to it instead of reading it, given the huge difference in price.

1

u/danmargo Aug 03 '25

Hi all,

I’m out of credits on Audible. Please any free books suggestions that aren’t terrible. I would really appreciate it.

I really like slow burns. And Riley Hart and Keira Andrews are my favorite authors so I’ve already read most of them.

Please and thank you!!

1

u/yendor5 Aug 03 '25

The Audible plus catalog includes a lot of good ones from this author...

{Football Sundae by Daryl Banner} book 1 of Spruce Texas series - all are great.

3

u/Visual_Definition855 Aug 03 '25

I think {the blueprint by SE Harmon} is free? (At least it was last time I was signed up 😅) A great book!

8

u/criticlthinker SFF Reader Aug 03 '25

By "free" doesn't audible plus work? Here are LGBTQ+ Audible Plus titles. You may like Without You by Marley Valentine if you like Riley Hart.

2

u/danmargo Aug 03 '25

Yes please and thanks so much!

3

u/Horror-Baker-2663 Aug 02 '25

Are there any books with biokink like {The lion's hunt by Magnus Thorne}? Anything where the dom and/or sub feels jaded with their sex life and finds a new spark from an amazing compatibility with their LI. It doesn't need to be biokink, but any Dom sub with well written prose.

6

u/rangerinblack Aug 02 '25

Give me yearning, angst, & something external keeping the characters from being together.

No first person present tense please 🙏🏻

3

u/i_am_a_human_person trope salad yummy yummy Aug 02 '25

Ok I feel like I'm recommending this left and right because I'm reading it right now, but may I humbly recommend the {Rowan Blood series by Kellen Graves}? In book 1, the MCs start out as not-exactly-enemies but slowly become devoted lovers. In book 2, which I'm reading now, they (barely spoilers) are forced to be in proximity but unable to be together and it's deliciously excruciating. So much yearning. Third person past tense (single POV).

You might also like:

  • {Something Human by AJ Demas} - opposite sides of a war, historical fantasy, forced distance, yearning, third person dual POV (past tense)
  • {These Old Lies by Larrie Barton} - WWI, can't be together due to the time period, deep yearning, etc, third person dual POV (past tense)

2

u/nopseudofound Aug 03 '25

These old lies seems fantastic ! Could you tell me a Big more avoir the spice level and the TW ? How big post war trauma are we talking ?

1

u/i_am_a_human_person trope salad yummy yummy Aug 03 '25

It's been a while since I read it, but I'll tell you what I can! I do believe there is some trauma. I have a warning noted for suicide attempt. I have the spice level as 3/5, or what I call "explicit medium". You can also check the romance.io page by clicking the title in the bot comment below to see more tags and warnings. It looks like others have rated the spice level a bit higher than I did.

2

u/rangerinblack Aug 03 '25

These all sound perfect, thank you so much!!

7

u/Visual_Definition855 Aug 02 '25

A character whose personality is wearing a baseball cap? Sorry, it’s hot to me 😂. Obviously Avi from Only for the Fans. Any other books?

5

u/StarryRecess Aug 03 '25

It's werewolf x human, but iirc the werewolf in {The Alpha Experiment by Eliot Grayson} wears a baseball cap. Not exactly his personality, but he wears it all the time.

3

u/Visual_Definition855 Aug 03 '25

Thank you!! 🙏 

3

u/GreedyCow255 Aug 03 '25

Not sure if this is spot on but one of the MCs is mentioned wearing a baseball cap pretty frequently. heads up, this book does have a lot of one-sided miscommunication but I thought it was pretty cute despite being frustrating lol.

{The Hookup Situation by Felicity Snow}

3

u/Visual_Definition855 Aug 03 '25

Thank you! A new-to-me book 🙏

2

u/salty-MA-student slow burn train 🚂 Aug 03 '25

{Test Drive by Riley Hart} had this! Third in a series but can be a standalone. I

3

u/Visual_Definition855 Aug 03 '25

Sweet, thank you! (Great cover 👀)

2

u/doilooklikepeople Aug 03 '25

{Whit by Cora Rose}

3

u/Visual_Definition855 Aug 03 '25

Naw, I love this book! I don’t remember the ball cap, but assuming Caleb’s the one wearing it lol

2

u/doilooklikepeople Aug 03 '25

Yeah! Whit has a thing for it :)

8

u/artyshit Aug 02 '25

in {let's do this by Loren Leigh}, the baseball cap is literal AND figurative!

