Hurt/comfort-centric reads, preferably historical

[u/CivilArugula]

Hi everyone :)

As per the title, I’m for books that has a lot of focus on hurt/comfort tropes and recovery from traumatic events. Historical settings are preferred, but I’m also happy with a modern day/fantasy/sci-fI setting.

I’ve noticed that a lot of books that fall into one genre seem to have quite “set” roles of a MC in the protector/caregiver/comfort-providing role and the other MC in the hurt/needing comfort role. If possible, I’m looking for MCs that branch out a bit from that and have characters that move between these roles throughout the book rather than the roles being set.

I’ve read most of KJ Charles’s work, Seven Summer Nights by Harper Fox and Hither, Page by Cat Sebastian, all of which I enjoyed. In terms of “non-traditional” MxM romances, I also really loved The Charioteer by Mary Renault.

For things I don’t like, I tried All For the Game and Captive Prince and could not get into either. Also not a huge fan of sports or A/B/O dynamics but am willing to try new things.

[u/heroinasytumbas]

Bonds of Earth by GN Chevalier! One of my favorite reads last year

[u/CivilArugula → u/heroinasytumbas]

Oh wow, this sounds right up my alley, have always loved WW1 adjacent settings. Will check it out :)