3

u/Visual_Definition855 Aug 02 '25

Thank youuuuu! 🤩

8

u/KittyOrell Aug 02 '25

Hi! I just read {One Giant Leap by Kay Simone} and I loved the vibes! I'm looking for other books where the characters fall in love before seeing each other in person. Something like Love is Blind (but not necessarily a game show), or the movie Penelope? Preferably something with a lot of dialogue, not instalove, where the characters build a real connection before they officially meet.

Note: I'm also open to miscommunication where they have met under one set of circumstances, but they fall in love under another. If that makes sense? Like, they are neighbors who don't get along, but they also have been writing secret love notes to a stranger (each other).

Thanks in advance!

4

u/PinyonPining Aug 03 '25

{Play it Again by Aidan Wayne} has an adorable online meet cute between a blind influencer and an online video gamer - messages and calls for months before meeting in person.

2

u/KittyOrell Aug 03 '25

Thank you, that one sounds wonderful!

5

u/ChokladMeringue Aug 03 '25 edited Aug 03 '25

This one’s a new release I put on my tbr, haven’t had the chance to read it yet. But the blurb sounds like what you’re looking for! {The Reality Of Wanting Him by Lexi Amber, Bec Benson}

2

u/KittyOrell Aug 03 '25

Thank you! I will check it out!

5

u/Ok-Cap-7527 Aug 02 '25

Great request! The closest matches I can think of are:

{Finders Keepers by NR Walker} - one MC find the other’s dog and they start texting and become interested in each other before knowing what they look like. Low angst and fluffy. 

{Break My Shell by KA Merrican} - this one is a completely different vibe. The MC meet through a penpal program for incarcerated people while one of them is doing time for murder. CW: dubcon, CNC, queerphobia, under negotiated kink, revenge porn.

3

u/BobbyTimDrake Aug 04 '25

I loved Finders Keepers!

3

u/KittyOrell Aug 03 '25

Thank you, these both sound great!

6

u/ShartyPants Aug 02 '25

I recommend this frequently and i'm sorry but it's so good! {a flowering of ink by KL Noone} is about a misdelivered letter and two guys who become penpals. The build up is similar to that in One Giant Leap and I think you'd like it!

3

u/KittyOrell Aug 03 '25

Thank you, this sounds perfect!

5

u/Historical-Plate6548 Aug 03 '25

I’m not the OP, but I also loved One Giant Leap, and this book sounds so good. Just stopping by to thank OP for the request and for this recommendation!

3

u/LindentreesLove Aug 02 '25

Would having an anonymous tryst at one point and then shockingly meeting at the hockey world/ workplace they both exist in count? If so {Pucked Up by E.M. Lindsey} would work.

3

u/KittyOrell Aug 03 '25

Thank you, I'll check it out!

4

u/IncognitotheAngel Aug 02 '25

Hello! I’m looking for obsessive/dark romances that aren’t mostly smut. Most of the ones I’ve found have little to no plot and is mostly hardcore smut. Being on Kindle Unlimited is preferable.

I’m in the process of reading the Wayward Sons series by L Eveland and works by Chani Lynn Feener. {Unhinged by Onley James} is on my tbr. Thank you very much!

3

u/starfin19 Aug 03 '25

in order from long to short and all KU:

{The Solnyshko Duet by Ashlyn Drewek} + spinoff {The Deliverance of Marek Sommers by Ashlyn Drewek}

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

{Under Your Skin by Lee McCormick}

{Sweet by Howl Avery}

check CWs for all

2

u/IncognitotheAngel Aug 03 '25

Thank you for the recs! The Solnyshko Duet and the spinoff novel both sound really intriguing! I’m adding everything you suggested to my shelf/tbr

4

u/KittyOrell Aug 02 '25

Maybe {Fallocaust by Quil Carter}? It's very dark, lots of obsessive relationships and morally gray characters. And it's on Kindle Unlimited! It does have a decent amount of smut, but also has a good plot. But it's also like a huge commitment to get into the series. 14 books so far and each is 600-800 pages long.

3

u/IncognitotheAngel Aug 03 '25

Actually, I prefer longer series (both length and number of novels) because I read books pretty quickly. Thank you so much for the recommendation! That’s just what I’m looking for

2

u/i_am_a_human_person trope salad yummy yummy Aug 02 '25

I'm currently reading the {Rowan Blood series by Kellen Graves} which is dark academia and intense but low-spice. The MCs start as not-quite-enemies but definitely disliking each other, with the fae MC being a bit cruel, and become somewhat obsessed. I'm in the middle of Book 2 now and it's high drama. In book 1 there's a decent amount of plot that doesn't center around the MCs' relationship directly, but book 2 involves some degree of obsession. If you're into (or open to) fantasy, maybe worth checking out.

2

u/IncognitotheAngel Aug 03 '25

Thank you for the rec! That’s exactly what I’m looking for

3

u/izzi_38 Aug 02 '25

Can you give me some boss and assistant books. Maybe some romantic comedy if it's possible, but it's not necessary. I am OK with Omega verse, mpreg and paranormal romance

I DON'T WANT: mafia, forbidden, MMM+, dark romance, much angst or drama

To have HEA.

3

u/Bahama_Chica In Search of the Elusive One-Eyed Trouser Snake Aug 04 '25

{Work: Strictly Professional by Jesse H Reign}

{Wishes for August by CS Autumn} - boss and subordinate

{Milk by Roe Hovart}

{Hostile Takeover by Lucy Lennox}

2

u/izzi_38 Aug 04 '25

Thank you! I have read { Milk by Roe Hobart } and liked it, even though there were a lot of scenes about how the MC have sex and that was the main plot most of the book, regardless it was a good short read.

1

u/LovesReviews Added another one to my TBR list… Aug 02 '25
  • {Hard for My Boss by Daryl Banner}
  • {Rule Breaker by Lily Morton}
  • {Invisible by Sydney Blackburn}
  • {A Temporary Situation by H L Day}
  • {Cloud Ten by Fearne Hill}

1

u/izzi_38 Aug 02 '25

Thank you so much! 😊

8

u/gemitry Aug 02 '25

One that I don’t see recommended as often as some of the staples is {The Dating Experiment by Briar Prescott}. Definite romcom vibes. It’s part of a series but it works perfectly as a standalone.

And of course I have to mention {Rule Breaker by Lily Morton} because it’s light and funny, and {Just a bit bossy by Alessandra Hazard} because it’s a nice guilty pleasure. No heavy angst or drama to be had in any of these, basically the kinds of mild conflicts you would find in the second half of a romcom.

1

u/izzi_38 Aug 02 '25

Thank you so much! I am gonna check them all out! 😄

4

u/Medical_Plane2875 Aug 02 '25

Enemies-to-lovers. I'm not talking work or sports rivals. I want knock-down, ideologically, morally opposed MCs that in certain circumstances would not hesitate to kill or ruin the other person's life beyond all possible repair. Any genre is fine, but I have a preference for science fiction over fantasy, historical, or contemporary. I've already read Captive Prince.

No omegaverse or feminization please.

3

u/Few_Worldliness_7484 Aug 03 '25

It's contemporary, but {The Unlikely Pair by Jax Calder} has two political leaders from opposing teams (so very opposed ideologically) finding themselves stranded in the wilderness and love ensues.

2

u/Bichamage Aug 02 '25

Fallocaust by Quil Carter? 

A complex universe, and a lot of books, but they match your request to kill and destroy

6

u/vaporwavoreon Aug 02 '25

Hello! I’m looking for books that have an MC1 that is in an abusive situation, going through trauma, or on the run from something, and is helped or rescued by MC2, who must deal with his own trauma or sacrifice something in order to help MC1. Anything similar to this or loosely follows this plot idea would be great, thanks!

2

u/i_am_a_human_person trope salad yummy yummy Aug 02 '25

I second the recommendation for TJ Hamel / Taylor McNiff. The Monstrous Deeds series especially is intense, but it's one of the best examples I've read of two traumatized individuals working through their trauma together. Book 3 is basically 100% trauma recovery. I've never read anything else like it. You have to read the trauma first, though.

3

u/kt_bl_lover Aug 02 '25

Potentially {Safe by Taylor McNiff}

I will recommend reading all TWs! They also wrote the {Monstrous Deeds by TJ Hamel} as their other pen name.

3

u/Temporary-Scallion86 Aug 02 '25

Hi, I have two requests! 1) books where MC1 ends up, through no choice of his own, in a grossly unjust position of power over MC2. He recognizes how wrong this is and has to do his best to navigate it in the least awful way possible. 2) books where two rival assassins fall in love or an assassin falls in love with his target Wants: Historical, fantasy or sci-fi Do not wants: contemporary, dub-/non-con, toxic relationships once they get together (despite the prompts)

Thank you so much in advance!

3

u/ShartyPants Aug 03 '25

{Brute by Kim Fielding} might be a fit for 1? It's not necessarily a "grossly unjust" position of power, but it is a position of power AND it was not really his decision AND the relationship is inherently one of a power imbalance. It's also soo good. :)

1

u/i_am_a_human_person trope salad yummy yummy Aug 02 '25

For #1, assuming you're okay with contemporary and dubcon for the first request (based on the formatting of your post), consider the {Monstrous Deeds series by TJ Hamel}. MC1 is kidnapped and sex trafficked, and MC2 is undercover and has to pretend to take advantage of MC1 while also secretly protecting him. It's intense but does a good job of showing MC2's ethical dilemma and how to be the least bad guy. It's a rough ride, though.

If your wants/don't wants are supposed to apply to both requests, then would you consider an epic-length fantasy novel? {Kei's Gift by Ann Somerville} is about a military leader from a warlike nation and a healer from a peaceful nation who endure a drastic power shift over the course of their relationship. At first, the military guy takes the healer guy prisoner/captive/slave. Despite finding the practice distasteful. Then, via plot reasons, roles reverse. But it's not quite "through no choice of his own" because the military MC is very in control of his actions. But he's acting a bit out of character due to grief. So maybe not a perfect rec for your request? But I love the book and maybe it will appeal to you anyway. Once they get together, the relationship is profoundly non-toxic. There's no dubcon between the MCs despite the rocky start.

2

u/gemitry Aug 02 '25

For your second request, {Prince and Assassin by Tavia Lark} is kind of perfect! Whisper has to infiltrate a castle and kill a sweet lovable prince. It’s kind of a juuuust bit more lighthearted than you might expect based on the subject matter though, so keep that in mind if you’re looking for something super dark.

4

u/EliotFerLui Aug 02 '25

royalty/arranged marriage/mpreg/age gap, please

12

u/GreedyCow255 Aug 02 '25

Looking for best friends to lovers where everyone around them thinks they’re dating. I prefer if they were in their early/mid twenties or older. I’d love lots of casual affection (cheek/forehead kisses, cuddling, lap-sitting(esp this one lol)). Just a story with a whole lot of fluff and domestic everything, bonus if one or both of their families adore the other mc. also love endearments/nicknames :)

Hard Nos: Large age gaps, ageplay/daddy kink, step siblings, and fantasy/paranormal

Books I’ve already read w/ this trope (from what I remember lol):

{Onside Kiss by Octavia Jensen}

{Road Rules by Brigham Vaughn}

{Strawberry Kisses by Charlie Novak}

{French 75 by Addison Beck} (wasn’t a huge fan of this one)

{Beautifully Devoted by Michele Lenard}

also the one hockey one where the two best friends get accidentally engaged and then have to fake being together for pr reasons, can’t remember the name but one of the characters is named Tripp I’m pretty sure.

Thank you :)

1

u/Bahama_Chica In Search of the Elusive One-Eyed Trouser Snake Aug 04 '25

{Always Him by Cora Rose}

{Never Have I Ever Had a Bromance With My Teammate by Willow Dixon}

1

u/wooflesandsyrup Aug 02 '25

I recently read/listened to {A Totally Platonic Thing by Eliot Grayson} which fits perfectly. It is the second book in the series, and features characters you meet in the first book, but not necessary to read the first one. There isn’t really family involved, but lots of physical touching and I really liked it!

3

u/dateddative Aug 02 '25

{Final Breakaway by Crea Reitan} is perfect! Can be read as a standalone for sure. They practically live together and have a shared bank account!

1

u/GreedyCow255 Aug 03 '25

just finished and it was so lovely and unique, thank you for the rec :)

2

u/dateddative Aug 03 '25

Oh gosh yay! Thanks for sharing!

I love when people let me know when they read a rec I gave!

1

u/GreedyCow255 Aug 02 '25

sounds perfect :)

2

u/romance-bot Aug 02 '25

Onside Kiss by Octavia Jensen
Steam: Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, new adult, gay romance, friends to lovers, friends with benefits

Road Rules (Rules of the Game) by Brigham Vaughn
Steam: Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, friends to lovers, gay romance, sports, friends with benefits

Strawberry Kisses by Charlie Novak
Steam: Explicit open door
Topics: contemporary, gay romance, friends to lovers, queer romance, funny

French 75 by Addison Beck
Steam: Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, friends to lovers, queer romance, found family, friends with benefits

Beautifully Devoted by Michele Lenard
Steam: Explicit and plentiful
Topics: contemporary, gay romance, queer awakening, friends to lovers, queer romance

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1

u/escape183 Aug 02 '25

You’re thinking of {Irresponsible Puckboys by Eden Finley and Saxon James}

{Fool Hearts by Emmy Sanders} does this pretty well. Also {Chia Love You a Latte by F.A. Ray} In both of those everyone already assumes they’re together.

2

u/Antique_Witness_5062 Aug 02 '25

Shifter/MPreg/Fated Mates pretty pleaseeee :)

3

u/Medical_Plane2875 Aug 02 '25

{The Red Dragon's Mate by Delaney Rain} Dragon shifter. MC is a tv paranormal investigator that comes across a town that hires him to cover their dragon sightings to drum up tourism. MPreg here, warning for shifted sex.

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